At a hidden location outside of The Capital, Two Months Later
Tatsumi approached the clearing that the Mentor said he'd be waiting in. It was extremely dark so much that Once Tatsumi entered the clearing he dismounted his horse. Soon after three Assassins wearing the traditional white robes following an old man in a dark black robe carrying an oak box. Tatsumi slightly bowed to the old man. "Mentor."
"Stand my friend." He handed the oak box of to one of the Assassins.
Tatsumi stood back up, "May I ask why you've come to the Capital?"
"In your last report you said Esdeath had been deployed to the capital."
"Yes, she has. The reports that Flint has given to me say she's been using her highly skilled operatives, the Three Beasts, to assassinate several important bureaucrats throughout the Empire."
"My reports say the same, but that's not all. Most of their targets have been our brothers and sisters. A few weeks ago I received reports that former Prime Minister Chouri and his daughter have been assassinated."
"Chouri, the Master assassin?"
"Yes and he's not the only one who's been killed by these hitmen."
Tatsumi scowled at the thought of the murder of his brethren being murdered by these beasts. "Something needs to be done about them."
The old man smiled, "That's what I think as well. Which is why the council and I have decided to give you this." He opened the box for Tatsumi to look inside to see a sword with the pummel of an eagle's head and it's cross guards were it's wings.
Tatsumi instantly felt a strong connection to the blade, "What's this sword?" Tatsumi asked not taking his eyes of the blade.
"Adelaar, The Sword of Assassins." Tatsumi instantly recognized the name of the blade.
"Are you sure about this Mentor? Adelaar is the Brotherhood's strongest weapon." Tatsumi said to nervous to take the sword.
"Tatsumi, Esdeath and her Beasts are Teigu users themselves. Even though we train to assassinate the users of the famed Imperial Arms, we can not take a risk against them. Adelaar will give you an edge and even the playing field for your coming battles." The Mentor motioned for him to take the sword. "With this blade, you will destroy Honest and his Templars."
He slowly reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword and could feel the power of a teigu rush through his body. He stood back in shock but quickly took control of himself, but was far to focused on the blade and it's power.
"Tatsumi," The Mentor's voice called Tatsumi out of his trance. "How do you feel?"
"I don't know, I feel this sensation that I've never felt before. It's like something is running through my veins, but it's pleasant as well."
The Old man smiled, "That's good. It only means that the sword has bonding with you." The Mentor paused for a moment. "Do you know the story of this blade?"
"I've heard rumors but never the entire story." He said studying the blade that was legendary amongst the Brotherhood.
"A thousand years ago a king of an isolated plot of land was convinced by a group of knights to conquer and build the Empire that we see today. Later in his life he was convinced to create the Teigus so he could 'protect' his Empire. The Mentor at the time decided to create one as well but after years of conquest in the name of the Templars, the Assassins resources were limited and stretched. So he could only create one, which you now hold in our hands. After it was created he sacrificed himself to give it it's powers."
"What are those?"
"Adelaar is the physical embodiment of the Creed and the Tenets. The blade cannot cut the flesh or harm anyone who is not either a Templar or someone who isn't a threat to the common man. It also will casts an aura that conceals the wielder as a member of the crowd or at least have the person overlook them. And finally, it will drain the lifeforce from anyone that attempts to wield it if they are not either a member of our Brotherhood or unnecessarily compromises our order." The Mentor sighed. "Or at least that's how the story goes. I am unsure if that's true for none of the Brotherhood has managed to properly bond with the sword." He said while rubbing his forehead.
Tatsumi studied the blade a little more scrutinised, "Does it have a trump card?" He asked.
"Yes, it is connected strongly to the creed itself. However no one knows what it is as nobody's been able to unlock it for over five centuries."
"Why's that?" Tatsumi asked looking at the Mentor with confused expression on his face.
"No one is sure, but people believe that Adelaar reserves it's power for those it judges as worthy to wield." The Mentor said looking a bit hurt.
"How do I become worthy?" Tatsumi asked only to be met with a laughter from the Mentor.
"If I could tell you that it wouldn't have been over five-hundred years since it was last seen. But I am sure you'd be able to use it, I have faith you will."
Tatsumi looked at the blade harder. He was having a strange feeling that the blade itself was...studying him. He shook his head to remove the thought from his mind. It was most likely just his imagination.
