Author's Notes: To all the readers who have spared a moment to review, all of your feedbacks are very much valued as they show that you're supporting the progression of this story.

In addition, I'm extremely grateful to Shuzuka, who once again kindly helped with proofreading this chapter.

All characters from Akame ga Kill that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Takahiro and Tashiro Tetsuya. I do not own anything in regards to their creation; I have Takahiro and Tashiro Tetsuya to thank for that. Nevertheless, the OCs that do appear are of my ownership.

(Beta read by Shuzuka)

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Chapter 5-Kill the Sunset

"My heart will die, and my own hesitation will be the trigger.

"Help me!" I waver.

"Trust me!" In the voice from you, to you."

-Blood Teller (Mirai Nikki ED1)

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Corridor). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 9).

'Take a deep breath. In… and now out. Again, in… and out.'

His back was parallel to the wall. Its cool and even surface provided him cover as he waited for his next victim. He unwearyingly established a regulated breathing pattern, knowing how fundamental composure was in this case.

Tap… tap… tap…

The sound of soft footsteps echoing through the corridor ascertained someone's approach. Based on the pace, he assumed that it was a person with long legs. 'No, that's not all…' His ears straining for the faintest of sounds, he deduced that it was someone with a light and long stride. In this situation, only Night Raid's Sheele matched that description. 'Perfect, just the person I wanted.'

Eight days had passed since Yukio joined the group of elite assassins and began his training. Apart from regular lessons and sparring sessions with Akame and Bulat, his schedule was compacted with a selection of activities: hunting first-class Danger Beasts, tree climbing with additional weights, swimming in armor, and even doing pushups with Mine on his back. What other people would see as absurd exercises were now all part of his customary routine. As Yukio became more competent, Akame introduced the latest practice, namely ambush.

The element of surprise was a decisive factor for any assassin. For this reason, he was given numerous mock missions where he was assigned a random target each day. As expected, being confined within the base, his only victims were those of Night Raid. As undemanding as catching someone off guard was, it was actually easier said than done. Being qualified killers, the members of Night Raid were all trained to be observant, something Yukio had discovered after his first few tries.

The alluring blond-haired woman, Leone—who Yukio referred to as nee-san—was his first target. He hadn't even begun to scheme when Leone caught him red-handed. Even without the enhanced senses of Lionelle, her awareness was unfailing.

The next day it had become his goal to startle Bulat, but he was nearly incapacitated after the ex-Imperial soldier had mistaken him for an intruder. Apparently, a disguise was a mistake.

The confrontations with Lubbock and Mine were also unpleasant. Although he had succeeded in his prank that involved a certain bathroom incident that was now tabooed, he came close to being strangled and shot to death after Lubbock and Mine discovered who the real culprit was.

From Yukio's perspective, they were definitely not great experiences. However, little by little, he was familiarizing himself with the skills of ambush and improved significantly since he had first started. More importantly, he was sure that he would complete his task today. Since Sheele wasn't the type who would react violently, he was eager to get some results to impress his mentor.

"Conceal yourself into the background. Be aware of your surroundings and mask your presence." That was the number one rule for assassination. Convinced that he was indeed unseen, Yukio couldn't suppress his growing grin.

"Know your enemy. Observe him carefully. Be aware of his every move and tune in to his thoughts." The second rule was also met as he silently counted the seconds before Sheele was within range.

'Three… two… one… Now!' With a pounce that mimicked that of a tiger's, he took his position in the middle of the corridor and let out a feral growl from the back of his throat. In typical cases, it should've been enough to scare those who were oblivious… except, the outcome he desired didn't happen. Rather than a scream of fear, he was met head on with a book. His brain was unable to comprehend the situation and prevent the collision.

Bam!

Two cries resonated through the hallway in unison as the two assassins toppled onto the ground in a sprawled position. Being the one who was ran into, Yukio was saddled on by Sheele. For a moment, both of them blinked and gawked at each other. Eventually, recognition sank in and their expressions imitated each other in a series of confusion, astonishment, then followed by embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." Snapping out of her daze, Sheele climbed back onto her feet and allowed Yukio the freedom to do the same. In one glance at the floor, she spotted her book and proceeded to pick it up. With the object now safe in her possession, she turned to the young man and bowed in an apologetic manner.

"Are you al—" At that exact moment, Sheele's glasses fell off from her bending forward. Dropping back onto the ground, the woman sightlessly felt for them with her hands, all the while mumbling, "Glasses, glasses."

Rendered speechless by her clumsiness, Yukio retrieved her glasses and watched mutely as she reequipped them. 'She really is an airhead…' A traitorous eyebrow rose with that reflection and he couldn't help but wonder how an uncoordinated woman such as Sheele had managed to get herself involved in the assassin trade. From what he heard from Mine, Sheele was a brilliant assassin. But personally, he was rather skeptical of the sniper's seemingly exaggerated tales. There was nothing about Sheele that demonstrated a killer's obligated aggression. 'What I'm seeing so far is a regular woman… clumsy yes, but definitely someone far too kind for an assassin. But then again, I've actually never seen Sheele-san in action before so I can't really judge.'

"Ah, thank you Yukio-kun," Sheele said as she smiled tenderly at him, "but what were you doing? It's dangerous to be jumping around like that."

