Author's Notes: You know, sometimes I wonder why I give my chapters titles. From my understanding you name a chapter to dictate what that particular chapter is about but since the word quota for my fanfic is over 8000 it will obviously cover some important plot details in the series but oh well, here is the next chapter.
On another Note, this will be the second time I released a chapter after two weeks. I've said it before but don't expect this every time but since I already wrote this a few weeks ago I decided that you have all suffered enough.
Weird, I started this fic on a whim after reading a Akame Ga Kill/ Naruto crossover fic where Itachi is in the Akame Ga Kill world. Then I thought what if Tatsumi was like that and then I thought nah that's too boring but yeah I loosely based Tatsumi's attitude and power off of Itachi Uchia. In fact I never said this before but think of Tatsumi's outfit as the Akatsuki outfit without the flower patterns and has a hood, also he doesn't have that white, socks thing on their feet instead his pants stopat his ankles while his sandals reach just above them.
Well that is all for my rant enjoy this chapter
Chapter 3: Kill The Retribution
XXXX Sayo's POV XXXX
It has been two days since Ieyasu killed Ogre, during that time we haven't seen or heard from Tatsumi which makes it almost 10 days since he just up and left. I know I shouldn't but I can't help but wonder and be worried about what he's doing, Leone told us before how he's apparently been saving people all around the city but still, no contact from him has me skeptical.
Especially since I am face to face with one of the most horrifying sites I've ever seen since Aria's storehouse. There were men and women with amputated parts nailed to crosses for the public to see and the worst part was that they were alive but slowly dying.
"This is a normal thing for the capital, how!?" I asked disgusted and mortified.
"It's the minister" Mein began "it was thanks to the minister's shrewdness that the current Emperor won the election and it is because he approves of it is the reason they're up there."
She glanced at my horrified expression "you'll have to get use to seeing things like this" she turned around and began to walk away.
I spared another glance on the unfortunate souls before following, the sun was about to set, we were on our way to the next job. The request was to assassinate the prime minister's cousin, Iwokaru, apparently he abducts girls from the capital and beats them to death. His five bodyguards also share his guilt so each of them is a target as well.
"Sorry I won't be able assist you" I apologized "we're too far for my bow to be of any use."
She scoffed "oh please, even if we were close enough, I still wouldn't need your 'assistance' so why don't you sit back and let this genius handle it."
My eye twitched, I can understand Mein has confidence in her skills but the way she keeps rubbing it in my face just makes me think the worst of her.
"He's here"
I looked out through the spy glass and there he is, surrounded by his bodyguards and…
"Wait, you can't attack, he's surrounded by innocent girls right now."
"So what?"
"So what!? Are you telling me you're willing to risk their lives?"
She just smirked before firing her Teigu Pumpkin; the beam was sent in straight line lighting up the sky and to my surprise it hit Iwokaru dead center through his head. I was taken aback by her precision and even though it irks me to admit she really is
"..a genius sniper you know" she spoke my mind.
I looked at her and she was grinning smugly at me, I rolled my eyes at her but acknowledged her skill with a smile.
The rest of the mission went off smoothly after Iwokaru died; the others took out his bodyguards including the one who broke off from the pack and was headed towards us. Afterwards we returned home.
The next day Mein was helping me with practicing my marksmanship when Ieyasu ran out
"Tatsumi's back!" Ieyasu shouted to me while I in the middle of firing my bow.
I shot the arrow while looking at him, I glanced to see that it hit the bullseye. I turned to see Mein's shocked expression and grinned at her before running with Ieyasu to where my previously missing friend was. I ran in just in time to see him walk inside the room, Najenda was also their along with everyone else in a loose semi circle.
"Hi, Sayo, Ieyasu" he greeted casually.
I could feel a vein pop on my forehead, my fists clenched and gritted my teeth, I couldn't help but feel angry at his casual greeting, so I stomped over and grabbed him by the collar
"Hi!? Hi!? You've been missing for almost two weeks now, do you have any idea how worried I was and now you come here and all you say is HI!" I shouted.
There was silence the only thing being heard was the sound of Ieyasu, Mein and Leone snickering, Rabac was grumbling something while Schere was stifling her giggles. Tatsumi looked unfazed but from his raised eyebrows I could tell that he was at least surprised.
"Uuuum, I'm sorry?"
"SORRY!?" I shouted again "what have you been doing all this time and I want the truth."
"….Sayo"
"Yes?"
"Can you please let go of me before people start getting the wrong idea" he jerked his head towards Leone who waggled her eyebrows and gave a knowing smirk.
I felt my face get warm and dropped Tatsumi while backing away; I held my head down so my bangs covered my face.
"Thank you" he said not at all affected. "Now this entire time I was going around the capital creating a mental map of the place."
"Why?" Schere asked curiously.
Tatsumi glanced at her for a full ten seconds before answering "for one I'm blind, so if anyone tells me to go somewhere I can get there without an escort."
"Oh" she said completely oblivious to the mild insult, Rabac and Ieyasu sweat dropped.
"Anyway I've been cleaning up a bit, in between my wanderings which in case you're wondering is almost every 30 minutes. You wouldn't believe how often I come across trash." His tone was harsh.
