"What?..."
Touka looked up in confusion.
A black robe embroidered with red clouds had suddenly appeared in Byakuya's hand—she had no idea when.
"What is this?"
Touka couldn't help but ask.
"It's the uniform of an organization I've established. If you want to save the Manager and the others, this is the only way."
Byakuya said.
He understood how Touka felt—wanting to protect everyone, to protect Anteiku, yet being powerless to do anything. Her father and brother had both left her one after another. It truly was a bitter feeling...
So he was willing to indulge her willfulness this once.
If Touka went alone, she'd be walking to her death. But with the entire Akatsuki organization, that was a different story entirely.
Currently, Akatsuki's numbers were still small. Touka was at least S-rated in terms of combat strength and was trustworthy.
"An organization... you've established?"
Touka was momentarily dazed.
Wasn't Byakuya a CCG investigator? Why would he need to establish an organization?
And... the implication of what he'd just said was that he wanted her to join this organization, right? Was Byakuya planning to oppose the CCG?
"Yes. Rize, Tsukiyama, and even Shachi-san from Ward 6 are all members."
Byakuya said. "We have three SS-rated fighters. That should be enough."
He'd already contacted Shachi, who had agreed to help and could therefore be counted among them.
The father-daughter bond between Shachi and Rize alone was enough to earn his complete trust. Shachi was a respectable father who would give everything for his daughter.
"But... they're all ghouls, aren't they? Is this really okay? You're an investigator building an organization full of ghouls..."
Touka couldn't help but worry.
"It's fine. Besides... isn't this all for your sake?"
Byakuya said with a smile.
"..."
Touka's cheeks flushed slightly. Those words made her heart skip a beat.
But she knew this wasn't the time for idle thoughts. She slapped her cheeks with both hands to quickly compose herself.
"Anyway, I'll go with you right now. I want to know how you're planning to act."
Touka was ready to leave immediately, not wanting to waste any time.
As long as she could save the Manager, Koma-san, and Irimi-san, she was willing to try anything.
...
Touka followed Byakuya all the way to his home.
This was her first time visiting another boy's house, but she wasn't in any strange mood right now. Her mind was focused solely on how to save the Manager and the others.
As it happened, all of Akatsuki's members were gathered here today—except for Shachi, who was still in Ward 6.
"Kirishima-san? It looks like you've also..."
Tsukiyama Shuu, seated in the living room, was initially surprised to see Touka, but quickly seemed to understand.
"Tsukiyama, do you all already know about what's happening with Anteiku?"
For once, Touka didn't immediately give Tsukiyama a cold look upon seeing him.
"Yes. Amaha-sama has already informed us and briefed us on the plan going forward."
Tsukiyama nodded.
"But... Kurona-san, Nashiro-san, and you, Byakuya—you'll all be combat personnel for the CCG this time, won't you?"
Touka voiced this concern.
"That's correct, but it won't interfere with our plan..."
Byakuya then explained the entire plan to Touka.
"...I understand. But if that's the case, won't your position become extremely dangerous?"
Touka asked worriedly.
"Trust me. It'll be fine."
Byakuya spoke with considerable confidence.
"Okay."
Much of Touka's worry dissipated, and she said nothing more.
She then tried on the Akatsuki robe Byakuya had given her. It fit surprisingly well, and she felt a strange surge of power rising within her.
"Thank you. Really... thank you, everyone."
Looking at everyone present, Touka couldn't help but express her gratitude.
"The one you should thank most is Byakuya. Otherwise, I couldn't care less whether you all lived or died."
Rize said dismissively.
But Touka didn't get angry. Instead, she turned to Byakuya. "Thank you... and please, stay alive too."
"Mm..."
Byakuya nodded softly in response.
...
"Suzuya, we've been selected for another major operation. The target for elimination is an SSS-rated ghoul known as the 'Owl.'"
Shinohara Yukinori had also received word from headquarters and was now informing Juuzou Suzuya about the matter.
"Is it strong?"
"Yeah... we might actually die this time."
"Is that so? Sounds interesting."
Suzuya seemed indifferent to life and death.
"...Suzuya, if you died, I'd be very sad. Byakuya probably would be too."
Shinohara's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
"..."
Suzuya was silent for a moment before saying, "If I die, I die. It doesn't matter."
Shinohara scratched his head. There was really nothing he could do about this kid. He'd thought mentioning Byakuya would help.
...
Most Associate Special Class Investigators had been selected for the "Owl Suppression Operation." Houji Kousuke was among them, and his subordinate Takizawa Seidou had also been assigned to participate.
"The target is an SSS-rated kakuja—the 'Owl' that everyone knows about. The higher-ups suspect he has connections to Aogiri Tree, so they've decided to launch this large-scale suppression operation. Your name is on the roster."
