No one's POV

Mount Hakuba, Forest At The Foot Of The Mountain... Gozuki along with Ryu, Akame and Green were about to start their mission in eliminating the remains of the Gravekeepers and Oarburgh and Rebel Armies once and for all.

Gozuki: The Rebel Army should be coming down the mountain soon. Our job is take out Commander Suzaku and those escorting him.

Green: Our targets are associated those with the Rebel Army. Shouldn't we be taking on the rest of their troops too?

Gozuki: Leave them to Bill's assassins team behind us. That's why we have Kurome and her Teigu on loan.

Gozuki pointed towards the back, then Akame turned her head slightly to see Kurome waving her hands at her before heading off deeper in the forest with Bill's assassin team, the leader being a boy named Kairi. Still her mind was not on Kurome but the katana that Kairi had given her.

Akame:...That Teigu...has an extraordinary ability, but...

Gozuki: What's the matter? You don't like the idea of playing puppeteer to a bunch of dead bodies? It's just moving around slabs of dead meat, see? It's not a big deal.

Ryu(mind): This is insane. Shouldn't the dead be put to rest? Not to force their body to fight again.

Ryu deep down was disgusted by the ability of Yatsufusa, but he didn't show it.

Green: If she uses Yatsufusa's powers right, she can use corpses as a constant shield. Think of it as increasing the safety of our allies...and Kurome, Akame."

Akame:...Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

Ryu: Still, how did you manage to draw the targets out of the mountains where they've been holed up all this time?

Gozuki:...That's not for you to know. Don't worry about it. Akame, use your speed to target Suzaku first and foremost. Green, you take care of the muscleheads. Ryu, you'll face off against Najasho. I'll detain the rest and whittle them down.

(Elsewhere)

Meanwhile...

Kairi: Oh! Here comes the rebel army.

Heading down the mountain from their stronghold, Suzaku and his army were heading towards the village, seeing it was caught on fire. Mudi and the rest of the Retribution Group were accompanying him, Najasho and Lorris at the front, Mashiro to the side and Mudi riding a horse alongside Suzaku with their horse.

Kairi: We'll let them all pass and wit for the commander.

Kairi and his team, along with Kurome were within from the shadow of the forest waiting for the army to pass by and wait for the commander to show up. As soon as Suzaku and his entourage were about to pass, Kairi gives the signal to Kurome.

Kairi: Kurome! Now!

Kurome: Yatsufusa!!

Kurome stabs Yatsufusa into the ground activating the terrifying Teigu ability. Then many corpses of the people's life the katana had killed started to rise up from the ground. A skirmish then ensues, the Rebel Army battling Kurome's puppets. But despite the Rebel Army hacking away at Kurome's puppets, cutting off some of their limbs, they didn't stop, them being overwhelmed.

Rebel army: Wh—What are these guys made off?!

Being unable to dealt with an armies of corpse, the Rebel armies front line did something unexpected. They pulled a grenade pin that they had hidden and killed themselves by being suicide bombers. Their bodies exploded, causing the corpses of Yatsufusa to be blown off as limbs and blood were splattered every where.

Suzaku: Kuh!

Due to the explosion, Suzaku was knocked off his horse. Then within those explosions, Bill's team and Gozuki's team leapt off finishing the Rebel armies. By the time Suzaku looked up, Gozuki, Ryu and Green had leaped out of the trees, the older man letting his hair roam free as they attempt to wrap around the commander.

Gozuki: I'm going full throttle!!

However, Najasho were quick to react, smacking Gozuki's hair and nails away with their blades.

In Gozuki's blind spot, Mashiro had took out her revolver, taking aim and firing a few shots. But Gozuki had enhanced senses, thanks to his training and modifications as a Rakshasa Demon. Twisting and bending his body with ease, Gozuki dodged the bullets. Then Ryu leapt off towards Najasho as they began to clash.

Ryu: Wake up Najasho!

Nakasho: Shut it, Shrimp!