"That's the capital for ya" Leone commented.
"You know you can't save everyone right?" Braht questioned.
"I do and I'm not naïve enough to believe that what I'm doing is going to make a difference in the big picture however, I like to take a proactive approach unlike you guys."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Mein questioned angrily.
"It means that instead of lounging around here waiting for the next job to come like you guys, I would rather be out there."
"Doesn't that conflict with what you just said earlier, you're actions suggest that you think you can everyone" Akame said in her monotone voice.
"Hmmmm, really? Well thinking about it, it really does doesn't it?" He wondered. "Anyway the real reason I did it is because if I'm going to stay here I might as well make it less depressing for the people."
He turned towards Najenda "not to criticize but you guys may be quelling the corruption a bit but the people of the capital are still miserable, especially the poor one's that are taken advantage of, they need something for them to carry on."
"And you're that something?" she questioned
He shrugged "not really, but it never hurts for them to have peace of mind right? If you guys want to reclaim the capital then wouldn't it be better for the scum who make the capital what it is to think twice before they do something."
"I thought you said you wouldn't help us"
"I'm not" he began "I'm helping the innocent people caught in the middle of yours and the minister's war. It just coincidentally helps you in the end, why is it that the safety of the populace is almost always overlooked by you guys? Don't answer that."
"Why are you here again?" Rabac questioned slightly annoyed.
"Oh right" he held out his hand and gave Najenda something.
Najenda's eyes widened and her cigarette dropped as her mouth widened "t-t-this is.." her eyes snapped to Tatsumi who tilted his head "where did you get this?" she asked.
"Some crazy idiot who tried to kill me last night" he answered bluntly
Najenda could only stare at him while Rabac who was at her side glanced at the object in hand
"Is that a Teigu?" he questioned
Najenda nodded "where did you get it?"
Tatsumi frowned "like I said before, from some crazy idiot who tried to kill me." He answered a bit frustrated
"I want a name" Najenda demanded
Tatsumi was silent for while until he spoke "Zank, he said his name was Zank."
"Wait, as in Zank the beheader?!" Braht questioned.
"That's the guy" Tatsumi stated simply.
"Who is he?" I questioned
"You really are a country bumpkin if you don't know that guy." Mein commented and I could feel a tick mark appear on my head.
"Excuse me but I don't know who that is either" Schere spoke out.
"I'm pretty sure you just forgot Schere" Mein assured
Ieyasu crossed his arms "well spit it out flat chest, who was this guy" he immediately ducked a projectile tossed by Mein.
"I'm kinda curious too" Tatsumi said
After calming down Mein began "Zank the beheader was an executioner for the Empire's greatest prison, there were many people to be executed. After so many years it became a habit that he couldn't stop."
"That is disgusting" Ieyasu commented. I nodded in agreement to that.
"Anyway" Mein continued irritated "executing prisoners wasn't enough for him so he became a serial killer."
"He disappeared right around the time they sent a detainment squad after him. He even stole the warden's Teigu and since you have then that means."
"Yeah, I killed him" Tatsumi finished
"I want details" Najenda demanded
"There's really not much to tell: last night I was doing my nightly stroll when I picked up the sounds of screaming followed by the smell of blood. I went to investigate and heard a woman begging for her life then Zank said….."
XXXX Tatsumi's POV XXXX
Last Night….
"Really, you would be willing to do anything I ask?"
"Yes! I will, I'll do it! Please!" the woman screamed.
"What if I-"
Zank didn't even finish his sentence as my foot collided with his face, I heard his nose break under the impact followed by the sound of his body smashing against the wall.
I turned to the scared woman "excuse me miss but can you get the imperial guard and tell them to come retrieve the corpse of crazy serial killer?"
The only thing I heard from her was the sound of her rapidly beating heart so I clapped my hand in front of her face to snap her out of it.
"Miss, get the imperial guards, now" I told her again and this time she got up and ran.
"Who are you?"Zank asked.
I replied "it doesn't matter who I am, what matter is that I'm going to kill you."
He started laughing "HAPPY~ HAPPY~ you're a killer aren't you?" he asked and I heard the sound of clothes being tossed aside.
"You're right, it is dumb of me to ask if you're a killer if you said you were going to kill me." He said.
I never did answer his question so that would mean
"You are correct" he answered "I am reading your thoughts."
"You're using a Teigu" I didn't ask so much I stated an obvious fact.
"That's right, my Teigu Spectator, one of the five sight abilities 'insight' allows me to read your thoughts by using your facial expression, body language and stuff like that."
"Is that so?" I thought out loud "but can your body keep up with the speed necessary to dodge my attacks after you predict them?"
"What-" before he could speak I used my superior speed to punch him in the face, I broke his cheek bone and sent two of his teeth flying out.
"I guess not" I commented.
Zank must have been desperate because he started giving me wild slashes but I dodged each and every one of them. I kept hitting faster and harder until one solid punch he tried to block ended up breaking his left arm. A low kick to his knee broke it with a sickening *CRUNCH* and I finished by kicking him again into the wall.
