NinjaFang1331: Yeah I tried to make them abilities that would fit their character.

NeoJay7: I could see that.

Chapter 7 Cold Front

The sound of a hammer could be heard throughout the smithery but there was only one person working. "Uh hey boss, who's the new guy?"

Olrick didn't take his eyes off the boy. "A temporary hire."

The man looked at his boss as if he was crazy. "He just completed a week's worth of orders and you're telling me he's temporary."

"Would you rather me say he took your job?" said Olrick causing the man to turn silent and walk away. As he did Olrick saw someone enter, "Ah, Ieyasu right?"

"That's me," said Ieyasu as he saw his friend. "How's he doing?"

"Making me wish I could hire him." said Olrick as he glanced at his lazy staff that suddenly got busy.

Ieyasu saw his friend Tatsumi who was currently working like a mad man, fixing everything in front of him. Ieyasu could tell Tatsumi's body was working but there was no one home inside. His head was elsewhere, leaving his body to work on its own. "Okay buddy, time for you to come back to reality." Ieyasu then punched Tatsumi in the face hard enough to get everyone's attention.

Tatsumi blinked for a second. "Oh Ieyasu, when did you get here?" Tatsumi didn't feel the punch in the slightest.

"I came here to see how you were doing?" said Ieyasu. "What are you doing anyway?"

"Clearly my head." said Tatsumi as he put the hammer down.

"Yeah I can see that," as Ieyasu gestured to the mountain of completed armor and weapons. "This has something to do with the girls doesn't it."

Tatsumi whipped his head around. "You heard about that!?"

"Oh yeah for a second I thought I was just dreaming or something, didn't think you would be that lucky."

"Neither did I." admitted Tatsumi.

"Come on, you've done enough work, let's get out of here." said Ieyasu with Tatsumi agreeing.

It didn't take long for Tatsumi to get his pay plus extra from Olrick and leave the blacksmith shop. "I can't believe this is happening." said Tatsumi as they walked down the street."

"Are we talking about the girls or something else?" Tatsumi gave Ieyasu a conflicted look. "I've known you for years Tatsumi, I know when something else is happening." Tatsumi looked like he wanted to say something but shut his mouth not sure what to say. "Does this have something to do with your nen?"

Tatsumi's eyes went wide as he looked at Ieyasu. "How...How do you know about that?"

"Look Tatsumi I maybe a bit of an idiot but I'm not a shitty fighter, I can tell your nen doesn't work like a regular Transmuter. Even though whenever you do the nen test it always turns up as a Transmuter and yet your nen acts more like a manipulator or specialist. Not to mention the whole reason Sensei trained us was because of you and the odd feeling he had when he first met you."

"Yeah at first I thought it was just gas but he might have been on to something," said Tatsumi with a chuckle. "When we first got here everything was fine but lately my nen has been spiking crazy and activating without me really doing anything. I don't get it."

"You got any idea what caused it?" asked Ieyasu.

"Well, sensei told me about a clan of people who when their eyes turn red their Nen type changes to Specialist. My eyes have never turned red but he's heard about clans that have special nen, I think I might be a part of one of those clans." said Tatsumi.

Ieyasu thought it over. "Yeah that would make the most sense, but I'm guessing there's more to this than just that."

"You really have known me too long," as Tatsumi smiled before getting serious. "After I heard Sayo and Akame I kind of freaked out, I never thought something like that would happen, but then Najenda asked if I was using nen at all to manipulate them."

"That's a little paranoid."

"True but she might be onto something." said Tatsumi as he activated Nen around his hand. "My nen has been activating on its own and I have no idea what it's doing."

"You think it might be manipulating those around you."

"Maybe I don't know," said Tatsumi. "All I know is that it started right after I tried on the Incursio."

"Incursio? Bulat's weapon." said Ieyasu before seeing something.

"Yeah the evolving armor made from the remnants of the dragon Tyrant." said Tatsumi before noticing that Ieyasu was now slowly reaching for his weapon. "Ieyasu?"

Ieyasu didn't look down at him. "Tyrant wouldn't happen to be a dragon made of metal death would it."

