Chapter 51

" Grrr, what the hell is this guy doing here ? " Wanted to know Narenda, seeing Budo, below.

" You must quickly organize a retreat . " Noticed Lubbock. " We will not be able to compete with him Wild Hunt and the Jaegers. "

" General Budo? " Wave wondered, recognizing him. " What are you doing here ? "

" There have been several reports that a huge fight was going on in town! The man taught him, without bothering to look at him! Thinking that Night Raid was involved, I came immediately! "

Then, looking at the three groups in front of him and noticing that everyone was fighting against each other, the man began to roar.

" No, but what is this bazaar? Can someone explain to me what's going on here? "

Suddenly feeling protected, Syura said.

" The Jaegers are only traitors! They stopped us from doing our job and now they are allied with Night Raid. "

" What? " The Jaegers wondered.

" Oh, the little swelling. "Gajeel noticed, understanding what he wanted to do.

" Do you want proof ? " Wanted to know Syura. " There is one ! "

Then pointing to the heap of ashes, not far from Bols and his family, he assured.

" Here is all that remains of our dear comrade who died in battle! He was killed by this man who is none other than a Jaeger who entered into an alliance with Night Raid! It therefore deserves to be considered a traitor and suffer the consequences! "

There was no gesture from Budo, who only watched Night Raid, while appearing to be developing the best strategy to beat them all.

" And that's not all. " Cried Syura, pointing to the citizens still at the entrance to the capital. "The people have been corrupted! He supports the Jaegers! As a result, they too are renegades who want to support Night Raid! "

This time, static electricity could be seen on Budo's face, making Syura smile. For him, it was a sign that the general was angry with the members of the Esdeath group.

" From this fact, general, as the Prime Minister's son, I expect you to give your full cooperation to capture these thugs! After such an act, be sure that my father will thank you! "

Suddenly, to his surprise, Budo's hand finally grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up.

" Close it, little shit. "

" That … ? " Syura wondered, trying to defend herself.

" One, I certainly did not come to fight by your side and help you! Two, because of your bullshit, the capital is upside down and I am obliged to solve various problems through your fault! And three, no matter if you are the son of this stupid Prime Minister, dare to play the little chef again with me…! "

Sparking lightning from his hand, he roared.

" And I strike you down until you become a heap of ashes like your friend! "

Then, not waiting for the slightest response from Syura, he finally threw the latter over his shoulder, and made him crash on the ground, like the last of the trash. Once this boredom out of his vision, he looked at the Jaegers.

" Jaegers, whatever the reason, as stupid as it may have been, who pushed you to fight this bunch of morons, I ask you to stop this ridiculous revolt against Wild Hunt! "

" A ridiculous revolt? ndignant Wave! No, but is this a joke? "

" Hum? A problem ? "

" To be clear with you, we have never made a pact with Night Raid. " Assured the boy. " However, for once, it seems that our two groups have the same motivation: to remove Wild Hunt! Today, they are the ones who represent the evil of this city! "

Staring at him with a stern look, Budo finally retorted.

" I don't care about your thought, soldier! If I remember correctly you were hired to fight Night Raid! "

Then staring at the rest of the Jaegers, he said.

" Just like you guys! In this case, you have a choice! If you continue to do your work and you fight, on the spot, Night Raid, I would make sure that no sanction is retained against you! However, if you still want to help Night Raid, I promise you it will be very bad for you! "

" What ? " Wave roars.

" General. " Exclaimed Run. " Am I to understand that you allow Wild Hunt to act and that you tolerate their murders? "

" I don't tolerate any of their actions! " Retorted Budo, while glancing at the last members of Wild Hunt still standing! " I am even against that! Nevertheless, the Emperor gave them carte blanche! Therefore, oppose them, come back to oppose the emperor! "

" Junk. " Suddenly roared Tatsumi! " Is this your justice? "

" Tatsumi? " Wave wondered, as the boy passed him while walking towards Budo.

" You are by no means someone deserving of the title of general! "

" Here then ? Budo wondered. " A rebel who dares to give lessons? Certainly, at Night Raid, you really think you are allowed! "

" It's not a question of being part of Night Raid or being a general of the army. " Retorted Tatsumi. " You know very well what's going on in this empire! You know very well that misery and all these murders are caused by one person: the Prime Minister! All this is happening under your nose and you are doing nothing to change it! "

" He has the Emperor's agreement. "Budo replied simply, as if that could justify everything.

" Is that your excuse? If the emperor asks you to set fire to anywhere or kill someone, will you do it? "

" Indeed, it is! "

" You are just a puppet! "

" No matter who I am. " Said the man, taking up a fighting position. " Just be sure of one thing about me: I'm your enemy! "

" Hey, minute. " Cried Wave, trying to understand what he had just heard. " The ... The person responsible for all these massacres ... is the Prime Minister? But that … ? It's impossible ! He ... We are supposed to work for him to keep the peace! Not the contrary ! "

No response from Budo.

