Hero's "Triumphant Return"

When the weathered doors of the Fairy Tail guild burst open with a bang, every guild member who had spent the entire day waiting in anxious torment turned to look.

They witnessed a scene they would never forget for the rest of their lives.

Erza, their "Fairy Queen," renowned for her authority and strength, strode in with one person gripped by the back of the collar in each hand. Her face bore a complicated expression of exhaustion, anger, helplessness, and utter emotional fatigue.

On her left was Natsu, half-conscious and still mumbling, "Grilled meat..."

On her right was the protagonist of this story, Roronoa Zoro. He struggled with an annoyed look on his face, protesting nonstop, "Hey! Let go of me! I told you I can walk on my own! You're making me look bad!"

Seeing the three of them return "safely," everyone in the guild collectively breathed a sigh of relief. But then their eyes fell upon Zoro's expression that said, "I'm not wrong; the world is wrong," and Erza's storm-clouded face, which looked like a volcano about to erupt.

A feeling that something entertaining was about to happen instantly settled over the entire hall.

Lucy was frantic with worry. Like an arrow released from its bow, she was the first to rush out of the crowd and charge straight toward Zoro. Her beautiful eyes, once as clear as autumn waters, were now blurred by tears. Crystal drops trembled in her eye sockets, as if they could spill over at any moment.

Her voice shook slightly. Clearly forcing down her fear and concern, she asked in a tone close to tears, "Mr. Zoro! Are you all right? I was so worried about you! I thought you'd run into some terrifying monster and been taken away by it! What about the letter? Did you... complete your mission?"

Erza tossed Zoro onto the floor. He dusted himself off, pulled the letter from his clothes—already wrinkled from sweat, with worn edges—and irritably threw it to Lucy.

"There. It's still here. I was about to ask that stupid bear for directions when they interrupted me. Otherwise, I might've delivered it by now."

"St-stupid bear?" Lucy held the letter, unable to process it for a moment.

Erza finally released her grip and walked to the center of the hall. She took a deep breath, as though she wanted to exhale all the frustration she had accumulated throughout the day. Then, in an exceptionally weary yet remarkably clear voice, she announced to the entire guild:

"Everyone, regarding Mr. Zoro's 'mission' today, and why he ended up with Natsu in the Lost Forest, dozens of kilometers away from Magnolia..."

She paused, thoroughly whetting everyone's appetite.

"I believe it is necessary to give everyone a detailed and complete report..."

Everyone in the guild, including Gray, who had just been awakened by the noise, immediately perked up their ears. They dragged over little stools, and those in the front even pulled out sunflower seeds and popcorn. Every face was written with the same gossipy expression: Hurry up and tell us!

A bizarre legend worthy of being recorded in Fairy Tail's history was about to be born.

Erza cleared her throat and began with the moment Zoro had confidently walked out through the guild doors.