Hi guys Azza here!
So this chapter is basically the calm before the storm. Starting next chapter is when things will start kicking off in earnest. I know some of you might have noticed I started writing a Helltaker linked story a few days ago and don't worry its not a massive thing by any means its just a fun project I've wanted to do ever since falling down the Helltaker rabbit hole.
That story will be the largest Vol ? by far though and I should also mention that all Vol ? side stories are in fact canon to the main story its just me having a bit of fun with different time periods and versions of Natsu because writing such long Volumes does get tiring so it's a way for me to breathe a little.
So yeah check it out its pretty light hearted and has quite a bit of lore regarding the Gods and Devils from back when Lucifer and Michael were young and I know you guys love them!
Anyway I won't say anything more on it so onto the reviews!
Anon – I will almost certainly do it at some point I can promise you that. My thing is that I have had little experience writing them so I've sort of been experimenting with what does and doesn't flow well.
Taking feedback from the last few it seems I must be at the very least decent at it so I'm more open to suggestions and experimentation once I've got more confidence in just writing them overall.
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Meeting With The Dark King
/Shakky's Rip Off Bar/
Warping to the bar Rayleigh mentioned, Natsu appeared at the front door and sighed. He knew for the conversations to come he would need to be in a much calmer mood and so he let his power recede gradually until it was almost completely suppressed once more.
Once he was sure he'd calmed down enough, Natsu opened the door and walked inside and saw a woman standing at the counter. From a first glance he could already tell she was far older than her physical appearance let on however his thoughts seemed to be interrupted as she began to giggle.
"Well well well. Rayleigh said that a rather interesting man would be dropping by along with the Straw Hats, but I never expected him to be a Hybrid."
"You're aware of what I am," Natsu asked only for the woman's eyes to momentarily flash Crimson Red, a smirk etching its way onto her face as she tossed a full glass of whiskey over to him.
Catching the glass with ease, Natsu took a sip and was surprised to detect the alcohol actually affecting him slightly. Looking from the glass to the woman once more, she giggled and motioned for him to sit on one of the comfy stools.
"I'm going to assume that Shanks is aware that you wield Aura and he's fine with it," Natsu asked her slowly.
"Shanks is such a good boy, a bit laid back like Roger was, but still the best choice for Devil in our humble world," she replied amusedly. "And to answer your question Natsu, yes he is in fact aware of my ability to use Aura."
"Who unlocked it for you?"
"Who do you think it was?"
"Shakky, stop beating around the bush and just answer him," Rayleigh sighed as he entered the room from the back clearly smelling like he'd cleaned himself up. "I'd rather not antagonize the man who could go and tell the Council there are too many Aura users running around and see our realm suffer."
"Aww, come on Rayleigh," Shakky whined as she slinked her arm around his waist and pulled the man closer to her. "I was just having a bit of fun."
"We all know how your kind of fun worked in the past," Rayleigh replied with a roll of his eyes prompting Shakky to giggle as the older man's eyes softened.
"But isn't that why you married me?"
"Ah, I understand now," Natsu said with a knowing smile. "My apologies for being suspicious of your Wife, Rayleigh."
"No harm done; you were just doing your job. Rogue Aura users who abuse their powers are most certainly a cause for concern, Roger and I definitely had our hands full during our time dealing with them."
"Are you aware of any Rogue Aura Users Shanks hasn't dealt with," Natsu asked prompting the man to simply laugh whilst Shakky poured both herself and her Husband a drink.
"This world is rather delicate, Natsu. Anyone who has consumed a Devil Fruit has the potential to unlock the Devil's Aura should they grow strong enough. Plus, anyone who gains a certain grasp on all three types of Haki can also wield the Devil's Aura so there are quite a few."
"Hmm …"
"To name the ones I know of though," Rayleigh continued as he looked into his glass. "All of the Yonkou can use the Elder Devil's Aura like me."
"WHAT!"
"There is a reason why the Yonkou exist Natsu," Rayleigh sighed before taking a sip. "Shanks is powerful however he is nowhere close to the strength Roger once wielded. We all might have the Elder Devil's Aura, but Roger had a grasp over it unlike anyone I've ever seen."
