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: Greetings fellow assassins (readers)! I'm back with another chapter of this story and I hope that more of you will be willing to come out from the shadows and leave some reviews/questions/opinions/critics behind for me to track you down.
And thank you to Ultimatrix bearer, Commonwealth1991, and SeihoTheNeko for reviewing the last chapter. Your support is greatly valued and it's nice to be able to exchange a few words with you all below.
Ultimatrix bearer: Haha, let's hope that it's not going to be that extreme + intense when Tatsumi and Ieyasu do reunite with each other. Well, you'll see in this chapter…
Commonwealth1991: Wait! No, don't go running off to the guillotine! You need your head intact to continue reading and speculating, not to mention that I appreciate your reviews! And yeah, the milestone will be a difficult achievement but I'm ready for the challenge. Thanks for the luck and support. I'm glad that you reminded me about world building. I feel like that is also a concept that I haven't gotten too deep into, especially since I'm currently focused on the individual characters. But you're right, world building will make the story seem less two dimensional and more realistic, as the manga had done. I'm definitely taking in your advice and I do hope that I'll get to expand more on the world in the future chapters. Hmm, you missed the mark? Oh, you mean the mysterious assailant. Well, all I'll say is that the relevant passage that may clear up your suspicion is this: red seared into green. That's all I'm offering for now.
SeihoTheNeko: Yep, chapters 20-23 were mostly about the Jaeger's introductions, though as you noticed, not everything was the same as the canon. Here, we have not only Tatsumi added into the mix but also stuff going on in the background with Yukio's mysterious assailant. My intention with that scene was to insert some suspense as well as to get the readers to speculate and it seems like I accomplished both judging by your response. Yes! You're right. Leone is not a good influence but she does have her way around things. Well, all I'll say is that Akame won't be too pleased with what she has in mind.
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(Beta read by Revan's Wraith)
Chapter 24 —Kill Cognition
"Every person struggles on.
Toward the unreachable future.
The inevitable, illusion, a trap of rationality,
Coincidence, delusion, tainted payment.
Do I want to grasp it? Am I unable to grasp it?
Unending memories, into tomorrow.
Do I want to believe? Do I not believe?
The thing that I stand by is the truth."
- REALISM (Kakumeiki Valvrave ED3)
He woke slowly, uncoordinated like his mind and body were separate entities. There was a heavy fog clouding his judgment and the back of his head throbbed. More dazed than anything else, his eyes fluttered open to verify his surroundings. Everything was in an utter blackness that was in no way from the effects of Baransu. The realization snapped him out of his stupor. Terror seized his heart, squeezing the air out of his lungs.
What happened?
Baransu was not responsible. The sensation was different, unfamiliar.
How did he end up kneeling on the cold ground?
His eyes flew in every direction. Everything was dark. He saw nothing. A moment of uneasiness crashed into him and he comprehended that some fabric was wrapped around his eyes, preventing him from seeing anything.
With that, he tried to remove the impairment. He tugged at his right arm, which remained as immobile as his left was. Something metallic rattled above his head. His breathing hitched.
Why was he hanging limply from chains by the arms?
Panic only exacerbated his unknown predicament so he compelled himself to calm down. His lungs took in oxygen from the foul air, which he relinquished slowly through his lips seconds later.
The breathing exercise calmed him down somewhat. Fear loosened its grip and rationale returned moments later. Life as an assassin taught him valuable lessons so he knew that losing composure was suicidal under the circumstances. 'I let my wit die here, and my body will perish soon after. Stay calm, don't panic.'
First, he summarized, he had to ascertain his whereabouts.
Deprived of sight, he learned to rely on his other senses. It was then he noticed just how disgusting the place smelled. Inhaling what was probably the scent of blood and urine, his nose wrinkled in abhorrence. He gagged, before quickly switching his focus to his hearing. Everything was eerily quiet at first, save for his heavy breathing. But upon straining his ears, he could faintly perceive some strange but terrible cries echoing in the distant background.
The screams that emphasized suffering unimaginable highlighted the blood-curdling nature of the place.
Gathering everything he knew, his deduction came with ease. The persistent pang from the back of his head could not stop him from reaching a reasonable conclusion.
'…This place is the d-dungeons! I was captured! Who? By Imperial guards? Did they find out I'm with Night Raid?!' Dread weaved its way into his brain along with the realization. He licked his dried lips and gulped, his body trembling.
Eventually, his captors, who he presumed were the Empire's men, would show up and enlighten him on the situation. That scared him. They most likely had something planned; otherwise, he would've been dead already. Death could not possibly be swift for him, not when they believe he had information to offer. Loyalty towards his comrades would bring suffering after this point, agony that could be surmised by his wild imaginations.
A world of pure and unending horror.
It terrified him. The endless possibilities that stormed his brain ripped through his heart like a hurricane. Aware of the thrashing thumps of each irregular heartbeat, he forcefully resumed his breathing exercise.
