Chapter 79 : Vacation!!

"The Sea. Ah!!"

At the tranquil Akani Beach resort, Kyros and the others rushed over, their footsteps echoing with urgency. Initially, Kyros had intended to bring Mirajane along, but with the guild now being rebuilt, Mirajane couldn't be separated from her responsibilities. The guild needed her assistance.

Thus, the ticket fell into Erza's hands, and a small group set off to the beach for some leisure time.

"Look, look! The water is crystal clear!" Natsu exclaimed, excitement bubbling in his voice as he playfully splashed the water with his fist.

"Wow! It really is!" Gray exclaimed, peering down into the water and observing his reflection sans pants.

"Gray, you should wear swim trunks," Kyros chuckled, as he dipped his head into the water, thoroughly enjoying the aquatic play. 

Thanks to inheriting Kaido's power, he hadn't consumed any Devil Fruits, so the sea water posed no threat to him.

Before long, the group engaged in various beach activities—playing watermelon ball, going on fishing expeditions, and competing in beach volleyball. Yet, as all happy times do, the day slipped away too quickly.

Evening descended swiftly, and Erza found herself unknowingly dozing off on a reclining chair. However, amidst the tranquility, haunting memories of the past resurfaced, jolting her awake with a cold sweat.

Abruptly, Lucy burst into the room, her voice filled with excitement. "Erza! There's an underground casino nearby! Kyros and Natsu have already gone ahead. Let's join them!"

"I can't refuse an invitation like that," Erza replied, swiftly changing into an elegant evening dress. "Let's go."

Within the underground casino, numerous guests indulged in various games, drawn by the allure of riches and thrill.

"Whirring whirring!"

Natsu blew forcefully on the roulette table, attempting to influence the ball's trajectory.

The croupier intervened, "Sir, please refrain from such actions!"

"I clearly saw it."

"Impossible!"

Meanwhile, Gray, occupied with the slot machines, chuckled at Natsu's antics. Suddenly, a figure approached him, leaving Gray momentarily stunned.

"You... you're mistaken..."

Natsu continued his futile attempts against the dealer, unaware that he was exhausting his assets for the night.

"I saw it myself! You can't fool me that easily!"

A stern voice interrupted, "Young man, in this adult playground, one must conduct themselves with decorum, understood?"

"Understood..."

"Who?!"

"Square Face!!!?"

"Happy" and Natsu exclaimed involuntarily, observing this individual with perplexity. He seemed like a conglomerate of blocks.

The man descended a step, then squatted on a swivel chair, spinning swiftly as he spoke, "BOY, let me impart one truth to you—there are only two paths for a man: to mature gracefully and live with dignity,"

He then abruptly leaped in front of Natsu, seizing Natsu's scarf with one hand and pressing a pistol against Natsu's mouth with the other, "Or to cease and meet demise. Do you comprehend?"

"It's a gun!!"

Witnesses around were seized by fear, scattering in all directions at the sight of this confrontation.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Meanwhile, Gray was tending to a girl with aqua-blue hair at the bar.

"I heard Phantom Lord disbanded?"

"Yes, Juvia is now an independent mage."

"Ah, so you're considering joining Fairy Tail?"

"Juvia would be delighted to join."

"Despite the past, I don't have any objections, but I'm unsure if the guild master would approve."

"Juvia will do whatever it takes."

The girl with the water-blue hair was Juvia, one of the Element 4 of Phantom Lord.

At that moment, a person soared out and landed in the nearby lake, colliding with Gray, who had rushed to support Juvia.

Though Gray acknowledged her as an enemy from Phantom Lord, she was still a girl, making it inappropriate to just toss her into the water.

Being somewhat merciful to the girl, Gray's act of rescue almost stirred Juvia from unconsciousness, who cast a furtive glance at Gray.

Rescued by an enemy, particularly one she harbored affection for, seemed fated or perhaps akin to forbidden love, akin to a theatrical production.

With Phantom Lord disbanded, she found solace, thus when Fairy Tail was reestablished, she often observed Gray from the shadows, akin to a silent admirer.

Upon learning Gray's vacation plans, she promptly secured a ticket to join him.

At that moment, a towering figure emerged behind Gray and Juvia.

Both of them were taken aback, turning around in unison.

"Ah!" A massive hand slapped Juvia directly.

"What on earth are you doing?"

"You're Gray Fullbuster."

"Where's Erza?"

Meanwhile, Kyros was rattling the dice vigorously.

The dealer held the dice cup tightly, shaking it continuously, drawing a crowd around him.

The betting table displayed two simple words, 'big' and 'small.' Win, and you gain; lose, and you're out. This straightforward thrill attracted numerous participants.

"Placing bets, everyone!"

Kyros listened attentively, placing his chips on 'big': "Big!"

"Big!"

"I'm all in!"...

A multitude of eyes locked onto Kyros, and as Kyros triumphed, they all followed suit immediately.

The dealer's brow was now glistening with sweat. Ever since Kyros sat down, he had been on a winning streak, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Witnessing Kyros's success, these onlookers couldn't resist joining in. 

After several rounds, everyone was raking in profits, and the pile of chips in front of Kyros had grown too large to handle.

"Just kidding! Meow!" A girl, adorned in kitten attire, suddenly appeared beside Kyros, placing a chip on the table.

Many were taken aback. "Little miss, this person is a master gambler; you're likely to lose."

"It's fine~!"

"Let's see!"

The dealer revealed the dice, "Four, five, or six...!"

"Excellent meow!"

"Won again!"

"Incredible!"

The followers of Kyros were overjoyed.

"Meow Meow Bind!"

"Ah!" A rope sprouted from the girl's hand, binding Kyros.

The kitten-like girl leaped onto the table, rolling the dice.

"One, two, three, little! That's fantastic! I win, meow~!"