After hearing Cobra's words, Natsu responded with seriousness and determination. "This has nothing to do with that."
Locking eyes with Cobra, his fighting spirit blazing, he declared, "I have to defeat you to save my friends, so there's no way I can lose!"
*Boom*
Natsu launched another attack.
So what if he was poisoned?
So what if the opponent was a Poison Dragon Slayer?
His resolve was unshakable—he had to defeat him and rescue 'Jehfrit' and Wendy. Everything else was irrelevant!
Even the fight itself didn't matter. What mattered most was—
Saving his comrades!
"Heh, just sheer willpower? How could that possibly allow you to ignore the difference in strength and beat someone far stronger than you?" The Poison Dragon sneered. "You really are as naive as a character from some fairy tale."
[Naivety… isn't that a wonderful quality?]
In the dungeon, Jehfrit gave a faint smile. Magic was always tied to one's mindset, especially for Dragon Slayers.
Believing only in common sense and sticking rigidly to theory—
That would make you nothing more than an average mage.
Only by thinking beyond limits could you achieve the impossible.
Natsu and everyone from Fairy Tail relied on this very simplicity to keep overcoming powerful foes time and again.
*Boom Boom Boom*
Although Natsu's strength was waning, his speed kept increasing.
Cobra decided to take the hits head-on. If he couldn't hear Natsu's thoughts and dodge, then he wouldn't bother. Besides, every punch Natsu landed came at the cost of excruciating pain from the corrosive poison fog seeping into his skin.
Willpower?
Bonds?
Just how far would those get him against the power of his poison?
"Natsu, I can't fly anymore!" Happy said, exhausted.
"Shh—" Natsu's entire body was now covered in toxins, his skin red like it had been burned.
"It looks like you've lost," Cobra cracked his wrists. Natsu's strength and speed were indeed superior, but in a life-or-death battle, physical prowess wasn't everything.
"Damn it!" Natsu's body began to plummet; Happy couldn't hold on any longer.
"That's the end of it," Cobra said, toxic mist swirling around his hand.
"Poison Dragon's Claw!"
*Boom*
The Poison Dragon's claw slashed into Natsu!
*Kaboom*
Happy was sent flying, and Natsu crashed heavily to the ground.
"Natsu!" Lucy's heart tightened as she saw Cobra descending slowly through the sky.
She pulled out her keys, ready to fight, but Cobra struck her down along with Carla. They collapsed, the poison invading their bodies, leaving them unable to move.
"Willpower?"
"Bonds?"
"Is that all there is?"
Cobra approached Natsu, who grabbed his scarf and slowly pulled it down, revealing a necklace hanging around his neck.
It was an irregularly shaped pendant glowing fiery red, containing a tiny flame inside.
"Heh." Despite his pain, Natsu managed a weak grin. He took the necklace and placed it in his mouth, biting down hard.
*Crack*
The necklace shattered, and the small flame was sucked into Natsu's mouth.
"A little flame like that won't change anything," Cobra said, raising his hand as the poisonous mist gathered around it.
*Pop*
Thanks to the small spark, Natsu regained some of his magic power. Struggling to his feet, he muttered, "I'm not thinking about things like bonds or beliefs. This necklace, this Volcanic Gemstone—it was a gift from Jehfrit."
*Boom*
Flames erupted from Natsu's hands. He looked up at Cobra, speaking with deliberate clarity: "That guy—is waiting for me!"
*Boom*
Natsu charged towards Cobra.
"Hmph, futile!"
Cobra swung his claw at Natsu.
What good was a tiny flicker of flame, barely the size of a fist? It would be easily neutralized by his poison mist.
The outcome was already decided!
*Hiss*
But to Cobra's surprise, just before Natsu's fiery punch collided with his toxic palm, the flames extinguished completely!
Natsu even switched from a punch to a grab, seizing Cobra's hand without using any magic to resist the corrosive poison. Intense agony twisted Natsu's face, yet through sheer force of will, he suppressed the pain, replacing it with a triumphant smile and unwavering determination.
Something's wrong!
Cobra realized Natsu's plan too late!
"Fire Dragon's—Roar!"
Natsu opened his mouth wide, pressing close, zero distance, pouring every last bit of his magic into the attack!