"Can they create portals with them or warp around like you?"
"Obviously Shanks can and its likely Benn Beckman can as well due to his status as an Assistant. No one else in this world however seems to be capable of opening portals to one of the higher realms or any other mortal realm to my knowledge."
"Good," Natsu sighed in relief. "How strong are the other Yonkou in comparison to Shanks that he can't simply eliminate them?"
"To answer that question, you must first understand that the entire world currently exists in a delicate balance of power. On one side you have the forces of the World Government which, as you know, consists of its military and Cipher Pol. In addition, they possess the Warlords Of The Sea, powerful Pirates who are all renowned for their battle prowess in some form or fashion."
"I know all about the Warlords," Natsu sighed. "I was partially responsible for the death of Moria."
"Yes, I could sense that incident and was considering heading over with Shanks to put a stop to it," Rayleigh replied with a frown. "You fought a Beast Of Anti during that battle, didn't you?"
"So, you are aware of the existence of the Beasts?"
"Aware? You've read this journal, haven't you Natsu," Rayleigh replied as he tossed it onto the bench.
"It never mentioned that the being within the vault was a Beast!"
"Not a Beast on the level of whatever you fought," Rayleigh replied bitterly. "However, it was still one we were tricked into releasing, one we were ultimately no match for."
"By a woman," Natsu said softly as Rayleigh nodded.
"A God Of Chaos according to Lord Rodin," Rayleigh scowled. "Even after all these years, I'll never forgive her for the deaths of my friends and comrades, the destruction of our first ship …"
"What was in that vault Rayleigh," Natsu asked slowly as the former Vice Captain met his gaze. "I need to know some of these things Rayleigh but I can't discuss them with the others around."
"Don't have faith in Luffy?"
"Luffy is a free spirit," Natsu sighed tiredly. "He still has to learn the hard truths of the world."
"And you don't want him getting caught up in a fight against something that once gave Roger and I trouble, hmm?"
"To put it bluntly, yes."
"I understand," Rayleigh said after several moments. "In his youth, Roger was very much the same. We would sail from island to island without a care in the world simply seeking the adventure. Our crew didn't care about pillaging or plundering like the others of the time, we simply sought the thrill. That all died though once we hit Water Seven …"
The sound of a group running toward the building snapped Rayleigh out of his slightly depressed stupor as all three looked toward the door. Looking back at Rayleigh, the man had grabbed the journal and pocketed it.
"We will speak another time about this."
"Count on it," Natsu replied as half the crew burst in through the front door only to freeze at Natsu already being there.
"OI! NO FAIR THAT YOU GOT HERE FIRST," Luffy snapped prompting Natsu to simply laugh in response.
"Not my fault you guys are slow."
"I AM NOT SLOW," Luffy shouted as he forced his way through the door.
"Come on Luffy, get the hell out of the way," Natsu heard Mordred shout from behind the stuck group as she shoulder charged the lot, sending everyone sprawling to the ground. "You guys are so dumb!"
"Ahh … Miss Mordred's shoulder touched my leg," Sanji sighed with hearts in his eyes. "I can die happy!"
"Keep talking like that and you'll have to learn how to act like the opposite gender, perv cook."
Sanji squealed in an unmanly way as Clarent stabbed the floor right in front of his manhood, sending the chef scrambling back toward the nearby wall.
"Oi Natsu, what was all that about blowing up the Auction House," Nami asked curiously as both she and Robin walked through with the former panting only slightly.
"The place was a disgrace, better to wipe it away as a warning to the World Government."
"You're lucky we got all the slaves out in time," Robin sighed whilst shaking her head. "Salvatore also said to remind you that you're the good kind of crazy."
"Heh, thanks Robin," Natsu grinned as she walked over and kissed his cheek. "How'd it go with Seilah?"
"We easily killed all the guards on the lower level and freed the slaves once you all got started upstairs. I must say though, I wasn't expecting you to kill the Celestial Dragons."
