Disclaimer: All characters from Akame ga Kill that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Takahiro. I do not own anything in regards to their creation; I have Takahiro to thank for that. Nevertheless, the story plot and the OCs that do appear are of my ownership.
Author's Notes: My initial plan for this chapter is to release it as soon as the story reaches 100 favorites. It didn't seem unreasonable back then, considering that the number of favorites was very close to my goal just before the release of chapter 10. But it seems that I overestimated the number of people who would regard this story to be adequately worthy, that it deserves to be on their favorite's list. Anyhow, as disappointing as it is, I'm still disinclined to let my readers wait for too long without a proper reason. So, I am here to deliver chapter 11.
I would like to say thank you to Commonwealth, who provided valuable feedback on the last chapter. To answer your question about Yukio's combat abilities, I would say that he is still inferior compared to Tatsumi in the original timeline. By that, I mean that in a fair fight without using Teigu, Tatsumi will definitely win. Of course, Yukio will have the upper hand if he is allowed to use Baransu. At this point, Tatsumi does not possess a Teigu to fight on the same playing field as Yukio.
Anyway, please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).
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Chapter 11—Kill the Teigu User
"I wonder what fate awaits me,
I don't want to regret having been born,
There is courage within sadness,
I believe that I can find the light."
- Aozora no Namida (Blood+ OP 1)
Location: Capital's Park (Eastern Region). Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 67).
"Hey Sheele, I don't think Zank is going to show his ugly face around here. It's too opened and I'm bored." Annoyed by the unproductiveness of their search, Mine more or less complained to the purple-haired woman beside her. Her bright pink orbs scanned the area, and were filled with vexation when she found herself looking at an opened park with street lights stationed on either side. Although relieved that the place was free of beggars and drunken men, she was also disappointed to find it empty.
"This is a waste of my time," she huffed and tapped the ground with Pumpkin's barrel.
"But it would be in our best interest to search thoroughly. We are in charge of this area so—" Sheele did not get to finish her sentence before her instinct ignited like a spark of flare. Without delay, she and Mine leaped in opposite directions as a figure descended from a nearby tree. Like a meteorite soaring down the skies, it crashed into the earth, hurling broken chunks of cement around.
"An enemy?" Pure shock wrote itself on Mine's face as she blocked the flying debris with Pumpkin. She planted both feet on the floor to stop herself from sliding, only to curse when she felt friction rubbing against her feet. 'Damn it, these are new shoes!'
Mine sent a withering stare in the general direction of her attacker, who she could not clearly identify because of the smoke obstructing her. Fortunately, it wasn't before long before the area cleared itself of smoke and enabled the assassins to assess their enemy. A young woman with a long auburn ponytail stood in the centre of the cracked ground. Clad in the standard military uniform with an additional breastplate, there was no mistaking that she was a member of the Imperial police.
"She's different from the other Imperial officers, who don't hide their presence," Sheele commented thoughtfully. There was something else about this woman that troubled the purple-haired assassin, but she did not want to risk sounding a false alarm to Mine. If anything, she supposed she could wait until she fully understood her enemy's abilities.
'As I thought, her face matches the wanted poster.' A piece of paper was unfolded, and it was the similarities between the sketch and the person before her that had the woman's lips curled in a triumphant smirk. 'Night Raid's Sheele confirmed… and judging by the Imperial Arms, the other girl is also a Night Raid member. General Hidou's plan worked! All this hiding was worth it… They are here…'
"Finally! We finally meet, Night Raid!" The woman discharged her killing intent. Her face morphed into a devious exterior, a facade more fear-striking that Yukio's mask. "I'm Seryu Ubiquitous of the Imperial police. In the name of absolute justice, I shall make evil pay, here and now!"
Taken aback back the murderous intention, too late was Mine to prevent herself from shuddering naturally. But being the proud assassin she was, she refused to succumb to her uneasiness. Against her body's inherent reflex, she stood firm and pointed Pumpkin towards the woman. "We fell for a trap, huh? I should've known that there was something suspicious. But given that you recognize us, we'll have to take you with us or kill you."
"Wanted dead or alive…" Seryu paid Mine no attention as she hoisted her finger towards the sky at snail's pace. Her amber eyes were bloodshot as she directed an accusing finger at the two assassins. "For my father who died in the line of duty fighting villains like you and for my beloved mentor, Ogre-sama, who was murdered by you and your friends, I shall execute you! LET JUSTICE PREVAIL!"
"She seems ready to go…" Mine allowed a smirk to grace her features despite the adverse situation. True to her role as a sniper, she was disinclined to settle the fight in close range. Without warning, she sent a spray of bullets towards the police. "Fine by me! Advantage favors whoever strikes first!"
In an instant, dozens of projectiles flew towards the policewoman and kicked up clouds of dust. With only the occasional lights of her shots blinding her vision, Mine regrettably lost sight of her target. The familiar and deafening sounds vibrated in her eardrums, and she prayed that the nearest person was out of earshot. Taking a step back from the recoil, she terminated her rapid fire upon the shortage of ammos. "Did I get her?"
What she saw next after the dust settled was a sight that shocked both her and Sheele. What they originally deemed as a harmless dog-like creature standing beside its master was actually something much more disturbing. Its size having increased as least twenty times, the white beast towered before them, having provided a body shield for Seryu. To surprise the assassins further, the beast was showing expeditious rate of recovery as the punctured wounds reformed themselves.
"Mine, that's an Imperial Arms." As expected of a seasonal assassin, Sheele got over her astonishment quickly. Her arm inched towards the weapon strapped onto her back. Aware that this was no longer a simple skirmish that Mine could handle alone, she decided to participate. There was no need to make this fight fair, seeing as how they were assassins.
"Yeah, and it's organism-based." Mine inwardly cursed their luck as she reloaded Pumpkin. Not only was their search proving to be unrewarding, but now they had a new opponent to deal with. Her instincts as sharp as ever, she appraised the circumstances on a brooding note. It seemed that she and Sheele had unwittingly engaged in a Teigu battle, implying that the chances of death were odd-stacking high. 'But we're on the winning side. There's no way we're going to lose to her.'
"Which means our best chance is to eliminate the wielder then," said Sheele.
"Yeah, or just take them both down at once."
Whilst the two Night Raiders were determining the best approach, Seryu had strapped two small guns onto her arms. All at once, she emerged from behind her Teigu and launched into the rhythm of a series of attacks.
"Tonfa Gun!"
