Uchiha's appearance didn't last long. After annihilating the two Ethereals and completing his task, he vanished into the Kamui space without a word.
Right on cue, Belle—having redrawn the Carrot—arrived on-site with Zhong Yan and the others. As they stepped onto the scene and took in the scattered bullet casings, they didn't need to ask what had happened. The aftermath spoke volumes.
"Boss! You're finally here!" Billy called out, voice brimming with joy. He sprinted forward, arms wide for a dramatic hug—only to be met by a steel suitcase crashing into his face.
CLANG!
Even with his metal skull, Billy winced, a ringing echo vibrating through his robotic cranium.
"Mind your surroundings, you tin-headed hug machine," Nicole muttered as she spun the suitcase onto her back like it weighed nothing.
Then, her gaze shifted to the crowd of weak, frightened civilians inside the building—and the woman doing her best to keep them calm: Zhu Yuan.
At the same time, Belle—piloting Eous—spotted Zhu Yuan and murmured under her breath, "Isn't she a Public Security officer? What's she doing here?"
As a Proxy, Belle had worked with plenty of officers. She knew they never operated solo—always in pairs or squads. And Zhu Yuan was in civilian clothing. Clearly, she hadn't entered this Hollow on assignment.
Still, regardless of her condition, they couldn't afford to reveal their own identities. Proxies and Hollow Raiders alike were prime targets for New Eridu's enforcement.
"A Public Security officer, huh... this complicates things," Nicole muttered. "Everyone, be smart. Don't slip up."
She then glanced at Billy, who was still playing dead on the ground.
"Quit faking, get up already."
His cover blown instantly; Billy sprang up like a startled fish. "Sorry, Boss. I got a little too excited. But can you blame me? I almost died back there."
He wasn't wrong. If Uchiha hadn't intervened, either he or Zhu Yuan—or both—would've been torn apart by the two Thanatos.
Thinking about it sent another wave of awe through him. "Boss, do you know what Uchiha just—"
But Nicole quickly raised a finger to her lips, silencing him. "I know. We'll talk about it later."
After all, it was her who'd asked Zhong Yan to call Uchiha in. If she hadn't known Billy was safe, she would've been in full-on panic mode.
"First thing's first—let's get these people out. Especially that officer. Be careful when talking to her," Nicole said, then turned to Belle.
Belle picked up on her cue immediately. She adjusted Ies's behavior, making the little bot act more like an ordinary Bangboo.
"Officer Zhu, my teammates are here," Billy said, approaching Zhu Yuan. "They have an operational Carrot and can get everyone out."
Zhu Yuan, still unaware that she was surrounded by Proxies and Raiders, smiled with visible relief. "That's wonderful. Thank you, Starlight Knight... and your companions."
Her words stumbled as her eyes landed on one of those companions—Zhong Yan.
She remembered him. She and Qing Yi had once visited his apartment during an investigation. She'd read his file. It didn't label him as a certified Hollow Investigator—if anything, it suggested he was a Raider. But they had found no solid evidence.
And now Billy was saying he was one of them...
Zhu Yuan's expression grew conflicted.
She clearly recalled Zhong Yan's actions at Lumina Square—how he had stopped the Red Fang Gang's runaway car, preventing further casualties.
If he really was a Raider, then by duty she should arrest him.
But her conscience... couldn't ignore everything else.
Not only had he saved lives before, he was now helping evacuate civilians from the Hollow.
His character, and his strength of heart, surpassed most officers she had ever worked with.
Maybe I'll ask Qing Yi later, she thought with a quiet sigh. She'll help me make sense of this.
Passing the buck to Qing Yi may have just been an excuse—but it showed she wasn't eager to arrest anyone here. Not really.
Meanwhile, Nekomata, still clutching her wounded arm, finally relaxed upon seeing Zhong Yan and Anby unharmed.
Yet her feelings toward Uchiha's involvement remained complicated.
If the man who saved them was the same one who had slaughtered most of the Red Fang Gang, then it was likely he had killed Miguel Silver too.
Why had he done it?
One moment he was a merciless, blood-soaked killer—the next, a hero rescuing civilians from Ethereals.
These traits didn't belong to the same person. Or at least, they shouldn't.
Could he truly be the justice-driven hero rumors claimed? That didn't sit right either. Uchiha himself had said he didn't want to be called a hero—that such a label only shackled him.
So what was he?
Good? Evil?
Nekomata couldn't say. The line was too blurred.
If he were a villain, then why save them? That wasn't something evil people did.
But if he were good... why threaten Zhu Yuan right after rescuing everyone?
Maybe he had been telling the truth all along.
He helped who he wanted. Killed who he wanted. Followed no rules—acted on instinct and desire alone.
If Nekomata had to describe him, she would say this:
He was beyond good and evil. He simply was.