After he couldn't fight anymore he started rambling on about if I knew how to deal with the dead voices of all the people he's killed in his head. I drowned out whatever he said and ripped off the Teigu from his forehead and slit his throat so he died slowly.
Present Day
"Since I don't have a use for a TeiguI came here." I finished
Suddenly everyone was quiet and I had an idea as to why but I might as well ask "why is everyone so quiet?"
"You expect us to believe a story like that!?" That was the sniper girl if I got that right.
I frowned "you can believe what you want; I wasn't trying to impress you." I stated bluntly and listened to sound of her growling before continuing "I told you all how I got that Teigu" I pointed at Najenda "I'm sorry if it wasn't some dramatic fight but honestly I really was on my way to sleep somewhere when I heard that guy killing someone while singing and it pissed me off so I made it quick by beating him down and taking the Teigu. I have no idea what more you want me to say."
"I've got one" that sounded like the cat girl
"What?"
"How strong are you, really?" I could hear the excitement in her voice.
'Is she serious?' I thought honestly.
I sighed "so you're one of those people, why am I not surprised?"
"Aw come on, just answer the question" she sounded playful.
I sighed 'honestly, from what I've gathered about everyone in this room, it would take all of you combined for me to actually take you serious and by that I meant actually using my power for something other than making weapons' was the first thought that came to mind.
Instead I answered "If the question you're asking is 'if I can beat you in a fight' then the answer is yes."
"Oh, is that so? How 'bout you back up those words then?" I heard her crack her knuckles.
For a reply I wordlessly walked away "hey where are ya going?" she asked
"I don't fight people for kicks" I deadpanned.
"Hey-"
"Leone, let him go" I heard Najenda say.
"Tatsumi wait" this time it was Sayo and she was running towards me.
I stopped and turned my head in her direction "what is it Sayo?"
"You just arrived, why are you leaving already?"
I sighed; the truth is I don't want to stay here because they seem like nice people, like her and Ieyasu, even the annoying sniper. If I stay here then I'd feel some connection with them and if, no, when one of them dies I don't think I'll be able to deal with the grief. So for now I'd like to avoid as much contact with them for the duration of the month as possible.
"I don't really have a reason to stay here Sayo" I answered.
"W-what, but what me and Ieyasu?"
"You guys seem to be doing fine with Night Raid as far as I can tell" I answered honestly.
"Tatsumi" I held up my hand for her to stop
"Sayo, I trained you and Ieyasu to defend yourselves because that is what your old master wanted, he didn't say anything about teaching you how to assassinate people." I paused to let that message sink in before continuing "we're still friends Sayo but I don't want to stick around, it's just going to be harder when I leave in the next 15 days." I finished solemnly.
There was a long silence before I was pulled into a hug "okay, I understand." I could hear her voice break a bit but didn't smell any tears. Sayo's stronger now.
We parted and I began walking away but not before I heard Sayo shout "be careful!" I waved her off. As I felt the coolness of the shade in between the trees I jumped through its shadow and ended up in an alleyway in the capital.
I exited the alleyway and did what I always do, wander around aimlessly while taking in everything with my four senses. I also have a crow, separate from the one at Night Raid's location, shadowing my movements. It's not as if I can see through its eyes but anything it does 'see' I can automatically understand. I like to think of it as our brains being connected. For example I can't picture colors but through the crow's eyes I can understand what color something is.
I don't need the crow to maneuver my way around though; I use it in order to pinpoint suspicious people. In a place like this there are many people who have learned to mask themselves as ordinary citizens and since I'm in a business district filled with many people even I can miss someone. Believe it or not it is difficult for a blind person to casually maneuver his way through a large crowd while keeping his senses tuned in to everyone within a hundred meter radius trying to pick out the few who are up to no good.
I've been walking around for a while now; nothing suspicious but then again, they usually show themselves at night. I started thinking to myself; just what am I suppose to do now? This is one of the reasons why I don't stay at a place for too long unless it's for something worthwhile.
"Boring, this is getting boring~" I said to myself.
For a city as crime ridden as this one is, it amazes me how completely boring it is right now, aside from some mumbling no one actually takes notice of my foreign presence. I wish I was in the forest right now, it's peaceful, quiet and the occasional attack from a danger beast alleviates the boredom, which reminds me
"I wonder where I'm going go next after I leave the capital" I asked myself "let's see, I've been in the tropics, crossed a desert, walked over the ocean, hmm, I got it" I snapped my fingers "I've never felt snow before, so I'll head North."
I nodded in agreement with the idea, that is, until I realized who is in the North right now and since she and her army are fighting the Northern forces then chances are there is no longer a North anymore. That sucks, that really sucks and I've never felt snow before…!
I stopped in my tracks, Crow picked up something suspicious, three girls all dressed like they're from the country being led into a building. I decided to investigate the building, crow perched on my shoulder as soon as I was just outside. Filtering out all the outside noises I focused on the building and I heard screaming and that was enough for me to act.
XXXX Air's POV XXXX
"W-why are you doing such terrible things?" I asked desperately.
