Chapter 7

A couple of days had passed before Tatsumi came back; safe and sound, luckily. He explained to them about how he was transported to an island ways away from hideout with Esdeath. He got to learning more things about her and her power which had terrified him. While he did want to leave her there, he didn't have the heart since she was helping him survive on the island as well, so when he saw their opening to escape, he took her as well and later ditched her when they were back on familiar land.

Minosha had expressed his undying anger at having missed her that day on the mountains, but reassured Tatsumi that he was glad he brought Esdeath back only so he could see her face once more and finish her himself.

Tatsumi seemed a bit apprehensive on that topic of Minosha and Esdeath; he didn't know if the redhead could really take on the general in a one-on-one match, but he had to have faith in his comrades.

In present time, Minosha sat with Akame, Leone, and Tatsumi as Chelsea relayed her latest mission of having to kill the head of public finance only to have to rush out when two of the Jaegers showed up.

The auburn haired young woman sighed irritably, "And so, it was apparently a trap. That was close."

"For you to be safe in that situation, you sure are tough," Mine commented as she drank her cup of coffee.

Chelsea shrugged, "Well, the guy owned two or three pet cats. I pulled through by transforming into one."

Mine hummed thoughtfully, "…if it was me, it would have been difficult getting out. It's infuriating to say, but that teigu's rather useful."

"A pretty difficult situation for someone whose face is known like you, Mine," Chelsea grinned. "You can just leave it all up to me from now on."

"Chelsea," Mine breathed in awe.

"So watch over the hideout while I'm gone, substitute," Chelsea teased.

Mine's face froze before she attacked the laughing older woman, "You're so insulting your comrades! As a person, I can't forgive you!"

"Ever though you said more or less the same thing to me before," Tatsumi muttered as he watched the scene with the others.

Akame spoke up as she held a hand to her chin thoughtfully, "Well, with this incident, the Jaegers seem to be aiming solely for us now. It'll be bad if this continues."

Leone nodded in agreement, "They exterminated all of the new species of danger beasts, so the only thing remaining for them to get rid of is Night Raid." She leered at the young male next to her, "I guess we'll have to give them Tatsumi, who was vacationing on an island in the south, and have them leave us alone."

Tatsumi spit out his coffee in shock, "Like I said, I was pulled against my will!"

"Being on a southern island alone with a beautiful woman. It's not like I'm really jealous or anything," Lubbock mumbled to himself as he stirred sugar in Najenda's coffee. "But then why not just desert her? It's her after all. It's not like anyone's jealous."

The green haired male sniffled as a tear fell down his cheek, "No, really."

"Wipe your tears, Lubo," Leone rolled her eyes before proceeding to shove Tatsumi's face into her bosom.

Minosha and Akame shared amused smiles just as Najenda came out, fresh from her shower. "She's been tenacious for as long as I've known her," The boss stated. "She probably would've gotten back on her own power if you had left her. So it's better to clear up all debts, and be able to use your full strength to fight her when you meet her as an enemy."

Tatsumi tilted his head curiously, "For as long as you've known her…speaking of which, how old are you, Boss?"

"I'm in my mid-twenties. Esdeath is younger though."

The boy gasped, "Boss, you're that young? That's so unexpected!"

Minosha put a hand to his mouth to cover his grin as the room went quiet after that. Even Evangeline was chuckling in his mind at this poor boy's misfortune.

Seconds later, Tatsumi was on the floor, his face full of lumps as everyone stared at their boss in shock.

"We're having an important meeting after we eat," Najenda spoke to her team. "Don't drink too much, everyone."

"It's rude to talk about a woman's age, Tatsumi," Akame scolded as she poked the beaten boy.

"You're one to talk," Tatsumi said through his swollen lips. "You were talking about sis' weight at some point."

"Hm? What're you talking about?" Akame asked innocently. Her attention was soon moved away from the boy as Suu came in with a large plate full of meat.

Minosha grinned slightly as he helped Tatsumi up. He dusted off the other boy's shoulder, "Next time, just don't mention age. At all."

"Got it," Tatsumi grumbled, rubbing his cheek as they all went to sit at the table.

After dinner, Minosha was picking his teeth as they all gathered around Najenda once more. Najenda began, "The subject this time is the religion that is being spread throughout the citizens called the Path of Peace."

"That religion that says that doing good deeds contributes to happiness and longevity, huh?" Chelsea questioned.

Tatsumi blinked, "Ah, that came to my village as well. That statue of god that the village head gave to me when we left was from that religion."

Najenda nodded, continuing, "Over the past ten years, the Path of Peace has been increasing their adherents, and they've become quite influential on the eastern side of the empire. Soon, this Path of Peace will start an armed uprising…that is, a religious insurrection. We are going to use this for our own purposes."

I cannot believe what is going on in this world, Evangeline spoke sadly. Minosha hummed quietly in agreement.

Tatsumi started in shock, "Wai-wait just a second! If an insurrection like that happens, just how many citizens are going to die? Rather, isn't it better if we move to stop something like that?"

