Disclaimer: All characters from Akame ga Kill that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Takahiro. I do not own anything; I have Takahiro to thank for that.
Author's Notes: Just a reminder that I have a poll up on my profile about how the relationship of Yukio of Akame should proceed. This will have an influence in the future chapters, especially the ending since I've three in mind but will probably only write one of them. The poll will remain up until the next chapter is published (which will probably be in a month's time) before I close it.
Thank you to everyone who has given me support and feedback. I really do appreciate it, as your reviews not only motivate me but they also help improve the chapters.
Wacko12: Sorry about that PM mix up. But I do hope that I've answered your question from last time regarding the new Teigu that have made their appearances.
RevansStories: Lol, I really can't imagine Akame going all primal instinct mode on Yukio (not at the moment, at least). It's flattering that you like the story so much that you would consider it to be amongst your top three (I mean, Imperial Sabers and Bent but Not Broken are just legendary) And of course, can't forget to add in a big thank you for proofreading this chapter too, and also sharing those fantastic ideas with me. Thank you!
Ultimatrix bearer: Yeah, the anime did rush that part so I do consider the manga superior in regards to handling the relationships of the cast (though Akame is still alone). The one who attacked Yukio is a mystery that will be revealed later on so I won't say anything else right now. And thanks for voting on the poll. As I've mentioned above, it'll contribute to the ending path that this story will take.
Commonwealth1991: Once again, thank you for your support. Your thoughtful and very insightful reviews are something I look forward to every time. Your insight on Esdeath is very interesting and her attraction to Tatsumi even more so. I suppose gaining dominance over everything, including her relationship with Tatsumi, is a key aspect that defines Esdeath's character. So yep, Tatsumi is stuck in an awkward position, especially since he's more invested in working out the secrets behind the Capital than getting a love life. As for the case going on with Yukio, I can't really say too much right now since I want to avoid spoilers. However, I do like the way you're approaching the mystery and you've picked up on very good/fine points.
…
…
…
(Beta read by RevansStories)
Chapter 22— Kill Esdeath's New Group III
"Piercing through even fate itself,
I will create a new dawn by my own hands,
with my strengthening courage and determined heart.
I believe myself and precious emotion,
I will smash all obstacles with my will!"
- Level 5 Judgelight (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun OP 2)
Location: Imperial Palace (Throne Room). Time: Afternoon. Year: 1024 (Day 99).
"Well done. For your exceptional service to the Empire and your outstanding effort in retrieving one of our fallen warrior's Imperial Arms, I shall bestow you a reward of your desire. Speak now."
Heeding Esdeath's words, Tatsumi walked down the corridor as Emperor Makoto's voice projected into the hallway long before he reached the double doors.
"I exhort." The emperor's child-like voice once again entered Tatsumi's ears. It seemed that the country's ruler was in the middle of a conversation, though the other interlocutor spoke too quietly for Tatsumi to catch anything.
Tatsumi's boots shuffled on the polished grounds, dirtying them with mud. A servant gave him a look of disapproval as he passed by, prompting him to mumble a sheepish apology. With the throne room situated in the middle of the palace, he had a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time. 'Esdeath did tell me not to come too early, but is it really alright to be this late?'
"If Your Highness insists, then I would like your word."
Tatsumi was close enough to hear the exchange. There was no intent to eavesdrop but his curiosity argued otherwise, and had his ears straining for more. In the course of trying to understand the enigma known as Mamoru, Tatsumi unwittingly developed a habit of listening in on conversations, especially ones that involved the general and his sister on the dining table. To appease his conscience, his excuse was: 'Oh well, there's no harm in prying. And it could help me understand the Capital more.'
"My word?" the child emperor reiterated.
"Promise me that the Empire will refrain from killing my traitorous sister. I want to kill her myself before she gets killed by anyone else."
The speaker, whom Tatsumi could identified was a girl, was certainty not afraid to speak her mind. In all honesty, he did not know whether or not he should be perturbed. Having caught snippets of the context didn't help him understand the full story. Nonetheless, if what he heard was accurate, then the speaker appeared to be very passionate about slaying a family member.
'Is killing really the only option left? Isn't she jumping into conclusion too quickly…? Ah, what am I thinking? I don't know the gist of it.' Somewhat invested in the details, curiosity led Tatsumi to pace himself further. A quick turn to the left and he stopped at his destination. For once, the doors were opened so he immediately strolled in.
"Ah, Lieutenant Tatsumi! I'm sure that you've heard about your promotion," said Emperor Makoto upon noticing Tatsumi by the doors. "It's good to see you here."
"Yes. And thank you, Your Highness. I'm very er… grateful that you consider me worthy of your attention." Tatsumi bowed deeply, and then lifted his head to glance around.
The throne room was the same as before, save for the long table that was now placed in front of Makoto's seated form. Six people occupied the room and instantly, Tatsumi recognized the emperor, the Prime Minister, and two more as the generals of The Four.
Apart from Esdeath and Mamoru, another formidable presence loomed in the center of the room in the form of a muscular man with spiky blond hair. He was spotted with a dark grey suit of armor, white pants and a red cloak. A pair of notably large shoulder guards draped over his shoulders, marked by yellow tomoe symbols. His arms were crossed, revealing the golden gauntlets that seemed to crackle with tiny sparks.
