Yeah... I've been busy but this is a little longer than before haha.

OwO

After being carried away by the lady, she brought him to their base. Obviously he wasn't allowed to go inside, but he now knew where it was. Step Two complete.

The lady had introduced herself later as Leone. She introduced Akame too, even though it was unnecessary.

When you think of an assassin group's base, you wouldn't think it would look like Night Raid's did. It was a small group of huge buildings. Twelve windows on the biggest one, along with the Night Raid symbol at the top. Needless to say, it wasn't very 'hidden'. In fact, it was a wonder it hadn't been found yet.

Over on a hill near said base, Tatsumi was sitting in front of a small grave. It was only made up of two stones, but it marked where the girl was buried. Tatsumi was holding his hands together with his eyes closed in a praying stance. But while most would think he was talking to a fallen friend, his thoughts were elsewhere.

It's been three days... When is their boss gonna get back? It shouldn't take that long to do a mission, or whatever else their doing. While I'm sitting here staring at a rock, I could have been getting valuable information to help Esdeath-sama...

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt something warm press onto his head. He immediately knew who it was.

"W-what are you doing?!" It was hard to fake a blush, but when he backed away in not-so-hard-to-feign suprise he saw it worked. Leone smirked playfully, "Come on! You shouldn't sulk forever! It been three days! You've decided to join Night Raid right?" While saying this she wrapped her arm around his neck.

While he definitely needed to join Night Raid, being so eager would crack his facade. Definitely not a wise idea. He opted to wait a few days pretending to mourn for the girl. Of course it was boring as hell, but he didn't want to take anymore chances. Akame being suspicious was bad enough, but if his incompetence with this mission served to hurt Esdeath, he would never forgive himself.

"I... guess I could join. I don't have a choice do I?" He faked a sulky expression.

Seeing his face, Leone smiled in a knowing kind of way, "If that's what you want! I'll show you around the hideout today!" Unfortunately the semi-encouraging words had no affect when she decided to put strength in the arm, choking him a little.

"Hey! My neck!"

"By the way these mountains are 10km from the Capital."

"Is it okay to leave it so open?! Aren't you assassins for hire!?"

Sure what he was being shown was helpful to his general, it didn't change how uncomfortable the position he was in was to his neck.

Meeting Room

"Huh? Your being shown the base? Does that mean you've decided to join us?" The speaker was a woman with purple hair and eyes. She had a thin scar on her cheek along with glasses and was wearing a Chinese style dress. A small hat rested upon her head. She was reading from a book. Curious Tatsumi looked at the title, '100 ways to cure being an airhead' This must be an assembly of misfits or something...

"Yeah, I've been thinking about it. And I would probably be killed if I did join so it's not much of a choice..." He smiled sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

"Hey! Leone, why are you letting that guy into our hideout?!" The girl pointing at him, clearly did not like him. Her hair and eyes, along with every visible article of clothing she wore, was pink. She clearly had an obsession with the color. She seemed to have an arrogant personality, it was his first impression though so it might not be so. Her hair was in two pigtails, being tied with ribbons.

In fact the only reason he didn't tease her or annoy her about it, is because he was in a similar situation. His clothes were all a different shade of blue. His favor of the color was mostly because of his Teigus.

"Because he's one of us!"

"He isn't one of us until he gets the boss' permission!" In her fit of annoyance, she turned to look at him. After a few seconds she finally spoke. "Not qualified. I doubt he'd be able to work with professionals like us at all, just from looking at his face!"

"What was that?!"

"It's fine. Mine's like that to everyone."

"Hmph!"

Training Grounds

"Dooryaaahh! Hiya! Hiya! Hiya! Hiya!" A clearly masculine voice could be heard.

Tatsumi and Leone had traveled from the meeting room, to outside.

"This is the stress-reliever place known as the training grounds! And..." She said pointing to a man," Over there, the one who clearly reeks of sweat is Bulat." Bulat was, put simply, very well muscled. And, like Leone said, was covered in sweat.

Bulat, the Hundred-Man Slayer. When he defected I had only served for Esdeath-sama for barely a year. I remember him looking different though... Must be that ridiculous hairdo. But even so, his spear handling is on par if not greater than some of Esdeath-sama's best spear users. He will be a terrifying foe, that's for sure.

It seemed while Tatsumi was lost in his thoughts, Bulat had finished. "Pheeeeeeeww. Ah! It's Leone! And... Your the dude Leone dragged off!"

