(Dr. Stylish was a doctor and scientist in the service of the Empire, as well as a member of the Jaegers.
Dr. Stylish was a tall, slim man with short, slicked-back indigo hair – dark brown in the manga – featuring a spiky white streak on the left side. He had sideburns over shaved facial hair on his sharp chin and blue eyes – purple in the manga. He wore black glasses, a navy blue polo shirt with white spots on the collar and a brown tie – black with red spots in the manga – under a brownish-yellow business suit and long lab coat.
After injecting himself with a serum, Dr. Stylish transformed into a gigantic Danger Beast shaped like a headless, veiny muscular humanoid torso with a mouth on its abdomen and black pants that had feet attached to the ground like a slug. He controlled the beast like a robot, with his now more muscular, shirtless body and long, spiky grey hair positioned where the head would be.
After absorbing Mimi, Me, and Hana, Stylish's Danger Beast form grew even larger – towering over the forest. Its appearance changed to resemble a baby mannequin covered in olive green steel armor with yellow pipes connected to its back and chest like a respiratory system. There was a small triangle-shaped hole in the forehead where he controlled the beast, and a large red glass section on the head with long, black, needle-tipped pipe-like antennas – which made the Danger Beast's eyes glow red.
Dr. Stylish was hyperactive yet very intelligent and perfectionistic, obsessed with two things: his experiments and anything he considered "stylish." His preoccupation with the latter was exemplified at the first Jaegers meeting, where he had Seryu scatter rose petals as he entered the room. However, his main focus was his experiments. He was a self-serving maniac who worked behind his superiors' backs to obtain materials for his research and conducted inhumane experiments in secret, such as creating Danger Beasts. Additionally, he feigned sympathy for test subjects killed in his service despite his cruel actions.
He was heavily hinted to be homosexual and enjoyed hitting on his fellow male Jaegers (except Bols), also offering test subjects "a night alone with him" if they performed well.
He was fairly well-known and well-connected, having worked for several Imperial agencies over time. His contacts included the unnamed commander of the Assassination Squad Group of Terror, Captain Ogre of the Imperial Police, Imperial spy Bolic, and the Prime Minister's son Syura. Wild Hunt's Dorothea came to the Empire solely to meet Stylish, but he had already perished by the time she arrived.
He was fascinated by Goru and Kakarot as Saiyans and wanted to study their biology and DNA. Goru was open to being studied, but Kakarot was not – dismissing the idea of a weakling studying him, stating he would rather die than be experimented on.)
(Seryu Ubiquitous was a member of the Jaegers, formerly a member of the Imperial Police. She was a young woman with a strong (and twisted) sense of justice. She was the owner of the Teigu, "Hekatonkheires," until her death, which also resulted in the destruction of the Teigu.
Seryu was a young woman with auburn hair and amber eyes. During her first appearance, she wore her hair in a long ponytail that almost reached the ground, but it was shortened to shoulder-length after becoming a member of the Jaegers. She was typically seen in a military uniform rather than dresses and casual wear, and was frequently attired in upper-body armor. Her arms were metallic in place of flesh due to heavy body modifications performed on her by Dr. Stylish. When not in her military uniform, she was typically seen wearing a green coat or dress, sometimes with a white skirt underneath.
When in battle and speaking about justice, her face could distort into a warped and demented smile, which became her trademark over time.
Although Seryu initially appeared as a kind and compassionate person, she was actually a ruthless, psychotic, sadistic, and unstable individual who seemed to greatly enjoy killing those she considered evil – almost as if it were a hobby.
She had a strong fixation on "justice," originating from her father's service in the Imperial Army and subsequent death. She also highly respected Ogre the Demon, her superior and teacher, and was deeply anguished by his death as well. Her view of justice was simplistic; she believed Night Raid was evil for their actions as assassins, but thought killing in service to justice was always right. Ultimately, her opinion of murder was similar to that of Tatsumi and Chelsea's, if not identical.
Seryu had a twisted sense of right and wrong, bordering on a completely black-and-white view of the world: seeing the authority of the immensely corrupt Empire as absolutely right, and its enemies as pure evil. She was fully committed to her duties and relished fighting for the Imperials. Her twisted view of justice caused some distrust toward her among her own teammates, as well as within the imperial forces at times – she brutally murdered a group of captured prisoners before her team could interrogate them.
