Chapter 28 A Talk

No one's POV

Silence envelops the two as Akame stares at her Father Gozuki. A bead of sweat appear on her face as many thoughts were running through her mind. One, should she take him on here, she would lose, considering Gozuki himself trained her and knows her every move. And another would be the possibility of dying and leaving everyone. It was something she couldn't do.

Gozuki: Well, Akame? Are you my daughter? Or a delinquent?

Knowing that it's useless to lie, Akame reveal the doubts in her heart.

Akame:...I'm not sure. I don't know...what's right anymore.

Gozuki: I commend you for speaking honestly. If you had lied to me, I would have had to punish you.

Akame:...

Gozuki: I also believe that the Empire is in a bad state. But as I keep telling you, the way things are now is far better than if there were war and rebellion. Try reading a history book. We're just lucky we're not living in the time when there were sixteen countries and it was constant chaotic conflict among them. This Empire has been around for 1,000 years. Trust in it.

Akame:...

Gozuki: As long as there are people trying their best, the natural self-cleansing process will work. You're to talented to lose, which is why I'll let you off with just a warning tonight.

Gozuki took a step forward while putting his right hand on Murasame.

Gozuki: But if you're still unsure by the time dawn breaks...you'll be treated as an obstacle to peace. And I will cut you down.

In one swift motion, Gozuki drew the blade of absolute death, the edge of the tip of the sword was on her neck before she knows it. While she looked unfazed, she was still surprised as to how fast the weapon's blade was moved to her neck.

Even though her life is at risk, she didn't feel a sense of fear in her eyes. In fact, she look more relaxed.

Gozuki: You're braver than I thought, Akame. It's because you've toed the line of death so many times, I'm sure.

Akame: I know you'd never actually cut me.

Gozuki: Do you not fear this sword? Just one small nick, and you'd die instantly.

Akame:...Its abilities are certainly fearsome, but...from what I've seen of it, I'd say it's beautiful.

Gozuki(mind): She calls this demon blade "beautiful." This girl...does indeed have a gift.

Gozuki was taken aback by that revelation even though he doesn't showed it on his face. Then he slowly put the sword back in its scabbard.

Gozuki: Well, I'd only cut you if you were a delinquent. But if you're a good girl...

He slowly pats on Akame's head.

Gozuki: Then I'll love you like a good father. So let me be there for you...Akame. And let tonight be something we can look back on and laugh at as a mere 'rebellious phase'.

With that Gozuki turned his back ending the lecture between Father and Daughter. He knew that Akame would talk her worries to Kurome, however Gozuki wasn't worried since Kurome had already been brainwashed by Bill. Akame will had no choice but to give up. But if she still wavers then Gozuki had no choice but to kill his own daughter.

Gozuki(mind): But I mean it when I say I don't want to have to kill you, Akame.

(Elsewhere)

The moment both Akame and Gozuki made their way out of the downtown area, one single girl was jumping off the rooftop. She had long blonde hair, a lion-like ears, a tail and claws and golden eyes. She wore a revealing outfit with a black tube top, detachable sleeves with what looked like gold bands, pants, boots and a scarf around her neck. Her named was Leone. One of the Revolutionary Spies.

Leone: I felt an incredible deadly vibe for an instant there...

She look around only to see no-one on the area.

Leone: I'll back off before I get in too deep. It's too scary.

???: Are you with the Revolutionary Army?

Leone: ?!

The Lion beast girl strengthen her guard the moment she heard the voice of a man. She look back to see a tall man with white hair and a very dark color eyes and blue slit pupils.

Leone(mind): How come I didn't sense him at all?

Ryu: Relax. I have no intention of harming you. And I'm not planning on resisting you. I just wanted to talk.

Leone: You expect me to believe you?

Ryu wasn't surprise by her hostility towards him. He immediately dropped his sword and his Shingu on the ground surprising the girl. Because by doing this Ryu is at her mercy. Normally, Ryu wouldn't do such thing to an enemy, but this is something he need to do in order to gain her trust.

Leone: What are your aims here?

Ryu: Like I said, I just want to talk. But I don't have much time. So will you please answer my question. Are you with the Revolutionary Army?

Leone: Let's say I am. What are you gonna do about it, Spies of the Empire?

Ryu: If you are, then will you please sent a Message to one of your comrade. I believe her name was Najenda.

Leone: !

Leone immediately unleashed a huge killing intent at the boy since he knew the name of her Boss. Of course Ryu didn't know that Najenda was Leone's boss. Knowing he knew about Najenda and had already seen her face, she couldn't let him escaped nor let him live. She tackled the boy with incredible speed and pinned him to the ground while putting her beastly arms on his neck to strangle him.

Leone: Boy, you sure said something interesting.

Ryu: Like I said, I'm not planning on resisting you. You may kill me if you like, but I need you to sent this message to her.

Leone: Let say I do, what are your plans here?

Ryu: Unfortunately I'm unable to say anymore than this. But the moment you do sent my message to her, you'll see soon enough.

Leone:...

Leone stay quiet and stare back and the boy's blue eyes. Seeing the resolute face and determination to make sure he gain her trust and that his willing to die, just so he could get his massage across, made Leone loosen her grip on the boys neck. The boy grasp for air the moment she released his throat and stoped her killing intent. But he could still see the distrust in her eyes.