"He already said he'd do it if Camie here was beyond saving through peaceful means," Mordred cut in as she motioned toward the Mermaid who was at Hachi's side.
"Oi, Chopper," Natsu called out as the Reindeer looked his way. "How is he?"
"Thankfully its just a single gunshot wound," the Doctor sighed. "Because he's a Fishman he's more resilient so he should be able to recover but …"
"But?"
"But I'm not going to recover from the stress you caused, nyuu!"
"Oh," was Natsu's only reply as the Octopus Fishman looked over his way in complete shock.
"H-how could you just kill THREE Celestial Dragons like that!?"
"Because they are pathetic and weak and I'm not."
"Wh-WHAT!?"
Just as Natsu was about to continue his explanation, Seilah walked in with two people under her arms, a kebab firmly clasped in her mouth.
"Hello everyone," Seilah called out blankly. "Zoro, these two are safe."
"Thanks Seilah," Zoro replied with a nod as she tossed both onto the ground. "You kids doing alright?"
"M-Mister Zoro!"
"We're fine Zoro," Ritsuka sighed as he slowly got up into a sitting position. "We're just surprised at how strong all of you guys are!"
"Heh, well we're certainly no pushovers," Zoro grinned only for it to be wiped away for a scowl as Sanji slid right up to Mash with a rose.
"Greetings, my name is Sanji. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this rose and your lovely face-AGH!"
"Shut the hell up you damn perv cook," Zoro snapped having hit Sanji in the back of the head with the butt of his blade. "Leave her the hell alone!"
"You wanna fight me you mouldy moss!"
"THE HELL DID YOU CALL ME-!"
"SHUT UP," Nami screeched as she hit both over the head, slamming them into the floor as Shakky began to giggle.
"My, they certainly are a lively bunch, aren't they Natsu?"
At the mention of his name, both Mash and Ritsuka's heads snapped over toward the bar and saw the pinkette looking at them with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
"NATSU," both teens cried as they leapt up off of the floor and tackled him for hugs.
Accepting both the teens, Natsu couldn't help but smile even as everyone else looked at the scene in surprise, save for Mordred and Seilah of course.
"You know these kids," Zoro asked in surprise prompting Natsu to nod with a slight grin.
"It is a really long and complicated story but let me just tell you that these kids really have it rough. How do you know them?"
"I met them earlier today and killed a bunch of slavers who were tailing them."
"Really? Thanks for doing that Zoro."
"No problem, they seem like good kids." Zoro replied as both Mash and Ritsuka pulled away.
"So, you kids here for the second half of the Realis Grail War?"
"Y-yes Sir!"
"Mash …"
"U-um, sorry," Mash blushed before shaking her head. "I can't help but keep looking at you like the Natsu I know."
"Yeah, that's ok," Natsu chuckled in response.
"But to answer your question, yes."
"Actually, future you told us to come to this island to link up with you," Ritsuka added prompting Natsu to raise an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
"Did he? I'm honestly surprised to hear that considering the rules of interfering with one's own timeline. Then again, perhaps it would be safer for you guys to be with me rather than on your own like last time …"
"Oi, Natsu," Luffy called out as all eyes turned toward the fridge which was currently being raided by the Captain. "Are these guys your friends?"
"Yeah. These two actually saved my life a few years back after a really rough fight, they're good people."
"Really! Oi, you two should join my crew!"
Everyone in the room, Natsu included, were surprised by the sudden request. Shakky however, simply laughed as Rayleigh continued to sip his drink with a smirk on his face.
"Wh-what!?"
"Y-you mean join your Pirate Crew," Ritsuka gasped prompting the Straw Hat Captain to flash his signature grin.
"Anyone who is friends with Natsu must be pretty strong in their own way, so yeah I want you guys to join us!"
"U-um …"
"You guys probably should take the offer," Zoro said in a much more neutral tone. "After all, you guys were fighting the military outside the Auction House before any of us so its likely that you'll be wanted by them before long."
"Wanted?"
"You'll get a bounty," Shakky supplied gently as both teens looked around the room to see everyone nodding. "Everyone in this room has one as a matter of fact."
