On the journey to the Imperial Capital, Daniel took the opportunity to study Chelsea's Imperial Arm, Gaea Foundation. One of the main reasons he agreed to travel with Chelsea was to learn more about this powerful tool, rather than being swayed by her beauty. Along the way, Daniel learned more about the history and nature of Imperial Arms from Chelsea, who had studied them extensively after becoming an Imperial Arms user herself. Chelsea even shared some crucial information about the Revolutionary Army's Imperial Arms, including a particularly important one—a prophetic Imperial Arm. This prophetic tool had allowed the Revolutionary Army to avoid several Imperial ambushes and was a key factor in their survival and growth.
While the Imperial Prime Minister, Honest, was not overly concerned with the Revolutionary Army, he had sent several assassins, including Akame and Kurome, specifically trained to deal with them. Chelsea revealed these details to Daniel in hopes of convincing him to assist in taking down the Empire's powerful General, Esdeath. However, Daniel was fully aware of her intentions. He chose not to give a direct answer, partly because he had his own unique thoughts about Esdeath and partly because he was deeply engrossed in studying Gaea Foundation.
After obtaining Gaea Foundation for the second time, Daniel used his Op-Op Fruit powers to dissect and study it extensively. His research, combined with the information Chelsea provided, led him to a significant realization—most Imperial Arms contained a form of life or energy within them.
"So they require Super Danger Beasts as materials," Daniel mused. Through his encounters with various Danger Beasts and his research, Daniel gained a deeper understanding of Imperial Arms. However, this realization also made him understand the difficulty of replicating an Imperial Arm. The Empire's first Emperor had slaughtered countless Super Danger Beasts with rare abilities to create these weapons. The result was that many of these rare beasts were either extinct or hidden away in uncharted territories.
Finding these rare Danger Beasts would be no easy task.
Danger Beasts in this world were classified into different levels: general Danger Beasts ranged from Level 1 to Level 3, then there were Special Danger Beasts, and finally, Super Danger Beasts. When the protagonist, Tatsumi, first appeared, he saved a carriage from a Level 1 Danger Beast, which, although the weakest, was still much stronger than an ordinary wild animal. Tatsumi managing to kill one right at the start was a testament to his strength.
But to become the material for an Imperial Arm, the minimum requirement was a Special Danger Beast.
"This world is like a weaker version of the One Piece world. If I had come here before entering the One Piece world, this would have been a good choice," Daniel thought as he slayed various Danger Beasts. The Akame ga Kill world, like the One Piece world, was a place where physical prowess reigned supreme. Characters like Akame, Mine, and Leone could dodge bullets with their speed and agility.
The world of Akame ga Kill was also technologically peculiar. While advanced firearms, sniper rifles, and even missiles existed, people still relied on horse-drawn carriages for transportation. This strange blend of advanced weaponry and primitive transportation was likely due to the influence of the Imperial Arms.
"This world is truly corrupt," Daniel remarked as he and Chelsea continued their journey toward the Imperial Capital. The deeper they ventured into the heart of the Empire, the more depravity they encountered. Even Daniel, who was well aware of the Empire's corruption, couldn't help but feel angered by the sight of its depths.
"The world needs a bit of cleansing," Daniel concluded as he reconsidered a plan he had initially set aside—the Philosopher's Stone Transmutation Array. Given the abundant wickedness of the Empire's rulers and nobles, Daniel felt that transforming them into Philosopher's Stones might be the best solution.
As a result, along the journey, whenever they encountered a corrupt official, Daniel discreetly turned them into Philosopher's Stones. He kept these actions hidden from Chelsea, who only saw him ruthlessly eliminate every corrupt official and guard they came across.
"The capital looks so prosperous on the surface," Daniel mused as he and Chelsea finally arrived at the Imperial Capital. The grandeur of the distant palace and the bustling streets belied the rot that lay within. Daniel shook his head, knowing that the true nature of the capital was far from what it seemed.
"I wonder if Tatsumi has arrived in the capital yet," Daniel thought as he and Chelsea made their way to a corner of the southern gate's wall. A crowd had gathered there, and when Daniel and Chelsea approached, they discovered that people were reading the Empire's latest wanted posters. Three individuals were on the list, all of whom Daniel recognized as members of Night Raid. The most prominent among them was Akame, with the highest bounty.
