Makarov at the Gate
In the town below the Magic Council, Hughes wandered around like an ordinary tourist, trying to expose himself to as many people as possible.
As the setting sun cast its last rays, Hughes boarded the train at the station with a satisfied expression. He was heading to the nearest town to this city.
For the next three days, Hughes traveled from town to town, deliberately seeking out crowded places.
On the evening of the third day, Hughes finished his dinner leisurely, booked a room at the largest hotel in town, told the receptionist not to disturb him, and then disappeared.
As dusk began to fall, a figure flashed past far from the inn. Hughes, unleashing his full power... Jose Bora was like a wisp of wind in the night, invisible and intangible, reappearing only in the distance.
Hughes deliberately traveled to this town to clear his name, not because the town was special, but simply because it was far enough away from the Magic Council.
After three days of deliberate concealment, coupled with the great distance and the fact that he didn't travel by train or use magical vehicles, Hughes believed that no one would connect the fake Jose who appeared in the Magic Council with him.
... except for Laxus and others who knew his true identity.
The reason Hughes went to the Magic Council again this time was to complete the sixth sub-mission of the "Pirate Journey": Destroy the East Blue Marine Base, which is to destroy the Magic Council headquarters.
Secondly, he wanted to kill Crawford Himm, hoping to nip the tragedies caused by him in the bud by eliminating this parasite beforehand.
Hughes didn't believe in the world's corrective power; he only knew that if either of these two goals was achieved, the magical world would focus its attention on the Magic Council.
The Magic Council won't be able to act so recklessly anymore!
Perhaps with more people paying attention, the underhanded dealings within the Magic Council might be exposed, prompting the current administrators of the Magic Council to step down sooner.
Because the Magic Council was too far away, Hughes, disguised as Jose, didn't dare to delay and immediately pushed Shave and Geppo to their fullest extent. After all, he still had to get back to the inn before dawn after completing these two tasks.
Tonight, the moon is not high in the sky, nor are the stars; thick black clouds make the night even darker.
A gust of wind swept across towns, suburbs, mountains, and rivers under the cover of night... until the magnificent complex of buildings standing atop the mountain came into view.
The fierce wind transformed into a gentle breeze, slowly hiding wherever it could, infiltrating the brightly lit Magic Council.
Having already toured the Magic Council a few days prior, Hughes knew exactly how to infiltrate this magnificent complex.
Using his Advanced Observation Haki, Hughes easily evaded the passing patrols and arrived at Crawford Him's room in no time.
Not only was Crawford Himm in the room, but Hughes also sensed that Ogre and other councilmen were inside. He wondered what these old men were doing together so late at night.
If you want to fencing, if your hardness and strength aren't sufficient, you'll get into trouble!
But it's all for the best; with so many important figures witnessing Jose kill Crawford Himm, it's easier for him to clear himself of suspicion.
Just as Hughes was rubbing his hands together, his face beaming with excitement, ready to give the group of old men a surprise.
"Clatter!"
A hand suddenly landed on Hughes' waist.
In that instant, Hughes was so frightened that the hairs on his body stood on end, and his heart seemed to stop beating for a moment...
Hughes couldn't help but curse inwardly; he had indeed just seen the hospital director come to take him back to the hospital.
He possessed Advanced Observation Haki, which he hadn't turned off since entering the Magic Council, and he hadn't even sensed anyone behind him!
What kind of monster is this?
Did those old guys like Crawford Heem have something up their sleeve?
"I sensed you the moment you stepped into the Magic Council. Go back!" A familiar sigh sounded behind Hughes.
Hughes stared in shock, his eyes wide, and turned his head in disbelief.
Damn it... What's that old man Makarov doing here?!
After Hughes left the Magic Council, Yajima sent a message to Makarov, briefly recounting what Hughes had done within the Magic Council.
After reading the letter, Makarov was so frightened he almost tore off his beard. Hughes was practically dancing on a knife's edge.
Crawford Simm is no good guy; he often says one thing and does another behind your back.
Having suffered such a great loss at Hughes's hands, Crawford Himm was perfectly capable of secretly gathering powerful individuals to deal with Hughes.
Therefore, after reading Yajima's letter, Makarov rushed to the Magic Council to clean up Hughes' mess.
To Makarov's surprise, he had been at the Magic Council all day and hadn't even seen Crawford Him.
After Crawford Simm's injuries improved slightly, he was invited to a temporary meeting room by radical members of Congress, including Ogre, and has not yet emerged.
At this moment, Yajima handed Makarov a report on his investigation into Hughes's recent movements and activities.
Makarov could tell at a glance that Hughes was up to no good. The rascal would rather be bored and lie in a corner of the guild, staring blankly and looking at photo albums, than go out and wander around.
There's only one reason why this situation described in the investigation report would occur: that bastard Hughes has something else to do!
Aside from the Magic Council, Makarov couldn't think of anything else that Hughes could be involved in!
To prevent Hughes from doing anything foolish, Makarov began hiding in the shadows from evening onwards, keeping a close watch on the entire Magic Council.
As long as Hughes doesn't return to the guild, he will keep an eye on the Magic Council. If Hughes does appear in the Magic Council, he will immediately take action, suppress the brat, and bring him back to the guild.
Late at night, Makarov sensed someone had infiltrated the Magic Council and secretly followed them.
At first, Makarov was slightly taken aback when he saw that it was Jose Bora. Jose didn't seem like the kind of person who would do such a petty theft!
It wasn't until Makarov recalled what Hughes had told him about impersonating Jose in Thunder Valley that he realized the person in front of him was Hughes.
So just as Hughes was about to make his move, Makarov stopped him.
"Stop fooling around, come back with me. You underestimate the magical world. If something happens to these people now, no matter how perfectly you handle it, the old fogies of the magical world can use magical means to find their killer!"
Makarov grabbed Hughes's arm and earnestly tried to persuade him.
Hughes, completely oblivious to what Makarov was saying, reached out and patted him on the head.
Good heavens, it really is an old man. If it's him, then Hughes can understand why his Observation Haki can't sense him.
After all, even ordinary strong individuals in the pirate world can avoid the perception of Observation Haki, let alone Makarov.
Seeing that Hughes was standing there motionless with Jose's face on his head, Makarov urged him anxiously a few more times.
Although the commotion was minor, the two individuals' proximity to the makeshift meeting room quickly attracted the attention of those inside...