Chapitre 671: Dropping the Ball on x789

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.

December 31, x789.

Shortly before eight o'clock, the ladies living in the Mansion on the Lake, including the six maids, arrived at the central plaza in Magnolia. When they did, they find a large number of citizens congregating, curious to know what the event that was advertised on their lPhones was all about. And in opposite corners of the plaza, they could see two large stages set up. Though, they were veiled in darkness.

"Wow! A lot of people showed up, didn't they?" Marin asked in a tone filled with awe.

"Yeah." Cana replied while looking around with her eyes lighting up. "There are a lot of street vendors set up on the streets leading to the plaza, too."

"It's not bad for something set up on such short notice." Elicia said. "Fonzie really has some good connections. He got all of this set up and approved by the town in only a little more than a week and a half."

"I know, right?" Sun added. "Just imagine if he had gotten this idea earlier in the year. I bet it would be set up in the capital instead."

"That's definitely the case."

Turning around at the sound of the familiar aged voice, the group of ladies saw two short, elderly men approaching through the crowd. The identities of these two men were two of the most well-known figures in Fiore. The first being the third guild master of the Fairy Tail guild, Makarov. And he was accompanied by the man with the most political power in the kingdom, the king of Fiore, Toma E. Fiore, himself.

The two old men were also accompanied by a slim, petite young woman with wavy light green hair that reached the middle of her back, bangs that mostly covered her forehead and frame her face and dark green eyes wearing a strapless white dress that exposes half of her thighs with a floral pattern at the top of her dress and slits on either side of the skirt portion. On top of that, she wore a tiara with seven gemstones set in it, a pair of earrings, each with two gemstones set in them, a silver necklace, and a pair of long white gloves with frills at the ends.

This young woman was Toma's daughter, Hisui E. Fiore, the princess of Fiore. And when she saw Elicia, she smiled happily before stepping forward and grabbing her hand.

"Miss Elicia, it's been too long." Hisui said with a smile. "And I'd like to thank you again for all those beautiful dresses you created for me this year. I've had something wonderful to wear to each event I had to attend in my capacity as the princess of the Kingdom."

"Don't mention it, and please call me, Lici." Elicia replied with a smile of her own. "You know that making clothes is my passion."

"I'll say." Makarov said, cutting in with a chuckle. "She's been making them ever since she first came to the guild all those years ago."

Hearing that, Hisui smiled. However, she started to look all around Elicia only a moment later.

"Um… Where is Amar'e?" Hisui asked somewhat bashfully. "I haven't seen him since the last time you visited me to drop off the dresses. But he's just so cute that I wanted to see him again."

Despite being almost eighteen years old, Hisui spent most of the time when Elicia brings Amar'e with her to drop off any of her orders playing with Amar'e. And the reason for that was simple. As a princess, most of those she interacts with have an agenda. However, children as young as Amar'e are so pure that Hisui can't help but appreciate them.

"Oh, he's at Mira's sister's, Lisanna's, place." Elicia replied with a smile. "We wanted to bring him and the other kids with us, but we'll probably be out here way past their bed time. And since Lisanna couldn't get a sitter, either, she decided to watch them."

Elicia then looked back to the maids who were following behind the group of ladies.

"As for them, they deserved a night off." Elicia said while smiling at her group of loyal maids. "And despite the fac that they insisted on staying at home to watch the kids, Fonzie basically forced them to come out and enjoy themselves."

"I see." Hisui replied. "Well, it's too bad I won't get to see him before we leave tonight. Anyway, Alfonzo's notification said that there would be a show like nothing we had ever seen before. But what exactly does that mean?"

"Well, I have an idea about that." Elicia replied. "But I don't wanna spoil the surprise."

Like all of Alfonzo's wives and girlfriends, Hisui pouted when Elicia would not spill what she thought she knew about tonight's festivities. However, unlike the rest of Elicia's harem sisters, she did not press her for information. Instead, she only nodded her head before the smile reappeared on her face.

"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to it.' Hisui said.

Not long after that, while the entire group was engaged in conversation, the lights on one of the stages came on, drawing the whole plaza's attention. Standing on the newly lit stage was the announcer for the Grand Magic Games, Loli Chapati wearing a stylish wig and a tailored suit.

"Hmph!" Elicia snorted after seeing Loli's suit. "He would have looked better if he were wearing one of my suits. And I would have definitely made him one if Fonzie had told me about this beforehand. Stupid Fonzie."

Hearing that, everyone nearby could not help but laugh. Even so, they paid attention to what Loli was about to say.