Unwittingly, Tatsumi felt a bead of sweat drip down the side of his face. There were many mistakes one could make, but the lieutenant was convinced that none could overlook the fearsome authority that stemmed from the man. It truly made the emperor look nothing more than a toddle. It was evident; the man was the one who Tatsumi was inspired by. The Great General Budo. He was the one who held the top rank of a commander, the position that he strived to achieve.
Sensing his gaze linger on him, Budo opened his eyes and returned the gesture. His blue orbs were stern and unforgiving, plainly telling Tatsumi that he was a man of discipline. Unable to withstand the intensity of the look, the lieutenant looked away and couldn't repress a gasp at who he saw.
Standing right before him was Akame of Night Raid, the assassin who he fought a month ago.
Instantly, his muscles tensed and he reached for the sword behind his back. His hair stood on ends as the assassin's hand grabbed her katana. Her thumb pushed the cross-guard outwards and brought a fraction of the steel to light. There was no further movement from them both as they eyed each other warily.
"Fools, do you thoughtlessly intend to go on a rampage inside the palace's sacred ground?" Budo's deep voice boomed and the entire room seemingly quivered under the pressure he exerted. The general's jagged eyebrows were lowered dangerously, giving an impression of raging lightning. Most of the occupants of the room flinched and steered their concentration towards Budo, for he demanded their full attention. Predictably, Esdeath and Mamoru were the only ones unfazed, with the former wearing a smirk and the latter being indifferent all the same. "I do not care if you are General Mamoru's favorite or an honorable member of General Esdeath's Special Forces. Anyone who disturbs the peace of the palace shall be executed with my Teigu, Adramelech, with no exception."
"Hoh?" Esdeath kept her sarcastic smirk visible on her face as she ambled towards Tatsumi and captured him in an embrace. With her arms wrapped around the new lieutenant affectionately, she lightly caressed his face with her fingers. She was pleased that he had yet to shrink away and was becoming accustomed to her handling, despite the number of people watching. It was the attitude that morphed Esdeath's smirk into a grin, with approval shimmering in her cerulean eyes.
"Esdeath?" whispered Tatsumi, desperately trying to hide his flushed face with his bangs. The heat that had reached his earlobes was becoming insufferable, though Esdeath's cool touch somehow proved to be easing also. It was puzzling how the general could ease him so effortlessly and yet be the source of his anxiety at the same time.
To Tatsumi's surprise, Esdeath ignored him for once, and instead looked at Budo with an unreadable expression. Although she persisted with her affectionate behavior towards Tatsumi, there was now a hint of malevolent intent surrounding her, especially when she opened her mouth to speak. "I cannot overlook your affront, General Budo. You speak as though Tatsumi is a pest that I have brought into the Imperial palace. You should rephrase your sentence before I take it personally."
"Oho? You would dare stand against me and my Adramelech for such triviality, General Esdeath?" Despite being surprised, Budo was collected even as an ominous feel gripped the air, squeezing out the last drop of tranquility that lingered in the atmosphere.
"I won't let anyone keep me away from Tatsumi. Not even you, Great General." The response was clear-cut, as though it was a provocation rather than an answer.
Budo's frown deepened into a scowl, but he made no aggressive movement. His discipline prohibited any violence; his duty as the palace's guardian overshadowed all other priorities. To engage in a fight was hypocrisy. Esdeath might have no qualms with destroying the palace grounds, but the last thing Budo wanted was to bathe the sacred place in blood. "Make no mistake, General Esdeath. My word is my bond."
"Good. Because I won't have it any other way," Esdeath smirked. At that, the daunting ambiance vanished, as though it was never there to begin with.
Tatsumi was left speechless. Was that supposed to be intimidation or just an ordinary conversation? Now that he was on the topic, he felt exasperation creeping through at the realization that all the generals he knew thus far did not fit the definition of normalcy. 'What have I gotten myself into? Why isn't anyone normal around here?'
Regardless, Tatsumi wasn't going to stand around idly while letting Esdeath handle the situation. Taking the initiative, he unlatched the general's arms from him and stepped forward.
"Please excuse my behavior, General Budo," he said, allowing his lowered voice and modest body language to carry his feelings. There were several cases where he was put in the position of apologizing, but none was as heartfelt as his act of contrite this time around. He assumed it was because it wasn't the forced apologies he muttered to appease the foul-mouthed Hidou.
"My judgment towards you will remain impartial. But understand that I will not tolerate anyone who dares to blemish the sacred grounds my family has protected for generations. You would be wise to heed my words." In no way did the response sound resentful and Tatsumi took that as a sign of forgiveness.
Relieved, Tatsumi then turned to the emperor, having decided to ask the one question that had burned his tongue since entering the room. His brown orbs stole a glimpse at the person standing to his right, finding it strange that not a drop of blood had been shed yet. "Your Highness, I don't mean to be rude, but why is a member of Night Raid here?"
The emperor must have still been in a daze because he made no indication that he heard Tatsumi. Even Honest stopped chewing on the steak he had in his hand, expecting Makoto to confer with him at any moment. There was a temporary silence that draped over them until someone else spoke.
"Is the resemblance really that uncanny? I only just recently got back and already six people attacked me, mistaking me for that goody two-shoes. How life must despise her."
