Taking Command

Chiba then took out a Magic Crystal from his pocket and drew on it, but no image appeared. Instead, a sound came from it.

"Finally... I can finally... stand shoulder to shoulder with Zeref!"

"Is getting my body really that important to you?"

Bolunte noticed that he wasn't flustered at all, which struck him as odd. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Why are you so calm? Could it be that you have some hidden magic... and... Chakra?"

"That's all, we've used up everything we could..."

"I've investigated your background. You've been active on the Ishgar Continent for many years, eliminating various dark guilds. Yet you also cooperate with these dark guilds, and even your own magic is [black]."

"Why?"

"Why? You're not the first person to ask me that question."

"The voices in there are probably recognizable to the council members present; one is mine, and the other is Bolunte," Chiba said. "That was a recording of my fight with him."

The lawmakers exchanged bewildered glances. The implications were already quite clear, and while this was the situation they had hoped for, it was precisely because the implications were so obvious that the outcome had taken a turn for the worse.

"He wants your body?" the speaker asked at that moment.

"Bolunte possesses a magic that allows him to possess other people's bodies. My body holds many unknown secrets, and he desperately desires them..." Chiba said.

The speaker frowned deeply. He was concerned about this issue because of the very first sentence in the recording.

"Finally... I can finally... stand shoulder to shoulder with Zeref!"

Based on the words, it can be inferred that this sentence and the next sentence have a cause-and-effect relationship. It is this same relationship that makes the speaker frown.

After obtaining his body, one can possess power comparable to Zeref?!

Although the name Zeref is taboo, everyone present, except for the staff, knew this extremely terrifying name.

The most vicious mage in human history...

Dark Magician Zeref!

Legend has it that Zeref is a legendary figure in the magical world, the only strongman in the history of human magic, and the strongest mage! His name is almost taboo for later generations. He is the progenitor of black mages, descended on an ancient continent, and elevated black magic to its extreme, creating countless black magic spells and demons that plunged the world into chaos. He possesses the powerful ability to destroy the world.

No one imagined whether anyone could compare to him, because that itself represented the impossible.

The Speaker didn't doubt the truthfulness of Bolunte's words; he knew Bolunte's background and also knew that the guy would never make rash judgments. All he could say was that, even at his worst, after obtaining Chiba's body, he would far surpass the existing mages!

"Speaker..." At that moment, a member of parliament reminded him.

The speaker snapped out of his reverie and coughed. Then he waved his hand and said, "Everyone else, please step aside. We need to discuss Zeref."

The staff member left humbly.

After the bystanders left, the speaker continued, "Chiba Uchiha, you've probably guessed it already, we won't do anything to you."

Chiba narrowed his eyes, waiting for him to continue.

The speaker continued, "We arrested you to give the people in the magic force an explanation. They are more or less people brought up by Bolunte, who has a lot of influence in the army. They have a grudge against you."

Chiba nodded.

"We know more about Bolunte than you do, so there's no need to try and find out what specific connections he has with the Dark Guild. Those are secondary matters."

"But..." The Speaker's eyes suddenly filled with authority, and he said, "Even if he's not the best, he's still the commander of my Magic Council's Magic Custody Force. It's an indisputable fact that you killed the commander. Besides, you know how Fairy Tail is. Lord Makarov is old, and he will retire sooner or later..." He didn't continue.

But at this point, Chiba understood; he wasn't just threatening him, but also Fairy Tail...

But don't worry, even if you get killed by the people of the Tartaros later, Makarov won't retire. The old man is still in good health.

Chiba then said calmly, "Speaker, please state your request..."

"Well, there's no one else here, so I won't waste any more time..." the Speaker said slowly. "Bolunte has been killed by you, the Magic Custody Force has lost its leader, and the Blood Demon Knights have been disbanded. But at this very moment, there are constant conflicts between the kingdoms of the Northern Regions. According to the news we've received, remnants of the Shadow Skull are causing trouble, and war is imminent."

"As the guardians of the continent, the Magic Council will not allow any darkness to breed war, therefore..."

The Speaker gave him a deep look and said, "I hope you will leave Fairy Tail and join the Magic Council, becoming the new commander of the Magic Custody Force!"

Chiba: "!"

He was somewhat taken aback, and said, "But... you just said I killed Bolunte, and the people in the Magic Council have a problem with me. Besides, I'm only fifteen years old."

"That's your business as the new leader," the speaker said calmly. "Besides... there's no need to use age as an excuse. Since I'm treating you as an equal, I've overlooked your age."

Chiba's eyes flickered, and after a few minutes, he said, "I can join the Magic Council, but I can't leave Fairy Tail!"

"This is utterly absurd!" one of the council members declared, "You're not satisfied with a position that others have fought so hard for, even if it's given to you for free? Why don't you leave Fairy Tail? How can someone from the Magic Council be a mage of the Mage Guild?!"

"Heh..." Chiba scoffed, then said, "Give it away for free? Are you kidding me? Putting aside the fact that I still need to deal with those in the magic force who are dissatisfied with me, the Northern Region Kingdoms incident that the Speaker mentioned is an extremely troublesome matter. How can you say it's given away for free?"

"You..." The congressman hesitated for a moment, then sat down again.

"Ahem, quiet!" The Speaker coughed, then said, "How about this, we compromise. You don't have to remove the guild crest, but you have to publicly announce that you've left Fairy Tail. That shouldn't be difficult for you, right? If you truly love your guild, this kind of reputation probably means nothing to you."

"And..." Before Chiba could speak, the Speaker continued, "We don't only have you as an option."

"How?"

Chiba replied helplessly, "Since the Speaker has put it this way, then I shall respectfully comply..."

"However..." Chiba said calmly, "If the Speaker can find a mage of the Ten Wizard Saints level to serve as the leader, then I have nothing more to say..."