"Huh? How do you know me?" He honestly knew that Bulat was the one in the armor from nights before, but he wasn't supposed to know of Teigus so he kept quiet about that.

"Hmm? Is it your first time seeing me like this? I'm the guy that was covered in armor the other night."

"Oh? Ah!"

"It's nice to meet you." Bulat said when they spoke hands.

"H-Hi." In truth he actually was nervous, it was not an act. This is the man who had killed 128 people much more skilled than your average soldier. What's worse, in less than 4 hours. Esdeath herself, even if absentmindedly, said he would be a formidable opponent. Which, by the way, was another way of saying he is very strong.

"Hey, Hey. Be careful. This guy's a homo." Leone said. Her hand was held up to block Bulat from hearing, but her voice's volume said it wasn't supposed to be secret.

"Hey!" But then flowers seemed to surround him. His blush definitely made it all the more awkward as he looks to the floor. "He'd misunderstand right?"

He isn't denying it! Misunderstand what exactly? Esdeath-sama, how do you always find ways to make me uncomfortable?

Needless to say, Tatsumi officially didn't know how to act around Bulat. He was smiling awkwardly, clearly suprised at this new information.

Elsewhere

"Hah... It's almost time for Leone's bath! I won't think twice about danger to see those breasts!"

"Then how about I break two fingers?"

Leone was merciless to this seemingly would-be peeper. After the guy stopped screaming from pain, Tatsumi got a look at him.

I'm to take an educated guess and say this is their information gatherer. Supposedly he defected the moment he heard of Najenda's defect. A crush maybe? The only thing was, they never found who it was... So no picture. That also means that his skills are better than they seem... But of course, among a group of weirdos, their information gatherer is a pervert.

It seems, this person liked green. A green coat matched his green hair and eyes. It seemed each Night Raid member had to have a color scheme. If it was a rule he wouldn't have a problem.

"You never learn Lubba."

"Fuck! I can still go on!"

"Then it's the arm next. And so, this idiot is Lubbock!"

Tatsumi swore he could hear 'Lubba' saying, "No, in fact this is also good in and of itself!" Please tell me he isn't a masochist... Actually wait, if he is then Esdeath will have a nice toy? Hmm... But I can't be sure with just one sentence from him.

"Next is... Maybe at the riverbed?"

"I think I've had enough though..." True. While among Esdeath's army there were a large amount of ridiculous people, he usually didn't have to deal with them. Him literally being Esdeath's right hand man.

"Ahahaha! Next is a pretty girl, so you can look forward to it~ See that one over there is Akame! Isn't she cute?"

Akame!? Leone doesn't seem to get that we're not friends at all... Whether she knows it or not, Akame has tried, and almost succeeded to kill me three times. Then again a almost killed her twice myself, count the other day and that makes three times... Though we've fought at least... Seven times? No eight? We encounter each other often it seems... We're enemies through and through. And also... is that an evilbird?

A danger beast was hanging on it's side, dead and cooking, over a fire. Alongside said fire was Akame. She looked to Leone emotionlessly, but the moment she saw him a red-eyed glare was leveled to him. Okay, she's still suspicious.

Except, with a giant cooked bird leg in her hand, and some traces of it on her face, it wasn't as intimidating... or creepy. The bandages on her ankle and wrists definitely didn't help either.

"You should eat too Leone." She held out a leg for said lady, ignoring him.

Leone, noticing this, said, "Aw! Come on Akame are you still mad about that? He just caught you off guard!"

True. If I hadn't caught her off guard I would have taken me much longer to land such a strike. In that time her allies would likely have come to help, meaning, Game Over. It was truly bad luck that Leone came at that time... I doubt I'll be able to catch her off guard again, during a fight, that is.

"It's not that..." Tatsumi knew what she was talking about. Though it seemed Leone didn't.

"Even so, aren't you being extravagant today?"

"The boss is back." She pointed over to a white haired woman. Tatsumi immediately recognized her.

Najenda?! She's the leader of Night Raid? The Empire suspected she was working with Night Raid but to be the leader... Hah. Esdeath-sama is going to be so happy. She's hit the jackpot being put in charge of their elimination.

"Yo." Najenda was smiling at them, not knowing who their soon-to-be newest recruit was.

"Boss! Welcome back! Do you have any souvenirs?"

"Putting that aside Leone, in the job three days ago it seems you went over the operation time, eh?"

