"This time, the target is the serial murderer widely discussed in the capital's streets, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. So far, dozens have been beheaded." Najenda directly presented the collected information to everyone.
"Can it be confirmed as [Zanku the Beheader]?" Lubbock spoke directly.
"Who is that?" Sheele asked, confused.
"Sheele, you just forgot." Hearing Sheele, Mine spoke directly.
"Zanku the Beheader. It's said he was originally the executioner in the empire's largest prison. Due to the Prime Minister's tyranny, the number of people executed is countless. Repeating day after day, constantly beheading people begging for mercy, over the years, he developed an addiction to taking heads."
"Then, beheading only in prison could no longer satisfy him, so he took to the streets to behead people." Najenda explained directly.
"Soon after the subjugation force was established, he disappeared. Unexpectedly, he came to the capital." Bulat also frowned.
"Is he the mission target this time?" Takeru spoke thoughtfully.
"Zanku stole the prison warden's Teigu and kills on the streets. I think it's better to act in pairs." Bulat quickly added.
"Then, Boss, do we know what Zanku's Teigu is now?" Mine asked curiously.
"Unfortunately, it's still under investigation." Hearing Mine, Najenda regretfully shook her head.
"His abilities are unknown? That's troublesome." Leone also frowned.
But Takeru realized something. From memory, Zanku wore the Teigu: Spectator, which possessed five abilities: Insight (reading minds), Farsight, X-Ray, Future Sight, and Illusion.
Respectively, they allow reading hearts, observing from afar, seeing through obstacles, seeing the future, and creating illusions.
Other things aside, regarding illusions, Takeru wasn't sure if he could avoid them. But based on the original work, Zanku mostly made people see the person they cared about most.
"Oh, right, Takeru, you've only recently learned about Teigu, so you might not know. There's an ironclad rule about Teigu since ancient times. Because of their powerful performance, if both sides harbor killing intent and clash, without exception, one side will inevitably become the sacrifice."
"In other words, if Teigu users clash, one side will definitely die. The target Zanku has a Teigu. Even if it ends in a draw, it's impossible for both to survive." Najenda earnestly warned Takeru.
"I understand." Hearing this, Takeru calmly nodded, indicating he understood.
"By the way, let me also introduce everyone's Teigu in Night Raid. First, Akame's One-Cut Killer: Murasame! Once cut by this cursed blade, a deadly curse poison spreads from the wound, leading to rapid death with no known antidote. Then Leone's..."
Soon, Najenda quickly introduced everyone's Teigu to Takeru, even mentioning Bulat's invisibility ability.
Although Takeru already knew everyone's Teigu from the plot, hearing it all told to him unreservedly now, Takeru felt somewhat moved.
"Alright, enough talk. Go hunt the evil ones whom god cannot punish and who won't punish themselves." After informing Takeru, Najenda quickly issued the order.
Finally, Najenda also accepted Bulat's suggestion to form pairs, each responsible for an area.
Although Leone desperately wanted to team up with Takeru, in the end, Akame and Takeru teamed up.
"Takeru, we're responsible for this area." After arriving on the street, Akame quickly said to Takeru.
Takeru lightly nodded, then surveyed the surroundings. Although the streets still had lights, every household had already closed their doors tightly. Clearly, Zanku had frightened these ordinary residents these past days.
Nevertheless, Imperial Polices still existed and they patrolled in small squads. While searching for Zanku, Takeru also needed to be wary of these Imperial Polices.
But for Takeru, it was naturally no problem at all. After selecting an area, he closed his eyes and his Observation Haki spread out overwhelmingly. His luck was fairly good, as within over ten seconds, Takeru had located Zanku's position.
He was on a tall building about a kilometer away from Takeru and the others. At that moment, Zanku was also looking for his targets.
Takeru, although discovering Zanku's presence, didn't alert him. He just chatted with Akame while quietly moving closer to Zanku's location.
"Hey, Akame, can I ask you something?" Takeru directly looked at Akame beside him and inquired.
"Don't worry, I brought portable rations." Hearing Takeru, Akame directly replied.
"I'm not asking about that. Can you tell me about your childhood?" Takeru directly asked.
Hearing Takeru, Akame was stunned, involuntarily looking at him. Noticing his caring gaze, she fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"When I was little, my sister and I were sold to an imperial agency, entered an assassin training facility, and underwent training. We belonged to the elite seven. Afterwards, we completed assigned tasks according to the empire's will. All assassination missions were completed alone."
"While carrying out missions, I constantly felt the empire's darkness. Finally, when assigned to assassinate Najenda, I was persuaded and joined Night Raid..." Akame's tone was somewhat low. Clearly, those memories were a very painful past for her.
Hearing her words, Takeru lightly nodded without saying much, just gently patting her head to comfort her.
"Hmm, following street murderers, even assassins appear now. This truly is a dangerous city. Delightful, delightful." Meanwhile, on a high tower top, Zanku noticed Takeru and Akame's approaching figures.
Recognizing the famous Akame and others instantly, he spoke with a wicked smile.
"Now, where to start killing? Oh, that intimate gesture, could they be a couple? Impressive, impressive. It's decided. Delicious things should be eaten first." With a deranged smile, Zanku muttered to himself.
Takeru, after patrolling a bit, also noticed Zanku's active approach through his Observation Haki. Clearly, Zanku had made them his primary targets. Although unclear on the details, Takeru revealed a smile.
However, Takeru noticed Zanku stopped not far away, seemingly looking for an opportunity to strike from the shadows.
Looking at Akame beside him, Takeru understood. Zanku probably planned to pick them off one by one.
Thinking this, Takeru considered for a moment, then directly said to Akame, "Akame, wait here for a bit. I'm going somewhere."
"To the restroom?" Seeing Takeru seemingly heading towards an alley, Akame directly asked.
Hearing her, Takeru smiled but didn't say more, continuing towards the alley. After pretending to relieve himself there, soon, Takeru noticed Zanku making his move.
Not long after, Miu's figure appeared at the alley's end. Takeru frowned. He clearly knew Miu couldn't possibly be in this world, but seeing the illusion of her shown to him still made him uncomfortable.
Shaking his head, Takeru quickly followed 'Miu'. Soon, the two arrived at a wide square, where 'Miu' stood straight, looking at Takeru.
"You're Zanku the Beheader, right?" Seeing the stopped "Miu," Takeru didn't attack immediately but calmly stood still and spoke.
"Good evening. How did you recognize me?" Hearing Takeru, 'Miu' instantly transformed, becoming the fierce-looking Zanku.
"Simple. Because the person you transformed into couldn't possibly be in this world." Hearing him, Takeru calmly replied.
"Oh, I see. Because they're dead, right?" Hearing Takeru, Zanku naturally assumed Takeru saw a deceased person.
Takeru didn't comment further, just manifested his staff.
"Hmm, also a Teigu user? But strange, why can't I read your inner thoughts?" Suddenly, Zanku frowned, looking at Takeru.
He found that Spectator's mind-reading ability completely ineffective on Takeru.
Hearing Zanku's words, Takeru was also stunned. And Zanku didn't seem to be lying.
Realizing this, Takeru sighed in relief. Although unsure why, not having his mind read meant this Teigu posed no threat to him in any sense.