Chapter Summaries

Natsuki Subaru recounted his Return by Death and the demanding work he was doing to support Emilia, stirring a deep response in Zeref, who had spent centuries seeking a way to die. The chapter ended with Zeref offering to help Subaru, who eagerly accepted.

• Sosuke Aizen invited Natsuki Subaru to describe his world and experiences for Zeref.
• Natsuki Subaru explained how Return by Death sent him back to a past save point with his memories whenever he died.
• Zeref recognized a possible connection between Subaru's repeated deaths and his own Contradiction Curse and listened with growing interest.
• Natsuki Subaru described his efforts to build resources and power for Emilia while training and studying for eighteen hours a day.
• Zeref told Natsuki Subaru that their meeting was fate and offered his help, and Subaru eagerly accepted.

Natsuki Subaru asked Zeref to examine his painful and difficult-to-control Unseen Providence, hoping to master it to protect Emilia, Rem, and his friends. Zeref caught the invisible arm and began studying its connection to the Witch Factor and his own Contradictory Curse.

• Natsuki Subaru explained that he had gained Unseen Providence after killing Petelgeuse and described its pain, short range, and weak power.
• Natsuki Subaru said he was ready to master the Authority, and Aizen supported his choice to ask Zeref for help.
• Zeref asked Natsuki Subaru to demonstrate Unseen Providence so he could examine its effects and touch it.
• Natsuki Subaru summoned the purplish-black invisible arm, while Joseph could not see it until Aizen projected its outline through the Star Council.
• Zeref grabbed the arm and concluded that its power distorted the world's laws and resembled his Contradictory Curse, though it was more active.

Zeref examined Natsuki Subaru's Unseen Providence and identified it as a defective Authority formed by the Sloth Witch Factor fusing with Subaru's soul. He proposed using black magic to reconstruct their relationship as an active soul contract, leaving Subaru with a possible path to control the ability.

• Natsuki Subaru summoned the Unseen Hand for Zeref to inspect, then withdrew it when the pain became unbearable.
• Zeref examined Subaru's body and soul and found two curse-like powers intertwined with his origin.
• Zeref explained that Unseen Providence was a defective Authority created by the Sloth Witch Factor's rejection-fusion with Subaru's soul and lacked an intermediary circuit.
• Natsuki Subaru asked whether Zeref could solve the problem, and Zeref said he could make the ability controllable through a method beyond conventional magic.
• Zeref proposed using black magic's curse reverse inference to reconstruct the Authority's contract and turn the passive rejection-fusion into an active soul contract.

Zeref explained how black magic could turn Natsuki Subaru’s Unseen Providence into a stronger, usable power by linking it to his Witch Factors, while warning of serious risks. Subaru agreed to proceed, and Zeref prepared to begin the treatment immediately.

• Zeref explained that a Black Magic Contract could help Subaru cooperate with the Sloth Witch Factor, but warned that feeding it sinful souls could eventually threaten Subaru’s will.
• Aizen and Subaru reassured Zeref that the Witches could not affect Subaru inside the Star Council, and Subaru described the pain that stopped him from revealing Return by Death.
• Zeref proposed using the Double Curse Weaving Technique to make Subaru’s Envy Factor fuel Unseen Providence, warning that overuse might cause Return by Death to fail.
• Subaru accepted the risks, thanked Zeref, and asked to begin as soon as possible.
• Zeref told Subaru to sit in Aries’s chair, close his eyes, and empty his mind so they could start immediately.

Zeref began a dark magic ritual beside Natsuki Subaru while Aizen continued the Star Council meeting and listened to Joseph recount the fight against the Pillar Men. After Joseph gave Aizen Wamuu’s sun-destroyed body, Aizen warned that Kars might be hiding and building a vampire network, leaving Joseph to prepare for attacks and search for him.

• Natsuki Subaru sat back down, and Zeref began a powerful dark magic ritual as Aizen resumed the meeting.
• Joseph told Perona and Aizen how he and Caesar had defeated Wamuu and Esidisi using Aizen’s Soul-Awakening Gloves.
• Joseph gave Aizen Wamuu’s body, explaining that he had exposed it to sunlight so it could be traded under council rules.
• Joseph said Kars had disappeared, and Aizen suggested he might be hiding after losing two companions.
• Aizen advised Joseph to ask Speedwagon to investigate vampire rumors and to prepare defenses or move somewhere more hidden.

