Fairy Tail: The Divine Soul

Four years had passed since Ryuu Kurogane had accepted the quest to face the Five Divine Dragons. He now sat on the roof of the First Guild's castle, his appearance noticeably altered. His pale blue hair was slicked back, with a single strand elegantly falling across his face. He wore a fitted black military-style jacket adorned with subtle details, accentuating his charisma and athletic build. Over it, a black hooded cape lined with fur rested on his shoulders, billowing lightly in the cold wind. Black gloves and fur-trimmed boots completed his striking attire.

Perched at the edge of the roof, his feet swinging over the void, Ryuu gazed out at the snow-covered landscape and the vast forests of the northern continent. To his left, the towering stone dragon statue seemed almost alive, its gaze fixed on the horizon.

The silence was broken by a deep, familiar voice. The white dragon, now in his human form, approached Ryuu, leaning on his intricately carved magical staff.

"So, Ryuu, what do you plan to do now? Four years... and yet you've failed to defeat even one of the Five Divine Dragons. True, you've taken down many of their minions, but that is far from enough."

Ryuu, now more mature and composed, smirked, his eyes gleaming with unshakable resolve.

"I know… Those Divine Dragons are monsters. As confident as I was, I have to admit I'm still far from strong enough to take them on alone."

He slowly turned his head toward the old man, his serious gaze contrasting with his playful grin.

"That's why I'm going back to Fairy Tail."

The old man raised an eyebrow.

"You're giving up? After all this time?"

Ryuu burst into laughter, a sound brimming with confidence.

"Giving up? Me? Not a chance. I'm heading back to the guild to build a team strong enough to help me—and find a Dragon Slayer who can stand up to those beasts. Once I've got that, I'll come back here. And this time, it'll be different."

The old man nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Very well… But remember, Ryuu. If you truly wish to defeat the Five Divine Dragons, you'll need to master your most powerful form."

Ryuu narrowed his eyes, intrigued yet serious.

"Mahoraga, huh… I know. But that form is still unstable. If I unleash it completely, I risk destroying everything—even my allies. I need more training before I can control it."

The old man observed him silently before letting out a faint sigh.

"Very well. Do as you will. But know this—if you succeed, no one will be able to stop you… not even the Divine Dragons themselves."

Ryuu stood up, dusting off his cape before stepping toward the edge of the roof. He glanced back at the old man one last time, a confident smile on his face.

"Keep the castle in order for my return, old man. I'll be back with a dream team, and we'll take down those scaly bastards once and for all."

With an agile leap, he jumped from the roof, his figure plunging gracefully into the void. He landed on the snowy ground in front of the castle, his boots sinking slightly into the frost. Without turning back, he raised a hand in farewell.

"See you around, old man. Stay alive till then."

As he walked away, his silhouette gradually disappeared into the snowy horizon. The old man remained standing, his gaze fixed on Ryuu's retreating form.

"One day… that boy will master Mahoraga. And on that day, he will become a force even the Divine Dragons will fear."

And so, Ryuu departed the castle, leaving behind years of relentless battle and memories etched into the ancient stones of the northern lands.

Two weeks after leaving the castle, Ryuu finally arrived in Magnolia. The setting sun bathed the city in a golden light, and a faint smile appeared on his lips as he spotted the familiar guild building. But true to himself, he decided to make an unconventional entrance.

Climbing up the side wall, he discreetly opened the window to Makarov's office and slipped inside. Once in the room, he settled into the master's chair, casually propping his feet on the desk. His mischievous grin was ever-present, with his hood still pulled over his head.

A few moments later, the door slowly creaked open. Makarov entered, his eyes immediately landing on Ryuu, lounging nonchalantly.

"Ryuu…?!" he exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face.

"Hey there, old man!" Ryuu greeted with his usual grin, sticking his tongue out slightly.

Makarov froze, overwhelmed by emotion, before bursting into tears and rushing over to embrace him. "Welcome back, kid! We missed you so much!"

Ryuu let out a small laugh. "Hey, take it easy, Master! I'm still in one piece."

Makarov pulled back slightly, wiping his tears. "Tell me, how did your mission go?"

Ryuu's expression turned a bit more serious as he leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Honestly, it was tough. Really tough. Those Divine Dragons... they're on a whole other level. I thought I could handle it alone, but the truth is, I'm nowhere near strong enough to face them yet. Even their underlings were a huge challenge."

Makarov nodded thoughtfully, his expression somber. "And now? Why have you returned?"

"To gather some comrades," Ryuu replied, his grin slowly returning.

The master raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "When do you plan to leave again?"

