Resurrecting the dead.
Controlling the undead.
No matter the world, these are forbidden arts—methods that defy the laws of heaven and disrupt the balance of life and death.
While Marshal Sengoku stood trembling, overwhelmed by the joy of Rosinante's return, Vice Admiral Crane, the ever-vigilant Chief of Staff, forced herself to remain clear-headed. She alone clung to reason—Marine's final fragment of sanity amidst chaos.
Even with her long-lost daughter standing alive before her, she refused to waver.
"Grandma, what are you saying?" cried Peacock, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Chairman Sugisawa Yuuto brought Mom back! Aren't you happy?"
Her voice was trembling with both excitement and disbelief.
"Mom, it's… it's really you! I've missed you so much!"
The resurrected woman's tears flowed freely as she reached out for her mother.
Vice Admiral Crane's heart convulsed violently. Every instinct within her screamed to embrace her daughter—to hold her tightly and never let go.
But she couldn't.
Not yet.
"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Crane. I know what you're afraid of."
Sugisawa Yuuto's smile was calm, yet an unsettling aura of power radiated from him.
"The things you fear won't happen. Taboo arts… their danger depends on who uses them and why. Remember that."
"That's right!"
"The Guild Master isn't some demon!"
"You should be grateful to him!"
"After all, he's the one who reunited you with your loved ones!"
"The Guild Master makes dreams come true!"
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime miracle!"
"Honestly, I'm a little jealous right now!"
Robin, Nami, Vivi, Perona, and the other Fairy Tail girls all spoke up one after another, their words bright and full of admiration.
Their faith in Yuuto—and the warmth of their voices—cracked Crane's emotional defenses.
The last thread of Marine's reason snapped.
"Don't worry," Yuuto said softly, his voice almost divine. "Everyone's wishes can be fulfilled."
"Really?"
"Wonderful!"
"Then let's finish this quickly!"
"I can't wait any longer!"
The Fairy Tail girls were already preparing for battle, unable to contain their eagerness.
"That's the spirit."
Yuuto turned his gaze slowly toward the Five Elders of the Hidden World Government, his eyes narrowing in amusement.
"My girls are getting impatient," he said casually, spreading his hands. "So let's settle this quickly."
"Hmph! 'Quickly'? Such arrogance!"
The leader of the Heavenly Knights, Figaland Garin, sneered coldly.
"Don't think your tricks will sway us," declared Elder Peter, slamming his cane into the ground. "No matter how many undead you summon, our resolve will not falter!"
"Oh?" Yuuto tilted his head slightly. "Not even if it were the Sun God Nika?"
"What—?! How do you know that name?!"
Peter's face turned ghostly pale, his composure crumbling in an instant.
"Heh… relax," Yuuto chuckled. "Just kidding. It's not time for Joy Boy's resurrection yet. I'll save that surprise for the one above you."
"Above…?!"
Yuuto's words struck like a blade. Elder Peter's face drained of color entirely.
He understood the implication instantly.
Sugisawa Yuuto knew too much.
He didn't just know of Nika or Joy Boy.
He knew about the truth behind the World Government.
He knew there was a being above the Five Elders.
He knew about Lord Im—and he intended to deliver Joy Boy's resurrection as a "gift" to that hidden ruler.
Unforgivable.
That knowledge could never be allowed to exist.
If the Sun God Nika appeared before Lord Im, the balance of the entire world would collapse.
Peter's fury rose like fire—
And in the very next instant—
BOOM!
Without warning, an overwhelming surge of chakra crashed down from above.
The sky itself seemed to shatter.
The World Government's airship was slammed to the ground by a torrent of super-gravity.
And then—
Blinding light erupted, tearing across the battlefield like divine wrath.
"Smash!!!"