With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 36

After leaving the jewelry store, Natsu scoured the city, hoping to track down the robber. But the man had vanished without a trace. For hours he patrolled the streets, checking rooftops, alleyways—anywhere someone could hide. Eventually, exhausted and frustrated, he called it a night.

Back at his apartment, he had just finished changing out of his costume when his phone rang.

"Hello? ...Oh hey, Gray. What's up?"

"Are you at home?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Turn on the news."

"Huh? What about it?"

"Just do it."

Frowning, Natsu grabbed the remote and flipped to the local news channel. A breaking report was running—footage from the jewelry store incident was on screen. His heart sank when he saw what they were saying.

"Eyewitnesses say it was Red Dragon who committed the robbery and shot two civilians."

Then Gajeel appeared in a live interview, looking enraged.

"Red Dragon did it! I'm sure of it!" he growled. "So sure that I'm offering one million dollars to anyone who brings him in! One. Million. Dollars."

Natsu's jaw dropped. "I don't believe this! Is he serious?!"

"Dead serious," Gray replied on the line.

"Gray, you know I didn't do this!"

"Of course I know that. But Laxus has photos that say otherwise."

"Laxus?!"

"Yeah. Gajeel hired him to dig up evidence of us pulling something illegal. And looks like Laxus delivered."

"He must've doctored them! He had to!"

"I thought the same. That's why I'm going to get those photos analyzed before they go public. In the meantime," Gray continued, "you should stay out of the costume. With a bounty that high, every thug, bounty hunter, and wannabe vigilante in the city will be after you. Juvia and I are the only ones who know the truth—and who still have your back."

"Wait... Juvia doesn't believe the story?"

"Nope. We're with Ur at the hospital now. Just finished talking. Juvia doesn't buy Laxus's crap for a second—but she's not saying anything to Gajeel. Can't blame her, honestly. The guy's a wreck. If I said anything right now to defend you, I'd probably get fired."

"That's not exactly reassuring, bro."

"Just stay calm and hidden, alright? I'll sort this out. I promise."

"How soon can you start?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Why not now?"

"You know why. Juvia needs me tonight. She blames herself for what happened to Levy. Thinks if she hadn't invited her out, this wouldn't have happened."

Natsu sighed. "Right... I didn't think about that. I'm sorry. You're right. She means a lot to you, huh?"

"She does," Gray said quietly. "But believe me—I will clear your name. Just trust me."

"I do."

"I'll talk to you first thing tomorrow."

"See you then."

Natsu ended the call and sat down on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair. He wanted to sleep, but sleep wasn't coming.

Everything about tonight was a nightmare. A criminal had escaped after murdering a man and nearly killing Levy. Natsu had tried to stop it—but now he was the one being hunted, framed for the very crime he tried to prevent. And thanks to Laxus's so-called "evidence," there was now a million-dollar price tag on his head.