Chapter 40: Keep the Darkness in the Shadow.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I have been working holiday hours making it impossible for me to write. Unfortunately, I ended up having to fight Covid for the first week of January. I have been busy and sick. I need to hurry and post now because I'm moving home on top of all that.

I'm being honest with myself. Blonde just feels weird. It does make me look more like I'm a part of the family. I look more like I'm Yang's sister now. At the same time, it doesn't suit me.

I looked at my scroll camera function and made sure the disguise was perfect. Facial structure aside, The passing students and staff didn't suspect me as I walked alongside Mr. Gayl and his security.

I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity to break off and search the school. I did some research into the school layout; The public layout is accessible to anyone. I'm positive they have secret entrances and unmarked rooms that I'm unaware of.

It will make my mission much harder since I don't have spies inside the Academy. Sympathizers exist within Shade, but spies actively relaying information was never part of it. They're too risky nor worth souring my relationship with the Academy.

I am still determining where they keep the intel or where my uncle is held. Night Raid should be on campus by now. Maybe they have found something.

I look across a swarm of students going about their days. Some are studying, chatting amongst themselves, playing, and training in designated areas. I wish I could study on campus. They're wearing casual clothes or combat attire beneath the sweltering sun. The air feels more free-spirited if you can handle the initial hardship.

My ears scanned the campus and settled on a tour group of five young teens and a chaperone.

There they are.

Night Raid.

Cali Devi.

May Zedong.

Brawnz Ni.

And…SUN?!

This isn't a part of the plan. Let me reiterate my feelings on Sun and Drew from 11 months ago.

Those two are supposed to be my normal friends. They're supposed to be far removed from my issues. Sun and Drew were never meant to get involved in this mess. Now one of them somehow joined Night Raid without my approval. This must be a signal for me not to make any more friends.

At least Fox and Gwen are the normal ones.

We walk into the main building with its stone walls coated with the craving of past heroes. The entourage rounded a few corners and came across a blockade of students who stood in a hallway leading toward the headmaster's office.

There are too many people here for me to get a reading on what is behind that door. Regardless, I can sense a vile, coldness coming from it. My body screams at me to stay away but I suppress those fears.

I must get closer.

"Where is he? The big man?"

"Out looking for some child skipping out on a parent-teacher meeting," One of the students shrugged.

"Are you serious? That's it? That's the reason why he questioned everyone on the streets with hundreds of students?" Gayl leaned back in annoyance," I demand he come speak with me this instance. Get me one of your professors. They have his number."

"No can do."

"At least tell me who he's looking for," Gayl stepped forward," I have the right to know in MY city."

"I don't know!" The student held up his hand defensively. He sounded honest with the answer.

It's going to be difficult for him to come back to Shade. Theodore and Rumpole are being escorted to a precinct across town over an arrest of a suspicious red-eyed, black-haired girl. The problem is that there are a lot of red-eyed, black-haired girls and some boys in Vacuo; My fans. By the time they get there, She will somehow escape. The cops will set up roadblocks and checkpoints as a result. All the diversions will buy me as much time as possible.

Assuming they run across the rooftops, Drew and half of Night Raid will cause some chaos at the front gate on my behalf.

While everyone focused on Gayl, I slipped between them unnoticed.

I could hear the argument but paid no attention.

As I got closer to the office, I instantly drove out of the way.

The double door didn't open. A fast-moving object broke through it. The object flew at a speed rivaling a bullet with hurricane-like winds accompanying it; Knocking over anything not bolted down.

The fragments of wood and paper launch outward like a deadly projectile. Fortunately, Everyone in the hallway has their aura active.

The object barreled toward the group of students and police officers, sending them flying into the air like leaflets. I look back at the doors to see a person-sized hole.

The hole matches the height and size of my uncle.

I can feel my heart beating in my chest. The anger behind those doors is palpable, and suffocating.

