Chapter 162 – Gajeel: “If It’s a Fight to Protect My Friends, Then There’s No Way I’m Losing!”

Beasts and demons were sweeping across Tenrou Island.

Each one carried a mirror embedded in its body—Aza's tool for monitoring everything and slipping between dimensions through the Mirror World.

"Project the battlefield for me," said Jehfrit.

"Yes, Master."

Aza conjured a detailed magical map of the island, showing real-time movement.

Jehfrit pressed his thumb against his forefinger with a sharp crack, eyes narrowing as he studied the projection.

"No need to show myself yet."

He pulled a card from his coat and tossed it forward—summoning a humanoid demon.

This was one of the spoils he'd collected from the Roya organization, a demon bound and repurposed using Deception Magic.

Through that magic, the demon now appeared, to all others, exactly as Jehfrit himself.

Deception Magic flowed into a mirror, passed into the Mirror World, and re-emerged elsewhere—projecting its illusion across the entire island. It drained magic heavily, but Jehfrit wasn't worried. He had Toman and Anza quietly supplying backup power. Plus, Deception Magic was inherently efficient—costing little per use.

"Come on then, Hades," Jehfrit murmured, staring into the horizon. "Step onto this island—and I'll take you down myself."

As for Zeref—Jehfrit had already spotted his presence through the Mirror World. But he deliberately avoided contact.

On the map, allies glowed green, enemies red—and Zeref appeared as a solitary black dot.

Jehfrit wouldn't engage him. He'd simply steer everyone clear.

Then his eyes settled on a particular area.

"Levy…"

Two green markers—Levy and Gajeel—had encountered two red ones.

The attackers: one, a hulking armored beast-man; the other, a grotesque bird-like demon.

"Who are you?" Gajeel stepped in front of Levy, shielding her with his body as he glared at the intruders.

This was Tenrou Island, Fairy Tail's sacred ground. These two clearly weren't here by accident.

"They're with Grimoire Heart," Levy said after glancing at their marks. "Gajeel, I think they've targeted us specifically."

"Figured," Gajeel replied. "We don't know what they're capable of—stay sharp."

"You too."

Levy stepped forward. "This is sacred ground belonging to Fairy Tail. Members of Grimoire Heart, you've set foot on this island without permission. As an official member of the guild, I'm ordering you to leave. If you don't—we'll drive you off by force."

"You're a bold little brat," the bird-like creature sneered. "But this isn't your fight anymore. This is war—one your guild can't win."

"So Grimoire Heart's here for revenge? Because we defeated the Oración Seis, your allies in the Balam Alliance?" Levy asked sharply.

"Revenge?" the creature scoffed. "Those six were useless trash. We're not here to avenge them."

He chuckled darkly. "This is a kill mission."

"I'll be generous and give you my name before you die. I'm Kawazu, and I'm the one who'll be taking your heads."

The other added with a sinister smile, "I'm Yomazu. Beheading's my specialty."

"Gajeel Redfox. Fairy Tail."

"Levy McGarden. Fairy Tail."

Boom.

The battle ignited.

Their enemies were no joke—especially working in tandem.

Kawazu launched explosive egg-like projectiles from his beak, while Yomazu was a master swordsman who also wielded deadly Word Magic.

"Levy—stay behind me and support!" Gajeel shouted.

"Got it!"

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Blow after blow rocked the battlefield.

Despite their best efforts, Gajeel and Levy were being pushed back. Gajeel's armored iron arms—his Dragon Slayer magic—were cracking from the repeated assaults.

If even one of those strikes had landed on Levy, she wouldn't have stood a chance.

"Damn it, these freaks are tougher than I thought…" Gajeel growled.

"I'm sorry, Gajeel… I'm just holding you back," Levy said, her voice full of guilt.

"Levy," Gajeel said, serious for once, "even if it kills me, I'll protect you."

Her eyes widened. "You…"

"Such a cute couple," Kawazu sneered, firing a barrage of eggs. "Pity I hate couples!"

"Same here!" Yomazu roared, blade raised. "Lovers should die!"

"Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Gajeel's breath attack blasted away the incoming eggs, but Yomazu was already closing in, his sword slicing downward.

Crack!

Even Gajeel's iron arm couldn't fully withstand it. A deep gash tore through the metal.

"Flames!" Levy hastily scrawled a fire rune, driving Yomazu back with a burst of heat.

"Rain of Doom Eggs!" Kawazu launched another barrage.

"Shield! Gale! Stone! Bullet!" Levy furiously scribbled spell after spell. She wasn't powerful—but her versatility and quick thinking were her greatest strength.

Gajeel wasn't letting up either.

"Iron Dragon's Club!"

He slammed a punch at Kawazu—but Yomazu intercepted with his blade.

"Pierce!"

With a single thrust, Yomazu shattered Gajeel's iron fist.

Gajeel stumbled back, barely avoiding another slash.

"Ice! Sword!"

Levy blinded them with a blast of snow, then launched enchanted blades through the haze.

"Too weak! Pathetic!" Yomazu bellowed, slashing toward them. "Die! Die! Die!"

"Watch out!" Gajeel threw up his arms.

Shing!

Even his iron skin wasn't enough. A wound split open across his chest—blood splashed into the air.

"Gajeel!" Levy screamed.

Yomazu surged forward, blade aimed at Levy's throat.

She froze. No time to dodge—

Clang!

Gajeel raised his other arm just in time—but the blade sank deep into his flesh, nearly severing it.

"Iron Dragon Sword!"

His free arm morphed into a jagged steel blade, slashing Yomazu backward.

"One more strike," Yomazu muttered, crouching low in a drawn-sword stance. "Then you die."

"Gajeel…" Levy clung to his coat, her expression filled with fear.

"Are you scared, Levy?" he asked.

"I…" she couldn't answer. She just clutched him tighter.

"I'm hungry."

Levy blinked. "Iron."

She quickly conjured the word, and a hunk of steel appeared.

Gajeel grabbed it, chomping down with grinding force.

"You can really eat steel?" Kawazu gawked. "So that's a real Dragon Slayer…"

Power crackled from Yomazu, his magic surging.

Gajeel swallowed his last bite and looked back at Levy—tears welled in her eyes.

He remembered.

After Phantom Lord fell, he'd felt like trash.

Useless. Directionless.

But then an old man offered him a hand.

"Come join our guild, Gajeel."

"You serious? I attacked your people," Gajeel had growled, memories of injuring that blue-haired girl still haunting him.

"I'm serious," Makarov had replied sternly. "Anyone who hurts my children will answer to me."

The power behind his words had terrified Gajeel. The gentle old man radiated more pressure than even Jose ever had.

"But," Makarov had continued, softening his tone, "if I turned my back on a kid with the chance to change… I'd never forgive myself."

In that moment, Gajeel had truly seen what strength looked like.

"Gajeel, if you're afraid of being alone—step forward. If you want to make things right—reach out."

"This is Fairy Tail. It can be your home."

Gajeel had cried.

And then, he'd taken Makarov's hand.

Now, back in the present, Gajeel faced his enemies, wincing from his wounds—but smiling.

"I made a promise to the old man. To fight for my friends. So this fight…"

He roared, "I'M NOT LOSING!"

"Rain of Doom Eggs!"

"Dark Blade—Severing Howl!"

Both enemies launched their strongest attacks.

"Gajeel!!" Levy screamed.

"Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Gajeel's breath scattered the eggs mid-air.

"Because we're Fairy Tail!"

He slammed his fists together.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"

"Demon-Crushing—"

"Iron God Sword!!"

His arms transformed into massive twin blades. He brought them down on Yomazu in a cleaving strike.

"Anyone who threatens my friends—I'll show no mercy!"

Boom!

The blades slammed into the earth, splitting it wide.

Yomazu was obliterated—no trace left.

"No—!" Kawazu shrieked, terror-stricken, turning to flee.

"Iron Dragon Spear!"

A massive iron lance pierced him through the back—ending him in a single blow.