Reading a newspaper, Seryu crumpled it up completely, while groaning.

"Night Raid! They committed murder again."

While the young woman was seated at a table, being on the terrace terrace of a café, Wendy came up to her, with two fruit juices, before handing her one of the drinks. Then settling down, she affirmed.

"I find that strange."

" What ? "

"The fact that Night Raid wants to be known so much, when they usually try to keep a low profile! These posters they leave behind...that don't look like them at all."

"Why do you care about this insignificant detail? Didn't you see the number of people they killed during these massacres? Who can do this but a group of teigu users?

"How many guards were slaughtered during the last attack?"

"Huh…twenty-one! Why?"

"Honestly, do you think you can deal with that many people, with Koro?"

"If Koro and I are perfectly in sync, I think we have a great chance of getting there and..."

Groaning suddenly, realizing his mistake, Seryu could immediately hear Wendy declare.

"In this case, he could very well be a mad murderer with a teigu, just like Zank! Imagine he's just a serial killer who wants to blame his crimes on Night Raid, this could explain the presence of these posters."

"You say nonsense! Either way, whether it's true or not, we'll have to deal with this guy and Night Raid! All these people deserve nothing but death."

"Indeed!" Wendy affirmed, before really pissing her off. "I just wanted to say that..."

Suddenly sniffing the air, she turned in the direction of a strange trio, walking towards the palace, while each had wounds or bandages that were visible.

"These people! They reek of blood." She asserted.

"Huh?" Seryu wondered, recognizing River. "Hey, I recognize them! They're " the three beasts " ."

" Who ? "

"It's Esdeath-sama's special guard! Each of them is a strong fighter and has a teigu! Just looking at their wounds, I wonder how many criminals they had to fight against."

Listening to her, Wendy wanted to know.

"Tell me, the first massacres went well after Esdeath returned here, didn't they?"

"Huh, yes! Why?"

"Just like that…do you think you can beat any of these guys?"

"Me? Huh, I don't know! I don't even know their powers! All I know is that the training required to join Esdeath-sama's special group has nothing to do with ours ! These people are the elite of the elite."

"So they, too, could very well have attacked the generals and committed these massacres." Wendy understood.

Swallowing the wrong way, Seryu coughed a little before screaming.

" What are you talking about ? "

"Nothing." Wendy lied, just watching the trio set off in the direction of the palace. "Just a guess."

" With these three, as well as Esdeath, things are going to get really complicated. " She thought. " How will Najenda handle the situation? "

Suddenly smelling a familiar scent, Wendy looked up a little, before widening her eyes.

"Tell me I'm dreaming."

Flying over the capital, Natsu and Happy rocketed straight towards the Imperial Palace.

"Are you ready, Happy? Our targets are now the Prime Minister, as well as Esdeath if we cross her path."

"Aye!" Happy said, heading for a window.

"And let's keep it quiet about our names and faces." Natsu decided, making sure his mask was securely attached. "Guards have seen us and Wendy before, so if they find out we're part of Night Raid, they'll suspect her of doing the same."

"In that case, let's go." Happy announced, dropping Natsu, who tumbled towards the palace window.

" FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST ! "

Crushed under the heel of Esdeath's boot, River tried to keep his composure, while Esdeath demanded.

" Can you repeat ? "

"We were embarrassed during our last mission, by two individuals! They fought us before fleeing, taking the daughter of the former prime minister."

"Who were they? I want their names and their faces."

"Huh…they were wearing masks." Daidara confessed.

"But they seemed to have teigus." Nyau affirmed.

"Teigus?"

"Actually, one of them seemed to be able to create and control steel." River explained to her. "As for the second… actually, I managed to partially break his mask, allowing me to see his face somewhat! He had the head of a panther."

"From a panther? A biological teigu?"

"To be honest, I don't think so! He seemed to be fighting and thinking on his own, not relying on the first man in battle to tell him what to do."

Hearing this, Esdeath sighed, before quickly moving her foot. Taking the end of her shoe in the face, River collapsed at the feet of his comrades, while Esdeath affirmed.

"I am very disappointed with your performance! If the Prime Minister learns that witnesses have seen you and are still alive, he will keep bothering me about it."

"So …Sorry."

"Your apologies won't change anything! Get me the portraits of these two people right now, with as much detail as possible! And I want a bounty on their heads! Understood?"

"Yes, Esdeath-sama." The trio assured, running out of the room.

