Hello! I finally got this chapter out, thank god! Hopefully this is worth wait that you guys have endured, Thank you for all your patience enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 39
I Will Always be Your Hero
Before Izuku's arrival at the Chapel
Esdeath slammed Tatsumi to the ground as the boy was shocked at her strength. Susano came up from behind as he tried to land a blow on her but Esdeath completely froze him and then shattered the ice along with him in an instant.
Tatsumi then tried to attack while she was distracted but she kicked him on his hip as he flew back. Tatsumi rolled as he hit a pillar, he coughed as he looked at Esdeath, death was radiating from her. This whole time she had a smile on her face.
She looked at the Incursio user as she slowly approached him.
"Come on, entertain me more!" She shouted in excitement.
She then turned to block another punch from the humanoid Teigu.
"Incredible! No matter how many times I destroy you, you keep getting revived!" Esdeath was having the time of her life. She looked at Najenda as the latter was barely able to stand.
"How long can you last, Najenda!" She shouted.
Susanoo then released a flurry of punches at her but each and everyone was blocked or parried with ease. She then kicked the Teigu away as he was now a few feet away from her.
Bolic watched as he felt safe since Esdeath was holding her own. He then laid eyes on the unconscious Leone as he licked his lips.
"Gah what the hell," he said.
He got out of his throne as headed towards Leone.
Kurome noticed him, "Hey stop, don't move!" She tried to stop him but he ignored her.
Bolic then was on top of Leone as he tried to have his way with her body.
"Look at you, don't worry I'll take care of you,"
Esdeath looked at him in disappointment as she then ducked under a kick from Tatsumi and Susanoo continued to double team her but no hits were landing.
Tatsumi noticed Bolic as he widened his eyes as he tried to lunge at him but Esdeath grabbed his cape and threw him at the wall and then punched him in the stomach as he gasped for air.
Susanoo then continued his onslaught as Esdeath stepped away from Tatsumi.
"That's it! More, show me more!" Esdeath excitedly shouted.
Bolic was about to strip Leone but then the glass broke from the windows high on the wall. Esdeath turned her head as she saw Akame and Mein above them.
Kurome widened her eyes as she then tried to intercept. Akame saw the battle as she saw Tatsumi leaning against the wall but she also saw Leone in a worse state. And her target right next to her as well.
She knew what she had to do as she fastly approached Bolic. Kurome tried to intercept but Mein shot at her, which caused the sister to stop in her tracks.
Akame was upon him as he panicked and tried to run away but then he felt a grip on his leg as he looked down and saw Leone smirking at him.
"Gotcha…"
Esdeath noticed this as she tried to intercept Akame but Susanoo appeared in front of her and threw a punch which she blocked with an ice shield.
Bolic saw Akame as she had Murasame ready, "Eliminate," she coldly said as she sliced his throat.
Esdeath widened her eyes as she realized that she failed her mission she gritted her teeth as she jumped in the air and summoned a barrage of ice spikes and hurled them at the ground. Susanoo quickly grabbed Tatsumi out of the way and Akame shielded Leone.
Esdeath landed as she then saw a huge sword coming at her on her right as she jumped over it.
She then looked as Susanoo was carrying the huge sword.
"Murakumo!" Susanoo shouted.
He then lunged at Esdeath as he swung his blade. Esdeath put up an ice wall between the sword and her which connected. But Susanoo, with all his might pushed the blade deeper in the ice, trying to cut her in half. Esdeath smiled as she then placed both her hands together above her tattoo above her chest.
"You truly are strong, I'll give you that, which makes you worthy of my trump card," Esdeath said sadistically.
"Mahapdama!"
Everything stopped, time froze as Esdeath was the only one moving as she slowly approached Susanoo.
"You truly are a wonderful Teigu," she said as she stabbed him with an ice sword.
Then time unfreezed as everyone widened their eyes as they saw Esdeath in front of Susanoo. Tatsumi opened his eyes as he widened his eyes in horror.
Najenda looked at the scene in despair, "Susanoo!" She shouted.
Susanoo was in disbelief as he was slowly encased in ice. Esdeath then shattered the ice again. Leaving nothing to his body but just ice.
Akame stood ready to fight her as well as Mein did. This was the strongest in the Empire.
Najenda then brought her hand out, "Not…yet…" reviving Susanoo one more time.
Susanoo opened his eyes as he launched a punch at her as Esdeath ducked underneath it as she smiled.
"Yes! That's it, show me more!" She shouted.
Susanoo then flew by her as he stood next to Tatsumi.
"Tatsumi grab the boss and Leone, I'll grab Akame and Mein," he said.
