Fairy Tail: The Last Saiyan

by Kaz-35

Trained under immense pressure from his potential to be the legendary Super Saiyan, Jin's life is shattered when a dragon destroys his home and people. Haunted by guilt, he spends eight years honing his skills in isolation. Now seeking connection rather than vengeance, he joins Fairy Tail in Magnolia, hoping for a new beginning.

13. Footprints of Phantoms

13: Footprints of Phantoms

---

The morning sun poured over the village square, and in the remnants of the previous night's feast, Natsu chewed on the fire of torches in his hands. Gray sat nearby with his arms crossed, his back resting against the edge of a low wooden fence. His brow furrowed as Lucy leaned closer to him, her eyes narrowing at the faint scar now marking his left temple.

"Where'd eyebrows and love girl go?" Natsu asked, glancing around with his mouth full of fire. "And where's Jin and Erza?"

Happy shrugged. "Like typical party guests, they stuffed their faces and took off! As for Jin and Erza, I haven't seen either of them since we woke up, though."

Natsu tilted his head, an exciting thought occurring to him. "You think they're training somewhere on the island?"

Gray snorted. "If they were training, trust me, we'd have felt it by now. A couple of mountain-level shockwaves, at least." He caught Lucy's gaze in the middle of turning to Natsu. "What's with the staring?" he muttered, turning his head slightly but avoiding her gaze.

Lucy leaned in closer to Gray, studying his temple with a furrowed brow. "You've got a scar there," she said, lightly poking at the air near his face as if to underline it. "I don't remember seeing it yesterday. Is it from your fight with Lyon?"

Gray shrugged. "Probably. Doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter?!" Lucy's voice pitched higher. "Scars don't exactly scream charm, you know. It's on your face, Gray. People are gonna see that first!"

Gray simply smirked. "So? I'd rather have scars where I can see 'em. It's the ones you can't see that actually matter."

For a moment, Lucy was quiet, her expression softening as if weighing his words. Then, with a teasing tilt of her lips, she quipped, "Well, look at you being all philosophical. If that's your way of being mysterious and brooding, it's not bad. Maybe even smooth." She gave him a wink.

"Smooth? Really?" Gray shot back, though a flicker of a smile crossed his face.

Natsu stopped chewing, glancing at Gray with an arched eyebrow. "How's that smooth? You got invisible scars?"

Gray's composure cracked as he whipped his head toward Natsu. "Are you serious right now?! Every time I say something remotely cool, you find a way to—"

"Hey, guys."

Gray's words stopped short at Lucy's quiet interruption. She was pointing toward the far end of the square, her brows rising as she shaded her eyes with one hand. Following her gaze, Gray blinked.

"Well, I'll be damned..."

Natsu and Happy turned their heads in unison, and their jaws nearly dropped.

Walking side by side, Jin and Erza entered the square, their faces radiant from a morning spent out of view. Erza was still in her casual clothing, and Jin seemed inexplicably energetic, his stride lighter than usual.

What drew their friends' attention most, however, was the way they seemed entirely absorbed in each other. The two of them laughed softly about something, an ease between them that felt unfamiliar—disarming, even.

"Seven million Jewel. That's no small number," Jin said, moving ahead slightly and turning to walk backward as he spoke to her. "Are you sure we're not gonna take it? I mean, at the very least, maybe we could use it to improve the guild hall."

Erza shook her head with a smile. "Jin, the request wasn't legitimate. That reward doesn't belong to us, and we wouldn't be upholding Fairy Tail's name if we kept it."

Jin paused mid-step and sighed dramatically, throwing his head back. "Fair enough, but it's still a shame. That's the second time we've had to walk away from a reward like that. First Oshibana, now this? Feels like a streak of bad luck to me."

"You exaggerate," Erza said. "Last night's celebration more than makes up for it if you ask me."

Jin placed his hands behind his head as he walked. "Oh, sure, the food was great and the demons were fine. But when you put it that way, I think our little talk earlier was reward enough." His face softened, his eyes meeting hers. "Seriously, Erza. Thanks. I needed that more than you know."

Erza's steps faltered for just a moment as his words reached her. A hint of color warmed her cheeks before she straightened her shoulders, her calm composure returning.

"You're welcome, Jin. It was... good for me too."

Before Jin could say more, her eyes flicked toward the square ahead and locked on their waiting guildmates who had been watching them curiously. In a flash of light, her armor appeared on her form, back in its usual pristine state as if nothing had changed. She cleared her throat and gestured briskly.

"Wait with the others. I'll prepare for our departure."

"Yes, ma'am!" Jin said with a playful salute, watching her head toward one of the nearby huts.

He stood there for a moment longer, a small smile pulling at his lips before finally turning back toward the group, but the sight that greeted him made him stop mid-stride. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Happy all stared at him with an array of expressions—curiosity, amusement, and thinly veiled judgment radiating from each of them.

"What?" Jin asked in self-defense as he made his way over.

"Where were you two?" Natsu asked bluntly, stuffing the last of his flame into his mouth. "Did you guys train somewhere or something?"

"Or maybe you went for a walk?" Happy said slyly, floating at Natsu's shoulder.

Jin scratched his neck awkwardly. "I mean… yeah, a little. We just talked."

Natsu's eyes widened with intrigue. "Just talked? Since when does Erza just talk like that? What did you guys even talk about?"

Jin's expression dimmed, his gaze dropping slightly. "Trust me, you really don't wanna know," Jin replied vaguely, crossing his arms. "It's stuff you probably wouldn't want to hear about, alright?"

Natsu opened his mouth to ask more, but Lucy gently interjected. "Hey, Natsu. If Jin doesn't want to talk about it, maybe we shouldn't push, okay?"

"Okay, fine. If you say so," Natsu grumbled, turning away but not hiding his intrigue.

Gray stood, dusting off his hands. "Well, whatever it was, it's good to see you two getting along better."

Jin shrugged, relaxing slightly under the casual gesture. "Yeah, well… she's not as scary as you guys think she is."

"Careful," Gray smirked. "Say that too loudly, and you'll see just how scary she can be."

Lucy smiled knowingly. "You know, most people don't go from Erza barking orders at you every five minutes to laughing and blushing with her in one day."

"I wasn't—" Jin stopped himself, waving his hands to change the subject. "Look, I'll catch you guys up on it later. For now, let's just focus on getting home, alright?"

Gray gave him a sideways look but shrugged. "Fine by me. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook. You owe us a little something, remember?"

Jin exhaled through his nose and nodded. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I'll tell you everything on the way home."

---

The team stood near a massive luggage wagon laden with everything Erza deemed essential—camping supplies, a few bundles of preserved herbs, and even a totem pole she'd called a "souvenir." While Lucy adjusted the strap on her satchel and Natsu poked Gray to keep their endless feud alive, Erza stood before the gathered villagers, and Jin lingered a few paces behind her. It was the kind of peaceful chaos that felt just right after surviving a harrowing quest.

"I don't understand, Miss!" Moka exclaimed. "Seven million Jewel! You've earned it! Please, take it—you deserve nothing less."

Erza smiled graciously but shook her head. "Thank you, but your gratitude is payment enough."

"That's... that's nice and all," Bobo chimed in, scratching the back of his head. "But without you and your friends, we'd all still be cursed. Surely that's worth more than gratitude alone."

"That may be true," Erza replied. "But your request was never officially sanctioned by the guild. It fell into the hands of some…" she glanced over her shoulder briefly at Natsu and Gray's escalating squabble, "...foolish wizards trying to prove themselves."

Beside the wagon, Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Foolish?" she whispered to Jin.

"Just a little," Jin replied quietly, unable to hide his smirk. "But she's not wrong."

Moka laughed, though there was still a touch of nervousness in his tone. "True, true... but it's their foolishness that brought you all here, no? Without them, where would we be now?"

Jin's dark eyes lingered on Moka's face, noticing the earnest desperation in his eyes. The chief truly wanted to show his appreciation, and the weight of his gratitude made even Jin feel a pang of sympathy.

"How about this—why not take the Jewel not as a reward, but as a humble thank-you gift? You've given us hope again, and it's the least we can do to repay you for everything!"

At that, a wave of tension swept through the group. Natsu and Gray's quarreling abruptly ceased as they leaned closer, Lucy's brow raised, and Jin's lips curled slightly in anticipation. All eyes—demon, wizard, Saiyan, and cat—fixed on Erza.

Erza hesitated briefly before allowing a thoughtful smile. "When you put it that way, it's hard to say no."

Moka's face broke into a wide grin, and the villagers erupted into relieved laughter and murmurs of approval.

"Holy crap?!" Natsu beamed, flames puffing from his nostrils punching the air. "She's actually gonna do it?!"

"She's actually gonna do it!" Gray echoed, his grin growing wider.

Lucy squealed, clasping her cheeks. "We're gonna be rich! And rent money!"

"No way," Jin muttered to himself, a disbelieving grin creeping up on his face. "I didn't think she'd actually—"

"I'm sorry," Erza suddenly interjected, and Jin instantly recognized that tone—one that signaled a twist was coming. "Accepting your reward would still be contrary to our guild's principles. However, we'd be happy to take the Gate Key you offered with it."

The square fell into a stunned silence. The villagers' joy dimmed instantly, and they all looked utterly defeated at her turnaround.

"THE GATE KEY?!" Natsu and Gray roared in unison, their faces contorting in comically exaggerated disbelief.

Lucy let out a half-outraged, half-ecstatic shriek. "Wait—we're losing SEVEN MILLION, and all I'm getting is a Gate Key? Actually…" Her outrage turned into excitement as her eyes sparkled. "Another Gate Key! YES! COME TO MAMA!"

Jin exploded into laughter, clutching his sides as tears threatened to form. His amusement only stoked Natsu's and Gray's incredulous expressions, and Erza turned her head slightly, smiling softly as Jin's laughter filled the air.

"I trust we're all settled, then?" she said, turning back to the demons.

Moka scratched the back of his head, clearly thrown off but still smiling. "Well, if that's what you'll take, then… thank you for everything."

Bobo stepped forward as the laughter began to settle. "At least allow us to take you to Port Hargeon as a parting thanks. We have a sturdy boat ready."

"Thank you, but we already have a vessel waiting," Erza said with conviction, straightening her spine as though the matter was settled.

Gray glanced at her skeptically. "Wait... are we sure about that?"

"Uh, do we actually have one?" Natsu scratched his head.

"I'd... actually like to know that too," Lucy said, brows raised.

Jin blinked. "Wait. We do?

"Jin," Erza said, regarding him briefly and expectantly. "Remind us how we arrived here again?"

Jin blinked again as realization slowly dawned on his face. "Oh… Oh!"

A grin spread across his lips, and without hesitation, he leaped into the air, gesturing for them to follow as he soared toward the beach.

"Come on, guys! You're gonna love this!"

---

The salty tang of the sea grew stronger as Jin glided through the air, his eyes scanning the coast. The familiar outline of the pirate ship came into view, docked just off the beach where it had waited since their arrival. Its weathered sails fluttered lightly in the ocean breeze, and the pirates moved about the deck, readying for whatever task came next. Jin descended in a soft arc, landing with a solid thud on the wooden planks.

