The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

Markov's injury while saving Erza weighed heavily on her conscience.

"I'm so sorry. It's all because I'm too weak that the president ended up like this!"

Kira was silent for a moment, then placed a comforting hand on her head. His tone was uncharacteristically soft. "It's already happened, Erza. Blaming yourself won't change anything... And besides," he added with a slight smirk, "it's not your fault at all, so stop punishing yourself."

Erza nodded, though her guilt lingered.

Kira turned toward the gathered crowd, raising his voice. "What are you all standing around for?! Something's happened to the guild, and you're out here playing around?! Move it!"

His words spurred everyone into action.

"Let's get moving!"

"Quick, quick, who else is still missing?"

Someone shouted from the back of the group, "Natsu and Happy aren't here yet!"

"What?!" Kira's face twitched. "Why does that guy always have to mess around at the worst possible times? Find him!"

Markov, cradled in Elfman's arms, stirred weakly and opened his eyes. "The guild... Is it safe?"

"Relax, old man," Kira said with a confident smile. "I've got it covered. The Amaterasu defensive magic circle I set up, powered by magic crystals, won't be broken easily. And even if they manage to get past it..."

He paused for effect, his tone dropping. "There's someone reliable guarding the guild."

At the guild, Joseph's advance had been halted by a lone figure.

His ghost soldiers, summoned to wreak havoc, were utterly useless against the newcomer.

"Who are you?" Joseph demanded, narrowing his eyes at the figure cloaked in a blue cape, wearing a green mask, and surrounded by five enormous staffs.

The figure replied in a low, calm voice. "Fairy Tail. Mistgun."

Joseph gritted his teeth in frustration. "That old Markov even prepared for this... How annoying."

Fifty meters away from the Phantom base, Happy found Natsu, but he was in terrible shape.

"The Fire Dragon's... ugh... stomach..." Natsu groaned, clutching his abdomen. The aftereffects of eating Usagimaru's noxious fire were taking their toll.

Gajeel, standing tall and unscathed, sneered at his opponent. "You're pathetic, Fire Dragon. Eating that fire was the dumbest thing you've ever done. No wonder you're paying for it now."

Happy fluttered around, worried. "Natsu! Maybe we should just retreat! I heard something bad happened to the guild!"

"I want to, but..." Natsu struggled to stand.

Before he could finish, Gajeel launched another attack. "Iron Dragon Stick!" The iron rod extended toward Natsu, who barely dodged.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Gajeel growled. "This isn't just a guild war—it's a battle between dragons!"

Natsu was repeatedly pushed back, his movements sluggish. Even Happy couldn't get close enough to help.

Seeing his opponent's condition, Gajeel smirked and transformed his arm into a massive iron blade. "Let's end this! Iron Dragon Sword!"

The blade swung with terrifying force, but Happy, acting quickly, grabbed Natsu and carried him into the air just in time.

"Happy... I feel terrible..." Natsu groaned.

"Why don't you spit out that fire you ate earlier?!" Happy suggested.

"Spit it out?!" Natsu blinked. Then, an idea sparked in his mind.

"That's it! Happy, you're a genius!"

Happy beamed. "Of course I am!"

"What are you planning now?" Gajeel asked warily, watching Natsu's renewed determination.

"The Fire Dragon's..." Natsu began, channeling his magic inward. He concentrated the fire he had eaten into his stomach, forcing the remnants of Usagimaru's flames to mix with his own magic.

"Roar!"

A fiery blast erupted from Natsu's mouth, tinged with strange hues of green and purple. Gajeel, caught off guard, quickly shielded himself with his iron armor.

When the flames subsided, Natsu stood tall, his energy restored.

"You... You used your own fire to burn off the poison and spit it out?" Gajeel's disbelief was evident.

Natsu grinned. "Exactly. I got rid of the waste. Now, I'm back to full strength!"

"You're cheating!" Gajeel spat.

"Cheating? Call it whatever you want. It's time for my counterattack!"

The two Dragon Slayers collided again, their attacks shaking the ground. Gajeel's iron-hard scales met Natsu's blazing fists in a flurry of close combat.

Both fighters pushed their limits, each one determined to outlast the other.

Gajeel, now coated in a layer of blackened steel, had heightened both his offensive and defensive capabilities. But Natsu, empowered by his boundless energy and sheer determination, kept pace with ease.

The battle raged on, each blow heavier than the last.

"The Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

"Iron Dragon Whip!"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

"Iron Dragon's Sword!"

The two fighters' voices echoed across the battlefield as they unleashed their magic. The sheer force of their battle caused debris to fly in every direction, leaving craters in the earth.

What set Natsu apart was his ability to adapt mid-battle. Unlike Gajeel, who relied on brute force and iron-hard resolve, Natsu learned from each clash.

Though Gajeel had initially overpowered him, Natsu quickly identified his patterns and weaknesses.

"He's overusing that iron sword," Natsu thought, dodging another swing. "If I can just keep up the pressure..."

With renewed vigor, Natsu pressed the attack. His fiery strikes became more precise, targeting the joints in Gajeel's iron armor.

"You're not getting away with this!" Gajeel roared, but there was a hint of desperation in his voice.

Natsu smirked. "It's my turn now!"

As their battle reached its peak, Natsu gathered all his magic into a single, devastating attack.

"The Fire Dragon's... Brilliant Flame!"

Gajeel, unwilling to back down, responded with his own ultimate move.

"Iron Dragon's Metallic Fury!"

The two forces collided, creating an explosion that lit up the battlefield. When the dust settled, only one figure remained standing.

Natsu.

Gajeel lay on the ground, defeated but conscious.

"You got lucky, Fire Dragon," he muttered, his voice filled with grudging respect.

Natsu grinned. "Next time, don't underestimate me!"

With Gajeel defeated and his strength fully restored, Natsu turned to Happy.

"Let's head back to the guild. They're going to need us!"

"Right!" Happy said, flapping his wings.

As they flew toward Magnolia, Natsu clenched his fists, flames still flickering around them.

"I won't let anyone destroy our home!"

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