" Ge… General? You ... Is this a joke? Tell me he's lying, please! "

Always nothing. Seeing him remain silent, Wave could not help these last days and all the times when he himself had thought of the fact that the Prime Minister and Esdeath were responsible for the catastrophic state of the army. He had evidence. He had heard strange conversations and had seen with his own eyes the nobles of this city killing the poor for fun. Wild Hunt was further proof of Honest's cruelty. Yet ... yet ... he refused to believe that he was fighting on the side of darkness.

" GENERAL. " H e cried, tears in his eyes.

" Wave… each of you has been manipulated by this man." Then taught him Bols. " What matters to him is having full powers! He wants to get rid of Night Raid because it's the only group that can still stop him! "

" He is right ! " Then approved Run! " People commit massacres here and there, and the Prime Minister, when it suits him, and the first to hide them or put them on someone else's back! "

" Im… Impossible. " Said Wave, clenching his fists. " I refuse to believe it! All this makes no sense! "

" For the moment, this fool of Honest thinks he's allowed everything! " Admitted Budo, watching Wave. " However, once Night Raid is deleted, I promise to personally take care of his case! So, just, stop it all and help me fight them! You will be congratulated for this! "

Suddenly clutching the handle of his sword, Wave had the greatest difficulty in containing the rage he had in him.

" How … ? How could I have been so blind? I ... I helped the wrong people without realizing it? But what a sucker! "

" So ? " Wanted to know Budo! " What is your decision? "

Noticing that he was staring at him, Wave finally turned to look at his companions. Remaining calm, Bols and Run only looked at the general in front of them, while hiding contempt for the man badly. For his part, Kurome was much more focused on Akame. Nevertheless, knowing full well what the boy thought, she mumbled.

" Make sure not to regret your choice! "

" Ku… Kurome? "

" Wave, you continued to protect what was most precious to me, in my absence. " Remarked Bols, placing Rubicante before him. Whatever you choose, I will follow you, my friend! "

" Bols? "

" I always thought that I could change the capital, by becoming an elite soldier. " Confessed Run. " However, as I see it, the evil is too deeply rooted for me to do anything like that! Wave, maybe you will allow me to defeat the monster that I have been tracking for years! Me too, I would support you! "

" Run? "

Then, finally, looking at Wendy and Seryu, Wave could see Seryu grimacing, while she used her last strength to lift her arm, before lifting her thumb.

" Real ... justice! "

" Seryu? "

" Hey, what are you mumbling? " Wanted to know Syura! " No but I'm dreaming or are you really ...? "

" Shut up . " Suddenly ordered him Wave. " No matter who you are, I could never forgive you! You killed hundreds of people; you tried to kill Kije and Logue; as well as Wendy and Seryu… and that's only what I could see with my own eyes! "

Then pointing his sword towards Budo, the boy assured.

" If, to continue being a Jaeger, I have to fight to protect this kind of monsters, I give up my place as an elite soldier! Yes, I much prefer to join the Night Raid camp! "

Remaining stuck in the face of this announcement, Budo ends up seeing Bols and Run take a step towards him.

" Me, Bols, I also decided to give up my place as an elite soldier of the Jaegers team! If that does not protect my family, I don't see what would make me stay with you! "

" Me, Run, I also give up my place in the special forces! "

More uncertain than them, when he saw that imitating them was going to lead to putting the whole empire on his back, Kurome ended up hesitating. After all, what she wanted was to fight her sister, to make her a puppet.

'' Family is sacred ! ''

Widening her eyes, thinking back to this sentence that Natsu had said a few months ago, the girl stared at Akame, who was looking at her too, while seeming to want to hear him imitate her companions. And it was by seeing a certain ounce of hope in his eyes that Kurome noticed.

"She left the Empire to fight evil! "

Grinding her teeth first, the girl ends up looking up at Budo, while declaring.

" I don't intend to ally myself with Night Raid! However, I also give up my place in the ranks of the Jaegers! "

Then, walking side by side, the four companions stood in front of Budo and Wild Hunt, while declaring.

" From now on, we are the enemy of the empire! "

" That … ? " Happy wondered, while flying over them. " What is going on ? "

" It seems that they have finally opened their eyes. " Lily noted, smiling.

"I never imagined that each of them could understand that they were on the wrong track. " Thought the exceed. "Is Gajeel's plan the other day the source of this rebellion? Or is it thanks to Wendy ? "

Suddenly groaning, Syura could not restrain some form of discontent, while two groups now faced her. For his part, Budo only sighed.