The raven-haired assassin spoke in the same monotone, but the voice was more cynical than he remembered. In fact, now that Tatsumi was given the chance to scrutinize her up and down, he was able to distinguish subtle differences. The physique and the atmosphere she exhibited were relatively similar but it was the hair that gave it away. Above all, the color of her bottomless dark pools eradicated any lingering doubt and removed him from the edge of anxiety. For a covert operation, Tatsumi could presuppose that the notorious red-eyed killer would adapt a new hairstyle, though undergoing surgery to change the color of her eyes felt too extreme. He couldn't even begin to imagine the hefty sum that would be needed for the operation. 'Night Raid won't let one of their aces sneak in like this… And a shape shifter would've chosen an appearance that doesn't scream attention.'
"You're not Akame!" Tatsumi proclaimed, jabbing a surprised finger at the girl.
"Since when did I ever say I was her?" the person who was not Akame bluntly replied, leaving the rhetorical question hanging.
"Tatsumi, relax. There're no enemies here, only allies." Esdeath's reassurance brought him temporary relief and his heartbeats returned to normal until the Ice Queen drew in closer. He could feel her hand pressed against his spine, in a vain attempt to ease his tensed muscles. "Don't be nervous, Tatsumi. The condition surrounding your promotion is that you will be made the vice-captain of my Special Forces. This is your chance. Work with Kurome. I expect this and much more from you, Tatsumi."
'Cooperate with Aka-no, Kurome… as the vice-captain?' The news hit Tatsumi like a bolt of lightning, and he was quite certain that there were imaginary crows circling above his head, squeaking and teasing him. Dumfounded, he fixed his eyes on Esdeath, trying to seek confirmation in her blue orbs. Much to his astonishment, he found her eyes shimmering with anticipation. The Ice Queen wasn't joking; she had him promoted to act as the second in command in her personal division.
"But didn't you want Imperial Arms users only?" It was flattering that Esdeath had such expectations, but Tatsumi wasn't as naïve to think that he could be on par with Teigu users. The skirmish with Night Raid's Akame and Bulat taught him that, and more.
"Naturally, I wouldn't call for anyone who is weak," assured Esdeath, nudging Tatsumi closer to the table. Her eyes lowered and she fixed her sight on the numerous Imperial Arms currently not owned. "My team consists of Imperial Arms users with immerse potential. I do not take anyone who is only second best."
"That brings us to the reason why I summoned you, Lieutenant Tatsumi." Apparently, Makoto came out of his stupor and was quick to supply an elaboration. He pointed his scepter at the ancient relics laid out across the table. "These are part of my valuable collection. If you find one that is compatible, I implore you to take it and use it to protect my kingdom. Consider it a gift to celebrate your engagement from the Minister and myself."
"Engagement?" Tatsumi repeated, feeling the base of his mouth dry up faster than a parched well in the harsh sunlight. His mind jammed like a cogwheel with a stick wedged between and it took a while for him to find his own voice. "Er sorry, but I don't know what's going on here..."
"Hmm? Are you not betrothed to General Esdeath? You are her fiancé, are you not?" Makoto tilted his head, appearing just as confused as Tatsumi.
"It's in my every intention to make Tatsumi mine," announced Esdeath, unaware of the storm of bewilderment terrorizing Tatsumi's head. The general wasn't the least self-conscious of her declaration. In fact, she seemed to be thrilled about making her love to Tatsumi known.
Tatsumi inwardly shed exasperated tears. He had known that Esdeath was enamored with him for a while now but he didn't think that she would make a public announcement about it, especially since he wasn't sure whether or not he could return her affection. Nonetheless, the others gave no indication that they were surprised. It was as if they were all previously informed. Something clicked inside Tatsumi's head and it was becoming clear that he was the only one still kept in the dark about the prospect of his engagement. 'Don't tell me that this is what they were talking about before I got here?'
"Ah, so this is what love is all about. I see!" The child emperor spoke with enthusiasm, apparently excited about overseeing a wedding in the near future. Although he was taught all sort of political issues and the proper mannerism that came with his nobility, his knowledge on the topic of love was almost non-existence. Even so, he knew that the relationship between Tatsumi and Esdeath were formed from the basis of love, though in a different manner to the one he and the Minister shared. Frankly, it was still a perplexing concept to grasp, but he decided to observe and learn as much as he could. "Lieutenant Tatsumi, I'll have you know that General Esdeath is indeed of age, but is still unwed. You see, I had offered her the opportunity of being betrothed to the Minister, though she politely declined and insisted for you. Apparently, you are the paragon of a lover and the subject of her affection. Isn't that right, Minister?"
"Indeed, my lord," agreed Honest, "General Esdeath does have very special standards."
"Initially, I thought no such man exists but it looks like I'm mistaken," Emperor Makoto nodded, giving the impression that he had just discovered something grand. "So Lieutenant Tatsumi, I shall be supporting your flourishing relationship with General Esdeath. She's a very respectable general and one who has devoted her life to fighting for the Empire. She deserves a man who strives to meet her criteria."
"Um, I thank you for your… um, words of wisdom." There was no originality in that statement as Tatsumi mimicked what Honest would've most likely said. From what he could tell, the emperor seemed to enjoy praises, particularly ones that regarded his intellect.
Tatsumi's eyes dropped to the table two steps in front of him. "Is it alright if I try out my luck?"