This sense of right and wrong was so twisted that she showed no mercy whatsoever. She stated that evil deserved no mercy, which was ironic, as that is the very thing that separates justice from vengeance or even common murder.
She was also willing to go behind her captain's back to satiate her bloodlust. Despite showing loyalty and respect to Esdeath, Seryu planned to kill Tatsumi and Mine, intending only to say she couldn't help herself – despite knowing this would go against orders, as Esdeath wanted them captured alive, not dead.
Seryu was shown to be hypocritical. On her first mission with the Jaegers, she said that justice always fights fair and square and attacks head-on, but in her fight against Night Raid, she used underhanded tactics to try to win. Using a hidden gun in her mouth, she paralyzed Sheele so Koro could kill her. She also tried to kill Tatsumi and Mine from afar with her long-range weapons without warning – essentially performing a sneak attack that would have succeeded had Mine not caught the scent of gunpowder.
Seryu was ultimately convinced she was doing the right thing, but her actions were far more brutal and insidious than those of the people she believed to be evil, as her sense of righteousness was completely warped. As noted by Mine, she was completely ignorant of the fact that Ogre and Stylish were themselves evil – the former having framed many people for crimes and had them hanged, while the latter used humans for experiments without any moral restraint. She also had a habit of showing her trademark "crazy face" every time she engaged an enemy. After mocking Mine about her two comrades who were devoured by her Teigu and saying Mine would suffer the same fate, Mine stated that Seryu was nothing but insane and needed to be put down for the sake of the world.
However, Seryu did have some limits and questioned the Empire's benevolence despite serving it. She despised Bolic due to his mistreatment of the Path of Peace's female members and his arrogance. When calm, Seryu was eager to help people in need. She often idolized her superiors and showed deep sorrow upon hearing of their deaths. She also made sure to consider civilian lives during battles – prior to engaging Mine and Tatsumi, she checked the surrounding area to ensure no one would be killed by crossfire. Overall, considering her simplistic view of the world, hero-worship, and sometimes childish behavior, Seryu had an immature personality with emotional instability.
During her final moments, she showed no remorse for her actions and only lamented that she didn't want to die until she had cleansed the world of all evil – completely ignoring that she herself was evil and beyond redemption.
She stated a dislike for dressing up for parties or similar events, which matched her somewhat tomboyish personality.
Like Esdeath, Seryu Ubiquitous had a huge crush on Kakarot, drawn to his ruthlessness and brutality toward his enemies.)
"Goru. Kakarot," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the quiet room. "I trust you have information for me."
Goru bowed, dropping to one knee in a gesture of respect rather than submission, while Kakarot stood next to him with his arms folded, his expression serious. "Night Raid eliminated the noble family as planned. They've recruited three new members – a young swordsman named Tatsumi, and two Saiyans who match our physical characteristics exactly," he said, looking up at Esdeath with a stoic expression.
Esdeath leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers under her chin and turning to face him with raised eyebrows. "Saiyans? Like you two?"
Goru nodded. "From what we could tell," he confirmed, "they go by the names Goku and Vegeta. Their power levels are suppressed, but even so, we could sense they're far stronger than anyone else on this planet besides us and yourself." Kurome's eyes widened as she heard the name Goku.
Kakarot cut in, his expression unchanged. "They have the same fucking abilities as us... They can fly without any equipment, just like we can. They shoot energy blasts too – nothing we couldn't handle, but more than enough to wipe out entire squads of imperial soldiers," he said bluntly.
Esdeath's blue eyes gleamed with interest as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Goku and Vegeta… Tell me everything you noticed about them."
Goru straightened his posture slightly. "I'm guessing they're from another timeline than us. They move differently than we do—their fighting stances are familiar, but their techniques have subtle variations. The one called Vegeta carries himself with the same royal bearing I do, but there's an edge to him… a cruelty I've long since let go of."
"Cruelty suits a Saiyan prince," Esdeath mused, a small smile playing at her lips. "And the other one—Goku. What of him?"
Kurome's hands clenched in her lap as she listened, her eyes fixed on Kakarot's face as if searching for some trace of the boy from her past.
Kakarot shifted his weight, his tail twitching slightly. "He's got that same damn carefree look Goku always had—like nothing in the world can bring him down. But there's something darker under the surface too. I saw it when he looked at the imperial soldiers patrolling the streets—disgust, just like I feel sometimes."