Seeing them leave, Esdeath began to think and wonder.

" Did you foresee our plan, Najenda? Are you responsible for this ambush? "

Suddenly, a huge crash was heard, shaking part of the palace.

"Hum?" Esdeath wondered, raising her eyebrows.

Thrown back, several guards collapsed on the ground, along with various debris, while Natsu had just entered the palace, like a meteorite.

" Who's that person ?" A guard wondered.

"Where does he come from?"

Raising his gaze to the guards in front of him, Natsu stated.

"I came to see the prime minister! So tell me right now where he is."

"The…the prime minister? "

Then pointing their firearms and sabers at Natsu, the guards showed some form of reluctance to want to collaborate with Natsu.

" Baka ! Don't say stupid things "

"Are you a dumb? Do you really think any of us would risk their lives to lead you into the den of the wolf?"

"So you're going to kindly put your arms up in the air and..."

" FIRE DRAGON'S WING ! "

Immediately, a new explosion was heard, while part of the corridor was destroyed. Arriving to see the damage, new guards targeted Natsu as soon as they could see his silhouette.

"Shoot! Fire! Fire!"

Hearing the sounds of fire, Natsu only had to increase the temperature around his body, to overheat the bullets in an instant and melt them. Seeing this, several guards began to moan in fear, while starting to back away.

"But who is this guy? He's not human."

"Your bullets won't have the slightest effect on him." Happy assured, entering the hallway as well.

"Indeed! So, tell me right now where I can find the prime minister! Otherwise, I'll tear you all down, until I find him myself."

And as he took a step forward, the guards backed away, and wondered what was the best solution for them, between collaborating or fighting against this monster. Finally, the solution imposed itself.

Taking another step forward, Natsu was surprised to feel his feet freeze, before his whole body was trapped in a huge block of ice.

"What…?" Happy wondered.

"Pathetic." A female voice affirmed, as a figure came towards the guards. "The enemy is all alone and you can't even stop him? And you say you're guards?"

"Es… Esdeath-sama?"

Continuing to walk, as the soldiers moved out of her way, Esdeath walked towards Natsu and ended up sighing.

"To think that I thought he would have entertained me for a few seconds at least! How pitiful! What was he thinking he was doing when he came here?"

Then noticing Happy's presence, Esdeath smiled sadistically, while affirming.

"Oh? I didn't see you! Now that your friend is imprisoned, I hope to rely on you to give me information! Right, member of Night Raid?"

Swallowing at her last sentence, Happy wondered.

" How did she know we're from Night Raid? So she's the most powerful person in this world?"

"I'll personally take care of you and your friend, if he's still alive, in the torture chamber." Esdeath sneered, about to grab Happy.

Suddenly, his gaze caught a strange phenomenon. A crack. A crack had appeared on the wall of the block of ice that imprisoned Natsu.

" Huh ? "

Seeming to melt from the inside, the ice prison turned redder and redder, while steam could be seen. Then, gradually, countless cracks appeared showing that the block was about to give way.

" But how … ? "

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Natsu cried, as the ice was destroyed by his flames.

"WHAAAAAATTTTTTT?" Several guards yelled, feeling the temperature in the hallway rise several degrees.

Free of his movements, Natsu immediately took support on the ground before rushing towards Esdeath with phenomenal speed.

" FIRE DRAGON'S IRON ... "

Still surprised that her block of ice had been destroyed, Esdeath perceived Natsu's attack too late to dodge it. As a result, being hit in the face, she was ejected against a door, which she crossed without problem.

" ... FIIIIIIISSSSSTTTTTT ! "

Eyes widening, the guards saw their general's body disappear into a room, as Natsu had just defeated her with a punch.

"Tsss, definitely, I have the impression that everyone who masters ice magic is hateful people."

"That's what Gray always says, for the guys who control fire." Happy told him.

"He…He defeated Esdeath?" someone wondered.

"Help, it's a monster."

"Let's not stay here."

Fleeing then, the soldiers had the idea of leaving the palace before the worst happened. Yet a chuckle paralyzed them.

" Hahahaha ! "

Rising, Esdeath could be seen walking down the hallway, with a visible bruise on her cheek. Bending down to pick up her cap, she put it back on her head, still smiling.

"It's been so long." She stated, staring at Natsu. "So long since someone last hit me."

Creating a sword of ice, Esdeath declared.

"I have a feeling I'm going to have fun making you suffer."

