Everything unfolded just like the original work. Meanwhile, Takeru, hidden in the alley, clearly perceived everything happening. When Leone neared the alley, Takeru spoke up.
"Stop! Let her go immediately!" Takeru looked seriously at two fierce-looking bald men opposite him. At that moment, the two men seemed about to attack an injured girl.
"What's this? Kid, let me tell you, my brother is an officer in the capital! You dare interfere with our business?" The bald man impatiently glared at Takeru.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see a hint of dullness in the bald man's eyes.
"Why? Even though you're officers, you attack civilians?" Hearing the bald man's words, Takeru berated them loudly.
Leone, walking by, heard the commotion and curiously hid in the shadows to watch. At a glance, she saw Takeru's back. At this moment, Takeru was confronting two fierce-looking men.
"Kid, we don't need your mouth. Since you love meddling so much, die!" At this point, the bald man seemed to have reached his limit and directly threw a punch at Takeru. Takeru blocked the attack with his priest's staff.
"Damn brat, get him!" Seeing Takeru dare to resist, both men launched fierce attacks again. However, Takeru slightly displayed his speed, then used his staff to strike both men several times.
"Damn brat, you just wait!" Injured, the bald man shouted and quickly left the area.
"Are you alright?" Only after the bald men left did Takeru look at the injured girl.
"I'm fine, thank you. Just a minor injury, it'll heal in a couple of days." Hearing Takeru's words, the girl quickly replied.
"Is that so? Let me heal it for you. 'Light, in Lumiris's name, grant your blessing! Heal!'" As Takeru waved his staff, a light quickly emitted from it.
Soon, when the light touched the girl's injured area, her wound visibly healed.
This scene made Leone, watching from the shadows, widen her eyes. Clearly, she was also shocked by Takeru's healing ability.
Immediately, she thought, 'If she could recruit this guy into Night Raid, then everyone wouldn't have to fear injuries.'
"Thank you, big brother! It doesn't hurt at all anymore!" Feeling the change in herself, the girl happily touched the previously injured spot, saying in delight.
"That's great!" Hearing the girl's words, Takeru showed a gentle smile.
"Then, big brother, Lina has to go home, or Mom will scold me!" As she spoke, the girl seemed to remember something, quickly waving goodbye to Takeru.
"Be careful on your way. Don't get caught by them again!" Watching the girl's departing back, Takeru smiled and waved.
Leone, witnessing this scene, was considering how to recruit Takeru into Night Raid. However, Takeru's performance wasn't over yet.
"Damn it, why? The capital looks so prosperous, yet it's so rotten underneath. Damn it, why?!" After the girl left, Takeru, as if filled with endless pain, punched the wall...
"Young man, you seem troubled." Seeing Takeru's action, Leone's eyes lit up, and she stepped out from the shadows.
"Who are you?" Hearing Leone's voice, Takeru turned around, pointing his staff at Leone, speaking with a wary expression.
"Don't misunderstand, I mean no harm?" Seeing Takeru's action, Leone raised her hands, looking at Takeru with a chuckle.
Simultaneously, she showed surprise, not expecting Takeru's looks to be so high.
Paired with his Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he looked very aesthetically pleasing.
"Why should I believe you?" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru directly asked.
"You resent the capital's rottenness, right? Me too. I think we share the same goal. We can definitely become friends, even comrades, don't you think?" Hearing Takeru's words, Leone nonchalantly approached Takeru, looking at him teasingly.
"I..." Seeing Leone's action, Takeru made himself look like an inexperienced youth, blushing and looking away.
"Wow, so cute! I've decided, I'm taking you to join Night Raid!" Seeing Takeru's reaction, Leone was momentarily stunned. Regaining her composure, she looked at Takeru with delight and seriousness.
"Ni...Night Raid? The assassin group famous throughout the capital?" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru seemed to snap back to reality, looking at Leone in shock.
"Exactly! And now you know my secret, there's no escaping!" Hearing Takeru's words, Leone showed a proud expression.
"Huh? Why? It's not like I asked you to tell me!" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru spoke indignantly.
"It's too late now! Just come with me. I'll introduce you to my comrades. From today, you're one of us too!" Seeing Takeru's reaction, Leone felt even more pleased. Then, she directly pulled Takeru along.
Meanwhile, Takeru, sensing his arm seemed to sink into some soft place and fearing exposure, reluctantly let Leone lead him away.
Soon, after following Leone out of the city for about an hour, Takeru saw most Night Raid's members in a hidden building.
"Leone, weren't you supposed to scout? Why are you bringing back a stranger?" Everyone in the meeting, seeing Leone return with Takeru, looked dumbfounded.
"Hey! Leone, even if you found a boyfriend, you can't bring him here!" The pink-haired, tsundere-esque Mine angrily spoke to Leone.
"Nope! He's the new member I brought back!" Hearing Mine's words, Leone directly replied.
"Huh? Why did you suddenly make that decision?" Hearing Leone's serious tone, everyone grew even more puzzled.
"Hey, can you let go now? I don't even know you yet!" At this moment, Takeru directly spoke, seeming somewhat resentful.
"Ah, right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Leone. And your name?" Hearing Takeru's words, Leone seemed to remember and directly asked.
"I'm Nara Takeru. I never said I wanted to join you as an assassin!" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru continued.
"Eh? You didn't even know his name? Leone, are you really making him our comrade?" Hearing Takeru's words, even the somewhat innocent Akame looked at Leone in surprise.
"Yep! Because this guy's abilities are really good, and he also dislikes the capital's rottenness. So I just brought him over!" Hearing Akame's words, Leone scratched her head with a smile.
"Abilities?" Hearing Leone's words, everyone was stunned, then looked at Takeru curiously.
"Anyway, before that. Takeru, you're disappointed with the capital's rottenness, right? I saw your look of regret earlier." Leone looked seriously at Takeru.
"Even if that's true, you're assassins, right?" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru said loudly.
"Yes, we are assassins. But our usual work is accepting requests from capital residents to eliminate corrupt bureaucrats and scoundrels! Our ultimate goal is to assassinate the root of the empire's corruption… the Prime Minister. The capital is the way it is because of the Prime Minister manipulating the Emperor behind the scenes!" Hearing Takeru's words, Leone spoke again.
"Is that true?" Hearing Leone's words, Takeru showed hesitation.
"It's true. If you don't believe me, stay here for a while. I think you'll understand." Leone continued.
"I understand. If I find your actions aren't as you say, I will definitely kill you!" Hearing her words, Takeru spoke seriously.
"Not bad! Seems very promising!" Takeru's words didn't anger anyone… instead, they showed a hint of approval. Bulat, with a bright, cheerful smile, patted Takeru's shoulder.
Looking at Bulat, if Takeru didn't know he was gay, he might have developed considerable fondness for him right then.