Revolutionary Army, Assassination Division.
"Najenda, I heard you brought me two disciples. You should know my rules."
In a dark room, Babara emerged, bowing slightly. Her wrinkled, aged face was full of a sinister smile.
"Yes, Senior Babara, these two are definitely promising seedlings."
Thinking of the assassination members who had been harshly trained by this old lady over the past two years, even Najenda felt a bit uneasy. But since these two were recognized by that bastard Sora, they shouldn't be so bad, right?
"Heh… not bad, not bad, really good!"
Babara's eyes flashed with excitement as she looked at Ieyasu and Tatsumi behind Najenda. Originally not expecting much, she suddenly appeared in front of them, grabbing their arms excitedly.
A brilliant smile bloomed on her wrinkled old face, though it somehow felt creepy…
"Um, hello, Grandma."
Both Tatsumi and Ieyasu felt a cold and powerful aura from Babara. Though nervous, they had no choice but to face her bravely, their expressions stiff as they greeted her weakly.
"Not bad, not bad. Your talents are almost as good as Taeko's. Boy, you've been trained by others before, right?"
Babara spoke to herself, then suddenly asked the two.
"Ah? Haha… when we were in the village, we were trained by a retired soldier uncle."
Though somewhat confused, Ieyasu and Tatsumi wisely chose to answer honestly.
"Hehehe… Though the methods weren't great, the basics were solid, not ruined, still trainable."
Babara nodded with satisfaction. Since her Taeko and Chelsea were taken by that detestable Empire's strongest, she hadn't felt this comfortable in a long time. These two had good potential, making her want to take disciples again.
"Their companions were captured by General Sora. I just happened to rescue them. Senior Babara, could you keep them? With their talents, if properly trained, they might become a great asset to our Revolutionary Army."
Najenda spoke, trying to say good things about the two to fulfill Sora's orders.
"Their companions were also taken by that detestable Empire's strongest?"
"Hahaha… boys, your companions must be girls, and very pretty and cute, right?!"
Hearing Najenda, Babara was first stunned, then laughed joyfully.
Her Taeko and Chelsea were taken by that detestable Empire's strongest, and their companions were taken too. It seemed they were truly destined to meet!
"Ah…"
Feeling somewhat baffled and confused, although they wanted to complain a bit, upon seeing that the old lady was the kind of eccentric and extremely dangerous person, Ieyasu and Tatsumi wisely chose to remain silent.
"Pick them up. If you can gain their recognition, then you will be my disciples from now on!"
Babara's smile vanished, her expression changed, and she threw two items in front of Ieyasu and Tatsumi. The two looked closely and saw a huge pair of scissors and an axe!
"Um, what are these…"
Not knowing what they were, both cast puzzled looks at Babara.
"The Cutter of Creation [Extase], the Double-Bladed Axe [Belvaac], and my The Speed of Lightning [Susanoo] are all among the 48 powerful named weapons called 'Teigu' created by the First Emperor of the Empire a thousand years ago. If you can gain their recognition, you can wield their immense power."
Najenda's voice explained, and to help them understand better, she even manifested the "Yata no Kagami."
"What? These are the Teigu?!!!"
Hearing Najenda's explanation, Ieyasu and Tatsumi were both shocked. When they looked again at the previously strange scissors and axe, their eyes were filled with burning passion.
"Najenda, is that really just a simple Teigu? Hehehe…"
Looking at the Yata no Kagami Najenda manifested, Babara's eyes flashed with strange colors, and a sinister smile full of hidden meaning appeared.
Her silver eyes gleamed sharply, but Najenda quickly recovered, her expression unchanged, and she showed no intention of explaining anything to Babara.
Babara's lips curved into a meaningful smile but did not press further. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Ieyasu and Tatsumi and said:
"These two Teigu are the strongest from that Empire. They were consolation prizes sent back by my two disciples whom the old lady lost. Boys, how about it? Do you want to gain their power? If so, go ahead and pick them up!"
Over the past two years, Babara had let many talented people try these two Teigu, but all had failed. These two interesting kids must not disappoint her!
Hearing Babara's words, Ieyasu and Tatsumi's hearts trembled greatly, and a flicker of struggle passed through their expressions. These two Teigu were made by the Empire's general they hated most!
However, in the next moment, they quickly recovered, their eyes filled with determination again.
They needed power, great power, enough to defeat that Empire general and rescue their companion Sayo!
They exchanged a glance, nodded simultaneously, and reached out toward the two weapons on the ground.
Seeing their actions, Babara, her face full of wrinkles, nodded with satisfaction, a strange smile appearing at the corner of her mouth…
…
Imperial Capital, late at night, a remote street.
Black clouds drifted slowly in the gentle breeze, and a sliver of moonlight shone on the earth—not pure and flawless white, but tinged with a strange blood-red hue.
"Please, don't kill me… don't kill me…"
Glancing sideways at her male companion lying lifeless on the ground, the woman looked at the man who was strangling her with a ferocious face. Endless fear filled her heart, and tears streamed uncontrollably.
"No, no, who told you to come out at this hour? Didn't your parents teach you? Nighttime is scary, monsters roam about!"
The man tightened his grip on the woman's neck, a perverted smile on his face.
"No, please… spare me, I'll do anything."
Her fear was overwhelming. She was just an ordinary person, instinctively wanting to live and not lose her life. This primal fear was pushing her to the brink of collapse!
"Heh… really? I love talking. Can you chat with me?"
The man licked his thick lips, a strange smile curling on his mouth.
"Yes, yes, I can!"
Without hesitation, the woman replied quickly.
"Hehehe… so, what does it feel like to be beheaded? Hard to breathe, right?"
Leaning close to her ear, the man whispered. Seeing her stunned expression, he swung the sharp sword without hesitation!
"Hahaha… so much fun, can't stop!"
After severing her head and tossing it aside, the man howled to the sky, his ferocious and perverted laughter echoing through the silent night…