Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

The three treasure hunters split into two pairs. Two of them halted, drawing their weapons in a single fluid motion.

"If mages underestimate us," the fist-hammer wielder sneered, "they'll be finished in an instant."

"We need to clear anyone who stands in our way," added the lance-swordsman. "Treasure hunting is a perilous profession—"

Natsu and the others stopped in turn.

"Being a wizard isn't easy," Gray remarked.

"Then let's simplify things—watch me blow you away!" Natsu roared, flame igniting around his fist. "I'm on fire!"

With a thunderous crash, the hammer-man slammed his oversized fist-hammer into the ground before Natsu, shattering earth and stone alike.

"Ugh!" Natsu grunted as the shockwave threw him off balance.

"A hand-shaped weapon?!" Lucy exclaimed.

The hammer-man chuckled. "My Reinforced Hammer Hand only has a minor buff—yet its raw power is incredible!"

Undeterred, Natsu lunged back. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" His flaming punch met the hammer head—only for the opponent to split it apart, then clamp its giant metal fingers around Natsu's head and toss him aside.

"Whoa—!" Natsu flew into a tree before crumpling to the ground.

"Hang on, Natsu!" Happy cried, but already the lance-swordsman had Gray in his sights.

"ICE MAKE—Lancers!" Gray summoned twin ice spears.

"Super cut off!" the swordsman sneered, flipping the hilt mechanism. His blade extended in a silver flash, slicing through Gray's ice projectiles and cleaving a massive tree behind him.

Erza sprang forward—but a whistle of gunfire cut through the air.

"Gun?!" Lucy gasped as a bullet struck Erza's sword with a metallic ring.

"Where—?!" Happy scanned the surroundings, but the sniper remained invisible.

"I blocked that shot," Erza muttered, gripping her blade, "but the next won't miss."

"My Type 74 long-range rifle thirsts for blood," a hidden voice called.

Natsu staggered upright. "These hunters are more dangerous than I thought—no magic, yet they fight like demons!"

Erza frowned. "Magic only amplifies strength in the ten percent who wield it. Ordinary people can still surprise you."

One hunter raised an eyebrow. "Hey, don't insult our Wind Spirit's Labyrinth by calling us third-rate."

"We're Fiore's top treasure-hunting guild," the third boasted. "Grand Secret Treasure Show champions!"

Erza blinked. "I didn't realize treasure hunters had their own festivals."

"Congratulations," Lucy quipped dryly.

Natsu and Gray exchanged impressed looks. "Amazing!" they breathed in unison.

"Now that you see our might," the lance-swordsman said smugly, "let's be on our way. Wizards of Fairy Tail can't stop us."

Natsu grinned fiercely. "Don't lump us in with amateurs. We—Fairy Tail—won this year's Grand Magic Games."

Their declaration drew incredulous stares. "Liar—!?" the hunters barked.

"One in five guilds here is super-first-rate," the hammer-man growled. "You're playing with fire."

Gray's eyes narrowed. "Even the strongest guild can't guarantee every member is invincible. If you value your life, hand over the Moon Drops."

At the mention of "Moon Drops," Natsu stiffened—those vials were the key to thawing the village.

"Stop calling us thieves!" the lance-swordsman spat. "We're treasure hunters!" Then he sprinted up the slope, dagger raised.

Erza intercepted him, swords clashing in a dazzling blur. "You picked the wrong opponent," she warned.

Up above, a soft click echoed—sniper Dorek recalibrated his rifle for another shot.

Gray stepped into view. "Not if I can help it." He raised both hands. "ICE MAKE—Ice Cannon!"

Between his palms, a massive barrel of frost formed, its muzzle aimed at Dorek's perch.

The sniper's eyes went wide. "That caliber—!"

"Ka—BOOM!" Gray fired. A blast of compressed ice detonated against the sniper nest, spraying snow and shards.

"Noooo!" Dorek screamed as the recoil sent him tumbling from his vantage point.

Seizing the moment, Natsu and Erza pressed the assault. Flames and steel battered the hammer-man until a loud crack split his Reinforced Hammer Hand into splinters.

"Ah—!" The giant hammer flew apart, and its wielder was flung backward.