Though the firepower was insufficient to compare with Pumpkin's, the Night Raiders were reluctant to make direct contact. Darting left and right, with Sheele occasionally covering for Mine, the two assassins found their way around the shots and waited for an opening. They knew that fierce attacks like this couldn't last forever.
'Even if I hit them from this distance, it won't be very effective.' Noticing of the fruitlessness of her efforts, Seryu immediately changed tactics and gestured towards Sheele with a finger. "Coro, prey!"
The Teigu reacted simultaneously. Emitting a vicious rumble that resonated from the depth of his throat, it opened it mouth wide, exposing its glistening white fangs that could effortlessly punctuate the toughest armors as though they were merely butter. The beast raced towards Sheele, intending to swallow the woman whole.
Unperturbed by the looming possibility of death, Sheele merely held Extase to the side. Her eyes were as cold as the Artic winds as she stood unmoving until the last millisecond. Like greased lightning, her scissors-like relic drove right through the body of Coro, tearing apart the flesh on its head.
"Forgive me," she whispered.
The giant beast skidded and crashed into a streetlight, completely flattening the terrain. With one enemy rendered helpless, Sheele flicked the blood away from her weapon. Oddly enough, there was a peculiar thought of why a biological Teigu could bleed as she advanced towards Seryu.
She got no further than two steps when a shadow overcast the moonlight. Completely caught off guard, she stood with a haunted expression as Coro let out an infuriated snarl from behind. Sheele whipped her head behind, shocked. With the limited space between them, she knew she couldn't evade it.
And she would've been doomed had Mine not reacted in that instant. The sniper charged Pumpkin's energy into a solid blast. Not amplified by any pinches, her shot only shoved the attacker backwards. Mine grounded her teeth. Although she didn't expect a dramatic explosion, she thought that her attack would've dealt more damage.
"Sheele, dissecting that thing isn't gonna work," Mine shouted as she took a protective stance before her partner. "Organism-based Imperial Arms have a core in their bodies. If you don't destroy it, they'll keep regenerating. And Akame's Murasame won't work without a heart, either."
"Quite a troublesome opponent, isn't it?" In battle, Sheele was no longer a simple airhead. Her mind assimilated the information at extraordinary rates and her eyebrows knitted together in confusion as she stared at her opponents. It appeared that their foes had stopped their barrage of assaults completely. Instead, Seryu seemed to be waiting for Coro to regenerate... No, it was different this time.
"Mine, look…" Sheele pointed at the biological Teigu with Extase. "It's transforming again."
"Coro, arms!" With a simple command from its master, Coro's doll-like arms underwent through a transformation. Its muscles broadened and its upper limbs grew, sprouting forth two strapping arms in a matter of seconds.
"Eww, gross…" Completely disgusted, Mine indirectly took a glimpse at her own Teigu and was very relieved that Pumpkin possessed no transformation abilities. The last thing she wanted was to develop such hideous appendages.
"Pulverize!" shouted Seryu.
Hackles raised in a snarl, Coro leaped towards its two opponents. It utilized it newly grown arms to deliver punches so fast that it appeared that there were hundreds of fists all at once.
"Mine, get behind me," Sheele commanded urgently. She arranged Extase horizontally in front of her, planting her feet onto the ground as the fists rained down on her, vicious and prevailing. Every hit was stronger than the last and before long, Sheele had lost count of how many she had blocked. Her arms were growing numb and she would've given way if not for Mine. The sniper was behind her; she would get caught in the attack if Sheele was to move.
Seryu smirked when Coro had the assassins cornered. Although they were much stronger than she had believed, everything was still going according to plan. Giving a moment to express her gratitude to Hidou, she took out the sliver whistle she was bestowed with. She blew on the instrument and a large smile materialized as the signal screeched into the night air.
"A tempest of attacks… and she's called for backup. That's what I'd call a pinch!" Eager to turn the tables around, Mine immediately took to the sky in one confounding bound. A steady breeze teased the hem of her pink dress, and her feminine instincts took effect. There was an urge to fire at any possible overseeing perverts, but the assassin parts of her deemed that as a distraction, so she instead locked on Coro's temple.
"So now…" she snapped the trigger and discharged. "Go!"
Location: In the Capital (Northern Region). Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 67).
The cracked pathway seemed endless as two assassins lumbered through, their shoulders grazing the cobwebbed walls. At the front was Ieyasu, who was having second doubts as he continued to move through the narrow and gloomy lane. Why would their target be lurking around here? The dark alleyway offered limited mobility and both he and Lubbock had to adapt to a sideway gait. From what Ieyasu knew about Zank, the man was nearly twice his size. The chances of stumbling upon the serial killer here felt slimmer than the path ahead.
"Yo Lubbo, are the strings on Cross Tail reacting?" Ieyasu asked, directing a glance behind his shoulder.
"Nope, nothing out of the ordinary; Zank isn't around here." The green-haired assassin examined his Teigu on his hands and shook his head. In order to avoid having to backtrack, he had placed wires in certain areas, using them as an alarm system. Despite being self-assured of his Imperial Arm's sensory abilities, he received no signals so far. Either his enemy was really cunning and deciphered his wire arrangement or he was nowhere near his range. Lubbock was willing to bet that it was the latter.
"So not cool, we're getting nowhere," Ieyasu muttered under his breath and ran his fingers over his bangs.
"And whose fault is it?" Lubbock taunted, pinching the bridge of his nose. The stench of the area was burning his nostrils and he desperately sought for some distractions, anything that would get his mind off the smell. Although he didn't find his partner that blameworthy, he felt like teasing the boy. "Someone's overconfidence made us take the wrong turn. And that someone trying to memorize the map proved to be completely useless."
"Ack! Ahem, anyways… let's just hope the others are having better luck." Disinclined to continue with this embarrassing discussion, Ieyasu immediately forced his brain to change the topic. "By the way, there're 48 Teigu out there, right? And many of them have unknown abilities?"
"Yeah, and?" Lubbock answered with a slight curiosity in his tone, his hands stuffing back into the pockets of his green-hooded jacket.
"Then do you think… that there's one that can bring back the dead?" The possibility was small, but Ieyasu couldn't help but clutch onto the puny hope. Resurrection was the only way to see Sayo again, and that possibility was constantly nagging the back of his mind. It was unthinkable, but somehow, he believed that it wasn't beyond a Teigu's capability. Many of these weapons defied the nature's laws. Who would deem it absurd to think that one could grant life?
