"We really won!"
Warren and the others all cheered.
This was the famous 'Salamander' Natsu. Although Natsu clearly hadn't been serious, the fact that Max could suppress him in a normal fight meant Natsu's fundamentals had already fallen behind Max's.
"Natsu lost?"
Lucy and the others were stunned.
Losing to Erza or Takeshi would be perfectly normal, but losing to Max...
The little snack-shop owner, the guild's MC.
They'd always thought Max was just the comic relief.
"But with power like that, why were those Twilight Ogre guys still pushing us around?" Carla looked puzzled.
"You're right, but we really did owe them a lot of money. Violence alone can't solve everything."
Gray said, "But we're now facing a huge problem. Leaving monsters like Takeshi and Gildarts aside, our strength has fallen far behind in this era."
Lucy nodded. "True. Natsu couldn't even beat that Max."
"Yeah, that Max." Wendy agreed.
She hadn't been in the guild long, but the core members were those from Tenrou Island.
Max complained, "Hey, am I that lousy?"
Happy wondered, "Is there any way to boost your magic power instantly?"
Before long, the group arrived outside Porlyusica's house. They explained the situation to Porlyusica, the Fairy Tail apothecary famed for her magic potions.
"Go home."
After hearing them out, Porlyusica slammed the door shut.
Lucy refused to give up. "Porlyusica-san, don't you have any useful medicines?"
Natsu shouted excitedly, "The kind that multiplies your power a hundred times at once!"
Gray sighed, "Guess it really is impossible."
Just then the door reopened, and everyone thought there might be hope.
Porlyusica swung her broom. "I hate humans! Go home! Hurry up! Shoo!"
"Sorry for bothering you."
"What kind of woman is that?!"
"The old man's former lover."
"No way, you idiot!"
The group ran back to the guild in no time.
"Phew, scared me to death. If the old lady won't help, fine, but why chase us out?!"
"Aye, sir!"
Takeshi asked curiously, "Where have you guys been?"
They told him how they'd gone to ask Porlyusica for a potion that could instantly boost magic power.
Mirajane couldn't help laughing. "Haha! Porlyusica-san doesn't like humans, so she lives alone in the outskirts."
Seeing everyone gathered, Lucy asked, "What's going on here?"
Mirajane grinned, "Our fourth Guild master has an announcement."
"Ahem! I have something to declare." Macao cleared his throat theatrically.
"First: I, the fourth Guild master of Fairy Tail, officially allow Laxus to rejoin the guild."
"What?!" Makarov's eyes bulged.
"Great news, Laxus."
"Now the Thunder God Tribe is fully revived."
"Master Macao, you're a truly great man."
The Thunder God Tribe were over the moon.
Natsu was thrilled too. "Well done, Macao."
He'd argued with Makarov several times over Laxus's expulsion. Now Laxus was finally back.
Wakaba took a puff of his pipe and praised, "Finally did something befitting a master."
Macao, embarrassed by the praise, said, "It wasn't me, Takeshi suggested it. I was going to pass the title to him, but he told me to let Laxus back in."
Makarov yelled at Takeshi, "Was this your idea, you brat?!"
Everyone turned to look at Takeshi.
Takeshi smiled. "Laxus has truly turned over a new leaf, and no one in the guild bears any grudge against him. Besides, Fairy Tail is down to a handful of members, every extra pair of hands counts."
This was the perfect time for Laxus's return. In the old, crowded guild, with how extreme Laxus had acted, plenty would have objected.
Now those who remained had grown up in the guild alongside Laxus, and seven years had long since wiped away any hard feelings.
"Takeshi..."
Laxus looked ashamed. After what he'd done, Takeshi still forgave him.
Next, Macao announced the second thing, "Secondly, I appoint Makarov Dreyar as the Fifth Guild master of Fairy Tail."
"Still me?! Not that brat Takeshi?!" Makarov was stunned.
Macao scratched his head and spread his hands helplessly. "I wanted to pass it to Takeshi, but he refused."
Takeshi said, "I'm still young, Gramps. I've no intention of becoming the Guild master. Look at every guild master, they're all geezers. Macao's barely over forty yet looks seventy."
"I... do I really look that old..." Macao was crushed.
Takeshi added, "And with my temper, if those Magic Council oldies nag or provoke me, I might not be able to resist firing a Lanza del Relampago or a Tailed Beast Bomb to send them to God or at the very least an Unlimited Void to cripple or lobotomize them."
Everyone shuddered. They'd seen how terrifying those spells were. One shot could flatten the entire Magic Council.
And no one doubted Takeshi would do it. After all, even the Council's Etherion couldn't touch him.
"Hmph! Fine then, if that's how it is, the seat goes to no one. I'll keep at it till I drop. Where's the booze? Bring the booze!" Makarov huffed.
"Coming right up!"
Mirajane hurried over with alcohol. She could tell the old man was secretly delighted—Laxus was back, and he couldn't bear to part with the kids.
The guild grew lively once more.
Laxus approached Takeshi, raised a glass, and said gratefully, "Takeshi, thank you."