Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique!
After Akira and the other investigators had retreated to the rear, Byakuya stopped putting on an act with Rize and the others. One moment they were fighting fiercely; the next they'd stopped completely. Byakuya immediately used Wood Clone and began executing his predetermined plan.
He left one Wood Clone here to adapt to the situation and maintain contact with the Director and command post.
"Are you sure you don't need us to act anymore?"
Rize confirmed with the real Byakuya before he left.
"Mm. Just stay here and pretend to be pinning me down. Otherwise there's a risk the CCG will notice something's off."
Byakuya said.
"Alright."
Rize said nothing more.
"Byakuya, please... take care of the Manager and the others..."
At this point, Touka, wearing her "rabbit" mask, couldn't help but speak up.
"Mm. Don't worry."
With that, Byakuya vanished.
...
The battlefield between the Non-Killing Owl and the investigators had shifted to a building's rooftop.
They were locked in a bitter struggle.
The damage they dealt to the Non-Killing Owl couldn't keep up with his regeneration speed. If damage was 6, then regeneration was 8.
At that moment, Suzuya Juuzou gave everything he had to wound the Non-Killing Owl's kagune arm—but it was a reckless, all-or-nothing strike that left him full of openings.
"...Too reckless."
Yoshimura commented coolly. He could have decapitated Suzuya right then, but he showed mercy—only severing Suzuya's right leg.
"Got his left arm..."
Suzuya was still reveling in having wounded the Owl's left arm. It wasn't until his body lost balance that...
"Huh? That's strange..."
Suzuya looked puzzled as he collapsed to the ground, not knowing when his right leg had disappeared.
"Suzuya!"
Shinohara's expression changed dramatically. He abandoned his attack on the Owl and rushed to Suzuya's side.
"I'm fine, Shinohara-san. I just wounded the Owl's left arm. Hurry and defeat the Owl while you have the chance."
Yet Suzuya responded with a calm expression, seemingly unable to feel pain.
He'd been tortured by ghouls since childhood and had long become numb to "pain." His usual self-embroidery only made him feel comfortable.
"How can you be fine... your leg..."
Overwhelming guilt brought tears to Shinohara's eyes. As a superior, he'd failed to protect his subordinate.
"I... don't feel pain. So please don't cry. Keep fighting..."
Suzuya seemed unable to understand Shinohara's behavior, his expression confused.
"I'm sorry... it's all my fault... I'm sorry..."
Shinohara wiped the tears mixed with rain from his face.
It had started raining when the battle began, and it still hadn't stopped...
"Let me stop your bleeding first... wait here..."
Shinohara immediately contacted the command post. "Headquarters! Rank 2 Suzuya is wounded! Please issue orders to evacuate the injured immediately!"
Suzuya sat there, increasingly puzzled by Shinohara-san's behavior.
It wasn't Shinohara-san's fault... why is he crying...?
After contacting the command post, Shinohara immediately rose to continue fighting the Non-Killing Owl.
He couldn't stay there tending to Suzuya—otherwise they'd have even less chance of defeating the Owl!
Then Shinohara, Kuroiwa, Koori Ui, and Kureo Mado pressed the Owl back step by step. Having lost one kagune arm, the Owl's strength had plummeted.
Combined with the wounds Koori Ui had earlier inflicted to the Owl's abdomen and Houji's blow to the shoulder, the Owl was now on his last legs!
Kuroiwa stepped forward to deliver a series of slashes, worsening the Owl's injuries—but lost his right hand in the process.
"Now! Houji!"
Just then, Kureo Mado called out Houji's name.
Houji was approaching with a Quinque case—inside was the SS-rated Quinque "Chi She"!
They'd formulated their battle plan before the operation began. Everyone's roles were clearly defined, and this SS-rated Chi She was today's "trump card"—meant to deliver the final blow to the Owl!
"Mado-san, sorry to keep you waiting..."
As Houji spoke, he drew out Chi She from the case—a heavy greatsword so massive it required both hands to swing.
He then thrust forward, piercing through the Owl's chest. The mighty Owl was finally defeated, unable to regenerate any further...
The enormous kakuja form collapsed with a crash. The kagune mask covering the face had shattered, revealing the features of an elderly human man, his head covered in blood.
Though still alive, he could no longer resist.
Kureo Mado thought he'd finally achieved his revenge. Sitting on the ground, he breathed a long sigh of relief. It was finally over...
The next moment, an excited, trembling voice came through every investigator's communication device.
"Report... SSS-rated elimination target... 'Owl' eliminated! 'Owl' eliminated! Elimination complete!"
Hearing the news of the elimination, all the investigators burst into cheers.
"OOOHHH!!! The Special Class investigators finally did it!!!"
"Wonderful! We've won!"
"..."
However, the voice on the radio contained its excitement and reminded everyone.
"Don't let your guard down just because the Owl has been eliminated. Begin mop-up operations—don't let a single one escape!"
Even so, the investigators were ecstatic.
Only Akira's expression remained grave. She was worried about First Class Amaha's situation.
She intended to go check on him. The operation was nearly over—briefly leaving her post shouldn't matter...
But just then, an emergency announcement came through the radio.
"Order from Headquarters! Suspend mop-up operations immediately! Another 'Owl' has appeared! Another 'Owl'!!"
Everyone froze, expressions of shock on their faces as they looked up at the rooftop where the Special Class Investigators were—where the other Owl was...
...
While Shinohara and the others were resting...
Just then, an enormous figure suddenly descended from the sky, flying in from far above.
THOOM!
The monstrous, massive form's landing caused the rooftop floor to shake violently. The tremendous disturbance behind them left Shinohara and the others stunned.
This was a kakuja with a form somewhat similar to the Non-Killing Owl, but far more imposing in size—a complete monster!
One-Eyed Owl
...
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