Sadly for Ryu, Najasho's aimed was Gozuki. But activating his Shingu the Water Dragon Sword, Najasho is able to enhanced his sensed and strength to a tremendous level. Sending a kick towards Ryu whom grunted in pain, Najasho went straight for Gozuki who let out an annoyed sound. Despite him being the trainer of the Elite Seven, Najasho was one of the few people able to defeat him, especially for one so young.

Unable to have time to react, Gozuki grunted in pain Najasho, kicked Gozuki in his chest that he was knocked back, crashing into a boulder.

Green: Father! Ryu!

Gozuki(mind): Tch. It's dangerous to take on those two just the two of us...

Meanwhile not too far from where Gozuki, Ryu, Green, Najasho, and Mashiro were fighting.

Suzaku: This isn't the usual number of assassins..!

Mudi: The Empire plans to make an example of this region.

Suzaku: Not on my watch...

However before he could execute his plan, Suzaku soon then felt a chill go down his spine, turning his behind him. Coming at high speeds was Akame, her deadly glare dead set on Suzaku. Suzaku's men then get in front of him, getting into defensive stances and positions.

Akame: Rest in pieces!!

However, this proved to be futile as Akame parried each strike that was sent towards her cutting down Suzaku's men with ease.

Suzaku: Wha...?

Akame: You're my target, Suzaku.

Seeing Akame coming towards him at high speed, Suzaku step down from his horse and drew his sword.

Suzaku: And you must be the Empire's puppet.

Akame: Wrong! I'm here on my own free will to prevent a war from breaking out!

Suzaku: How big a fool can you be?!

Suzaku raises his blade up, preparing to slice down on Akame. However he wasn't quick enough, Akame speed was too great. With a swift strike on Suzaku's chest was enough to win her the battle as Suzaku's mind began to fade.

Suzaku: I... protect... the... people...

With Suzaku's body falling limp, her glare was now dead set on Mudi, who was now sweating with fear.

Mudi: If you kill me, the friend of yours I'm controlling will die.

The former Gravekeeper thought his warning would make her hesitate, him grinning as he goes to his pocket to pull out a revolver. But Mudi's eyes soon widen as Akame had appeared in front of him, cutting his throat with swift precision.

Akame: Rest in pieces.

Mudi(mind): It can't be.

Normally people would have a few reserve when it comes to their friend, but Akame shows no sign of hesitation in cutting him off. At the same time, Najasho had raised the Water Dragon Sword over his head, he himself preparing to end Gozuki's life. But once Mudi died, he as well began to feel intense pain in his left eye, causing him to hold it as he began to yell out in pain. Mashiro saw this, looking at him worriedly.

Najasho: ?! GAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Mashiro: Hey! You okay?!

Ryu: !

Najasho fled off to the forest at high speeds, speeding out of the battlefield. However blocking his path was his brother Ryu. With his Shingu ability still active Najasho with his strengthen power his sword strike was powerful enough to sent Ryu flying backwards.

Ryu: Guh! Najasho!

Looking back he was now near a cliff a few hundred meters away from the fight. He looked back to see Najasho fleeing away at a tremendous speed. He wanted to give a chase, but within his sight was something more terrifying than pursuing Najasho. To his horror, he saw the city where his little sister, Tetsu and Kana were in were now on fire.

Ryu: W-What..?

Empire soldier: What are you doing kid? The fight is still ongoing?

Behind him was an Empire soldier that Ryu recognized. He was there with Ryu when Ryu was doing recognition mission at the city. With a panicked voice he asked:

Ryu: Why is the city on fire?

E Soldier: That was the mission. The city there supported the rebel armies. So we executed them. The rebels knew that the city would be burn so they came down from their hideout to help.

Ryu: But there are innocent civilians there! How could you just burnt them like that?!

E Soldier: Regardless who is innocent or not, those who oppose the Empire were massacred.

Ryu: !!

Hearing that something inside Ryu snap. With a speed like no other, he slice off the Empire Soldier with ease.

