Hearing Wood's complaint, Mine's face turned red. Truth be told, her current position was indeed rather awkward.
Her body was perched on Wood's shoulders, and with Wood running and jumping so vigorously, some inevitable friction occurred.
"Stop whining! Just don't make too much noise; otherwise, I won't be able to aim properly."
The blushing girl finally found a somewhat plausible excuse for herself, and the guy doing the heavy lifting reluctantly accepted her explanation.
However, Chelsea, who was also being carried on Wood's back, noticed the issue and mischievously decided not to let Mine off the hook. "I never thought Mine was this kind of person. Reacting in such a situation... how truly lewd of you."
Hearing the sly fox's comment, Mine instantly flared up like an ignited powder keg. She glared at Chelsea in shame and anger. "Who's the shameless one here? Clinging to a man like an octopus? I wonder who that might be?"
Just as Chelsea was about to retort, Wood intervened.
"You two, that's enough. If you want to argue, at least pick a better time and place!
If you keep messing around, I'll throw you both off and run away on my own!"
Seeing the two girls about to start bickering again, Wood felt utterly drained. While the current situation offered some unexpected perks, the mental toll far outweighed it.
"You wouldn't dare!" the two girls shouted in unison.
Before Wood could react, one of them bit his ear while the other twisted the soft flesh at his waist.
"Susanoo is gone, but Esdeath is still alive. If you keep dawdling, we really will die here," Wood warned.
Realizing the gravity of the situation and unwilling to let Susanoo's sacrifice go to waste, Mine and Chelsea's expressions turned serious.
"Chelsea, use your Imperial Arm to transform into a bird and scout their formation from above. Find the weakest point for us to break through.
As for those with guns, I'll take care of them. Mine, the acidic danger beast frog is your responsibility," Wood instructed.
Once the girls calmed down, Wood began issuing orders. Moments later, the weight on his back lightened as Chelsea transformed into a bird using her Imperial Arm, "Gaia Foundation," and flew into the sky.
At nearly the same moment, Dr. Stylish's modified soldiers and the fully mechanized Toby deployed long-range weapons to snipe the airborne Chelsea. This was precisely why she hadn't transformed earlier—becoming a bird would make her a prime target for concentrated fire.
With no means of retaliation, Chelsea would be shot down without a doubt.
Despite knowing the risks, Chelsea followed Wood's instructions without hesitation because she trusted her comrades and had faith in Wood.
And her trust wasn't misplaced. Just as Dr. Stylish's soldiers aimed their weapons at Chelsea, Wood struck first, unleashing a series of slicing kicks.
The high-speed kicks moved so quickly they created afterimages. Accompanied by piercing sounds, blue slashes resembling feathers flew from Wood's legs, shooting toward the "Stylish Squad."
Using the Six Powers technique "Rankyaku," Wood's air slashes, while not as powerful as those from his blade, were more than enough to handle some grunts. Stylish's modified soldiers, while stronger than regular Imperial soldiers with advanced weapons and semi-mechanical bodies, couldn't withstand Wood's attacks. A large number of them fell in one swoop.
Even Toby, the fully mechanized member of the squad, sustained several gashes inches deep from Wood's slashes.
The acidic danger beast, "Caesar Giant Frog," also tried to attack Chelsea in the air, but before it could act, a pink laser pierced through its open mouth, obliterating its body.
Needless to say, the shooter was Mine. With her Imperial Arm, "Pumpkin," she released her pent-up emotions in a powerful shot, easily taking down the beast.
With the threats neutralized, Chelsea quickly identified the weakest point in the enemy formation and signaled the escape route. However, just as she began descending, a sharp icicle shot toward her from an extreme distance.
Sensing danger, Chelsea immediately canceled her transformation, hoping her original body's weight would accelerate her free fall and help her evade the attack.
But the icicle was too fast. Just as Chelsea thought she couldn't dodge it, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her. Spinning mid-air, Wood delivered a roundhouse kick that shattered the icicle.
"I told you I'd take care of all the threats. I never break my promises!" Wood declared as they descended. He reminded Chelsea to grab onto him during the fall.
Still in shock, Chelsea instinctively clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Boom!"
When Wood landed, the ground beneath him cracked like a spider web from the impact. Mine, waiting on the ground, saw the scene and couldn't help feeling jealous. Watching Chelsea cling to Wood with a blissful expression, she snapped, "Have you two hugged enough?
Weren't you the one who said escaping was the priority? Now you're here flirting? You pervert!"
"Which part of this looks like I'm hugging her?" Wood retorted, exasperated. "Do you see my arms free? I've been carrying both of you while fighting and running for my life. I'm beyond exhausted!"
Chelsea finally let go, landing on the ground with a smirk. "Alright, enough bickering. Esdeath already has her eyes on us."
Wood frowned at the mention of Esdeath. He turned to Chelsea and asked, "Which direction is the weakest?"
Chelsea pointed south. "That way has the fewest guards. If we can reach the forest, it'll be harder for them to find us."
Without wasting a second, Wood shifted Mine back onto his shoulders and began running south at full speed. Despite the added burden of carrying two companions earlier, his training in the Six Powers techniques allowed him to maintain a remarkable pace. Even so, the strain was clearly taking a toll.
The group faced relentless pursuit. Modified soldiers armed with long-range weapons continued firing at them, and danger beasts appeared from the shadows, attempting to block their path. However, Mine's Imperial Arm, "Pumpkin," proved invaluable. As the situation grew more dire, its power increased, allowing her to pick off enemies with precision.
"Wood! There's another danger beast closing in on the right!" Chelsea shouted.
Wood twisted his body mid-stride and delivered a powerful kick, sending the beast crashing into a tree. The group pressed onward, avoiding as much confrontation as possible.
