Author's Notes: I've officially returned with a new update. 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. I would also like to thank the readers who have followed and/or favored this fanfic.
A special thanks to Shuzuka, who proofread this chapter. Without your help, I wouldn't never been able to publish this. Therefore, your assistance is greatly cherished.
By the way, I've made some changes to chapter 3. Though it doesn't have a drastic effect to the overall story, it may be advantageous if you reread the chapter since additional hints are supplied. I've also thrown in bits of information related to the MC's Teigu.
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.
Without further delay, I bring to you chapter 6 of Akame ga Kill: Fate's Second Chance. Enjoy.
(Beta read by Shuzuka)
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Chapter 6—Kill the Division
"Our fate intertwined.
But it's broken apart immensely and turned into nothing.
The moon is swiftly fluctuating.
And I begin to move out of this illusion."
- Cynthia no Hikari (Sword Art Online: Lost Song OP)
Location: Capital. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 10).
The sunlight penetrated through the thin blanket of white clouds and lazily streamed down on the Capital and its people. The streets were lined with buildings of all kinds, ranging from ordinary houses, shops, and restaurants to the Imperial Police Department situated on the side of the bustling path. The area was lively at a distance, giving off a sense of peace. However, closer appraisals revealed the contradictions. The gloominess on the people's faces was apparent, just like the condition of their garments. Wrapped in an emaciated layer of rags, the proletarians were victims of the chilling morning breeze.
"Yukio-kun, you're drawing too much attention to yourself," whispered Leone. The blonde woman leaned in closer towards the young man who was looking around pryingly. "You gotta stop looking so suspicious."
Noticing the number of people glancing in his direction, Yukio controlled his wandering gaze, only stealing a look on occasions. What he saw only reinforced Najenda's words; the Capital was indeed a living hell of corruption. From the dark corners of the alleyways, beggars lay idly in tattered garbs, thieves lurked behind the shadows, and soldiers abused the weak.
"Those soldiers, what are they doing? Are they really the protectors of the people?" Yukio sucked in a long breath, his fists shaking. To his right, he noticed a man on his knees, pleading two patrolling soldiers for help. Even so, the soldiers merely taunted and teased him, unaffected by the man's distress. Yukio's brows dropped to a dangerous level. This was nothing like the Capital that he was once so familiar with.
"Not now," Leone said, grabbing the young man by the collar and pulling him back. "I know you're frustrated and all, but clobbering them here will only get us into trouble. We still got work to do."
"Why are there so many people suffering?" asked Yukio as he paused momentarily to regard the flowers withering at the side of the path. Just like the country itself, the plants were also dying.
"They're dealing with the recession and the political realities of fear. Only one social segment lives in prosperity. The rest of them are from slums… that's where I was born and raised as well. As people suffering from poverty, we have to be strong. No matter how much you want to deny it, this is how life works around here." Leone shook her head. "But let's look on the bright side. Everything will change soon. Those bastards will pay with their lives!"
"I guess you're right. This is why we're here," Yukio admitted, still a little unconvinced. His fingers delved into his pocket and he touched Baransu's cool surface for comfort. Matching Leone's stride, he then asked in a low voice, "But are you sure we should be walking around during the day? I mean, what if someone sees us?"
"We're fine. It's those four who have their faces seen." The blonde pointed a finger at a nearby bulletin board. There were four wanted posters attached to the vertical surface, the edges slightly worn from the prolonged exposure to the weather. Each poster had a name, a sketch, and even a bounty offered. With such detailed accounts, it was no wonder why Akame, Bulat, Najenda, and Sheele could never roam around the Capital, especially in broad daylight.
Yukio blinked as a particular poster caught his eye. 'Wanted dead or alive, Night Raid's One Hundred Man-Slayer, Bulat.' Although it was referring to Bulat, the image didn't serve as a counterpart of the man that Yukio was so familiar with. Instead of the extreme hairstyle, the man on the poster had a stern gaze and short, tamed hair.
"Aniki sure changed his look." His muttering was directed to himself, though Leone overheard.
"He looked like that when he was still in the military. After joining Night Raid, he changed his image."
"Oh." His tone unknowingly imitated Akame's as he inspected the other posters. Save for Bulat, the others were two-dimensional replicas of his comrades. "Nee-san, I thought that Night Raid worked mainly in the shadows. How is it possible for the Empire to know their faces then?"
