Trying to get up, Akame saw the tip of Kurome's sword right in front of her face.
"Don't move! Answer my question! That's an order."
"Why?" Akame asked. "You know very well the reason for my departure! The evil of the empire! I discovered it a long time ago! I even warned you! However, you never wanted to listen to me! I wanted to take you with me but it was you who refused to understand my reasons."
"Liar!" Her little sister retorted, sobbing. "I know the real reason! You left without me because you thought I was weak and useless! Everyone always said that! All the doctors and my teachers constantly told me that I was a nuisance to you and that was why you left me behind."
"And you believed them?" Akame asked.
Suddenly, without fear of her sister's sword, she stood up, to stand in front of Kurome. Wanting to first appear convincing, Kurome, for a reason she did not know, suddenly began to back away somewhat, while Akame displayed an annoyed face.
"Why did you prefer to believe these people, instead of trusting your own sister? I remind you that I wanted to take you with me! It was you who didn't want to follow me."
" I … " Said Kurome.
"Truly, you were afraid of being forced to fight the Empire! You were afraid of dying! That's why you refused to trust me."
"And wasn't that normal?" Kurome roared. "Our parents abandoned us because they thought we were useless! And we were forced to live as vagabonds! I didn't want to go through that again! I wanted… I just wanted… I just wanted to be allowed to have a real life! I just wanted to be surrounded by people who loved me! I wanted to be with you and a new real family."
Softening her gaze slightly, Akame looked thoughtful, then finally, she affirmed.
"In that case, it's not too late."
" Huh ? "
Turning to see her comrades fighting Budo and Wild Hunt, Akame noticed.
"Now, no matter what happens, you and your friends will be considered traitors! Staying in the capital will be impossible for you! In that case, Kurome…"
Turning to her sister, she proposed.
" Join Night Raid ! "
"Don't make fun of me." Kurome retorted, pointing her weapon back at Akame. "You already tried to kill me once! Admit that you want to make me lower my guard so you can kill me more easily later! I know very well that you never loved me and that you never considered me as your sister."
Among the sounds of fighting, a slap could be heard. With her head turned slightly to the side, Kurome seemed stunned to have been slapped like that, while Akame roared.
"What do you mean 'I never loved you'? Stop talking nonsense? What do you think? That you're the only one who's suffered for years? Do you have any idea what I've wanted to do for years that's stopped me from being happy?"
"What?" Kurome fumed, hand on her cheek. "What is it? What stopped you from being happy?"
Akame interrupted her once again. However, she didn't need to slap her again. No, instead, Akame wrapped her arms around her, before hugging her tightly.
"I wanted so badly to hug you again and tell you how much I love you! Kurome, you're my precious little sister."
Finding herself trapped, Kurome began to struggle. However, as time went on, she eventually became still.
"Kurome, I never hated you! And even if it was true that I was a better fighter than you, you would never have been a nuisance in my eyes! No, you would have been and always will be my little sister."
Hearing this, Kurome ended up dropping her sword. Then, the moment the weapon fell to the ground, she ended up sobbing, while mumbling.
" Sister ! "
Feeling Kurome's arms wrap around her in turn, Akame affirmed.
"Kurome, I am just as guilty as you! Yes, I should have persuaded you more! Allowed you to experience true freedom! So, if you want, let's start all over again together! Then we will be true sisters again."
" Y ... Yes ! "
Eventually seeing them, Budo seemed unhappy.
"Tssss! I see some bonds are forming between you."
Suddenly swinging his fist back, he slammed into Leone, who tried to attack him from behind. Hearing the young woman crash into a wall, Budo focused his lightning towards the two sisters.
"I don't care about your past! Nevertheless, I will be generous! I will send you together to the other world! THUNDER TRIDENT'S ZEUS! "
Then forming a real point using his lightning, he directed it towards Akame and Kurome.
