Natsu's Frustration and Second Challenge

As the guild hall buzzed with excitement over Zoro's official admission, a Roar full of frustration and rage exploded like thunder from a clear sky.

"I don't accept this—!!!"

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw that Natsu, who had been knocked unconscious in a corner by one of Erza's hand chops, had somehow staggered back to his feet. One hand clutched the back of his head while the other angrily pointed at the brand-new green guild emblem on Zoro's arm. His face plainly screamed, "I can't accept this."

His memory was still stuck on the moment when his prized Fire Dragon's Iron Fist had been effortlessly deflected in an almost humiliating fashion, before he was sent flying like a punching bag. For Natsu, who never admitted defeat, that feeling of helplessness and frustration was torture worse than death.

"You damn Moss-Head!" Two streams of furious white smoke puffed from Natsu's nostrils. Completely ignoring the situation around him, he charged straight up to Zoro and roared with all his might, "Even if you've joined the guild, I still don't acknowledge you! Fight me again! This time, I definitely won't lose!"

Blazing Kuma magical flames ignited around him once more. His unyielding fighting spirit made the air around them grow scorching hot.

Yet Zoro's response to those eyes burning with Kuma-like battle intent was as calm as an ancient, still pond.

He had just finished the second mug of ale Mirajane had handed him and was leaning comfortably against a pillar, his eyes half-closed as though he could fall asleep at any moment.

He glanced at the pink-haired brat yelling in front of him, yawned lazily, then said in a tone guaranteed to make any hot-blooded idiot explode:

"I refuse."

Natsu's roar came to an abrupt stop. He froze completely, as if he had not heard what Zoro said.

Zoro shifted into a more comfortable position and continued in the same flat tone. "Fighting you is too boring. Your punches are soft and weak. Instead of wasting time on that, I'd rather have a few more drinks or find somewhere to sleep properly."

"B-boring?"

"S-soft and weak?"

Those two words were like the sharpest blades, piercing with perfect precision deep into Natsu's proud heart—the heart of a Dragon Slayer Wizard.

The damage was minimal, but the insult was immense!

"Y-you bastard—!!!"

Natsu's fury flared to its peak in an instant, and all reason evaporated from his mind. He even forgot about Zoro's unshakable defense. His magic erupted without restraint, turning his entire body into a humanoid blaze as he prepared to attack again without regard for anything else.

"Fire Dragon's—"

Before he could finish shouting the name of his attack, a slender yet powerful hand clamped down on the crown of his head like iron pincers.

"Have you caused enough trouble, Natsu?"

Erza's cold, familiar voice was like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head, instantly freezing Natsu in place. He stiffly turned his head and saw Erza's expressionless face, though her eyes carried the terrifying message: Try moving again.

"B-but, Erza! This guy..."

"No buts." Erza cut him off, applying a little pressure with her hand. "The winner has already been decided. Throwing a tantrum will only disgrace Fairy Tail. If you truly can't accept it, go back and train properly until one day, you can make him say, 'You've grown stronger.'"

Without giving Natsu any chance to argue, she struck swiftly and brought her hand down, landing another precise chop on the back of his neck.

"Urgh..."

Natsu rolled his eyes and let out a resentful cry. His body went limp and collapsed to the floor. This time, he was completely unconscious.

Like dragging a sack, Erza hauled Natsu into the corner of the guild hall, letting him continue his "intimate contact" with the wall.

After finishing all that, she turned to look at the indifferent Zoro and said in a complicated tone, "Sorry. Natsu is just like that. He doesn't mean any harm. He just... isn't good at accepting defeat."

Zoro merely shrugged and took another mug of ale from Mirajane's passing tray. "Oh."