E Soldier: Wha—?

Before the Empire Soldier could understand what had happened, his head had fly off. With intense speed, Ryu sped off towards the city where his little sister Tsukushi might be. The fire he saw made him recall what had happened before he was sold off to the Empire. His city was burned off as well by the Empire Soldiers. Recalling these made Ryu flew in rage.

When he had arrived at the city, it was like he was in hell. If hell truly do exist, then this must be what it feels like. Fire was everywhere, he could hear people screaming for help. Ryu however sped off searching for only one person.

Ryu: Tsukushi! Where are you?!

He only went to one place. The place where he first met her. The place where she had sold her clams towards him. And he was right. She was there buried under a rubble. The same scene that had happened years ago.

Ryu: Tsukushi!

He called out to her, pulling away the rubbles that was on top of her. Her eyes were closed, her legs were both scorched by flames. Ryu immediately activated his Lycanthrope power turning himself into a vampire to use its ability. He had the ability to control ice. So he froze her scorched legs and stop the fire before thawing them out. He looked at her. Her breathing was ragged, but she's still alive.

Ryu: Tsukushi. Please say something.

Tsukushi: Big...bro...?

Ryu: ?!

Ryu was stunned when he heard her calling him Big Bro. He looked at her and saw that her eyes were slightly open.

Ryu: Hang on okay? I'll get you somewhere safe!

Tsukushi: It's okay...

Despite his panicked, Tsukushi was smiling at him not worried at all. Her hand slowly cupped his face and wiped his tears. He was crying. He didn't even realized that he was crying.

Tsukushi: Don't cry... Big Bro...

Ryu: Tsukushi... you...

Tsukushi: I remember you... I remember your face...

Ryu didn't need to ask for confirmation. Tsukushi had just confirmed it herself. She remembered him. He didn't know whether she had remembered him when she asked him to buy clams for her. Or she just remembered him recently. Nor was Ryu in the middle of figuring out. All that important is that she remembered him.

Ryu: I'm sorry for leaving you. But now we could be together right? After I healed you, the two of us will go on a journey together. We'll go and find Rose together then the three of us can—

Tsukushi: It's okay...

Tsukushi once again wiped his tears away while shook her head. Despite the pain in her body, she showed no signs of suffering.

Tsukushi: It was only for a moment, but I enjoyed the time I spent with you. And I'm glad we get to see each other one more time.

Ryu: What are you saying?! You're gonna make it out alive! I need you...

Ryu started saying things deliriously. He just couldn't accept it. These whole ordeal happened because he had joined the empire in the first place. If he hadn't, maybe the three of them would be living somewhere far away from all these battles. These operation was done by the empire, so if Tsukushi dies, that means she died by his own hands. There's no way he could accept that. Seemingly reading his thoughts, the girl in his arms once again shook her head.

Tsukushi: It's not your fault... Big Bro. Because of what you did, I managed to met so many wonderful people during my time.

She spoke voices filled with no regrets. She had lived a life without regrets. And she gets to see her precious person for one last time. That's more than enough for her.

Tsukushi: I get to see you again.

Ryu: No please... Don't go...

Tsukushi: Big Bro... Please look after Rose for me... And please... changed these world... for the better...

Tsukushi said to the shocked boy. As she cried, a smile bloomed on her lips. Then...

Tsukushi: Big Bro... I love you.

Tsukushi exclaimed as she hugged the boy one last time. Ryu did the same. The two of them hugged each other tightly, not letting go. Ryu just hold on to the hope wishing for her not to leave him. However, her arms suddenly went limp in his arms.

Ryu: Tsukushi... Hey...

Tsukushi:...

The boy called for her. However, she no longer respond to his voice. He looked down and saw her eyes. It was closed. However the smile she showed him was still there. Her warmth had vanished.

Ryu:...

