Chapter 14: Power of the Former Ultimate: Natsu vs George
After Shervan introduces George, Kinoko, and Ray to everyone, the whole crew is having a feast.
"This wine is the best I ever tasted!" Cricket laughed as he chugged down the bottle.
"Eat as much as you want!" Sanji said, serving some food to the others.
"It's really hard to eat when Ice Prick can't go one day without stripping his clothes," Accelerator grumbled.
"Yeah, are you sure you're not some kind of exhibition pervert?" Chris asked.
"What are yo-CRAP WHERE ARE THEY NOW!?" Gray yelled realizing that his shirt was gone.
"I like what I'm seeing here," Kinoko said while staring dreamily at Gray. "Fanservice for the female gaze."
"Love Rival!" Juvia chanted, glaring at her.
"You got a problem, overweight juggler?" Kinoko questioned, glaring back at her.
"Is Kinoko always like this?" Asuka asked while staring at the two glaring at each other.
"Pretty much," Ray answered. "She is always like that to guys she comes across and handsome men...including me."
"Wait what?" Asuka blinked.
"Yeah, there were times when she would sneak into my bed in her underwear," Ray replied nonchalantly.
"B-But aren't you siblings?!" Asuka exclaimed, a bit shocked.
"Not by birth, in fact, her real brother is a big fat scumbag," Ray stated with a straight face. "Oh, and I hope you're not going to eat your food."
"What are you ta-~!" Asuka found her plate being raided by Luffy's stretchy and grabby hands. She was able to grab Luffy's wrist just as it was about to grab her bread, and gave him a murderous glare. "Drop the bread."
"OI~! Are you trying to bite my hand off you stupid ape?" Gajeel questioned angrily.
"What did you call me?!" Masira asked glaring at Gajeel.
"AHH~! It tastes so good~!" Kirika moaned with sparkles around her.
"You're so messy Kirika," Shirabe scolded while wiping her face with a napkin.
"Heheh~!" Kirika chuckled, grinning. "Sorry~!"
"HOT!" Masira and Gajeel cried out in unison. They emit flames from their mouths.
"HAHAHA!" Usopp laughed. "YOU TWO FELL FOR MY HOT SAUCE GAG!"
"DAMN LONG NOSE BRAT!" Gajeel and Masira yelled, Usopp quickly fled from the two.
"Hey ladies," Cricket said drunkenly to Megumi, Erza, Iona, Nami, and Marie. "Why do you sit here?"
"Oi Oi~!" Sanji placed his foot on his head. "Slow down there, you're a thousand years too late old man."
"Who are you calling old?" Cricket glared at Sanji.
"You're a good drinker~!" Shoujou smirked. He and Zoro were having a drinking contest.
"Same to you~!" Zoro said, smirking back.
While this party was lively, Natsu has been awkwardly quiet throughout the whole thing. He didn't even snap when Luffy swiped his plate.
"Are you okay Natsu?" Sango asked.
"Yeah," Natsu answered with a deadpan look.
"He's been like that ever since Ray, Kinoko and George appeared," Happy stated, munching on a fish.
"I wonder what he's thinking about?" Sango wondered, glancing at him.
"Probably something stupid," Misaka thought out loud.
"...ALRIGHT I MADE MY DECISION!" Natsu stood up and announced suddenly. This got everyone's attention. Then he pointed at George. "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A FIGHT!"
…
…
…
"He's been deciding whether to fight George this whole time?!" Sango, Misaka, and Happy comedically questioned in shock.
"Y-You want to fight George?" Shervan asked, startled.
"I knew he would say something stupid," Lucy sighed.
"Didn't he learn from the last few times, or did Accelerator mess up his brain when he flicked him?" Chris harshly said.
George laughed at Natsu's outburst instead of being shocked. "Very well Natsu was it? I accept your challenge."
"HE AGREED!?" Lucy and Sango yelled in shock.
"Seems like Pinky hasn't learned his lesson, does he?" Accelerator said, with an amusing look.
George and Natsu were at opposite ends of the field preparing for their duel. The others were standing close to the house.
"So who do you think will win?" Minori asked.
"Natsu for sure, he's a Fairy Tail wizard after all," Cynthia answered.
"What, does being a Fairy Tail wizard make you invincible or something?" Accelerator mocked.
"Well we're a top guild in Fiore for a reason," Lucy boasted a bit.