I slowly turn my head to see my uncle bounce to his feet in an instant. The body of those students, the councilmen, and his security details acted as his cushion. They're alright. He noticed me and winked.

Huh? How? I'm wearing a disguise.

I would probably crack a smile at the antic.

Uncle Qrow turned around and ran away yelling in fear.

"RUN! GOODWITCH IS DRUNK!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, pushing students and faculty members aside.

It seems to work as the majority of those involved ran in fear. They trip over each other's bodies in a mad dash to get away.

Goodwitch? I heard that name before.

My survival instinct flared and I found myself scurrying up the walls like a roach as angry footsteps rapidly approached the door. It turned from a comedy to horror and I don't want to be a victim.

The door didn't burst open, They disintegrated into sawdust and splinters with the force exerted on them. I held my breath and watched intensely at the scene below. A silhouette steps out of the office, She flicks her wrist and the dust clears revealing a woman with blonde hair and a riding crop.

Goodwitch…Goodwitch…I can't think right now with how sca-shooked I am by the sudden development.

I couldn't see her face from the ceiling but I prefer not to. I can feel the rage and pray she doesn't look up. The woman speed-walked forward like a machine with every step. The heels clicked on the floor with intent toward the target.

She disappeared from my sight but I waited another minute before moving. I leap down making sure to make as little noise as possible.

I look up at my hiding spots and see nail marks on the ceiling. The ceiling is made of concrete...

Hands, stop shaking.

A chill ran up my spine. I looked behind me expecting the scary blonde to come back. I hate to admit that bad luck with blondes has some merit.

Public speaking and exposing my dirty secrets are now competing for third place of what scares me most today because WHAT WAS THAT?!

I could maybe win but I'm not taking my chance against her fury. Goodwitch, Now I remember. She's the right hand of Ozpin. They were planning to entrap me and had the means to do it.

I step into the office and begin searching. The sound of screams and destruction reach my ears yet I continue my mission.

There were two unconscious staff members in the room. They seem to be knocked out via blunt force trauma to the head. Goodwitch is the clear culprit.

There are two broken vases next to their heads. Somehow the vases aren't broken.

It is public knowledge that her semblance is telekinesis. It makes sense but at the same time, she can mend damages to structures and furniture like it never happened. That isn't something telekinesis could do. It almost seems like a time reversal but only for inanimate objects.

Ms. Goodwitch has impressive mastery over her semblance.

She must have smashed the vases into their heads and fixed them in an instant. That's nice of her. She is probably coming back to fix the door.

I need to hurry before they wake up or worse, Goodwitch returns.

I searched the headmaster's desk and drew. I scanned the various papers lying on the floor for hints. On his desk are a handful of folders tightly bound together with rubber bands.

I pull it apart and see what it is.

I scan through picture after picture, document after document like I'm memorizing menus.

I'm doomed.

All my work will fall apart here and now if I don't get rid of the evidence. They're proof of the deaths I caused.

There are a few audio chips used by the MIA for discreet recording. The chips are placed deep in the ears as a way to record. Luckily, They can't transmit it without going to a physical source linked to the CCT. A fatal flaw I exploited.

The majority of the pictures are grainy images taken from afar except for one.

Ferna Canus is a traitor and one of my top fighters. It was too risky to send lower-ranking Crownmen to deal with her so I set up a meeting to deal with her. I called in a favor from the mercenaries I saved from the Crown control. She had on a necklace with a large jade pendant. It recorded a green-tinted image of my comrade ramming a knife through her neck. I would have thought burning the body and burying it was enough to hide the evidence. The pendant and the recording must have survived

I didn't kill her myself but my involvement is revealed.

Someone was even crazy enough to dig through 12 feet of sand to find the body. I can't understand why the MIA agents are this fanatical toward a woman like Ms. Malachite. These fanatics always have a suicide pill or a mercy kill protocol if we corner them.

There is a silver lining to all this. There isn't hard evidence for Vernal and the rest of the organization. He would have it out here. It's only my crimes being exposed.