In. Out. Then in again. And out once more.
He compelled himself to ignore the frantic impulse to cry for help hysterically. Although optimism was never his forte, he tried to pretend that the situation was not as bad as it appeared. It was better than not knowing where he was. Imagination tended to run amok when uncertainty was at its peak. The unseen was better than the unknown, or at least that was what he persuaded himself to think.
He knew where he was to a certain degree so he ought to figure out how he was caught up in this predicament.
He searched his foggy memory for an answer. Scattered fragments appeared with flashes of dark blue hair, the palace walls, and a masked figure. The last one felt exceedingly important, the missing link to the cause of his miserable state. Who was it? The image waned in and out of his mind until it at last overlapped with a mental figure of his mentor.
'Akame!'
Metal chains creaked when he jerked instinctively. Clearing his troubled mind, he shook his head twice. Excitement had eradicated his judgment prior. But now that he forced himself to be logical, he realized with growing apprehension that he must've been hallucinating. Was it perhaps another unknown repercussion of using Baransu? Regardless, there was no way that Akame would foolishly expose herself in the open. The notion brought a mixture of relief and disdain. While he was reassured to know that Akame was somewhere else, the same could not be said for himself. His idiocy that resulted in his imprisonment was so pathetic that it was laughable. Had the situation been different, then he might've been cackling from the sheer stupidity of his impulsiveness.
As self-reproachful as he was, it took a while for him to shift his focus away from his mistakes to figuring out an escape plan. His sense of time fled with pondering until the echoing sound of footsteps disrupted his train of thoughts. Lifting his head up, he could hear the bolts unlocking and the creaking sound of steel bars being pulled open from the other side.
Another three steps brought the newcomer before him. Although he couldn't see, the looming presence towering over him was hard to miss. He gulped and bit the bottom of his lip, putting on a frontage that could conceal his rattling fear.
"Ah, you're awake aren't you? Took you long enough." A gleeful chuckle accompanied the male's rough voice, with the owner being so casual that it sounded like a friendly conversation. Nonetheless, the menace behind the pretense of affability was detectable.
That awareness set his mind in motion, his gears spinning wildly to squeeze in a sense of cohesion. Don't let panic triumph, he reminded himself again. He would have to trek carefully, as questions could lead to both knowledge and self-destruction. It would all depend on how his captor responded to his inquiries and what he asked.
"Are you deaf or mute?" his captor snickered, then coughed. "Speak now before I decide that your ears and tongue aren't worth being intact."
"W-who are you? W-where am I?" The stuttering in his voice was not premeditated, as it came with genuine horror. He figured there was no harm in confirmation, even though he was quite certain with the answer. Let his captor believe that he was clueless.
The old him would've been so scared that his body would've been seized by ice. However, the assassin that he had become compelled him to swallow down franticness and instead analyze whatever he could extract.
There was a sniffing sound, presumably from the man who was scrunching his nose. Another chuckle came out, yet it was filled with a dangerous intent. "General Hidou of The Four. Does that answer both your questions, little assassin?"
The general's words pierced his very bones and a chill immediately descended, running down his spine. He opened his mouth in denial, but not a syllable could be articulated as his brain acknowledged the futility of trying. 'This person… he knows. The fact that I had Incursio sealed my fate. This is terrible… I'll be k-killed!'
"Oh, should I be amused? You're not crying or feigning innocence. Are you that confident… no, you're just realistic. I see… A-Achoo!" Hidou sneezed.
He grimaced as saliva flew, some splattering on his face.
"You're still sick?"
Another voice echoed in the room and entered his eardrums with alarms. He hadn't sensed the other presence lurking in his cell, nor were there any footsteps that signaled his arrival. Did he deliberately match his steps with his comrade's so that only one set could be heard? Or was his movement so light that it was actually silent? Either way, it was still terrifying.
"I'm fine! Hell, who do you think I am? Getting buried under the freezing snow is no big deal for someone like me."
"So you're well. Let's go then."
"Go where? Can't you see I'm busy with my little pet's catch? I ain't leaving without having some fun."
"A new order. Your wisdom is needed."
"So you're telling me to ditch the fun here? You've got some nerve, coming here to get me without any official documents. What if I like doing what I want?" Anger radiated from Hidou as he dared the other interlocutor to challenge him. "Don't give me that look. If you're mad, then go and call General Esdeath over here to tell me she needs me. She, the Minister and the Emperor are the only ones I'll listen to."
"Do you really want her involved?"
"Hmph, I'll just have to make sure she leaves the interrogation to me."
"Can you stop her?" The general's companion took a small breath, giving an impression that he was snorting.
"Don't tempt me, Mamoru. There's nothing I can't handle when I think. Unlike all of you, I have a brain that functions."
"There's something you can't handle." Contrary to Hidou's darkening frame of mind, Mamoru seemed to be in a rather good mood.
"What?" Hidou hissed.