"When I'm ready," Ryuu declared, his tone calm but resolute.

Makarov studied Ryuu for a moment before asking the burning question: "And who do you plan to take with you?"

With his trademark confident smile, Ryuu simply replied, "Natsu."

Makarov's eyes widened in surprise. "Just Natsu? Why him?"

Ryuu shrugged. "Because he's Natsu. Stubborn, reckless, and loves to fight. That's exactly the kind of person I need for this type of mission."

Makarov remained silent for a moment, then turned away with a slight smile. "Very well. If that's what you want, I won't argue. But it's time for everyone to know you've returned."

Ryuu quickly stood up, raising a hand to stop him. "No, not yet. I don't want the others to know I'm here. Not just yet."

Makarov turned to him, intrigued. "Why not?"

Ryuu lowered his hood slightly, his gaze glinting with familiar mischief. "I just want to observe everyone in the guild, see how they're doing… while staying in the shadows. Like a ninja."

Makarov sighed, but an amused smile crossed his face. "You really haven't changed… Fine. I'll keep your secret for now. But don't take too long. They'll be happy to see you."

Ryuu nodded. "Thanks, old man. I promise, I'll show myself when the time is right."

Ryuu pulled his hood slightly to hide his grin, then, before leaving, said in a playful tone:

"I'll show myself when the time is right... Nin-nin!"

Without waiting for Makarov's reaction, he leaped out of the office window and quickly headed for another, even higher window. With impressive agility, he grabbed onto the ledge and opened the shutters, slipping inside effortlessly.

Once inside, he found himself in a room filled with books, with towering shelves lining the walls. The dim light gave the room an almost mystical atmosphere, but true to himself, Ryuu paid it no mind. He crossed the room in a few steps and quietly opened another door.

Exiting, he found himself on the top floor of the guild. The floor was nearly empty, with nothing but a series of stairs leading down to the lower levels. Ryuu glanced around, and a playful smile lit up his face.

"No need for stairs," he murmured before jumping onto one of the wooden beams that supported the guild's roof.

With nimble steps, he walked to the center of the main pillar, overlooking the vast hall below. From there, he had a clear view of the entire guild, though no one seemed to notice his presence. He sat on the edge of the beam, letting his legs dangle freely in the air.

Ryuu watched the members of Fairy Tail in silence, his mischievous smile still intact. "Nin-nin. Mission accomplished," he murmured to himself, amused by his own antics.

From up high, he could see the lively tables, the bursts of laughter, and the typical bickering of the guild. Natsu was already in the middle of a fight with Gray, their magical attacks creating a chaotic scene in the main hall. Erza, true to her nature, watched the scene with a stern expression, ready to intervene at any moment if things went too far. Happy, perched on a beam slightly below Ryuu, was munching on a fish without a care, ignoring the ruckus around him.

Ryuu did nothing but observe them, a mix of nostalgia and curiosity in his gaze. It had been years since he last witnessed this sight, and despite his desire to remain in the shadows, he couldn't help but feel a familiar warmth seeing his "family" in their usual lively state.

From the corner of his eye, Makarov, still in his office, spotted Ryuu sitting on the beam. He made no sound to avoid drawing attention to him, but a wide smile stretched across his face.

"That kid... Still as unpredictable as ever. He really is back," the master murmured to himself, his voice tinged with relief and pride.

Ryuu, unaware that Makarov was watching him, continued to swing his legs, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "They haven't changed… Still as noisy," he said softly, a fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

And so, he remained there, invisible to everyone, observing the guild with quiet satisfaction, savoring this moment he had been longing for.

For an entire week, Ryuu spent his days observing the guild from the top of the central pillar, changing positions every day. Sometimes, he lay on his back, arms crossed behind his head, a blade of grass in his mouth. Other times, he crouched like a ninja, ready to leap at any moment. He relished his role as a silent observer, keeping a watchful eye on his comrades' activities.

But one day, as he lightly dozed, arms crossed and legs swinging, he was awakened by a loud, familiar voice.

"We're back!" Natsu shouted as he burst into the guild, with Happy flying joyfully at his side.

The Dragon Slayer had barely stepped through the door before he was already yelling at another mage, apparently upset by some rumor they had told him. Tensions quickly escalated, and before anyone could intervene, a massive brawl erupted in the guild. Tables flew, spells were cast, and Fairy Tail's typical chaos filled the room within moments.

Happy, unfazed by the commotion, floated up into the air with a big grin. "I'm going to get some fish~ Aye!" he said, flying off casually.

Near the entrance, a blonde girl stood frozen, completely stunned by the scene before her. She seemed both fascinated and a little frightened by what she saw. Mira, standing behind the bar, noticed the newcomer and approached her with a warm smile.

