At the port of Harujion, a ship 15 meters long and 6 meters high is anchored beside the port's walkway. And on it's hull, a blue haired man with a cape that is gently flapping with the passing wind is silently watching the sun sink down the sea. A big, evil smirk is stuck on his face.

"It's almost time for our lovely guests to arrive. Get ready, boys. Let us welcome them in our humble ship. Treat them carefully during the ceremony, alright? They are our precious paychecks, after all."

A roar of laughter broke between the group of men behind him. And it is definitely not the kind of laughter that drunk people laugh between their companions inside a bar after payday. It is a laugh that is full of hostility, the kind laugh that makes your hairs stand and makes you want to puke with disgust. A laugh that reeks of danger and unpleasantness. A laughter that comes from cruel, heartless people.

Among these group of men, a muscular man with a big scar running down from his forehead down to his left eye stepped forward and spoke to the man with a cape.

"Boss, can I ask for a favor?"

"Oh, it's you. What is it?"

"Actually, I wasn't able to participate in our last 'ceremony' due to my absence to fulfill the task you gave me. Can I make up for it tonight? This scar of mine is itching for revenge to those wretched bitches."

The caped guy, Bora, fell into thought. This guy is one of his lackeys. He mainly works as a bodyguard due to his muscular body and his intimidating face. His name is Krass. He was a former military soldier, serving under a noble at the capital. He is a good fellow who always follows orders around and does it properly. However, he holds a deep grudge to women ever since a woman he once fell in love during his military service cheated on him. She was actually targeting his superior, so she used him in order to be able to approach the big guy. And when they went out with each other behind his back, he was suddenly fired by his superior for no reason. He never met the woman again since that day.

It was a year later, when he was working as a cart driver, that he found out the truth. It was during the middle of autumn, while he is driving his cart carrying a dozen crates of vegetables along the capital's road towards the market, when he saw the person he longed for. The woman, the one who just toyed with him and used him, is waling down the sidewalk. Together with her is his supervisor, the one who fired him with no proper reason. They were walking along the the street with their arms linked and was giggling happily with each other. And here, he realized what actually happened to him.

Fueled by anger, he grabbed his dagger and jumped off the cart. He charged angrily to the couple, dagger in his hand. When he got close enough, he was about to stab the woman but his companion drew his sword and slashes his face, leaving a wide wound on the left side of his face. He then came back to his senses and he was able to escape. But, he lost his left eye and the little string of hope in his heart that believes that his woman might still love him in the process.

Since that day, his heart was filled with hatred, hatred to women that broke his heart. The big cut in his face has then turned into a scar, proof of his humiliation and a fuel for his hatred. He joined this slave trading group in order to extract his revenge to women. And he does it during the 'ceremony'.

"Fine by me. You can have two. Just don't break them too much during the 'ceremony' or else our clients will get angry at us for selling them ruined products."

"Thanks, boss. Don't worry, I'll make sure that they stay alive in the end. And I'll make sure that they will become real slaves after I'm done with them."

Krass then stepped back and disappeared among his fellow comrades with an evil grin that makes anyone who sees it break in cold sweat.

Slaves needs to be obedient. They have to obey anything their master orders them. No matter what they ask them to do, they can't refuse. They can never refuse. But, making someone obedient is very, very hard. So, how do the slaves become obedient?

It is done by breaking down their will, desires, spirits, and their heart. Completely. And one of the most effective way to break those is by the 'ceremony' they are talking about.

This 'ceremony' is something no one would like to see in their entire life, or worse, experience it. In this ceremony, the person, who is soon going to be called a slave, experiences a lot of horrible things to break their will. They were tortured, raped, and humiliated again and again, multiple times, by many people. This happens until it reaches the point where that person would do anything, as long as they won't experience these events again. The seed of fear is forcefully planted into their hearts, taking over their souls, and crushing their own will to dust. When that happens, the person then becomes completely obedient. And thus, the person earns the title of a 'slave'.

And in this gruesome, cruel and very horrible activity, Krass is planning to pour out his hatred and anger to those poor women. Just imagine what a person full of hatred and dying for revenge, would do when he gets the opportunity to do anything he wants. There is no doubt that it won't be a good scene to look at.

Even Bora, a first rate criminal, who has done this ceremony multiple times himself, couldn't help but shiver in fear as he imagines what would happen to the women he would get entrusted with. But, now is not the time to worry about that. They have a job to do.

