Author's Notes: It has been a while since my last update and I apologize for the seemingly long delay. On top of my tight schedule for the past months, I had lost motivation for quite some time until I read chapter 61 of the manga. Unsurprisingly, the thickening plot of the series gave me enough stimulation to write. Anyhow, I'm now here to present chapter 7.

I would like to personally acknowledge and thank the readers who have supplied reviews and/or feedback. It's pleasing to know that there are readers who support the continuation of this fanfic.

More importantly, a special thanks to Shuzuka, who kindly helped me with editing this chapter. In addition to the corrections, the advice and suggestions are immensely appreciated.

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 7—Kill the Trespassers

"It's no use lying about having no desires.

And acting like a hypocrite.

Now, what was the dream you yearned for?

"You want to be a hero?"

I tell him my wish.

"Sorry but there's no medicine that works for stupidity.""

-Zetsubousei: Hero Chiryouyaku (Danganronpa ED1)

Location: Close to Night Raid's Hideout (Riverbank). Time: Dusk. Year: 1024 (Day 16).

The sizzling fire crackled near the edge of the riverbank as every so often a drop of oil dribbled down from a giant fish-like Danger Beast on a skewer stick, suspended horizontally above the flare with two vertical poles. The bonfire emanated light that caused the shadows of the nearby trees to expand, casting shades of black on the two figures who sat on wooden stools.

Akame's attention was fixed on the appetizing meat as she shuffled closer towards the source of the mouth-watering aroma. Not bothered by the heat like Yukio, the raven-haired girl counted down the seconds remaining. '480… 479… 478… 477…' Having completed the Empire's assassin course at a young age, she didn't need any clarification with watches or timers as her biological clock was far better than any gadgets available. It was how she had always been able to keep track of time during missions.

"Akame, any closer and you're going to burn yourself," Yukio chirped, struggling to keep a straight face. He had an elbow placed on one knee, and a hand supporting his chin as he observed his mentor with mirth sparkling within his emeralds. 'Man, she's trying so hard not to drool that it's hilarious to watch!' Try as he might, the young man couldn't suppress a snicker at her impatience.

Fortunately for him, Akame had ignored his restricted sound. To decrease the likelihood of bursting into laughter, Yukio quickly turned to look at the creature being roasted—a super high-graded Danger Beast known as an Evilbird. In general, this particular species was considered to be a voracious eater that destroyed villages. Until today, Yukio had never seen one this close, let alone engage it in battle with Akame as his advisor.

'I thought I was gonna become a snack when that thing suddenly appeared and dragged me into the sky. I'm lucky that it was greedy and that Akame managed to bait it to the river to soften my landing.'

No sooner had Yukio struck the Evilbird down and dried himself off than Akame impaled the Danger Beast with a massive stick, seemingly more impressed by the size of the bird than the young man's accomplishment. Due to the girl's rumbling stomach, they had postponed their initial plan to rendezvous with Najenda and as an alternative, set up camp under the setting sun.

"Akame, are you listening?" Brow twitching from the lack of acknowledgment, Yukio cleared his throat once, successfully gaining the girl's attention. "What are you going to do about Tatsumi? He is supposed to be on our side. Shouldn't we be doing something to get him back?"

Six days had passed since he and Leone witnessed the fight between Tatsumi and Mamoru, and just as he had predicted, the news didn't set in well for Akame. While her visage deceived the eyes of the other Night Raiders, they all knew that something was terribly wrong when they saw her spar with Yukio. Finding the regular training to be stress relieving, Akame unknowingly launched more aggressive assaults, dealing countless blows on the poor apprentice. Surprisingly, Yukio didn't cower or complain about his bruises. Instead, he daringly encouraged and provoked Akame to strike, comprehending that this was perhaps the best remedy for her troubled soul. And to a certain degree, his effort helped ease the red-eyed girl.

In contrast, Ieyasu was more optimistic. Assured that the complications between him and Tatsumi would be resolved with their next encounter, Ieyasu was very cooperative under Dr. Takito's care. Through the use of the physician's first-rate medicine, the boy recovered at an exponential rate, with only the remnants of ugly scars on his upper torso that attested his physical torment at Aria's hands.

"At this point, I'll do nothing. Tatsumi will discover the Empire's evil and his heart will decide his path."

"You sound so sure, like you completely trust him to make the right choice," Yukio shrugged, unaware of his own despondent tone as a sudden breeze ruffled his hair. He leaped up at once, his senses alert for the slightest change in the air current. 'The winds have shifted… Something is coming.' Estimating the newcomer to be a creature of the heavens, Yukio jerked his head towards the orange sky.

"We have visitors," he warned.

"I know," Akame replied, standing up and resting her left hand on Murasame. She stole a discreet glance at the roasting bird. 'Close… 60 seconds.'

In that moment, a looming shape was cast over the duo, confirming Yukio's speculation as it glided down leisurely, catching the next draft. The massive blue wings tilted a little, revealing a person clad in a length black coat that flailed about due to the high altitude.

"The Boss is back!" exclaimed Yukio, recognizing the assertive and silver-haired form of Najenda on the back of what he could now identify as an Air Mantas, a special-class Danger Beast with a body of ocean color and yellow eyes with slit-like pupils. According to Akame, this type of Danger Beast was used for transportation as they were relatively easy to tame.