As skilled with a sword as Erza, Esdeath aimed her weapon at Natsu, who found himself forced to dodge it by ducking. However, being cut, part of his locks fell to the ground, failing to be saved in time.

Not having time to worry about his hair, Natsu rolled on the ground, to dodge the blade of the sword again, while Esdeath took pleasure in shaking her weapon in all directions. Seeing him dodge again and again, she then created a multitude of spears of ice, which she hurled at him.

" GRAUHORN ! "

Seeing them hurtling like missiles, Natsu spat flames and managed to make them disappear. However, melting at breakneck speed, the spears turned to vapor and created an artificial mist that shrouded the hallway.

"Wha…?" Natsu said, trying to make out something around him.

Arriving at this moment, Esdeath stepped through the mist, sword in hand.

" I've got you. "

Lowering it at top speed to slam into it, Esdeath created a current of air so powerful that it removed the mist from the hallway. Being able to see again, the guards and Happy were able to make out, in amazement, Esdeath's sword in front of Natsu's face, while the man had managed to stop it, using his hands which were clad on the sides of the blade.

Increasingly amused, Esdeath confessed.

"You are a worthy adversary! Would you like to become my plaything?"

Smiling in turn, Natsu wrapped his arms in flames, while affirming.

"Sorry, but I haven't really had time to have fun lately."

Then melting Esdeath's sword, he was about to kick her, when the young woman stepped back in time and created a shield of ice to protect herself.

" ICE WALL ! "

Hitting it head-on, Natsu's foot barely left a mark there, as he deemed it best to step back.

"Damn it, she has Gray's powers as well as Erza's sword skills! Gotta admit she's strong."

For her part, seeing the blade of her sword had completely melted, Esdeath threw her weapon aside. Yet, instead of looking worried, she put on a confident smile before asking him.

"What do you want to do, then? Do you continue or do you give up the fight?"

"Only the weak give up a fight." Natsu asserted, igniting his body again.

"I couldn't have said it better." Esdeath assured, creating a new sword out of ice.

However, before they could fight again, the two warriors were hampered by the sudden appearance of lightning, which dazzled them for a few moments. When he was able to regain his sight, Natsu was surprised to see a man in front of him, staring at him like he was a criminal.

"Who are you, intruder?"

Recognizing him immediately, all the guards began to shout with joy.

"Yes! This is General Budo!"

"Come on, General! Slay him!"

"We're counting on you, General Budo."

"Budo?" Natsu wondered. "That name means something to me."

"That's the second general Najenda told us about." Happy reminded him, jumping on his shoulder. "Natsu, isn't the situation getting a little critical?"

" Not at all. " His friend retorted. "Things are barely getting interesting! If I beat them both, we won't have a single obstacle in our way."

" I rephrase my question. " Budo exclaimed. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"You are responsible for the deaths of many innocent people! And you dared to blame your crimes on us." Natsu roared! And for that, you will regret it. "

"Our crimes?" Budo wondered.

Chuckling then, Esdeath noticed.

"So, you are indeed members of Night Raid! I must say that I am quite surprised to see you here! Najenda is not the type to want to put the lives of his comrades in danger! Would you have come of your own free will?"

" Yes ! "

"Then are you stupid?"

"No! I just know that until I avenge all the lives you killed, I could never leave here."

Flaming his fists, he roared.

"Come here so I can kick your ass."

"Kid, I still don't know who you are." Budo affirmed. " However, … "

Flashing around him, he affirmed.

"What you are doing is against the law! It is therefore my duty to arrest you without delay."

"What you say doesn't deserve to come out of your mouth." Happy retorted. "If we are outlaws because of what we have just done, then the prime minister is public enemy number one."

"Why defend him when you must know what he's doing to the empire?" Wanted to know Natsu. " Are you blind? Or just selfish as he is?

"It's none of your business, kid." Budo affirmed. "If you just came to ask me that question, know that there was smarter things to do."

"Don't touch him." Esdeath ordered, stepping in front of him. "This is my fight! Back off!"

"I have no orders to take from you."

"What? Do you want us to team up to kill them?"

"It will be over in one fell swoop." Budo stated simply, charging his body with electricity.

"I'm okay with that." Natsu assured, running towards them. " FIRE DRAGON'S… !

"Disappear, kid." Budo yelled, shooting a bolt of lightning at him.

" He is mine." Esdeath retorted, creating a huge block of ice.