" It's a shame! "

Then, in an instant, lightning surrounded him as he seemed to be ready to blast everything that would come his way.

" In this case, you are all under arrest, as a traitor! See you on the spot! "

" What next ? " Cried the jaegers, running towards him.

In response, Budo let out a huge cry, as he charged his lightning to the max.

" You wanted it! Every traitor must be destroyed! "

However, part of his attack went over him, and managed to stop a shot intended to kill him.

" What? " Mine wondered, when she had just shot him.

" What speed ! " Found Najenda! " No sooner had Mine had the time to fire than he perceived the attack moving towards him! "

" Night Raid. " Roared Budo, immediately taking the flying ray as a target. " I will exterminate you to the last! LIGHTNING CRASH! "

Immediately, a huge black cloud formed above the flying line, and began to rumble, a sign that it was charged with electricity.

" What is that ? " Scared Lubbock.

" Oh oh. " Said Mine.

" Quick, go away. " Najenda ordered his line.

Too late. Lightning fell on them immediately.

" Remove . " Lubbock immediately cried, jumping into the void.

Before that, creating two threads, he let them wrap around Mine and Najenda, and pulled them so as to take them into his fall. And as soon as the two girls left the back of the flying skate, the animal was struck down. Not even having time to utter a cry of pain, she found herself charred, and died within a second, while her corpse crashed to the ground.

Beginning to imitate him, Lubbock cried out in fear as he got closer to the ground. However, it was without counting the sudden appearance of Lily, in her warlike form, who seized him and Najenda. For its part, Happy intercepted Mine, and flew near his friend.

" It really looks like Laxus! I hope he doesn't have his strength, otherwise we will be in big trouble to defeat him! "

Trembling meanwhile, Lily found it difficult to hide her fear, vis-à-vis lightning. He was really terrified of that.

For his part, facing Budo, Gajeel smiled somewhat, while declaring.

" So, is that what you intend to stop us? Pffft, don't make us laugh! I have known worse than you, in my world! "

" In your world? "

" Yeah, and if you want my opinion, you don't even have your place in the top 5 of the best Fairy Tail mages! This damn Laxus is much more powerful than you! "

" Laxus? Who is he ? The head of Fairy Tail? Oh, and damn it! What do I do with your nonsense? ADVENT OF THUNDER EMPEROR! "

In an instant, a rain of lightning fell down around the man. Obliged to retreat, everyone had to flee so as not to be electrocuted on the spot. And yet, despite the power of the attack, Tatsumi howled before throwing himself straight towards Budo.

" Tatsumi. " Horrified Leone, seeing him go for it.

Running out of breath, Tatsumi began to zigzag, pretend and gesticulate in all directions to avoid lightning. Twice, one of them managed to touch him, and damaged his armor here and there. However, despite this, the boy persevered, until he found himself in front of Budo.

" Hum ? " Said the man.

" Budo . " Roared Tatsumi, directing his fist towards his face.

Having seen him from the start, the general only had to step aside, at the last moment, to avoid his charge. Then, raising his hand, he directed the edge of the latter towards the neck of Tatsumi in order to knock him out.

" Poor ignorant! "

However, surprise appeared on his face, while Tatsumi managed to use his second hand to place it behind his back. Managing to grab Budo's hand, he began to squeeze that behind with all his might.

" I've got you ! "

" Hum? " Said Budo.

Suddenly he bent down, feeling an aura behind his back. Passing over his head, Akame's sword barely managed to brush against it, despite the fact that the fighter took advantage of Tatsumi's diversion to approach Budo, while remaining as discreet as possible.

" Oh I see. " Declared Budo. " This boy only played the bait and prevented me from running away by grabbing my hand! However, … ! "

Despite the weight of Tatsumi and Incursio, he had no trouble raising his arm in the air, lifting his opponent with ease.

" You are nothing in front of me! "

Lowering his fist with all his might, against the ground, he smashed Tatsumi's armor, hitting him in the abdomen. Reduced to pieces, the armor disappeared, leaving Tatsumi vomiting blood.

" And one! "

Then forming a pistol with his fingers, he released an electric shock which hit Akame and electrocuted him as well. The poor girl then fell to the floor, unconscious.

" And two! "

Then looking at the rest of the tape, he wanted to know.

" Who's next ? "

In response, he crossed his arms in front of him, while a shower of sharp feathers fell on him. Striking his armor as well as his protected forearms, they did not make the slightest scratch to the soldier, while the latter glared at Run.

" Damn. " Mumbled the latter. " Its protections are much stronger than I thought! "

Suddenly performing a perfect loop, he was able to avoid an explosive sphere that had been thrown at him.