"Oh, that. It's because of their previous ties with the Empire. After all, Akame is a former Imperial assassin, Boss is a former Imperial general, Bulatcchi is an ex-soldier from the military, and as for Sheele… well, she has a criminal record." Enlightening him with an answer, Leone stretched her arm and stifled a yawn. Though last night's mission was successful, it took longer than expected. Owing it to the boy that Yukio picked up, Leone took a detour to search for a reliable physician. Arriving back at the Hideout late, she barely got any sleep before Akame knocked on her door, requesting her help to escort Yukio around the Capital.
"What? Sheele-san has a criminal record? How?"
"This was back before Sheele became an assassin. At one time, she was facing off some scumbags who held some sort of grudge against her. They murdered her parents and wanted to kill her as well. Sheele took them down but ended up in court. In the end the case was ruled as self-defense but because of the trials, the Imperial police has her records."
"…I never thought that Sheele-san had such a rough past."
"Yeah, and this isn't the full story. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask her yourself… It's hard to imagine, isn't it? But most of us have our own reasons to join Night Raid."
"Own reasons for becoming an assassin, huh?" Yukio mused, his fingers tapping his chin. "Then what about you, nee-san? What're your reasons?"
"My reasons?" Leone grinned, "ain't you being a little too curious?"
"No! I'm not trying to be intrusive! I just want to know, you know… why you guys fight and everything. How do you continue doing missions when you know that you're committing a sin?" Yukio bit the inside of his cheek. In spite of everything, he had yet to move on from his mission. Even his dreams from last night were overtaken by revengeful images of his targets. The crimson that strained his hands—it was the life-force of another human being. Now left without the strange provocation that urged him to kill, Yukio was lost. Could murder really lead to salvation? After all, to take a life was a sin abhorred by humanity. Was a purpose all that was needed to suppress this painful guilt that gnawed at his insides?
"Akame's right, you really are kind-hearted." Leone folded her arms and gave Yukio a sympathetic look. "I'm beginning to see why she might not be the best consoler for you… Well, if that's the case, then I guess I can tell you why I've become an assassin. Who knows? It may help you."
"Please do, nee-san."
"I think it started when I saw some aristocrats playing a game where they were trampling kids from the slums with their horses. Seeing that really pissed me off, so I killed them. But I didn't stop there…" Leone smirked, cracking her knuckles. "I took a liking to dealing with evil bastards like that, you see. The prime minister, who does as he likes while enjoying his unrivaled political power would be the ultimate prey. So that people can be happy… I'll kill him in such a way that everything he has done in comparison seems mild."
'Nee-san…' Yukio's eyes shifted towards the wanted posters. '…I wonder why there are no wanted posters of her. She's the most dangerous one around here! She's basically an outlaw… and a bold one at that!' Deeming it wise to keep the thoughts to himself, Yukio decided that this was the best time to change the topic. "But still, these rewards are enormous. Dead or alive, so many gold pieces either way. You can probably slack off for the rest of your life with the offered amount… Hmm, Akame sure has a high bounty on her head."
"I guess it's hard for her to escape notice when Murasame literally marks every kill. But Yukio-kun," Leone smirked slyly, resting her chin on his right shoulder. "You're not planning on selling her out and living a well-off life in a mansion, right?"
It was obviously a lighthearted statement but something about the topic struck a nerve. Brows narrowing and smile fading, Yukio's orbs seared deep into Leone's golden ones. "Nee-san, don't even think about joking like that! It's not funny!"
For once, Leone saw a hidden side of the young man that opposed his typical cheerfulness. Even without her transformed senses, she detected the murderous intent that swirled around Yukio. An overwhelming edginess settled into the pit of her stomach and her skin tingled. Her instincts had her taking two steps back, her smile vanishing as she distanced herself from the young man. She immediately raised her hands in a surrendering gesture. "Whoa! Alright, alright, I won't joke like that anymore. Calm down, Yukio-kun. You're giving me the creeps."
Her words got through. As though suddenly comprehending his nonstandard behavior, Yukio blinked and shook his head, trying to clear his mind. As illogical as they were, Leone's playful words had provoked a sinister feeling and before he could stop himself, he unsuspectingly released a large quantity of killing intent. 'What was that…? I think I lost myself for a few seconds back then.' He moved his left hand and fisted it, puzzled. "…Ah, I'm sorry, nee-san. I got a little carried away. Please forgive me and… forget about what happened, alright?"
"…Yeah. Of course," the woman nodded. To break the tension, she broke into a grin and looped an arm around Yukio's shoulders. "I don't know what that was all about, but I'll gladly let it slide. Now, let's move on."