Najenda smirked and dropped herself down from the stingray creature in a remarkable display of aerial maneuver, her feet finding the stone-littered ground with little difficulty. Greatly impressing Yukio with the stunt, she held out her mechanical arm in greeting. "Yo, it's been a while."

"Boss," Akame addressed her respectfully.

"Welcome back, Boss. Did anything interesting happen?" In contrast to his mentor's reserved attitude, Yukio was more laid-back as he greeted Najenda with his trademark grin.

"Only a few updates on the Revolutionary Army's recent progression as well as a large pile of missives listing our new targets." Najenda heaved a tired sigh and ran her hand through her silver mane. "Even prior to my defection, I was never too keen on conferences. Those gatherings are mind-numbing no matter which side you're on. Apparently, the council members have a penchant to prattle on and on about trifling matters during times the Leader is ill. To my hard luck, it just happens to be so when I'm called back. At this rate, I hardly think that the Revolutionary Army will make its advance towards the Capital anytime soon. But more importantly, I overheard something that prompted my return. It's about The Four. I assume you two have heard about it already."

Both Akame and Yukio nodded.

"Alas, we can't do anything about it at the moment. As much as I want to eliminate at least one of them before they regroup, the risk is far too great. I fear that we may suffer many casualties… and even then, success is still not guaranteed. For now, we should best be on guard and avoid any possible confrontation with them until I've devised a strategy." Najenda took a long breath and sat on a wooden stool beside the bonfire. Assessing the Evilbird being cooked, she flashed her subordinates a charismatic smile. "Now, why don't you two tell me what you've been up to while I enjoy some of this?"

"Certainly." Yukio unbuttoned his sweater and took out his dagger. In a slow and careful movement to avoid burning his fingers, he cut up a chunk of the meat and offered it to Najenda.

"A week ago, Leone came back with a request regarding a family who drugs and tortures its victims, mainly people from the country. After the usual procedures we eliminated them and somehow acquired a new recruit." As Yukio handed her an Evilbird leg, Akame reported nonchalantly, not forgetting to emphasize the last part as she aimed an exasperated glance at the young man.

While Yukio returned a look that plainly said "this was nee-san's idea," Najenda took a bite of the meat and savored the unique flavors that impressed her taste buds. "Does this new recruit show promise?"

"I think so…?" said Yukio lamely. Truth be told, much of Ieyasu's prowess was still a mystery. In spite of everything, Yukio couldn't conduct a proper evaluation since the boy's only opponent had been Aria, and the girl was a commoner with no knowledge of self defense. However, Yukio did observe Tatsumi's fight. Assuming that Ieyasu and Tatsumi's abilities were on par with each other, it was possible that the former was also full of untapped potential.

"Perhaps we should ask him directly," suggested Akame, gesturing towards downstream.

"Hmm?" Following her index finger, Yukio saw Ieyasu heading in their direction, accompanied by Leone. Compared to the first time the blond saw him, Ieyasu was much more animated. With his carriage full of assurance, the country boy was wearing a pair of khakis and an apricot-colored coat with water-resistant properties.

"So who's next, nee-san?" Ieyasu asked, avid for whoever he was going to encounter next. Up till now, he was introduced to Sheele, Mine, Bulat, and Lubbock—all practiced assassins with distinctive personalities. Despite being barely acquainted with them, Ieyasu was beginning to doubt the tales that he'd heard since arriving in the Capital. The members of Night Raid were undeniably killers, but even so, they weren't as malevolent as the rumors depicted. Although their means could often be misleading and morally wrong, they were ultimately striving for a better future.

Leone ruffled Ieyasu's rowdy dark hair, her fingers brushing over his white martial arts headband in a friendly manner. She winked, flashing him an alluring smile. "Next up should be Yukio-kun and Akame. It's kinda funny how you can almost always find the two in the same place. Well, you've already met Yukio-kun but Akame is a cute girl. You can look forward to it."

'Cute?' Ieyasu found Leone's choice of word to be unsuitable as he assessed the said girl. Looking anything but cute, Akame, whom he recognized as his other rescuer, was nonchalantly gnawing on something that resembled a chicken leg. The red-eyed girl spared him no more than an uninterested look before borrowing Yukio's dagger to cut off more meat.

'Is that bird more important than greeting me? Damn, assassins are weird.' Ieyasu didn't need to be told that Akame was more concerned about satisfying her hunger than greeting him, and so he turned to address Yukio. "Yukio-san, we meet again. I hope this isn't too late but thanks for saving my life. I owe you big time."

"Huh? Oh no, don't worry about it. You don't owe me anything. I just happened to stumble upon you the other day," the young man said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "Also, I'm a new recruit like you; you should drop the honorific and just call me Yukio."

"Leone, you should eat too." Akame gave a portion to the blonde woman before interrupting the boys. Without any warning, she tossed a drumstick in Ieyasu's direction, abrupt and fast.

"Huh? Oh, thanks for the food!" Ieyasu sensed the impending object and caught it with little effort, unaware that the action was on purpose. There was little hesitation as he took a big mouthful and swallowed. "Mmmm… Tastes good! Who made it?"

"I did," Akame replied bluntly and pointed to herself, the gesture mistakenly boastful if not for her flat tone and impassive features.

"I'm giving you a ten out of ten for this."

"Akame, aren't you being extravagant today?" Leone couldn't help but ask, a little unused to the black-haired assassin voluntarily sharing.

"The Boss has come back." Akame pointed to the other side of the fire, as though that clarified everything.