"The corrupt politicians of the empire have tormented the citizens for too long," Najenda replied negatively. "Even if we prevent the Path of Peace's uprising, the citizens' anger would explode somewhere else. This country has just come this close to its end."

They all watched as Tatsumi clenched his jaw tightly, muttering, "I see."

Chelsea sighed, "Well, it's better to listen until the end."

"You remember what I said before about the Ban Tribe Revolt and the Hero from the North, right?" Lubbock questioned the other male.

"They're both revolts that were suppressed by Esdeath, right?" Tatsumi replied.

Lubbock nodded, "I think their mistakes were opposing the Empire all by themselves. The Empire is still incredibly powerful. After a while, the Path of Peace's insurrection would be suppressed as well with large amounts of blood being shed in the end."

Najenda slammed her hand on the table, "And with that, it's finally the Revolutionary Army's turn. The moment the Path of Peace begins their armed uprising, we'll have an allied tribe in the west begin an attack."

She pointed at certain points on the map on the table, "With this, the Empire will have enemies both within and from outside. But they can probably withstand even this. Then, as a clincher, the Revolutionary Army will begin a revolt on the south side. They will advance towards the capital and overthrow the Empire."

"I see," Tatsumi said. "So it's a three pronged attack."

Najenda nodded in reply, "The Empire is underestimating the Revolutionary Army. Since they're gathering the pus of the Revolutionary members all in one place, you could even say we're grateful to them. The starting point is the frontier of the Empire.

"To get to the capital from there, they'll need to cut through several forts and castles. But they've already arranged betrayals by the crown princes of several of the castles, since there were many cases where those who were taking their jobs seriously were demoted, it was a simple matter to convince them. They'll be surprised since the revolution will go about repeated bloodless capitulations, and advance the capital at a frightening speed," The woman explained thoroughly.

She sighed, "But even then, the trump card of the Empire, Budo and his imperial guard will most likely move to intercept. However, this means that the palace's security will drop sharply."

"And when that happens," Akame spoke lowly, unsheathing her katana. "It's the perfect opportunity to assassinate the minister. We will storm the palace and consign the minister. We will break the Empire from the inside out."

Minosha smirked to himself; he liked the way this girl thought.

Lubbock chuckled, shrugging, "Well, sly bastards like that seem like they'll get away at the end, though."

"We won't let anything like that happen," Leone stated menacingly. "He's the main culprit. He'll have to die, without fail."

"In return for the western tribe's help, we've agreed to restore their original territory," Najenda added."

"Restore?" Tatsumi asked.

"Originally, part of the western region of the Empire belonged to the tribes. Recovering that land is their dearest wish," Najenda answered as Tatsumi watched Mine become uneasy next to him.

Najenda straightened, gazing at her team, "If the Empire collapses and the bad laws disappear, the anger of the citizens will also abate. If we continue to move things swiftly towards the sinking of the capital, there probably won't be too much bloodshed." She grinned at the boy next to her, "Satisfied, Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi nodded firmly, "Yeah. Sorry for getting so hung up partway through."

Suu put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, "If the plans have been made, then all there is left to do is execute, but the reason as to why we can't do that yet must be connected to the job this time."

Najenda gazed at him before grinning widely, "That's exactly it, Susanoo. As one would expect from my teigu." Lubbock stiffened, growling at the teigu. The eye patch wearing woman took a puff from her cigarette, "The Path of Peace is the key to everything, but at the moment, there seems to be some commotion going on within."

She blew out the smoke, "The lord may hold tremendous charisma, but his trusted assistant, Borick; he's a spy brought in by the minister. Borick's goal is to seize the Path of Peace and stop the armed uprising from happening. He plans to eventually kill the lord, and make him into a true god, and stand at the peak himself."

No man is a god, no matter how hard he tries, Evangeline muttered lowly.

"Isn't there any way you could pass information to them and prevent that?" Tatsumi questioned.

Najenda shook her head, "There's a group within that sides with Borick, and they have a great deal of influence, and they have the backing of the Empire too. This is the most repulsive part about the minister. He doesn't even try to suppress the outer parts and instead tries to seize the inner workings."

She pointed at the map once more, "And this is the mission this time. We will go to the headquarters of the Path of Peace and remove Borick. We have information that he mixes drugs into the food of a small percentage of adherents. Once they're addicted, the fiend uses them as loyal play toys. There's no need to hold back."

Lubbock growled, "He's probably alternating through women, playing around with them…"

Suu gritted his teeth, "To put drugs in food is nothing if not an insult to food…"

"I'll never forgive him!" The two declared in unison. They then stared at each other in awe.

Minosha raised an incredulous eyebrow. I don't understand, Evangeline stated confusedly.

"You two," Najenda mumbled. "Aren't you a little off on what to be angry about?"

Leone clenched her jaw, "If we leave them alone, then more and more adherents will be addicted, huh? Well, we'll have to put a stop to that."