"Esdeath's inexplicable affection for Tatsumi."
'Tatsumi! Did he just say Tatsumi?' The emphasis placed on the name was not missed and he suppressed the urge to gasp, praying that his nearly stimulated response would be unnoticed. The name was a familiar one to him. Briefly, he couldn't help but think what Akame's reaction would be if he could tell her what he heard.
"You! You fucking bastard! You damn people really know how to get on my nerve. Go to hell, all of you! No, let me give it to you p—Achooo! Achoo! Ack!" As expected, the threat disintegrated into nothingness the moment Hidou was lost in a chain of sneezes and coughs.
His captors' exchange was unpredicted, but he was able to catch pieces of information. Still, a part of him wondered what he could possibly do with the knowledge, seeing that he hadn't formulated an escape plan in the interval that he was left forgotten.
…
Their demand was easy to understand. They wanted the location of his teammates.
He expected brutal torture but was instead given a lecture. For the next fifteen minutes or so, Hidou spoke softly into his ear, enlightening him with the possible suffering each torture device could bring.
The rack. Pear of anguish. Thumbscrew. Iron chair. Judas cradle. The list went on.
Some had strange names, but there was no way for him to know what they were. He was still blindfolded and the unknown brought him unimaginable anxiety. He had no way of knowing what they would do next or what device was being used. All he knew was that even the toughest of all men were reduced to a shivering mess and that it would be far simpler to surrender all information relating to Night Raid while begging for a swift death.
Hidou did not ask for verifications; the general had already branded him as part of the assassin group. There was no escape from the general… or so he thought. In a twist of events that made him question his own luck, the Wildfire left afterward, when an official document was delivered to him.
He was spared of being tormented by Hidou, although what came next was a mystery. He didn't know, and that was what terrified him the most.
…
In the end, he was given a small taste of hell. It was nothing as intense as what Hidou described but it was tormenting nonetheless.
Piercing pain shot through his body with the sound of cracking whip. His bare torso, marred with cuts and blood, shuddered. There were crude demands followed by more flogging. He yelped and grunted for breaths that he couldn't catch in time before the next strike. The whip bit into the skin, turning flesh inside out. His body convulsed in pure suffering, with another cry being ripped out from him.
The whip whizzed through the air and repetitively landed on his aching body. It felt like a million of burning irons were scalding his torso, scalping across him in waves of intense agony.
He could only beg, and in return was rewarded with insane laughter and more abuse.
…
Burning needles were jabbed in at the same time, with pain exceeding someone crushing his fingers with a door. Sweat burst out of him with a howl of agony. His body jerked and the chains rattled loudly. His fingers twitched from the searing pain inflicted, and the sharp objects pinned underneath his fingernails followed in movement.
He dangled there, unable to think of anything but the pain. Tears streamed down his eyes, all soaked up by the dirty cloth that blocked his vision.
He sobbed and was left to wonder if giving in was the more merciful thing.
…
Screams. Pain.
Maniac demands. Pain again.
Screams. Begging. PAIN.
Terror. Torture. Pain.
Blood. Fear. More PAIN.
Always MORE PAIN.
Then consciousness fled again.
…
He was as bare as a newborn, strapped onto a metal table. With no energy to test his restrictions, he allowed his eyes to wander around. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, he could absorb in things other than pure darkness. Several unrecognized pieces of equipment hung on the walls, waiting to be used. All the same, what left traumas in his impression was the number and sizes of syringes and dissection tools lying around in the otherwise bare room.
Every part of his body hurt. He felt a wave of dizziness and was worried that he might pass out again.
"My, what an attractive boy you are. I never notice until now. If I had, I would have done this earlier." Someone had approached the table he was tied to when he was trying to recuperate. A hand went to his torso, causing him to flinch when fingers traced his lacerations. The hand moved downward with deliberate purpose, and he immediately gasped when it touched a sensitive area.
The fear he tried to keep at bay broke free. His eyes darted towards the smirking face that was tinged with patches of red hue. The man wore a lab coat, though his expression gave the impression of a mad scientist rather than a benevolent doctor.
"Hmm, this isn't too bad. How stylish," the scientist hummed in delight.
"A-argh, let go of me." Despite the pain from his action, he squirmed and wrestled with his bindings. He didn't free himself, but the degree of movement made the man remove his hand.
"Still lively. Youth these days are commendable. Well, I suppose I ought to man you up even more." Leaving an ominous intent with his words, his captor moved to a table next to the wall and began to gather the equipment he needed.
"W-what is your intention?" he asked in a hoarse voice, blood draining from his face as he caught glimpses of what the man was rummaging through.
"Fufu. Like I've said, I'm going to man you up. With a few modifications here and there, I'll have you spiced up as my soldier. You're going to help me find and take down Night Raid." Without looking at him, the doctor spoke as he inspected one of the strange claw-like structures he had in his hand. Grinning, he then placed the tool back onto the table and loaded a fluid into a syringe. "Don't worry. It'll be painless. But first, allow me—"
"Doctor." A familiar voice interrupted the doctor's elated comment as a dark-haired man walked into the room, with the door opening silently.