"Welcome back Boss, what do you think of our new recruit? I recommend him joining the team." Feeling self-conscious since she had failed to detect Najenda's presence from behind the bonfire, Leone spoke quickly to hide her uneasiness. She gestured towards Ieyasu, her arm flourishing in a dramatic movement. "I can vouch for him. Ieyasu-kun has talent."

"Is that so? Ieyasu…?" Najenda studied the boy from top to bottom. In terms of physique, he was well-built and had strapping shoulders, unmistakable even under all the layers. Additionally, the boy was observant and could respond to things quickly, as demonstrated with Akame's little test earlier. Leone was right; he was a suited candidate for Night Raid. "Ieyasu, your strength is greatly appreciated among us. However, are you truly willing to devote yourself to a life of carnage? Don't be pressured by Leone; you're free to choose your own path."

"Oww! Boss, I didn't do any—" Leone raised her voice and tried protesting.

"Nee-san has nothing to do with this," Ieyasu cut the blonde woman short and locked eyes with Najenda. "I'll be blunt with you, boss lady. Before, I would've handed you guys over to the Empire since my village is desperate for money," he paused momentarily and shrugged a shoulder, sensing wariness from Akame and Yukio. "But that was before my first night experience in the Capital. Thanks to that bitch's hospitality, I've realized just how crazy everything is in this place. I want to fix it so that no one else will have to suffer like we did. I've thought about it already; I want to become part of your group… as an assassin of justice!"

"Pff! An assassin of justice? That's naïve, Ieyasu-kun," Leone chuckled dryly, her golden orbs brimming in an austere manner. "No matter how you spin it, we commit murder. There ain't any justice at all. We are just good-for-nothings, rejected by society."

"Nee-san's right," Yukio shook his head. "Justice and murder are like perpendicular lines; they have only one intersection. To kill is to sin, a contradiction to the righteousness which you speak of."

"Look, I get that you guys are pros at killing and that I should take your advice… But right or wrong, I've made up my mind and I'm sticking to it. Nothing you say will change it! It doesn't matter if my reason is stupid!" His fist shook with vigor at the unexpected disapproval as he retorted fiercely. While Sayo would've probably pouted at the display of stubbornness, Ieyasu took pride in this particular trait of his. Known for a steadfastness which resulted in numerous squabbles with Tatsumi back in his home village, Ieyasu wanted acceptance from the assassins.

"…To join Night Raid and condemn your life to an eternal struggle. You may never see your hometown again." Disinclined to have Ieyasu pursuing Tatsumi's ideology, Akame was adamant in dissuading the boy. She looked at him unswervingly, observing him with a piercing gaze. Since she was not adept at verbal communication, she allowed her body language to convey her message instead.

"So what? As long as the others are all safe and happy, then it doesn't matter if I can go back or not," countered Ieyasu, returning a stare with rivaling sharpness. Undeniably, the female assassin's squinted crimsons were eloquent, and the urge to stand down was strong. Nonetheless, Ieyasu compelled himself to be definite. "I'm staying. I belong with you guys now."

"You're wagering your life. Death is almost certain in the assassin trade. We'll all face retribution someday," Akame stated in a monotone voice, disregarding the snort that Yukio emitted at the mention of retribution.

"Then come at me. I ain't scared!" proclaimed Ieyasu. "I rather face the grim reaper himself than see another person suffer and die like Sayo!"

"…"

"…"

The two reached an impasse, with none of them willing to renounce their opinions. Time seemed to stop as they stood there, eye to eye, like two adversaries preparing for a battle. None of the other Night Raiders spoke, apparently taken aback by the sparks flying in their vicinity. Only the running river and the crackling fire contributed as background noises, though they were insignificant amidst the thick tension.

It was Akame who eventually terminated their standoff.

"Willful…" the red-eyed girl muttered, but didn't dispute further. In spite of having a compelling argument ready, she pushed it away and instead relapsed on a particular memory. Like Ieyasu, the person centering her thoughts was also headstrong, persistently pursuing his beliefs no matter the odds.

'Why…? Why do you two share a similar ideology?'

For a split second, Akame felt herself falter and it became obvious that any deterring means would only reinforce his resolve. From the very moment that Ieyasu fixed his eyes on her, Akame felt overwhelmed by the sheer willpower showcasing within his dark pools. Before, such intensity would've affected her little, but presently, the pain of her loss was still fresh and her heart involuntarily wavered.

"You are importunate… Then so be it," she heaved a soundless sigh, as if those words had drained away her strength.

Seeing that Akame had conceded victory to Ieyasu, Najenda smirked, the faintest hint of satisfaction creeping through her features. It was noteworthy that Ieyasu had actually succeeded in acquiring Akame's approval. With determination just as great, the ex-general felt certain that Ieyasu would prove to be a valuable asset in their battles against the Empire. "Ieyasu, conveniently, Night Raid fits you perfectly. You will receive plenty of opportunities to change this country. Any rewards you receive from doing missions can also be sent back to your village."

"So, is Ieyasu one of us now?" Coming out of his stupor, Yukio asked, needing confirmation to remove any ambiguity.

"Yes. I'm indeed acknowledging Ieyasu as one of our own."

"But Boss, Ieyasu doesn't have a Teigu. You told me before that Night Raid is a group of Teigu users." Although delighted to have an additional comrade, Yukio was able to recall the conversation he had with Najenda two weeks ago. "Judging from your nervousness, I gather that you've realized that we are Night Raid, a small group of Teigu-wielding assassins. Every one of us here is capable of dispatching a squadron singlehandedly." Even if Ieyasu proved to be a gifted assassin, without an Imperial Arms, he was at a great disadvantage when weighed against the other members.

