This was Brother's final battle, and also the inheritance of Tatsumi's will.
All of this began when Esdeath returned to the Imperial Capital.
Upon her return to the Imperial Capital, Esdeath orchestrated several assassination incidents targeting loyal officials and framed Night Raid for them.
To protect the loyal officials and, at the same time, to preserve Night Raid's reputation, the group split into two teams. Akame and Lubbock went as one pair, while Tatsumi and Brother acted separately as another.
Tatsumi and Brother's destination was a luxurious passenger ship docked near the outskirts of the empire.
As the two were guarding the passenger ship, a soporific flute melody suddenly emanated from an unknown source. There was no doubt that this was the effect of a Teigu. Tatsumi immediately headed to the deck to stay awake.
At that moment, the enemy also appeared from behind Tatsumi. However, the opponent directly returned Tatsumi's weapon to him, as they believed that exterminating opponents through combat was the most exciting way to fight.
This person was one of the Three Beasts under Esdeath, named Dala.
Tatsumi initiated a slash, and Dala directly counterattacked, swinging his great axe. Fortunately, Tatsumi dodged in time; otherwise, he would have been pulverized.
Dala couldn't help but praise Tatsumi's resilience, remarking on how agile he remained despite his body being under the influence of the flute's hypnotic effect.
But in the next second, Dala split his axe in two and hurled both halves at Tatsumi. Tatsumi easily dodged the axe, but he didn't anticipate that the weapon could return. Tatsumi's abdomen was consequently injured. This was Dala's Teigu, the Returning Axe, a weapon that ordinary warriors could not wield.
The next moment, Dala's attack struck again. Lacking combat experience, Tatsumi directly lured the axe towards Dala. However, Brother suddenly appeared on the battlefield and knocked Tatsumi flying. Brother sternly scolded Tatsumi, calling him an idiot and questioning if he didn't see the enemy's confident expression.
Dala couldn't help but wonder why the man with the pompadour was still so energetic.
Brother then declared that the blood flowing through his veins would not be hypnotized by a mere flute. In reality, Brother was using pain to counteract the brainwashing.
Brother then summoned Incursio. Seeing Brother's formidable strength, Dala became incredibly excited and immediately lunged at Brother.
Simultaneously, two other enemies suddenly appeared and attacked Brother. However, Brother instantly appeared behind them and knocked both attackers flying. He then hurled a javelin, bisecting Dala and instantly killing him. This was a testament to Brother's immense power.
Just then, one of the men who had been knocked away approached Brother again, only to reveal that this was General Liver, Brother's former superior.
It turned out that many years ago, Budo had accompanied General Liver on a campaign against the Southern ethnic groups. However, the highly decorated Liver was framed and imprisoned by the Minister.
The reason was Liver's refusal to bribe such a scoundrel. Budo was also subjected to jealousy and false accusations, leading to his imprisonment. With Liver incarcerated, he felt life was meaningless in such a corrupt empire.
It was at this moment that General Esdeath found the destitute Liver and recruited him into her ranks, recognizing his military prowess.
Liver was conquered by Esdeath's overwhelming power, a force that struck fear into the hearts of the empire's generals and made corrupt, dirty politicians grovel.
Therefore, to complete the mission assigned by Esdeath, Liver had no choice but to fight his former subordinate.
Meanwhile, the battle between Tatsumi and the blonde young man had successfully begun, their weapons clashing at high speed, with neither gaining an immediate advantage.
On the other side, Liver subsequently removed his glove, revealing his Teigu, Black Marlin. This Teigu was crafted from the organs of a water-element Danger Beast capable of manipulating water, allowing its user to control any liquid at will.
Liver expressed his fortune in being able to fight Budo at this location, as there was water everywhere.
The battle between the two was about to erupt. Liver immediately conjured a massive water serpent and launched it at Brother. If Brother dodged this attack, everyone on the ship would perish.
To protect everyone on board, Brother had no choice but to confront it head-on, successfully cutting the water serpent in two. However, he was left suspended in mid-air, unable to move. Liver then continued to manipulate several streams of water towards Brother, but this could not extinguish the fire in Brother's heart.
As former comrades who had fought countless battles together, Liver was well aware of Budo's strength and bravery. Liver then unleashed his ultimate move, the Water Dragon's Heavenly Contest, where immense water pressure relentlessly crushed Brother's body.
However, this still did not defeat Brother. Brother then plummeted from the sky, a spear flying towards Liver. Liver had no time to dodge, but the blonde youth suddenly appeared and shielded Liver from the attack. Brother consequently lost the opportunity to defeat Liver, and Tatsumi had already been defeated in his battle with the blonde youth.
At this point, Brother's armor disintegrated due to the intense impact. Simultaneously, Liver suffered internal injuries from unleashing his ultimate move, making him unable to use his Teigu. Liver attempted to persuade Budo to defect to Esdeath, but Brother outright refused.
He declared that he would stand with the people. He then adjusted his hairstyle, stating that since neither of them could use their Teigus, they would settle the victory with swords.
However, Liver did not fight honorably. He injected himself with a stimulant and began wildly slashing with his sword. This was a battle between true men, even as Brother was covered in wounds.
Yet, he remained unfazed in his confrontation with Liver. Finally, with a heavy blow, he shattered Liver's sword, defeating him. However, Liver, using the blood that splashed from his wounds, shot it towards Budo. Seeing this, Brother quickly swung his sword to block most of it.
Although he did not sustain a fatal injury, Brother had lost his ability to fight. However, Liver had one more trick up his sleeve: the stimulant he had injected contained a potent poison, and Brother was now succumbing to its effects, beyond salvation. At this moment, only the blonde youth remained among the Three Beasts, and the battle was not yet over.
Not only that, but Liver was not the true trump card among the Three Beasts. The real trump card was this harmless-looking blonde youth.
The blonde youth then blew his flute again. In the next moment, his body began to grow rapidly, transforming from a frail loli into a burly, grizzled man. His flute could not only hypnotize opponents but also be used to enhance himself.
Tatsumi's heart pounded with panic, as he couldn't even defeat the unenhanced blonde youth, let alone the now-empowered enemy.
Just then, Brother, with his last bit of strength, handed his Teigu, Incursio, to Tatsumi. The blonde youth scoffed, remarking that Incursio placed a heavy burden on the body, and an ordinary person would die wearing it. Tatsumi was well aware of this consequence.
But in the next moment, Brother, with all his remaining might, punched Tatsumi flying. The adaptability of will could be judged from the first impression of whether one liked it or not.
"Roar, Tatsumi!"
"With your burning soul!"
Tatsumi's will solidified as he tightly gripped the Teigu Incursio and, with a roar, summoned the armor!
Incursio!!!
Brother knew with certainty that Tatsumi could wield this divine weapon.
The armor changed its form according to Tatsumi's physique. Incursio was crafted from a dragon-shaped Danger Beast called a Tyranid, known for its tenacious vitality. This dragon could evolve to adapt to any environment, from scorching deserts to freezing tundras.
Now a Teigu, the dragon's muscles were still alive. A single punch from it instantly killed the empowered blonde youth.
Witnessing this, Brother felt a sense of peace, knowing he had not misjudged Tatsumi. He would undoubtedly become a man who surpassed him, and he would forever watch over Tatsumi as a soul.
The battle concluded. Brother's consciousness gradually faded as he slowly lay on the ground, breathing his last.