"Hello, you must be new here. I'm Mirajane, nice to meet you! What's your name?"

The blonde, hesitant but polite, replied, "My name is Lucy… Lucy Heartfilia. I came here to join Fairy Tail."

Mira's smile grew even warmer, reassuring. "Welcome, Lucy. Don't worry about all this; it's just a normal day here."

Meanwhile, Ryuu, still perched on his pillar, watched the scene below with amusement. But he quickly lost interest in the exchange between Mira and Lucy, choosing instead to focus on the fight.

"Alright, that's it… Ninja Ryuu is going into action!" he whispered excitedly.

Without warning, he leapt from the pillar, performing a spectacular spin before landing directly on Natsu, who was wrestling with Gray.

"Nin-nin!" Ryuu exclaimed with a wide grin, sticking his tongue out before delivering quick, precise strikes to his guildmates while adopting exaggerated ninja poses with every move.

"Ryuu! You're going to get it!" growled Natsu, annoyed at being caught off guard.

"Catch me if you can, you wannabe dragon! Nin-nin!" Ryuu replied, dodging a punch and leaping onto another table.

The fight became even more chaotic with Ryuu's arrival. He kept shouting "Nin-nin!" with every attack, adding an absurdly comical touch to the brawl. Other guild members, already caught in the turmoil, happily joined in, turning the main hall into a full-blown battlefield.

But suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over the room, and a thunderous voice silenced everyone.

"That's enough! You're going to destroy the guild!"

Makarov, in his giant form, stood at the center of the hall, towering over everyone with his imposing stature. Instantly, the mages stopped fighting, catching their breath while avoiding the master's stern gaze.

Once order was restored, Makarov returned to his normal size and turned to Lucy, who was watching the scene with wide eyes. He gave her a kind smile.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail, young lady. We may be a bit… chaotic, but you'll see—we're a real family here."

Lucy nodded timidly, still a bit shaken by what she had just witnessed.

As everyone began recovering from the fight, all eyes turned to Ryuu, who, true to his nature, had pulled his hood over his head and crouched on a wooden beam, arms crossed and face half-hidden.

"Nothing to see here. Just a ninja on a secret mission. Nin-nin," he said in a low voice, a mischievous grin on his face.

A perplexed silence filled the guild, followed by a collective burst of laughter. Some recognized Ryuu, while others simply wondered who this strange character was. But for Ryuu, it was all part of the fun.

Makarov, still amused, glanced up at him with a smirk. "That kid hasn't changed a bit," he murmured to himself, happy to see Ryuu reclaiming his place among them.

As Ryuu remained crouched on the beam, observing the guild with a mischievous smile, he noticed several gazes turning in his direction. Those who knew him well were frozen, their faces betraying surprise and disbelief.

"Ryuu?!" Gray exclaimed, abruptly rising from his chair, his expression wavering between shock and confusion.

Whispers began to ripple through the guild. It had been four years since Ryuu had vanished without a trace. Some had thought he would never return, but here he was, as if he had never left.

Mira, who was behind the counter serving Lucy, gently set down her tray and slowly walked toward Ryuu, her face unusually neutral. The guild members watched the scene in curious silence, waiting to see what would happen.

Ryuu, seeing Mira approaching, leapt down from the beam with an agile motion, landing gracefully in front of her, his cheeky grin firmly in place.

"Hey, Mira. Long time no see, huh?" he said, sticking his tongue out slightly, true to his habit.

Mira stopped in front of him, her gaze unreadable. Then, without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap that echoed throughout the room.

Ryuu, caught off guard but remaining still, simply rubbed his cheek with a grimace. Mira, without saying a word, turned on her heel and walked back toward the counter, her expression unreadable.

A heavy silence fell over the guild. Ryuu stood motionless for a moment, his smile gone, replaced by a serious look no one had ever seen on him before. But quickly, he returned to his mischievous demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

"Ow… still as strong as ever, Mira," he muttered with a grin.

Before he could say anything else, Natsu leapt toward him, a wide grin on his face and his fists ablaze.

"Ryuu! You're back! That means we can finally fight, right?!" he shouted, throwing a punch at him.

Ryuu easily dodged, jumping back. "Still as impatient as ever, Natsu. But if you really want to fight, you'd better be ready to lose!"

"You talk too much!" Natsu replied with a laugh, following up with a fiery attack.

What could have been a friendly duel quickly escalated into a massive brawl. Tables were sent flying, spells were hurled recklessly, and the guild descended into complete chaos.