Night Raid's Base
'Nothing is True, Everything is permitted.'
Mine woke up suddenly and collected herself after she remembered that she was back in her room at base. She threw her face into her palms, "Why am I still thinking about that!"
"Mine." She heard Akame at the door. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'll be up in a minute, I just need sometime."
"Alright."
Mine got herself dressed and quickly rushed down stairs to the dining room. The rest of Night Raid were still eating the breakfast Akame had cooked up. It looked like some type of giant bird. Why they were having a giant fucking bird for breakfast, she had no idea. She sat down at were Akame had set her spot...next to the empty one. The others were talking about something, sounded like business but she wasn't really paying attention. Her arm was still out of action and thus was she.
She started to eat her breakfast and was thinking about the events of two months ago. She still hadn't told Najenda and the others about what happened other than Tatsumi helped her get out of the city. She had no idea why that seems like something you want to tell your boss but at the same time something deep inside of her told her not to. But she still thought a lot about him and his Creed. Even though it had been a while ago she could still hear the words Tatsumi spoke to her echo in her mind. 'Nothing is true, everything is permitted.' Why could she not forget that.
"Hey Mine, are ok?" She was startled by Leone standing almost right in her face.
"Yeah! Everything's alright!" She yelled back
"You sure. You looked almost like you were brewing on something."
"No, I wasn't just thinking about something from the other day."
Leone looked at her for awhile thinking about how best to persuade her to talk about whatever it, but then decided to give up on it and sat back down.
"As I was saying." The boss started talking. "Several high profile targets have been assassinated but who we believe to be highly skilled Imperial agents. Their targets have all been comptant bureaucrats who disagree with the Minister's policies. These posters have been left at the scene of the crimes, are blaming the assassinations on Night Raid." She showed them a blood stained poster with Night Raid's crest on it.
"Do we have any idea who they are?" Akame asked.
"No, none of the Revolution's agents were able to identify them."
"Could possibly be Tatsumi and his assassins?" Bulat asked.
Much to her own dismay Mine's mind completely focused on Bulat's question. "NO!." The other members of Night Raid focused on her which made her uncomfortable. "I...I know it wasn't Tatsumi or his assassins."
"How could you be sure Mine?" Akame asked.
Mine lightly blushed at Akame's question, "Well you see…"
Leone's face appeared right next to hers making a kissing expression, "Oh, I think I know why you trust him. Tell me how far did you guys go!"
It was at that moment when Mine's face turned from a light pink in her cheeks to a light red across her entire face. "WHAAAAT! NOTHING HAPPENED BETWEEN US!"
"Oh yeah I'm sure. You still haven't told us what all happened that night. I wonder what you aren't telling us." Leone said with a smirk on her face.
Mine looked as if she was about to attack Leone until Najenda interjected, "Regardless of who's responsible for these assassinations they need to be stopped." She took a puff off of her cigarette. "Which is why I am sending you to guard their next most likely targets. Akame and Lubbock, I'm sending you to watch a food depot north of the city."
"Got it." They both responded.
"Bulat I'm sending you to a cruise ship to protect an important target, David Walsh. He's a bureaucrat that has publicly spoken out against the Minister."
"Ok boss." He responded.
She turned towards Leone, "In the meantime I want you to watch Esdeath in the Capital. The Revolution's spies are reporting that she's been seen wandering the capital, as if she wants to be seen."
"Got it." Mine could see the maniacal look in her eye.
"Remember, we can not allow the empire to continue to kill targets and slander Night Raid's name. We can not afford to let any of these impersonator's to escape," She took a puff off of her cigarette, "find them and kill them."
The Capital, Imperial Palace, Debriefing Room
"So we've lost control of the Canal District." Honest said while grabbing a piece of meat.
"Aye. The Guard in that district has been arresting and executing several of our men under the guise of treason."
"Doubtless the Assassins are to blame." Honest gulped down a chunk of the meat. "We should take the time to re enforce our current holdings in the city until we take care of these pests."
"I believe we should take care of the Thieves Guild in the market district. So far they've resisted our attempts to integrate them into the order." One of the Templar said. "They've been making the Merchants Guild operations difficult to say the least."
"Then we find them and root them out." Budo spoke up.
