Hearing those words—calling her "spoils of war"—should have provoked instant retaliation.
In the past, even if the Emperor himself had dared to speak so insolently, Esdeath would have frozen him without hesitation.
But now—
She lifted her gaze to the white-haired man who had single-handedly crushed every pillar of the Empire.
Not resentment.
Not anger.
Instead, an irrepressible, fanatical light rose in her eyes.
In Esdeath's worldview, only one law existed: the strong ruled, the weak were meant to be trampled. And the man before her stood at the absolute apex of that law.
"Yes."
Without the slightest hesitation, Esdeath lowered her head.
"I acknowledge you," she said firmly.
"From this day on, my strength and my loyalty belong to you alone."
A faint smile curved at the corner of Uchiha Tobirama's lips.
"Good," he replied calmly.
"Then you will work for me."
He descended from the air and stepped onto the ruins of the Imperial Palace. His gaze swept across the capital, and he infused his voice with overwhelming power.
In the next instant, his words rolled like thunder across the sky, echoing through the Imperial Capital—and far beyond it.
"People of this world, hear me."
"The old Empire is finished. Its Emperor and its corrupt rulers are gone."
"From this moment on, this land belongs to me."
"Those who follow me shall prosper. Those who oppose me shall perish."
"I will have Esdeath take command of the armies and restore order."
"Any resistance will be erased."
The declaration shook the entire capital.
Citizens rushed into the streets, staring in disbelief at the ruined palace and the darkened sky.
"The Empire… is gone?"
"Even General Esdeath has submitted—who is that man?"
"Is this the will of a god?"
For the common people, it was confusion and fear.
For the corrupt nobles and officials, it was pure terror.
Within half an hour, thousands of nobles gathered before the palace ruins, kneeling in frantic submission.
"We pledge our loyalty!"
"Please spare us—we will serve you faithfully!"
Tobirama sat upon a throne formed of chakra, resting his chin on one hand as he looked down at the crowd.
"So noisy," he said flatly.
With a casual gesture, space warped.
In an instant, Night Raid members—including Najenda, Akame, Mine, Leone, Seryu, and Kurome—were transported to the plaza.
Seeing the ruins and the fallen rulers, they were struck speechless.
Najenda's voice trembled. "The Minister… is dead?"
Everything they had fought for had been accomplished in a single morning.
Tobirama's voice cut through their shock.
"I don't care to sort through this trash myself," he said.
"You know which of these people deserve judgment."
Akame stepped forward, eyes steady.
"Imperial Finance Officer—embezzlement and mass starvation. Death."
"Imperial Guard Commander—abduction and murder. Death."
One by one, names were spoken.
Each time, Tobirama merely glanced at the condemned.
A brief pulse of power followed—and another body collapsed lifelessly.
Within minutes, the plaza fell silent.
The remaining nobles pressed their foreheads to the ground, shaking in terror, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The capital's power structure was reshaped in blood and fear.
"Esdeath," Tobirama said calmly.
"I am here," she replied immediately.
"Take control of the capital's defenses. Restore order before nightfall."
"As you command."
Under absolute force, the regime changed without rebellion or resistance.
Because everyone understood one thing—
Defying the white-haired ruler meant annihilation.
---
At the outskirts of the capital, a young woman with long orange hair arrived quietly.
Chelsea.
Seeing the patrols and the proclamations posted throughout the streets, her eyes widened.
"I leave for two days… and the Empire changes hands?"
Hiding in an alley, she stared toward the palace, her expression hardening.
"Whether you're a god or a demon… I won't forgive you for capturing my comrades."
She opened her Teigu.
In a flash of light, her appearance transformed into that of an elegant noblewoman—flawless in every detail.
Blending into a noble procession heading toward the palace, Chelsea concealed a slender, poisoned needle between her fingers.
"Even gods can fall," she whispered.
With steady steps, the infiltrating agent walked straight toward the heart of the new regime.