On the outskirts of the Capital, Run and Wave had accompanied Bols's wife, Kije, and his daughter, Logue. The two family members of the dead Jaeger wore black clothing, kneeling down in front of a grave.

Both Wave and Run wore looks of condolences, as they had come here to offer thanks to their deceased comrade and condolences to his family members.

Wave: (thoughts) 'Bols's family comes here every day...' "Um... Are you guys getting by all right?"

Kije: "For his work with the Jaegers, General Esdeath has given us more than enough."

Wave: (confused) "The Captain gave her support...?"

Run: "Whatever money His Highness pays her, she sends to her troops. She's looking out for us in more ways than we're even aware of."

Kije: "And there's also our savings." (looks down at Logue) "I'll be sure to give our child a good life."

Wave: (holding in tears) "...I see. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to tell us."

Kije nodded as she took her daughter's hand into hers, turning around as they headed into the direction of their home. Wave pondered a bit before he spoke up again.

Wave: "Oh, and one more thing. No matter what, please stay clear of the Capital's center. We've got some unruly groups acting up right now."

---

Meanwhile...

In the Capital, the pair that had previously saved Lubbock, Pais and Litone were currently talking to another one of their comrades in the Revolutionary Army. The three of them were in Restaurant Noir.

Revolutionist: "The Capital is in the pits thanks to those ruffians... Not to mention the uprisings happening all over..."

Pais: "Ruffians...?"

Litone: "Are you referring to the newly formed peace and order unit...?"

Before the revolutionist could confirm Litone's suspicions, someone called to the others inside.

Man: "Hey! They're here!" (bursts into restaurant) "Hurry up and close shop! Hide all the young men and women!"

Pais and Litone were confused as to the commotion that was occurring, but was soon grabbed by the revolutionist to hide. The whole district at the moment began to close all their windows and doors, attempting to hide. The revolutionist peeked outside a window before he turned to Pais and Litone.

Revolutionist: "Guys... No matter what, don't set foot outside. They're the secret police, Wild Hunt...! They're a ruthless gang led by the Minister's son, who's using his position to do whatever he wants."

Multiple footsteps could be heard outside, one heavier than the others. It was indeed Wild Hunt, Syura at the front as he gazed out into the district. He sighed in annoyance, clicking his tongue as he sees that no one has set foot outside, nor have any them stepped out to greet them.

Syura: "All the shops are closed? That's a disappointment." (looks to Dorothea) "It's because every time you guys come to inspect, you go overboard. Everyone's scared of us now."

Dorothea: (rolls eyes) "I have nothing else to do. What can you expect? Anyway, I came to the Capital to meet Dr. Stylish!"

Syura: "Sorry. But I didn't know he'd be out of the picture already." (ruffles hair) "It would've been something to see his science and your alchemy come together."

Before Syura could prattle on, he perked up and grew surprised. A grin made it's way to his face as he was surprised that a group of people had finally shown up. Several members that belonged to the Temple of the Imperial Fist began to swarm and charge at them, looks of revenge and vengeance on their faces.

Imperial Fist Member: "Wild Hunt...! How dare you do that to the master and his family...!? We students of the Temple of the Imperial Fist will defeat you, even if we must face the law!"

Izou: (graps katana) "Kotetsu. Looks like it's meal time."

Syura: (chuckles) "Must be friends of the toys we broke the other day. I like seeing such loyal soldiers. Guys, leave them to me."

Stretching and cracking his neck and knuckles, Syura begins to make his way towards the Temple of Imperial Fist members. They soon halted in front of the Minister's son, who simply extended his arms out and put on an expression of bravado, a taunting grin on his face.

Syura: "Come now. I'll take you on by myself. So come at me."

The members of the Imperial Fist simply rushed him, Syura still keeping up his previous bravado. Once the first one drew near, Syura kicked the man in his face, a tooth being flung from his mouth as blood flew into the air. The man's grin only grew wider, the Minister's son putting his hands on the ground as he did a handstand, then twisting his body like he was a cyclone, his legs and feet swerving with speed that wasn't normal to a human being. 

Striking the lower stomachs and guts of the Imperial Fist members, they were sent flying. Some of them grew nervous, unsure whether they should approach or not. But their thoughts were soon cut off, unable to perceive Syura rushing towards them with his inhuman speed. He drove past them like they were nothing, kicking and punching anyone that stood in his way. Once he punched another, Syura laughed and cackled like a maniac.