His widened emeralds met with emotionless sapphire as the newcomer assessed his form fleetingly before looking at the doctor. Not another word was uttered by the man, though the scientist seemed to have understood the reason behind his appearance.
"Ah, General Mamoru. You're back already? How stylish. You want the usual dosage correct?" Dr. Stylish twirled a finger around his strand of black hair in a manner that was oddly feminine. "Who is it this time? Kurome?"
"Kurome is fine. I'm here for onee-san's." The general's cool monotone was latched with a hint of impatience.
Dr. Stylish hummed lightly, as if contemplating something. "Well, there's still a stock in my private chamber. Far left in the cupboard. I'm preoccupied right now, so if you will, do you mind getting it yourself?"
Mamoru spun on his heels and immediately departed without another word. Only seconds after his exit, another person arrived, bearing a loud proclamation.
"Dr. Stylish, give me the boy! How dare you take him without my consent!?"
In walked a bulky man with navy hair tied into a French plait. His eyes widened, with terror rupturing from within. It was his first time ever seeing him, but there was no way he could forget that voice. It was Hidou, the man who sadistically enjoyed tormenting him both physically and psychologically.
Terrified, he once again pulled and struggled with his bindings. It did nothing but hurt him, yet he continued on while his captors conversed. They did nothing to cease him, simply because they believed it was all futile effort.
"General Hidou, I disagree with you. You claim that he is your catch. However, please recall that it was my stylish brilliance that allowed the discovery of Fantomu, which you proceeded to catch and tame during your long trip in the west."
Hidou chuckled maliciously, not in the least amused by the doctor's insolence. An angry swirl of fire twirled around the general's fingers. "Are you back at this again, Stylish? Don't think you can climb on top of me just because you got me out of some snow pile under General Esdeath's orders. I'm getting sick of your haughtiness."
"Oh my, so our feelings are mutual. Perhaps this is why our partnership crumbled away before we established much. But I can understand why the Minister would want us to work together. Fufu. After all, the second best can only get better if he learns with the stylish number one that is me." Despite the threatening aura that exuded from Hidou, Dr. Stylish had the nerve to poise himself in a stance that only he would find fashionable.
"Grrr, second best? Are you talking about me?"
"Your intelligence as a strategist may be marveled at by the public, but you cannot compete with my innovation as the world-class scientist," Dr. Stylish paused, spun around in a theatrical manner before pointing a finger at the prisoner tied onto the table. "My love for human experimentation comes from the stylish dream of expanding science while yours is from your sadistic nature. This is where we differ and why you cannot hope to accomplish what I have."
"I'll make you eat those words," Hidou snarled with the madness of a rabid beast. He flexed his fingers to curl them into claw-shaped, as if bent on wringing the life out of the doctor.
Catching on the Wildfire's intention, Dr. Stylish quickly added, "Ah, but I'm with Lady Esdeath now. If I am killed here, you'll get into trouble."
The effect was instantaneous as the snarls were reduced to mere growling. Biting his thumb with enough pressure to draw blood, Hidou was suddenly able to regain his composure. The ferocious fire still burned within his sapphire orbs but there was also a cunning glint that reflected from the surface. "Fine. Fine. Damn you. I'll strike a bargain with you. You let me borrow the boy for a short period of time. In return, I'll deliver him and the rest of Night Raid to your feet in a few days time."
"Fufu, what devious plan do you have now? You've figured out a way to capture all of Night Raid at once?"
"Capture? Not just that. I've figured out a sure way to crush some high-raised hope." A conniving grin overtook the Wildfire's features. "There is nothing more despairing and embittering than a fresh dose of betrayal…!"
Those sinister words were the last thing he remembered hearing before a prick on the arm, followed by an injection sent him into the realm of unconsciousness.
…
Through blurry vision, he saw a girl's form hovering over him, an indifferent expression on her face. He was vaguely aware that she looked very familiar, with the eyes of rubies and hair as dark as a raven's feathers. However, his brain failed to process anything as he succumbed to oblivion once more.
Location: Unknown. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day Unknown).
The sun was heading to its peak and was casting blinding light on his face as Yukio's eyelids fluttered open. His arm instinctively went to shield his vision, though the jolting pain that shot through him made him hiss as he screwed his eyes shut again.
He let out a groan. The fog of exhaustion was still heavy on his mind despite knowing that he had slept much longer than he should have. Easing himself and allowing the throbbing sensation to settle, he slowly raised himself from the dirt ground of what he now recognized as part of an alleyway.
The first thing he noticed besides the unfamiliar setting was that his fingers were wrapped in heavy bandages, hence explaining the pain he felt when he pushed himself off the floor. Mildly concerned, he lifted his jacket and shirt to expose an upper torso covered in dressings that he couldn't recall being there.