He then turned around and faced his men.

"Alright boys, to your stations. Wait for the signal to commence the operation. Did you heat up the iron seal already? Don't make me remind you everything. Let's make this quick and leave this place right away. I don't want unnecessary trouble."

"Yessir!"

After he gave their orders, his men chorused an approval and went to do their objectives. Some went and arranged the chairs and tables on the ship's platform. Others were arranging the foods and drinks loaded with sleeping drugs at the tables. While others grabbed ropes and the iron seal and went behind a big curtain, similar to the ones used in stages, and waited for their signal to act. The preparations are now set. Now, they will wait for the clueless little rabbits to step into a bear trap.

At the same time, at the harbor of the port, two people and a blue cat standing on two legs are staring directly at Bora's ship.

The woman spoke up and talked to the scarfed man beside her.

"That must be it. Look, they're arranging foods and drinks to serve multiple guests. I bet that those are loaded with sleeping drugs. I'm sure it's for the women who were charmed. I'm sure of it."

"Yeah. I can recognize Bora standing on the hull."

"Well then, shall we start now?"

"Alright. Do as we discussed. Lucy, head towards the guard station and ask for someone named Garrow. He is one of the guys serving the King. He can be trusted with Bora and the gang after we capture them."

"Understood. Good luck."

"See you later."

The scarfed guy, Natsu, watched as Lucy ran away towards the guard's station. After she disappeared from his sights, he walked towards the platform and called the blue cat.

"Let's go, Happy."

"Aye! [Wings]."

A pair of pure white wings suddenly sprouted from Happy's back. With it, he flew upwards and grabbed Natsu's scarf. Then, they flew to the direction of the ship. When they were already near it, Happy flew towards it's very front and hovered in the air. They could see the puzzled face of the men at the platform. After stating at each other for awhile, Natsu broke the silence.

"You're those slave traders bastards, right? I'm here to arrest you and put you behind bars! Surrender yourselves if you don't wanna get hurt!"

After declaring his intention, the lackeys' faces turned serious. Some of them drew the weapons they are carrying around. They fully understand the situation they are in. This man, whoever he is, is strong enough to confidently face all of them head on. They shouldn't let their guard down. Then, Bora spoke up and talked with Natsu.

"I see. It seems we've been found out again. But still, I can't believe they only sent one man this time. Do you think you can defeat all of us? Ha! Don't you underestimate us, you damn government's dogs! Men, attack!"

The lackeys who were holding bows and crossbows aimed at the pair. After checking their aim, a volley of arrow flew straight at them.

"As if that could reach me!"

Natsu then gently clenched his fists into an ball, leaving a small circular opening in the middle, and stacked both of his hands on top of his mouth. Flames suddenly formed onto his mouth, rotating and expanding, and after awhile, he released it with a scream.

"[Fire Dragon's Roar]!!"

A pillar of flame, 2 meters in diameter, suddenly blasted off from his mouth and blazed towards Bora's lackeys, burning the arrows that were fired at him into cinders and blasting off the people at the ship's platform. Some jumped to the sea in order to save themselves from getting roasted by Natsu's fiery flames. Others hid behind the tables and chairs in order to save themselves.

Bora and his remaining men stood back up and continued their stance. Bora created his flame clouds, rode it, and flew towards Natsu with his fists on fire.

"You damn brat! I'm gonna kill you!"

"Whoa! Flaming fists? I have something like that, too."

Flames suddenly wrapped around Natsu's right fist until it completely engulfed it. Then, he clenched his burning fist and raises it, aimed towards the guy flying towards them.

"[Fire Dragon's Fist]!"

He then swung his blazing arm to Bora but Bora quickly dodged it, slipping through Natsu's back.

"You're too naive! The quickest way to unmount and defeat a cavalry rider is to cut off his horse's legs!"

"Guh!"

Bora kicked Happy in the gut. The kick stole Happy's strength, making him let go of Natsu. His kick was further strengthened by the flames, which serves as boosters, sending Happy flying towards the sea at an incredible speed.

"Happy!!!"

Natsu yelled for Happy's name as he was falling to the ship. He fell in a thunderous crash, snapping the wooden boards he landed to. He tried to stand up but he was suddenly wrapped with great dizziness. His vision is blurring and it's dancing all over the place that he can't even figure out which direction is left or right. All he can do is kneel on the floor while suppressing his urge to throw up.