The pirates immediately whirled around, startled by the abrupt appearance of the black-haired Saiyan. For a heartbeat, the pirates on deck froze in place, weapons partially drawn before realizing it was him.

"Blimey, it's the flying lad!" one of them shouted, pointing an accusatory yet astonished finger. Their tense expressions quickly melted into stunned awe.

Another pirate, older and missing a few teeth, rubbed his eyes. "Did we imagine that before, or does he really not look like a demon?"

"Relax," Jin said simply. "I can assure you guys, it's still me."

The commotion quieted as the pirate captain emerged from below deck. His hook hand gleamed in the sunlight as he stepped forward with a gap-toothed grin.

"Ahoy there, flying lad!" he greeted heartily. "Look at ye—not a scratch on ya! How'd the lot of ya fare with that cursed island?"

"We're all okay," Jin replied, sensing the genuine concern in the captain's voice. "The island isn't cursed anymore, and the demons aren't what you thought. They're... good people."

The crew collectively gasped in awe, and murmurs rippled among them.

"Well blow me down! No more curse, you say? An' good demons too?" The captain let out a hearty laugh that shook his frame. "That's a weight off my old bones! And the madam? Is she all right?"

"She's fine," Jin said with a faint smirk. He appreciated the pirates' odd admiration for Erza. "Actually, I came here to ask for your help again. My friends and I need to get back to the mainland. Can you take us to Port Hargeon?"

The captain scratched his chin and nodded firmly. "After ya lifted a curse? Consider it done!" He spun to face his crew, raising his hook hand. "You heard the lad! Lower the ramp! Let's give our saviors the grandest sendoff!"

Cheers erupted across the deck, and Jin stepped aside as the pirates scrambled to make their preparations. Wooden planks creaked under hurried footsteps, and the ramp was secured in place, leading from the beach to the deck. From the corner of his eye, Jin spotted movement near the treeline. The team, along with the demons, had arrived.

"A pirate ship?" he muttered.

"What the heck?!" Lucy shrieked, pulling her arms up to shield her chest. "Erza, did you hijack a pirate ship?!"

"Aye! Hijack's a strong word, lass!" the captain called down, overhearing her. "We simply bent to the will of your fiery madame!"

Erza walked calmly to the front, pulling her heavily loaded wagon as if it weighed nothing. "Yes," she said. "With Jin's help, I commandeered this vessel for our journey here. It only makes sense they would assist us again."

"'Help,' she says…" Jin muttered under his breath, remembering how they had taken over the ship in order to punish their friends.

"This is awesome!" Happy interjected, hovering mid-air and grinning ear to ear.

"Awesome?" Lucy glared at the blue cat, then immediately snapped her focus to Natsu, who was elbowing her lightly. "Don't even think about it! I'm not stepping foot on this boat! Those guys look creepy!"

"Aw, c'mon, scaredy-cat!" Natsu teased. "If you really don't want to, we could always just swim back instead!"

"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Lucy barked, stomping after them in a flustered hurry while still holding her arms tightly across her chest.

Gray shook his head in amusement and followed after her, giving a bemused chuckle at Lucy's frustration. Natsu clambered up after them while Lucy hesitated for another moment, mumbling complaints under her breath before storming up the ramp as Jin motioned for her to follow.

The moment they boarded, the pirates cheered louder, bustling to assist the team. One particularly burly crewmate hoisted Erza's wagon up with an almost comical lack of effort, earning a nod of approval from her.

"Welcome aboard, mateys!" the captain roared, gripping Jin's shoulder like an old friend. "You've lifted the curse for the island folk, and now this humble ship is at your command."

Jin's gaze swept across the faces of his friends—Erza was standing tall, clearly pleased to see the ship ready for them. Gray leaned against the mast with his usual nonchalance, while Lucy was visibly trying to keep her composure. Natsu, however, was already slumped over the railing, his face tinged green from his motion sickness.

"Listen up," Jin said, stepping toward the crew and trying to emulate Erza's commanding tone. "The people boarding this ship are important to me. They are my friends, so treat them with the same respect you'd show me or Erza. Got it?"

"Of course, flying lad!" the captain agreed readily. "This crew might be rowdy, but we honor our guests!"

The ship rocked gently as the crew made final preparations. Gray watched their efficiency with vague interest, Lucy shuddered as a scruffy pirate offered her an unsolicited grin, and Natsu groaned, leaning heavily over the railing as his motion sickness quickly overtook his earlier enthusiasm. From the shore, Bobo and the demons waved enthusiastically.

"We thank you!" Bobo yelled, raising his hands to his head to shout. "May your journey be safe! We hope to see you again someday!"

"You betcha!" Happy called out, flying overhead to wave back more enthusiastically. Lucy and Gray followed suit from the railing, their voices mixing with the calls from the deck.

Erza turned to Jin briefly, a faint smile curling at her lips. "You're doing well," she said softly before returning her gaze ahead.

Jin blinked, caught off guard by her remark. Before he could respond, the ship lurched forward, the steady rhythm of oars propelling them away from Galuna Island. As he watched his friends wave back to the demons, Jin let out a slow breath. For once, the knots in his chest felt just a little looser.

---

Jin stood at the bow of the ship, watching the endless expanse of ocean stretch into the horizon. The wind tugged at his hair, sending dark strands dancing across his face, but he didn't seem to mind. A quiet calm had settled over him, yet there was an energy in his stance that hadn't been there before.

Gray leaned casually against the railing to the side, glancing now and then at Jin, while Happy hovered over Natsu, fanning him with a towel as the Dragon Slayer groaned from his perpetual motion sickness. Behind them, Erza stood with Lucy, her gaze lingering on Jin's figure.

"He's... different today," Lucy remarked, tilting her head as she observed their Saiyan friend. "Not that it's a bad thing, but I've never seen him be this… I don't know, in high spirits?"

Erza's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "He's made peace with something within himself. That kind of change shines through whether we notice it or not."

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing this has something to do with whatever you two talked about this morning?"

"Perhaps," Erza replied enigmatically. She didn't elaborate, but the look she gave Lucy carried weight, a promise of something profound shared between her and Jin.

Lucy sighed, smiling softly. "Well, it's good to see him like this."

"Hey, Erza, Lucy!" Jin's voice cut through the sea breeze as he waved them over. "Gray! Happy! Natsu! Do you guys have a second?"

Erza and Lucy exchanged a curious glance. "Shall we?" Erza asked.

Lucy nodded, and together they made their way to the bow. Gray pushed off the railing and sauntered over, while Happy flitted toward Jin, leaving Natsu groaning in his corner.

"What about him?" Gray jerked a thumb toward their fallen teammate.

"Leave it to me!" Happy chirped, puffing his little chest proudly. "I'll tell Natsu everything once we're on solid ground. I can stand in for him!"

Jin smiled faintly. "Thanks, Happy. And you," he called to one of the pirates, "could you look after him and… give us some space?"

They complied quickly, one of them even tending to Natsu with a damp cloth. With the bow cleared, Jin faced his friends again. His fingers tightened briefly on the ship's railing before he took a deep breath.

"So, is this it?" Gray said, crossing his arms with a faint smirk. "Are you finally going to stop dancing around whatever you've been hiding?"

Jin chuckled lightly at Gray's attempt to lighten the mood, his eyes briefly flickering to Erza, who gave him a steady nod.

"Yeah. I owe you all the truth. After everything we've been through, it's about time I came clean."

Lucy tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Go on," she urged gently.

He drew in a deep breath, steadying himself. "Let's start from the top," Jin began. "As you guys have already heard, I'm a Saiyan. I don't use magic like the rest of you. And like I've shown you before, Saiyans use ki—an energy present within every living being, drawn from one's life force itself. It made us stronger, faster, and more powerful than normal humans or wizards."

Happy's eyes grew wide. "What are they like?"

Jin began slowly pacing back and forth in front of them. "We lived in isolation, a civilization hidden from the rest of the world. The Saiyans are a warrior race, so our culture valued strength above all else. Power determined rank, privilege, even survival. At the very top of the chain were the King and the Prince. They ruled with unmatched might, followed by the elites, the middle-class, the low-class warriors, and at the bottom were those unworthy to fight. And then... there was me."

"Why you?" Gray asked, leaning forward slightly.

Jin stopped pacing. "Because of… the legend."

Lucy tilted her head. "Legend?"

"I was born with an unusually high power level, higher than even those of the elite infants of my generation. Because of that, they thought I'd grow up to become the… the legendary Super Saiyan."

Happy tilted his head. "Legendary... Super Saiyan?"

Jin's gaze turned upward to the sky in recollection. "According to the myth, the Super Saiyan is said to have appeared five hundred years ago. He was stronger than any Saiyan, a warrior so powerful they could change the fate of entire battles. That's why everyone thought I was destined to become him. They saw that potential, so they pushed me to train. To fight. To be the legend they thought I was meant to be… even if it wasn't what I wanted."

"If you don't mind me asking, what was your training like?" Gray cut in softly. "It must've been brutal if they expected you to live up to all that."

Jin nodded grimly. "It was. Everything I did had to prove I was worthy. I was always being watched, judged, and even envied by my peers. There were no breaks. No time to truly rest and relax. The pressure never stopped, and the expectations never let up. I, on the other hand, had other dreams. Ones that didn't fit their idea of a Saiyan warrior, let alone the warrior of legend they both worshipped and feared."

Lucy hesitated before asking, "What about your parents? Were they… kind? Understanding? Did they expect too much of you?"

Jin shrugged slightly, his expression growing wistful. "You could say that. My mother wasn't a fighter, but she was kind and supported me as best she could. My father… was tougher. Stern. He expected a lot from me, but I knew he cared too, even if he rarely showed it. They both believed in me in their own ways, but the expectations from them were always there."

Happy's tail flicked curiously as he raised a paw. "How strong are your people? I bet Natsu would love to fight them!"

The question struck a nerve, well-meaning as it was, but Jin forced himself to continue.

"Even our weakest fighters could take down those guards in the Magic Council if they wanted to. If they put their mind to it, I'd say they're strong enough that they'd give even Fairy Tail a run for their money, if you ask me."

Jin opened his mouth as if to say more, to answer Happy's question further, but the words caught in his throat. His shoulders tensed as though under some invisible weight, and he drew a shaky breath but ultimately said nothing, letting the silence fill the void instead.

Lucy and Happy exchanged worried glances, sensing the shift in Jin's tone. Happy's ears flattened slightly, and he brought a paw to his mouth in guilt.

"Did I… say something wrong?" he murmured, looking from Jin to Lucy as if searching for reassurance.

Lucy gave Happy a small shake of her head, though her concerned gaze lingered on Jin. She wanted to reach out, to say something comforting, but words seemed to fail her as well. She clutched her hands together, holding back as she watched him retreat further into himself.

Gray, on the other hand, saw the signs immediately. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and he didn't need to hear the words to know what Jin was about to say—or more accurately, what he was struggling not to say.

