The audience erupted into a deafening roar of excitement.
The Fairy Tail members turned to look at Kael.
"The 'strongest guild' title? Half the ticket revenue? Did you really arrange all that?"
Gray asked.
"I didn't say anything about the money. The commentator is just ad-libbing to hype the crowd."
Kael shrugged.
[The rules are simple!]
Chapati's voice boomed. [Both sides will send one contestant at a time for a series of one-on-one battles. This is a six-on-six elimination match. The first side to run out of fighters loses!]
[And the prize? Besides the title of the strongest guild in Fiore, the winner takes home half of the ticket revenue—a staggering 20 million Jewels!!]
"20 million Jewels?!"
Makarov's eyes practically turned into currency symbols. That was nearly enough to build a brand-new—better—guild hall!
"Brats! Beat them into the dirt!"
The Master roared, his earlier hesitation completely gone. "We're bringing that money home!"
"YEAH!!"
[Now, let the first match begin! Contestants, enter the arena!!]
"I'm going first!!"
Before the announcement even finished, Natsu sprinted into the center of the ring.
"Natsu, wait!"
Gray shouted. "That idiot! He's too impulsive! He didn't even wait to see who he was fighting!"
Gray couldn't stand Natsu's lack of a plan, but Natsu didn't care. After being mocked by Gajeel and Jose earlier, he was practically vibrating with the need to hit something.
"Get out here, you Phantom Lord bastards!"
Natsu yelled, flames bursting from his head like a volcanic crown.
[Fairy Tail sends out Natsu Dragneel! How will Phantom Lord respond?]
"A Fire Wizard, is he? How perfect,"
Jose said, a cold smirk playing on his lips. He turned to one of his elite members. "Go. Strike hard. I don't care if you kill him. Show this audience how massive the gap is between us and that trash."
"Understood."
[Oh! Phantom Lord is sending out Totomaru of the Element 4!!]
A man dressed like a samurai stepped into the light. He carried a katana at his waist, and his hair was split into black and white sections, tied high in a ponytail.
"Ooh!!"
The crowd cheered. Unlike Natsu, who was relatively unknown to the general public, the Element 4 were famous throughout the kingdom.
"They sent a Fire Wizard against Natsu?"
Lucy asked, eyes lighting up. "That's basically a free win. Natsu eats fire!"
The rest of Fairy Tail grew confident as well. Natsu was a Fire Dragon Slayer—the natural predator of fire magic.
[Both sides are ready!]
[Fairy Tail vs. Phantom Lord: Match 1!]
[BEGIN!!]
CLANG!!
The gong rang out, and the fight was on.
"I've got you now!!"
Natsu charged, his fists wreathed in roaring flames.
POW!
"Gah!!"
Before Natsu could reach his opponent, his own fist suddenly veered off course and slammed directly into his own face.
"Whaaa?!"
Natsu spun through the air and tumbled across the stone floor.
"Natsu!"
The guild members were stunned. "What happened? Why did he hit himself?"
"It must be his magic,"
Kael muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Natsu scrambled up, confused but undeterred. He reignited his fists and lunged again.
"Take this!!"
Suddenly, the flames on his hands swirled out of control, wrapping around his arms and pinning them to his sides. Totomaru seized the moment, rushing in and driving a knee hard into Natsu's stomach.
"Ugh!"
Natsu was sent tumbling back again.
"I am Totomaru,"
The samurai said calmly. "I am the master of the fire element. I control all flames. Whether they are yours or from nature itself, once they are in my presence, they belong to me."
"Shut up! My flames are mine!"
Natsu shouted.
"It's your bad luck to be a Fire Wizard today. Blue Fire!!"
Totomaru waved his hand, sending a blast of brilliant blue flames toward Natsu.
Natsu grinned.
"Fire? For me? Thanks!"
He opened his mouth wide and inhaled the entire blast in a few massive gulps.
The audience gasped.
"He… he ate it?!"
"Ooh! So cold!"
Natsu shivered, rubbing his arms. "It's like eating spicy ice cream!"
"I see… you're the Fire Dragon Slayer,"
Totomaru said, finally recognizing him. "It seems we're a bad match for each other."
"Oh? You think so?"
"Fire cannot hurt either of us,"
Totomaru explained. "No matter what magic you use, as long as it involves fire, I can manipulate it."
"Don't be so sure. You haven't tasted my real power yet."
"I told you, it's useless."
"Fine! Then try this! Fire Dragon's…"
Natsu puffed out his cheeks.
Totomaru raised his hands, preparing to seize control of the coming fireball. He knew exactly what was coming—or so he thought.
"SPIT!!"
Natsu launched a massive glob of saliva directly into Totomaru's face.
"Hahahaha!"
Natsu doubled over, laughing at the successful prank.
"Disgusting!"
Totomaru growled, wiping his face in a rage. "You little brat… you'll pay for that! Orange Fire!!"
Totomaru unleashed a wave of orange flames. Natsu, eager to recharge, opened his mouth to eat.
"Fire again? What flavor this time?"
The moment the fire touched his face, a horrific, nauseating stench filled the air.
"Gah! What is that?! It reeks! My nose is gonna fall off!"
Natsu clutched his nose and rolled on the ground, gagging.
"Hahaha! That is my stinky fire,"
Totomaru mocked.
"Your taste in magic is garbage!"
Natsu yelled.
"You started it!"
"That's it! I'm taking you down!"
Natsu ditched the fire magic and charged in with his bare fists.
"Giving up on magic? Fine. I have a sword; you have nothing!"
Totomaru drew his katana, its blade gleaming. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, forcing Natsu onto the defensive.
Chased around the ring, Natsu finally tried to ignite his fist for a counterpunch.
"Idiot,"
Totomaru sneered, raising his hand to turn Natsu's fist back against him.
But this time, the flames didn't budge.
"What?!"
Totomaru's eyes widened. "I can't take control? Did he… figure out how to resist me in the middle of a fight?"
"I've got your number now,"
Natsu growled, his flames turning a deep, intense red. "Your 'control' is just a suggestion. These flames belong to me!"
Natsu's fist glowed with terrifying heat.
"Now… grit your teeth!"