Clatter.
Tobirama released the iron chain.
Aria dropped from midair like a sack of rags, slamming onto the cold stone floor. The once-luxurious white dress hung in tatters, soaked through with sweat. Her eyes rolled back as her body twitched weakly.
Tobirama looked down at her broken form, a faint, undisguised mockery tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"That's all?"
"You lost control and hit your limit already?"
He nudged her tear-streaked face up with the tip of his boot.
"Where did that bravado go?"
"The confidence you had when you threatened people with a blade?"
"How pathetic, young lady."
"No… that's not…"
His voice dragged Aria back from the edge. Her eyes fluttered as a shred of awareness returned. She shook her head weakly, muttering incoherently.
"I'm not… like that… no more… please… let me go…"
Humiliation crushed her from one side, while the aftershocks of terror tore at her nerves from the other. The clash left her mind in ruins.
"No more?"
Tobirama chuckled softly. The eerie light in his eyes deepened.
"That won't do."
"My interest has only just begun."
Hum.
He crouched, extending his hand over her body. A vivid green chakra, brimming with vitality, spread out and enveloped her.
Medical Ninjutsu — Palm Sage Technique. Full Restoration.
Before her eyes, the injuries faded. The lash marks closed, the burns healed, and her strength surged back as if time itself had reversed.
Aria gasped, staring at her restored hands in disbelief.
"You… healed me?"
Her despair didn't lessen—it plunged into something far darker.
"That's right."
Tobirama seized her hair, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Broken tools need repairs."
"Only then can they be questioned properly."
"You enjoyed watching others break, didn't you?"
"Then you'll learn what it feels like—when escape is impossible."
Aria trembled violently, terror swallowing her whole.
"No… no… please…"
Tobirama released her and straightened, his voice turning cold and final.
"This is your hell."
He turned away, leaving her chained and sobbing, her pride completely stripped bare.
In the corner, Sayo stared at the scene in stunned silence. Her body was rigid, her thoughts in chaos.
She wasn't ignorant—but what she had witnessed shattered every belief she had about the nobles of the city.
This wasn't justice.
It wasn't mercy either.
It was judgment.
"M-Mr. Uchiha…" she whispered, barely able to raise her voice.
"I'm… still here."
He glanced back at her.
"Good," he said calmly. "You should see this."
Sayo swallowed hard, her face pale.
"I… is this really necessary?"
Tobirama's gaze sharpened.
"People like her never understand words alone."
Sayo looked away, fists clenched. She hated Aria—yet fear crept into her heart all the same.
She stepped back instinctively.
"I… I don't want to be near her."
"Running?" Tobirama said lightly.
"In here, that won't help."
Hum!
A powerful pull yanked Sayo off her feet, drawing her to his side. He steadied her, not roughly, but with an authority that brooked no refusal.
"Calm yourself," he said.
"I won't hurt you."
Sayo trembled, tears gathering in her eyes, but she nodded shakily.
"…I understand."
The underground chamber fell into a heavy, suffocating silence—broken only by Aria's quiet sobs.
---
Meanwhile — Aria Estate, Outer Courtyard
A night without moon or stars.
A night meant for blood.
Shadowy figures scaled the estate walls, moving like wraiths.
Swish! Swish!
Cold steel flashed. Two armored guards collapsed without a sound, their bodies caught and lowered silently to the ground.
"East perimeter, clear," a voice murmured.
"West side clear as well."
They were the Revolutionary Army's assassination unit—Night Raid.
Tonight's mission was simple.
Exterminate the Aria family.
The infiltration went smoothly—until—
"Who's there?!"
A guard captain on the second-floor balcony caught sight of movement below. His pupils shrank as he slammed his hand onto the alarm.
Beep—Wooo!
The shrill siren tore through the night.
"Assassins!"
"Enemy attack! Protect the master and mistress!"
The estate erupted into chaos. Armed guards poured out from every direction, torches turning night into day as they surrounded the main plaza.
"Tch…"
On a nearby rooftop, a petite girl with pink twin-tails steadied a massive sniper rifle.
Mine clicked her tongue.
"So much for a clean infiltration. Looks like the whole place is awake now."
Beside her, a black-haired girl in a sailor uniform calmly drew the sword at her waist. The blade radiated a chilling, ominous aura.
"Awake?" Akame replied coolly.
"Our orders were to kill everyone here anyway."
She pointed her blade toward the sea of guards below, a faint, deadly smile appearing on her lips.
"They saved us the trouble."