"Hold on, ALL OF YOU GUYS," Ritsuka gasped prompting Luffy to simply give him a thumbs up whilst consuming an entire ham whole. "Seriously!?"
"Here, just look for yourself," Shakky said as she passed over the bounties of the entire crew to Ritsuka and Mash who were shocked to say the least.
"Whoa … you guys are worth millions each!"
"Except for Mister Chopper," Mash said prompting the Reindeer to begin sulking in the corner. "Eh-I didn't mean anything by it!"
"Don't worry about him young lady, he is rightfully disappointed since he is viewed as our pet not a proper valued member of the crew," Brook chimed in.
"A-are you an actual sentient skeleton?"
"Yo-hohohohoho! Why yes, I am indeed, my name is Brook," the musician replied calmly as he strolled toward Mash and shook her hand. "Would you be so kind as to show me your pan-?"
"Brook," Natsu's voice called out in a tone that had the skeleton somehow sweating.
"Y-y-yes Natsu?"
"Behave."
"Y-yes, my apologies!"
"WHOA! Mash, check out how much some of these guys are worth," Ritsuka shouted with glowing eyes. "Luffy is worth three hundred and fifty million!"
"What!"
"He is quite the troublemaker," Natsu laughed as the Master of Chaldea moved to the next poster.
"No way …"
"Miss Seilah, you're worth so much!"
"Yeah," Seilah replied with a shrug. "I am the second strongest aside from Master Natsu so that's to be expected, right?"
"B-but four hundred and twenty MILLION!"
"Dead or alive," Seilah said with a small smile. "Besides, I'm chump change compared to Master; they really don't like him."
"They don't? Well, how much is he worth?"
"His bounty is underneath mine, have a look for yourself," Seilah shrugged prompting the two teens to slowly turn over Seilah's bounty to reveal the one of Natsu.
"No way …"
"That's …"
"Is this real!?"
"Yeah," Natsu replied in slight annoyance as the poster was literally shoved in his face. "I've been rather busy."
"SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MILLION BUSY!"
"Settle down Ritsuka …"
"You know, after what you and Luffy did today don't be surprised if your bounties skyrocket from this," Shakky cut in prompting the two teens to freeze in place.
"Why would their bounties go up? Is it because Natsu blew up that building," Mash asked curiously only for Shakky to shake her head.
"No. Luffy punched and knocked out one of the Celestial Dragons," Shakky said as both teens gasped, having been briefed on them by their own Natsu before coming to the world.
"But what Natsu did will likely earn him the full wrath of the World Government," Rayleigh added as the two teens looked toward the pinkette who didn't seem to care much. "He killed three of them."
"N-no way …"
"And I'd do it again," Natsu huffed before spinning around and looking at Rayleigh. "Anyway, let's get back on track since I can already sense World Government Forces arriving on the island as we speak!"
"Yes, wrapping things up before you lose any chance of escaping is probably for the best," Rayleigh sighed as the mood in the room became somewhat tense. "Now then, you kids are all probably wondering exactly who I am based off of that display from earlier I'm guessing?"
"Well clearly you're someone extremely powerful," Nami replied almost instantly garnering a slight chuckle from the older man.
"Yes, I suppose that is a fair statement to make about me. That being said however, Shakky tells me that you all have been looking for a person to coat your ship and that'd be me."
"Hold on, YOU'RE the ship coater Rayleigh," most of the crew gasped as the old man took a sip from his drink.
"Indeed I am, however there is more to me than meets the eye," the old man grinned before looking over at Natsu. "Since Natsu there seems to have faith in you all I suppose there's no harm in giving you all the full rundown on exactly who I am."
"Hold on, so you aren't just a ship coater," Luffy replied confused only for Usopp to shut his mouth.
"Don't mind him, he tends to ask stuff you literally just stated a lot of the time!"
"Heh. Well, in any case my full name is Silvers Rayleigh and I used to sail aboard the Pirate King's ship."
WHAAAAAAT," Luffy screeched as he shook Usopp off of him. "YOU WERE ON THE PIRATE KING'S SHIP!?"
