In a traditional Japanese residence in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.
Inside a large Japanese-style room.
Figures knelt on cushions in silence, their gazes fixed on the elderly man seated at the head.
The old man had white hair and a beard, his silver locks cascading over his shoulders. Though his gaunt features lent him a somewhat severe appearance, every movement exuded the authority of one long accustomed to power.
Tsuneyoshi Washuu.
Current patriarch of the Washuu Clan. In the previous world, he had been the former Chairman of the CCG - the official organisation dedicated to hunting Ghouls. Even when his son Yoshitoki Washuu succeeded him as Chairman, his influence remained overwhelming.
Yet with the world's transformation...
Past authority had become fleeting as smoke.
The Washuu Clan, who once controlled the intensity of conflict between humans and Ghouls to harvest resources from the balance, now found themselves surviving furtively in corners, watching this new world with wary eyes.
As a Ghoul maid lit incense beside him, filling the air with faint herbal fragrance, Tsuneyoshi Washuu opened his eyes:
"Very well. Let the weekly meeting commence."
With these words, Tsuneyoshi glanced at his son Yoshitoki and said impassively:
"Yoshitoki, you report first."
"How are things progressing with Councilman Ozawa's daughter, Yoshiko?"
Yoshitoki Washuu - married until two weeks ago, now unmarried - replied in a low voice:
"...Still making contact with Miss Yoshiko, Father."
He paused before continuing:
"Her response has been indifferent. She doesn't seem inclined toward marriage in the near future."
"She appears more interested in hosts from cabaret clubs than men like me."
Tsuneyoshi's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Then become a host yourself!" he snapped.
The patriarch gave his fifty-year-old son no chance to explain, his temper flaring:
"Without CCG's authority, we're no different from sewer rats in human society."
"Yoshiko Ozawa is Councilman Ozawa's only daughter. Her husband would inherit the Ozawa family's political influence in Shikoku - your ticket to becoming a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member."
"You should understand how crucial this treasure is for our Washuu Clan, Yoshitoki."
"Yes, Father." Yoshitoki bowed his head, resentment simmering beneath the surface.
A month ago, he'd been the powerful CCG Chairman. Now he was divorced and chasing a woman less than half his age, being treated like a dog.
Even with his resilience, such a gap was hard to bear.
Observing Yoshitoki's suppressed emotions, disappointment flashed in Tsuneyoshi's eyes:
"Evidently, I cannot entrust the Yoshiko matter to you alone."
"Matsuri, you will also pursue Yoshiko."
Matsuri Washuu, seated behind Yoshitoki, froze, his expression turning profoundly awkward.
The reason for his discomfort was simple - he was Yoshitoki's son.
Father and son simultaneously courting the same woman... This...
Tsuneyoshi showed no consideration for his grandson's feelings, stating coldly:
"Your preference for men is irrelevant. Yoshiko must be secured. Your bloodline maintains our clan's political influence - there can be no mistakes."
"If Miss Yoshiko enjoys the thrill of host clubs, wouldn't father-and-son pursuit be exciting enough?"
"Do you understand the outcome I require?"
Under Tsuneyoshi's icy gaze, Matsuri silently lowered his head:
"Yes, Grandfather."
After reprimanding Yoshitoki Washuu and his son, Tsuneyoshi Washuu slightly turned his gaze towards Kishou Arima, kneeling before him:
"Arima, you've passed the University of Tokyo entrance exam."
The white-haired, bespectacled young man who gave off an icy impression nodded:
"I have indeed passed, Lord Tsuneyoshi."
"Good."
Tsuneyoshi Washuu nodded before instructing:
"At the University of Tokyo, actively engage with students interested in joining government service to build connections for our Washuu Clan. After graduation, you'll enter the Metropolitan Police Department. I'll mobilise the entire Washuu Clan's resources to support your career."
Though speaking these words, Tsuneyoshi knew that as a Half-Human, Arima had a limited lifespan - perhaps less than ten years remaining.
Yet there was no alternative. The University of Tokyo exams were notoriously difficult. Despite arranging for many clan members to take them this year, Arima remained the sole successful candidate. They would simply have to maximise his utility.
Compress the three-year programme to two, then enter frontline police departments. Use the inevitable Ghoul-related disturbances to propel Arima's promotion through eliminating his own kind.