Some of the bandages around his body were smudged with crimson and as if just realizing the reality of the wounds, his body screamed and his senses reeled with dizziness. Left wheezing and panting, Yukio calmed his racing heart and searched his brain, which was in turmoil. There was a faint buzzing inside the mind that was as blank as a sheet of paper. Fortunately, the dizziness ebbed away after a moment of rest and scattered memories returned to him.
'Ah, that's right. These are injuries from fighting The Three Beasts. I thought I was fine when I parted ways with Wave-san, but ended up overestimating myself and collapsing here instead.'
Although it felt odd to outline his own recollections in a format that resembled a narrative, there was a part of him that warned him not to delve deeper, that it was better to accept the given rather than question it.
"So you're going too, right? To the tournament that General Esdeath is hosting?"
The two pedestrians passing by the alleyway he was in released the young man from his absentmindedness. With eyes widening, he painstakingly crawled to the side, letting the shadows of the wall conceal him as he continued to eavesdrop. If it concerned Esdeath, then Yukio knew it was information worth gathering.
"Of course. I heard that she plans to showcase her Special Forces there, as a means of scaring off Night Raid."
"Well, it's about time the Empire did something about those atrocious assassins."
"Hmm? Is that what you think? I don't really know how to put it, but…"
Only when he was certain that they had left and that the other people wouldn't notice him did he slip out of the cramped space and into the sunlit streets. As usual, there were people going about with their everyday lives, though closer inspection would reveal that quite a few were so deprived that they were almost as thin as bones.
At any other time, the young man would've been overtaken by a sense of pity but there was something that had his immediate attention. From what he heard, it seemed like there was an event involving Esdeath. That would explain why the street seemed somewhat devoid of its usual residents.
'I feel that the safest thing to do is go back… but there's just this sense of uneasiness I can't shake off. A dream that felt too real and a feeling of being watched by something like Spectator... Man, maybe I should check this tournament out. It could help me decipher reality from fiction. More importantly, if someone is watching me, then I can lose them in the crowd.' He gently touched his temple, trying his best to ignore the tingling sensation that made him feel like his thoughts were being pried open.
With his interest piqued, he allowed some distance between the old couple that he was eavesdropping on before he trailed after them with stealth praiseworthy for an assassin. He glued his sight to his targets, trying to lose the pain amidst his concentration.
Location: In the Capital (Fighting Arena). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 106).
The crowd was roaring in the background. Cheers and condemnation rang like sirens in Ieyasu's ears, though he was too enwrapped in the upcoming battle to be paying them much heed. His muscles tensed and his fingers flexed. Thinking back, the battle royal for the qualifiers was a pandemonium, with bodies being tossed out of the ring and blood stains on clothing. But all the punches and kicks he threw felt meaningful as he attained his position in the competition. This was it; just this last battle and he would be in the finals.
'The prize money will be mine!' Ieyasu's eyes narrowed into slits and gently eased his shoulders by rolling them, feeling lighter than usual with Senpu off his back. Since the tournament strictly prohibited the use of armaments, Ieyasu left his Teigu with Leone, who was probably sitting within the crowd and complaining about the inopportunity for a good workout. It wasn't his problem really; Leone was the one who used sleeping pills on Akame. In return for making her skip several meals, the red-eyed assassin, who took many hours to cajole even with the pile of meat offered, begrudgingly agreed to let Ieyasu enter the tournament on the condition that Leone would be his supervisor. Therefore, much to the woman's chagrin, she couldn't participate. 'But that just means one less competitor to knock out of the ring. Besides, nee-san would be a pain to deal with in a fist fight.'
"On the east side… Ieyasu the blacksmith!"
"And on the east side… Kalbi the butcher!"
The Night Raider thought that the commentator was far too exuberant as he introduced the combatants. From Ieyasu's perspective, the blue-haired man looked restless, almost like he wanted to become an active contributor to the fights instead of a judge.
Ieyasu's eyes did a rapid loop to confirm his surroundings. From the arena, he could see a raised platform to his right, where a beautifully decorated arbor was situated. Sheltered from the sun, the strongest general of the Empire sat and observed the battle with an uninterested expression. There was even an instant where she yawned and began resting her chin on her hand, looking as though she would rather be anywhere else.
'She really is bored. Well, I'll give her something to be impressed about.'
With his inspection of the area completed, Ieyasu finally turned and fixed his gaze on his opponent, Kalbi, who was a very large and well-built man. He was spotted with penny loafers, a pair of cargo shorts with a red sash around his waist, and a black leather jacket that stretched to his chest, leaving his abdominal muscles clearly perceivable. To intensify his imposing form and to add a sense of mystery, he wore a bull-faced mask with yellow eyes, a large hoop ring hanging in between the nostrils, and small horns protruding on top of his head.
