Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

"So strong!" 

Natsu lowered his fist and gazed at the devastation he had caused, momentarily stunned by his newfound power. 

His eyes shifted to the gloves adorning his hands—the ones that had amplified his magic so significantly. 

No... 

They weren't just Vongola gloves anymore. 

They were Fairy Tail gloves now. 

Though Natsu didn't fully understand the principles behind this magical item, he could feel its incredible effects. When he wore these gloves, the magic he released with his hands became several times stronger, with drastically increased magic power, condensation speed and conversion efficiency. 

The essence of his magic hadn't changed, but its potency and range had improved dramatically! Combined with the enhancement from the power of Dying Will Flame, his strength had skyrocketed. 

"Is this the power of trading magic?!" 

Natsu couldn't help but admire the destruction he had wrought and the surge of energy coursing through him. 

At that moment, Kaido's words came to mind—valuable items, not just knowledge, could be offered as sacrifices in a trade. 

A wave of regret washed over him. 

He'd always overlooked magical items, never paying attention to them during missions. He had dismissed them as unnecessary, relying solely on his physical prowess. 

But that didn't matter now. 

After all, Fairy Tail was the top guild in Fiore. 

The guild regularly handled high-level commissions, many of which offered powerful magic items as rewards. 

With a sly grin, Natsu rubbed the tip of his nose and thought to himself: 

"Hehehe... I wonder if my current strength is enough for the Guild Master to let me take on the century-old mission!" 

This mission had been a long-time dream of his. 

It was an ancient quest that had been entrusted to Fairy Tail but had remained incomplete due to the guild's lack of strength at the time. 

Natsu had begged the Guild Master repeatedly to let him take on the mission, but each time he was rejected for being too weak. 

In fact, the Guild Master had even imposed a rule barring anyone but S-class mages from entering the guild's second floor, all to prevent reckless mages like Natsu from accepting the mission without permission. 

Lost in his thoughts about the century-old mission, Natsu reveled in his newfound power. 

---

Meanwhile, Lucy and Happy couldn't wait any longer. They rushed over to Kaido, throwing themselves before him and pleading for their own trade opportunities. 

As a dimensional merchant, Kaido naturally obliged and accepted their trade requests. 

Unfortunately, Lucy didn't have many valuable magic abilities at her disposal. 

Most standard spells were already registered in the trading system, thanks to Bora's earlier redemption. 

The only spells Lucy could offer were [Gate of the Celestial Spirit] and [Forced Gate Closure], both of which were foundational for any Celestial Spirit Mage. 

These spells allowed her to summon or dismiss her contracted spirits, but they were too common to hold much value. 

In the end, Lucy's magic only earned her a trade credit worth 1,000 points. 

It couldn't be helped. 

For a Celestial Spirit Mage, their true value lay in their Celestial Spirit Keys. 

If Lucy were willing to trade those keys, Kaido was confident her trade authority would rival Natsu's. 

But, of course, that was impossible. 

Her celestial spirits were far too precious, and even the most talented Pokémon wouldn't be as helpful to her as her contracted spirits. 

Considering Lucy's current circumstances, Kaido opted not to trade her for a Pokémon. 

Instead, he chose to equip her with Observation Haki—a skill that allowed her to sense danger in advance. 

As a Celestial Spirit Mage, Lucy's physical strength and combat abilities were her greatest weaknesses. 

Observation Haki would grant her an invaluable edge, ensuring she wouldn't be caught off guard in critical situations. 

It wasn't that Kaido didn't want to enhance Lucy's physical strength. 

The truth was, her foundation was simply too weak. Even if he invested one or two thousand points, it wouldn't make much of a difference. 

What truly shocked Kaido, however, was Lucy's remarkable talent. 

After absorbing the insights of Observation Haki, she mastered it almost instantly. 

Not only that, but the range of her perception far exceeded the standard limit of 1,000 points, demonstrating an exceptional spiritual aptitude. 

A gleam flickered in Kaido's eyes. 

For Lucy to immediately expand and extend the application of observation Haki upon acquiring it suggested extraordinary potential. 

Perhaps her talent for mental energy was as remarkable as Natsu's talent for fire magic! 

"Haha, I didn't expect to uncover such a hidden gem for the Fairy Tail Guild," Kaido mused inwardly. 

Even so, he didn't dwell on it too much. 

As a Celestial Spirit Mage, most of Lucy's resources were naturally spent on Celestial Spirit Keys. This left little room for her to acquire additional magical items for trade. 

From Kaido's perspective, Lucy wasn't exactly an ideal trader. 

After wrapping up the transaction with her, he quickly shifted his focus to Happy. 

Although Happy was just a small blue cat, he possessed the rare Wing Magic—a skill few could master. 

While Happy's proficiency in wing magic was basic, Kaido's interest lay in the original knowledge of the magic itself. 

Armed with this knowledge, Sir Leo could refine it into products to sell in the marketplace. 

Every time someone purchased these spells, Kaido would earn a small commission. 

And wing magic, which granted flight, was sure to be a hot seller—it was practical, affordable, and highly desirable. 