Syura: "Weak! So weak! I'm not even using a Teigu! Hey!"

He continued to taunt all of them, even though most of them were all dead. All that was left was a female member of the organization, the woman on her knees as she froze in fear. In just a manner of seconds, her comrades were all taken down.

She then fished a knife out of her pocket, turning the sharp edge towards her neck and readied to plunge it into her. She rather die than meet her end by the likes of them. However, that wish wouldn't be granted, Enshin grabbing her wrist as he looked down upon her with a seductive and disgusting grin, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Enshin: "Whoa, there. I'm going to have you grovel and crawl on your knees naked for me. Then you'll die."

Syura: (crosses arms) "All right! We'll torture you to death for obstructing traffic!"

Woman: "N-Nooo!"

---

Having received word of Wild Hunt's movements, Run and Wave quickly deployed themselves for a section of the Capital's streets. Much to their horror, they were too late. They found Wild Hunt's deed, the murdered members of the Temple of Imperial Fist all dead, hanging upside down from a wooden grid that was hung from across the buildings.

The blood was still fresh, it all pouring out of their wounds, their eyes lifeless. Run eyed the woman's body, the corpse having bruises all over her and other various wounds. She had been violated, beatings following after before she succumbed to her wounds and died. But it wasn't just her. The others had suffered horrible deaths as well, some of them missing an eye or two, some limbs, and other various body parts. These people were tortured and made play things, like they were treated as toys and not human beings.

Wave: "Shit! They did it again...!"

Run scanned the area, soon finding Wild Hunt by a food stall. They were all munching on some bread and other food items the stall had to offer, all of them eating without a care in the world. However, Run's gaze darkened, his glare hardening as it focused on the fat clone munching down on the food. Syura soon notices them, flashing them a smug grin.

Syura: "Yo. If it isn't the useless Jaegers." (bites into bread) "You guys were too late. So we sentenced these traitors to death for you."

Wave: "This... This is overdoing it. It's like you're putting on a spectacle for everyone...!"

Syura: (enraged) "I am the Minister's son! Arguing with me is no different than disobeying the Minister, got it!? Well!?"

The blue-haired man couldn't respond, holding back his tongue as he grit his teeth. He wanted to kick Syura's ass so bad, he began to move without thinking. It wasn't until he was stopped by Run, the blonde man putting an arm in front of his comrade to stop him. Before Wave could even protest and argue with him, Run silenced him with a cold glare, speaking to him in a hushed tone that only he could hear.

Run: (whisper) "We can't oppose the Minister's son forces head on. Just put up with it."

The Minister's son stared at the two confusedly, his eyes widening a bit as he watches Run bow in an apologetic way. 

Run: "We're sorry for the trouble we've caused. Team Wild Hunt."

Syura: (looks to Wave, annoyed) "Aren't you going to bow too?"

Gritting his teeth and sucking it up, knowing he couldn't do anything, Wave bowed as well. A satisfied grin made it to Syura's face.

Wave: "I'm sorry... For shouting my mouth off... My sincerest apologies." (thoughts) 'Shit... All I can do is grin and bear it all...!?'

Run: (fake smile) "We'll clean up this mess."

Syura: (smiles while scratching cheek) "You sure know how to butter a guy up. I like you."

Run: "...Thank you very much."

Unbeknownst to Wild Hunt, Run's smile was all fake. Truthfully, he was hiding an emanating rage and animosity. The blonde man wished to kill them here and right the wrongs they've done. Death wasn't the best punishment for them, but it was the easiest to avenge those that had been wronged by them.

From Restaurant Noir, Pais and Litone watched with shock. Even if they wanted to do something to stop them, they couldn't. They would easily be overpowered.

Pais: "What was that...? They're no better than thugs."

Litone: "Nobody's talking about what's really going on."

Revolutionist: "...We don't have a choice. If we go up against them, we'll all be killed... In that case, we should just put up with it and wait for the storm to pass. It's better than all of us dying."

The other two revolutionist stared at him in shock, but could they do against Wild Hunt? Nothing. They couldn't do anything, except one thing.