"You're puny! Guess I'll be taking that prize money." Kalbi punched his fist into his opened palm and Ieyasu instantly became aware of the black wristbands with a logo of a red bull on them. It was like the bulky man was trying to advertise his butcher shop as well as fighting the teen. "I may have been excommunicated, but I'm still a ninth-level master at Koukenji."
Ieyasu grinned, unfazed by whatever past glory or accomplishment the butcher had. To him, it was nothing worthy of any attention. "You're just all talk. You act all mighty but you hide behind a mask. Then again, it'll help you hide the bruises I'm gonna give you."
"You think you're funny? I'll send you home to mommy, you little loudmouth! Have a full course of my explosive fists!" Incensed, Kalbi didn't wait for the signal to begin and instead charged at Ieyasu. His nostrils flared and his eyes were enraged as his bulky body stampeded towards his opponent like a bull.
Given that he had faced Bulat and Hidou's vigorous punches, Kalbi's felt like child's play as Ieyasu caught it in a vice-grip. The ground beneath them splintered from the force and sent cracked tiles into the air. Arm outstretched, the pretending blacksmith crashed a fist into his opponent's midsection.
Kalbi snarled with enough rage to make the crowd flinch but not a sufficient amount to deter Ieyasu as he blocked another one of the punches. The butcher was a mountain of rage and with a frightening bellow, launched into a rapid of fists assault. Each attack rained down with power and momentum, only for Ieyasu to stop them in their tracks.
Deciding that this was adequate for a show, Ieyasu avoided another punch with a nimble leap to the blue sky. Utilizing what he managed to copy down through observing Akame's swift air maneuvers, he brought his leg down on Kalbi's neck, making the butcher lose his balance. Without delay, Ieyasu took advantage of the scenario and drew his other leg back. Still airborne, he drove a decisive kneecap into his opponent's skull, one that instantly knocked the butcher out cold. The bulky man smashed into the arena and bits of the floor cracked open like an eggshell.
"That'll be all!" Wave broadcasted to the gaping audience with the rise of his right hand, his voice being clearly projected by the microphone he held in his other hand. "The winner is Ieyasu!"
The crowd went wild as Ieyasu pumped a hand into the air, forming a victorious sign that promised glory. It was an affectionate gesture to the people but it held a hint of forewarning to his final opponent, who for some unknown reason was able to proceed to the finals without needing to pass the elimination rounds. 'Well, I don't care if you're Esdeath's favorite or the most likely person to claim the prize… Just know that bypassing the rules won't get you the reward. I'm gonna take that prize money.'
Unbeknownst to Ieyasu, who was absorbed in his moment of fame, Esdeath and Run were watching his every move with interest. Sometime during the match, Esdeath had even inclined slightly forward from her chair, her legs no longer crossed as they previously were. Indisputably, the Ice General was mildly impressed by the raw strength that the teen possessed. 'I wonder if Tatsumi can match his strength without Incursio.'
"That young man is outstandingly talented," Run remarked, expressing the way that Ieyasu was able to deliver two consecutive and vital attacks in midair. As a skilled fighter who was well-versed in aerial battles, the blond-haired man openly stated his observations in the area.
"Quite so. It was a fine idea to host this tournament after all. I was beginning to think so otherwise." An unreadable smirk spread across Esdeath's lips as her eyes shifted towards her right. "Perfect timing, Tatsumi. So you've mastered Incursio's trump card, its invisibility."
The absolute certainty latched in Esdeath's tone bore out the fact that she was fully aware of Tatsumi' presence. Even with Incursio aiding him, Tatsumi realized that the general was still too vigilant to be deceived. With a disappointed sigh that was softened by his helmet, he removed the effects of his Teigu and made his armored appearance known to Esdeath and Run.
"I'm not even close, am I?" At that inquiry, Incursio dissolved like mist on a sunny day, leaving Tatsumi with an expression of pensiveness. The young boy had thought that he could've at least caught Run off guard, though one glance at the blonde's serene features told him that he was nowhere as skilled in using Incursio as its former master. From what Tatsumi gathered from Mamoru, Bulat could use it for extended periods without being detected, something that Tatsumi strived to achieve but was failing miserably.
"Certainly, you cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, I can still sense your presence. It's the same for a more experienced warrior."
"I'll remember that in actual combat." Taking the general's advice to heart, Tatsumi nodded firmly as he stored the information inside his head. A sincere smile danced across his lips and his green eyes flashed with enthusiasm. "By the way, was there anyone who managed to catch your eyes?"
"That'll be you," said Esdeath plainly, allowing the smirk to morph into a small smile. For an instant, she felt her heart sing in ecstasy and she had to grip her chest to verify the passing sensation.
A blush appeared on Tatsumi's cheek, though he quickly masked his embarrassment with a fake cough. This was not the time to be flustered, especially when his future could be hanging in the balance. "No, I mean the competitors. Did anyone of them seem ideal to you?"