"Interesting," Esdeath said, tapping her finger against the map spread before her. "So we have two more Saiyans in this world… aligned with Night Raid. This changes things." She looked directly at Kakarot, her gaze intense. "You said their power levels are suppressed. Can you estimate what they'd be at full strength?"
"Hard to say," Goru replied. "But based on the way their ki resonates… I'd guess they're on par with us when we first arrived here. Maybe stronger."
A low growl rumbled in Kakarot's chest. "I don't care how strong they are. If they're working with Night Raid to tear down this place, we'll have to stop them. Even if they are our other selves."
"Stop them?" Esdeath stood up, her presence commanding the entire room. "No, Kakarot. We're going to recruit them. Bring them into the Jaegers."
"Recruit them?" Seryu spoke up for the first time, her amber eyes bright with zeal. "But they're with Night Raid—they're enemies of justice!"
"Enemies can become allies, Seryu," Esdeath said calmly. "Especially when they share our blood. Imagine what we could accomplish with four Saiyans in our ranks. The Empire would be unstoppable." She turned back to Kakarot, her voice dropping to a softer tone that made his skin crawl. "Besides… I have a feeling this Goku might be exactly what we need to keep you here with us."
Kurome stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the stone floor. "I… I need to leave," she said quietly, her eyes avoiding everyone's gaze. "I have things to prepare for tomorrow's mission."
Before anyone could respond, she turned and hurried out of the room. Wave started to follow her, then paused and looked back at Esdeath for permission. When she nodded, he quickly excused himself and chased after her.
Kakarot chuckled and spoke to Esdeath. "I don't think that would be possible…" He said with his eyes closed, a grin on his face. "The fake-ass version of me is too busy playing the fucking hero role… And the other version of Goru is too prideful to allow himself to be aligned with anyone. But my Saiyan instinct tells me those two will join Night Raid…" He looked at Esdeath with a devious grin. "And if that happens, I'll prove to that fake-ass impostor of mine that I'm the superior version…" He said, his voice filled with excitement and hunger for battle. His words echoed through the room, loud enough for all of the Jaegers to hear – even making Kurome stop walking in the hallway outside.
The silence that followed Kakarot's declaration hung heavy in the war room. Esdeath's lips curved into a slow, predatory smile as she considered his words. "A rivalry between Saiyans… how exhilarating. Let them join Night Raid then – it will only make the confrontation more satisfying."
Goru crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "We should still be cautious. Even if they align with Night Raid, we don't know their true goals. They might not care about the Empire or the revolution – they could be searching for the crystal just like us."
"Then we'll make sure we find it first," Esdeath stated firmly, turning back to the maps. "Wave and Kurome will proceed with tomorrow's mission to intercept Night Raid's supply line. Goru, you'll accompany them – keep an eye out for any sign of the other Saiyans. Kakarot…" She paused, her blue eyes locking onto his. "You'll stay here with me. We have matters to discuss about your… arrangement."
Kakarot's jaw tightened, his tail lashing irritably. "I told you before – I'm not interested in your games, Ice Bitch. I'm only here until we find a way home."
"Of course," she purred, moving closer to him. "But while you're here, you might as well embrace the power this world offers. Imagine what you could achieve with my support – no limits, no rules holding you back."
Before he could retort, Dr. Stylish spoke up, adjusting his glasses excitedly. "If these new Saiyans are indeed from another timeline, their biology could hold incredible secrets! Just think – comparing their DNA to yours and Lord Goru's could unlock breakthroughs we've only dreamed of!"
"Not happening," Kakarot snapped, glaring at the scientist. "Touch them and I'll break every bone in your body."
Esdeath held up a hand to silence the doctor. "Enough, Stylish. We'll not risk losing our two strongest assets over your experiments – at least not yet." She glanced toward the door where Kurome had exited. "Now then. Let's prepare for tomorrow. If Kakarot is right and the other Saiyans will be there, we'll need to be ready."
In the hallway outside, Kurome stood frozen with her hand on the wall, her chest tight. Wave caught up to her quickly, his brow furrowed with concern. "Kurome – are you alright?" he asked gently.
She nodded slowly, but didn't turn to look at him. "The name… Goku… it's familiar. From a long time ago."
Wave hesitated, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But whatever it is, you're not alone in this."
(Flashback)
Somewhere at the Imperial Training Academy—located on a remote island where children sold by their parents to the Empire were trained to become elite assassins—they endured a hellish and traumatic upbringing.
Deep within the jungle, six-year-old Akame and her younger sister Kurome (around five years old) were running for their lives as a giant three-headed Venus flytrap monster chased them.