'Wait, don't tell me…' Snapped out of his thoughts, Yukio was given the impression that Sheele had forgotten the specifics of his task. Eyebrows creasing at the possibility, he tested his speculation. "Sheele-san, I'm supposed to ambush you today, remember? It's part of my training."

"Oh? I think I might've forgotten it." She rested her index finger on her chin, lips pursed as she tried to recall any details that reinforced what Yukio had said. Drawing blanks, she shook her head despondently. "I'm sorry, but I can't remember."

"Argh… never mind. It's alright," said Yukio as he scratched the back of his head with a hint of helplessness. The awkwardness unnerving him, he was going for another exchange when a strident voice rang across the hallway.

"Sheele, newbie, Akame calls for a meeting. It looks like we've finally got ourselves a new request." Two heads turning concurrently towards the speaker, Sheele and Yukio took in the sight of Mine. Donned in her usual pink outfit, the sniper had an additional metallic casing strapped onto her back.

"Coming!" Although incited by the way the girl had addressed him, Yukio set the irritation aside and instead welcomed the exhilaration brought to him by the news.

'Finally, my first mission!' The grin that was plastered on his face grew as his hand slipped inside his pocket to grasp Baransu.

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Conference Room). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 9).

By the time the three arrived, the rest of Night Raid's members were already in attendance within the conference room. Finding a spot beside Bulat who was leaning against the wall, Yukio stuffed his hands into his pockets and watched as Akame nodded at Leone.

Taking that as an indication to begin, Leone cleared her throat. "I've just returned from a scouting trip in the Capital and I've got big news." She held up two fingers, "one good and one bad. Which one do you guys wanna hear first?"

"The good news, obviously." That was from Lubbock.

"No, we should deal with the bad news first, like a real man does," Bulat interjected.

"Actually Aniki, not all of us here are men… so I'm going for the good news first," Yukio disagreed.

"Whichever one is fine, just get to the point… but maybe go with the bad one first," Mine cut in.

"I agree with Mine. The good won't come unless we deal with the bad news first." Sheele offered her opinion.

Akame mentally tallied the scores and wrapped up their little vote. "Leone, we'll hear the bad news first."

"Alright then, there are rumors going strong about The Four. From what I've heard, Honest just woke up one day demanding for them to be regrouped. No doubt the Emperor agreed and sent for their return. Once they come back, they'll be tasked with eliminating the rebels… us included. Things are sure gonna get chaotic once that happens." That revealed, Leone's gaze hardened and she emanated some malicious intent. Although causalities are guaranteed once The Four reemerges, she couldn't control her urge for a good fight. As powerful as the members of The Four were, no human was without a weakness and their deaths would deal a permanent blow to the Empire. "If we want the revolution to happen, we'll have to fight them."

'What… The Four? Who are they?' Akame managed to refrain herself from allowing bewilderment to show on her countenance. Despite her memories being vague, she knew that The Four was a term new to her. So then, what could this possibly mean? Why was there this significant factor that she couldn't recall? She held no answers but something about this subject seemed misleading and her sixth sense warned her of something ominous.

"Who is The Four?" The overcast faces of the majority in the room unsettled Yukio when he timorously asked. Though his question was directed at Akame, who was unwittingly just as clueless as he was, it was Bulat who had offered an explanation.

The One Hundred Man-Slayer spared a transitory glance at Akame, Yukio, and Mine before responding. "You guys are probably too young to remember this but The Four was once a group famous for its renowned powers. A few years back, right after the previous Emperor's death, the people of the Southern Lands tried to rebel against the Empire. To deal with them, the Capital organized armed forces to annihilate the enemy. At that time, I was part of the squad led by General Liver and we fought together on that battlefield. But the enemy had a much larger number and the battle was drawn out. In the end, the Capital got impatient and nominated four high-ranking generals to form the group known as The Four."

Bulat paused and closed his eyes, as if replaying the battle scenes in his mind. "I saw it… those four, they were strong. They easily confronted and killed many warriors that even the elites in our squadron couldn't handle. Five days, it took them just five days to completely wipe out the enemy. But still, the group was forced to disband soon after the war since quite a number of people, including Honest, felt threatened by their presence."

"So basically, their strength is no laughing matter, huh?" Hearing that, Mine's usual self-confidence vanished under her serious facade.

"They're all Teigu users," Leone added, gesturing towards her own Teigu, "and somehow, they are all elemental-types. The members of The Four are like the forces of nature."

"Who are these people exactly? Do you know their abilities or even fighting styles?" Yukio inquired urgently. The thought of such powerful opponents becoming their adversaries certainly didn't set in well for him.

Bulat placed a steadying hand on Yukio's head. Understanding his worries, the soldier ruffled the young man's blonde hair and elaborated. "The Great General Budo is the leader of The Four. Also nicknamed the Man of Lightning, he is the longest serving general in the Empire. He is feared and well-respected, and is also the leader of the Imperial Guards in charge of protecting the palace. Right now, he is the only one out of The Four to be stationed within the Capital."

