Akame ga Kill: Starting with Dual Kamui

"Commander Seryu is already so strong, and yet she's still Commander Blayn's apprentice. If that's the case... just how strong is Commander Blayn...?"

"It feels like Commander Blayn has never truly revealed his real strength. We really underestimated him before."

"It looks like the Empire hasn't abandoned us after all. Not only is our current Commander stronger than the previous one, but he also treats us well."

...

Everyone couldn't help but express their amazement.

"Well done. I knew you and Koro would protect everyone."

Blayn praised Seryu and Koro.

"By the way, how did it go? Team B's training should be finished by now, right?"

Blayn asked Seryu.

"Yes! Although they weren't as efficient as Team A, everyone worked hard to reach their goals."

Seryu nodded.

"Then let's head back. Yasha needs time to recover as well."

Blayn said.

With that, the group started their return journey.

On the way, Seryu noticed that Team B seemed particularly focused on Koro, who was walking beside her.

"What's wrong? Do you want to play with Koro?"

She asked them curiously.

"N-No, it's not that… We were just surprised. Koro usually looks so cute, but seeing him fight like that..."

Kelly explained awkwardly.

Right now, they were honestly a little afraid of Koro.

Noticing the faint trace of fear on their faces, Seryu picked Koro up and smiled.

"Don't worry, Koro is completely harmless to anyone except bad guys."

"Oh... okay."

They felt a little relieved.

But then, a troubling thought crossed their minds.

We... aren't exactly good people, are we...?

...

Back at the base.

"Didn't you go hunting Danger Beasts? You must have collected a lot of materials. You can hand them over now."

As soon as they returned, some staff members approached them.

It seemed to be a standard procedure within the Assassination Unit.

Kurome, Kelly, and the others had no complaints and were ready to hand over their loot.

However, Blayn found it strange. They had risked their lives to hunt these Danger Beasts, so why were they expected to give up everything they had gained?

Even though these children currently depended on the Empire's Assassination Unit, it was still excessive to demand they surrender all their spoils.

Blayn directly asked the staff, "After handing over the Danger Beast materials, do they receive any kind of reward or payment?"

"No."

The staff member replied bluntly.

"That doesn't seem fair, does it? They worked hard to hunt those beasts."

Blayn furrowed his brows slightly, though his tone remained calm.

Kurome, Kelly, and the others were visibly surprised. Commander Blayn was actually standing up for them?

In truth, they had long since accepted the rules of the Assassination Unit. They never even considered questioning them.

Besides, for some reason, the Enhanced Team had never produced a traitor or deserter.

The same couldn't be said for the Elite Team. Their circumstances were different, which might explain why among just seven members, one had betrayed them, and two had deserted.

"What are you talking about? They just need to obey orders. As their commander, you should know that better than anyone."

The staff found Blayn's reaction odd.

Previous commanders had been far more ruthless. In fact, many of the existing rules were set by their predecessors.

However, the rule about confiscating Danger Beast materials had been implemented purely for their own benefit.

"I don't see it that way. Either compensate them fairly, or let them keep what they've earned."

Blayn stated flatly.

The staff members' expressions darkened.

They were obviously unhappy with Blayn's stance, but there was little they could do.

After all, Blayn outranked them within the Assassination Unit.

They had only two choices: compromise and take a share of the profit, or get nothing at all.

What baffled them most was that Blayn himself should have benefited from this system.

They had always shared a cut of the profits with the previous commanders and were prepared to do the same with Blayn.

So why was he willing to give up part of their earnings for the sake of those "workhorses"?

To the Assassination Unit, these children were nothing more than tools—why should they care about them?

Since the assassin training program began, the Empire had never once treated these children as human beings.

"...Fine. We'll give them half of the profits from the material trade. That should be enough, right?"

The staff had no choice but to concede. Half was better than nothing.

"That'll do."

Blayn didn't push them further.

After collecting the materials, the staff quickly left.

"Commander Blayn, we don't really need the money. Serving the Empire is already an honor."

Kelly admitted.

He didn't want their commander to get into conflicts with the staff over them.

The other team members felt the same.

"Don't be ridiculous. This is something you rightfully deserve. Sure, the base provides food and shelter, but don't you need money when you go out in the Capital?"

Blayn said.

"Ah... no, actually..."

Kelly scratched his head.

"We've never gone out in the Capital before, so we've never needed to spend money."

"Is that so...?"

Blayn was slightly surprised.

So they never left the base except for training missions?

"In that case, you all did well in this training. As a reward, you'll have three days of leave. Use this time to explore the Capital, but be mindful of your safety. Try not to go out at night."

Recently, Night Raid had been especially active in the Capital, always moving under the cover of darkness.

Since the Assassination Unit was their enemy, there was a chance they could be targeted.

"Wait... really?!"

"That's amazing! There's a place in the Capital I've always wanted to visit."

"And the next scheduled ability enhancement is in five days, so it won't interfere with our break!"

...

Excited, everyone eagerly discussed where they wanted to go.

For the first time, they would get to experience what it was like to take a break and enjoy themselves.

Seeing their joy, a small smile appeared on Blayn's face.

Just then, Kurome, who had been standing behind him, tugged lightly at his sleeve.

"Commander, don't forget about that thing. You promised to come with me."

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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