The moment Tatsuki opened his eyes, Akame and Kurome both felt a certain bond form between themselves and him. At the same time, he imbued them with information about the other world by dominating their awareness and feeding it directly into their minds.
"!"
They were shocked to learn of Tatsuki's true identity. But now they understood they hadn't been deceived—another world truly did have all kinds of delicious foods! Going forward, neither of them could leave Tatsuki; they regarded him as…
"Master!"
They glanced at each other, then knelt on one knee in unison.
"Akame… she…"
Leone was utterly puzzled. How had Akame switched sides so fast to the point of calling him Master? Wasn't it like some bizarre fetish of a noble?
"…"
Najenda, being more worldly, guessed that Tatsuki's golden eyes must hold some form of dominion power.
"Don't be so tense; I'm pretty easygoing. I'm not controlling your minds."
He used his ability to guide the airflow and gently lift the two sisters to their feet. Then he turned to March 7 and the others.
"Everything's settled. It's time for us to go, don't you think? You've all had your fun, right?"
Nami wrinkled her little nose, a hint of complaint in her voice. "You're the only one who seems to have had real fun, though…"
He could hardly miss her jealous tone. Tatsuki shot her a playful grin. "Is it because I didn't call you to join me?"
"W-Who wants to do that with you, you idiot!"
Nami's cheeks reddened, and she hastily denied it.
Just then, Najenda approached, having finished a moment of thought. "Tatsuki… how do you view this Empire?"
Tatsuki understood what she was getting at—she was probably hoping for a Talk no Jutsu scenario, using words to sway him, as he had seemingly swayed Akame. But he didn't follow typical logic; he answered bluntly.
"Don't ask me—I'm not interested. Whatever happens here doesn't affect me."
They'd already finished the Apocalyptic Journey mission. This Empire's problems didn't concern him. Nor did he live here.
"…"
Najenda's hopes of persuasive rhetoric were shot down before she could even begin. Taking a deep breath, she tried a different tack.
"Then… if there were sufficient benefits, could we hire you to help change the Empire?"
"Of course. As long as there's a benefit for me and it's within my power, I'll consider it."
Najenda clenched her fist, nerves evident in her face. "In that case, what sort of price would you require to step in and reform this decaying Empire?"
If the man who'd even conquered Esdeath was willing to help, they could definitely overthrow this regime!
"A price…? I don't need money or jewels or authority."
Tatsuki glanced over at the Night Raid members, looking somewhat amused.
"If all the women in Night Raid were willing to become mine, I could lend you a hand. Of course, I don't want the guys."
"What?! I won't allow it!"
Lubbock was the first to protest. He'd joined Night Raid out of admiration for Najenda; if all the female members pledged themselves to Tatsuki, that would presumably include Najenda, too.
The ladies of Night Raid frowned in displeasure.
Meanwhile, Akame and Kurome exchanged glances and quietly moved to Tatsuki's side, a clear statement of where they stood.
"…I'm sorry," Najenda said after a moment of internal struggle. "Each member belongs to themselves, not to me. I can't choose for them. If it were just me alone, I'd do it. But I can't speak for everyone else."
"…"
Lubbock's face went ashen. He never expected to hear Najenda say something like that. Feeling disheartened and disappointed, he turned to leave.
Bulat also realized this was no place for him, so he followed after.
Now the remaining choice was up to the rest of the group.
"Hmm, it's like Tatsuki's becoming a real final boss," March 7 mumbled under her breath.
Tatsuki heard her clearly. Raising his hand, he ruffled March 7's head, messing her hair. "What are you talking about? I'm just helping people in need. Besides, these ladies are skilled assassins who might be quite useful in my world."
"There's no way they'd all be as easy as me to—uh, talk into it, right?"
Nami doubted that everyone would be so quick to offer themselves as she had in the past. After two days of interacting with them, she'd learned just how disillusioned they were with the Empire. Yet none had enough personal stake to go as far as… that.
Night Raid thought much the same. Not all of them truly believed Tatsuki had the power or will to fix their country. Some hadn't even met Esdeath or witnessed his true capabilities, so they remained skeptical.
An uneasy silence fell. Then Akame offered a hint.
"Master could simply dominate all of us if he chose to. He has the power to do that."
Yes—if Tatsuki genuinely wanted to, he could dominate them with a single thought. Talking about conditions was merely his way of not forcing them.
As a companion, Akame's words carried weight. It made the others trust her a bit more. Leone scratched her messy mane of hair, catlike eyes roving. Finally, she spoke.
"I joined Night Raid because I couldn't stand these snooty nobles killing kids without a second thought. If you can get rid of every noble with a wicked heart, I'll follow you."
'Get rid of the corrupt nobles…?'
Somehow, Tatsuki felt Leone's words could be taken two ways, but he played it straight. "Sure. That isn't hard at all."
"Hmph. So confident? We'll see if you can really do it first," Leone said with a wry grin.
Next, he turned to the purple-tinged, headphone-wearing Chelsea, who quietly stated her demand.
"I want to fix this twisted world."