Pais: (thoughts) 'I'd heard the rumors, but... I never knew they were this vicious...! We've got to report this!'

---

It was the very next day, and Wave held a horrified look on his face. He had heard a certain news. More news about Wild Hunt's deeds. But he didn't want to believe this one.

He was back at the outskirts of the Capital, where Bols's grave was. Up ahead were two Imperial soldiers, two bodies lying in front of them covered with a blanket over them. It was severely bloodied, the two soldiers inspecting the crime scene. The bodies belonged to a young woman and a very young child.

Wave walked up to them, wanting answers.

Imperial Soldier 1: "They died after another of Wild Hunt's 'inspections.' That's what we have here."

Wave: "But... But both of them are..."

Imperial Soldier 2: (sees Wave about to pull blanket up) "I suggest you don't look. They were downright savage in how they dealt with them."

Just hearing that, Wave didn't go any further. He saw their legs dangle out. Just seeing the bloodied legs confirmed his suspicions. The bodies belonged to Bols's wife and child, Kije and Logue.

Wave soon found himself back in the palace's walls. He never spoke as he walked down the corridor, going past a few rooms. One of them once belonged to Bols's. A memory soon appeared in his mind, when him and Bols's first met in the conference room. He was scared shitless of him at first. But deep down, once he got to know him, Bols's was a caring man, one that cared for his family above all, and his comrades.

But seeing the bodies of Logue and Kije, he just couldn't take it anymore. In frustration, he reeled his right arm back before he slams his fist into the wall next to him.

Wave: (thoughts) 'Damn it...! Damn it...! Am I supposed to grin and bear this too...!?'

Kurome: "Oh, Wave. What's the matter...? You look so worried."

The blue-haired man looked up, seeing his black-haired teammate walk up to him. He had to tell her of the atrocities.

Wave: "Kurome. ...Earlier... At Bols's grave, I saw--"

Syura: "Well, well! We meet again. Cowardly little Jaegers."

The Minister's son annoying voice soon rings out to the ears of the two Jaegers. Alarmed, Kurome turned around, Wave looking ahead, a rising anger soon appearing in his eyes. Of course Syura had to be here. He then notices Kurome.

Syura: "Huh? What's this? I didn't realize there was such a beauty on the Jaegers' team! I never got to get a good look at you, so I never knew."

Marching up to the black-haired girl, he grabs her wrist. Syura grins, noticing a small hint of resistance from the younger girl.

Syura: "Oh-ho... Are you the type enhanced drugs? Interesting. That settles it! I appoint you my next toy. What joy! I've never done it with a junkie before. It should be fun. Come with me."

That was the last straw. Something within Wave snapped. With a stomp of his foot, he gave Syura a cold glare, calling out to him.

Wave: "Hey."

Syura: "Huh!? You got something to say!? I'm the Minister's son--"

Before Syura could continue his sentence, he was met with Wave's fist. The man was sent across the corridor, sliding across the floor as Wave yanks Kurome closer to him. He holds her close, eliciting a small blush on Kurome's face as Wave kept his stone cold hardened glare.

Wave: "Get you dirty hands off my teammate." (grits teeth) "I'm sorry Run... Captain... I couldn't take it anymore. I can't turn a blind eye any longer. The Jaegers will hunt down those who disturb the peace! Even if that means the Minister's own son!"

From the small amount of rubble due to crashing into the wall, Syura began to chuckle as he rose. He then grabs his Teigu off his belt, his eye twitching as he looks at Wave with anger.

Syura: "Ooh. That wasn't a bad punch, eh? You've just earned yourself the death penalty. The great Syura is going to tear you to shreds." (puts a hand on face) "You defied me... And interrupted my fun. You won't get away with it."

Wave remained unfazed. He still kept his glare as he put a hand on the handle of his own Teigu, ready to transform should he need to. Syura cackled lowly, beginning to inch closer.

Syura: "Boiled alive. Cut to bits. Burned, shredded, and then buried... Which way should you die? Or maybe I'll give you the full course?"

Wave: (begins to unsheathe Grand Chariot) "That's how you've killed countless innocents up until now. You Wild Hunt members won't be forgiven. You can't be!"

Kurome: "No! Just leave it!"

