"Wow. I didn't expect them to be able to use Unison Raid."
On the Fairy Tail stands, the sharp-eyed Future Mavis immediately recognized that ability, one that many mages spent their entire lives failing to master.
It demanded extreme coordination between the magic users. The slightest deviation would cause it to fail.
"They're pretty impressive. Stacked together like that, the power at least doubles. No, perhaps even more."
Mavis sat on the railing, swinging her legs back and forth, watching the live broadcast screen intently.
There, the orb of light taking shape in Future Sting and Future Rogue's hands was stabilizing. The chaotic winds suddenly died down, and the debris suspended in the air began to fall.
Magic power condensing inward, concentrating on a single point, was a sign of a perfectly executed Unison Raid.
Hearing the two founders' explanation, Future Macao and the others behind them were startled, their faces unconsciously showing concern.
From the battle so far, it was clear just how powerful those two Sabertooth Dragon Slayers were.
Though Natsu and Gajeel from the other world had been handling themselves with ease throughout, could they really withstand an attack multiplied several times over?
Especially since those two idiots didn't get along!
"Um, Third Master."
Mavis twitched her elven ears, looking at Makarov with great curiosity. "What do you think they'll do in this situation?"
"Ah, well..." Makarov stammered.
In front of the guild's founder, Old Makarov still wanted to save face. He found it difficult to voice what he really thought.
"Oh my! Facing the Unison Raid from Sting and Rogue, Natsu and Gajeel have finally stopped fighting!"
Fortunately, Chapati's passionate commentary came just in time to save him. "Have they sensed the danger and are about to counter with a fiery combination attack of their own?!"
At that, Yajima silently shot him a knowing look. I think you're expecting too much.
"What?! Natsu and Gajeel are just standing there, showing absolutely no intention of counterattacking or dodging!!"
Following Chapati's incredulous gaze, the big screen showed Natsu and Gajeel standing side by side.
Their postures were almost identical. Hands hanging at their sides, chests out, heads up, staring straight ahead.
Beneath their unwavering, fearless expressions, one could barely detect a trace of panic.
Here's what had happened:
The two arguing idiots had been shocked by the aura of the Unison Raid.
Gajeel arrogantly stepped forward, declaring that he alone could block an attack of this level.
Natsu naturally wouldn't accept that. He argued that as teammates, Gajeel should be the one to fall back to a safer position.
The two nearly came to blows over it.
In the end, somehow, Natsu's little brain came up with an idea. "Fine then. We'll stand right here and not move. Whoever dodges first is a low-level Dragon Slayer!"
"Fine by me! You think I'm scared?!" Gajeel accepted the challenge without a second thought.
And now.
Feeling Future Sting and Future Rogue's magic power climbing higher and higher, both idiots looked calm on the surface, but internally they were panicking.
Gajeel's eyes shifted slightly toward Natsu. He comforted himself: It's fine. Before their attack hits, as long as the fire dragon moves first, I can dodge!
As luck would have it, Natsu was thinking the exact same thing.
And so.
"HOLY SHADOW DRAGON FLASH FANG!!"
Future Sting and Future Rogue shouted in unison, punching forward simultaneously, releasing all the merged magic power they had accumulated to the limit. A black-and-white energy storm exploded, crushing everything in its path like a tidal wave. In an instant, it was right in front of Natsu and Gajeel, completely filling their field of vision!
Time suddenly slowed to a crawl.
Frame one: Natsu and Gajeel locked their peripheral vision on each other's ankles.
Frame two: The light of Holy Shadow Dragon Flash Fang illuminated their faces. Their pupils began to contract.
Frame three: They could no longer maintain their composure. Though their feet remained planted, their upper bodies instinctively leaned backward.
Frame four: Holy Shadow Dragon Flash Fang was right in their faces. Their eyes, noses, and mouths seemed to have minds of their own, retreating toward the backs of their heads. Their expressions were absolutely priceless.
Frame five: BOOM!!
A chaotic pillar of light shot skyward. The massive explosion shook the entire arena!