Tatsumi turned around and looked up, coming face to face with a massive metal dragon that was looking down at him. "Tyrant!" Tatsumi didn't know how but he knew this was the evolving dragon Tyrant. Tatsumi slowly looked to the side to see people were still walking down the street without noticing anything odd, or out of place, like a massive dragon. "Ieyasu, it's made of nen."

Ieyasu kept his hand on the hilt of his weapon. "Yeah I kind of guessed. Is it from you?"

Tatsumi let his nen flow for a second. "No, this isn't coming from me."

"Then how is it here?" Ieyasu asking the big questions.

"I don't know?" said Tatsumi before he slowly reached his hand out to the giant dragon. Before he could touch the dragon it pulled away, turned and walked away.

Without saying a word both Tatsumi and Ieyasu followed the dragon as it made its way through the city. "Where's it going?" asked Ieyasu

"I have no idea." Replied Tatsumi, Tyrant then jumped above onto a roof, they ducked through an alley to jump to the roof without people seeing. When they made it to the roof the dragon was nowhere to be seen, the only one on the roof was. "Bulat?"

In front of them was the Incursio armor standing completely still looking out over the city. "Bulat? Is that you buddy?" asked Ieyasu, receiving no response, before looking at Tatsumi who shrugged, Ieyasu stepped forward with his weapon drawn. Ieyasu slowly took his switch axe and poked the Incursio Armor.

"Huh?" jumped the armor slightly causing the others to slightly jump as well. The armor then disappeared revealing a confused Bulat. "Tatsumi, Ieyasu?" He then looked around his surroundings. "Why are we in the city?"

"Uh that's what we'd like to know."

"What just happened?" asked Tatsumi. "Where were you before this?"

"I was at the hideout meditating, when suddenly I heard a voice. Then I think I was face to face with the dragon Tyrant." Bulat then closed his eyes trying to concentrate. "I can't really remember anything else."

"Okay, that's weird." said Ieyasu. "Any idea why it brought you here?"

"Uh I don't-" Bulat stopped as he felt a chill up his spine. "Get down."

They quickly followed Bulat's lead even though both of them could sense nothing coming towards them. "What's up?" asked Tatsumi.

Bulat went to the edge of the roof. "That's what's up."

Tatsumi and Ieyasu went to the edge of the roof to see a small troop of soldiers walking through the city led by a woman with blue hair. In less than a second both of them came to the same conclusion. 'That bitch is crazy.'

"That General Esdeath," said Bulat. "The cruelest bitch around. Come on, let's get out of here."

~o~

The three of them talked on the way back. "So you think your nen maybe acting up?" asked Bulat.

"Yeah and I'm just afraid it's doing something I don't want it to do." said Tatsumi as he thought it over. "Though with you now acting up I think it might have something to do with Tyrant."

"That might make sense, ever since we met the Incursio has been acting strange, I just thought it was because I was starting to learn nen but now I think it might be both."

"Dragons," said Ieyasu, getting their attention. "For the longest time Tatsumi, you've had a strange connection with dragons, you always knew where to find them, which part you could use, even your nen reacted perfectly to those Hex eyed dragon scales."

Tatsumi thought it over and realized that Ieyasu was right, he for whatever reason had some weird connection with dragons and now it was affecting his friends. "This could be a problem, maybe I should leave or something."

"No." said Ieyasu quickly.

"Don't even think about it." said Bulat. "Whatever this is, we'll figure it out together."

"He's right you're not alone on this." agreed Ieyasu. "We will figure something out, so just relax."

Tatsumi smiled. "Thanks guys."

Soon the three of them found themselves in the meeting hall where everyone else was gathered. "Hey what's going on here?" asked Ieyasu.

"Perfect you guys are back," said Sayo greeting them before heading to the side door. "Just wait here a moment."

"Where were you guys?" asked Mine.

Bulat stepped forward. "Long story but what is going on?"

"We don't know exactly," said Leone. "Sayo just gathered us all here for some sort of meeting."

"We have a meeting?" said Sheele.

"You can say that." Everyone turned to the side door as they heard the boss's voice.

Sayo stepped out of the doorway before stepping to the side, putting her arms out. "May I present to you the boss of Night Raid, Najenda."