Lubbock's brows furrowed and he heaved a sigh. "Sorry, but that's not possible. The current Empire is the perfect proof. If an Imperial Arms like that existed, the old Emperor would still rule. He created, and passed down the Teigu because he knew he would die."
"I figured." With his head down, Ieyasu stared at his boots as he continued to walk on. His hand fisted his coat, feeling the outline of a flower attached to his inner layer. Thanks to Lubbock, the hair accessory was modified into a brooch. It served a memorial of Sayo, as it was her favorite ornament and one that she wore until her death. He traced the object under his clothing, feeling the pointy edges with his finger.
He should have known. This was reality; Sayo was dead, and there was no way around it. Teigu weren't wishing-granting omnipotent apparatuses. No wishes or regrets would bring Sayo back. In the end, it was just as his elder had said, "Ieyasu, you can cheat in a game of poker, in a test or even a woman. But no matter what, there is no cheating death."
Ieyasu bit the bottom of his lip. "This is stupid. I know I'll never see her again. I should just give up already… but, I… argh, I guess I really want the three of us to be together again, like the old times."
"…Hey Ieyasu, hear me out will ya?" Although regarded as comical, Lubbock was never endowed with the means of consoling. Still, he attempted to be inspirational, something that he recalled Akame being naturally good at in times of need. Racking his brain for any suitable examples, he cleared his throat and began, "Look, I know that you're upset about your friend's death bu—" He halted and mentally scowled himself. Indisputably having touched Ieyasu's nerve, he watched as the boy recoiled and clutched his trembling fists.
'Oh brilliant Lubbock! Now you've gone and upset him more… Oh, what am I suppose to do at a time like this, Najenda-san?' His soundless question received no answer. Unable to endure the depressing atmosphere any longer, Lubbock tried his luck again, "Sorry. What I want to say is that Sayo-chan wouldn't want you looking unhappy all the time. Besides, believe me when I say she still exists… in here!" Lubbock concluded it on a sanguine note and tapped his fist on his heart for emphasis.
The uncharacteristic seriousness must have taken an effect, for Ieyasu cracked a smile before bursting into laughter. In a mixture of mirth and sadness, the Senpu user wiped a lone tear away from his cheek and turned his head around.
"That serious face doesn't look cool on you at all Lubbo… But you're right; I can't stay depressed forever. It's my goal to free this country from evil and… with Sayo and you guys here to support me, I, the great Ieyasu-sama, can do anything!" Despite ending it on a positive note, Ieyasu was simply hiding his melancholy. His heart still throbbed liked it had been ripped out, and he doubt that it would heal. However, he decided to use this torment as a memorandum of Sayo. It was the least he could do after failing to protect her.
"That's the spirit," Lubbock nodded approvingly.
"Yeah, cause the fighter's spirit that burns in my body isn't something that can be quenched so easily!" Ieyasu tapped a fist to his chest and crocked his head in a confident manner, with his chin up and his nose pointing towards the sky.
"Hey, Ieyasu. Talk about the lack of originality. What you said was just a makeover of one of Bulat's favorite quotes," Lubbock teased.
"Argh! Why do you and nee-san keep bursting my bubble? It's not like anyone can just come up with something cool to say. But enough about that already…" Keen to hide his embarrassment, Ieyasu quickly continued, "Yukio told me more about Senpu's trump card just after supper tonight, thinking that I may need it real soon, you know? I can get really destructive with it, but I was wondering, which Teigu is actually the strongest?"
"Hmm, that really depends on usage and compatibility. But Najenda-san believes it's the Teigu that controls ice." There was a faintest trace of a frown appearing on Lubbock's countenance as he was reminded of the time when Najenda had lost her eye and arm against Esdeath, the Imperial ice controller. In a recollection that terrified him, he remembered the general's unrivalled power that totally annihilated their forces. "Just be thankful that the owner of that Teigu is busy conquering the Northern tribe."
"The Northern Tribe? You mean the tribe lead by Numa Seika, the prince of the Northern Race? A retired soldier once told Tatsumi and me stories about him. I've heard that he's never lost a battle with his spear in hand."
"Yeah, even Bulat said that he'll prove to be a handful if they were to clash spears. So, if you ask me, I think that even that woman would've some difficulties against the prince. But Najenda-san thinks that she would completely wipe the floors with Numa Seika."
A brief moment of silence passed as Ieyasu gave several issues a serious thought. With curiosity burning his tongue, he unsuspectingly crossed the threshold of Lubbock's personal matters when he asked, "Hey Lubbo, I've been wondering… why do you keep calling Boss Najenda-san?"
"Um, well… well, you know… I…" Bright spots of pink tinged Lubbock's cheeks as he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift back in time. "We've known each other since she was in the Imperial Army. Out in the country, I was the fourth son of a wealth merchant. Ever since I was a kid, I had everything I wanted, and could do effectively anything. So I was rather bored with the world."
"So not cool; I was expecting something more tear-jerking. You're just a spoiled kid," muttered Ieyasu.
"This is the sad part! Listen up!" Lubbock retorted, not short on an instant comeback. This time, he made sure that Ieyasu would not rudely interrupt before he continued, "That was when Najenda-san was assigned to where I lived. It was… love at first sight. So I enlisted as a soldier, and used my skills to become one of the soldiers working for her."
"So the reason why you're in Night Raid is—"
"You could say it is my love for her." Not ashamed to admit it, Lubbock placed his fingers on his forehead in what he assumed was an attractive pose. In truth, he was very different to Akame, Bulat, and even Ieyasu. His reason for becoming an assassin had nothing to do with patriotism or a sense of righteousness. Instead, he was simply an assassin because he was out pursuing love.
"When I left the Capital, I make sure that the records said I was dead. Isn't it tragic?" the owner of Cross Tailed finished. He shrugged, spreading his hands to the sides in a helpless gesture. "And I'll never be rewarded… It's sad. Makes you cry, doesn't it?"
"Lubbo—" Ieyasu began but stopped. The path before him ended, splitting into two cross-sections that led to the streets. Ieyasu's eyes narrowed when he noticed several Imperial policemen.
They were right in front of them!
