Inside the second-floor conference room of the Fairy Tail guild hall.
Master Makarov and Warrod Sequen, one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, sat at the head of the long table. Flanking them were the core members designated to execute the final operation.
On one side sat the Fairy Tail mages: Little Goku, Erza, Laxus, and Mystogan.
On the other side were the external mages providing assistance: Ur, Ultear, Jellal, and Lyon.
"The location for this encirclement and suppression has been set at Tenrou Island," Makarov began, his voice heavy with gravity as he detailed the final plan. "Ultear will act as the lure to draw Hades and the primary members of Grimoire Heart to the island. Once they arrive, we will use a specialized Magic Formula combined with the natural power of Tenrou Island to seal the entire landmass."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the room. "We must ensure that not a single word of this leaks out. We will wipe out Hades and Grimoire Heart in one fell swoop."
This upcoming battle was destined to be a fierce one. If such a clash occurred anywhere else, it would undoubtedly result in a catastrophic disaster. Furthermore, the Magic Council would inevitably catch wind of it, inviting a mountain of subsequent legal trouble and interference.
Thus, the battlefield was chosen to be Tenrou Island—the sacred ground of the Fairy Tail guild.
Located far out at sea and shrouded by an incredibly high concentration of Magic Power (Ethernano), the island was nearly impossible for outsiders to monitor or detect. It was originally intended to be the site for the guild's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, but now, it would serve as the perfect stage to settle the score with Grimoire Heart.
Hades was, after all, the Second Master of Fairy Tail. For him to meet his end on Tenrou Island provided a certain poetic closure—a return to the beginning.
Furthermore, as a Nature-system mage, Warrod Sequen's power would be significantly bolstered by the presence of the Tenrou Tree, granting him a massive home-field advantage.
"Does anyone have any objections?" Makarov asked.
SLAM!
Laxus struck the table with his palm, his face contorted with a rage he had been suppressing for far too long.
"Is this a joke? Just because of these few outsiders—especially this one who was literally a mage from Grimoire Heart—we're going to stake everything on a decisive battle at Tenrou Island based on a few words from them?"
Laxus glared at his grandfather. "Old man, have you finally gone senile?"
His implication was crystal clear: he didn't trust Ultear for a second, nor did he trust these mages who weren't part of the Fairy Tail guild. If this entire setup turned out to be a trap, they wouldn't be the ones doing the encircling—they'd be the ones walking into a slaughterhouse.
To Laxus, his grandfather was indecisive and weak, constantly prattling on about "comrades" and "trust." The way Makarov treated every guild mage as "family" grated on his nerves.
Years ago, Laxus's own father—Makarov's biological son—had been cold-heartedly expelled from the guild. To Laxus, it seemed as though the "true" family meant less than the random mages in the hall. Since the Old Man could be ruthless enough to exile his own flesh and blood, Laxus believed the guild should be managed through the principle of "survival of the fittest." It should be ruled by the strong, governed with an iron fist.
Only by weeding out the weak could Fairy Tail truly become the strongest guild in the world.
"I'm not against wiping out Grimoire Heart," Laxus growled, "but the accuracy of the intel must be verified. Hand these outsiders over to me. Me and the Thunder Legion will subject them to a proper interrogation. If the intel holds up under torture, then—and only then—will we proceed with this 'Final Plan.'"
"What did you say!?"
Lyon stood up abruptly, his face flushed with anger at Laxus's blatant disrespect.
Laxus didn't even bother to turn his head toward Lyon. BOOM! A bolt of lightning streaked through the air, striking toward Lyon with lethal speed.
Lyon moved to cast his Ice-Make magic to defend himself, but the lightning was too fast. He wouldn't have made it in time. Fortunately, a wall of ice suddenly manifested, intercepting the lightning bolt just before impact. It was Ur, sitting right next to Lyon, who had intervened.
"Laxus! What do you think you're doing!?" Makarov roared, standing up from his chair in a fury.
"The events on Galuna Island were witnessed by Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Happy, and Little Goku," Makarov shouted. "I trust their judgment. Therefore, I believe that Ultear has turned over a new leaf. She is now a friend worthy of our trust!"
"Two brainless idiots, an inexperienced rich girl, a stupid cat, and a literal child," Laxus countered, his eyes full of utter contempt. "What kind of 'judgment' can they offer that's worth a damn?"
Natsu stood up with a start, barking at Laxus: "Laxus! Who are you calling an idiot? If you've got the guts, let's settle this outside, one-on-one!"
"Natsu, don't lower yourself to his level," Gray muttered, quickly grabbing Natsu and forcing him back into his seat.
"I don't duel people who can't even beat someone like Erza," Laxus sneered, dismissing Natsu entirely.
This comment naturally ignited Erza's temper. "Laxus, what exactly is that supposed to mean!?"
"Erza, calm down, calm down!" Having just pushed Natsu down, Gray now had to scramble to soothe Erza.
Laxus ignored her. He extended a finger, pointing toward the "Rain Woman" Juvia and Gajeel, his expression shifting back to one of disgust.
"And then there's these two. You actually recruited them into the guild? These bastards who hurt our comrades... they're worthy of wearing our mark?"
Back then, his father had been kicked out for some unknown minor offense, yet these two former Phantom Lord mages were forgiven and welcomed with open arms. This hypocrisy fueled the fire of resentment burning in his heart against Makarov.
"Laxus, what is it that you actually want!?"
Makarov was truly incensed now. He felt that Laxus's words and behavior today had crossed the line of what he could tolerate.
"Old man, step down. You're old. Hand the position of Guild Master over to me," Laxus said, his body beginning to crackle with electricity as he stared emotionlessly at Makarov. "I will lead everyone to defeat Grimoire Heart fair and square. I'll clean house and let the entire continent know that Fairy Tail is the strongest guild. No one will be our match—not the Dark Guilds, and certainly not that meddling Magic Council!"
This wasn't the first time he had made such a demand, but he had never sounded this serious. He had already made up his mind: if the Old Man refused, he and the Thunder Legion would sit this operation out. Furthermore, once the Grimoire Heart situation was resolved, he would execute his long-prepared plan to forcibly seize the title of Master.
"You...!"
Sensing the cold resolve in Laxus's voice, Makarov froze. In an instant, he seemed to age ten years. With a face full of profound disappointment, he replied, "If that is truly how you think, I will never hand the position of Master to you. You and the Thunder Legion are excused from this mission. Now... get out!"
"Fine! Fine! Fine!"
Laxus remained silent for a few seconds before turning on his heel to leave. The three members of the Thunder Legion immediately rose to follow him. Though they were guild mages, they were first and foremost Laxus's followers; they took his orders over those of the Guild Master.
However, just as they reached the exit, a figure suddenly blurred into motion, blocking the doorway.
"So, you want to be the Master?"
The voice was simple, curious, and yet carried a strange weight.
"I think if someone wants to be the Master, they have to be the strongest in the guild, right? Let's have a match. If you can't even beat me, what right do you have to be the Master?"
The person blocking the path was Little Goku.