The Night Raid five-person team walked forward expressionlessly, until they stood before the seated Uchiha Madara.
On one side were the five members of Night Raid, on the other was Uchiha Madara alone. One side stood solemnly, the other sat casually. The two sides were about ten meters apart, staring at each other, not uttering a word.
Finally, Najenda's low sigh broke the eerie silence:
"Uchiha Madara..."
Sitting on his seat, Uchiha Madara was as steady as Mount Tai. He looked directly at Najenda:
"Najenda, since the Revolutionary Army was destroyed, we've met again..."
Taking a slight breath, facing this terrifying enemy capable of easily destroying the entire Revolutionary Army, Najenda struggled to calm herself, to calm her mind, to calm her body, and to calm her tone:
"Uchiha Madara, it seems Night Raid hasn't offended you, has it? Why, why do you have to be against us!?"
Her index finger lightly tapping the armrest of her seat, Uchiha Madara seemed composed and unfazed:
"Najenda, I previously sent Chelsea to persuade you all to surrender. Our goal couldn't be clearer."
"Hmph, subdue us, and control Night Raid!?"
"That's right, it's that simple!"
Saying that, Uchiha Madara changed his sitting posture. His right leg rested on his left, his hands held loosely, exuding an aura of immense power. He spoke to the five members of Night Raid in front of him, looking down on them:
"Since the Revolutionary Army was destroyed, you in Night Raid are like rootless duckweed. You don't know when you will disappear. If the Revolutionary Army were still here, your goal of overthrowing the Empire and saving the suffering people might have been realized. However, after the Revolutionary Army's destruction, your wish can no longer be realized. You all understand this in your hearts!"
"Since your goal has been completely unattainable, then, for the continued survival of Night Raid, why not try another path?"
For example, submit to me?
"If you submit to me, what you need to pay is your efficiency and your loyalty. I will repay you with welfare, money, honor, and power, all of them, and more!"
"Of course, I don't think you care about money, power, or honor. How about this: just for now, if all of you surrender, Leone, Sheele, Mine, and Chelsea, your four companions, I guarantee they will be safe and sound!"
Saying this, Uchiha Madara even specifically pointed to the four girls above.
Najenda and the others looked at the four Leone on the crosses. A pang of heartache flashed in their eyes, and then this heartache was concealed, transforming into determination and anger.
"Uchiha Madara, what if we don't surrender?"
Shaking his head, Uchiha Madara feigned pity:
"Then there's nothing I can do. I'll just have to trouble myself, make a move to capture all of you, and then lock you up with them four, handing you over to Esdeath for proper training. Sooner or later, you'll be obedient!"
Leone and the four were bound to crosses the entire time, their mouths sealed unable to speak. They also saw their companions the entire time, and heard Uchiha Madara's words.
The four girls were anxious, their wide eyes whimpering as if wanting to say something to their companions. Their meaning was very clear: Don't fall for Uchiha Madara's trick!
However, under Uchiha Madara's superb illusion technique, what Najenda and the others saw was not this.
In the eyes of Night Raid's five members, the four Leone on the tall crosses, despite their miserable and heavy injuries, continuously struggled and whimpered as if trying to say something. Their wrists and ankles bled from friction due to their struggles, and their mouths were sealed by vines, making their words unclear.
This illusion of a miserable scene, of course, did not convey their original meaning of "don't fall for it." Instead, it made Najenda and the others believe this meant "don't surrender."
Najenda, Akame, Bulat, Lubbock, and Tatsumi simultaneously understood the meaning of "do not surrender." They all nodded together, looking firmly at Uchiha Madara.
Akame's eyes were firm. Her Imperial Arms, One-Cut Kill: Murasame, slowly unsheathed. The venomous blade reflected a hidden cold light under the lamplight.
Bulat's eyes were grave. His Imperial Arms, Demon Armor: Incursio, activated. The dazzling full body armor instantly covered his entire body, and a dark red glow pulsed with power.
Lubbock's eyes were furious. His Imperial Arms, Thousand-Fold Transformation: Cross Tail, spread over his ten fingers. Translucent, sturdy fine threads were stretched taut around him, reflecting a faint glow under the lamplight.
Tatsumi's eyes were indifferent. A round, staff-shaped heavy hammer extended from behind him. He placed it heavily on the ground, his aura extraordinary.
Najenda's eyes were resolute. Her right arm's green mechanical arm emitted a clanking mechanical sound, poised and ready.
Najenda stared at Uchiha Madara and said in a deep voice:
"We still have another way. That is, to defeat you and lead our companions away!"
Looking at the Night Raid assassins, one by one, ready to unleash their power, Uchiha Madara revealed a cold smile, unsure if it was mockery or praise:
"Heh heh, I knew you would choose to attack me. This is good. If your faith was shaken merely by a few words from me, then you wouldn't be the kind of talent I value!"
Sitting calmly and upright on his seat, Uchiha Madara extended his hand, appearing unhurried and composed:
"Alright, after all, you are all people I respect and appreciate. Today, I grant you a favor. I won't deploy Bulat, nor will I let Esdeath come. I'll sit here alone and deal with you five from Night Raid. If the five of you can make me fall off my chair, then I lose. I'll greatly praise the four of them behind you!"
Uchiha Madara's words were a blatant disregard for Night Raid!
The five members of Night Raid immediately burst into anger.
However, Najenda, who knew Uchiha Madara was unfathomable, inwardly rejoiced and quickly confirmed:
"Uchiha Madara, are your words true?!"
"Truly!"
"Good!"
Staring intently at the formidable enemy before her, Najenda quietly said to her subordinates:
"I know you're unwilling due to Uchiha Madara's disregard, but I want to tell you, Uchiha Madara is unfathomable. He truly has the qualifications to disregard us!"
The combat objective temporarily changed. "We'll all attack together. We'll find a way to get Uchiha Madara off his chair!"
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