The young man took her friendly attitude as a sign of forgiveness. He beamed back, though it was clear that he was embarrassed by their intimacy. His gaze averted from Leone and he instead beheld the sky, finding the blue heavens to be intriguing all of a sudden.
With the corner of one eye scrutinizing Yukio as they continued down their path, Leone couldn't help but feel unsettled. At present, the killing intent had disappeared, completely replaced by the young man's customary innocence. Had she been dense, she would've thought that she was hallucinating due to the alcohol from the early morning. 'No, I didn't imagine it. Something about that aura feels very familiar… it's like Akame's… but darker and more uncontrollable.'
"What has our little glutton been teaching him?" So quiet was Leone's mumbling that it was lost to the ears of all, including the man she wrapped her arm around.
Unbeknownst to the duo that was casually walking towards the doctor's house, somewhere in a forest close to Night Raid's Hideout, a certain black-haired girl couldn't suppress an expulsion of air. Her grip loosened due to the sneeze, unwittingly giving the hare-like Danger Beast the opportunity to escape from her clutches. A dismayed grimace spread across the girl's features as she ran after her lunch, all the while speculating if someone had spoken about her behind her back.
Location: Dr. Takito's House. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 10).
"We're here!" Leone declared as two pairs of feet stopped in front of a house situated a few lanes away from the Capital's plaza. Before them, the two-story building stretched into the sky, its pentagonal roof decorated with tiles that projected from the edges. The curtainless windows were covered with dust and cobwebs that obscured the interior view from the outside. Dissimilar to the other houses that dotted the sides of the street, the particular infrastructure resembled something from the medieval times.
"For a doctor, this person doesn't seem very hygienic," Yukio muttered as he followed Leone past the front gate. His gaze landed on the empty bottles littered all over the uneven front lawns. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Whoever occupied this abode was probably an alcoholic.
Leone grinned knowingly and turned the door's rusty knob. Apparently, the idea of knocking first never registered in her mind. With a gentle push, the inside was exposed to her scrutiny. The scent of sterilizing fluid and alcohol immediately was whiffed by her nostrils.
"Dr. Takito, it's me Le—"
"AHH!"
Leone was interrupted by an alarmed cry. With one eyebrow raised in confusion, her human ears captured the sound of glass shattering on the wooden floor. Dust drifted around her like snow as the ceiling above shook and vibrated.
"I said let me go! I gotta find Tatsumi!"
Clash!
That gave the impression of shelves toppling over and books being sent across the floor.
"You're in no condition to go anywhere! As a doctor, I mus—"
Thwack!
Something hard collided into what Leone presumed was the speaker's head.
"Argh, that's gonna leave a mark. Be reasonable… wait, put that down!"
Pang!
Judging from the clamor, both Leone and Yukio understood the urgency of the problem. Almost immediately, they ditched their boots near the doorway and darted for the stairs towards the source. Tearing the hinge off the first door on their right, the Night Raiders were greeted with an interesting scenario. The two occupants of the room were locked in a furious wrestle on top of a cot. Even though they just barged in, it was clear to the assassins that the victor would be the younger male. With a metal washbowl held like a weapon, he was launching blow after blow on a grey-haired man.
Thwack!
Another direct hit! The old man recoiled reflexively, his face now bruised. Feeling light in the head, he couldn't shield himself from the next assault. To his luck, Yukio arrived to his rescue. Carefully avoiding the spilled contents and broken glass scattered on the floor, Yukio reacted and seized the boy by the arms before he could deal further damage to the poor doctor's skull.
"Stop… struggling! You'll… reopen… your wounds!" Yukio grunted as Ieyasu struggled to free himself. Though his grip was like a spider's web to a fly, Ieyasu's thrashing complicated things for Yukio, who was trying to restrict the boy without hurting him. Inwardly, Yukio didn't know whether or not to be impressed. Despite having sustained severe wounds that were just recently stitched, the brown-haired boy's strength was still noteworthy.
"Ugh! Let go of me! Tatsumi is waiting for me! I said let me go, you bast-wait?" Finally catching a glimpse of his detainer by crocking his neck, the boy recognized the unruly blonde hair from the previous night. No matter how faint he was back then, he couldn't forget his saviors' faces. Letting the bowl fall from his hands, he ceased his struggles. "You, it's you! You're the one who saved me!"
"You recall, huh? Alright, I'm going to let you go now. You're calmer, I presume?" The nod was an adequate reply and Yukio let go. He exhaled a long sigh of relief. Being aggressive towards an injured person was not something he was keen on and he was most pleased when the boy became less restless.