The monster's snapping jaws crashed shut just inches from Kurome's heels as the little girl stumbled over a twisted root. "Akame-nee!" she cried out, her small hands scraping against rough dirt as she tried to push herself up.
Akame spun around, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Even at six years old, she'd already learned that showing fear meant death in the academy—but seeing her sister in danger made her chest tighten with a feeling stronger than any adult could suppress. She grabbed a thick branch from the ground and swung it at the creature's nearest head, striking it hard across its fleshy stem.
The monster hissed, releasing a cloud of acrid green mist that made both girls cough and tear up. It lurched forward, its three mouths opening wide to reveal rows of needle-sharp teeth. Akame pulled Kurome behind her, shielding her with her own small body as the creature loomed over them. "Stay back!" Akame shouted, her voice trembling but fierce as they closed their eyes, bracing for the worst.
But the monster paid no attention and lunged at the sisters, ready to devour them. Then something struck one of its heads—a staff. A boy around twelve years old named Son Goku hit the creature's center head mid-air. He had wild spiky black hair, large dark eyes, light skin, and a monkey tail at his back. He wore an orange gi with a blue belt, blue boots, and wristbands, plus a big pink crystal as a necklace. (That crystal had brought Kid Goku to the Akame ga Kill! world without him knowing it could teleport him to this unknown place.) He embodied childlike innocence and immense hidden strength—a stark contrast to his later warrior persona. He often appeared younger and more naive due to his sheltered upbringing by Grandpa Gohan, and was a cheerful, simple-minded kid focused on adventure, food, and his beloved Four-Star Dragon Ball.
Goku landed firmly on both feet in front of the girls. "Whoa, that thing looks pretty strong!" he said cheerfully, spinning his Power Pole in his hands before striking a stance, holding the staff with both hands. He hit the creature's center head so hard it crashed to the ground with a loud thud. (This is Kid Goku from the Red Ribbon Army arc.)
The three-headed monster roared in fury, shaking its damaged head and spraying green sap across the jungle floor. Goku grinned, twirling his Power Pole again as he sized up the creature. "Looks like I made it mad now!" he laughed, leaping aside as one of the heads snapped at him. He flipped through the air and brought his staff down hard on another of the monster's stems, shattering it with a crack like thunder.
Akame and Kurome watched wide-eyed as Kid Goku danced around the Venus flytrap monster like it was some sort of joke to him. They'd never seen anyone move so fast—or fight with such ease against a Danger Beast that had already killed half the children their age in these forests. They wondered if he was also one of them.
The remaining two heads lunged at Goku from either side, but he was already moving. He vaulted over one head, spun in mid-air, and slammed his staff into the base of the other. With a final gurgling cry, the monster collapsed to the ground, its massive body dissolving into black sludge that seeped into the earth.
Goku wiped sweat from his forehead as he spun his Power Pole and returned it to his back, then turned to the girls with his usual bright smile. "Phew, that was a tough one! You two okay?"
Kurome hid behind her sister's shoulder, but Akame stepped forward, her small hands clenched at her sides. "Who… who are you? How did you get here? The academy is supposed to be impossible to reach from the mainland."
Goku scratched the back of his head, his tail swishing happily behind him. "Oh, I was just exploring! I flew here on my Nimbus Cloud—though it couldn't come all the way into the jungle, so I had to walk the rest. Found you guys when I heard you screaming."
"Flew?" Akame's eyes widened even more. "No one can fly unless they're using a Teigu…"
"Tei-what?" Goku tilted his head in confusion. "What is that? I just use my ki to fly! It's pretty easy once you learn how." He paused, noticing the thin rags the girls were wearing and the bruises on their arms.
The sisters observed Goku closely. They noticed that he was very short—about the same height as Kurome, and shorter than Akame—which made them believe he was around Kurome's age, or a little younger than Akame. They didn't know he was older than both of them. His outfit was strange too, different from all the other children sent to the forest: an orange gi with a blue belt, blue boots, and wristbands—not to mention the tail.
Akame stared at the tail swaying behind his legs, her young mind struggling to make sense of what she was seeing. In all her time at the academy, she'd never encountered anyone with such a feature—or anyone who could fly without a Teigu.
