Author's Notes: First off, I give credit and gratitude to Shuzuka, who helped beta-read this chapter. Without the proofreading and suggestions, this chapter wouldn't have been as well-polished as this final product. Therefore, thank you once again for your unfailing assistance.

Next, I would like to thank anyone who has supported this story by having favorite/follow it. Additionally, I would like to show appreciation to the readers who have supplied a review. The reviews are immensely helpful and motivating.

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.

And saving the most important to last… I wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope that you will enjoy this first-published chapter in the year 2016.

(Beta read by Shuzuka)

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Chapter 9—Kill the Masquerade

"I embrace my uncertain feelings,

But whatever I do, a sense of unease remains.

At present, I'm still not sure, but,

Someday, in those eyes,

My reflection will appear."

- Megumeru (Clannad OP1)

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Training Field). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 38).

Slam!

Yukio's lips parted in a pained gasp as the wood rammed into his ribcage. His feet slid across the hard ground and he gave a low grunt. He brought his practice sword up, intercepting Akame's in the nick of time. Without delay, he darted back to leave adequate spacing between them. Unless keen on a death sentence, he would think twice before entering Akame's striking range.

'Don't panic and don't rush in.'

In order to control his pounding heart, he breathed in and out in a steady rhythm, compelling his brain to think rationally. He let his boot skim across the ground and smiled clandestinely when he felt mud against his sole. The morning dews were still settling into the earth, making the training field slipperier than usual. It was something he could use against Akame.

'I can do this!' On that encouraging note, Yukio flung himself towards his mentor with his sword's tip poised for her neck. With dexterity exceeding that of professional assassins due to Baransu, he thrust with enough force to knock Akame out cold.

Not one to be outdone in speed, Akame dipped down and ducked. She followed through with an undercut, and was mildly impressed when Yukio responded timely. The young man stepped back, the surface of Akame's sword just grazing his coat.

Fully alert, Yukio braced for the backspin kick that was sure to follow. Almost too fast for his eyes to capture, Akame disappeared for the briefest of seconds before appearing right before him. He reacted, arms simultaneously crisscrossing to shield his chest from Akame's boot. He winced, but suffered little damage otherwise. He was becoming fairly familiar with some of Akame's techniques, which he was picking up on every now and then from careful examination.

"Ready or not, Akame, it's my turn now!" Having learned to exploit every opportunity given, Yukio took advantage of their proximity and jabbed his foot into the soil. His leg rapidly flicked up in succession, flinging dust and soil into the air. An impish grin lit his face when the mire landed on his mentor's face.

"Checkmate!" His triumphant shout was synced with an immediate thrust.

Taken by surprise, Akame grimaced when she was temporarily rendered sightless. But being the composed assassin she was, she didn't try to wipe off the muck, knowing that it would only create another opening for Yukio. Instead, she kept her eyes closed and listened for a particular sound.

Whizz!

It was barely distinguishable but she heard it nonetheless. The familiar sound of wood slicing air was all that she needed to deduce Yukio's next attack. He was going for her right side, something that was worth complimenting. Striking her unfavorable arm was a decision that would've guaranteed a victory with most opponents. However, Akame was no novice. Completely composed, the assassin pivoted her feet at the last second, feeling a small breeze as the practice sword narrowly missed her.

"W-what?"

Yukio immediately regretted making a sound. He cringed when Akame pinpointed his location and retaliated. The plane of her sword walloped his stomach, launching him backwards and onto the ground in a rolling heap.

"…Ouch, that hurt. Man, and I was so close…" Yukio made a sour face and spat out dirt. A thin line appeared on his forehead as the young man wrinkled his brows together, deep in thought. It had been Akame's idea for him to reflect on his mistakes after a lesson, as every error could be fatal on assignments. He allowed his mind to replay the battle scene, calmly searching for any small noteworthy details.

'She was blinded, I hit, and I... missed.' His lips curled in a censorious manner. Despite having productively handicapped his mentor, he overlooked her ability to promptly make adjustments.

'Not good enough. This is Akame I'm facing. If an enemy is anywhere near her level, then I'll be dead in three minutes… tops. I need to be more careful.' Berating himself for his incompetence and pulling himself back up, the young man then looked at Akame with a pout. 'Darn it. Knowing Akame, the same trick would probably never work again. But…'

"Another round please, Akame!"

"Maybe you should rest a while. Excessive training is stressful for your muscles," Akame stated as she used her sleeve to swab away the putrid filth. Whilst secretly pleased with Yukio's progress, she was not in favor of his training methods. A recent stimulus prompted Yukio to train, but he was disregarding his own health. Day after day, he would insistently request for training sessions that gradually exceeded his limits. At the outset, a spar was only two hours at maximum. But now, Yukio was now dedicating twice the effort and time. Akame feared that at this rate, the young man would collapse from fatigue.

"I can't rest now! I need to step it up a notch. Lubbock told me that Ieyasu had completed two solo missions… but I have yet to do so." Nursing his abdomen with a tender rubdown, Yukio responded with uncharacteristic disappointment in his tone. Owing to his obvious aversion from killing, Najenda assigned Akame as his supervisor. It was for his safety, but from Yukio's perspective, it was no different than being babysat. What was the point of learning the art of assassination if he couldn't even kill someone by himself?

"I can't afford to dawdle; I must play my part in this revolution. Therefore, come at me as though this were a real life or death fight!" he declared, his voice brimming with a rare sense of authority.