Just as the two were about to fight, a booming and thundering voice soon came. His heavy footsteps nearly shaking this area of the palace.

Budo: "Hold it right there! I sense bloodlust in the air. You think you can act up in my palace and get away with it? Such behavior is unacceptable. Use of Teigus will be met with the death penalty, and there's no use arguing about it. The sentence will be carried out by my own Adramelech."

The blue-haired man was shocked by the sudden appearance of the highest authority figure in the military. He could feel the powerful aura radiating off of him, which only grew as Budo's rising fury was imminent. Syura was annoyed, seeing that his so-called judgment time was being interrupted. 

However, he stopped himself for a moment. If he were to just randomly kill any of Esdeath's subordinates without reason, or for any reason for that matter, there would be consequences to pay. Not just from Esdeath herself, but also Budo as he disliked it when battles occurred in the palace, as it could endanger the emperor's safety. Budo took great pride in his role as the defender of the palace. 

Syura: "Now, now, Great General. This boy and I have gone too far to turn back now." (grin) "This is just an idea, but why don't we settle our fight somewhere where we won't make a mess? No hard feelings no matter who wins! They settle conflict this way in the army, don't they?"

Wave looked at him surprised, the blue-haired man wanting to kill the Minister's son with all that he wanted. Budo thought about it for a moment before he turned his stern glare towards Wave.

Budo: "What do you have to say about it?"

Wave: (thoughts) 'If I could hunt this guy without repercussions... That's just what I want!'

Seeing as this was the only way to exact punishment, not in the way he intends to, without any punishment to himself, Wave sheathes his Teigu.

Wave: "Fine. Barehanded it is."

Budo: (nods) "Then I'll preside over the match. Come with me to the courtyard."

The two combatants begin to follow after the Great General, Kurome following behind so she could spectate. Syura looked over at Wave with a sadistic grin. He already thought he was victorious, seeing that he could go beat and push Wave all around without any punishment whatsoever through this method. Once they arrived, Kurome tugged on Wave's jacket sleeve.

Kurome: "Wave... He's--"

Wave: (smiles) "I know. He's a strong opponent. But I'll be okay." (thoughts) 'Just you watch. This time, I'll show you my true strength!'

Kurome nodded with a smile, reassured by Wave's words. The black-haired girl stood by Budo, the Great General's stern gaze on the two as he kept his arms crossed. On the courtyard ground, Wave kept a hateful glare on the Minister's son, Syura simply doing stretches and warm-ups to get himself ready. The two spectators then sat down on a nearby stone bench.

Budo: "All right. Begin."

Syura: "Come on. I've pissed you off, haven't I? Punch me like you did in the hallway. But this time, don't hold back."

Wave: "You don't have to tell me... I'll crush you!"

With the signal to go all out, the two dash towards each other. Wave was the first one to strike, lunging his fist out and aimed it towards Syura's gut. But the Minister's son simply dodges it with ease, Syura reeling his own fist back before he thrusts it forward, striking Wave in his side. The blue-haired man grunted in pain, letting out a battle cry as he reels his fist back once more and thrusts it forward.

Syura was taunting the Jaeger member, having a smug grin as he kept dodging all of Wave's attacks. He continued to get frustrated, each strike and punch he was throwing getting easier to dodge and able to read clearly.

Syura: "Come on. You'll never crush me this way, see?"

As if to prove his point, Syura dodges one more strike. He then took a step back, bringing his fist back and lunging it upwards, striking Wave under his head as he uppercuts him. Blood dripped down from his mouth, the blue-haired man stumbling back as he was staggered.

Syura: "A real attack actually makes contact!"

He cackled with glee as he dashed forward, kicking off the grass as he sped off towards him. Syura thrusts his fist out once more to aim towards Wave's chest. Gritting his teeth, Wave grabbed Syura's wrist, making the tanned man look on in surprise. As if he was unfazed by Syura's previous hit, Wave put as much strength as he could into his fist, punching Syura so hard in the chest that he was sent flying.

Syura spat out some blood and spit at the same time, skidding and dragging along the grass as dirt picked up. Kurome looked on with worry, fearing that Wave would lose this skirmish. But Budo looked on with amusement and admiration, impressed with how Wave was handling the Minister's son. Despite the injuries he's sustained thus far, he was doing incredibly well.