"Go ahead," urged Esdeath, eager to see what Imperial Arms Tatsumi would obtain. In the past she had tested her compatibility with most of the weapons available, though she was rather curious as to what Tatsumi would choose. Judging from his fighting style, she predicted it would be an Imperial Arms modeled after a sword. Nonetheless, there was nothing like that here, excluding the short sword with a chain link tassel. Supposedly, it was the key to the Demon Armor: Incursio. At present, it remained dormant and unimpressive. However, Esdeath didn't doubt the power sleeping inside. With a suitable wielder, she knew that it would become a virtue weapon.
'I picked Wave as the countermeasure against the One Hundred Man-Slayer, Bulat. Within Night Raid, he is a person deserving of special attention. However, I certainly did not expect to see his Imperial Arms here.' While Esdeath's exterior was a façade of mordant, she was inwardly bemused by the turn of events. From what she heard, the weapon was found carried by a young man who was arrested as a prime suspect connected to Night Raid. Yet, what was more baffling than the items he possessed was the location that he was detained, being at the front of the palace of all places. Just what was that young man thinking when he foolishly landed himself right into the enemy's territory? It all sounded so intriguing and Esdeath would've placed herself as the lead interrogator if not for being preoccupied with managing her new team.
At the same time as Esdeath's musings, Tatsumi began to examine the Imperial Arms. His mind was still trying to digest the fact that he was now betrothed but he eventually repressed the thought to focus on the relics spread out before him. No words could accurately describe how much he longed for this moment to come. Ever since comprehending how impotent he was against Teigu users, he was determined to find a weapon that suited him. 'This is my chance. I need—no, I must— take this step to get stronger! Nothing is stopping me!'
In order to become the protector rather than the one being protected, Tatsumi knew that power was crucial. He needed an Imperial Arms, even if it came to him in the most unpredictable way. He was fully aware that accepting the offer would only reinforce the idea that he and Esdeath were engaged. But did that imply he would be obliged to return her feelings?
'Won't it be selfish of me to accept the offer? I don't like the idea of giving her the wrong idea. But she doesn't like taking a no for an answer regardless. Ah, I should think about all this later. Esdeath said it herself earlier. I'll need to be in peak condition for this.' With a shake of the head to erase the thoughts that dwelled inside his head, Tatsumi finished his assessment of the weapons. All of them exuded a sense of distinctiveness, though there was one that called out to him. It was beckoning him to claim it as his own. Its shape struck a chord in his memories and he came to recognize the relic as the Demon Armor: Incursio.
Unpleasant memories surfaced and his eyebrows creased into a frown. However, the repulsion displayed on his expression was directed at Night Raid and not at the weapon as the words of his village's blacksmith drifted into his mind. 'That's right. No weapon is truly evil. All of them are made to reflect the wielder's heart and the forger's soul. Whether a weapon protects lives or steals them depends on how it's used. If I can get Incursio to accept me, then I'm sure I can use its power to save just as many lives as Bulat of Night Raid has taken! But to do all this… I'll need your help, Incursio! Listen to my plea and grant me the power I need!'
'I SEE YOUR HEART REMAINS STEADFAST AGAINST THE TWIST OF FATE. VERY WELL! WILL YOU TRADE YOUR PRECEPTION OF REALITY FOR A FRAGMENT OF MY POWER?'
'No price is too heavy for me if it means saving my village and discovering the truth behind everything that's happening in the Capital.'
'SO BE IT. YOUR DETERMIINATION IMPRESS EVEN ME. I SHALL BESTOW YOU WITH MY POWER AND THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE TO CONQUER FATE… TATSUMI!'
'Who was that? How did it know my name?' Under normal circumstances, those would've been the first two questions that entered Tatsumi's mind. However, he was so intoxicated by the idea of becoming stronger that he brushed off his lingering curiosity. There would always be time to ponder on things later on.
Answering Incursio's beckoning that had amplified after what was supposedly an auditory hallucination, Tatsumi picked it up and was amazed by the strange sensation that flowed into him upon making contact. He held it above eye-level and allowed the silver sword to reflect the lights coming from the ceiling. "This is incredible. It feels… so natural in my hands. It's exactly what I want!"
Save for Esdeath, who simply smirked, the others in the room were all stupefied. Apparently, none of them thought that the newly appointed lieutenant would be compatible with the weapon that had been used against them. Even Mamoru had a genuinely surprised expression, unable to fathom the possible connection between Tatsumi and the armored Teigu.
Eventually, the stillness was shattered by the emperor. "While I'm most pleased that Lieutenant Tatsumi has found his match, I would like to know how this one operates. Someone explain this to me."
"Your Highness, that is the Demon Armor: Incursio," Budo informed, "One can only wear it if they are chosen by the Tyrant, whose flesh is still alive within the Imperial Arms."
"Incompatibility will kill you," added Mamoru, not caring about subtlety.
Tatsumi instinctively grimaced. Although he would be informed of such sooner or later, he didn't like how nonchalant the Silencer was when delivering the news that was related to his future.
"Tatsumi, try it on. You do know how, don't you?" asked Esdeath.
'And of course...' Tatsumi did not know how he should react. It was still a confronting mystery as to whether it was because Esdeath had absolute faith in him or that she was just intrigued by the consequences should he fail, but she was the only one providing endorsement at the moment.
However, Tatsumi didn't need the extra encouragement. There was no wisp of hesitation that could cloud his mind despite hearing the consequences of failure. He was feeling confident about his compatibility with Incursio so he nodded in an act of fortitude. "I know what to do. And I won't fail!"
There was an inner guidance that told Tatsumi what he had to do. So, like a child following a recipe given by his mother, he listened to his mind. He rammed the short sword down onto the carpeted floor, hearing something unlock as the cross guard parted.