"The second general is the Ice Queen, Esdeath. She is a sadistic battle manic who enjoys coming up with new torture methods. She's young and beautiful, that's for sure, but she's also the Empire's Strongest General. And since she treats her subordinates well, she has a large number of loyal supporters. I guess that's why her army is said to be the strongest offensive force within the Empire." Having been with Najenda since his childhood, Lubbock was quite familiar with Esdeath and decided to provide his testimony. "And from what I've heard from Najenda-san, it will take about fifty-thousand elite soldiers and ten extra Teigu users with Akame-chan's and Bulat's skills just to defeat her."

Hearing that, Yukio gulped and felt uneasiness like that of tidal waves drowning him. Lubbock's description of Esdeath scared him. How would Night Raid survive against her? Regardless of how he mulled over it, he couldn't imagine how anyone could stand against her. "Where is she right now?"

"Somewhere in the north battling the Northern Tribe. But don't worry; even a woman like her will have some problems under the harsh conditions. So I'm guessing that she won't be coming back soon," said Lubbock thoughtfully.

"The third general is General Hidou, also called the Wildfire. He is a foul man who enjoys experimenting with different levels of pain. He is known to be very cunning and manipulative. From what I've last heard, he went to the west to research about a rare Danger Beast." Bulat continued, "There hasn't been any news about him since he left, but if he does return, then we'll have to eliminate him as soon as we can. I'll tell you this much, he's good at guessing his opponents' next moves… even before they can make them."

"The final member is Mamoru, the Silencer. We don't know much about him. All we know is that he is the youngest of The Four and that some people claim he can kill anyone in a blink of an eye. You can say that his killing methods are rather similar to Akame's," Leone concluded, allowing a charming smile to mark her features. Apparently, she didn't overlook Yukio's apprehension as she pushed Bulat aside and wrapped her arm around the young man's shoulders. "Come on, enough of being all gloomy. We're scaring Yukio-kun here. Let's move on, I'll tell you something else I got."

"Tsk, the newbie is scared already? We haven't even faced The Four yet. How pathetic," Mine huffed disdainfully, her arms crossed on her chest. Despite having spent a week with the Night Raiders, Yukio had yet to obtain the sniper's approval.

With Mine's attitude being nothing new to him, Yukio ignored her and instead concentrated on freeing himself from Leone's clutches. With determination dancing in his emerald orbs, he then looked at the blonde woman expectantly.

"Here, take a look at this." Leone pulled out a bag of gold suspended from her belt. She winked at Yukio. "It's a little present from our client. He wants us to clean up a mansion near the south of the Capital. He said that he used to be a guard working for the family but he quit the moment he found out what they're hiding. It seems that the family lures people from the countryside with sweet words, torturing and playing with them until they're dead."

"That's sick," Yukio muttered. How could the people in the Capital be so callous? 'I can't believe this!'

"Leone, have you confirmed this?" For the first time since the start of the meeting, Sheele raised a question. Her wariness was to be expected. After all, it was not unusual for a client to bait them with false missions that were actually traps intended to ensnare them.

"Yeah, I've checked. Since the guards also keep quiet, they are just as guilty. So what do you say Aka-Akame?" The woman's smile vanished instantly upon noticing their sub-leader's abnormal condition. Her forehead was beaded with sweat and she was clutching her head. With the other hand using the wall for support, the red-eyed assassin seemed to be in obvious pain.

The others also noticed and crowded around her. But before anyone could voice their thoughts, they were dismissed by Akame with a shake of her head. "I'll be fine… It's just a headache, that's all. Prepare yourselves. Tonight we will eliminate them. I'll see you all then."

That said, Akame called a halt to their meeting and without another word, she half-stumbled out of the conference room. The door closed with a soft thud, leaving the rest of the Night Raiders behind in hushed concern.

Location: Front of Night Raid Hideout (Near the Cliff). Time: Afternoon. Year: 1024 (Day 9).

'Tatsumi,'

Her index finger gingerly traced the horizontal dent on the cross-like symbol. The totem that was once his keepsake was cupped firmly in her hands, its smooth wooden surface disrupted by the single cut created by Murasame during their first encounter. Now given the time to ponder it, Tatsumi had certainly been blessed. Fortune was on his side back when they had dueled. 'His luck had kept him safe from Murasame's poison, but failed to keep him alive from his own naivety. In a way, Chelsea's words came true: "From what I saw in Sheele and Bulat's records, that kindness seems like it will take Tatsumi's life."' With the memories of her friends reemerging, her heart let out a silent cry of anguish.

One leg pulled up from her seated position, she rested her chin on her knee and waited for the distress to settle. From her spot on top of a precipice, she could easily perceive the endless green of the forest's trees that were tinted with orange from the setting sun.

Green—the color of his eyes that held unrestrained hope. For an assassin born and raised in the darkness, he'd become the path of a new dream for her, and involuntarily, she felt herself captivated by his hopefulness. It was he who began to remove the mental barricades she had created around her heart after the deaths of her many friends. "I'll make you a promise. I will not die! I won't make you sad!" That night, under the witnesses of the silvery moon and untainted snow, he had melted her inner defenses. Moved by his words, she had placed faith in him. However, he eventually broke that vow when he sacrificed himself for the sake of other people. It was just like him to do so, but it had left an incurable scar in her core that throbbed every time she thought of him.

