"Although I don't want to fight you, since it has come to this, I cannot hold back, Leone."
Leone's eyes widened as she looked at the figure in silver armor in disbelief.
"B... Brat!?"
"Yes, it's me." Brat nodded and removed his helmet, revealing a face that Leone wasn't exactly familiar with, yet was also exceptionally familiar.
Brat had returned to his old hairstyle, no longer sporting that pompadour, which made Leone, who was used to seeing him with it, a bit uncomfortable.
However, a comrade is a comrade, and Leone could tell the person before her was indeed Brat.
Leone took a deep breath, suppressing her anger as she looked at Brat.
"Is that so? Have you betrayed us as well?"
Brat was silent for a moment, then looked toward the Supreme Throne and said, "Perhaps it's because I've seen hope once again. You know, I was once an Imperial Soldier captain, and the Emperor personally came to ask for my help. How could I refuse?"
Indeed, Brat had initially been tortured into an unrecognizable state by Esdeath, but he never broke and would never have joined Esdeath's ranks.
However, later, the Emperor approached him seeking help. Brat refused at first, but later he saw hope in the Little Emperor and the plan he described.
Even so, what Brat agreed to was only protecting the Little Emperor's safety and not being forced to take action against his former comrades.
The Little Emperor had agreed without hesitation and had even bestowed upon him this shingu in his hand.
Thus, Brat remained hidden around the Emperor as a guard. Later, the words the Emperor spoke through the Supreme Teigu made Brat fully choose this path.
"Hope? Are you sure it's not just a tactic of that Emperor?" Leone countered.
"I'm certain, because the Emperor's plan is being implemented step by step. Even the actions of the Revolutionary Army and Night Raid were factored in. Leone, the two generals will be back soon. The Revolutionary Army no longer has any hope of victory."
Leone's eyes trembled. Brat's words hit her heart like a cannonball. Their actions were being used? Even at this stage, it was still like this? The two generals—meaning Akame's sister and Esdeath—were coming back!
No, I must go back and warn them. In an instant, Leone wanted to turn around.
But at that moment, the sound of a sonic boom from behind made Leone give up and dodge away.
Brat brandished the spear in his hand, looking at Leone. "Sorry, since I've told you this much, I can't let you leave. The only thing I can do now is... knock you unconscious!"
"Is that so..." Leone also knew Brat's strength. If Brat wanted to stop her, she absolutely couldn't escape. Giving up the idea of returning, Leone slammed her hands together, a smile appearing on her face.
"Brat, it seems we've never truly fought each other. Well, today let's see who is stronger!"
With that, Leone proactively charged at Brat.
"Good!" Brat laughed loudly and said, showing no fear at all.
The Little Emperor also saw their battle, but he didn't care much. Instead, he controlled the Supreme Throne to walk toward the battlefield. Although he could attack from here, the destructive power would only make things worse for the Imperial Capital; it was better to play it safe.
Meanwhile, the battle between Kurome and Akame had reached a fever pitch. It could be said that neither could do anything to the other.
At this time, Kurome didn't want to use yatsufusa's ability, after all, it was her own sister...
"By the way, how much longer are you going to watch?" At this moment, Esdeath's voice reached Kaede's ears.
That's right, these two had arrived long ago, and Kaede had been watching the battle between Kurome and Akame.
"It looks like those two are both your sisters. Aren't you going to stop them?" Esdeath asked.
Kaede remained silent, her Dragon Pupils watching the scene as the expressions within them shifted. Her fists were clenched tight, her lips were pale, and for the first time, sweat was constantly breaking out on her forehead...
No one knew what Kaede was feeling as she watched her two sisters trying to kill each other.
It felt as if she were no longer herself. Her heart had long been torn apart and crushed, to the point where she had lost all feeling and become numb to the pain.
Esdeath looked at Kaede and curled her lip. She had wanted to take action, but since Kaede was their sister and hadn't spoken yet, it wasn't right for her to strike first.
However, they didn't notice that on the other side, Koujo Shizuka was also watching the battle. She had been worried about Kurome and followed her, only to witness this fight.
But Koujo Shizuka had self-awareness; she knew that if she went out, she would only be a burden to Kurome, so she stayed hidden.
In the arena, the two Tachis were swung with such speed that they were impenetrable.
Blade clashed against blade continuously.
Finally, in the next moment, the two separated and looked at each other, as if both knew the other's decision.
Both gripped their respective Teigu with both hands and, as if sharing a single mind, charged at each other at the same time.
However, in Kurome's eyes, there was determination and pain. In Akame's eyes, there was a hint of confusion and pain.
In that split second, Kaede rushed out.
It could even be said that Kaede couldn't control her own body as she charged forward.
But no one noticed that Kaede's Dragon Pupils quietly lit up for a moment, and the corner of her mouth curled up slightly before immediately vanishing without a trace.
Kurome and Akame, their attention focused entirely on each other, did not notice Kaede's arrival.
Both Kurome and Akame's blades were swung out, slashing toward each other.
But at that moment, a figure had already rushed between them.
Kurome and Akame were both stunned, their eyes widening.
"Sister!"
However, at this point, neither of them could pull back their blades.
Kaede raised her hands and grabbed their Teigu. Although Akame and Kurome both began to withdraw their strength, the force was still considerable, yet Kaede still managed to block both blades.
But Kaede was using her flesh and blood, after all. If it had been anyone else, they might have been cut apart...
As it was, Kaede's hands were nearly ruined. Blood flowed down from Kurome and Akame's Teigu. Although Kaede had the ability to control blood, at this moment, she had absolutely no heart for it.
Kaede looked at the two of them, her face filled with uncontrollable anger and pain.
"Have you two had enough!"
As she spoke, blood continued to flow from Kaede's hands...
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