Tatsumi nodded as he took them under his arms and carried them as well as Susanoo did as well.
Esdeath slowly approached them, "Oh no, none of you are escaping. I individually torture all of you!"
Her killing intent spreaded throughout the entire building.
"How… are we going to escape from her," Mein questioned.
Susanok sighed as he then grabbed Tatsumi with his free arm. "Su-san?"
"Boss…everyone take care of yourselves,"
"Susanoo…!" Najenda widened her eyes in horror.
"Thank you all, for the time I spent with you,"
Esdeath smiled as she summoned ice spikes as she was about to hurl a barrage at them.
"No Su-"
Then in an instant the building shook as in a matter of seconds the whole building shattered as a strong wind pressure pushed against all of them, destroying everything inside. Including the ice spikes that Esdeath created.
The whole building was destroyed as Esdeath swiped her hand to clear the dust, wondering what just happened.
Kurome was protected by Natala. She scanned the area to see what happened but then she widened her eyes in horror and saw Wave unconscious, leaning against the wall. Blood dripped down the side of his head.
"Wave! What happened! Stay with me please,"
Esdeath turned as she heard Kurome's cries, she saw the state Wave was in. Then she saw green electricity amidst the dust. Night Raid widened their eyes. Akame was surprised that he was here so fast. Which means that Izuku won his fight against Wave.
Esdeath smiled in glee as the dust settled, a green haired boy standing in between her and Night Raid, she finally can fight him. Her thrill of battle was the one she had been waiting for. Her main course.
"You've finally come, Deku!"
Present
Esdeath and Izuku stared at each other for a second. The general noticed one thing about Deku was that he wasn't wearing his mask. He was just a child, no he was the same age as Tatsumi but that wasn't all, Esdeath recognized him, that one day where she lost her Three Beasts. That boy was there.
Esdeath also remembered that he marked off a requirement that she had on her list. Just like Tatsumi, but she wanted to remain faithful to Tatsumi. Her heart belonged to him but even so, she wanted to test this boy's combat prowess and skills.
She grinned evilly as she snapped her finger and within an instant ice shards appeared mid air. She launched them at Izuku as the latter reeled his fist back as he sent a giant air blast, destroying all the ice shards within seconds.
Esdeath was impressed with the power output he displayed. Izuku didn't waste time as he vanished from his spot. Appear right behind her, ready to deliver a devastating kick.
Esdeath swiftly turned as she placed an ice wall between her but it was shattered instantly when Izuku struck it with his kick. Esdeath placed her hand on the ground. Izuku felt Danger Sense activate as he flicked his finger in front of him, propelling him back and dodging an ice pillar that erupted from the ground.
Esdeath pulled her sword out as she rushed Izuku. The hero landed as he saw Esdeath above him, ready to slash her blade down on him.
The boy brought his arms up as she swiftly brought her sword down but it didn't connect with him at all as a green shield appeared in front of Izuku.
Izuku noticed this as he then released Smokescreen out as it covered the area. Esdeath landed on the ground as she looked around the smoke, trying to spot him in the smoke.
She closed her eyes as she grinned, she was enjoying this. This is what she yearned for, the thrill of battle against someone who had the potential to best her.
She swiftly turned and created a shield out of her palm as Izuku threw a punch so strong that it dispersed the smoke within seconds on impact.
She then reeled her shield back, making Izuku lean towards her as she used her other hand and grabbed Izuku's face and smashed him to the ground.
Izuku felt Danger Sense go all over the place as she looked at Esdeath. She was called the strongest for a reason.
"Is that all you've got Deku!" She looked at the boy.
"Come on! Show me what you have left inside you!" She shouted.
Izuku brought his hand towards her face as he flicked, catching her off guard with an air force blast. Using the split second window, Izuku grabbed her other hand as he lifted himself off the ground and pulled her in and gave her a suckerpunch. Sending her flying towards a pillar.
She collided with the pillar, destroying the structure all completely. Izuku looked at the dust cloud as he still felt Danger Sense go wild.
He widened his eyes in horror as she walked out of the dust cloud, unfazed and not a single scratch on her.
He noticed a patch of ice she created on her abdomen.
She spread her arms out as she laughed maniacally, "Yes! Deku, show me more! You may be the person I was actually looking for!"
Izuku got into his fighting stance as the General stared down at him.
'She's insane! Is she even human?' Izuku asked himself.
Izuku thought about using 'that' power again but he didn't know if he was going to hold on any longer. He was drained from the fight with Wave. Then the Second appeared behind him.