{"Hello, everyone in the town of Magnolia and watching from around the continent on their lPhones."} Loli said into the microphone in his hands in a charismatic, upbeat tone, his voice echoing all over the plaza and the nearby streets while simultaneously being broadcast to everyone watching on their lPhones. {"I'll be your host for this evening, Loli Chapati. And for those who don't' know me, I'm the usual host for the Grand Magic Games."}

At the mention of the Grand Magic Games, the plaza exploded into loud applause while Loli smiled happily watching the people get so excited.

{"Now, I'm sure you're wondering exactly what is going on tonight, right?"} Loli asked before pausing briefly for dramatic effect. {"Well, from what I was told, the people at Sixth Sense Holdings thought that celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of a new one should be done on a larger scale. You know, since no one ever knows what could happen from one day to the next."

Once again, the crowd broke into a loud applause.

{"So, they got together as many of the best acts in the entertainment world as they could to perform for you all tonight."} Loli continued. {"That way, the beginning of the new decade can start in a grand fashion. So, why don't' you all help me in thanking Sixth sense Holdings for tonight's proceedings."}

Once again, the crowd applauded loudly. However, since they were facing the stage where Loli stood, they did not notice the fact that he one behind them had been finally lit, as well. Nor did they notice the person who stepped onto the stage dressed in a colorful performance costume.

{"Well then, if all of you are ready, let the first ever New Year's Extravaganza begin."} Loli said once he saw the signal that the first performance was ready. {"Now, let's welcome our first act for the night, Ishgar's favorite songstress, Lunar~~~~~~! Edomae~~~~~~!"}

{BGM: "Your Gravitation (My Bride is a Mermaid OST)" – Lunar Edomae}

With that, the music started playing from the speakers on the opposite stage, prompting everyone in the crowd to turn around. When they did, they saw the familiar, petite figure of Lunar Edomae waving at them from the stage. And as the music started to pick up, Lunar began to sing and dance passionately.

"So, that's why Lunar was here." Sun said while bringing her right fist down into her upturned left palm. "It makes sense now."

"Yeah, it really does." Ultear added excitedly. "And now, I'm curious to see just who else has showed up for this event."

And over the course of the next few hours, many acts took to the two stages one after another. There was a skit put on by Rabian's theater troupe from Scheherazade. A group of nine young women going by the name Mu's sang two songs.

The first, which raised the atmosphere of the crowed was called "START:DASH!!" and the second, which brought the event to its first climax, was called "Snow Halation." And to everyone's surprise, the one who seemed to be the most excited about this group of young women was Brandish. Though, Irene saw through her reasons quick enough.

"It's because their name is the same as your last name, isn't it?" Irene asked with a teasing smile on her face after Juliet asked Brandish why she seemed to like the group so much.

In response, Brandish turned away with her cheeks reddening. Then, in a voice small enough that she thought she would not be heard over the excited crowd, she said, "So what?" Naturally, when Irene started laughing uproariously at Brandish's response, she knew that she had failed at keeping her thoughts to herself.

The acts continued between the two stages until about 11:30 pm. After that, Loli once again took the microphone into his hands as he walked out onto the stage.

{"This has been a great show so far, hasn't it?"} Loli asked into the microphone.

In response, the crowd cheered as usual. However, because the crowd was already so excited from all the great performances, it did not seem like it. Even so, Loli continued with a smile on his face.

{"I know! It's been incredible!"} Loli said, answering his own question. {"And once again, let's thank Sixth Sense Holdings for putting all this together."}

This time, despite already being excited, the crowd cheered loud enough to make a difference.

{"Now I know what you're thinking."} Loli continued once the crowd calmed down. {"Why is he stopping the show now, right? Well, we're just taking a little intermission. There will be some reporters from some of the most popular news outlets, for example, Sorcerer Weekly, walking around and interviewing people in the crowd to get their impressions of the show. Then, once they've had their chance to ask their questions, we'll get back to the show. You all can wait that long, right?"}

The crowd cheered loudly again. And before the noise could even die down, the reporters from the different media outlets were already in the crowd interviewing anyone they could from the more famous people present to ordinary townsfolk, all to put into their next articles. And that went on until about 11:59 pm.

"Alright, It's about time." Alfonzo said from the center of the crowd while wearing a disguise.

In the next instant, Alfonzo knelt on the stone road of the plaza. Then, he placed his hands on the ground and flared his magic power.