"Lastly, about the Jaegers," Najenda added. "At the moment, they're trying to hunt us down with all of their strength. If we keep ending up behind them, at this rate, we'll surely be caught."

Chelsea frowned, "And when they actually stepped in, it would've been bad without my abilities."

"So this time," Najenda spoke firmly. "I propose that we lure them outside the capital, and then wage war on them."

Mine grinned, "So we're finally going to have an all-out-confrontation."

Najenda blew out smoke, "Even within the Jaegers, I have a request from headquarters for us to kill Kurome and Bols if we have the opportunity."

Tatsumi seemed deep in thought as Chelsea stated lowly, "They burned a village that was supporting the Revolutionary Army down to the ground, after all; Bols' corps, that is. Although it's probably also because of Bols' firepower being a threat as well."

Minosha smirked, "I've seen them all in action. I'm sure I can take any one of them down. Especially Bols." A fire erupted around his hand, "Fire can't kill a phoenix after all."

"As long as the Jaegers continue to be led by Esdeath, it doesn't change the fact that they are the minister's private army," Najenda mentioned. She then turned to Tatsumi, "You can fight hem as enemies even after becoming acquainted with them, right Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi's eyes hardened in determination, "I'll do it. I'll fight at my full strength, even if we fight those who aren't our targets. I have no doubts."

They all grinned at him. Najenda chuckled, "Good."

It wasn't long before Leone and Lubbock started teasing the boy again, remembering the last time he made such a speech like that. Minosha grinned amusedly; it was fun seeing the boy all riled up.

They all got their weapons ready for the mission. The next day, Minosha stared in disbelief as he was subjected to watching Chelsea and Leone splash each other in the water as he sat with Tatsumi and the ever perverted Lubbock while Suu was simply standing next to him.

"Well," Lubbock grinned lecherously as he stared at the girls. "It sure is nice to able to see the girls in their swimsuits in a place like this."

Tatsumi shook his head, "Stop drooling over them. This is part of the plan too."

Lubbock balked, "Are you stupid? Are you a homo?"

"No, I'm not!"

"Tatsumi~" Leone called seductively. "Between Chelsea and me, whose swimsuits do you like better?"

Chelsea leered, "Oh, I'd like to hear that answer."

The two females leaned closer to the poor boy, "Now, which is it?"

Tatsumi gulped, "I…I well, uh…" He suddenly turned, shouting, "Wow, as expected of Suu! You're tight!"

Leone slumped her shoulders, "Aw, he ran away."

Chelsea then turned to Minosha, grin still present as Lubbock cried at the supposed unfairness, "What about you, Minosha? What do you think?" Leone got right back into her, her grin almost as leering as Lubbock's.

The redhead rolled his eyes goodheartedly, "You both a have great swimsuits. And Evangeline really likes the pattern on Chelsea's."

Leone sighed, straightening, "That, honestly, was not the answer I expected."

"You get what you give," Minosha shrugged, smiling slightly at Evangeline's giggle.

Later on, after they attracted enough attention, the rest of them hid out in the cliffs while Suu made a giant scarecrow and stuffed himself in it. Minosha had to muffle his chuckles when he saw the chest of the scarecrow read 'hottie'.

It wasn't long before three of the Jaegers showed up. Minosha recognized them as Wave, Kurome, and Bols. He expected them all to be there, but they must've not found it to be an imminent threat.

He didn't know if he should find that offensive or not.

He moved his headband and narrowed his eyes when he heard the blast of Mine's gun going off harshly in the small distance. They then widened in shock when the tiny girl was able to evade it so easily.

Suu burst from the scarecrow, charging at Kurome. He hit Wave way into the sky. The armored teigu user had jumped in to defend his partner, but he was in way over his head.

Everyone came out of hiding after that. Najenda glared at the two Jaegers in front of them, "Kurome and Bols; even within the Jaegers, you two are priority targets. Prepare yourselves.

"Because I've burned countless of people," Bols spoke solemnly. "I feel that nothing can be done about it if I'm targeted by assassins. But…" He brought out Rubicon, "I will not die!"

Minosha quickly jumped in front of the other members of Night Raid in case the masked man fired the teigu.

The rest of them stared in shock when arms shot out from the floor, revealing 4 different people. The ground crumbled underneath them as it shook fiercely.

"What is this?" Tatsumi breathed. "An earthquake?"

Kurome smirked as a giant skeleton of a danger beast appeared behind her, "Unlike from before, if it's a dead body, I've become able to make anything a puppet, sis." She got onto the hand of the giant beast as it lifted her, "Even if it's the ultra-class danger beast Desta-Ghoul."

A flame appeared next to Minosha as he grabbed his sword, readying himself for an attack. This little girl has become unstable, Evangeline commented. It would do her some good to be eliminated. The man does not deserve to live for all the innocent lives he burned.

"You're right," Minosha smirked.

Kurome smiled from above, "Now then, the teigu battle is starting. I wonder how many are going to die?"