"Yes, in fact I was Roger's Vice Captain," Rayleigh grinned as most of the crew went into complete meltdown mode.
"N-n-no way! I don't recognize the face but I've definitely heard the name," Usopp gushed as he pointed at the old man.
"Its written down in so many history books he's practically a living legend," Nami added on the verge of tears.
"That name, there isn't a single adult alive who hasn't at least heard of that name," Sanji muttered as everyone looked at the man in awe until Brook suddenly spoke up.
"I seem to recall a rookie by the name of Roger … or perhaps there wasn't …?"
"Heh, its always amusing to see the reactions of the youngsters, isn't it Shakky?"
"Yes, they always do gush in the most adorable ways," the barkeep giggled softly.
"Indeed, I sailed with Roger from the very beginning all the way to the fabled island Raftel. It was this journey that allowed us to unlock the secrets of the world … all of them."
The entire room was dead quiet at Rayleigh's words with even Natsu narrowing his eyes at the rather bold statement. If Rayleigh had the answers then perhaps he ought to try and coax the answers from him in some form or fashion?
"Rayleigh," Robin said as she suddenly rose to her feet with all eyes immediately snapping toward her. "Tell me … did you learn the truth of the Void Century along your journey!?"
The room was dead silent once again as Rayleigh silently stirred his drink. The entire crew stunned at the question with Natsu silently praising Robin for such a blunt approach.
"You want to know if Roger and I learned the secrets that span the eight hundred years of lost history, Nico Robin," Rayleigh asked as the woman clenched her fists and nodded. "I see …"
There was a sudden suffocating pressure as Rayleigh rose to his feet and walked over toward the window, the sunlight blinding most of them with only the bright white gleam from his glasses being visible before the now towering shadow that loomed over them all.
"We know … all of it."
Natsu, like everyone else in the room, froze at the answer. Standing before them was a man who knew the forbidden history, a history lost to even the Gods and Devils themselves! The man possessed knowledge that could send the entire Council reeling yet here he was living the life of a degenerate!
"I thought so," Robin replied shakily. "I thought it strange when we viewed the Poneglyph on the Sky Island and Roger had left a message etched onto its surface in the same language. Rayleigh, how exactly did you all manage to understand and write the letters!?"
"We know the entire history," Rayleigh repeated as his mind returned to their time upon the Sky Island, an old friend carving the runes into the Poneglyph as Roger laughed in the background as he always did on their adventures. "We know the full history of what caused the great eight-hundred-year lapse of knowledge, or more specifically … we know who 'is' responsible for it."
"The way you worded that," Natsu said slowly as he felt like he swallowed his own lung. "You make it sound like the one responsible is still alive."
"Yes," Rayleigh sighed as he seemingly lost control over his Aura for a brief moment, shattering all the glass in Shakky's bar instantaneously.
"Rayleigh," Shakky muttered as she took her Husband's hand and forced herself into his field of view. "Rayleigh, look at me!"
"Ah … My apologies."
"I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that this isn't pleasant, not that whatever could cause nearly a millennium's worth of knowledge to vanish would be regardless," Natsu sighed as the old man took another sip of his drink.
"If you all desire me to tell you now … then I will," Rayleigh said slowly before turning around in his seat to face them all with a stern expression. "However, what conclusion you all come to as a direct result from what lies upon the Poneglyphs is another matter entirely. I would advise continuing to travel through the world and learn what the Poneglyphs have to say on this subject rather than hearing a biased version from myself."
"Why would it be biased?"
"Because," Rayleigh sighed as he looked over at Luffy, or more specifically his Straw Hat. "I specified 'it' earlier because the one responsible for the current state of the world is indeed still alive and in the darkest shadows, however they do not need them."
"What do you mean by that," Natsu asked cautiously as the man seemed to get lost in memory lane, winces crossing his face every now and then as Shakky watched her Husband in concern.
"This entity … was responsible for fatally wounding Roger."
Yet again, the entire room was shocked into silence as the old man shed a single tear that dropped into his glass of drink. Looking out the window he noticed that the sun was beginning to set as he shook his head.
