The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

Joseph's thought body, although only 30% of his original strength, was proving effective enough to buy time.

"Kira, I'll handle this guy," Markov said sternly. "You go tell everyone to retreat immediately!"

Kira nodded but hesitated halfway. He glanced back, then walked over to Alia, who lay unconscious on the ground. Taking no chances, he tied the magic chains securely around him.

Before leaving, Kira couldn't resist muttering, "You wear an eye patch to suppress your magic power? Really? With this little magic, do you think you're Kenpachi Zaraki from next door?"

Markov's stout frame began to grow, and he shouted, "Come, Joseph! Show me what a thought body is capable of!"

The battle between Fairy Tail and Phantom continued with unrelenting intensity. The tavern Phantom had hastily built was now reduced to splintered wood, a testament to the chaos.

Within the melee, two particularly fierce battles stood out.

On one side, Natsu and Gajeel clashed in a ferocious display of fire and iron. The two dragon slayers tore through Phantom's territory, their destructive magic creating craters and debris wherever they fought.

On the other side, Gray fought Usagimaru, one of the Phantom Four Elements and a fire mage wielding seven distinct flames.

"Ice-Make: Lancer!"

"Red Flame!"

Fire and ice collided violently, sending sparks and frost flying.

"You have seven flames?" Gray smirked, casually dodging the searing heat. "Let me tell you something. I might have more experience fighting fire wizards than anyone in Fairy Tail."

"Orange Flame!"

Suddenly, a burst of foul-smelling orange fire engulfed the battlefield. The stench was so overwhelming that even Fairy Tail's hardened fighters recoiled.

"Urgh… What is that smell?!"

"Disgusting!"

"That's Usagimaru's Orange Flame," someone groaned. "It stinks worse than rotten fish!"

Natsu, engaged in his duel with Gajeel, glanced over and shuddered. "If I eat that kind of fire, I'll definitely puke…"

"Where do you think you're looking?!"

Gajeel's iron rod slammed into Natsu, sending him flying into a group of Phantom lackeys.

"Hey, Gajeel! Watch it!"

"Then get out of my way!" Gajeel snapped, lunging for Natsu.

Natsu recovered quickly, countering Gajeel's strike with a fiery claw. "You just had to sound cool, didn't you?"

"You bastard!" Gajeel roared.

"Iron Dragon's Rod!"

"Fire Dragon's Claw!"

"Iron Dragon Sword!"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

The two dragon slayers exchanged blow after blow, their powerful attacks causing tremors that rattled the entire battlefield.

For Natsu, this was a rare opportunity to cut loose without fear of damaging the guild. Flames and destruction raged unchecked, and Natsu relished every moment.

Burning tables, smashing pillars, reducing everything to ash.

"Fire Dragon's…"

"Iron Dragon's…"

"ROAR!!!"

The two dragon slayers unleashed their magic simultaneously. Fire and iron collided midair, creating a molten explosion that scorched the recently rebuilt wooden floor.

"Hah…hah…" Natsu panted, his energy waning. He scanned the battlefield, searching for something to eat.

Gajeel, equally drained, lunged for a pile of discarded iron, chomping down on the metallic feast.

Meanwhile, Natsu spotted the fire blazing in Gray's fight with Usagimaru.

"Gray! Move aside! I need to eat that fire!"

"What?! Natsu, this is my fight!"

"I'm starving!"

Before Gray could stop him, Natsu opened his mouth and devoured the flames.

But the moment he swallowed, his expression froze.

"That's cold!" Natsu yelped, clutching his stomach.

"You idiot!" Gray barked, kicking Natsu aside. "Why would you eat his fire without thinking?"

Usagimaru cackled, amused by the spectacle. "A Fire Dragon Slayer eating Blue Flame? That's a first!"

He unleashed another attack, combining sticky purple flames and toxic green flames.

Natsu, still desperate for energy, eagerly gobbled them up.

"Stop it, Natsu!" Gray shouted. "The enemy isn't feeding you out of kindness!"

But it was too late. Natsu's face turned green as his stomach churned violently.

"What's… happening?" he groaned.

"Of course," Gray snapped. "That fire was poisoned!"

Seeing Natsu weakened, Gajeel seized the opportunity.

"Iron Dragon's Stick!"

The iron rod struck Natsu squarely, sending him hurtling across the battlefield.

"Natsu!" Gray called out, his concern momentarily distracting him from Usagimaru.

"Take care of yourself first!" Usagimaru sneered, hurling a yellow flame that exploded on impact.

"Damn it!" Gray conjured an icy shield to block the blast but was forced to stay on the defensive.

Usagimaru's yellow flames created a smokescreen, and his Blue Flame augmented his physical abilities. Though his combat skills were weaker than Gray's, his seven-flame magic gave him a dangerous edge.

Gray gritted his teeth. "This guy's stronger than I thought. I can't afford to let my guard down."

Nearby, Natsu struggled to recover from the toxic flames. His body felt heavy, his magic sluggish.

"Gajeel, you bastard…" he growled, trying to stand.

Gajeel loomed over him, his iron-covered fists gleaming. "Looks like the fire dragon's all burned out."

"I'm not… done yet!" Natsu roared, summoning the last of his strength.

"Iron Dragon's Club!"

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"

The two attacks collided once more, their sheer force ripping apart the surrounding area.

The battlefield was a chaotic mess of destruction. Phantom's base was barely recognizable, its members scattered or unconscious.

Fairy Tail's fighters, though battered, refused to back down.

"Come on, Natsu!" someone shouted.

"Gray, you've got this!"

The camaraderie of Fairy Tail spurred them on, their determination unwavering despite the odds.

Gray, now accustomed to Usagimaru's flames, countered with a powerful ice attack.

"Ice-Make: Ice Geyser!"

The freezing surge enveloped Usagimaru, extinguishing his flames and leaving him vulnerable.

At the same time, Natsu launched a final fiery assault against Gajeel.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

The flames consumed Gajeel, forcing him to retreat momentarily.

The battle wasn't over yet, but the tides were beginning to shift.

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