" DIE ! "
Suddenly striking him, a kick managed to hit the general's arm, redirecting his attack much too high. Then rushing, the lightning spear passed over the heads of the two sisters before hitting a roof which exploded.
"You?" Budo roared, lowering his gaze.
Stepping back immediately, Tatsumi had his hand placed on the spot where Budo had hit him, and began to vomit blood. However, standing up, he dared to smile while holding his sword in his hand.
"Night Raid has only one motto: never lose to injustice! Sorry, but your little flick earlier had no effect on me."
" Really ? "
Suddenly raising one leg in the air, Budo managed to hit the top of Tatsumi's skull and smash his face into the asphalt.
"If you want some advice, stop thinking you're invincible, kid! Being reckless is not a quality at all."
Then, preparing to turn towards Akame, he was surprised to see Tatsumi's hand start moving again.
" That … ? "
This time, astonishment was read on the general's face, as he saw Tatsumi stand up again. Feeling as if his entire skeleton was destroyed, the boy made strange noises containing nothing but pain. Yet, the smile on his face was still there.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'd rather be reckless than a coward! And unlike you, I would never deny my values."
This time, lightning enveloped Budo's fist, and the boy punched the boy in the face, before sending him into a door. It shattered, letting Tatsumi's body fly into the house, where he disappeared.
"Tsss!" Budo said. "I have to admit, that kid was tough."
"It's… not… over."
" What ? "
Coming out of the house, still limping, Tatsumi could still be seen standing, despite his injured and bloodied face.
"Damn it, but are you human?"
"I… have to… win!" Tatsumi stated, as he was about to faint.
Seeing him act, Budo seemed to calm down and even dared to congratulate him.
"Honestly, what a waste! If you had been on our side, you could have been a great captain."
"I failed the registration." Tatsumi chuckled, thinking back to his first day in the capital. "I had to find work elsewhere."
"What if I offered you a place among my elite soldiers right now?"
"Huh?" Tatsumi wondered. "You're making me believe you want to recruit me?"
"Honestly, it would be a shame to kill a warrior with such potential." Budo said.
"I absolutely refuse." Tatsumi roared. "Only a coward would change sides just to stay alive."
Smiling then, Budo couldn't help but mumble.
"That's admirable of you! Nevertheless..."
Regaining his serious expression, he ran towards Tatsumi, before attacking him with his fists.
"Since you persist in being the enemy of the people, you see me obliged to kill you."
A punch ended up throwing Tatsumi backwards. Yet, keeping his balance in time, he still faced Budo, while he spat a tooth out of his mouth.
"Why do you still stand there?" Budo growled.
"If they were in my place, Schelle... Aniki... Spear and Susanoo... I know they would have fought you to the death! If I ever back down or give up in front of you, I will only humiliate their sacrifice."
Listening to his words, Budo seemed to freeze for a short moment. For a very brief time, the great, relentless warrior that he was, had hesitated to finish off this boy. Looking at Tatsumi even brought back a distant memory, when he was his age.
" I… My name is Budo. " A young soldier said, giving an awkward military salute. " I signed up as a soldier to bring order and justice throughout the country. "
However, eventually shaking his head, Budo forgot his old memories, before going back to hitting Tatsumi. Unfortunately for him, having taken advantage of this short hesitation on his part, Tatsumi had managed to tighten Incursio's handle and had directed it towards Budo.
Not having time to counter it, the general was forced to jump back to dodge it. However, surprise could be read on his face as he felt something run down his cheek.
Immediately running his hand over his face, he could feel a slight tingling, as his fingers passed over the wound that had just been made to him and where blood was flowing.
Seeing that Tatsumi had just injured him, while he was considered one of the most powerful men in the empire, Budo couldn't hide his rage, as he turned his gaze towards him.
" You little … "
"Night Raid… is stronger… than you." Tatsumi declared, as he nearly lost consciousness.
"DIE!" the man roared, running towards him, charging his fist with electricity.
Hitting his target, he caused a violent explosion that surprised or frightened everyone.