"But hold on a sec, didn't Roger get captured," Nami asked curiously prompting Rayleigh to shake his head.
"No, that was a lie spread by the World Government to make themselves appear more powerful," Rayleigh replied as he looked over at Natsu. "Wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Natsu nodded as the entire group looked at him in confusion. "I watched his execution myself; he was far too amused to have been captured."
"WAIT, YOU SAW ROGER'S DEATH," the entire crew roared prompting Natsu to silence them all with a glare.
"It was a rather disgraceful act by the Government, trying to glorify the man's death," Natsu spat before looking away. "But it was obvious that he hadn't been captured."
"No, for you see Roger in fact surrendered himself to the Marines once his illness got to its final stages," Rayleigh sighed as the entire group waited with bated breath for the entire story. "But anyway, this is all off the main topic I wanted to discuss with your Captain."
"Huh, you want to talk with me about something," Luffy asked as the older man looked toward him. "What is it?"
"Tell me, do you really believe you have the ability to conquer the Grand Line as you are right now?"
Most of the crew seemed confused by his question however Natsu, Seilah and Mordred already knew what the older man was getting at. Luffy seemed to contemplate the old man's question for several minutes before finally answering.
"You ask a really weird question, you know. I'm not even looking to conquer the Grand Line or anything, the real Pirate King isn't gonna be the person who controls the most turf so that doesn't matter."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. The person who has the most freedom in the seas is the one who is the Pirate King, that's just how it is."
"I see," Rayleigh said as he looked to Shakky with the duo both smiling. "Very well then. I shall have your ship coated within three days, a rather long time to wait I know however the process is a rather delicate procedure so unless you wish to die from a dodgy job I must have three days."
"And in that time we'll be hunted by the World Government," Zoro pointed out only for Natsu to sigh and shake his head.
"I have an idea, as suicidal as it is."
"What's that," Luffy asked though he was almost certain he knew what it was.
"I'll lead the military on a wild goose chase around the Archipelago for three days which should buy us enough time to escape. In the meantime, all of you should find somewhere to hide that isn't here."
"How considerate Natsu," Shakky giggled prompting him to roll his eyes in response.
"But Natsu, there are so many of them," Mash pointed out quietly. "Even if you are strong, won't you eventually tire and get overwhelmed?"
"Doubtful. Most of their forces are trash, even if they possess weapons not meant to exist in this time or place."
"So, you just want us to sit around and do nothing while you fight off the entire military," Luffy repeated prompting Natsu to sigh.
"Yes."
"Do you actually think I'm gonna let that happen?"
"Luffy, you guys aren't strong enough to fight off the higher ups like me," Natsu replied in a slightly more forceful tone. "From what Mordred and I found out, there's one of the high-ranking officers of the Army here and a high-ranking Marine should be here soon too. None of you are ready to fight against a threat like that and I won't risk your lives!"
"You would do well to listen to him Luffy," Rayleigh said before Luffy could even retort. "It is all well and good wanting to fight alongside your friends, but the difference between a good Pirate and a dead one is knowing when to avoid a fight."
Luffy's eyes widened as he remembered that fateful day so many years ago with Shanks, how he refused to fight the bandit who had come into Makino's bar and insulted him. The words of Shanks were eerily similar to the old man's and it had him thinking.
"I can see you've heard those words before," Rayleigh noted with a small smile. "No doubt Shanks told you them, no?"
"Yeah …"
"You would be wise to listen to them. We unfortunately learned that lesson the hard way, and it cost us dearly," Rayleigh sighed as his gaze met Natsu's own, the pinkette knowing full well what he was talking about.
"We should get going before the military closes off any more of the Groves," Zoro said suddenly as he rose to his feet. "The sooner we get into hiding the sooner we can prepare supplies to get out of here."
"Would you look at that, the moss actually said something intelligent for once," Sanji snickered prompting the pair to butt heads again.
"Fine," Luffy sighed before looking over at Natsu. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"I won't promise anything because we all know how an incident can escalate, but I will promise that I'll do my best to buy as much time as I can. Seilah, Mordred, go with them and make sure nothing happens without me."