Vernal, the Crown, and the Branwen Tribe can come out unscathed If I play my cards right. Even listening to the audio chips or reading the files doesn't yield much besides hearsay. The words of dying spies would only unite the people of Vacuo against the world.

Foreigners attempting to subvert an already broken kingdom work in my favor. I had close calls from foreign tourists who snoop where they aren't supposed to. Vacuo has always been a bad place to take your family for vacation because any visitors from outside will be under scrutiny if a reputable individual or tribe doesn't protect and vouch for them.

I can still overcome this.

Theodore found out too late how intrinsic my power is to this kingdom. I didn't do anything outside the reach of being a leader of the tribe. Punishing unruly and traitorous members is normal in Vacuo.

I theorized all these documents are copies. It is haphazard and foolish to leave sensitive intel around unless he expects it to get stolen. He is trying to mislead me. The original must be kept somewhere else. The audio chips are likely copied and downloaded into a computer.

I suspect he has not reported the news to the others. There is no word of mobilization from Atlas. Ozpin would have either rejected or done more with proof of my actions. More importantly, Uncle Qrow wouldn't warn me if he got a direct order from that wizard. It only takes a few minutes for a call to connect from Vacuo to Vale.

Theodore must be striking out on his own.

Good, There is still room to contain the information.

'Akame, Are you serious about turning your life around?' My uncle's words echoed through my head.

The room darkened and turned cold. I look up to see a starry sky. This was a week after executing that man for Fox's tribe. He signed his death warrant, upsetting not one but two tribes.

Uncle Qrow finally spoke to me.

"What you did wasn't illegal but that doesn't mean it was right," He spoke with a sorrowful tone," A warrior who wants to leave behind a violent past should do so."

"That warrior still has another war to prepare for. Those stories only work when it's a time of peace, when their service, whether respected or not, is no longer needed," I shook my head. A soldier escaping their past is what I wish I could do.

It won't come to pass until I win. When that happens, I am free.

"Then we have common ground. Akame, There isn't going to be a war. I'm going to tell you this intel because it will alleviate your worries," He placed a hand on my shoulder," Lil Ms. Malachite and Ironwood aren't interested in waging a war despite what they say in public. Because the public doesn't know who the true enemy is."

"They aren't interested because they want to secure absolute victory," I sighed," And I'm on the weaker end of the conflict. Uncle Qrow, I just want all of this to end."

The numbers don't lie. I'm outnumbered and outgunned compared to any of the three kingdoms. Shade Academy still has a slight advantage against me.

"You need to move forward and stay sane. I know it hurts with every step but we as humans need to keep at it. Akame, I always like to keep my flask handle for whatever area I'm in. It's a pact between you and me. If you find it, make sure to keep it safe," He waved it in front of me like a valuable relic.

"I'm sorry to hear your liver is finally giving up on you," I bowed my head," I'll use the flask to hold your ash."

"OI! OI! I'M NOT DYING!" He grabbed both my shoulders and shook me. I went with the flow and didn't bother reacting or feeling sorry for my slip-up. Oh? He didn't mean it like that.

"Now, Time for your next lesson."

"Already? I thought you would hate me after what I've done."

"Oh! I'm still pissed off. I got something special planned for you," He smirked. I can feel a chill tuning up my spine.

I lost some weight. That was outright torture. I could handle physical training but the lack of food, water, and sleep for intellectual study is hell.

My uncle's flask. He teased me with it when I was thirsty.

He left it in a trash can. I notice the leather band around the flask is torn at the top. It was never like that the last time I saw it.

I snatched it and carefully tore the leather band off. It was a note folded sideways and wrapped around the flask. I read it and came to an immediate realization of what it was.

Uncle Qrow handed me clues scrambled, coded, and written in the Mistranese language. The entire note is packed with text to the point that it looks like incoherent ramblings. The majority of the characters don't make sense nor string together into coherent sentences.

Maybe the way it is written is only for me to understand.