"Come on doctor, have a heart!" Whilst Yukio was engaged in a physical fight, Leone was having a different kind of battle—a negotiation, to be exact. "We've known each other since I was a kid. Can't you let me off with a discount? Half the original price?"
"It's precisely because I've known you for so long that I want the full charge for this patient. After all, I've used my best medicines to ensure his recovery. Besides, things aren't looking good these days. People are too poor to pay for regular checkups. I gotta make a living too, you know." As though expecting Leone to be unyielding with her money, Dr. Takito was not short of rejoinders. Straightening his glasses and straightening the wrinkles on his white coat, he gave the woman a look that demanded his way.
"One-third of the full payment?" Leone persisted, giving him her most endearing expression.
"No! You still owe me from your last visit." The doctor shook his head. Baiting people with her charm was one of Leone's specialties; it was a trap that he'd fallen for on numerous occasions. He would be damned if he allowed her to succeed again. "That last time… you distracted me with this lovely purple-haired woman and swaddled a large sum away from me! I haven't even gotten those back yet!"
"A quarter discount?"
"Not after you busted my door down!"
"A seventh?"
"Over my dead body!"
"Jeez, you really make it sound like your life is dependent on this payment." Leone pouted and conceded victory to the old man. With pain visible within her golden pools, she grudgingly took out a sack and tossed it to the physician.
"Good, I'm glad we're able to reach an agreement. It's my pleasure to do business with you, Leone-san. I'll take it that you would like a private chat with my patient. I'll be downstairs making tea. Call me if you need me." Satisfied with her cooperation, Dr. Takito beamed and exited the room, cradling the bag of money as if it was his long lost child.
"Sorry, nee-san. You can have my share from the last mission if you want," offered Yukio, feeling a little remorseful. Although saving a life was like an obligatory part of his morale, it didn't mean that he could just drag Leone into all this.
"Just how much can a new recruit get from his first mission? Two bags of gold?" Still mourning at the inopportunity for refreshments, Leone asked sarcastically as she approached the boys. She grabbed the nearest chair and rotated it, facing its back towards the bed. Blowing out a heat huff of air, the woman dropped down in a non lady-like fashion, her arms draped around the spine rest.
"Um, actually… I do have two bags. Akame gave me her share since she thought I would use it to pay the medical fees," said Yukio with a dry laugh.
"You what!" Leone nearly tripped over the chair's leg in her haste to stand up. Surprise was written all over her face before it morphed into irritation. "Then you could've paid for it…"
Yukio nodded.
'Jeez, I can't believe I just threw away my chance to go the pub!' Feeling as though she was played for a fool, the woman felt like scratching her head in irritation. 'Argh Akame, if you didn't want your share, why didn't you give it to me? Ain't I your best friend?'
"You would just waste it on needless things anyway," Somewhere deep inside her head, a disembodied voice with Akame's deadpanning feature responded.
'Uh… yeah, maybe I would have spent it on a few more drinks…' Inwardly wondering how she could lose in a debate against her sub-consciousness, Leone's lips curled into a smirk as a devious idea popped into her head. "Yukio-kun, I'll forgive you on one condition. Be sure to treat me to dinner tonight, okay?"
"Um… okay." Yukio twitched his eyebrow. Knowing Leone, the woman probably had the intention of using his entire allowance. Since it would be he who will pay for the drinks, she would have the excuse to drink to her heart's content. 'She's dangerous… and cunning.'
Supplying the young man with a wink, Leone turned to the brown-haired boy who was disregarded until now. "So, now that things have settled, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"
"Oh, that's right!" Yukio tapped his fist on his palm, recalling their primary reason for visiting. He turned to the boy. "May we have your name and gender ple-Oww!" The young man cringed as Leone dropped a punch on his head. His hands shot up straight away to shield himself. "Nee-san, I thought I'd earned your forgiveness."
"You did."
"Then what did I do to deserve that hit?"
"Your question, that's what. Why ask someone for their gender when it is so obvious?" Still slightly insulted from when Yukio had asked for her gender, Leone snorted and folded her arms. "You know, Yukio-kun, normal people don't go asking pretty ladies for their gender."
'Oh, she still remembers…' Disinclined to test Leone's temper, Yukio nodded to show his understanding. "Sorry nee-san, it's a habit of mine. Where I'm from, everyone covers up their faces and it's kinda hard to tell the difference between a man and a woman."
"Jeez, everyone?" Leone raised an eyebrow, mildly bemused by the strange tradition. "I'm beginning to think that you're not from around here at all. What did you do? Did you get teleported to the Capital or something? And people covering up their faces… with what, armor?"