Happy's contribution of the original knowledge of wing magic earned him 500 trading points. 

Kaido exchanged these points for a large box of Pokémon Energy Cubes, specifically designed for cat-like creatures. 

Improved by Leo, these energy cubes weren't just tasty—they served as energy supplements and physical enhancers, suitable for all kinds of creatures. 

Given the relatively low value of 500 points, Kaido felt this exchange was a practical choice. 

The energy cubes were flavored like dried fish, a treat Happy adored. Not only were they delicious, but they also replenished energy and, with regular consumption, stimulated latent potential, making the user stronger over time. 

From a long-term perspective, the benefits of the energy cubes far outweighed the value of the 500 points themselves. 

With that, the transactions between Kaido, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy were complete. 

Each of them wore a surprised smile. 

After all, they had gained strength, new abilities, and even snacks without sacrificing anything significant in return. 

This experience gave them a deeper understanding of Kaido's "trading magic" and its potential. 

---

Half a moment later, as they basked in the aftermath of their trades, Lucy—having fully mastered observation Haki—suddenly froze, her expression tense. 

"Wait! I sense a large group of lifeforms heading our way…" 

She paused, then added urgently: 

"It seems… the town guards!" 

Happy chimed in quickly: "It must've been Natsu's commotion that drew them here!" 

Natsu, still engrossed in testing the fiery power of his new gloves, immediately snapped out of his trance. He swiftly stored the gloves in his weapon box and grinned. 

"What are we waiting for? Run!" 

Grabbing Lucy's wrist, he bolted toward the outskirts of the forest along the path of destruction he had created earlier.

Natsu's knack for making a quick escape was truly impressive. 

Even while pulling someone along, his speed didn't falter. 

The group quickly left the forest behind, evading the guards who had come to investigate the chaos. 

Once they were clear of danger, they oriented themselves and headed toward the nearest town. 

From there, they planned to catch a train and return directly to the Fairy Tail Guild. 

  ...

  ...

Two days later. 

Bang! 

The wooden doors of the Fairy Tail Guild flew open, kicked forcefully by Natsu. 

He stormed into the guildhall, his face filled with anger. 

As usual, the guild was bustling with activity. 

Magicians were gathered around several tables, either discussing mission details or laughing and joking with one another. 

As Natsu entered, a mage with a monkey-like face sitting near the door raised his glass and greeted him with a smirk. 

It was Max who had previously given Natsu the fire dragon information. 

"Hey, Natsu!" 

"I heard you caused quite the ruckus! Burned down a whole forest, didn't you? That's just like you! Hahahaha…" 

As he took a swig of his drink— 

Bang! 

Natsu's fist collided with his face, sending him flying. 

Without missing a beat, Natsu shouted in frustration: 

"You!" 

"The fire dragon information you gave me was completely bogus!" 

"I went all that way for nothing!" 

Max got up quickly, unharmed but visibly annoyed. 

"How was I supposed to know it was fake?!" he retorted. 

"I only passed on what I heard from some well-meaning guy!" 

Not one to back down, he grabbed a nearby stool and hurled it at Natsu. 

Natsu smashed the stool midair with a wave of his hand, splintering it into pieces. 

The flying debris hit another mage on the head, causing them to stumble backward and bump into someone else. 

"What the hell?! Are you looking for a fight?" the injured mage yelled angrily. 

"A fight?!"

"Bring it on! I'm not scared of you!" 

Without further explanation, the angry mage threw a punch, escalating the situation. 

The resulting chaos quickly engulfed the entire guild. 

In just ten seconds, the hall had descended into a free-for-all brawl. 

Tables and chairs flew in every direction. 

Mages were sent crashing into the ceiling, only to fall back down and join the fray again. 

The scene was absolute mayhem.

Standing just outside the guild's entrance, Lucy looked at the chaos inside with wide eyes. 

She hesitated, not stepping forward, but her heart was bursting with excitement. 

"This… this is the Fairy Tail Guild?" 

Her eyes sparkled as she muttered to herself: "They start fights over the smallest disagreements… It's so unique!" 

"Amazing! I can't believe I'm really here, standing at the entrance to Fairy Tail!" 

Whether it was her enthusiasm or her high expectations, Lucy didn't seem bothered in the slightest by the pandemonium inside. Instead, stars shone in her eyes as she admired the scene. 

"Let's go. I'll take you to the Guild Master," Kaido said with a chuckle, observing Lucy's awe. 

He had expected nothing less from someone who had passed his test. Lucy's ability to adapt so quickly to the Fairy Tail Guild's chaotic atmosphere spoke volumes about her potential.

After much commotion, Lucy successfully became a member of Fairy Tail, marked with the guild's magical insignia. 

Kaido also took the opportunity to explain his situation to Makarov, the Guild Master. 

"Magic that enhances one's abilities through trading? And grants access to powers from another world?!" 

Makarov examined the gauntlet on Natsu's hand, bearing the Fairy Tail emblem, his weathered face showing a rare flicker of astonishment. 

After a moment, he exclaimed: 

"Unbelievable!" 

