The chain reaction caused by the downfall of the dark intermediary Donquixote Family was still rippling across the seas.
Life in Dressrosa, deep within the New World, was finally beginning to return to normal.
Naturally, a grand celebration banquet was indispensable.
It wasn't just a festival for the people of Dressrosa who had regained their freedom — it was also to welcome four new members who had joined the Fairy Tail Guild.
The first among them was, of course, Uru, the great Ice Mage.
When everyone heard about Sugisawa Yuuto's adventures during this journey — and that their new companion was none other than Uru herself — Erza, Mirajane, and the other women from the Fairy Tail world couldn't help showing their excitement. They had long heard of Uru's name and talents, and they praised her greatly.
Seeing their reactions, Nami, Vivi, and the other women from the One Piece world grew equally eager to meet their new companion.
Aside from Uru, there was another new addition from the events of Dressrosa.
Before the operation even began that day, Rebecca, coaxed and persuaded by Nami, had gained Yuuto's approval to join the guild.
Alongside her came Princess Violet, Rebecca's aunt and another princess of Dressrosa.
Fairy Tail now had mother–daughter pairs… and with the arrival of aunt and niece together, the guild's dynamic was becoming even more unique and lively.
And as if that weren't enough, there was one more addition — another princess.
The Tontatta Princess, Mansherry!
After learning that her good friend Violet had joined Fairy Tail, Princess Mansherry had immediately declared that she wanted to come along as well.
Sugisawa Yuuto was, of course, well aware of her Healing Fruit powers.
While Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer Magic could heal as well, she was, after all, a front-line fighter — constantly busy in battle. Having another dedicated healer like Mansherry aboard would greatly ease Wendy's burden.
Moreover, the presence of a Tontatta Princess on the ship would add even more diversity to their growing family.
So, without hesitation, Yuuto gladly accepted Mansherry's request to join the guild.
Seeing how quickly he agreed, Nami's eyes immediately narrowed.
With a mischievous grin, she leaned close and whispered something into Yuuto's ear.
"..."
Yuuto fell silent, blinking a few times.
After all — the palm-sized Mansherry wasn't even as tall as Yuuto's hand in his normal form, let alone...
Nami huffed. "Just look at you, Master... honestly..."
Before she could finish, Yuuto suddenly swept her up in his arms.
That night — Nami learned the meaning of "punishment."
At first, she tried to resist, fiery and proud as always.
But as time passed... and with Yuuto's overwhelming power... her resolve melted away.
By the end, she was breathless, clinging to him, begging for forgiveness — promising that she and Vivi would train together the next day to master a new kind of magic to impress him.
Intrigued by her words, Yuuto finally let her go — but only after making sure she remembered the lesson.
Three days passed in a blink.
Then — a column of smoke and flame rose from the sea near Dressrosa, instantly drawing the attention of the Fairy Tail women.
"Dress up!" Erza commanded sharply.
In a flash of light, her armor shifted to her flight form, and she soared toward the source of the disturbance.
When she arrived, she saw three figures before her — one wreathed in flames, another cloaked in the feathers of a blazing phoenix, and a third dressed in the elegant attire of a Wano-style geisha.
"Who are you?" Erza demanded, her expression tightening. Her instincts screamed that none of these three were ordinary.
"Fairy Queen Erza... it's an honor to finally meet you in person. You're even more impressive than the stories say."
The man with golden flame-like hair smiled politely — Marco the Phoenix, Captain of the First Division of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"We are the Whitebeard Pirates," said the other man, his kimono swaying lightly in the wind. It was Izo, Captain of the Sixteenth Division.
"Whitebeard..." Erza murmured, her brows furrowing slightly.
She hadn't met Marco or Ace before, but she had heard of the Whitebeard Pirates — one of the Four Emperors, as powerful and renowned as Fairy Tail itself. In fact, some even called Whitebeard the strongest of them all.
"So... are you the reinforcements that Doflamingo was trying to summon from one of the Four Emperors?" Erza asked coolly.
After all, during the Dressrosa incident, Doflamingo had vanished midway through the chaos — no doubt trying to seek aid.
"No, no, you've got it wrong!" Marco said quickly, waving his hands.
"The ones Doflamingo wanted to call were the Beasts Pirates, led by Kaido. They're our enemies too, yoi!"
He paused, then turned serious. "We actually came here to make a request of Fairy Tail."
Fire Fist Ace, Captain of the Second Division, stepped forward. His eyes burned with determination.
"When we were at Fishman Island last time, we asked Jinbe to deliver a message to you. It was our mistake — something that should've been done face to face. That's why we're here in person this time."
"Jinbe?" Erza blinked, remembering.
Yes — they had indeed received word from Jinbe back then. But they had declined the request without hesitation.
"You misunderstood," she said. "We didn't refuse because you didn't come yourselves. But..." She sighed. "Forget it. You've come all this way — it would be rude to turn you away at the door. Follow me to our guildmaster."
She gestured for them to follow.
Whether or not they accepted the commission in the end, it was only proper to receive the clients in person.
"Thank you!" Marco, Ace, and Izo all brightened, quickly following Erza toward the city.
About fifteen minutes later, under Erza's lead, the three reached Fairy Tail's temporary base in Dressrosa's royal capital — where they finally stood before Sugisawa Yuuto himself.
"Eighteen years ago," Izo began solemnly, "the Four Emperors Kaido invaded Wano Country. We've come to ask for Fairy Tail's aid — to join forces with us."
Marco and Ace both stepped forward, their eyes firm.
"Please, Sugisawa Yuuto — help us defeat Kaido of the Beasts!"
Yuuto listened quietly, then nodded once.
"I understand your request," he said.
For a brief moment, hope flickered in their eyes — only to vanish when Yuuto added:
"But my answer... is the same as before. Go back."
Ace froze.
"W–wait! Guildmaster Sugisawa—"
Yuuto raised a hand. "No."
It was true — Ace had personally come to ask him for help. And yes, Yuuto knew that this was the opportunity to claim the Flame-Flame Fruit, the very essence of the Fire Dragon King's power.
But Fairy Tail had its code.
They were not mercenaries.
They did not accept commissions born of pirate vengeance.
To do so would make them no better than a dark guild.
Even if Fairy Tail was destined to cross paths with Kaido someday — even if defeating him could bring power or treasure — Yuuto would never violate that principle.
"President Sugisawa..." Ace started, his voice low.
"Let it go, Ace," Marco said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Ace clenched his fists, then exhaled and turned away. The three men bowed slightly before taking their leave.
At that very moment, a familiar voice came from outside the door.
"Koala, stop being so stubborn. Our mission's done — it's time to say goodbye to Guildmaster Sugisawa and return."
The voice belonged to Sabo, the young Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army.
"Ahh, but I don't wanna leave! Everyone here is so nice... No, you idiot Sabo! You're the stubborn one!" Koala protested, tugging at his cheek.
The two entered mid-argument — just as Ace, Marco, and Izo were on their way out.
Their eyes met.
"Oh? Sabo!" Ace's eyes widened. "You're Sabo?"