Just then, a mocking voice laced with disdain came from above.
"You idiot, Touka. You've improved a bit, but since when did you start working for that guy?!"
The speaker was none other than Kirishima Ayato, perched on one foot at the edge of a high ledge, looking down arrogantly at the fierce battle below.
Hearing the familiar voice, Kirishima Touka abruptly turned her head in that direction. When she saw him, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ayato? Why are you here?"
"Hmph, isn't that my line?" Ayato snorted coldly. Then, pushing off with both legs, he shot down like an arrow.
As he descended, he swiftly released his kagune and launched a fierce kick aimed straight at Touka. Kaneki Ken sensed the danger and immediately gave up his prime opportunity to strike the Yasuhisa sisters. With a quick turn, he placed himself in front of Touka.
At nearly the same time, the four sharp tendrils of kagune on his back stabbed upward toward Ayato in mid-air.
With a dull thud, their kagune collided violently in midair. Faced with the powerful koukaku kagune, Ayato's kagune sustained some damage, scattering tiny shards of crimson.
Kaneki raised his head, locking eyes with Ayato, the corner of his lips tugging up slightly.
"Long time no see, Ayato."
With a sudden exertion of force, he knocked Ayato flying through the air. Ayato flipped and landed steadily, a serious expression flashing across his face.
Kaneki's strength exceeded his expectations, and it annoyed him.
"Tch."
"If you're here for that bastard Kanou, I suggest you get lost. He's a target of Aogiri Tree," Ayato said coldly, then activated his kagune again, ready for battle.
High above, a small hooded figure, Yoshimura Eto, watched it all from her perch. A subtle smile curved her lips.
"What a good little brother. But Kaneki-kun really has changed... How interesting~"
The Yasuhisa sisters were momentarily dumbfounded. Why did every new arrival seem even stronger than the last?
Just then, a light, whistling tune rang through the air, drawing everyone's attention. They all turned toward the sound.
Uesugi Ryu strolled in from the rear, casually carrying a metal case.
Not far away, Yoshimura Eto frowned slightly at the sight of Uesugi Ryu and vanished on the spot.
"A dove? Alone?" Ayato frowned in confusion. But before he could think further,
Kaneki, seeing Uesugi Ryu, suddenly understood something. He waved to Touka, and in the moment the Yasuhisa sisters were distracted, he led his group to retreat.
Ayato paused, momentarily stunned, then quickly followed suit.
Ukaku-type ghouls possessed the fastest acceleration. The moment the Yasuhisa sisters reacted and tried to intercept them, Ayato had already zipped past.
In the blink of an eye, the only ones left standing at the original spot were the bewildered Yasuhisa sisters.
Since all their opponents were ghouls, the two had not worn masks.
Yasuhisa Kurona fell silent. Yasuhisa Nashiro looked equally speechless.
After a deep breath, Kurona stared at Uesugi Ryu with cold, detached eyes and said in a flat tone, "You'd better leave. Nashiro and I don't want to kill you. This isn't a place for humans like you to step into freely."
Uesugi Ryu was briefly stunned, then burst out laughing.
With a mocking grin, he responded, "You think you can kill me?"
"It's been a while. You two are still as cute as ever~"
His voice was flippant, the smile on his face light and mischievous.
Kurona's expression darkened even further. Without saying another word, she turned to her sister and barked, "Nashiro, attack!"
But Nashiro hesitated. She bit her lip and whispered, "Sis... Isn't this going too far?"
Kurona's gaze was unwavering, her voice cold. "Just beat him half to death. Make sure he loses the ability to fight."
But before they could act, Uesugi Ryu suddenly vanished. Instant Step triggered.
His figure flickered like a ghost, appearing right between the two sisters.
"Haha, perfect. I was thinking the exact same thing."
With a twist of his body, the massive metal case in his hand slammed into Nashiro's frail form.
A thunderous smack echoed through the air. Nashiro flew in a wide arc before crashing heavily to the ground, vomiting blood.
Agonizing pain radiated through her entire body, most of her ribs shattered. Her once-flat chest had collapsed into a crater.
Kurona's pupils contracted to pinpoints. She stared at the scene in disbelief.
But before she could react, an iron-like hand clamped around her slender throat and effortlessly hoisted her into the air.
Uesugi Ryu raised an eyebrow, watching her struggle.
"Looks like your understanding of me is still stuck in our Academy days. What, did turning into a ghoul also cost you your brain?"
Kurona couldn't answer, literally. She controlled her kagune to attack his arm.
But Uesugi Ryu coldly muttered, "Let me finish."
With a flick, he hurled her upward.
A flash of strange light gleamed, at some point, a uniquely shaped dagger had appeared in his hand.
With a few swift flicks, Kurona's two sharp kagune tendrils were shredded into pieces.
Then, with a final sweep, Uesugi Ryu flung the dagger straight at the base of Kurona's back, into her Kakuhou.
Blood sprayed out in a torrent as the blade struck deep.
The Kakuhou, the source of a ghoul's kagune, was a vital organ. Damage to it could mean death.
Kurona gave a soft gasp and trembled. Her face turned ghostly pale, and her body collapsed limply to the ground. She could no longer move.
"Kurona!!" Nashiro screamed.
Her face was drained of color, her expression frantic. She tried to get up, but her broken body couldn't handle it. Clenching her teeth, she began dragging herself toward her sister.
But Uesugi Ryu paid her no mind.
He looked down at Kurona with a mix of mockery and contempt.
"Turned into a monster just to eat people... does that really feel so good?"
"You're nothing but Kanou Akihiro's tool. It's pathetic."
Even gravely wounded, Kurona still managed to whisper back, her voice weak but determined.
"You don't... understand. 'Father'... he loves us..."
Uesugi Ryu looked at her stubborn face and sighed, shaking his head.
He picked up his metal case and began walking deeper into the facility.
"Is that so? We'll see about that."