Kurome peeked out from behind her sister, her big eyes fixed on Goku's tail. "Why… why do you have a tail?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Goku looked down at his tail and grinned, giving it a playful wiggle. "Oh this? I've always had it! My Grandpa Gohan said it's just part of who I am." He paused, then tilted his head again. "You two look like you've been through a lot. Are you supposed to be out here all alone?"
Akame's expression hardened as she stepped forward a little more, keeping Kurome shielded behind her. "We're training to be assassins for the Empire. We have to pass these tests if we want to live."
Goku's cheerful face fell for just a moment, replaced by a look of genuine confusion. "Assassins? But you're just kids!" He shook his head firmly. "That doesn't sound right at all. No one should make little kids do something like that."
Before Akame could respond, his stomach rumbled loudly—so loud it echoed through the quiet jungle and made both girls jump. Goku laughed sheepishly, rubbing his belly with one hand. "Whoops! Guess all that fighting worked up an appetite!"
Kurome's own stomach gave a soft growl in response, and she ducked her head in embarrassment. They hadn't eaten in nearly two days—part of the academy's harsh training to build endurance.
Goku's eyes lit up when he heard it. "You guys are hungry too?! That's perfect—I know just where to find food around here!" He spun on his heel and gestured deeper into the jungle with his thumb. "There's a river bend just a little ways from here with lots of fish, and I saw some fruit trees earlier too!"
"We can't leave the training grounds," Akame said quickly, though the thought of food made her mouth water. "If we're not back by sunset, the instructors will—" She stopped short, not wanting to say what would happen to children who failed their tasks.
Goku tilted his head, his tail swishing thoughtfully behind him. "Instructors who make kids go hungry and fight monsters all alone? That doesn't seem very nice. Tell you what—I'll find us something to eat and get you back before the sun goes down! How's that sound?"
Before either girl could answer, he'd already leaped into the air, moving with incredible speed through the treetops. "Stay put—I'll be back before you know it!" his voice called down from above.
Akame and Kurome stood frozen for a moment, watching as he disappeared into the canopy. Then Kurome tugged gently at her sister's sleeve. "Akame-nee… do you think he'll really come back?"
"I don't know," Akame admitted quietly, though a tiny spark of hope had begun to warm her chest. Everything about this strange boy defied what she'd been taught—he was strong enough to defeat a Danger Beast that had killed older children, yet he spoke with the kindness of someone who'd never known cruelty.
It didn't take long before Goku returned, carrying a large bundle of fruit in one arm and a string of plump fish slung over his shoulder. He landed gracefully in front of them, setting his catch down with a bright grin. "Ta-da! I also found some wild potatoes by the river—we can roast everything over a fire!"
As Goku set to work clearing a small space for a fire pit, Akame and Kurome watched in wonder. He moved with such ease and joy, completely unaware of the harsh rules that governed their lives. When he pulled out a small pouch of spices from his gi, Kurome's eyes went wide—she'd never tasted anything more than plain, boiled grain and tough scraps of meat.
While the food cooked, Goku told them about his life with Grandpa Gohan, his Nimbus Cloud that only good people could ride, and his quest to find all seven Dragon Balls. He spoke of the World Martial Arts Tournament, the friends he'd made, and how he'd taken on the entire Red Ribbon Army by himself.
"And when I find all the Dragon Balls," he said with a bright smile as he turned the roasting fish, "I'm going to wish for my Grandpa Gohan to come back to life. Then I can tell him all about everything I've done!"
Kurome had crept closer, drawn by the delicious smell and his warm stories. "Can… can wishes really come true?" she asked in a small voice.
"Of course they can!" Goku assured her. "Grandpa always said that if you work hard and believe in something, anything is possible."
When the food was ready, Goku tore off generous portions for both girls. Their first bites made their eyes widen—juicy, seasoned perfectly, and more filling than anything they'd ever eaten. For the first time since arriving at the academy, Akame felt her shoulders relax, the constant tension of survival beginning to fade.
"We should head back soon," she said after they'd eaten, though she found herself wishing they could stay longer.
"Right!" Goku said, jumping to his feet. "I'll get you guys back fast—want to ride Nimbus with me? It's way quicker than walking!"
He held up his hand and called out, "Nimbus, come here!" A flash of golden light filled the clearing as a fluffy white cloud descended from the sky, settling gently at their feet. Kurome gasped, reaching out tentatively before pulling her hand back.
"Go on—it won't hurt you!" Goku said, leaping onto the cloud with ease. "Only good people can ride it, so you two will be just fine!"
