Akira skids back on the stone floor, him crashing into a stone pillar as he slowly got up. Breathing heavily, he continued to stare down his new teacher, Esdeath, the Empire's Strongest.

Ice fragments were all over the floor, those being from Akira's shattered ice blade. It was now morning, both Esdeath and Akira sparring for the whole night. As decided, Akira had given Esdeath an entertaining spar last night. So as promised, the icy general said she'd train him with his ice powers, only should he come to the Capital again or should they encounter each other in the field.

Akira goes to conjure another ice sword, but he grips his arm in slight pain. His arm felt a little numb, and so did his hand.

Esdeath: "Hmm...it seems that conjuring ten ice swords is your limit, and erupting those ice spikes to attack me from the front twice seems to be how much you can use those. Tell me, are you able to control your output?"

Akira: (breathing heavily) "No...I can't necessarily control how much I can output."

Esdeath: "Then before I can properly train you, you need to extend your limit on how ice you can produce. And increase your stamina. Erupting those ice spikes and ice blasts severely decrease your stamina, hence making you a hindrance on the battlefield."

The icy blue-eyed teen thought back to his battle with Weneg. He didn't necessarily know how to control how strong or how weak he should make his ice, but he did use quite a lot of ice. Like he used his ice to create an ice wall, but Weneg had easily smashed right through it. It goes to show he needs to learn how to control how much power he should put in to his ice.

Esdeath: "Yes, your ice weapons make for a versatile weapon, but from what I've noticed, you tend to put too much power in all of your ice that you end up depleting your stamina quite frequently. The stamina you have now is quite suitable for an assassin, but for the scale of your ice attacks of that caliber to be quite strong, you'll need to increase it."

Akira: "And how would I do that?"

Esdeath: "There are many ways to increase stamina. But, what most people tend to do are training and exercise. Those two things are what you do everyday with what I can assume of your profession."

Akira: "Right..."

Green: "Hey, Akira! 

Akira: "Huh? Green?"

Green: "They're calling for an emergency meeting!"

Esdeath: "It seems our discussion has come to an end. Remember what I said, Akira."

Nodding his head in understanding, heading over to Green. As they made their way over to where they needed to go, which was the meeting room where Gozuki was waiting, Green was currently bombarding Akira with questions as to how he was training with Esdeath. 

Arriving at the meeting room, Akame and Gozuki were on opposite ends. Akira, 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?"

Akira: "What kind of enemy are we dealing with? The Oarburgh again?"

Gozuki: "We're dealing with a very capable enemy here. But they did isolate one suspicious location." (looks to Akira) "And as for your question, we're not sure yet." 

Akira: "And what is this location?"

Gozuki: (gestures to map) "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.

Akira: (hums in amazement) "This is quite the large town."

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/Akira: "...Wait. Who are you?"

Green: "I'm Green! How many times are you guys gonna 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: (snickers) "Isn't it perfect as it is?"

Natala: (smiles) "I think it's perfect."

Green: "Uuuuugh, okay, okay."

Gozuki: "We're here."

Upon looking up, the group could see they arrived at a store. They enter inside and Gozuki begins to explain what they were going to do.

Gozuki: "You guys are going to be working at the Suekuni Trade Firm. It's actually a shop run by our spies."

Akira: "So, I assume the first order of business is to gather information on the enemy and sniff them out?"

Gozuki: "Yep. First, we sniff out the enemy. Form groups of threes to work the shop while keeping an eye out for the surrounding area."

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

Gozuki: (grabs Poney's ponytail) "You'll be staying with me until you're fully recovered."

Poney: "Eep!"

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: (mutters to himself) "Honest and enthusiastic..."

Green's Scenario

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

Green: (mutters to himself) "No good! That'd probably creep her out. Manly and pretentious..."

Green's Scenario

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: (mutters to himself) "That's so not like me. I could never say that. Cool and nonchalant..."

Green's Scenario

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

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

Akira: "Hmm? Uh, sure. Someone's gotta watch you two from overeating."

Akame: (pouts) "What's that supposed to mean!?"

Akira: (deadpan) "Don't think I didn't catch you two sneaking into the kitchen many times when I was cooking."

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 and Akira, who looked confused at her.

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

Akira: (shrugs) "Sure, I guess."

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

Gozuki: (sighs) "Don't forget your mission. I'm counting on your natural instincts." (thoughts) '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.'

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

Akira: "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. Akira sighs as he takes out Prometheus and shoots the Danger Beast's eyes out, causing it to scream in pain. 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.

Soon, the three had made a large open fire, Akira having to turn the large Danger Beast over the open fire to cook it. Occasionally, he'd have to slap the hands of Akame and Kurome away from the food. Additionally, they had caught some roman crab, cooking it up and putting it in a pot. 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 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."

As the two girls continue to gush over it, Akira kept a straight face. Sure, it was good, but food was food, so he casually just ate his.

Akame: "Does this mean we'll get to try all the tasty things from each region!?"

Kurome: "Trading is a wonderful line of work!"

Akame: "Let's have another helping!"

Kurome: "I'm down for more!"

Akira: "You two..."

A cold chill then filled the air, Akame and Kurome having slight fear on their faces. Turning their heads slowly around to Akira, the freeze as the black haired teen had a terrifying grin on his face. A cold mist was emanating off his hands.

Akira: "This isn't a gourmet, you two. So settle down and don't eat everything, understood?"

Akame/Kurome: "...Yes, sir."

Akira: (sigh) "And this proves my earlier statement." (looks to the sky) "I wonder how the others are doing?"

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: (wide grin) "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: (pouts) "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." (thoughts) '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: (thoughts) '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.

Later that night

Natala: (relaxed sigh) "If this is how our missions always go, I'll gladly welcome it."

Currently, the blonde was sitting a hot springs, clearly relaxed. He 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. 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: (gets in) "I know."

Natala: (turns the other way) "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: (nervous) "Talk? Here?"

Gin: "When I was captured in Potulu...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.

Natala: "Of all the nitwits, it's either that Akira guy or you that I like the best...but that Akira guy 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. 

A huge blush was on his face as he begun pouring some water into a glass, him taking it before he chugs it down. He came to the conclusion that the person he liked wouldn't know their feelings he doesn't tell him. Green then thought it was time he'd tell Akame.