"What did you say?! You bastard!"
"Fight me! You're not getting away with destroying our guild. I'm gonna send you flying!"
Gajeel looked down at him, his lips curling into a sneer. "Heh... if you want a fight, bring it on. You think I'm scared of you?"
"You two..."
The Guild Master looked at Natsu's stubborn face, his eyes practically blazing, then at the utterly unconcerned Gajeel. Finally, he scanned the faces around them, each holding back anger.
He opened his mouth, let out a long sigh, and rubbed his brow helplessly.
The challenge was officially accepted. Everyone backed away on their own, clearing a space.
Natsu slowly lowered his stance, searing flames flaring around his right fist as he prepared to strike.
Gajeel, however, kept his arms folded. He hadn't even bothered to take a basic fighting stance, his face a picture of indifference.
Seeing Gajeel looking so relaxed, as though he thought nothing of him, Natsu knitted his brows.
"You bastard! What the hell is that stance?!"
"Heh. If you're going to fight, fight. Cut the chatter, Fire Dragon."
Natsu's anger surged.
"...Fine! Then I won't hold back!" He kicked off the ground and hurtled forward in a streak of fire. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Bam!!
His blazing fist slammed squarely into Gajeel's face.
To everyone's surprise, Gajeel hadn't dodged at all. The punch distorted his face and sent him flying backward, crashing through several tables in a heap.
An uproar rose from the sidelines. Natsu stood frozen with his fist raised. After the initial shock, his frown only deepened.
Gajeel slowly got back to his feet. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, spat on the ground, and stared coldly at Natsu.
"...Feel better now?"
"What the hell