"You're right kid, using my meta ability is a no go in this situation, even if you land a hit on her, you won't be able to move for a while," the Second said.
"Look at your comrades, there ready to leave," he pointed out.
Izuku turned to his team as they were watching him in awe but also ready to leave at any moment, ready to grab him as well.
Izuku looked at Najenda as she noticed his gaze. He nodded to her as she widened her eyes and nodded.
"Susanoo, get us out of here!"
"Roger!" He responded.
Esdeath turned her head, "None of you are leaving here alive!" She said as he was ready to summon an ice spear at them but Izuku appeared in front of her.
He brought his arm up as he then slammed it down on the ground.
"Wyoming Smash!"
He created a shockwave so strong that it sent Esdeath hurling towards a broken wall. Izuku then activated the smokescreen as it blocked her field of vision from Night Raid.
She swiped the dust cloud away as she summoned a giant ice meteor above where the smoke was and slammed it on the ground, dispersing the smoke and sending another shockwave throughout the area.
She looked as she watched the ice meteor, waiting for someone to break it but nothing happened as she widened her eyes as she ran up to the ice Boulder and shattered it with a swing of her kick. She swiped the dust away as she didn't see Deku anywhere or Night Raid.
She clicked her tongue in frustration as she looked up into the sky as the sky was slowly brightening up. Indicating that the day has almost arrived but she knew that she would have to report her failures to the Emperor.
But regardless of the failure, she smiled, she had a taste of Deku's power and his facial features. She had to admit his skills were impressive but nothing she can't handle but his power and abilities were on a different story.
She gleefully smiled, "The next time, our battle will decide our fates Deku, I can't wait,"
With Izuku
He was thankful that he didn't give Esdeath a chance to chase after them but he knew that even if he overpowered her in strength, it still didn't matter because of how fast she reacted and her abilities were something not to underestimate. Izuku landed on the field where Wave and him fought as he looked around.
He was looking for Lubbock as he wanted to make sure he was alright. But he was nowhere to be found, and so was his mask that was knocked off by Wave. Be wondered if someone came by and took it. He thought of the person he fought before his arrival.
Izuku then heard shouts coming his way as he needed to get out of there fast. He saw an Imperial soldier run by as the boy released Smokescreen and disappeared into the sky.
Izuku flew into the sky as he saw the sun slowly rising. He then looked at where he placed the winged Teigu man at but he was nowhere to be found. Izuku looked around, he then saw a shadow moving as he sighed.
"Kitsune, come out,"
And in response, the man appeared once again. Izuku turned to him as the man started to clap.
"Bravo! Hero, you truly are a spectacle to watch!" Kitsune complimented.
Izuku looked at the gauntlets as he looked at the masked man.
"These gauntlets, what are they?"
Kitsune held out his hand, shadow particles spewed out of his hands, "A Teigu that allows you to create anything that corresponds to your emotions and intentions, like how you were able to create those daggers and hammer," Kitsune explained.
Izuku opened his hand as he felt the energy in the gauntlets. The teigu itself was intertwined with One for All's energy output. Izuku could feel it, the energy he displayed with his fight. He looked at Kitsune.
"This Teigu was yours wasn't it," Izuku said.
Kitsune walked towards the edge of the building, "Indeed, but the darkness within those gauntlets are long gone, drained by me. But…"
He turned towards Izuku, "You gave the gauntlets new energy, it responded to your emotions and intentions, which allowed the gauntlets to be reawakening into a new, one that doesn't require the darkness, but hope,"
Izuku looked at the man as he was confused. This man knew a lot about him even though they were from different worlds.
Kitsune then turned to Izuku, "We're reaching towards the end, soon war will be inevitable,"
Izuku stared at him as he pointed towards him, "I'm going to save them, whatever it takes,"
"I'm sure you will, Izuku Midoriya, that is why you were chosen," Kitsune then sank down to the floor, becoming a shadow as he disappeared.
Izuku looked at where he stood as he looked at the sun slowly rising. He then launched off into the distance. He flew as he tried to look for Night Raid.
Soaring through the sky as he thought about Akame. Her words to him when he tried to run away from them.
"The hero I fell in love with,"
Izuku needed to find them, and apologize for all the trouble he caused them. Even if they were assassins, they all were wronged by this world. Prime Minister Honest, the root of it all. Together with Night Raid, he would overthrow this corruption.
He then saw a flashing light in the woods on a cliff as he saw Najenda. He then flew down towards her as he landed.
He looked at her as Najenda had bandages around her head. "We couldn't have escaped without your help Izuku, thank you," she bowed her head as Izuku looked at her.