They broke bought of Fal's legs and gouged out Luna's eyes. They stripped me naked and one of them said that he's going to let a d-dog rape me.
"Well that's because it gets me money" he, the man who bought us from our village, Bach, was still smiling calmly, like this is all a joke! "And there are always substitutes for country dwellers after all."
Another man released the dog and it came running towards me while everyone laughed, I screamed and then
"Kaw" *CRASH* "KawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKawKaw"
There was a loud noise and the entire room was flooded with birds, black birds..no they were crows and they attacked the dog first, I watched them peck it to death. I looked around the room but there were so many I could barely see anything in front of me. The crows killed the ones who held Luna and pecked their eyes out making her fall to the ground.
The screaming got worse and the crows started circling them so fast that the only thing I could see is a huge black ball. I was so scared that I couldn't move, I didn't blink and after a while the screaming stopped. The crows didn't stop circling but their numbers were getting smaller, the more they did, the more I could see.
*Gasp* blood, the only thing I could see was blood, it was everywhere: the ground, the walls, the ceiling, I didn't see any bodies just…blood.
The crows became smaller and smaller in numbers until they came together and for a moment they became nothing but black and then standing where they were, was a…..boy. I watched in disbelief as a group of crows transformed into a boy.
The boy had short brown hair with his bangs framing his face; his eyes were covered by something tied around his face, it had a metal plate with a symbol on it. He wore a long black coat; the sleeves were longer than his arms.
I trembled as he walked closer towards me, then turned and walked towards Luna. She was still holding her left eye, blood was leaking out of it, I could see she was still crying from the tears in her other eye. He stopped in front of her and picked up the thing they used to pull her eye out, it still had her eye on it he held it and pulled the eye out before it disappeared under his sleeves.
"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner" h-he apologized?
Luna whimpered but then he put his hand over her injured eye and she passed out in his arms. He carried her over towards me and kneeled down to lay her down
"I stopped the bleeding" he said
"I-I…" I couldn't form words.
"Can you put some clothes on" he spoke
I looked down and covered myself in embarrassment when I realized I was still naked. I looked up at him and he tilted his head like he was confused.
"y-yo-you s-stay aw-ay fr-om her y-you bastard." A voice said to my side
I looked to see Fal on the ground, her legs were twisted and tears were in her eyes but that didn't stop her from glaring at him.
"You don't need to worry" he tapped the metal plate covering his eyes "I'm blind so I cover my eyes, besides" he got up "you're not in a position to give me orders." He finished
"Sc-Screw you!" she managed to shout out shakily.
He walked over towards her and kneeled down "your legs are broken" he pointed at Luna "your friend lost one of her eyes, you both need medical attention and your friend can't carry both of you not to mention that you don't have any money to pay for a healer."
Fal looked at me then Luna and gritted her teeth.
"What's your name?" he asked her
"…..Fal"
"Well Fal, my name is Tatsumi" he smiled, Fal and I were taken aback by this "would you like me to help you?"
Fal glanced at me and I nodded weakly, she glanced back at Tatsumi "yes please" she said hesitantly.
"Alright then" he put his hand on her head and she passed out.
"What did you do?" I asked worriedly.
"I had to knock her out so I could set her bones in place" he put both his hands on her twisted legs "by the way, are you dressed?"
I felt my face get warm before I frantically put on my pink raincoat. I glanced at him and gasped, his hands, something that looked like black ink came from them and covered her legs.
"What are you doing!?" I yelled.
He glanced at me "calm down, like I said before, I'm setting her legs in place without causing her any pain."
"B-but" I pointed a shaky finger at it.
He sighed "this is just my power. How do you think I stopped you friend's bleeding?"
At that realization I dropped to my knees before Luna, her hood was covering her face, I raised the hood and gasp again. Luna's left eye was surrounded by that black ink coming from his hands.
"What're your names?" I glanced at him but he was still letting out that black ink on Fal's legs.
"M-my name is Air a–and she's Luna."
"Okay Air, why were you with these men."
"W-we were sold off as servants by our village"
"What, why!?" I jumped at how loud his voice became. He sounded really upset
"Because of poverty from high taxation by the capital our village sells their children" I answered timidly.
"Oh" was his response. He seemed to calm down "so one of those dogs bought you from your village then?"
I nodded "yes"
"How old are you?"
"We're all 16 years old" I answered.
There was silence for a while "I'm 18" he finally said.
We didn't say anything to each other for a few more minutes, so I looked around at what was left of the men who hurt my friends. I still couldn't believe what he did, how he even did it.
"I'm finished" he stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
I ran towards Fal, her legs looked as if they were never even broken. I touched her legs, still not believing what I see.
"Here" I looked up to see his arms outstretched with some brown pouches.
"What are those?"
"This is all the money I took from those scum" his thumb pointed to the blood splattered across half of the room. "Use this to return to your village, leave the capital as you can see it's not a place for three young girls from the country."
I glanced at the pouches then at him and lowered my head trembling
"Why…"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you helping us?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow "I'm helping you because it's the right thing to do. What kind of a human being would I be if I heard three girls being tortured and not do something to help them?" He answered. "Crow"
Just then a crow flew over to his shoulder from out of nowhere.
