"What are you standing around for? Clean this up, now!!"
"Now! Imdiately! This instant!!"
Faced with Makarov's roar and the signs of his impending transformation into a giant, the chaotic crowd instantly fell silent as the grave.
"Yes, sir!!"
Everyone shouted in unison, hurriedly starting to tidy up the ss they had made.
Amidst the bustling activity, no one noticed that a certain soone had already slipped away.
Ron glanced back at the hall, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips, before stuffing his hands into his pockets and leisurely strolling out the door.
On the street outside the guild, the breeze carried a hint of chill.
A solitary figure stood not far away; it was Laxus.
He seed to have been standing there for a long ti, staring gloomily at the rebuilt guild in silence.
Ron raised an eyebrow and fished out an apple.
With a flick of his wrist, the apple traced a parabola through the air, flying straight toward Laxus.
"Zzzzt—!"
A blinding flash of golden lightning appeared out of thin air.
It instantly vaporized the apple before it could reach Laxus, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke.
"What a waste..."
Ron mumbled softly, then stepped forward, greeting him with a relaxed and casual air.
"Since you're back, why not head inside?"
"Go inside?"
Laxus snorted, his eyes full of disdain and mockery.
"To play along with that noisy nonsense? It's utterly aningless for the guild."
"aningless?"
"I think it's quite nice..."
Ron looked back at the guild behind him and shrugged.
"Besides, what's wrong with being a little noisy?"
"Everyone gathers together, regardless of strength or eccentric personalities, accepting and acknowledging one another."
"Joking and playing together when happy, comforting and encouraging each other when sad—isn't that great?"
He stopped a few paces away from Laxus.
"Or rather..."
The corners of Ron's mouth curled up slightly with a touch of playfulness.
"In your vision, must everyone be aggressive and driven by utility, even resorting to any ans just to beco stronger?"
"No laughter, only competition; no comrades, only utility value."
"But would a guild like that truly make people happy? A guild like that..."
Ron's heterochromic eyes gazed quietly at the man opposite him, his lips parting.
"Is it really what you want in your heart? Laxus!"
"What do you an by that!!"
"Are you trying to lecture ?!"
Laxus's face darkened, and small sparks of golden lightning began to flicker and dance across his body with soft crackles.
The atmosphere between the two instantly beca heavy.
"Don't get so excited; isn't this just a normal clash of perspectives?"
Ron acted as if he didn't see the dangerous sparks, still maintaining his relaxed and easygoing deanor.
Hearing this, the lightning on Laxus's body slowly faded. He took a deep look at Ron, his expression turning serious.
"Ron... do you really not agree with my view?"
Ron nodded, then shook his head.
Under Laxus's confused gaze, he spoke slowly.
"I agree with your desire for the guild to be strong, but I don't agree with the thods you're about to take."
His gaze shifted past Laxus, looking into the distance.
"The Thunder God Tribe should be on their way back, right?"
Laxus's pupils contracted slightly. He snorted but didn't refute it.
This silent reaction was already the best answer.
"Honestly..."
Ron shook his head helplessly and sighed.
"It's supposed to be a relaxed and happy Harvest Festival where everyone is ready to enjoy the holiday. Why do you have to cause trouble?"
"It's the most suitable opportunity."
Ron actually agreed with that point; after all, all the guild mbers would be gathered together that day, except for a certain guy.
Laxus's gaze sharpened again as he said in a low voice.
"Ron, you can choose to join. With your strength, you're qualified to be a mber of the New Guild."
Ron gave Laxus a strange look.
This guy might be arrogant and aloof, but he was quite smart, knowing to try and divide the opposition before the battle even began.
"I refuse!"
Ron shook his head decisively without a second thought.
"Laxus, you have to understand that if you choose to move against everyone in the guild, there are only two possible outcos."
"One is replacing the Gramps and fulfilling your vision of reshaping Fairy Tail; the other is being expelled from the guild you grew up in."
Ron took a step forward, looking Laxus straight in the eye, his tone becoming serious.
"How likely do you think success is, relying only on yourself and the Thunder God Tribe?"
Laxus fell silent.
In the past, he would have believed he would succeed without hesitation.
But the series of recent events had made even his arrogant and confident self hesitate to make such a bold claim.
"I have an idea, though."
Seeing that the timing was right, Ron threw out his proposal.
Laxus looked up. Though he didn't speak, a hint of interest flickered in his eyes.
"A tournant."
Ron slowly uttered those words.
"Not a surprise attack like you planned, and no using hostages as threats. Instead, a fair and square Fairy Tail Tournant involving all mbers."
"And the final winner..."
Ron paused slightly, a flash of cunning in his eyes.
"...can make one request of the Gramps that he cannot refuse."
Laxus's pupils dilated suddenly.
A request that cannot be refused?
That ant... if he won, he could directly demand that Makarov step down!
"That's impossible!"
Laxus refuted subconsciously.
"That stubborn Gramps would never agree to such an absurd condition."
"Don't worry about the Gramps; I'll take care of convincing him."
"So, what do you say..."
Ron's voice carried a hint of temptation, like a devil's whisper.
"Laxus, this is currently your only chance to take the position of Master openly and honorably. If you miss it..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
Laxus thought in silence for a long ti.
Compared to seizing power by force, this thod of defeating everyone fairly in front of the entire guild and ascending the throne undoubtedly suited his style better and would leave everyone thoroughly convinced.
"Hmph."
Laxus snorted, his expression arrogant and confident.
"Interesting. Since you want to play, I'll play along."
"However... if I win, I won't hesitate to remodel this guild."
"Naturally. A deal's a deal."
"Will you be participating too?"
Laxus asked suddenly, his eyes fixed on Ron.
"Of course!"
Ron nodded without hesitation, a bright smile on his face.
"How could I miss out on sothing so interesting?"
He paused, his gaze suddenly shifting to the side.
With a flip of his wrist, he produced another apple and casually tossed it toward the shadows.
The apple traced an arc through the air, seemingly about to hit an empty wall.
Suddenly!
A hand wrapped in bandages reached out from the shadows, steadily catching the speeding apple.
A mysterious figure, completely wrapped up with only his eyes showing, slowly stepped out from the shadows.
"Mystogan!"
Ron grinned as he looked at him.
"What about you? Are you joining?"
Mystogan raised his hand and brought the apple to his mouth, taking a bite with a loud crunch.
He chewed for a few monts before uttering two simple words succinctly.
"I'm in!"
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