"After seeing Erza get his ass kicked by the fox woman in the Resort, I'm not convinced," Accelerator harshly replied.
"I...admit I was caught off guard by her ability," Erza said, looking unphased. "But if we cross paths again, I will take her down."
George's eyes glowed red as he used his Scope Devil Fruit to analyze Natsu who was stretching. 'Natsu Dragneel: Fire Dragon Slayer. Highest stats: Attack, Defense, Speed, and Explosion. Weakness: Motion sickness, and his own flames...Hmm, I wonder.'
"So you're ready?" Natsu asked eagerly.
"Before we begin, I want to give you a challenge," George announced. "I have no intention of countering, blocking, or dodging your attacks. Should you fail to defeat me after five strikes, I will start attacking."
"Why five hits?" Iona asked.
"George is very known for his durability, and strength," Kinoko said. "Ray had come close to beating him with his aura, but he lost."
"Yeah, he's one of the few who can bypass my aura," Ray nodded in agreement.
"Really?" Cynthia asked a bit awed.
"So you're willing to accept the challenge?" George asked again.
"Deal~!" Natsu roared. Having wasted no time, he rushed at George, pulling back his fiery fist. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
George didn't bother to dodge as Natsu's flaming fist landed in his stomach. Despite Natsu's strength, George didn't flinch or skid back.
"How could he have taken Natsu's attack so leniently!?" Lucy stared in shock. Natsu jumped back in surprise when he noticed scorch marks on him.
"Tough guy aren't yah," Natsu grinned. He then began to puff his cheeks. "Fire Dragon Roar!"
"Warp Vacuum!" George extended his hand in front of him, creating a small black portal. Natsu's funnel of flames was absorbed inside the portal like a vacuum.
"That small portal was able to swallow Natsu's roar?!" Happy state shocked. Natsu appeared in front of George, and his knees came down on his chin, causing him to lean back as a result. Natsu flipped over, using the flames on his feet to boost himself towards him. Delivering a powerful headbutt to his chest, sending him skidding back a few inches.
"That's three hits so far," Lily noted.
"Despite that, he does not seem to be hurt," Misaka added.
"Go Natsu!" Wendy and Kirika cheered.
"Impressive," George grinned, not looking phased by his injuries. "You've done the same amount of damage as Ray and Kinoko on their last hit."
Natsu jumped up in the air while his arms were on fire. "Fire Dragon Wing Attack!"
"Warp Vacuum," George had two portals in the palm of each of his hands, swallowing the two streams of flames.
"Dang it," Natsu grumbled as his attack was sucked up.
"You still have two hits left," George informed.
"I can knock you out in two hits," Natsu said with a determined look. His body suddenly enlightened with a spark of electricity combining his flames, startling everyone.
"First flames and now electricity!?" Masira shocked
"That's Natsu's Lightning Flame Dragon Mode," Erza said.
"I had no idea Dragon Slayers could eat other elements," Marie said startled.
"Usually it would hurt a dragon slayer if they swallow another element, but Laxus gave him that power," Lucy explained.
"So it's not just Cynthia or Wendy who can do that," Shervan mumbled.
"It's pathetic compared to my iron shadow form," Gajeel mocked.
"What you say tin can!?" Natsu roared.
"You look so cool!" Luffy and Kirika shouted with starry eyes.
"GO GET HIM NATSU!" Hibiki, Chopper, Megumi, and Manatsu cheered.
"Impressive," George acknowledged. "I always thought Dragon Slayer can only withstand their own elements, but you along with the two girls proved me wrong."
"Lighting Fire Dragon Sword Horn!" Natsu charged at him engulfed in flames and lightning, landing a devastating headbutt. Although George winced at the headbutt, it only pushed him back. Suddenly, Natsu created a pillar of lightning and flames, sending George skyrocketing into the air.
"T-That pink prick went easy on me?" Jackal asked, shocked.
"Is George really going to be beaten by Natsu?" Ray asked in disbelief.
"Please don't let this be," Kinoko pleaded. "I love the pink-haired boy, but I don't want that tomboy brute to be right."
Natsu uses the flames on his feet to boost himself into the air above George. He raised both of his fists above his head, one with flames and the other with lightning. "THIS MAKES FIVE! LIGHTING FIRE DRAGON! HAMMER!"
He swung both of his fists downward, delivering a devastating blow on George's back hurling him down towards the ground.
