Time really does fly, I started this story in February and it's already close to December, 2021 has been an interesting year for me, some moments good and others bad, I really hope 2022 will be a better year than this year ever was, hopefully you all stay strong as well.
1 week later, Elite Seven's capital base
After the campaign against the Oarburgh clan, the Seven have been resting up from their hard fought battles, while some didn't suffer from severe wounds or injuries, Akame needed a week to recover, staying in bed to heal up from her fight with Mera.
While Akame was resting up, Kurome was in an appointment with doctors about her health, sitting down while the nurse checks her clipboard, squinting as she reads through it, "Am I doing alright?" Kurome asked curiously, Bill was behind a window, watching the appointment closely.
The nurse then looks back at Kurome "You are doing fine, way more than fine actually...", she then puts the clipboard away as she kept her eyes on her "You mentioned you haven't been taking your cookies and haven't been suffering from withdrawal correct?".
"Yes mam, the cookies stopped getting me stronger so I stopped eating them" Kurome replied, Bill crossed his arms while watching with a concerned face, nervously tapping his foot "This is infuriating, she stopped eating those drugs behind my back yet...she isn't suffering from the side effects" he thought.
He knows he made sure to drug up most of the group of terror to increase their performance in order to match up to the original seven, without them they should be weaker, the fact one of his assassins isn't taking them and showing no negative signs concerned him greatly.
Kurome then continued "There were also times before when I forgot to take them but I was completely fine", she remained seated on a chair while looking at the Nurse, while she was curious about what was happening...she was ultimately glad she might not have to rely on cookies to win her battles.
The Nurse was quiet for a moment while examining her further, because the assassin looked healthy she smiled behind her medical mask, afterwards she then asked another question "Who have you been training with before you noticed any of this?".
The black eyed girl then remembers past memories, memories of Daikon, she trained alongside him ever since childhood, she still had to take her drugs...but over the years they became less and less effective, as her body grew stronger...the negative symptoms soon declined.
Because of her stronger body, the drugs bill tried to assign her were no longer effective and the bad side effects disappeared, "I've been training with my friend Daikon, we've been through many tough battles and grew stronger together" Kurome responded.
After a few seconds the nurse puts her clipboard down "From everything you told me so far, I can say because of your training and growing strength...you won't be needing any of our cookies we provide anymore, you are perfectly healthy".
Kurome was very surprised all of this happened, she smiled brightly and stood up "Wow, thank you miss!", the nurse then gave a nod "You're very welcome, I'll be sure to notify the other doctors of your situation, you don't have to worry about taking medicines any longer".
Kurome was now happier, eager to test herself now that she didn't need to rely on medicines, "I should tell my sis and the others" she thought, she still loves cookies in general...so she'll be eating all different kinds of cookies more often from now on.
After the black eyed girl leaves the room, the nurse would turn around to notice Bill gone "Sir?", she lets out a sigh and goes back to her office, Bill was roaming the hallways, clenching his fist with anger "How dare she turn away from my methods, what makes her think she can stop!".
Just then he thought about something, Daikon's potential, because of his great leaps of strength he could make those he trains with stronger as well "I see...so it's because of you...", his eyes remain angered "I kept you around because of your power...now you're making a mockery of my experiments!".
He started to believe that if things keep going this route...the Empire won't have use for Bill's expertise anymore, "You leave me no choice, you were a useful boy...now I have to discard you..." the man thought before closing the door to his office behind him, the slamming of the door alerting some workers.
A few minutes later
Inside the training room Daikon swings his sword around, he swung at a training dummy multiple times before cutting it in half with an overhead attack, with a deep breath he rests his shoulders "Well there goes another one".
He takes a closer look at his longsword, noticing some cracks on the blade "You've been through a lot huh" he says, just then Gozuki walks inside with his hands in his pockets, Daikon sheathes his weapon and smiled "Hey sir, everything alright?", but Gozuki wasn't alone.
Next to him was a 6 foot tall man with blonde hair and extremely bulky armor, Daikon froze from intimidation, "Don't worry, he's not gonna hurt you" Gozuki said with an amused look "Who you are looking at is the Great General Budo".
"General Budo?" Daikon asked curiously, the large man looked down at him with some interest "I've heard you and your team have just completed the difficult task of eliminating the Oarburgh clan", he then crossed his arms "Which is why I've been asked to train you by Saikyuu himself".
