Chapter Summaries

Madara Uchiha explained how Irene Belserion and the Magic King had wounded him, while Ren focused on opening the Eclipse Gate to supply the Tower of Heaven with Time Energy. Layla summoned the twelve Celestial Spirits, who opened the gate, and Ren watched its accumulated energy pour into the Tower.

• Madara Uchiha told Ren that Irene Belserion had shattered his Susanoo and left the scar on his face, though he had badly wounded her in return.
• Ren told Madara Uchiha to bring allies on his next visit to Zeref's powerful subordinates, then entered the Tower of Heaven to address the Eclipse Gate.
• Hashirama noted that the Tower of Heaven required 2.7 billion units of magic power, and Ren explained that he needed the Eclipse Gate's Time Energy instead.
• Ren asked Layla to open the Eclipse Gate and lift her family's curse, and she summoned the twelve Celestial Spirits with her Golden Keys.
• Layla and the twelve Celestial Spirits sent a river of starlight into the Eclipse Gate, slowly opening it and releasing energy that the Tower of Heaven absorbed.
• Ren concluded that the Eclipse Gate and the R-System had been connected from the beginning and that the gate's energy was Time Energy accumulated over four hundred years.

Ren and his allies intercepted four of the five Dragon Slayer Mages who emerged from the Eclipse Gate, while Natsu escaped amid a surge of Time Energy. Ren stored the gate’s vast energy in the Tower of Heaven and directed the remainder into the God Tree.

• Ren, Hashirama, Madara Uchiha, Ryder, and Magellan tried to stop five rays of light from the Eclipse Gate, but one broke free and vanished.
• Hashirama caught Gajeel, Madara Uchiha caught the Light Dragon Slayer Mage, Ryder caught the Dark Dragon Slayer Mage, and Ren caught Wendy.
• Ren realized the missing Dragon Slayer Mage was Natsu and decided it was better that he had escaped, given the uncertainties surrounding Zeref and Natsu.
• Ryder and Hashirama recognized that Ren had designed the Tower of Heaven to store Time Energy, and the tower quickly filled with the Eclipse Gate’s accumulated power.
• Ren directed Hashirama to connect the God Tree to the remaining Time Energy, which the tree began absorbing and storing.

Layla opened the Eclipse Gate and received the accumulated power of her ancestors, sharing its benefits with Lucy and Jade. As Anna emerged, Layla confronted her with fury over the four-hundred-year curse.

• The ancestors sealed inside the Eclipse Gate appeared as starlit phantoms, and Layla recognized them as her kin.
• The ancestors’ souls formed a river of stars that cleansed Layla and greatly increased her magic power.
• Layla called Lucy and Jade into the river so they could absorb the excess energy and receive the ancestral baptism.
• The river of stars dispersed, and Ren and Layla prepared for the final person to emerge from the Eclipse Gate.
• Anna appeared, and Layla empowered her twelve zodiac Celestial Spirits, who transformed into powerful beasts and surrounded Anna.
• Layla accused Anna of leaving her descendants with a curse that had caused generations of suffering and death.

Anna summoned the Celestial Spirit King and learned that Zeref had tied her descendants to the Eclipse Gate, tormenting her clan and draining the Celestial Spirit World. Layla discovered her lineage came from both Anna and the Celestial Spirit King, while Ren comforted her as her anger toward Zeref grew.

• Anna summoned the Celestial Spirit King with her blood, and he recognized her as an old friend who had crossed four hundred years through Zeref's plan.
• Anna confronted the Celestial Spirit King about her descendants' suffering, and he revealed that Zeref had created her bloodline using Anna's and his blood.
• The Celestial Spirit King explained that Zeref linked the clan's lives to the Eclipse Gate, sealed him away, and fused the key that could summon him into the gate.
• The Celestial Spirit King revealed that the gate drained magic from the Celestial Spirit World and absorbed the souls of the dead, reducing its stars from 365 to 88 and weakening him.
• Layla learned the truth about her ancestry and the Eclipse Gate, grew angrier at Zeref, and Ren held and comforted her.

Anna and the Celestial Spirit King confronted Zeref over the harm he had caused, while Zeref arranged for Invel to find and care for Natsu in Fiore. Zeref also learned that Irene was recovering from her injuries after Madara Uchiha’s attack and anticipated that Ren’s presence would bring further upheaval.