Ryuu, in the midst of it all, laughed loudly, dodging attacks while retaliating with exaggerated ninja-like movements. With every hit, he proudly exclaimed, "Nin-nin! Mission accomplished!"

Lucy, who was watching the scene from the counter, approached Mira with an incredulous expression. "Uh… is it always like this here?" she asked, visibly overwhelmed.

Mira gave her an amused smile, having regained her usual calm demeanor. "Oh yes, this is a normal day at Fairy Tail. But with Ryuu back, things are bound to get even… more lively."

Lucy watched as Ryuu leapt onto a table to dodge one of Gray's attacks, then pretended to throw an invisible shuriken in retaliation. "This is… incredible," she murmured, astonished by the sheer energy radiating through the guild.

Makarov, seated in a corner, let out a deep sigh as he surveyed the state of the guild. "These fools… They're really going to destroy everything."

Taking a deep breath, he shifted into his gigantic form, instantly silencing the entire guild.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! You idiots are going to wreck the guild before Lucy even has a chance to settle in!" he bellowed.

As Makarov yelled to put an end to the massive brawl, a heavy silence fell over the guild. All the mages froze in place, terrified by the crushing authority of their master. But amidst the tense quiet, a burst of laughter echoed, breaking the dramatic atmosphere.

Ryuu was sitting on an overturned table, doubled over with laughter, his mischievous smile wider than ever. "You really scare everyone, old man, it's hilarious!" he exclaimed, pointing at the guild members frozen like statues.

Happy, flapping his wings to get closer to Ryuu, quickly flew to hide behind him, trembling slightly. "Aye! Ryuu, protect me! Makarov is scary when he's mad!"

"Protect you? Me? Don't worry, Happy. He's got nothing on a ninja like me. Nin-nin!" Ryuu replied, sticking his tongue out.

Makarov frowned, but before he could react, Ryuu leapt toward the guild's front door. "This place is way too funny, but I need some fresh air. I'll be back—have fun without me!" he said with a laugh, quickly heading out the door.

"RYUU!" Natsu shouted, a wide grin on his face. "Get back here! We're not done with our fight!" He dashed after him, fists already ablaze.

"You wish, Natsu!" Gray yelled, running after him with outstretched arms. "Leave Ryuu alone! He's way too strong for you! If anyone's going to fight him, it's me!"

"What?! Not a chance, you walking ice cube!" Natsu retorted, glaring furiously at Gray.

The entire guild burst into laughter as the three mages stormed out, shouting and jostling each other. Even the most serious members couldn't help but smile at this typical Fairy Tail scene.

Makarov, on the other hand, stood up abruptly, his face a mix of anger and exasperation. "Those idiots!" he growled. "They're going to destroy half of Magnolia if I let them!"

He suddenly took off after them, running faster than one would expect for a man his size. "Get back here, you fools! If you break anything, I'm deducting the repairs from your mission rewards!"

In the streets of Magnolia, Ryuu continued running and laughing, his laughter echoing between the buildings. "You'll never catch me! I'm a ninja—nin-nin!" he shouted, jumping onto a fence to evade Natsu, who was trying to grab him.

"Stop running and fight me!" Natsu roared, flames crackling around his fists.

"Never! Ninjas don't face dragons head-on; they strike from the shadows!" Ryuu teased, dodging another attack.

Gray, meanwhile, groaned as he saw Natsu still ahead of him. "Move, flame brain! You don't even know how to fight properly!" he yelled, firing a blast of ice at Ryuu, who dodged it with an agile leap.

As the chaos spilled into Magnolia's streets, the townsfolk, well accustomed to Fairy Tail's antics, watched the scene with amusement. "Ah, it's been a while since we've seen this kind of madness," murmured a merchant, shaking his head with a smile.

Makarov finally arrived on the scene, out of breath but still furious. Raising his fist in the air, he bellowed, "Ryuu! Natsu! Gray! If you keep this up, I swear you're ALL spending a week cleaning the guild by hand!"

Ryuu paused for a moment to glance at Makarov with an amused smile, then turned to Natsu and Gray. "Alright, guys, the old man's losing his patience. If you don't want him turning us into mop boys, you'd better start running! Nin-nin!"

Before Natsu or Gray could react, Ryuu leapt onto a nearby rooftop and disappeared into the heights of the city, leaving his two pursuers glaring at each other in frustration.

"He's mocking us!" Gray growled.

"I'm going to kick his butt when I catch him!" Natsu shouted before the two resumed their chase under Makarov's exasperated gaze.

"These brats… One day, they're going to drive me insane," the master muttered, turning back toward the guild as chaos continued to spread through the town.