"Oya? It seems like someone is a bit sea sick. So, you're all talk in the end, after all. Don't worry, I'm going to relieve your seasickness after awhile. But before that, I'm going to make you suffer for breaking my ship like this."

The owner of the voice, Bora, floated downwards and landed beside Natsu.

Afterwards, he swung his leg hard and planted it in Natsu's stomach. Natsu groaned from the pain that bursted from his stomach. Another kick, wreathed in flames, flew towards him, straight to his face and sent him crashing to the nearby tables.

"You fucking mages, messing up with me all the time. This is my third ship, you know. The other two was destroyed by the ones before you. They were mages, too. Sent to capture me. Too bad, I am stronger that them. I expected the King to stop messing up with me, since the past six mages he sent to me didn't return. I guess I'm really famous, for the King to keep pursuing me after all that. I hope he will finally understand that he can't lock me up after I kill the seventh one. You're the strongest one I ever fought. Too bad, you seem to be weak here on my arena. Blame yourself for challenging me here."

Natsu then struggled to stand up, and slowly, he was able to, even though he is struggling to keep his balance. He then started to speak.

"You fucking asshole. I don't care if you're a good guy or a bad guy. I have my own life to care about than think about you guys. The military can deal with the likes of you. But, I won't forgive you for hurting Happy! I won't forgive you for hurting my nakama! I'm going to grind you to dust until you reflect to your sins!"

Bora observed Natsu. The guy in front of him is definitely sick. His legs are trembling like a newborn stag's. He is definitely going to lose. He can't even lift a fist. But, he can feel a lot of danger from his opponent's gaze. And he doesn't like that unpleasant feeling, like the feeling of uneasiness a person feels while watching a tiger stare at them behind iron bars at a zoo. Even though the person is supposed to be safe, he can't help but feel anxious, nervous that the tiger will pounce on him anytime.

I don't like this. I'll just end this right away and get away. I'm sure the militia is coming any minute right now. We need to escape as soon as possible.

"Krass, hand me a sword."

Krass, who is standing behind a table, stood up and grabbed a sword lying down in the floor. He then threw it towards Bora and it landed near him, with it's sharp point buried in the wooden planks. Bora then approached it and pulled it out.

"It seems like you are a fire mage, just like me. And fire mages has high resistance towards fire. So, I'll just kill you with this sword. You better thank me for giving you a quick, merciful death, unlike your fellow mages who came before you."

Sword in hand, Bora approached Natsu. When he is already within range, he slowly raised his sword hand, intending to cut down Natsu in one, clean strike. However, a male's voice he never heard before suddenly spoke up. Due to surprise, Bora instinctively jumped back and kept a distance between the intruder and Natsu.

"Beautiful, oh how beautiful those words are. My heart was really touched to hear just how much you value your allies. I can't stop myself from listening to those words that are overflowing with manliness."

Natsu turned his gaze towards the speaker. A short, stout man in a white full suit is standing at the edge of the ship's hull. His spiky, orange hair is waving gently with the wind. A purple flower is attached on his left chest. And his rectangular shaped face, particularly the nose, seems to be shining.

Before Natsu can ask who he is, the man raised his hand to stop him and he began to introduce himself.

"Don't bother, I know what you would like to know. You must be wondering, 'Who is this handsome hunk that suddenly arrived at the perfect moment?' Without further ado, let me introduce myself. I am Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki, manliest and the No. 1 host of Blue Pegasus. I'm the one who is supposed to accompany you with the capture mission tomorrow, but it seems you went ahead and started the mission without me. Oh well, I'm don't know why, but it seems like you did this because you have to. Because you didn't even wait for me who can help you against his [Charm] magic. Not that I hold a grudge against you, of course. I saw a lot of dazzling ladies in beautiful dresses at the port on the way here. Based in the reports, they must be the ones who were charmed by this Bora guy. Good job on keeping those delicate flowers from danger, my fellow man. We men should always save the ladies when in trouble. I offer my sincere gratitude to you for doing that duty. Thank you, my fellow man."

After pausing for awhile to wave his head, he continued his speech.