Aizen advised Joseph to locate Kars and build up his forces, while Joseph received a cell-strengthening serum and a custom Teigu from Perona. Joseph tested the glove and discovered it could conjure Ripple-charged metal playing cards.

• Aizen told Joseph to find Kars quickly, recruit Ripple Warriors, train Breathing Technique swordsmen, and prepare for a prolonged war against Kars's forces.
• Aizen asked Joseph to bring ordinary Aja fragments to a future meeting, and Joseph agreed.
• Perona gave Joseph a serum that would raise his cells to the average level of Sea Star People and a custom glove-type Teigu called Infinite Fraud: Magician.
• Perona explained that the Teigu could conjure props, create sunlight energy to harm vampires and Pillar Men, and improve Joseph's Ripple use.
• Joseph put on the glove and conjured five metal playing cards, then covered them in golden flames and lightning by activating Ripple.

Joseph tested the Teigu Perona had given him, then agreed to bring her Aja Red Stone fragments and a Stone Mask in exchange for Demon Slayer training materials and Nichirin Blades. Perona also revealed that the World Government knew about the Star Council and told Aizen that it had taken over Gintama Star, where it had found unusual comic books.

• Joseph discovered that his Teigu props had magical abilities and quickly learned how to use them.
• Perona asked Joseph to bring her Aja Red Stone fragments and a Stone Mask, and he warned her about the mask’s danger.
• Perona explained that she intended to give the items to her teacher, Charlotte Linlin, for the World Government, and Joseph agreed to bring them.
• Joseph asked Perona to obtain the Five Basic Breathing Styles training methods and at least ten Nichirin Blades for his companions, and she agreed.
• Aizen realized the World Government supported Perona’s Star Council transactions and considered using her to cooperate with it.
• Perona told Aizen that the World Government had taken over Gintama Star and discovered magical comic books.

Perona revealed that manga from Gintama Star depicted real worlds, shocking Aizen with Bleach and Joseph with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. She said the manga could only be shared in exchange for equivalent resources, and Aizen offered complete Kido incantations and explanations while Joseph wondered what he could trade.

• Perona told Aizen that Bleach described his world, including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, the Soul Society, and Karakura Town.
• Perona revealed to Joseph that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure depicted his grandparents Jonathan Joestar and Erina, along with the Stone Mask and vampires.
• Aizen concluded that the manga was real and asked Perona to let him read Bleach.
• Perona explained that the manga was valuable intelligence and required an equivalent exchange, especially from Aizen.
• Aizen offered complete Kido incantations and explanations in exchange, while Joseph fretted over what he could offer for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Joseph agreed to trade a Pillar Man for the first volume of a manga about his grandfather and began plotting to use it to obtain later volumes. Perona asked Aizen for Asauchi for herself and Big Mom, and Aizen agreed in exchange for a gift of comparable value.

• Perona told Joseph that the first volume of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure covered his grandfather's past and offered to trade it for one of his Pillar Men.
• Joseph accepted and asked whether the manga had a part about him; Perona said she would find out, and Joseph planned to use the first volume to persuade Lisa Lisa to trade the Super Aja for later volumes.
• Perona asked Aizen for a Zanpakuto, and he agreed to bring her an Asauchi and complete Kido chants and explanations at the next meeting.
• Aizen explained that Perona would need to build a spiritual connection with the Asauchi and earn its recognition before it could become a Zanpakuto.
• Perona asked Aizen to bring another Asauchi for her teacher, and he agreed on the condition that Big Mom provide a gift of equal value.

Zeref extracted samples of the Sloth and Envy Witch Factors from Natsuki Subaru and altered the spell that stabilized them. Subaru successfully controlled two shadow tentacles without pain, and Zeref explained how he could strengthen the Sloth Factor through daily use.

• While the others waited, Zeref completed his work on Natsuki Subaru and returned with samples of the Sloth and Envy Witch Factors.
• Zeref told Subaru to try again, and Subaru summoned a powerful shadow arm without feeling pain.
• Subaru discovered he could summon a second tentacle and, following Zeref's advice, moved both to his back.
• Zeref advised Subaru to rely on the tentacles in daily life to align himself with Sloth and help the Factor grow.
• Zeref revealed he had changed the planned Double Curse Weaving Technique into a sevenfold Seven Sins Curse Weaving Technique, leaving Subaru confused.