"There's a 'but,' isn't there?" Gray said knowingly.

Jin's expression darkened as he gave a grim nod. "Natsu won't get the chance. The Saiyans have been dead for eight years."

Lucy gasped softly, her hand covering her mouth, while Gray's jaw tightened. Even Happy's wings faltered for a moment.

"Oh no..." Happy murmured, his gaze dropping to the deck with a frown. "I… I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay," Jin replied softly. He exhaled shakily, his shoulders trembling slightly as he forced himself to continue. "It all started when Prince Vegeta challenged me. He and his father wanted to prove two things: whether or not I really was the so-called 'legend,' and more importantly to him, that the royal bloodline was still superior. He called it an honor, said I should be grateful to fight him. I didn't feel honored. I felt… cornered."

The tension in his voice made Lucy glance at Erza, who was already watching Jin with unspoken understanding.

"There was no refusing a challenge from him," Jin went on, "He was the prince, after all. If I backed out, it would've been worse—dishonor for my family, ridicule from everyone. So I fought him." He clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "And I lost. He humiliated me. Didn't just beat me—he made it a point to mock me, to remind me how far I was from ever being what everyone expected of me, and if you ask me, he was right. After that, I... I ran. I couldn't handle it. I didn't want to be anywhere near them anymore, near him."

He paused, his head bowed low as his hair shadowed his face. Gray and Lucy remained silent, their attention fixed entirely on him, and Happy's ears drooped as though absorbing Jin's despair.

"When I came back… everything was gone. The village, our home, was nothing but rubble, all thanks to a black dragon. Everyone was dead. Except for them. My parents." The tremor in his words deepened, but he pressed on, though his breaths came uneven now. "They were barely alive when I found them. My father could barely speak, but he... he apologized to me. Said they were sorry for everything—the training, the expectations, all of it. My mother... she told me they were proud of me… that they loved me… and that they wanted me to live a life I could be proud of too."

His shoulders shook as a long silence lingered between them. When Jin finally raised his head, his eyes glistened, though no tears fell. "And then… they were gone. They were all gone. Just me, standing there. Alone."

Erza gently placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to go on if you can't," she said softly.

Jin gave a small, shaky nod, and he, in fact, didn't continue. His head bowed, and his hands gripped the railing, trembling slightly. Erza, moved by his struggle, stepped forward as she felt the weight of his grief.

"For eight long years, he lived in solitude and trained." She spoke with quiet resolve, as though carrying his words forward when he could not. "That was his life, his entire world—until he decided to leave it behind and… he found us." She allowed a faint, heartfelt smile. "That day in Oshibana station became the place where his story, and ours, came together. And now, here we are."

Jin glanced at Erza and nodded, as if wordlessly thanking her for helping him finish. A thick silence followed as the weight of Jin's story sank in. For a moment, no one spoke, each of them caught in their own thoughts as they tried to process the sheer magnitude of what they had just heard. The revelations about the Saiyans—a proud race of warriors that none of them had ever heard of, now wiped from existence except for the man sitting before them—felt almost surreal.

Beyond the tragic story he had shared, Lucy's thoughts turned inward, piecing together everything she knew about Jin. She now fully understood his guarded and secretive nature when they first met, his reluctance to let others in, and the invisible wall he seemed to have put around him. His desire for a life of his own, one free from the crushing weight of control and expectations, resonated with her deeply. It was the same yearning that had driven her to escape her father's suffocating grasp and seek out a life she could truly call her own. Her chest tightened as she thought about how different their circumstances were, yet how alike their hearts seemed in what they desired most.

Gray also found himself processing the weight of Jin's story. It stirred memories of his own past—his village destroyed, everyone he cared about lost to Deliora, and the crushing sense of helplessness that followed. He realized now why Jin had seemed to instinctively understand him back on Galuna Island when Gray had recounted his own tragedy. Jin's parents' last words to him echoed in Gray's mind, their similarities to Ur's final wishes hitting home. Like Jin, he too had been told to let go of revenge, to live his life fully, to see the world. Hearing Jin's story now, Gray couldn't help but see a kindred spirit—someone who had been to hell and back but had chosen to keep moving forward, however painful each step was.

Happy's tail drooped, and his ears lay flat as he shuffled in place, unsure of how to react. He had always known sadness, of course, but Jin's story had left him deeply unsettled. A dragon was responsible for the extinction of the Saiyans—a black dragon, no less. The very idea sent a cold shiver through him, and he glanced over at Natsu, who remained oblivious to the group's conversation in his usual motion-sick state. Happy's stomach knotted with worry as he thought of Natsu's endless search for Igneel. If dragons like him existed, then so too did dragons like the one Jin described—a harbinger of death and destruction.

Happy glanced back at Jin, sadness and understanding in his wide eyes. He wanted to speak, to assure Jin that not all dragons were like that, but he hesitated. How could he, when even he couldn't dismiss the overwhelming hatred Jin likely felt? In the end, all Happy could feel was a deep sadness for his new friend, mixed with a growing dread for the unknowns of the world.

Jin stood quietly, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as the silence stretched on. None of them spoke yet, but in the quiet heaviness, a mutual understanding grew—a deeper connection formed as they grasped the pieces of Jin's heart that he had allowed them to see. It was no longer just about understanding his story; they could see now how Jin had become who he was, and why he had chosen this path of rebuilding his life.

"Jin, I... I'm so sorry," Lucy said, breaking the silence. "I… I can't imagine what that was like for you."

Happy nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I don't know what to say either."

"You don't have to. Just being here… it means more than I can say." With a deep breath, Jin lifted his head. "I'll tell the rest of the guild when we get back. They deserve to know, too."

Lucy's brow furrowed as something clicked in her mind. "By the way," she began, tilting her head curiously. "I remember Erza mentioning that you couldn't look at the moon. Like, ever. Does that have something to do with being a Saiyan?"

Before Jin could answer, Happy piped up, fluttering into the air with a paw against his chin in thought. "Aye! She said you'd transform or something if you looked at it too long. Is that really true?"

Jin nodded, his expression briefly darkening. "Yeah, that's right. It's called the Great Ape, and every Saiyan is capable of transforming into one. If we look at the full moon for long enough, we change into a massive beast. It's why all Saiyans have tails—it's an important part of the transformation."

Lucy's eyes widened, her earlier curiosity shifting to astonishment. "So you actually… turn into a giant ape? Like a werewolf, but… bigger?"

"Werewolf?" He paused, pondering the term before shrugging. "I'm not sure what that is, but… sure, you could say that. The form boosts our power by a lot, but the downside is that it's hard to control unless you've mastered it. I haven't had the chance to try and learn how, so for me, it's a last resort."

Happy's gaze dropped to his own tail, which flicked slightly behind him, then shifted to Jin's, now seeing it in a completely new light.

"Whoa…" he murmured in awe with a hint of nervousness. "No wonder you got so weak when Natsu grabbed it. It's like… super important, huh?"

Gray and Lucy exchanged glances before their eyes almost instinctively turned toward Jin's tail. Gray frowned as though piecing things together, while Lucy crossed her arms, her awe tinged with unease.

"And… just how big are we talking here?" Gray asked, tilting his head curiously.

Jin placed a hand on his chin, pausing for a moment before looking back to them. "If you guys want something concrete, then the Great Ape is comparable to Deliora in size," he replied, causing everyone to collectively stiffen.

Lucy let out a breath, though her expression remained conflicted. "Okay, that's… a lot to process. So your tail's not just some Saiyan trait—it's, like, a trigger for turning into this massive… monkey."

Jin shrugged. "It's who we are, but it's not something I rely on. It's dangerous if you can't control it, and the last thing I want to do is cause more harm than good."

Gray raised his hand slightly, drawing Jin's attention. At Jin's nod, he spoke, "Another thing: I'm guessing this whole Saiyan thing is the reason why the Magic Council arrested you and Erza back then?"

Jin exhaled through his nose, recalling the whole ordeal with a hint of frustration. "I don't think they knew about the Saiyans—at least not entirely. But I have a hunch that someone in the Council knows something or has started digging. At least one of them is aware and looking into it."

Lucy frowned slightly. "But what would they possibly want with the Saiyans if they're already… you know, gone?"

Jin leaned back against the railing with his arms crossed. "The Saiyans were brutal, but they weren't just fighters. Our technology was… advanced, way ahead of anything else you guys might've seen, but feel free to correct me on that. We had a barrier that concealed and protected our entire village, pods that nurtured Saiyan infants, and scouters that could detect power levels and other lifeforms. The gravity chamber I trained in lasted for eight years until it broke down from overuse and lack of maintenance. And this armor?" He tapped the chest plate he wore. "It's both durable and flexible. Things like that don't just break down, and if someone figured out how to replicate or adapt that tech, well…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "There's a lot of power there, and people with bad intentions would kill for it."

Lucy shuddered at the thought, exchanging a worried glance with Happy. "That's awful. You must hate the idea of them trying to dig into all of that."

"More than you can imagine," Jin admitted quietly. "I'd prefer my past to stay where it belongs. The Saiyans… they don't deserve to be remembered, not for their bloodshed and violence. Frankly, I'd rather they not be remembered at all."

The others fell silent at his words, but Erza caught the shift in Jin's tone as he continued.

"If it has to be anyone, only I should carry their legacy—not a bunch of old bastards afraid of what they don't understand, and definitely not someone planning to use it for their own gain or something malicious."

His eyes briefly darkened, and Erza, catching his subtle reference, nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

"But I'm done hiding. I'm done feeling ashamed. I'll take pride in who I am because I've come this far, and because of the life I've found now. I've got Fairy Tail, and I've got all of you. If someone has a problem with me being different, then that's their issue, not mine. No one else gets to dictate who I am—not even the Council." His words carried a fiery conviction as he concluded, "I take pride in being Saiyan. That blood flows through my veins, and I call Fairy Tail my home. One day, I'll become the Super Saiyan my parents and my people believed in—not just for their sake, but for all of you as well."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, Lucy stepped forward, softly punching Jin's arm with a grin. "You said it best, Jin. We're right here for you like we've been from the start."

Gray gave him an approving nod. "We've got your back, and so does the rest of the guild—but I'm sure you knew that already. We'll make sure your secrets are safe, no matter what."

Happy perked up, giving Jin a cheerful thumbs-up with his paw. "You've got this, Jin! And don't worry—I'll make sure Natsu gets the message when we're back on solid ground!"

Jin took in their words and smiled. "Thanks, you guys. Seriously."

He then glanced at Erza, who met his gaze with a smile of her own. She felt proud, deeply so, knowing she had played a part in helping him find his resolve. Erza knew Jin would face them with his head held high—and he wouldn't have to face them alone.

---

The streets of Magnolia welcomed them with the familiar hustle and bustle of merchants and townsfolk, the bells of Kardia Cathedral ringing faintly in the distance. Happy hovered beside Natsu, who was finally back on steady ground, his shoulders slumping in relief as he shook off the remnants of his motion sickness.

