Naruto x Fairy Tail: Fairy's Shadow

Bonus Chapters every 100 Power Stones

"Normal Dialogue"

'Inner thoughts'

[Year X791]

~ At the same time, with Fairy Tail ~

Fairy Tail's private training ground just outside of Magnolia had seen better days as several training dummies lay in pieces around the perimeter. Team Fairy Tail stood in a loose cluster, their bodies showing the clear signs of extended combat.

It had been a week since Makarov's announcement about Fairy Tail's participation in the X791 Grand Magic Games, and the current Team Fairy Tail had requested this sparring session to see exactly how they measured up against true S-class power.

The results had been severely humbling.

Laxus stood opposite them, looking like he'd just finished a light warm-up exercise. His breathing was steady, his posture relaxed, and there wasn't a single mark on his clothes. The disparity in their conditions told the entire story of how the match had gone.

"You've all grown considerably. Especially you, Romeo." Laxus said with genuine respect.

The teenager straightened at the praise, though his legs were clearly shaking with exhaustion. Romeo had thrown everything he had into the battle, pushing his Rainbow Fire magic to its limits and beyond. 

"But, if that is all that you can give on the offense, then I'm done playing defence. I'm going to attack now and if you can successfully defend against this one attack, I will concede victory to you." Laxus continued, electricity beginning to crackle around his body.

From the sidelines, the Thunder God Tribe exchanged glances. They'd been watching the entire sparring session, and they knew that this wasn't going to be an easy test.

"Don't worry about getting hurt," Laxus added with a slight smile. "The Thunder God Tribe will step in to protect you if you fail. Though I can't promise you won't feel it."

Evergreen, Bickslow, and Freed gave simultaneous thumbs up, their expressions mixing confidence with barely contained amusement.

Max wiped more sweat from his brow and managed a cocky smirk. "Don't underestimate us, Laxus. We might surprise you."

"I wouldn't dare," Laxus replied, his own smirk matching Max's confidence.

The Lightning Dragon Slayer settled into his stance, power building around him like a gathering storm. The air itself seemed to thicken with electrical energy, and the hair on everyone's arms stood on end. He took in a deep breath, and that was all he needed.

Lightning Dragon's Roar!

The attack erupted from Laxus as a massive torrent of lightning tore across the training ground, the very air seemed to sizzle and crack as the electrical energy raced toward them. Team Fairy Tail tensed, preparing to give everything they had left for their final defence. But before they could react, a figure appeared directly in front of them.

Earth Style: Mud Wall!

The ground erupted upward, forming a thick barrier of compressed earth that rose to meet Laxus's attack. The Lightning Dragon's Roar struck the wall with tremendous force, and for a moment, the two techniques were locked in a contest of pure power.

The wall held for several seconds before finally crumbling under the assault, but it had done its job. The attack was dispersed, its energy scattered harmlessly into the air.

Team Fairy Tail stared in shock, not at the wall that had saved them, but at the figure who had created it. They recognized that technique, that stance, that presence. It couldn't be, it should have been impossible, but there was no denying what they were seeing.

The Thunder God Tribe had a different reaction entirely. They were stunned by the sudden appearance of an unknown figure who had not only appeared from nowhere but had successfully blocked one of Laxus's attacks. 

Before anyone could react further, the mysterious figure vanished from sight entirely just as suddenly as he appeared.

Laxus was the first to sense the danger. Years of combat experience had honed his instincts to a razor's edge, and those instincts were screaming warnings now. He felt the presence behind him a split second too late as cold metal pressed against his throat.

The kunai drew a thin line of blood as it held steady against his neck.

"I don't like it when people attack my family…" A voice said from directly behind him.

The Thunder God Tribe exploded into action, their voices raised in alarm. "Laxus!" 

But it was Romeo who reacted with the most shock. His voice came out as barely a whisper, filled with disbelief. "Shisui…?"

"Who are you? What do you think you're doing on Fairy Tail ground?" Shisui demanded in a chillingly cold tone that sent a shiver down Laxus's back. 

Laxus's eyes narrowed, and lightning began to coat his body.

Ligtning Body!

Faster than most eyes could follow, he freed himself from the kunai's threat, spun around, and launched a devastating counterattack.

Lightning Dragon's Breakdown Fist!

The punch connected onto Shisui, but instead of the satisfying impact of flesh and bone, Laxus felt his fist pass through empty air. Where Shisui had been standing, there was now only a wooden log that splintered under the force of the blow.

Fire Style: Great Fireball!

The attack came from Laxus's left flank, a massive sphere of intense roaring flame. Laxus barely had time to raise his arms in defence before the fireball struck.

Unable to keep up with what was happening, the explosion that followed caused the Thunder God Tribe to worry as smoke billowed across the training ground. When it cleared, Laxus was still standing, though his arms bore the telltale marks of light burns where he'd blocked the attack.

The Lightning Dragon Slayer's mind raced as he assessed his opponent. The intensity of those flames had surpassed anything he'd experienced from Natsu, and the speed the fighter had displayed was exceptional. Even Laxus had to admit that he'd barely been able to track the movements.

'Those eyes… Just who is this…'

More concerning were the eyes. As Shisui and Laxus stood facing each other, both ready for the next exchange, Laxus found himself staring into crimson eyes unlike anything he'd ever seen. They were beautiful and terrifying at the same time, carrying with them a sense of untold power and perfect awareness.

The Thunder God Tribe had positioned themselves behind Laxus, but their leader raised a hand to stop them from advancing further.

"Don't get directly involved. I'm not sure I can defeat this newcomer, much less protect you from harm." He ordered tensely.

The admission sent a chill through his teammates. Laxus rarely acknowledged the limits of his own power, and the fact that he was doing so now spoke to the seriousness of the situation.

Privately, Laxus thought that his only chance of victory would require pushing himself to his absolute limit while alerting at the very least Mirajane and his grandfather. This unknown fighter was dangerous in ways that went beyond mere magical power.

The tension in the training ground only grew as the time passed. Laxus was ready to unleash everything he had, and the collateral damage was likely to be severe.

Meanwhile, Shisui's posture was relaxed. His confidance in his own abilities was at the level bordering arrogance.

But before either could make their move, Romeo's voice cut through the hostile atmosphere.

"Stop! They're Fairy Tail!"

~ End of Chapter 86 ~

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