Despite his initial surprise, Makarov accepted Kaido's explanation without hesitation. 

After all, compared to the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, Dimensional Merchants, etc., a magic that has never been heard of can better fit his worldview.

The Guild Master fell into quiet contemplation. 

Meanwhile, the other Fairy Tail mages, who had overheard Kaido's explanation, erupted into cheers. 

During the fight, everyone noticed something peculiar—Natsu's power had inexplicably surged after just a few days. 

At first, they were left bewildered when they were so easily overpowered. 

But upon hearing Kaido's explanation, everything clicked into place. 

Natsu must have used Kaido's trading magic to enhance his strength and had come back to show off his newfound power. 

Their first thought was clear: they needed to find Kaido, strike a deal, gain power, and then give Natsu a taste of his own medicine! 

However... 

At that very moment, the previously silent Guild Master, Makarov, spoke up, his expression serious. 

"Kaido, you mustn't overuse this magic of yours," he said. 

"Huh?" 

Kaido, who had been basking in the excitement and enthusiasm of the guild, froze. 

Surprised, he asked, "Why, Master?" 

Even though Kaido was a force to be reckoned with in the pirate world, he instinctively respected the Guild Master's authority and power. 

This, of course, wasn't entirely due to Makarov's strength. 

In reality, Kaido's behavior was influenced by a hypnotic suggestion implanted by Leo during his Dimensional Merchant Course, which helped shape him into a responsible and restrained merchant. 

This influence was why Kaido had integrated so well into the Fairy Tail Guild over the past six months. 

Under Kaido's curious gaze, Makarov continued: 

"Do you remember what happened when you first arrived at Fairy Tail?" 

"At that time, you were incredibly weak, suffering from memory loss and a mysterious ailment." 

"After observing your magic, I suspect that..." 

"You might have overused dragon-slaying magic, made too many trades, or conducted deals with individuals far beyond your capacity." 

"This could have led to an accident during a trade, pushing you beyond your limits and leaving you in such a miserable state." 

"Huh?!" 

Kaido's eyes widened, and the guild members around him froze in their tracks. 

The prospect of gaining strength through Kaido's magic was tantalizing, but the idea that it could harm him changed everything. 

For the members of Fairy Tail, no amount of power was worth risking a friend's well-being. 

Kaido frowned, his thoughts racing. 

Makarov's reasoning made sense from a magical perspective and conveniently offered an explanation for his weakened state when he first arrived. 

Given his "amnesiac" persona, Kaido found himself at a loss for how to refute the claim. 

After a moment, Kaido placed a hand on his chest and reassured the guild: 

"Don't worry, Master!" 

"So far, I've only used trading magic with four people, including Natsu, and I haven't felt any discomfort." 

"I don't think this is an issue with the magic itself." 

But Makarov wasn't the only one concerned. 

"Don't be careless, Kaido," Mirajane interjected, her voice gentle. 

"There's no such thing as perfect magic. Every form of magic has its drawbacks." 

"You mustn't underestimate the potential side effects." 

She paused, her gaze darkening as painful memories surfaced. 

Several years ago, Mirajane had taken her younger siblings, Elfman and Lisanna, on a mission to defeat the Beast King. 

During the battle, Elfman had been forced to use his Take Over Magic to absorb the Beast King's upper body. Overwhelmed by its power, he lost control and tragically caused Lisanna's 'death'. 

This tragedy remained an unhealed wound in Mirajane's heart. 

Unable to continue, she fell silent. 

In the crowd, Elfman's expression grew somber, his guilt weighing heavily on him. 

The entire guild fell into an uneasy silence, the air thick with unspoken emotions. 

At that moment, the president suddenly rose from his seat, fixing his gaze on Kaido. His expression softened as he changed his tone and said: 

"Actually..." 

"You don't need to be so cautious." 

"Magic is, after all, merely a tool in our hands." 

"As long as it's wielded with control, there won't be any problems." 

He paused briefly before continuing: 

"So, Kaido..." 

"There's absolutely no issue with using your trading magic!" 

"After all, it's ancient dragon-slaying magic—tried, tested, and highly advanced." 

"However..." 

The president's eyes swept across the room, landing on the magicians gathered there. A sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he added: 

"I do suggest you..." 

"Start with the weakest person in the guild and gradually test the limits of your magic to ensure there are no unforeseen consequences." 

Kaido, catching on quickly, responded with a broad smile: 

"No problem!" 

To him, as long as he could trade, everything else was secondary. Starting with weaker individuals would simply be more time-consuming and mildly inconvenient. 

But if the Fairy Tail members heeded the president's suggestion and chose not to trade with him at all, that would truly be a setback. 

Kaido's gaze began to scan the room, sizing up the guild members one by one. 

Strangely enough, the mages, who moments earlier had been clamoring to make deals, now retreated slightly, their excitement quickly replaced with hesitation. 

It became abundantly clear: 

Whoever traded first would implicitly admit to being the weakest mage in the guild. 

And there was no way these prideful magicians would willingly acknowledge such a thing!