— — — — — —
After leaving Porlyusica's place, Kazuma returned to the guild and went right back to organizing the Fairy Tail Grand Alliance.
Time flew by in the middle of the chaos. Before he knew it, a whole month had passed, and the alliance was finally starting to take shape.
Many small guilds had already joined. Outside their guild halls, alongside their own flags, they now proudly hung Fairy Tail's banner as well, marking their identity.
"Sigh~"
Makarov returned from the Council and sought out Kazuma. The two sat at the guild bar, drinks in hand, ready to talk.
"You little punk, you've really been stirring things up lately," Makarov grumbled. "The Council's been discussing you nonstop."
"The way those old geezers look at me now is just plain creepy. Every time I sit there, it feels like I'm sitting on needles."
He took a swig of alcohol. He'd thought that retiring would finally free him from guild-related headaches.
Instead, the guild itself was doing great, but Kazuma had gone and created a whole new kind of trouble for him.
"Don't worry about them," Kazuma said casually after taking a drink. "Those small guilds joined us voluntarily. We formed a unified alliance, completely legal."
"Even if they don't like it, what can they really do? Besides, aren't you the one up there taking the pressure for us, old man?"
"Yes, I can handle the pressure," Makarov shot back. "But those looks they give me feel like they're about to eat me alive. It's terrifying!"
He pulled an exaggerated face to show just how scary it was.
"Oh, right," Makarov added suddenly. "There's someone I want to invite into the guild."
"Go ahead," Kazuma said. "If you're recommending them, I won't object. Still, I'm curious. Who's important enough for you to step in personally?"
"Gajeel," Makarov replied. "The Iron Dragon Slayer from Phantom Lord."
Kazuma frowned. "Didn't I smash his internal organs with one punch back then? He didn't have any signs of life afterward."
That punch had been thrown with full intent to kill. Kazuma was sure he killed that guy.
No wait... Erza had interrupted him afterward, and he hadn't bothered to check carefully if he was dead or not. And what if Iron Dragon Slayers could revive? That was a magical world after all.
"No," Makarov said. "That kid's tough. He survived. But after Phantom Lord collapsed, he had nowhere to go and no work."
"He's basically been living like a beggar. I ran into him by chance and thought I'd invite him to join us."
"Kazuma, Gajeel isn't a bad kid. His heart's not rotten. I can tell. Give him a chance."
Makarov knew Kazuma's temperament all too well. He was the type who would rather kill the wrong person than let an enemy escape. Convincing him to accept someone like Gajeel, a former enemy, was almost impossible. Worse, Kazuma might just finish the job properly this time.
"Give him another chance?" Kazuma said coldly.
"Old man, just tell me where he is. I'll finish him off properly this time. He might be plotting revenge against Fairy Tail, which would explain why you met him by chance."
Kazuma stood up, ready to head out. He had no intention of letting an enemy keep breathing. This time, there would be no accidents.
"Wait, wait, wait! I knew this would happen," Makarov said quickly, grabbing him. "Kazuma, you brat, give this old man a bit of face."
"I'll stake my own life on it. Gajeel is a good kid."
Makarov held Kazuma back with all his strength and waved for Mirajane to come help. He knew Kazuma wasn't joking.
"Old man, I really don't get it," Kazuma said, looking at him. "We've got so many strong people in the guild. Why do you insist on recruiting that Iron Man?"
"Don't tell me you're really just that soft-hearted."
He genuinely didn't see what was so special about Gajeel. The guy had nearly died from one punch. What value did someone like that have?
Makarov sighed.
"I won't hide it from you. A long time ago…"
"Skip," Kazuma cut in. "Start from the part that matters."
Makarov snorted. "Fine. Simply put, Porlyusica once told me a prophecy. In the future, a Black Dragon will destroy the world."
"So we need Dragon Slayer Mages to gather and stand against that coming disaster."
Not long ago, Makarov had also learned about Gildarts encountering the Black Dragon. That was when the prophecy came rushing back to him.
That was why he'd started preparing, including inviting Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer, to join Fairy Tail.
"That's it?" Kazuma asked.
"Yes. And also, Gajeel's really pitiful right now," Makarov added.
"I'll handle the Black Dragon," Kazuma said. "As for Gajeel… sigh, it seems I can't refuse you, old man."
"Fine. He can join. But whether the guild accepts him is another matter. If someone doesn't like him and ends up fighting him, don't blame me."
"You okay with that, old man?"
After some thought, Kazuma finally agreed. Part of it was for Makarov. The other part was preparing for the future.
"No problem," Makarov said, relieved. "Whether he earns everyone's trust is up to Gajeel himself."
Seeing Kazuma relent, Makarov finally let out a breath he'd been holding and smiled.
.
.
.