"Find an inn for us to stay"
"Kaw" it then flew away.
Tatsumi held Fal in his arms and turned to me "grab Luna, we're going to an inn." He began walking away and I put Luna's arm across my shoulders to carry her away.
While we were walking outside I saw puddles of red across the yard
"They were security hired by the dogs" he mentioned without looking at me.
I didn't say anything for the rest of the journey.
XXXX Sayo's POV XXXX
I was partnered with Leone to investigate a job in the red light district but that was a few hours away into the night so she decided to take me on a tour. It turns out that Leone is pretty well known around the area we went so when everyone heard she was around, that's when things got out of hand.
And so here we are both running for dear life
"I'LL HAVE YOU PAY YOUR DRINKING BILL!"
"IT'S TIME TO SETTLE YOUR GAMBLING DEBTS!"
"I WANT THE MONEY YOU SCAMMED OFF MY BROTHER!"
Out of nowhere these three men started chasing us or rather Leone but since I'm with her they don't make any distinction. And so we've been running for the past 10 minutes but after turning some corners I didn't hear them anymore
"Leone I think we lost them" I turned to see she was nowhere in sight and come to think of it where was I?
"I'm lost" I grabbed my head in panic 'and we have a job to do tonight!' I mentally screamed.
"My justice sense is tingling" I heard a feminine voice say behind me "you there, can I help you with something?"
I turned around to see a younger girl wearing a uniform, she had a leash attached to the tiniest dog I've ever seen. Wait where have I seen it before?
"Those clothes.." I trailed off
"I am Seiryuu of the capital guard forces" she saluted and the dog stood on its tiny legs and did a salute too.
I had to stop myself from gushing at how cute it was, no, I won't be fooled. She's from the same guard squad that Ogre was in and if there's anything I've learned from this place it's that you never judge a book by its cover. With that in mind I pointed to the dog
"Um, if you don't mind me asking, what is that?"
She picked him up "he's the Teigu Hecatonchires, but don't worry he's harmless to all except for those who embrace evil."
Now I knew where I've it before, it was written in that book of Teigu Najenda gave us.
"By the way, what seems to be the problem?" she asked
"Ah, I was supposed to meet my friend at a local bar but it seems that I've lost my way." I said nervously, it was still embarrassing "I know the name of the bar but I don't know the way."
"We can't have that!" she exclaimed "come with me, I will show the way while I'm on patrol."
With that I followed the strange girl after telling her the name of the bar. We arrived in a few minutes; turns out I wasn't that far from it as I thought. After meeting Leone who I had to stop from getting drunk we made it to a roof overlooking the red light district.
It was a curious sight of mostly old or older men with younger women. After taking in the sight Leone piped up
"Okay then, time to work, I've got debts to pay" with that she activated her Teigu, Lionel.
Seeing her Teigu activate like that was impressive but before I could regain my composure she lifted me under her arms and ran across the roofs so fast I almost threw up from motion sickness. Once we were above the ceiling of the target's building I immediately started gasping for air in an attempt to calm my stomach.
Fortunately it worked and I didn't throw up. I scowled at Leone and I could feel a tick mark
"That's what you meant by 'sneak in'?"
Leone ignored me and instead told me to "hurry up and get over here"
I gave her a deadpanned expression, 'at least she doesn't mean anything by it' I thought.
She lifted up one of the ceiling pane for us to look down. I had to cover my nose and mouth the moment I looked over. The first thing that hit me was the smell, inside the room was something sending out some form of steam, definitely drugs.
The women all wore loose fitting kimonos and they moved sluggish. Two men came in, one wearing an eyepatch, they both wore business suites. A girl crawled on to them and the one without an eyepatch smacked her across the face. I gripped my bow at that and I could feel Leone's anger from where I sat
"Those guys are the one the contract specified, Unforgivable!" I growled.
"That girl he just hit, was someone I knew from the slums." We both stood up.
"They make me sick!" Leone said cracking her knuckles "let's put them out of business!"
"With pleasure" I replied darkly.
We crashed through the ceiling while they were surrounded by their bodyguards. They sent their bodyguards after us, I drew three bows from my quiver and shot three arrows at the same time through their skulls.
Leone took care of the rest by beating them half to death with her punches then a spin kick sent the last four smashing against the wall where they lay dead. I saw the one who hit that girl from before point a gun at us.
I closed the distance between us in seconds and reached for the dagger Tatsumi gave me and said "you can beg the King of hell for forgiveness" before cutting his head off.
The boss was all alone now and Leone held him by the neck before delivering a punch so strong that it tore a hole through his stomach.
Despite the grim nature of our jobs and what we just did I couldn't help but feels a sense of accomplishment afterwards. I just know that we did something good and it was cause for a celebration at least that's what Leone thinks because as soon as we were out of the red light district she roped an arm around me and started dragging me to the nearest bar.
I sighed, she told me that it's for completing my very first mission without a hitch but knowing her she was just looking for an excuse to go drinking but before we made it around the corner
"Hey there she is, it's Leone!" We both turned back to see one of the three guys chasing us from earlier.
