91: Zanku the Beheader (Part 2)

After a brief standoff, Akame made the first move.

For one, Zanku's recent killing spree had put the security forces on high alert, and with patrols tightening, a prolonged battle risked drawing their attention. Second, Tatsumi had been rendered temporarily unable to fight after Zanku's earlier blow—if she didn't take the initiative now, Zanku might seize the opportunity to harm him.

"Fun! Fun! You want to protect that useless thing over there and still hope for a quick fight? Fun! Fun!"

Using the Insight ability of his Teigu, Almighty Five Sights: Spectator, Zanku saw straight through Akame's intentions.

Akame, already familiar with his Teigu's powers, wasn't surprised. Without hesitation, she launched her attack.

"Whoosh!!"

She shot toward Zanku like a bolt of lightning.

"Slash!!"

Murasame came down hard, aiming to cleave Zanku in half.

But Zanku didn't flinch. The moment Akame moved, he moved too. Her blade cut down right along his body, dangerously close but failing to even graze him.

"Slash!!"

Missing didn't slow Akame. Murasame flashed again, slicing sideways with chilling precision.

"Fun! Fun! You think repeated strikes are going to land on me?"

Zanku laughed with a twisted grin, pointing to the Teigu above his head.

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Your thoughts, your next move—I can see it all. Fun! Fun!"

Akame said nothing. She kept up her relentless assault.

Though she was amazed by the ability of Zanku's Teigu, it wasn't enough to make her back down.

"A straight-up assassination? How decisive!"

"That aggressive rush—how annoying!"

Clang! Clang! Clang!!!

In mere seconds, they had exchanged dozens of blows. Each of Akame's attacks was sharp and unpredictable, but Zanku read through them all, predicting her next move with ease and deflecting them effortlessly.

"Huff... huff..."

They broke apart again after the latest clash. Akame's last strike had once more failed to land.

Despite her rigorous training, the rapid, unceasing attacks were starting to wear her down. Her breathing grew heavier.

Zanku, meanwhile, had barely moved more than necessary. Because he could anticipate her every action, he kept evading with minimal effort. Not even out of breath.

"Fun! Fun! That look on your face—it's the most delightful sight! And since you gave me that pleasure... let me return the favor by showing you something you don't usually get to see."

As he spoke, Zanku raised a finger to the Teigu above his head.

The Teigu, Almighty Five Sights: Spectator, possessed the power of Illusion Vision—though not in the reality-bending sense like those in Naruto. Instead, it subtly suggested fears to the opponent, amplifying the things they were most afraid of. It could only change small details, but that was often enough to break someone's mental defenses.

As soon as Zanku finished speaking, Akame felt her vision blur. The narrow, dark alley vanished—and she found herself standing at the gates of the Imperial Capital...

"Oh no, it's an illusion."

The moment the scene shifted, Akame knew something was wrong. As she tried to break free, the lively crowd around her suddenly vanished.

In their place stood the sealed gates of the capital, flanked by countless Imperial soldiers clad in armor, their faces grim. Opposing them was a vast sea of Revolutionary Army forces, outnumbering the Imperials several times over, completely encircling the city.

The scene shifted again. Battle erupted.

The Revolutionary Army surged forward, charging into a storm of arrows fired from the city walls, shouting as they pressed on. What followed was a brutal, no-holds-barred clash.

In the end, sheer numbers led the Revolutionary Army to victory. They stormed the capital, shouting triumphantly.

Akame smiled, genuinely happy. She thought the revolution had succeeded—that the people could finally live peaceful lives.

Without realizing it, she had sunk deep into the illusion.

Throughout it all, Akame stood as a mere observer. No one saw her, and she couldn't interfere.

But what happened next shattered her expectations—and her heart.

The Revolutionary Army, now inside the capital, seemed to lose their minds. As if unleashing years of resentment, they began a brutal massacre of everyone in sight. Nobles and commoners alike were slaughtered. There was no distinction, no mercy. They looted, raped, and destroyed. Gone was the righteous image the Revolutionary Army once had.

She saw wave after wave of enemies charge at Haruki. Though he cut down countless foes, he was eventually overwhelmed and killed from exhaustion.

She watched as her sister Kurome clutched Haruki's broken body, sobbing uncontrollably—then, before Akame's eyes, took her own life with Yatsufusa.

She saw her Night Raid comrades, who had fought so valiantly during the siege, suddenly turned on by the Revolutionary Army. One by one, they were cut down right in front of her.

Akame screamed, tears streaming as she reached out in desperation—but her hands passed through everything, as if she didn't exist.

Watching the Revolutionary Army raze the city, Akame—who had once been convinced to join them by Najenda—began to doubt them for the first time.

Seeing Haruki and Kurome die deepened her understanding of how precious family truly was. No one knew that from the moment she saw those visions, something within her quietly began to shift.

...

Back in reality, Zanku watched Akame with twisted delight as she knelt before him, tears flowing down her cheeks.

While she had been trapped in the illusion, Zanku hadn't made a move.

What he loved most was that look of despair just before death.

"Very good! Very good! Now let me take your head."

Akame still hadn't snapped out of it, but Zanku, satisfied, stepped toward her and raised his twin-bladed sword.

"No!"

The cry came from Tatsumi, who had just barely recovered.

"Slash!"

Zanku ignored him. The double-edged blade swung straight for Akame's neck.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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