The frozen land of the Magnetic Drum Kingdom.
Within the snowy forests, the lights of the Guy Star Treehouse Clinic glowed faintly through the storm.
"Ms. Doriel! The second dose of the medicine is ready—I'll bring it upstairs now!"
Chopper's tiny hooves pattered across the wooden floor as he prepared to deliver the medicine. But before he could leave the room, a firm hand yanked him back by the scarf.
"Hold it right there, Chopper. You can't go up now—you're still too young," said Dr. Kureha sternly.
"Huh? Too young?"
Chopper blinked, confused. He was only bringing medicine—what did age have to do with it?
"Never mind. Just get back to your studies," Kureha ordered, shoving him toward the research room. She then looked up toward the ceiling with a sigh.
"Honestly… kids these days have no sense of restraint. That girl just recovered from a serious illness… if something happens now, I'm not taking responsibility."
Two hours later.
"It's time to rest already," said Sugisawa Yuuto, his voice filled with gentle exasperation.
Nami lay on the bed, her cheeks still flushed, breathing softly with a blissful smile. The wish she'd carried for so long had finally come true—she was no longer a child.
Ever since joining Fairy Tail, she'd always hung around Vivi, Wendy, and the other innocent girls. On the surface, she seemed just as pure and playful. But Nami wasn't as naïve as she looked.
She'd long known about Yuuto's secret closeness with Juvia, Robin, and Mira. Even that mysterious "little gift" Robin had received from Mira some time ago—at first she hadn't thought much of it. But later, she understood.
From that day onward, a single thought had taken root in her heart.
And now, at last, when everyone else was away, only she and Yuuto remained in the clinic. Nami had gathered all her courage to reveal her true feelings—and finally received what she'd wished for.
She even had her own little red flower handkerchief now.
But… it still didn't feel like enough.
After all, she was still technically recovering. Yuuto had been nothing but gentle and careful with her. But once she was fully healthy—maybe then she could…
Before Nami could think of an excuse to stay by his side a little longer, dusk fell.
Following Sugisawa Yuuto's life card, the Fairy Tail ship docked at Guy Star's treehouse.
"Nami!"
"How are you feeling?"
"The fever's gone—thank goodness!"
The girls burst into the room all at once, voices overlapping in relief and joy.
"Thank you, everyone… I'm feeling much better now," Nami said, blinking in surprise. "But what are you all doing here? What about your missions?"
"My partner is seriously ill—how could we just sit around?" Vivi said earnestly.
"Work can wait. We'll all be together again once you're fully recovered."
Hearing that, Nami's eyes brimmed with emotion. The reasoning she'd spent hours crafting suddenly felt so silly.
Sniff—
Wendy wrinkled her nose.
"What's wrong, Wendy?" asked Carla.
"I don't know… something smells familiar," the Sky Dragon Slayer murmured, puzzled.
That faint scent in the room—it triggered a memory. The same scent she'd once caught in Skypiea… on her own white clothes. Even after washing, it lingered. Only Wendy's sharp draconic sense of smell could still detect it.
But oddly enough, she didn't dislike it. In fact… she kind of liked it.
"Wow, it's getting warm with so many people here! Let's open a window," Nami said quickly.
A rush of icy wind swept in, carrying away the last traces of that telltale scent.
"Alright everyone, don't crowd around. Nami needs rest. I'll stay and look after her," said Mirajane with a gentle smile.
The girls nodded and left one by one.
Only Mira and Nami remained.
"Miss Mira, is something wrong?" Nami asked, eyes darting nervously. She subtly slid the red handkerchief under her pillow.
"Don't bother hiding it," Mira said softly, smiling. "I saw it already… You and the president—"
Meanwhile, outside the ward, the rest of the girls were setting up for a celebration banquet—both to mark Nami's recovery and to thank Dr. Kureha for her help.
During the preparations, the talking "raccoon cat," Chopper, drew everyone's attention.
As expected, they chased him around in amusement until he fled into the snow, nearly getting mistaken for prey by Erza.
Fortunately, no harm was done. For Chopper, though, it had been an utterly terrifying day.
The next morning, Nami had fully recovered.
There was no longer any reason to stay.
Before departure, Yuuto had asked Chopper if he ever considered going out to sea. Wendy's healing magic was effective, but mostly for injuries. For rare infections or diseases, a true doctor was still needed.
Yuuto trusted Chopper's medical talent—and knew his presence would be invaluable.