"Unfortunately it's not that simple." One of the Templars spoke up. He was very well dressed with very ornately sown patterns on his coat. "I've attempted to locate them but they've avoided us like a plague."
"With the power and prestige of the Merchant's Guild, you can't locate them?" Budo asked holding back some of his anger.
"Well I…"
"These Thieves are remnants of the Assassins network that survived the purge. Of course they'll be cautious." Honest sighed. "It doesn't really matter I suppose. I'll divert some men to eliminate these thieves. It'd be better to destroy a potential asset rather than reserve it to the Assassins."
"I'll make the arrangements." Budo spoke up.
"Good. Now is there any other business that needs to be handled?" Honest asked.
"Yes there is in a matter of fact." A soft calm voice came from the middle of the table. Everyone turned towards the origin of the voice to see a man wearing a naval long coat with an Admiral's insignia on his right shoulder leaning in his chair.
"Admiral Woods. A pleasure to see you again. I didn't know you were returning to the capital." Honest said with a fake smile.
"I received a report that our favorite psychopath has requested a new outfit of Teigu users."
"General Esdeath has asked me to assemble a special task force to help police the Capital."
"This is bullshit. I was told to deliver my best soldier to her. I want to know why."
"The Capital is under serious pressure from a new Assassin cell there's also been a new Rogue cell of wannabe assassins known as Night Raid operating in the area."
"So out of all the potential Teigu users you had to take my best lieutenant?"
"I suppose you're right in that regard but from all of your reports don't you have the situation in the South Seas are under control?" One of the other Templars said.
Admiral Woods gave a long sigh. "Obviously you don't fight Assassins very often. Very well I guess I will pass on my knowledge in this field. The Assassin is a threat that must never be underestimated. You must be on a constant guard and always keep up your strength. Otherwise expect a hidden blade against your throat in the middle of the night."
The room was silent for moment before Honest started up again. "While that was quite informative Admiral I must inform you that the Capital is much more important to our order than your distant frontier."
Woods cocked an eye at him, "Is it because it's the almighty Capital of the Empire or because you're too afraid to risk your fat ass." The statement from the Admiral surprised everyone in the room including Budo. "Well I suppose it doesn't matter." He reached for his hat and straightened it on his head. "I'll be returning to my post now. Wave will arrive shortly, the boy is already packed from what I last heard.
Honest and one of his bureaucrats were walking through the Imperial Garden. "I do not understand why you tolerate his impudence." The bureaucrat said.
"I suppose you mean the Admiral." Honest looked over at him to see him scoff at the name. "The Admiral is one of the greatest Assassin hunters that we've ever had. In a case like that I'm willing to give certain...leanices. However I believe it's about time for dinner."
The Canal District, The Docks
"That's a big ship." Flint said to Tatsumi.
"Yeah it looks more like a fortress." He said back. "You sure that this is the right ship. I don't want to make any mistakes."
"My network said that our friend boarded this ship earlier today. I don't see why we don't just tell him to avoid the cruise and put him under our protection?"
"He was an ally of the old branch of Assassins. When the Templars purged the brotherhood he was spared, which means they would have kept a constant eye on at all times. Now that we've setup shop in the capital I guess the Templars decided mop up some loose ends."
"So I suppose that we couldn't slip him out safely could we?"
"Not without getting noticed. Plus him being here will draw out the Three Demons. making them easier to assassinate."
"Yeah but I don't like the fact that they're choosing the field of battle."
"Me neither but we need to end them, they've been throwing a wrench in the brotherhood's operations."
"Valid point." Flint turned to Tatsumi, "Well be careful kid."
Tatsumi cocked an eyebrow at him, "When did you start calling me kid?"
"Just now." He slapped him on the back, "See ya later."
"Yeah I'll see you afterwards." Tatsumi turned back towards the ship. He started walking towards the boarding plank as a noble approached as well. He bumped into the Noble and quickly grabbed his boarding pass...and coin purse but that's not important. He walked up to the ticket officer guarding the plank and showed him his pass.
"Yeah that's legit, go on through." The guard waved him by and he walked up the plank.
He walked through the crowd that had gathered blending with the crowd. He looked around for anyone who seemed out of the ordinary. Which was difficult to see through the crowd even his eagle vision wasn't working. 'I'll need to get up somewhere high.' He looked up at the massive mast on the deck. 'That'll work.'