"OOOOOOHHHHHHH! INCURSIOOOOOOO!" He poured his very soul into the summoning, feeling a sense of peculiar familiarity as he did so.
Power discharged into the entire room.
The carpet flew and fluctuated like waves. A swirl of inferno spewed forth as the upper half of the Tyrant materialized behind Tatsumi. The dragon-type Ultra Danger Beast let loose a bloodcurdling bellow and the room seemed to ripple under the unconquerable torrents of power.
"This is magnificent, Tatsumi!" A large grin materialized on Esdeath's face as she witnessed the Tyrant undergoing changes. As the surges of power collided into her, she had to grab onto her hat to steady it. She could felt the demonic blood residing within her being pushed back by the Tyrant's aura as it sought to overpower anything that it came into contact with. Letting out an amused huff, she summoned her energy and promptly detonated it, pushing the other force aside. 'Wonderful! So this is the beast whose life force exceeds that of any other! It's very impressive!'
'The armor is changing to fit Tatsumi!' Mamoru realized as he was forced to shield himself with an arm. It was then he noticed Kurome trying to prevent herself from being thrown backwards. A bemused eyebrow went above his hairline when he saw Yatsufusa pulsate inside its scabbard, almost as though it was calling out for something. The bizarre occurrence was over in a blink of an eye but Mamoru subtly made a mental note for himself, knowing all too well that he wasn't hallucinating.
Budo wasted no second thought and leaped towards the emperor. He shielded the small child with his large cloak and body, protecting him from the awe-inspiring pressure from the Tyrant's raw might. The Man of Lightning saw the Prime Minister cowered behind the throne and the sight brought a dangerous frown on his features. It irked him that Honest's first priority wasn't the emperor but himself. 'You, Honest… are the source of the Empire's instability. I shall deal with you accordingly after I eradicate the Revolutionary Army.'
Just like it suddenly began, it ended abruptly when the transformation was complete. As everything began to settle back to normal, Tatsumi stood with a changed appearance. Fully clad in a durable silver suit of armor with a long cape dangling behind him, the teen radiated strength and pre-eminence that attracted everyone's attention.
"I can feel it… There's a newfound power welling inside me!" Tatsumi stared at his own armored hands in awe, feeling the unending supply of strength entering his systems. At this rate, he felt like he could complete a marathon around the entire Capital without breaking a sweat.
"Well done, Tatsumi!" The new Incursio wielder felt hands on his shoulders as Esdeath leaned in, with her cheek just grazing the side of his helmet. There was an alluring blush tinged on her face as she studied his head gear with undeniable fascination. "How you never cease to surprise me. I'm rather captivated by your new look. And this power that you're exhibiting… it's breathtaking! So, Tatsumi. Are you ready now?"
"Yah! I feel ready to meet my new teammates." Overjoyed that he could now stand on an even footing with other Imperial Arms users, a fearless smile danced from behind Tatsumi's headgear as he smashed his fist into his palm. "And I'll play my part in capturing Night Raid!"
Location: Imperial Palace (The Special Police Conference Room). Time: Afternoon. Year: 1024 (Day 99).
"Looks like this is it! Alright, let's do this. I'm Wave from the—Eh?" Keen for a good first impression, Wave shoved open the door with robustness permeating from his form. To his utmost disappointment, the conference room was empty of people. Several chairs were neatly pushed in around a large rectangular table, giving no indication that anyone had used them prior.
The blue-haired man backed a step and glanced at the metallic plate nailed onto the side of the wall. "And… this is definitely it. I guess we're early."
"I'm glad," Bols said, heaving a quiet sigh. "I need some time to mentally prepare myself. The truth is, I'm already a little nervous."
"Bols-san, so you're nervous too?" asked Wave, still amazed by the potency of Bols' timid nature. Ambling over to the closest chair, he dumped his sack of fish beside him and slumped down onto the furniture.
"Whew! We made it and it's all thanks to you, Bols-san!" His young countenance twinkled with joy as he went on, "I would've taken so many wrong turns if you weren't there too. This place is huge!"
"It'll take a while to get use to navigating around the palace. But until you're comfortable, I'll do my best to help you get around," Bols offered.
Wave smiled, "That's great to hear. You're a really nice person, Bols-san."
"I'm not… a kind person." Letting the door close behind him, Bols moved over to a corner of the table, where a tea set was conveniently placed for use. Even the mask couldn't hide his solemn and Wave knew that he had triggered dangerous red flags of warning. A small grimace twitched the sailor's features. Without knowing, he had breached a sensitive topic and he hated his carelessness.
"Pardon me!"
Thankfully, any chance for an awkward atmosphere dispersed the moment the door flung open. In walked a woman with a long auburn ponytail and amber eyes. She was spotted in green boots with a matching green dress. A black scarf was loosely wrapped around her neck, and it somehow made her appear professional as she saluted with the posture of a true officer of law.
"I'm Seryu Ubiquitous of the Imperial police. And this is Coro."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Wave from the Imperial Navy." Strolling up to her, Wave gave the woman a proper appraisal and straight away noticed that she seemed relatively normal, save for the prosthetic arms and the peculiar dog-like doll beside her. 'She looks normal enough… except for that banquet of roses she has. And is that dog, Coro I think… saluting me?'