"While it is true that having a Teigu is very convenient, I'm afraid that we don't have any available in the hideout."

At that, Yukio shared a knowing look with Akame, who in turn nodded to consent.

"Actually Boss, w-I have three spares. We can test their compatibility with Ieyasu," the blond suggested.

"You what?" exclaimed Leone, her bottom jaw dropping low.

Her reaction was partially expected and was in no way exaggerated. To possess three Teigu out of the 48 was definitely considered exceptional as the ancient relics were scattered across the continent after the civil war 500 years ago. By now, many would already be in use. Therefore, to have three in reserve must mean that Yukio had managed to defeat the Teigu users and claimed their Imperial Arms as his prize.

From Leone's surprise, Yukio had a lurking feeling that she was under the wrong impression. But since he couldn't correct her without being utterly honest, the young man kept his mouth shut.

"Um… so what exactly is a Teigu?" asked Ieyasu.

"…!"

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Conference Room). Time: Dusk. Year: 1024 (Day 16).

By the time he had finished providing a lengthy explanation to Ieyasu, Yukio found himself desperate for water. Guzzling a glass full of liquid down his parched throat, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The young man splashed some water on his face, mentally grimacing at himself for volunteering to educate Ieyasu on the Imperial weapons.

Ieyasu was, without doubt, more brawn than brains. Failing to understand simple concepts relating to magic and history, the younger boy was scratching his head in pure confusion as Yukio tried to simplify everything with little luck. In the end, Lubbock had to provide visuals on pieces of paper so that Ieyasu could at least grasp the basics.

'Note to self: never ever jovially volunteer to do something again for Boss, especially if that unpaid work is related to teaching.'

When Yukio returned from the kitchen carrying a bag, the rest of the Night Raiders were already assembled in the conference room, excluding Najenda, who sat in her usual spot. The other members crowded around Yukio as he dropped his load onto the red carpet.

Knees bent in a crouching position and hands searching inside the bag, Yukio took out the first Imperial Arms. His fingers came into contact with a cool metallic chain and he hoisted the item to eye level. Made into a heart-shaped necklace with tiny-like components jutting out from the sides, this particular relic caught the attention of almost every Night Raider immediately.

"Huh? Is this piece of jewelry of any use?" asked Leone, her voice filled with doubt. No matter what angle she viewed it, the necklace Teigu didn't seem to be remarkable in any way, other than its strange design. Although she couldn't claim that Lionelle was anything intimidating like Extase or Murasame, the belt Teigu was at least efficient in battle.

"Really, Leone?" Sheele said thoughtfully, placing a finger on her chin. "I think it looks really beautiful."

"Sheele, I was commenting on its practical use," Leone pointed out.

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, Leone-nee-san. Maybe this one has some kind of special ability… But still, are those Cupid's wings? I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before cause I would remember if I have. I guess this also means that the book probably won't have any records either." To certify his statement, Lubbock ambled towards the massive guidebook placed on the wooden table and flipped it open. Published by numerous co-authors, the hardcover was the Revolutionary Army's guide to all known Teigu. The strategist left no page unturned as he searched for the entry. "Nope, Najenda-san. This section is as blank as a newborn."

"Then perhaps you could be the scribe, Lubbock. I can tell you all about it," Yukio smiled, almost nostalgically. "Angel's Revival: Hirasaki. It's the only support-type Teigu besides Lionelle with healing abilities. I've heard that it was made from a special concoction with some sort of mystical herbs mixed in and-"

"Oh, hurry up already! This is boring. We don't need a lecture about how it was made. Just get to the point and tell us what it does!" Mine snapped, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Sorry. I got carried away," Yukio grinned sheepishly and reassembled his train of thoughts. "Well, like I said before, Hirasaki is used for healing purposes. Naturally, there are certain limitations like reviving the dead and treating chronic illnesses. I also know that excessive use can reduce the lifespan of the user."

"Whoa! We got an encyclopedia on Teigu here," Lubbock whistled, obviously in awe.

"That's my man!" Bulat praised with a thumbs up.

"…"

Every single pair of eyes were fixed on the ex-soldier. An awkward silence descended, with the males cringing and the females, excluding Akame and Sheele, arching an eyebrow as if to say "seriously".

'Aniki didn't just say that. My ears are just playing tricks on me… he didn't say that. He didn't say that, he did not say that.' With sweat forming miniature pools behind his back and his skin paling, Yukio convinced himself that he had simply misheard Bulat.

"Ahem," Najenda coughed loudly into her mechanical fist, shattering the uncomfortable stillness. "Yukio. How is it that you are so familiar with this Teigu?" Her tone in no way compromising, she rested her chin on her adjoined hands, interlocking her fingers together.

The young man was still an enigma to her. Not only did Najenda know very little about him, but he seemed to be well informed about individual Teigu, even up to the point where he was — as Lubbock had stated — a walking encyclopedia.

Additionally, Akame seemed reluctant to share Yukio's biography. In typical cases, the red-eyed assassin's obedience was without a question. However, when dealing with issues concerning Yukio, Akame was more guarded. Najenda was convinced that the girl knew more than she was telling her. As a respected commander, Najenda was accustomed to having subservient subordinates. If truly strict on protocol, she could always resort to a forced interrogation. Still, the woman trusted Akame enough to abandon the notion immediately. She knew that the raven-haired girl wouldn't do anything to endanger her friends.

