Su Yan returned to the dormitory, packed lightly, and headed to Magnolia's train station, ready to pursue Natsu, Lucy, and Happy on their reckless mission. As he arrived, he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against a pillar.
"Finally, you're here. I've been waiting," the person greeted.
"Gray?"
Gray shrugged. "Mira asked me to come along. She figured you and Laxus were bound to clash, and if it happened outside the guild, someone would need to be there to break it up. Plus, I'm not too fond of Laxus's arrogant attitude either."
Su Yan chuckled. Gray had always been good company, and it didn't hurt to have someone else to deal with the hotheaded Natsu.
The two set out, traveling to Hargeon Port, the nearest point to access Galuna Island, often called Devil's Island. After asking around, they learned that Natsu and Lucy had indeed passed through that morning.
"So those two morons really went through with it," Gray muttered.
They began inquiring if anyone would take them to Galuna Island, but most boatmen refused, fearing the rumors of curses and demons.
Finally, an old man on a small boat called out, "Why do you two want to go to Devil's Island?"
Gray replied, "We're wizards from Fairy Tail. We're here to solve the curse."
The man nodded. "Ah, I took two young wizards there this morning, a man and a woman. Said they wanted to lift the curse too."
Gray's jaw clenched. "Those idiots got ahead of us. But we're the ones who are really supposed to handle this task."
The man nodded again. "Very well, I'll take you there."
Su Yan and Gray boarded the boat, and soon they were leaving the port behind, with the endless sea stretching around them. The journey was long, and as they passed the time chatting, Su Yan reached over the side, stirring the water with his hand as he thought.
Even though he possessed Kaido's strength, Su Yan had never eaten a devil fruit, so he had none of the weaknesses associated with one. He'd tested it, swimming easily without any issues from the seawater.
Finally, as night began to fall, the boatman pointed to the silhouette of an island on the horizon. "Galuna Island is just ahead. I can't get any closer, or I'll risk the curse."
Su Yan and Gray thanked him, then Gray used his Ice-Make magic to create an icy pathway from the boat to the island.
They slid across the ice, soon setting foot on Devil's Island.
Gray looked around at the dense woods. "So this is the famous Devil's Island? Looks pretty normal to me."
Su Yan smirked. "Trust me, it wouldn't be called Devil's Island without reason."
They walked deeper into the forest, following Su Yan's instincts until they reached a village surrounded by tall logs, meant to protect it from wild animals. A large sign at the gate read, *No Entry.*
Gray stepped forward and shouted, "Hey! Anybody here?"
A guard on the wall looked down at them suspiciously. "Who are you?"
"We're wizards from Fairy Tail," Gray explained. "Have you seen a young man with pink hair, a blonde girl, and a winged cat today?"
Inside the village, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy froze at the familiar voice.
"Uh-oh, it's Gray!" Natsu hissed.
"Oh no! They found us already!" Lucy whispered in a panic.
Happy added, "They're here to drag us back!"
Just as the guard was about to reply, Natsu waved his hands frantically. "Shh! Don't tell them we're here! Just say strangers aren't welcome and tell them to leave."
"But… aren't they from your guild?"
"Yes, but if they take us back, no one will be able to help you lift the curse," Natsu insisted.
The villagers exchanged worried glances. They had suffered from the curse for so long, and with Natsu and Lucy as their only hope, they couldn't afford to lose them.
"No… no one has come here before," the guard finally said, stammering. "We don't welcome strangers in our village. Please leave!"
Gray frowned. "Something's off. Natsu and the others should've arrived by now. I don't buy that they're not here, and they're acting strange…"
Su Yan's mouth curved into a small grin as he called out, "Natsu, Lucy, Happy—I know you're in there. Tell them to open the gate, or I'll break it down myself."
Natsu's face went pale.
"Oh no! Su Yan's here too!"