Two Years Later

As time passed, little Ye had been here for two years.

"Phew... phew..."

"It's already been two years, and I still haven't made it out of this place. This forest is way too big. Just how far away was I thrown? Still, there are plenty of fierce beasts here. Whenever I'm hungry, free food comes right to my door. Whatever, I'll take it one step at a time."

A red-haired boy barely 1.60 meters tall dragged an enormous magical beast of an unrecognizable species toward his base.

He opened his status panel.

Age: 12

Height: 1.60 m

Yujiro Hanma: 20.5% (Hanma Bloodline, Yujiro's Martial Arts)

Armament Haki: Beginner (Hardening)

Observation Haki: Beginner (Perception)

Conqueror's Haki: Intermediate (Intimidation)

Kamehameha (depends on the amount of ki added)

Ye looked at the panel before him and said, "Over these two years, I've fought every magical beast worth fighting, but the template has only increased by around ten percent. Armament Haki and Observation Haki are about to break through, but it feels like I'm still missing an opportunity. Conqueror's Haki has reached the intermediate level, though. Comparing my aura with these beasts really is a good way to improve."

"Hm? That feels like a human presence?" Ye immediately spread out his Observation Haki to sense it.

Ye's eyes snapped open. "What a powerful presence! Stronger than every living creature I've encountered, and not just by a little."

"Damn it! I'm no match for them right now."

"It's getting closer!"

"Hello there, young man. (˵¯͒〰¯͒˵)"

A little old man less than eighty centimeters tall walked over with a cheerful smile.

Ye frowned as though he were trying to remember something. I feel like I've seen this guy somewhere before.

"Hey, young man! Young man~ Young man~" the little old man kept calling.

"Where have I seen him before?" Ye was still trying to figure out where he had met this person.

When the old man realized the brat was ignoring him, he snapped, "You little punk! (ꐦÒ‸Ó) Can't you see this kind old grandpa?"

The old man leaped up and waved his hand.

Thud—!!

"Ow!" Ye squatted down, clutching his head and rubbing it nonstop.

"(ꐦÒ‸Ó) You damn old man, what was that for? That hurt, you know! Didn't you see I was thinking?"

The old man replied flatly, "So you do feel pain. I saw that stupid look on your face and thought you couldn't feel anything."

"You're the stupid one. Your whole family is stupid." Tsk... this damn old man is really strong. Ye thought to himself.

"Alright, kid, snap out of it. Why are you alone in the Great Forest of Monsters?" the old man asked with a puzzled expression.

Rubbing his head, Ye answered indifferently, "Ah, that? When I woke up, I was already in this forest. I've lived here for two years."

The old man stared at him in shock. "You've been living here for two years?!"

"Yeah. And now that you mention it, I'm getting mad. Why can't I get out of this damn place?" Ye said angrily.

The old man looked at Ye helplessly. "⊙∀⊙! Don't tell me you're directionally challenged!! There's a small village about twenty kilometers ahead of you."

"What?! You mean I've been wandering around here for two whole years, and I had no idea there was a village only twenty kilometers away?" Ye's stunned face turned pale.

While Ye was still frozen in shock, the old man noticed the massive magical beast behind him.

The old man asked seriously, "Hey, kid, what's your name? And did you hunt that magical beast behind you?"

Ye looked at the old man arrogantly. "A true man never changes his name, whether standing or sitting. My name is Ye."

The old man roared, "(ꐦÒ‸Ó) I just asked your name! Why are you acting so full of yourself?"

With an annoyed look, Ye walked over, bent down beside the old man, and said, "Hah~ Little old man, you seem pretty unhappy about that."

"See this fist as big as a sandbag? See that creature behind me? I took it down with just a few punches and kicks. I could take on ten little old men like you."

The old man smiled faintly and held out his right hand. His fist instantly expanded before Ye's eyes. "(ꐦÒ‸Ó) I've never seen a fist as big as a sandbag, but fists as big as punching bags are nothing unusual to me."