Claerly panicking, Leone immediately started running away, only to be stopped by Najenda's arm. It seemed her mechanical limb had unusual abilities. The moment it started reeling in, a horrible screeching sound, clearly from the arm, came out.

"It's not good to have too much fun killing strong targets. You need to fix that habit of yours."

"I got it so stop that screeching sound!"

When Leone finally got up, Najenda asked the question Tatsumi had been waiting for, "By the way, who's that young boy?"

"Oh right! Boss! I recommend this talented guy!"

"Huh?! Will you stop doing that?!" He was completely ignored.

"Does he show promise?" The mood had gotten serious.

"He does."

Then the serious mood completely evaporated. Now the rather ridiculous attitude of Leone was showing through.

"Well anyway just give it a try!"

"The wage is high too." Akame seemed to have briefly gotten out of her suspicions in favor of getting a strong ally.

Is this a part time job?! It seemed his thoughts didn't show on his face because Najenda spoke up, "Akame, gather everyone in the meeting room. I want to hear the results of the latest mission in detail, along with information about this young boy."

Meeting Room

"Hmm. I see. I understand the situation now. Tatsumi, would you like to join Night Raid?"

"I'm dead if I decline right? I've thought about it during the three days, and that seems most probable."

"No, we won't kill you. But since you can't go back you would have to work in the labor workshops. Given you won't die if you decline, what do you think?"

Seems he'll need to explain a little of his fake backstory. "I planned to make money in the Capital to save my village. Two of my friends came with me, but I've found one dead. Who knows what could have happened to the other." He tried his best to fake an expression he never showed: regret.

Thankfully no one seemed to notice, or at least that's how it appeared. Akame had been paying very close attention to him he knew, but his acting was first among Esdeath's entire army. He hoped that the many lessons stage actors and con artists that had helped train him had put him through would pay off.

Akame was the only one who noticed. Then again, Akame was the only one that he probably couldn't take in a one on one. It depends on what the others' Teigu do.

Bulat was the one that spoke next, "The reason the countryside is poor is because the center I rotten. Wouldn't you need to uproot the source of the rot? As a man!"

"Bulat was originally a skilled soldier of the Empire. Though after learning of it's corruption he became one of us," Najenda explained.

"Well yeah, our work is to eliminate the evil doers in the Capital. It's much better than working under those people."

He already had his mind set, but Tatsumi wanted to see how much Najenda would try to convince him. See how important recruiting is to these assassins. "But even if you kill the bad guys little by little, the world wouldn't change greatly by it right? Remote places like my village wouldn't be saved."

"I see. But that makes Night Raid suit you even more."

"How come?"

"Far to the south of the Capital, there is the hideout of an Anti-Empirical force. The Revolutionary Army. The Revolutionary Army, which started out small, has grown into a large-scale organization. So, of course, a unit to handle covert jobs, such as assassination and imformation gathering, was formed. That's us, Night Raid. Right now we're exterminating the Capital's ticks. However, in the event that the Army attacks, we will take advantage of the confusion and the Prime Minister, who is the cause of the corruption, we will kill him ourselves!"

Take out the Prime Minister? Maybe I can get along with these guys... At least it's better that we share a common enemy... Hah? But that doesn't mean we can be allies! Esdeath-sama is my only friend! Whoever is her enemy is mine as well! That guy will die by my sword, not Akame's!

He couldn't keep the suprise from his face but he didn't speak a word. Najenda continued with her speech, gauging his reaction.

"That's our goal. We have others but that is for another time. While I can't say anything specific about when they'll rise to action, we've prepared a plan to win. When that time comes, the country will change for sure."

Finishing her speech, Najenda waited to answer the questions sure to follow.

Esdeath-sama... This mission may be harder than I originally thought. Out of that whole speech the only thing useful right now is the direction of their base location... But it's obvious they're preparing something big. Crap. They are clearly confident it will take out both Esdeath-sama and Great General Budo. I'm very curious as to what it is...

During the time he was lost in his thoughts he made sure to stared a the floor with a troubled expression.

He mentally sighed as he realized he would have to reply in a way that completely defied the beliefs he gained working under Esdeath.

"Will the new country treat it's citizens well?" He looked up to Najenda. It was an obvious answer but it was a decent question from someone who was supposed to be naive.

"Of course."

It was clear to the assassins that he was going to join judging by his expression. But even so, Najenda had one question that needed answering before he could actually join.

