No one's POV

Morning came and Ryu went off towards Akame's room since their Father Gozuki had called for an emergency meeting. Akame and her little sister Kurome was the only one left that had yet to arrived. He slowly knocked the door.

Ryu:...

At first there was no sound, so Ryu assumed that those two are not yet awake, so he once again knocked the door.

Ryu: Akame, I'm coming in.

Ryu slowly opened the door, then he immediately closed them in an instant when he saw what is inside. He saw Akame and Kurome barely in their pajamas.

The door sudden open, made Akame slowly open her eyes.

Ryu: Akame. Father is calling us for an emergency meeting.

Akame:...Mmh. Got it Ryu.

Ryu: Just hurry up and get dressed.

(Timeskip)

Arriving at the meeting room, Akame and Gozuki were on opposite ends. Ryu, Green, and Kurome were sitting on one side with Natala, Gin, and Poney on the opposite side.

Gozuki: The primary funding for the rebellious faction comes from black market trade with other countries. They trade primarily in salt, with tea coming in a close second. We need to pinpoint their route and derail it. I'd also like to take out their salt works.

Green: Despite the number of spies we've sent in, they still haven't come up with any leads?

Gozuki: We're dealing with a very capable enemy here. But they did isolate one suspicious location. The town of Sweun in the southeast region of the Empire. We've lost contact with several of our spies here. So that's where we're going!

(Timeskip)

The Water Capital of Sweun The city of Sweun is situated where a major river and tributary converge, and has developed a hub of commerce since olden times. Currently walking through the city was the Elite Seven, and as per usual, Akame and Kurome were munching away at snacks.

Ryu: What a crowd. It's even more livelier than any town we've been through.

Green: I've always wanted to check it out. I'm happy it's such a drastic change of scenery from the tombs during our last mission.

Poney: Wait. Who are you?

Green: I'm Green! How many times are you going to make that joke?!

Akame: It's possible there's a physical description of you circulating. You have to wear a disguise when you go out in public.

Green: 'Disguise?' Is it really enough that I just removed my glasses?

Gin: Isn't it perfect as is?

Natala: I think it's perfect.

Green: Uuuugh, okay, okay!

Gozuki: We're here.

Upon looking up, the group could see they arrived at a store. It was a trading office, everyone was waiting for their next orders for this mission but the entire looked extremely clean even if the Elite Seven didn't know anyone there. They enter inside and Gozuki begins to explain what they were going to do.

Gozuki: You guys are going to work here at the Suekuni Trade Firm. It's actually a shop run by our spies. First, we sniff out the enemy. Form groups of three to work the shop while keeping an eye on the surrounding area.

Poney: I wonder who I'll team up with!

Gozuki: You'll be staying at home with me until you're fully recovered.

Poney: Еер!

As they were given their instructions, Green took small glances at Akame. It was very obvious that he wanted to be paired up with her. He then begins to think of different scenarios he could do.

Green: 1. Honest and enthusiastic...

Green's Scenario 1

Green: (cheerful) I want to pair up with Akame!

Green(mutter): No good! That'd probably creep her out. 2. Manly and pretentious...

Green's Scenario 2

Green: Akame, why don't you pair up with me...? (slams hand next to wall, Akame backing up against it) Pair up with me.

Green(mutter): That's so not like me. I could never say that. 3. Cool and nonchalant...

Green's Scenario 3

Green: (looks to Akame and Kurome) Oh? You sisters are going to pair up? If you could use a guy with brains on the team, how about I join you?

Green(mutter): That's it...it's more modest to phrase it as a question and comes off casual... that's the best option!

Just as Green was about to execute his plan, Akame had already beat him to it by inviting Ryu.

Akame: Ryu, do you want to partner up with me and Kurome?

Ryu: Sure, I don't mind. But please restrain yourself while we're at it.

Akame: What's that supposed to mean?

Akame pouted.

Ryu: Hmm... Is it just me, or are we running low on meat?

Akame: Urk...!

Ryu: Now that I think of it, I had a warehouse full of reserve food, but for some reason, they've been disappearing.

Akame: Urk...!

Ryu: Hmm... I was thinking of making something delicious for our return from the GraveKeeper, but I just don't have enough ingredients.

Akame: Urk...!

Akame completely dropped on the ground when Ryu pointed out all the facts. Kurome immediately comforted her sister, while Poney, Gin, and Natala all laugh dryly. Watching the two interact, it felt like Green's hopes and dreams were shattered. Natala and Gin were looking at Green with deadpan looks.

Gin: What are you muttering about over there? Get over here, space case.

With a determined grin, Gin marches forward to Akame, who looked confused at her.

Gin: Why don't we make this a competition? To see which team makes the most sales.

Akame: Fine by me. It's only natural to work a business with that kind of passion.

Ryu: -_- I already know we're gonna lose.

Gozuki: Don't forget your mission. I'm counting on your natural instincts.

Gozuki(mind): I don't want to expose the kids to too much about the real world, but if kept to that, I wouldn't be able to use them. I guess I'll prepare for the worst.

(Timeskip)

With Akame's team, they headed down to the marshes near Sweun, going to hunt and gather.

Ryu: This seems to be the marshes here. This should be the place for roman crabs.

Kurome: If we manage to get any, they'll fetch a good price!

The three were then caught off guard slightly as a Danger Beast emerges from the water.

