Friendship empowers all.

——

Yukino attempted to give her Stellar Spirit Keys to Lucy, whom she felt deserved them since she already had so many. Oddly, Lucy did not accept on the basis that the spirts are more than objects, but friends who put their trust in their owners. Somehow this was acceptable for Yukino and she headed on her way. I would have rather Lucy have taken the keys and become the de facto most powerful mage in the manga. 

Natsu managed to have a discussion with Yukino which enabled us to finally see a glimpse of Natsu’s current power in relation to the other characters this arc. Yukino declared how she was kicked out of Sabertooth, thusly infuriating Natsu. Being the hot-blooded friendship-focused protagonist that he was, his reaction was to be expected.

Natsu challenged Gemma one-on-one to a showdown, inquiring that if Gemma loses, would he kick himself out of the guild. Although one would think Natsu would get crushed in this foreign guild, he managed to hold out across numerous pages. Natsu attacked powerfully and ferociously knocking the wind out of Gemma; however; Gemma stood his ground. Readers and members of Sabertooth were shocked. 

Although Gemma managed to have no scratches on him, Natsu never unleashed an actual Fire Dragon Slayer skill on him. However, the point still stands that his power was impressive. The other Dragonslayers seemed to quiver in their shoes at the thought of just how powerful Natsu was. Gemma was impressed as well. 

Unfortunately, the fight was cut short as another guild member intervened, redirecting a fire dragon slayer move. Natsu cooled down as he was able to get Happy, whom had been captured, back. This wasn’t over as he swore that he would take them down in the actual competition.

I was impressed with the chapter as it was action-intense and heavy. Natsu finally showed off how impressive he has become. Mashima had great looking panels and gave Natsu such intensity in his fierce looks. With all stellar spirits gathered, and tensions high, the next chapter can’t come fast enough to build off of the climactic action that this chapter brought us.

GO Rating: 4/5

[mangastream]