New World, Dressrosa.
"Trash! Useless trash, all of them!"
Doflamingo's furious roar echoed through the grand hall, his face twisted with rage as he slammed a handful of newspapers onto the floor. The reports about Fairy Tail had destroyed his mood completely.
Everything had been going according to plan. He'd manipulated others to file false commissions to Fairy Tail, deliberately provoking conflict between the guild and the Celestial Dragons. Each move had fallen into place perfectly. Fairy Tail's assault on the Celestial Dragons had been exactly what he wanted—an act that would surely make the World Government retaliate.
But now… everything had gone wrong in the final stage.
"What the hell are those old fools in the World Government thinking?! They should've sent every Admiral they had to crush anyone who dared touch the Celestial Dragons!"
Doflamingo's veins bulged in fury.
Fortunately, he had prepared contingencies well in advance. No matter how deeply anyone investigated, no trail would lead back to him. That, at least, was his small consolation in this disaster.
Pirate Island — Beehive.
Chaos erupted throughout the island.
Pirates swarmed into taverns, shouting over each other as they watched the newest headlines: Fairy Tail had killed Celestial Dragons and lived to tell the tale. Fairy Tail had fought multiple Admirals—and won.
Those who had once planned to unite against the "Five Emperors" suddenly found their confidence crumbling.
"Don't joke with me! There's no way that happened! That damn Morgans must've exaggerated again! He's completely in Fairy Tail's pocket by now—I don't believe a word of it!" shouted Ochoku, captain of the Wufeng Pirates.
"That's right! Captain Ochoku is right!"
"The news must be overblown!"
"I already sent men to investigate," another pirate said nervously. "They went to Sabaody. The reports said the main battlefield was Sabaody Park—but they found it completely intact! Not a single sign of damage!"
"How's that possible?! If Admirals really fought there, the place should've been leveled!"
Their words spread through the crowd. Slowly, the pirates who had wavered began to steel their nerves again.
East Blue — Cocoyasi Village.
"Chairman Yuuto led Nami and the others to do something incredible again!"
The blue-haired woman, Nojiko, shook her head, both impressed and exasperated.
"It doesn't matter. I can only say—good job," she said with a smirk. "Even I know what kind of scum the Celestial Dragons are. No one's going to pity them, no matter how many die."
Genzo nodded furiously. Then, glancing around nervously, he added in a whisper, "But, uh… let's just keep that to ourselves, Nojiko. Saying that out loud could get us killed."
"I know, I know," Nojiko sighed.
Grand Line — Twin Cape.
"Yo-ho-ho-ho~ Yo-ho-ho-ho~"
The familiar melody of Bink's Sake drifted across the waves.
"Fairy Tail, what an incredible guild," Crocus laughed heartily. "And Rayleigh… as amazing as ever."
Grand Line — Alabasta.
"Your Majesty Cobra!"
"Chairman Yuuto and his guild have done the impossible again! They actually struck the Celestial Dragons!"
Igaram, Pell, and Chaka spoke over one another in disbelief.
King Cobra remained calm. "It doesn't matter," he said quietly. "The people of Mariejois need to be reminded of their own arrogance. As for Vivi—she's under Chairman Yuuto's protection. She'll be fine."
His conviction was absolute.
Calm Belt — Amazon Lily.
"Snake! Snake! Snake!"
The elderly Gloriosa's shrill cry echoed through the castle tower.
"What now, Granny?"
"Mother, please, my sister's been in a bad mood lately," sighed Sandersonia.
"Shakky sent the latest news about Fairy Tail!" Gloriosa said urgently.
"Miss Shakky?" Sandersonia's eyes widened.
"Even so, maybe it's better not to disturb Sister right now…" Marigold muttered.
"This time is different," Gloriosa said gravely. "It involves the Celestial Dragons themselves."
"Nani?!"
Both sisters froze in horror.
Inside the Snake Princess's chamber—
"Fairy Tail… that man… the Fifth Emperor, Sugisawa Yuuto… he actually killed a Celestial Dragon…"
Boa Hancock's voice trembled as she stared at the report, her heart pounding.
For her and her sisters, who had once been slaves to the Celestial Dragons, the memory of Mariejois was an unhealed scar—an eternal nightmare.
Hancock, the Pirate Empress, was admired across the seas. Proud, invincible, and untouchable—yet beneath that pride lay a wound that still bled.
"They… they actually defied the Celestial Dragons. Fairy Tail… could it be…?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Perhaps… I was wrong. To live without even daring to dream of revenge… Perhaps someone like me truly isn't worthy…"
The ever-proud Pirate Empress bowed her head in silence.