Ryu: It's only natural for one to not trust an enemy. But I'm out of time. If I took any more longer than this, my team will sense I'm missing. Please tell this message I have to her.

Ryu immediately tells the lionel girl the message he has for Najenda. It was quite cryptic and Leone had no idea what he meant by that. But before she could question him, the boy's body turned into tiny bats and disappeared surprising the girl again.

Leone(mind): If that boy truly is an enemy, this will be my greatest regret as my time as an assassin.

(Timeskip)

Later at dawn, after Akame returned, she immediately confronted to Kurome about everything she was thinking despite Ryu warned her not to. She even revealed her distrust of the Empire and her desire for Kurome to quit being an assassin. Kurome was surprisingly quiet as she listened to what Akame had to say. However, Kurome thought it would be wrong to leave the Empire and she has no desire to quit being an assassin since that would betrayed her friend that had died. Unlike Akame whom fight so people's happiness, Kurome fight for her fallen comrade regardless whether she's fighting for the wrong reason.

Akame(mind): Ryu... Is just as you say.

Akame was taken aback by Kurome's revelation which terrifies her to no end even though she doesn't reveal it. At the morning after they had their breakfast, Akame was with Ryu at the library. Taking up her Father's word, she decided to read the history of the Empire. Also she opened up to him about what happened last night which got an annoyed look on the boys face.

Ryu: I told you to keep all the uncertainty to yourself.

Akame: I'm sorry. I remember you warned me before hand. But there was no deceiving him. By choosing to voice my true feelings, it all worked out.

Ryu: Well as long as you're okay. So have you come to a conclusion?

Akame: I'll continue doing mission for the empire, for now. If we entered an age of warfare.it would become even worse for the people...and there's a chance the conflict would last over a hundred years... the more history books I read, the more that point hits home.

Ryu: Well you can say that again. After seeing so many regions, I can tell that the Empire was rotten at heart. But right now, the two of us don't have any power to change that. I already got my hands full protecting all of you so you guys don't do anything reckless.

Akame: I understand that point of view.

Ryu: And I understand yours. But make sure you don't bring any of this up in front of Poney and Kurome. They trust Father implicitly...because they're so pure. But that's also what makes them so good. Green is one thing since he chose you more than Father.

Akame: I know. Thanks for everything, Ryu. I know I can count on you.

The boy smile at her.

Ryu: Well I'm your number one partner after all. You said it yourself.

Akame: Right...

Akame said those voice quietly. She was then reminded about Green telling her about liking Ryu. She couldn't deny it though. But at the same time, she was afraid that this feeling would make her weak, since she didn't know where she'll end up if something happened to her partner. Since Ryu would always listen to her worries about anything. He would give her the best route to go. He was her guideline.

Akame: Ryu I...

Ryu: Hmm...?

Before Akame could voice her thoughts out, Poney entered the room telling them about the training with General Budo was about to begin. Meeting up at the colosseum of the Empire, Ryu and the others trained under Budo.

Budo's training was severe, but it helped Akame, Green and Poney develop.

They exchanged blows of fist and Budo's final opponent was the strongest of the Elite, Ryu himself. They exchanged a fury of blows and kick from each other that both Green and Poney had to watched in awe.

Budo(mind): I can see why he's the strongest in the team. Even I'm benefiting from this training with him. I'll have to remember these moves.

Meanwhile, Kurome underwent fine-tuning by Bill and was prepped for the next mission. And the Empire's spy network was restructured. And after a good few days, Bill and Gozuki met up with the Prime Minister's assistant, Saikyuu.

Saikyuu: Thank you for waiting. The support preparations are in order. The assassination unit will go to Mount Hakuba and take down the leader of bandits. They're a formidable bunch when they form a united front.

Gozuki: We'll leave at once.

Saikyuu: That whole area is allied to the Rebel army and dangerous. Take care.

(Elsewhere)

Three figures wearing cloaks could be seen at the top of a hill, then a fourth person at the bottom of the hill approached the other three.

???1: Everyone. We've determined our destination. It is Mount Hakuba.

???2: If we go there, are you certain the Empire's assassination unit will appear, Mudi?

The boy named Mudi reply with a smile.

Mudi: Yes, without a doubt. Apparently, they're coming to wipe out the leader of the bandits.

???2: The Hakuba area is certainly perceived as a threat to peace in the eyes of the Empire. And they have connections with the Rebel army.

Mudi: Are you feeling nostalgic for the Rebel army?

???2: I abandoned that identity!

???3: At long last, I will have my revenge. I'm overjoyed.

Mudi: Don't get hot-blooded. We'll split the spoils equally between us.

???2: You don't have to tell me that.

Then Mudi looked at the final figure in white hood.

Mudi: I'm counting on your skills.

He removed cloaks and a familiar faces. He had spiky blonde hair, having golden eyes, but his left eye had a dark area with a mark under his eye. It was one of the Elite Seven that were thought to be dead. Kill rank No. 1, Najasho.

Najasho: You got it.

Mudi: Then let's go. To the gruesome carnival of blood. We can clear away all our grudges and hate through the empire's assassin unit.

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