Budo: "Oh. I didn't realize that young man was so strong."

Kurome: "Wave will win."

Budo: "We don't know that yet. Young Syura has dropped the boastful attitude."

The tanned man dropped his boastful and smug smirk, getting up as he now had a hateful glare. Once again, Wave dashed forward and attempted to land in another strike, but like he did with the Imperial Fist members, Syura put his hands on the ground, doing a handstand as he spun like a cyclone. Wave was in the area of range, Syura's foot striking his face as he felt the force of his kick, blood spurting out of his mouth more.

However, he just stood his ground. Wave didn't budge as he prepped another strike, but Syura was faster. He followed up with another kick, this time sending Wave back as he was sent across the grass. Syura wiped some of the blood off his face.

Syura: "The fact that I actually have to face you as a serious opponent... I commend you. Coward!"

Wave was able to get up fast enough and cross his arms over his chest, protecting himself from Syura's onslaught of kicks and jabs. The blue-haired man then saw his opening, jumping into the air slightly as he thrust his leg out, aiming to kick Syura in the face. But Syura ducked down and kicked Wave in the stomach again, making him cough up blood. 

Budo: (furrows brow) "It seems young master Syura didn't travel the world for nothing. He's incorporated a variety of martial arts from all over the world into his fighting style."

Syura: "Now for you to vomit up blood!"

The tanned man then follows up with a powerful palm strike, placing his hands on Wave's chest and putting as much force as he could. It was like a blast of kinetic energy had passed through him, Wave coughing up blood as he sustained massive damage, falling onto his hands and knees. Syura begins to walk towards him, his smug and triumphant grin coming back as he cracked his knuckles. 

Syura: "All right. Now the fun begins. I'm going to deliver my signature punch."

Wave thought he lost, ready to accept his fate and Syura's punch. But, the horrifying and brutalized scene of Kije's and Logue's bodies flashed in his mind. Anger and fury began to well and rise within him, standing up with anger as he seemed to have shrugged off the pain he was once enduring, shocking Syura.

Kurome grinned, seeing that Wave didn't give up and continued on. If anything, Wave's willpower and desire to see the fight's victory on his side was stronger than Syura's. See, Syura may have been stronger, but he hadn't reached peaked strength. Unlike Wave, that is. The tanned man didn't have time to react as he felt like a powerful blow from a Danger Beast had abruptly attacked him in his stomach, Wave having thrust his fist there and put as much might as he could. Syura then tried to retaliate, but would be blocked by Wave's arms, having figured out his moves. Without even a second to catch his breath or an opening to attack, Syura began to feel a barrage of punches and strikes from Wave, the blue-haired man's strength seemingly rising with each punch. This only enraged the Minister's son. 

Syura: "Enough! I'm not about to lose to a piece of shit like you!"

But it was already too late. Wave landed his final hit, striking Syura in the face as he uppercuts him. The man was sent flying and struck into a support beam for one of the palace's breezeways, unconscious as the victor was clear. 

Wave: (panting heavily) "I'll never lose... To someone like you."

Budo: "Your name is Wave, right? Victory goes to you."

Wave stared at the Great General for a moment before he kept moving towards the unconscious Syura. The beat down he had just given him wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to satisfy his thirst to end his life.

Wave: "No. Not yet. I haven't beaten on him nearly enough..." (grits teeth) "Not until he has at least a taste of the pain he's put so many people through..."

Not even a second later, Budo appears in front of Wave, the blue-haired man not having enough time to react. Budo would then slam his armored gauntlet of his Teigu into Wave's face, sending him down towards the ground as he let out his booming voice.

Budo: "I just named the victor! Do not stain the palace with blood!"

Kurome: "Wave!"

Worriedly, Kurome ran up to her teammate, who was rendered immobile and unconscious. Budo looked between the two young men and grinned. He then turned around, heading in the other direction.

Budo: "They're both very capable. They should redirect that vigor to wiping out the Rebel Army..."

As Wave remained unconscious, the flash of moments of him beating Syura and basically beating him to a pulp had satisfied him to a certain degree. However, he regrets the fact that he wasn't able to kill Syura in order to avenge Kije, Logue, and any other of Wild Hunt's victims.

Either way, a changing tide was occurring. Occurring soon.