Najenda walked through the door and they could quickly tell she was different, one her metal arm was gone, no eyepatch and her hair was now long and braided. It was as if the fight with Esdeath never happened. "Well?"

"Boss!" was all Akame could say.

"Holy shit," shouted Leone. "You look totally normal."

Ieyasu whistled. "So this was why you wanted me to give her extra manipulator lessons."

"Yep," as Sayo moved towards Najenda. "Thanks to the monster parts I hunted and Tatsumi's blacksmithing skills we were able to make an artificial arm and eye for Najenda. Both loaded with surprises."

Tatsumi stepped forward. "I don't mean to brag but I think this was one of my best works. How do they feel?"

"Fantastic." as Najenda flexed her arm. "Thanks to nen I can feel this arm completely and finally having a second eye again is incredible. You have no idea how many issues I've had with my depth perception."

"Wait, you can actually see out of that eye," said Mine, slightly worried.

"I can, but don't worry, pumpkin is yours, I'm not taking it back." assured Najenda.

Ieyasu whistled. "Damn you're a real knock out now."

"Shut up," said Lubbock, surprising people. "Najenda was always gorgeous."

Najenda blushed slightly at Lubbock's words, which Sayo noticed. "Oh?"

Najenda quickly coughed. "Now then since we are all here we have a situation." Her words quieted the room. "Esdeath has returned."

~o~

General Esdeath walked through the castle into the throne room where she quickly bowed to the Emperor, "Hello Emperor, Prime minister Honest. I have returned from our campaign to the north."

"Thank you General Esdeath," said the child Emperor. "Your work has done wonders for the empire and thus shall receive a reward of 10,00 gold pieces."

"I am grateful, your majesty," said Esdeath with a wicked smile on her face. "We left no one alive in the north."

"Splendid," said the Emperor. "I know you have just returned but there is work to be done. Night Raid has been rampant around the city, I would like you to purge them from the city."

"They are a group of Teigu users, correct." said Esdeath. "The easiest way to deal with a Teigu user is to fight with another Teigu user."

"Then form a team of Teigu users," said the Emperor. "Form a team and crush them."

Esdeath was surprised by the boy's response and looked to Honest. Honest coughed, "Your majesty, I know these terrorists have you riled up but you should lose your cool."

The Emperor looked at Honest and sighed. "You are correct, prime minister, but the girl's report troubles me."

Esdeath could tell something was wrong when she noticed that Honest wasn't eating anything at all."Excuse but could you tell me about this report?"

Honest nodded to the Emperor. "One of our Teigu users ran into members of Night Raid and the fight went very differently than expected. She lost but the strange thing is her Teigu spoke."

"Her Teigu spoke?"

"Yes, according to her report her Teigu responded to the Night Raid members differently than anyone else. Also according to her report the Teigu that the Night Raid members had were being used differently then any reports we've had before." explained the Emperor.

Esdeath thought over this information. "Where is this Teigu user?"

"She is currently staying below in the lower levels of the castle," said Honest. "If you want the full story I suggest you speak with her."

"Thank you I shall," said Esdeath but before she moved. "Before I leave I have a special request."

"Oh what is this special request?" asked the Emperor.

"I want to try being in love."

Her words caused the two to double check they heard correctly. The ice queen Esdeath was asking help for finding a boyfriend, what the hell is going on.

~o~

Back at Night Raid they got done talking about Esdeath. "So are we all in agreement." asked Najenda.

"Yeah I think it would be best to wait for a better moment to strike but if you're sure." said Leone.

"I'm sure."

"This is crazy," said Lubbock. "I don't deny were strong now but-"

"Look we won't be running in blind," said Mine "We're just countering their moves and with the power of nen we'll be able to track those moves more carefully."

"Except those powers might be used against you," said Sayo. "The other day two of you guys ran into a Teigu that was able to feed off your nen. It is now clear as day that Teigu are nen weapons and will react to nen, not just from their wielder."

"She's right," said Bulat. "There's still quite a bit we don't know, especially about our own weapons."

Najenda looked at Bulat and noticed that Tatsumi was looking down. "Did something happen?"

Ieyasu put his hand on Tatsumi's shoulder. "I think this might be something we should discuss in private." Receiving some odd looks from the other. "I know this is a bit sudden but could we please speak with you real quick in private?"