With Akame's hand guiding her, Kurome climbed on first, her eyes wide with wonder as she realized she wasn't falling through. Akame followed, and the cloud rose smoothly into the air. The jungle below shrank away, and for the first time, they could see the entire academy complex nestled in the clearing ahead.
"This is… amazing," Akame whispered, feeling the warm breeze on her face.
"Told ya!" Goku laughed, steering the cloud with casual ease. "Nimbus is the best travel buddy ever!"
They landed softly just outside the academy walls as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. As the girls climbed off, Akame turned to Goku with a look she'd never worn before—gratitude mixed with something like hope.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For the food… and for showing us there's more to the world than what we know."
Goku scratched his head, his tail swishing happily. "Hey, that's what friends are for! I'll come back to visit you guys soon, okay? Maybe next time we can train together—proper training where we get to eat lots of good food too!"
Before he could fly off, Akame stepped forward, her face slightly flushed. "W-wait! My name is Akame, and this is my sister Kurome. We never got your name… and how old are you?"
Goku beamed, his eyes lighting up as he gave his tail a playful wiggle. "Oh! Nice meeting you, Akame and Kurome. My name's Son Goku—though most people just call me Goku!" He paused, then looked down at his hands and started counting slowly on his fingers, muttering under his breath. "One… two… three… four…"
Akame and Kurome exchanged curious glances as he carefully moved each finger, his brow furrowed in concentration. Kurome leaned closer to her sister and whispered, "Is he… counting his age?"
"Looks like it," Akame whispered back, a small smile touching her lips despite herself. She'd never seen anyone take something so simple with such earnest focus.
"…Eleven… twelve!" Goku finished with a triumphant grin, holding up both hands to show all his fingers spread wide twice over. "I'm twelve years old! Launch taught me how to count up to a hundred—though sometimes I still mix up big numbers!"
"Twelve?!" Both girls exclaimed at once, their voices echoing in the quiet evening air. "But you look very small!"
Goku scratched his head in confusion, looking down at his own body then back at the girls. "Oh! I guess I'm just not very tall yet," he said with a casual shrug. "Grandpa Gohan said that I'm a late bloomer, and Master Roshi says I'll grow more when I get older—plus I eat enough for three grown men, so I don't know why I'm still so small!" He chuckled and patted his stomach, which gave a soft rumble even after their meal.
Akame shook her head slowly, still trying to process it all. A twelve-year-old who fought like a seasoned warrior, could fly without a Teigu, and looked no older than five? It was more than her young mind could fully grasp—but after everything she'd seen him do, she found herself believing every word. The age gap was six to seven years: six years between her and Goku since she was six, and seven years between Kurome and him since she was five. "We… we're sorry we thought you were younger," she said quietly, her cheeks still faintly pink. "I'm six, and Kurome is five."
Goku's eyes widened in amazement. "Whoa! So I'm way older than you two! But you're taller than me—how does that work?" He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled as he compared their heights side by side.
Kurome giggled softly—the first real laugh Akame had heard from her in months. "Maybe we're early bloomers?" she said, peeking out from behind her sister's arm with a small smile.
Akame felt a warmth in her chest she hadn't felt in a long time. Even in this harsh place, this strange boy had managed to make her sister smile. She took a deep breath, then said, "Thank you again, Goku. For everything."
"Aw, it's nothing!" Goku waved a hand dismissively, his tail swishing happily behind him. "I'm just glad I found you guys before that monster did anything bad!" He glanced up at the sky, where the sun was now just touching the horizon. "Hey, I should probably let you get back now—don't want those instructors to get mad at you!" He looked at the girls. "I'll make sure to remember you when I come back to visit!"
Kurome's eyes lit up at the thought. "You really mean it? You'll come see us again?"
"Of course!" Goku nodded firmly, then hopped back onto the Nimbus Cloud. "I'll bring more food next time too—maybe I can even catch a Danger Beast that's extra tasty!" He paused, then pulled something small and round from his pocket—a polished brown stone he'd found by the river. "Here! You can have this so you'll remember me."
Goku tossed it gently to Akame, who caught it in her palm. The stone was smooth and warm from being in his pocket, and she held it tightly as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion she couldn't quite name. "We'll keep it safe."
Goku beamed, then waved as the Nimbus Cloud began to rise into the sky. "See you soon, Akame! Kurome! Take care of yourselves!"
