Amid the fierce battles shaking Tenrou Island, Natsu continued his intense duel with Azuma.
Boom––!!
A massive tremor rippled across the land – the second time such an earth-shaking impact had occurred. Anyone who could sense magic felt an immense power emanating from the blast's center.
"What terrifying magic!" Natsu muttered in awe.
"Aye!" Happy chimed in.
"That's some incredible power," Pantherlily noted, unsettled. "If that mage had appeared in Edolas, our entire kingdom would've been helpless. I thought only someone like Su Yan was strong enough to challenge an entire country."
Carla shuddered. "Is this the dreadful premonition I had?"
Azuma, facing off with Natsu, narrowed his eyes. "That's clearly the President's magic—Hades's. Odd, though… Seems like Bluenote's involved too. Who on this island could possibly force both President Hades and Bluenote to join forces?"
Natsu's eyes lit up. "Must be Su Yan!"
"Su Yan… the 'Undying Demon King?'" Azuma repeated. He knew of Fairy Tail's top powers. Fairy Tail was said to be the strongest official guild in Ishgar, and Su Yan was infamous across the continent. But he hadn't expected Hades would need help against him.
Happy piped up, "Aye, that's Su Yan for sure. He'll clobber you invaders real soon!"
Azuma simply shook his head. "You don't understand the true depths of the President's power." He himself knew Hades's greatest secret—an ability he believed no one could resist. "But none of that matters. The plan is already in motion. Fairy Tail stands no chance."
Suddenly, a voice cut in, accompanied by a "Woo-hee-hee-hee!!" laughter.
Zancrow appeared, black flames dancing across his hands. "I felt a scorching power here, and yep—found Azuma fighting someone else!"
"Zancrow," Azuma said flatly. "Why've you come?"
Zancrow gave a cruel grin. "I want a fight of my own. Not many Fairy Tail members left around, so I'm staking my claim here."
Azuma glowered. He was enjoying testing himself against Natsu, but Zancrow's arrival complicated things. Yet, right then he sensed something else. Something forced him to frown. "I'll leave them to you for now, Zancrow. I have something else to handle."
"Heh, no problem." Zancrow smirked, licking his lips at Natsu. "I'll handle 'em all."
Azuma spared Natsu a final glance before vanishing into the forest.
"Hey, don't run away!" Natsu yelled, preparing to chase after him.
Fwoosh––!!
Black flames erupted in front of Natsu, blocking his path.
"Where do you think you're going?" Zancrow sneered. "He's mine. Now, Fire Dragon, time for some fun."
Meanwhile, back where Makarov and Su Yan confronted Hades:
Makarov's old heart clenched in worry when he saw the towering explosion from Hades's magic. "Su Yan…!"
But as the smoke thinned, Su Yan's figure reemerged, standing unscathed amid the debris.
"Impossible!" Hades snapped, eyes wild. "You shouldn't be alive after that attack!!"
He knew how formidable that spell was. Even he would be critically injured if caught in it. Yet here stood Su Yan, seemingly untouched.
Su Yan rolled his shoulders. "Mmph. Not like I'm totally unscathed, but it wasn't enough to beat me. Never had someone throw that kind of power at me, though."
Bluenote, nearby, felt a chill. Having tasted Su Yan's fist, he recognized the monstrous resilience of his foe.
Makarov released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The boy's physical capabilities had become even more ridiculous in the past three years. He remembered Su Yan giving even Gildarts a run for his money… But seeing him effortlessly handle Hades was beyond even Makarov's expectations. And Su Yan still hadn't used his Dragon Form.
Hades's eyes narrowed. "So you're the rumored Su Yan. I suppose Makarov's coddled a real monster. But don't get too smug, brat. You have yet to behold true power."
"Om—!!!"
Su Yan's Conqueror's Haki flared anew, forming a swirling purple aura that condensed into the shape of a dragon, circling around him. Then, with a silent gesture, he pointed at Hades.
ROAR—!!!
The giant draconic manifestation rushed toward Hades, rippling with raw willpower.
"Dark Chains!!" Hades roared. Ebon chains lashed out from the ground, tangling the Haki-dragon's limbs.
"Bluenote! Now!" Hades barked.
Grimacing at his bruised face, Bluenote raised his arms. "Gravity Crush!!" he bellowed, unleashing a tidal wave of force.
The unstoppable collision would decide if two of Grimoire Heart's strongest were enough to pin down Fairy Tail's fearsome champion.