Chapter 36: Galuna Island (2)
"I see, come aboard! I'll take you to Galuna Island."
Dino and Gray boarded the boat together. The vessel drifted across the sea toward Galuna Island. Despite being surrounded by seawater—which could neutralize Devil Fruit powers—Dino showed no concern. After all, he trained in seawater every single day.
Seawater had a powerful suppressing effect on Devil Fruit abilities, making it nearly impossible to actively use their powers. No matter how skilled a swimmer someone was before eating a Devil Fruit, afterward they'd sink like a stone the moment they hit the water.
From a scientific standpoint, seawater contact caused a Devil Fruit user's body density to exceed that of the water itself. They'd drop straight to the bottom, as inevitable as a rock sinking.
However, this didn't mean Devil Fruit users were completely helpless in water. Through rigorous physical training, the body could develop some resistance. Even submerged, a well-conditioned user could retain limited mobility.
Take Luffy, for example—even with Seastone shackles binding him, he could still move heavy objects and displayed strength far beyond ordinary humans.
"Galuna Island's just ahead. I can't go any closer—I'll be cursed if I do."
"This is far enough. Thanks, old man!"
Gray pressed his palms together, magic energy crackling between them: "Ice-Make: Floor!"
"Shhhaaaa!" Ice rapidly formed across the sea surface, creating a frozen bridge to the island. Dino and Gray leaped onto it together, skating smoothly toward shore before stepping onto solid ground.
"Pretty impressive, right? My Ice-Make magic," Gray said with a grin.
Dino nodded. "It's versatile magic—free-form creation gives you endless options. Honestly, I can't give you much technical advice on that front. You're not like Natsu, who just charges in headfirst without thinking." He paused thoughtfully. "But ice shouldn't just freeze things—it can destroy them. Think about frostbite severe enough to cause necrosis. Even after warming up, the tissue stays dead. Sometimes amputation's the only option. That kind of irreversible damage—that's where ice magic's true terror lies."
Gray's eyes widened. He'd never considered that application before. Even his late master, Ur, had never guided him in that direction. Coming to Dino really was the right call.
"So… think I've got a shot at S-Class this year?" Gray's persistence about the S-Class promotion was well-known. And Dino was the biggest obstacle standing between any candidate and that title.
Laxus, Erza, Mystogan, Mirajane—every S-Class mage had to get past Dino during their exam. Whether they passed or failed rested entirely in his hands.
For two years straight, not a single new S-Class mage had emerged from the guild. Every candidate who challenged Dino learned exactly what "S-Class" truly meant—and why he commanded such respect.
Dino smiled. "Have more confidence in yourself and your magic. I don't know if you'll pass—but I do know that someone without confidence never will."
Soon they arrived at a village. To protect against wild beasts, the settlement was surrounded by high wooden walls. A sign on the gate read: "NO ENTRY."
Gray called out, "Hey! Anyone there?"
Several figures appeared atop the wall. "Who are you?"
"We're wizards from Fairy Tail! Did a guy, a girl, and a blue cat show up here today?"
Natsu and Lucy's faces went pale at that familiar voice. "Oh no! It's Gray! He's definitely here to drag us back!"
Natsu frantically gestured to the villagers. "Shh! Just tell them you've never seen us! Say outsiders aren't welcome and make them leave! If we go back, nobody will help you break the curse!"
The villager called down nervously, "N-no… we haven't seen anyone like that! Outsiders aren't welcome here! Please leave!"
Dino's eyes narrowed. "Buzz~!" A pale white sphere of energy formed around his right foot. He tapped it lightly against the ground.
"Hmmmmmmm—!"
"BOOM!!"
The entire island trembled. The village shook most violently, buildings rattling as if caught in a powerful earthquake.
"WAAAH!!"
"What's happening?! An earthquake?!"
"How can there be earthquakes here?!"
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy's expressions shifted to pure horror. In Fairy Tail, when someone mentioned earthquakes, there was only one person they thought of—and the stronger the tremor, the angrier he was.
"We're doomed! It's Dino!" Lucy's voice cracked. When Dino showed up, resistance was futile. They had absolutely zero chance against him.
Just as they feared, Dino's voice boomed across the entire village like thunder: "YOU IDIOTS! GET SOMEONE TO OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW—OR DO YOU WANT ME TO DRAG YOU OUT MYSELF?!" The sheer force of his voice made it feel like the whole village might collapse.
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy scrambled into action. "OPEN THE DOOR! OPEN IT NOW!"
Based on that voice alone, Dino was clearly furious. If he got really angry, he might level the island. Natsu and Happy had witnessed it firsthand—destroying an entire island was child's play for Dino.
"Open the gate! Hurry!"
"Creeeeaaak!" The wooden gate slowly lifted open. On the other side, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy were all kneeling in perfect seiza position, heads bowed like guilty children.
The elderly village chief looked at Dino nervously. "H-hello… who might you be?" That earthquake just now had terrified everyone.
Dino's expression softened slightly. "I'm Dino Maxim, an S-Class wizard from Fairy Tail. I'm here to handle the commission you posted." He glanced at the three kneeling idiots. "I hope these two morons from our guild haven't caused you any trouble."