Chương 21: New mission
"A new mission?" Cornelia inquired.
"We are going to Putolu which is northwest of the Empire. The other assassination unit sent a request for help so we are to depart immediately." Gozuki said and everyone quickly dissembled tents and got ready to depart.
Upon hearing it, Akame muttered someone's name and started behaving strangely in Zero's eyes.
While they were traveling Gozuki told them more details about the enemy they can expect and the reason why they are trying to invade those tombs.
'Gravekeepers... strange magics? I thought that there is no magic in this world except for ridiculously strong weapons. Also...is it really true that the families of the investigators were also murdered within the Empire?' Zero thought with narrowed eyes.
"What's wrong?" Akame asked when she noticed Zero's expression.
"Nothing...those Gravekeepers are pretty arrogant for people who are supposed to be practically just wardens of the tomb."
"Haha, I couldn't have said it better. To dare venture deep inside the Empire and kill innocent families!" Guy said, bumping his fists together with an angered expression.
"By the way, who is Kurome?" Zero asked which made everyone quiet down and look towards Akame.
"...She is my younger sister." Akame replied with a weak smile.
"...Is she the same person you have asked me about before?" Zero recalled when Akame asked him a bit strange question so he decided to ask to which Akame just nodded her head.
Zero could feel the sour mood among the group so he decided to shut up. While on their journey to Putolu, Zero practiced swordplay with Najasho and Akame while hand-to-hand combat mainly with Poney and Cornelia. He occasionally had grappling competitions with Guy because he was challenging him every free time they got.
There was even a time when Green approached him to ask about his strategies during battle. How he assets his opponents and many other things. It was easy to see that Green acknowledged Zero's skills once he heard Cornelia's side of the story.
.
.
"I really don't understand this! Why are our wins and losses the same?!" Guy said while messing up his hair in frustration.
"This shows you that greater strength does not always end up on the winning side. Zero might lose first almost every time however he quickly adapts to your moves. I have noticed that if you can't win within 10 moves, you always end up losing. And if you win, Zero ends up winning your next competition." Gozuki calmly explained with his hands in the pockets
'What a diamond in the rough this guy is. It's saddening that he wasn't among the kids during that survival test back then. I really wonder where he came from but the investigations pointed out that he was telling the truth. It might be impossible for him to develop any affection for me as a fatherly figure, therefore emotional manipulation is out of the question...However, it seems like he gets along with the others, especially Cornelia and Akame.' Gozuki was already thinking of ways how to ensure Zero's loyalty.
"Sooo frustrating! Hey, Zero, you aren't holding back during our competitions, right?!" Guy asked with an irritated expression.
"Of course not, you are seriously overestimating my abilities, this is the reason why I didn't reveal anything regarding my skills until recently!" Zero retorted in an annoyed tone.
"Now, now, we are all part of the same group, there is no reason to hide our skills from each other." Tsukushi butted in between them and tried to defuse the situation with a friendly diplomatic smile across her face.
.
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After tireless traveling, they finally reached their destination. They reached the Empire's camp a few kilometers from the city and tombs. Gozuki told the kids to wait for him in one of the larger tents before making his way to the main tent where the leader of the other assassination unit should be waiting.
Inside the main tent...Gozuki and a bald man were discussing the details of the tombs before the bald man decided to inquire about Gozuki's group's newly acquired member.
"Who is that long black-haired kid? I thought there were only seven of you, you even said before that seven is your limit."
"He is an interesting individual we happened to run into after our last mission. Can you believe he was just a simple messager who worked as an Imperial guard in the Capital? He has a good sense for battle and has the shrewdness one can only obtain by surviving through the harsh conditions, he only lacks a bit of training." Gozuki explained in more detail with almost a proud smile.
"Is that so? Do you want to give him to my care? I am sure my drugs would do wonders on someone like him." The bald man asked with a shrewd smile.
"Forget it, I am not letting you ruin him with your enhancement drugs. Also, if I am to help you, I would also like to ask for another Shingu if possible. In case that kid survives, I want him to have one." Gozuki dismissed his idea with a wave of his hand and a bored expression.
"It seems like you have some high expectations for that kid if you are asking for a weapon even before knowing whether he can survive. Anyway, what kind of weapon would suit him?" The bald man asked which prompted Gozuki to think for a good minute before saying something the man never expected.
"I don't know...he can probably make use of anything. I am pretty sure even he doesn't know which weapon suits him the best." Gozuki shrugged his shoulders as the man in front of him watched with a dumbfounded expression.
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