Everyone was stunned.
The legendary Black Wizard was actually asking for a Demon Book in a tone that was almost pleading?
Hope looked down at the END in his hand, then looked up at the deep, undeniable emotion in Zeref's eyes, and shook his head: "I apologize, but this book is equally important to us, and it wouldn't be safe in your hands."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
"Zeref Dragneel."
Because his power and influence were too terrifying, and their spread could trigger uncontrollable developments, Zeref's true name was jointly hidden as a taboo by the Council and the high-ranking members of the major Human Powers.
The only other existence afforded such treatment was the world's Great Boss, the Black Dragon.
"Natsu, that guy actually has the same surname as you, huh?"
Happy whispered into Natsu's ear. And those who knew Natsu subconsciously thought of him after hearing Hope speak Zeref's full name.
dragneel... Could Natsu and the Black Wizard be relatives?
Zeref ignored the gazes assessing him and Natsu, and looked again at the book in Hope's hand: "I see. You can read Demon Script, so you must also know E.N.D.'s identity."
Hope weighed the book in his hand, "Yes, who would have thought E.N.D.'s life was so... rich and colorful."
"This book records the ongoing life of E.N.D., E.N.D."
Hope said slowly, locking his gaze on Zeref's reaction, "And our guild has a Fire Dragon Slayer Mage, who is also named E.N.D."
As soon as he said this, everyone except Erza, Mirajane, and Cana, who already knew, looked at Natsu in shock.
Natsu himself was bewildered: "Huh? Me? Book? Demon?"
Makarov took a deep breath, stepped in front of Natsu, and said solemnly: "Zeref, what exactly do you want? Natsu is a child of our guild! If you dare to lay a hand on him, Fairy Tail will never stand idly by!"
"An important... child..."
Zeref repeated the phrase, a gentle expression appearing on his face, "Please rest assured, I did not come to provoke conflict, nor will I take anyone away. I merely entered Tenrou Island by accident while wandering, and I apologize for the trouble."
"As for Natsu..."
He looked at the confused, seemingly unintelligent Cherry-Haired Youth, "Living happily in the guild she established, that is perfectly fine."
Zeref's gentle Voice made the atmosphere extremely strange. The expected battle of life and death didn't happen; instead, a faint sadness permeated the air.
The person who broke the strange atmosphere was Gray. "Hope, what exactly is the relationship between Natsu and E.N.D.? Stop acting like a Riddle-Teller! Tell me the truth quickly!"
Because his hometown and relatives died at the hands of demons, Gray's attitude toward demons was not friendly. Now, being told that Natsu might be E.N.D., the one called the Strongest Demon, he couldn't possibly accept it.
"Uh... this matter is actually a bit complicated to explain."
"Simply put, Natsu is a human, a demon, and the Son of the Dragon."
Hope organized his thoughts and explained Natsu's background to everyone.
Natsu is Zeref's Younger Brother. Four hundred years ago, the young Magic Circle died in an attack by an Evil Dragon.
Zeref, who loved his Younger Brother, created many types of Magic to resurrect Natsu, including the 'R System', but they all ended in failure.
But a genius is a genius. Zeref still found a way to resurrect Natsu, though the resurrected Natsu could no longer be fully considered human—he had gained another identity.
Flame Demon · E.N.D.
Not long after his resurrection, Natsu, whose Demonic Core was just emerging, challenged the visiting Fire Dragon King Igneel, and was then slapped into amnesia, losing even the Life Demon Book related to his life.
This made Igneel feel quite awkward.
To compensate his Friend, Igneel agreed to adopt Natsu and teach him Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
After that, Jellal used a spell to send five Dragon Slayer Mages, including Natsu, to July 7, X777, four hundred years later.
On the day Natsu arrived in this era, he was found by Makarov and joined Fairy Tail.
This was Natsu's first half of life.
The amount of information was too immense. Not only did Gray's Pig Brain Overload on the spot, but everyone else also wore expressions of disbelief.
Natsu is a person from 400 years ago... Zeref gradually became the feared Black Wizard only to resurrect Natsu... Natsu became the demon E.N.D.... The Fire Dragon King raising a child... Time-Traveling Magic... Each one of these, taken alone, would be huge news.
Yet, all these outrageous things happened to the same Minor. One must remember that Natsu's true age is currently less than 20 years old... If they didn't know Hope wouldn't joke about a comrade in this situation, they might think he was messing around again.
Natsu hasn't shown any Demonic Aura all these years because, 400 years ago, shortly after being resurrected as a demon, he was beaten into amnesia by his Dragon Dad.
Natsu not only completely forgot his dear Older Brother but also forgot that he was both human and demon.
Later, he lived with Igneel and learned Dragon Slayer Magic. The 'Power of E.N.D.' inside him was suppressed by Magic Power before it could be developed, thus completely falling dormant.
After learning that these events had no actual relation to Tartaros or the demons he knew, Gray let out a long sigh of relief, but he immediately became unhappy again.
As the saying goes, you fear your brother suffering, but you also fear your brother driving a Land Rover. Natsu still has immense potential to be unearthed, so what will Gray, his Arch-Rival, do in the future?
Gray absolutely could not accept the thought of Natsu's smugness looming over him.
He decided: he might as well ask Hope to teach him Ice Demon Slayer Magic.
After meeting Ur, he was no longer insistent on only using Ice-Make Magic, and was no longer resistant to learning other Magic.
Shaping Magic is good, but Demon Slayer Magic offers a much wider Sky.
He really wanted to improve.
Watching his comrades gradually relax due to the relationship between Natsu and Zeref, Hope shook his head slightly in exasperation. These guys were already starting to treat Zeref as one of their own... They were truly too naive.
The danger level of the Black Wizard far exceeded their imagination.
Hope looked at Zeref and said in a Voice meant only for the two of them: "Shall we talk privately?"
Jellal nodded. Actually, he was also very interested in Hope. The moment Hope appeared, he had a premonition.
This person might be able to kill him.
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