"I will ensure they are safe," Seilah nodded as everyone began getting up.
"Hold on a moment," Shakky said as she walked over to the group with multiple bits of folded paper. "All of you should take one of these."
"Vivre Cards," Nami muttered as she took the first one.
"They are all linked to Rayleigh so you can find your way back here. Make sure not to lose them."
"We won't Shakky," Natsu replied as he took the last one and couldn't help but find himself fascinated at the concept of them. "All right guys, let's head out!"
Everyone filed out of the room however Natsu noticed Mash and Ritsuka had yet to move, understandable but also someone vexing due to the current situation.
"Do you guys need something?"
"W-well …"
"Do you have Fou," Ritsuka asked as Natsu's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.
"Ah, that's right! I actually forgot he was with you guys for a bit," he chuckled before opening his coat and motioning for the two teens to come closer. "As you can see, Fou is currently asleep so I figured I'd just leave him there for now."
"I've known you for ages now yet every time I see just how deep your pockets are I find myself surprised," Ritsuka laughed as the three walked outside.
"So Natsu, do you actually plan on fighting the entire military?"
"I have little choice Mash. The assault of one Celestial Dragon is enough to warrant an Admiral being dispatched, but the murder of three will likely lead to something far worse for this Archipelago. Between us, Seilah and Mordred, I've been downplaying just how serious this is to the rest of the crew."
"Why," the Shielder asked in confusion. "Wouldn't it help for them to know the truth?"
"Mash, let me make this clear. Right now, YOU are stronger than them," Natsu sighed as both teens looked at him in surprise. "It might not seem like it at first due to their strange abilities but you are technically stronger than everyone else save for myself, Robin, Mordred and Seilah."
"O-oh …"
"I've been training them but it isn't like Naruto where he had Lord Kurama's power as a backup. These kids are basic denizens of this world who need to be trained up before they can begin to properly wield the power of Aura or anything else that will put them on a higher tier of power."
"So that's why you plan on taking the full might of the military on without Seilah and Mordred," Ritsuka hummed in response. "By making sure the other strong fighters are with them you can fight knowing that they'll have more than adequate backup if anything slips past you."
"Precisely."
"So, since we are joining you now is there anything you'd like us to do?"
"Have you got a link established with Chaldea?"
"There are … issues with that," Mash sighed. "It is why the you we know sent us here to link up with you, because out of everyone he knew that you would be best suited to help us out in this world."
"Heh. I suppose that would be correct from a rather messed up point of view."
"Messed up?"
"Don't worry about it," Natsu replied as he quickly waved them off. "You guys should go, we can talk about establishing contact with Chaldea later assuming you haven't done so by our next chat."
"Before we go I just want to say that I'm excited to get to journey with you," Mash said before quickly tackling him for a hug, surprising the pinkette.
"U-uh …"
Natsu could see Ritsuka mouthing that he'd explain later which prompted a swift nod as he looked down at the Shielder who was only half his height. Gently patting her head he felt her sigh contentedly before reluctantly pulling away.
"Come on Senpai, we should catch up with the others."
"Right Mash!"
"Good luck you two," Natsu said with a wave as the pair ran off to join the others leaving him alone.
"You finally got time to talk about this monstrous power signature that showed up a little while ago," Ahnk asked as Natsu turned his attention toward a nearby Grove.
"Undoubtedly this would be one of the Admirals, which means he likely has a Servant with him too."
"And then there is that General, and that Rear Admiral that was supposed to be around too," Aava added quickly as all three collectively sighed.
"This might actually get rough …"
"Might? I'd say its almost an absolute certainty," Natsu huffed in response as he warped to the Grove where he could sense the massive power. "For now we'll observe, try to discern their abilities and then adapt a strategy to combat them."
The other two in his mindscape agreed in unison, neither willing to argue when there were so many hostiles around that could possibly kill them. As Natsu peeked out from atop the building he could see an unusually tall man wearing a yellow suit and knew he'd found his target.
He just wasn't prepared for what was to follow.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!