Chapter 106: Natsu – Give Us Back Jehfrit!
Midnight's strength was formidable.
But with Hoteye, Erza, Natsu, and Gray teaming up, though it was a grueling fight, they ultimately emerged victorious.
The group pressed onward.
"Jellal," Simon gazed at the figure ahead, his expression conflicted.
Guarding the Magic Crystal below was a man clad in armor—new armor this time.
It was Jellal.
"Do you refuse to even show your face to us?" Simon stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger.
I want to…
Jellal felt wronged too. He'd taken the brunt of Jehfrit's punches earlier, his head battered so badly he resembled a swollen pig. If he took off his helmet now, it would be a social disaster.
*Swish* Erza drew her sword, her gaze unwavering.
This battle was inevitable.
Simon raised his hand as well. Though he knew his strength fell short, he was determined to give it his all in this fight!
With firm resolve, Simon declared, "Jellal, don't worry—it'll all be over soon. We'll save you!"
"Hmph." Jellal let out a cold laugh, standing up as his palm glowed with magic.
*Boom*
The battle erupted.
During the Tower of Heaven incident, Jellal had been toyed with by Jehfrit's magic and defeated without much of a fight.
Just half a day ago, Jehfrit stormed into the Oración Seis' lair while Jellal was still waking up. Facing Jehfrit in his explosive state left Jellal with a shadow of fear from the beating he received.
But this time, he could finally unleash his full power.
He was Jellal!
He was once one of the Ten Saints!
Jellal's gaze hardened as he looked at Simon and Erza.
You've all grown stronger—but so have I!
*Boom Boom Boom*
The battle commenced.
Lucy, Happy, and Carla didn't participate in this fight. Watching the overwhelming bursts of magical energy, they dared not approach, instead huddling in a corner, trembling.
*Boom*
Simon charged first—and fell first.
Not long after, Gray collapsed too. He couldn't keep going and retreated to recover temporarily since there was still the final, hardest battle ahead. He couldn't afford to exhaust his magic completely.
A little while later, Hoteye went down as well.
Only Natsu and Erza remained.
Erza was strong, with vast reserves of magic.
Natsu, on the other hand, kept regenerating stamina mid-fight. Before his physical endurance ran out, he only grew fiercer with each passing moment.
"Why?" Erza demanded.
Jellal responded coldly, "No comment."
What could he say?
That if he didn't play along, that guy would beat him up again?
"You bastard!" Natsu charged at Jellal, shrugging off his attacks and landing a punch that sent him flying. "Jehfrit said anyone who makes Erza cry, no matter who they are, we'll knock them flat!"
"That's right, Natsu—beat him to a pulp!" Gray shouted encouragement from the sidelines.
Under the combined assault of Erza and Natsu, Jellal gradually began to falter.
This is enough, isn't it?
Jellal felt his body starting to break down, his magic nearly depleted.
He sighed.
Sensing his movements slowing, Natsu's sharp combat instincts immediately prompted him to act.
"Crimson Lotus—Fire Dragon Fist!"
An unrelenting barrage of fiery punches left Jellal unable to retaliate.
*Boom Boom Boom*
Jellal's armor shattered, and he was hammered into the ceiling, sinking deeper under the relentless force of Natsu's blows.
*Whoosh*
Finally, Natsu stopped.
Jellal's body plummeted downward.
*Swish*
Erza caught him, but seeing Jellal's swollen, battered face, whatever she intended to say got stuck in her throat.
"We've won. Let's move forward," Erza said, turning to Simon. "You stay here and watch him."
"Mm." Simon knew he wasn't capable of participating in the next battle anyway, so he decided to stay behind and tend to Jellal's injuries.
He glanced at Natsu.
Those fists sure packed a punch.
Look at what they did to Jellal.
Leaving Simon and Jellal behind, the group continued their advance.
One last enemy remained.
The leader—Brain.
"You're quite capable," Brain observed as the group approached through the corridor.
"Sorry…" Tiffany lay on the ground, offering an apologetic smile.
They understood—she had been defeated.
"I'll take care of you," Natsu declared, flames erupting from both hands, his fighting spirit ablaze.
"Hmph." Brain casually flicked out a spell.
Though the outcome was already decided, he'd rather be beaten again by Jehfrit than these amateurs.
At least that guy was genuinely terrifying.
These were just small fry.
Their magic was easily readable, their power nothing special.
