What makes someone a good leader?
Many would say courage, adaptability, decisiveness, intelligence, and integrity. But people often fail to realize that even if a leader possesses all these qualities, they might still not be a good leader. Leadership doesn't revolve solely around the leader, it's the subjects who project the mantle onto them. If the subjects hate the leader, then no matter their qualities, that person will never truly be a good leader.
That said… if I were to become a leader, maybe the leader of Night Raid—no, something even bigger. Let's say after we capture Prime Minister Honest and the emperor. With my cunning and abilities, would I be a good candidate for the new emperor?
I've asked myself that question many times. I may have perverted goals, but is it really my wish to—
"Okun!"
A voice suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up and realized it was Leone.
"What were you thinking about to look so lost?" Leone asked, gently playing with my nose. As she spoke, I immediately caught the smell of alcohol.
"You went drinking again, didn't you?" I asked.
"N-No," Leone denied in a low voice.
"I can literally smell it on your breath," I argued.
"I-I just tasted a little. Don't you trust me?" Leone said with a flushed face, wrapping an arm around my neck. Just then, we heard a coughing sound. When we turned our heads, Najenda was staring at us with a dark expression.
Tatsumi looked awkward, while Akame seemed completely unbothered.
"I think you two should be more mindful of your actions. There are virgins here, you know. I don't want you corrupting them," Najenda said. Tatsumi and Akame nearly coughed up blood at her remark.
"I'm sorry about that, boss."
"Leone, didn't you go on a mission with the others? Why are you here?" Tatsumi asked.
"Well… something happened, so I didn't tag along again," Leone replied, scratching the back of her head.
At the moment, the five of us—me, Akame, Leone, Najenda, and Tatsumi, were seated around the dining table. It felt like a small banquet, the table filled to the brim with food.
"So, Leone, let's hear about the job you mentioned," Najenda said. My ears perked up, I didn't remember this part from the series.
Leone pulled out two papers, each bearing a sketch of a rugged-looking man. One was bald, while the other was bulky with hair.
"The targets are Ogre of the Imperial Police and Gamal, an oil merchant. According to our client, Gamal has been bribing Ogre heavily. Whenever Gamal commits a crime, Ogre fabricates a story and shifts the blame to someone else."
"Our client's fiancée was framed and killed, so she wants us to send both of them to hell. This is the payment," Leone said, placing a large bag of money on the table.
Why do I feel like Leone already skimmed some of this to buy booze?
"That's a lot of money," Tatsumi muttered.
"She probably sold her body to raise this much," Leone said bitterly, clenching her fists.
"Have you verified the case?" Najenda asked.
"I saw it with my own eyes. They're guilty. They've framed many people, some are dead, others rotting in prison," Leone replied.
Najenda lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"Alright. Night Raid will take this job," she said firmly. "This country doesn't need more garbage."
"Gamal will be easy, but Ogre is dangerous. He's extremely skilled with a sword and known as Ogre the demon among criminals. What makes him worse is how cautious he is. He's always surrounded by his lackeys. Even when taking bribes, he meets Gamal in secluded places. The only time he's alone is when he goes drinking off-duty. That's our best chance," Leone explained.
"But Akame can't do it, her face is on wanted posters," Najenda said.
"I can do it, boss!" Leone volunteered enthusiastically.
"Why not wait for Mine? She could take him out from a distance," Najenda countered.
"No—we can do it!" Tatsumi suddenly stood up, determination blazing in his eyes.
I nearly choked on my juice. We? What do you mean "we", kid?
"Me and Okun-sama are skilled swordsmen too. I alone should be enough to take him down," Tatsumi insisted.
Najenda chuckled, puffing out smoke. "This isn't about skill. It's about killing. Can you kill?" she asked.
"I can! I've killed before—"
"That was in a fit of rage. This will be different. Ogre is armed and powerful. One mistake and you're dead," Leone said.
"Why not let Okun do it? He's strong and smells like someone who's killed before," Akame suddenly said, pointing at me.
"Okun's fighting style is violent and destructive when he uses that Imperial Arm. It would draw unnecessary attention," Leone replied.
"True…" Akame agreed.
"Since Okun isn't suitable, Tatsumi will take the mission. Leone, you'll watch over him. If Ogre overwhelms him, intervene," Najenda ordered. Then she looked at me. "Okun, go into the city before nightfall and bring your friends. You may end up following Leone and Tatsumi tonight."
"Friends?! You mean Sayo and Ieyasu?!" Tatsumi exclaimed.
Fucking hypocrite. You already forgot about them.
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