"It's huge!!!!"
Tatsumi stood in place, overwhelmed by the sheer size and glamour of the ship before him.
He and Bulat were paired together; the target they were assigned to protect was on this vessel. The luxury ship was moored at the harbor of a large canal on the outskirts of the capital. Its name was the Ryuusen.
"It's as massive as a fortress. This is where I'll wait for the imposters to show up."
Tatsumi calmed himself and followed the crowd as they began to board.
On another side, Lubbock and Akame were hiding behind some trees, observing the official they were tasked to protect and the soldiers distributing food to the citizens.
"A relief effort? He truly is a good person."
Lubbock commented with admiration while using Cross Tail to set up a barrier. Akame sat on a tree branch, looking in that direction.
"That amount of food is lifting the people's spirits. Watching them eat makes me hungry."
As she spoke, Akame rubbed her stomach as if to prove it. Startled, Lubbock pulled a small packet of crackers from his pocket; luckily, he had prepared for such an occasion.
"Here, take this. I'm counting on you when a strong enemy appears, Akame."
The packet flew through the air like a gust of wind, and Akame immediately began peeling it open to eat.
The two waited for a long time, but even as the official's convoy was about to depart, there was still no sign of an attack.
"No reaction."
"Don't let your guard down."
"I know. They're leaving; we should move to another location as well."
Akame looked up at the sky, which was grey with dark clouds. She silently prayed that if the enemy was where Bulat and Tatsumi were, the two of them could handle it and return safely.
On the ship's deck, Tatsumi had changed into a grey suit, carrying his sword at his hip. He stood alone, leaning against the railing, quietly observing all the guests talking on the deck, hoping to find someone suspicious.
Occasionally, he would fiddle with the capsule tucked deep in his pocket—the one Asahi had given him earlier, saying that swallowing it could save his life in a critical situation.
Tatsumi had never seen a pill that looked so smooth and strange, but because he trusted Asahi, he always kept it with him.
Tatsumi's main focus was the official, who was being protected by six bodyguards surrounding him. This allowed him to relax slightly.
"He's being guarded very strictly. An assassination without causing a stir would be impossible."
"It seems we came to the wrong place... Ow!"
Tatsumi clutched his head; someone had just given him a sharp flick to the skull. He looked around but saw no one.
"What... what was that??"
"I really can't leave you to do this alone, Tatsumi."
It was Bulat's voice, and he had approached right behind Tatsumi without him even realizing it.
"Whoa, Big Bro?"
"Being invisible helps me maintain the initiative. After all, we don't know who the enemy is or what they're planning."
"It's my fault, Big Bro... By the way, how many times have you hit me?"
"It's tough love. Love. Love. Love..."
"You don't need to say it three times!!"
Tatsumi felt his skin crawl and hurriedly backed away.
"Still, this armor is really convenient."
"Of course. I fought alongside it during the war in the south. It's like a brother-in-arms."
"However, no matter how hard or painfully I fought..."
A memory flashed through Bulat's mind—a battlefield engulfed in flames. At that time, he was stopped, but not by the enemy.
"...it meant nothing! Why did the capital strip you of your rank, General!!"
In the memory, Bulat's hair was still hanging down rather than styled up, and he wore the uniform of the Imperial soldiers. He roared in anger as two other guards blocked him from reaching an iron cage. Inside was the General he had followed for a long time.
"I refused to take a bribe from the new Prime Minister."
"So he has the power to decide our life and death just because we won't take a bribe?! How ridiculous!"
Bulat shoved aside the two guards in his way and gripped the iron bars. He faced the General inside with fury. No—he was a former General now. His grey hair was matted, his clothes were rags, and his face was filthy. The only things Bulat recognized were his face and that familiar aura.
"Bulat, I will return to the capital and oppose them myself."
"I may be in this state, but I have done nothing wrong. Perhaps they will understand."
"General..."
"I'm sorry you had a superior like me. Forgive me, Bulat."
"No, you are a magnificent General."
That day, the fire burning on the battlefield was like the flame of rage in Bulat's heart—blazing and impossible to extinguish.
Snapping out of the memory, Bulat continued to explain to Tatsumi what happened afterward.
"When the General returned to the capital, they wouldn't listen to a word he said."
"And it seems that group didn't like me either. They arrested me and treated me like a criminal. But before they could throw me into the dungeon, I escaped using Incursio."
"Unbelievable..."
As they spoke, sparks of electricity suddenly flickered on the armor. Bulat wasn't surprised; this was a sign that the invisibility function had reached its limit.
"I have to deactivate the armor for a while. Be careful, Tatsumi."
"Understood. Don't let them see your face, Big Bro. I'll handle this area."
"Alright, I'll investigate the ship's interior."
Time passed peacefully. Tatsumi was in the ship's cabin. The interior was designed in an Oriental style with hexagonal lanterns and red-painted wooden patterns, leaving him in constant awe.
"If I see anyone suspicious, they won't escape," Tatsumi thought to himself while enjoying the food on the table. But on second thought, he looked like the most suspicious person there; everyone else was chatting, while he was the only one focused on eating and observing—looking quite eccentric.
Whistle... whistle... whistle...
Tatsumi stopped eating and looked up; he heard a strange sound. The cabin was very noisy with the chatter of many people, but this sound was too clear, as if it weren't being disturbed by the other noises.
"A flute?"
On the upper deck of the cabin, a figure who looked like a young girl was playing a strange black flute; it was Nyau. Opposite him was the grey-haired middle-aged man.
"An exquisite melody, as always."
"The ship has left the urban area. We can't see the shore anymore. It's time."
"I'm bored of playing, so let's take action. They'll be weakened for a while."
Nyau replied, stopping the flute playing.
"There might be some people who can't appreciate the beauty of the flute. Don't let your guard down."
"Yes!"
Tatsumi dropped to one knee; the passengers around him had all collapsed. He clutched his head, muttering under his breath.
"What... is happening? Is it because of that flute?"
"I have to get out!"
Covering his ears, Tatsumi shakily stepped out of the cabin. But even so, he could still hear the flute. There was no doubt anymore; this was definitely caused by a Teigu.
"Oh, there's someone who can resist the flute? What a pity. If you had fallen asleep, you would have lived."
Stepping out from the cabin area was a bearded man with a double-edged axe on his back—it was Daidara.
"You... the imposter..."
"So you're the real deal? Fantastic."
The man pulled the axe from his back. Tatsumi had adapted to the flute's interference and was no longer struggling to walk. He drew his sword.
"I want to fight to gain experience and become the strongest. Come at me!"
"Fine, then I'll give you some unforgettable experience before sending you to hell!"