Akame shook her head once in soundless disapproval. There was a hint of mania for strength and justice amongst the new recruits. Normally, Akame would encourage such drive, as having a strong resolve would act as motivation. However, resolves like those were often double-edged swords, as it was now apparent to her.

'While Yukio's search for his self-worth has brought him nothing but vigorous training, Ieyasu's sense of justice has led him down the path of carnage… This could become a problem. Should I simply watch, or should I try to stop them?'

As distracted Akame was, she was vulnerable to Yukio's sudden attack. She would've been hit too, had it not been for the silhouette that obstructed Yukio.

Yukio charged at his mentor, surprise showing on his complexion when a figure dropped down from the sky. The ridiculous hairstyle struck to him as familiar, though his brain registered the impending fist a little too late… and he met it full on.

Yukio slid onto the floor like a tire without air, the gathered momentum dispersing. He groaned and placed a hand on his face, now marked with the imprint of a fist. "Oww! Man, Aniki! Why?"

"This being a real life and death fight, your reaction time is far too slow." The newcomer was none other than the One Hundred Man-Slayer, Bulat. With his hands now resting on his waist, his dark orbs seared into Yukio's emerald ones. "Overall, your stamina has improved. But you still need to work on your reflexes. You responded quite well mentally, but in the flesh, you can't keep up... But don't worry about that, I'll be your opponent next to train the hell out of you. Before long, you'll be as strong as me!"

"Aniki, so wait… you've got time to kill?"A little stunned by Bulat's sudden arrival, Yukio asked as he continued to nurse his face. Several days ago, the Incursio wielder was sent on an important assignment with Mine. Seeing that it was a rather important mission, Yukio presumed that it was something problematical and time-consuming. However, the appearance of Bulat proved his assumption wrong.

"I thought you were with Mine," he said.

As if on cue, the said girl made her entrance. She walked in with her usual self-assured posture, carrying several shopping bags. From that, Yukio concluded that she and Bulat had completed their task earlier than expected and went shopping. 'Mine probably dragged Aniki with her. How typical… It's something Akame would never consider… unfortunately.'

"Mine, welcome back!" Yukio greeted out loud affectionately, giving the girl a small wave. However, if he had been expecting a response from the sniper, then he was sourly disappointed. The girl did nothing to acknowledge him and instead approached Akame.

"Akame, I've got what you want. But if you ask me, I think it's a big waste. It's not going to help him all that much. He can't cope with this line of work and we both know it. You might as well give up," Mine addressed the red-eyed assassin, one hand rummaging through the bags.

'This attitude of hers… it'll take more than a saint to bear it!' Eyebrow twitching, Yukio was about to make a rare crude remark when Mine fished out a peculiar object that caught his interest.

It was a mask designed to resemble a human's skull with a color theme that was the same as Akame's minidress, though the bizarre red zigzag streak that ran across the nose bridge gave it an infernal impression. With its terrifying appearance, Yukio was convinced that even the most endearing child would become the representation of death with the masquerade on.

"What's it for?" he asked warily.

"Oh newbie, since when did you get here?" As if just noticing him, Mine snorted with haughtiness that corresponded to her smug exterior. Flaunting the item in her possession in front of Yukio's face, she commented, "Consider this a present from Akame. She needs you to ditch that naivety of yours during missions. You know, if you don't change that stupid outlook of yours, you're dead the moment you go up against another Teigu user."

"…We need you to learn to switch gears. Guilt during missions is the ultimate downfall for an assassin," Akame added with a stern nod, though inwardly, she heaved a sigh. Perhaps it was too much for Mine to take Yukio's feelings into consideration. Even though she told the truth, it was obvious that the sniper was too straightforward to even think about how insensitive her comment was. It certainly didn't help that Yukio was overly susceptible to words as well.

True to Akame's supposition, Yukio felt his world shatter into indiscernible particles. His seniors were well aware that his gullibility was a sign of weakness and that a change in attitude towards murder was obligatory. Yukio could go on abhorring his deeds, but hesitation was forbidden.

'I know I can't afford to be reluctant… and that every person I slay deserves judgment. I even have my own reasons for fighting now, by reclaiming what belonged to the people of the Capital… what rightfully belonged to me. It's a pain, but someone must do it. That's why I want to become stronger… and so that I won't become a burden. I've made up my mind thanks to nee-san's speech and yet…' Biting the inside of his cheek, he grabbed the mask from Mine and stared at it, hard.

The mask was from Akame. Technically, it was the first tangible gift he received from his mentor. He should be happy, he thought, that she considered this. Akame was providing him with extra endorsement to purge him of his faltering heart. It was clear to him; switching gears was simply her term for emotional stability. Nonetheless, looking at the mask only made him feel more self-conscious than before.

'How can I not feel any remorse when I'm depriving someone of life? I know I can't risk being sentimental or else I'll endanger myself and the others. But I don't want to become an emotionless killer stripped of human morals and emotions… I just can't…'

"Don't allow your emotions to drive you. Instead, think rationally. It is the only way to survive as an assassin." To date, he memorized the five basic guidelines for an assassin. However, it was the third rule that constantly troubled him. Was it saying that he ought to kill his emotions? Once again, he found his mentor's words inarguable. "You swing your blade out of anger, but can you truly kill without hesitation, at any time?"

"Switching gears… I'll learn it, even if it means donning a masquerade," Yukio muttered to himself, seriously contemplating the matter some more. Still, he wasn't given much time to dwell on the issue as Najenda and Leone approached them.

