That Day When Suzuki-kun Wasn't the Mob-B! Chapter 459: Shattering the Power of Nakama (Patreon)

While Gray desperately tried to awaken some latent power fueled by the bonds of Nakama, Gajeel and Natsu had already launched an all-out assault on Finn!

"Crimson Lotus: Phoenix Sword!"

Natsu ignited every ounce of his magic, transforming into a literal, roaring surge of fire shaped like a phoenix. He rammed toward his target with maximum speed and impact. Heat, velocity, and raw kinetic power—it was like a living missile!

Yet, as the fiery meteor closed in, Finn remained perfectly still. Gripping his four-sided axe, he found the razor-thin window of perfect timing and smashed the heavy weapon directly into Natsu's skull!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

"Gah!"

Natsu's momentum was instantly killed, his consciousness fading as the concussive blow nearly knocked him out cold.

How?! The Fairy Tail mages in the stands were completely at a loss. With that blinding speed and overwhelming power, how could anyone perfectly counter it head-on?

But Natsu wasn't fighting alone. Using the fiery assault as the perfect distraction, Gajeel unleashed everything he had!

"Karma Demon: Iron Spiral!"

Gajeel transformed his legs into a gigantic, rapidly spinning iron drill bit, launching himself straight at Finn to tear him apart. A drill was inherently one of the most dangerous weapons, capable of piercing almost any defense. Finn himself frequently used the drill while in Flare's body, but this time he was on the receiving end!

Yet, despite the sudden and sneaky nature of the attack, Finn merely took a casual half-step to the side. Denying Gajeel even a fraction of a second to adjust, Finn pivoted and delivered a bare-knuckle smash directly to Gajeel's cheek!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The impact violently rattled Gajeel's brain against his skull, instantly stopping his spinning momentum. His eyes rolled back, his body wobbling dangerously on the brink of unconsciousness.

Gajeel knew it was over. He watched helplessly as Finn raised his massive axe high, ready to smash him into the bedrock!

Only— Swooosh!

The sharp whistle of something tearing through the air made Finn frown. Lowering his axe, he casually grabbed the staggering Gajeel by the collar and hoisted him up, turning the Iron Dragon Slayer into a human shield.

"ARRGGGGGG!" Gajeel screamed in agony as the sudden projectile buried itself deeply into him.

It was an arrow made of solid ice.

"You bastard!" Gray cursed. Realizing he had just shot his own guildmate, Gray was stunned, a deep sense of helpless rage boiling in his chest over his own weakness.

Using the momentary chaos caused by Gray and Gajeel, Natsu—who had stubbornly forced himself back to his feet—launched his next attack!

"Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist!"

Natsu's magic power erupted as he unleashed a rapid-fire barrage of devastating, flame-infused punches!

BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM!

Yet, as the smoke cleared, Natsu realized he hadn't hit Finn at all. Finn had simply used Gajeel's body to absorb every single fiery blow!

"You bastard!" Natsu screamed. This guy was fighting so dirty! "How could you be so—"

Natsu didn't get to finish his sentence, as Finn threw the heavily battered Gajeel directly at him!

"Shit!"

Natsu barely had time to brace himself as Gajeel's heavy body slammed into him. Pushing his guildmate aside, Natsu looked up—only to find Finn already standing directly in front of him, taking a slow, measured breath.

?!

Natsu suddenly felt as though the entire world had frozen. The air, space itself—everything felt overwhelmingly oppressive, locking him completely in place. He couldn't dodge.

BOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM!

Each of Finn's punches hit with the concussive force of a naval cannon. With zero defenses, Natsu absorbed every single one. He was battered by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of merciless, high-speed strikes in a matter of seconds!

Yet, even after delivering that brutal onslaught, Finn didn't stop. He knew exactly how durable Natsu was. If he was going to put him down, he had to deliver a finishing move, but just as he prepared to strike—

"Ice-Make: Cold Excalibur!"

Gray roared, molding a gigantic greatsword of pure ice capable of slicing through steel. Swinging the massive blade with everything he had, he aimed directly for Finn!

With minimal effort, Finn ducked under the horizontal slash, allowing the ice sword's heavy momentum to drag Gray completely off balance and smash harmlessly into the ground!

