No one's POV

In a fairly concealed forest inside a house, the Elite Seven is currently using this as their current hideout. Poney lied down on a bed with a huge gash on her chest since their last skirmish was up against the Retribution Group. During their fight, Najasho had severely wounded her making Poney unfit for combat at the moment. Ryu, Green and Akame was currently watching over her.

Ryu: You're going to pull through. So please hang in there.

Akame: Yeah, really.

Green(mind): But she might never be able to fight again...dammit.

Then Poney weakly open her eyes as if she had just regain her consciousness.

Poney:...Najasho.

Akame: Poney...it's okay now!

Poney: If I'm still alive...then the brainwashing they did on Najasho...must not be that strong. Because if he'd come at me intending to kill me...I'd be dead right now...

Akame: Poney...

Ryu slowly lay before her patting her head.

Ryu: Rest up. I'll be here if you need anything.

(Timeskip)

Afterwards, both Green and Akame left the room and went in another, leaving Poney to rest while Ryu stayed with her to look after her. Akame was currently leaning up against the wall, Green in a thinking position.

Green: I wish...we could break the chief's brainwashing.

Akame: Yeah...there must be some way.

Green: If we kill the puppeteer controlling him, I bet we can break the spell. He probably has to stay close to chief in order to maintain control over him. I wish we could hide and observe him, but the one pulling his strings is always around.

Akame: So when his controller said chief would die if we just killed him, it was a bluff to keep himself from being attacked?

Green: I've never heard of a case where the death of the parasite necessarily kills the host. Though it is wishful thinking.

Akame then had a determined look.

Akame: It's enough to go on. Let's put our bets on that.

Suddenly, Green grabbed Akame's shoulder surprising her as he pinned here against the wall.

Green: But don't get hung up on Chief. I don't want you to end up dead too!

Akame: Green...

Green: Y-You'd probably think it's cold of me to tell you not to get too attached, but...

Akame: No. You're being nice, Green. Thank you for worry about me.

Green: Akame...

Akame smile laying her hand on Green's.

(Elsewhere)

On a grassy field, Kurome and Gozuki met up with the extermination squad of the Empire. One of the squad named Kairi was holding down a long sleeves clothes. Under it sleeves was a single katana

Kairi: I brought it.

Gozuki: Good work Kairi.

Kurome gently grabbed the katana.

Gozuki: Kurome, try unsheathe the blade. It could serve as a replacement for your lost weapon.

Kurome: What is it...?

Gozuki: Yatsufusa. A sword Teigu like my own Murasame.

Kurome: Teigu...! Like Ryu's black gauntlet?

Gozuki: Yes.

Kurome was shocked to be given a Teigu faster than anyone else had. Kairi slowly rubbed his own shoulder since he sense a shiver down his spine when he saw the sword.

Kairi: It was supplied to our unit. But pathetic as it sounds, nobody can handle it. There's something creepy about it... Be careful, Kurome.

Kurome slowly unsheathe the weapon leaving a silver trail of a long katana.

Kurome: Creepy? Really?

Kurome felt no sense of eeriness from the sword to which Gozuki had sensed. In fact she was drawn to the sword as much as Akame was drawn to Gozuki's Murasame.

Kurome: I think it's Exquisite.

Kairi:....!

Gozuki: Good! It's yours now, Kurome!

Gozuki(mind): Both sisters have a natural talent... Magnificent.

Gozuki smirk in that wicked smile while explaining its ability.

Gozuki: Yatsufusa can make puppets out of up to eight corpse it dispatched. Be they human or danger beast.

Kurome: Th...That's an amazing power.

Kurome was amazed by it, but as every weapon goes, there is always a weakness or drawback.

Gozuki: But it can only control those it struck down itself. Familiarize yourself with it and get your corpses ready. It won't be long till our next operation.

Kurome: Operation?

Gozuki: That's right. A real mastermind drew it up for us. It'll be a little while until everyone's gathered, but it's a large scale operation that can sweep away those scoundrels for good.

Kurome:...

(Timeskip)

Ryu and Akame had been instructed to remain on standby until all the preparations for the operation were in place, so Ryu went to met up with his little sister which she still didn't know. Akame went with him and he introduced Tsukushi, Tetsu and Kana to Akame. Now on their free time, Akame would spar with Tetsu while Ryu, Tsukushi and Kana were watching.

Tetsu: Daaaaaah!!!

Akame: That's it. You've gotten better, Tetsu.

Kana: You can do it, brother!!

While they spar both Ryu and Tsukushi were just chatting and smiling.

Tsukushi: Tetsu sure seems to be enjoying himself.

Ryu: He's still young but has big dreams ahead of him.

As they continue to watch the spar, Tetsu went for a avalanche strike only for Akame to drove in first pointing her wooden sword on Tetsu's neck ending the fight.

Akame: You shouldn't swing so wide.

TetsuL I-I thought up the perfect finishing move, though.

Akame: You should consider each and every blow a finishing move.

Tetsu: Yes, Master!

Akame: 'Master' is a bit pretentious... I'm just teaching you the basics. I'm not as good as Ryu.

Tsukushi: That's not true Akame-chan. You are just as good as Ryu here.

Tetsu: Yeah! I can't even perform such skills before!

Kana: Yeah! My big brother's gotten super strong!

Ryu: Well, do your best, Akame-sensei.

Akame: Geez.

Akame scratch her cheeks in embarrassment as she and Ryu laugh together. Without the duo realizing, Tsukushi was pouting seeing their interaction. Of course the two younger siblings had noticed their big sister's reaction as the two elbowed her while trying to hide their grin.

Tetsu: Oh is big sis jealous?

Kana: Big Brother Ryu is hanging out with another girl?

Tsukushi: Shut it!

Ryu: Is something wrong?

Ryu asked while looking curiously at Tsukushi who is scolding both Tetsi and Kana with cheeks reddened.

Tsukushi: N-Nothing. I was just wondering why we have to be out here in the middle of nowhere just to train.

Ryu: Well, Tetsu did said he didn't want your Father to find out, so this will be a secret training. And besides, if there were people around, they could accidentally get hurt.

Tetsu: Secret Training? I like the sound of that.

Ryu stare out of the grassy field where they were having their secret training. He didn't sense any presence watching the, nor will any assassin target both him and Akame while they were with Tsukushi, Tetsu and Kana.

Tetsu: Masters, please have another round with me!

Kana: And then, we'll eat.

Akame: Eat?!

Akame had glint on her eyes when she heard that.

Tetsu: Akame-neechan, you're too fixated on food. First, we practice!

Kana: B-Brother! Don't be so rude!

Akame: Grr! So-sorry.

Tsukushi: Akame-chan. If you train with him a little longer, I make a special clam soup that Ryu had taught me.

Akame: Deal! C'mon Tetsu! Let's not waste anytime.

Ryu: Akame! Try to restrain yourself!

Akame: S-Sorry.

It was time like this where Ryu would enjoy and his reason for fighting. Seeing the smile on these kids and surrounded by laughters was all the joy he needed. And then came the day of the operation.