Seeing the two attacks bearing down on him, Natsu suddenly realized that he couldn't dodge them. And cashing in on them, while Esdeath and Budo were already ready to charge at him, seemed like a bad idea.

Having only one solution, he gathered all his energy in his arms, before positioning them in front of him.

" ... WINGS ! "

The next second, a multitude of guards were thrown backwards, while a huge part of the hallway was shattered on impact. Themselves forced to step back, Esdeath and Budo looked ahead, while trying to see Natsu's silhouette, through the smoke.

"Did he manage to survive?"

Whether it was lightning or ice, neither attack could hit Natsu. Exhaling with difficulty, the man was still standing, with visible burns on his arm. He had managed to stop the two attacks and stay standing. Nevertheless, this feat had drained much of his energy reserves.

Still, unafraid to continue the fight, he took a step forward, assertive.

"I will defeat you and stop the prime minister."

at that moment, the mage felt a hand land on his back, while a voice informed him.

"It's too early to fight them."

"Huh?" Natsu wondered, recognizing the voice.

Stunned, he turned to see an arm sticking out of a familiar black hole. Then pulling him back, the arm made Natsu disappear, along with Happy, inside. And a few moments later, the black hole disappeared in turn, leaving no trace of the people who came here.

When the smoke from the explosion cleared, Esdeath and Budo looked around, searching for their opponent's body. There was no trace of corpse, flesh or blood. To anyone, Natsu had been reduced to ashes. However, the two generals failed to consider this possibility.

For them, there was a good chance that Natsu could have survived.

"Where is he?" Budo roared. "Hurry to find him."

" Yes sir. "

Seeing the guards move, Esdeath put her hand to her cheek, where Natsu had managed to hit her, and began to smile in pleasure again.

" Night Raid member… level up and get stronger!" Become the opponent I've been looking for for so long. ""

Falling backwards, Natsu and Happy crashed into a meadow.

"What…?" they wondered, seeing the black hole still open behind them.

While leaving then, a person presented himself to them.

"Looks like I made it in time, you fools."

"You?" Natsu roared, recognizing him. "You are the bald old man who brought us into this world."

"Indeed." Confirmed the old man. "I brought you here to save the empire, as agreed! But it seems you decided to rush headlong without thinking."

"Why did you bring me here?" Natsu wanted to know! I was going to beat those two puppets! And how do you create these black holes? Are you a mage or do you use a teigu? Who are you exactly and who do you work for? "

"I'm just a poor old bald man who only wants peace here." The man stated simply. "However, if I can give you any advice, don't go back to face those two."

"Huh? What are you talking about? I could very well beat them! Before the other guy arrived, I was very close to winning against the ice cream woman."

"She wasn't using her full power, Natsu." The man retorted. " Far from it! You were facing a person who could easily fight an army of 100,000 men and win against the latter.! She was only playing with you, simply looking for entertainment! You are no match for she. "

"Don't talk nonsense! And then first of all, why did you bring us into this world if you knew that I wouldn't be up to it?"

"Because I also knew you would help this country! The old man simply informed him, disappearing into the black hole! The Night Raid base isn't far from here! See you next time."

" Non, attends. "

Too late. Disappearing at that instant, the black hole was no longer present, leaving Natsu and Happy alone.

"Damn it! He got away again."

Sitting on a stool in the infirmary, Tatsumi was staring at Gajeel, who was resting on a bed, while he carried bandages everywhere. Lying next to him, Lily was in the same state as her master, while Spear slept in another bed, with her stomach wound bandaged.

" Gajeel! Tatsumi thought. " You risked your life for that girl!" You and Lily are role models. »

"Tatsumi!" Bulat called out to her then, stepping into the room. " Are you ready ? "

"Yes!" assured the boy, getting up before joining his friend. "And Natsu?"

"Still no news." Bulat told him. " But hey, as long as the capital hasn't exploded, he's kept quiet! In our case, we'll have to fight against powerful enemies ourselves! Those who injured Gajeel and Lily! Think Are you up to following me?"

"Absolutely." Tatsumi assured, walking out of the room together with Bulat.

And as soon as they were gone, and being sure that they wouldn't come back, Lily opened her eyes, before asking.

" What do we do ? "

"Do you think so?" Gajeel asked, waking up too.

Getting up, he removed the bandages he had on before dropping them on the floor. Then, heading for a window, he opened it and saw Bulat and Tatsumi running away from the base. As soon as they were a little distant, the mage affirmed.

"We're going to follow them and get our revenge."