I noticed a pattern as if it was telling the highlight of our time in Patch. From how we first met to leaving our home.

I started identifying each word written in a different part of the note as keystones among the random words. I started seeing patterns in them.

Grave.

Rose and Sun.

Forest.

Skirmish.

Black.

Crimson birds.

Banished.

He wrote the hint in a way only I can understand.

Grave: The code is respect two and the same.

Two and the same?

I read further.

Never read into it but find a binding. The binding is above.

Read? Binding? A Book.

But what about the above?

I get it now. It is a book against the wall or on something. Which means one of these shelves must have what I'm looking for.

The bookshelf?

There is one on the right side of the office. I scanned the spine of the books to see what could match 'two and the same.'

If this was Ozpin, It's either the story of 'The Man with Two Souls' or the two versions of 'The Girl Who Fell Through The World.'

I didn't see anything matching it.

A book…

It can't be. That's the most cliche method of hiding something. A student could shake the entire bookshelf by accident.

To save time, I knocked it over. Theodore wouldn't notice the mess. Ms. Goodwitch had already torn the room to pieces.

The sound of the bookshelf falling would have alerted anyone nearby. Still, I doubt investigating the headmaster's office would be a priority. It's a good thing I did it. I found what I was looking for.

I'm honestly disappointed in the lack of security.

Really?

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

The book is inside the wall.

That's even more suspicious. It even has a button cut out of the book, 'The Man with Two Souls.'

I'm calling the rest of Night Raid over but first…

I spun around and rushed a man getting to his knees. A quick spin, heel to the temple, and a thud. I avoided hitting him too hard. He didn't have his aura up.

I got on the scroll and called Night Raid over.

They didn't take long at all. May spotted me through my disguise and signaled everyone to follow her. I'm not surprised. The sniper constantly studying me through a scope shouldn't be tricked by changes in hair color and contacts.

They stood guard further away from the office, ensuring no one got near. I'm more impressed they stayed outside of my detection range.

I know people are nearby, but Night Raid wasn't close enough for me to make the distinction without visual or auditory confirmation.

"Nice work, May. What is the status, Cali?" I turned to the team leader and pointed a finger at Sun," And why is Sun here?"

"He didn't want to stay with his aunt," Cali lightly pushed Sun," Sun is…hard to get rid of."

The boy in question held his arms behind his head, tail swaying back and forth, with a grin plastered across his face.

"Your uncle is fighting some crazy blonde lady," Sun shrugged.

"And we aren't talking about you," Copper teased.

"Glynda Goodwitch," the majority of Night Raids look at me with a shocked expression," I hope you are good at bets because we will tilt it in our favor."

"What's the plan?" Brawnz picked up on what I wanted.

Yes, They are counting on me. This is the first official mission together.

"We need to hurry," I checked my scroll," the police chief is sending the headmaster on a goose chase but he's starting to figure it out. We'll split into teams of two. Team one will help my uncle and team 2 is just me and Copper."

I press the button. The wall slides open revealing a descending staircase: Lights line the walls. The majority of Night Raid either gasped, stared in confusion, or ready themselves for a fight. Except for Cali Devi, the adult and certified Huntress of the group.

"The evacuation exit?" The Night Raid team leader spoke.

"Exit?" I blinked," How did you know what this is?"

We all looked at her.

"Walkthrough when I first enter the Academy," She explained," All Academy got at least one that led to a relatively safe clearing or safe house."

I look at the piece of paper in my hand. All of this effort just to run away. The second line must hold the next truth.

Rose and Sun?

Ruby and Yang.

Upon entering darkness, Look for hope with both hands and push for it.

I get it now. Buttons or a mechanism are revealing another secret. I handed the paper to Copper. He can help me decipher it.

"Chicken scratches? Is this supposed to be Mistranese," Fox's brother squinted his eyes," Fox can write better."