"Holy crap," Chris managed in awed.
"So he's not some sort of hothead masochist," Accelerator commented, a bit intrigued.
Shervan glanced at the dust cloud intensively. Unlike a few of the others, he didn't think George was down that easily. Natsu was on the ground, with his flame Lightning mode worn out from magic consumption, but he was still able to stand and stare at the dust cloud.
"Impressive…" Everyone including Natsu, minus Robin, Shervan, and Cricket were shocked when they saw George upside down with his right arm extended out on the ground, which left a crater. He was scorched from the attacks but didn't show any signal of tiredness as he got right back on his feet.
"N-no way!" Lucy gasped in shock.
"What endurance!" Lily stated, a bit impressed. "To think he was able to withstand Natsu's powerful attacks."
"Now let's turn the tables shall we?" George grinned. He snapped his fingers forming a portal above Natsu's head and out shot a funnel of red flames towards him.
"Natsu look out!" Wendy shouted. By jumping back, Natsu dodges the fire as it crashes down on the ground where he landed.
"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!?" Masira and Shoujou yelled.
"Would you two shut up," Zoro growled annoyed.
"I have to admit that your portal magic is way cool," Natsu complimented. "But you're not the first Portal Mage I've fought!" He then charged at him with his flame fist. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
"Warp Snatch!" George formed a small portal in the palm of his hand. Just as Natsu aimed for his hand, his fist disappeared. Before Natsu could react, another small portal appeared beside the dragon slayer, and out came his own fist, striking him in the cheeks.
"He finally gets a taste of his own medicine," Jackal chuckled.
Natsu slid backward, unaware that two small portals had appeared between him. It fired off two streams of orange flames at Natsu, making direct contact. "ARGH!"
"Natsu!" Lucy, Happy, and Cynthia cried out. After the dust cloud cleared, Natsu was seen on his knees, breathing heavily.
"I thought Natsu could eat flames," Megumi said, looking a bit confused.
"He can, but not if he summons his flames by himself," Levy explained, staring at Natsu and then at George.
"That's the reason why he stored Natsu's attack," Kuroko stated. "Even if Natsu was able to damage him with five of his strongest moves, George was able to get him in that state with three."
"If you can't beat George in only five hits, then there's no chance you'll ever beat Crimson Blood elite," Ray mumbled.
"I ain't done yet," Natsu winced as he slowly stood up. After one final push, he charges towards George with his fist pulled back. Then, when Natsu was close enough, George tilted his head to the left to evade his fist. Natsu puffed his cheeks preparing a close-range roar attack. "Fire Drago-GUAH!"
"Checkmate," George mumbled as his fist connected to the Dragon Slayer's stomach. Almost everyone winced especially, Ray and Kinoko who trained with George. The Fire Dragon slayer eyes rolled back as he fell back KO'd.
"Natsu!" Lucy and Happy shouted.
Natsu's injuries were immediately treated by Wendy and Chopper. George slumped to the ground, crossed-legged. "That was a remarkable duel. I can tell by the way you fought that you are a skillful yet violent fighter."
"Now I wanna spar with someone~!" Luffy said, looking excited with his eyes sparkled. "I wanna fight you, flamingo girl~!"
"My name is Asuka, not flamingo girl~!" Asuka comically snapped.
"I think Natsu's fighting addiction is rubbing off on them," Misaka commented. Touma and Kuroko stared at Misaka who noticed. "Wh-what?"
"Oh, nothing~!" The two answered simultaneously.
After the duel ended, Levi and Robin spent some time reading the duel log book. "Hey Robin, doesn't this log look a bit odd?"
"Yes it does," Robin answered.
"In the skull's right eye, gold is seen," Cricket suddenly noted. Levy jumped by how close he was while Robin sweatdropped.
"Did someone say gold!?" Nami turned with sparkling eyes. Her outburst got everyone's attention, including Natsu who slowly woke up.
"The pages with the tears on it contain Noland's final words, " George explained.
"However we don't even know what it means though," Cricket replied. "But here is another hint in his entry. Captain's log: 21st day of the 5th month. Year 1122: Today I arrived at Jaya. Once I got there, I heard a huge amount of chirping from the woods followed by a loud ringing noise from the great bell made of gold. Its ringing can be heard throughout the Grand Line."
"Bell made of gold!?" Nami's eyes sparkled.
