214. Akame Ga Kill : War Between Paradise City and Empire. (4)
While Paradise City is at war with hundreds of thousands of Imperial Empire Army, Night Raid, accompanied by Saitama and Misaka, is currently on its way to the Emperor's palace to overthrow the Empire.
Compared to the calm residents of Paradise City, who were waiting in shelters, fully confident they would be fine, the people of the Imperial Capital were in chaos, as Night Raid's attack was carried out openly to the public. While most of the Empire's strongest forces were away, the Empire's defense was naturally at its lowest level, which naturally caused panic among the people when they realized their Capital City had been invaded by the enemy.
...
"I really can't believe you punched the gate down, sensei!" Misaka excitedly yelled, "Good job!"
"Ah, it was okay. Let's move quickly and finish it before dinner." Saitama just shrugged, as such a feat was nothing for him.
"You guys are too fast!" Mine complained, catching up his breath, which made everyone stop running, "I am sorry, but if Kaguya-sama could teleport us anywhere, why didn't do transfer us directly to the palace?!"
"Unfortunately, Crocodile-san said that our action needs to be known if we want to take over the Empire... and we rally a lot of people behind it," Najenda answered her calmly. "And this makes our next course of action easier, right?"
Earlier, Kaguya only teleported Night Raid(s) to the outside of Imperial Capital City's wall before she ran somewhere else. Since it's currently wartime, the Imperial Capital naturally also completely blocked up like how Paradise City does these days-- so Saitama was forced to take action and directly blow up the metallic gate of the Empire wall.
When that happens, Najenda quickly announces their presence as the Paradise City team is to overthrow the Empire and capture the Emperor.
After that, with the help of people who support Paradise City in the Empire, chaos quickly followed in the Imperial capital, which overwhelmed all the City Guard-- since even among those guards, there are also people who support this takeover. Crocodile had been prepared for this to happen, and the guard was caught off guard when they realize the enemy has invaded their city and their own rank!
This makes Night Raids and other consequence actions much easier, as they just need to assassinate their target without worrying that the guard will bother them.
...
"Crocodile managed to gather thousands of followers inside the Capital in a month... So scary." Lubbock commented calmly. "It's obvious he has been prepared."
"Crocodile is experienced in overthrowing a kingdom... so I am not surprised. " Misaka chimmed in-- Remembered that in his world, Crocodile probably would have taken over Alabasta if not because protagonist's presence.
???
"I see." Hearing her best friend comment, Mine gulped nervously. "And you guys are fine working with him?"
"Yeah... After all, with Saitama and Kaito in the group, Crocodile wouldn't dare to do a bad thing." Misaka nodded with confidence as he turned to Saitama, "Is that right, Sensei?"
"Um. Crocodile might have a bad history, but he is now our friend." Saitama stated, "If he dares to do something bad, I would personally punch him to the face."
"..."
Remember how easily Saitama blew the metallic gate to bits with a single punch earlier... They were convinced that Crocodile wouldn't dare to do something bad unless he wanted to commit suicide.
After taking a short break, the group then continues their journey through to chaotic Imperial Capital to the palace in order to overthrow the Empire as they have planned.
>>>>>
At the same time, in the Imperial Palace, the little emperor is currently feeling anxious, angry, and confused after hearing the news that the Imperial Capital had been invaded by Paradise City, and the whole city has become chaotic.
Since the palace is located on higher ground in the city, the little Empire could see a lot of smoke and fire rising in the whole Capital from all directions. Occasionally, the sounds of angry citizens and explosions could also be heard, adding to the chaos of an already chaotic situation.
...
“They are so cunning! How could they even think of attacking the Capital when their territory is under attack?!” The little emperor yelled angrily, "And why haven't they been arrested yet?!"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but riots and rebellion are breaking out everywhere, clearly incited by Paradise City people who lurk in our city. Thanks to that, we don't have enough manpower to detain the Night Raid members," one of the nobles reported.
"T-They must have been planning this for a long time!" Little Emperor frowned and then ordered arrogantly, "List all the people who are working with them.
"After we successfully destroy the so-called Paradise city, we will execute them in public later!"
"I-I will carry out your will, Your Majesty!" the young nobleman quickly saluted.
Although the little Emperor was not particularly intelligent (manipulated by Honest), it was obvious that the rebellion had to be planned by Paradise City, and he swore to hold everyone responsible for this humiliation accountable after they had reclaimed their territory from the Paradise City rebels.
At the moment, the little Emperor didn't know that the Empire was losing badly in the war due to technological and distance limitations. He still thought it was only a matter of time before they destroyed Paradise City with all their Teigu users, and one hundred thousand Imperial Empire army led by General Esdeath forces together-- which couldn't be further from the truth.