"Oh also, I've already removed the [Charm] magic on them. There were confusions after the effects were undone, so I had to talk and explain to them the situation. After that, I have instructed them to return to heir respective homes and rest their beautiful petals that are surely still confused. That is why, I have just arrived right now. Once again, thank you for keeping them from coming into this hellhole."

After his long entrance speech, Ichiya bowed down to Natsu to express his deep gratitude for what he did. But, Natsu has no time for greetings. He is in the middle of a battle.

"Ichiya, right? Sorry but, can you help me for a bit?"

"Oya? Hmm... I see. It seems that you are experiencing a great seasickness and your enemy has taken that opportunity to play with you. How unsightly for a man to fight in that way. I would love to help you but intruding into a man's fight is strictly against my principle. However, I have something that can relieve you from your unpleasant situation."

As he spoke, Ichiya drew a vial containing a sparkling blue liquid. He then threw it towards Natsu and Natsu caught it with his left hand.

"Inhale all of it. Sticking it up into your nose is more preferable. It will instantly relieve you from seasickness."

Ugh. Stick this up in my nose? Like, shoving it in? Can I just inhale it without doing that? Hmmmm... Let's try it.

Natsu removed the cork from the vial and held it near his nose. After exhaling all the air inside his lungs, he inhaled the perfume from the vial. The contents of the vial dramatically decreased, changing into a blue vapor flowing through Natsu's nostrils. A soothing, refreshing scent of mint suddenly filled his lungs. Together with it, his dizziness is slowly fading and his vision stopped dancing. After awhile, it was completely gone.

Whoa! What's this? This smells really good! And my dizziness is disappearing. This is amazing! Why haven't I knew of this before?

A small grin is slowly forming in Natsu's lips. With this, he can now fight back and finish the mission. However, his grin suddenly vanished when he thought about Happy's condition. He received a pretty strong kick earlier. He wouldn't be surprised if his ribs were broken. However, he also remembered that the speed Happy flew away with is way too fast. His wings also seems to be glowing earlier, sign that he is flying with his full power. That means, Happy quickly flew backwards to reduce the momentum of the kick. This realization filled Natsu with relief.

Seriously, why would he make me worry too much? Haaah... Don't worry, partner. I'm going to take revenge for you. Let me kick this guy's ass to make amends for what he did to you.

Natsu ignited both his fist and grazed angrily at Bora.

"Now then, let us continue our little conversation, Bora."

After he said this, Natsu crashed his right fist into his left palm, producing a booming sound within his hands with a crackling of a fire.

"You bastards. You useless bunch, form a wall before me! Buy time for my retreat!"

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere."

Before Bora's lackeys were able to completely form a wall between them and Bora, Natsu charged at him with incredible speed while both of his fist were wrapped with blazing flames, sending the lackeys infront of him flying. In a blink of an eye, Natsu has already reached Bora.

"[Double Fire Dragon's Fists]!"

Natsu slammed both of his blazing fist into Bora's face, sending him flying and crashing through the wall of the ship. A sickening crash came from inside the ship, followed by some men's cry of their fallen leader's name.

"Bora-sama!"

"Boss has lost!"

With their moral lost, Bora's remaining men dropped their weapons into the floor. Some jumped into the sea while the others just slumped into the floor, losing their will to fight due to the fall of their leader.

And just right in timing, there was a commotion coming from the harbor. Hundreds of militia soldiers were pouring from the port's entrance, spreading all over the place. Some rode on boats and started rowing towards the men fleeing at the sea, while others went straight towards the newly broken down ship.

A man in full plated armor and a helmet with elaborated feathery design lead the militia up in the ship. After reaching the top, he stepped forward and swung his right arm forward dramatically. Then, he bellowed out orders in a loud voice.

"Capture everyone! Don't let them escape! Tie them up and toss them into the harbor! Round up each and everyone of these bastards!"

After hearing their orders, the militia spread around the ship and caught everyone on it. Well, except for Natsu and Ichiya. The leader of the militia approached the two of them and spoke.

"You must be Natsu of Fairy Tail and Ichiya of Blue Pegasus. I am Major Garrow from His Majesty's Personal Military Brigade. You did your mission well. Thank you so much for your service. Leave this to us, we will surely lock them up and make them suffer for their crimes. Your country is proud of you both."

After saying this, Major Garrow raised his right arm into a salute, and his men behind him followed suit.