"Ah, you're here," said Najenda.

"Oh, Boss. Bulat and I were just on our way to see you," said Mine, dragging her shopping bags behind her back in a casual manner.

"Reports can wait. We got ourselves a new mission." Najenda turned towards Leone. "Give us a brief rundown. Then we'll pass it to Lubbock, Ieyasu, and Sheele later. Those three should be back from their errand by noon."

"Roger that."

Leone pulled out a document from her pocket and unfolded it, revealing a sketch of a plump man with short black hair and an oddly dyed purple streak in his bangs. He wore small, round glasses and was dressed in military uniform with a furred collar, a red sash, and golden epaulets. "This is Iokal, a blood relative of Honest. I've got proof that he uses the Minister's name to kidnap women and beat them to death. His five guards are also getting their shares, therefore are guilty as well. They're our targets for tonight."

Allowing some time for the others to digest the information, Leone crunched up the paper in her hand. Over the years, she had heard so many similar cases that she eventually lost count. Despite that, Leone still found it repulsive. The upper-class men had a tendency to treat poor women like playthings and would discard them once they got bored. To them, women were no more than replaceable toys of little value. As a woman herself, Leone despised such an attitude. 'Those damn bastards, think they can just get away unpunished? Just because we're poor doesn't mean we are any less human. I'll teach them a thing or two about toying around.'

"Alright, Night Raid is going to accept this mission and hunt down the prey that the heavens cannot judge." At the same time as that command, Najenda's mind spun with ideas and she immediately formulated a plan.

"Mine, you're to snipe Iokal himself. To minimize the chances of a possible casualty, however, I'll send out all of you. The guards who protect Iokal are all well-qualified, having received special training at Koukenji, the Empire's top martial arts temple. Even with Pumpkin, taking them all down won't be easy. Therefore, I'll have all of you supporting Mine," Najenda instructed as her gaze swept towards every member until it was fixed on Akame.

The faintest shadow of a frown creased Najenda's brows when she noticed something that caught her interest. Akame was holding her practice sword with her left hand. Now that Najenda thought about it, she realized that Akame had been avoiding the use of her dominant limb ever since Yukio joined. Even though she was not usually one to doubt another based on speculation, Najenda felt certain that something had occurred on the day when Akame encountered Yukio, which somehow rendered the assassin's right arm useless.

"Akame, what happened to your arm?" As expected of Najenda, she wasted no time with pointless inquiries.

"It's a minor injury," Akame responded, her gaze never faltering. Her exterior never betrayed her, though her interior showed the absolute contradiction. Her heart was thumping wildly in her ribcage, a hidden indication of her uneasiness. Without a second thought, she pulled her arm behind her back in a protective manner. "It won't hinder my performance for tonight's mission."

"Strip," Najenda spoke in an unyielding voice, not the least bothered by how ludicrous her command seemed to the others.

"With all due respect, I cannot." Whereas the others gawked and stared wide-eyed, Akame somehow maintained her unflustered tone. Going against Najenda's order for the first time, she hoped against all odds that her adamant attitude would be enough to deter the ex-general.

It did not.

"…Bulat, Mine, Leone, and Yukio, hold her down and remove her outer layer. We need to see that wound," Najenda commanded, feeling compelled to resort to a direct approach. Something deep inside her head warned her that she couldn't simply disregard this matter. For the most part, her instinct was unfailing, so she decided to trust her inner voice.

"Eh? B-but… I…. Akame… she… I…" The unexpected event caused Yukio's brain to malfunction and he could only stutter. His face flushed pinker than Mine's hair and his eyes darted nervously from Najenda to Akame, then back to Najenda.

"Don't worry, Yukio-kun. We'll handle this one," Leone said in understanding. She patted the young man's shoulder once before joining Mine and Bulat.

Accustomed to receiving orders from Najenda, the trio reacted with an apologetic look, confining Akame within a tiny circle. They moved, lightning fast—Leone on the left, Mine on the right, and Bulat in the rear. In less than a few seconds' struggle, they had seized the red-eyed girl by the arms and peeled her outer layer away, exposing the bandages she had on.

Najenda approached them and began to undress Akame's wrappings. She got no further than a single rotation before an overpowering force drove out all thoughts, causing her to gasp. Her hand was suspended in place as the outline of two blades, one red and one black, materialized in her mind. The two indistinct forms waned in and out of the most remote parts of her head until they finally merged together. Najenda's vision then burst into a myriad of colors before it was completely engulfed by a sheet of blood red.

"Boss? Boss." Yukio waved a hand in front of his leader.

"A-ah? Eh?" Najenda mumbled absentmindedly, unconsciously taking a step back.

"Boss! Are you alright?"

Three tries… It took Yukio three calls to rouse Najenda from her spell-bound trance. The young man blinked when he noticed Najenda's pale complexion, almost as though she had just seen a ghost. 'No, even a ghost would probably have been less impactful.' To say that Najenda was behaving oddly was an understatement. Her characteristic composure was gone, replaced by sheer astonishment and the briefest flicker of… fear?

'Boss is afraid? No way!'

Looking around, it seemed that the other Night Raiders shared similar thoughts, with the exception of Akame. The red-eyed assassin's expression was far-off. Her hand drifted towards the hilt of her katana and her body tensed, like she had sensed an enemy. Staring into her glistening rubies, Yukio caught glimpses of conflicting emotions. There was a transitory desire for blood, followed by traces of restlessness, a glimmer of disappointment, and a flash of surprise. The tide of emotions only lasted for a few seconds before she slackened her hold on Murasame.