...
Hearing his order, a group of nobles quickly leaves the hall to execute his order, leaving him alone with General Budo, who has been standing calmly beside the little emperor to protect him. Budo, the tall and muscular middle-aged man with spiky orange hair with brown eyes, looked at the incompetent noble sternly and swore he would take care of them later after the war.
"Speaking of which... I haven't seen the Prime Minister. Where's the Prime Minister, Honest?" The little emperor asked General Budo curiously.
"He said that he was preparing something to fight the enemy." Budo replied respectfully and seriously answered, "For your protection, until the situation calms down, I won't leave your majesty's side!"
"Thank you, General Budo. It's reassuring to have you here." The little emperor nodded with a smile before frowning again with a clear, impatient look, "I guess Prime Minister Honest is busy, but I hope he finishes it quickly since I am confused about what to do about the situation."
"..."
Hearing what the Emperor said, Budo chose to remain quiet and didn't react to his words. As a person, General Budo never liked Prime Minister Honest and even detested him, who manipulated the emperor directly. However, due to his family tradition and teaching that the military can't get into politics, General Budo just let Honest do whatever he wants as long as the Emperor's safety and the authority of the Empire are guaranteed.
He would rather deal with rebels and anything that threatens the Empire.
They didn't know that at this moment, Honest was about to make his move to usurp the Empire, that right now, at its lowest defense and worst situation.
*BOOM*
...!!!
"Help!"
"Intruder is coming!"
"We can't stop them!"
Shortly afterward, an explosion rang out at the gates of the Imperial Palace, alarming General Budo and the little Emperor. Just from the screams of the Imperial Guards, it was clear that the Night Raid group had arrived at the palace and were on their way to assassinate the Emperor.
"Night Raid is here?! What are the Imperial guards in the city doing?" the little Emperor shouted in panic.
"Your Majesty, the enemy has arrived. Please escape to safety, as I will hold the enemy and defeat them here!"
General Budo quickly suggested, prepared to intercept enemies, and prepared his Adramelech gauntlet (Teigu), "I will make sure to kill all the enemies, but I can't endanger you getting too close to me!"
"Umm! Then, I will get the supreme national Teigu to punish our enemy!" Little Emperor gritted his teeth in anger, realizing the situation was really bad, "Please hold the enemy, Budo!"
"Yes, your majesty!"
After saying that, the Little Emperor quickly ran through the secret route to the Empire's most powerful Teigu underground, leaving General Budo to wait for the Night Raid group to come to his location. As the second most powerful person in the Empire, General Budo believes there's no need for the Emperor to get into his Supreme Teigu, but he can't deny that the Emperor would be in the safest place if he managed to get inside the strongest Teigu.
>>>>>
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
...!!??!!
In less than a minute, causing destruction and havoc, the Night Raid team, along with Misaka and Saitama, arrived at the Emperor's throne room... only to find that the little Emperor was gone and General Budo was already waiting for their arrival in the empty room.
"Crap, there's no Emperor... but General Budo is here waiting for us" (Lubbock)
"It's a trap! Damn it, where do Honest and the Emperor go?!" (Najenda)
*BZZZ*
...!!!
Looking at the panicked Night Raid group, General Budo silently activated his gauntlet Teigu as he declared, "Rebelious Night Raid and Paradise City Army, as enemies of the Empire, I respect your efforts, but your journey ends here!"
"As enemies of the Empire, I will kill you all!"
After General Budo said that, using his Teigu, he then generated and released a high amount of electricity instantly. He wanted to destroy the enemies quickly at once, even if it would destroy the entire palace!
*BZZZZZZ*
....!!!
"Oh no, you can't!"
Unfortunately for him, Misaka, as a Lv 5 Electromagnetic Esper and a Goro-Goro no Mi devil fruit user who is a more skilled electromagnetic user than Budo, immediately deflected all the electricity released by Budo into the air, creating a very powerful thunder that shook the entire Imperial Capital.
*BOOM*
...!!!!
Realizing his attack was blocked and redirected, General Budo naturally tried to attack again, but this time, Misaka quickly turned into "elemental form" and punched him, forcing Budo to block instead of attacking.
*BAMM*
...!!!
"Lightning Teigu user?!"
Looking at Misaka, who turned into a 'lightning', General Budo tried to control her using his Teigu that was capable of controlling any electricity, only to find out it was impossible to do so.
If anything, General Budo feels Misaka has way more control of electricity than him, which in result angered him as Budo didn't expect there's a stronger electricity control Teigu out there.
