Akame Ga Kill - Split The Earth In Two, Quake

Chapter Three: Kill the Plan

It's close to midnight when they exit the cave, Anna still holding her bear close to her chest with one arm while giving the other arm to Minazuki, so she won't get lost. As they go through the forest, they head south west to where Minazuki believes the Capital should be. As they're walking though, they hear the sound of howling wolves, and they sound pretty close by. "What was that?", Anna asks nervously. "Don't worry, we'll be fine.", Minazuki says to her reassuringly in a calm and collected tone. She just nods and Minazuki tries to pinpoint where exactly the wolves are if they're even that close by. He eventually finds them and sees that they're pretty close and forming a perimeter around them, trying to find the perfect time to strike. He stomps his foot and spikes jut out of the ground, piercing the wolves through their skulls, instantly killing them. Anna heard the sound of the spikes stabbing through the wolves' flesh and asked, "W-what was that noise? Are they getting closer!?!" "We'll be fine, trust me. The Capital should be this way.", Minazuki says as he continues to lead the way. They continue on their way to the Capital in silence before Minazuki asks, "So, do you know your father's name or what he does?" "Oh yeah, our village elder told me that his full name was Ken Shinu and that he's a blacksmith on the east part of the Capital.", she replies happily. "Well that saves me a lot of trouble, thanks, Anna.", Minazuki says warmly. "At least I don't have to track this guy down. That'll save me a whole lot of time. I'll just drop this girl off, then head back out here for training. I just have to make sure nobody else sees my mask and nobody will be allowed to see my real face.", he thinks to himself as he tries to formulate a route from where their at to get to the eastern gate. A man jumps out of the bushes with a knife and shouts, "Give me your money or die!!!", before pointing the knife at them. Minazuki isn't phased by his threat and just punches the man in the face so hard that it shatters his skull and sends him flying deep into the forest. "Wow!! That was amazing!!!", Anna shouts in amazement. "It was nothing. Let's keep moving.", Minazuki says to her as he takes her hand again and keeps heading for the Capital. They continue on their path and Anna tries to strike up a conversation by asking, "Where are you from, Mr.Monster?" "It's best you don't know that. I'm just making sure you get home to your father alright.", Minazuki says to her. "Well, I grew up in Hana Village. It's a pretty small village. We don't have much, but we have lots of fish. Maybe I can show you it sometime?", Anna says happily. They arrive at the eastern gate and are met by four armed guards, one of which asks them, "Who goes there? It's past curfew!" "I found this child in the forest. It seems her father lives here in the Capital. I am simply reuniting her with her father.", Minazuki says convincingly. "Please remove your mask. We'll need to see your face to verify you aren't a wanted man.", another guard says. "I'm sorry, but I can not. I am a Monk and it is against my religion to remove my mask. Doing so is strictly forbidden outside of the temple.", Minazuki replies, lying perfectly through his teeth. "I see, go ahead then, but do be careful. Dangerous men walk the streets at night.", the guard says before letting them through. "Thank you, gentlemen.", Minazuki says with a bow before heading through the gates with Anna. They head to the main part of the eastern district and Anna asks, "This place is so big, how can we ever find Father's workshop at night!?" Minazuki stomps his foot and senses the area around to find all the shops. He finds that this place only has one blacksmith and says, "This way, his store should be in this direction.", before heading toward the store. "How do you know that? Have you been here before?", Anna asks with a confused look on her face. "Not at all, just call it a gut feeling.", Minazuki replies as he continues to guide her toward the store. They arrive where Minazuki believes to be Anna's father's shop, which is named 'Ken's Blades & Armor.' "This seems like the place. Only one way to find out.", Minazuki thinks to himself before walking up to the door. He knocks on the door and hears a man shout, "I'm coming! Who the hell's knockin' on my door so late?" A man with a bushy beard wearing only his boxers answers the door and bluntly asks, "Whatcha' want?" Anna looks up to the man and shouts, "Father!", causing the man to look down and his eyes to widen with glee. "A-Anna!? You're alive!?! Thank God, you're alive!!!", the man shouts as he drops to his knees and hugs her. "I'm guessing you're Ken Shinu, Anna's father, right?", Minazuki asks as he looks down at them. "Yes, that's me! How could I ever repay you for bringing me my daughter!?", Ken says frantically. "Don't worry about it. Just keep her safe.", Minazuki says modestly. "Thank you, Sir. Thank you for bringing my sweet Anna back to me. And please, where has my son gone off to?", Ken says as he looks up to Minazuki. "Your son? I do not know. I happened upon a little bear in the forest and found a cave full of bandits, then one thing lead to another and now I'm here.", Minazuki explains as he starts walking away. "Ah, so they probably got separated and bandits got my daughter. He'll be here sooner or later I bet! My son's a resourceful one, he is.", Ken says with a smile on his face. "Yes, well, I better get going. I'd rather not stay in the Capital any longer than I need to.", Minazuki says as he starts walking away. "Mr.Monster!", Anna shouts, begging for him to turn around. He looks over his shoulder to see her waving to him. "Thank you very much, Mr.Monster.", Anna says as she continues to wave. Minazuki just chuckles to himself before saying, "Have a peaceful life, Anna.", and waving back to her while he continues walking away.