Meanwhile, cultivate new talents to enter the police force, ready to inherit Arima's network when needed.
Thus, the Washuu Clan could consolidate its position within the Metropolitan Police Department.
As Tsuneyoshi calculated, Arima lowered his head to conceal the odd glint in his eyes, murmuring assent.
Unnoticing, Tsuneyoshi nodded approvingly before shifting his gaze to Kichimura Washuu, who was seated in the middle of the gathering.
His expression darkened immediately:
"Kichimura."
The black-haired, effeminate young man with side-swept bangs promptly bowed:
"Present, Father."
Tsuneyoshi's voice turned glacial:
"Explain the Mihana Ward crematorium situation. Why haven't you secured control yet?"
"Without such facilities, how shall the core members obtain sustenance?"
"I entrusted you with V Organisation, and this is your repayment?"
"My deepest apologies."
Kichimura paled, prostrating fully on the tatami:
"Apologies solve nothing," Tsuneyoshi said darkly. "Do words put food on our tables?"
"What exactly caused the crematorium failure? Why did it escalate?"
Forehead pressed to the matting, Kichimura stammered:
"It... it was Aogiri Tree infiltrators within the V Organisation."
"Incompetent fool." Tsuneyoshi's voice dripped contempt. "You'd blame everything on moles?"
"Profoundly regretful." Kichimura kowtowed repeatedly, the picture of abject terror.
Observing this, Tsuneyoshi's eyes flashed with disdain. Were it not for the V Organisation requiring management, were Kichimura not his son, were the Washuu not already depleted of their former power and personnel...
Tsuneyoshi drew a deep breath. This past month had been nothing short of calamitous.
Perhaps regular Ghouls might consider it a blessing to transition into a world unaware of their existence, but for the all-powerful Washuu Clan, this was a fate more terrifying than outright Ghoul extinction.
At least, if humans were to exterminate the Ghouls, they could act as collaborators—rather than losing all their power and influence as they currently have.
Though resentment festered within him, considering how few of the Washuu Clan's younger generation were willing to dirty their hands, Tsuneyoshi Washuu could only say:
"How do you intend to resolve the issue of our clan's sustenance?"
"Grandfather, I wish to report two matters to you."
Kichimura Washuu seemed to have anticipated the reprimand. Keeping his head lowered, he explained:
"Today, both the Aogiri Tree and Anteiku factions raided multiple hospitals, seizing large quantities of food supplies. They're using this as leverage to strengthen their forces."
Tsuneyoshi Washuu frowned at this. "Are you suggesting we attack Aogiri Tree and Anteiku to seize their supplies?"
The Washuu Clan, who secretly manipulated the war between humans and Ghouls from the shadows, had no desire to step into the light.
Once exposed, the risk of complete discovery became inevitable.
And waging war against both Aogiri Tree and Anteiku simultaneously was an even greater gamble.
Those two SSS-rated Owls are not easy opponents to deal with.
"No, Grandfather, I don't intend to mobilise the power of our Washuu Clan."
Kichimura Washuu raised his head, not bothering to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead as he spoke:
"Grandfather, both Aogiri Tree and Anteiku are currently using the food they've obtained to recruit more members. I've already arranged for our people to infiltrate both factions, securing provisions for our Washuu Clan while also scouting their food reserves."
"If all goes well, we should be able to seize one side's stored provisions within a week covertly."
"Additionally, I've stationed operatives at major suicide sites to collect wild ingredients. We've already gathered five hundred units of food, enough to cover short-term consumption."
As Kichimura spoke, he couldn't help feeling somewhat resentful.
In truth, during his first week after crossing over, when Tsuneyoshi Washuu had placed the V Organisation under his management, he'd immediately dispatched trusted subordinates to collect the remains of suicide victims.
Thus, within just three weeks, Tsuneyoshi Washuu had stockpiled six thousand corpses - fresh, aged, and rotten meat alike. This was the foundation for expanding his own influence.
Yet now he had to surrender five hundred units. Worse still, the Washuu family couldn't stomach rotten meat - they only consumed fresh corpses. This meant depleting his entire stock of fresh provisions.
'Damn it, why don't you parasites just die?'
