Rhode stayed at the hotel of Team A until about 3 a.m. before leaving.
Future Lucy wasn't in good health, and after returning to the unfamiliar 'past' she felt scared and anxious. Coupled with the excitement of seeing her teammates again, she was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.
Just in case, he went back to fetch Wendy to examine Future Lucy before hurriedly contacting Ultear, reminding her that the person who appeared during the day was another traveler from the future.
After that, he still had to explain the situation to Team B and inform them of the follow-up plan.
Busy with everything, in the latter half of the night, only Kana the drunkard was sleeping soundly—despite being injured during the day, she still dared to drink heavily at night.
The next morning, the contestants were still following the procedure to prepare for their entrance, then heading to the waiting area.
Future Lucy had already been brought to her teammates by Rhode.
Naturally, a small commotion ensued when everyone met, but it didn't attract much attention.
Because such surprises are quite regular for Fairy Tail.
Rhode specifically asked Mira how she was progressing with the Cost Summoning Technique.
Mira replied, "I've just started, it won't be so quick."
Rhode nodded, advising, "Then, while I'm not around, try to stick close to Future Lucy, and if necessary, give her the key directly."
"Understood," Mira said, "I'll make sure to protect Lucy, we all will."
Thinking for a moment, she added with a smile, "I will also protect myself."
...
"Welcome to the fourth day of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts! I am your host, Jabadi, and our commentator today is still Mr. Yadima. Today's special guest is Mr. Rabian!"
Jabadi sported a new wig today, one that could last at least two and a half years, and the hairstyle looked great.
"Today's event will still be divided into competition and combat segments. The competition part hasn't been revealed yet, but the combat portion has been confirmed as a two-person tag battle. You might start considering which duo you're looking forward to watching!"
With Jabadi leading, Yajima and Rabian exchanged a few brief words until the Pumpkin Man appeared:
"Today's competition event is called—sea battle! Each team is to dispatch one contestant!"
Various teams were abuzz with discussions, but both Fairy Tail teams already knew the competition details and were aware that potentially unpleasant incidents might arise.
Wendy worriedly said, "Why is Team A still sending Miss Lucy?"
Rhode answered, "Lucy said she wants to prove to her future self that the future can be changed. Even when facing the same opponent, she won't repeat the same experiences."
He didn't initially support Lucy going to be beaten up, but since she insisted, Rhode had to let her.
Then he offered some reasonable advice.
Although A and B teams are competitors, they can't just watch her suffer at outsiders' hands.
Jubia volunteered, "Then this side will be represented by Jubia."
Rhode nodded, "Okay, but remember, when Lucy has the key, stay a bit away from her."
A slightly confused Jubia agreed, although she had intended to stay close to protect Lucy a little, even though they were love rivals.
The contestants went on stage one by one:
Mermaid's Heel sent out Liseli.
Blue Pegasus replaced Simon with substitute team member Jenny today.
Lamia Scale fielded Sherria.
Dragon's Treasure sent out Voya.
Rays of the Rising Sun sent Jimmy.
As Future Lucy predicted, Sabertooth entered Minerva.
She looked to be in great condition, far removed from yesterday's battle with Kana.
Her aura was completely different, casting an imperious look over the other contestants as soon as she emerged.
"Sabertooth..." Rhode recalled the oddities about Sabertooth as noted in his notebook, looking towards the special spectators' area for family and friends.
—Sabertooth's President Jerman was missing, and a cat was also gone.
In the contestants' waiting area, something seemed off about the expressions and demeanor of Rogue, Stinger, Oroga, and Rufus.
'Sabertooth's President disappeared before any calamity struck.'
Future Lucy was unsure exactly which day it was; now it seemed it could be today.
Did he just hate losing and didn't want to watch, or did something happen because he knew something?
Rhode wasn't concerned for the President's life or death, only about whether something was happening behind the scenes.
At that moment, Pumpkin Man waved his hand, and suddenly a small water ball appeared mid-air.
The range of the water ball gradually expanded, eventually reaching a diameter that covered most of the arena.
Pumpkin Man introduced, "This is specially treated water, in which you can speak and breathe freely, and also use magic.
"The so-called sea battle is where all contestants enter the water ball for a melee fight; being completely removed from the water ball's range means losing."
"Underwater sumo?" Sherria raised her hand, "Can we go back to change clothes?"
After thinking for a moment, Pumpkin Man said, "You have ten minutes to prepare; please don't keep everyone waiting too long."
The contestants rushed back to the dressing rooms one by one.
In no time, eight beauties of different styles, wearing swimsuits of varying designs, returned to the arena, bringing rounds of cheers.
Such a scene makes one wonder whether the organizers intended to hold a competition or just offer a spectacle.
Lucy and Jubia were expected to have prepared swimsuits in advance, knowing the task, but how did the others have them?
Did they carry swimsuits with them all along?
Anyway, the contestants entered the water from different positions; Dragon's Treasure's Voya moved the slowest, seeming rather unenthusiastic.
Her outfit looked more like a simplified diving suit than a swimsuit, requiring more fabric than a school swimsuit style.
However, once she entered the water, things were different: as soon as her feet touched the water, flippers extended from them, and goggles and a snorkel appeared on her face, making her equipment obviously superior.
But her focus wasn't on her equipment right now; it was on her chest.
After losing to Mira in the War Chariot, Voya found herself losing again upon wearing a swimsuit.
She seemed only able to beat the little girl Jimmy.
Not even matching up to another little girl, Sherria.
After silently paddling a few strokes, hearing the command to start the fight, a fiery determination ignited in Voya's eyes: she must win today!
She darted towards the swimsuit model Jenny like a fish because she stood out the most in the audience.
Jenny attempted to catch a punch from Voya, but Jenny was pushed backward by her immense momentum, nearly reaching the edge of the water ball.
Jenny regained her balance with great difficulty, showing her signature model smile: "Impressive, but the gear you have, it's mechanical, right?"
"?" Voya showed a puzzled expression and tried attacking a few more times.
Jenny nimbly dodged, trying her best to make contact with Voya's suit.
After several attempts, she confidently declared, "Material, performance, all understood, now... Receiving·Mechanical Soul!"