The Weakest Guild!

One morning.

The initial excitement of returning gradually subsided, replaced by a slightly awkward sense of reality.

"Speaking of which, our guild right now is really..." Lucy looked at the mottled cracks on the wall and the almost empty commission board, feeling somewhat speechless.

"Well, it's a bit run-down, but it's still our home," Macao said, scratching his head and chuckling awkwardly, a hint of bitterness in his voice.

Just then, Natsu's voice came from the side. "Saber Tooth?! What's that?"

Romeo, standing beside him, explained, "Saber Sabertooth!"

"They are a mage guild even stronger than Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus; they are arguably the strongest guild in the Kingdom of Fiore right now."

Gray walked over and said, "A guild I'd never even heard of before I left."

"It wasn't that attention-grabbing seven years ago," Alzack explained.

Gajeel scoffed, "Tch! They only rose to power while we were away?"

"That's not entirely true. Since they were able to suppress Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus, it shows they still have strength." Lily didn't think so.

"They also changed their guild leader, and then five powerful mages joined, which made them number one," Marcus added.

"Five people are enough to make them number one? This is just like the Oración Seis back then." Lucy was somewhat shocked.

"Um... since there's a strongest guild..." A weak, timid voice broke the silence.

It's Wendy.

Holding Carla in her arms, she asked anxiously in a low voice, "Then... then what about our guild now...?"

This question was like a bucket of ice water, instantly poured over everyone's heads.

Macao, Wakaba, and the others instantly became incredibly embarrassed, their eyes darting around, unable to look at Wendy.

"Huh? You... you really want to know?"

"Um... Wendy, I think it's better if we don't get to know each other."

"Yeah, yeah, rankings are all irrelevant; family ties are the most important thing, hahaha..."

The crowd's attempts to cover up their misunderstandings only fueled Wendy and Carla's curiosity.

Romeo scratched his head, a look of shame on his face, but finally gritted his teeth and revealed the cruel answer.

Our guild... is...

"Last place!"

The air froze completely at that moment.

Marcus delivered the finishing blow at just the right moment.

"A super-weak guild."

"The weakest Kingdom of Fiore, without exception."

"Ah..." Wendy's face turned deathly pale upon hearing this answer. She lowered her head guiltily, her voice trembling with tears.

"I'm... I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked..."

She thought it was her fault that brought up everyone's sad memories.

Just as the guild's atmosphere was about to descend into a new wave of sadness and gloom.

"Ha ha!"

It's Natsu!

Everyone was stunned by his carefree attitude, their faces filled with big question marks.

Last place... what's so funny?

Gray looked at him speechlessly. "Hey, idiot, what are you laughing at? Is that funny?"

Natsu stopped laughing, and a fierce flame, more intense than ever before, burned in his black eyes!

He grinned, revealing a bright and challenging smile!

Don't you think so?

"From last place, he climbed to the top of everyone else in one go!"

"This is so interesting!!"

Natsu's voice was incredibly infectious, like a spark that instantly ignited the dying embers in everyone's hearts!

Yes!

So what if you're last?

They're from Fairy Tail!

It's Fairy Tail, the one that can always get back up no matter how many times it's knocked down!

Seeing Natsu's energetic appearance, the previously dejected group of people regained their genuine smiles.

"That's right!"

Erza slammed her fist into her palm, her eyes sharpening.

"Everyone in the guild is here! As long as we work together, it's only a matter of time before we become number one again!"

"Well, that's true." Marcus laughed along.

"Besides, Jiang Bai is back too. Getting first place is a piece of cake."

"Hey! Marcus, what are you saying?!"

Upon hearing this, Natsu immediately became displeased, pointing to his own nose and protesting loudly.

"Are you kidding me! With me here, we don't even need Jiang Bai to lift a finger; we can still get first place!"

"Oh..."

Marcus looked at Natsu's confident demeanor, which hadn't changed at all in seven years, and suddenly chuckled.

His eyes changed.

"I really don't want to discourage you, Natsu..."

Marcus slowly walked to Natsu's side, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"But let's have a fight!"

"Ha?"

Natsu was stunned.

Not only Natsu, but even Gray Erza next to him showed a hint of surprise.

That Marcus actually wants to fight Natsu?

This is something new.

"I don't know why..." Natsu grinned, looking at Marcus's serious expression.

"But I accept your challenge!"

Upon hearing that a fight was about to break out, the entire guild erupted in excitement. Everyone rushed to the open space outside the guild, ready to witness this unexpected confrontation.

Happy flew beside Natsu, solemnly reminding him, "Natsu ~ don't go too far! Marcus is, after all, one of our allies!"

Upon hearing this, Marcus, who was already standing in the center of the field, gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"It seems I've really been underestimated."

He took a deep breath, and his eyes sharpened instantly!

A surge of magical power erupted from his body!

The sheer power of that magic far exceeded Natsu and the others' expectations!

"I haven't wasted these seven years!"