"That's why I'm here Najenda, I'm your Auxiliary, saving all of you is my job," he said as he softly smiled at her.
She raised her head at him as she took a cigarette out, "Even so, I'm still grateful that you're on our side, Izuku,"
Izuku nodded, "Is everyone else okay?" He asked.
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, they took a beating but they'll be fine, Chelsea got Lubbock out of there when you sent Wave flying," she explained.
She then pulled something out behind her as she handed it to him.
"I believe this is yours isn't it?" She said,
Izuku looked at what she was holding as if it was his mask. He smiled as he grabbed it and put it on him again. Izuku looked up at her, "This time, please inform me when you have other missions, that way I can be there when you guys need me,"
Najenda took a whiff of her cigar as she looked at him, "Will you not interfere with our jobs?"
Izuku froze a bit as he sighed, "I can't promise anything, because it doesn't matter who they are, I will save them,"
Najenda sighed as she smiled a bit, "Figures, even if that is the case though,"
She looked at him with a serious expression, "There may be a day where you will have to stain your hands with blood, you know that right Izuku?"
Izuku looked at her as he clenched his fist, "I hope that day never comes," he said.
Najenda turned around as she was about to head into the forest, "I do too Izuku,"
She then gestured the boy to follow her as he did exactly that, leading him towards a small cabin that Susanoo built for recuperation.
Everyone sat outside as they recovered their injuries. They all looked at Najenda as they saw Izuku behind her.
"Greenie!" Leone shouted as she waved at him.
He waved back as he saw her injuries, he widened his eyes as he walked up to her inspecting her, "Leone! Are you okay, you look pretty banged up,"
He expressed his concern as she gave him a snarky grin, "Don't worry about me! My teigu will heal me no problem,"
Izuku sighed as he looked at everyone else as Mein was patching Tatsumi up. He walked up to them as he looked at Tatsumi. The other looked up at him and waved at him.
"Hey Izuku, thanks for the save back there, weren't for you, we would've been goners," Tatsumi thanked him.
"I'm glad I came on time, Esdeath…she's something," Izuku thought about his scuffle with the general. Tatsumi looked at him as he smiled, "You gotten so much stronger than I have Izuku,"
Izuku snapped out his thoughts as he looked at Tatsumi in confusion. Tatsumi grabbed his Teigu as stared at the red eye on his teigu.
"You were able to land a hit on Esdeath while I couldn't even land a single hit on her," Tatsumi frowned in frustration.
Mein looked at Tatsumi as she wanted to say something but she saw the fire inside his eyes. He looked at Izuku with reaffirmed determination.
"I'm not gonna fall behind you anymore Izuku, from here on we're all gonna make it out of this alive," Tatsumi boldly stated as he brought his fist to the hero.
Izuku smiled as he returned the gesture, "Right! We're all gonna make it out alive,"
Izuku then felt an arm wrapped around him as he looked to see Lubbock grinning at him. The latter smiled at him in relief.
"Lubba, you're okay," Izuku said.
Lubbock placed a fist on his chest as he confidently smiled, "Of course I am, thanks to Chelsea of course,"
Lubbock then placed his hand above Izuku as he rubbed his head, "You keep surprising me with your crazy power,"
Izukujust chuckled a bit as he saw Susanoo approach him.
"Thank you, Izuku, without you we would've had to make a sacrifice today," he said. Izuku noticed that he was normal now. Back to his usual dark blue hair.
Izuku shook his head, "It's my job to keep you all safe,"
Susanoo smiled as he then brought his fist out towards Izuku, "Even so, thank you,"
Izuku returned the gesture. Najenda looked at them as she smiled, Izuku may have changed a bit but in the end, his morals and ideals were still the same, to save everyone. Even if that was impossible, he still tried. Najenda figured something about Izuku awhile ago, that fact that the boy would try everything to make his promises into a reality, like a hero in the stories.
Najenda thought about the chance that if Izuku wasn't here for them, what would the outcome be? But she wiped the thought away as she noticed the cabin door opened as three people exited out of the cabin.
Eri looked at everyone as she spotted Izuku. She smiled as she ran up to him and gave him a hug.
Izuku hugged her back as he patted her on the head. She looked up at him and smiled at him, Eri was glad Izuku was back to his old self. He looked up as he saw Sheele smiling at him as he waved at her.
She waved back she then turned her head to the person next to her as Izuku followed her gaze as he froze a bit.
Akame was slightly hiding behind Sheele, she had a blush on her face as she was looking off to the side. It fell silent for a moment as Izuku looked at her as a slight blush formed on his face as he remembered the words she said to him.