"…Um. P-prior knowledge?" stuttered Yukio, still against the idea of being dishonest. He immediately regretted his pathetic answer. His response was dry and croaky, like his throat was scraped with sandpaper. Even without looking, he was certain that Akame had nearly choked on the ration that she was having.

'Man, that was worse than a child trying to lie for the first time!'

Since Najenda didn't insist on elaborations, Yukio hastily moved on. He placed the necklace on the ground and pulled out a pair of double-headed axes. With oddly shaped silver ornaments decorating the bronze hilts, the weapon was indeed lethal and beautiful.

"This is Terra's Striker: Senpu, an offensive Teigu split into two parts capable of merging together. It can manipulate the earth, generate shockwaves, and even cause fissures and earthquakes." Making sure that he didn't overload the others with information this time around, Yukio carefully positioned the Imperial Arms next to the first one before reaching back into the bag.

The final Teigu was in the form of a simple whip of about an arm's length. A little puzzled by the appearance of the weapon, Yukio turned it around, cautiously avoiding its thorn-like tips. 'I know I've seen this somewhere before.' He inspected the handle and saw the blood-red crest of a rose. "…Nature's Slicer: Thorn Whip, I think that's what it's called. It's an offensive and defensive type Teigu that can adjust its length accordingly. The spikes protruding out can eject toxic. But as for what the toxic does… I have no clue."

With the three Teigu arranged side by side on the carpet, Yukio took a few steps back to allow room for Ieyasu. As a rule, the compatibility of a Teigu is largely dependent on first impressions. The user's personality or ability would also have to correspond with the weapon.

His arms folded across his chest, Ieyasu studied the three relics with a critical mind and straight away eliminated one of them. 'That stupid looking necklace is big no-no. I ain't gonna wear something that girly.' Left with two Imperial Arms, he was about to examine Thorn Whip when he felt a strange pull. His eyes were dragged towards Senpu like two magnets of opposite poles. The Imperial Arms was singing its tune to him, demanding him to wield it. Unable to resist this yielding, Ieyasu found himself picking up the weapon. The weight felt so natural in his hands as he gave a few test swings.

Pleased, he nodded, "this is so cool! Can I take this one?"

"Why not? The Teigu obviously likes you and Yukio here won't mind, woul—" Lubbock halted mid sentence, feeling the threads of his Cross Tail move. As the one responsible for keeping a lookout for any suspicious activities, Lubbock had his invisible threads spread around the perimeter of the base, acting as an alarm system. The strings were now jerking, implying that someone or something had encroached. "Intruders! Najenda-san!"

"What are their numbers and location?" Najenda asked.

"According to the reaction from my barrier, it's probably fifteen people! They've all infiltrated close to the hideout!"

"I've to commend them for sniffing this place out. They're probably mercenaries from one of the surrounding tribes." Najenda exhaled a breath, tendrils of smoking wafting up. "There's no other way. It's an emergency. Move out. Don't let any escape!"

The members of Night Raid didn't need to be told twice. They took action instantaneously, setting out in small groups to take down all intruders.

Ieyasu stood still as his seniors exited the room, leaving him alone with Najenda and Yukio. Like a lost child, he clutched onto Senpu and turned towards Yukio, who was zipping up the bag containing the remaining two Teigu. "Hey, Yukio. What am I supposed to do?"

"Just lounge about would be my advice, but Akame would probably detest that. She believes that there is nothing more valuable than a practical lesson. You can learn a lot from it." Yukio supplied the newest recruit a reassuring smile and then added, "Still, you shouldn't push yourself too hard. We don't want those wounds to reopen. Now let's go."

"Roger that!" Ieyasu saluted.

Watching the last two of her subordinates leave, Najenda was washed with a sense of satisfaction and an indecipherable smile curled her lips. 'Yukio and Ieyasu, my intuition tells me that you two will be integral components in the revolution that will surely come in the near future. Survive and get stronger. Don't let me down… We, Night Raid, have a future to rebuild!'

Location: Close to Night Raid's Hideout (In the Forest). Time: Dusk. Year: 1024 (Day 16).

"Remind me again why you're here? I don't remember agreeing to babysit you." Lying prone on the forest ground and in the perfect position to shoot down any intruders, Mine spared an annoyed glance at one of the two figures who were concealed within the bushes behind her.

"Baransu tends to use up a lot of mental energy at times, and since our enemies aren't even Teigu users, Akame suggested that I should just watch the fights and evaluate them instead of participating," Yukio replied as he scanned the surrounding area with a pair of binoculars that he had managed to borrow from the sniper. With Mine being the only far-range attacker on the team, the young assassin had decided to accompany her and Sheele to their venture point. Now on higher grounds, he could observe any nearby battles.

Gaze sweeping towards the east, he discerned Akame as one of the four outlines by the riverbank. The skirmish was over the instant Murasame was drawn. In the blink of an eye, Akame dashed through the line of mercenaries and three bodies toppled onto the ground.

His mentor moved her lips, a message that Yukio deciphered as, "you lowered your guard far too much in enemy territory." The young man smirked. Even supposing that the mercenaries took her advice to heart, it was already too late for them to do anything about it. In any case, underestimating Akame of the Demon Sword Murasame was simply asking for a death wish.