"So that's what the Saiyans were like, huh?" Natsu pondered aloud, his head resting on his arms behind him.

"Aye," Happy confirmed. "That's pretty much everything that Jin told us while you were passed out."

Natsu glanced at Jin, who walked silently beside Erza, his arms crossed in thought. "Man... that's rough," the Dragon Slayer admitted, before pumping his fist. "But don't worry, buddy! No one's gonna mess with you now that you're in Fairy Tail. And if anyone comes looking for your Saiyan stuff, we'll take care of 'em!"

Jin offered a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks," he said softly.

He knew Natsu's heart was in the right place, but the idea of someone digging up the ruins of his people churned uneasily in his chest. He couldn't help but glance briefly at the symbol on his chest—the Fairy Tail emblem that marked his new home.

"That's what we do!" Natsu added with a grin, clapping him on the back and startling him. "By the way, we sure nailed that job on Galuna Island, right?!"

Jin chuckled softly. "Yeah, well... It's still a shame we didn't get that seven million Jewel. That could've been useful."

Gray nodded, walking with his hands shoved into his pockets. "Yeah, all that work... and for what? A lousy Gate Key?"

"Hey!" Lucy barked with palpable indignation. "I'll have you know those keys are hard to come by, especially one of the Zodiacs!"

"She's right, to some degree," Erza interjected. "It wasn't an official job anyway. Be grateful you even got anything."

Jin smirked, folding his arms. "The Gate Key is cool, but I guess that also means you're out of luck with that rent money, huh, Lucy?"

"Not helping!" she snapped.

Happy flew between them with a sly grin. "I mean, couldn't we at least sell it? That thing's probably worth a fortune!"

Lucy gasped as if Happy had just slapped her. "How dare you suggest something like that?! You guys just don't get it; they're hard to come by! Sure, there are lots of silver Gate Keys, but there are only twelve gold Zodiac Keys, and I'm lucky enough to have five!" She punctuated the sentence with a smug flourish.

"Great, and they're all nuts," Natsu quipped.

Lucy spun on him and pointed a finger. "You had better watch your mouth! One day, me and my Celestial Spirits are gonna be stronger than you!"

"Speaking of which," Jin interrupted, "which one did you even get?"

Lucy's demeanor softened as she struck a proud pose. "Sagittarius, the centaur! He's an expert archer."

Gray raised an eyebrow. "A horse-man? What is that, some guy with a horse's head?"

"Actually," Lucy corrected, clearly irked, "he has the body of a man and the legs of a horse. Like an actual centaur."

Jin tilted his head. "So, he's an archer? You know, back in my training, we learned about archery for a little bit. If this guy's as good as you say, he'll probably be useful."

Lucy's proud smile grew. "See? At least Jin gets it."

Erza cleared her throat, halting abruptly. The entire team froze, their conversation grinding to an uneasy halt.

"You're all very... relaxed," Erza began, her gaze sweeping across them. "It's almost as if you've forgotten the punishment waiting for you at the guild."

The air shifted as Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy stiffened, exchanging nervous glances.

"Wh-why?" Natsu asked, visibly uneasy.

"Everything worked out in the end, didn't it?" Lucy exclaimed. "Can't we just forget the punishment thing?"

Erza placed her hands on her hips. "Yes, everything worked out—but only because Jin and I handled a job you were never qualified to take. Stealing an S-Class request is not something to take lightly."

Lucy spun to Jin. "Come on, back us up here!" She pleaded. "Tell her to let it go!"

Jin sighed. "Look, you're not wrong—we saved the island, and that was the important thing. But... Erza and I agreed to help the villagers and bring you back. I'm just keeping my end of the bargain."

Natsu jabbed a finger at him. "Yeah, but you're not S-Class either! How come you're being let off the hook?!"

"That's because I asked him to come along," Erza explained simply.

Jin's gaze went downcast, and he shrugged slightly. "Sorry, guys."

Erza briefly glance at Jin and let out a long sigh. "Look, if you promise that you'll never do it again, then I don't think you need to be penalized by the guild," Erza continued, her gaze sweeping over the team. "Unfortunately, I don't have any say on the matter. Master Makarov will, and I imagine it will not end well."

The collective panic was instantaneous.

"Oh no, I'm scared!" Happy cried. "You think he's gonna make us do... that?!"

Gray crouched low, clutching his head. "JUST KILL ME NOW! I DON'T THINK I CAN LIVE THROUGH THAT AGAIN!"

"Wh-what's that?!" Lucy shrieked. "YOU GUYS ARE FREAKING ME OUT!"

"Don't let him scare ya!" Natsu said, patting her on the back with a grin. "I'll talk the old man outta punishing us. That guy loves me!"

Lucy couldn't help but frown. "I dunno if you should do the talk—"

"Natsu, you can't talk your way out of this one," Erza interrupted, her tone tinged with dangerous amusement. "Good luck with that."

Sweat poured down Natsu's face as her soft laughter filled the air. With a sudden burst of motion, he bolted.

"SAVE MEEE! NOT THAT! ANYTHING BUT THAT!"

Erza turned to Jin with a mischievous smirk. "You know what to do. Or… would you prefer to join them in punishment for insubordination?"

Jin chuckled lightly, though a slight tension betrayed his humor. "I think I'll pass. Though... what exactly is this punishment everyone's so afraid of?"

Erza tilted her head slightly, her teasing grin making him uneasy. "Oh, spoiling the surprise would ruin the fun. But if you're curious, I'm sure you could experience it firsthand should you disobey me as well."

A chill ran through him despite himself. Jin glanced at Gray, who was still trembling on the cobblestones, and at Lucy, whose wide-eyed panic was contagious. He shrugged, resolving to avoid that fate entirely.

"Right. No thanks," he said, lifting off the ground. "I'll go fetch Natsu."

"Good choice," Erza said smoothly, walking at a deliberate pace. "Don't dawdle, Jin. I'll catch up shortly."

"Yeah, yeah," Jin muttered before he shot into the sky, scanning the streets for any sign of Natsu.

As his figure disappeared into the clouds, Lucy whipped her head toward Erza in desperation.

"Erza! Seriously, what is that?!"

Erza simply hummed, a small smile on her lips as she continued forward.

Lucy groaned in exasperation before rounding on Gray. "Gray, come on! Pull it together! What is that?"

Gray didn't answer, curling tighter into himself with a whimper, and even drawing a few curious glances from passersby. Neither Gray nor Erza offered any clarity, leaving Lucy spiraling into full-blown terror as her imagination ran wild.

"WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THAT IS?!" she yelled, her panicked voice echoing down the street. "I'M TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!"

---

Jin soared above the bustling streets of Magnolia, his sharp eyes scanning for a certain pink-haired Dragon Slayer. The search should've been easy—Natsu's chaotic energy wasn't exactly subtle—but the streets were crowded, and Natsu's habit of bolting in random directions complicated matters.

As Jin continued to fly, a thought began to bubble to the surface: What in the world could that even be? He shook his head with a dry chuckle, picturing Makarov's stern face trying to impose "punishment" on a crew like theirs. It was almost funny—until the memory of Gray breaking down in terror as well as Natsu's panicked escape crossed his mind. Neither of those had been an act.

A faint chill ran through Jin as he realized he didn't really know what Makarov was capable of in these scenarios. He decided to think of it as something like scolding unruly kids—though given Fairy Tail's reputation, perhaps with an edge of flair and absurdity.

As he flew, the outline of the Fairy Tail guild hall came into view on the horizon. The familiar structure loomed in the distance, and relief washed over him for a moment—until something about the silhouette caught his eye. He squinted, trying to make out the details.

"What the…" Jin murmured as he stopped mid-air.

From where he could see, the once-proud outline of the building seemed wrong. Leaning forward, he made out strange black shapes jutting skyward like jagged claws. Narrowing his eyes, Jin drifted closer, and as the image sharpened, his unease solidified into disbelief at the sight.

The guild hall looked… damaged. Large, dark rods were embedded into the structure, some piercing through its walls. The proud façade of Fairy Tail, a symbol of home and strength, now looked vulnerable and scarred.

Rage bubbled up alongside a growing sense of urgency, and questions battered Jin's mind as his gaze flicked over the desecrated hall. He clenched his fists and sucked in a breath, pushing the anger aside for the moment. First things first—find Natsu, then regroup and head straight to the guild hall.

Spreading his senses, he closed his eyes and focused, searching for the fiery ki that only Natsu possessed. Within seconds, Jin locked on and veered toward him, cutting through the air with a singular focus.

Spotting Natsu below, Jin dove down, landing directly in his path. Dust scattered from his impact, and Natsu stumbled back in surprise with a yelp, flailing his arms.

"AAAHHH! DON'T PUNISH ME!" Natsu shrieked, dropping to his knees dramatically. "PLEASE! I DON'T WANNA GO THROUGH THAT! I DON'T WANNA!"

Jin blinked, briefly taken aback by Natsu's embarrassing display. He grabbed Natsu by the shoulders, shaking him lightly.

"Natsu! Snap out of it! You're not getting punished!"

Natsu blinked in confusion, before narrowing his eyes. "Wait, really? Am I being let off the hook after all?"

"This has nothing to do with Erza or Makarov punishing you!" Jin said urgently. "Something's happened to the guild hall!"

"What?" Natsu's tone shifted immediately as he shot up to his feet. The fire in his voice was matched by the sharp tension in his posture. "Say that again."

"I'm serious," Jin said, letting go of him. "From the air, I saw it. There are massive black... rods—pillars or something—sticking out of it. The whole place is damaged. It's bad."

For a moment, Natsu stood frozen, his mind clearly processing the news. Then his fists clenched, and his teeth bared in a snarl.

"Who the hell did this?" he growled.

"I don't know yet," Jin replied, keeping his tone measured. "But we need to regroup with the others and get over there now."

"No time! I'm going ahead!" Natsu said, already pivoting to run toward the guild.

"Natsu, wait—"

"Catch up with the others!" Natsu shouted over his shoulder. "I'm not waiting around while someone trashes our home!"

Jin sighed, shaking his head as the Dragon Slayer darted away at full speed. "Not like I was going to stop him anyway," he muttered before shooting back into the air.

---

The streets of Magnolia blurred below as Jin zoomed through the sky, his mind replaying the image of the shattered guild hall like a broken reel. Fury simmered beneath the surface, but urgency pressed him forward. In moments, he landed in the town square where Erza, Gray, Lucy, and Happy stood clustered together, scanning the area nervously.

Jin dropped to the ground with a thud, while Lucy and Happy shrieked in unison and ducked behind Gray, who stiffened and crossed his arms defensively.

"Holy crap!" Lucy exclaimed, clutching her chest. "Don't tell me!"

"W-what happened to Natsu?" Happy stammered. "Did he—are we next?"

"Back so soon, Jin?" Erza said as she stepped forward. "Have you captured Natsu already? You shouldn't—"

"That doesn't matter right now," Jin cut her off. "We have a serious problem. Something's happened to the guild hall!"