'Heh, nee-san doesn't know how close she is to the truth… And to think that she's actually joking around...' Yukio felt a drop of sweat trail down his cheek. Since an elaboration would only serve to complicate things, he tried redirecting Leone's focus back to the boy. "Nee-san, let's just get back on track."
Yukio cleared his throat. "So then, may we have your name… and um, the story of how you ended up in Aria's house?"
"…Yeah. I'm Ieyasu and I'm someone who is gonna become famous in the Capital!" Injured or not, Ieyasu took great pride in his ideals and puffed out his chest. He winced as the movement instigated a sharp pain through his upper back. 'Oww. Damn it! So much for trying to look cool.'
"So I'll take it that you're from the countryside. Why leave home?" asked Leone, wisely choosing to ignore the boy's failed attempt for a good first impression.
"I'm from a poor village that is in the… um, wait… was it east or… west of the Capital?" His sense of direction beyond excusable, Ieyasu frowned as he tried to recall where his village was situated. It was becoming apparent that all those hours spent learning geography from Sayo were wasted. He couldn't even remember the exact location of his home village. Eventually, he shrugged and dismissed it altogether, deeming it as irrelevant.
"Oh, forget about it! So yeah, I came with my two childhood friends, Tatsumi and… Sayo. We plan to move up military ranks so that we can save our village from famine. We were attacked by bandits on the way. Sayo and I lost Tatsumi in the woods but managed to arrive safely in the Capital a few nights ago and got invited to stay in… that bitch's house," Ieyasu spat, disdain apparent in his voice. "And after we ate their food, we were knocked out cold and when we came to, we were locked up… and then…" The events following were so atrocious that he choked on his words, desperately fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.
"Easy there. You don't have to say anything if it's too stressful," said Yukio as he reached forward and rubbed the boy's back in a gentle and comforting gesture.
"…No, Sayo was so cool back then. I gotta tell you. It's the least I can do for her." Ieyasu wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and grinded his teeth. "That bitch was jealous of Sayo's beauty and tortured her in every possible way. But Sayo never gave into her… even to the very end, she was so cool. But after she died, they came to me for more fun. They locked me up and tried something called the one thousand cut technique on me. And just when I thought I'd die like Sayo, you guys arrived." That said, droplets of salt finally descended and soaked the sheets he sat on.
Unlike what he initially believed, Ieyasu found no joy in avenging Sayo. In fact, he felt emptier knowing that his friend would never return. Ultimately, not only did he lose someone precious, but now his dreams were shattered. He couldn't hope to join the military knowing that he'd assassinated a civilian.
Leone was pensive as she observed Yukio comfort the boy. Though her expression revealed little, she was inwardly amazed by Ieyasu's fortitude. The one thousand cut was a well-known torture technique in the Capital that involved the victim being subjected to one non-fatal cut at a time. The victims were often left bleeding in agony after days of torture. 'With all those dressings around him, he's probably got more than a dozen cuts. To be able to perform a kill in that state is remarkable. Hmm, he would make a great addition to the team...'
"And why not?" Startling the two boys with her sudden statement, Leone's eyes gleamed, spilling out molten honey. "Ieyasu. Join us and become part of our gang. Together, we'll rid the Capital of trash!"
Her alluring voice captured his attention and Ieyasu found his seas of angst subdued by her voice. He bit the bottom of his lip. "What trash? Don't you mean rubbish?"
Leone grinned and Yukio immediately understood her unspoken desire. He stood up and shook his head in disapproval. Approaching the blonde woman, he whispered in a voice that was only audible to her. "Setting aside the fact that we're going against Akame's orders to not recruit him, you are actually going to tell him about our work, here of all places. The doctor might be able to hear us from below."
"Jeez, you almost sound like you're Akame's pet," the woman responded whilst scratching the back of her head. "But don't worry, the doctor may not look like it but he's actually quite trustworthy. He already knows who we are and is secretly siding with the Revolutionary Army."
"What?" At that point Yukio was taught to never again evaluate people based on their appearance. But then again, who would have thought that an old alcoholic man would have the courage to rebel against the Empire? 'The Capital sure is full of amazing people.'
"Well, we come here whenever there's an emergency. So naturally, Dr. Takito would know about us." Enlightening him with an answer, Leone guided her focus back to Ieyasu. "Now what I mean by trash is the large number of scumbags in the Capital, the people who are corrupt. As part of the organization called Night Raid, we've devoted ourselves to do the dirty work and rid the Capital of its evil."
