Pre-Battle Mobilization

Just when everyone thought the battle was over, a sudden change occurred.

The dog-headed samurai who had been hit head-on by Gajeel's Dragon Slayer Secret Art technique actually managed to get up from the ground once again, albeit unsteadily.

His samurai armor was tattered and torn, clearly indicating that it had shielded him from most of the fatal damage.

As for the rooster monster, it had completely fainted and was unconscious.

"I... I didn't expect this..."

The dog-headed samurai coughed up blood and said in a hoarse voice, "The first person alone has already put me in such a sorry state... But as long as I deal with you, I can at least give an explanation to Guild Master Hades."

As he spoke, he dragged his heavily injured body step by step toward Gajeel, who was already unconscious on the ground, the broken sword in his hand gleaming with its last bit of cold light.

However, the next second, a figure appeared between him and Gajeel without warning.

Then came the second, the third...

Jiang Bai, along with Erza and her group, instantly arrived at the battlefield via Space Transfer.

"What do you want to do to my little brother?"

Jiang Bai, with his hands in his pockets and a playful smile on his face, asked lazily.

Gajeel!

When Levy saw Gajeel lying in a pool of blood, she gasped and rushed over to him, tears streaming down her face.

Although Jiang Bai was speaking with a smile, the dog-headed warrior's bestial instincts caused all the hair on his body to stand on end instantly!

An unprecedented, soul-deep fear enveloped him completely!

In his perception, he felt as if he were surrounded by countless invisible blades, and if he dared to make any move, he would be instantly cut into countless pieces in the next second!

"How... how is this possible?"

The dog-headed samurai's body trembled violently with extreme fear.

"This feeling... this unfathomable sense of oppression... is stronger than Chairman Hades's... no! Countless times stronger!"

"Well," Jiang Bai said impatiently, picking at his ear.

"What's wrong with me lately? People are comparing me to any Tom, Dick, or Harry."

"Who are you?!" Erza stepped forward, her hand already Requip a longsword, and demanded sharply.

What is their purpose in coming to Tenrou Island?

The dog-headed samurai didn't want to answer.

But the premonition of death that lingered around him was frantically stimulating his nerves, and his instincts were screaming at him—if he didn't speak, he would die!

Under the threat of death, his last shred of dignity was completely shattered.

"We... we came here... for Lord Zeref!"

In a trembling voice, he told the whole story.

"The legendary dark mage... he is... on this island!"

"Impossible!" Erza was the first to retort.

"Yes!" Juvia chimed in.

"Zeref was a figure from hundreds of years ago!"

"To be precise, it was four hundred years ago," Makarov added in a deep voice.

"How could someone from four hundred years ago still be alive today?" Gildarts frowned, speculating.

"Could it be some kind of Thought Projection?"

"No!"

To prove his point, the dog-headed samurai loudly retorted, "That lord has been alive and well the whole time!"

"President Hades said he's just asleep! If we can awaken him, the true Great Magic World will begin!"

(Zeref, far away on the other side of the island, suddenly sneezed: No, I'm just not dead, but I'm not living well at all!)

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Laxus looked at him like he was an idiot.

"No, he's right."

Just then, Jiang Bai spoke calmly.

"Zeref is indeed still alive."

One stone stirs up a thousand waves!

Upon hearing Jiang Bai's words, everyone in the guild displayed expressions of utter shock.

"Jiang Bai! Are you telling the truth?!"

Makarov then seemed to remember something. He looked at Jiang Bai and asked in an incredulous tone, "You brat, that 'trouble' you said you were going to deal with, it couldn't be...?"

"That's right, it's Zeref."

Jiang Bai nodded, then added something that shocked everyone even more.

"Moreover, I know a little more than they do."

"Zeref wasn't asleep at all. He's only alive because of the curse he carries."

"Curse?"

As the most knowledgeable mage in the guild, Levy immediately thought of a legend.

"Could it be... the Ankhseram's Curse?"

"Yes." Jiang Bai gave an affirmative answer.

"This is... a really big problem..." Makarov's face was filled with seriousness.

That's a legendary curse that even the gods couldn't control!

However, Jiang Bai still maintained a relaxed expression.

"Grandpa, don't worry. Zeref, I've already met with him."

He is no match for me.

These words struck like a thunderbolt, exploding in everyone's minds.

Everyone was so shocked that they didn't know what to say.

The legendary strongest dark mage, Zeref... was no match for Jiang Bai?

This was completely beyond their comprehension.

The dog-headed samurai, who had been listening intently the whole time, had his entire worldview completely shattered upon hearing those words.

If even their revered Zeref couldn't defeat this man before them...

So what is the purpose of all this large-scale mobilization they've undertaken?

A clown?

"I don't believe you! You must be lying to me! This is absolutely impossible!"

The dog-headed samurai's emotions completely collapsed.

Jiang Bai was too lazy to waste any more words with him, and simply glanced at him indifferently.

"The fact is, he can't beat me."

"Alright, you can leave now."

"Walk?"

The dog-headed warrior was stunned for a moment; he even thought Jiang Bai was going to take pity on them and let them go.

However, the next second, Jiang Bai simply waved his hand casually.

An irresistible, invisible, terrifying force instantly enveloped the dog-headed warrior and the unconscious rooster monster.

The two didn't even have time to scream before their bodies were instantly ground into the finest powder, disappearing with the wind, as if they had been ground by an invisible millstone.

It was as if they had never existed in this world.

Seeing this bizarre and terrifying scene, everyone present subconsciously swallowed hard.

Jiang Bai clapped his hands as if he had done something insignificant, then turned to face the crowd, his familiar, lazy smile returning to his face.

"Alright! Now, let's divide the tasks!"

"The Grimoire Heart has fully landed on this island. Next, I will precisely assign you to your respective opponents."

Jiang Bai's voice suddenly turned serious.

"Remember, if you really can't win, I'll step in and save you."

"But!"

His gaze swept over everyone present.

"Whoever loses must return to the guild and receive the most severe punishment from Fairy Tail!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone, including the usually fearless Laxus, felt a chill run down their spines.

That punishment...

Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine!

Absolutely! Absolutely not!