Natsuki Subaru learned that he might be able to save Rem by gaining Gluttony’s Authority, while Zeref asked Perona to investigate whether manga depicted his world. The meeting turned to Zeref’s past when Aizen asked him to tell his story.

• Zeref explained that Witch Factors taken from their holders could complete contract slots and grant Subaru new Authorities.
• Subaru asked Zeref to save Rem, but Zeref said Subaru might restore her memories by finding and defeating the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony.
• Zeref asked Subaru to arrange an exchange of magic books with Roswaal, and Subaru agreed to ask him and Beatrice.
• Zeref gave Perona names from his world, including Fairy Tail, the Magic Council, and Dragon Slayer, so she could search for related manga.
• Subaru asked Perona to look for manga about his world, and she agreed before Zeref asked about the World Government.
• Aizen interrupted Zeref’s question and asked him to share the story behind himself.

Zeref recounted how the Contradictory Curse condemned him to immortality and killed those around him whenever he cherished life. He explained that he had sought Subaru’s Witch Factors to find a way to break the curse, leaving Subaru willing to help him again.

• Aizen suggested that Zeref share his extraordinary experiences, and Zeref decided the Star Council might help him lift his curse or find a way to die.
• Zeref described how his family died in a dragon attack, leading him to study magic at Mildian Magic Academy in hopes of reviving his younger brother.
• Zeref explained that his research into life and death angered Ankhseram, who cursed him with immortality and caused his magic to kill those around him whenever he valued life.
• Zeref revealed that the boy in his story was himself and said he had spent four hundred years seeking a way to die.
• Zeref told Subaru he had requested the Witch Factors of Sloth and Envy to study their similarity to his curse, and Subaru promised to provide them again if needed.
• Zeref thanked Subaru and turned to look at Aizen.

Aizen examined Zeref’s soul and found that his Contradictory Curse exceeded his ability to break. He summoned the Lord of Stars, who appeared before the council as Zeref hoped for a cure.

• Aizen examined Zeref’s soul and discovered that the curse altered the world’s rules, leaving him unable to interfere with it.
• Aizen offered to contact the Lord of Stars, and Zeref thanked him for giving him another chance at a cure.
• Aizen called for the Lord of Stars, and a beam of starlight brought a veiled figure to the Leo seat.
• The Lord of Stars told everyone to sit, and Zeref sensed that the mysterious figure might be able to help him.
• The Lord of Stars, secretly Imu in disguise, sized up Zeref and recalled having watched Fairy Tail.

Imu, disguised as the Lord of Stars, removed Zeref’s curse briefly but explained that Ankhseram would retaliate unless the god himself was defeated. He told Zeref to wait for the World Government’s future arrival and gave him a crystal that would protect anyone who absorbed it from curses, leaving Zeref joyful but grieving that his beloved had died long ago.

• Perona, Natsuki Subaru, and Joseph greeted the Lord of Stars, while Aizen explained Zeref’s situation.
• Imu removed the curse from Zeref, then restored it after warning that Ankhseram would notice and bring a worse disaster.
• Imu said the World Government would eventually reach Zeref’s world and that the Sea Star Creator could deal with Ankhseram, but he could not reveal when it would happen.
• Aizen asked about the Sea Star Creator and the Spirit King, Adonais, and Imu claimed that Adonais was not qualified to know him.
• Imu gave Zeref a crystal that would prevent anyone who absorbed it from being affected by curses, and Zeref accepted it in tears.
• Zeref felt hope that he could love someone without fear, but mourned that the golden-haired girl who had once loved him had already died.

Zeref presented Imu with the Book of Dragneel, and Imu promised to speak on his behalf to the Creator of Sea Star before revealing that Mavis’s soul remained on Tenrou Island. The Top 100 Tournament semifinals began, with Bang and Noelle announced as the first matchup.

• Zeref gave Imu the Book of Dragneel, containing his lifetime of magical knowledge and research.
• Imu accepted the book and said he would contact the Creator of Sea Star to explain Zeref’s situation and sincerity.
• Imu told Zeref that Mavis’s soul was still on Tenrou Island and warned him not to resurrect her before the World Government appeared.
• Imu returned from the Star Council to the Colored Cloud Box, where Stussy and Robin noticed the book before he made it disappear.
• Gatz opened the Top 100 Tournament semifinals and announced Bang versus Noelle as the first match.