Erza's eyes widened slightly, the shift in Jin's tone not lost on her. "What is it?"

Lucy peeked out from behind Gray, her curiosity overriding her initial fear. "What… what kind of problem?"

"Whoa, slow down for a second," Gray said, stepping forward. "What do you mean, 'something's happened'?"

"I saw it while searching for Natsu," Jin replied, throwing a glance over his shoulder in its direction. "There are massive metal rods sticking out of it, like someone stabbed them into the building."

Gray straightened, his eyes narrowing. "Wait, you're telling me the guild hall—"

"Yes," Jin replied before he could finish. "I think the guild hall's damaged."

Lucy gasped, one hand flying to her mouth, while Happy peeked out from her shoulder, his eyes brimming with worry.

"No way… is it bad?" he asked quietly.

"Really bad," Jin replied grimly. "Natsu already ran ahead when I told him. We need to go now."

"Agreed," Erza said sharply, turning in the direction of the guild. "Everyone, move!"

Without further prompting, they were off. Jin wasted no time, leaping into the air with Happy close behind as Lucy and Gray sprinted on foot. Flying just above Erza's pace, Jin dipped low enough for her to call up to him.

"Go ahead to the guild and meet with Natsu. We'll catch up!"

Jin nodded quickly. "Got it!"

With a burst of speed, Jin surged forward, the uneasy knot in his stomach tightening. As he approached the guild hall once more, Jin halted in midair as the building came into full view. Below him, Natsu stood frozen in the middle of the street, staring upward with wide eyes. Jin descended to land beside him, just as Erza and the others arrived, catching their breath before looking up and taking in the devastation.

The once-proud guild hall was riddled with massive iron rods piercing its walls and roof. Jagged metal rods pierced through its proud facade, some angled like they'd been driven from above with calculated force. Chunks of debris littered the ground.

Jin clenched his jaw and his fists, the familiar twinge of anger and helplessness curling in his gut seeing what was supposed to be indomitable—a sanctuary. What had once been a symbol of Fairy Tail's heart now looked like a gutted beast left for dead.

"What the hell…?" Gray whispered, his eyes widening with disbelief.

Happy's lip quivered as he hovered beside Lucy. "W-who could've done this?"

"No... I don't understand," Lucy whispered, swallowing hard. "Why... why would someone do this?"

Erza said nothing, her jaw clenched tightly as her hands curled into fists. She seemed momentarily just as lost for words as Jin as he stared up at the building, the knot in his chest twisting tighter. This wasn't just an attack on a building. It was personal, calculated. A blatant act of aggression against a place that had offered him a home, a family.

"The guild... Someone did this to our guild!" Natsu snarled with barely restrained fury. "Who did this to our home?! Who?!"

"It was Phantom."

A familiar voice made everyone turn, and it was Mirajane who appeared behind them. She stepped toward them slowly, her usual gentle smile replaced by weary lines of sorrow. Her usual bright demeanor was absent; her face was pale, her expression one of subdued grief.

"Phantom?" Erza asked, her eyes sharpening with recognition. "Are you certain?"

Natsu whipped around fully with a growl. "What? You're saying Phantom Lord did this?"

Mirajane nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "They came for us. We couldn't stop them…" She gestured toward the wreckage. "They… got us good."

"Who is… Phantom Lord?" Jin asked quietly, keeping his tone measured despite the fire in his chest.

Mirajane gave him a weary glance. "A rival guild. We've been at odds with them for a long time, but now…" She trailed off, shaking her head.

"No way…" Lucy whispered, stepping closer. "Is everyone okay, Mirajane?"

"They're fine," Mirajane said quickly. "Everyone's in the basement right now."

"And the Master?" Erza asked, snapping herself back to composure.

"He's down there too," Mirajane replied. "Come with me. I'll take you to him."

The others moved to follow her toward the guild's shattered doors, but Jin lingered behind. His dark eyes locked on the building as it loomed over them, scarred and broken. A knot tightened in his chest, his fingers twitching faintly at his sides.

This place had quickly become more than just a structure for him—it was the heart of the family he'd begun to build, the second chance he'd never thought he'd have. Seeing it reduced to this… felt like an insult.

Jin gritted his teeth, forcing his hands to still. It wasn't the first time he'd seen destruction, but this—this was personal.

Phantom Lord. He didn't know much about them yet, but this attack felt personal. With a sharp inhale, Jin forced himself to turn and follow the others. Answers awaited inside, and he wasn't leaving without them.

---

Mirajane's quiet steps echoed faintly as she led the group into the guild hall, the once-vibrant heart of Fairy Tail now reduced to a somber shell of its former self. Dust motes hung in the still air, illuminated by thin rays of sunlight filtering through the cracked walls and ceiling.

"Watch your step," Mirajane said softly as she gestured toward a staircase hidden behind a stack of crates.

The group followed her down, and the air grew cooler as they descended the staircase leading into the basement. Jin, at the back of the line, let his fingers trail along the rough stone walls, and a pit of unease tightened in his chest with each step. Shortly after, the room greeted them with a subdued warmth. Normally a storage area, the basement had been quickly converted into a communal refuge.

The basement was simple and utilitarian, with stone floors partially lined with rugs and wooden beams reinforcing the walls and ceiling. Barrels and crates were stacked against one corner, and tables with mismatched chairs filled the open space.

The usual noise of Fairy Tail's bustling energy was absent, replaced by murmurs and muffled sighs. Round tables were scattered with chairs now occupied by grim-faced guild members. Each face held a story, and for the first time since he'd joined Fairy Tail, Jin felt out of place amidst their collective sorrow.

He slowed his pace as the others moved ahead toward Makarov sitting near the corner by a request board. Lucy glanced back at him, but he gave her a faint wave to go on without him.

"Stay close," Erza said, stopping beside him. "We need to speak with Master Makarov."

"I will, but…" Jin looked toward the scattered guild members. "Let me check on everyone first. I'll join you after."

As the team approached Makarov, Jin took a moment to look around at his guildmates, people who had taken him in when he'd been at his lowest. Across the room, Levy and her team huddled close, their conversations low and subdued. Elfman wasn't preaching about being a real man, Cana wasn't drinking herself silly, and there was no one instigating any kind of fight.

Jin's fists clenched as he felt a sting of helplessness grip him. He moved to Elfman first, approaching slowly.

"Hey, Elfman," Jin began cautiously. "You alright?"

Elfman glanced up at him, his usually fiery determination absent. "A real man doesn't lose his temper, but…" he sighed loudly, shaking his head. "This just doesn't sit right with me. Our home's been wrecked, Jin. What kind of man just lets that happen?"

Jin gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. "I know you didn't let it happen. None of us did. We'll fix this, I know we can."

Elfman nodded faintly, though his gaze stayed downcast. Jin moved on to Cana, who was absent-mindedly swirling her untouched drink.

"Hey, Cana. Miss me?" Jin said, attempting some levity. "I take it this isn't exactly the guild's finest day, is it?"

She snorted, but it lacked her usual warmth. "Missed you too, Jinnie, but I'm not exactly in the mood right now. I'll rain on your parade later. Sorry."

"Yeah, I know," Jin replied, giving her a small nod of understanding. "Take care."

Jin moved on through the space and paused by Levy and Team Shadow Gear, who were huddled around a table near the edge of the room. Droy looked up and offered a nod, his usual upbeat energy completely absent, and Levy greeted him with a tired smile.

"Hey, Jin," She said softly. "You guys made it back safe... that's something."

"Yeah, we're fine," he replied, crouching to their level. "How are you all holding up?"

Levy nodded faintly. "Been better. No one was hurt though, so I guess... that's something." She gestured vaguely toward the wrecked crates nearby. "Looks worse up close, huh?"

"Yeah," Jin admitted, unable to find better words as the weight of the moment pressed on him.

Behind her, Jet crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "We can't let it go unanswered. We can't."

Jin didn't know what to say, and he simply clasped Levy's shoulder briefly. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll make it right. Somehow."

Jet and Droy nodded in agreement, though their gazes remained fixed on the floor. Not having much else to say, he gave them a nod and moved on.

Finally, he found Loke leaning against a post near the far corner of the basement, fiddling with one of his rings. Loke greeted him with a casual, tired grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Well, well, look who's back." Loke stood straighter. "Glad you and the others are back. Natsu didn't burn the whole island down, I hope?"

Jin appreciated the attempt at humor. "Got close. We lifted the curse, though. Took a while to figure the whole thing out, but we managed to get it done in the end."

Loke nodded. "Nice work. That place was a lost cause for so long, and I guess Natsu stealing that job worked out after all, but… I guess the timing could've been better."

"I'd say that's an understatement." Jin's gaze hardened. "What happened, Loke? What's the deal with Phantom Lord? Why did they hit us?"

Loke's grin faded. "I don't know any more than you do. Phantom's always been a problem, but they've never pulled a move like this before. Attacking someone's guild like this…" He paused, his tone bitter. "It's war. And the Master knows it."

Jin clenched his fists, his tail flicking angrily behind him. The idea of doing nothing felt unbearable, and he exhaled sharply.

"Then what are we still doing here?" Jin snapped. "We shouldn't just do nothing while—"

"Jin." Loke raised a hand, though his usual smirk was gone. "We'll get our shot, but it's not time yet. Phantom knows they're skirting the rules the Council laid out by doing this. If we fight back—"

He broke off as Natsu's voice rose across the room, cutting them both short. The pink-haired Dragon Slayer had slammed his fist against a nearby crate.

"Ain't gonna happen, Gramps!" Natsu yelled, his voice cutting through the room. "We can't just let them trash our place and get away with it!"

From where he stood, Jin saw Makarov's slumped figure. The Master cradled a mug, his head bowed low as the team were in the midst of conversing with him. However, Makarov didn't look like the same wise, resilient leader and father-figure Jin had known since joining the guild.

Loke let out a sigh before turning back to Jin. "As I was saying: if we fight back, this could mean bad news for Fairy Tail as well since guild-to-guild conflict is supposedly forbidden. But then again…" He gestured vaguely to the basement around them. "Here we are."

Jin clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling. "So what now? Just sit here and hope they don't come back?"

Loke sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. We're gonna have to wait. Sorry, man. I wish I could say more to help you out."

With a sigh, Jin tapped fists with Loke and turned on his heel. "Stay safe."

"You too," Loke replied with a faint smirk. "You've got people counting on you."

Jin moved toward the team, weaving through the guild members still huddled in clusters around the basement. As he reached the table where Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Mirajane, and Erza had gathered, he caught Makarov disappearing up the stairs moments ago, unsteady and mumbling to himself. Lucy stood with her hands behind her, glancing between Erza and Mirajane, while Natsu stomped back and forth in short, frustrated strides. Gray leaned against a support beam with his arms folded, and as Jin stepped closer, he caught the tail end of Natsu's rant.

"—can't believe we're just supposed to sit here and take it! They trashed our home!" Natsu's fist struck the table beside him.

"Calm down, Natsu," Erza said firmly, though there was a note of restraint in her voice. Her gaze softened slightly when she saw Jin. "You're here. Did you check on everyone?"