Forcefully biting his thumb to control himself, Ieyasu's other hand reached behind his back and he signaled Lubbock. His index and middle finger clasped together and he slid his thumb over both of them. This was an indication of absolute silence, a unique code invented by Najenda and taught only to members of Night Raid. He gave Lubbock another set of signals before he and his partner shuffled backwards, concealing their forms within the shadows. Too focused on a soundless withdrawal, Ieyasu was stunned when a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Alright everyone, we gotta keep a sharp eye out for Night Raid. The chances of them appearing somewhere around here is also high." Tatsumi scanned the surrounding street, senses alert for any possible threat. At present, the new sergeant felt sensations of superiority coursing within him, the welcoming bliss of strength equivalent to ten men.
'I can't let my guard down for a moment. Mamoru-sensei entrusted me with this task.'
It had been confronting at first when Mamoru had assigned him the role of leadership, where he was in charge of a small division that had once served under his mentor, but Tatsumi managed to take responsibilities rapidly, and was now issuing orders whilst following Hidou's plan.
Unbeknownst to Tatsumi, Lubbock took time to assess the brown-haired boy. Had he been a trained assassin, the Night Raider wouldn't dare to lay eyes on him, fearing that a glance would give his location away. However, as Tatsumi gave the impression of a warrior, Lubbock thought to try his luck, praying that the boy wouldn't detect his evaluation.
The brown-haired was relatively well-built for a boy his age, assumingly due to hunting Danger Beasts in the country. Looking at his compacted form, it made Lubbock feel instinctively self-conscious. Perhaps he should start physical training with Bulat? However, being the carefree and astute man he was, Lubbock refused to let himself be bothered by his lean image. Instead, he continued his scrutiny, carefully but also thoroughly.
His green orbs landed on the two inverted chevrons on Tatsumi's coat and he clarified his ranking at once. The bright crest of the Empire was clearly visible in the dark, though what attracted Lubbock's attention was the tiny inscription just below the icon, barely visible if not for his perceptiveness. 'Hell! Isn't that the insignia of The Four!?'
Flabbergasted that a teenager could attain such highly regarded position, Lubbock's gaze then shifted towards Ieyasu. From this angle, it was impossible to see Ieyasu's countenance but the boy's trembling form told Lubbock everything he needed to know. The strategist took this in mind and assumed that the two boys were acquaintances. 'Hmmm… Could he be that guy that Ieyasu always talks about, with stories that made Najenda-san nod in approval and even made Akame-chan smile? Hell, I think Tatsumi is his name or something. That short sword on his back doesn't seem like a Teigu. So either he's really good or the Empire is just desperate for loyal dogs.'
"Tatsumi-san! I got a new report."
Speaking of dogs…
Lubbock nearly gouged his eyes out when he heard a deep rumble accompanying the newcomer's voice. He swiveled his head to the left and saw the familiar shape of a four-legged animal with a black snout, approaching the Imperial guards on a leash. 'Shit! They do have one!' Lubbock scolded himself for his carelessness, feeling the need to slap himself on the temple. Wasting no time, he licked his index finger and held it up to test the wind's direction. Fortune was on his side as he and Ieyasu were positioned downwind from the policemen. He visibly relaxed; they were safe, at least for now. 'Okay, now no sudden movements.'
In comparison, Ieyasu was oblivious to everything around him save for his childhood friend. Something akin to desperation welled inside him. The provocation to march up to Tatsumi and deliver a wake-up slap to the boy for his stupidity was so enticing. Couldn't he see that he was being used by the corrupted Empire? Ieyasu would've heeded the violent temptation too, if not for Lubbock. Somehow anticipating his reckless intention, the strategist's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Idiot! Don't go!" Lubbock's other hand formed rapid signals, conveying his silent message with little effort. They were way too close to their enemies; exchanging words directly was too dangerous.
"My friend… he's right there!" Ieyasu directed his message across through the same means, though somewhat slower than Lubbock due to the less practice.
"Go and you're dead! You're an assassin. Start using your head!" While the green-haired man's message expressed no emotions, the speed at which he formed the hands signs plainly revealed the exasperation that Lubbock's features had successfully concealed.
For a boy who seldom used his brain, it was surprising that Ieyasu actually realized the comprehension behind his senior's words in the short time given. To stroll up and reunite with Tatsumi, though seemingly ideal, would likely arouse suspicion. The Imperial guards weren't fools. They would realize that no ordinary civilians were meant to be roaming the streets at night when the Slasher was around.
'Damn it! I want to just go up and drag Tatsumi with me, but I'll get the others into trouble if I do.'
Not only would Ieyasu then be bombarded with questions that he couldn't truthfully answer but he could also endanger and the others in the process. Ieyasu was a daring one who often took risks, but even he was going to think twice before dragging the other Night Raiders into this.
It pained Ieyasu greatly to let go, but he understood that he and Tatsumi were separated by their fractions, an invisible barrier that prevented their reunion. How native was he to think that everything would be resolved upon their next encounter. He hadn't even bothered to consider the possibilities. They were enemies now…
"Huh? Ah! Ahem, report then." Tatsumi cleared his throat and spoke calmly, putting on his best show of authority.
"Sir, someone has called for backup from the east."
"The east? But that's where Seryu is situated for an ambush! Night Raid! Only those criminals can force a Teigu user like Seryu to call for backup. And Hidou was so confident that Seryu would be fine alone," Tatsumi mumbled to himself. His hand automatically went to his chin and he rubbed it, mulling over what the best course of action was.
It was dicey to leave this area unexamined. Chances were that the members of Night Raid would utilize this opportunity and escape their carefully planned trap. The hours that he spent with his two seniors would go to waste and worse, they would have more casualties than they could account for.
Regardless, Tatsumi was not one to abandon a comrade. He could understand how desperate Seryu was. She was driven by the desire to kill and the need to avenge Ogre. 'Damn this, I can't just leave Seryu alone. Even with Coro, she is just one person. But if I abandon my post, then Night Raid can escape.' No matter the alternatives presented, it was not without a drawback. Struck in a dilemma, it was personal feelings that finally trampled over protocol. There was no way Tatsumi could forgive himself if Seryu was to fall by the assassins' blades.
"Alright. We're going to provide backup," he announced, partly hoping he didn't sound as hesitant as he felt.
If the Imperial officers had any objections, they didn't voice them as they followed Tatsumi obediently. The hound as their escort, the division promptly took off to the east, towards the source of a heated battle.
"Ieyasu, looks like the others have gotten themselves in a fix," whispered Lubbock as he shook the boy's shoulders urgently.
"Eh? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go help out!" Snapped out of his daze, Ieyasu didn't need to be told twice and would've darted away had Lubbock not stopped him.
