Chapter 164 : The Shield, The Confession, and the Dragon's Echo

The flashes from dozens of reporters' cameras felt like a silent barrage of gunfire. On a brightly lit podium, Endeavor stood tall, the flames on his face intentionally dimmed to a calm smolder. At his side sat several pro heroes, including Ryukyu, who was still in a wheelchair, her presence lending weight and testimony to the "incident" they had fabricated. This was his stage, his role in this shadow war. The role of the shield.

"As we have explained," Endeavor's voice was deep and authoritative, filling the crowded press conference room. "The incident in the uninhabited island chain south of Shizuoka was the result of a joint operation to dismantle a new and highly dangerous villain organization. Thanks to the cooperation and sacrifice of these heroes, the threat has been neutralized for now."

A reporter from Mainichi News raised a hand. "Endeavor-san, there are unofficial reports of massive-scale destruction and an unprecedented extreme weather anomaly. Can you explain the nature of this organization leader's Quirk?"

A lie must be wrapped in a sliver of truth. "The enemy we faced possessed a very powerful territorial-type Quirk, capable of manipulating the environment on a massive scale. That is why we had to respond with full force to prevent the impact from spreading to populated areas." Inwardly, Endeavor snorted. He hated every second of it. He hated being Hawks' political mouthpiece. But he also saw the look in the reporters' eyes, the look of the citizens on the screens behind them. They needed to feel safe. They needed the Number One Hero to stand there and say, "Everything is under control." And for now, for the sake of the bigger picture, he would play that part.

In the quiet villa, Tatsumi and Akame watched the press conference on a large screen. It felt surreal to see Endeavor, the man who had baptized him in hellfire just days ago, now calmly lying to the entire world to protect him.

Tatsumi looked at "The Anomaly Case" folder that Hawks had left on the table. The image of Humarise's energy spectrum was still there. "Akame... about Humarise. You said they were just a tool. A tool for whom?"

Akame didn't answer immediately. She turned off the screen, making the room quieter and more intimate. She walked over to the table and stared at the folder, but her gaze seemed to look through the paper, seeing something far darker.

"Humarise was their dog. One of many dogs they use," she said softly. "An organization older, more secretive, and far more ingrained in this world than the League of Villains."

She turned to face Tatsumi, and for the first time, he saw a deep vulnerability in Akame's red eyes, a wound she had never shown before.

"I know about them, Tatsumi... because I used to be one of them."

The confession hung in the air, more shocking than the roar of Endeavor's flames.

"After we... reincarnated," Akame continued, her voice trembling slightly before she brought it back under control. "Kurome and I were reborn in this world as babies, but with our full memories from our past lives. When we were just children, our potential was discovered. Not by heroes, but by talent scouts from the Yozakura Clan."

"Yozakura..." Tatsumi repeated the name.

"Ghosts of the underworld. They see themselves as the 'gardeners' of society, pruning the diseased branches. But that's a lie. They are assassins for the most corrupt and powerful people," Akame explained. "They took me and Kurome. Trained us all over again. For me, it was a recurring nightmare. Forced to be a killer's tool once more. Because of my abilities from my past life, I quickly became their top asset. They called me the 'Ghost Sword of Yozakura'."

Tatsumi could only listen, horrified. This was a twisted version of their past, a terrible echo.

"I tried to hold on to Night Raid's ideals," Akame continued, her hands clenched at her sides. "I only killed targets who were truly evil. But then... they gave me a mission to kill a clean politician and his entire family. The reason? He was obstructing a business deal for their client. When I saw his young daughter... I saw myself, I saw Kurome. I refused."

"I defected," she said, her voice now barely a whisper. "And the Yozakura do not forgive betrayal. To replace me, to ensure they still had a 'weapon' like me... they experimented on Kurome. They broke her mind, amplified her Quirk with drugs, turning her into a loyal puppet assassin."

A single tear finally fell from one of Akame's eyes, a drop of suffering she had held back for so long. "She's still out there, Tatsumi. My sister. Being their doll."

Now Tatsumi understood everything. Akame's obsession with gathering information, her willingness to work with heroes, the distant look in her eyes. It was all driven by a single, burning purpose.

"My ultimate mission in this world isn't to survive," Akame said, wiping the tear away with the back of her hand, cold determination returning to her eyes. "My mission is to destroy the Yozakura Clan to its very roots... and take back Kurome."

Tatsumi stood up and without hesitation, placed a hand on Akame's shoulder. "You're not alone in this fight, Akame," he said in a steady voice, filled with a newfound conviction. "Not anymore. Your fight is my fight, too."

That afternoon, their training had a new, burning purpose. This was no longer just about preparing for Esdeath or the PLF. This was about forging a weapon for Akame's personal war.

"Sit," Akame said, her voice calm again, but now Tatsumi could hear a different note behind it—a note of urgency. "Close your eyes. Listen to the echo of Tyrant."

Tatsumi obeyed, diving into his armor's consciousness. This time, he didn't just feel the wild pulse of the dragon. He channeled his own emotions into it—his anger over what happened to Kurome, his determination to help Akame. He didn't try to calm the dragon; he tried to resonate with it, letting their righteous anger meet.

"Choose one concept," Akame instructed. "One intent. Make it your first word in its language."

Tatsumi thought of the impenetrable shields of their enemies, of the manipulators hiding behind their puppets. He needed something to tear through those defenses.

To tear.

The intent was crystal clear. Not to pierce, but to tear. Tear through the lies, tear through the shields, tear through the chains binding Kurome.

In response, the pulse within his armor surged. And from the knuckles of his right gauntlet, not one, but three slightly curved claws of silver energy extended smoothly. They looked more ferocious and more substantial than the single claw before.

Tatsumi opened his eyes, staring at the new manifestation of his will.

Akame observed the three claws, then met Tatsumi's eyes through his helmet's visor. A small, meaningful nod.

"That's a good start," she said. "You've greeted it. Now, you must start learning its entire language."