Wave's unspoken question was left unconcluded as another young man with feminine features opened the door and strolled in. He had fair blond hair and golden eyes that complemented his white robe trendily. Underneath, he was donned in a black shirt and black pants fastened together with a brown belt. There were also fashion ornaments found on him, such as the feathered pin behind his ear, and the collar-like accessory on his neck. They certainly pared down his muscular side, and Wave could only hope that they weren't there for that specific purpose.
"Well, I'm a little late, but it seems that there are a few unpunctual members on the team as well." Counting the number of people present, the man presented a pleasant smile and proceeded to introduce himself. "I'm Run. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
"I'm Wave, it's great to meet you!"
"The pleasure is all mine," replied Run, his smile never waning.
Bang!
The door was once again opened, though this time by a force that nearly torn it off its hinges. The sound of high heels tapping against the ground could be heard as a blue-haired woman with an Imperial torturer's white mask marched in, her posture brimming with superiority that could not be overlooked. She was clad in a white dress with long black sleeves while her long tresses trailed down her curvaceous figure.
"What are you all doing here?" she demanded, pointing an accusing finger at the people gathered in the room.
"Hey, hey..." At her ignorance of their gathering, Wave could tell that the woman wasn't part of his new team. Based on her sharp tone and direct approach, he was quick to reach a conclusion that she was someone looking for trouble. He decided to show some of his newly granted authority, if only to show that he was no pushover. Full of intent, he drew next to her and said, "We're all told to assemble h—"
Without warning, the woman smashed her leg straight into Wave's chest. The shattering force created a large dent in the wall as the sailor's head made contact with the hard surface. Stars exploded before Wave and a blanket of darkness covered his vision. The pain of the attack sunk into his sensory receptors and he felt his consciousness fade in and out.
"Assassins are among the traitors. Don't ever drop your guard!" To prove her point, the woman whisked towards Run and threw a series of punches. Ran was readied though. He countered every blow without budging from the spot so she delivered kicks into the mix and was mildly impressed when nothing bypassed his defenses. 'This one has good reflexes.'
"Justice will always pre—" Seryu and Cora exploited the opportunity. The Imperial policewoman lunged at the intended target only to be grabbed by an armored hand from behind. She had little time to gasp before she was flipped over a metal-covered shoulder and hurled onto the ground, cracking the surface with her weight. Grunting in pain, she watched in a mixture of horror and shock as Coro was sent flying into the wall by a halberd-like weapon that her attacker manifested from thin air.
"Seryu, don't you remember what Ogre-sensei said? You need to tone down your killing intent if you want to be stealthy."
Although Seryu knew that the protective garment supposedly belonged to an evildoer, she widened her eyes in recognition. Only a selected few addressed her beloved teacher as sensei and the judo display earlier narrowed down the number of names even further. The answer was so straightforward that she suspected the armored person was deliberately giving her clues. "You're… you're Tatsumi, right?"
"It's been a while," Tatsumi nodded before directing his gaze to the masked woman. As expected, she was inspecting his every movement like a hawk. 'Esdeath probably saw many openings she could've taken advantage of during my confrontation with Seryu. I'm still new at this so I'll ask her for advice later.'
"Impressive moves," the general noted, pleased.
"But not as impressive as yours, General Esdeath," Tatsumi said, placing emphasis on her title so that the others could catch on. With a mental command, he undid his transformation and settled with his white high collar jacket and a pair of brown pants.
"Hoh? Tell me Tatsumi, since when were you capable of sweet talk?" Amused, Esdeath let out a small snort and removed the mask on her face.
"General Esdeath!" Several startled shouts filled the room, simultaneously rousing Wave from his dazed state.
"Ouch… she's our boss?" Unable to determine which part of his body hurt more, Wave scrambled onto his feet, with one hand on his chest and the other on the large bump on his head. From the brutality of that kick, he was mildly astounded that he was spared from a broken skill and only suffered a minor concussion. 'D-damn, that's definitely going to leave a huge bruise. If this is how hard the commander can kick during a spar, then I don't want to be anywhere near her when she goes up against the enemy.'
When the commotion died down and the group flocked around Esdeath and Tatsumi for introductions, Kurome slipped in through a gap in the door. She took the spot second closest to the door and pulled out her sack filled with stocked-up sweets. But before she could start munching on them, rose petals drifted down and filled the entire room with a flowery aroma. With her eyebrows furtively lowered, the young Imperial assassin caught any stray petals that wandered too close to her sack before searching for the cause of the unnatural shower. The sight she saw brought a traitorous twitch from the corner of her mouth.
"Dr. Stylish, all is prepared now!" In Seryu's opinion, the banquet of roses she bought this morning was a worthy sacrifice as a highly-esteemed man sauntered into the room, with a hand resting on the side of his face and the petals acting as the backdrop. Like all other times Seryu saw him, he was wearing his glasses, a yellow suit that was accompanied with a tie, and a white trench coat.
"Caring about one's first impression… that is indeed what I call stylish," the tall man announced, flicking a loose strand of black hair to the side, just near his patch of white hair. His blue eyes landed on everyone else in the room before halting in Wave's direction. Then with flush cheeks and a seductive smile, he battered an eyelash at the sailor. "Oh, my! I can tell by sight alone that you're a country boy. But you're pretty good looking. I can polish you to be even better. We'll get along pretty well."