Najenda looked at the two as she sighed, Akame confessed but everyone was waiting for Izuku to answer her confession. They had been waiting for this since the day Izuki had claimed to be her hero and yet it took them this long to get here.
Izuku however steeled his nerves as he let go of Eri and took a step towards Akame as she looked at him as they stared into each other's eyes.
"A-A-Akame, c-can we talk?" He asked her as she looked at him with a blush across her face.
"Y-yes," she answered him as she nodded as well.
Izuku felt the eyes that the whole crew was giving him as they had a grin etched across their face except for Susanoo who was neutral about this.
Izuku's face was beat red as he gently grabbed Akame's hand and pulled her away from everyone, heading into the forest.
Leone whistled at them, "You're moving too fast Greenie~"
Izuku ignored her teasing as he led Akame away from the rest so they could talk in private.
Akame stared at Izuku as she still remembered everything that had happened during that day. Where they all stopped Izuku from breaking himself even further. She witnessed him lose control of himself, losing his friends in the process. Akame wanted to be there for him, no matter how hurt he was or how many burdens he carried by himself. She would stand by his side no matter what.
It was quiet now that they walked further into the forest as there was another break from the forest. They walked out of the forest to see a cliffside and a view of Kyoroch. The sun rose slowly as Izuku and Akame stared at it, watching the next day come.
Akame then walked beside him as she looked at him. He had a tint of red etched across his face as he was thinking about something. Akame looked down as she noticed that he had never let go of her hand.
She then felt more pressure from his hand as she gently tapped on his shoulder as he slightly jumped a bit as he turned to Akame with a shock expression.
"You're squeezing my hand," she said.
Izuku looked down as he let go of her hand much to Akame's disappointment. She felt her hand get cold once he released her hand.
"S-sorry…"
Akame smiled as she then fully faced him, "Izuku, it's fine, there is no need to be nervous,"
Izuku turned to her as he scratched his head, "It's just…I never done this before and…well um,"
Izuku looked at her as she continued to look him in the eyes as she had a gentle smile across her face. Izuku stopped for a bit to admire her. The girl he had fallen for so hard, ever since his first mission when she made sure he didn't get any injuries. Her smile was something he wanted to cherish forever.
He wanted her to keep smiling for as long as he lives, throughout his time here. The feelings inside him grew more and more. He didn't want to lose her, he didn't want to fail like he did with Kensei and Mura. He knew in this world, he could lose her at any time. He didn't want that, he wanted her to be by his side.
"Akame…"
His tone changed to sincere, he didn't feel nervous anymore once he looked at her smile. Akame was something he didn't really expect to be in his life but yet here she was.
"I'm sorry…for pushing you all away,"
Akame smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek, caressing it as she stared into his eyes.
"It's alright, it was our fault for not informing you,"
Izuku frowned a bit as he looked at her, "I…almost did somethings that I would've regretted,"
Akame continued to stare into his eyes as she never stopped admiring his eyes and his resolve.
She wanted him to keep being him, the Izuku who always does his best. The person she fell in love with.
"And I will always be here to help you," Akame said to him as Izuku widened his eyes.
Akame wanted to stay by his side, the hero who changed her life for the better, a person from…another world…
Her smile then turned into a frown as she thought about what would happen after they overthrow the Empire. The fear still lingered, him leaving her behind to his world once they were done.
"I hope you will be with me until this is all over," she solemnly said, knowing that their time was limited, but still she wanted to experience these feelings, even though it would hurt her in the end. Izuku noticed her frown as he mimicked her expression as well. He didn't like seeing that expression on her face, Akame had doubts about this and he knew that but even so, even if he did have to go back in the end. She was still the one he wanted to stay by his side.
He smiled as he then held her hand as he slowly tightened his grass around her hand. She looked at him in shock as she saw his eyes, the eyes filled with hope. Izuku never wanted to let go of her hand, he didn't want to lose her. Not for a second, Akame was a special person to him. Which is why…
"Akame, I will never leave you, I promise," Izuku said with determination.
Akame looked at him as she still had her doubts as she looked at him, "Even if you say that what if-"
"That's exactly why I am here," he confidently spoke.
She widened her eyes as tears started to form as she looked at him in awe.
"To make my promises into a reality," he smiled at her.
"I will always be your Hero, Akame,"
She smiled, the sun fully rose as the light shined on them, Akame's tears and smile radiating.
Izuku's eyes filled with hope and determination.
Akame, the light in Izuku's darkest hour.
Izuku, the light in Akame's darkest hour.
The Hero and the Assassin.
End