Houji told Takizawa.
"Mm..."
Takizawa's expression looked somewhat strange, as if he'd grown timid.
"Takizawa... you'll probably be assigned to rear support, and I'll be fighting alongside you."
Houji had clearly noticed Takizawa's unease and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Also, take this. You should know how to write one, right?"
Houji handed Takizawa a last testament form.
With the Owl Suppression Operation about to begin, all participating personnel had to write and submit a last testament.
Back home, Takizawa interacted with his family as usual.
His mother nagged him about finding a girlfriend, and he bickered with his somewhat rebellious younger sister, Takizawa Seina. It was as if everything was the same as always.
In his room, Takizawa wrote his last testament with an optimistic attitude, joking to himself that it felt like he was about to "commit suicide."
But things weren't as they appeared on the surface. On the testament he'd filled out, he'd written four large characters with a thick brush—I don't want to die.
When truly facing such a terrifying operation, he still couldn't suppress the fear in his heart...
...
Takizawa's situation wasn't unique. In offices throughout headquarters and the various branches, the atmosphere was uniformly heavy.
The Owl's fearsome reputation from ten years ago meant that this single confirmed target was placing enormous pressure and anxiety on the vast majority of investigators.
"First Class Amaha, here's today's report. I'll be heading home now."
Akira Mado's expression was calm as she spoke.
"Alright."
Byakuya said. "Don't forget your last testament."
Akira's footsteps paused for a moment. "...Of course I won't forget."
"Tomorrow... stay safe."
As her superior, Byakuya reminded her.
"Mm. You especially, First Class Amaha."
Akira replied.
Because she would only be assigned to logistics in the rear, while First Class Amaha would be facing the Owl directly...
...
The next day—the day of the Owl Suppression Operation.
Yomo had taken all the other Anteiku staff, including Mayu, to a safe location. When he went to collect Touka—the last one—he found only a note she'd left wedged in the door.
"..."
Reading the contents, Yomo remained silent for a long while before finally departing.
The CCG didn't begin their operation until deep into the night. They'd assembled an unprecedented concentration of combat power and completely surrounded a coffee shop called "Anteiku."
The entire Ward 20 was locked down. No one could enter from outside, and those inside had to stay in their homes.
"Operation begins!"
With Commander-in-Chief Yoshitoki Washuu's order, the Owl Suppression Operation officially commenced.
First, a group of ordinary bureau members without Quinques—armed only with specialized firearms—prepared to storm the Anteiku coffee shop directly. The café had clearly closed and turned off its lights long ago.
At that moment, Anteiku's door suddenly opened, startling those bureau members.
Two figures—one in black, one in white—appeared at the entrance as if they'd teleported. One wore a "Black Dog" mask, the other a "Devil Ape" mask.
"Welcome..."
...
The actual main combat forces weren't positioned in front of Anteiku, because the "Non-Killing Owl" hadn't appeared yet...
Squad Zero, led by Kishou Arima, was stationed in the underground passage to intercept any ghouls attempting to escape that way—and to confront the One-Eyed Owl, who was highly likely to appear.
Bureau Director Yoshitoki had deliberately held a press conference before the operation began to ensure the One-Eyed Owl would learn of this news in time and be lured out.
In other words, the Washuu's true purpose in launching this operation was to draw out the One-Eyed Owl. Yoshimura was essentially just a sacrifice.
Based on the Washuu's judgment, they believed the One-Eyed Owl—being Kuzen's child—would come to save him. And indeed, Eto Yoshimura would appear, though she was exploiting the Washuu's miscalculation. In reality, she wasn't coming to rescue anyone...
Though Byakuya was also a member of Squad Zero, the surface battlefield needed more personnel compared to the underground passage. Therefore, the Bureau Director had assigned him to face the Non-Killing Owl on the ground—especially given his combat experience against it.
Byakuya, Shinohara, Kuroiwa, Houji, and numerous other Special Class, Associate Special Class, and First Class Investigators were spread across various positions awaiting the Non-Killing Owl's appearance. Once the Owl was spotted at any location, all primary combat personnel would immediately converge there.
At this moment, Byakuya's position had only himself, Akira Mado, and some ordinary lower-ranked investigators. He slightly raised his head and spotted several figures in Akatsuki robes on the rooftop above.
It's almost time to begin...
Byakuya thought to himself.
[Ding! The host has used 2,500 Fusion Points. Fusion Progress +2,500. Current Fusion Progress: Lv4 (0/5000)]
[New abilities (including upgrades): Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Hashirama Cells Lv4, Taijutsu Lv4, Sage Mode, Izanagi, Izanami, Wood Style: Wood Clone, Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence]
...
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