Daikon was very surprised to see this man in person, with some nervousness he scratched his head "Your gonna train us?", Gozuki watched with a grin "It's an honor to be trained by him Daikon, knowing you this must be exciting", after a few seconds the spiky haired assassin proved him right.
He smiles brightly and jumps up from excitement "Yeah, this is awesome!", as the boy cheered Budo turned his head to Gozuki "He's a happy one", Gozuki nodded in agreement "Indeed, he's a curiosity", afterwards Daikon calms down and walks back.
"I can't wait to get started general sir" he said while saluting him, Budo stared down "Hmph, we'll start your training once everyone is prepared", the man turned around and walked away, the sound of his footsteps were loud and noticeable.
Gozuki turned back then approached closer "Training with a general, this goes to show how much of a great job you've all been doing", Daikon smiled from the thought of getting trained by more powerful individuals, especially it it's someone as well renowned as Budo.
His tail moved from excitement "This is gonna be great, I'll become even stronger", as they stood around Daikon decided to ask something with curiosity "How's Akame doing so far?", he was worried for Akame as her injuries were great.
Gozuki stared at the ceiling for a moment, remembering a day he visited her "She's doing fine, she should be fully recovered by tomorrow" he said calmly, the man then decides to sit on a chair nearby and get a glass of water, "That's great" Daikon replied with a smile.
As Daikon was prepared to train once more Gozuki spoke up "So, how have things been with Bill before you came to me?", he stopped and turned back to the leader, needing a moment to think before responding "Eh...i never really liked him, he's kinda creepy".
He crosses his arms, resting his shoulders "Sometimes he would grin while working on something, and he never told me or the others about Remus before we left", Gozuki looked down while closing his eyes "Yes, he's a complicated man".
The leader knew Bill said something about using Daikon as a tool, but he shrugged and continued the conversation "You think he's hiding something about that friend of yours?" he asked, Daikon scratched his head "I don't know...but I hope Remus is ok, wonder what she's been up to".
After a moment of silence Gozuki stood up, carrying his glass of water "Anyways...i'll be working on some stuff, keep up the good work kiddo", before he leaves he turns his head to the assassin once more "Hopefully you and Kurome continue bringing us victory".
Once Gozuki left the training room with nothing more to say, Daikon continued his training session, this time using a punching bag, while punching it he thought about what Gozuki said, about Bill potentially hiding something from him.
"Not sure if that guy isn't telling us something...but I won't let them try anything" he says in his thoughts while training, he finishes his combo with a powerful roundhouse kick that knocks the punching bag away, afterwards he stops and wipes the sweat off.
Meanwhile
Akame was sitting up in bed, after hearing what Kurome had to say she was extremely happy for her "That's so great Kurome!", the black eyed girl returned a smile to her sister "Yeah, now I can be as strong as you naturally sis!", afterwards they hugged each other lovingly.
"Have you told the others?" Akame asked, Kurome sat up Straight while looking back "Not yet, I'll tell them when I can", after a minute of silence she looked towards the elder sister, noticing she was almost making a full recovery.
"Your wounds healing fast enough sis?" she asked, Akame nodded, confirming she will be back in action soon "Yes, I'll be able to catch up in no time", she stared forward, still surprised she lived after all that "Kurome...you have great friends".
Kurome tilted her head smiling "Mhm, I'm glad I have them" she said while thinking about them, Akame couldn't help but still be wondering about Daikon, the tailed warrior who stuck by her sister's side for so long, "That Daikon is a great friend of yours" Akame commented with some confidence.
"He really taught Mera a lesson, I'd admit...he came to help me just at the right time more than once already" the red eyed assassin continued, she really believed she could have been killed if not for the spiky haired young man, she noticed Kurome was blushing.
Akame only smiled, happy for her sister to have a caring friend "I just hope you will both survive", afterwards Kurome lifts her head up with a returned smile "We'll make it through to the end sis, me...you...Daikon...everyone".
This gave Akame some hope, releasing a soft sigh of relief as she lied back down, although another thought still lingered in her head, if something was wrong with the Empire that it creates monsters like Merraid, this curiosity has been with her ever since their victory.
"Alright sis, I'll go tell everyone about my appointment" Kurome says as she gets up to leave, before leaving she gave her a nod "I'll see you tomorrow ok", after she left Akame was alone with her thoughts once more, she remembered the likes of Chelsea and Taeko.
They were nice people...even if they were the enemy, "Maybe...some of them aren't as bad as we think..." she thought to herself, despite the rebels hiring one such as Mera and most of her clan...Akame began to feel sympathy for some of those.