"Tatsumi. Before anything else, Akame reported to me earlier that you had a... mood swing... three nights before."

It's not that! I was actually showing you a bit of my true nature! But you guys can't know that...

"That happens to me sometimes... I get a little weird... It's difficult to explain, but my friends say I get meaner and stronger."

He saw Najenda's eyes widen before she seemed to figure out what he wanted her to think. "I see do you remember when this started happening?"

"Hmm... I think when I first went hunting with my father. I don't remember what happened though..." He molded his face into that of a troubled kid. Tatsumi didn't completely lie though. It was during his first hunting trip that Honest destroyed his village. His Teigu was completely carrying him during his raid of the palace.

Najenda sighed. Even Akame seemed to have accepted his answer, momentarily forgetting about his slip up in acting. His background check had presented no suspicious behavior.

"Each person here has their reasons to be here, and are prepared... Will you join them?"

"How will I be rewarded?"

"We receive money from doing jobs. The amount could save a town or two from starvation."

"Then I'll do it! Let me into Night Raid!"

Mine, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, finally spoke up, "You might not be able to go back to your village though."

"That's fine. As long as they don't starve."

"It's decided. Welcome to the path of carnage, Tatsumi."

It was briefly silent, before Tatsumi heard a soft whirring sound. Before he could figure out what it was a different voice spoke up.

"Intruders, Najenda-san!"

"What are their numbers and locations?"

"According to the reaction from my barrier, it feels like eight people! They're all pretty close to the base!"

A barrier?! Well any plans of a sneaky invasion were just blown out the window. Great.

"Hmm they're good. To have sniffed out this place... means they're probably mercenaries from another race. There's no other choice. It's an emergency. Let none of them return alive."

Oh? The atmosphere changed...

"Go!"

All members of Night Raid went exept Tatsumi. Needless to say Esdeath always had a different way of sending them to kill intruders. He realized he was expected to go, a little to late...

"What are you spacing out for? Go eliminate them!" It seems a slap from a metal hand can hurt...

As he ran through the base, he got out the door in time to see Night Raid disappear into the forest. After briefly thinking it out he decided to go along the river. Eventually he found three of the mercenaries.

"Oh? It's a kid! Hey, hey, are you someone from Night Raid? I knew they were around here! It was worth searching steadily." The one in the middle was doing all the talking, but the other two were smiling greedily.

"Hey. Come on can't you answer me? I'm curious! Heheh"

"Yeah! Yeah! You're from Night Raid right? I'll bet you have a bunch of pretty girls over there, yeah? Let us have some too!"

Tatsumi was staring at them, bored. Am I supposed to say, "Yeah of course! The base is right over that way!" Hah... It's times like these that I wish these assassins had a torture chamber. Oh well I guess I can immobilize them then torture them here. If the others found me, I would have an excuse anyway.

Mind made up, he smirked sadistically and drew his sword.

The three mercenaries stopped their chatter when they saw him drawing his sword. They pulled out their own weapons and settled into a fighting stance.

"Haha! Are you gonna fight? It's three on one! You think you can beat us?"

Before the guy could go into a rant Tatsumi raised his sword, the tip pointing to the sky. Then he said his first words to the trio.

"You know, there's a reason I decided to go alongside the river. Oh but don't worry. I'll make sure to take really nice care of you."

As he was saying that, the water started to rise. Each word edging the mass higher until a large wave of water was surrounding Tatsumi. The river was reduced to a mere stream.

"Oops. Oh well, it's gonna rain soon enough." Tatsumi mumbled looking at said stream.

Then he turned to the mercenaries, "Well here you go!" He swung his sword at them. And while the blade far from reached them, the wave rose up even more before copying the sword and slashing its way towards the mercenaries.

After the water washed away, three broken bodies were revealed.

"Ah... Maybe I shouldn't have used so much water... I ended up killing them. Oh well. Heeeey Akame! Can you stop spying on me it's weird."

Said girl dropped out of a nearby tree. "When did you notice me?"

"When? Probably around when I stopped to get rid of these guys."

Elsewhere

Mine was crouching upon a cliff, her gun pointed to a faraway target. "Hmm, he's run quite faraway... I'll have to expose myself in order to hit him." Right after she finished mumbling a mercenary jumped from the undergrowth. A shout of "Gotcha" was heard from his throat, unaware of the smirk stretching across Mine's face.

Just before his weapon reached her a giant pair of scissors cut through his waist.

