Bonus Chapters every 200 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X791]
~ With Shisui ~
The answer surprised both Makarov and Gildarts, though not for the reasons most people might expect. It wasn't surprising that Shisui had family, or even that they might be looking for him. What surprised them was the expression that crossed his face when he spoke about them, the way his entire demeanor softened with genuine affection.
They both understood what it meant to be grounded by the bonds a person chose to protect. True strength didn't come from power alone, but from having something worth fighting for. The fact that someone as powerful as Shisui remained connected to those bonds spoke volumes about his character.
Before either of them could respond, Makarov surprised Shisui with his next words.
"Before you go looking for your family out there, you should reunite with the family you have in here."
As if summoned by his words, the office door burst open with enough force to bang against the wall. A small figure came flying through the entrance like a guided missile that had found its target, moving with the kind of single-minded determination that Shisui could easily recognize.
Shisui already knew who she was before she could even reach him. His reflexes allowed him to catch little Asuka Connell in a smooth 360-degree turn that absorbed her momentum and kept them both upright.
"SHISHI-NII! YOU'RE BACK!" She squealed, her small arms wrapping around his neck fiercely.
By the door, Bisca and Alzack stood with apologetic expressions, flanked by Team Fairy Tail and several other guild members who had clearly been hoping to catch a glimpse of the returned S-class mage.
"Sorry about this..." Alzack said, his voice carrying the patient tone of a father who'd grown accustomed to his daughter's enthusiastic behavior. "When Asuka woke up from her afternoon nap and learned that Shisui had returned, she immediately wanted to see her 'big brother' and wouldn't take no for an answer."
Makarov and Shisui both laughed, the sound rich and warm and echoed by the rest of the guild members crowding in the doorway. The tension that had been building throughout their serious conversation evaporated in the face of such pure, innocent joy.
Asuka pulled back slightly, her eyes bright with excitement as she showed off the forehead protector she was wearing. "Look, Shishi-nii! Look what I got for my birthday!"
She then produced her wooden kunai, holding it up with the kind of cute pride that only a child could manage. "And this too! Now I'm a real shinobi just like you!"
Shisui's smile was genuine and delighted as he examined her gifts with the seriousness they deserved. "This is perfect, Asuka. You're wearing your hitai-ate exactly right, and that kunai is beautifully crafted."
His approval meant everything to her, and she beamed with happiness as she settled more comfortably in his arms.
Meanwhile, Gildarts had spotted his own daughter in the crowd. Cana was trying to look casual, leaning against the doorframe with her usual barrel of alcohol, but her eyes kept drifting to her father.
With movements that could only be described as comically eager, Gildarts made a beeline straight toward her. "Cana! My beloved daughter!"
"Knock it off, old man," Cana protested, but her voice lacked any real annoyance. Despite her protests, she didn't resist when her father swept her into an enthusiastic hug that lifted her feet off the ground.
The sight of the two reunions, one between chosen family and the other between blood relatives, caused another round of laughter to spread through the assembled guild members.
~ Later that night, with Shisui ~
"Eleventh place, huh?" Shisui said, settling into a chair at one of the long tables in Fairy Tail's main hall.
The evening had settled over the guild with comfortable warmth. Most of the day's excitement had died down, leaving behind the kind of relaxed atmosphere that encouraged long conversations and shared stories. Team Fairy Tail had gathered around him, with a few other mages joining in to learn more about their newest member who had returned from the dead.
Romeo's face flushed with embarrassment. "I know eleventh wasn't exactly what we were hoping for. We trained so hard, but the competition was just—"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Shisui interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "Eleventh place in the Grand Magic Games is nothing to be ashamed of."
He looked around the table, taking in the faces of the team he had trained. "I can tell you've all grown stronger in my absence. Especially you, Romeo. The improvement is obvious to anyone who knows what to look for."
The teenager straightened slightly at the praise, though he still looked doubtful.
"The fact that you managed eleventh place just speaks to the increased level of competition from the other guilds," Shisui continued. "When I left, most of the major guilds during the games did not look all too much."
The conversation flowed naturally from there, covering the events that had shaped the guild during his absence. They told him about the battle with the dark mages disguised as Twilight Ogre members, and of how the returned Tenrou Island group had arrived just in time to turn a potential massacre into a decisive victory.
"The timing was incredible… Another few minutes and we might have lost Romeo and Jet entirely." Bisca said, shaking her head at the memory.
"But we didn't," Max added quickly, glancing at the two mages. "And now that everyone's back together, this year's X791 Grand Magic Games are going to be completely different."
The enthusiasm in his voice was infectious, and soon the entire table was discussing possibilities for the upcoming competition. The return of the Tenrou Island survivors had restored Fairy Tail's full strength, and the addition of Shisui's mysterious abilities gave them options they'd never had before.
"Speaking of the Games," Jet said, turning to look at Shisui directly, "you're going to participate this year, right? I mean, you have to. We need our full strength if we're going to show everyone what Fairy Tail can really do."
All eyes turned to Shisui, waiting for his answer. He was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he considered the question and everything it implied.
"Of course I'll participate." He said finally, his voice carrying a note of certainty that made several people smile.
"I have a promise to keep."
The table erupted in cheers, voices raised in excitement and anticipation.
"Yeah, Sabertooth won't know what hit them!" someone called out, and the sentiment was echoed by everyone present.
~ End of Chapter 95 ~
You can read advanced chapter on p@treon.com/The_Editor982
A/N: That's right! Shisui is going to participate in the X791 Grand Magic Games! Anyone want to guess which of the two team's he would be placed in and just who exactly he would be replacing??? Fairy Tail A has Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy and Wendy. Fairy Tail B has Laxus, Gajeel, Juvia, Mira and Mystogan (Jelal). I mean the answer is obvious, isn't it? Shisui's obviously replacing Nats- BOO!