The flare of magic power caught the attention of all the Fairy Tail wizards present, though they had all relocated to the Kardia Cathedral by now, causing them to all look in Alfonzo's direction. When they did, what they saw was tall pole shooting up into the air with a colorful ball at the top. And on that ball, the year, x789 was inscribed. Shortly after the wizards, the normal townsfolk and visitors from other towns and cities also noticed the raised pole, as well.

"I knew it." Elicia muttered with a smile while looking up at the ball.

At the same time, Loli, seeing the pole that was raised in the center of the plaza, raised the microphone to his mouth once again.

{"Ladies and gentlemen!"} Loli said excitedly. {"It's almost that time. The time to say goodbye to x789. Are you ready to welcome the new year? If so, count down with us!"

As soon as Loli reached that point, using his [Electromagnetism Magic], Alfonzo manipulated the visible light above the ball to start a timer.

{"Ten! Nine! Eight!"} Loli counted into the microphone while the people in the crowd joined him.

As the countdown continued, the ball at the top of the pole lowered. When it started to descend, Alfonzo, in a burst of speed, disappeared from below the pole. However, he continued to control the light show and the lowering of the ball.

'Ah! Now I get it.' Laxus, standing at the altar in the Kardia Cathedral, thought to himself while watching the ball drop through the Cathedral's windows. 'That's what he meant when he said the ball drops. But how did he have an idea like that before I even called him on it? That guy's mind works in strange ways.'

*Zap!*

"I feel like there are some weird thoughts running through your head, Laxus." Alfonzo, now dressed in his tuxedo to act as Laxus' best man, said as he appeared next to Laxus and the rest of the bridal party.

Not only the those participating in the wedding were in the Kardia Cathedral at this moment. Instead, all of the Fairy Tail guild's members and some of the others who were invited to attend had moved into the Cathedral, as well.

"Whatever." Laxus replied. "You're just lucky you're not late. Otherwise, Chico and Saya would have skinned you alive."

{"Three! Two! One!"} Lali's countdown continued.

January 1, x790.

{"Happy New Year!"} Loli's voice over the speaker system mixed with the crowd's excited cheers as the ball reached the bottom of the pole.

At that very moment, the wedding ceremony began with the bridal party walking into the venue. At the same time, a new act started on the stage opposite Loli. However, instead of a musical performance, it was another theater troupe. Alfonzo scheduled it this way so that the sound from the performance did not disrupt the ceremony too much.

Then, after the wedding ceremony ended and Laxus was officially married to Chico and Saya, the final act of the night stepped onto the stage. And to everyone's surprise, it was Lunar once again.

{BGM: "Lunarian (My Bride Is a Mermaid OST)" – Lunar Edomae}

Then, once that song ended, Sun climbed onto the stage with Lunar to perform the last song of the evening.

{BGM: Dan Dan Dan (My Bride Is a Mermaid OST) – Sun Seto & Lunar Edomae}

{"And that brings this New Year's Extravaganza to a close."} Loli said once the music stopped. {"Once again, let's thank sixth Sense Holdings for sponsoring such a magnificent show. And let's hope that this is just the first of many more shows like this to come. Thank you for coming! And everyone, please make sure to get home safely!"}

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Chapitre 672: It’s Almost Here… And Everyone Seems to Be Looking Forward to It

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.

June 1, x790.

Six months have passed since the ball dropped, ushering in year, x790. During that time, not much of note has happened. The wizards of Fairy Tail continued doing their jobs while destroying as little as possible. The only exceptions being the four problem children, Cana, Gray, Erza, and Natsu. Unfortunately for Lucy and Wendy, that meant that they were dragged into a lot of the collateral damage issues thanks to three of those four being on the same team as them.

Also, both little Elicia and Romeo have officially become members of the guild, having went on their first quests earlier in the year. And to celebrate their children's achievements, Macao and Maes paid Alfonzo to whip up a feast for the day they both came back after successfully completing their first quests.

Another thing to take note of was the fact that Bianca had her first birthday on the twenty-fourth of March. And like they had done with Amar'e's first birthday, Alfonzo and Mirajane invited everyone they knew to a party at the Mansion on the Lake. And to everyone's surprise, Darkness once again managed to keep all her… proclivities … in check through the whole party.

As soon as she left, however, Darkness just about exploded from all the pent up tension, though.

Other than those few things, Alfonzo was once again invited to Era. And like last time, he was asked to join the Ten Wizard Saints. And this time, since he did not need to worry about God Serena, he accepted. However, he made it quite clear that he had no interest in participating in the Magic Council's business. Instead, as the strongest of all the Wizard Saints, he would only act when the continent was in danger.

