While Acnologia was telling everyone about Zeref, Hades on the airship had already decided the outcome of his battle with Jellal.
Jellal was seen blasted out of the airship by a black light, smashing hard into the ground, his body covered in wounds.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Jellal struggled to get up. His physique was strong, after all, he was a Ten Wizard Saint, so he wasn't going to be killed that quickly.
He looked towards Acnologia and the others, saying with shame, "I'm sorry. That old guy is just too strong. I suspect even Ishgar's strongest, God Serena, wouldn't be his match."
Makarov looked at this former Ten Wizard Saint, knowing he had turned over a new leaf, and said with slight emotion, "Siegrain, no... Jellal, thank you for your help. You've already done very well."
His gaze turned to the tall figure standing on the airship, and he said firmly, "I'll deal with him personally. As my former Guild Master, I want to settle things with him."
"Guild Master, let's attack together! At a time like this, we shouldn't worry about courtesy!"
"That's right! If we can gang up on him, why bother with a one-on-one fight? Let's take him down together!"
Everyone tried to dissuade him. The aura of that guy on the airship was simply too terrifying; the Guild Master was clearly outmatched by a wide margin.
Gildarts couldn't help but say, "Maybe I should go instead."
He had dealings with the Council and naturally knew Jellal's ranking was above the Guild Master's. If even Jellal was defeated without a doubt, the Guild Master going alone might very well get himself killed.
Suddenly, two streaks of light plummeted to the ground. As the dust settled, it was Hades, accompanied by a tall man with a face resembling a monkey.
Ultear's eyes narrowed: "Bluenote Stinger!"
She looked at the group and said, "Be careful. This guy is extremely vicious, and his strength is above mine."
Everyone nodded in understanding. That immense magical power was enough to send chills down one's spine just by looking at him.
Natsu, burning with excitement, flames erupting all over his body, instantly charged forward: "Let me take him down!"
But the next moment, he was pinned to the ground by a sudden gravitational force, struggling desperately but unable to stand up.
Natsu felt his body was about to be crushed. He erupted with magical power, but his flames were directly extinguished by the Gravity.
"Natsu!"
Lucy exclaimed in shock, instinctively wanting to rush over to help, but she was pulled back by Gildarts.
"He's not someone you can handle!"
Gildarts stepped forward, grabbed Natsu by the collar, and threw him back. Then he stood face-to-face with Bluenote Stinger.
In an instant, both sides erupted with terrifying auras. The earth split, rubble flew, two pillars of magical light pierced the sky, and a violent storm forced everyone to step back.
Hades looked at the fallen Zancrow and the others, frowned slightly, and extended his hand, covering them with a sphere of light: "I'll give you one more chance. If you fail again, don't bother showing your faces before me."
Zancrow and the others felt their injuries rapidly healing. They quickly stood up and promised, "Guild Master Hades, we will definitely not be defeated a second time!"
Acnologia frowned slightly but didn't pay it much mind. He glanced at Natsu and the others and said, "You can pick the opponents you want to fight. If you don't want to fight, I can clear them out for you."
Lucy immediately said, "Help me clear them out then!"
She suddenly realized these people were all very strong. As for her mother's servant, the Celestial Spirit... she could just ask for the reason after Acnologia defeated them.
Irene laughed: "You really don't want to suffer any hardship at all, do you? With me helping you, just go up and fight."
"Alright then..."
Lucy actually quite liked the feeling of invincibility after having magic attached to her.
She looked at the goat-headed man, Capricorn, recognized him as a Celestial Spirit, and said, "I'll be your opponent!"
Capricorn's gaze was cold: "Layla's daughter!"
As he spoke, he had already charged forward.
Natsu looked at the Seven Kin of Purgatory and asked, "Which one is the God Slayer Mage, Zancrow?"
Zancrow was slightly taken aback: "What do you want?"
Natsu's face was full of fighting spirit: "I'll be your opponent. Follow me!"
Saying this, he rushed into the distance, intending to find an uninhabited place for a battlefield.
Zancrow laughed heartily: "Interesting! You dare challenge me alone!"
He transformed into a black light and chased after him.
Gajeel, not wanting to be outdone, asked, "Which one is Hua Yuan Sical? Come with me!"
Elfman said, "Which one is Rastinros? I'll be your opponent!"
The long-haired man with glasses smiled: "I'll allow you to find someone to help. Otherwise, you alone won't be enough to satisfy me."
Evergreen stepped forward, standing side by side with Elfman: "Then I'll help. Since we haven't left Tenrou Island yet, we're still temporary teammates!"
Elfman hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Alright!"
He actually wasn't very confident either. With Evergreen helping him, their chances of winning would definitely be higher.
The last one, Aznain, seeing his companions all chosen, couldn't help but say, "Who among you wants to fight me?"
Mirajane looked at Erza and said with a smile, "Do you want to take action?"
Erza also very much wanted to spar with a master and said without hesitation, "I'll do it!"
Gray and the others realized all the enemies had been picked, and for a moment, they relaxed. It seemed it wasn't their turn anymore.
Acnologia said, "Although Natsu and the others have chosen opponents, they might not necessarily win. You go keep an eye on things and help if needed."
"Alright!"
Gray, Mirajane, and the others responded and headed off to various locations.
Ultear asked, "Do you still need Meredy and me to help?"
Acnologia shook his head, extended his hand, and released magical power to help heal Jellal: "No need. This lineup is already sufficient."
Apart from the issue with Hades here, the others should be able to handle their fights smoothly.
Ultear nodded: "Then Meredy and I will leave Tenrou Island first and head to the Council."
Jellal, feeling his body had mostly recovered, also said, "I'll go to the Council as well. I can't keep hiding forever."
Acnologia gave a slight nod: "Go ahead. As for the Kingdom of Fiore, I'll speak to them. They'll give me that much face."
The Kingdom of Fiore already knew his true identity and treated his every word as an imperial decree. Pardoning three people's crimes wouldn't be troublesome... Makarov was already facing Hades, his gaze filled with confusion and anger: "Guild Master Precht, you actually fell into darkness as well. My dream back then was to become a great person like you."
"Have you betrayed the oath you once swore?"
He never imagined the Guild Master he admired would become like this. Why did he have to go to the opposite side?
Hades's expression was cold. Listening to Makarov's roar, he remained completely unmoved and said indifferently, "The distinction between good and evil holds no meaning. I have witnessed the abyss of the magical path and learned what true truth is!"
He extended his hand, a black magic circle unfolded, and a white chain lashed out, instantly sending Makarov flying thousands of meters.
Dust billowed as Makarov struggled to get up, coughing violently: "But we are Fairy Tail! Our spirit will never change!"
Hades floated over and laughed heartily: "I never expected the little brat from back then to say such things. It's quite a surprise."
Makarov frowned slightly: "Don't call me a brat. You are no longer a member of the guild."
"Although I don't want to fight you, if you want to harm my children, I absolutely will not allow it!"
Hades smiled and said, "Your children are all quite good, each with great potential. It's a pity they haven't grown up yet and are no match for the Seven Kin of Purgatory."
Although Ultear and Meredy's betrayal was somewhat unexpected, he was still confident of victory.
Grimoire Heart was a replica of fairy heart, granting him nearly limitless magical power. No one could defeat him.
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