*BOOM*
Cobra took the full brunt of the roar.
He wasn't Laxus, and even Laxus would have hesitated against such an assault.
Soon, the pillar of fire dissipated.
Cobra's face was scorched, parts of it charred black, his hair gone, and he collapsed, eyes rolling back.
[A miracle has been born.]
Deep in the dungeon, Jehfrit felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Magic originates from logic but ultimately transcends it.
Miracles aren't created by magic—they're created by people.
By Natsu, right here, right now.
*Thud*
Natsu flashed a proud grin before collapsing himself.
*Shh—*
Jose Porla stirred, attempting to act.
*Splash*
A surge of Ice-Make magic sealed him in place.
*Vroom Vroom*
Gray arrived on his motorcycle.
Assessing the situation, he furrowed his brows.
He'd originally ridden up with Lyon, but halfway, they'd encountered Jura and Ichiya, both incapacitated. Lyon had taken them away for treatment while Gray rushed to provide support.
Things weren't looking good.
Natsu was down. Lucy, Happy, and Carla were nearly out of magic and poisoned. Simon was injured and couldn't stand. Erza and Jellal were still locked in combat. Even Gray himself was battered, his magic depleted, far from peak condition.
And their enemies? Still standing were Oración Seis leader Brain, Hoteye, Midnight, and former Saint Ten member Jellal.
[Yeah, this is going to be tough.]
From the dungeon, Jehfrit mused. No wonder Brain was called a seasoned coward. First, he coordinated with Midnight to defeat Ichiya, then ambushed Jura together. With two strong fighters out of commission, the remaining forces consisted only of Erza and Gray.
Tiffany hadn't joined the battle yet—if she had, things might have become simpler. But now, it seemed they desperately needed "Tiffany."
*Kaboom*
Suddenly, a mage fell onto the battlefield, unconscious.
Gray quickly turned toward where the figure came from—a commanding presence walked forward.
"Tiffany!" Gray's eyes lit up. She looked fresh and full of energy.
"Sorry, I've been searching for Jehfrit," Tiffany explained.
"And did you find him?" Gray asked urgently.
"Yes, but rescuing him is difficult. There's a barrier set up around the area. We'll need to defeat the Oración Seis and destroy Nirvana's Magic Crystals to break it. Plus, there's something else critical we must address." Tiffany added.
"What is it?"
*Rumble Rumble*
One of Nirvana's massive legs rose, then stepped forward, causing the city to shift.
"It's begun," Tiffany said, gazing into the distance.
"What's begun? Why is this city moving?!" Gray felt the tremors beneath his feet, his expression grim.
"Nirvana is heading to destroy Cait Shelter."
"What?!" Carla exclaimed, shocked.
"The creators of Nirvana were ancestors of Cait Shelter's guild members. They possessed the ability to seal Nirvana, so after gaining control of it, the Oración Seis naturally targeted Cait Shelter first." Tiffany clarified.
"How could this happen…" Carla stammered, unsure what to do.
Tiffany continued, "I've investigated thoroughly. Nirvana has six legs, which are essentially conduits absorbing magical energy. If we simultaneously destroy the Magic Crystals within these six conduits, we can stop Nirvana from obliterating Cait Shelter and also rescue Jehfrit and Wendy."
Raising her fist, she declared, "Let's move!"
With that, she glanced at Jellal, who was still battling Erza.
"Hmph, I'm bored," Jellal muttered before abruptly fleeing.
He knew exactly who this young woman was. One punch from her had knocked out Jehfrit earlier. Given his current state—with armor nearly falling apart after fighting Erza—he doubted he'd survive a direct hit.
"Jellal," Erza murmured, her emotions conflicted.
"That guy…" Simon clenched his teeth. "I'll make him see the error of his ways!"
"How many members of Oración Seis remain?" Erza asked, catching her breath.
"Ichiya and Jura were defeated," Gray replied.
"I took care of Racer."
"Cobra's here."
"Angel was defeated by Lucy," Carla chimed in.
Erza frowned deeply. "So, that leaves Brain, Midnight, Hoteye, and Jellal."
"Six Magic Crystals, but four enemies left. And we barely have enough people ourselves." Gray sighed.