Jin nodded. "Yeah. They're… holding up." He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder toward the quiet, uneasy guildmates behind him. "Not great, though. What's going on? What did the Master say? Why attack us like this?"

Mirajane's usual warmth was tinged with sorrow as she stepped forward. "They hit the guild hall last night," she explained. "It was after hours, so no one was hurt when it happened. But it could've been much worse." She gestured vaguely to the ruins above, as though the evidence of the attack still weighed heavily even here.

"The Master has decided we'll continue taking jobs from down here while repairs are being made upstairs," Erza continued, resting her hands on her hips. "And… he's asked us not to retaliate."

"No retaliation?" Jin's brows furrowed as he searched her face for more. "Seriously? They wrecked the guild hall, and the Master isn't gonna do anything about it?"

Mirajane touched his shoulder gently. "The Master is angry, Jin. Believe me, this isn't easy for him, but guild conflicts are strictly forbidden by the Council. If we retaliate without proof they acted first, we risk the guild's reputation—and worse."

"They're cowards," Natsu growled, pacing again. "Gramps was right about one thing: they'd never try this if the guild was full. But sitting around and doing nothing is only giving them what they want!"

"Natsu, that's enough," Erza said sharply. "You know Master Makarov is doing what's best for all of us. Acting rashly would only escalate things further."

"But it's not fair!" Natsu snapped. "They're getting away with it!"

Jin's fists clenched at his sides, his frustration mirroring Natsu's, though he kept his voice calmer. "I get it, Natsu. It feels… wrong. Like we're letting them walk all over us. But if Gramps is trying to stop things from getting worse, maybe he's got a point."

Natsu glared at him, but Lucy stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Natsu's arm.

"Jin's right. No one's happy about this, but we've got to trust the Master. He wouldn't steer us wrong."

Jin's tail curled tightly behind him, betraying his growing tension. "Don't get me wrong, Natsu, I get how you feel. It doesn't make this any less frustrating."

Mirajane stepped forward, offering Jin a small, apologetic smile. "I know this isn't easy. After everything you've just been through on Galuna Island, coming back to this… it's a lot." She tilted her head gently. Maybe it'd be best to head home for now. Take some time for yourself and rest up for now."

Jin hesitated, his dark eyes scanning the room, lingering on the faces of his downcast guildmates. He felt like he should stay, but the weight in his chest and the restless tension in his muscles begged otherwise.

"I think I'll do that," he said finally. "But I'm not going home yet. I just… need to clear my head."

"Good idea," Gray said, giving him a nod. "Do what you need to do. Just don't stay out too late."

"I might do the same, honestly," Lucy chimed in. "It's a little too much here, and… I feel like I need to breathe."

Mirajane gave her an approving nod. "Just be careful. Both of you."

Jin turned to leave but stopped, glancing back at Erza. Her gaze met his, softening slightly despite the rigid line of her jaw. He offered her a small, weary smile, which she returned in kind. That simple exchange steadied him more than he cared to admit.

With that, Jin headed for the staircase, his steps slower this time as the frustration and helplessness churned within him. He would fly, he decided. Even if it couldn't fix anything, it might make the storm in his head easier to bear—if only for a little while.

---

Perched on the edge of the roof of Kardia Cathedral, Jin rested his arms on his knees, staring at the stars scattered across the night sky. His dark hair moved faintly in the breeze, and for once, the silence wasn't unwelcome, though it did little to calm the unease stirring in his chest. Phantom Lord was in town, and he couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was fast approaching. Still, tonight had to end somewhere.

"No point worrying about it here," he muttered, rising to his feet. "I should probably head home."

He stretched his limbs and took to the air, the wind rushing past him as he soared toward home. His mind wandered to Aldrik, and he knew he needed to warn his landlord about the danger of Phantom Lord's presence within Magnolia.

After a short flight across the moonlit town, he landed softly in the empty street. As he climbed the stairs to his apartment, he noted the darkness in Aldrik's window. The landlord had retired early, it seemed. Looks like the warnings about Phantom Lord would have to be saved for tomorrow.

He did, however, pick up faint, unfamiliar noises coming from inside his own place—a rustling, a muffled laugh, and…voices?

Jin approached his apartment and turned his key in the lock with a quick flick. He swung the door open and froze. His apartment—his private, quiet little sanctuary—was bustling with noise and activity.

Erza, clad in her casual attire, sat serenely on his bed with a steaming cup of tea in hand. Gray leaned lazily against the wall-mounted table, while Lucy occupied one of his sparse chairs with a sly smile. Natsu sprawled out cross-legged on the floor, arms folded and grumbling something incoherent, while Happy sat next to him, munching on a fish. Nearby, a small snowman waddled in circles with muted, oddly cheerful grunts.

"What... what the hell?!" Jin's voice cracked as he pointed an accusatory finger at them. "You guys are all here?!"

"Welcome home!" Happy chirped, raising his paw in greeting. "Oh, and this is Plue!"

The snowman mimicked his gesture and offered a grunt in greeting.

"Good evening, Jin," Erza greeted warmly, setting the tea on his nightstand and rising to her feet, crossing to him as though the situation wasn't completely absurd. "We've been waiting for you."

Gray smirked, giving Jin a once-over. "Cozy little spot you've got here. Doesn't scream you, though."

"It's nice," Lucy said, a sly grin creeping across her face. "Simple. Functional. A little small, but hey, not everyone's after luxury."

"Tch." Natsu scratched the back of his head, clearly more annoyed than anything. "Not to be rude, but why are we even here in Jin's apartment?! We gotta do something about Phantom!"

"Hang on," Jin muttered, still processing their sudden presence in his home. "You guys were waiting for me? In my room? Without… telling me?"

Lucy, resting her chin in her palm, grinned impishly. "These guys were about to crash at my place, but Erza mentioned your apartment, and everyone kinda got a little curious, including me. You can thank her for the detour."

"This whole thing was Mira's idea, actually," Gray added, stretching his arms. "Ya know, strength in numbers and all that."

Erza nodded, glancing briefly at Lucy before turning back to Jin. "With Phantom Lord potentially lurking in Magnolia, we decided it was best if all of us stick together."

Jin blinked, processing her words. "That makes sense, but… how did you even get in?"

"Oh! That was me!" Happy chimed in proudly. "Your balcony doors were open, so I flew through 'em and unlocked the door for everyone!"

Jin simply stared at the blue cat. "So, you're telling me... you just… broke in?"

"Hey, don't worry, at least we didn't break anything," Lucy said as she leaned forward, unable to hide her amusement. "They've done the same to me. Welcome to the club of 'Let's All Invade Our Friends' Personal Space!'"

"We didn't mean to intrude," Erza interjected, her tone apologetic yet commanding enough to deter protest. "This was a spontaneous decision, and I take full responsibility."

Part of him wanted to be annoyed. This was his space—a sliver of normalcy after so much chaos. And yet… the quiet corners of his heart warmed. Despite the absurdity, he couldn't stay angry. The unexpected intrusion left him feeling… odd. He'd spent years alone, and now, his tiny space was filled with his friends. When was the last time he'd had company like this?

"Fine," he conceded, shutting the door. "Just… settle in, I guess. But please, don't cause any trouble. I don't want to upset Mr. Kane even if he likes Fairy Tail."

Natsu immediately jumped up, darting towards Jin's closet. "Hey, you got any snacks in here?"

Jin ran over to Natsu and pulled him away. "Natsu, that's my closet! Can you not!?"

Gray waved lazily, already reclining on the bed. "Relax. You've got good energy here—nice and cozy. Perfect for getting some shut-eye."

Jin ran a hand through his hair and groaned. "That isn't your bed, Gray. Move."

"Nope." Gray smirked, crossing his arms behind his head as he let out a yawn.

"Oh, this is good," she teased. "Now you understand how I feel every time they barge into my place. Solidarity, Jin."

"Everyone." The commotion suddenly ceased when Erza raised her voice. "First things first, we have a serious problem."

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her.

"Finally." Natsu straightened at the seriousness in Erza's tone. "So what's the plan? Ambush Phantom? Smash 'em before they—"

"No," Erza interrupted, cutting him off. "I'm talking about hygiene."

Everyone blinked.

"Excuse me?" Jin asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"I refuse to sleep in a space that reeks of sweat," Erza said with an air of finality. She pointed at Natsu and Gray. "The two of you are the worst offenders. Bathe. Now."

Natsu sank deeper into the floor. "I'm really not in the mood right now."

Gray groaned as he turned over in Jin's bed. "But I already got into bed."

Erza stepped closer, placing a firm hand on each of their shoulders. "Need I remind you how we used to bathe together as children? Do I have to enforce the same methods now?"

Both froze, their faces paling as if struck by lightning.

Lucy gawked at Erza's casual revelation. "What kind of childhood did you guys have?!"

Happy shrugged. "They're the strongest team!"

"More like the strangest team!" Lucy corrected.

"Jin," Erza said, her attention shifting to him. "If these two are unwilling, perhaps you'd care to join me instead?"

Jin nearly choked on his own breath. "W-what?!"

The room went dead silent. Natsu and Gray turned their heads sharply, Lucy fought to stifle a burst of laughter, and Happy tilted his head curiously.

"I… I don't think that's… uh, necessary!" Jin stammered, his face heating up as he pointed to the door. "Y-you and Lucy can go first! Use the bathroom in the hallway. Please!"

Lucy grinned, walking up to and nudging him with an elbow. "Aw, denying an order from Erza? That's bold even for you, Jin."

"Shush! Just go already!" Jin barked, burying his face in his hands to banish the mental image forming in his head.

Erza shrugged, unbothered by Jin's reaction. "Very well. I'll go first then."

She walked past Jin with her usual poise, leaving him standing awkwardly in the middle of his chaotic apartment. Lucy followed, shooting Jin one last teasing smile before closing the door.

---

Jin leaned against the wall of his modest apartment, his gaze sweeping across the room. He was now wearing a navy-blue tank top and matching jogging pants, a simple but neat look. Natsu snored loudly on the floor, one arm draped over his stomach, while Happy lazily gnawed on the remnants of a fish.

Gray sat cross-legged, his brow furrowed as he examined Jin's shrunken armor, flipping it in his hands and giving it a few knocks to test its sturdiness. His eyes widened when he stretched the shoulder straps, letting out a disbelieving snort.

"This is pretty cool," Gray remarked, throwing a glance at Jin. "Did all the Saiyans have armor like this?"

Jin nodded, still leaning against the wall. "Yeah, everyone had one. The more unique-looking ones were for the elites, the King, and the Prince." He hesitated briefly before adding, "Be careful with that one in particular—it belonged to my father."

Gray tensed at the revelation, his grip on the armor loosening as he took a moment to process Jin's words. He nodded solemnly, acknowledging its significance before shifting his attention back to the armor. This time, he handled it with visible care, his earlier casual examination replaced with reverence.

Not too long after, the door opened and Lucy stepped through, towel in hand with her damp hair tied up in a loose bun.