"It made us speechless," Noland continued to narrate. "Hearing the bell, which changed civilization across the Grand Line, it made us feel uneasy."
"GO NOLAND!" Masira, Shoujou, Luffy, Manatsu, Index, Last Order, Natsu, Happy, Kirika, Megumi, Hibiki, and Cynthia cheered.
"From the way you're performing, you actually like your ancestors," Wannai said smiling.
"Really now?" Cricket chuckled as he stood up and went towards his shelves. He picked up four bundles. "Then I'll leave it to your imaginations."
"What are those?" Yuko asked.
"Why don't you look for yourselves," Cricket said. Yuko unwrapped the first one which got everyone surprised.
"A G-Golden Bell?!" Sango said, amazed.
"This was the one Masira found on his travels," Ray replied.
Nami picked it up and started to nuzzle it. "Ah-treasure!"
"Geez what a creep," Jackal mumbled.
"Amazing," Awatsuki said. "I've never seen gold like this before, and it's still looking brand new."
"Was this the gold that Noland was talking about?" Touma asked.
"Don't be such an idiot," Misaka scolded Touma's dense mind. "The entry said that the bell was big."
"Yeah, how do you consider this big?" Iona asked Cricket.
"This isn't the one my grandfather mentioned," Cricket chuckled. "It was a bell-shaped token."
"Token?" Hibiki repeated, confused. "Like the ones you use to play video games?"
"Where the hell would you find video games in a pirate-era moron?" Chris asked.
"My crew and I found three of them on the seabed," Masira said proudly. Cricket unraveled the first two, which were golden bells.
"So that means Sky Island exists?!" Luffy asked.
"Not necessarily," Shoujou informed. "You can find gold like this across any gold ruin in the Grand Line."
"Finally, Masira, would you do the honors," Cricket said to his ape companion.
"You got it," Masira obeyed proudly. He unraveled the last golden statue revealing an odd exotic-looking bird, about the same size as Chopper.
"This is the last of them," Cricket sighed. "This one wasn't more popular than the other three, and it was the only thing I could show for it."
"What the heck kind of bird is that?" Index asked.
"It looks like a toucan only larger," Minori thought while observing it.
"That kinda looks like you Happy," Natsu said.
"How exactly?!" Happy asked in shock.
"Well you both have wings, and you're both holding bells," Natsu informed.
"A bird holding a bell," Sanji ignored Natsu's logic and stared at the statue. "So is this like some kind of symbol or something?"
"I'm not sure, but they are called South Birds," George explained, "They exist on the island and you can still find th-!"
"Huh? What's wrong?" Hibiki quickly asked. Masira, Shoujou, George, and Cricket froze on the spot with a shocked looks on their faces.
"THIS IS BAD!" Cricket yelled.
"W-What wrong!?" Hime asked, startled from their outburst.
"Damn it, This is really bad," George cursed himself. "Listen, we all have to go south in the forest!"
"Why?" Kuroko questioned.
"Don't waste time!" Cricket warned. "You need to catch one of these South Birds!"
"B-But why?" Lucy asked, puzzled and confused.
"Listen," George said sternly. "Tomorrow you'll be sailing towards the Knock-Up Stream directly south from where we are. How will you get there?"
"Don't we just go south then?" Megumi answered.
"We can't," George answered. "When you're on the Grand Line, you lose all your sense of direction in the open sea."
"Not to mention that you guys aren't going to an island," Cricket added. "That's what the bird is for. They exchange a compass signal inside them, enchanting their direction sense."
"Just like pigeons," Wannai said, finally getting it.
"So Mosshead is worse with direction than a pigeon?" Accelerator chuckled.
"Yeah, you're stupid than a bird," Natsu and Luffy mocked, laughing at Zoro.
"YOU TWO HAVE NO ROOM TO TALK!" Zoro yelled.
"The south bird has the best sense of direction. No matter what direction you turn its head too, it will always turn south," Cricket explained. "If you guys don't get it, then you'll never get to Sky Island."
Natsu, Happy, Hibiki, Kirika, Manatsu, Cynthia, Chopper, Usopp, Index, Last Order, Megumi, Hime, and Luffy eyes widened in shock. "HOW COME YOU JUST MENTION IT NOW!?"
"S-sorry I forgot!" Cricket answered honestly.
"Less talking, more finding!" Cynthia said dashing out of the house followed by the others.