Itami Youji reunited with former comrades in Fuchu City after returning from the Zerg Homeworld, where they shared food and stories about their recent lives. The gathering continued as Kurokawa Mari joined them with freshly fried tempura.

• Itami Youji watched the Top 100 Tournament with his five-year-old son, Itami Kiyoto, while friends gathered for dinner.
• Itami Youji and Tomita Akira described the exhausting battle against the Zerg on their homeworld and celebrated their month-long leave.
• Itami Youji and Kurata Takeo planned to watch new anime together during their vacation.
• Furuta Hitoshi described studying cooking in Food Wars World and said his new restaurant was booked two months in advance.
• Kurokawa Mari brought tempura to the table and teased Furuta Hitoshi about giving them free meals.

Itami Youji reunited with former Third Recon Team comrades over dinner, and they reflected on their lives and remembered their fallen friends. The gathering was interrupted by an emergency broadcast reporting three mysterious, white-light meteorites heading toward Earth.

• Itami Youji hosted Tomita Akira, Kurata Takeo, and Furuta Hitoshi alongside Kurokawa Mari and Risa Aoi, who lived together with him and his son, Itami Kiyoto.
• Itami Youji and his guests discussed Soichiro Kuwabara training elite recruits and learned that Naganishi Tetsu had become a marketing department head.
• The comrades fell silent as they remembered Katsumoto Wataru and Kuribayashi Shino, but Itami Youji raised a toast and reassured everyone that they would be all right in the Underworld.
• Itami Kiyoto called his parents to the television, where an emergency broadcast announced that three glowing meteorites were approaching Earth and would strike Europe’s Iron Tower Nation, India, and the Lighthouse Nation.

Three meteorites appeared from nowhere and hurtled toward Earth, carrying Zerg troops toward impact zones in the Iron Tower Nation, India, and the Lighthouse Nation. As the MIB sent its Top 100 mutants to respond, panic and mass evacuations spread across the threatened regions.

• A breaking broadcast warned that meteorites would reach Earth in thirty-five minutes, naming the Pyrenees District, central India, Texas, and Java Island as impact sites.
• MIB technicians showed that the meteorites had emerged from white lights in space, and Valery and Alexei concluded that magic and a hidden mastermind were behind the attack.
• Technicians detected Zerg life signs aboard the meteorites and reported that they had slowed during atmospheric entry, leading an executive to identify them as troop transport pods.
• Director Lep ordered the MIB to share its intelligence and sent Valery, Alexei, and Chapaev to assist at the Iron Tower Nation, India, and the Lighthouse Nation.
• Panic erupted across the threatened countries as citizens fled toward shelters, while traffic jams and desperate acts worsened the chaos in the Pyrenees District and Texas.

Three meteors devastated Toulouse, Austin, and Nagpur, unleashing insectoid swarms that slaughtered survivors. Iron Tower Nation’s fighter jets arrived over Toulouse and began attacking the Jumpers, giving the city’s survivors a narrow hope.

• The first meteor struck Toulouse, the second hit Austin, and the third devastated Nagpur, killing and injuring civilians across all three cities.
• People around the world watched satellite footage of the destruction before survivor videos revealed Warrior Bugs, Chariot Bugs, Scorpion Bugs, and Jumpers emerging from the rubble.
• The insectoids attacked survivors in all three cities, slaughtering civilians and spreading panic across the Nuclear World.
• Twelve Iron Tower Nation Mirage 2000 fighter jets arrived over Toulouse and fired missiles and autocannons at the Jumpers.
• The second and third formations of fighter jets arrived to support the attack over Toulouse.

Three Zerg-filled meteorites struck cities across Nuclear World, triggering desperate battles as the Planetary Governor and military commanders mobilized forces. With Nagpur overwhelmed, the Astral Legion prepared to respond while its generals reviewed the crises.

• Saint Satchers Casby ordered armies across Nuclear World to establish blockades and requested Astral Legion support from Java Island.
• Iron Tower Nation and Lighthouse Nation forces fought the Zerg in Toulouse City and Austin, while Nagpur's slow military response allowed the swarm to spread and form a hive.
• Director Lep canceled the MIB agents' deployment plan and ordered Valery, Alexei, Chapaev, and the assembled agents to fly to Nagpur.
• Generals Peter Frangel and Ludwig Eimannsberger convened an emergency military conference in Bandung City as holographic screens showed the battles on the Zerg Homeworld and at the three impact sites.