Hello guys! Here's another chapter for you. The plot continues to advance, I promise!


Soul in the Dream

CHAPTER 18

(Hitomi's POV)

This day keeps getting better and better... First we lose contact to another team, then freaking Esdeath pops back in the Capital...

"That was much faster than anyone thought it would be...", Akame voiced, a little shaken.

"God, she's always causing so much trouble...", Lubbock scratched the side of his head.

"It seems her army was left in the North to keep watch, though.", the Boss added.

"Then it's safe to say that she wasn't suddenly brought back to deal with the Revolutionary Army, right?", Bulat asked.

"I can't figure out what her next move will be.", Najenda replied, lighting up a cigarette. "Currently, it seems she is throwing herself into her work at the government's torture facilities." Yikes.

"Torture facilities?", I questioned. "That sounds like fun..."

"You have no idea what she does to prisoners in there...", she sighed. "Anyway, Leone, I want you to go to the Capital and observe her movements."

"Roger!", the blonde chirped. "I've always wanted to know what type of person she is, after all."

"She's a homicidal maniac who enjoys slaughter. Be on your guard."

"Alright, alright."

The Boss raised a finger, about the say her last announcement. "And finally, there has been a string of murders in the Capital. The targets are civil officials." It just keeps getting better and better... "The deaths include 4 officials and 61 bodyguards. The problem is..." She raised her mechanical arm, revealing a poster with Night Raid's name on it. "... these posters claiming to be from Night Raid have been found at all the crime scenes."

"They're framing us for the crime?", Bulat asked. "It's easy to see they're fakes, right...?"

"But that's obvious, isn't it?", Tatsumi shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, for us to suddenly start claiming responsibility seems a bit far fetched."

"That's what I thought for the first and second cases too, but..." The Boss sighed. "Now it seems that it could have been us. I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean? It's not like we're the only ones who kill people, right?"

"Yes, it's true, but after each incident, the officials have increased security. Even so, they are still being killed."

"Oh, I see where this is going..." I scratched the side of my head in annoyance. "Them killing more guarded targets like that means..."

"The criminals are just as powerful as us...", Akame finished for me. "In other words, Teigu users."

I clicked my tongue. "Bummer..."

"Those who were killed were good people who wanted nothing to do with the current Prime Minister.", the Boss continued. "They were people who made the Minister feel ill at ease. In other words, the Prime Minister is getting rid of his enemies and having Night Raid take the blame."

"Could this also be a trap?", Bulat questioned. "To lure out the real Night Raid?"

"I realise this could be a trap...", the Boss said. "but I wanted to inform you anyway... The officials who were killed were all highly skilled people... who opposed the Minister... and would have nothing to do with the rebel army scouts. They cared only for their country. Good people like these officials will be essential in creating our new country. We cannot afford to lose any more of these talented people! I think we should head out and crush this group of fakes!"

"That's an idea I could get behind with.", I smirked, with the others agreeing.

"What are your opinions on this?", Najenda asked us. Tatsumi clenched his fist with a determined look on his face.

"I... don't really understand stuff like politics, but... using Night Raid's name to commit these crimes just make me sick!" After Tatsumi's small speech, Bulat gained a smirk.

"That's right... Exactly, Tatsumi!"

"Let's kick some ass!", I exclaimed. Najenda worn a smirk as well.

"Okay... We've decided, then..." She got up from her chair, draping her coat. "What should we do with the fools who used our name?! Let's go teach them the law of assassins!" After a small pause, she proceeded to explain her strategy. "There are about five officials who we suspect are being targeted. Of those five, only a few have plans to leave the Capital soon. We have narrowed it down to two officials... Akame and Lubbock... and Hitomi and Bulat will provide protection for them!"

"Wh-Why can't I go!?", yell-asked Tatsumi.

"The enemy is probably using Teigus as weapons.", Najenda explained. "It would make more sense to send two Teigu users."

"Oh..."

I raised my hand. "I honestly think it would be better if he came, though.", I said. "I mean, we never know..."

Najenda sighed, knowing I just could not be bargained with. "Alright, I'll permit it."

"Yeah, thanks.", I smiled. "So, where are we supposed to go?"

"The official you're guarding plans to board the ship that is anchored at the start of the Grand Canal. The massive luxury liner... Ryuusen!"

"Ooh! A boat ride!", I chirped. "As long as I don't touch that vile substance that is water...", I muttered that last part.

"What? You afraid of water?", Mine teased with a smirk. I raised a finger.

"Not exactly... I just can't swim...", I confessed.

