The Guild Master's Invitation

"Kids, quiet down."

Guild Master Makarov spoke. His aged voice was not loud, yet it carried a power that calmed everyone down. He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Based on this Sir Zoro's account, as well as my own judgment," he paused before delivering a conclusion that shocked everyone, "he may not be from our world of Earthland."

"Another world?!"

"Like Edolas?"

"Seriously?!"

The guild instantly erupted into an uproar. Traveling between worlds was not entirely unfamiliar to Fairy Tail, but every such incident signified a major event.

Makarov waved a hand, signaling everyone to calm down. "The circumstances may be somewhat different, but the result is the same. Sir Zoro was accidentally transported here by a force beyond even his own control. He is not an enemy, merely a 'lost wanderer' with nowhere to go."

He stressed the words "lost wanderer," all while discreetly watching Zoro's reaction. Zoro merely frowned, seemingly displeased by the word "lost," but he did not refute it. After all, it was the truth.

"Since that's the case," Makarov said, his face breaking into his signature kind smile, "then we of Fairy Tail have a responsibility to help those in trouble! That is our guild's creed, isn't it, kids?"

"Yeah—!" The guild members were immediately swept up in the guild master's enthusiasm and shouted in response. They were a simple, passionate bunch. Once they confirmed someone was not an enemy, they spared no effort in showing their goodwill.

Makarov nodded in satisfaction. Then, on his short little legs, he walked over to Zoro, looked up at him, and smilingly made the formal invitation he had been preparing for some time:

"Sir Roronoa Zoro, since you cannot return to your own world for the time being and know nothing about this place, how about... joining Fairy Tail for now?"

He raised a finger and continued in an enticing tone, "We may not be able to give you a way back to your homeland just yet, but at the very least, we can provide you with a place to shelter from the wind and rain, and..."

He deliberately drew out his words before saying, one syllable at a time:

"ALL. THE. BOOZE. YOU. WANT!"

Those final words struck straight into Zoro's heart like a spell.

A way back home? With his strength, he believed he would find one eventually.

Learning about this world? Too much trouble. Better to sleep.

But...

A place to stay, without having to sleep on the streets.

Booze to drink, and as much good booze as he wanted!

Zoro had not been particularly interested in the idea of "joining a guild." To him, it was more or less like finding a place to share meals. But the two conditions Makarov offered were simply too tempting.

His thought process was extremely simple and took no more than three seconds.

"Oh, sure." He nodded, answering decisively as though he were merely choosing what to have for dinner. "As long as there's booze."

That overly practical, straightforward answer left the guild members speechless once again, while the smile on Makarov's face only grew brighter.

"Wonderful!" The guild master clapped his hands happily. "Mirajane! Bring the emblem!"

"Right away, Guild Master~" Mirajane replied with a smile. She had already prepared the guild emblem stamps and inks of every color. Walking up to Zoro, she asked sweetly, "Mr. Zoro, what color would you like, and where should I put it?"

Zoro lowered his head and looked over his green-themed outfit—green hair, a green haramaki, even the sheaths of his three swords had a hint of green. Without a second thought, he casually pointed to his bandage-wrapped left arm.

"Green. Put it here."

Smiling, Mirajane picked up the green stamp and gently pressed it onto Zoro's muscular left arm.

A gentle wave of magic flowed through him, and a green emblem representing Fairy Tail was deeply imprinted upon his skin. Set against his countless scars, it looked strangely fitting.

The future world's greatest swordsman had joined Fairy Tail!