As Kaguya evaded Akame's relentless attacks, she couldn't help but call out, "Kurome, what exactly are you doing?"
"Hmm?" Kurome paused for a moment, then responded matter-of-factly, "I'm healing her."
Healing? At least come up with a better excuse! And what's with that half-hearted expression?
"She doesn't seem to have any injuries there," Kaguya muttered, her mouth twitching.
"Is that so?" Kurome furrowed her brows thoughtfully, then suddenly slapped her hand on Najenda's chest, causing the unconscious woman to cough up blood. "Well, now she's injured."
Kaguya nearly tripped over her own feet, barely managing to keep herself upright. How devious could Kurome get?
"Hey, are you trying to heal her or kill her?" Kaguya asked, exasperated.
"Of course, I'm healing her," Kurome replied, as if stating the obvious. "See? She's still alive, isn't she?"
"Then why did you hit her just now?"
"Hit her?" Kurome tilted her head, tapping her forehead with a finger. "Oops, I must have forgotten."
Do you think I'm that gullible?
Seeing how Kaguya was barely taking her seriously, Akame grew even more furious, increasing the speed and intensity of her attacks. Her blade moved with blinding speed, creating a near-impenetrable web of strikes aimed at Kaguya.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew as Akame's blade clashed against the Truth-Seeking Balls, which were now riddled with deep scratches, looking like a tattered rag. The orbs were struggling to regenerate as fast as they were being damaged.
Kaguya, meanwhile, glanced at Akame with an approving nod. "Impressive—your attacks are sharp, and your speed is exceptional. You're easily one of the strongest in the Empire. But unfortunately, you're still too inexperienced."
Before Akame could react, Kaguya suddenly vanished.
Alarm bells rang in Akame's mind. She instinctively sensed danger from behind and spun around, her blade slicing through the air.
Clang!
Sparks flew as Akame's sword collided with Kaguya's Kusanagi Sword.
"You managed to block my attack," Kaguya said with a light smile. "Not bad, Akame. But what about now?"
Once again, Kaguya disappeared.
Using the technique Yomotsu Hirasaka, Kaguya reappeared behind Akame, her foot clad in a small black shoe blurring into motion as she delivered a swift kick to Akame's lower back.
Akame's eyes widened in shock as intense pain exploded from her spine, and she was sent flying through the air.
Her body bent at an impossible angle, forming a curve that would have snapped anyone else's spine.
With a heavy thud, Akame crashed to the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Though she was a beauty, Kaguya couldn't help but think that Akame's landing posture was anything but graceful.
"Ugh…" Akame struggled to her knees, using her sword for support, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. Sweat drenched her clothes, making the fabric cling to her curvaceous figure, adding a touch of allure to her battle-worn appearance.
"Just surrender already," Kaguya said, sounding a bit exasperated. "Why are you so stubborn? You're no match for me. There's no point in continuing this."
"I won't give up," Akame replied, struggling to her feet. She wiped the blood from her mouth, her resolve unwavering. "I won't lose."
Kaguya sighed, covering her face with her hand. Why were the members of Night Raid all so damn stubborn?
One could call it determination and perseverance, but at this point, it seemed more like sheer obstinacy. They were like wooden blocks, unable to adapt to changing circumstances. Didn't they realize that sometimes discretion was the better part of valor?
"Hey, Kurome, aren't you going to talk some sense into—" Kaguya began, but she almost choked on her words when she turned around.
Kurome was in the middle of undressing Najenda. The woman's outer clothes had already been removed, revealing a white undergarment, and Kurome's hands were busy working on the clasp.
"What on earth are you doing?" Kaguya asked, feeling a headache coming on.
"Hmm?" Kurome replied nonchalantly, "It's been hot lately. I don't want her to overheat."
Oh, come on! Can you at least come up with a plausible excuse? It's spring, not summer—it's not that hot!
"Why don't you just say you're undressing her to heal her?" Kaguya suggested, her eyelid twitching.
"Oh, right," Kurome said, nodding seriously. "I'm undressing her to heal her."
"…"
Kaguya was at a loss for words. What had happened to the once well-behaved, demure Kurome?
In reality, Kurome had simply noticed that Kaguya's gaze kept drifting to Najenda's chest.
"Well, there's nothing special about them—just two lumps of fat," Kurome said dismissively as she finished her inspection, casually tossing the unconscious Najenda back onto the ground. She sniffed in disdain, clearly unimpressed by the older woman's assets.
Kaguya didn't even know how to respond. If you're so unimpressed, why did you do all that in the first place? Clearly, Kurome's actions didn't match her words.
Clang!
A sudden cold gleam sliced past Kaguya's neck.
Startled, Kaguya quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding the strike. She reached up and touched her neck, still feeling the lingering sharpness.
It was then she realized that the Truth-Seeking Ball in front of her had been sliced open, leaving a gaping wound.
Something was definitely off about Akame. Her body was now covered in strange red markings, twisting and contorting across her skin, giving her a menacing appearance. Her crimson eyes glowed with a sinister light.
"Is this…?" Kaguya frowned as she recognized the technique.
If she wasn't mistaken, this was the hidden ability of Akame's Teigu, Murasame. It was capable of greatly amplifying her strength, granting her immense power. In the original story, this ability was what allowed Akame to ultimately defeat Esdeath.
While Kaguya was lost in thought, Akame had already closed the distance, her blade a blur as she launched a ferocious assault.