Tatsumi pulled himself up into the crow's nest. He looked around the horizon to try and pinpoint the location of the ship. The ship had already gone a significant distance from the coast and were starting to sail out of the city.
Tatsumi then turned towards his attention towards the deck to try and spot one or all of the Three Demons. He scanned the deck with his regular vision without finding anything of note. He closed his eyes and turned on his eagle vision. He scanned the deck for a red signature or anything that wasn't normal. Soon he spotted something that peaked his interest, it was a bright yellow haze that looked to be in the shape of a person.
Tatsumi switched to his normal vision and looked at the same spot only to see that nothing was there. 'I need to investigate that.' he looked down and around the crow's nest. 'Now how am I going to get down?'
Tatsumi landed on the deck, 'That was convenient. It was almost like something or someone speeded the flow of events to a spot where he didn't have to inconveniently write about how I got down. Odd.' Tatsumi investigated the spot where he saw the yellow haze. However nothing appeared to be there. He turned on his eagle vision and saw a thin yellow trail. He followed the small trail that snaked through the deck and then headed down into the galley. He decided to follow the trail and quietly slipped into the lower deck.
Soon he thrown against the hull off the ship and felt someone's arm press against his throat. He looked up to see Bulat out of Incursio. "Tatsumi," The buffed out soldier snarled at him, "what are you doing here?"
'So much for that aura. From what the Mentor said I should be able to blend into anything.' Tatsumi turned his thoughts to the man pinning him up against the ship's hull. "I'm here to protect a bureaucrat that's on board this ship." He managed to choke out.
"You sure, how am I supposed to know you're not here to assassinate him?"
"For the same reason I didn't stab you." He sternly said to him. The statement caused Bulat to look down seeing Tatsumi's hidden blade almost touching his unguarded chest.
Bulat let go and backed up as Tatsumi retracted the hidden blade. "So you're here to stop the Night Raid impersonators?"
"Yeah. So do you want to work together?"
Bulat sighed and thought for awhile, "So far from what I've seen, you seem like a friend. You've helped us when we only have tried to act with violence towards you." He thought for a little longer moment. "The Empire knows what I look like, the only reason I was able to board the ship was Incursio's invisibility ability. However that drains my stamina considerably so I can't watch the target for long amounts of time."
"So that's why you're down here."
Exactly. But there's is a solution, I haven't seen any wanted posters of you."
"You'd like me to cover the deck while you watch the galley."
"Yes. Do you think you could avoid being spotted by anyone?"
Tatsumi tapped Adelaar's grip, "Yeah I think I could manage that much."
The party had moved inside the giant fortresslike building. He found it extremely easy to blend into the crowd, guess it was true what the Mentor said. He watched the bureaucrat that he was suppose to guard, unlike the others in the hall that were gorging themselves he actually was pretty temperate. He only ate what little to satisfy his hunger.
Once when he was able to move close enough to hear anything that he was saying it was along the lines of, "...the current policies of this empire are abominable to say the least. They've caused the decline of the working class, complete stagnation of our economy which was once hailed as the greatest in the world, and the utter violation of the most basic human rights. It is at moments such as these when men and women must overthrow corrupt regimes and install one that will protect the things I previously listed out."
"Quite you." One of the other nobles nearby shouted, "you can't know who's listening!"
"Why would I care I have nothing to lose nor to hide." He responded back.
"That doesn't mean you you should drag us down with you asshole."
Tatsumi remembered the need for Assassins as he took a drink from a cup of punch that he was given. It was then that he heard a calm sound of a flute playing overhead. It started to make him drowsy and want to fall asleep. Somehow he managed to muster the energy to stay awake through the whole ordeal. He watched as everyone else around him dropped and started to fall asleep, he was very tempted to join them.
"I need to get out of here." Although he surprised himself when he barely managed to drag himself outside and into the courtyard. "Damn I can still hear it out here." Suddenly it stopped, he straightened up and started feel rejuvenated.
"Hey little fella, it's suppose to be nap time, and here I was going to let you live if you were sleeping."
Tatsumi looked back seeing a large brawny man with gold hair approaching him. "You must be one of those Night Raid posers I've heard about."
"Ha, does that mean you think you're the real deal!" He tossed a sword over towards him. "Gotta fight fair, I want some experience points for this."