• Anna and the Celestial Spirit King raged at Zeref but admitted they could not defeat him, then Anna apologized to Layla.
• Zeref sensed the Eclipse Gate opening and ordered Invel to find the five- or six-year-old Natsu, erase his memories, and take him to Fairy Tail.
• Zeref told Invel that Natsu was his younger brother and a powerful Devil, warned him about the Fire Dragon within Natsu, and gave him Starfire to feed the boy.
• August reported that Irene was recovering from her injuries but had been shaken by Madara Uchiha’s attack.
• Zeref told August to gather intelligence on Fiore and predicted that Ren’s presence would make the region—and soon the Alvarez Empire—more lively.

Zeref prepared the Alvarez Empire for war against Ren, whom he considered his equal, while Ren dealt with the aftermath of the Eclipse Gate and vowed to confront Zeref. Layla struggled with the truth about her clan, and Ren assigned the four rescued Dragon Slayer children to be raised and trained by his people.

• Zeref told August that Ren would likely send forces after Madara Uchiha and ordered him to prepare the Twelve Shields and magical legions for war.
• August agreed to put the nation on a war footing after Zeref revealed that Ren was his true opponent and might be as powerful as he was.
• Ren asked Layla how she wanted to deal with Anna, and Layla admitted she was torn after learning that Zeref had created her clan through Anna's bloodline.
• Ren explained that the four children were Dragon Slayer Mages with sealed Dragons and assigned Wendy to Sherria and the other girls, while the three boys would train under Gray.
• After the others left with the children, Ren declared that Zeref had provoked him and that they would face each other in a game.

Ren awakened Might Duy, Akainu, Tobirama Senju, and Whitebeard using powerful blood and Dragon Crystals, while preparing to retaliate against Zeref for Layla. The newly awakened figures gathered in the Demon Hall, where Tobirama reunited with Madara Uchiha and Whitebeard greeted old companions.

• Ren decided to punish Zeref for wronging Layla and took Kayle and Morgana to the Demon Hall.
• Ren infused the Golden Monkey Fruit with Saiyan blood, awakening Might Duy with golden hair.
• Ren used the Hellfire Dragon's Dragon Crystal to awaken Akainu and the Sea Dragon King's Dragon Crystal to awaken Tobirama Senju.
• Ren used the Cavern Dragon's Dragon Crystal to awaken Whitebeard from the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
• Madara Uchiha entered the hall and greeted Tobirama, then Ryder and others welcomed Whitebeard.

Ren awakened Toshiro and Dragon, assembled eleven powerful fighters, and declared war on Zeref’s Alvarez Empire despite its vast magic forces and hidden veterans. More than ten days later, Fiore’s king learned that Ren had mobilized troops and summoned warships, including pirate ships.

• Ren awakened Toshiro through the Ice Dragon Crystal and Dragon through the Wind Dragon Crystal, bringing his force to eleven people.
• Madara Uchiha warned Ren that Alvarez had enormous magic legions, the Twelve Shields, and retired veterans who could still fight at their former strength.
• Ren declared that the Dimensional Guild would invade Alvarez, and Whitebeard, Ryder, and Dragon welcomed the coming war.
• Ren looked forward to seizing Alvarez’s resources, treasures, and magic after conquering the empire.
• More than ten days later, Fiore’s king worried about Lucy and Jade when Minister of Defense Darton reported Ren’s mobilization and summoned warships.

Fiore's king ordered the nation to join Ren's war against the Alvarez Empire, mobilizing its knights, guilds, and Magic Council. At Fairy Tail, Makarov and Gildarts accepted the order, while Laxus remained cold toward Makarov, who still hesitated to tell him the truth.

• Darton told Fiore's king that Ren had sent Madara Uchiha and a vanguard to fight the Alvarez Empire.
• Arcadios urged Fiore to support the Northern Continent, while Darton warned against entering a costly war.
• Fiore's king ordered the nation to prepare for war and instructed the guilds to ready themselves.
• Makarov and Gildarts learned that the king and Magic Council had ordered the guilds to join the war.
• Laxus silenced Fairy Tail's guild hall and passed Makarov without warmth, prompting Gildarts to ask whether Makarov would tell him the truth.

As Fiore’s guilds joined Ren’s war against the Alvarez Empire, Ren prepared for a prolonged conflict and considered how to awaken more powerful allies. Madara Uchiha, Dragon, and Whitebeard reached an Alvarez island, where Whitebeard unleashed quakes and a towering tsunami against its troops.