"Akame is done with her opponents. It was one slash, certain kill," he reported with traces of contentment that didn't escape Mine's notice.

"Tsk, Leone was right about you being Akame's pet," Mine snorted and readjusted the sniping scope on Pumpkin. Her pre-readied insults were about to leave her lips when she caught the silhouette of a figure darting through the forest. 'Hmm, looks like he's trying to get back to his client and relay information. Heh, he's stupid if he thinks that I'm gonna let him escape!'

"I see one, but it looks like he's gotten pretty far." Signaling Yukio and Sheele to stay in hiding, Mine stood up and exposed herself to the surroundings. Her next shot was already locked on the fleeing target, simply waiting to be amplified by a pinch. "I don't really like being seen, but…" The bushes behind her moved and a smug grin appeared on her visage. It came earlier than she would give credit for.

"I got you now!" Deceived into believing that Mine was careless, a mercenary ricocheted off a tree, pulling out a curved blade.

There was a rustling sound as a form shot forth from the side. The razor-sharp edges of a pair of scissors closed around the attacker and severed him from waist up, spurting forth a fountain of blood.

"My apologies." Habit of old, Sheele apologized.

"Thanks Sheele," Mine beamed at the woman as Pumpkin pulsed in a recognizable rhythm. The Teigu had registered her pinch. Concentrating on her target, Mine charged the weapon for a destructive blast. "It was a nice pinch! The risk is enough to reach him!"

With the trigger pulled, Pumpkin accumulated its stored energy into its barrel and discharged an intense laser-like beam. A thunderous clamor reverberated in Yukio's ears, the blast tearing the ground, barreling down the soil and battering down trees. Pure astonishment was etched on the mercenary's face as the flare completely engulfed him, his scream lost amidst the explosion as his body disintegrated from the face of the earth.

"All right! Bull's-eye!" Mine slung Pumpkin on her shoulder, pleased with the results. "The more trouble we're in, the greater Pumpkin's firepower."

'That's five down now. There should be ten more.' A little wary of Mine, Yukio distracted himself by searching for his other comrades.

Towards the west, Leone had activated her Teigu and effortlessly pounded down a man more than twice her size. Seated down lazily with her legs stretched out on the corpse, Leone flexed her claws and waved in his direction.

'Nee-san just beat that guy to death… scary.' Nervously waving back, Yukio continued to monitor the battles that had yet to end.

Bulat could be seen in the north, surrounded by six enemies who were encircling him in high speed. In chorus with one and other, the attackers all leaped into striking position, blocking all of Bulat's escape routes. The Hundred Man-Slayer didn't move an inch but instead brandished Neuntote in a series of movements that was impossible to capture with the naked eye. The halberd sliced through all six mercenaries and created a shower of blood.

"So strong!" Yukio breathed out.

"That's why he's known as the One Hundred Man-Slayer," Mine commented as she too noticed the fight that had caught Yukio's attention.

Proceeding to reattach her weapon onto her back, Sheele nodded in agreement. "Bulat is strong, isn't he?"

"You don't say, Sheele-san… Hey Mine, I can't seem to find Lubbock anywhere. Can you see him?" With the binoculars trained on Ieyasu who seemed to be wandering around aimlessly, Yukio furrowed his brows when he couldn't see anyone who resembled Lubbock. Having searched the forest grounds more than twice, he was most confused when he didn't come across the strategist. 'Come on! I know his green hair may blend in well with the trees and everything, but this is just too ridiculous. Where is he?'

"Knowing Lubbock, he's probably dealing with the intruders that got caught in his traps." Zooming in on the landscape with her sniping scope, Mine ascertained the locations of every other Night Raider in an instant. "If I can't see him then he's probably inside that cave to the north… Hmm. Sheele, newbie, look. Over there, the other newbie got the lucky last bunch."

Hearing that, Yukio returned to the lenses and saw that Ieyasu was indeed confronting two men. The country boy stood defiantly, wielding Senpu as though he was born solely to do so. Even when outnumbered, he stood firm, interlocking weapons with his foe before overwhelming him with sheer strength. With no time to waste, Ieyasu pivoted his feet, swinging both axes towards the last enemy.

But just when Yukio believed that Ieyasu was on the verge of winning, something happened that caused Ieyasu to wince. The stitches of a wound had come apart and the boy's clothes were stained with red. Momentarily stopped by the pain, he involuntarily gave the mercenary the chance to strike back.

'Ieyasu! He can't block in time!' Dread started to engulf Yukio, his sweating hand clasped around Baransu. No. He was too far away. He wouldn't make it, even with his Teigu's aid. Incapable of doing anything else, he watched with wide eyes as the mercenary delivered the final blow.

'Someone help him!'

Yukio never knew whether or not it was because of his prayers or due to some pure coincidence, but Akame arrived on the spot. She trended on the back of her foe, disrupting his balance with a forceful kick. Her blade was quick to bury itself into the man's back. The body shuddered once and then became motionless.

"The newbie got lucky." As if Ieyasu's life meant nothing to her, Mine stated it indifferently after witnessing the display. Nonetheless, her action was contradictory to her apathetic tone. With fingers still looped around Pumpkin's trigger, she had planned to shoot down the man had Akame interfered a second too late.

"We're done here," said Mine as she turned around and relocated Pumpkin into its case. Her twin tails dancing pleasantly with the breeze, she directed Sheele and Yukio with a confident grin. "Let's return."