"I know your true intention." When the young lieutenant grimaced at her comment, Esdeath allowed an amused scoff that was filled to the brim with condescension. "You told me that you desire a potential comrade to wield Extase. Thus, indulging your request, I hosted this tournament specifically for the bravest of all men. Yet in reality, you wish to divert my attention away from you."
"You got me... Look, I'm not ready to be tied down by marriage. And if you ask me, I think your affection for me has more to do with an unhealthy obsession than love." Understanding the futility of a denial when Esdeath proved to be superior in terms of deductions, Tatsumi decided to be candid for all it was worth. True to the Ice general's assumptions, the teen asked her to sponsor the tournament that invited warriors from all over the continent in hopes of finding a potential suitor. If by some miracle, the one who could appeal more to Esdeath's eyes appeared, then Tatsumi would be spared of the early married life that he didn't wish to commit to.
"I did not ask for your opinion, Tatsumi. Do not mistake the love I have for you as a mere obsession. Know the futility of your actions and words against me. I will not be satisfied with a substitute." Esdeath's eyes narrowed dangerously, apparently not pleased at all. Tatsumi understood that he had managed to strike a nerve, though it was far too late to back down. So against his innate urge to bolt and never look back, he stood his ground like a true warrior.
Presumably moved by his gallantry to stand up against her sinister stare, the general's tone softened somewhat as a smirk flew across her lips. "After all, you're the only man for me."
Tatsumi's cowlick jerked up as if struck by a bolt of lightning. While such confession was not uncommon from Esdeath, to have the love declaration made in public was another matter altogether. While he doubted that the chattering crowd had heard her, it was still so embarrassing that he found his face belched in red. 'What the hell!? This isn't what I had planned when I suggested I'll go test out the strength of the finalist. And while I'm not counting on it, I had hoped that he would beat me in a fight because maybe then Esdeath will change her opinion of me. Yeah, right. After hearing that… that's not happening, is it? Well, so much for that idea.'
Deeming that his commanders' exchange had gone on long enough and that the final was scheduled roughly at the current time, Run cleared his throat to announce his presence. Tatsumi swiveled his head towards him, his cheeks set aflame. With Tatsumi distracted, Esdeath directed her gaze at the blond, all the while seeming mildly unimpressed. Diffusing the odd atmosphere with a soft chuckle, Run then proceeded to remind the two of the situation. After all, he had been the only one out of the three on the platform to have caught Wave's signal from below. "Wave is asking the permission to begin the final match, Captain. We should not keep the crowd waiting any longer."
"Yes, that's right. Tatsumi, your opponent is waiting for you. I won't recommend using Incursio, but the boy does seem worthy of your attention. Not mine though." Standing up from her chair, Esdeath gestured for Tatsumi to step towards the railing for a better view of the arena.
Even with approval dancing within the cerulean eyes that were entirely focused on Tatsumi, she didn't miss the astonishment written all over his face as he took in his next opponent. She arched an eyebrow in question. "Tatsumi?"
"Ieyasu!" uttered Tatsumi, disbelief creeping its way into his voice. He didn't care about Esdeath calling to him, nor did he notice the frown appearing on her face. In that instant, the entire world was a blur as his sole attention was on the teen waving at the audience. There, right before him, was one of the people he had spent sleepless nights worrying about.
'Ieyasu, I've found you!' The thought filled his mind and he acted without an accord. He leaped straight off the arbor. His legs escorted him unswervingly towards Ieyasu and he noticed the flash of surprise that flew by his childhood friend's face. Time seemed to be a standstill as the two friends were reunited on the arena. Green met mahogany once before Tatsumi pulled his arm back and introduced his fist into Ieyasu's jaw, discharging all his unvented frustration and agitation into the one blow.
Ieyasu staggered, nursing the jaw that he felt was cracked. He glared daggers at Tatsumi. The happiness he felt upon seeing his childhood friend vanished immediately as anger and confusion lingered behind. "What the hell was that for, Tatsumi!?"
"You! Just where were you? I've been looking everywhere for you, damn it!" Tatsumi shouted, his fists trembling as he tried to ease himself by taking a few composed breaths. Anger would only strive to complicate matters and past experience reminded him that he had to be the one with rationale whenever Sayo wasn't here. Ieyasu was far too hot-tempered to consider thinking or conversing when he was enraged. Therefore, only when he was sure that he had compressed his fury did Tatsumi try to speak again. "Ieyasu, you don't know how worry I was. I kept thinking that the only reason why you and Sayo never turned up is that you were dead. I'm so glad to see you again!"
That had the effect of dispersing Ieyasu's temper as he too exhaled deeply to calm himself. Since Tatsumi was obviously acting on impulse due to being emotional, Ieyasu allowed the violent greeting to slide and instead cracked a smile. "Same here. But god, can you throw a punch! I swear you never hit as hard as you did back at home."