"Shh! Calm down and give me a minute!" Lubbock placed his index finger on his lips, signaling for silence. "It's better if we stay here. The others can—"
"Stay here? Have you lost your mind, Lubbo?" Ieyasu hissed.
"The last I checked, I'm the one with the brain here. Don't you see? Our enemies are only calling for backup because they need the extra help. Right now, they're the ones in trouble. That's why I'm saying we don't go. We are just gonna become a bigger target if we regroup with the others. Small numbers are better for avoiding detection."
"But—"
"Just trust me in this… or if you don't, then at least have faith in our comrades. We're assassins after all."
Although reluctant, Ieyasu nodded stiffly. Having been assigned several missions partnered with the strategist, Ieyasu had learnt to trust Lubbock's advice. Lubbock was indeed a comical pervert, but even so, he made up for it with his intellect. "Okay, okay… I trust you. Sort of."
"Huh? What do you mean sort of?" Raising an eyebrow, Lubbock had to control himself from raising his voice. "Am I really that unreliable?"
"Look," Ieyasu shrugged, "I trust the strategist who is also my senior, but I don't trust the normal you."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"Remember that time when you used me as a distraction to escape from nee-san? You know, when you agreed to take me with you, I didn't think I'll end up tied upside down and left dangling on a branch like a ragged doll."
"Stop bringing back old history. You got the perfect view that day!" Lubbock retorted with a huff.
"No, you got the perfect view! I ended up with a bucket in the face! And that was one heck of a bruise I got. Are we just gonna sit here and wait? Cause if we are, then let me refresh your memory of what really happened that day."
In response, Lubbock hushed Ieyasu and pointed a finger at the manmade cover beneath his feet. Because of the limited lighting, Ieyasu hadn't notice it before, but the metallic lid struck to him as familiar when he assessed it with squinted eyes. It was the entrance to the underground sewage system. He turned his gaze towards Lubbock with a somewhat disgruntled façade. "Goddamn it Lubbo, you can't be serious. I'll rather wait here."
Lubbock kneed down and pried the lid open with his gloved fingers. Stretching an arm into the circular hole, he confirmed the presence of a steel ladder. At that point the stench of feces reached his nostrils and he involuntarily scrunched up his nose.
"Bad luck, I guess." Lubbock shrugged a shoulder. "It's either this or the torture room. Look, the strings in Cross Tail are reacting. There're at least a dozen people coming our way. We'll be dead meat if we stay here. That's why I was telling you to lower your voice. It's your fault for being so loud, so deal with this quietly."
"Ugh, so not cool," Ieyasu grimaced, but followed Lubbock's lead nonetheless.
Location: In the Capital (Southern Region). Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 67).
"M-mother…?"
This was a hallucination.
This wasn't his mother. It couldn't be.
Breathing low, Yukio, mouth opened in disbelief, continued to dismiss this paradoxical situation. He knew that this was merely Zank's illusion but despite that, he found himself ensnare by this pretense. As unrealistic as the image was, it was as though his maternal parent was truly given a second chance in life and was currently standing before him, offering the motherly love which she couldn't provide during his childhood. There was an uplifting smile spreading on her lips, the very same expression that had once captured the heart of the stoic emperor centuries ago.
"Father, what was mother like?" Resting his small form on his father's lap, the young boy was frowning as he voiced his question.
"…Your dear mother, my soul mate, was an enigma beyond any earthly descriptions." There was a touch of wistfulness in the usually authorized voice as the owner's eyes landed on the portrait that had gotten his son's attention. "Believe me when I say that the word beauty is deficient when associated with her. She was like an entity with a godly appearance spoken only in legends. Just her mere voice makes me feel like the most blessed man alive. Heaven is nowhere as near with her around."
His father, presumably the most powerful man of his times, was only humble in matters related to his mother. He was delicate around her, treating her like a precious and irreplaceable gem that gave life meaning. For that reason, death was nowhere as near for his father when it had come to claim his mother's life. It was on a day meant for great celebration, the due date of the second heir to the royal throne. However, the supposed eminent infant was left neglected as calamity struck. No sooner had she given birth, the Empress was struck down by an abrupt illness, and the news of her death soon spread like wildfire. The entire palace was stunned to dead silence, with only the cry of the forgotten newborn to exacerbate the tragedy.
Yukio's mother died that day, and a part of the emperor went along with her. Since that day, the ruler of the Empire was never seen laughing again. Though he administered the kingdom with care, his subjects all knew that he was now but a broken shell of his former self. He had lost the will to live on and it was the only reason why he was so determined to pass his legacy to his second son—Yukio.
"This is all your fault! Mother died because of you! Yuki-kun… your nickname was her last word before she passed on. Even in her last moments, she called out for you… even when she was in pain because of you! Darn it! 'Yuki' is supposed to mean happiness!" The speaker clutched his head, fingers clawing his scalp and hands gripping onto a tuft of green hair. "Argh! But why do I feel so angry whenever I see you? Tell me, brother… what happiness did you bring? Without you, mother would still be alive! Without you, I would have the claimed the throne by birthright!"
His mother's death adversely affected his older brother too. It was obvious that his sibling, Yuudai, found him to blame. In Yuudai's eyes, Yukio was nothing more than a thief who stole everything from him. In addition to their mother's untimely death and their father's indulgence in the youngest, a strong hatred was stemmed and the siblings never found any tolerance for each other.
His brother's jealousy and his father's high expectations only made Yukio crave for the motherly touch and comfort that no caretaker could provide. At last, he thought, he could finally seek for the affection that he lacked for his entire eighteen years.
"Mother… I've always wanted to meet you. I-I…" Yukio choked on his tears as he wrapped one blood-stained arm around the woman. He buried his face into her chest, listening to the strong rhythmic pulsing of her heart and inhaling the fragrance of her scent. It was a distinctive smell and one that reminded him so much of home.
"I've always wanted to do this when I was little, to embrace you like this and forget about everything else. I dreamt of this since I was a little child," he sighed into her fabric in pure ecstasy, feeling the strong need to stay like this forever. It was just him and her. They would make up for all the lost time they never had as a family.
Her mother didn't speak. She merely raised her hand and stroked the young man's hair. It was a comforting gesture, more soothing than anything this world could offer. She gently enveloped him in an embrace. There were no movements from her lips, but her message was conveyed via something that resembled telepathy.
"Yuki-kun, you need not worry anymore. I have come for you. Come, everyone is waiting on the other side. We shall be together again, as a family."
