Akame ga Kill: Starting with Dual Kamui

The outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

A run-down thatched hut.

This was where the impoverished family lived.

Compared to the bustling streets of the Imperial Capital, the hut looked pitifully shabby.

And families like this—too poor to even afford medicine—were far from uncommon in the capital.

Including Blayn and Seryu, the entire Imperial Assassination Unit had around twenty members.

The tiny hut couldn't possibly fit them all.

"It looks like those kind young people from last time..."

An old woman, frail and thin to the point of being skin and bones, sat at the entrance. The stool beneath her creaked as if it might collapse at any moment.

"Grandma, wasn't your grandson sick last time? How is he now? He should be recovering by now, right?"

Kelly asked with optimism in his voice.

However, the old woman's expression immediately darkened.

She hesitated for a moment before replying, "I truly appreciate your kindness last time, but... the medicine we bought with that money turned out to be fake. My husband went to demand justice and got beaten for it. Now, we have no choice but to hope little Shota can hold on."

"What? ...They actually sold you fake medicine?!"

Kelly was shocked.

A pharmacy openly selling fake medicine—and beating someone for confronting them? This was happening right in the Imperial Capital?

Wasn't anyone regulating this?

The rest of the team also found it hard to believe.

"This isn't surprising at all. The capital is far worse than you imagine," Blayn said calmly. "I used to work for the Imperial Capital Security Force, so I know this better than you."

Hearing this, the group fell silent for a moment—then their thoughts quickly turned to the rebels.

"This must be the rebels' doing, right? If it weren't for them, the Empire wouldn't be in such a mess."

"Exactly. That's why we have to fight them—to restore order."

"We need to prove ourselves with real achievements. Hunting Danger Beasts every day won't earn us any recognition from the Empire."

"..."

Hearing their words, the old woman looked confused.

"This has nothing to do with the rebels or the Revolutionary Army, does it? My husband said that the pharmacy only dares to act so brazenly because it has connections with a high-ranking official in the capital..."

Right then, a hunched old man slowly stepped out of the hut.

His body was covered in visible wounds, crudely bandaged with makeshift materials.

Fortunately, his injuries weren't too severe—otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get out of bed.

"You must all be young men who recently came from outside to enlist, right?" The old man coughed, clasping his hands behind his back. "The current state of the Imperial Capital has nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army. Back when the previous Prime Minister was in power, things were much better than they are now. Cough, cough..."

He took a breath and added, "To be honest, I only wish the Revolutionary Army would overthrow those high-and-mighty officials who don't care if the common people live or die. That way, at least we'd have a chance to survive."

"You have no idea how many people have starved to death this year."

"This..."

Kelly and the others were left speechless.

Their expressions grew tense. The firm belief they held—that the rebels were the root of all evil—began to waver, if only slightly.

Blayn, who had been silent this whole time, remained that way. He knew that words alone wouldn't be enough to change their minds. They needed to see the truth for themselves, to witness firsthand what was really happening. Only then could the effects of their brainwashing begin to wear off.

"Where is the pharmacy? We'll help you get justice."

Kurome spoke up, cutting straight to the point.

She wasn't just looking to settle the matter—she also wanted to get to the bottom of what had really happened.

"...Maybe just forget about it?" The old woman looked worried. "This won't do you any good. It might even put you in danger."

"It's fine, just tell us. I was the Captain of the Imperial Capital Security Force, and I can't just ignore something like this."

Blayn spoke firmly.

"That's right! Leave it to us. Seryu, former Vice Captain of the Imperial Capital Security Force, reporting for duty!"

Seryu declared, holding Koro in her arms, her face radiating righteous enthusiasm.

"The former Captain? Wait... Are you Captain Blayn?"

The old man suddenly reacted, his eyes widening in realization.

Though he had never met Blayn in person, the Captain's reputation had long since spread throughout the Imperial Capital. Everyone knew of the upright and just Captain Blayn.

Unfortunately, his tenure had been brief—he had come suddenly and left just as quickly. Without him, the Security Force had quickly returned to its former corrupt state.

Now, not only had Captain Blayn reappeared before him, but Vice Captain Seryu as well. And they were offering to help. The old man found it hard to believe.

"That's me," Blayn confirmed with a nod.

"I see... I really can't just swallow this injustice. I'll take you there right now."

A fire lit in the old man's eyes, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

Hearing that this was Captain Blayn, even the old woman stopped trying to dissuade them.

Because if they didn't get the medicine soon, their grandson likely wouldn't make it through the day.

...

They arrived at the pharmacy.

"Why the hell are there so many people all of a sudden? Wait... isn't that the old man from last time? Looks like he brought some backup to cause trouble."

"He sure has some guts. A wrinkled old fool like him still has the nerve to stir up trouble? This time, let's just cut off his arms and legs so he won't be a problem anymore."

"Hold up. Those people—look at their clothes. Something's off. And that young guy in front... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before..."

"What's there to be afraid of? That man is upstairs right now, discussing business with the boss. With him around, it doesn't matter who these people are!"

"..."

The pharmacy workers immediately became wary of Blayn and his group.

However, it was clear that none of them had recognized him yet.

"I heard you sold fake medicine and injured this old man. Return the money—and don't even think about skipping the compensation."

Kelly got straight to the point.

"Hah? You little bastard, you trying to joke with me?"

One of the workers sneered and burst into laughter.

Within moments, burly men emerged from all directions, surrounding Blayn's group. Clearly, these were the pharmacy's personal enforcers.

Their practiced movements made it obvious that this wasn't the first time they'd resorted to intimidation and violence. Selling fake medicine, strong-arming the weak—it was just business as usual.

Seryu, meanwhile, was struggling to contain herself. The desire to execute justice burned in her eyes, her expression twisting with anticipation. These thugs had come at the perfect time.

"Kneel and beg all you want, it won't save you! Beat them to death!"

The worker bellowed.

But just then, the so-called big shot came down from the second floor.

Seeing the commotion, he frowned. "What's going on? What's with all this noise?"

"Lord Cole, just some fools who don't know their place. We'll handle them right away."

The worker's arrogance instantly turned into bootlicking the moment he addressed Lord Cole.

However, the moment Cole got a clear look at Blayn and Seryu's faces—

His expression froze. His glasses nearly slipped off his nose from sheer shock.

Then, in a flash, he turned and slapped the worker across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the pharmacy.

"You absolute moron, do you even know what the hell you're saying?!"

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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