"Akame, we're done losing things that are precious to us." That was what he said when she had penetrated her sister's body with Murasame. Both he and she had discarded a lot for the rebirth of the country and he had expressed his sorrow on numerous occasions. For that reason, it was his grief that brought her uncertainty. In this current timeline, Tatsumi had yet to become exposed to corruption. What if she rescued his friends and eliminated Aria prior to his arrival? Wouldn't that then spare him of all the torments that are to come?

'Unlike the last time, we won't wait another day. We'll strike tonight and guarantee the safety of Tatsumi's friends. Hopefully, I won't run into him. Without the death of his friends, he wouldn't have a purpose to join Night Raid.'

"So this is where you were, Akame. I've been looking everywhere for you."

Akame didn't bother glancing back, recognizing Yukio's modulated voice. Carefully, she stashed the totem inside her pocket before continuing to observe the picturesque scene in front of her. The sun descended towards the horizon, dying the heavens in an array of orange, yellow and pink. The view was as impressive as she remembered, but at the same time, the nature's very beauty felt wantonly cruel for assassins like her.

"How's your headache?" Setting himself down on the grass next to her, Yukio felt something stir deep within him upon seeing Akame's dark tresses being caressed by the wind. The girl appeared to be enthralled by the scenery before them and the young man found his gaze lingering on her.

"It's better than before… and I've retained fragments of my memories, though most of them are only related to the mission. From what I can tell, they seem to be triggered when something relevant is mentioned." Eyes still fixed on the landscape, Akame responded evenly as if she was merely providing a weather report.

"Is that so? That doesn't give us much to work on," commented Yukio, giving the situation some serious thought. Another question clicked in his head as he recalled his mentor's barely discernible surprise during their earlier meeting. "Um… hey Akame, back when nee-san mentioned The Four, your expression was that of confusion… So is it true that you're not familiar with this group?"

For once, astonishment was written clearly on Akame's face for more than a few seconds before it dissolved into her customary indifference. Whilst the time spent training the young man alerted her of his perceptiveness, it hadn't crossed her mind that he was capable of deciphering her hidden emotions. As a trained killer, Akame was taught to conceal her true intents and yet, Yukio had little difficulty reading her like an open book. An all too-familiar snort from Gozuki invaded her mind and her eyebrows surreptitiously lowered. If she didn't know better, she would think that her deceased adoptive father was sneering at her incapability of remaining pokerfaced.

"You're right. As far as I know, The Four didn't exist in the original timeline," she admitted reluctantly.

"So the future has changed then? Why though? And doesn't this mean that we can't fully rely on your memories for guidance? Hmm, this isn't good. What is causing this change?" Yukio mused out loud. Whilst his exterior revealed nothing, he was inwardly scolding himself for his stupidity. 'This has to be one of those damned repercussions that father mentioned… Darn it! I'm such an idiot! Why didn't I listen carefully back then? If only I didn't just shrug it off, then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess right now!' His brows knitted together. The fact that he had failed to ascertain the extent of his Imperial Arms was unforgivable. He should've realized the outcomes before using Taimugyaku.

Taimugyaku—Baransu's trump card—was a technique so unpredictable that his father had once prohibited him from using it. It possessed the ability to distort time and space, something that was considered distinctive even among the other 47 Teigu. Needless to say, its side effects were extremely dangerous and irreversible.

'My presence here has disrupted the timeline of this era… And while I'm all okay, Akame has to deal with amnesia. On top of that, I caused significant changes to history.' Yukio fisted his palms. In a way, he was indirectly responsible for The Four's appearance. Despite his usual optimism, he was beginning to doubt himself. Thus far, he accomplished little that vouched his usefulness. On the contrary, perchance Akame would've been better off without him. 'She hasn't said anything yet, but I must be a real burden to her.'

"…I'm sorry, Akame. I should've never used Taimugyaku. My father once warned me that time travel could cause permanent damage to the dimensions of time and space. I didn't understand back then and so I just ignored him…" Yukio confessed and lowered his gaze. "If only I didn't try to show off Baransu's abilities… I'm sorry! I should've been more careful with my Teigu! It's my fault that you have to go through all this!"

"It can't be helped. Coming back here was my choice, not yours. So it's not your fault." To prevent him from criticizing himself further, Akame decided on the most straightforward approach. She inched her right hand towards him and placed it on top of his fisted one.

The sudden contact caused Yukio to jerk his head up, mentally preparing himself for any criticisms. To his utter amazement, Akame supplied no admonishments. Instead, a divine smile graced her lips and her eyes shimmered with an empyrean light.

'Beautiful…' Yukio stared, dumbfounded, his breath caught and stolen. On rare occasions, he'd seen the corners of Akame's lips twitch in what resembled a smile. Nonetheless, they were nothing compared to what he was currently presented with. Her cold mask was gone, leaving behind cordiality in its place. In that instant, the sight was forever imprinted into his mind and he felt his cheeks burn.

"Look over there." Unaware of the red hue emerging from his face, Akame pointed towards the blazing horizon. "It's beautiful, isn't it? This place has always been my favorite at this time of the day. I can see the sunset perfectly from here."

'I'd always thought that the kitchen was your favorite place.' In order to prolong this pleasant mood, Yukio suppressed the retort from fleeing the tip of his tongue. Instead, he nodded in silent agreement, listening as she continued.