"Room." As they settled into a small tavern, Daniel activated his Op-Op Fruit powers, extending his domain and combining it with Observation Haki. Instantly, he gained an understanding of everything within a few kilometers.
"The capital is truly overrun with scum," Daniel muttered as his eyes gleamed with a cold light.
"You plan to assassinate the Prime Minister?" Daniel asked as they arrived at a nondescript house in the capital—a safe house belonging to the Revolutionary Army. Chelsea had brought him there to discuss her mission: assassinating the Empire's Prime Minister, Honest. The Prime Minister was heavily guarded, surrounded by powerful warriors and stationed near the palace. Even if the entire Night Raid team attacked together, success would be unlikely. The only chance was for Chelsea to use her Gaea Foundation to infiltrate and carry out the assassination. This plan, though extremely dangerous, was something Chelsea had accepted without hesitation for the sake of the Revolutionary Army.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed? He's not someone you can easily assassinate," Daniel warned, aware that Prime Minister Honest was no fool. Though his actions often seemed stupid, they were part of a calculated strategy to eliminate potential rivals and maintain power. Honest believed that as long as Esdeath and the Supreme Imperial Arm remained, the Empire could withstand any threat, including the Revolutionary Army. He intentionally allowed the Revolutionary Army to grow, using them to eliminate regional governors who opposed him and to flush out those who defied his authority, including General Budo.
"Don't worry, the Revolutionary Army has already made detailed plans. I will succeed," Chelsea replied confidently, undeterred by Daniel's warning.
"Just be careful," Daniel said, seeing the determination in Chelsea's eyes. He decided to drop his attempts to dissuade her and instead resolved to protect her from the shadows during her mission.
In the world of Akame ga Kill, Daniel wasn't concerned about the Empire's enemies. Neither Esdeath nor General Budo could match his power. He could storm the palace and slaughter everyone within if he wished, but he preferred not to draw attention to himself. Besides, he was waiting for someone—Syura, the son of Prime Minister Honest. Syura was a particularly sadistic individual responsible for the death of Lubbock. Daniel was interested in Syura's Imperial Arm, Shambhala, which had the power of space manipulation.
Daniel knew that if he revealed his strength too early, Syura might retreat into hiding. With a space-manipulating Imperial Arm at his disposal, Syura could become nearly impossible to track down. It was crucial to wait for the right moment to strike.
As night fell, the streets emptied, and the Imperial Capital's nightlife came alive. A luxurious nightclub, ablaze with light, bustled with high-ranking officials and nobles, all warmly greeted by a handsome young man in a yellow suit.
"Who goes there?" Four burly guards stationed at the club's entrance intercepted Daniel as he approached, his figure shrouded in darkness.
"The one who's going to kill you," Daniel replied calmly. As one of the guards approached, Daniel delivered a powerful kick to his chest. The force of the blow sent the man flying, crashing into another guard before both were hurled through the club's doors.
"How dare you!" The remaining two guards shouted, only to meet the same fate as they were sent hurtling inside.
"Leave no one alive," Daniel ordered as he formed hand seals, summoning twelve physical clones that spread out to different parts of the club.
"Who dares cause trouble here?" A group of club enforcers rushed to confront Daniel as he entered the lobby, while others watched with cold eyes.
A series of loud thuds and groans filled the air as Daniel swiftly incapacitated the enforcers and the handsome young man in the yellow suit, leaving them crumpled on the floor, their bones shattered. The sounds of their agonized screams echoed throughout the club.
"Is that all you can say?" Daniel mocked as more enforcers stepped forward, only to be swiftly dispatched. In no time, the club's lobby was filled with the broken bodies of its patrons, while the women who had been accompanying them were pushed to the side by Daniel.
"You're free now. Take this money and leave," Daniel said, tossing a large sum of money taken from the club's coffers at the women, urging them to escape.
"And now, it's your turn," Daniel turned his attention to the men groaning on the floor, a cold smile on his face. His clones quickly corralled them into a transmutation circle drawn on the floor. Amid their desperate screams, the men were all transmuted into red Philosopher's Stones. Daniel snapped his fingers, and the entire club was engulfed in flames.
"Stop right there!" As Daniel exited the burning club, he found himself surrounded by members of the Imperial Capital's security forces—fourteen guards with swords and guns trained on him.