*Boom*
Brain unleashed his magic, and the most intense battle yet erupted.
Facing Brain's immense pressure, everyone gave it their all.
Soon, Hoteye collapsed entirely.
After fighting multiple battles, his stamina and magic were utterly spent. Unlike Dragon Slayers, who could push through sheer willpower, he was truly done for.
*Pant Pant Pant*
Both Brain and Erza were breathing heavily.
Gritting their teeth, they pushed on!
*Boom Boom Boom*
The sounds of magical combat grew quieter.
Everyone's magic was nearly depleted, their physical strength exhausted.
"Damn it…" Gray reluctantly fell, knowing he wouldn't be able to get back up this time.
*Huff* Erza took a deep breath, realizing she couldn't even lift a finger if she lay down now.
Even Natsu, despite still having some magic left, was gasping like a bull, his stamina completely gone.
"Natsu…" Erza glanced at him.
Natsu assessed the enemy's condition and took a deep breath.
"Combine the flames of my left hand with those of my right!"
The flames from both his hands merged into a massive fireball.
"Fire Dragon's—"
"Blazing Flame!"
He hurled the enormous fireball and promptly collapsed, completely out of energy.
"Hmph." Brain stood ready.
"Darkness Fantasia·Lament!"
His spiraling magic collided with the fireball.
"Requip!"
Erza discarded all defense, leaving only a cloth wrapped around her chest and red pants, wielding a long blade—the demonic sword *Benizakura*.
Completely abandoning defense for one decisive strike.
*Swish*
Erza followed behind the fireball.
*Boom*
Brain's magic shattered the fireball, revealing Erza behind it.
"Damn!"
Only then did he realize he'd fallen into a trap!
But it was too late!
This was Erza's strongest attack!
*Swish*
They passed each other in a flash.
Erza and Brain collapsed simultaneously.
"It's over," Gray sighed in relief.
"Over?" At that moment, the staff Brain had been holding spoke: "It's only just begun. The master is awakening."
"What do you mean?" Everyone frowned, a bad feeling rising in their chests.
"Master…" The staff's voice trembled with fear. "The persona you defeated was merely his surface personality, the one who loves knowledge. The true warrior and destroyer lies within his inner personality!"
"To control the inner persona, Brain sealed it with six locks!"
"Could it be…" Gray gasped, piecing things together.
"Yes, the six members of Oración Seis!"
"If they're all defeated, the master's inner persona will break free!"
As the staff spoke,
*Boom*
A surge of terrifying magical energy far surpassing before erupted.
"Damn!" Erza tried to stand using her sword but couldn't muster the strength.
"Welcome back, Master Zero," the staff said fearfully.
Compared to the previous persona, this one made the former seem merciful and reasonable.
"Hmph," Zero glanced at Natsu and the others. "A bunch of trash. There's no point in fighting you anymore."
"Master Zero, could it be you're planning to…" The staff sounded astonished.
"There are truly worthy opponents," Zero said, taking a step forward.
At that moment,
In the dungeon,
Jehfrit lifted his head and calmly met Zero's gaze.
Zero froze mid-step, sweat trickling down his forehead.
"How is this possible?!"
In that instant, a wave of intense fear crashed over him.
It was overwhelming, like a human facing a tsunami—small, powerless, and utterly incapable of resistance.
He couldn't fight back. He didn't even have the will to resist!
"Damn it!"
"I refuse to believe it!"
Zero gritted his teeth and took another step forward.
*Boom*
Another wave of terror descended.
This time, it was—
Regret.
"How could I possibly—"
Zero raised his foot to take a third step.
But this step never landed.
Two seconds later,
Zero turned around, his steps light as he walked toward Erza, stepping on her sword.
His expression dark, he said, "Trash like you should be dealt with first."
He had been threatened!
Him!
Zero, the true leader of Oración Seis, whose power far exceeded that of an ordinary guild master!
And yet, he had been threatened!
That guy had told him, "Take one more step, and I'll make you experience the pain of being turned into a human pig!"
Zero had initially thought to ignore the threat, but the panic flooding his mind was driving him to the brink of insanity.
Without hesitation, he knew that if he took that step, the terror would overwhelm him, forcing him to choose suicide before enduring the promised agony.
Resistance was impossible.
That guy's magic—
Deception Magic—
Was a terror beyond imagination!
Compared to the irritable guy from earlier, this person now seemed like a god governing emotions!
Even demons inspired some resistance!