"The rest of you. This will be a tough fight and our first real mission. We need to defeat Goodwitch and get ready for the headmaster. Cali is a licensed huntress and will stop the fight while the rest of you are her helper," I nodded to Cali," Please make it seem like you're a neutral party. I'll explain in detail later what I'm doing down there but there is another secret entrance. Copper and I will head down and destroy the evidence."

"Evidence?" Sun asked concern," What happened?"

I need to kick Sun out of Night Raid.

Copper stepped forward, understanding what I wanted.

"Nothing illegal in this kingdom. I can assure you that Akame's heart is in the right place. The headmaster is nitpicking her mistakes," Copper turns to Sun," We like you but…You're still an outsider to our operation."

"Sun, Please leave," I pleaded," This isn't a friend group. Night Raid are my guards and spies in the shadows."

"You gotta try harder to shake me off, Akame," he chuckled," Your current Night Raid buddies aren't hardened killers or scumbags like the last guys. You are all good people."

Copper shook his head and smirked.

Brawnz gave Sun the side eye.

Cali closed her eyes in deep thought. Cali are justified and few.

May stared blankly at me knowing full well she attempted to assassinate me 5 times this morning.

Besides Cali being my most valuable member, I picked rookies. There are better options. I'm just drawn to them but can't understand why.

Why did I choose, rookies, with little formal training?

Residual memories?

They will all be dead if led into a battlefield. The blood will be on my hands if I fail.

"You're an idiot if you judge our character based on a few meetings," I argued.

"I'm your loveable idiot," he smiled and placed his hands on his hip.

"Leave," I nearly yelled," I'm not playing games with you."

"Fine," He paced backward, turned around, and ran down the hall yelling," LAST ONE TO GOODWITCH IS A ROTTEN EGG!"

The realization hit me like an avalanche. I just told Sun everything. What if he's on the Academy side and has been nice to get closer to me?

Is he a spy I fail to detect? Is his airheaded, troublesome behavior, just a ruse this entire time?

"G-GO GET HIM!" I ordered, fumbling with my words. I wanted to pursue Sun myself and when I catch him I will-

I don't know. The memo would be immediate elimination of spies if we can't capture, interrogate, and imprison them.

"Akame, mission first," Copper placed a hand on my shoulder," The team can handle it."

"Sun…"

"…Is being an ass. He's clean," Copper walked past me and did a weapon check," You scrutinized our backgrounds enough already."

He pulled out his twin blades and tonfa pistols. Those are perfect weapons for CQC.

Sun's intent has always been pure, with some infatuation, for me.

"I'm surprised you aren't angry," We made our way through the passage.

"Mad? Nah, It's understandable why you gotta act like anyone can be your enemy. That's why us Vacuo respects you," Copper proclaimed," We should have a party for our victory over Lil Ms. Malachite."

We kept an eye on the hall for deformities. There has to be a secret entrance for us to enter. I wonder if the relic is down here. That would be leverage I could use against Theodore if he refused to back off or back me up.

"Top secret missions," I deadpanned," Milly and I both got something to lose if our secret war is revealed with no guarantee of it sticking."

"Oh sorry."

"But thank you, your tribe, and the others for volunteering to hunt those spies and traitors," I nodded," Celebration is allowed as long as it is disguised as something else."

The two of us walked for another minute until we stopped at a keypad on the left side. There are more tunnels for us to explore but this must be it.

Copper walked further down and found another keypad. We reconvene and go over the next clues.

Forest and Skirmish.

These are straightforward compared to the other two entries.

Forest came first in 1-4-4-9-0.

Skirmish came second in 9-6-5-1-0.

We dial the numbers into the keypads. Suddenly the ceiling above us slides open. A ladder slowly slid out of the hole above us. I could see a faint glow at the end of the hole. I estimated it was a 15-foot climb up.

I beckon Copper to come over. I grabbed him by the waist and started jumping, using the steps to launch myself. We entered a room after I jumped/climbed a few stories. filled with several computers and wires lining the walls and ceiling. There is a soft glow illuminating the room as well as various paperwork on tables and boards.