"I am Captain Oka of the Imperial Capital Security Force! Surrender immediately!" a stern, middle-aged man with a fierce expression stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword at his waist.
"The Security Force's response is quite swift," Daniel remarked with a slight smile as he observed the man known as "Demon Oka." Oka was notorious for his brutality and corruption within the Capital, and his deeds were well-known to Daniel from what Chelsea had told him. Without any hesitation, Daniel's figure blurred, and before Oka could react, Daniel appeared right in front of him.
In a single, swift motion, Daniel disarmed Oka, wrenching the sword from his waist. Oka's eyes widened in shock, but before he could utter a word, Daniel swung the sword, cutting Oka cleanly in half at the waist.
A bloodcurdling scream tore from Oka's throat as he collapsed, the two halves of his body falling to the ground with a wet thud.
"Who else dares?" Daniel's voice was cold as he turned to the remaining members of the Security Force. However, they met the same fate as Oka, cut down with merciless efficiency. Soon, the area was littered with the lifeless bodies of the guards, their blood pooling on the cobblestone street.
With his task complete, Daniel calmly walked away from the scene, leaving the burning nightclub and the slaughtered Security Force behind him.
---
"Wake up, Tatsumi! Wake up!"
The sound of a familiar name reached Daniel's ears as he passed by another part of the Capital. He instantly recognized the name and narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. Without a moment's hesitation, he dashed toward the source of the voice, moving with inhuman speed.
"This must be it." Daniel soon arrived at a large, lavish estate surrounded by high walls. From within, he could hear the desperate cries of someone calling for Tatsumi. The name alone confirmed he was in the right place.
Without wasting any time, Daniel knocked out the two guards stationed at the estate's gate. They barely registered his presence before they were rendered unconscious, their bodies slumping to the ground.
Inside the estate, Daniel followed the sounds to a small, dimly lit room at the back. He reached the door, where two more guards stood, but like the others, they were swiftly dispatched with a single blow each.
The door itself was a thick iron slab, a testament to the cruelty that lay within. Daniel didn't bother with subtlety. With a powerful kick, the door was sent crashing down, revealing the horrors inside.
It was a torture chamber, with three figures hanging from chains suspended from the ceiling. Below them was a deep pit, and the room reeked of blood and suffering.
"Three people… so Tatsumi was captured too," Daniel muttered as he took in the scene. Among the three was a young man—Tatsumi—who was unconscious and hanging limply, his body battered and bruised. The other two were a girl and another boy, both in similar states.
"Tatsumi, Sayo…" Daniel whispered their names, recognizing them instantly from his knowledge of the story. He quickly approached, his eyes scanning the room for traps or any signs of danger.
"Tatsumi, wake up," Sayo's voice was weak, yet filled with concern as she tried to rouse her unconscious friend. She was clearly in bad shape, having endured considerable torture.
Daniel wasted no time. With a precise slash of Oka's sword, he severed the chains holding them up, catching each of them before they could fall into the pit below.
"Who…?" Sayo looked up at Daniel, her vision blurry from the pain and exhaustion. But before she could say more, her eyes fluttered shut as she slipped into unconsciousness, her body unable to bear the strain any longer.
"You're safe now," Daniel whispered, his voice gentle as he laid Sayo down carefully. He quickly tended to Tatsumi and the other boy, making sure they were stable before checking the room for anything else of note.
As he did, Daniel's mind raced with thoughts. He had intervened much earlier than the original story would have played out. The protagonist, Tatsumi, was supposed to meet a tragic end for his friends here, only to be saved by the Night Raid later. But now, with his intervention, the course of events would change drastically.
"I can't afford to let them stay here," Daniel thought. With the Empire's corruption as deep as it was, he knew that Tatsumi and his friends would be in danger again if left behind.
Carrying all three of them effortlessly, Daniel exited the estate, avoiding any further encounters with guards. His goal was clear—to get them to safety before the situation escalated further.
As he left the Capital behind, Daniel couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The course of this world's history was already beginning to shift, and soon, the Empire would face the consequences of its corruption.
But for now, his priority was to ensure that Tatsumi and his friends recovered from their ordeal. Only then could they join the fight against the Empire and bring about the change they sought.
And with Daniel's strength and knowledge backing them, the Empire was doomed to fall.
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