"Wow, what power." Chelsea acknowledged, while Gajeel was still fighting Izou.
"TATSUMI!" Lubbock shouted, jumping back to avoid Giry's acid blasts.
Seeming perfectly calm, Najenda had her arms crossed as she watched the fight from the start.
" Tatsumi, you have nothing to be ashamed of in this defeat! You fought like a boss! Therefore, you can continue to hold your head high, and let Natsu finish the job. "
Suddenly, as if chased away, the smoke disappeared to make way for Budo, who seemed surprised that his fist had smashed against Natsu's hand.
"How?" The general wondered, seeing the mage in front of him, while Natsu had stepped in to save Tatsumi.
"Good job, Tatsumi." His friend assured him. "You showed him that no one should underestimate Night Raid's determination! You should be proud of yourself."
"Natsu…" Tatsumi mumbled, before finally letting himself fall to the ground. "Sorry… for being so weak."
In response, Natsu quickly ducked down to grab him. Then, he threw him into the air and let Happy catch him.
"I have it." The Exceed assured, before leaving.
Doing nothing to stop him from running away, Budo only stared at Natsu.
"You know, honestly, out of all the people in Night Raid, you're the one I absolutely wanted to fight."
"Why is that?"
"Three months ago, you managed to enter the palace grounds, where you wanted to commit an attack! For me, knowing that Esdeath was the person who could have prevented you from going further was the greatest dishonor! Normally, I should have been the one to fight you! To redeem my honor, I will defeat you here and now."
"Huh?" Natsu said. "Your honor? So that's the only thing that's bothering you?"
" Huh ? "
"Murders are being committed! Massacres are being caused! The entire country is going down the drain! And you... you only think about your damn honor?"
"I don't see what that has to do with you." Budo retorted, letting electricity appear around him. "You're nothing but a renegade."
"And you, you're just a stupid puppet." Natsu insulted him, doing the same with his flames.
Still and yet terrifying. That's what the other fighters thought, feeling the aura of the two opponents who were facing each other. Exploding the ground here and there, all around him, with the help of his lightning, Budo could have made any monster flee. However, it did nothing to Natsu who literally overheated the air around him, so much so that he could have boiled all the water in a lake.
Then, after long seconds, the two opponents finally threw themselves at each other.
" THUNDER TRIDENT'S ZEUS ! "
" FIRE DRAGON'S HORN ! "
Ducking in time to dodge Budo's electric attack, Natsu let himself rush, head first, towards him. Seeing him coming, Budo positioned an arm in front of his torso in time to block it.
Once that was done, he raised his fist into the air before charging it with lightning. Feeling the energy of his next attack, Natsu performed a magnificent pirouette and aimed his foot towards Budo's fist.
" FIRE DRAGON'S CLAW ! "
Hitting each other, the two attacks created a new explosion, which were to push the two opponents back. Looking at each other again, the two men showed nothing but seriousness in their gaze. Even if this small chain of attacks had only lasted a few seconds, it was obvious that the slightest mistake could cost them the victory.
"For a rebel, I must admit you're not too bad."
"I return the compliment! For a stupid puppet, you know how to defend yourself! Nevertheless, ..."
Making his body ignite, Natsu stated.
"You're nowhere near as powerful as Laxus."
"Tssss! Stop comparing me to that damn Laxus! If he's that strong, he should just come see me! I'll be waiting for him."
"No way." Natsu retorted. "The one who will beat you is already in front of you."
"Nonsense! Even if this Laxus you're talking about is stronger than me, it's impossible that it's the same for you."
" Really ? " Said Natsu.
Wanting to prove him wrong, the mage ran towards Budo.
" Idiot! " Budo scolds him, reforming a revolver with his fingers. " THUNDER GUN ! "
Firing lightning projectiles, he managed to hit Natsu in the chest. However, by only gritting his teeth, his opponent managed to move one of his feet forward before continuing his run.
