'I still can't replicate One Hit KO despite using it then. Though one of the reasons might be due to not focusing much on it.' Kazu recalled the highly destructive technique Cana had accidentally created.
'Anyway, this taught me an important lesson. Just grinding my way to the top is not the best way. Creativity is very important. Just looking at "Lock" or Cana's "One-hit Ko" is the best example.
Lock is just precisely putting barriers around an opponent, making them unable to gain momentum.
On the other hand, "One-hit KO" is basically concentrating all the Ethernano at one part and using it to enhance that part, along with releasing the Ethernano. It requires delicate control.
Though neither of them can be called 'simple' as the learning curve for them for a normal person is hard, what makes them special is the fact that they complement my already existing skills.
The awareness that comes up with Active Instincts lets me do Lock properly and One-hit Ko, whose difficulty would increase by a notch if I do it without that.' Kazu bit his lips.
'So, I need to find a direction that would complement my existing skills and combine it with something else within my skill set and create something useful. Simple.' Kazu wryly smiled.
It was easier said than done. If it were that easy, then many people would have become pretty strong.
'Well, it's not like I had any ideas. I do have a perfect idea that matches every criterion. The thing is... Is it worth the risk? Am I willing to possibly sacrifice possibly few months to make this technique?' The decision was one of the hardest Kazu had ever made.
He stood there for a while before leaving the library.
"Are you heading for lunch?"
"Yeah."
Kazu silently walked beside Levy.
'Well, I still have time to think about. I need to first properly learn One Hit Ko. I have time till then.'
He opened the door and entered the tavern.
"Why is it all silen—" Kazu paused.
He instantly understood why the tavern was unusually quiet despite there being so many people.
Laxus.
"Oh my. What perfect timing. I was just needing somebody strong to gauge my progress." Kazu grinned.
Laxus glanced at him. He had a bored look on his face, but suddenly, as if remembering something, a grin erupted on his face.
"Is that so? Actually, I also have something to show you."
Kazu blinked. "Oh? I would be hon—" Even before he could complete his statement, Ethernano rushed at his legs, and he jumped back, grabbing Levy too.
On the spot he stood, half a second later, a lightning bolt streaked from the side.
"Hey! You are going to hurt people now." Kazu said while patting Levy, motioning with his hands to go away.
Levy quickly nodded and got out of the way.
"It wouldn't have hit her even if you hadn't dodged." Laxus shrugged.
"Well, accidents could happen, you know. Also, do you really want to fight here?" Kazu said while looking away.
Without saying anything, everyone had prepared to watch the battle and had gotten into combat position to ready themselves.
"The betting pool is opening. Minimum bet is 10,000 Jewels."
Kazu's eyes twitched when he heard that. He turned towards the source and saw Cana standing on top of the counter.
"They would be fine. I think you should worry about yourself." Laxus got up from his seat. He then stretched his hands back—
BOOM
Kazu's eyes widened as he felt a large force behind him.
He quickly jumped forward and turned around.
"Your barriers seem to have gotten stronger. I wonder if it could withstand this." Laxus took a deep breath through his mouth.
Kazu recognised the attack, which made his heart beat faster.
He pushed the fear down.
'Active Instincts.'
The world lost its colour as cyan-coloured Ethernano moved in front of Kazu, making a visible wall.
"Lightning Dragon's Roar"
Blue-Yellow Lightning beam almost instantly hit the cyan-coloured wall in front of Kazu.
The light it gave out was blinding as everyone closed their eyes while instinctively putting on any defensive spell they knew.
The light remained for a few seconds before disappearing.
There was pin-drop silence in the tavern, contrary to its usual liveliness, which made everyone uncomfortable.
It was only after few seconds after their eyes had adapted back that they could see the aftermath.
Laxus was standing in the same spot. So was Kazu.
However, if one carefully notices, lightning sparkles now and then from Kazu's body.
"This...good...technique", Kazu's voice came out broken due to his current paralysed status.
"You are still standing?" Laxus had a baffled expression on his face.
'I held back so as not to kill him, but even so, it was nearly maximum output I could make without preparing for the roar.'
"Ye"
Blue coloured spheres materialised around Kazu before rushing at blinding speeds at Laxus.
"That's new." Lightning discharged from Laxus as they took the form of tendrils and intercepted those bullets.
He withstood the attacks for a few seconds before frowning. "Wait, did you just learned this in the last year?" Though he said this, Laxus's voice sounded almost disappointed.
"You are going to hurt my feelings. It takes time to grow, ya know." Kazu appeared in front of Laxus and punched him.
THUD
Fist met Fist.
Lightning tried to reach Kazu; however, an invisible barrier kept it at bay.
"Enhancement? Guess, you can now add it as decoration." Laxus taunted Kazu's external enhancement as he kicked.
"Those are not decorations! The multiplier is crazier than before. You will see the difference in a few years." Kazu side-stepped the kick and swept at Laxus's legs.
"Well, whatever. I am bored. I hope you aren't this weak next time." Lightning concentrated in Laxus's fist as he jumped before punching Kazu right in the gut.
SHATTER
Kazu wasn't able to create a barrier strong enough that quickly.
The last thing he saw before everything went back was Laxus looking up.
---
"Ahh..." I feel like somebody hit me with a truck.
"You are finally awake." Kazu blinked for a few seconds before looking at the white ceiling.
'Infirmary.'
"Yeah. The guy can hit like a truck." Kazu got up from the bed as he faced Gray.
Gray smirked. "I know. Anyway, just check your body and see if you are alright."
"Give me a minute."
Kazu slowly stretched his body while focusing on any discomfort.
He only felt an aching pain in his gut, which was rapidly reducing.
"I am fine." He got out of bed.
"Cool. It's almost dinner time. Do you have an appetite?"
"I will eat later. Though I would like a cold drink. My throat is drier than a penguin in a desert."
They both started walking towards the tavern.
"This reminds me that one time I saw a penguin." Gray broke the silence.
"For real?" Kazu's eyes widened.
"Real." Gray nodded seriously.
"Were they cute?" Kazu narrowed his eyes.
"Nope. In fact, they were ugly as fuck." Gray shook his head in disgust.
"...I see."
They both took a seat on the counter and ordered their food.
"Anyway, I wanted to discuss something with you." Gray suddenly said, before looking around as if making sure that nobody was listening to their conversation.
"Yeah? What do you want to talk about?"
"This is about that mission. You know the time when you..." Gray didn't need to explicitly say, as Kazu understood which time he was talking about.
The time when Kazu almost killed Cana.
"Why now? It has been months. Moreover, haven't we talked about this before?" Kazu frowned.
"Not that. I mean, it's related, but not exactly. I am saying this now only 'coz you were pretty busy in your training and I didn't know how to approach it. I first talked with Erza, and she told me that she will leave the decision to me. So, I decided to talk to you."
Kazu furrowed his brows. "I am getting confused. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Gray took a breath before dropping his voice to almost a whisper. "Do you remember what Cana's last words were before the master arrived?"
"Ehhh... No?" Kazu didn't remember anything important that Cana had told him during that moment, other than the fact that she would have regretted it if she hadn't stopped him.
Just thinking about it dropped Kazu's mood.
"I thought so. You were too emotional to listen. Well..." Gray motioned him to come closer.
Kazu dumbfounded, looked at him as he leaned closer.
"I hope it's not a prank, and you would not do something dumb now."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "No, it's not a prank. Also, what do you mean by dumb? What would I do dumb in this situation?"
"You know dumb shit... like kissing people after asking them to lean close."
***
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