A secret compartment?

There's ventilation here and a reinforced black door to the left.

Copper fell to his hands and knees after I let go of him.

"We could've climbed," he complained.

"It would take too long and I'm wearing a skirt," I started rummaging through the room.

"It's a long skirt."

There is a briefcase with bloody fingerprints near a computer. It is the most auspicious item in the room.

That's what I'm looking for.

"We need to destroy this room once we confirm the evidence is all here," I look at the notes again," Black."

Use your blade to free what's behind the blackened box.

I'll trust what my uncle is telling me. I took Shusēn out of the sports bag and prepared.

It is faint. I can sense aura signatures behind these walls.

My sword is still in its sheath. I focus on the edge of my blade.

"That's a reinforced-"

Unleash and slash.

A wave of pure destruction extended out of my sword and cut through reinforced concrete. I threw two more slashes and dislodged the door with a kick. A foot of rebar and concrete was slashed clean through.

The door fell forward with a heavy thud.

This is an armory?

I did a quick scan of the new environment. There are various weapons on racks and dust crystals in protective cases.

And there are occupants here.

"Get ready to fight, Copper," I ordered. He raised his tonfas.

A team of four was staring at me, weapons raised.

"Crimson birds," One of them recited.

Copper and I look at each other remembering the next hint.

The Crimson bird has many feathers working to keep it in flight.

"Friendlies," I uttered and slowly approached them without dropping my sword," The Crimson bird has many feathers working to keep it in flight."

The four students lowered their weapons and took a knee before me.

"What do you need us to do, boss?" The leader looked up.

"Is my disguise useless," I ask.

"You're in Vacuo. Deception is the hardest game to play with us," he nudged and winked.

"Your uncle told us you would be here and you're it," the leadend brought a hand up to his collar. He unbuttoned part of his shirt to show tattoos.

Those are demon marks. I took stock of the rest of the team and saw markings, clothing, and even accents on their weapons that outed them as my fans.

This team is one of my sympathizers. Theodore has made a mistake in the hunt for me. He left his school vulnerable.

Theodore teaches his students to have responsibility and fairness. They should be the paragon of heroism protecting the public from evil. I'm adding an addendum to the rule.

"Right behind me is an evidence room. I will destroy it, but we must strategically transfer equipment to an alternate location. I want more comrades to clear out the place and leave some dust behind to blow it," I commanded," Copper, You're in charge of this operation while I make sure everything is here."

"Strategically Transfer Equipment to an Alternate Location…STEAL?" Copper mumbled.

The team stood up and on Copper's order began to dial for more backup.

I wonder how the others are doing?

I checked the text on my scroll. Its name ID was sniperelite247.

May?

Boss, Iam the only one fighti. Qrow ran. Team down.

Crap.

New plan. I motioned Copper to lean over.

Banished: straightforward hint. They're passwords for the computers.

Author note from my uncle?

Sorry, I got lazy and couldn't think of anything creative.

"I want you and a few others to make sure it's all in one spot. Use this to double-check," I handed him the evidence folder," I will go support the others."

The room shook, proving my point.

A girl with red hair, with neon blue streaks, and braids held on tightly to her weapon, a long sword with a fire dust crystal on the guard. I approached her and presented Shūsen.

"Don't need anything, boss?" She asked. The girl stood a whole head taller than me.

"I will go support my comrades fighting Ms. Goodwitch. I can't be seen with my sword. I want you to take good care of Shūsen while I use yours," We exchanged blades.

I did a few test swings and examinations. A battle-tested double-edged longsword with a wavy blade. It's a flame sword with a large red dust crystal powering it. I wish I could use dust. It could be helpful.

"I'll defend Shūsen with my life, boss!"

"Call me Akame, we are all comrades against the aggression of the world," I smiled, mentally preparing for a difficult fight," What is your name and your sword name?"

"My name is Sinmara and that's Lævateinn," She introduced.