"Ni-Night Raid?! You're the assassin group that the Empire wants! You're the ones with large rewards on your heads!" Ieyasu stuttered. Although from the country, he wasn't ignorant in matters concerning the infamous Night Raid that prowled the darkness. The large sum of rewards on the wanted posters tempted him when he first saw them. Had the circumstances been different, he was convinced that he would've participated in the hunt for these assassins. Nonetheless, now that he was rescued by them, he couldn't simply try to capture them. He was not prepared to stoop to such immoral levels of ungratefulness.
"You've heard of us then?" Leone clapped her hands and rubbed them together, almost in anticipation.
"Probably from the wanted posters." Yukio made a logical guess as he glanced towards Leone in exasperation. "Once he's fully recovered, send him off and make sure he doesn't know your true identity." Akame's words resonated inside the young man and his hunch told him that Leone was going to oppose his mentor's wishes. Opening his mouth, he was about to dissuade Leone when Ieyasu spoke first.
"…I want to join Night Raid and fight, for Sayo's sake. If I get rid of corruption then no one else would have to suffer like Sayo did! This is my reason for fighting! Let me join Night Raid! Once I'm all healed up, I'll work hard!"
"But Aka-mfff!" Yukio's objection was barely voiced when Leone clamped his mouth shut with her hand, effectively preventing him from producing anything intelligible.
"Great! I'm Leone, but you can call me nee-san. And Yukio-kun here welcomes you also. Once Boss approves, you'll become an official member. Take it easy until then."
"Yes!" Ieyasu nodded but then recalled something important. "And… nee-san, what about Tatsumi? I really want him to join as well. I'm sure he'll feel the same way as me once I tell him what happened to Sayo."
"Your other friend? Is he good? What does he look like?" Leone questioned, smiling playfully at the boy whilst disregarding Yukio's desperate, muffled sounds.
"Mfff!"
"Tatsumi is about average height with medium-length hair that is lighter than mine. His eyes are green like Yukio's, but darker. He carries a broadsword on his back and even though he's quite skilled with it, he can be a bit of a dimwit sometimes. I'm worried that he might have gotten into some kind of trouble."
"Mfff!"
"Hmm, will do. I think we can find him with these descriptions. This way, Yukio-kun. We've got a cute boy to find and Ieyasu-kun will need his rest." With a wave directed at Ieyasu, Leone half-dragged, half-pulled Yukio across the room towards the exit.
Now left unattended, Ieyasu silently prayed for his friend's safety. 'Tatsumi, I'm here in the Capital. Stay safe and I'm sure we'll meet again. Whatever you do, just don't barge into trouble with that small head of yours.'
Location: Capital's Main Street. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 10).
"Achoo!" Letting out an explosion-like sneeze that caused his cowlick to quiver, a certain brown-haired boy unwittingly attracted unwanted attention from several people on the street.
"What a hick."
"Another one from the country. We're getting a lot of them these days."
The gossip travelled into Tatsumi's ears and he clandestinely glanced down at his garments. He was dressed in an orderly fashion—a white jacket with a high collar over a tan sweater vest. His black pants were well-matched with his other clothing and his brown boots were suited for combat. In fact, these were the best garments he had and he deemed himself to be rather well-groomed. Therefore, he was quite certain that it wasn't his attire that gave his status away. Lips pursed, he rotated his head slowly to regard the short sword behind his back. 'Well, no one around here carries a weapon with them. Maybe that's how they know that I'm not from the Capital. Hmm, it has to be.'
"What bad manners. He doesn't even cover his mouth when he sneezes."
'…Oh, that's why.' Sheepishly, he chose to overlook the insults and instead folded his arms across his chest as he brooded over his next action. After arriving in the Capital, he tried to join the military, hoping to regroup with Sayo and Ieyasu there. He went to the enrollment department with anticipation of becoming a commanding general. However, with him being unwilling to commence his career in the infantry and the applicants being flooded, he was rejected by the staff.
'Then should I cause a ruckus and make a name for myself? But I might get caught…' As he wrestled with the option, he noticed a gathering crowd on the main street. Out of curiosity, he headed in that direction. Pushing his way through the mob, he eventually squeezed himself to the front.
Three dozen or so soldiers were marching towards the palace. Their armored uniforms glistened and reflected under the sunlight, generating a sense of almightiness on the warriors themselves. The banner with the Empire's crest swished amongst the breeze, assembling powerful fighters under its name.