'He's into me.' Wave had the intention of introducing himself to the black-haired girl sitting by herself, though that was left forgotten when the doctor greeted him affectionately. With his brain cringing, Wave could stare wide-eyed. Why was the nutcase so drawn to him like magnets of the opposite poles?
"We don't have the time to fool around, Dr. Stylish," Esdeath said, looking slightly exasperated now that the doctor arrived. Out of all her team's personality quirks she heard from Honest, Dr. Stylish's was the one she found grueling to deal with. His sense of elegance and his interest in fine art were something she could never show any appreciation to, even if she tried. "I hope you did manage to retrieve your target. He's alive, yes?"
"Fu, fu. Quite so," Dr. Stylish replied, poising in a way he deemed fashionable, with his right hand on his head, and the opposite leg overlapping his left leg. "I found him under the snow in the nick of time. One can most certainly say I've an unprecedented sense of timing. The idiot was buried so deep that it took my stylish soldiers a while to excavate the area. He was covered in frostbites when we dug him out. It was very unstylish and not to mention very taxing on my behalf."
"Who is this we're talking about?" asked Tatsumi, being the only one intrigued enough to inquire.
"Do you recall when General Hidou was announced missing a few days ago?" When Tatsumi nodded in response, Esdeath continued, "The Minister suspects he encountered Night Raid and was defeated. But General Hidou is not someone who dies easily. His endurance is something I've personally tested. So I organized a search party to locate him."
"Yes. Lady Esdeath instructed me to investigate so I spent two nights in the cold searching for any possible clues. The task was most demanding but we've now recovered the poor lost general. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation," added Dr. Stylish, tapping the rim of his glasses in another theatrical pose.
"Will he be alright?" Unexpectedly, it was Bols who spoke. As a member of the Incineration Squad, he was well acquainted with the renowned Wildfire. While Hidou probably wouldn't remember him, Bols respected the general enough to inquire about his wellbeing.
"I have no doubt that he will survive. He would be unworthy of my attention if he cannot recover from a little exposure to the cold," Esdeath simply stated, with no intention of being reassuring.
"He does have his Imperial Arms…" Tatsumi noted. Similar to Esdeath, the new lieutenant knew that the Wildfire's Teigu granted him exceptional endurance and immunity to most attacks. As he reflected on his knowledge of Hidou's Moeruseika, he was struck with a sudden realization that he knew very little about Furontogarasu, the shield-like Teigu that Mamoru occasionally wore on his back. There was one time when he questioned Mariko about it, though even the woman could only offer a vague explanation.
"And… speaking of Imperial Arms," Tatsumi paused and turned to the Imperial assassin quietly gobbling down her snacks. "Kurome. I'm curious, but do you know what Mamoru-sensei's does? You've been his apprentice longer than me. So what can you tell me about it?"
"Hmmm," Kurome hummed before swallowing the biscuit in her mouth. Her eyebrows slouched slightly as she gave her new vice-captain's question some pondering. "…You mean Storm Protector: Furontogarasu? It's an elemental Imperial Arms that manipulates the wind. When Mamoru-sensei concentrates, he can cause the wind to shape shift into anything he wants. It's so versatile that he can even create an invisible tracker by following what he refers to as the wind's scent. He can also technically 'poison' or 'paralyze' his foes by altering the wind's properties."
"Wow, that's amazing! Now I get why Mariko-san told me that Mamoru-sensei is unbeatable when out in the open." Astonished, Tatsumi took a sharp intake of breath. With the new piece of information, Tatsumi realized that The Four's Imperial Arms were indeed all forces of nature. Even supposing that his Incursio was an extremely powerful relic, he wondered if it could compete with the generals'. 'No, it's fine if it can't. I'll train and use my skill to fill the gap one day!'
Kurome shrugged, not sharing Tatsumi's excitement. "It's not invincible if it has drawbacks. I know that Furontogarasu can only summon wind, not create it. Since the wind seem to have a mind of its own, it's extremely hard for sensei to control it precisely."
"However, General Mamoru has met the demanded expectations. This morning he submitted a report detailing his endeavor to locate the rebel's main camp down south," informed Esdeath.
"He's tracked them down… with the wind's scent thing, right?" Left even more astounded than before, Tatsumi extracted the meaning from Esdeath and his eyes widened until they appeared larger than the lights hanging from the ceiling. "Does this mean we're going to launch a full-scale attack?"
"YES! It's finally time to eradicate the master evildoer. Justice shall prevail! All evil will be destroyed!" Seryu cackled, her face contorting into ugly expressions that startled most of the occupants in the room.
Whereas Tatsumi flinched, Esdeath was unfazed. She dropped a hand on the auburn-haired woman's shoulder in an effective attempt to ease her exhilaration. "Unfortunately, our order is to exterminate Night Raid. Those assassins are our first and foremost priority."
A mixture of disappointment and vexation were noticeable on some of her subordinates' faces. Only Kurome was spotted with a smile, apparently pleased with the arrangement.
Noting her subordinates' reactions, Esdeath then fixed her gaze at Dr. Stylish. "With that in mind, what did you discover?"
"Oh." The doctor touched his forehead with a finger, recalling something crucial. "I would like to mention that unidentified metal objects were scattered around near the area where the general was found. I'm currently analyzing what I managed to scavenge, but I don't expect much since the pieces are beyond recognizable. The only thing I can confirm is that they're indeed the remnants of a weapon, quite possibly an Imperial Arms."