After all, Misaka could turn into "lightning" herself, while Budo still needs 'tools' to control them. It's no brainer which one is better when it comes to controlling electricity.
"Misaka-san, so fast!" (Mine)
"She's turned herself into lightning!" (Akame)
"You, what are you?!" (Budo)
"I am your worst nightmare, incompetent General!" (Misaka)
"Arrogant! I will kill you! Even if I need to die!" (Budo)
Budo determined he needed to kill Misaka right otherwise he was afraid Misaka would grow stronger and become a deadly threat to the Empire's future.
Simply observing Misaka's movement, General Budo determined that Misaka didn't have a lot of combat experience, as it was too "clumsy," so he decided to attack her using his Teigu and martial arts combined.
"You are inexperienced! Die, girl!" (Budo)
"Don't underestimate me, old man!" (Misaka)
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
...!!!
Unfortunately for Budo again, Misaka is not a pushover either, even if she lacks any close combat experience.
Like any other chat group member, Misaka has also mastered three forms of Haki, which gives her more edge against General Budo. With Thunder Devil Fruit, Misaka's observation Haki is even better than Kaito's, as she can straight predict the future a half-second ahead, which is enough to anticipate and suppress all General Budo attacks directly.
Hence, the situation between them quickly fell into a stalemate, as every Misaka attack was easily read by Budo while Misaka herself was capable of reading Budo's attack and avoiding it.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
...!!!
"I will hold this middle-aged General, you guys should catch up with the Emperor!" Misaka suggested, while facing fierce attack from Budo.
Realizing she couldn't go all out if everyone is still here, Misaka hopes Night Raid gets away from this battlefield right now.
"But Misaka-sama... he is General Budo--" (Najenda)
"Don't worry, there's no chance Budo could defeat her." Saitama quickly cut in calmly, understanding Misaka's predicament at a glance, "Let's go chase the little Emperor and capture him to stop the chaos."
As an occasional Misaka sparring partner, Saitama knows how strong Misaka is right now and believes she could handle General Budo on her own, easily. If anything, Night Raid's presence is what holds Misaka from going all out, as she was afraid of accidentally killing her allies.
"No way I would let you all leave!" General Budo yelled in anger as he decided to release all of his electricity to cook his enemy out, "Die, you rebel!"
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ*
....!!!
"As I said, I won't let you!"
Looking at Budo, who seems prepared to explode, Misaka quickly stops him before it happens. As someone who has watched One Piece to Wano Arc, Misaka has developed a perfect ability to contain Budo right now, which forced him to defeat her before Budo was able to chase her allies.
[Lightning Jutsu: Thunderous Cage!]
...!!!
Inspired by Doflamingo's move in Dressrosa Arc, instantly, a cage made of lightning appeared and surrounded Budo from all directions, directly imprisoning him with Misaka in the center.
?!!?!?!
"What is this?! I will destroy this!" (Budo)
*BZZZZZZ*
...!!!
Budo tried to use his strongest attack to break this 'lightning cage', but it was of no use. No matter how much energy he put out, the lightning wall seems to be able to absorb it and deliver it to the ground, acting like a cage full of lightning rods that is able to neutralize any amount of electricity it affects.
Realizing his situation, Budo quickly retreated and looked at Misaka with deep hatred, since Budo realized he probably couldn't escape this place without defeating her.
"Stop hindering me, little girl! I will kill you, and I will kill all of your friends before they can harm the Emperor!" Budo threatened.
Budo then threw his clothes out, and quickly charged as much energy as possible into his body... preparing for ultimate attack.
"Hah! If anything, you should pray that you could survive, or I accidentally kill you after I go all out, General!"
Hearing the Budo threat, Misaka, who feels Night Raid is already far enough from them, also starts to use more dangerous attacks, which would easily kill any normal people around her. Misaka also quickly formed a black mace using iron sand from her inventory, clad with haki which as strong as any heavily refined mace out there.
After that, the angry Budo quickly plays his trump card against Misaka. By charging a huge amount of electrical energy earlier, a black colored, powerful electric beam was directed toward her.
[Solid Shooter!]
In response to the beam, Misaka quickly swung her formed mace in full power, while also discharging a godly amount of electrical energy to counter Budo's trump card.
[Thunder Bagua!]
*BOOOOOOOM*
......!!!
Imitating Kaido's favorite attack from One Piece, Misaka smashed her mace at the beam, causing a room to explode violently with a thunderous roar that shook the entire Capital city once more.
This mutual attack is so devastating that it quickly destroys-- evaporates the whole room and half of the palace, but thankfully, the cage reduces the charges of attack; otherwise, their attack would kill countless innocents in the Capital city that is affected by their attacks.
...
