Naruto: Copy System

Chapter 1008 - 1008: [1008] : Negotiations

..."Tearing a hole straight through space itself... that is not a feat ordinary mages can accomplish," Makarov stated, his sharp gaze dissecting Shin. "Your strength is absolutely terrifying. Claiming you want to join our humble guild without a hidden agenda is an insult to my intelligence."

Shin nodded slowly, a calm smile remaining on his face. "You have a sharp eye, Master Makarov. While we certainly don't harbor any malicious intent toward Fairy Tail, we are indeed carrying a rather heavy secret."

"I don't usually share this with strangers," Shin lied smoothly, slipping into his fabricated cover story. "But since you are forcing my hand, I have no choice. We are simply looking for a safe haven. The truth is... we are refugees, fleeing from a distant empire."

"I hope that satisfies your curiosity, old man."

Makarov's expression darkened even further. "If you are actively being hunted, then I absolutely cannot accept you."

The guild went dead silent.

"If enemies possess the power to force monsters like you into hiding, I cannot even begin to imagine how terrifying they must be," Makarov said, his voice filled with resolute authority. "I am responsible for the lives of my children. I will not drag Fairy Tail into a war we cannot win. Please, leave us in peace."

Shin was genuinely taken aback. He assumed playing the 'hunted refugee' card would trigger the old man's legendary compassion. He hadn't expected Makarov to be this fiercely protective and pragmatic.

'Alright then,' Shin thought. 'Time to play the trump card.'

"If that is your final answer, I suppose we have no choice," Shin sighed dramatically. "We are truly running out of places to hide. However, my mind is made up. I am going to join Fairy Tail."

Shin looked down at the diminutive Guild Master. "Master Makarov, what if I told you I possess the power to permanently resurrect your First Guild Master?"

The entire guild hall gasped.

The mages stared at Shin in utter disbelief, unable to process the sheer audacity of his claim. But Makarov's reaction was entirely different. The color completely drained from the old man's face.

'WHAT DOES THIS BOY KNOW??' Makarov thought, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Oblivious to the massive political implications, Natsu threw his arms up. "Come on, Gramps! Just let them join already! They aren't bad guys, and they literally saved us from Laxus! With them on our side, we will be invincible!"

Little Lucy eagerly stepped forward, chiming in. "Please, Grandpa! You have to help us. We really don't have anywhere else to go!"

She then turned her attention to the older Fairy Tail Lucy, her eyes sparkling with intense curiosity. Knowing that this woman was her direct descendant, Little Lucy couldn't help but adopt a strangely affectionate, almost grandmotherly tone.

"Hello there! I am Lucy," she beamed, stepping right up to her older counterpart. "I never imagined I would find someone in this world who looks exactly like me and shares the exact same name!"

"Since you are older, it is only fair I call you Big Sister Lucy! Right—heh?"

The older Lucy sweatdropped, entirely overwhelmed by the bizarre situation, but she managed a weak smile. "Uh... sure. Nice to meet you, Little Sister Lucy."

The bizarrely wholesome interaction instantly shattered the heavy tension in the room.

Little Lucy gestured proudly to Alice. "And this is my big sister! She is an incredibly powerful Mage Knight! Well... she was the absolute strongest mage in our entire country, but now she is only second, since she lost to her fiancé—heh!"

Older Lucy looked over at Shin, connecting the dots. "What is your name?"

"Shin," he replied smoothly.

"So he is the one who won your heart, Alice?" Older Lucy asked, a teasing grin forming.

Alice blushed slightly, remembering the comrades she had left behind in the past. But looking around at the warm, chaotic energy of Fairy Tail, she realized she wouldn't mind calling this place her new home.

As the guild erupted into lighthearted laughter, Shin's expression remained perfectly stoic, save for a faint, calculated smirk.

"Regret won't get you anywhere, Master Makarov," Shin said, cutting through the laughter and drawing the old man's attention back. "As you can see, the guild already accepts us. We will join Fairy Tail, and in exchange, I will unconditionally resurrect Mavis Vermillion."

Shin leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper only Makarov could hear. "You don't need to look so shocked. I know every single secret buried beneath this guild. I know the true history of every member here. I even know the real reason why this guild was named Fairy Tail."

Makarov's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "How... how could you possibly know all of that??"

Shin glanced over at Little Lucy, a masterclass lie already assembled in his head.

"Have you ever heard of the extinct Elven Oracles?" Shin asked smoothly. "You see, Fairies are a branch of Elves, but Elves are much older than Fairies. True Elves possess the absolute power to foresee the future."

He pointed to Little Lucy. "She is the direct granddaughter of the Spirit King. With her sight, there is absolutely nothing in this world we do not know."

Shin offered a reassuring smile. "But you have my word—we harbor no ill will toward Fairy Tail."

Makarov stood completely paralyzed. His entire worldview was being aggressively rewritten by the second. He had never met anyone this dangerous, yet the tantalizing bait of resurrecting Mavis was an offer no Guild Master could ever refuse.

Shin had read the old man perfectly. Makarov was incredibly cautious, but when it came to the First Master, he would gladly cross any line and break any rule to bring her back.

Makarov stared at the floor, his mind racing as he desperately weighed the risks of letting these terrifying refugees into his home.

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