"Very well," as Najenda signaled for everyone else to leave the room, leaving just her Bulat, Ieyasu and Tatsumi. "Alright what's going on?" They then explained everything that happened earlier in the day and how they had no idea of what was going on. Najenda thought over the information, "I can't really think of anything that might have caused that, nen is still new to me." As Najenda was thinking it over. "But I think we may have something in this country that might match up."

Tatsumi perked up. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"In the west there was a clan of people that were part danger beast. They had tails or claws of animals." said Najenda. "It may not be much but it's all I got at the moment."

"Out west, how far?" asked Tatsumi.

"The area is in ruins right now but I would suggest looking around the temples that the path of peace uses."

"Alright." As Tatsumi had a destination.

"I'll go." said Ieyasu. "You're staying here."

"What!?"

"Night Raid needs you more than me. Not to mention we have no idea how your nen will react to those ruins."

Tatsumi looked at his friend slightly hurt. "This is my nen though, this could have something to do with my past."

"Your past?" said Bulat, clearly curious.

"I'm an orphan." said Tatsumi. "I lived on my own for the longest time with the rest of the town taking care of me. I have no idea who my parents are, no last name or anything."

"You had nothing until your sensei showed up, correct?" said Najenda picking up where this was going. Tatsumi nodded, confirming it. "Then I agree with Ieyasu, he should be the one to go, but I am not your boss Tatsumi, I have no real authority to tell you what to do, but as your friend I think you should let someone else try to handle this before going in blind."

Tatsumi wanted to argue but deep down he knew they were right, Bulat put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry he'll be just fine, not to mention we have several people out there that can give him a hand."

"Grrr Okay fine, but you better not die."

"Ha, yeah right, I ain't dying until I get one hell of a babe." As Ieyasu puffed his chest out confidently.

Najenda clapped her hands pausing for a moment as she felt it in her new arm. "Very well then, Ieyasu will follow this west, we'll tell everyone about Bulat's vision but we won't tell them about Tatsumi's nen until we get a better grasp of what we're dealing with." The three nodded in agreement. "Now let's just hope the empire does catch wind of anything."

~o~

"Nen?"

"Yes ma'am," said Seryu as she held her Teigu Koro. "He said learn nen, but I have no idea what that means, do you know at all?"

"No, I can't say I've ever heard of such a thing." admitted Esdeath. "And you believe this has something to do with the strange power the enemy showed along with the invisible bullets."

"Yes ma'am, I know it sounds crazy but I'm sure Koro shot something out of his hands at them, but I couldn't see it." Seryu saw some of the looks the other people in the room were giving her, she looked down to the ground. "I'm not crazy, but maybe I should get an eye exam."

"You will do no such thing."

"Huh?"

"Your Teigu said to learn nen, then that must mean it was using some sort of power similar to that of the enemy," Esdeath put a hand on the symbol on her chest. "Or maybe the true power of a Teigu. It did allow him to speak, I wonder what else it can do." Esdeath noticed the confused look from the young woman. "Putting that aside for now, prepare for when I call the rest of the team."

Seryu stood up and saluted. "Yes ma'am."

Esdeath turned and left the room followed by her three beasts. "This is quite the development, what do you three think?"

Daidara laughed. "It sounds like we're up against an interesting opponent, I can't wait."

Nyau hummed. "I don't think so, I'm pretty sure that girl was trying to cover up her loss."

Liver shook his head. "No she was speaking the truth or atleast what she thinks is the truth, but you believe, Lady Esdeath."

"To an extent." admitted Esdeath. "There's too many unknowns to be sure but she's not lying, she truly does believe what she saw, she's just been doubted too much by those around her." Esdeath then stopped and spun around to her three beasts who quickly kneeled. "But you three can forget that for now because I have a mission for you three."

"As you command."

Next Time: The three | You want to read this now just head over to my page. ~P-A-T-R-E-O-N~ Lorenzo the story teller. There you can read all chapters a head of time and my exclusive stories.

A/N hope you guys enjoy and look forward to the next chapter as I have some excellent battles ahead, till than I hope all is well and I'll see you guys next time.

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~Lorenzo the Story Teller