Three Days After Thriller Bark
News of Fairy Tail's victory over Shichibukai Gekko Moria and the liberation of countless stolen shadows spread quietly, carried by survivors like Lola. Slowly, the world began to hear of it, and the wave of shock was immense.
"My shadow's back! Thank you, Fairy Tail!"
"Fairy Tail forever! Anyone who doubted them—who cares now!"
"Even if I tried to challenge Fairy Tail, it wouldn't matter!"
"My life feels complete… thank you, Fairy Tail!"
Everywhere, people whose shadows had been stolen by Moria—living in darkness, denied the sun for years—celebrated their newfound freedom.
"Hahaha! Another Shichibukai taken down by Fairy Tail!"
"Who will be next? I can't wait to see!"
"One Piece? Tyrant Bear? Hawkeye Mihawk? Jinbei of the Sea or Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo?"
"After the Shichibukai fall, will Fairy Tail challenge the Four Emperors?"
"I have a feeling the brightest new star of this era will rise to the top like never before. Let's wait and see!"
The excitement among the pirate world was palpable.
"Climbing to the top of the world, relying on a false emperor? Don't make me laugh!" Shichibukai Doflamingo sneered from the New World, over and over.
"That flashy kid? He'll be crushed! Anyone who can't hide their strength is doomed to be overturned by the waves of the sea! Now the world watches Fairy Tail… one crew capable of making enemies of everyone! Fufufufu!"
On the ghost island of Wano, at the Hundred Beasts' base, Plague Quinn sneered.
"Gekko Moria? Rotten fish and shrimp," she said.
"Twenty years ago, Wano fell easily to Kaido, and Moria's crew wiped out my friends. But defeating Moria? Hardly worth mentioning."
Yan Calamity Ember shrugged.
Meanwhile, at Red Force, the Red Hair Pirates celebrated.
"For getting my shadow back, I drink to you!" Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, lifted his glass with a smile.
At Marineford, Naval Headquarters, Marshal Sengoku's brow was still furrowed, migraines pounding.
In just a few months, two Shichibukai had been defeated, shaking the balance of the world.
And no one knew what Fairy Tail would do next.
"Sengoku," Vice Admiral Crane said gravely as he entered the Marshal's office.
"What is it, Crane? Is it about Moria?" Sengoku asked.
"No, it's South Blue," Crane replied.
"South Blue? Fairy Tail heading there?" Sengoku's expression darkened, still haunted by Fairy Tail's recent exploits.
"No, it's the lab—Vegapunk's lab in South Blue."
Sengoku exhaled in relief.
"What happened?"
"A few days ago, the institute suffered an unknown attack. A child was taken."
"Nani?!" Sengoku's eyes widened, cold sweat breaking out. The child in South Blue was crucial—not just a Shichibukai deterrent, but a valuable asset to the government and Vegapunk.
"Who did it? Did someone hire Fairy Tail for this?" Sengoku asked, anxious.
"Probably not," Crane shook his head.
"Based on the abilities we know of Fairy Tail members—except Mirajane—nothing matches the power of the attacker. Witnesses say the culprit can accelerate decay, collapsing even intact buildings. Sounds like a time-type ability… similar to Zephyr's subordinates."
Sengoku frowned.
"Good. If it's not Fairy Tail, let the South Blue branch act immediately to recover the child."
He paused, realizing something.
"Where's Garp? He hasn't shown up in days."
"Left headquarters a few days ago," Crane said.
"Nani? No one told me!" Sengoku exclaimed.
Blue-blue-blue~
The phone bug connected.
"Garp, where are you? Don't do anything unnecessary!" Sengoku said sternly.
"Unnecessary? I'm going after pirates!" came the casual reply of the legendary hero.
"Don't think I don't know your plans. Come back quickly, don't complicate things further!"
"Pfft hahahaha! Go back? Impossible. My number one disciple got beaten—how could I stay silent!" Garp snorted.
At Fairy Tail, the melodic sound of golden bells mingled with violin strings.
Brook practiced tirelessly, perfecting a performance for Laboon.
"I'm sorry to my South Blue partner. You'll have to wait a bit!"
Fairy Tail's current priority was completing their whale Laboon mission—returning Brook, the sole survivor of the Rumba Pirates, to Twin Point.
After finishing Thriller Bark, the guild naturally leveled up. Level 14's reward: Call of a New Companion.
The identity of the new partner was unknown, but the location was clear: South Blue.
While South Blue was out of the way, Sugisawa Yuuto had no issue taking a short detour for a side commission to avoid future trouble.
A day ago, a news bird from the World Economic News delivered new entrustment letters. Among them was a tracing request conveniently near Fairy Tail's current location.
After half a day's detour, Fairy Tail arrived at the gourmet town of Pukki on the Grand Line.
"Yes! The titans sent this commission. Those two must be the Enies Lobby gatekeepers," Nami said in surprise.
Pukki was famed for its food—food festivals ran 366 days a year. With the sea train now operational, tourists flocked constantly from the Water Capital and Queen of Spring Town.
A few days prior, two special guests arrived: the titans Cassie and Oimo, who had guarded Enies Lobby for fifty years before being knocked out by Sugisawa Yuuto's single punch.
Waking from their coma and learning the truth from government officials, they realized they had been deceived—never capturing Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ghost Brogy as promised.
Furious but naïve, the titans abandoned their post and stowed away on a sea train, eventually arriving at Pukki.
Though the town panicked at the sight of them, their recent help in handling Sea Kings had earned them recognition.
Deciding to entrust Fairy Tail with a commission, they sent letters via the World Economic News, which Nami received.
She immediately recalled her previous conversation with Vivi on the route from Whiskey Peak to Alabasta.
Little Garden—the next island on the usual path—was home to two titans said to be former captains of the giant soldiers. Robin confirmed the conjecture.
Seeing the opportunity, Nami agreed to accept the drop-in commission.
Sugisawa Yuuto summarized the plan: return to Twin Point to witness the 50-year agreement between Laboon and Brook, stock up on supplies in Pukki, then head to South Blue.
Fairy Tail arrived in Pukki after a half-day detour.
"I remember you! Titans of Enies Lobby! You blocked the President!" Nami said, scowling at Cassie and Oimo.
"We're sorry! We were lied to!" they replied, kneeling in apology.
"The World Government deceived us. We guarded Enies Lobby for fifty years, unknowingly offending the President," they explained.
"Alright, forget the past. If you want to help us find someone, what's your budget?" Nami asked.
The titans exchanged looks.
"No money. We trust Fairy Tail will find the captain. If it works, it's worth fifty years of unpaid service," they said seriously.
"Fifty… years?!" The Fairy Tail girls were stunned.
Finally, after some negotiation, Nami accepted the commission.
Though not official guild members, the titans could act as vassals, helping with errands such as material procurement.
Within two hours, the task was complete.
Fairy Tail set sail again.
By evening the next day, Twin Point was in sight.
Fifty years had passed, and the Rumba Pirates and whale Laboon awaited.