"Together again?" Yukio's head perked up and he gazed into the affectionate and equally bright orbs. His eyelids dropped slightly, and the young man unknowingly muttered, "…What about Night Raid?"
"Leave them be. I know how much you despise killing. Why allow yourself to indulge in their insignificant companionship? They have great ambition for the future, but you do not." His mother took a step forward and coaxed him to follow. Body like that of a marionette on strings, Yukio heeded the call and took small sluggish steps.
"…You're right. I despise all the fighting."
'Then come with me and you shall be free from conflict. Your hands are unsuited to wield a weapon.'
A small fissure sudden cracked the air open like an eggshell. White light seeped through the crack as it expanded into a circular gateway, an entrance to the unknown. The hairs on Yukio's arms rose in response, and his stone-like body shivered involuntarily.
'No, don't go! Don't go!'
A frantic voice in the back of his mind called out to him, a hopeless last attempt to bring him back. Yukio was momentarily swayed by the inner monologue, though it was quickly dismissed when his mother held out her hand and urged him onward.
His legs carried him towards the gateway. Three steps left until he reached it…
Only two steps to go. His mother was smiling at him proudly…
One step left…
"Yukio!"
His foot abruptly stopped in midair, mouth dropping in a silent reflexive respond. The voice seemed distinct, like a summoning from another dimension even. Still, its effect was apparent. The fog obstructing his thoughts began to dissolve and the sense of reality reeled in immediately. Yukio stumbled, his ears still searching for the direction of the sound. It was echoic, but the owner of the voice was unmistaken.
Akame!
But something didn't seem right. The usual calmness latched in her voice was replaced with apprehension so foreign to him. But before Yukio could pinpoint the source, he felt an impact on his body, forcing him off his feet.
He fell.
In that instant, a splotch of red warm liquid sprayed onto his mask, the metallic scent thick and strong. Shock drove away his stupor, and his dazed-like eyes widened when the loving figure of his mother mutated into a bulky man—Zank!
Yukio crashed into the ground back first, doubling in pain. A startled yelp left his throat when someone came down on top of him, pushing something soft into his chest. He blinked, trying to gather his thoughts. Lush flowing midnight locks tickled his face, and he gawked when he realized who it was.
"Akame?!"
"…Yukio, you're alright. Thank goodness," the female assassin heaved a sigh. She then began to push herself back up, though her arms trembled with effort.
With Akame's face pulling slowly away from him, Yukio could see the apparent relief in her eyes. But a closer look also showed a hidden layer of pain within the quivering crimson, agony which Akame was adamant to hide from him. Yukio's eyes then wandered down and to her right, determining the cause of her pain in less than seconds. The sleeve of Akame's right coat was sliced opened, blood oozing from the deep wound on her shoulder.
"Oh? How gallant! Splendid, splendid!" Zank placed his remaining hand to his temple and sneered. "Ooh! Akame, I had always thought of you as more callous. So willing to sacrifice yourself for your comrades, it truly is moving me to tears."
"Zank!"Venom spewed from his lips as Yukio growled while pushing himself onto his elbows. His breathing was low, trembling in his nostrils as he glared daggers at the executioner. Before this, he would never have thought that it was possible for him to desire someone's demise as robustly as now. The blood dripping down from Zank's blade strung his eyes and the sight of Murasame lying on the ground to their left was enough to fan the flames of his rage.
'What's Murasame doing over there?' At that, everything clicked into place like a jigsaw puzzle as Yukio progressed everything that had transpired during his hallucination. He was indeed hypnotized, but his mind was still acting like a recorder, capturing every little detail that his eyes had theoretically witnessed.
"Splendid, Splendid. I'll take your head now!" Handicapped with only arm, Zank was still more than capable of finishing off Yukio. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity now that he had the young man at his mercy. With a wicked laugh, he tore the hand blade from Yukio's hand. The assassin's body instinctively shuddered but otherwise remained mobilized, under the effect of Spectator's illusion.
"Die at the sight of the one you loved the most!" Saying that, Zank hoisted his blade up and was about land the finishing blow when goose bumps crawled on his skin. A sudden murderous intent, unmasked and extremely close!
Zank twisted his body sideways in one desperate movement. There was a gush of air as a katana narrowly whizzed past him.
"The infamous Akame and her enchanted sword, Murasame!" the executioner snarled as the notorious Night Raider pointed her blade at him, a basic but effective means of intimidation. In the beginning, Zank would have loved nothing more than to encounter this assassin in battle and claim her shrunken head as a price after sharing his past experiences with her. Nonetheless, that was only before he had lost an arm to Yukio. Even with his mind reading ability, he would need to be in top condition to fight against Akame.
"I'll ask only once; release him from your spell." Akame's uncompromising tone chilled Zank's spine.
Unforeseeable anger set the assassin's eyes ablaze. Amidst her unnatural rage, she had poured all her emotions into her aura, thus emanating the fearsome killing intent. Her crimson orbs glistened like a daunting predator stalking its prey, with a look that promised death. Zank's lack of response shattered her patience and she lunged at her foe with inhuman velocity. 'It'll be quicker if I just undo the effect on Yukio by defeating him.'
'Even that brat can't compete with this speed!' The fear was unmistaken on Zank's face. He knew dodging was futile; Akame would pursue him with her deadly katana relentlessly. In a blink of an eye, Akame had reached him and swung Murasame straight for his neck.
It was settled… at least that was what both combatants believed, until the dazed Yukio suddenly took a step forward, obstructing Akame.
The red-eyed assassin responded sub-consciously. As her concentration was solely on Zank, Yukio's movement took her by surprise. She needed to withdraw. One nick and she was bound to regret for an eternity. But she was too close to stop the momentum of her swing. In that split second, Akame did the only thing she could do. The first sight of panic broke through her countenance as the practiced assassin tossed her katana as far away as possible.
A maniac laughter echoed with the clatter of steel.
With that, the advantage went to Zank. Almost immediately, the executioner seized the chance and lashed out, aching for blood.
"Yukio!"
Akame's eyes widened. In a movement born from desperation, she maneuvered her body, whirled around, and embraced Yukio. There was a frightening sound of something tearing and a grunted cry immediately followed as the blade pierced through her shoulder. Crimson liquid shot forth like a fountain and Akame could feel the insistent pain as Zank pushed the steel deeper down her flesh. A single hiss escaped her lips before she could wrench herself free from the weapon, all the while pushing Yukio down onto the ground. Her vision was consumed by spots of red as they hit the concrete in an undignified heap.