Time stood still as unyielding tears silently slid down Ryu's cheeks. The motes of light drifted gently around him, glimmering in the light and fading as his memories of her did the same. Their meeting. The sadness. Bewilderment. Gratitude. Joy. Smile. Embrace. Tears. On this day, Tsukushi's life had come to an end.

Ryu: Agh, aaggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh—

His heart was breaking. A hole had opened in his core. His throat quivered, but just before a wail could follow...

???: Aaaaaaaaah! It makes me sick just watching that from the sidelines.

A word filled with disgust echoed.

Ryu: ?!

Tears flew from his cheeks as Ryu whirled around to look over his shoulder. There he saw a bulky young man with tan skin, green eyes and white hair. He had a noticeable X-shaped scar on his face and a crown-like headgear. He wore a white, skintight shirt that revealed his stomach and white pants.

Ryu:...

Ryu was so immersed with his conversation with Tsukushi that he didn't even realized he was being watched.

???: Aaaaah! So there's still survivors left. Well whatever... You'll be seeing her again soon enough.

Many more Empire soldiers started to appear. From the looks of it, they didn't recognize that Ryu was part of the Elite Seven. Which was a bonus for him. However Ryu's mind for a terrifying reason was calm as water but was fierce as fire.

Ryu(mind): This is the type of people that I've been risking my life for. Scumbags like these...

Holding his sisters tight, Ryu's Lycanthrope aura started to rise. A blue wave of energy erupted from within his body sending a huge gust of wind. These surprises the man and the soldier. And they could feel the rage from within one boy.

Empire: ?!

???: A-All of you get him!

Fighting off his fear, the man ordered his soldiers to attack. Though for Ryu time seemed to slow down. He calmly went towards his back where the black gauntlet that he had found from within the Tomb was in. The Soul Harvester; Gluttony.

He took it and slowly put it on his right hand. Then the gauntlet started to shine dark eerie light.

Ryu: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ryu screamed in agony as he felt like his body or to be more precise, his soul was being devoured by some unknown entity. He put his left hand on both eyes. His eyes were in so much pain if he could see a mirror, he could see that his eyes had shifted from his usual amethyst to a crimson red. But resolving himself not to be devoured to fulfill his little sister wish, he contained the gauntlet that was spreading around his right arm as if fusing with him. Now looking right at his own hand, the gauntlet look like a reptilian-esque claw that extends up to the elbow.

Ryu(mind): It's like they're not even moving...

Ryu didn't know what happened to him or to his body but he doesn't care anymore. Drawing his katana out of its sheathe, Ryu started his grand slaughter. The first Empire Soldier victim had his head cut off.

Ryu: ?!

But the moment he killed his first victim. His body immediately became full of hunger. He wanted to eat more. Before he even realized it, the entire Empire soldier was lying dead on the ground. The man backed away in fear.

???: Oi! Oi! What the hell was that?!

Ryu: Eliminate.

In Ryu's mind right now, he just wanted to kill. He wanted to taste the sweet nectar of soul. Is this why people lost their sanity if they equipped this Teigu?

Ryu(mind): No! I will not let this hunger win!

Clinging to his remaining conscience, he look at the man whom took out a what look like a pendant.

???: I love to take you on, but nows not the time. Later. Dimensional Formation: Shambhala!

Just like that, the man disappeared from Ryu's sight. Seeing that he's finally alone, Ryu knows that he could no longer fight for the Empire any longer.

Ryu: I'm sorry, Akame.

Ryu sigh apologizing to his partner since he couldn't tell her anything. And he knew that she would come looking for him, so he made his choice. He's gonna fake his own death. He put his Shingu Prometheus down next towards what look like the corpse of Tetsu and Kana the two children that had asked Ryu to train. Then with his katana at hand, he snapped the gun in half.

Ryu: Thank you for everything.

Ryu thanked the gun that had served him well ever since he joined the Elite Seven. Then grabbing his death little sister's body carrying her, Ryu sped off the village that is covered by flames. And deep down he vows to end these corrupted empire once and for all.

Ryu: People who works under the Minister, you all will pay for what you've done.