" What do you think you're doing ? " Asked Champ, suddenly invaded by an ounce of courage! " I'm your opponent! "

" With the arrival of Budo, our chances of winning have increased. " Noticed Izou. " Let us take advantage of this opportunity to reduce the number of our enemies. "

Approaching in turn, Giry roared.

" These damn brats will pay me! I'm going to twist their necks! "

" If Budo is so keen on destroying Night Raid, let's do it. " Advised the clown. " We are going to take care of the Jaegers! I take care of Run! Izou, I guess you're going to take Kurome! As for you, Giry, all you have to do is kill Bols and his little family! And do us the pleasure of killing these two damn kids who are at the origin of all this! "

Then looking for Seryu and Wendy, Champ suddenly had the big surprise to see the body of Giry, lying on the ground, still unconscious after the blow given to him by Leone.

" That … ? " Wondered Champ, turning around.

Then rushing straight at him, a needle was ready to pierce his neck, in order to kill him.

" I've got you. " Chuckled Giry.

However, suddenly being cut in half, the needle could not reach its target, while Izou had intervened in time.

" It takes more to fool me ... Night Raid! "

Smiling then, the Giry, right in front of him, making a quick jump back, before disappearing in a small pink cloud. Then the silhouette of Chelsea could be seen.

" Awesome, I see that your group includes at least one competent person! "

For his part, still afraid of having escaped death so close, Champ fell backwards, trembling.

" That … ? That … ? Who is this person ? "

" Imbecile . " Suddenly roared Syura, standing near them. " Stop behaving like a bunch of losers and kill them once and for all! "

" Are you the one who just lost your teigu? " Izou mumbled, unhappy to be treated like a dog by this man.

" Hum? Did you say something? "

" No nothing. " Lied Izou, while directing his saber towards Chelsea.

Understanding what he intended to do, the girl then preferred to flee. It was without counting on the speed of Izou, which allowed him to be already beside her.

" It's over ! My saber looks forward to being covered with your blood! "

Remaining very calm, Chelsea only had to bend down. And it was only in this way that Izou could see the silhouette of Gajeel lying just behind her.

" IRON DRAGON'S CLUB! "

Extending his arm, while turning it into a pillar, Gajeel directed it at full speed towards Izou. Blocking him nevertheless with his saber, the samurai began to smile, while he made an equal game with him.

" Oh ? A quality opponent? I'm your man ! "

" Tsss . " Said Gajeel. "You were about to attack a helpless girl and you dare pretend to be a man? Do not make me laugh ! "

" Oh, thank you, my little Gajeel, for taking my defense. " Then cooed Chelsea, while hiding behind him.

" You, shut up! So stop getting me into trouble! "

" Hey, Izou, I never ordered you to ... " Syura began.

He was then cut off by the sounds of various explosions. Trying in vain to touch Run, with its orbs, Champ only missed him and was even forced to back away, again and again so as not to be hit by his feathers.

Getting up, meanwhile, the real Giry was surprised to see Lily and Happy land before him, with Mine, Najenda and Lubbock.

" That … ? " He wondered, before the members of Night started to attack him.

" Bordel, but what is this delirium? " Wanted to know Syura, stepping back.

" It is the fruit of all the carnage that you have created. " Wave said, suddenly walking towards him.

" W… What? "

" Syura! You are now my enemy! So I have to eliminate you! "

" Eliminate me ? Me? " Asked the man, smiling stupidly. " Do not make me laugh ! You never ...! "

He was suddenly silent, after Wave was in front of him and managed to hit him in the middle of his stomach. Then ejecting him to the ground, Wave saw him wring in pain and try to catch his breath.

" Standing ! " Ordered the old Jaeger. "Our fight is just beginning! "

" How ? " Syura wondered. "It is impossible that he is stronger than me! "

Finding himself passed out, for a few moments, Akame ends up distinguishing the sounds of the various battles all around her. Budo was trying to strike down at Leone while the latter was running around him, dodging her attacks as best she could. Run dominated the sky and attacked relentlessly Champ while the latter had the greatest difficulty in replicating. Wave fought Syura while Gajeel did the same against Izou.

Opening his eyes, Akame could make out movements in front of her, corresponding to a pair of legs walking towards her. Then, when they stopped, not far from his face, a voice asked him:

" Why did you abandon me, sister? "

Widening his eyes then, Akame finally looked up, to see Kurome, in front of her, with his saber in hand. Still, paying no attention to his weapon, Akame focused his gaze on Kurome's face, and noticed that the latter was crying.

" Tell me right away! Tell me your reason! I so want to kill you! I really want to make you my doll! To keep you from fleeing again by leaving me behind! Yet I ... Yet I ...! I want to know it ! Why did you abandon me? "