Yukio gulped but stood his ground. Although it was fleeting, he sensed a spine-tingling aura emanating from Akame. 'W-what was that? Whatever it was, it's not good. I must divert the others' attention before this becomes a public discussion.' There was little time for questions, only time for specific actions to be taken. From the mystified expressions the two wore, Yukio guessed that neither Akame nor Najenda could offer an explanation. The phenomenon was something he would brood over later, but at this moment he planned to get Akame out of this dilemma, before explanations became compulsory.

He was too late as Najenda opened her mouth to speak first.

"Akame, what was… that?" Her voice was abnormally quiet, lacking influence.

"…I'm sorry, Boss… But right now, all I can say is that this is one of the side effects of using the cursed blade," Akame replied, bowing stiffly. Her bangs shielded her from the bewildered stares directed at her, but she could still feel her comrades' hurt looks burning holes into her.

A second later, she took a deep breath and added, "Please do not press me for further elaborations."

In her attempt to suppress her curiosity and alarm, Najenda took a cigarette out and sparked a flare with her lighter. She exhaled, with tendrils of smoke wafting up as she cast her gaze towards the clouds. "You refuse to tell me?"

It was an inquiry but the discontented tone made Akame's entire being convulse in pain-ridden guilt. Unable to meet anyone's eyes, she stared at the ground. Even so, it wasn't just remorse that had her lower her head. There was a strange sensation stirring within her, like a torch that had just been ignited and refused to die down. Although this irritable feeling had surfaced before, during particular moments when she made contact with certain people, it was never this dominating. She had to bite her tongue to control the growing urge for blood, something that had never been necessary prior. Fortunately for her, the metallic taste in her mouth seemed to have satisfied the craving and she was able to regain control of her senses.

"…Ahem. Boss, if you don't mind, I'll take Akame with me now. I'm desperate for her tips for the upcoming mission. Perhaps you can continue this conversation another time," Yukio cut in abruptly, detecting the peculiarity in Akame's behavior again. Summoning his courage, he grabbed the girl's hand and said politely, "If you would excuse us then."

Before anyone could object, he and Akame had left the training grounds. With his thoughts focused on getting away, Yukio was unaware that Akame's cheeks were tinted with a barely discernible shade of red. However, the implication behind the momentary change went unnoticed, for it was so subtle that even Akame herself was oblivious to it.

Location: Imperial Palace (Courtyard). Time: Afternoon. Year: 1024 (Day 38).

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the clouds and down on the Imperial courtyard, illuminating the palace with its golden rays. The posh ornaments that lined the palace walls reflected the light with their lustrous property, further impressing Tatsumi as he followed closely behind Mamoru.

Strolling on the evenly trimmed lawns that appeared to be untouched, the brown-haired boy observed his surroundings. The trees swayed gently in time with the breeze and insects hummed their tunes as though singing hymns to the emperor.

'Sayo would love this.' Recalling Sayo's love for nature, Tatsumi mused to himself, and his eyebrows puckered unsuspectingly. Despite having made several friends in the Capital, he still longed for the presence of his childhood friends. The three of them used to do everything together and he felt really empty without them.

Although not considered remarkably imaginative, one worrisome scenario constantly taunted him with his every denial. Tatsumi wanted to be free from fret, and wanted to ensure the safety of his friends. Nonetheless, there was an inner voice that screamed out trouble, as if something dreadful had happened to Sayo and Ieyasu in his absence. Despite trying to be optimistic, Tatsumi could no longer reject the possibility. What if they were in danger? With Ieyasu's appalling sense of direction, the two might have gotten lost. The Capital at nighttime was an extremely dangerous place since the notorious Night Raid terrorized the streets. Any one of the assassins from the wanted posters could bring instant death to oblivious travelers. Given that Sayo and Ieyasu were foreigners, they could have fallen prey to the marauding killers.

'No, don't just go assuming things here. I'll really jinx them if I do. Ieyasu and Sayo are fine and I'm just overreacting. Even if Ieyasu is tempted to go after Night Raid after he hears about them, Sayo is there to keep his recklessness in check. At least I know this much.'

As far as Tatsumi was told, Night Raid was a gang of ruthless villains who disrupted the peace of the Capital. Targeting nobles and authorities, rumors had it that they were after wealth and would resort to any underhanded means to achieve their goals. To complicate things, they were said to be so adept at killing that they would erase their targets' existence in cold blood, exactly like what they did to Ogre.

Tatsumi could never forget the night when he found Ogre's corpse lying on the ground, with a puddle of blood around the body. The bloody wounds on the man were so horrific that they made Tatsumi gag. His sense of insecurity was evoked back then. What happened to Ogre could also occur to Ieyasu and Sayo. The thought nagged him a lot, so great that he felt the urge to pursue the assassins, almost like he was destined to confront them. His eyes narrowed into slits, his fists clenching in anticipation.

'Assassins of Night Raid, you'll hang on the gallows for all the heinous deeds you've committed: murdering innocence, disrupting the peace, and killing Orge-sensei. I wouldn't let you get away, especially if you are responsible for Sayo and Ieyasu's disappearance.'

Deciding that all these pessimistic thoughts were unhealthy, Tatsumi finally diverted his attention and his gaze traveled to Mamoru's back. He marveled at the general's carriage. Despite the brittleness of the grass, the Silencer's steps were soundless, so light that it was as if he was fleetingly touching the lawn.