Grand Line — Water 7.
The shocking news from Sabaody had spread even here.
While most marveled at Fairy Tail's battle against the Admirals, the people of Water 7 focused on another revelation—one that struck close to home.
"Miss Kalifa!!!"
"It's really her!"
"Didn't she leave to get married in her hometown? Why is she in Fairy Tail now?"
"And she attacked a Celestial Dragon?! That's crazy!"
"Sure, it feels good to see one of them beaten… but isn't this suicide?!"
Panic rippled through the city.
At Carrera Company, the tension was worse.
"Mr. Iceburg, what are we going to do about Kalifa?" Barry asked anxiously. "Attacking a Celestial Dragon… that's a capital crime! Will the World Government—"
"She'll be fine," Iceburg interrupted, his tone firm. "Kalifa's with Fairy Tail now. I trust Chairman Yuuto will protect her."
He had to believe it—because believing was all they could do.
Enies Lobby — CP Headquarters.
"Lucci, about Kalifa…"
Kaku frowned, his long nose twitching.
"Our mission as CP agents is to protect the Celestial Dragons," Rob Lucci said darkly. "Kalifa has done the exact opposite. No matter her reasons, she's committed an unforgivable act."
Blueno sighed. "Has she been disavowed by the higher-ups?"
They had all grown up together—hearing this news left a bitter taste.
"I can only hope she's working undercover," Kaku murmured. "If she can earn Fairy Tail's trust and gather intelligence for the Government, perhaps… there's still a chance."
That Night — Fairy Tail Guild.
After the usual raucous feast, the members of Fairy Tail drifted to their rooms one by one.
Inside the guildmaster's office, Sugisawa Yuuto sat at his desk, fingers interlaced beneath his chin, watching the anxious blonde woman before him.
"Kalifa," Yuuto said quietly, "I've thought about it. You still haven't fully accepted Fairy Tail's ideals. Your performance today shows you're not ready to be part of this guild."
"What…?" Kalifa's face went pale, her heart sinking like a stone.
She had given everything to her mission—to infiltrate Fairy Tail as an agent of CP9. She'd worked harder than ever before, even crossing a line she could never return from by attacking a Celestial Dragon.
And still, it wasn't enough.
If she was expelled now, without Yuuto's protection, the World Government—or even her own comrades—would find her immediately. Then she would be dragged to Mariejois, punished, enslaved… or worse.
Yuuto spoke softly, "Thank you for your contributions to the guild so far. The hundred million Berries reward is yours. Tomorrow, I'll send you back."
"But…" Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I have nowhere left to go!"
Yuuto paused, then sighed. "All right. I'll send you to Sky Island—it's isolated from the world. The Government can't reach you there. After a few years, when things calm down, you can move to Alabasta. Princess Vivi will arrange everything for you."
It was a kind and careful arrangement. With Yuuto's word, Kalifa could live peacefully for the rest of her life.
But…
"Please, don't make me leave!" Kalifa cried, falling to her knees. "I don't care if I'm not an official member—I don't care if I'm just a maid! I like it here… I love Fairy Tail!"
Yuuto's expression didn't change.
"Do you remember," he said quietly, "the question I asked you at the bar in Water 7?"
Kalifa's eyes widened. How could she forget? That night at Blueno's bar, she'd confessed her past to him. Before she left, Yuuto had asked if she had anything else to say. She'd quickly denied it.
And now—
A shiver ran down her spine. The realization struck like lightning.
He knew.
He had known everything—from the start. Her identity. Her mission. Everything.
That was why he had tested her again and again.
"That's right," she said at last, voice trembling. "I'm an agent of CP9, acting under the orders of the Five Elders to infiltrate Fairy Tail."
"Chairman… no, Master Yuuto… please kill me here."
Yuuto's gaze softened slightly. "Even if you never officially joined, you were still someone who almost became a comrade. I don't kill those people."
Kalifa bit her lip. "I understand. Then… I'll leave."
"Do you really want to die?" Yuuto asked quietly. "You said honesty is a virtue. So tell me—when you said you loved Fairy Tail, was that a lie too?"
"No!" Kalifa's answer came instantly.
"Then prove it."
She hesitated for a moment—then stepped forward and knelt before him, head bowed low, voice trembling.
"I have nothing left—only this body. If the President doesn't despise me, then… I'm willing to give everything I have to you."
Her tone was firm. Unwavering.