The Small, Flat-Chested Girl

"They're not accompanied by guards or an army," Lubbock noted. "Should we...?"

"No," Najenda immediately rejected the idea. "They're the Empire's strongest general and the Empire's strongest princess. How confident are you that we can defeat them?"

The group fell silent.

"Moreover, how do you know this isn't a trap they've set up to lure us in?" Najenda added, her voice grave.

The members of Night Raid looked even more troubled. They knew that, in reality, taking on both of them was impossible. The power gap was too wide. It would be difficult enough to deal with just one of them, let alone both.

"It's just not feasible."

"But what about Leone?" Mine asked urgently. "Leone is in their hands right now."

"They won't kill Leone so easily," Najenda said, her expression showing concern. "She's likely being used as bait to provoke us into a rescue attempt. While I don't think they'll harm her immediately, there's the problem that Esdeath is known for her cruel methods of torture. Many of those she's interrogated have either died or gone mad. I fear Leone may suffer greatly."

At that moment, Akame suddenly stood up, grabbing her sword from the table and heading for the door.

"Stop!" Najenda commanded, standing up as well. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to rescue Leone," Akame replied calmly, turning her head slightly.

"You can't rescue Leone on your own," Najenda said. "With your current strength, you're no match for them."

"Are we just supposed to watch as Leone dies?" Akame's clear eyes stared directly at Najenda, questioning her resolve.

"We need to devise a detailed plan if we're to have any chance of success. Going in recklessly now will accomplish nothing," Najenda placed a reassuring hand on Akame's shoulder. "I understand how you feel. We all want to rescue Leone, but—"

"Boss, I've made up my mind," Mine interrupted. "I'm going too. No matter what, I'm going to save her because... because she's an important comrade."

Sheele adjusted her glasses and added softly, "I know I might not be of much help, but I want to do my part. I want everyone to come back safe and sound."

"Boss," Lubbock scratched his head, "I know this puts you in a tough spot, but I'm with them. I hope you'll seriously consider it."

Najenda's heart trembled as she looked at the determined faces of her comrades. She knew well how much Leone meant to the team. Her lively, cheerful personality had made her beloved by all. But as their leader, Najenda couldn't just consider individual sentiments; she had to think about the bigger picture and the safety of the entire team. Sacrificing everyone for the sake of one person was too great a risk.

"No," Najenda said quietly but firmly, "I've already made my decision. No one is to act on their own."

"Then I'll go by myself," Mine bit her lip, her voice resolute. "I'll bring Leone back, no matter what."

Kurome, though silent, gripped her sword tightly, her stance speaking for her.

"Boss, I'm sorry," Sheele said with an apologetic smile. "But I'm going to help save Leone too."

Seeing their unwavering determination, Najenda felt both moved and pained. It was clear they were ready to defy her orders if it meant saving Leone. This was exactly what she feared: the trap that could ensnare all of them. The risk was simply too high.

As tensions mounted, a clear voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Alright, everyone, relax. You don't need to go. I'll handle this myself." A pink-haired girl stood up, smiling with her eyes half-closed.

Her pink hair cascaded down to her waist, and she wore black and red headphones on her head. With arched eyebrows and ruby-red eyes, she had a straight nose and soft, pink lips. Her outfit consisted of a white blouse, a black vest, and a pink plaid skirt, completed with black and red shoes. She was strikingly beautiful and had an air of playfulness about her, enhanced by the lollipop she held in her mouth.

"It's too dangerous," Najenda said seriously. "This could very well be a trap. If you're discovered, you'll be in great danger."

"Don't worry, Boss," the pink-haired girl said, waving her lollipop casually. "I'm very confident in my abilities. Everything will be fine."

"But—" Najenda hesitated, her expression conflicted.

"Is there a better plan?" The pink-haired girl smiled gently.

Najenda deliberated for a moment before nodding. "Fine, I'll allow it. But you must take care of yourself. Don't push too hard. If things get too dangerous, prioritize your safety."

"Understood, understood," the pink-haired girl said with a wave of her hand. "If you keep worrying like this, you're going to get even more wrinkles, Boss."

"Wrinkles..." Najenda's eye twitched, barely suppressing the urge to reprimand the cheeky girl.

In truth, Najenda wasn't that old—only around twenty-four or twenty-five, a young woman in her prime. But compared to the mostly teenage members of Night Raid, she sometimes felt "old."

Just then, Mine walked over and said softly, "Thank you."

"What's there to thank me for? I'm a member of Night Raid too. Are you trying to suggest I'm not?" The pink-haired girl huffed.

"No, that's not what I meant," Mine said quickly.

"Whatever. I'm not going to bicker with a flat-chested shrimp like you," the pink-haired girl teased, twirling her lollipop.

"A flat-chested shrimp?" Mine's face flushed with anger, like a kitten whose fur had been ruffled. "Who are you calling flat-chested, you brat?"

"Obviously, you," the pink-haired girl smirked.

"Say that again!" Mine fumed.

"Flat-chested shrimp, flat-chested shrimp," the pink-haired girl taunted.

"Ugh! I'm going to kill you!" Mine screamed in frustration.