"No problem..."
From the other end came Byakuya's calm response.
"I'm counting on you."
With that, Yoshitoki cut the communication to avoid disturbing Byakuya's battle.
He relaxed slightly, but remained uneasy.
This situation was too severe. If anything went wrong, "peace"... might collapse...?
At the temporary command post, Marude Itsuki couldn't help but exclaim at the situation. "Seriously, the enemy's combat strength is way too powerful. Is this some kind of final showdown...?"
"The ghouls won't break through to our position, will they...?"
Another investigator asked worriedly.
"Probably not? If that actually happened, then it'd be time for our 'last testaments' to make their debut."
Marude said casually.
"Really?! That's terrifying—"
...
The moment the Non-Killing Owl appeared, Rize and the others descended from above.
Six figures in Akatsuki robes, each wearing different masks, landed squarely before Byakuya and the others. Only Shachi wore no mask.
After all, he'd already been captured by the CCG once. There was no point in wearing a mask to hide his identity. Besides, his fighting style was quite distinctive—he hardly used kagune at all, relying purely on martial arts—which made him easily recognizable anyway.
"...Who are you?"
Byakuya's gaze sharpened.
None of the six responded. Their mere presence was enough to intimidate all the investigators behind Byakuya.
"That's... the 'Gourmet'?"
The relatively calm Akira almost instantly recognized the one wearing the crescent-shaped mask. She hadn't expected the Gourmet to appear here.
"The Gourmet, and Ward 6's 'Shachi.' Quite the lineup..."
Byakuya remarked coolly.
"Shachi is here too!..."
Akira was slightly startled.
The S-rated Gourmet and SS-rated Shachi were both here, and the other four ghouls didn't seem ordinary either.
This situation... isn't good...
Akira's expression grew serious. Her instincts told her something bad was about to happen.
Currently, aside from Byakuya and the special cases of Kurona and Nashiro, all of Akatsuki's members were present—including Touka, who wore a "white rabbit" mask.
At that moment, the woman with long purple hair and a white mask suddenly charged at Byakuya, taking the lead.
Four dark crimson kagune tendrils fully extended—clearly the most lethal rinkaku type. Her slender form shot forward like an arrow at incredible speed.
A female ghoul, appearing alongside Shachi...
Akira immediately intuited that this female ghoul might be the "Binge Eater"!
According to intelligence on the Binge Eater, she had been active in Ward 6 for an extended period and was suspected of having significant ties to Ward 6's leader, Shachi.
Though there was absolutely no information about her appearance, based on the Binge Eater's notoriously vicious reputation, this female ghoul who'd attacked first seemed to fit...
Byakuya immediately used the shield-form 13's Jason to block the four kagune tendrils, then calmly reminded Akira: "Akira, now's the time. Transfer to logistics."
"No... First Class Amaha's position is so dangerous right now. How could I retreat at a time like this?"
But Akira refused.
"That's an order from your superior."
Byakuya's tone was firm.
Yet Akira spoke with even greater resolve: "Forgive me for disobeying your order. I want to stay here and help you."
"..."
Byakuya felt somewhat helpless.
It was one thing for him to put on an act with Rize and the others. But now Akira wanted to be part of it too, which meant Rize and the others would have to include her in their performance...
The main issue was Akira's limited strength. Even if Rize and the others were acting, Akira could still easily get hurt.
If possible, he didn't want anyone to be harmed in this operation.
"I won't repeat myself. Rank 2 Mado, please withdraw immediately. You should be protecting the command post in the rear."
Having said that, he spoke no more.
Instead, he turned his full attention to dealing with his "subordinates" before him.
This time, Akira's resolve finally wavered. She really should obey her superior's orders, and her staying might not accomplish anything anyway...
Seeing Byakuya exchange so many words with that human woman, Rize grew somewhat annoyed. She charged at Byakuya again, seemingly intent on forcibly interrupting them.
Good, that's exactly right...
Seeing Rize's all-out posture, Byakuya thought approvingly.
He'd told Rize and the others beforehand not to hold back too obviously, lest the Washuu notice something amiss.
Tsukiyama and the others also immediately sprang into action, following the pre-arranged plan.
Only Shachi charged toward the ordinary investigators and bureau members.
"Nu!"
"Ha!"
"..."
With bare hands, he shattered the firearms they held.
Then he bellowed at them: "Useless trash, get out of my way!"
They were all paralyzed with fear at Shachi's ferocity.
But Shachi's behavior wouldn't seem strange—according to CCG records, Shachi had never killed an investigator.
The terrified investigators subsequently retreated further back. Akira was among them.
Though she hadn't obediently withdrawn to the rear command post, she didn't advance either.
She feared that trying to help might instead become a burden to Byakuya. At the same time, she worried about his safety, so she stayed to observe the situation. At the very least, she could help Byakuya maintain communication with the command post...
For a time, Byakuya and the six ghouls fought to a standstill.
He deliberately refrained from counterattacking much, mostly just dodging and blocking, with the occasional weak counterattack.
With his Fusion Progress having advanced to Lv4, his taijutsu, Hashirama Cells, chakra, and other aspects had all received another massive boost. He'd even gained Sage Mode, an ability that enhanced everything across the board. So even facing the combined assault of all six, he felt no pressure whatsoever.
Even holding back this much, his performance in Akira's and the investigators' eyes remained incredibly impressive, raising no suspicion at all.
Even Shachi, an "insider," was shocked. He knew Byakuya was powerful, but hadn't expected that even without activating that "kakuja" form from before, Byakuya could still handle all six of them with ease.
This young man is terrifying!
At the same time, he was completely reassured. Entrusting his daughter to this young man was definitely the right choice!
...
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