As the days went on, Tatsumi found himself fascinated by Mamoru's strength and phlegmatic personality. Recalling the chanced battle they had, he was stunned when Mamoru briefly informed him that he was no soldier. Although this explained why the general had little interest in a duel, it didn't shed light on his amazing swordsmanship. When asked about it, Mamoru merely stated that he once had a female apprentice who was very proficient at wielding a blade.

"Then why not consider taking it up? You should, since you're already really good at it." As a swordsman himself, Tatsumi felt it was necessary to persist. As a response, Mamoru placed liability on his Teigu. Due to the weapon's abilities, the Silencer was more apt in long range combat and ambush, which providentially, was rather suitable for a general trained as a hired gun.

Now that he was on course with his deliberation, Tatsumi found the weapons known as Teigu to be intriguing ever since he was told about them. Because of their rarity, he had only seen one in action.

Magical Beast Transformation: Hekatonkheires was a biological Teigu owned by Seryu, a policewoman with a high moral sense of justice. After becoming acquainted, the auburn-haired woman personally introduced him to her Imperial Arms, Coro. At first, Tatsumi mistook the Teigu for a peculiar pet with endearing features. Therefore, he was very stunned when he heard of its abilities. In addition to great strength and durability, Coro was also gifted with regeneration ability and nearly indestructible defense.

"Tatsumi, pay attention. We're nearly there."

Dragged out of his reflections by Mamoru's cool voice, the brown-haired boy noticed how far he had unknowingly walked whilst deep in thought. Now away from the courtyard, he followed the general past the palace hallway before stopping in front of double doors. Already having been here once, Tatsumi knew that the throne room was behind the access. He took a deep breath as Mamoru pulled on one of the golden handles, opening the door and exposing the event transpiring inside.

The emperor's high throne chair was the first thing that Tatsumi noticed. Made purely of gold with silver germ-like adornments lined around the outer rims of the seat, the chair was occupied by the current ruler of the Empire, Makoto. With shoulder-length green hair braided and eyes like polished emeralds, the seventeenth emperor of the Empire was clad in royal attire consisting of a purple outfit with white boots, and a blue mantle as well as a large headdress. Despite his status, Makoto's childlike features were too obvious to overlook. If not for the distinguishing lunar-shaped scepter that he held onto, he could easily be mistaken for a simple child who was randomly selected to sit on the throne positioned on a five-step platform. The base of the raised area was marked by a red long rug that stretched all the way towards the exit where Tatsumi stood.

"Domestic Affairs Official Shoui, for speaking against my policies and delaying government affairs, you are sentenced to death by being drawn and quartered by bulls." Despite the number of attendants in the room, Tatsumi immediately identified the person whom the Emperor's speech was directed towards.

Kneeled on the ground with his back facing towards Tatsumi, the black-haired man known as Shoui was traumatized. Glancing to his sides, he desperately sought for help from his associates. However, a grave silence answered his call as several men exchanged similar looks of apathy. None of them spoke a word in favor of Shoui, afraid of the consequences involved.

"This is what needs to be done, right Minister?" The child emperor turned his head around to regard the old man behind him.

"Well done, my lord." The Prime Minister, Honest, emerged from the shadow of the throne as he praised his lord. As a large tall man with amber eyes, long grey hair, and an overhanging moustache, he emitted a devious aura as he incessantly devoured his supply of meat like a famished wolf. The oil and fat dribbled down his graying beard, but he disregarded the grease and allowed it to stain parts of his green pullover. Made to match the color, his attire also consisted of a brown belt, green pants, brown boots, and a white coat. The several rings located on his fingers symbolized great wealth and he wore a crown with three claw-like protuberances.

"You're such a wise ruler, my lord…" chuckled Honest.

'Wise, my ass…' Keeping the comment to himself, Tatsumi resisted a scowl when he looked at the Prime Minister. How the obese man managed to be free from chronic diseases despite his obsession with meat was beyond the boy's understanding. Frankly, Tatsumi didn't like Honest, not one bit. In his opinion, Honest was a man of self-interest, the type of person who would betray the entire kingdom to save his own skin.

'It's because these people exist that our village is being exploited with high taxes.' Tatsumi shakily took a deep breath and restrained his anger.

Doing a second appraisal of the Prime Minister, Tatsumi was able to get a better understanding as to why the sociality was degrading. The greedy man was hogging all the luxuries meant for the people. There was no future for the Empire with Honest in reign.

Nevertheless, Tatsumi also saw a glimmer of hope. Although Honest dominated the majority of the kingdom, he still needed the emperor's consent. While Makoto was inexperienced and young, he was indeed knowledgeable in terms of political issues, despite constantly verifying his decisions with the Prime Minister. 'Perhaps all the emperor needs is another advisor.' With that idea, Tatsumi clandestinely glanced at the impassive Mamoru and made a mental note to consult with the general later. 'If I guess right, then Mamoru-sensei hates the Prime Minister more than I do.'

"Meat again? You sure eat a lot," commented Makoto offhandedly.

"Well, it's best to eat it when it's fresh," Honest chuckled as he shifted closer towards the emperor.

Hearing that, Shoui could no longer contain his hidden disapproval of the Empire's corruption and raised his voice. "Enough! Your highness! You're being tricked by the Prime Minister! Please listen to your people! This country is dying, and the people are weeping! Can you not see what this man is doing? Please open your eyes!"