I could tell that both of our faces twisted in horror when around twelve other pissed off people rounded the corner behind him. I deadpanned at Leone who laughed nervously before shouting
"Run!"
And so the chase continues.
XXXX Ieyasu's POV XXXX
I've spent most of the day training with Schere before she had to leave on a job with Mein, since she doesn't have a job around the base. I learned that even though she's a bit, okay really airheaded and doesn't seem to fit with everyone else, even she has her reasons for joining Night Raid. Leone took Sayo out for a job in the capital, while Rabac, Braht, Akame and Najenda were busy researching what that new Teigu Tatsumi brought can do. The only thing he got from Zank, before he killed him, was that it can read minds and predict the future, sort of.
After hours of back breaking training from Schere that would make Tatsumi proud, Schere went off with Mein to kill some guy name Chibul. Spending the weeks with assassins have sort of desensitized me to the whole idea of taking a life.
Anyway, boss, Akame, Braht and Rabac had me placed in front of the Teigu called Spectator.
"Ieyasu, the Teigu Tatsumi took from Zank, I want you to try and use it" boss told me
I was wide eyed "seriously, no one else wants it" I asked
Braht spoke first "it's one Teigu per person"
"It's because it takes a lot of physical and mental strength to control them" Rabac added.
I paused hearing this but grinned anyway, it may not be the coolest I've ever seen but I guess it has some pretty cool abilities. I put the eye on my forehead as instructed.
"There was nothing about it written in the book we have but I'm curious as to some of its abilities" boss informed me.
Akame seemed excited, if you could call it that, I saw a sparkle in her eyes yet her expression was still indifferent.
"It has the abilities to read minds right?" she asked a little giddily "try reading mine."
"Okay, you want to eat meat for dinner" I said dramatically
"Exactly, that's amazing!" she replied.
Truth is I didn't even use the Teigu, it was just a guess.
"Hmm, try using one of the other abilities" boss said standing in front of me with Akame.
I closed my eyes 'alright one of the other unknown abilities, Activate' I could feel something happening and my eyes snapped open to see, Nirvana.
There standing right in front of me was the boss and Akame in nothing but their underwear. My mouth dropped, I couldn't stop staring at them.
"Ieyasu" boss leaned down to make eye contact "what's wrong, what do you see?"
Hel~lo cleavage, damn and I thought the boss was old but she's hot under the business suit. Rabac is going to be so jealous when I tell him this Teigu as see through visio-
Suddenly I felt light headed and my vision became blurry
"It's rejecting him" Rabac said. Speak of the devil
"Akame take it off" boss ordered
Boss sighed and sat back on her chair "it's the compatibility."
Akame looked from me to the Teigu "it seems that this Teigu isn't suited for you."
"Then we'll just have to wait for Leone to return with Sayo and see if it's compatible with her then." Boss said.
That was disappointing, but at least I got a good show out of it. Wait a minute, if Sayo finds out about the see through powers and spills the beans then they'd put two and two together and find out I was staring at them half naked. Shit, shit, shit I gotta go hide before-
"We're back!" Leone's loud voice echoed. Fuck!
"Ah, good timing" boss gestured them forward "I was just mentioning if Sayo was compatible with Spectator." Boss handed the Teigu to her.
"What, did it reject Ieyasu?" Leone asked coming my way
"Yeah" Rabac answered "there was blood coming from his head and everything."
Leone turned to me "aw, did my Ieyasu get hurt?" before I could even react she smothered me between her breasts "don't worry, big sis will make it all better~" her voice was soft
"Aw come on he's not even as good looking as me, and I've been here longer!" Rabac complained. "What does a guy have to do to get some of that!?"
I didn't hear Leone's snarky reply as I peaked from the corner of my eyes to see Sayo with spectator on her forehead. It was too late to stop the inevitable now, at least I will die on a high note.
I was starting to enjoy the feel of Leone's fun bags when Sayo's shriek alerted me. I instinctively pushed myself away from Leone and looked at her
"What's going on?" I said approaching Sayo
"It looks like Sayo's compatible with Spectator" boss answered
As I approached Sayo I noticed her staring at Braht, her face was red for some reason. What was even weirder was that I couldn't see Spectator
"Yeah, Spectator" I drawled slowly "where is it anyway?"
Braht smirked at me "see for yourself" he grasped Sayo's shoulders and forcibly turned her gaze to me.
Seeing Sayo's face she eyed me up and down, her face red, I raised an eyebrow looking into her eyes. I raised both eyebrows and pointed at her face
"The Teigu is.."
"It seems that Spectator is more compatible with Sayo than Zank" Akame basically summarized.
Spectator wasn't on top of her head; instead I saw it in her eyes. There were four straight lines over her sclera making a cross.
"So what're you seeing?" boss questioned
Sayo blinked at me then turned to boss "w-well, um I can s-see through, solid objects?"
'Fuck me'
"Wait, you mean you can see through stuff, like our clothes!?" Rabac shrieked (like a girl), then used his hands to cover himself "are you doing that right now!?"