Unfortunately, before Chopper even heard the invitation properly, he'd been chased off again by the girls' relentless teasing.
Yuuto could only sigh and give up the idea for now.
After a warm farewell, Sugisawa Yuuto and the others bid goodbye to Dr. Kureha and set sail from the Drum Kingdom.
Two days later.
With Nami completely recovered, Fairy Tail resumed its usual rhythm of missions and commissions.
Erza's team and Wendy's team set out first.
"Mira, I'm heading for the South Blue," Yuuto said.
"South Blue? What business do you have there, President?" Mira asked curiously.
"I'm going to pick someone up."
Understanding dawned in Mira's eyes. She quickly organized the South Blue commissions and handed them to him.
"Alright then. Safe travels, President."
But just as Yuuto turned to leave—
Ding-ling!
The guild's service bell chimed.
A client? It had been a while since someone came in person. He decided to wait a bit before departing.
The elevator lifted the guest to the deck, revealing a stunning blonde woman with a high ponytail, gold-rimmed glasses, and an air of cold professionalism.
Yuuto raised an eyebrow, recognizing her instantly.
The lone rose of the World Government's CP9—Kalifa.
Her identity said enough about her intentions.
"Welcome. How can we help you?" Mira greeted warmly.
"Oh, no—I'm not here for a commission," Kalifa said, shaking her head.
"Then what brings you here?" Perona asked.
"My name is Kalifa, a freelance bounty hunter from the Grand Line. I read in the papers about what Fairy Tail has been doing, and it resonated with me." She took a deep breath. "Please—let me join Fairy Tail. I can be of use!"
"You want to join us?" Mira blinked, then looked toward Yuuto.
"No problem at all," Sugisawa Yuuto said with a calm smile.
"Really?" Mira's lips curved upward knowingly.
A beautiful woman coming to the guild on her own accord—of course her president wouldn't refuse.
"Is it… really okay?" Kalifa asked, feigning surprise while secretly smirking to herself. *So this is the
so-called Fairy Tail? So easy to infiltrate.*
Inwardly, she was already plotting how to report back to the World Government once her "undercover mission" succeeded.
"Of course you can join," Yuuto said evenly, "but to officially become a Fairy Tail member, you'll need to pass a few assessments first."
"Eh?" Mira blinked. There'd never been tests before—but she trusted Yuuto's judgment completely.
"No problem!" Kalifa answered confidently, pushing up her glasses. "I'll pass anything you set."
Yuuto smiled. "Good. I haven't decided what the test will be yet. I have business outside the kingdom—when I return, we'll discuss it. Until then, help out with some basic guild work under Perona's guidance. Mira, keep an eye on her."
Mira nodded, catching the unspoken message in Yuuto's look.
"Yes, President."
"I'll work hard—no matter what kind of job it is!" Kalifa said earnestly. Her professional smile was flawless.
After all, she'd been trained as both an assassin and a secretary; menial chores were nothing to her.
"Then it's settled," Mira said kindly. "Perona, Kalifa will be your partner for now. Show her around."
Perona's eyes lit up. "Leave it to me!"
Having someone new under her wing made her feel suddenly important.
Yuuto gave a short nod, then turned toward the door. "I'm heading out."
And with that, he left the guild.
South Blue — Pizza Island
"The pizza thief's back! Everyone, stay alert!"
The shopkeeper's voice boomed through the busy street as he brandished a spatula like a sword.
He scanned the crowd furiously, completely overlooking the small girl strolling past, happily munching a slice of stolen pizza.
In his mind, the thief was a grown woman. A kid wasn't even on his radar.
Just as the girl silently congratulated herself for another perfect theft, a large hand suddenly caught her by the collar and lifted her clear off the ground.
"Put me down! You bully—you're picking on a child!" she cried, kicking and squirming.
Her captor didn't answer.
"Let me go! My mom's really strong, you know!" she declared, puffing up her cheeks.
Sugisawa Yuuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Her mother?
Even he hadn't expected this twist.
Then the girl gasped. "Mama!"
Yuuto turned—and froze for a split second.
Standing there was a familiar young woman, eyes wide in equal surprise.
"President Yuuto?!" she exclaimed.
"Bonney?" Yuuto said at the same time.
Bonney blinked, confusion written all over her face.
"Eh? Mama?"
And so, in that strange, snowy afternoon, destiny had once again brought the traveler of worlds face-to-face with another figure out of legend.