'So cool!' Tatsumi unintentionally borrowed Ieyasu's catchphrase. His gaze shifted to the left of the banner and he noticed a figure that was different from all the other warriors. He was a tall figure in the centre of the parade, with attractiveness that could effortlessly appeal to many women. His emotionless sapphire eyes were like two bottomless pools and his short black hair was locked within the circumference of a red ribbon tied around his forehead. The ribbon ended in two streaks dangling behind his back, somehow reminding Tatsumi of two serpents entangled in a vicious battle. Clad fully in a black wide-sleeves garb with matching pants, socks, and sandals, he emanated a sense of secrecy.
'Everyone around him seems to be matching his steps. He must be the leading officer then. If I can impress him, then maybe he can get me into the military!' Fueled by that thought, Tatsumi ran to the middle of the street and obstructed the man's path. With stoicism etched on his countenance, the country boy exposed his steel and issued his challenge.
"The name's Tatsumi and I'm someone who's going to become a great general!" he announced, gesturing towards the raven-haired man with the tip of his blade. "I want you to assess my abilities in a one-on-one duel!"
His daring action instantly evoked murmurs from the crowd.
"He's challenging one of The Four, he's going down."
"That kid is as good as gone."
"Going up against the Silencer! He's insane!"
Whereas the crowd was in disbelief, the soldiers simply responded with contempt. Their snickers and scoffs entered Tatsumi's ears.
"Ha! Get back to mommy before you're hurt, kid."
"Shoo, kid. General Mamoru doesn't have time for your nonsense."
"I'm serious!" Feeling a vein pop in his head, Tatsumi was overcome by the need to demonstrate his abilities. Since they were obviously ignoring him, he decided to make a move.
"Oh, the lady over there! Your panties are showing!" Tatsumi shouted, using an old trick that Ieyasu taught him. It was a deception that worked like a miracle on men. Regardless of the soldiers' prowess as warriors, they were also prone to human desires. The guards' eyes immediately searched the crowd. Using this distraction, Tatsumi weaved through them and charged towards the impassive general.
With his blade poised above his head, Tatsumi slashed down. There was enough power to push the air current back, startling the soldiers. Even so, his powerful strike was easily dodged by his foe. Suddenly disappearing from his view, the general reappeared soundlessly behind him.
'What?' Tatsumi's eyes widened when he felt a looming presence at his rear. Heels spinning clockwise, he delivered another horizontal slash that sliced only air. 'Huh? He disappeared again! Where did he go?' He scanned the area but found no traces of his opponent. He did, however, perceive the smug look on the soldiers' faces.
"Up here," a dull voice called out from above him.
Like a hawk descending the heavens to hunt, Mamoru repositioned himself and straightened out his legs. He pointed his feet down and slammed them straight into Tatsumi's face. In a display of aerial movement, he landed with a backspin, earning him gasps of awe from the crowd.
On impulse, Tatsumi's left hand reached for his face. He cursed the general. This was undoubtedly silent mockery. All this time, the general's face was that of indifference. To him, this was merely a pastime, a game that required little to no effort. The general never took this seriously and opted to taunt Tatsumi, using the boy's face like a trampoline.
"Distracted by child's play? How pathetic." Mamoru's unforgiving tone held odium as he addressed his group. Not the least amused by the red footprint he left on Tatsumi's face, he stretched his hand out towards the closest man. "Leave me be. I'll finish this alone."
"Please excuse us!" Sensing their leader's disapproval, the soldiers lowered their heads in shame. Only one cautiously approached Mamoru and handed him his weapon.
As his subordinates disappeared from his view, Mamoru drew the blade out and tossed the sheath to the side. Whilst his exterior revealed nothing, his inner thoughts were actually centered on Tatsumi. The Silencer could distinguish the underlying potential hidden deep within the boy. The way that he executed his strikes informed the general that the boy could improve immensely with additional training. Truth be told, Mamoru felt certain that the boy was destined for great power. 'Perhaps he could even reach Esdeath's level.'
"You'll fight me seriously? Even if you won't, I'll still show you. The moves that Sayo, Ieyasu, and I… the three of us… we, built up!" With a thunderous cry, Tatsumi lunged for the general with an undercut. As predicted, it was easily deflected as metal grazed metal. Tatsumi adjusted his footing and altered the route of the blade, abruptly pushing forward for a thrust at the chest.
Mamoru countered with his own sword and the two lengths of steel sang in unison as they scraped against each other, generating showers of sparks that had the crowd restless. The Silencer sidestepped to terminate their standoff and then retaliated with a swing at breakneck pace.
