At the same time, the Devil Ape and Black Dobers had regrouped and were in the midst of retreating when they noticed the enormous commotion in the distance.
The earth-shaking noise was so over-the-top that even neighboring Ward 19 could probably hear it.
Kaya Irimi, Enji Koma, and their subordinates couldn't help but look back toward the distant building. They knew that was the battlefield where the Manager was fighting.
Watching that giant, kakuja-like being, Irimi immediately thought of Byakuya. "Amaha-san, is that big thing over there also you?"
"Mm..."
The "Byakuya" beside them didn't deny it. He was one of the Wood Clones, responsible for escorting Irimi and the others out of Ward 20.
However, what came next required breaking through the CCG's perimeter to "clear the way" for Irimi, Koma, and the others.
"As expected... It's really hard to imagine just how strong you actually are..."
Irimi sighed in amazement.
"Originally, there was only one person I, the 'Devil Ape,' truly admired in my whole life—Yoshimura-san. Today, a second one has appeared. Amaha-san, you're unbelievably powerful."
Koma couldn't help but add.
"...Let me get you through the perimeter first."
Byakuya didn't say much more.
"We're troubling you again, but those investigators are your colleagues, aren't they? Is this really okay?"
Irimi asked with concern.
Even if investigators were their enemies, she could no longer unconditionally hate all "Doves" the way her past self had.
"It's fine. I'll be gentler than the Manager."
Byakuya spoke calmly.
After gaining a wife and daughter, the Manager—the "Non-Killing Owl"—had never killed a single person. When facing investigators, he would at most leave them missing limbs.
While missing limbs was already quite serious, it was still better than losing one's life entirely.
What Byakuya was about to do would be gentler still...
Though this wasn't his main body, a Wood Clone could still exert half the effectiveness of all his abilities.
"Is that so? That's good then..."
Irimi couldn't guess what Amaha-san planned to do, which made her somewhat curious.
...
At a certain position of Ward 20's perimeter, Koutarou Amon was leading a group of investigators to guard this sector. His mission was to prevent any ghoul from passing through.
"The situation over there looks terrifying. I heard a kakuja dozens of meters tall appeared. Are we really supposed to stay here?"
"This is beyond ridiculous. How can a kakuja be that big? Can we even win...?"
"Stop saying things that hurt morale. Special Class Arima and First Class Amaha have already headed to the battlefield. They haven't given up, so what are we moping about?"
"..."
The dire and chaotic situation had left the investigators stationed here deeply unsettled.
"..."
Only Koutarou Amon remained silent.
His iron will wouldn't be shaken by such things. The frontline battlefield had Squad One's main force holding it. The only thing he needed to focus on was his own mission—standing guard here and not letting a single ghoul through!
Now equipped with the modified "Doujima Kai" and the second-generation New Proto that Chief Researcher Chigyou had custom-made for him, he was no longer the investigator who used to follow behind Mado-san, unable to handle major responsibilities.
"Squad Leader Amon!"
Just then, a voice beside him interrupted his thoughts. "Over there! There seems to be a ghoul!"
Hearing this, Amon immediately snapped to attention and looked in that direction.
He saw a ghoul wearing a black robe and a white mask.
"..."
Amon's expression grew grave. This ghoul's appearance closely matched what Associate Special Class Hachikawa and Special Class Tanakamaru had described about that "mysterious ghoul"—especially the fiery red clouds on the black robe, which matched their descriptions exactly!
A mysterious ghoul who had instantly defeated both Associate Special Class Hachikawa and Special Class Tanakamaru. He had encountered a formidable enemy indeed...
"This is Koutarou Amon. The 'mysterious ghoul' has appeared..."
Amon immediately reported to headquarters in a grave tone, his eyes never leaving the mysterious ghoul for a second.
The figure was approaching slowly, seemingly in no hurry.
But logically, the Devil Ape, Black Dog, and the remaining ghouls should be following behind him.
They absolutely could not fall here. Otherwise, all those ghouls would escape...
But the question was: could he really handle an enemy that even Associate Special Class Hachikawa and Special Class Tanakamaru couldn't deal with...?
Only Amon managed to keep his composure. The other investigators around him were shaking so badly they could barely stand.
"Would you mind letting me through?"
Byakuya spoke evenly.
He had altered his voice to make it deep and gravelly—very close to Uchiha Madara's tone. No one would be able to identify him beneath the mask.
"No."
Amon's voice was heavy and resolute.
"Then I apologize for what comes next."
Before he even finished speaking, Byakuya's figure vanished.
"Wha—?!..."
Where did he go?!
Amon's expression shifted to alarm. He frantically looked around but couldn't spot the mysterious ghoul anywhere.
The other investigators were even more panicked, momentarily gripped by fear.
"Squad Leader Amon! Above you!"
Someone suddenly called out.
Amon immediately looked up and finally saw the figure standing atop a rooftop.
"Too late..."
Byakuya said calmly.
Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!
Byakuya activated the technique without hand seals. The ground began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.
"What is this? An earthquake?!"
"No! Something's coming out of the ground!"
"Are those... trees? Why would something like this exist?!"
"..."
Trees burst from the earth one after another, rapidly transforming the terrain into a forest. The surrounding buildings were caught up in it as well—they were no match for the terrifying growth of the trees!
The investigators, who had never witnessed anything like this, were thrown into complete panic. Many were so frightened they dropped their weapons!
"Everyone, get away from those things!"
The relatively composed Amon shouted immediately.
He worried the trees might be made of kagune and could harm them...
But the question remained: what kind of ghoul could produce enough kagune to create an entire forest...?
"What... are you...?"
Amon stared intently at the mysterious ghoul looking down on everything from above.
"Madara..."
Byakuya spoke in Madara's voice, his tone utterly emotionless. "Nice to meet you. And... goodbye."
...
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