"We'll leave this to you, then."

"Umu. Military men should do their duties as military men."

"Thank you for your consideration. Your rewards will be sent to your respective guilds within three days. Please look forward to it."

"Of course I will. Then, let's part ways here, Ichiya-san. Thank you so much for the perfume. It was great."

"I'm glad you like it. I spent four months researching for it's most effective brewing method. This is the first time someone else beside me has used it, though. And it worked so well, too. It was such a surprise. If you would like, I can give you another vial of the same perfume. Take it as my friendly gift. Here."

Hmm.. Where did I put it again? It's this one in the right, isn't it? Oh, here it is.

After rummaging through his left breast pocket, Ichiya drew a vial containing a purple sparkling and glowing liquid and extended his hand towards Natsu.

"Eh? Is that really alright? Then, I'll gladly have this. Thanks!"

Natsu then received the purple potion and inserted it into his pocket.

"You're most graciously welcome. Also, if you're going to use it during traveling, a little intake of it is enough to get you by. Do that so that you can use it for multiple times. The only reason why I instructed you to inhale a large amount of the perfume earlier is because it would work quicker that way. You are in a middle of a battle, after all. The side effects of inhaling that amount all at once is that the effects will not disappear within one week. Also, your breath will smell like mint, too. Well, its not a dangerous perfume, anyway."

"I see. Thanks again. Well then, I'll go now. Bye!"

After bidding farewell, Natsu jumped down off the ship and ran towards the harbor. Waiting for him there is Lucy, carrying Happy in her arms. When they saw him, they waved their arms at him and approached him.

First thing he did was to check Happy's condition.

"Yo, Happy. Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine. I did a little trick, earlier. Anyway, how about you? Its rare to see you with a bruise after a fight."

"I feel great! That nice short mister made me smell something great! After that, the dizziness disappeared and my vision came back to normal, just like how it is while I'm on ground! Even though I'm on a ship! It was amazing! And he also said it will last for a week!"

"Really? That's great! That means that for a whole week, we won't waste time and money going back and forth on trains if you weren't able to go down in time!"

"Eh? That's where you're celebrating for?"

"Just kidding. I'm genuinely haply to hear that you are feeling well on vehicles right now. But, somehow, it also makes me feel sad."

"Huh? Why?"

"Ah! Its nothing. Then, let's go home, to Fairy Tail."

And thus, the mission to capture Bora and the gang at Harujion has been successfully completed.

At the same time, Ichiya is in deep thought while walking down the road to his home, to Blue Pegasus.

So that's Natsu Dragneel, huh. For my perfume to be able to be used by someone else, he really is special. Even though anyone who is good at brewing perfumes can brew and produce my perfumes, activating it's effects can only be done by me. Having an extraordinary sense of smell and an extreme amount of manliness is the only way for the effects to activate when uses by others beside me. Does this mean that any manly dragonslayer can activate the effects of my perfumes? Hmm... This needs further research.

If that is indeed the case, does it mean that this failed potion of mine that I accidentally made won't harm anyone who smells it as long as they're not a dragonslayer? I would like to try using this on an ordinary person, but I'm not sure that it won't work.

Hmm... [Sexual Drive Max Perfume, how terrifying. One little whiff will make a person aggressive for the taste of an opposite sex for a whole week, especially towards the ones they hold romantic feelings to. I really need to dump this somewhere safe.

As Ichiya is thinking about that perfume, he reached out for his left breast pocket. However, he found out that it is empty.

Huh? That's strange. I'm sure I put it somewhere here. Well, whatever. At least it is gone now. No one but me and other dragonslayers can use it, anyway. And I don't think I will meet another dragonslayer soon. There is no need to worry.

But still, why did I make that perfume in the first place? Good thing I was able to use my [Purifying Perfume], a perfume that eliminates any foreign mental effects in someone's mind, before I lost my mind and went insane due to the effects of that perfume. I swear that I won't make anything like that again.

Unaware of the terrible mistake he just did, Ichiya walked happily on the road while thinking of what perfume should he try making next. After awhile, he completely forgot of the existence of that perfume for the rest of his life.

Meanwhile, Natsu, who is desperately being chased by Lucy and Happy, is happily running around inside the train they are on while singing praises on how wonderful transportations are. The said train is heading towards Magnolia. Towards Fairy Tail.

To be continued...