"Don't make me laugh! I already told you! You're nothing compared to Laxus! FIRE DRAGON'S CLAW !"
Trying to aim for Budo's head, Natsu saw him duck, mumbling.
"Okay! If you want me to get serious, you'll have asked for it."
Then placing his two fists in front of Natsu's chest, he concentrated all his lightning there.
" THUNDER CHOC ! "
At that moment, it was as if Natsu's heart had been pierced by an electric spear. Stunned on the spot, Natsu's retinas turned completely white, while his mouth remained open.
"NATSU!" His friends shouted, seeing him like this.
No use. Even though the boy was still standing, it was clear that the electric shock had completely knocked him out.
" Grrr ! Idiot ! " Gajeel scolded.
Then kicking Izou, to make him back down, he ran towards Budo, in order to fight him. Lost effort. He barely took a step back that Izou followed him before pretending to cut him. Forced to stop to stop his attack, Gajeel roared.
" You're worse than a chewing-gum."
"When I fight a real opponent, I don't let him run away under any circumstances."
"It's time to finish you off." Budo remarked, taking a step towards Natsu.
Yet, putting his hand at the level of his head, he managed to stop a mechanical fist that had been propelled towards him. Crushing it between his fingers, the general turned his head to the side, to see Najenda.
"I'm honored to see the leader of Night Raid! It's been a long time, Najenda!"
"No offense, but I didn't come here to see you specifically." Najenda said, rewinding the cable so that her arm could come back to her.
Letting go of the mechanical hand, Budo let her do so, while affirming.
"Honestly, I'm surprised to see you here! It's only been a week since your fight against Esdeath! Wasn't your defeat enough to make you realize that you can't do anything against us?"
"To be honest, I was planning on giving up! However, my comrades found the idea ridiculous! We've come too far to give up now! And Natsu is the first to think so."
"Huh? That kid?" Budo asked, pointing at Natsu with his thumb. "Sorry, but he's nothing but a half-dead guy! He can't do anything against me anymore."
"Don't underestimate him! Fairy Tail is more formidable than Night Raid."
" Fairy Tail ? "
A groan was suddenly heard, behind him. Turning around, Budo remained silent, as he made out Natsu take a step, despite the fact that his body was completely damaged.
"Huh? Can he still walk?"
Yet, stopping at that moment, Natsu felt his cheeks swell, before finally vomiting blood.
"Natsu!" Happy was horrified, seeing his friend suffer from internal bleeding.
"Impossible!" Leone shouted. "Budo's attack didn't move the iron shard in his heart, did it?"
"Unfortunately, that's what happened." Najenda growled.
Injured or not, Natsu's condition didn't move Budo in the least, who started walking towards him again.
"You're really starting to trust me! I'm going to finish with you right now."
Aiming his fist towards the mage's head, the general saw his target move to the side, while flames appeared around Natsu's fist. As a result, after a perfect dodge, Natsu then ended up hitting Budo in the head.
"AHHHHHHH!" Budo roared, slapping his hands over his face. "You brat!"
"I am… I am… I am the son of Igneel, the proud fire dragon."
Straightening his gaze, Natsu then roared.
"You will never be able to defeat me."
In response, Budo smashed his fist against Natsu's face.
"You are the weak one."
Imitating him, Natsu punched him again. Then, Budo did it again. In a matter of seconds, punching each other, the two men fought like true warriors.
However, after such an exchange, Budo finally took a step back, before creating thrusters with his lightning to start flying. Then, floating in the sky, the man remained motionless and only threw a contemptuous look at the people below him.
"Where... Where do you think you're going?" Natsu questioned, taking a step forward.
Deprived of his strength, he felt dizzy and fell to one knee.
" Impossible! I have no more energy. "
"Natsu!" Someone suddenly called out.
Looking up, the mage could then see Bols, in front of him, armed with Rubicante.
"I have a gift for you."
Triggering his flamethrower, Bols surprised his comrades, while the flames quickly engulfed Natsu.