Other than that, the only thing Alfonzo did was train with Elicia, Marin, Sun, and Brandish for the upcoming Grand Magic Games. And over the months, their teamwork has improved tremendously. Alfonzo even took another page from the X-Men comics, and with the help of his [Electromagnetism Magic's] ability to control light to an extent, came up with a magic item that produces hard light constructs.

And although hard light constructs would help with battle training, he used it to simulate any type of event he could think of that might happen during the Grand Magic Games. As a result, the confidence Team Steel Threads had built up during the last two months since the magic item was created, had sky rocketed.

However, Ur has not been too happy with Alfonzo ever since he told her about the hard light projectors that he created. And the reason was simple. Alfonzo refused to install them in the guild hall's training rooms. And it wasn't because he wanted to keep the magic technology to himself. Rather, it was because none of his guild mates were careful enough to not destroy the delicate items needed to project the hard light constructs.

However, in the present, Alfonzo, with a disappointed expression on his face, floated down from the sky and landed in front of his mansion's front door after ending his solo training for the day.

"Damn it, I lost again." Alfonzo muttered as he placed his hand on the doorknob and injected some magic power into it. "I knew it would be tough, but I didn't expect it to be this hard."

["Don't be so down."] Bedlam said with a smile from Alfonzo's inner world. ["It's only been what? five years since you learned our names, right?"]

"Yeah, I guess." Alfonzo replied. "Still, I really don't like losing."

["Oh, quit your bitchin'."] Rio said with a scoff. ["How long does it usually take for a Soul Reaper to get as far as you have?"]

"*Sigh* I know." Alfonzo said as he pushed the front door open and stepped into the mansion. "It usually takes ten years, at the very least. Still, I don't' like it."

["Besides, you're way ahead of everyone else by at least a few years."] Bedlam said. ["I mean, didn't Lici say it would take her at least two years before she could even manifest Scylla? And she's the furthest ahead after you."]

"I know, I know." Alfonzo grumbled. "But losing to myself is just pissing me off. Plus, I wanna be ready for… Well, you know."

The reason for Alfonzo's pause was simple, Maria, who had come to greet him at the door just arrived. And he did not want to mention any of his meta-knowledge in front of her.

"Welcome back, Master Alfonzo." Maria said with a smile while bowing politely. "I hope your training went well."

"*Sigh* Let's not talk about hat." Alfonzo replied while shaking his head. "Anyway, where is everyone else?"

"Madams Elicia and Shizuka are in the living room playing with Amar'e, Bianca, and Calvin." Maria replied. "Madam Mirajane is in the kitchen preparing lunch with Grayfia while Madam Sun assists them. Madam Marin is in the Grotto with Miss Brandish, discussing a new release."

"Oh, Erza isn't with them?" Alfonzo asked as he started walking towards the living room with maria following him at a respectful distance.

"No, Sir." Maria replied. "She and Madam Lucy left about an hour ago to take a quest with Mr. Gray, Mr. Natsu, and Miss Wendy."

"I see." Alfonzo said with a nod. "What about everyone else?"

"Mistress Rika is also out on a quest." Maria continued. "But I'm sure you already knew that, as she left yesterday with her team."

Alfonzo nodded in response.

"Mistress Saeko is in the training room, instructing Mr. Sasuke in his swordsmanship." Maria said, continuing her report. "Madam Cana is at the guild hall. Apparently, her father brought back a rather rare liquor from his last quest."

"Yeah, and I'm sure she could not resist extorting him for it." Alfonzo said with a chuckle.

"It would seem so." Maria replied with a giggle of her own while covering her mouth with one of her hands.

*Beep!* *Beep!*

At that moment, Alfonzo's lPhone beeped, notifying him that he received a text message. So, he pulled his lPhone out of his pocket before looking at the screen.

"Looks like Ultear is at the guild hall, too." Alfonzo said after reading the text message. "And she, or rather her mother, is inviting me to dinner tonight with Gildarts. Well, I guess I'll go. I haven't had dinner with them, especially Gildarts, in a while. They just better not ask me to cook."

With that, Alfonzo, followed by Maria, entered the living room. And when Alfonzo saw Elicia, Shizuka, Amar'e, Bianca, and Calvin sitting on the floor and playing together, he could not help but smile brightly.

"Hey, Daddy's home!" Alfonzo said loudly and cheerfully with a huge smile on his face.