"No thank you I already got my own." Tatsumi with drew Adelaar.
"Great! I like an opponent with passion. Now let's see if you got the skill." The warrior moved into a battle position with his axe drawn back. "Come at me!"
"Alright but it ain't going to be pretty." Tatsumi rushed the large warrior pulling his teigu back to cut him in half.
"I like an opponent with confidence. I'm going to enjoy crushing you!" He said as he brought his large axe down towards him. He was barely able to dodge the blow from the powerful weapon. Tatsumi jumped back far enough to avoid anymore attacks from the awesome weapon.
'That's an incredibly powerful weapon. I think that it could be a teigu.' "I'm curious to know, your weapon is it a teigu?"
"Yeah, Double-Bladed Axe: Belvac" The man somehow separated the axe into two halfs. "Are you going to come at me again?"
"No, that battleaxe of yours would tear me apart like butter."
"Well then," He threw the axe at him like a boomerang, "then I'll need to come to you!" Tatsumi just barely ducked out of the way as the aze came flying towards him. The axe came back to his hand. "Come on kid just give up I doubt that you could even hit my my other one." He threw the other axe at him.
Tatsumi dodged the axe as it flew past him, "In that case I'll have to make it hit you!" He ran over towards the man with the axe almost right behind him.
"Lookout!" He heard Bulat's voice yell as he kicked two other men wearing the same type of uniform as this out of the air and crashing into the ship. Tatsumi however stepped close enough for the blonde man to swing at him. He ducked allowing the blade to pass over him unimpaired while the other that was behind him flew past and implanted the wooden door behind him. Tatsumi pointed Adelaar up towards the man's chest and then impaling him. He then withdrew Adelaar and swung the weapon at his neck which sent his head into the air.
Tatsumi slide Adelaar back into its sheathe as Bulat approached. "Damn Tatsumi." He looked back at the voice seeing Bulat in Incursio approaching him. "That was actually pretty impressive."
"Thanks Bulat."
"Nah, don't call me Bulat you can either call me Handsome or Bro."
"Ok B...Bro."
Bulat slapped Tatsumi on the back, "There we go, you got it." The both looked at the headless corpse for a minute.
"Hey thanks for getting those two off my back."
"No problem. You know back in my army days they called me hundred man slayer."
"I believe it was a hundred and forty-eight to be exact." They looked over seeing one of the men Bulat managed to get off of Tatsumi's back. Although unlike the other two who wore black crosses his was blood red. "You did a valuable service by slaying covert agents. I would know that armor from anywhere."
"General Liver?" Bulat questionably stated.
"Hello Bulat. Under most circumstances you would be my primary focus, but that Assassin standing next to you changes everything."
"How so old man?" Bulat asked."
"He's a Templar." Tatsumi answered. "We've been fighting them for millennia without end."
"Templars, but they're dead, an old story that people tell children." Bulat said out of disbelief of what they told him.
"That's what we would prefer you to think Bulat." Liver walked closer. "Bulat listen to me. Join the Templars and we can give you anything you desire. Wine, men or women, wealth, we can even give you peace you and Night Raid fight for."
"With the Prime Minister at the head of this organization. I doubt that much to say the least."
Liver scoffed, "That fat pig isn't fit to pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel."
"Than why do you follow his orders?" Bulat asked as if he were saying something harsh to him.
"This is only a temporary situation, we must first set the stage for his demise. Then and only then can peace arise. Isn't that what your Night Raid friends want? Peace. Please join us Bulat and you can give us the needed tools to overthrow this Minister and bring the peace we all desire. All that you need to do is kill the Assassin behind you."
Bulat looked back at Tatsumi then back to Liver. "No way. If I joined you it would destroy my image as a hero to the masses." Bulat said cockly.
"I can't believe a known criminal would call himself a hero to the mass." Liver said as he facepalmed.
"What I was trying to be modest."
Liver sighed, "Then I guess I'll need to do this myself." He removed his glove exposing a ring with a dragon's head on the outside. "Water Dragons come to life!" His voice echoed as two dragon like bodies of water sprouted from the canal's water. "This should at least keep you occupied while I deal with the Assassin my self." Liver and Tatsumi walked closer to one and another as Bulat prepared to fight the massive serpent like beings. "This is where you die, Assassin!"
