Yukino knelt on the cold marble floor, tears trailing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry… I've never been taken seriously. I dreamed of joining Sabertooth, yet after one mistake, I was cast out—stripped of my guild coat and humiliated before everyone. My pride shattered, and I had nowhere to go."
Natsu's fists clenched. He understood that burning shame of becoming homeless. Even among wizards, a true guild should never break its members' spirits.
"Yukino," Natsu said softly, "any guild that makes its own cry like this doesn't deserve the name."
Sabertooth Hotel Headquarters, Hallway
BANG BANG BANG!
Sting shot up from his bed. "What now?!"
Rogue flung open the door. "Intruders—get up!"
Flo scampered awake. "Lector, to arms!"
Sting frowned. We're the strongest guild—who dares trespass?
He grabbed his clothes and joined Rogue in the corridor.
Hotel Lobby
Natsu's fists ignited in roaring flames as he stormed forward, scattering Sabertooth members like rag dolls. "You've been searching for trouble? Here I am!"
From the doorway, Jiemma emerged, her eyes blazing. "You—child—how dare you disturb my guild?"
Natsu's flame-lit gaze never wavered. "If you abandon your friends, you lose the right to call this a guild. Fight me, and if I win, you disband Sabertooth."
Orga's jaw dropped. "He's challenging the guild president?"
Lector whispered, "Suicidal…"
Jiemma stepped forward, dismissing his henchmen. "You're not fit to face me."
Natsu lunged. "Come on—fight me!"
A ninja guard leapt in, striking at Natsu. Natsu ducked and, with a single iron-fisted blow, sent the ninja sprawling.
Sabertooth's top ten warriors exchanged stunned looks. Their comrade had just fallen to a single punch.
Sting glared. "Let me handle this."
Jiemma's lips curled into a smile. "So bold…"
She raised her arm to strike—only for a massive ice barrier to erupt between her and Natsu.
"Minerva?!" Natsu gasped.
Standing before them was Minerva, Jiemma's eldest daughter and Sabertooth's heir. "Enough," she said softly. "Father, this ends now."
Jiemma's rage faltered. Minerva continued:
"Your anger may be justified, Father, but such a spectacle will only shame us further. If you continue, the world's greatest mages will intervene—and we cannot stand against them. Show some honor, and let this boy go unhurt."
Minerva held out a small, trembling figure. "Flo has been captured—if you harm Natsu, you harm our own."
Natsu's flames flickered, then died. He glanced at the quivering cat in Minerva's arms and felt his fury drain away.
In that charged moment, Sabertooth's iron grip loosened—its fiercest clan, bound not by fear, but suddenly reminded of compassion.