" Bols ? " Said Wave.
"Hahaha!" Syura sneered. " I don't know why he did that, but that idiot just took a thorn out of our side."
Yet his smile disappeared, the moment he saw the other members of Night Raid start to smile. They weren't afraid at all. They even seemed relieved.
" That … ? "
Then, he heard a strange hickey noise. Sucking the flames like a plate of spaghetti, Natsu quickly got back on his feet.
"How is that possible?" Champ said in fear. "He eats fire."
"Oh? Night Raid definitely hasn't finished surprising me." Run said, with a small smile.
Looking at the scene too, Budo stopped standing still, before charging his lightning in a next overpowering attack. Now, he was certain. To destroy Natsu, he was going to have to use all his power.
"You asked for it, Salamander! I'll disintegrate you on the spot."
Finishing eating, Natsu felt some of his strength returning. Certainly, his injuries were far from healed. Nevertheless, now, he had the strength to attack again.
"You're the one who's going to disappear from my sight! FIRE DRAGON'S… "
" ADVENT OF THUNDER … ! "
" …ROAR !" Natsu roared, launching a gigantic pillar of fire.
" ...EMPEROR! " Budo imitated him, while concentrating each bolt of lightning from that rain of lightning, into a huge sphere, which he then threw at Natsu.
Quickly covering the distance between them, the two attacks eventually collided with a sound of total chaos. Creating a shockwave, they literally made the other fighters retreat, while the heat of the place only increased, as did the static electricity. Seeming to be of the same power, the two attacks continued to push the other back, before returning to their initial location.
Screaming until their lungs were full of tears, Budo and Natsu did their best to gain the upper hand on the other.
Then, finally, ending up crossing Natsu's flames, Budo's attack seemed more powerful and rushed straight towards the mage. Seeing it coming, Natsu tried to increase the intensity of his attack, but it was at that moment, that he stopped attacking, before placing his hand on the location of his heart. As Najenda had thought, Budo's attack had pushed the metal shard further into his heart, putting the mage's life in danger.
" NATSU ! "
"It's over! I'm going to win." Budo affirmed.
"NO WAY!" Roared two voices.
Positioning themselves in front of Natsu, Gajeel and Mine quickly counterattacked. Thus, a powerful laser beam, as well as an '' IRON DRAGON'S ROAR '' combined between them, before hitting Budo's attack. Stopping him, the two attacks ended up producing a violent explosion.
So whether it was Night Raid... the Jaegers... Wild Hunt and even Budo, everyone was thrown back, not being powerful enough to withstand this power.
And when the explosion was over, Syura quickly noticed that he was surrounded by his comrades, while Night Raid and Jaegers had found themselves in front of them.
"What… What power! " Wave remarked, feeling his hands start to shake. " Who are these guys?"
" And that I could have a chance to compete with these people? "
Suddenly landing gracefully, Budo stared down at his enemies, declaring.
"Give up, now! Anyway, I still don't see why you're going to so much trouble to stand up to us."
" SHUT UP ! " Shouted Natsu.
Coughing up blood again, he looked at Budo while affirming.
"You can't understand! In my world, I too must represent the law! And that's because I'm part of Fairy Tail! My friends and I, we accept small jobs dedicated to improving the lives of citizens for money! But we will never do anything that could lead to the rise of someone with bad will! So I don't see why I would allow this damn minister to take full power here! And you, the guy with lightning, is that really what you want?"
"I don't care about your opinion." Budo retorted, starting to aim at him for his next attack.
"Don't make fun of me! Is it to let a guy like him become the new emperor that you decided to join the army? Are you really satisfied with this situation? Is this really the empire you want to found? Is this really the world you want to live in?"
Suddenly seeming to freeze, Budo continued to aim at the mage.
