The magic motorboat tore across the endless sea, leaving a spectacular trail of waves in its wake.
On the deck, a red-haired girl in silver-and-white armor stood facing the wind. Her long crimson hair whipped around her like a fiery banner, making her look every bit the hero she was.
She was Erza! Fairy Queen Erza!
The first companion summoned by the Fairy Tail guild, created by Sugisawa Yuuto himself. Serious, forthright, and passionate about her duties, she was, like Mirajan, one of Yuuto's most trusted aides.
"President!" Nami exclaimed, momentarily stunned by Erza's presence.
Erza leapt onto the deck with perfect grace.
"Apple Island, Potato Town… seven other islands, bandits exorcised, Sea Kings defeated, pirates subdued… all commissions have been completed. This is the mission feedback!"
She spoke seriously, handing Sugisawa Yuuto a thick stack of completed reports.
"As expected of Erza," Yuuto praised, impressed.
"Thank you for your hard work, Erza. Let's take a well-deserved rest now," Mirajan added with a smile.
Erza nodded, then her gaze fell upon Nami. The young girl felt her delicate body tremble slightly under the majestic aura of the Fairy Queen.
She had heard the stories of Erza's power, but seeing it firsthand… Nami could instinctively feel the sheer force emanating from her.
"Erza, this is Nami, our new Fairy Tail partner!" Mirajan quickly introduced.
"I already know," Erza said, nodding. Her eyes immediately caught the Fairy Tail symbol on Nami's shoulder—the mark of a guild member.
"Hi, I'm Erza. I'm also a member of Fairy Tail. Please guide me," Erza said, holding out her hand.
"Yes, Miss Erza! Please guide me," Nami responded, reaching out to shake her hand.
After the brief greeting, Erza turned her gaze back to Sugisawa Yuuto.
"President, what's going on?" she asked, pulling out a brand-new bounty order—Yuuto's 80-million-Berry reward. Seeing their guild president suddenly become a target of the world's law, Erza felt a mix of shock and indignation.
"Erza, let me explain…" Mirajan stepped in, detailing the events.
"What? That self-proclaimed righteous Marines colluded with pirates? Even if that kind of scum deserved to die a hundred times, the president was clearly helping people, so why is he being offered a bounty?!" Erza exclaimed, furious.
"This is just the way of this world, Erza," Sugisawa Yuuto said, raising a large hand to gently pat her small, fuming head. "We just need to stay true to ourselves and keep a clear conscience. Other people's judgments don't matter."
"I understand," Erza nodded firmly.
She then turned to Nami again. The impact of Erza's iron grip pressed down on Nami's shoulders as the Fairy Queen swept her up into a tight embrace.
Bang! Nami's head bumped against Erza's fierce armor.
"It hurts!" Nami blinked, tears welling up, but she was more concerned about Erza's intensity than the pain.
"Nami, it's alright. You're a member of Fairy Tail now. From this moment on, no one can ever bully you again!" Erza said sincerely.
Hearing this, Nami finally understood the depth of Erza's care. Knowing what had happened to her in the past, Erza had opened her heart to Nami and given her unwavering support.
Nami touched the bulging pouch of armor on Erza's chest, feeling a surge of gratitude and joy.
"Miss Erza… thank you. If you were a man, I might even fall in love with you~" Nami teased, laughing.
"Hey, Nami… shouldn't you be falling for me? I helped you destroy the dragon and the rats yesterday," Sugisawa Yuuto said with a grin.
"If you didn't blackmail me, I might actually fall for you~" Nami shot back slyly.
"Forget it. One for one, that's the rule!" Yuuto said seriously.
"Hey, hey! You're skipping the usual part—aren't you supposed to say, 'Your debts are paid off' here?" Nami insisted.
"Alright, alright. The East Blue business is basically settled. Time to move on to the Grand Line!" Sugisawa Yuuto said, eyes locked on the endless sea.
"Don't change the subject, hey!" Nami groaned.
Two days later…
Sugisawa Yuuto and his party arrived at the terminus of East Blue: the Town of Beginnings and Ends—Rogge Town!
As Fairy Tail sailed into port, the arrival instantly caught the attention of the locals.
"Hey, look!""That's Fairy Tail!""I know them!""They're the guild that helps people solve problems. True heroes of the people!"
"Shh, your info's outdated!""What do you mean? Do you know what they did recently?""That man… Su Yu… captured a Marine Base, and now he's got a bounty of 80 million Berry!"
"What?! Eighty million?! Isn't he insanely dangerous?!""That's right! Stay away and report to Colonel Smoker immediately!"
Whispers spread throughout the port, buzzing like a storm.
Erza's ears twitched, and a flicker of anger crossed her face. She opened her mouth to argue with the townsfolk, but Sugisawa Yuuto stopped her with a gentle hand.
"The world can be ignorant. Just keep a clear conscience," he said calmly.