• Makarov sent Gildarts to take Laxus to the battlefield, explaining that Laxus’s temper would make staying in the guild awkward.
• Guilds across Fiore and the Magic Council joined Ren’s war after the royal family and Ren pressed them to participate.
• Ren and Ryder discussed the approaching fighters, the possibility of finding more Dragon Crystals, and whether the dragons inside two awakened children could awaken others.
• Madara Uchiha, Dragon, and Whitebeard arrived aboard a Dimensional Guild warship at an island in Alvarez’s territory, where Whitebeard began attacking it with quakes.
• Whitebeard’s Airquake and Seaquake triggered an earthquake and a tsunami thousands of meters high, terrifying the troops stationed on the island.

Whitebeard destroyed an island, shocking the young recruits and revealing his strength to Zeref and the Alvarez Empire. Zeref restored the aged Twelve Shields to youth and sent them to war, while August let several charge ahead to test the enemy and ordered Irene to gather intelligence.

• Whitebeard wiped out an island with one strike as the youths aboard the warships watched in shock.
• Zeref and August watched Whitebeard's attack on a magical screen and discussed the strength of Ren's forces and Fiore's planned support.
• Zeref ordered the Alvarez Empire to fight and restored the aged Twelve Shields to youth.
• August was appointed to command the war, and several newly rejuvenated Twelve Shields rushed toward Madara Uchiha and his companions to test themselves.
• Irene warned that the fighters were overconfident, and August sent her to observe and gather intelligence while they served as pawns for reconnaissance.

Toshiro and Dragon led the Dimensional Guild’s attack against the Alvarez Empire’s coastal magic corps, overwhelming their group spells. A member of the Twelve Shields appeared with a Sandstorm Dragon to oppose Dragon’s Wind Dragon.

• August told Irene that the aged and retired members of the Twelve Shields could regain their youth, and Irene headed for the coastline.
• The coastal magic corps unleashed group spells at the approaching Dimensional Guild warships, but Toshiro dispersed their flames with Hyorinmaru.
• Toshiro’s cold aura began freezing the sea as the corps launched more group magic toward the fleet.
• Dragon swallowed the corps’ tornado with a Wind Dragon, shattered its tsunami, and charged the coastal defenses.
• A member of the Twelve Shields summoned a Sandstorm Dragon and attacked Dragon’s Wind Dragon, giving the commander hope.

The newly rejuvenated Twelve Shields clashed with Akainu and Qing Zhi as the allied armies opened a path across the frozen sea. Akainu’s young legion shouted about justice, Dragon’s soldiers embraced revolution, and Whitebeard sent his troops charging into battle.

• The eight rejuvenated Twelve Shields appeared on the ice after the Wind Dragon fell and the sea froze.
• Akainu attacked the Twelve Shields with Meteor Volcano, and one Shield countered with Water Magic—Dragon Star Cluster.
• Qing Zhi used Ice Age to join the frozen sea to the shoreline, and Akainu struck the water-magic user with Great Eruption.
• Akainu urged his young legion to uphold justice while Dragon rallied his soldiers to fight for revolution and liberate the Alvarez Empire.
• Zeref watched the battle in disbelief, and Whitebeard laughed before ordering his young legion to charge.

Dragon and Akainu led the young legion into battle, with Akainu killing one of the Twelve Shields and Whitebeard arriving to destroy a summoned Devil. Whitebeard charged the coastline, where a veteran Twelve Shields member blocked his slash, prompting Akainu to taunt him as old.

• Dragon crushed a Twelve Shields member’s sandstorm with Wind Dragon’s Hook Claw and charged at him.
• Akainu destroyed his opponent’s saltwater magic, pierced the Twelve Shields member’s heart with a magma fist, and inspired the young legion to charge toward the coastline.
• The commander summoned a massive Devil to stop Akainu, but Whitebeard shattered it with a ball of vibrating energy.
• Whitebeard split the frozen sea and attacked the coastline, but a veteran Twelve Shields member blocked his slash with Iron Magic—Adamant.
• Akainu mocked Whitebeard for growing old, and Whitebeard charged forward with vibration-powered fists and slashes.

Zeref watched Ren’s forces overwhelm the current Twelve Shields and ordered August to awaken the original Twelve Shields and summon the Devils and Mechanical Race. Irene then reported that the newly restored Twelve Shields had been crushed by Madara Uchiha’s fighters, who grew more formidable as they adapted to battle.

• Zeref rebuked August over the Twelve Shields’ poor performance and ordered him to awaken the original Twelve Shields and summon the Devils he had created.
• August tasked Bloodman with gathering the Devils and Wall with mobilizing the Mechanical Race for the war.
• August told Larcade to remain behind and protect the imperial palace while Zeref focused on the battle.
• Irene contacted August and reported that the restored Twelve Shields had been completely defeated by Madara Uchiha’s forces, whose fighters improved as they adapted to battle.

