After receiving the notification, the missions for the Elite Group gradually paused, and the members of the Elite Group accepted General Budo's training.
It had to be said that although both were the empires strongest and both were Imperial Generals, General Budo was clearly better suited for teaching others. As for Esdeath, if you could get her not to kill her students when she was having fun, that was already a good thing.
It had to be said that every member of the Elite Group had great talent, and each of them made significant progress in their strength.
Although Kaede didn't have any breakthroughs in terms of her body or sword skills, her changes were immense. From being unable to last a few moves against Budo in the beginning, she could eventually trade blows with him on equal footing.
This kind of progress left General Budo stunned. In fact, what surprised Budo the most was that Kaede's physical condition was not much different from his in terms of overall quality. Although she was inferior to him in strength, she surpassed him in speed.
Moreover, Budo felt that Kaede's close-quarters combat level was constantly improving and improving during their bouts, seemingly rising without limit. Budo suddenly felt a bit of anticipation; he seemed to see another of the empires strongest about to rise.
Of course, if Budo knew that Kaede had also received training from Esdeath, he probably wouldn't be so surprised; after all, in that case, Kaede could be considered as having built up a foundation that was finally paying off.
When Budo's training concluded, Kaede was able to fight him head-on, evenly matched, without falling into the slightest disadvantage.
Finally, both of them withdrew their hands, because they understood that if they were to determine a winner, it would definitely take a very, very long time. Moreover, they were not enemies, so there was no need to determine a winner.
Of course, if it were Esdeath, wanting to stop without determining a winner would be a pipe dream.
You have now filled in your final shortcoming. Seeing Kaede's speed and her way of hiding her presence, Budo understood. Close-quarters combat used to be Kaede's weakness—no, it should be said that Kaede's close-quarters combat already surpassed the vast majority of people, but when facing true experts, it became a weak point.
At this moment, Kaede had finally grown into an existence without any weaknesses. Her close-quarters combat had been shored up, and now it was just a matter of merit.
Thank you for your instruction, Kaede said. Come to think of it, Budo might be the first person to have taught her properly.
It's nothing. As long as you serve the Empire and do not join the Minister's side, that is all, Budo said.
Hmm? Kaede was stunned. Looking at the General, in whose eyes a hint of frustration at her lack of ambition seemed to appear, she nodded, I understand.
At this moment, Kaede realized she had thought of the situation within the Empire too simply.
The Minister was the head of civil officials and the culprit behind the Empire's corruption. Originally, Kaede had thought that Budo, as the head of military officials, would be cut from the same cloth as the Minister, but now it seemed that was not the case.
It seems you know quite a bit, Budo looked at Kaede and said. He had heard of the Assassination Squad's training methods; usually, they didn't know about these things. They were just tools, and tools didn't need to know too much.
It's alright.
Hmm, I hope you won't disappoint me. Alright, you may leave. Budo turned around, having made a decision in his heart. Kaede's strength was no longer suitable for a tool, and even if she were one, no one had the power to control this tool.
Watching Budo's figure, a flash of doubt crossed Kaede's eyes.
Afterwards, the work of the Elite Group began once more.
However, at this time, the way they took on work had changed; they no longer took on missions and did them together.
Sometimes it was one person per mission, and sometimes they would receive missions where one of them would lead several members of the Reinforcement Squad to complete it.
Unknowingly, they had already become the group with the most seniority.
During this period, Kurome also received a Teigu assigned to the Elite Group: yatsufusa.
In fact, this Teigu was initially intended for Kaede, but when Kaede drew yatsufusa, Kurome, who was nearby, suddenly remarked, So beautiful.
Then, Kaede handed yatsufusa to Kurome without the slightest hesitation.
There was no need to hesitate at all; since her younger sister liked it, regardless of whether it was useful to her or not, Kaede, as the older sister, would choose to give it to her.
However, what worried both Kaede and Kurome was that Akame's expression seemed to be getting worse and worse, and she would often appear absent-minded. Every time Kaede and Kurome asked Akame what was wrong, Akame would force a smile and say nothing was the matter.
Then, she would turn her head, and her gaze would drift off somewhere else. Every time Akame went on a mission, she would ask the nearby villages about the situation in the Empire.
However, the results she received were all accusations against the Empire, dissatisfaction with the Empire's corruption, and dissatisfaction with their own lives.
Finally, Akame received an answer she didn't want to believe, one that caused her pain: they really were the side of evil. She even investigated their past assassination targets, and the results caused her to break down.
Most of their previous assassination targets could be said to be innocent. Even people like those tomb keepers had never offended the Empire; it was simply that the Empire coveted the gold and silver treasures inside that tomb.
Akame, this is your next mission. Nahash walked over holding a mission sheet, tossed it to Akame, and said, Be careful. This time, the assassination target is a traitorous Imperial General. She originally possessed the Teigu Roman Artillery, but now that her arm has been cut off by General Esdeath, she should not have the ability to continue using Roman Artillery. So, as long as you are careful, there shouldn't be much of a problem.
Hmm, understood. Akame nodded and walked away, even forgetting to say a word to Kaede and Kurome during the process.
Kaede and Kurome exchanged a look, both seeing the worry in the other's eyes.
It seems we can't let this go on. Next time, I'll have to have a good talk with Akame... Kaede had originally believed that Akame would be able to adjust herself, but it seemed the situation was only intensifying.
Kaede, this is your mission. Nahash said, tossing a mission sheet to Kaede, and then didn't say anything more. Regarding Kaede, there was indeed nothing much to say; no matter what kind of mission it was, there was no need to worry.
Hmm. Kaede took it, looked at it, and then frowned. This distance was a bit far.
Is there a problem? Nahash couldn't help but ask, looking at Kaede.
No problem, leave it to me. Kaede's brow relaxed, and then she said something to Kurome and set off.
However, when she returned after completing the mission, she received news along the way.
Akame had defected.
------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.