That magic feels familiar too, but why can't I remember? I spent the last two years focused on surviving and growing stronger. I've forgotten so many things.

Seeing that the young man named Ye had been intimidated, the old man nodded in satisfaction and withdrew his magic. But when he realized Ye was still standing there just as before, he immediately understood.

Realizing Ye had not been stunned by his power but had merely gotten lost in thought again, the old man angrily stuck out his hand once more.

"(ꐦÒ‸Ó) Thud! "You little punk, are you thinking again?!!"

"It hurts like hell! Old man, if you keep this up, I'm going to hit you! ╰_╯"

The old man said calmly, "Now, now~ Young people shouldn't be so impulsive."

Then the old man suddenly turned serious. "Young man, you can't keep living like this. Do you want to join my guild?"

Rubbing his head, Ye said, "Hah~ Your guild? You're not running some kind of pyramid scheme, are you?"

The old man furiously shouted, "(ꐦÒ‸Ó) How do I look like someone running a pyramid scheme?!"

Ye said seriously, "The word 'look' isn't very accurate."

"Kid, I'm Makarov, the master of the legitimate guild Fairy Tail and one of the Ten Wizard Saints. How could I possibly do something like a pyramid scheme? (ꐦÒ‸Ó)!!"

Hearing the old man's introduction, Ye suddenly remembered.

"I remember now. I almost forgot this is the world of Fairy Tail. That means I can finally leave this place! Hahahahaha! This is great!"

Makarov watched as Ye went blank one moment and wore a lecherous grin the next.

Has this child spent so long in the forest that he's gone stupid? Makarov thought worriedly.

"Kid, kid, snap out of it." Makarov walked in front of Ye and raised his hand, preparing to smack him again.

Just as his hand was about to touch Ye, it was caught.

Ye said happily, "You're one of the Ten Wizard Saints, right? That means you're really strong!"

Makarov hesitated for a moment, then answered proudly, "At the very least, I'm stronger than a brat like you."

"That's wonderful." Ye's lips curled upward wildly with delight.

Ye stood up and said with a serious expression, "Then fight me."

Makarov's lips lifted slightly. "Oh? You want to exchange blows with me?"

"Come on!" Ye's fighting spirit surged.

Makarov said happily, "Then let me see how capable you are."

The two of them took their stances.

Ye stomped the ground and charged at Makarov.

Makarov said in surprise, "So fast!"

As he spoke, he threw out his fist and used Giant Magic.

One large fist and one small fist collided. In an instant, a shockwave blasted toward the surrounding trees, making them sway as though a gale had swept through.

After the punch, Ye leaped back to his original position and said excitedly, "Old man, you're really strong!! You're the only person I've met so far who can trade punches with me. Come on, let's continue!"

He's incredibly strong. No wonder that S-class magical beast lost to this brat. He looks young, but his physical ability is like a tyrannosaurus's. He's S-class material. I have to trick him into joining the guild—ah, no, invite him into the guild, Makarov thought in surprise.

Seeing the old man remain motionless, Ye said, "Hey! Say something!"

With a wicked grin, Ye walked over to Makarov, raised his hand, and swung it down hard.

Thud!!!

Makarov bared his sharp teeth in pain. "You little punk! How could you bring yourself to hit a kind old grandpa who was thinking about something?! Did a dog eat your conscience?!"

Ye picked his nose and flicked away a booger. "Conscience? What's that?"

"(ꐦÒ‸Ó) You little punk!" That really hurts.

Ye said happily, "Hahahahaha! Old man, so this day finally came for you too. You know pain too, huh? I saw that stupid look on your face and thought you were a stupid old man."

m9( ｀д´ )!!!! Makarov rubbed his head. This little punk really holds a grudge.

Makarov looked at him seriously. "Kid, do you want to join my guild?"

Makarov looked at Ye with a conflicted expression. "There are lots of beautiful girls there. They all admire the strong."

Ye dashed over and said seriously, "I'm joining! If there aren't any beautiful—ah, I mean, if it doesn't satisfy me, then I won't join."

Makarov grinned lecherously. "No problem!"