" Shut ... Shut up ! "
Then suddenly, thoughts invaded his head, making him furious, as he remembered Honest's horrible smile. Yes, it was because of him that the empire was changing, and was prey to chaos. Budo had been able to know the emperor's parents, and knew perfectly well what good was. He had even respected these two people to the point that he had hoped that Makoto could become like them.
However, today he knew that this was impossible. Whether he hid it or not, he knew perfectly well that the emperor could never become as good a man as his father.
And it was Honest's fault.
"We, Night Raid, fight for justice." Natsu told him. "True justice! And you, what cause are you fighting for? The cause of good or the cause of evil?"
" What cause … ? "
"When will you learn to shut up?" Syura roared. "Do you realize that you are talking about my father? The more you speak ill of him, the longer your hours of torture will be, as well as the public execution I will…"
Suddenly falling silent, he was surprised to see Budo suddenly lower his arms. Then, turning around, the general muttered.
"Ten seconds!"
" Huh ? "
"I'll give you ten seconds to leave this city! Do it before I change my mind."
"What?" The members of Wild Hunt wondered.
"He… He lets us go?" Lubbock wondered.
Knowing Budo's character very well, and knowing that he was far from being a man who attacked from behind, Najenda immediately ordered.
"Everyone, I order retreat! Quick! We must leave quickly."
Looking at each other then, each of his comrades seemed undecided. But, finally, grabbing Tatsumi, Leone followed her, imitated by Chelsea and Lubbock. Seeing them leave, Run affirmed.
"Wave, we have to leave too! We can't stay here any longer! We are now enemies of the government."
"But...? What about the city? Who will stop these murderers from killing civilians?"
"We'll come back later," his friend swore. "When we're stronger."
Ending up nodding, Wave then rushed to run towards his injured friends before taking Seryu in his arms. Then, trying to find a way to take Wendy too, he was surprised to see Gajeel seize her.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
"Shut up!" the mage growled. "That shrimp is our comrade."
" Com … Comrade ? "
"Kije! Logue! Come with me!" Bols ordered them, taking them in his arms.
"But, Bols…?" Said his wife.
"You're not safe here anymore." The man roared, glaring at Wild Hunt.
Seeing Akame pretending to leave, Kurome stayed where she was, while stretching her arm out slightly in front of her.
" Sis … Sister ?
Turning around then, Akame quickly grabbed her hand in order to force her to follow her.
"You're coming too, Kurome! This time, I'll stay by your side."
Hearing them leave one by one, Budo ended up getting angry, however, when he saw Natsu staying put. Looking at him, too, the mage ended up smiling, while affirming.
"Actually, you're not that bad."
Annoyed, Budo made a lightning bolt appear, which fell a few inches from Natsu, which frightened him.
"Don't get any ideas! The next time I see you, I'll slaughter every last one of you! Get out of my sight!"
Not being told again, Natsu quickly left before jumping to let Happy catch him in mid-air.
"Hey, what does this mean?" Giry roared. "You're becoming allies with Night Raid?"
"This is unacceptable." Syura stated. "Know that my father will soon find out about the traitor you…"
Grabbing him by the neck once more, Budo tightened his grip so hard that he nearly strangled the man.
"You have nothing to tell me! If I remember correctly, you are the cause of the Jaegers' resignation! If you hadn't played the fool, this shit would never have happened! But you know perfectly well what that means, don't you? Esdeath will definitely know what happened! You are the one who tried to kill her subordinates and you openly declared war on her! From now on, she could decide to kill you at any time."
Having forgotten the general, the boy then stopped struggling, while he couldn't help but show real fear in his eyes.
Seeing that, Budo suddenly let go of him, while affirming.
"I can make sure to hide the truth about your actions! In exchange, just forget what you just saw."
"What?" Giry and Champ wondered.
"And above all, never forget one thing..."
Drawing lightning from his hand, he affirmed.
"Apart from Esdeath, no one in this kingdom is fit to kill me, including you! So I hope that our 'agreement' can be maintained! Otherwise, you will see me forced to fight against all those I would consider my enemies."