"Thank you, Sinmara. Lævateinn is a beautiful sword," I walked away and quickly picked up my pace until I was sprinting toward the objective.

Hang in there, May.

Normal PoV

Atlas Academy

Ironwood Office

Keep the Darkness in the Shadow.

It's a straightforward phase with a complex methodology. It is the tactic of using discreet means to fight against Salem and those who want to uproot society.

General James Ironwood isn't a subtle man. As Ms. Malachite put it, a man with the grace of a police raid. Yes, The casualty is 1:10 in his favor but it means nothing in the long run. The war on crime was a rude awakening when more firepower and KIA didn't determine the victor of a conflict nor could he smash the enemy in one grand battle.

If it wasn't for Ms. Malachite's spy network, South Mistral would have been a contested territory even to this day. It took the combined efforts of an Atlas 'merc group' and the MIA to deal with the tribe. The MIA gets the tribe to poke its head out and Atlas vacates life in the vicinity.

Ironwood looks over a report from Vacuo.

"Great," He rubbed his forehead, feeling the newfound wrinkles that weren't there eight years ago. The general is getting another call from the Prime Minister.

He activated the emergency meeting button underneath his desk. The vents close and the window dims while the door to his office locks itself.

The snide image of Lil Ms. Malachite appears on a monitor at his desk. Normally, They would give the proper respect befitting their status. In private comms, They still hold an air of professionalism but will throw jabs at each other's failures. He took a deep breath and launched his attack first.

"How is the real estate venture in Vacuo?" He faked a smile.

"A lost cause you're too scared to enter. How about having only one seat for your metal ass?" Milly countered.

"Scared to enter? I respect the sovereignty of other kingdoms as much as you love debauchery and excess," He answered calmly," Now what is the meaning of this call? This isn't a channel for idle conversations."

"Akame is planning to coup d'etat the government and Academy," She spoke with a serious tone.

Ironwood absorbs the information with skepticism.

"Baseless claims from a butcher intelligence network," the general refuted," You should know sending in hundreds of your agents to Vacuo was a death sentence. You underestimated the influence she has on Vacuo. Theodore could be a turncoat and none of us would know."

"Just like Robyn and her-"

"They were at a sanctioned diplomatic meeting and our only link to the tribe," He defended," Ms. Malachite, Why are you so obsessed with Akame? Is there a deeper relationship we should be aware of?"

The prime minister understood Akame the most. The little girl spent four years hiding at her home. She watched and analyzed the potential threat Akame posed. Ms. Malachite came to the conclusion that the monster needed to die.

She would have succeeded too if other players weren't invested.

Meanwhile, Ironwood connected the dots on the relationship between the Branwen tribe and Ms. Malachite's organization. It is obvious with Akame's refusal to reveal intel during her interrogation and Ms. Malachite's timely rescue. They're vile elements of society banding together for survival and discarding each other once the deal is done.

"I can read people just like how you, even without that god's awful semblance of yours, are a one-minded brute," She insulted," Akame must die before she reaches the pinnacle of her power and influence. She could do whatever the hell she wanted if given the chance. Meanwhile, we are limited by silly politics."

"Are you suggesting we dive into dictatorship? The world wouldn't allow it!"

"The world doesn't know what it wants and those are YOUR exact words," She countered," You'll regret not mobilizing now. Akame is going to take over Vacuo."

Of course, she knows! Ironwood spoke those words in private to Glynda before she left for Vacuo. He is going to need another sweep for hidden cameras.

It's the truth. This is how he felt about keeping the world in the dark. Everything he has done up to this point is to create an army capable of going on the offensive against the Grimm. Maybe even conquer the Grimm continent.

"With what? All her forces are concentrated on the west coast," James opens a holographic map of Vacuo," Atlas has been keeping a close eye on who leaves and enters the area. We have airships floating at the very edge of dust operational distance in the atmosphere. Atlas will not engage in another conflict unless they make the first move. Am I clear?"