"Hey Minister, he is accusing you." Makoto pointed a reproachful finger at the man, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Have his ramblings confused you, my lord? I'm sure he's merely gone mad," the Prime Minister responded with a supportive smile akin to that of a grandfather.

"Right! After all, you've never been wrong before!"

"Shoui-dono, this is our sad farewell." Convinced that the emperor was still influenced by his words and was not swayed by that of his subordinate, Honest gestured for the closest two guards to carry out his orders.

The two Imperial officials kicked Shoui in the back, causing the man to faceplant on the floor. They drove their spears into his back.

"Guwaaah!" With an agonizing scream, Shoui desperately stretched his arm towards the emperor as a last endeavor to persuade him. "Your highness, at this rate, the glorious thousand years of history of the Empire will come to a tragic end!"

The words had more of an impact to Tatsumi than Makoto. What happened to the Capital that was depicted to be a paradise, a place for passionate souls to chase their dreams? Tatsumi's hands involuntarily trembled, the feeling of powerlessness deluging as the Prime Minister approached the pitiful man on the ground. From his position, Tatsumi couldn't overhear their whispered conversation. However, based on Shoui's antagonism and terrified expression, he concluded that Honest's monologue had hit a raw nerve.

Shoui struggled against his detainers who were hauling him away to the public excretion grounds. His face burned with flaming anger, his body trembling with uncontrolled rage. How dare he, he thought. Not only did Honest want to dispose of him, but he had also set his greedy eyes on his wife.

"Don't worry about that beautiful wife you're leaving behind. I'll take good care of her… to the fullest extent."

Honest's whisper and malevolent smile was imprinted into Shoui's mind. After three decades of his long service to the Empire, Shoui was finally able to grasp the corrupted nature of the country. All the same, it was too late for him to do anything; for him, death was just around the corner.

'I-is this really allowed to happen? Every crime cries for punishment. Anyone, please… please see to it that this demon gets what he deserves!'

A heavy solemn silence captured the people within the room after Shoui's departure. Nobody spoke, as though time itself had frozen. At last, a sneering voice projected across the room, shattering the gloomy atmosphere.

"How lame! Not even a single welcoming party? Here I am, after riding my butt off and this is what I get? A goddamn silence!? The hell is with this treatment!"

Surprised by the profanity, Tatsumi whirled around and noticed a barefoot man with navy hair reaching his waist, tied back in a French plait. As the man drew near the center of the room, Tatsumi perceived his well-defined muscles on his unclothed upper torso. His cobalt baggy pants served as the only form of covering. Unlike most other officials, he wore little protective garment, with only a pair of arm-warmers that were held together by two golden gauntlets around the wrists. For a male, he was sported with many supplementary adornments, ranging from the flame-like tattoo on his right arm and the golden horn-like ornament on his head, to an outlandish chain around his neck. The metallic shackles gave the impression of a lead-like weight and Tatsumi briefly wondered whether or not it was a simple decoration.

"Ah! General Hidou, you've returned!" Excited that the general had heeded his summons, Makoto nearly leaped out of his seat in pure ecstasy.

"Ah, your highness! It's my pleasure."Hidou bowed in a respectful greeting. Despite his earlier complaints, he was humble towards the country's leader. "Your abrupt summons caused me great concern as I fear for your safety. I'm most relieved to see that you are in good health. Even so, I assume that you wish for my assistance... Does it have something to do with The Four?" Being as astute as he was, Hidou was aware that his former colleague was standing in a corner of the room. As it was not normal for Mamoru to attend conferences, Hidou took this as an indication of urgency.

"As perceptive as ever." The child emperor nodded as he carried on with an elaboration, "It's of my greatest regret to say that the rebels are growing stronger at an exponential rate. It's lamentable, and the last group sent by the Minister to search for the traitors' hideout has failed to return. Hence—"

"Your Highness!" A messenger marched in and his knees grazed the ground in his haste. "My lord, I apologize for the intrusion but I've an urgent report. General Nakakido, General Hemi, and General Jiegeng have left to join the Revolutionary Army."

"The military specialist, General Nakakido, has…"

"And even General Hemi and General Jiegeng have defected."

"The rebels have gained formidable allies."

"If we don't hurry and end this, the Capital…"

Murmurs and whispers stirred as the officials openly voiced their opinions. This wasn't the first time that generals had chosen to rebel and defected to the Revolutionary Army. Little by little, the renowned Empire was losing its strength as more and more of their men turned against them for their proclaimed justice.

'Another traitor to assassinate…' The news didn't bode well for Mamoru, who was acquainted with General Nakakido during his time in the military. The Silencer's sapphire orbs glinted coldly at the notion of executing the man for his treachery. Even supposing that he was a former colleague, friendship was meaningless now that Nakakido had sided with the rebels. Upon receiving an order, Mamoru would be obligated to carry it out regardless. 'Nakakido's life for onee-san's… a fair trade.' Out of habit, Mamoru took a sip of water from the plastic canteen he had strapped around him using a leather strip.

His concealed uneasiness didn't go unnoticed by Hidou, who immediately turned around to assess him with derision evident in his azure eyes. "I see that you're still carrying that drinking tap with you. What's the matter, Mamoru? Still can't take the heat? It's a deplorable weakness indeed."

"The temperature increases whenever you're present." Not provoked by his insult, Mamoru retorted evenly as he readjusted his focus back to the emperor.

Observing the small bickering from the sidelines, Tatsumi assumed that the two generals had trouble seeing eye to eye with each other. The boy thought that it was just typical for Mamoru to ignore Hidou, who was scoffing brusquely and muttering strings of curses that Tatsumi had never heard before.