The reflection brought along suffocating guilt. Akame was hurt because of his inexperience. Yukio opened his mouth, frantically searching for his voice. He wanted to say something, anything that would express his regret. Unfortunately, he lost his only chance when Akame regained her footing and turned her back towards him.
Yukio tried to followsuit. Apart from remorse, the young man felt the overwhelming need to clobber Zank. But though he was prepared to fight, his body failed to live up to his expectations. Unable to sustain an upright position, Yukio fell on his knees and coughed out red fluid underneath his mask. His vision blurred in and out of focus and blood spilled from his eyes like tears. He soundlessly cursed; the side-effects came earlier than anticipated.
"Yukio, just wait there. I'll end this quickly, and then tend to your wounds," Akame briskly commanded, without turning around to look at the young man. It seemed like an act of indifference, but in truth, she feared that the sight of the bleeding Yukio would evoke concealed hatred towards Zank. She had never been imperturbable when it comes to matters concerning her comrades' wellbeing and she had to control the inner provocation to prolong the executioner's pain through amputation first.
"B-but you're wounded too," stuttered Yukio.
"I'll be fine."
Without taking her eyes off Zank, Akame torn off her sleeve and tied the cloth tightly around her bleeding shoulder with her teeth. Wincing from the pain, she realized with a brooding note that her arm was hanging limply at the side, defying her wishes to move. It did not take long for her to realize that there was muscle damage, and she could only hope that it wasn't serious enough to cause internal hemorrhage as well.
"Good grief, I bet that wound hurts a lot," Zank smirked, having regained some confidence. "It seems that we're both down to just one arm, right?"
"My thoughts and moves are being read… and I'm without a weapon, so I think you claim the upper hand," Akame countered evenly, unfazed by the disadvantage she was in.
"Clearsight!" As if to confirm Akame's statement, Zank activated his Teigu's ability to see through clothing. The two metallic flips covering Spectator's pupil slid opened. However, he couldn't lock on to his target as he was forced to move. A flying projectile soared through, missing him by a whisker. Immediately, Zank's eyes landed on Yukio and he noticed the fire burning in those emeralds.
"Don't… don't you dare activate it!" For all his injuries, Yukio still managed to aim and hurl a dagger at Zank. It missed, but he was proud nonetheless, having prevented the executioner from activating the all-seeing eye.
"You filthy brat!" Zank seethed with anger.
"Akame!" Left with little strength to care about the searing glare, Yukio instead called out to his mentor.
In response, the red-eyed killer pressed her feet onto the ground. She gathered enough impetus and pushed forward in a leaping bound. Her eyes left Zank and darted to Murasame. 'Although he is without one arm, it's too dangerous to jump in bare-handed.' A decision was made in an instant and Akame made for an abrupt dive towards her Teigu.
Zank read her thoughts and took off in the same direction. Luck was on his side as he found himself with a shorter distance to cover. He came into reach first and kicked the deadly katana away. Without a misstep in his movement, he planted his boots and pivoted his body, adding momentum into his swing.
Swoosh!
At the same time as Akame's narrow dodge, Yukio extracted another dagger from his belt and bent his arm back to take aim. Only this time, he targeted Akame's left arm. The young man gritted his teeth. He had one shot only; this had to be the preeminent throw in his life.
"Heads up!" He threw it.
The short sword somersaulted like a boomerang before it was stopped by Akame. Catching it by the handle as though it was merely an extension of her own arm, the assassin brought the dagger around and in one fluent maneuver invisible to a naked eye, slit the executioner's throat with ease.
"Eliminate."
Zank hacked up blood and fell to the ground. His listless eyes were unresponsive as his mind tried to comprehend his defeat. He couldn't believe it. Spectator had prophesized his victory; his next assault would have beheaded his opponent. He should've won, but he didn't... all because of one meddlesome blond. His Teigu's range was limited to one person per time and Akame and Yukio's unexpected teamwork was the reason for his lost. For all his perceptiveness, the executioner failed to notice Yukio's dagger before Akame had her hand around the hilt. By then, it was too late to do anything, especially since he had lost an arm.
"Splendid… splendid, y-you two make a splendid team… I-it's a shame you two can't become a part of my collection. A-and now, it seems that I-I'll be joining their collection."
"There is no need to fret, Zank. I'm sure that you will never be troubled by the voices again," Akame commented, wincing as she dropped the dagger and putting a hand on her shoulder to compress the bleeding. The injury was more serious that she had first thought; it seemed that she wouldn't be able to just shrug it off after all.
As if on cue, Zank's earpieces shattered into pieces and the man was left bemused at the quietness. What had once consistently haunted him, the constant moans of his victims from the depths of hell, had disappeared all together. Once driven into insanity by these ghostly chants that sought for his demise, he was at last given the chance to rest. Peering up at the starlit sky, he felt the serenity wash over as death came to embrace him. In his life's final phase, Zank allowed a ghostly smile to curl his lips.
Leaving the last seconds of solitude to the executioner, Akame moved toward Yukio with bangs concealing her frontage. On a whim, she bent down, one knee grazing the cold floor, and dropped a karate chop on the young man's head.
"What were you thinking? You said you'll be careful!" Her standard calmness was lost amongst the tides of worry. The young man was reckless trying to take down Zank alone. Akame thought he would know better. Had her intuition not warned her of something ill-omened, she would never have thought to retrace her steps to find him. She didn't even want to think about what would've taken place if she had arrived late.
There was another injury to take account of, but Yukio couldn't complain. He deserved it, though he wished that Akame would be a little gentler. Then again, his mentor had every reason to get mad at him. He was fully aware of how much the girl cherished her comrades and he had metaphorically driven a knife to her chest by gambling with his life. It was indeed fortunate that Akame didn't realize that he had intended to perish together with Zank. He didn't even want to conjure the image of her pain-ridden expression if she was to ever find out. The notion brought his gaze shamefully to the ground as Akame took hold of his bleeding hand.
Even as he averted his gaze, Yukio could still discern the occasional shudders from Akame's body as she wrapped his injuries with dressings. Her body language betrayed her impassive features… she was afraid. The cool, calm, and collected assassin who could efficiently flip emotions like a switch was actually scared of losing him.
"Akame, I'm sorry. I got carried away," Yukio whispered, eventually finding the courage to speak. By then, Akame had already finished tending to his hand. "I didn't mean to worry you… I just wanted to prove myself, you know as a member of Night Raid and… not a burden."