"She will end both of us if we don't take an aggressive stance. It will be harder for us to justify eliminating her if she becomes a huntress," Milly exclaimed," Fine, I don't need your help. But all the glory will go to me once I save Remnant from that monster."

"I will be here to watch your downfall," Ironwood saluted, a ghost of a smile spread on his lips.

He ended the call soon after.

Lil Ms. Malachite knows the table has turned against her. Ironwood's hands are tied. Salem and Ozpin are indirectly working together to prop up another major player. She lost most of her contacts in Vacuo and the last pockets of resistance are reserved for the final push. She can't rely on her normal method of going after Akame's family.

She wouldn't mess with them when Summer Rose was alive. It is still the same even with the power of a kingdom at her fingertip.

Taiyang Xiao-Long.

Ruby Rose.

Yang Xiao-Long.

Qrow Branwen.

They are untouchable, unreachable targets.

But there is a vulnerability that will push Akame Branwen down a darker path.

The prime minister got a notification from her secretary.

"They're here madam."

"Send them in."

An elderly man wearing a simple red, sleeveless shirt and cargo pants walked in nonchalantly. He has gray hair and eyes. He scanned his surroundings already thinking of a thousand ways to escape and kill those around him. The man didn't appear to have a weapon on him but he didn't need one. The mastery he has over his aura is all her needs.

"Marcus Black, upfront payment first," He motioned," It has been a long time."

"Marcus, You sobered up and are taking the mission seriously. I'm proud of you," She tossed a briefcase at him," 6-1-1 left lock, 7-5-6 right lock. One million liens upfront."

The assassin opened the briefcase. Marcus' eyes widened upon seeing the neatly stacked liens.

Next is a middle-aged man encased in heavy armor, with barely any weak points. From an outside perspective, He seems more machine than a man and they would be right. He once used a mace alongside his rounded shield but gave the heirloom to his son. Instead, He uses a large cleaver sword capable of slicing the legs off of Goliath's. Prison has only made the man stronger, and hungrier for vengeance.

"Beaufort Winchester," Ms. Malachite nodded to him," You used to be more talkative."

"The girl. Where is she?"

"Straight to the point, I like that," Ms. Malachite wiggled her finger at him," I'll be blunt. You're not here to kill Akame Branwen but to hurt her in a way she hurt you, Beaufort."

Malachite tosses out a few folders on her desk.

She can't go after her family but friends? They have no protection against a few unfortunate accidents.

"Sounds boring," Marcus rolled his eyes," My boy and I aren't here for small prey."

"I would love to see the look on her face if we put her sister's head on a pike but that isn't possible. They are under Academy and government protection. I can assure you, attacking her heart is the optimal route," Malachite schemed.

"How much are you paying us?" Marcus crossed his arms. The two of them didn't have an issue with who they were killing.

"For starters, This girl and boy are the ones I want to be killed first. Both are worth 10 million lien if successful," She tapped her finger between two photos," Umber Karolina and Sun Wukong must die. I believe you have a personal stake with Ms. Karolina and the boy is a Faunus, maybe even a love interest. The rest are within the range of 1 million to 5 million liens."

Copper Alistar.

Fox Alistair.

Brawnz Ni.

Drew Gayl.

They're on the hit list.

"I'll have it done," the man answered remorselessly.

"Fine, A little warm-up with pipsqueaks won't hurt," The elderly assassin shrugged.

"Good, You will have the backing of the MIA but keep your mouth shut about my involvement, or else the contract is void, Okay?"She stood up and shook both of their hands," You can contact whoever you like but splitting the rewards would be negotiated among yourselves."

Now, She needs to find a way to contact Salem. Malachite knows the witch will support her plan.

A/N: Finally done. This story is slowly coming to a close and no one important to Akame hasn't died, yet. The sequel/canon timeline will be what defines how Akame will act in Vol 1. Whether She's a hero of the people, a ruthless huntress, or a mix of both.