"There has to be something the Empire is hiding, there has to be!" she thought, she even knew Gozuki dodged certain questions involving the Empire, Akame stared at the ceiling above, all these questions filling her head, making her feel restless.
1 day later
"Hehe...i'll still buy you regular cookies, you don't have to worry" Daikon grinned, both him and Kurome were sitting near Akame's medical room, waiting for her to walk out fully recovered, Kurome quietly giggled "Thanks Daikon, you're the best".
He clenched both his fists still wearing the grin "Man I can't wait to start training with Budo, this will be awesome", the black eyed girl nods in agreement while resting her hands on her lap "We'll get stronger for sure, I wonder what new skills he'll teach us".
After a few minutes Akame finally walks out, her regular clothes now sewed back into shape, she held her shingu in it's sheath as she turned her head to see them "Hey", both stood up from a bench and greeted her "Hey Akame" Daikon says in a friendly tone.
She stood still for a second, trying to think of something to say "Daikon...i want to properly thank you for coming to my aid...and being there for my sister as well...", he notices her looking at the floor and rests his hand on her shoulder "Of coarse...you're my friend too".
Kurome remained quiet but was happy to see her sister and her best friend close, afterwards they walk through the hallways to reach where their friends are, Daikon was still very much excited for the upcoming training, but something in his mind still remained.
But as they walked, he spots that very thing nearby, Bill was in front of an office talking with another man, he sounded like he was angry about something as the other person was a bit spooked, Bill moved the other man aside as he entered the room.
Daikon kept his eyes on that direction until Kurome asks "Daikon, what's wrong?", he shook his head and looked back "I'm fine, just thinking about the training still" he responded, she holds his arm gently "Well let's go, don't want to keep everyone waiting".
He agrees and follows them to a large meeting room, Green was sitting on a chair reading something until he spots them, "Oh hey, you finally recovered" he says to Akame with a smile, she replied with a nod "Yes, I'm thankful my injuries weren't life threatening".
Green closes his book and fixed his glasses before standing up "It's amazing it only took a week", Cornelia approached her and pats her back "Yeah, the team would be incomplete without you" she said confidently, Akame smiled from that.
Natala saw sat up straight, holding a glass of water "Either way, glad that campaign is over with, now we can look forward to something hopefully less stressful", he takes a sip from his drink before looking out the window, with the sunlight piercing through it.
"Yeah, for now let's be prepared for the big training event" Daikon replied, he walked towards the table with his arms crossed "The next missions may be harder than ever before, so let's continue to do our best", everyone nods in agreement.
He still has the sight of Bill in his mind, but he shook his head not wanting to think about it, "So...anyone hear anything new lately?" Natala asked, Green turns to him to respond "Well...i did hear about the rebels gaining more territory, they've probably been training their troops more often".
Cornelia rests her fingers on her chin, thinking of a logical conclusion to what could have happened, "Maybe...they have an assassination squad" she says with concern, Daikon scratched his head while imagining what they could look like "You think this squad could be the reason?".
Kurome jumps in, her eyes giving a serious stare "Most likely, I don't see the rebels making much progress on their own...", the thought of another assassination team opposing them sounded very troublesome to Daikon, they could possibly own teigu.
"If these guys own weapons better than shingu...we are in deep trouble" Natala says worryingly, Akame agreed, placing her hand on the table "Even if they do...i'm sure we can pull through", she then kept her eyes down "I wonder if the leader is preparing us for something like this".
Just then they heard someone knocking on the door, as it opens Gozuki steps in "I see you've been healed up Akame, excellent", "Hey sir, what's up?" Daikon asked, the older man rests his hand on his waist "I had a talk with a superior, we've arranged training with Budo because there is another serious matter".
"Guess that answers my question" Akame thought, Green looked towards the leader while standing, a little nervous as he thinks he might know "Is it about the revolution gaining more territory?", Gozuki nodded "Indeed, it turns out there's a group that calls itself...Night Raid".
The room went silent momentarily, Gozuki then continued, moving his arm as he talk "I'm sorry if I ruined the mood, but it's better to know all this than to be surprised and make a mistake...", Daikon thought about what Natala told him about, a single man who was messing up an army.
He looked back towards the leader, ultimately prepared to meet someone like Bulat in the future "Your right sir, we must get stronger if we are gonna face Night Raid", he stood up straight while holding onto his swords hilt.