BOOOOOOOOM!

Trapped by the heavy momentum of his missed swing, Gray suddenly felt the hairs on his arms stand on end. An intense, uncontrollable aura of pure threat washed over him.

"You should really just rest," Finn said calmly. "Compared to the others, you just aren't that strong right now, you know?"

"Ha?!" Gray snapped, furious at the dismissal.

But Finn's fist was already buried deep into his stomach.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

Gray felt his internal organs violently shake. The overwhelming impact instantly severed his consciousness, and he collapsed onto the rubble without a single sound, completely defeated.

If Finn was genuinely serious, none of them were his opponents.

Yet, the momentary distraction Gray provided gave Natsu and Gajeel the chance they needed to force themselves back to their feet. This time, they poured everything into a desperate, combined attack!

"Purgatory Iron Spiral Dragon Fire!"

It was a technique they had never practiced, born purely of desperation. Gajeel shifted his entire body, transforming into a massive, rapidly spinning iron drill that shattered the ground beneath them. Simultaneously, Natsu ignited the drill, surrounding the spinning iron with a vortex of ultra-high-temperature flames designed to melt through any defense!

This was their all! This was everything they had left! This time, they would defeat Finn!

Yet, Finn was fully prepared. He tightened his grip on his massive axe. His muscles coiled like steel springs, and arcs of destructive black lightning began to violently scatter around his weapon. The air warped; space itself seemed to scream under the pressure, and then Finn swung.

"Dominion Force!"

Dragons? Gods? Demons? Finn didn't care what they called themselves. In this moment, the victor would be him!

Crack!

The iron drill shattered into a million pieces. The roaring flames were instantly extinguished, snuffed out by the sheer concussive shockwave of Finn's swing!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!

"Ha..."

As the dust slowly cleared, Finn stood alone in the massive crater. The Dragon Slayers and the Ice Mage lay scattered across the ruins, entirely unconscious.

"Do you mind having a final duel with me?"

Finn slowly turned his head. Standing at the edge of the crater was Erza Scarlet.

She was heavily battered, covered in scratches and bruises after fighting practically every other female competitor alone. Yet, she stood tall and unyielding, looking overwhelmingly beautiful as her crimson hair, tied into a high ponytail, swayed gently in the wind. She still held a katana firmly in her grip.

And at the same time, she was his woman.

"You really know how to take your time," Finn smiled faintly.

"Come on. This is the last match." Erza smiled back, her eyes burning with a fierce, prideful light. "Let's settle this."

"Okay." Finn casually tossed his massive axe aside, swapping his weapon. This time, he also held a katana.

This was the true final battle. No one in the stadium dared to look away. Every single eye was glued to the two fighters.

It was obvious that both of them were at their limits. They had fought through legions of powerful mages to reach this exact moment. Yet, the final outcome of the Grand Magic Games would be decided right here.

Erza was wearing her signature Sarashi, discarding all defense to put absolutely everything she had into a single, decisive strike. Finn mirrored her intent.

The two warriors unsheathed their blades, locking eyes across the ruined plaza.

Erza settled into a standard, aggressive stance, gripping the hilt with both hands, the tip of her blade aimed directly at Finn's chest. Finn, however, adopted a perfect Iaido stance. Without a proper scabbard, he simply used his empty left hand to guide the blade.

Then, in a fraction of a second, they both moved.

"Benizakura Flash!"

"Falling Star."

Pouring their entire hearts into this final clash, the two warriors surged forward!

Slash!

A brilliant flash of light briefly blinded the audience as the two crossed paths. Coming to a halt, Finn smoothly flicked his wrist, sheathing his katana. Without turning around, he reached out, perfectly catching Erza as her legs gave out, pulling her into a gentle hug.

"Good swordplay," Finn murmured softly.

Erza managed an affectionate eye roll before completely losing consciousness, resting peacefully in his arms.

A heavy, breathless silence hung over the capital for a moment. Then, the announcer's voice cracked over the speakers, trembling with sheer awe.

"T-THE CHAMPIONS OF THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES ARE... HEAVENLY BLUE!!!!"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

As the Grand Magic Games finally ended, an absolute, undisputed champion had been crowned.