"Pfff! So lame!", the pinkette laughed as she pointed a finger at me.

"I'm risking my life to protect someone I don't know and you're treating me like this! Why!?", I whined dramatically. "... Let's just go."


"H...HUUUUGGGGEEEE!", Tatsumi yelled as we stood before the anchored ship.

Okay, this ship was freaking big... It could easily have hundreds of people inside. Plus, the nose looked like a dragon head! Just pointing that up. Me and Tatsumi were standing at the edge, waiting for the moment to board, while Bulat stood invisible with his Teigu. I didn't have Spectator on my forehead for now; I kept it in my pocket. I mean, it would be suspicious to see a random teen with a third eye, right? Tatsumi and I also had roles to play to avoid suspicion, so we brought along fancy clothes. That'll be fun...

"Alright, get on board, you two.", Bulat told us. "The ship is departing soon."

"You got it, Bro!", Tatsumi replied with a thumb up.


(Normal POV)

"Whoa... so gorgeous...", Tatsumi was marvelled by the ship's beauty. He let out a small gasp as someone gently pushed him on the back.

"You are a young master of some wealthy family-", Bulat's voice was heard. "-who is a bit nervous due to the extravagance of the Capital. Don't forget your cover!", he reminded the teen.

"Y-Yeah, Bro!" Tatsumi leaned against the ramp to see below. "Uwah... There are so many people on the shore..." 'It's possible the Night Raid imposters will attack here, but...' "There are so many people here, and the gramps we have to protect is surrounded by a meat shield..." He sighed. "This way, it would be impossible for him to be assassinated, right? I guess coming here was a miss..." The teen was surprised when an invisible gauntlet bonked him on the head.

"Deciding that on your own is negligent, Tatsumi.", the older man scolded.

"Ah... Bro..."

"My invisibility will give me the upper hand. We have no idea whether the enemy will do something similar, right?"

"That's true... I was wrong, Bro..."

While Tatsumi and Bulat were chatting, Hitomi was inside the ship, searching for potential enemies, as well as stuffing himself with the food provided on a table.

'Stay classy...', he repeated in his head. 'Class is the key here... right?' He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief as he examined the people present around him. 'Classy man here, classy woman there... Ooh boy...'

"Excuse me, sir?" He heard a voice to his left. It was a young man with blonde hair. He sported a black uniform with shorts, small devil horn and tail. "Where did you find these treats?", he asked Hitomi, pointing to the food in his hand.

'An encounter! Stay classy!' "Oh, I'm sorry, they're right behind me.", Hitomi said before moving out of the way. "Sorry, I was hiding them."

"It's okay! Thank you, sir!" Nyau took a treat and waved Hitomi goodbye before moving to a small lodge where Liver was waiting.

'Hm, that attire was strange for a classy person...', Hitomi thought, rubbing his chin.

A few minutes later, a strange sound made itself apparent in the air. It sounded like... a flute?

"Wh-What the...", Hitomi suddenly felt weak for some reason, like the music itself drained him of his strength. "I need to go outside... I think the classiness is getting to me..."


"Oh? Despite Scream, someone's still standing?" Tatsumi heard a voice behind him. The music drained his strength, yet he was still able to stay conscious. The voice he heard belonged to Daidara, who was walking in front of him. "Even under hypnotism, you may remember this.", he said. "So if you're allowed to live and see what we do..."

"So that means...", Tatsumi spoke. "You guys are the imposter Night Raid!"

"Ah! So this here's one of the real ones!", Daidara concluded. "This is good."

"You just had to tell him right away, didn't you!?" Tatsumi and Daidara turned their heads towards the voice and saw Hitomi walking in their direction.

"Another Night Raid member?", Daidara questioned.

"Well, yeah, obviously."

"Uh... what happened to your head?", Tatsumi asked his comrade. Indeed, Hitomi had bumps on his head. The blonde teen chuckled as he took a sword beside an unconscious guard.

"Heh, I learned that smacking my head against the wall can remove the effect from that music.", he said with a proud smile.

"You're crazy..."

Daidara smirked instead at Hitomi's... ingenuity. "Heh, looks like this plan of yours actually worked. This is good, you'll actually put up a fight.", he smirk as he took his axe from his back. "I'll learn a lot of experience from this!"

"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint, now wouldn't I?", Hitomi smirked as he took Spectator from his pocket. "If you want a good experience...

Then I'll give you a good one, White-eyes!"


Ooh, ominous! Hitomi will fight an actually powerful enemy! What could go wrong?