Gozuki stared into his eyes and smiled, proud to hear this "Good, Budo's training will be starting tomorrow...so get ready", after this he turns around and places his hand on the door knob, Akame kept her eyes on the table, thinking about what else to do while they still have time before the next day.
As soon as the man left she sat down, while the upcoming training and Night Raid should be on her mind...other thoughts somewhat clouded them, she then remembered something "Father told us to never visit the Captial's downtown...i really wonder why...".
"Akame you alright?" Daikon asked, he looked at her as he tilted his head, she came to her senses and turned back "Yeah, there's a lot of info to keep track of though" she replied, "Alright" he says before sitting down, knowing these coming days will be very busy.
Hours later, midnight
The moonlight shined through Daikon's window as he slept, but after a couple minutes he wakes up and stares at the ceiling, it became very difficult to stay alseep, he sits up on his bed and stared down, he lets out a quiet tired sigh "I can't sleep...guess I'll walk around" he thought.
He stood up and stretched, turning his head to see his sword rested against the wall, he shook his head as he didn't need it, he grabbed his outfit and began putting it on, afterwards he stood in front of the door "I'll make it back here as soon as I can".
Daikon quietly opened and closed the door, roaming the hallways of the base with quiet footsteps, the base now had an ominous feel to it in the dark, he looked around to see if anyone is there before continuing on.
After a couple minutes of walking he heard footsteps nearby, he quickly leaned against a wall and looked to his left, he saw a dark figure in the distance walking around as well, he noticed the long black hair "Akame?" he thought, but as soon as he looked back she was gone.
"What's she doing out here too?" he asks himself, but he shook his head, continuing on with his stroll, Daikon started feeling a bit cold...mostly because of the atmosphere at night, he rests his shoulders while roaming, keeping his eyes forward.
His tail starts swinging as he feels anxious, "I better head back to my room quick" he thought before turning back, but as soon as he starts walking he hears more footsteps...this time from a different hallway behind him, he leans against a wall and spots another person in the dark.
"Damn those bastards, cutting down my pay like that..." Bill says with an annoyed tone, he walks past the hallway to his right, "It's him, maybe I can find out what he's up to" Daikon thought while he sneaks around, he followed his former leader until the man stopped at his office door.
After bill walks inside and closes the door behind him, Daikon sneaks forward and stays at the side of it, he could hear the frustrated yells of the scientist, throwing stuff around and then suddenly stopping to catch his breath.
"Man...wonder what that's all about" Daikon thought, Bill stood up and slammed his fist on his desk, his arm shaking from anger "It's like the Empire's forgetting about my services, I've been making performance enhancing drugs since I came here, why are they shoving me to the side!".
He looked around his office and starts walking in circles "All because of one...girl...they see that my medicines can surpassed as long as they get more effective training...", Daikon kept listening, becoming concerned as the man mentioned Kurome.
Bill then continued on his rant, picking up one drug that was formed into a cookie "These drugs were supposed to increase the user's strength for a limited time at the cost of shortening their lifespan, but now that there's a way to bypass that...the Empire will have no use for me".
It was then that Daikon's eyes widen, he always thought the cookies Bill provided only made them stronger for a little while...he didn't know there was a negative side effect, he was clenching his fists...no longer curious...but now very upset.
Although he is glad Kurome never became addicted to those cookies and forgot to use them, the fact that the drugs shorten their lifespan in exchange for power angered him, Bill then crumbles the cookie with his right hand "Even though Kurome escaped those effects...at least Natala is still affected".
Daikon's anger slowly built up, trying his best to not get spotted "How dare he..." he thought, Bill remembered all of the assassins under him, including Remus and Womyn, one died in the mission while the other was injured.
The man walked around the office once more until he opens up his notebook "It's unfortunate, Remus would have been unable to fight ever again if she stayed alive...i have no use for weaklings...", Bill had killed Remus before the others began their campaign against the Oarburghs.
Daikon froze, all this time he thought Remus was still alive, recovering from her wounds and on her own journey, "She's...dead..." he mutters quietly, then his fists shook once more, Bill stared at his desk, still upset "Damn that boy, if it wasn't for him...Kurome would be in my complete control!".
He removed his monocle from his left eye and smashed it down, he looks at his hands as they shook, his use to the Empire is fading...and now he is experiencing it first hand, he stomps his foot on the ground "Damn you Empire...Damn you Daikon!".
But as soon as he was about to say something else...someone kicked the door open, the door flew forward and hits a desk, Bill jumped from fear and quickly looked behind him, what he saw terrified him, he was now staring into Daikon's eyes...
To be continued...