Byakuya's plan was a complete success. "Madam A" was the type who'd spill everything with just a little intimidation—she'd volunteered her most valuable information to save her own skin.
He knew full well that this woman only knew about Akihiro Kanou, which was precisely why he'd deliberately scared her like that.
This way, he could naturally bring Dr. Kanou's activities to CCG's attention.
"Akihiro Kanou is that famous doctor from Kanou General Hospital. I'd heard of him even before I met him."
Madam A began speaking rapidly about Dr. Kanou, terrified that if she spoke too slowly, Byakuya would drag her out and kill her. "Back when I was poor and starving, I tried to attack him, but I was beaten down by a ghoul at his side—actually, that one had been transformed into a half-ghoul through his experiments."
"Experiments? And half-ghouls? What are those?"
Akira immediately asked in confusion.
These things were completely beyond her understanding. Her theoretical knowledge was rock-solid, whether from her Academy days or her time at CCG, but she'd never seen anything like this in any textbook.
"I don't really understand it either. I just know that Dr. Kanou experiments on humans, transforming normal people like you into ghouls through his experiments—but ghouls with only one kakugan. He calls them 'half-ghouls.'"
Madam A explained. "I thought I was going to die back then, but he spared my life and asked me to cooperate with him. He wanted me to cultivate experimental subjects for him—like that child who served as the 'Scrapper' at the Ghoul Restaurant last time. In return, I got money and status, suddenly rising to the upper echelons of ghoul society."
"One kakugan..."
Akira's expression grew serious.
This reminded her of the "One-Eyed Owl." The reason it was called the "One-Eyed Owl" back then was precisely because it had only one kakugan.
She became even more interested in what Madam A was saying. This Dr. Kanou might be connected to the "One-Eyed Owl."
"Continue. Tell us everything you know."
Akira said.
"Yes! I'll continue right away."
Madam A hurriedly said. "But I don't know much about Dr. Kanou. Whenever I delivered experimental subjects to him, it was always at a mansion that looked like it had been abandoned for a long time. That's really all I know..."
"Where is this mansion?"
Akira pressed.
Madam A then described the general location—this was rather difficult for someone as uneducated as her.
Byakuya didn't even need to ask. He already knew that the so-called abandoned mansion was actually Kurona and Nashiro's former home. After their father Nanao Yasuhisa had been "physically discarded" by CCG, it had been taken over by Dr. Kanou.
...
"Although we didn't get any information about the 'Gourmet,' we did make a new discovery."
By now, Byakuya and Akira had left Madam A's cell. Akira had already recorded the testimony she'd obtained.
"Let's report this matter about Dr. Kanou directly to headquarters while we investigate it ourselves."
Byakuya said. "We'll have to put the 'Gourmet' matter on hold for now. Human experimentation to create ghouls—that's no ordinary crime..."
"Agreed."
Akira nodded.
Especially since she felt this matter was connected to the "One-Eyed Owl," her attention was completely drawn to it.
Afterward, the two returned to the Ward 20 branch while having Cochlea staff notify Ward 1 headquarters about Dr. Kanou.
Soon, headquarters responded, instructing Byakuya and his team in Ward 20 to investigate the matter. If suitable personnel became available, they would be dispatched as reinforcement.
This was because headquarters was currently preparing for an upcoming major operation and couldn't spare many people. This "major operation" was the "Anteiku Suppression Operation"—though ordinary investigators didn't know the details yet.
...
After several days of investigation, Byakuya, Shinohara, and others had uncovered much about Akihiro Kanou.
"These are all the properties registered under Kanou's name. The number is astounding..."
Akira looked at the documents covering almost the entire table and couldn't help but sigh. "The more we investigate this guy, the more suspicious he seems. Having so many addresses is clearly an attempt to hide something."
"What he's hiding are those experiments. Now we just need to establish sufficient suspicion to launch a special operation against him."
Byakuya said evenly.
"Mm. Most of his activities are highly suspicious, and these properties might not even be all of them."
Akira analyzed. "He went to Germany to study ghouls and became a researcher for the GFG there. Then, with three years of ground-level experience at the GFG, he transferred to CCG as a researcher. Later, for unknown reasons, he left CCG and went back to being an ordinary doctor."
"I believe he probably saw something he shouldn't have and was expelled from CCG. But as for what exactly, I can't even imagine. After all, when he left CCG, I was still carrying a little schoolbag."
Akira sighed helplessly.
"The image of you carrying a schoolbag is hard to picture."
Byakuya quipped.
"What kind of joke is that? No elementary school student could carry a schoolbag as well as I did back then."
Akira boasted with a straight face.
"Alright, joking aside—his behavior, finances, properties, and past experience are all suspicious. Now we just need to personally verify whether what Madam A said about those experiments is true..."
Byakuya said in a slightly serious tone.
"Although the address Madam A gave was vague, there is indeed a property under Kanou's name in that area that matches her description of an abandoned mansion."
Akira picked up a structural diagram of that mansion. "There's also a basement... Very suspicious indeed."
"A basement—wouldn't that be the perfect place to secretly conduct experiments?"
Byakuya said.
"Exactly. This should be the place..."
Akira nodded.
Just as she finished speaking, someone pushed open the office door.
"Byakuya."
"Byakuya-oniichan."
It was Kurona and Nashiro Yasuhisa arriving at the Ward 20 branch.
Special Class investigator Kiyoko Aura was also with them—apparently dispatched here for work purposes?
...
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