"I'm done," Lucy announced, glancing around the room before her gaze landed on Natsu. "Natsu, you're next!"

Unsurprisingly, he didn't stir. Lucy rolled her eyes and turned to Gray. "Want to go next?"

Gray merely grunted, more absorbed in the curious material he held than her question. Lucy huffed and plopped down beside Erza, who sat at the edge of Jin's bed, wrapped in towels with her damp scarlet hair clung to her back.

"For a common bathroom, it's surprisingly well-maintained," Erza remarked, dabbing at her hair with a smaller towel.

"That's Mr. Kane for you," Jin said from his corner of the room, where he stood with arms crossed. "He takes pride in this place, and you can easily tell."

Lucy leaned back with a smirk. "Maybe, but I bet he isn't ready for the kind of company you keep. Imagine what he'd say about all of us crashing here tonight."

Jin chuckled softly, glancing at her. "Honestly? I think he'd be more than happy to see you all here, just like how I'm glad you guys are here. It really beats the quiet."

Erza stood as a flash of light enveloped her. In an instant, she Requipped into lavender pajamas patterned with pink crosses, her usual grace unbroken.

"There we go," Erza said, sitting back down on Jin's bed. "More appropriate."

Lucy blinked. "That… that's how you change clothes? Really?"

Jin tilted his head in intrigue. "Wish I could do that. Would save me a lot of time."

As Lucy settled beside Erza, she leaned in curiously. "Hey Erza, that reminds me: do you know why Phantom Lord attacked us out of nowhere?"

Erza's expression turned serious as she glanced at the floor. "I'm afraid not. We have had our fair share of scuffles with them in the past, but never anything on this sort of magnitude before."

Natsu's snoring halted. He stirred, his eyes snapping open. "If Gramps wasn't such a coward, we could've wiped them out by now."

"Makarov isn't scared of them and you know it, Natsu," Gray retorted sharply, setting Jin's armor down gently. "You seem to be forgetting that he's one of the Ten Wizard Saints."

Jin straightened, the title stirring faint recognition. "Ten Wizard Saints? I think I've heard about that here and there. Who are they?"

"The title of Wizard Saint is one that is highly coveted," she explained, "It is reserved for the ten most powerful wizards on the continent, and is appointed by the Magic Council. Phantom Lord's Master, Jose, is one of them." Erza's voice dropped to a mutter. "And... so is he."

Gray's brow rose. "What was that?"

Erza's eyes flickered with a hint of unease, but she quickly composed herself with a small shake of her head. "Nothing. My apologies, I let myself get carried away."

However, Erza's muttering wasn't lost on any of them. Natsu and Happy shared a curious glance before turning back to her with tilted heads. Gray folded his arms with a frown, and Lucy leaned in slightly with worry. Erza glanced away from the attention, but her eyes briefly locked onto Jin. She held his stare, seemingly unconvinced by her own attempt to brush off her words, and all she could do was mentally curse herself for the slip-up.

"You said 'he.' Who are you talking about?" Jin asked, stepping forward slightly. "Is there someone else in Phantom Lord we need to worry about?"

Erza shook her head. "No. Not from Phantom Lord, but..."

Jin raised an eyebrow. "But...?" he echoed.

Erza sighed. "It's... you know who," she said softly, her gaze dropping down to the floor.

It took a moment for him to process her words, but then, realization hit him. Jin's stomach churned as he realized just who Erza was referring to.

"Damn it," he muttered, glancing away as his fist clenched at his side.

"He is afraid!" Natsu exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table and standing up. "He's scared that Phantom has too many members for us to handle!"

"That is not true, and you know it," Gray replied, leaning forward. "It's just like Master and Mira said before; the consequences of us going to war with Phantom are nowhere near worth the fight. The order of the magical world is at stake here!"

"Wait, I don't get it," Lucy interjected. "Is Phantom really strong enough to rival Fairy Tail?"

"Yes. Our strength is evenly matched," Erza replied. "As mentioned earlier, their Master, Jose, is one of the Ten Wizard Saints, so he rivals Makarov. There's also the Element Four, a team of elite mages that would be their equivalent of our S-Class mages. However, their biggest threat would be Blacksteel Gajeel, the one behind the guild hall's destruction. He's known as the Iron Dragon Slayer."

The room stilled as Lucy gasped. All eyes turned to Natsu, who scowled and looked away.

"Another Dragon Slayer?!" Lucy said, the shock palpable on her expression. "Does that mean he... eats iron like Natsu eats fire?"

Erza folded her hands in her lap. "Most likely. That being said, his power would more than likely rival Natsu's."

A weight pressed down on Jin as the full picture came into focus. The magnitude of Phantom Lord's capabilities made him feel both apprehensive and restless. Yet, after a long pause, he stood straighter.

"I hear you, Erza," he began, capturing everyone's attention, "But here's the thing—Fairy Tail has something they don't."

Happy's ears perked up. "Fish?"

Jin's lips quirked in a faint smile before he shook his head. "They don't know who I am or what I can do. They probably don't even know I exist, and that makes me Fairy Tail's secret weapon.

Natsu's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! You're right, man! You've got powers they've never seen before! He'll crush them!"

Happy raised a hand enthusiastically. "Aye! We've got a Saiyan on our side!"

Gray folded his arms, his expression skeptical. "I get what you're saying, but this isn't just some brawl. This is a potential war between guilds, and it's not something we can take lightly."

Erza nodded in agreement, her gaze steady on Jin. "Gray's right. While it's true that you bring an element of surprise, we have to be cautious. Your abilities are unique and undeniably powerful, but we can't afford to rely solely on that. It isn't out of the realm of possibility for them to adapt."

"And... What if they find out about you and target you specifically?" Lucy chimed in anxiously. "I don't like the idea of you being in danger, you know."

"I get what you're saying, but that's exactly why I think I can make a difference. They don't know my abilities, my strengths. We can use that to our advantage."

"This is your first time hearing about Phantom Lord, is it not?" Erza replied, leaning forward. "You need to be careful and strategic about this. Rushing in without understanding the enemy could be disastrous not just for you, but for all of us."

"But that's where Jin's got the edge!" Natsu interjected. "They don't know about him, so Phantom won't see him coming and that'll buy us time to smack 'em while they're still thinking stuff up!"

Jin exhaled, taking in their arguments. He glanced at Natsu, then at Erza, whose serious expression gave him pause. He knew he had strength, but he also recognized the unknowns.

"Alright, I see your point. I'll stand by for now. But know this—if it comes to a fight, I'll be there. You can count on me."

Gray gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. Just... make sure you know what you're getting into."

Lucy offered a soft smile. "Alright. Just be careful, okay?"

"I'll think more about this tomorrow. For now, I need that bath. "He stretched, rolling his shoulders as he walked to the doorway. "I'll also check with Mr. Kane about an extra mattress so everyone can sleep comfortably."

---

Steam billowed in the small bathroom as water cascaded from the showerhead, hissing against Jin's shoulders. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the cool tiles as droplets trickled down his face and over his tense muscles. He closed his eyes as he scrubbed his hair, letting the heat seep into his muscles, but his mind refused to relax.

"Phantom Lord…" he muttered to himself. "What's the big idea? Why attack now?" He leaned against the shower wall, the water pounding against his back. "Makarov is one of the Ten Wizard Saints, so he's obviously incredibly powerful. But then there's Jose. If they're both on the same level, what chance do we have?"

He replayed Erza's unspoken revelation of Siegrain being one of the Saints, the man's unnerving smirk flashing in his mind. His fists clenched involuntarily at the memory of Siegrain's condescending air during the trial, the sharp tension between him and Erza cutting deeper than he cared to admit.

"Siegrain... What do you want?" he muttered under his breath. He pictured Siegrain's face, his stomach twisting with anger and frustration. "What are you getting out of this? And... what did you do to her?"

His tail flicked irritably as he tried to set Siegrain aside, focusing instead on the more immediate threat. He couldn't afford to get distracted by personal vendettas. Not now.

"Phantom Lord doesn't know about me," Jin continued. "But what difference does it make if I don't know what I'm up against? What if I mess up? What if I can't protect them?"

The thought of his friends getting hurt sent a chill down his spine. He thought of Natsu charging recklessly into battle, Gray trying to outthink the enemy, Lucy caught in the middle of it all, and then there was Erza, always at the forefront, ready to shield them with her life.

Jin punched the shower wall lightly, the thud muffled by the running water. His tail curled tightly around his leg as if to ground him.

"No," he said firmly, shaking his head. "I won't let that happen. I have to be ready. I have to be strong enough." He traced a hand over the red Fairy Tail guild mark on his chest, a constant reminder of his new home and the people he cared about. "For them. For her. I won't let any of them get hurt."

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt as the bathroom door creaked open. Jin's eyes snapped open, and he turned toward the door in alarm, water streaming down his face.

"Erza?!" he exclaimed in a mix of shock and mortification. His tail unwrapped from his leg, moving instinctively to curl protectively around his waist as he crouched, his hands covering himself. "What are you doing?! I'm still taking a bath!"

Erza stood just inside the doorway, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "You've been in here far too long," she said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to barge into the bathroom. "Natsu and Gray need to use the bathroom as well."

"Still, you could have knocked!" Jin's voice cracked as his face flushed redder than it had ever been. The hot water suddenly felt searing against his skin.

Erza crossed her arms, utterly unfazed. "I also wanted to let you know that I spoke with Mr. Kane about the extra mattress. He will bring it to us shortly, and I will be the one to set it up in your room."

Jin's embarrassment only deepened, his mind spinning between mortification and disbelief at her nonchalant tone. "That… that could have waited until I was done!" he managed, his voice cracking again as he sank lower behind the steamed glass.

Erza's brow quirked, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Perhaps. But we still have a long day ahead tomorrow, and you've been in here brooding for far too long. Hurry up, and next time, lock the door."

Jin nodded frantically, still trying to cover himself as best as he could. "Yeah, I'll be out in a minute."

Erza nodded curtly, as if nothing about the situation was remotely unusual. And with that, she closed the door behind her, leaving Jin alone once more. He slumped against the wall, water still pouring over him, his heart racing in his chest.

"What the hell is wrong with her?" he muttered, shaking his head before running a hand over his face. Despite his indignation, a small part of him felt a flicker of gratitude. Even in the most absurd of situations, Erza's presence reminded him he wasn't alone anymore.

Letting out a shaky breath, Jin stood back up, and the weight of his earlier thoughts returned, but he pushed them aside. There would be time to figure it all out later, and for now, he and his friends needed to focus on finishing up and wrapping up the night.

---

The following morning, the team started filing out of Jin's small apartment, their movements sluggish after the late wake-up. Natsu stretched with a yawn as he shuffled past the doorway, while Happy perched on his head and yawned as well. Gray and Erza followed suit, with Jin and Lucy being the last ones to exit the room.

"I don't know how any of you got any sleep last night," Lucy complained, letting out a frustrated groan. "Between your snoring," she jabbed a finger at Natsu, who blinked in confusion, "your snoring," she shot a glare at Gray, "your mumbling," Jin glanced away as he shut the door, "and your death grip." Lucy turned toward Erza with wide eyes. "It's a miracle I even got any rest!"

