A roar blasted onto Acnologia's body. As the roar hit the ground, a massive fireball erupted, destroying everything in its vicinity.
"So... so powerful..."
Natsu was deeply shaken by the sight. This power was on a completely different level from his own roar.
"No... he hasn't taken a single scratch of damage."
The Fire Dragon King, Igneel, knew Acnologia well. This guy was a genuine monster. His roar would be effective against other dragons, but it was useless against Acnologia.
A Fire Dragon can absorb flames, but Acnologia can absorb all forms of magic.
Boom!
Sure enough, just as Igneel finished speaking, a powerful gust of wind blew the smoke away. Acnologia reappeared, looking completely unscathed.
"I'm fired up now." Igneel bared his teeth.
This was his first time facing Acnologia head-on. This guy was the culprit behind the destruction of the entire Dragon race. Even as the Fire Dragon King, he felt immense pressure right now.
"Natsu, you're in the way."
"What do you mean 'in the way'?! Is that any way to talk after we've finally reunited?"
"It can't be helped, you're too weak right now. If you were like that fellow from your guild, you might actually be of some help."
As Igneel spoke, his gaze drifted toward Takeshi below.
While he was inside Natsu's body, he had witnessed Takeshi's strength. To be honest, he had been shocked back then that a human could actually fight Acnologia to such an extent.
After the Grand Magic Games ended, he had also seen Takeshi's battle against the seven dragons. He had been prepared to step in at that time, but he hadn't expected Takeshi to actually defeat the seven dragons single-handedly. He had never seen a human with such formidable strength.
"Roar!!!"
Acnologia unleashed a roar at Igneel.
Igneel quickly flapped his wings to dodge. He didn't dare take Acnologia's roar head-on. He didn't possess Acnologia's power to be nearly immune to all magic or even devour all magic. If he were hit, he would be heavily injured if not dead.
Boom!
The roar struck a distant mountain, obliterating it completely.
"Natsu! Get down there! You can't help at all here! Instead, you're preventing me from using my full power!"
"No! I don't want to!"
"Don't be stubborn. I have a task for you. Do you see the book in that guy's hands? That is the Book of END."
"END?"
"Go get that book."
"Why should I do something like that?"
"Because only you can do it. Listen carefully. Absolutely do not open that book, and do not destroy it. Just seize it. If you can take it, I will tell you all the truth you want to know."
"Fine! It's a deal!"
Natsu had many things he wanted to ask Igneel, but now was clearly not the time.
"Go!"
With that, Igneel threw Natsu toward the ground.
"To think there are still dragons surviving in this world... how unpleasant." Acnologia spoke as he looked at Igneel.
"Oh! You've finally opened your mouth to speak, Acnologia?" Igneel quipped.
"I have recognized you as my enemy. I shall begin the Dragon Slaying."
Acnologia charged at Igneel, and the two dragons began a brutal struggle in the sky.
Natsu soon landed beside Mard Geer and reached out to grab the Book of END in Mard Geer's arms.
Mard Geer couldn't even move at this moment.
"Stop!!!"
He could only watch helplessly as Natsu took the Book of END away.
"This is the Book of END?"
Natsu held it and looked at it. He was a bit curious and wanted to open it, but remembering Igneel's warning, he could only abandon that thought for now.
Suddenly—
The Book of END in Natsu's hand vanished.
"It disappeared!"
Natsu panicked, how could the book just vanish?
A man's voice rang out. "This book was mine to begin with, so I've taken it back. This is a very important item."
Natsu turned his head to look, and his pupils couldn't help but contract. He had seen this guy before.
"It's you!"
"Zeref!"
This was the guy he had met on Tenrou Island. He also knew that Takeshi had thrown Zeref to Grimoire Heart back then.
"Natsu, I've finally met you. You... you've grown. I've missed you."
Zeref looked at Natsu with eyes that were both gentle and nostalgic.
Natsu, however, felt it was extremely bizarre. Why would this legendary, darkest and most evil mage in history want to see him, and even act as if he knew him?
"Zeref-sama..."
Mard Geer looked at Zeref. He hadn't expected to have the chance to see Zeref again in his lifetime.
Zeref looked at Mard Geer and said, "Mard Geer, you've performed well. END is only one step away from awakening. You may sleep now."
"Mard Geer... failed to fulfill your wish..."
Snap!
Zeref snapped his fingers.
"You won't be able to do it."
Mard Geer turned into a book and then burst into flames.
"You... isn't that a demon you created with your own hands?!" Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
In his view, Mard Geer was a demon Zeref had created himself, so he should be considered something like Zeref's child. Even though the other party was beyond saving, Zeref had killed him without any hesitation or lingering attachment. This was simply too much.
Zeref nodded. "Indeed, but I no longer have any need for it. I originally intended to settle things between the two of us today, but Acnologia disrupted my plans. Whether history will be brought to an end once more or a miracle will occur, I cannot predict."
"What on earth are you talking about? Give me back the book! Now!"
As Natsu spoke, he rushed toward Zeref, but after only two steps, his body was frozen in place, unable to move. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't budge.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. After all, even I don't really want to provoke that guy." Zeref spoke as his gaze shifted toward Takeshi.
Takeshi's eyes were also fixed on this spot. If Zeref dared to make a reckless move, he wanted to test whether Zeref could actually be killed.
As for Takeshi's strength, Zeref had already experienced it. Although he hadn't been at his peak state back then, he still had no confidence in being able to defeat Takeshi.
"If you can survive this desperate situation, we will have another chance to meet."
After saying this, Zeref turned and left, his figure vanishing. He didn't want to stay here. Besides Acnologia, there was also Takeshi. Even for him, if he were accidentally dragged into the fray, he wouldn't be able to escape easily.