Night had fallen over the Capital.
Leone returned to the Night Raid base, the faint scent of alcohol clinging to her clothes.
Najenda sighed, rubbing her temples. "Leone, why did you drink so much again?"
"I got some good news today, Boss! I'm just excited!" Leone grinned, looking around the room. "Where's Akame?"
"She should be in the kitchen," Najenda replied, feeling a sense of déjà vu. "The 'good news' you mentioned... it's about Aoki, isn't it?"
"One part is about him, the other isn't."
"Two things?" Najenda raised an eyebrow.
Leone didn't explain further. Instead, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Akame! Akame! Come here quickly, I have something to tell you!"
The first to enter the room wasn't Akame, but a pink-haired girl with twin tails. It was Mine, the genius sniper and user of the Teigu: Roman Artillery, Pumpkin. In the right (or wrong) circumstances, her destructive power was unmatched.
Following her, the rest of the team filed in:
* Sheele, the purple-haired girl with glasses, carrying her giant scissors—the Teigu: Extase, Cutter of Creation.
* Bulat, the tall, muscular man with a pompadour, the legendary master of the Teigu: Demon Armor, Incursio.
* Lubbock, the green-haired boy who wielded the Teigu: Infinite Use, Cross Tail.
Finally, Akame walked in, her black hair flowing and her red eyes focused as she gnawed on a large piece of meat.
"Hehehe, perfect, everyone's here!" Leone announced, waving a new wanted poster. "I went to the Capital today and heard some shocking news. Yesterday, an assassin broke into the Palace, caused a massive ruckus, and escaped right from Great General Budo's clutches!"
"Broken into the Palace?" The team looked stunned.
Night Raid hadn't moved against the Minister yet because the Palace was a fortress. If this mysterious assassin could enter and leave so freely, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Leone showed them the sketch. "They say he's a pale young man with plum-red, cat-like eyes."
Najenda examined the blurry sketch. "Gather whatever information you can on him. If there's an opportunity, we try to contact him. But be careful—we don't know if he's an ally or a new threat."
"Yes, Boss!" they replied in unison.
Leone then turned to Akame, her expression softening. "There's also news... about Kurome."
The room went silent. Everyone knew the tragic history between the two sisters.
"What news?" Akame asked, her gaze intensifying. She could never ignore anything regarding her younger sister.
"Kurome and Aoki are still staying at that hotel I recommended. I visited them today," Leone said with a knowing smile. "And... it looks like they're sharing a room!"
While the others didn't think much of it, Akame's hand froze mid-bite.
"Kurome... is sharing a room with a man?"
Leone nodded. "From what I saw, they seem very close."
Akame's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Was her sister in love? Even though they were technically enemies now, she still deeply loved her Little Sister. She wanted Kurome to be happy, but something felt wrong. The Empire's assassination squad wasn't known for allowing romance or vacations in the Capital.
After a long silence, Akame looked up at Leone. "Leone, I'm going with you tomorrow. I want to meet Kurome."
Leone hesitated, glancing at Najenda. This wasn't a simple family reunion. They were rebels; Kurome was an Imperial assassin. If they met, blood would likely spill.
Najenda's face grew grim. "Akame, are you sure? If you meet her now, a conflict is inevitable. And when two Teigu users clash with murderous intent..."
"...One of them must die," Akame finished the sentence, her voice steady. It was the curse of the Teigu users.
"I've made up my mind, Boss."
"Then go," Najenda said deeply. When Akame joined the Revolutionary Army, she had one condition: she wanted to be the one to deal with her sister. They couldn't go back on their word now.
Akame's heart was heavy. She didn't blame Kurome for staying with the Empire—it was the only life they had ever known. But Akame couldn't ignore the darkness she had seen. Now, the two closest sisters were destined to fight. Would one of them fall tomorrow?
They didn't set off until the next evening. Leone could move freely, but Akame was a wanted traitor; she needed the cover of darkness.
As they approached the city, Akame remained silent, her expression resolute but tragic. Leone, however, was worried about something else. If Akame kills Kurome tonight... Aoki will hate me forever, won't he?
With these heavy thoughts, they reached the hotel entrance.
"This is it," Leone whispered.
The lanterns outside illuminated the street. Akame stared at the hotel for a few seconds, her hand tightening on the hilt of her sword, and then she strode toward the door.
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