"The sun that is gradually engulfed by darkness… it's like the last glimmer of hope for humankind," Akame paused and stretched her hand outwards until it was in line with the red sphere. Her palm slowly fisted in an abortive attempt to seize the sun, yet clasped only air. "But for assassins like us, this light will always be out of our reach. Still, maybe it's because we can't reach it that we find ourselves longing to touch it… at least that's what I think."

"…"

Yukio was left speechless as he absorbed her words. Taking in the last of the sun's rays, he was of the same mindset as Akame. The sunset was certainly intangible in more ways than one, but it was also inspiring to humanity. Every night, its light would be extinguished as it seemingly suffered its defeat in the hands of darkness. Nonetheless, it would return brighter as dawn the next day. Its cycle never waning, it was refreshing for anyone who would spare a moment to look at it. Perhaps, he thought, this was simply Akame's way of stimulating his resolve. 'So, even when uncertain about the future, I should remain hopeful… Is this what she is trying to tell me?'

"Heh. Akame, you sure have a unique way of telling me things," chuckled Yukio as his earlier distress disappeared. Initially having plans to comfort his mentor, it was he who was soothed in the end. In spite of her young age, Akame was an intriguing enigma with high intellect that was overshadowed by feigned innocence.

"Hmmm? So then… how should I tell you that I'm hungry?" Akame's stomach growled untimely and shattered the heartwarming atmosphere. Her eyes narrowed slightly as the usual crimson morphed into obsidians, displaying doll-like properties whilst she stared unblinkingly at Yukio.

"Um… since when aren't you hungry?" responded Yukio with a weak smile. Before, such endearing look from Akame bemused the young man, but eventually, he came to the conclusion that it was a peculiar but emblematic trait of Akame's when she deadpanned.

"Hmmm, point taken." The images of food prompted Akame to get back onto her feet, all her sorrows discarded in the back of her mind. "Come, Yukio. It's time for supper. Eating a lot of meat will help prepare you for your first mission."

'Huh? Wait, what? How is eating meat even related to killing!?' A sweat drop accompanied by that thought, Yukio regained his stance before trailing the red-eyed assassin. Head turning around to behold the striking landscape, he took one long glance at the twilight, announcing his unspoken vow. 'I may bear some responsibility for these strange phenomena, but I'll do all that I can to make things right… Someday, Akame… Someday, I'll help you reach and touch the light!'

Location: In the Capital (Aria's Mansion). Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 9).

Out in the Capital, the blood moon cast an eerie light on the empty streets, generating numerous shadows that mutated into black pillars, concealing any undercover illegal activities. White twinkling stars acted like fire beetles in the blackened sky, though they served as mere backdrops for the seven silhouettes suspended in midair. Their backs against the moonlight, their figures were contrastingly red against the silver threads they stood on.

"Alright, this is it." A low growl emitted from Leone as her eyes locked onto the courtyard and the mansion below her. "So sticking with the plan, that old geezer inside is mine, right?"

Akame, who stood passively beside the blonde woman nodded in consent before addressing the others. "We have forty-five minutes. Eliminate all targets by any means."

"Night Raid! Night Raid is here!"

"Hurry! Call for backup!"

"Get the family out of here!"

"We'll hold them off!"

None of the other Night Raiders were able to formulate a response as shouts of alarm rung across the area. In less than a few minutes, security guards in white uniforms were storming towards them with weaponry in hand. Their garments consisted of a zipped up jacket with a bulletproof breastplate, matching long pants, and steady black boots. In addition, they wore the traditional metallic helmet with earflaps that somehow reminded Yukio of a silver ladybug.

"I knew that this grand idea of nee-san's was going to backfire," Yukio's grumbling was lost amidst the uproar. Once again, his assumption about Night Raid was greatly erroneous. Rather than keeping a low profile like stereotypical assassins, the group, persuaded by Leone, had settled with the most conspicuous entrance.

'Still, I would never think that Cross Tail was capable of doing something like this.' Yukio's eyes travelled towards the claw-like Teigu attached to Lubbock's hands. Strands of thin threads were jutting out of the relic in several directions, generating the platform that they stood on. 'Infinite Uses: Cross Tail, both an offensive and defensive type Teigu that is most effective when used by someone who's resourceful.'

Bam!

The sound of a bullet leaving the barrel was heard as Mine focused Pumpkin on the first guard. Accuracy unrivalled, her aim was dead on. Blood splattered on the ground like paint and the guard fell with a shattered helmet and a hole in his forehead.

'Right on the mark...' Yukio directed a nervous glance towards the girl. Notwithstanding her small frame, Mine was a genius sniper whose concentration exceeded all he had come across. Moreover, with Pumpkin as her Teigu, the girl was definitely a force to be reckoned with on missions. 'After all, Pumpkin is an offensive Teigu that gathers spiritual energy and fires it in concentrated shockwaves.'

With the enemy's formation scattered by Mine's assault, the armed Bulat took his opportunity and descended from the strings. His sturdy feet landed on the ground with an earsplitting thud. The Neuntote materialized in his hand and he sent it hurling with an almighty force. The halberd shot forth like a comet, penetrating the stomach of another sentry in an instant.