Location: Outside Night Raid's Hideout. Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 16).

Yukio yawned and took in the fresh cool air. His lungs inhaled the unsullied oxygen which he then relinquished gently through his lips. He was looking up at the starry night, with his legs comfortably spread out and hands pressed against the grass to support his seated form. A miniature gasp escaped him as he marveled at the scene that nature had blessed him with. The heavens were lit up by sparking silver diamonds that scattered across the layer of black.

"Yukeo, yu shold jon in wit te oters." (Translation: "Yukio, you should join in with the others.") Her words indiscernible due to her masticating, Akame came beside Yukio and took a spot next to him. At her approach, Yukio shifted his sight to his right.

After eliminating the intruders, a banquet was held to celebrate Ieyasu's compatibility with Senpu. As with their usual custom, the Night Raiders had set up a feast outdoors and entertained themselves by partying.

Subsequent to the evening meal, Najenda pulled Ieyasu aside for a checkup. At the same time, Bulat and Leone were engaging in a drinking competition. From Yukio's perspective, that had been an awful idea. Hoping to top Leone's absurd record of twenty jugs, Bulat ended up getting drunk and decided to sing karaoke. Despite being the strongest Night Raid member, Bulat's vocal tract was not designed for anything musical. The ex-soldier's war song generated enough ruckus to render Lubbock unconscious.

Mine, unable to tolerate the horrendous singing, opted to hurl dozens of insults out of frustration. Her put downs did little to reduce the clamor. In fact, it only exacerbated the situation once the drunken assassin and the sniper got into a verbal spat about who had the better voice.

"I think I'll pass. I'm not a big fan of singing and screaming on top of my lungs," Yukio grinned, moderately amazed that he could interpret Akame's meaning. Feeling a little helpless as he watched Sheele and Leone try to separate the two accosting Night Raiders, he shook his head before lowering himself down onto the ground. He shut out all background noises and stargazed, using his hands as cushions. "Besides, it has been ages since I've last seen the stars like this."

"How long were you sealed inside the Teigu?" Akame inquired, swallowing down a mouthful of meat.

"I can't really tell, but things have changed a lot since then… even simple things like kitchenware," he replied, his usual cheerfulness overlapped by sadness.

They entered a moment of silence after that, with Akame busy eating and Yukio fixated by the night sky. A gentle breeze descended upon them, teasing Akame's tresses and encircling around the two like a child seeking company. The starlit heavens endorsed an affectionate atmosphere, putting the two assassins at ease. Amidst nature's beauty, crickets sang in harmony, drowning out the noises of the other Night Raiders. The world entered a seemingly serene state, all the while keeping a lazy eye on the duo who sat next to each other. It was a divine moment that any couple could ever dream of… but neither Akame nor Yukio seemed to realize it as such.

As if suddenly keen to disrupt this encouraging mood, Yukio broke the tranquility by speaking the first thought that entered his head. "Akame, if you don't mind me asking, I thought you opposed the idea of having Ieyasu on the team. What made you change your mind?"

"Ieyasu's tenacity intrigues me," Akame confessed, closing her eyes in what Yukio assumed was reminiscence of a person. "Surprisingly, he reminds me of Tatsumi."

"I see… It seems to me that you and Tatsumi care a lot for one and other. He must be a great guy to obtain your approval." Yukio attempted a genuine smile, though it was spoiled by the melancholy under his facial pretense. He was rather relieved to see that Akame's eyelids were still closed, preventing her from seeing his unsuccessful endeavor to express falsehearted joy. His uncharacteristic attitude mystified himself because he couldn't understand it, but it was somehow painful to know how much Akame cherished her memories of Tatsumi.

Tatsumi… he was a person highly regarded by Akame in terms of strength and persona. From what Yukio could tell, the two possessed a unique bond that went beyond ordinary friendship, strengthened by all the hardships and losses they had endured together. On a few occasions, Akame's characteristic impassiveness would disperse at the mention of Tatsumi, her emotions raw during matters related to him. Was this perhaps an indication that Akame harbored some special feeling towards him?

'Why do I feel unpleased? Why do I even care about who Akame likes and doesn't like?' In that instant, he mulled over the question, his brows puckering from the deep contemplations. Since when did he begin to show interest in Akame's emotions? Now that he had time to ponder it, he found his behavior off-putting. Undeniably, inquisitiveness was always one of his traits but he would never delve into someone's personal issues. It was just unlike him to do so; he respected the fact that everyone was shrouded with secrets of their own.

'But Akame is different.'

Yukio took some consideration that Akame was his savior. It was she who disrupted his eternal slumber and eradicated his sense of loneliness. By nature, he should be attracted to Akame, if only just to prevent solitude in a world that he had no ties to. 'Yes, that must be it.' Finding the reason to be appropriate, he felt accomplished knowing that he had solved a problem without having to use Baransu for help. 'Actually, this is the first time I've bothered thinking about something so deep and psychological without slacking off.'

"I suppose so," Akame stated as she revealed her dazzling rubies to the dark sky. Finding the sudden urge to change topics, she took another bite of the drumstick which had been neglected in her hand for quite some time. "So, what did you think of the team? You did observe our battles, right?"

"I didn't see Lubbock's. But apart from that, I saw the rest, including yours. I really do have a lot to learn from all of you, and especially from you, Akame. You really do live up to your role as an assassin. Your first strikes are super fast and your battōjutsu really complements Murasame's ability. Man, I didn't even see your katana leave the scabbard!" The shift in subject appeared to have lightened Yukio's mood. The young man spoke with enthusiasm as he mimicked Akame's sword-drawing technique with his hands.