"You expect us to go in the middle of the night to find it!?" Usopp yelled at Cricket.
"Not without these, " Ray stated as gave Usopp a bunch of nets.
"Remember! You need to catch a South Bird before daybreak!" Cricket yelled. He along with Masira, Shoujou, Kinoko, Ray, and George watched as the team left.
Hiding in the bushes, Loni and Lenora were spying on the group and noticed the Straw Hats running into the forest. "Wait, are those the straw hat pirates?"
"No shit sherlock," Loni scolded.
"I'm not Sherlock, I'm Lenora, your younger sister," Lenora answered.
"Never mind!" Loni groaned quietly. "Still it's kind of odd, I was informed there would be just six of them…"
She shook it off, "That doesn't matter. We'll use the forest to give them the element of surprise."
"Got it," Lenora answered. "One question though,"
"What is it?" Loni asked a bit tired.
"What are these black thingies?" Lenora questioned pointing to two small portals in front of the two.
"Sh-," Before Loni could finish, two pixelated fists fired out of the portal, landing a direct hit on both of the girls. Loni was able to cross her arms just in time, but the impact pushed her and her sibling into an open area a few feet away. Although Loni pushed the fist back, she landed on her feet, but Lenora was not as fortunate as the fist sent her flying into a tree.
"Are you alright Lenora?" Loni called out with her eyes forward.
Lenora slowly stood up. "Y-yeah, but my dress is ruined!"
"Well I recognize that annoying voice," Kinoko called out. She along with George and Ray emerged out of the forest.
"It's been a while, Loni," George said. "In my last encounter with you, you were in need of aid."
She stared in silence before a slight grin appeared on her face. "Yeah, I appreciate what you've done, but that's in the past. Right now, you along with Ray, Kinoko, and the Straw hats are on our hunt list!"
"Hunt list? What are you yammering about?" Kinoko asked.
Instead of answering her, Loni charged at George with tremendous speed. Kinoko and Ray were surprised at how fast Loni was, but George blocked her punch without hesitation. "I've been waiting my whole life to finally take you down."
"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint you," George snarled back. Although he had been able to push her away, Loni attacked him right away. George pulled back his fist and clashed with Loni, causing a massive shockwave, pushing Ray and Kinoko back slowly.
"She's more powerful than last time we've fought," Kinoko struggled to hold her ground. She was worried about George that she didn't notice Lenora appearing behind her, preparing to launch a roundhouse kick to her neck. Luckily Ray was able to block the attack in his metal rash form.
"Wah!?" Kinoko was taken back by the unexpected attack that she landed on her butt. Lenora jumped back, glaring at the two.
"Lenora, it's been a while," Ray smirked. "But of course you wouldn't remember the time you beat me."
"I don't care about that," Lenora said sternly, eyeing Kinoko. "That bitch wretched my outfit and now I'll wretch her...uh.." Lenora's mind went blank for a bit, before shaking it off. "Oh hey, Ray! I didn't notice you."
"You were just talking to him for a second!" Kinoko comically yelled.
"Anyway, my friends and I are a bit busy," Ray said, getting to his fighting stance. "So why don't we make this battle quick."
"Oh it will be quick," Lenora's personality changed from clueless and cheerful into a serious and determined. White electricity suddenly surrounded her body. "I took you down three times, and I can do it again."
"Kinoko," Ray said, not leaving her eyes on Lenora. "You go back to Cricket! He may need some help with Bellamy's crew!"
Kinoko wanted to object since Lenora and Loni were deadly without their abilities, but she knew that Cricket's group would be attacked by Bellamy and his crew. "Okay, but please don't get captured!"
Ray watched as Kinoko disappeared into the forest. He sighed in relief and then turned to Lenora, who was a bit puzzled. "Wait, why did you let her go like that?"
"I don't want to be like last time," Ray answered. "She almost killed you and Lunar and I don't want that to happen again."
"Aww that so sweet," Lenora cooed. "I don't know why you want to become a pirate when you don't want to kill anyone. Maybe you can like, join our team of Bounty hunters!"
"Love to, but it's hard since you're with an alliance with Crimson Blood, " Ray stated.
"Oh I forgot about that," Lenora said as she chuckled a little. Loni and George who were in the middle of close combat stared at the two and sweatdropped by how they forgot that they're enemies.
Next Chapter: Hunters and Hunted.