Comprehending the difference in power-levels, the guards panicked and broke loose, a few impulsively fleeing. They got no further than five steps before they were cleaved in half by Sheele, who, with Leone's assistance, had managed to descend without kissing dirt. Whilst the latter made her way towards the mansion's interior, the former was unforgiving as she calmly bisected her opponents with the Teigu—Cutter of Creation: Extase.

'Said to be very sharp, Extase can cut through any material, including unbreakable Teigu such as Incursio. Apparently, it is also very sturdy and can be utilized as a defense,' Yukio evaluated, amazed by the aptitude in which Sheele handled the heavy pair of scissors.

Taking note of the battles around her, Akame assessed the situation and confirmed that the probability of any injuries was near zero. Satisfied with her appraisal, she inclined her body forward and soared off the platform. She somersaulted in a flawless aerial maneuver before finding ground in a crouched position. Without delay, she whipped out Murasame and cut down the closest opponent. 'Eliminate.'

"Come down, Yukio. You're coming with me." In between each word, Akame demonstrated great swordplay and delivered a cut on every guard who was foolish enough to enter her katana's range. Her jacket remained unsoiled as eight bodies piled around her.

"This is too high. I don't thin—Waah!" Yukio's reluctance to jump was eradicated by Lubbock, who playfully shoved him from behind, tipping him off balance. Yukio let out a scream of terror, arms flapping wildly in a futile effort to fly. With the earth approaching fast, his training instincts reeled in. Suddenly feeling composed, he manipulated his body at the last moment. His legs trembled on contact with the floor and he soundlessly cursed Lubbock.

Without a word, Akame took her position adjacent to Yukio as he readjusted. Keeping an eye out for him, she swiftly slaughtered more guards, ensuring that no weapons would impinge them.

Another concentrated shot from Pumpkin took down two more grunts. Gesturing Yukio to follow, Akame escorted the young man towards the storehouse, all the while signaling Mine and Lubbock to provide backup.

Not forgetting to glare daggers at Lubbock before he left, Yukio found himself under pressure to match Akame's pace. Compelled to enhance his speed with Baransu, he darted towards the destination alongside his mentor. To his surprise, they encountered little trouble, save for the three guards who were immediately dispatched by Akame.

Arriving at the outer regions of the mansion, the duo stopped at the edge of a clearing. Trees flocked the vicinity, hiding a dreary brick storehouse from outside view. A lone woman in a white dress could be seen scampering for the shelter, the occasional jingling sounds from her pocket revealing the possession of keys—mostly likely the set needed for the storeroom's door.

Akame's gaze drifted from the pocket to the surrounding plantation. This was undeniably an excellent evacuation site. If not for her prior knowledge, she might have left this place unsearched.

"She's your target," the red-eyed assassin instructed, gesturing towards the woman with her blade. Regardless of Yukio's inexperience, a defenseless target should pose no issue for him. Ideally, this would be the perfect practice. But, in the event that something goes wrong, she would be there as a last resort. "Don't worry, humans die easier than Danger Beasts."

Her words proving to be anything but reassuring, Yukio fought back a gulp and nodded. At a snail's pace, he extracted a dagger from his belt, hands trembling from nervousness. He exhaled a long breath. This was it. This would mark his beginning in the assassin trade.

"Conceal yourself into the background. Be aware of your surroundings and mask your presence."

"Know your enemy. Observe her carefully. Be aware of her every move and tune in to her thoughts."

The two rules ingrained into his mind from repetition, he confirmed that these requirements were met.

'Turbo Trot, activate!' Yukio made his move. With Baransu gripped tightly in his right hand, he dashed forward with his dagger in his left. His pulse accelerated and every step resonated in his ears like that of a charging battalion. To Akame, he came into reach undetected in mere seconds, but from his perspective, it was like an eternity had passed.

"Aim for a fatal point and strike down the target before anyone, including the target, notices you." Recalling rule number four, Yukio hoisted his curved blade and…

…found himself faltering at the last moment. 'I-I can't. I don't think I can do this! She's an unarmed woman! This is no war!' At the same time he thought that, Leone's words drifted into his recollection. "It seems that the family lures people from the countryside with sweet words, torturing and playing with them until they're dead." Like an eccentric enchantment, they washed away all traces of pity that had resided within him.

'I'll kill you!' His fortitude refueled, he snatched the woman up by her collar and struck down.

The mistress whirled her head around in fright and her sapphire eyes enlarged to detain the image of hardened emeralds. The cold steel brushed against her throat and those feral orbs were the last thing she ever saw.

A rain of blood shot out from the cut, staining Yukio in a metallic and sticky fluid. Releasing his grip on the dress, he watched unblinkingly as the woman collapsed, coloring the soil red. Expression as void as a crater, the new assassin lifted his dagger once again. The desire to stab flesh was strong but he was held back by an unyielding grip from behind.

"That's enough. The target has been eliminated." Akame's calm voice eased him a little and his hold on his weapon slackened.

Having discerned the crazed look in his eyes, Akame decided to intervene. His abnormal behavior was nothing new to her; it was the same as those who allowed their emotions to overwhelm them. The fear, the hesitation, and the abhorrence of taking another life—they were all part of the primal nature of a human. If truth be told, she too had behaved in a comparable manner during her first mission years ago.

"Yep, I'm an Informant for the Revolutionary Army."