Tatsumi grunted. He retraced his steps and narrowly evaded a blow. The wind generated from the might of the attack brushed past him and his eyes involuntarily narrowed. With adrenaline impelling him forward, he instantly adapted his stance for another lunge.
"Take this!"
His opponent was ready for him. In a high-speed movement, Mamoru parried his sword away. Too late for withdrawal, Tatsumi was left defenseless. The general's fist connected with his stomach in a crashing impact.
"Argh!" Doubling over in pain, Tatsumi moved just in time to escape a kick to the side. His heart thumping erratically inside his ribs, his face was pooled with sweat. Despite the situation, he allowed a defiant smirk to curl his lips. 'So this is the power of the general class.' Uplifted by the chance to fight a powerful foe, his eyes shimmered as he swung his sword with more impetus than ever before.
"You haven't won yet!"
Fore swings followed promptly by backswings, Tatsumi kept his moves unpredictable with occasional underbelly cuts. Gaining the edge on the offensive, he persisted in his attacks as he explored for a gap in Mamoru's defense.
The two fighters settled into the rhythm of swordplay. They rotated their feet and traded several blows until the two swords crisscrossed once again. The sound of the weapons colliding echoed in the area as they applied pressure.
'Now.' Not keen to gamble with mere strength, Mamoru lashed out his foot. Catching his opponent off guard with his speed, he dug his sandal straight into Tatsumi's ribs, knocking the air out of the boy as he let out a pained gasp. Quick as a flash, Mamoru placed both palms and the sword on the ground, lifting himself on a handstand. His leg bent and he distributed another brutal kick to Tatsumi's chin, sending the boy airborne.
'I can't let it end like this!' Tatsumi forced his eyes open. In one glance, he took in the view below, ignoring the shocked faces of the crowd and concentrated on the general's detached expression. Motivated by determination, Tatsumi attempted a last-ditch assault. Still spiraling in midair, he hurled his sword towards the general as if it was a lance.
Swoosh!
With the belief that Tatsumi was rendered helpless, Mamoru was taken by surprise. The weapon sped towards him and he registered it too late. He moved on impulse and the steel missed flesh by a millimeter. The cutting edge ripped through his sleeve before ramming into the soil tip first.
Tatsumi's head ploughed into the ground. Spitting out dirt, the boy was confronted with disappointment. Initially aiming for the Silencer's sword arm, he hadn't expected such quick reflexes from the general. Had Sayo been here, she would have definitely grimaced at his appalling aim and reprimanded him for being so desperate.
He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position with his hand, wincing as the damage received from his fight started reeling in. Unmindful of the mud that stained his hands, he gently fondled his chin. 'Oww, damn… that was some move. Guess I should be thankful that nothing is broken.'
He was nursing his bruises when the general approached him with an unreadable look. Tatsumi met the general's eyes unswervingly and admitted to his defeat. "I've lost. Guess I have to start in the infantry then."
"But you have talent. Come with me," Mamoru spoke in a dispassionate tone before turning around to pick up Tatsumi's sword and his own sheath. "Your talent is wasted in the infantry."
"What!?" Tatsumi's eyes enlarged. Uncertain as to whether or not he perceived Mamoru's words properly, he lingered behind for some time until the general was disappearing from his sight. Finally deciding to pursue, he beckoned his weary legs to follow.
'Sayo, Ieyasu, I did it! I've got a general to admit to my skills!' With his overflowing exhilaration, Tatsumi was unaware of the two figures that stood on the roof directly above the crowd. Having observed the brawl from start to finish, the two blondes—one man and one woman—exchanged a look that told of their failure.
Night Raid Members Remaining: 8
Mission: Find and recruit Tatsumi
Participating Members: Leone, Yukio
Result: Failed
Rewards: none
The Four Present in the Capital: 2
Author's Notes: Chapter 6 is now completed. Please feel free to leave a review and tell me your thoughts and opinions of this chapter. After all, support and criticisms are always welcomed.
The poll mentioned in chapter 2 is still up and running and will probably continued so until I've published the 8th chapter. At present, it is still opened to more votes.
Next time: Kill the Trespassers—Ieyasu joins Night Raid and begins his career as an assassin. At the same time, intruders are spotted in close proximity to the base. A confrontation is inevitable.
"The Boss is back!" exclaimed Yukio.
Ieyasu nodded, "this is so cool! Can I really have it?"
"Yes… but the world was initially a one slice, certain death place to begin with. I try not to overestimate the abilities of the Imperial Arms," Akame responded evenly, her gaze drifting towards Murasame.