Chelsea hailed from a common family. Because she excelled in her studies, she ended up working under a local governor's administration. She'd initially hoped to climb into high society someday, dreaming of a noblewoman's good life. But after witnessing how that governor exploited and tormented the common folk, she fully grasped how rotten the Empire was.
One night, she stumbled upon the Imperial Arms Gaea Foundation, was chosen by it, mastered its power, and killed the governor. Seeing a new governor manage her hometown well, she realized she wanted to correct the world. For good.
Tatsuki nodded. "A bit more complicated, but if you can put forward suitable rules, I can help restructure your world."
"Eh?"
Chelsea hadn't expected him to agree so readily. But… drafting rules? She wasn't sure she could do that herself.
Noticing Chelsea's uncertainty, Najenda stepped up. "Leave that to me."
"All right."
Trusting Najenda's capabilities, Chelsea was relieved.
"Now for the two of you." Tatsuki turned to the remaining pair, Sheele and Mine.
Mine, from the western frontiers of the Empire, had faced discrimination for being of mixed heritage. When the revolutionary army allied with the western tribes, she'd joined Night Raid to fight for people like her, who suffered discrimination. She looked at Chelsea, Najenda, Leone, all wanting to reform the Empire. What was left for her to do?
Tossing her twin pigtails, Mine put her hands on her hips. "I'm not letting anybody control me! Right, Sheele?"
Sheele, the gentle, somewhat airheaded glasses-wearer, hesitated and mumbled, "I… I don't want to be separated from everyone."
Though absentminded, Sheele was kindhearted and emotionally attached to her friends. She didn't want to leave them.
"Huh?! Sheele, y-you're not actually agreeing to his absurd demands, are you?"
Mine stared at her in disbelief.
Sheele only lowered her head, silent—clearly, she was willing to do it.
"Argh!"
Mine clenched her teeth, pointing a tiny finger at Tatsuki with forced bravado.
"Fine! I agree, but only because I want to keep you from doing anything bad to my friends!"
"Hehe, by all means, keep an eye on me. You have one day—come up with whatever rules you see fit, especially identifying who in the Empire deserves to die."
With that, Tatsuki left with March 7, Nami, Tushan Honghong, Akame, and Kurome. Though the Imperial Capital was dark and rotten, he had no reason not to explore it a bit more.
After they left…
"Najenda, are we really going along with all this?"
Mine couldn't help but ask.
Najenda stared at the closed door for a long moment. "He might be our best chance—the man who even subdued Esdeath…"
That day, Tatsuki and his companions didn't do much. Under the reduced presence he manipulated, they strolled around the Capital's shops. He discovered Akame and Kurome really could eat a shocking amount…
…
Nighttime.
They stayed in a house arranged by Night Raid. Tatsuki ended up sharing a room with Nami. This time, with no challenge from Nami, their activities were gentler. Nami also seemed less shy, and Tatsuki passed on the knowledge of the Six Powers and Haki to her.
…
Next morning.
When they gathered again, Akame and Kurome—along with Night Raid's people—all wore rather peculiar expressions. Mine's cheeks were bright red, while Sheele and Chelsea both had a faint blush, sporting subtle smiles. Leone kept casting Tatsuki suspicious glances from time to time, especially around his lower half…
March 7 and Honghong acted as usual, unaware. Tatsuki, however, grinned knowingly. He'd done it on purpose. He couldn't bear to corrupt pure little March 7 and Honghong, so he'd purposely let the sound drift over to the Night Raid ladies in the other rooms. It had been… intense—especially after telling Nami that the others could hear. Her resulting reaction, first trying to suppress herself, then failing, had been… quite entertaining. His mischievous streak was clearly growing bolder.
"Alright, why did you call me?"
Esdeath showed up. Though beaten again by Tatsuki, she was no longer influenced by negative emotions—there was no sign of her wanting to die. Her gaze at Tatsuki was complicated: a deep sense of being conquered by a stronger person, an unyielding desire to chase after him, and a hint of confusion in her heartbeat. None of it, however, marred her typical Ice Queen demeanor.
Tatsuki marveled inwardly. 'She sure acts differently in bed'. When she was defeated there, helpless… didn't even begin to describe her condition—eyes rolling back, babbling incoherently—but she kept it hidden well in public.
After organizing his words, Tatsuki informed Esdeath what he planned to do. Not asking her opinion—just telling her. He was going to alter the Empire for reasons of personal gain, whether she agreed or not.
Esdeath naturally caught the forcefulness in his tone. She shrugged with icy composure. "Do as you like; there's no need to inform me. Right now, I'm still not a free woman."
"Hehe, good self-awareness. Alright then. Anyway, you'll become this world's queen in due time."
Tatsuki let out a casual chuckle and took the paper Najenda had prepared—new rules and a list of who deserved death. He skimmed it. From a modern perspective, these rules still had flaws and loopholes, but for this world, they were quite decent. The list of those who deserved to die indeed pointed to worthy targets.
"Alright, we'll go with these."
Placing the papers down, Tatsuki grew serious. This next step was going to be world-changing.
"All things in creation… return to me!"
He murmured softly. In that instant, his body began to transform—resplendent golden dragon-patterned Imperial raiment materialized around him. His proud golden star-like eyes burned with brilliance.
Bankai.