Akame: They say Danger Beast like the taste of Crab.

Quickly setting down their straw baskets, Akame and Kurome jump into the air and unsheathed their katanas, making quick work of the beast as they slash it many times, it falling dead.

After they were done, Ryu just clap at the spectacle.

Ryu: As expected of you two sister. I didn't get to do anything.

Soon, the three had made a large open fire, it took some time, but Ryu did indeed cook everything including the Danger Beasts that Akame and Kurome had killed. Occasionally, he'd have to slap the hands of Akame and Kurome away from the food. Once finished, the three of them had bowls with a single crab in each of them.

Akame: Roman crab...I wonder what it tastes like.

They then took their chopsticks, all three of them grabbing some crab meat and putting it in their mouths. A single pause is what it took before Akame and Kurome's gleam and those two started to gush over it.

Akame: This miso... it's perfect sticky consistency to spread the flavor across the tongue.

Kurome: And the milt is so fatty and has a great texture...and since the males and females have different flavors', there's no getting bored with it. Does this mean we'll get to try all the tasty things from each region!?

Akame: Trading is a wonderful line of work!

Ryu: -_- You two. I told you to restrain yourself.

Akame: Let's have another helping!

Kurome: I'm down for more!

Ryu: Hell no!

Ryu hit both Akame and Kurome on their heads. Then a cold chill then filled the air, Akame and Kurome having slight fear on their faces. Turning their heads slowly around to Ryu, whom had a clear anger on his face. It was the most emotion he's shown for a while, since he's the one who wear his emotions more than anyone in the team. It was obvious how irritated he was. Akame whom probably the only person who could see through him already know what type of irritation that is.

Akame(mutter): Uh oh...

Ryu: This is why I should never let you in charge of food inventory! Good grief... You two EAT as if you BREATH!

Akame: I-I'm sorry, Ryu.

Kurome: We'll try to control ourselves...

Ryu: Argh...! This is a nightmare.

He shakes his head, recomposing himself down even if only slightly.

Ryu: I hope the other team had it easy.

(Elsewhere)

With Natala's team, Gin, Green, and Natala were currently riding a cart, transporting goods. They had visited a village upriver and were tasked to deliver said goods.

Gin: Heh-heh-heh. We got tons of things to trade. It was worth going so far inland.

Green: Textiles are this region's specialty, so they'll sell for a good price.

Gin: I think ceramics would fetch a good price, too.

Green: Maybe, but it'd be a tragedy if they broke.

Natala: You're right. Since we're new to this, let's avoid cargo that's risky.

Gin: Ugh.

Gin(mind): These guys are so passive...

Natala: I can see the village now. The sun will be setting, so let's stay the night and leave tomorrow.

Green: No arguments here.

Gin(mind): Stay the night, huh...hmm...

As the two boys were talking up front, Gin had her eye on Natala. Something was going through her mind at the moment.

(Timeskip)

Later that night

Natala: If this is how our missions always go, I'll gladly welcome it.

Currently, the blonde was sitting a hot springs, clearly relaxed. They had decided to stay the night at a nearby Inn. He went towards the Hot Spring that the Inn had provide. To his surprise, he was the only one there. Then his head perks up when he hears the sliding door open, signaling him that someone was coming.

Natala: Green, that you? The water's great, come on in...

He pauses and his eyes widen. Instead of Green whom he was expecting, it was completely someone else. In front of him was Gin, who had a towel wrapped around her endowed body, and a towel holding her hair up. A blush was on her face, causing Natala's cheeks to flare up with red.

Natala: Gin... you do realize this is the men's side, right?!

Gin: I know.

Gin slowly deep herself in the water and Natala immediately looks away.

Natala: Why are you climbing in?!

Gin: I don't see why not. It's not like there's anyone else here. And Green's asleep. I want to talk to you.

Natala: Talk? Here?

Natala's expression was so stiff that he might pass out any seconds.

Gin: When I was captured in Putra...the enemy almost had his way with me, if you recall...

Natala: Y-Yeah...

Gin: All I could do was struggle and writhe in fear...it was absolutely pathetic. I think it would be in my best interest to learn how guys work. That way I can stay calm even when I'm captured and come up with a way to counter-attack. And...in case a danger like that presents itself again...

Natala: Gin...?

Natala had kept his eyes close, only hearing the sounds of water moving as Gin shifted in the water. He slowly opens his eyes and turns his head towards her, only to see her breasts in his face.

Gin: Of all the nitwits, it's either Ryu or you that I like the best... but Ryu isn't here, so you'll have to do...so I thought maybe I'd give my first time to you... wh-what do you say?

He processes the information in his mind for a few seconds before a burst of blood shoots out from his nose. Natala then passes out in the water, him sinking below it as Gin looks at him in shock.

Gin: You're so spineless! You okay, bird brain?!

Unaware to her, the sliding door behind her had shut abruptly. Green's jacket was on the floor with his slippers leading back to his and Natala's room. There, Green was huffing and puffing, a huge blush on his face.

Green(mind): That surprised me... I was about to go into the bath when I heard her confession. But Gin sure is Brace... It's true unless you say it aloud, the other person will never know how you feel... Maybe it's about time... I did the same thing... With Akame...!

A huge blush was on his face as he begun pouring some water into a glass, him taking it before he chugs it down. Green then thought it was time he'd tell Akame.