'He's certainly a foul-tempered man but there's no doubt that he's strong. I can feel it. Is this the power of The Four? But unlike Mamoru-sensei, he doesn't even bother trying to mask it. What a show-off.'

Rolling his eyes, Tatsumi then followed his mentor's example and focused on the emperor. Privately, he was swollen with pride that he was a part of the attendants. A commoner like him didn't have the privilege to attend a royal conference, but being Mamoru's apprentice certainly had its perks. He was now a participant in a gathering that concerned the future of the country.

"Do not be flustered! The rebels are down in the southern region. We can deal with them at any time!" With every intention to raise the morale of his subordinates, the emperor stood up in a theatrical movement and made a slashing motion with his arm. "If they're gathered together, taking care of them will be easier! Isn't that right, Minister?"

"As expected of you, my lord. In this matter, you are the mountain of reassurance in a sea of chaos." Honest gulped down another piece of meat. "However, rather than dealing with some faraway Revolutionary Army…" He left his words hanging on a sharp note as irritation seeped out of his voice. "There are traitors much closer who must be dealt with. We are getting more attacks recently. So many innocent noblemen are dying at the hands of Night Raid. It's one atrocity after another! We're being struck down left and right! I've been so overwhelmed, I'm gaining weight!" As though the piece of meat had suddenly manifested into the flesh of the assassins, the Prime Minister sank his teeth into it to vent his anger.

"As you can see, this is the situation, General Hidou. As one of the Empire's most celebrated strategists, I hereby order you to collaborate with the other three generals and put a stop to Night Raid's reign of terror. Henceforth, The Four shall regroup under my name!" Choosing to disregard the Prime Minister's tantrum since he had no means of consoling him, Makoto proclaimed and made his expectations known.

"I shall not fail you, your Highness… but if I may be so bold as to speak my thoughts, I believe we have two absences. As of now, we are not a complete unit unless the old lightning gee—ahem, I mean Great General Budo and General Esdeath are present." Hidou shrugged his shoulders, emphasizing his point by gesturing around the room. Unless he had gone blind, he was convinced that only one other fellow member of The Four was nearby, and to his greatest disappointment, it wasn't Esdeath. 'Curse this damn timing! I was hoping I'd run into her here. It's been ages since we've last sat down and shared interrogation techniques.'

"Because this is a task assigned to The Four, we have to take into account that General Budo is our Great General. Hunting rebels is simply beneath him. It would hurt his pride," the emperor explained as he reallocated himself back into his chair. "However, Minister did call for General Esdeath's return and has received her reply. She has stated that she and her army shall return after all rebels from the Northern Lands are completely annihilated. Until then, Minister and I want you to analyze the records we've collected on Night Raid over the years. It may help with formulating countermeasures against them."

"I understand, your Highness. As my gratitude towards you, I shall serve you as that of a humble servant would. I, Hidou of The Four, shall renew my oath to you; my obedience and loyalty shall be unquestioned." Hidou closed his eyes and lowered his head, reaffirming his loyalty to the Empire as a general.

"It's good to hear," Makoto nodded approvingly as he switched his sight to Mamoru. "General Mamoru, do you understand what is expected of you?"

"Affirmative," the Silencer stated, not one to dawdle on formality. As a rule, he would accept his orders regardless and thus concluded the discussion there. However, on behalf of Tatsumi's ideals, he set his stoic persona aside and spoke again after a ten second delay. "But I'll have Tatsumi by my side."

Fully aware that it sounded more like a demand than a request, Makoto disregarded the general's disrespectfulness, already accustomed to his detached attitude. His eyes turned to inspect Mamoru's new apprentice and immediately discerned the pure resolve radiating from the teen. Enthralled by the sparkling hope that shined from Tatsumi's eyes, the child emperor presumed that the country boy had some unsettled business with the rebels. Finding no harm in having someone with obdurate fortitude joining his flank, he whirled around to confer with Honest.

"Shall we consent to this, Minister?"

Honest was still stressed, but he managed to follow the issue on hand. Weighing all the possible outcomes side by side, his lips curled into a cunning smile. "My lord, I do not see any problems with your outstanding decision. In fact, I concur with you."

Makoto nodded as he interpreted the unspoken part of Honest's message, as he was taught to do so at an earlier stage. He turned to Mamoru and said, "Very well, I accept and value your request, General Mamoru. Hereafter, Tatsumi shall be known as… Sergeant Tatsumi!"

Left speechless by the unexpected promotion, Tatsumi could only gawk. 'W-wait? I'm not dreaming, right? No kidding?! I don't have to start in the infantry!?'

Makoto continued, "Tatsumi, you shall serve the special division of The Four strictly under General Mamoru's guidance. You are now entitled to attend regular military services and partake in the royal conferences with your mentor. I expect great achievements from you."

With a nudge on the elbow from Mamoru, the new sergeant dropped to the floor in ecstasy. The smile on his face widening by every second, he lowered his head and gave it his all to imitate Hidou's speech, assuming it to be the proper way to address the country's leader. "Your highness, your… er… ah, kindness far exceeds any that I know of. I… I'll… I'll give it my all to serve the country and your people!" He stood up and pumped his fist into his chest for emphasis, going for a thespian finish. "I promise that I won't disappoint!"