Sayo started sputtering and me and Leone couldn't help but laugh at her, even Braht laughed heartily at her. I didn't even notice Sayo glaring at me and I guess she must have used Spectator's other abilities too
"Ieyasu used the see through ability to look at Akame and boss in their underwear!" she shouted
Suddenly I had that feeling of dread again and looked up to see boss, Akame and Rabac glaring at me. Wait why the hell was he glaring too. Oh fuck me sideways
I made a mad dash for the door but something caught me leg and tripped me "oof" I yelped landing face first on the floor. I looked back to see a metal hand around my ankles, that was attached to a long chain that was attached to metal arm that was attached to a very pissed off one eyed woman. As she started reeling me in I screamed with nails digging across the ground.
Somewhere in my screaming I could hear Leone laughing even harder and Braht asking "I wonder what's taking Mein and Schere so long."
XXXX Mein's POV XXXX
'Dammit' I mentally screamed. Schere and I were almost in the clear, coming from a job that went off without a hitch then little miss imperial guard and her weird dog just had to show up. I already had Pumpkin ready to fire, now I just have to wait for the right time to take her out.
After hearing her declaration I could only say "so you really want to go through with this, fine." I aimed Pumpkin at her and fired multiple shots "the first to strike has the advantage!" I shouted.
Every single shot connected, but the smoke was blocking the view "did I get her?"
The smoke cleared and my eyes widened, the tiny dog grew huge and blocked the blasts. I saw the holes it made close up. That isn't a dog
"Mein, that thing's a Teigu" Schere told me
"Looks like it" I commented.
I knew I saw that thing somewhere before "that's the biological Teigu..?"
I didn't get to finish the sentence since the girl started firing from her tonfa guns. Schere and I scattered. I saw the dog opened its mouth to reveal a row of razor sharp teeth and lunged at Schere. She side stepped it and used Ecstasy to cut through its teeth and jaw before apologizing as usual.
I remembered what was written about that Teigu called Hecatonchires and aimed Pumpkin at it just in time for it to stand up and regenerate. I fired Pumpkin behind its back pushing it back
"Don't you remember what was written in the book Schere?" I shouted "Biological Teigu have a core inside their body somewhere, unless we destroy it it'll keep regenerating!"
I turned to look at the Teigu that was now next to the girl and grimaced "gross."
The Teigu grew disgusting looking arms and was drooling "looks like we have no choice but to do that Schere" I commented
"I understand" she agreed
The thing attacked us, its fists were moving so fast that they were blurry, I noticed the attack had a wide range and realized
"What the hell" I shouted in panic "there's no way to dodge!" and its coming too fast
"Get behind me Mein" Schere shouted and I followed.
Schere used ecstasy to block all of the blows. Just then the girl blew an imperial whistle to summon nearby guards. It was a goddamn trap, this was an ambush. We're still near the target that we took out location; all the guards searching for us probably heard that whistle. I gained some distance from the Schere who was being pushed back slowly.
"A storm of attacks and she called for reinforcements" I mumbled "Now that's what I call" I could feel pumpkin heat up in my hands "being in a pinch!" I finished
I jumped overhead and fired Pumpkin. The blast covered its entire body but it was already regenerating by the time I landed. Not that it mattered, while the girl was distracted by Pumpkin's blast Schere was already close enough to take her.
I squinted a little when she used Ecstasy's trump card to shine a bright light to blind the girl. I saw the Teigu trying to help her but I shot one of its legs and it fell down but the leg was already regenerating.
"Don't forget about me you mutt" I taunted "I'm not letting you go so easily.
The taunt worked and it starting coming my way. I may not be able to take it down even in a pinch but I can distract it long enough for Schere to kill its owner or find its core by the process of elimination.
Before it came close though it stopped and I saw its ear perk up then the thing suddenly changed. It turned red became even bigger with more muscles and looked even more evil.
*GUOOOOAAAR* It roared an ear splitting scream so loud that I had to cover my ears in pain. So she had a secret skill.
Before I knew it the thing had me in its grip "Damn."
"Mein!" I heard Schere shout
I heard the girl yell "CRUSH HER!"
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH" it started crushing me, I could feel my right arm break under the pressure.
Before it crushed me to death Schere cut its arm off. I landed in a heap next to the severed arm and saw her standing before me with a warm smile on her face. I couldn't help but smile myself
"Schere" I said happy she saved me
"Looks like I made it on time" she replied
My face fell when I heard gunfire and Schere's chest blew open with blood leaking out a small hole.
"My body, it won't move" she said in shock
My face contorted in horror when I saw the Teigu charge after her with its jaw wide open. My voice was caught in my throat, I could feel tears in my eyes. The next thing happened so fast I didn't even know it happened until a few seconds afterwards. I was still in shock and before I knew it a new voice spoke
"Your name was Mein right?" the voice was male
I looked up slowly but didn't meet his eyes, instead his iron plated headband. I stared at him for what seemed like forever before my voice finally returned
"T-Tatsumi?" I said in bewilderment.
"Yes" he answered in a calm voice like he was completely unaware of the situation
Wait, how did he even get here if he's blind? My eyes caught sight of Schere; he had her in his arms. How? How did he get here? My eye wandered the battlefield. What happened to the Tei…gu?