Jin rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Damn it," he muttered, glancing away. "I'm really sorry you weren't able to sleep last night, Lucy. The circumstances weren't exactly... ideal."

Lucy shot him a sideways glance but shook her head. "It's okay. For one night, I'll survive. But seriously, Erza, what was that? Are you trying to suffocate me in your sleep?"

Erza glanced at her with an unusually solemn expression. "I didn't realize I had caused you discomfort. I apologize, Lucy," she said, inclining her head. "If it would make amends, you may strike me now as you see fit."

Lucy's hands flew up in protest. "Whoa, whoa, no need for that! We're good, promise."

Jin nodded in agreement, though he couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Yeah, it's not that serious, Erza. Lucy's just being dramatic; she just needs more sleep."

Lucy shot him a glare. "I am not dramatic! Unlike you, the professional sleep-talker. What's with all that mumbling, anyway?" An idea formed, and she smirked. "Something about… taking Erza somewhere?"

Jin's face flushed. "Wha—that's none of your business! And I don't even know what I say in my sleep; it's not like I have any control over it!" he huffed defensively.

Lucy smirked, clearly not letting the matter drop. "Oh, you don't? Too bad—I could've sworn you said something like, 'Erza, come with me.'" She leaned in conspiratorially. "You know, Jin, you might've missed your chance sleeping next to her. She might hug you a little more gently."

Jin's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "I—what—stop making stuff up! And for the record, I can attest to that!" He slightly inclined his head towards Erza as he lowered his voice. "And maybe let me know next time before you decide to sleep next to me!"

The memory of waking up after the Cell incident—Erza sleeping peacefully beside him—made his cheeks burn hotter. Lucy burst out laughing at his reaction, clearly enjoying his flustered state, and Erza simply nodded in acknowledgement of that moment. Natsu snickered as well, only to turn and jab a finger at Gray.

"And let's not forget about you, ice block!" Natsu exclaimed. "If you hadn't been snoring like a wild animal, she might've actually slept!"

Gray smirked, though it quickly turned into a glare at the Dragon Slayer. "Oh, please! Lucy probably didn't even notice mine over yours!"

"Oh, you wanna go, huh?!" Natsu squared up, flames sparking faintly around his fists.

Gray mirrored his stance, frost glinting off his knuckles as he instinctively stripped down to his boxers. "Bring it on, pyro!"

Jin groaned, running a hand down his face. "Guys, we're in an apartment building. My neighbors—"

The noise halted abruptly when the sound of footsteps approached from the hallway. A boy, barely ten years old, with bright green eyes that blinked in utter disbelief. His freckled face was framed by messy brown hair, and he wore an oversized sweater with a hand-sewn Fairy Tail emblem on it. His mouth hung open as he stared at them.

Lucy noticed first, gasping quietly. The rest followed her gaze, the hallway falling silent under the boy's stare. The pause lingered until Happy whispered with a snicker, "Gray, your clothes!"

Gray yelped, hastily picking up his discarded clothing as he fumbled to dress. "It's not like I knew a kid would be here!"

Secondhand embarrassment crept up Jin's spine. He stepped forward hesitantly. "Uh, hi…"

"It's… it's Fairy Tail!" His voice was high-pitched with excitement. He spun around and bolted back down the hallway, shouting, "Pa! Pa! They're really 'ere! Fairy Tail's 'ere!"

Lucy facepalmed. "Oh great. I can't even tell if we made his day or ruined it."

Natsu smirked, puffing his chest. "Pretty sure it's the first one. You guys saw the look on his face, right?"

Within moments, Aldrik emerged from his apartment, laughing heartily as the boy tugged at his hand. "Aye, mornin' to ya all," the stout landlord greeted them. "I see my lad's already made quite the fuss, but it seems like ye've gone and made the lad's year."

"Good morning Mr. Kane," Jin replied, stepping forward. "Sorry about the noise earlier. I hope we didn't disturb you."

The boy bounced on his heels. "Yer real! All of ye! Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Happy, and even… even…!"

Jin's eyes softened, scratching his head. "Jin."

The boy's breath hitched. "Jin! Pa keeps telling me stories about ye! I still can't believe ye're here!"

Jin smiled awkwardly. "Well, uh, here I am. And you are?"

"Alfred!" the boy exclaimed proudly, puffing out his chest. "I've been followin' Fairy Tail since… since I could hold a quill!"

"That's us! Always good to meet another fan!" Natsu said proudly, pointing a thumb to himself and Happy. "I'm Natsu! And this is my best bud, Happy!"

Happy raised a paw in greeting. "Aye!"

Gray, now fully clothed, chuckled as he folded his arms. "And I'm Gray. Good to see you."

Erza gave him a courteous nod. "It's an honor, Alfred. I'm Erza Scarlet."

Lucy knelt down, offering a friendly wave. "It's nice to meet you, little guy. I'm Lucy."

Alfred's cheeks turned pink as his gaze darted to Lucy, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "I-it's... a... uh... real honor!" he stammered, glancing away bashfully. "Yer... yer even prettier than the stories said..."

Lucy's let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, um… well, thank you. That's sweet of you to say."

"He liiiikes you, Lucy!" Happy whispered loudly.

Natsu laughed. "Yeah, he's totally got a crush on you."

"Will you two stop!" Lucy barked, trying to suppress her embarrassment.

Aldrik motioned for his son to step back. "Come on now, Alfred, let's not keep the nice folks from Fairy Tail any longer. Ye'll be late t'school if ye don't move quick."

Alfred's face fell, but Jin crouched down to meet his eyes. "Don't worry, Alfred. We're not going far. I'm right next door, and the guild's just a few streets away. You'll see us around."

The boy's eyes lit up. "Yeh promise?"

Jin stood up and gave him a firm nod. "Promise."

Alfred's smile returned as he stepped aside, waving shyly. "You're the best! Good luck on… on your missions and stuff!"

"Thanks, kid," Gray said with a casual wave.

Aldrik chuckled as he watched his son shuffle back to their apartment, turning back to the team. "Anywho, before yeh head out, there's somethin' I thought ya lads and lasses should know."

Erza stepped forward. "What is it, sir?"

Aldrik nodded appreciatively at Erza. "Ah, first off, thanks fer the heads-up 'bout Phantom Lord bein' in town. Can't say I wasn't worried about what it might mean."

Gray's brow furrowed. "Did something happen?"

Aldrik's expression turned grave. "Aye. It's somethin' bad, I reckon." He hesitated before continuing, scratching his chin as he collected his thoughts. "Was out for my early walk this mornin' when I heard a rumor 'bout somethin' goin' on at Southgate Park. Didn't catch every detail, but they said they'd seen a short lass with blue hair. Sounded like she wasn't alone—two others with her, likely her teammates."

"Levy!" Jin whispered, the entire team snapping to attention.

Lucy gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. "Oh no! What's happened to her? Is she okay?"

Natsu's fists clenched. "No time! We gotta get over there now!"

Before anyone could argue, Natsu and Happy bolted for the stairs. Lucy, Erza, and Gray followed without hesitation, the latter tugging his shirt back on mid-run.

"Thanks for letting us know, Mr. Kane," Jin said, slightly bowing in thanks. "Stay safe."

Aldrik gave him a firm nod. "Likewise, lad. Hope yer friends are okay."

---

The team raced across town, with Jin and Erza leading the charge toward Magnolia Southgate Park. None of them knew what exactly had happened, but they knew Team Shadow Gear was involved, and it was bad. Very bad.

They hurried their pace as the park into view, and from the entrance, they could see a dense crowd had gathered around the great central tree.

"Is this it?" Jin asked, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the crowd ahead. The knot forming in his gut only tightened as he felt the thick, oppressive tension in the air.

Erza slowed just enough to bark over her shoulder, "It must be. Whatever's ahead, we need to see it for ourselves."

Jin nodded but said nothing as they approached. The crowd's murmurs became discernible as they drew closer—gasped exclamations, barely stifled sobs, and scattered shouts of fury.

"Excuse us," Erza said as the team breached the edge of the gathering. "We're with Fairy Tail. Please let us through."

The crowd hesitated but gave way, the people's gazes fixed on the tree at the center of the park. As the last row of onlookers parted, the team's steps faltered, then stopped cold at the sight before them.

Levy, Jet, and Droy hung limp, battered and bruised, crucified on the massive trunk. Iron restraints pinned their wrists and ankles, shining cruelly in the daylight. But it was the black guild mark burned into Levy's exposed belly that seared into their souls, a cruel proclamation of this guiltless atrocity.

"Levy!" Lucy cried out, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes brimmed with tears.

Happy's tail drooped as he clung to her, a low whimper escaping him.

Gray's fists clenched as if to hold back his own revulsion. "Jet! Droy!" he called out, though their battered forms gave no response.

Natsu's body shook, fists tight enough to draw blood as his breath came in short, ragged bursts. "Phantom Lord..." he growled, his voice trembling with unrestrained fury. "They did this! They did this!"

Jin's gaze lingered on Levy, and he could sense that she was barely concious. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He saw not just three injured Fairy Tail guildmates, but cruel proof of what Phantom Lord represented—merciless aggression. Levy was among the kindest souls Jin had met in the guild, a warm presence who had never shown anything but lighthearted curiosity towards him. The fact that someone could reduce her and her team to this broke something inside him.

From behind, a presence stole over them like a storm. The crowd hushed, their collective breaths held as Makarov entered the clearing. Staff in hand, the old Master stood adorned in a white tunic emblazoned with the emblem of the Ten Wizard Saints on his back. His steps were slow, deliberate, his face unreadable until he came to a halt just ahead of the team. For a moment, silence reigned as his gaze fell upon the sight before him.

"Master…" Erza's voice broke the moment, sharp and trembling despite her attempt to steady it, but even her own words faltered from the weight of the moment.

Makarov stared up at his children—Levy's brand, Jet's swollen face, Droy's bloodied arms. Each mark of Phantom Lord's cruelty etched another invisible scar into the guild master's heart. His chest rose and fell as he exhaled shakily, the wooden staff in his hand creaking under the pressure of his grip.

"I have tolerated many things over the years. I've looked the other way when prideful rivalries turned destructive. But this?! Harm to MY FAMILY?! MY CHILDREN?!"

With a crack that echoed across the park, his staff splintered beneath the force of his grip. The fire in Makarov's eyes ignited as a brilliant golden aura erupted from him, blazing with the righteous fury of a father wronged.

"Phantom Lord has made their move—and now… we'll make ours!"

Jin glanced at the old man, startled by the overwhelming power radiating from someone so small. Yet there was no mistaking the determination, the conviction… and the pain of a father who had seen his family suffer. For a moment, Jin saw a flicker of his own father in Makarov, and the faintest ember of his own anger caught the spark of the Master's resolve.

"Prepare yourselves, my children," Makarov declared, turning around to address them all. "It is time to go to war!"