"An Imperial Arms user… Night Raid…" Tatsumi mused aloud. Piecing together facts, it was most likely that Night Raid was involved with the incident regarding Hidou. He could understand where Esdeath was going with the inquiry. No ordinary Imperial Arms user could've bested someone as powerful as Hidou. The assassination group that dwelled in close proximity to the Capital had to be the culprit, though the question remained was who did it. 'General Hidou's Imperial Arms is nearly impenetrable. Only Extase and Pumpkin actually stand a chance. But we have Extase now and even someone like General Hidou would've been goner given Pumpkin's firepower. Which mean someone else actually outsmarted and buried him under a pile of snow... Who was it?'
"Dr. Stylish… that's what you're called, right?" Tatsumi didn't feel at ease addressing the weird doctor but he needed to know more about Night Raid as a precaution for future encounters. 'Besides, Night Raid is the best clue I have on Sayo and Ieyasu. There's no doubt about it. Akame knows something and I will find out what she is hiding.'
"Yes, that's me… the most stylish person to have ever walked the earth." Dr. Stylish twirled on his toes, imitating a ballerina with little success. "You may call me Doctor, boy. But who are you?"
"I'm Tatsumi—" There was no need to announce his position within the group as Dr. Stylish exclaimed.
"Tatsumi? Ah, so you're our vice-captain! My, you're quite the looker." the doctor grinned, scrutinizing the teen up and down with sparkling eyes. "I see you like to work out. Hmph, it's unstylish and unbefitting for someone as charming as you. My young second in command, how would you like to come into my lab later and I can teach you the wonders of—"
"Training Tatsumi is a task reserved for me," Esdeath said sternly, cutting off what she believed was senseless babbles. "I will decide whether or not your assistance is necessary."
"Ah… is that so? Very well." Taking the sharp glance Esdeath directed at him as the cue to stop, Dr. Stylish gave up his appraisal of Tatsumi and instead directed his attention to Wave. He winked seductively, much to the sailor's chagrin.
"Ahem! Anyways… everyone, I look forward to working with all of you. I'm new at this whole thing but I'll do my best. I expect the same hard work from all of you. Let's all help each other and do our best so that we can pave our way to victory!" Since his attempt to increase the morale of the team was with an unrevised script, Tatsumi was somewhat surprised when several fists were pumped into the air. As expected, Seryu's cheer was the loudest. But what was surprising was that even Kurome, despite her deadpanned facade, also gave a lazy rise of her hand in response. Seeing that, a smile danced across Tatsumi's lips.
Esdeath took the opportunity to take over and addressed the group with a hand on her hip. "Everyone is ready. Fantastic! Now, we're going to attend a meeting with the Emperor."
"W-we're already meeting him?" The situation had escalated so quickly that it took Wave by surprise.
"For the first day, this is a pretty fast-paced schedule," agreed Run.
"I believe in getting annoying things out of the way first," responded Esdeath, acting as though something as significant as meeting the ruler of the country was simply a matter of nuisance. Nonetheless, anyone who was thoroughly acquainted with the Ice Queen would know that she considered most things a mere hurdle that she would eventually leap over and crush on the way.
"But before that, Lady Esdeath…" Dr. Stylish interjected, "What do we call ourselves?"
The question was indeed well founded because as special as they were, no division within the Capital was without a name. Having a commander to lead them was one thing, but to be nameless was another thing. Most people believed unidentified squads to be insignificant, as pawns that could be discarded. So as adroit Teigu users, they deserve nothing less than the public's reverence.
"We are a unique organization ordered to mercilessly hunt and take down the atrocious traitors." As if to give prominence to Esdeath's words, a lone eagle could be seen soaring pass outside the window of the conference room. Its eyes glistened under the sun and its sharp claws flexed in preparation, miraculously keeping its cry in sync with the general's announcement. "Therefore, we are the Special Police Force… We are the Jaegers!"
Night Raid Members Remaining: 8
Mission: None
The Four Present in the Capital: 4
The Jaegers Members Remaining: 7
Author's Notes (part 2): Here we have it, a chapter that primarily focuses on Tatsumi, where he takes center stage. Funny enough, this also turns out to be the first time where neither Yukio nor Akame appear in a chapter. And at last, Tatsumi obtains Incursio! While I did think of getting another Teigu for Tatsumi, it just doesn't feel right so I ended up sticking with Incursio (that, and for plot advancement too). It actually took me a while to think of a creative way to get it into his hands and I hope that Yukio inadvertently bringing it to him is reasonable enough for all of you. If not, feel free to tell me about it.
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:
-Mamoru and Kurome delivered Belvaac to the emperor
-Tatsumi is officially engaged with Esdeath, much to the former's shock
-Note that Yatsufusa pulsed, which is an unprecedented event from Mamoru's perspective
-The rebel's base has been located by Mamoru through his Teigu's abilities, which is by tracking Bulat down after wounding him.
Preview- Kill the Leader: Ieyasu and Leone discuss the current event and their plans for the upcoming tournament. At the same time, Najenda arrives at the Revolutionary Army's Main Camp and discovers something unexpected…
Leone: "Well, the good news is that nobody recognized you. I guess since Hidou is six feet under, he can't really give your info to the Empire."
Ieyasu: "Guess we should be glad that the Boss has left Akame in charge then,"
?: "Masaru understands his responsibilities. You need not concern yourself over him."
Najenda: "Three days, huh? Can you be any more specific? What evil?"