Facing a god, one dared not even think of defiance!
Zero and Brain both realized they had been used as trial opponents for these people.
But he didn't understand—these people were clearly unable to stand.
Why force them to fight?
Weren't they comrades?
Why push them to such extremes?
"So... it's not over yet," Natsu muttered, slowly rising to his knees. He looked up at Zero with a grin. "Then... let's continue."
*Thud* Gray leaned against the wall and stood up. "Until we rescue Jehfrit—even if our magic runs dry, even if our muscles dissolve, even if our bones break."
"The second half," Erza discarded her sword and forced herself to stand.
"Let's begin!"
Before Erza could finish speaking, Zero casually waved his hand and sent her flying.
"Ah—" Ice blades formed on Gray's arms.
*Bang*
Zero flicked his hand again, sending Gray flying as well.
"Fragile. Is there even any meaning in continuing this fight?" Zero said.
These words weren't directed at Erza and the others—they were meant for Jehfrit.
"Fire Dragon's—" Before Natsu could even reach him, before his magic could activate, Zero struck him down.
[Combat mages are like this—they must push their bodies to the limit to unlock their potential.]
Jehfrit adjusted his glasses, his expression calm.
Natsu, Gray, Erza.
You can still fight.
*Boom*
A surge of intense fighting spirit erupted in everyone's hearts. Jehfrit had given them a slight boost.
"Raaah!"
Gray roared and charged at Zero.
"Futile." Zero sent him flying again.
*Bang*
Erza slammed into Zero's back, causing him to stagger slightly.
"Weak."
Zero grabbed Erza's armor.
"Fire Dragon's—Iron Fist!"
Natsu delivered a fierce punch to Zero's face.
"Powerless."
Zero grabbed both of them and flung them away.
'This guy still has some magic left—he hit me hard. I need to deal with him!'
A surge of anger toward Natsu welled up inside Zero.
He strode toward Natsu.
"Natsu—" Lucy screamed, running desperately toward him.
*Boom*
Zero casually cast a spell, sending her flying.
Then he approached Natsu.
"Fire Dragon's—"
Before Natsu could unleash his magic, Zero landed a crushing punch on his body.
*Boom*
Natsu flew backward and crashed into the wall.
"Dark Gravity!"
*Boom*
A terrifying force exploded, shattering the wall behind Natsu.
"Natsu!" Erza, Gray, and Lucy cried out in concern.
"Bastard, leave Natsu alone!" Happy flew over but was swatted away by Zero.
"Do you still refuse to surrender?" Zero furrowed his brow.
*Boom Boom Boom*
Spell after spell mercilessly bombarded Natsu.
"Stop…" Lucy sobbed, collapsing in despair. Never had she hated her own weakness so much!
*Boom*
Zero ceased his assault, and Natsu landed on the ground.
"Don't… stand up again, Mr. Natsu," Hoteye pleaded involuntarily.
*Thud* From the rubble, a scarred hand emerged, pushing upward with great effort. A head with pink hair broke free, revealing weary but resolute eyes.
At this moment, Zero's anger reached its peak.
"Die!!!"
"Genesis·Zero!"
Countless dark phantoms engulfed Natsu completely!
"Natsu!!!" Everyone screamed.
"It's over," Zero looked toward Jehfrit.
Is this the result you wanted?
"ROAR!!!!"
At that moment, a dragon's roar echoed from the darkness.
A thunderous bellow that shook the entire city!
Then, a terrifying surge of magical energy erupted from the darkness!
'This is the result I wanted.' Jehfrit set down his chopsticks, a smile spreading across his face.
*Boom*
Furious flames dispersed the darkness.
Dragon scales resembling Laxus's appeared on Natsu's face.
Emerging from the flames, Natsu stood reborn, like a phoenix risen from the ashes!
"Sure, that guy's personality is terrible."
"He always uses his magic to prank everyone."
"He cheats at fishing."
"Nine out of ten things he says are lies."
"He's arrogant."
"He deceives everyone, including himself."
"In short, he's an absolutely insufferable guy!"
"If I'd met the version of him awakened by Nirvana first, maybe I'd prefer that Jehfrit!"
"But..."
"The Jehfrit who's family is the obnoxious one!"
"I only want the original Jehfrit!"
"Oración Seis!"
"Barrier!"
"Nirvana!"
"Give us back our family—give us back Jehfrit!!!"
*Boom*
Natsu threw a punch at Zero.