Even counting Natsu, they only had Erza, Gray, Tiffany, Natsu, and Simon—five people total.
Five people, six conduits.
Including Lucy, Happy, and Carla meant risking encounters with the remaining enemies, which was highly likely.
"Should we split up?" Tiffany asked.
"No!" Gray immediately rejected the idea. "They'll guard four of the conduits. If we split, Lucy and the others will definitely run into one of them."
Sighing, he added, "If only Jehfrit were here. With him, we could strategize better, ensuring Lucy and weakened Natsu avoid direct confrontations. But now, it's all random."
"Slow and steady works too," Erza suggested. "We'll tackle them one by one, the old-fashioned way."
"Hopefully, we'll have enough time," Gray agreed.
"Natsu… can you still fight?" Lucy drank a potion—one purchased from Jehfrit—which temporarily suppressed the poison. She helped Natsu sit up and gave him some medicine as well.
"Fire…" Natsu whispered weakly.
*Swoosh*
Using her sword, Erza struck rusty iron bars, creating sparks that ignited a bundle of wood Gray had gathered.
Flames danced.
Natsu devoured the fire hungrily, his magic rapidly replenishing while the toxins were temporarily held at bay.
"Jehfrit's potions really work wonders," Lucy remarked.
She watched as Happy and Carla recovered visibly after taking the potion, their magic slightly restored.
"That guy spends all his training time researching these concoctions," Gray commented.
"I have a few bottles left," Lucy distributed the remaining vials among the group.
After a brief rest, they followed Tiffany deeper into the city without delay.
"My stamina is still good. I'll head in from another direction and circle back—that should speed things up," Tiffany said.
"Alright, be careful," Erza nodded.
Tiffany departed in the opposite direction, disappearing shortly afterward.
Erza and the others reached the first Magic Crystal site, where Hoteye stood guard.
"Let me tell you something: money can solve everything in this world," Hoteye stated confidently.
"If we paid you, would you abandon this fight?" Erza asked, knowing she happened to be quite wealthy.
"One million Jewels."
Before Hoteye finished speaking,
*Swoosh Swoosh*
A torrent of cash rained down, burying him entirely.
"One-point-five million Jewels. Help us fight," Erza countered.
Hoteye collected the money, bowed deeply, and quietly stepped aside.
"I can't believe he was that easy to deal with," Gray muttered, dumbfounded.
"Let's go," Erza ordered.
Together, they moved on, Hoteye tagging along.
"Hey, do you really love money that much? Would you betray your own allies for it?" Natsu questioned Hoteye.
"In dark guilds, everyone gathers for personal gain," Hoteye explained. "I'm here to earn a fortune so I can find my younger brother."
"What's your brother's name? Tell us—we might know him," Natsu suggested.
At this, a gentle smile crossed Hoteye's face. "His name is Wally Buchanan."
"Eh?!!!!!!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"That blocky-headed guy?!" They exclaimed in unison.
"What?" Hoteye looked confused.
*Slap* Simon eagerly grabbed Hoteye's shoulders while Erza grinned. "Wally is our friend!"
"What?" Hoteye froze.
"Wally is traveling freely across the continent with a few companions," Erza assured him.
"Really?!" Tears welled up in Hoteye's eyes.
"Of course!" Simon pulled out a photo—the group picture taken at Tower of Heaven, sans Jellal.
"Look," Simon handed it to Hoteye.
"Wally…" Hoteye stared at the grown-up version of his younger brother, instantly recognizing him despite the changes.
"That's my brother! That's my brother!"
Hoteye clutched the photo tightly, shouting in excitement.
Then, smiling blissfully, he added, "Look how happy he is, how handsome he's become."
"Yeah, Wally's a great person," Erza smiled warmly.
Hoteye waved his hand, pulling out all the money he'd just accepted.
"What are you doing?" Erza frowned.
"I don't need the money anymore. My brother's been found," Hoteye declared.
"But I already paid you to help us fight," Erza reminded him.
Hoteye's strength would significantly boost their chances.
"I'll help you, but not because of the money," Hoteye said, staring fondly at the photo. "But out of love!"
"You told me my brother is alive and happy. I don't need money—I need to remember why I started learning magic in the first place."
Hoteye proclaimed, "Erza, and everyone, I'll assist you!"