"Akame, I've been watching you for many years, so I know… You're too kind. It'll be hard for you to keep living as an assassin. It'd be easier for you if you… died right here."

'Martha, whether or not your words were truly genuine back then is something I'll never know.' Akame's head arched up to marvel at the night sky and her lips curled into a humorless smile. The cruelty of fate was once again the subject of her contemplations. It was on a similar night that she broke down in tears after decapitating the person she had cherished. Even till this very day, the smell of salt and blood was something that she could never ignore. 'No, that isn't entirely true. I can forget it… I just choose not to. Because I will continue to remember those that I have killed and bear the responsibility of each life I took.'

Akame inwardly heaved a sigh and let the reflection end. A hint of pity set into her eyes as she took in Yukio's shaken form. The female assassin understood that feeling of helplessness more than anyone else. The weight of taking another life was always tormenting and the young man seemed awfully frail to support such substantial burden. Nonetheless, the path to carnage was not something he could easily turn his back on. "Yukio, recall rule number three: don't allow your emotions to drive you. Instead, think rationally. It is the only way to survive as an assassin."

"Ak-Akame, how do you do it? How do you remain so calm at a time like this, even after killing someone?" Yukio's voice quaked and he shoved his hands into the soil, desperately trying to cover the red with brown.

To provide him his needed answers, Akame bent down and searched the corpse. Finding a dairy and the set of keys, she handed the former item to Yukio. "Read this. The mother of this household enjoyed drugging and torturing her victims. She wrote all about it in her dairy."

Yukio did as he was told. With trembling hands that made opening the book difficult, he at last turned the pages. Inside was what one would expect to see in a lady's diary at first glance. The inscriptions were neat and could've been easily mistaken for personal records. But the content showed otherwise. In great detail, the dairy had entries filled with the suffering of victims who were tortured.

"These people… They are like devils in human skin. Treating people as though they were cattle, beating them to death… How could they?!" With unprecedented anger coursing through every part of his body, Yukio scrunched the pages and tore up the book.

"And this is hell." Whilst supplying the time for Yukio to vent his resentment, Akame opened the storehouse's double-door, exposing the inhuman activities that took place.

The stench of blood and burning flesh hit his nostrils instantly. The air itself was infused with the scent of death and Yukio was overcome with the urge to puke. He took a few steps into the room, eyes widened and mouth slackened. Everywhere he looked, he saw horrendous sights that no nightmare could ever compete with. Bare dismembered corpses were everywhere. Some littered the grounds, some locked in cages, and others dangled from heavy chains as they rotted.

This was no storehouse! In fact, to state it as hell was nothing less than appropriate. Torture equipment of all kinds chilled Yukio's spine. Knives, whips, and iron rods of all sizes rested on racks at the four corners. At the center were torture instruments like the iron maiden and breaking wheel, all coated with layers of dried blood.

"Why… Why would anyone do this?" Yukio's knees buckled and he slumped down on his rear. The world spun in spirals, distorting his already congested mind. Feeling sick, he twisted his body to the side and heaved, emptying his stomach of any undigested food. Façade now as pale as chalk, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "These were all living people… and yet they were treated worse than livestock! Why?"

Akame offered no response. The assassin's gaze was fixed on the corpse of a girl suspended in chains. Body torn from what was undoubtedly cruel torture, only the flower-shaped hair accessory differentiated her from the rest of the deceased. Akame stiffened and her eyebrows puckered. Were they too late to prevent the same tragedy from reoccurring?

…But wait; didn't Tatsumi journey to the Capital with two companions?

'I cannot save her, but where is the other one… the boy?' Straight away, Akame's head swiveled towards the cage that was the closest to the door. Ears tuning in, she could make out the shallow breathing of someone. Her gait renewed with purpose, she drew her katana and sliced iron bars.

Clank! The metal clattered onto the floor around her feet. Paying them no heed, she peeked inside and noticed the slumped outline of a boy with disheveled mahogany hair. Bruises and gashes were visible on his unclothed upper torso and blood was oozing slowly from the injuries. His chest rose and fell with effort, indicating that he was still alive. Promptly, Akame inspected him and was relieved that he had yet to be inflicted with Lubora—an incurable virus that slowly killed any victims.

"It seems he's keeping himself alive by will alone. His resolve is admirable." Sheathing Murasame, Akame commented as Yukio pulled himself on his feet and drew beside her. There was no doubt; the wounded boy was one of Tatsumi's childhood friends. His willpower was so similar to that of Tatsumi's that Akame recognized it immediately. Exhibiting extreme determination, the boy had held strong in an environment that had made many surrender.

Yukio bit the inside of his cheek. His earlier disgust was replaced by worry and he slid the boy's arm around his shoulders, supporting his weight. "He's badly hurt! Can he still make it?" Not the least knowledgeable in the art of healing, he could only ask with anxiety in his voice.

"We should get him to the doctors immediately." That was all the encouragement needed for Yukio. He half-carried the boy towards the doorway as gently as possible, his lungs taking in the uncontaminated oxygen.

"Ah!" The abrupt, piercing scream startled Yukio and he whipped his head to his left.

"M-mother!" The hysterical cry belonged to a young girl with shoulder-length blonde hair. Standing beside the corpse of her parent, tears rolled down from her sapphire eyes. At such a depressing sight, it was difficult to associate her with the term sadism. She appeared to be an ordinary girl grieving over the loss of her family.