Immediately, all the eyes in the room turned to face Alfonzo after his declaration. When they did, smiles appeared on all five faces. Then, without waiting for anyone else, Amar'e stood up before running towards Alfonzo as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"Daddy!" Amar'e cheered happily.

Smiling even wider, Alfonzo scooped the running Amar'e into his arms and hugged him. The, he stepped forward and joined the rest of the room's occupants.

"Hey, Mar'e, how ya doin'?" Alfonzo asked while approaching the others.

Like Amar'e, both Bianca and Calvin were excited to see their father. Unfortunately, However, neither of the two children were able to move as quickly as Amar'e. While Bianca could also walk, she was unstable in her steps. Calvin, on the other hand, had not learned how to walk yet.

Even so, Alfonzo eventually picked up both his daughter and his second son after putting Amar'e down. After that, Alfonzo joined Elicia and Shizuka in playing with the children until Mirajane called everyone to eat.

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Onibus.

"Men!" Ichiya shouted as he walked out of one of the training chambers in the Blue Pegasus guild hall after a grueling workout. "There's no way we'll come in any lower than number one this year. Men!"

"You're absolutely correct, Master/Big Brother/Master Ichiya." The Trimens replied in unison, though their term of address was different for Ichiya.

"Seriously, can you all please standardize that/" Sorano asked in a tired tone. She then shifted her gaze to Ichiya as she continued. "Don't get too over confident, Ichiya. I heard Alfonzo and Elicia will be participating in the Games this year."

"Formidable opponents they may be." Ichiya replied while striking a handsome pose. "However, you mustn't forget, we are Blue Pegasus!"

"Ichiya!" All the members of Blue Pegasus cheered after hearing Ichiya's declaration.

In response, Sorano only rolled her eyes before looking away. However, when she saw Yukino clapping along with Ichiya's impassioned speech, she could not help but smile wryly. But when her gaze landed on Karen, who seemed to be staring off into the distance, she could not help but approach the green-haired model with a touch of concern.

"Hey, Karen... Is everything---" Sorano began to ask.

Yet, before she could finish her question, Sorano heard Karen muttering to herself. Then, she once again rolled her eyes before walking away and heading to the showers.

"I can't believe that crazy heifer hasn't given up yet." Sorano muttered to herself as she walked away.

At the same time, anyone who approached close enough to Karen to hear her mumbling, also turned around and got some distance away from her as quickly as possible.

"Elicia, I can't wait." Karen sad quietly with bloodshot eyes. "Finally, I'll be able to taste your punishment in a public place. Oh, how I've looked forward to this, ever since the Grand Magic Games was first announced."

Meanwhile, Bob watched his children with a smile on his face while Jenny stood next to him., He then turned to Jenny with a calculating light in his eyes.

"Jenny, this should be a perfect opportunity." Bob said. "During the Grand Magic Games, you'll be able to show off your good points. Then, you'll be able to make that boy fall in love with you."

'Then, it should be much easier to make him join Blue Pegasus.' Bob thought to himself. 'And when he comes to Blue Pegasus, his girls will come along with him. Then, Blue Pegasus will have all the most beautiful men and women in Ishgar among its ranks.'

"Yes, Master Bob." Jenny replied with a strong nod and a serious expression on her face. "I'll do my best."

'I'll show that Mirajane that I'm not just after Alfonzo for his ability to make me stronger.' Jenny muttered to herself. 'And when I show him my true self, he'll definitely fall for me, too. Then, I'll be able to join his family and show Mirajane that she's not better than me.'

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Quatro Cerberus Headquarters.

"They're finally going to compete this year." Ikkaku said excitedly while dancing around on his tones. "This is definitely news worthy of my Happy Dance."

"You're really looking forward to fighting Elicia again, aren't you, Ikkaku?" Yumichika asked with a smirk on his face. "*Sigh* Seeing her create new, beautiful, clothing is the true wonder."

"I would tell you you're wrong, but it won't make a difference." Ikkaku replied while continuing to dance.

"Elicia, huh?" Bacchus, who was sitting at a nearby table, said to himself while listening to the conversation between Ikkaku and Yumichika. "I'll admit, I wouldn't mind seeing her again. But I'm sure she doesn't want to see me."

"I just hope she doesn't try to kill you again." Goldmine said while shaking his head before taking a sip from a martini. "Then again, Alfonzo will probably stop her if things come to that."

In response, Bacchus grimaced while remembering just how close to dying he was when he truly angered Elicia. However, he managed to shake the fear from that day off while smiling in self-deprecation.

