Chapter 66: FTRJ: Chapter 66

Finn muttered to himself, “A hundred S-class missions? Could we even afford that? Two hundred? Three hundred?

If we add in the damage compensation…four hundred, no, maybe five hundred…”

Magic Council Headquarters.

Makarov and an older man of similar build sat on a stone staircase in the corridor.

“Phantom Lord’s dissolution and Jose’s stripping of his Ten Wizard Saints title were expected.

But Fairy Tail being found innocent…that was unexpected,” Makarov said, gazing at the distant sky.

“Be grateful, Makarov. I did my best to defend you,” the older man said.

The older man’s name was Yajima, a longtime friend of Makarov’s and currently the Sixth Council Member. He’d also been a Fairy Tail mage in his youth.

Makarov sighed, arms crossed. “I owe you one, Yajima. When the guild’s rebuilt, come visit. I’ll buy you ramen.”

“Then I’ll have Fairy Tail ramen with twelve slices of chashu.”

Makarov’s eyes widened. “Twelve is excessive!”

Yajima smiled, holding up his fingers. “This incident violated Article Four of the inter-guild non-aggression treaty…”

Makarov quickly interrupted, “I know, twenty or thirty, I’ll get them for you.” Caught red-handed, Makarov had to concede.

Yajima remained calm. “Twelve chashu will suffice.”

“Thank you,” Makarov knew Yajima had worked hard for this verdict.

Yajima waved him off, then looked at Makarov with concern. “Makarov, stop pushing yourself. We’re not young anymore.”

Makarov sighed, closing his eyes.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Yajima continued.

“Forgotten what?” Makarov asked, puzzled.

“Rob, of course.”

“Rob…” Makarov hadn’t expected this topic.

“There was me, Makarov, Porlyusica, and Rob. We were young, causing trouble, but happy,” Yajima reminisced.

“But…since Rob left Fairy Tail, Erza still mentions it,” Makarov said, head bowed.

“Fairy Tail’s been causing too much trouble lately. Complaints are piling up. Macao and Wakaba even suggested disbandment,” Yajima said, voicing his concerns about Fairy Tail’s future.

“If this continues, you’ll face severe punishment. If you die, nothing matters, like Rob.”

“Makarov, you need to retire. Your body can’t handle it anymore,” Yajima said, looking at his old friend.

“Ah…I’ll think about it,” Makarov said, looking away.

Yajima remained silent, offering his support. The two small, aging figures looked somewhat forlorn.

…

Fairy Tail guild, under reconstruction.

“Everyone! We’re reopening job requests!” Mirajane, at a temporary counter, smiled.

“It’s a temporary board, but please work hard!”

“Oooooh~~” everyone cheered, crowding around the board.

“What’s this? They usually slack off,” Lucy said, watching the crowd.

Mirajane smiled. “They’re not used to working after so long.”

“Speaking of, where’s Loki?” Lucy asked.

Mirajane, with a knowing look at Finn who was silently observing, said, “Looks like Lucy’s finally been conquered by Loki’s charms.”

Lucy was startled and quickly shook her head. “That’s not it at all.”

“He helped me find my keys. I want to properly thank him,” Lucy explained, showing her keys.

“Okay, I’ll tell him when I see him,” Mirajane said, dropping the subject.

“Hmm? Laxus?” Finn noticed Laxus entering.

“Yo, Laxus, long time no see,” Finn greeted him.

Laxus, carrying a backpack, surveyed the area with displeasure.

“It’s you, Finn. Long time no see,” Laxus put his bag down and sat.

“This is embarrassing. The guild’s destroyed, and Phantom Lord looked down on us,” Laxus said, clenching his fists.

“You destroyed many of their branches, right? You should be over it,” Finn said.

“Huh? Where’d you hear that? I don’t care about your business,” Laxus said, looking away.

Finn smiled. “Mystogan told me. You’re still the same.”

“Hmph, it’s because this guild has too many weaklings,” Laxus glared at Levy, Wendy, and Gajeel.

Laxus’s voice was loud, silencing the crowd.

“Say that again!!” Erza yelled.

Laxus stood, looking at the crowd. “I’ll make this clear.”

“This guild doesn’t need weaklings,” he glared at Levy, Wendy, and Gajeel. “Embarrassing, looked down on by Phantom Lord.”

Levy, Wendy, and Gajeel bowed their heads.

Laxus turned to Lucy. “And you, the heiress who only uses Celestial Spirits, caused this…”

“Enough, Laxus. You’ve gone too far,” Finn grabbed Laxus’s arm.

“It’s over. There’s no right or wrong,” Finn said sternly.

“Huh? Finn, don’t you understand? This guild is weak, so people look down on us,” Laxus said, staring at Finn.

Laxus’s face was full of anger. “Weakness is a sin, Finn.”

“Laxus, shut up,” Natsu, unable to contain himself any longer, charged forward, his fist ablaze, aiming a blow at Laxus.

Laxus smirked, transforming into lightning and disappearing from the spot, leaving Natsu swinging at empty air.

“Huh?” Lucy was surprised by Laxus’s speed.

“Laxus, fight me, you heartless guy,” Natsu said, clenching his fist.

“You can’t even touch me,” Laxus laughed. “When I inherit the guild, I’ll eliminate all the weaklings.”

“I’ll create the strongest guild, one no one dares look down on,” Laxus said, lost in his fantasy.

Finn stepped in front of Laxus. “That’s a boring guild. If that’s your goal, I’ll stop you,” Finn stared at him.

“The guild is everyone’s, not just yours.”

Laxus stopped joking. “Then try. We haven’t fought in a while.”

“I’m curious to see how far you’ve come. Want to try?” They stared at each other, magical power surging.

Boom~~ An invisible pressure filled the room, overturning chairs and tables.

“This magical power…” Lucy covered her mouth, having sensed Finn’s power from afar during the battle with Phantom Lord, but never this directly. Now, she felt the suffocating pressure.

“Tsk tsk, both are monsters,” Gray said.

The pressure subsided.

“Cut it out. Not yet. But we will fight,” Laxus said, turning away.

“Bound by weak comrades, you can’t beat me,” Laxus said, his back to Finn.

Finn shook his head. “My view’s opposite. Comrades make me stronger. I’ll show you.”

“Comrades? Boring,” Laxus vanished in a flash of lightning.

“Inheriting? What a boast,” Lucy muttered.

“He’s not wrong. Laxus is the Master’s grandson,” Mirajane said.

“Eh?” Lucy was surprised.

“So, if the Master retires, Laxus will likely be the next Master,” Mirajane said.

“But I can’t accept someone who thinks like that as Master,” Lucy said.

Mirajane stroked her chin. “Or Finn.”

“Really?” Lucy asked.

Mirajane nodded. “The Master’s been training Finn.”

“I see,” Lucy tilted her head, imagining Finn as Master.

“Finn would be a great Master. He values his comrades.”

Mirajane smiled. “But Finn doesn’t want to. He always refuses when the Master wants to train him.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t like restrictions,” Lucy nodded.

Finn approached Levy and the others.

He said softly, “Ignore him. His mouth is worse than anyone’s.”

Levy nodded with a wry smile. “I know. We are weak.”

Finn sighed, stroking Levy’s blue hair.

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