"I'm not a one-trick pony so of course I learn new things," Tatsumi retorted playfully before both of them burst into laughter. It was incredible to be conversing with his childhood friend like they always did. How Tatsumi wouldn't mind if time could simply halt at this interval and the two of them could simply enjoy themselves with friendly exchanges. Despite the blissful idea, he also wanted Sayo to join them, as they were an inseparable trio when they were little. "Hey Ieyasu, Sayo is with you, isn't she? Is she around?"
"Tatsumi… I-Sayo… she…" Ieyasu was trying hard to force the brutal truth out. Tatsumi deserved to know what happened to Sayo even though he would come to abhor it. However, try as he might, the Night Raider's tongue refused to annunciate the necessary words.
"Um, Tatsumi… mind keeping me up to date?" Wave chose the very moment to interrupt. To each of his side stood Esdeath and Run, who shared Wave's bafflement as they regarded the two teens that were fighting moments ago but were now currently laughing together. If there was a side-splitting joke, then Wave was convinced that he wasn't the only one clueless about it.
"This is Ieyasu, one of my childhood friends from my village," Tatsumi explained as he pointed towards his new comrades one by one. "And Ieyasu, this is Wave, Run, and Esdeath."
"Well, if you're Tatsumi's friend, then you're mine as well. Let's hope that we'll get along together!" Wave was as enthusiastic as he could be whilst shaking hands with Ieyasu.
"It's my pleasure to meet you," said Run from the sideline as Wave backed off to allow room for Esdeath.
"Hoh? So you're Tatsumi's friend?" Out of pure curiosity, Esdeath came up to Ieyasu and began her assessment. Her hands wandered from Ieyasu's shoulders down to his arms, feeling the sturdy muscles underneath his layers. "Ah, I see now. Judging by the muscles you've been building up, I wager that your power is extraordinary. Despite having undergone some of my training, Tatsumi will still find you a worthy adversary."
'I don't have time for this!' Ieyasu looked awfully awkward in his position when Esdeath started to pat his head as she would do to a dog. Desperate for help, he glanced towards Tatsumi, almost imploringly. But instead of helping him, Tatsumi merely beamed at him, as if ignorant of his unspoken plea. Mumbling a curse at Tatsumi's apathy, Ieyasu eyed Wave and Run with underlying doubt before faking a delighted grin. "General Esdeath, right? You wanna bet that I'm gonna kick Tatsumi's ass?"
Halting her hand, Esdeath raised a tantalized eyebrow at Ieyasu's aplomb. "You are self-assured, boy. Heh, I will prepare a greater reward should you emerge victorious. However, I have unconditional faith that Tatsumi will triumph over your power."
"Alright, I ain't afraid of any challenge. You better keep your word." Ieyasu's grin grew until it was threatening to divide his face into two. The teen switched to a fighting stance, determined to prove Esdeath wrong and embarrass Tatsumi in front of the crowd.
"Then we shall continue from where we left off," said Esdeath before motioning Run to follow her.
"Don't get too cocky, Ieyasu." Seeing that Esdeath and Run were returning to their original position as spectators, Tatsumi gave Ieyasu one final warning before attaining his stance. "And don't start crying once I beat you."
"We don't know who's gonna cry yet!" No matter how much Tatsumi had grown over the past months, Ieyasu felt that he could outclass him. After all, he gave so much effort training to catch up to his other teammates, who all had valuable experiences in battles.
Since joining Night Raid, Ieyasu comprehended that his comrades all had their own aptitude that they utilized during fights: Leone had her beast-like instincts, Lubbock was gifted with astuteness, Bulat trained his well-built body, Sheele was blessed with composure, Mine's talent was her precision, Akame mastered dexterity, and Yukio had a knack for being observant. While Ieyasu couldn't say that he perfected his own skills, he knew that could use his durability and power to his advantage. In short, he was prepared.
"Are you ready?" asked Tatsumi.
"I was born ready!" Ieyasu replied and cracked his knuckles. "Let's save the chitchatting till later and talk with our fists. The crowd is dying for a fight and I'm itching for a payback."
Aware of the growing anticipation from both the crowd and the combatants, Wave saw no point in delaying the inevitable. He hoisted his arm into the air and completed a slicing motion in a downward arc, a plain gesture that initiated the battle. "Alright! The final match between Tatsumi of the Jaegers and Ieyasu the blacksmith will now begin!"
Night Raid Members Remaining: 8
Mission: Win Esdeath's tournament
Participating Members: Ieyasu and Leone
Result: Ongoing
Rewards: Tournament Prize
The Four Present in the Capital: 4
The Jaegers Members Remaining: 7
Preview- Kill the Confrontation
Ieyasu: 'Ugh! And to think that I was avoiding my old moves to make myself more unpredictable… This is so not cool. Haha, No… on a second thought, this is exactly what I want.'
Tatsumi: 'Ieyasu has improved a lot. What did he do in the amount of time we weren't together? Not only did his strength increased but so did his speed and endurance. And I can tell those aren't all.'
Ieyasu: "Ah, so that's your secret against me."