In the outskirts of the Capital, at Night Raid's hideout.
After Tatsumi and Leone completed the exchange with Uesugi Ryu and brought the items, they retrieved Sheele from the pleasure district.
It had been less than five days since Night Raid had attempted to assassinate Uesugi Ryu.
Although they had not been apart for very long, it had felt much longer to everyone in Night Raid.
Mine's wounds had already scabbed over, and she was basically out of danger.
However, after losing so much blood, her physical condition was still poor, and she needed some time to recover.
A gentle smile appeared on Sheele's face as she softly said to everyone,
"Everyone, tadaima! I'm back!"
"Sheele!"
Seeing Sheele, Mine immediately ran over excitedly.
"Are you okay? That bastard didn't do anything to you, did he?!"
Sheele shook her head.
She lightly tugged at her somewhat tight-fitting clothes and said with an adorably vacant expression,
"Nope. Actually, I think I've gained a little weight from eating so well these past two days."
Sheele's safe return put everyone in an excellent mood.
Leone crossed her arms, her expression complicated.
The pleasure district really had changed.
Those girls who had been controlled by drugs had all been properly taken care of.
Whatever Uesugi Ryu was really after, Leone had no complaints about that part.
He had accomplished what Night Raid could not.
Tatsumi felt the same way.
For a moment, he found himself somewhat lost.
"Hi, Sheele! I'm Chelsea."
The pink-haired girl, a lollipop in her mouth, greeted Sheele cheerfully.
Sheele adjusted her slipping glasses, her pale violet eyelashes fluttering as she turned toward the new companion.
She paused for a moment before slowly replying,
"Ah... hello..."
Then she curiously looked toward the tall man with horns standing beside Najenda.
"Is that our new teammate?"
Chelsea glanced at Sheele's overwhelmingly impressive chest, her face immediately filling with envy.
Blushing slightly, she quietly reached out and pinched Sheele's soft stomach.
Sheele froze in confusion at the sudden touch.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she had no idea where to put her hands.
"Eh! Eh! What are you doing..."
Seeing Sheele's flustered reaction, Chelsea burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, Sheele is so cute!"
Mine glared at Chelsea irritably.
This newcomer actually dared to tease her partner.
Bulat gave Chelsea a meaningful look.
Najenda clapped her hands, her face bright with delight as she announced,
"Alright! Everyone's here! Sheele and Mine, focus on recovering."
"Romance Cannon is still in Uesugi Ryu's hands for now. During this period, Chelsea will be taking over Mine's missions."
Mine's expression immediately darkened.
But there was nothing to be done.
Without her Teigu, she could not contribute much.
Chelsea walked over to Mine and said with exaggerated concern,
"I'll take good care of your missions, don't worry, Mine-chan!"
The deliberately drawn-out tone was incredibly irritating.
Mine instantly bristled, glaring furiously at Chelsea.
Najenda coughed lightly, cutting off the commotion.
She turned to Sheele and introduced,
"I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise when I went to headquarters to select a Teigu."
"Sheele, this is my Teigu, Lightning, Susanoo."
Sheele waved gently at Susanoo.
Akame glanced around the room and said thoughtfully,
"Come to think of it, our strength has increased considerably. We now have nine members."
A trace of concern flashed across Najenda's face as she shook her head.
"Don't get careless. Esdeath has recently returned to the Capital. Our enemies are about to become much more dangerous."
"According to Uesugi Ryu, he has already been recruited by Esdeath. Our intelligence also confirms that he has indeed been seen together with her."
Chelsea's eyes lit up with curiosity upon hearing the name.
Tatsumi, however, looked puzzled.
"Seriously? That seems way too convenient."
Najenda paused before explaining,
"It's most likely true. But that man doesn't seem like the type to serve under someone else willingly. He probably has plans of his own."
Her expression then turned serious.
"According to the information he provided, Esdeath's Three Beasts will soon move against former Prime Minister Chouri."
Bulat's expression grew solemn.
"His goal should be Black Marlin, right? Judging by the name, it sounds like a Teigu that manipulates liquids."
Lubbock nodded in agreement and added,
"Uesugi Ryu wants that Teigu badly. It must be extremely useful to him. Are we really going to hand it over?"
Najenda did not answer.
Tatsumi was still trying to catch up.
Completely lost, he asked,
"Huh? Who exactly is former Prime Minister Chouri?"
Mine curled her lip in disdain.
"Idiot. Basically, all you need to know is that Chouri is a good man. He's a minister who truly cared about the people!"
Leone nodded, one hand on her chin.
"But if I remember correctly, didn't he already leave the Capital?"
After some thought, Najenda replied,
"He probably couldn't stand Honest's tyranny any longer and decided to return. Our intelligence division will confirm the details."
"If that's true, then it will be time for us to act."
Chelsea stopped sucking on her lollipop.
She pulled it from her mouth and asked seriously,
"What about the possibility of a trap?"
"If he's working with Esdeath and setting a snare for us, this could be dangerous."
Najenda shook her head.
"Unlikely."
As she spoke, she rose on tiptoe and patted Susanoo's shoulder confidently.
"Besides, don't underestimate our strength now."
Najenda's cloak billowed behind her like a battle flag, her eyes blazing.
A civil official like Chouri, one protected by General Budo, carried enormous political weight.
If they could successfully rescue him, they might even recruit him to the Revolutionary Army.
"Akame, Bulat, and I will handle the Three Beasts if they appear."
"Lubbock and Tatsumi will provide support."
"Chelsea, I need you to monitor Uesugi Ryu and Esdeath's movements."
After listening for a while without hearing her own name, Leone immediately had a bad feeling.
As expected, Najenda finally looked at her and said calmly,
"Leone, you'll stay behind and guard the base. Sheele and Mine are in your care."
Leone sighed.
But she quickly returned to her usual energetic self.
"Honestly. Fine, leave the injured to me!"