As they neared the edge of the forest, the terrain became more treacherous, forcing them to slow down. Chelsea, acting as their scout, scanned the path ahead. "We're almost there, but it's going to get rough."
Just as they thought they were in the clear, a deafening roar erupted behind them. The ground trembled as a massive, mechanized figure burst through the trees. It was one of Dr. Stylish's elite creations, a towering mechanical soldier armed with an energy cannon.
Wood skidded to a stop, his instincts screaming that this was no ordinary enemy. Mine slid off his shoulders and stepped forward. "Go on without me. I'll handle it."
"What are you talking about? You can't fight that thing alone!" Wood protested.
"I said go!" Mine shouted, raising "Pumpkin" and taking aim. "I'll buy you time. Chelsea, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
Chelsea hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in Mine's eyes, she grabbed Wood's arm. "We need to move. Trust her."
Before Wood could argue further, Chelsea tugged him forward, forcing him to continue southward. Behind them, Mine's voice echoed through the forest. "Come on, you hunk of junk! Let's see how tough you really are!"
A bright pink beam of energy shot from "Pumpkin," striking the mechanical soldier square in the chest. The explosion sent shockwaves through the forest, but the enemy continued its advance, its armored frame now glowing red-hot from the impact.
Mine smirked, adjusting her stance. "Not bad, but I've got plenty more where that came from."
Meanwhile, Wood and Chelsea finally broke through the edge of the forest, only to find themselves standing on the edge of a steep cliff. Below them was a raging river, its currents churning violently against the rocks.
"Well, this is just great," Chelsea muttered. "Now what?"
Wood scanned the area, calculating their options. "We jump."
Chelsea's eyes widened. "Are you insane? That river will tear us apart!"
"Do you have a better idea?" Wood countered, his tone firm.
Before Chelsea could respond, Wood grabbed her by the waist and leapt off the edge. The wind roared around them as they plummeted toward the water below. Chelsea screamed, clutching tightly to Wood.
At the last moment, Wood adjusted their trajectory, ensuring they hit the water at an angle to minimize the impact. The icy river swallowed them whole, its powerful currents dragging them beneath the surface.
Wood fought against the pull of the water, using every ounce of his strength to keep them afloat. After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the shore, gasping for air.
"That... was the worst plan you've ever had," Chelsea panted, coughing up water.
"Maybe," Wood admitted with a weak chuckle, "but we're alive, aren't we?"
Their brief moment of relief was shattered by a distant explosion. They turned to see a plume of smoke rising from the forest, a grim reminder that Mine was still fighting.
"We have to go back!" Chelsea said, her voice filled with urgency.
"No," Wood said firmly. "If we go back now, her sacrifice will be for nothing. We have to trust her."
Chelsea clenched her fists, clearly frustrated, but she knew he was right. "Fine. But if anything happens to her, I'm holding you responsible."
With heavy hearts, the two began following the river, leaving the battlefield behind.
Several days later, in a small village just outside the capital, Tatsumi, cloaked in a hooded robe, cautiously entered a modest house. Inside, the occupants immediately tensed, ready for action, until Tatsumi lowered his hood, revealing his face. The tension eased as they recognized him.
"Are you sure it's safe to stay this close to the capital?" Tatsumi asked, his voice tinged with worry.
"This is the safest place we could be," replied Leone, leaning casually against the wall. "No one would expect us to stay this close. The people here are all trustworthy, and the Empire would never think to search in such an obvious location."
The village was only five kilometers west of the capital—closer than Night Raid's former base. Tatsumi couldn't help but feel uneasy. The proximity to the heart of enemy territory seemed far too dangerous, even with Leone's reassurances.
Leone, however, was her usual confident self, showing no signs of the injuries she'd sustained during their escape. Thanks to her Imperial Arm, "Lionelle," which granted her exceptional regenerative abilities, Leone had recovered faster than anyone else.
Aside from Leone, the house was occupied by two other figures: Lubbock and Akame. While Akame appeared unscathed, Lubbock bore a fresh, deep scar across his face. Once a cheerful and laid-back member of the team, his demeanor had changed drastically. The scar, along with the loss of comrades, had left its mark on him.
The cheerful boy they had known seemed to have disappeared, replaced by someone colder and more serious. The scar only added to his now-intense and somber presence, making him seem almost unapproachable.
The change in Lubbock's personality stemmed from the chaotic battle at their former base just days earlier. Susanoo had disobeyed Najenda's orders to retreat, sacrificing himself to buy time for the others. He had self-destructed, hoping to take Esdeath down with him. The explosion had been massive, leveling everything within a kilometer. However, Esdeath had survived, though not unscathed.
Despite the damage inflicted on her, Esdeath had quickly resumed her pursuit, targeting Lubbock and Najenda as they tried to escape. During the chase, Najenda had thrown herself in harm's way to save Lubbock from a fatal attack. The act cost her an arm and an eye. The blade that missed Lubbock's head instead grazed his face, leaving him with a scar and a permanent reminder of her sacrifice.
When Lubbock finally managed to carry the gravely injured Najenda to safety, Esdeath continued her relentless pursuit. Just when all hope seemed lost, two familiar figures appeared: Sheele, who had returned with a prosthetic arm, and Bulat, who everyone had thought dead.
Sheele and Bulat joined forces with Lubbock, standing against Esdeath. Although the three were no match for her under normal circumstances, the injuries Esdeath had sustained from Susanoo's self-destruction gave them a fighting chance. Together, they managed to hold her off long enough to escape.
Najenda was now recovering at the Revolutionary Army headquarters, where doctors were working on creating prosthetic limbs and an artificial eye for her.