Meanwhile, Tsuneyoshi Washuu's expression softened slightly upon hearing Kichimura's report.
"Hmph, at least you're somewhat useful."
He scanned the room, his cold gaze sweeping over the twenty-six core members of the Washuu Clan assembled in the Japanese-style chamber.
"Being displaced from our original world presents both danger and opportunity for our Washuu Clan."
"I won't dwell on your previous decadence in the old world. All I require is your diligent service here to strengthen our Washuu Clan. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Clan Head!" x26
"Meeting adjourned." Tsuneyoshi lifted his matcha with detached indifference.
The assembly rose obediently and filed out of the chamber in orderly fashion.
Kishou Arima, who had been first to leave, suddenly paused, sensing Kichimura Washuu's baleful gaze boring into his back.
'So you've noticed?' Kishou adjusted his glasses.
Why would such a tightly controlled organisation as the V Organisation have Aogiri Tree infiltrators?
Naturally, because Kishou Arima had created a backdoor for Takatsuki Izumi. The V Organisation's plan to seize the Mihana crematorium had also been leaked by him.
As for why a member of the Washuu Clan would do this, the reason was simple.
He simply found the world where Ghouls and humans slaughtered each other while the Washuu Clan profited from their conflict too cruel to bear.
That endless cycle of mutual destruction, fuelled solely by one clan's ambition - such a world wasn't worth preserving.
This was why Kishou Arima had allied with Takatsuki Izumi.
'If Kichimura can detect my handiwork, he's clearly more capable than I'd assessed.'
Kishou Arima and Takatsuki Izumi had been collaborating for twelve years. To maintain such a long-term infiltration without exposure required considerable skill.
When orchestrating Yakumo Oomori's entry into the V Organisation's strike team, Kishou hadn't left his residence once, manipulating everything through the organisation's existing recruitment protocols.
Yet Kichimura had still spotted irregularities.
'This is... interesting.'
Kichimura Washuu's abilities clearly far exceeded his apparent standing within the clan.
'However... it's meaningless now...'
Kishou Arima recalled the message Takatsuki Izumi had previously sent him through secret channels.
The SDS, the Metropolitan Police Department, the military, the Onmyou Agency, and the extermination of yokai...
Perhaps for Ghouls, destruction is the best outcome.
Kishou Arima adjusted his glasses, no longer paying attention to Kichimura Washuu's surveillance. Silently collecting his white metal briefcase from the attendant, he slowly merged into Tokyo's streets.
...
Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Sakuradamon.
Inside the vast command centre, Director Ito sat at the head, gazing intently at the massive screen above.
On it, a complete map of Tokyo's 23 wards was clearly displayed.
Rows of tense Metropolitan Police Department clerks sat before computers, coordinating with various departments.
At this moment, Kiyonaga Matsumoto, head of the First Investigative Division of the Criminal Affairs Bureau, approached Director Ito.
Director Ito spoke gravely: "Matsumoto, have we made contact with the military staff headquarters?"
"We have."
Matsumoto bowed before continuing:
"They will issue a joint military exercise announcement in one hour. Meanwhile, China will provide some degree of diplomatic cooperation."
Director Ito couldn't help but sneer:
"Hmph. Seems those 1960s armaments weren't bought in vain."
"Notify them to retrieve that batch of 1960s grenades we purchased last time. Let those Ghouls have a taste while we clear some warehouse space. Otherwise, there won't be room when the new batch arrives."
"Understood." Matsumoto lowered his head in acknowledgement.
Satisfied, Director Ito nodded, then turned to glance at Nurarihyon sitting calmly nearby.
Noticing the gaze, Nurarihyon chuckled and remarked:
"Around midnight, the Nura Clan's Small Yokai will hold a grand fireworks display across Tokyo."
Director Ito nodded: "I'll inform the media to coordinate with the Nura Clan's activities."
Just then, Dogen Takayanagi slowly approached Director Ito, leaning on his cane.
Nurarihyon turned away, falling silent.
Takayanagi murmured, "I've arranged matters with Tokyo's underworld groups. They're prepared to claim responsibility for any incidents."
Hearing this, Director Ito felt reassured. Pressing the speaker before him, he announced through the sound system:
"Then I declare Operation Spring Cleaning will commence precisely at 11:30!"