Irene and August watched in shock as Might Duy devastated the battlefield with physical combat, while Zeref admired his strength. Qing Zhi killed his Iceflame Magic opponent and urged his legion to seize a base in the Alvarez Empire as Toshiro prepared to finish his own fight.

• August told Irene to gather intelligence and retreat if Madara Uchiha discovered her, while Irene vowed to kill him someday.
• Might Duy struck the Devil and the magic legion with powerful physical attacks that used no magic elements, astonishing Irene, August, and Zeref.
• Might Duy unleashed Hasshoken—Earthquake Wave, cracking the ground and sending stones and vibrations across the battlefield.
• Qing Zhi used Six Powers—Shave to cut off the Iceflame Magic user's arm, then killed him with an ice blade.
• Qing Zhi told his legion to seize a base and move the fighting into the Alvarez Empire, while Toshiro decided to end his own battle.

Toshiro and the allied fighters defeated the Twelve Shields and secured the coast before Dragon revealed that Irene had been watching them. Madara confronted Irene, and their fight began as she used Enchantment Magic to resist his attacks and unleash the Sage Dragon’s Roar.

• Toshiro used Bankai and Eight Cold Hells to freeze a Twelve Shield’s soul, then headed toward the ongoing battle.
• Dragon, Tobirama Senju, and Whitebeard defeated the remaining Twelve Shields while Might Duy defeated the magic legion on shore.
• Madara Uchiha declared that the coast was secured and that the invasion of the Alvarez Empire would follow, while Tobirama said they should wait for Lord Ren’s instructions.
• Dragon blew away the clouds and exposed Irene, who had been watching the battle; Madara taunted her about becoming his lord’s mount.
• Irene attacked Madara with Enchantment Magic, but Whitebeard shattered her falling clouds and Madara countered her wind and gravitational enchantments.
• Irene resisted Madara’s pull with Self-Enchanted Repulsion and unleashed the Sage Dragon’s Roar.

The Battle King awakened and left to rescue Irene while August roused the other First-generation Twelve Shields. Madara Uchiha and Irene remained locked in battle until the Battle King attacked, and Whitebeard struck back at his temporal shockwave.

• August lost contact with Irene when she crushed her Magic Crystal during her furious fight with Madara Uchiha.
• The Battle King awakened, used Time Magic to restore his youth, and went to bring Irene back.
• August told the Battle King about his great-granddaughter Dimaria Yesta, then awakened the other First-generation Twelve Shields.
• Madara Uchiha and Irene continued their deadlocked fight as Tobirama considered joining forces to defeat Madara Uchiha.
• The Battle King launched a Time Explosion Wave at Madara Uchiha, and Whitebeard countered it with Airquake.

Battle King emerged from a long sleep, fought Madara Uchiha with Time Energy, and escaped with Irene after the others let them go. Madara Uchiha became eager to devour Battle King's Time Energy, while Battle King arrived at the imperial palace and spat out blood.

• Battle King appeared during Irene and Madara Uchiha's fight, introduced himself as the Battle King of the First-generation Twelve Shields, and used Time Seal to slow Susanoo's sword until it shattered.
• Madara Uchiha and Battle King exchanged blows, then Battle King grabbed Irene and declared that the First-generation Twelve Shields would face them at their peak next time.
• Madara Uchiha used Banshō Ten'in to pull at Irene, but Battle King used Time Flow to make him release her and absorb the time beam with the Preta Path.
• Qing Zhi, Dragon, and Tobirama revealed that Zeref's aura had been locking onto them, while Battle King used Time Transfer to escape with Irene without interference.
• Madara Uchiha praised the Time Energy and vowed to devour Battle King next time, while Battle King reached the imperial palace and spat out blood.

Battle King recovered from his injuries after Zeref restored his youth, while Zeref warned that he could not intervene again because Ren might notice. A year later, Ren heard that Sting Eucliffe had forced the Dragon Crystal out of his body.

• Battle King admitted that he had underestimated his enemies, and August warned him that Zeref had saved him and Irene from being left behind.
• August brought Battle King to Zeref, who restored his youth and told him to win the war without expecting further intervention.
• Zeref reflected on his wariness of Ren and said the war’s outcome remained uncertain.
• After another year, Ryder told Ren that Sting Eucliffe had forced the Dragon Crystal out of his body.
• Ren approved of Sting’s feat and explained that removing a Dragon Crystal through one’s own magic power could strengthen a Dragon Slayer.