Mado Akira was clearly distracted at the moment. Her gaze drifted, eventually settling on the crack etched into the ground by Uesugi Ryu's footstep.
She involuntarily drew in a sharp breath, unable to hide the shock that appeared on her face.
She had once worked in the 24th Ward, and during that time, she had personally witnessed the overwhelming power of Arima Kishou.
He had left a deep impression on her, if two words could be used to describe Arima, they would be "elegance" and "composure."
But Uesugi Ryu was the complete opposite.
The power he displayed was of a completely different nature, it was pure and unrestrained violence.
This man was like a ghoul without a Kagune, a monster in human skin. His terrifying speed was simply beyond comprehension.
Mado Akira's bright eyes moved slightly, full of curiosity and confusion. She stared intently at Uesugi Ryu's back and muttered under her breath:
"First-Class Uesugi... is he really human?"
This doubt lingered in her heart, unwilling to fade.
Uesugi Ryu turned around, a trace of regret on his face. This had been the first time he used his full power since consuming the Dragonblood Elixir, and he had a clearer grasp now of where his strength stood.
Yomo Renji was among the most powerful SS-rated ghouls, renowned for his speed as a Ukaku-type. Yet even he had been unable to react to Uesugi Ryu's Instant Step.
At least in terms of speed, Uesugi Ryu was now standing at the very top of the ghoul world.
He bent down and picked up a fragment of the shattered Crow Mask.
Glancing at the dazed Mado Akira, he asked:
"What are you thinking about?"
Akira snapped back to attention. Her voice calm as she replied:
"SS-rated ghoul, the Crow. He vanished seven years ago."
"To think he'd show up here. It seems the ghoul organizations behind the 20th Ward are stronger than we imagined."
"But that's not the important part. Our real enemy right now is someone else. Let's go."
With that, Uesugi Ryu hefted his Quinque and began walking toward the vehicles.
Mado Akira gave him a meaningful look before slowly following behind.
Meanwhile, Amon Koutarou stood silently, his head bowed, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes. His right hand unconsciously gripped the cross necklace hanging around his neck.
"If they have such power... why choose to live like this? Do ghouls like that really deserve to be exterminated?"
Elsewhere...
Kirishima Touka ran like a swift and agile leopard through the narrow, dimly lit alleys.
But no matter how hard she tried, her stamina was waning. Eventually, she had to stop, bending over with her hands on her knees, gasping for breath.
"Damn it!"
She cursed under her breath, frustrated and angry. Still, she was close, Anteiku, the café wasn't far now.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, then forced her weary legs to move once more toward the café.
When she reached the storefront, its signage lights had already been turned off.
In a rush, Touka shoved the door open and burst inside.
Behind the counter, Yoshimura Kuzen was calmly sorting the day's earnings while Irimi Kaya was sweeping the floor.
Startled by the sudden entrance and rushed footsteps, both looked up simultaneously.
"Manager!"
Touka called out urgently, her face filled with panic.
Yoshimura's brow furrowed slightly as he paused his work, turning his eyes toward the breathless girl.
Irimi quickly set down the broom and rushed to her side.
"Touka-chan, what happened?"
Touka didn't have time to explain, she blurted out rapidly:
"I ran into a Dove while buying ingredients!"
"Renji-san stayed behind to cover my escape..."
Her voice trembled slightly, clearly she was deeply worried about Yomo Renji's safety.
Yoshimura Kuzen listened silently. His brows knit for a moment, but his expression quickly returned to calm.
He knew Yomo's strength well, ordinary Doves wouldn't take him down so easily.
He nodded slowly and replied:
"I understand. No need to worry. I'll go check on him."
"Yomo is a powerful man. He'll be alright, Touka-chan. Just relax," Irimi quickly reassured her.
Without another word, Yoshimura disappeared into the back, quickly donning a black overcoat and placing a round hat on his head. Once ready, he left without delay.
Upstairs, Fueguchi Hinami heard the faint commotion and, curious, peeked down from above.
When she saw that it was Touka standing there, her face lit up with joy, and she raced down the stairs.
She ran straight over to Touka and, after giving her a concerned once-over, tightly clasped her hands in her own, hands that were slightly chilled from panic.
"Onee-chan, is Yomo-san okay?"
Hinami blinked her large, glistening eyes in worry as she asked.
Touka forced a shaky smile and replied softly:
"He's... he's fine. Hinami, be good, okay? Don't overthink it."
But even as she said this, the anxiety in her eyes betrayed her words.
...
Night.
The sky was dark as ink. In the stillness of the countryside, only the occasional call of an owl pierced the silence.
Drops of blood splattered on the ground, trailing off in a crooked path.
Yomo Renji's black coat had long since been dyed crimson. The acrid stench of scorched flesh hung thick in the air.
His steps were slow and heavy.
Suddenly, sensing something, he let out a breath. His tense expression relaxed slightly.
From the nearby underbrush emerged a man in a round hat, Yoshimura Kuzen.
The old man's eyes swept over Yomo's body, pausing on the horrific, charred wound that stood out even in the darkness.
Burnt flesh and dried blood mingled into a grotesque sight.
"Yoshimura-san."
Yomo's face was as pale as paper, but expressionless as he greeted the manager.
Without saying a word, Yoshimura moved forward and gently supported him.
"The bleeding won't stop. This is the best I could do for now..."
Yomo's voice was faint. The battle itself hadn't drained him much, but the wound's constant bleeding had rapidly sapped his energy to heal it.
Yoshimura simply nodded without asking further. Supporting Yomo, the two disappeared into the night.