Natsu couldn't stand the atmosphere and jumped up, pointing at Rhode: "That's too sly! Hiding away to secretly train!"
"Natsu, don't be like that... Mr. Rhode didn't want it that way either."
Lucy tugged at Natsu's coat. Her empathy was overwhelming; imagining herself being confined somewhere for six years without seeing her companions made her heart ache.
"I said it's all in the past." Rhode smiled at Lucy, "Let's talk about now. We'll probably be very busy once we're back.
For example, Lucy, I don't know how worried your dad must be, and Hapi and Carla too. If your families found out..."
As he spoke, many people present hung their heads: "I want to go back as soon as possible."
Even though the topic had changed, Gray and Gajeel thought of a major issue — could Rhode now be terrifyingly strong?
Makarov immediately said, "What are we waiting for? Let's check if the flying ship is still operational. We must leave at once!"
Everyone responded immediately; they couldn't stay for another moment. Although many unknowns awaited them when they returned, those were challenges they had to face.
Upon inspection, the ship, like them, had remained completely unchanged from six years ago, seemingly protected by the Fairy's Ball together.
As everyone boarded the ship, Mebius, who had been missing for a while, suddenly appeared in front of them: "Everyone, it seems someone has come to pick you up."
The crowd looked in the direction Mebius pointed, and sure enough, a large ship was heading towards Celestial Wolf Island.
The ship looked rather familiar, likely the one they took when they first came to Celestial Wolf Island.
But after six years, it seemed somewhat old.
Makarov quickly yelled for Lisanna, who was responsible for piloting the ship, not to take off and just sail across the sea.
At that moment, six people were gazing towards Celestial Wolf Island from the deck of the sailboat.
Alzack, Bisca, Wolian, Marcus, Jet, and Troy looked excited at the originally vanished Celestial Wolf Island.
It wasn't their first time in this sea region; previously it was always empty, but today Celestial Wolf Island finally appeared!
The excitement peaked when they saw the figures on another ship.
Marcus shouted: "The President! The President is there! Kildas is there too!"
Bisca excitedly grabbed Alzack's arm: "It's Erza!"
Jet and Troy danced with joy: "Reby!"
"Everyone's here!" Wolian cried tears of joy, clasping his hands together on his forehead, and called out everyone's name using Telepathy in a tearful voice.
The overly excited people even forgot to ask why Rhode had changed like this.
As the sailboat approached, the six people leapt over to their 'resurrected' companions.
Except for Natsu on the deck, the group cried and laughed for a long time before quieting down to carefully observe each other's appearance.
"Was Alzack always this handsome? How did Troy get so fat?" Rhode recognized the two biggest differences first, exclaiming, "You all have changed so much."
Lucy couldn't help but retort: "You're the least qualified to say that."
Marcus said, "After all, six years have passed. Wouldn't it be strange if none of you changed at all?"
Jet and Troy, of course, squeezed in beside Reby immediately: "What's the matter? Reby should stay this cute forever!"
"I don't want to stay like this forever..." Reby sighed helplessly. In some ways, they hadn't changed either.
After the commotion, everyone calmed down, and Wolian asked somewhat aggrievedly: "What on earth happened over these six years, and why didn't you return to the guild?"
"Because many unexpected things happened." Makarov told Lisanna to set sail, tying the two ships together with ropes, intending to tow the sailboat back with them.
On the way back, Makarov told the six about Demon Heart, the Black Dragon, and the Fairy's Ball among other things.
The group sighed with amazement.
"All in all, the fact that you are all still alive is the best news." Wolian's words trailed off as his eyes filled with tears again.
"A man shouldn't shed tears easily!" Elfman patting Wolian's back, "Since this is the case, let me tell you another good news, Laxus has rejoined the guild, personally acknowledged by the First Generation."
"What?!!" Everyone was startled.
Marcus looked around in confusion: "But where is Laxus? Haven't seen him at all."
"He went straight to the ship's hold when he boarded," Gajeel casually pointed back with his thumb, "Hehe~ That awkward guy is probably too embarrassed to see you."
The crowd exchanged knowing smiles while Natsu was still leaning over the side of the ship, dry heaving.
Erza stood beside Bisca, carefully observing her dear friend, who had unexpectedly aged a few years over just a few days of absence, looking much more mature.
Compared to the current Bisca, all the girls present, even Mira and Erza, seemed somewhat naive.
Erza asked, "Speaking of which, why did you all come to pick us up?"
"Because this morning, Mr. Yiye from Blue Pegasus suddenly came over and told us that they detected a magic power anomaly in this nearby sea region. After analysis, they concluded that Celestial Wolf Island might still exist."
Bisca said, "Actually, we came here before as well and almost lost hope, but... somehow, we were still a bit unwilling to give up."
"Blue Pegasus, huh..." For the first time, hearing One Night's name didn't make Erza uncomfortable. She felt touched, "Have they always been helping to search for us?"
Alzack said, "Yes, not only Blue Pegasus but also Lamia Scale helped a lot over these years, and we've received plenty of support from them."
Makarov chuckled: "Looks like we've gathered quite a few debts of gratitude."
Gray thought of Leon and felt he would have to look up to him in their next meeting.
Rhode thought of Jura, remembered how he had recommended him back then, and now helped again; he had to invite him as an honored guest when he got married.
The Blue Pegasus guys too, maybe invite them as the best men?
Hmm... Need to consider carefully, those guys might have turned super handsome over these six years.
Lucy thought of Jie Li, that troublesome person was also helping sincerely? Suddenly felt a bit touched.
Everyone was a good person after all.
Makarov asked: "So, how have you all been these past years, and how's the guild?"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere immediately changed.
Alzack and Bisca were still alright, but the other four looked very downcast.
"Now you ask, I don't know where to start," Marcus said, "Without you all, many things happened, not just with the guild, but the entire Fiore Kingdom and even the whole Ishujal Continent have changed a great deal."
Wolian nodded, somewhat deeply, and said, "These years, 'oceans have turned into mulberry fields' wouldn't be an exaggeration."
Everyone looked at each other; could it really be that drastic?
"The story starts with the news of your 'deaths'... or more precisely, it should start after returning from Edolas," Marcus carefully organized his words and asked, "Do you remember the flying ship was brought back from Edolas, along with many Magic Tools?"