The sisters stood at the academy gates, watching as the fluffy white cloud and the strange boy with the tail disappeared into the orange glow of sunset. Kurome leaned against her sister's side, and Akame wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Akame-nee," Kurome said softly, "do you think he'll really come back?"
Akame looked down at the smooth stone in her hand, then up at the empty sky where Goku had vanished. For the first time since they'd arrived at the academy, she felt a flicker of hope in her heart. "I know he will," she said, and for once, she truly believed it.
As they turned to walk back into the academy grounds, Akame tucked the stone safely into the pocket of her tattered clothes. No matter what harsh tests or cruel lessons awaited them inside those walls, she now had something to hold onto—a memory of kindness, and a promise that there was more to the world beyond the island's borders.
And far above the jungle, Goku soared through the sky on his Nimbus Cloud, humming happily to himself as he planned his next visit. He'd made new friends today, and that was more important to him than any treasure or adventure. Besides, he still wanted to show them how to use ki to jump really high—and maybe even teach them a few moves he'd learned from Master Roshi! But little did the young Saiyan know, he wouldn't be able to find his way back to them, because he was in an unfamiliar world brought to him by the crystal. The sun set completely over the remote island, but in two small hearts, a warm light had been kindled that no amount of training or cruelty could ever extinguish.
The next day, Goku returned to the academy as promised, bringing the food he'd told them about. As he kept visiting the sisters, the other slave children—and especially the instructors—noticed he came regularly to play with Akame and Kurome, even helping them with their academy training. The instructors tried to capture Goku, but he was too fast and too strong for them to handle. Even as a twelve-year-old boy, he could overpower grown adults with his skill and power; with a power level of 100, he was far stronger than anyone in this world.
As Goku continued to visit day after day, their bond grew stronger. So strong that the sisters no longer saw him just as an older brother—they came to care for him in a deeper way, more than just friends, but with feelings of love. Their bond only deepened as the years passed and the sisters grew up, approaching their graduation from the academy. But as the day of their graduation drew near—when they would finally become elite assassins—Goku did not return. They wondered why he hadn't come, not knowing it would be the last time they would ever see him.
Little did the sisters know, the crystal had teleported Goku back to his original world. When he woke up, he was no longer in the Akame ga Kill! world, but back in his own Dragon Ball world. Goku had served as a guardian angel to the sisters, watching over them until they were ready to graduate from the academy.
(End of Flashback)
Kurome finally turned to face him, her dark eyes glistening slightly. "When I was little… before the academy… a boy with a tail saved my sister and me. His name was Goku." Wave's eyes widened in surprise. "The same Goku they're talking about?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "He was just a child then – kind, happy… nothing like the warrior Kakarot described. But when he mentioned that carefree look…" She trailed off, clutching the edge of her uniform. "What if it's really him? After all this time…"
"We'll find out tomorrow," Wave said firmly. "I'll be right beside you – whatever happens." She managed a small, shaky smile. "Thank you, Wave."
As they walked toward their quarters, Kurome's mind raced. The boy from her past who'd shown her kindness in a world of cruelty… could he really be the same Saiyan now fighting alongside Night Raid? And if so, would he even remember her?
Minutes later, Kakarot stood on the balcony of his quarters, staring out at the city below. The moon cast silver light across the rooftops, and he could feel the faint hum of ki from scattered points throughout the capital – including one that made his hair stand on end.
"You're sensing them too, aren't you?" Goru stepped out onto the balcony, joining him at the railing. "Their power is calling to us. It's in our blood – the urge to test our strength against another of our kind."
"Tch – you make it sound so fucking noble," Kakarot scoffed, but his eyes were bright with anticipation. "I just want to see if that goody-two-shoes version of me can actually back up all his big talk."
"Just remember – we need them alive if we want answers about the crystal," Goru reminded him. "And Kurome… she clearly has history with this Goku. We can't let our rivalry put her in danger."
Kakarot fell silent for a moment, watching a patrol of imperial soldiers march through the streets below. "Yeah, yeah i fucking got you… I get it. But when we fight, I'm not holding back. Not for anything."
Goru cracked a small smile – the first Kakarot had seen all day. "Wouldn't expect you to. I'll be right there with you – and I intend to prove my superiority over that other version of myself as well."
As they stood side by side under the moon, two Saiyans from another world, the air around them crackled with barely contained power. Tomorrow's mission wouldn't just be about intercepting supplies – it would be the moment their paths finally crossed with their other selves, and nothing would ever be the same again.
To be continued.