"My lady, it's not safe here! We must get to the storehouse and wait for the—" The sentry standing beside his young mistress tugged on her white sleeve in a pressing manner, expression contorting to a grimace upon noticing the people who stood in front of their designated shelter. "Night Raid!"

Armed with his gun, the man took rapid shots that would've struck down any average human. However, Akame merely unsheathed her own weapon. She darted forward with unmatchable agility, untouched by any launched projectiles. Like a sudden whirlwind swirling across the clearing, Akame advanced towards the guard and, in a flash of steel, slit his throat.

"Eliminate."

Out of habit, Akame flicked away the blood on Murasame. With a glimpse to verify that her companions were unharmed, she soundlessly made her way towards Aria. Her crimson eyes gleamed like an executioner's blade as they seared into Aria's blue ones, rendering the girl frozen with utter terror.

This time, Tatsumi couldn't interfere… Akame was certain of it.

And Tatsumi never came, but she was stopped nonetheless.

"Akame, wait! Leave her!"

Murasame held at mid swing, the red-eyed killer was in position for a kill when she heard Yukio. Halting herself just in time, a barely decipherable jerk of the eyebrow hinted her irritation. Her exterior masked with indifference, she turned towards Yukio… and saw something completely unexpected.

One hand on Yukio's dagger, the brown-haired boy was hauling his battered body towards her and Aria. Even though his steps were agonizingly slow, Akame could feel the pure determination that radiated from him. Her intuition not failing her, she detected his resolve for revenge.

"You bitch! How dare you… you tortured Sayo to death! I… Ieyasu-sama will slay you!" With a roar that far surpassed the audacity of a person in his state, Ieyasu drove the short blade into the girl's chest. Aria's cry resounded in the night and unknowingly goaded Ieyasu further. 'This is nothing… this pain is nothing compared to what Sayo had to endure!' His mahogany orbs overshadowed by a sheet of spiteful red, he pushed the steel deeper into flesh.

"Damn you! Damn you!" Ieyasu stabbed until only the hilt was left visible. He grasped the handle and yanked. A fountain of liquid sprayed over him, causing Aria to shudder. On her last breath, the girl gave one final shriek before her eyes rolled back, lifeless.

'Sayo, I did it!' As if all the glories of heaven were upon him, Ieyasu pumped his fist in a gesture of success. Vision darkening, he dropped the dagger, the last ounce of his strength leaving him and his consciousness ebbing away. The mist-like rage abated and was replaced by exhaustion. The alluring darkness of the deep abyss tempted him, pulling him into oblivion.

'Turbo Trot, activate!' For once, Yukio responded immediately. More concerned for Ieyasu's wellbeing than his daunting deed, the young man dived towards the boy and stopped his fall with his own body as cushion.

With Ieyasu carefully slung across his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, Yukio casted a solemn gaze at the three bodies a few feet away. Now left to decompose, the blood and gore of the corpses stung his eyes and he had to squeeze them shut, the brutal images of the murder rerunning through in flashes. Weren't they just mother and daughter? They had the exterior of ordinary people and yet, they were depraved to the core, with hearts akin to those of monsters. What possible entertainment could the family get from torturing people? Try as he might, Yukio couldn't fathom the reason behind their sadism. He just couldn't understand.

Still, though he greatly despised the malevolent family for toying with human lives, his conscience prohibited him from neglecting them, especially since he participated in the killing. Words and gestures meant little in this situation, so he did the only thing he could do, pray for them. 'We'll do all we can to change this country soon. May you all be reborn in the future where the Empire is freed from its corruption… Rest now.'

Unbeknownst to Yukio, Akame was assessing him, obviously aware of the subtle changes occurring. The young man's trademark grin had disappeared under a layer of sternness. Much to her disbelief, he was actually paying his respects to the deceased, a behavior that was unheard of amongst assassins. Even kind-hearted killers like Sheele and Tatsumi had never deemed such an action necessary. Oddly enough, Yukio wasn't doing it out of pity as Akame had originally assumed. Instead, it was his inner guilt of depriving one's life that evoked this behavior.

'He needs more emotional training,' Akame realized. Though Yukio had demonstrated talent with his first kill, she knew that he was weak in spirit.

"Yukio… once we've returned to the base, make sure you give me a report. Your mission is only considered legitimately complete after you have reported to your superiors," said Akame. That was the fifth and final rule that was hardwired into her head during her time as an Imperial assassin.

Night Raid Members Remaining: 8

Mission: Assassinate the members of Aria's household

Participating Members: All (excluding Najenda)

Result: Eliminated

Rewards: A wounded boy? (Najenda: "What kind of reward is this?!")

The Four Present in the Capital: 1

Author's Notes: Phew, that was an extremely extensive chapter and I hope that you've enjoyed it. Any thoughts and feedbacks on this chapter are greatly welcomed. Furthermore, the poll mentioned in chapter 2 is still open for vote submissions (any additional information regarding to that can be found in the author's notes in chapter 2).

And just as a heads up, there will be a delay in the next update since I will be devoting myself to some studying. Don't worry though, I'm still around and haven't abandon this story. I will continue to update as soon as I can.