Marn expressed her feelings to Tatsumi at this moment, but time was fleeting, and Marn ultimately died in Tatsumi's arms due to severe injuries.
All of this began when Tatsumi was defeated and imprisoned. To deter the morale of the rebellion, the Minister ordered Tatsumi's public execution.
Upon learning of this, Esdeath immediately went to the prison.
Although Esdeath knew Tatsumi was part of Night Raid, she was speechless upon seeing him.
Esdeath stated that as long as he stayed by her side, she could absolve Tatsumi of all his crimes. However, Tatsumi directly refused. Esdeath then declared that if he did not accept her offer, he would have no choice but to die.
Tatsumi was already prepared to face death, carrying the weight of his fallen comrades. Esdeath, a keen observer, decided to switch tactics. If force wouldn't work, she would try persuasion, making a concession: she wouldn't force Tatsumi to reveal his companions' whereabouts, only that he stay by her side.
Yet, this was still rejected by Tatsumi, who declared he would never associate with someone who sowed seeds of war.
At this point, if she could not have Tatsumi, she would execute him herself.
Will couldn't comprehend the Captain's decision to kill the person she deeply loved. However, Kurome understood; it was better to kill oneself than be killed by another.
Kurome felt the same way about her sister, but now she was out of time; her life was drawing to a close.
Meanwhile, upon hearing of Tatsumi's impending public execution, Marn immediately prepared to act in secret.
Marn knew this was an act of defiance against the organization, but Tatsumi had long since become someone special to her.
Akame couldn't help but remark on Marn's change and prepared to accompany her. Leone, hidden in the shadows, stated that Tatsumi was a killer she had scouted, and his execution now would be a significant loss of face for her.
Of course, their leader, Najenda, was already aware of Marn's actions but did not stop her. This execution would severely cripple the rebel army's morale, and Tatsumi's Incursio was also a necessary Imperial Arm for the final battle.
More importantly to Najenda, however, was avenging Lubbock and ensuring his sacrifice was not in vain.
Time quickly passed, and it was the day of the public execution. The Minister, well aware of the danger, quickly found an excuse to leave.
Indeed, as Esdeath prepared for the execution, a projectile shot towards the scene. Looking in its direction, they saw Marn standing atop the wall.
Furthermore, Najenda, accompanied by Susanoo and Leone, arrived on a Danger Beast.
Najenda then detonated the bombs Lubbock had set. Though not according to the original plan, it was the right time to detonate them. Meanwhile, Akame infiltrated the palace alone, her mission to retrieve Tatsumi's Incursio. Marn and Leone immediately confronted General Budo, who was guarding the execution site. Leone embraced Budo, creating an opportunity for Marn to fire, but her shot was blocked by Budo's lightning.
Not only that, but Leone was also paralyzed by Budo's lightning, rendering her immobile. Now, Marn had to face Budo alone.
Despite being in a perilous situation, the "Romantic Cannon" increased its power dramatically, but it was still no match for Budo. He directly blasted Marn away with a lightning strike.
Budo then unleashed his ultimate technique, "Heaven's Punishment: Lightning Strike," a blow imbued with natural power, which descended heavily upon Marn. However, Marn, undeterred, raised her pumpkin, concentrating her strongest attack. Facing Budo's killer move, the pumpkin began to crumble and disintegrate. But the determination and will to risk her life were not diminished. At this critical moment, the pumpkin responded to Marn's plea, unleashing a fierce barrage that pierced the heavens, shooting through the thunderclouds. Budo was utterly defeated by this attack.
However, the pumpkin was severely damaged and unusable, and Marn, nearly unconscious from the lightning strike, swayed precariously.
At this moment, Akame arrived with Incursio, saving Tatsumi from the execution platform. Tatsumi immediately transformed and went to save Marn.
Concurrently, Najenda's battle with Esdeath had begun. Although Najenda and Susanoo coordinated perfectly, giving Esdeath no respite, Esdeath remained at ease, a natural-born warrior. She counterattacked, exploiting a weakness in Susanoo's defense and freezing him entirely.
Najenda knew she couldn't hold back against Esdeath and immediately used her trump card, "Kyouwa," enhancing Susanoo's abilities with her own life force.
Emerging from the ice, Susanoo attacked Esdeath again, but Esdeath continued to handle it with ease.
Seeing that Tatsumi had been rescued, Najenda immediately ordered a retreat. However, Esdeath would not let Tatsumi escape so easily. Susanoo immediately drew the Celestial Cloud Sword and swung it at Esdeath. Although Esdeath managed to block the slash with layers of ice, Najenda seized this opportunity to detonate nearby explosives. However, neither of them knew that Esdeath's ultimate trump card had yet to be used: the freezing of time.
This was a technique specifically created to prevent Tatsumi's escape, consuming a tremendous amount of energy and usable only once a day, but it was enough.
With that, she pierced Susanoo's chest with a single sword stroke and then shattered him with a kick.
Najenda had not anticipated Esdeath possessing such a move. To allow everyone to retreat, Najenda used "Kyouka" a third time, regenerating Susanoo's shattered core.
This was something that should have been impossible, but if it were supported by her own life force, it was another matter. Empowered by Najenda's full life force, Susanoo's strength surged, pushing Esdeath back several meters with a single blow.
Tatsumi wanted to help, but he was refused. Najenda and Susanoo knew that even with this power, they could not defeat Esdeath. Their priority now was to buy time for the others to escape. Tatsumi could only unwillingly lose more companions.
Esdeath tried to pursue, but Susanoo blocked her in time. At this moment, even Esdeath couldn't help but praise Susanoo's determination. If so, then let's enjoy this final battle.
Meanwhile, Tatsumi was hurrying back to the base with Marn. However, Marn knew she wouldn't live much longer. She asked Tatsumi to put her down, wanting to convey her feelings to him at the very last moment of her life.
The setting sun, a beautiful sight under normal circumstances, was now incredibly bleak.
After confessing her feelings, Marn died in Tatsumi's arms.