My eyes widened even more. The Teigu was on the other side of the field struggling to get up. It didn't make any sense
"Stand up please" he demanded.
I scrambled to my feet my eyes still on the Teigu aiming Pumpkin at it, the girl looked as much surprised as me
"W-what happened?" I asked
"KAW" I looked at him to see that crow on his shoulders. Was it even there before?
"Crow saw that Schere was about to be killed and so I did what my contract with Najenda says and saved her" he said all this calmly.
Somehow the way how he said it makes it look like we're nothing but a job to him, it pisses me off "where did you even come from, how'd you get here so fast!?" I yelled.
He tilted his head in confusion "I came out of Schere's shadow just as that thing was about to kill her. Since it was in my path when I popped out her shadow I kicked it away on entry and stopped your friend from collapsing on the ground." He answered again in a calm voice.
I stared at him, wait what Najenda told us about his Teigu was real and he kicked that thing and sent all the way over there!?
"Judging from your heartbeat I'd say you're surprised. Let me guess, you never believed I could actually do that did you?"
He smirked at me and I could feel my annoyance growing but that was cut short when the Teigu roared and charged at us. I don't care what his powers are but if he actually kicked that thing and sent it flying then maybe we have a chance killing it if we work together.
I went to his side and fired Pumpkin at it, somehow the blasts didn't affect it like before, as expected since the girl is using its trump card
I turned to him "hey what're you doing? Help me" I demanded before turning my attention
"No"
I turned to him again "no, what the hell do you mean no!? You're my reinforcement!"
He shook his head "like I told Najenda before, I have no interest in fighting in her war. I only came here because Schere's life was in danger. I'm taking her back to your base and since you can't kill that thing by yourself I'm taking you as well."
"What?" after saying that I felt myself sinking.
I looked down to see myself going down in darkness, not me but all three of us. I tried to squirm but I couldn't even move my body, I looked at Tatsumi but he seemed composed
"We're leaving, close your eyes" he said simply before my sight was covered in darkness.
I could feel an intense pressure and I instinctively closed my eyes and as fast as the pressure was there it suddenly vanished but I didn't open my eyes until
"Mein?" I heard Braht call my name, wait Braht!?
My eyes snapped open and I wasn't in a forest anymore, I was standing in the middle of the meeting room at the base. My legs gave out and I collapsed on my rear.
"Mein!" boss shouted as everyone crowded us, Braht helped pick me up "Tatsumi what happened?"
I looked to see Tatsumi set Schere down "crow saw Schere and Mein ambushed by an imperial guard who had a dog Teigu" he rolled up his sleeve.
"That was the girl I mentioned earlier" Sayo piped up
Tatsumi placed his hands on Schere's wound "Schere was injured and paralyzed from shock. The Teigu was about to kill her so I intervened and brought both of them here" he finished and then black mist leaked from his hand onto Schere.
"What are you doing?" Akame said aggressively.
"I'm patching her up; if you want me to leave her to die just give me the word Najenda"
"No, continue" she replied
After removing his hand the wound was almost closed and he got up
"There" he began "I stopped the bleeding but she's going to need medical attention."
"Got it" Braht picked her up
Tatsumi began to walk away and I realized something "hey wait a minute you!" I shouted
He turned around "yes?"
"You've been watching the fight the entire time?" I questioned angrily
"Yes"
I stomped over him "then why didn't you help us? If you're strong enough to kick that thing across the clearing then we would've been able to kill it without Schere almost getting killed!"
He turned to boss "Najenda, maybe you didn't explain what exactly the terms and conditions of my lending you my services or what exactly am I supposed to do"
The boss approached me "Tatsumi wasn't hired to help us fight, I hired him in case any of you were about to die then he was to bail you out to fight another day. I already told everyone this before."
"But!" I tried to defend and pointed to him, but he was already halfway from walking into the wall.
"Hey, where are you going?" I shouted angrily
He turned to me "I have to tend to three injured girls at an inn before escorting them safely to their village" he answered.
His reply threw me off and I could only gape at how calm he's been, the entire time. Does anything even faze him? He continued walking to the wall, then through the wall into his shadow before it disappeared.
Everyone was silent for a while before we decided to check on Schere. I looked at Ieyasu and was immediately flabbergasted. He looked like he'd been mauled by some wild animal
I pointed at him "what the heck happened to you?"
To Be Continued.
Author's Notes: Okay first of all I know you all expected some kind of drama with Tatsumi's confrontation with Zank but I can very much explain. First it was told from Tatsumi's perspective and judging from his personality and reaction to him I think vague is the best way to describe his retelling of the fight, do I have to mention that he is BLIND so getting a blind person to describe a fight is kind of redundant.
Secondly I wholeheartedly believe that Zank is one of the biggest tools in the series and an overall asshole.
Now then, I would like to point out that the three girls Tatsumi saved have a bigger role in the things to come. Just saying. Also I think it kind of sucks what happened to the three of them in cannon so my pity will result in a far more interesting story, you'll see, in two weeks or maybe three, shit I don't know.