"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 calmly, her gaze drifting towards Murasame. For the briefest of seconds, she thought that the blade's hilt vibrated in silent agreement, but the irrationality of such a phenomenon made her dismiss it. "Still, I am far from being omnipotent. I do have my weaknesses."

"You mean like fighting someone like Aniki, who is covered from head to toe in armor?"

"True, that does pose many problems… but there is also another weakness that you're probably not aware of."

"Hmm? So what is it?" More stunned than anything by Akame's confession, Yukio turned his head to the side. His cheek touched grass strands and he raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Not the least concerned about admitting to the truth, Akame explained, "I must eliminate my enemies the moment I encounter them. Otherwise, my strength weakens as the battle prolongs. The strength of battōjutsu is also its main weakness, so I try to attack lethal areas whenever the opportunity arises. " As an assassin practiced in the art of ambush, she was accustomed to finishing off enemies quickly. By channeling the majority of her strength into her first series of attacks, she could cleave through bodies faster than a heartbeat. However, if a battle was to become that of endurance, she knew that each of her consecutive swings held less power than the previous. "My occupation is an assassin. I can never truly rival a warrior in terms of fair swordplay."

"…Well, no one's perfect, I guess. I mean, I had thought that being observant was one of my talents and yet, I've failed to notice this weakness of yours despite having sparred with you." Although curious as to how Akame had discovered his hidden talent in reading people, Yukio left that thought unasked. After all, he had tried his luck by attempting to read the red-eyed killer already. As one who was also insightful, Akame certainly didn't take long to realize that Yukio had his method of probing into her thoughts and emotions. 'Once again, thank you father, who gave me private instruction on reading people. But now that I think about it, he did mention that looks are naturally deceitful and that the only thing you can truly trust is a person's heart. I wonder if–'

"You two look comfortable."

Dragged out of his musings by the voice, Yukio was surprised when Najenda's head came into view. The boss of Night Raid was staring down on him with a growing grin, reminding him a lot of a person who had just earned her first victory in a game of chess.

"Are you two planning something special for tonight?" asked Najenda.

"Boss, is there something you need me for?" Mistaking Najenda's implication, Akame instead inquired.

Since Akame was all about business, Najenda inwardly heaved a sigh when the anticipated reaction failed to show from the girl. Still, she was kept somewhat amused when Yukio's face turned a darker shade in understanding. It would appear that he was not as innocent as she had first thought. 'And why do I get a feeling that Lubbock is behind all this… I guess I'll have to talk to him about this later.' Pushing that thought aside, Najenda cleared her throat and spoke to Akame. "After speaking with Ieyasu, I've realized that whilst he's quite skilled, he lacks the fundamental concepts. Since Bulat, Mine, Lubbock, and Sheele are going on a mission, I'll need you to take up two apprentices for a few days. Can you handle it?"

"Got it." It was the same monotonous response that brought Yukio a sense of déjà vu.

"So… if Ieyasu does become a burden, are we free to kill him?" asked the blond teasingly.

"Ieyasu, did you hear that? Make sure you do your best not to get killed!" With a smirk that Yukio was very familiar with, Najenda informed the boy who was approaching them.

"Wait, you guys aren't serious, right?" Ieyasu gulped, his smile vanishing. He cast a discreet glance in Akame's direction. Though he doubted that Yukio was serious, something told him that the wielder of Murasame lacked the sense of humor to decipher Najenda's words as light-hearted.

'Not good. I gotta work with HER?'

Night Raid Members Remaining: 9

Mission: Kill the Intruders

Participating Members: All (Excluding Najenda)

Result: Eliminated

Rewards: None

The Four Present in the Capital: 2

Author's Notes: Chapter 7 has now come to an end. For those of you who have enjoyed it or thought of some improvements, please leave a comment in the review section or PM me directly. I'll happily read your reviews for any useful suggestions or general remarks and answer your questions without spoilers. In any case, writers are like flames of enthusiasm and reviews are the fuel of motivation needed to keep the flare alive.

WARNING- This is the last chance to submit your vote on who the critical "survivor" in this story will be. Once the next chapter is published, I'll take down the poll and tally up the results. For more information regarding the poll, please check the Author's Notes in chapter 2.

…

To the guest member "TheFancyFox": I can see that Tatsumi's development is something that intrigues you greatly. To avoid spoilers, all I'll say is that Tatsumi will eventually "receive" Incursio, though not in a way which you might have predicted.

…

And finally, as I know that my updates can be infrequent, I've decided to drop a few hints in the section underneath to recapitulate relevant plot events and specific points. This way, I hope to avoid confusion once mysteries are unraveled. Obviously, this will also help me keep track of the plot. Now, here are some things that can be reviewed over or considered for this chapter:

-The bag of Teigu was first introduced in chapter 1. It's the same bag that Akame was carrying around, but it is now in Yukio's possession.

-The "Leader" of the Revolutionary Army has been mentioned. Who is he?

-Does Akame truly harbor feelings for Tatsumi? Remember, many of the assumptions made were from Yukio's perspective.

-Take careful note of Murasame. What Akame distinctively felt was no coincidence nor was it a hallucination.

…

Preview- Kill Authority: Ieyasu takes on his first mission to assassinate Ogre. At the same time, Tatsumi is…