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks Shelle. Nice pinch. I'll reach just fine with this risk!"

As she was saying that her rifle started charging up, before a beam of light stretched it's way to the head of a mercenary. After the light faded a large cut in the forest revealed were said person had been completely obliterated.

"Right on target! The more of a pinch I'm in the stronger I get!"

Somewhere else in the forest Leone was sitting on another, beat up, mercenary. Her ear twitched.

"Oh. That was Mine's Pumpkin just now. I don't know why she uses such a bothersome Teigu. On that point, for me I just turn into a beast a beat them to death. Easy to understand."

In a Cave

"Oh I thought the weight on my threads felt light. So it was a girl huh."

As Lubbock said a girl was being suspended in air by a large amount of strings.

With tears in her eyes she tried to plead with him. "Save me! Please! I'll do anything!"

"Nooope. I once knew a friend who died being fooled by a woman's charms."

As more pressure was put on the strings, they drew blood. And seconds later the corpse fell to the floor.

"Aww! This occupation can be so wasteful in times like this!" Lubbock sighed while walking away.

Back with Mine and Shelle

"I wonder if that newbie died." Mine was balancing her walk on a log.

"I don't think that will be a problem."

"It's rare for you to evaluate someone Shelle." Mine said as she sat down on the log.

"He actually caught Akame off guard and even wounded her, after all."

"Well that's true..."

"Besides how he seems to have another personality that's better at fighting, Akame said that she wanted to see how strong he is when he goes all out."

"Yeah. That newbie seems to be quite strong," Mine said. Her face was that if annoyance at having been left in the dust.

Elsewhere

The last remaining mercenary wore a wolf covering his face. As he ran to escape a shadow passed over him. That is, until Tatsumi landed on his shoulders. The sudden weight sent the mercenary to the ground.

"W-wait! Please! M-my family needs m-"

Before he could finished a katana wedged itself into his neck, silencing him for good.

"I was gonna finish him you know." Tatsumi looked to the owner of the katana as she ripped it from the corpse.

"Even so." She said simply.

Then a roar was heard as an armored figure broke through the brush.

"The enemy ran this way!"

"Bulat?"

"Huh? Ah..." Bulat quieted downed as he looked from Akame to Tatsumi, then to the corpse. "Aww, oh well..."

Later That Night

"Nice work on your first battle, Tatsumi."

"Sure."

In the background Bulat was chugging some beer while standing on the table.

"Hearing Akame's report, you have a Teigu?"

All the members turned to Najenda in suprise. Even half-drunk Bulat and air headed Shelle.

"Teigu?" He wasn't supposed to know, so it was fine to ask.

"You don't know? Well basically weapons with superpowers that help their wielder's."

"Oh! That makes sense. So kinda like this one?" He drew his sword and held it out for her to examine.

"Hmmm... Lubbock." Said person immediately got out a book and held it to her. She took it and started flipping through the pages.

After a bit she stopped on a page near the middle of the book. "This one," She said. It looked exactly like Tatsumi's sword. "Water God's Bane: Minakami. A Teigu that controls water." Tatsumi nodded an affirmative. "I see can you show us some of it's abilities?"

Tatsumi frowned, "I could here but it would take a little while to collect the water in the atmosphere. It much easier if I already have a source of water to use."

Najenda nodded, "What about the river?"

Then Akame spoke up, "That's what he use to kill the mercenaries. It's barely a stream now."

"Ah. I forgot about that. Sorry? But it should rain soon."

"You said that earlier can you control the weather?"

"No. But I can sense the conditions needed for it to happen. And my powers are amplified when it's raining."

Najenda didn't seem to want them to ramble on anymore, as she finally spoke. "Okay we'll until after it's done raining. You will work with Akame from now on. Good night." Then she walked back inside.

I'm working with Akame?! Okay...

Slowly, the other members followed her. Until it was only Akame and Tatsumi.

Akame turned to him, "I know you're hiding something and I am going to find out what it is. Good night."

"Good night."

After she left, he looked up into the sky. Esdeath-sama... I have my work cut out for me.

OwO

Well yeah. This was mostly seeing how Tatsumi thought about them. I'll try to get the next chapter out quicker but no guarantee.

Since I unintentionally overpowered Tatsumi I might have to up Night Raid's strength but oh well. Hahah

Please tell me what you think in a review.

PM me for random stuff, but Review for questions about the story etc.