After returning to Magnolia, Natsu duels Erza as a test of strength. However, an emissary from the Magic Council interrupts the duel and arrests Erza for the damages caused during Fairy Tail's conflict with Eisenwald. Siegrain, a council member, warns that Erza should keep their shared past a secret. Macao disguises himself as Natsu as a favor for saving his life, allowing Natsu to storm the council headquarters and rescue Erza. However, he discovers that Erza is merely standing a mock trial for the council to assert their authority, and the two are forced to spend the night in a cell. Natsu tries to resume their match at the guild the next day, but she quickly defeats him with a single punch. Still determined to prove himself, Natsu takes an S-Class job request with Happy against Makarov's permission; Lucy joins them after discovering that the reward includes a zodiac key that she wants to collect.