Bonus Chapters every 200 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X791]
~ With Shisui ~
Like this, Fairy Tail felt whole again. The days that followed passed quickly, filled with the kind of chaotic energy that had always defined the guild. Shisui remained at the guild hall during this time, partly because he wanted to spend time Fairy Tail, but mostly because he didn't want to cause widespread panic by appearing in public before he was ready.
He knew it was inevitable that someone would recognize him, or that someone from the Magic Council would slip up and announce his return before he could control the narrative. The news that Shisui the Teleporter had returned from the dead would spread like wildfire through the magical community, and he wanted to be prepared for that storm.
Which was why he now found himself standing before the S-rank mission board on the second floor of the guild hall, looking for the perfect way to announce his triumphant return to the world.
"Looking for something specific?"
Shisui didn't turn around, recognizing Makarov's voice immediately. The only S-class mages currently in the guild were himself, Mirajane, and the Guild Master. Laxus and his team had already departed for their training regimen, while Gildarts had left for what he'd casually described as a "five-year quest" with the same tone most people used to discuss weekend plans.
The question brought back memories of his first conversation with Makarov about the mission hierarchy that existed. Shisui had been surprised to learn that S-rank missions had their own internal rankings, with the highest known classification being the legendary 100-year quest that had never been completed by anyone.
He'd been even more surprised to learn about Gildarts' encounter with Acnologia during a failed 100-year quest, and the physical price the Ace had paid for that meeting. The fact that Gildarts had managed to escape at all spoke to both his power and his wisdom in recognizing when retreat was the only option.
But the most shocking revelation had been about his own recent mission to the Mountain Zone. According to Makarov, that particular quest fell into a category known as "Black Quests" among the Wizard Saints and the truly elite S-class mages of Ishgar. These were missions involving forbidden magic, time-space risks, or sealed gods and demons. They were extremely classified, and the only reason such a mission had been posted publicly to Fairy Tail with minimal information was because Shisui had needed an excuse to disappear for his training.
The memory of that conversation made him chuckle nervously. Makarov had been remarkably understanding about the whole situation, but Shisui still wasn't entirely sure what the Guild Master thought about his real reasons for taking such a dangerous mission.
"Just looking for something to announce my return," Shisui replied, his eyes scanning the various mission flyers posted on the board.
Makarov walked up beside him and pointed to a specific S-rank posting. "How about this one?"
Shisui examined the mission flyer, and his eyebrows rose as he read the details. It was a mass dark guild elimination quest, the kind of mission that required not just power but also the willingness to make hard choices about life and death.
Throughout the week since his return, Makarov had gotten to understand a lot about Shisui's nature and moral compass. The Guild Master had observed how Shisui approached conflicts, how he balanced mercy with necessity, and how he distinguished between mindless violence and violence in service of protection.
There was a clear line in Shisui's mind between killing for pleasure and killing to keep others safe. He would avoid taking a life whenever possible, but when faced with threats that couldn't be reasoned with or reformed, he was capable of making the difficult choice. It was a distinction that Makarov respected, and one that marked the difference between a truly elite mage and someone who was merely powerful.
Shisui smiled as he realized with growing satisfaction that it was a hunt for the specific dark guilds that had been responsible for the attack on Fairy Tail. The ones who had disguised themselves as Twilight Ogre members and nearly killed Romeo and Jet.
"This would be perfect." He said, his smile carrying an edge that spoke of personal investment in the outcome.
Makarov nodded, his own expression hardening slightly. Despite his reputation as a kind and forgiving leader, he was still someone who could hold grudges, especially against dark mages who targeted his children. The attack on Fairy Tail had been a violation that demanded response, and both men understood that some debts could only be paid in blood.
Shisui got the mission stamped and approved by Makarov, the official seal marking it as an active S-rank quest under his jurisdiction. After saying goodbye to his guild mates and promising to bring back a souvenir for Asuka from his travels, he prepared to depart.
For the first time since his return, Shisui performed his Body Flicker technique in plain view of the returned Tenrou Island members. The effect was instantaneous and dramatic as he simply vanished from sight, leaving behind only the faint disturbance in the air that marked his passage.
Bisca huffed and shook her head, though her expression was more amused than annoyed. "Show off. Look how excited he's got Asuka with that flashy magic."
Indeed, the little girl was clapping enthusiastically and bouncing on her toes, her eyes bright with wonder at what she'd just witnessed.
Cana, who had been sitting at the bar nursing her usual drink, whistled appreciatively. "The titles weren't kidding. It really does look like he's teleporting."
From behind the counter, Lisanna looked up from helping Mirajane with the evening cleanup.
"Now the name makes perfect sense. Shisui the Teleporter." She grinned mischievously. "I can't wait for Natsu and the others to come back and see our newest member in action. I'm one hundred percent certain that Natsu will try to pick a fight with him, only to lose in an instant just like he always does against Gildarts or Laxus."
Mirajane and Cana both laughed at the comment. The image of Natsu charging headfirst into a battle he couldn't win was so familiar, so perfectly in character, that it was impossible not to find humour in it.
~ End of Chapter 96 ~
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