Even the residual shockwave alone shattered the defensive barrier that nearly a hundred guards had constructed with all their might!
After the terrifying commotion, only one magic camera remained operational.
As the lens zoomed in, through the thinning dust, the stunned audience could finally make out the scene inside.
The area was in complete ruins. Debris occasionally tumbled from the edges with crisp echoes.
In the cracked center, Natsu and Gajeel lay flat on the ground. Opposite them, Future Sting and Future Rogue were gasping for breath.
In an instant, the entire arena fell into dead silence.
The victor...
Seemed pretty clear already?
Just as the Pumpkin Head referee was about to announce the result, the two prone figures suddenly twitched.
"Ow ow ow—that hurts!" Natsu stood up, covered in dust.
"I must be insane to have agreed to this with you bastard!" Gajeel felt a wave of after-fear.
The moment Holy Shadow Dragon Flash Fang hit, their bodies' defensive mechanisms had activated passively, coating them with protective magic power.
Even so, that had been Future Sting and Future Rogue's full-power, all-out attack.
The two had inevitably taken some damage—all because of that damn competitive pride between men.
Good news: they had proven with action that they weren't low-level Dragon Slayers.
Bad news: it really hurt!
"Th-This is insane! That was our full power!" Future Sting shouted in disbelief.
"Holy Shadow Dragon Flash Fang... could only inflict this much damage..."
Future Rogue stumbled and collapsed to the ground. "The gap between us... was this wide all along..."
At last, Sabertooth's twin dragons realized the cruel reality and felt deep despair.
But soon, Lector and Frosch's desperate cheers from the stands reignited their spirits.
After a brief flashback, they activated their white and shadow forms once more!
"For... for the promise I made to Lector, I... absolutely cannot lose!"
"Frosch... I... I can still fight!"
In their eyes, Natsu and Gajeel saw unwavering conviction and unyielding fighting spirit.
Unlike Future Minerva, who only cared about being the strongest, the resolve to fight for their comrades couldn't be faked.
"Bring it on!" Natsu channeled his magic power, smiled, and beckoned to his opponents.
"Kihi. Now this is what a Dragon Slayer should look like~" Gajeel's lips curled upward.
It was only at this moment that they finally acknowledged their opponents, shedding all their earlier contempt.
Then, blazing red flames erupted with searing heat. Dragon Fang Greatsword's runes flashed with cold light.
"Destruction Fire Dragon / Dragon Slayer Swordsman Mode!!"
In response, both simultaneously activated their strongest Dragon Slayer forms!
The battle was over almost in the blink of an eye.
After their "power-up burst," Future Sting and Future Rogue couldn't even last a single exchange before both collapsed, unconscious.
Sabertooth's twin dragons had lost so quickly that the audience was left frozen in stunned disbelief.
Chapati hadn't even had time to commentate before a new battle broke out in an instant.
Natsu and Gajeel, who had been itching to go at each other, started brawling without a word!
Watching the two shoot into the sky and clash violently, Lucy was completely bewildered. "W-Wait, isn't the match already over?"
"The referee hasn't announced the result yet," Chase said matter-of-factly.
"Oh my, the Pumpkin Head looks like he's not quite satisfied yet~"
Mirajane raised her pale finger and pointed at the referee, who was looking up with great enjoyment.
"What kind of selfish reasoning is that?!" Lucy shouted.
"Alright! Then I declare—next up is the super, super exciting Fairy Tail Teams A and B Twin Dragon Showdown!!" Chapati grabbed the microphone and shouted with passion.
"OOOOOHHH!!" The audience cheered.
"We've already merged teams! Have you no professional integrity?!" Lucy shouted very loudly.
"Go Natsu! Beat Gajeel and we'll overtake their score!"
"Don't lose to Team A, Gajeel! Juvia's happiness depends on you!"
"A real man fights for his team's honor!"
"How can even you, Erza—fine! I don't care anymore! Go get him, Natsu! Beat him up!!"
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!