Akame gingerly removed Yukio's coat to inspect his other injuries. "Don't be foolish. You are no burden and you certainly don't have to prove it by getting yourself killed… You are an irreplaceable friend of mine and I don't want to see you die."
The words struck gold. The complexion of Yukio's skin changed dramatically, with cheeks flaring. Flustered, he tried to speak but was stopped by a burning sensation from his abdomen. He wheezed and grimaced when his hand reached for his wound, feeling the blood seep through the gauze. 'Argh… damn it, forgot that Intellectual Schnelligkeit is still in effect. My heart is pumping blood quadruple the normal speed to help accelerate my thinking… it hasn't returned back to normal. Ugh, can't tell Akame though… don't want to make her worry anymore…'
Somehow, her emergency treatment proved to be ineffective. Yukio continued to bleed out before her eyes. Akame's elegant eyebrows furrowed deeply as she removed Yukio's mask and wiped the blood and sweat off his face. The haziness in the blonde's eyes screamed danger to the experienced assassin, who had seen similar looks on dying comrades numerous times. If Yukio was going to live, she finally concluded with a pang in her heart, his wounds needed to be stitched, and fast. However, Akame didn't have the equipment on her and even supposing she did, there was no way she could do it when the damaged muscles in her shoulder blade were convulsing in burning agony.
Akame bit her bottom lip as she considered the slim chances of getting Yukio back to the base punctually. The idea seemed so ludicrous to her that she briefly wondered what optimism provoked her to believe that it was possible for even a millisecond. The Imperial guards were patrolling the premises heavily. There was already a high chance for her to be caught sneaking around, let alone when carrying Yukio along.
'What should I do? What can I do? I-I'm… I can't lose someone again… I…' A new sense of trepidation swelled within her and overpowered her composure. Her fist trembled and her nails dug deep into her palm.
But she didn't get to panic.
A faint whistle floated in the night sky, and her head instantly perked up. Her sensitive ears, finely tuned from training, were able to key into this special note. It was the Imperial police force's secret signal for backup. She evaluated the direction of the wind and the pitch of the whistle, everything she needed to determine its origin. The noise came from the eastern parts of the Capital, not too far from here. 'Something is wrong. Mine and Sheele are in charge of that area. But apart from Zank, there shouldn't be another Imperial user currently strong enough to give them trouble... and yet, I can't help but feel agitated, like I am going to lose something precious to me all over again.'
"Ak-Akame, what's the matter?" Yukio's voice was strain as he fought a losing battle against oblivion. His strength was depleting rapidly, but he could still distinguish the worry visible on his mentor's features.
"Sheele… Mine…" Akame couldn't stop the names from flowing out.
"Mine can't keep herself out of trouble, huh? What are you waiting for? G-go and help them out. I'll cope on my own." Realization immediately sank into Yukio as he took in Akame's quivering orbs. He was the reason that Akame was still undecided. Otherwise, he was sure that Akame would've darted over to her other comrades. Akame wanted to assist them, but at the same time, she didn't want to leave him unattended. At another time, Yukio would've been overjoyed to know that, but the situation demanded him to cast the thought aside. Putting on the most stoic frontage he could muster on his sweaty face, he managed to a few coherent grunts. "…Go, Akame. No sense staying here. I'm fine… I won't die here."
Akame's eyebrows knitted tightly together. Did Yukio really think that she was such a fool to believe that? His words were simply meaningless reassurance. It was clear to her that he was just struggling to just stay awake. How could she just leave him defenselessly here? "No. You're bleeding heavily. I need to get y—"
"For the emperor's sake, just go already! They need you more right now!" Yukio shouted with a display of aggressiveness that didn't suit his personality. 'Man, why is she so tenaciously stubborn? I can't back down… Come on, think idiot… get her moving!' If he couldn't get Akame to leave while he still could, then he wasn't sure what she would do after his obliviousness. What if she lingered behind to take care of him, and by doing… unwittingly risked Mine and Sheele's safety? Needless to say, the last thing Yukio wanted was his comrades' death weighing on his conscience. Even if he was to survive from his wounds, he wouldn't be able to live with the guilt.
"I can't just abandon you here though! I—"
"You'll do what? Cut down a path for Sheele and Mine while hauling me around with your one good arm? Darn it! This isn't like you at all! Think, Akame! Didn't you come here to change their fate? You know that Sheele is just the first of many. Are you really going to let fate repeat itself? Just go and lose everything after this one valuable chance I managed to give you? If so, then you're blinder than a bat without its sonar!" The words that left his quivering lips had taken every ounce of his strength and he knew how insensitive they were. But at the moment, he couldn't care less, for that was no better form of impetus than what he just said.
"…Sorry, you're right. This isn't like me. Stay… here then. I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise." Inwardly ripped apart by the choices presented before her, Akame at last gave up. Her fingernails dug into her palm, what little alleviation given to her in the form of pain. Swallowing any lingering reluctance, she spun on her heels and whisked through the streets, not daring to look back in case of a change of heart.
'Good… I know you can do it, Akame… Be safe, and try not to keep me waiting...' The briefest of smile flashed on Yukio's pale features once he was certain that Akame was out of sight. His vision then darkened and there was a small thud as his body made contact with the concreted floor…
Night Raid Members Remaining: 9
Mission: Take down Zank the executioner and retrieve the stolen Teigu
Participating Members: All excluding Najenda
Result: Target eliminated, Teigu retrieved
Rewards: Omnipotent Five Sights: Spectator
The Four Present in the Capital: 3
…
…
…
Author's Note: And with that, this chapter concludes, though Night Raid's fight with the Imperial Police is just beginning. I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter. If you have any opinions or feedback regarding this chapter, feel free to leave a review or even PM me. Thoughts, questions and even criticisms are all welcomed as they will serve to improve this story.
Preview Kill the Absolute Justice-The battle between Mine, Sheele, and Seryu ends in a rain of explosions. At the same time, both Akame and Tatsumi make their way to assist their respective comrades.
Sheele: "Mine, it looks like I made it just in time!"
Seryu: "Tatsumi, you see? One of the villains is down! I've defeated her. The light of justice will shine upon the world!"
Mine: "Akame, you're being a stupid hypocrite here! Didn't you just—"
Akame: "You are not targets. There is no need to kill you."
Tatsumi: "Give up, you're surrounded and hurt. You don't stand a chance; just throw in the towel already,"