"Even so, I hope I finally get a chance to fight with Alfonzo." Bacchus said. "And since I've finally come to my senses, the chances of him killing me is much lower."

"Probably." Goldmine replied with a nod. "I'm actually surprised that he never tried before. I know I would have."

"*Sigh* Me, too." Bacchus replied while shaking his head.

"Surprised that he never tried to kill you?" Goldmine asked curiously. "Or he fact that you wold have tried to kill yourself if you wre in his shoes?"

"Yes." Bacchus replied, receiving an understanding nod from Goldmine in reurn.

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Margaret.

"I'm truly looking forward to facing Alfonzo in battle once again." Jura, with his palms pressed together while sitting at one of the tables in the Lamia Scale guild hall, said in a peaceful tone. "I'm curious to know how much stronger he has gotten."

"Do you really think you stand a chance?" Ooba Babasama asked while leaning her face on her right hand while it was being supported by her elbow on the table.

"More than likely, no." Jura replied without an ounce of shame. "However, I'd like to know just how far I have to go to reach his level. To think, someone so much younger than myself has reached such heights."

"Yeah, he was named one of the Gods of Ishgar only a few months ago." Ooba added. "This almost doesn't seem fair to everyone else. And he's what? Eleven years younger than you are?"

"That's right." Jura replied. "But since he can only compete in one event and one battle, it should be fine."

"Lyon! You have to show her your {Love}." Sherry said while clenching her left fist to her chest and spreading her right arm out theatrically while the word, "love," reverberated strongly.

Sherry's outburst interrupted Ooba's and Jura's conversation, causing them to look in the direction of Sherry's voice. When they did, they saw Team Lamia Scale, Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and toby, along with Takashi, Rei, and Sherria sitting at a table together. On top of that, Lyon was clenching his fists with a determined flame burning in his eyes.

"*Sigh* Oh to be young again." Ooba said as a small smile spread across her aged face.

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Mermaid Heel Headquarters.

"So, we'll be competing against Alfonzo and Marin, huh?" Anko asked as she took a seat at the bar on the Mermaid Heel guild hall's first floor. "I've never fought any of them. I wonder how this will go. Too bad Cana's not on their team, though. That would be fun."

"I'm not sure." Yoruichi replied from the seat to Anko's left while shaking her head. "But I'm sure keeping our title as the strongest guild in Fiore will be much harder than winning it."

"He can't really be that strong, can he?" Rangiku, who came with Anko to the bar, asked. "I mean, I know you said he's stronger than you. Plus, he became a Wizard Saint. But… There's only one of him, right?"

"Don't underestimate the rest of his team." Yoruichi replied. "He's not the only one who is stronger than me, you know. I'm pretty sure I'd lose to Lici, too."

"Really?" Rangiku asked skeptically. "But [Thread Magic] doesn't seem all that strong to me. I'm sure Haineko could slip between any of her thread constructs and cut them apart from the inside."

"That might be possible if her threads were normal threads." Yoruichi replied with a shrug. "But I guess you'll have to see her in action to believe me."

"Well, I know exactly what she's capable of… Well, that was two years ago, though." Anko said, cutting back into the competition. "And the way she played with Sand and Sound Jōnin and Chunin let me know just how strong she was."

"I won't lose to her again." Sui-Feng muttered while clenching her fists.

"What?" Rangiku asked in a surprised tone. "You lost to her, Sui-Feng?"

In response, Sui-Feng only gritted her teeth.. But her non-answer was enough of an answer to let everyone know the situation.

Meanwhile, Retsu, sitting at a table not too far away from the bar, watched the four members of Team Mermaid Heel while her disciple, Kagura, the fifth member of the team, sat across from her sipping a cup of tea.

"Master, what do you think our chances of keeping the championship at this year's Grand Magic Games are?" Kagura asked after placing her teacup on the table.

In response, Retsu turned away from the bar and looked at Kagura with her ever-present, gentle smile.

"The chances are not high." Retsu replied in a gentle tone, which caused Kagura to lower her head. "But nothing is certain until the battle has been fought. So, work hard my disciple. And as long as you do your best, you will have nothing to regret."

Hearing that, Kagura raised her head and looked into Retsu's eyes. Then, she nodded her head strongly. Meanwhile Retsu continued to smile gently. However, her thoughts were not so gentle.

'Hopefully, you'll push that boy to show his true power.' Retsu thought while internally licking her lips. 'And if his power is enough, I may be able to have the fight I've been looking for, for nearly a century'