https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-422-Fairy-Tail-s-Special-Edition/13079545/
Chapter 423: Gajuru, the Punching Bag
Chapter 423: Gajuru, the Punching Bag
The entire magazine, aside from a few fixed advertisement pages, was filled with content about the Fairy Tail Guild.
The first half featured interviews with renowned members like Elusa, Natsu, Elfman, and Gray, among others.
Up until the part where Rod proposed to Mira, most of it was basic introductions, presenting a generally positive image.
The latter half delved into the 'gossip' surrounding the Fairy Tail Guild.
This was what Natsu had mentioned, where Jason always wrote about 'what he destroyed, what he demolished, and what he wrecked.'
To ordinary readers, these were negative reports, seemingly slandering Fairy Tail.
However, Jason insisted that these were 'super cool' events, even referring to Natsu's punch as 'the hottest way to say hello.'
He genuinely believed that Fairy Tail was amazing, and if he wrote about it factually with a touch of praise, it would make everyone fall in love with the guild.
Those who knew Jason or Fairy Tail might genuinely agree, but to those unfamiliar, these words could come across as sarcastic.
The guild members scoured the magazine, searching for sentences that praised them, and even boasted about it word for word to their companions.
They also sought out embarrassing moments of others and read them aloud to ridicule them.
When they reached the exciting parts, of course, a fight was inevitable.
The Guild Master didn't bother to intervene, instead choosing to sulk upstairs with the magazine.
Although he could sense the journalist's fondness for the guild, he sighed.
Let it be.
The commotion in the guild continued from morning until after lunch.
In the afternoon, the guild suddenly fell silent as Gajuru, who had been away for days, returned.
Although they had accepted him as a guild member, everyone still felt a bit awkward.
Aside from the Guild Master and Juvia, few had ever given him a warm welcome.
Gajuru clicked his tongue and headed straight for the counter, slapping down a mission request form.
Rod followed the procedure, registering him and settling his reward.
Gajuru had taken on a mission to defeat the Dark Guild, similar in difficulty and distance to the one Cana had undertaken.
However, he had taken four to five days longer than Cana.
Rod asked routinely, "Did the mission not go well?"
"Huh?" Gajuru was taken aback, perhaps not expecting Rod to engage him. He replied, "It was a piece of cake."
Rod examined Gajuru but couldn't spot any injuries... However, with the time taken, he wasn't sure if Gajuru was being stubborn or if there was something else going on.
Forget it, the Guild Master said he'd assign someone to keep an eye on him. Let the master worry about it.
After receiving his reward, Gajuru immediately slapped a large bill on the counter. "Is this the tavern? I want meat, and some booze too."
He actually wanted to eat iron, but he knew it wasn't likely to be on the menu.
If it were anyone else in Gajuru's situation, they'd probably find a discreet spot to sit, but Gajuru did the opposite.
He headed straight for the center table in the tavern without the slightest hesitation.
The group originally sitting there wanted to shoo him away, but upon seeing the Guild Master's expression, they didn't cause trouble and merely moved with sullen faces.
Gajuru didn't seem to care; he focused on devouring his food, and as soon as he finished, he wiped his mouth and turned to leave.
"Wait a moment," Mira called out, stopping him.
Gajuru turned around, instinctively taking a step back, remembering that this woman was an incredibly skilled fighter.
However, upon realizing he had retreated, he stubbornly took a step forward, his face regaining its cocky expression. "What's the matter?"
"Mira pointed to the fork handle protruding from his mouth, "Don't take the cutlery without permission. Where's the knife?"
Gajuru removed the fork handle from his mouth, but only the handle remained.
Mira remembered that he was the Iron Dragon Slayer, and sighed, "You'll have to pay for any damaged cutlery. And... how much iron can you eat in one meal?"
Gajuru furrowed his brows, "Why do you ask?"
Mira patiently explained, "Our chef can prepare special dishes like the Flame Set, and I think he can manage an Iron Set too. I'll ask him to try later."
"You..." Gajuru searched for hostility in Mira's eyes but found none. She seemed to be talking to him as if he were just another ordinary companion.
Compared to the other members of the guild, Gajuru felt that she could be considered gentle.
Was this the same person who, just the other day, could shatter iron scales with a casual punch, causing him excruciating pain and nearly incapacitating him?
"Once you join the guild, we're all companions. Everything here belongs to everyone." Mira's tone softened, "So next time, just order your meal, and don't break the cutlery."
"Th-thank you..." Gajuru felt he should express his gratitude, but the words were difficult to utter.
"I understand. I'll pay for the broken cutlery." Gajuru forced a stern expression and chewed on the remaining fork handle with a loud crunch.
---
He casually pulled out a large bill and waved it dismissively, "I didn't expect the members of this guild to be so chatty, aside from being noisy."
The people nearby had finally reached their limit:
"What did you say? You jerk!"
"Mira was being nice to you, and that's how you respond?"
"Apologize right now!"
But Gajuru strode forward without a care, only turning back as he was about to leave:
"It doesn't matter. I'm just looking for a place to take on missions, and I don't intend to get close to any of you."
With that, Gajuru left without a backward glance.
"Rude guy!" A few people muttered curses, saying they'd teach him a lesson sooner or later.
"It's not that serious. He's probably just not used to the guild yet, having just joined." Mira didn't seem upset; instead, she calmly collected the plates.
Gajuru seemed to have a rather twisted personality, Mira thought. Perhaps he needed to spar more with his companions to fit in.
She contemplated calling out to Rod to challenge Gajuru again, feeling that he still held a grudge from their previous fight.
Just as Rod was about to approach Mira, Makarov dropped his magazine and strolled down from the upper floor.
"Master?"
"I'm going to have a chat with Gajuru." Makarov smiled, "Give him some more time, too."
---
The next morning, Rod had breakfast at Mira's place and then headed to the guild with the siblings.
After a busy morning, the three greeted the Master and Rachel and left together.
Rod had already purchased a bouquet, and he showed it to Mira for her approval.
A combination of yellow and white chrysanthemums, with a few eucalyptus leaves for accent, wrapped in white parchment paper and then black wrapping paper, tied neatly with a ribbon.
Mira examined it carefully, nodded, and then linked arms with Rod.
Today, they were going to visit Lisanna.
They weren't too particular about the bouquet, as long as it conveyed their sentiments with colors like white and yellow.
Mira was delighted that Rod took it so seriously.
---
(End of Chapter)
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