But for a particular reason contrasting to what Tatsumi would've thought was their reaction, snickers and scoffs erupted in an instant. Eyebrows furrowing in confusion, Tatsumi took in the amused faces around him. 'Why are they all laughing? What's so funny?' Though he had no practice with formal speeches, he at least attempted to use vocabulary that showed some levels of education. He even racked and emptied out his brain. Nonetheless, instead of applauding, everyone was finding him to be side-splitting. 'Why? What's going on?'

"Tatsumi… your fly is down." As the only one with a straight face despite the hilarity, Mamoru informed his bewildered student.

Uncertain as to whether or not to be thankful for the general's nonchalant enlightenment, Tatsumi inconspicuously glanced down and was mortified. Feeling the temperature increase even with the unneeded exposure, he promptly closed his flyer, all the while cursing the clothing's manufacturer. Just what was the point of designing a fly that opened itself? If the primary purpose was to make its owner feel like a fool, then Tatsumi was certain that it had accomplished its task superbly. At present, he felt like digging a hole and burying his face in.

"Hahaha! So much for that! To think that you actually almost had it… Oh, hell! You're a sorry excuse for a sergeant. But don't worry too much; you can serve the Empire and its people with your fly wide open! That'll get everyone on your good side! Hahaha, ah! My stomach is hurting!" That said, Hidou cracked up in laughter and had to clutch his sides.

"Argh! Shut up!" Try as he might, Tatsumi's voice was drowned out by the chortles.

Even so, Tatsumi had unintentionally eased the tension of the attendants. The throne room was transiently liberated from the darkness as everyone expressed pure mirth, an emotion that was bestowed to every human being since the day of their birth—genuine happiness.

Yet, unbeknownst to all, the Prime Minister was still scheming behind his beaming face. In spite of everything, Honest's rotten nature remained stubbornly intact as it refused to submit to the jovial mood.

'Hmm, it seems that Mamoru has picked up an interesting pawn. This one can easily sway the moods of the people around him, and he's not even doing it intentionally. Hmm, he may prove to be of more use than I first expected.'

Tatsumi was a bumpkin but his loyalty to the Empire was unwavering, as proven with his speech. He truly cared for the people of the country. As one who was manipulative, Honest would exploit this devotion and ensure that the potential subject stayed ignorant to the corruption.

'And what better way to reinforce his conscience than to brainwash him into thinking that Night Raid is nothing more than a bunch of serial killers bent on the Empire's destruction.' The more he pondered it, the more he approved of his idea.

As of late, several generals had abandoned their posts and defected to the rebels' side, bringing the majority of their divisions along with them. Bit by bit, the Empire was losing support and was in need of new recruits. The timing of Tatsumi's appearance couldn't have been more perfect. What was better than a country boy who was willing to do their bidding? All Honest had to do was ensure that the incident involving a certain assassin from the Elite Seven wouldn't repeat itself. With a bit of luck, he could ensnare Tatsumi with promotion and evoke his sense of justice, thus minimizing the chances of him rebelling.

Theoretically speaking, Honest was killing three birds with one stone. Apart from exterminating the filthy pests in his country and preventing a possible rebellion, he had also discovered another one of Mamoru's weaknesses, and that was critical if he was to prevail.

'Heh. It couldn't have gone any better, if I must say so myself. At last, the tables have turned in my favor. My preparations will be complete when General Esdeath returns. Once she arrives, any resistance from the Revolutionary Army will be futile. The rebels will be utterly destroyed and then forgotten.'

Night Raid Members Remaining: 9

Mission: Eliminate Iokal and the five guards from Koukenji Temple

Participating Members: All excluding Najenda

Result: Targets eliminated

Rewards: Unknown

The Four Present in the Capital: 3

Author's Notes: Despite the lateness of this chapter, I hope that the length and content made up for the wait. At present, the characters that need to be introduced and developed have all made their debuts, which means that the upcoming chapters are going to be more action-based and with any luck, bloody intense!

And what's this? This story is currently on 78 favorites, 91 follows, and 49 reviews. Hmmm, I wonder who the lucky 50th reviewer will be. Hopefully, the hint is obvious, but if not then… well, please feel free to give me any feedbacks, suggestions, criticisms and questions. Elaborative and insightful reviews are always welcoming and appreciating.

Now, this section is dedicated to recapitulating the relevant plot events. Here are some things that can be reviewed over or considered for this chapter:

-First and most importantly… What is happening to Akame and Murasame?

-There was never much depth about Sayo's character in the entire series. However, since she is noticeably an archer, I thought that making her love nature isn't too farfetched.

-Can anyone guess who Mamoru's former and only female apprentice is?

-Hidou was previously out hunting and researching Danger Beasts in the west before his return

- While General Hemi is a canon character, General Jiegeng is an OC

-For those who didn't read the prequel, the Elite Seven is an elite squad of killers who were recruited and trained as children to do the Empire's biddings.

-The mission to assassinate Iokal and his grunts is done off-screen since it is the rather identical to the one in the canon.

Preview- Kill the Apparition: A serial killer shows up in the Capital and it is up to Night Raid to stop him. At the same time, Hidou plans something big behind the scene while Yukio encounters trouble. Unfortunately, things becomes increasingly difficult for Yukio when a ghost of the past comes back to haunt him.

"…Come midnight and we'll have Night Raid cornered if everything goes according to plan."

"As your mentor, it is my responsibility to guide you and to protect you. Even so, negligence and dependence are forbidden."

"T-this is checkmate, Zank! You can't escape anymore."

'I-impossible. She can't be real…'