Without acknowledging the glance from Shinohara Yukinori, Uesugi Ryu merely turned his gaze toward Washuu Yoshitoki, seated at the head of the room.
Mado Kureo studied Uesugi Ryu deeply, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.
"In truth, we need not overthink troop strength," Mado said suddenly. "Against the One-Eyed Owl, all we can do is minimize casualties and disrupt their plans."
"Cochlea is a sealed facility. If deployed effectively, CRC gas can be tremendously effective, potentially enough to stall even the Owl."
His voice held an uncontainable excitement, and his fingers tapped rapidly against the table.
Marude Itsuki frowned, clearly troubled. Years ago, when he gave the order for Mado Kasuka to remain behind and cover the retreat, he had merely executed a command passed down from above, but the guilt had never faded.
He had long hoped for a chance to avenge Kureo by killing the One-Eyed Owl, believing that perhaps then Kureo could be "brought back."
Now faced with a strategic choice, he hesitated once more. As a commander, he could shape the CCG's allocation of troops and attention.
But should he lend his full support to Kureo's suggestion, putting all available resources into Cochlea's defense, or act with neutrality, prioritizing overall safety?
In the world of ghouls, understanding the enemy's mind was impossible. If the Owl appeared in the 11th Ward instead, what then?
It was a gamble of psychology, one wrong move, and the board would collapse.
Uesugi Ryu, watching everyone's tense expressions, was inwardly exasperated.
"This is actually very simple," he thought.
Since Aogiri Tree's goal was to liberate ghouls from the prison, why not just evacuate Cochlea or execute the ghouls on-site?
Empty the facility. Bait the trap. Invite them in.
Of course, such a course of action depended on the upper ranks being human.
But regrettably, the Washuu would never allow it.
The so-called uprising in the 24th Ward was merely a smokescreen, nothing more than a ruse to justify binding Arima Kishou, their strongest weapon, elsewhere.
The scales in everyone's minds tipped back and forth.
Just as Marude hesitated, Washuu Yoshitoki cleared his throat and issued a calm but authoritative command:
"There's no need to panic. If the One-Eyed Owl truly appears, I will send word to Arima."
"Additionally, Uesugi, your request is approved."
"As for the composition of the original task force for the Aogiri suppression campaign, it will not be altered."
"The matter of Cochlea's defense will be discussed later. This meeting is adjourned."
Marude's frown deepened. Something about this scenario felt familiar. In his mind, the image of a ghoul wearing a red-faced, white-haired mask surfaced.
He let out a wry smile.
"I should've known... It's not surprising that a ghoul from that side would be versed in military strategy."
...
Inside a time-worn, half-ruined building cloaked in dim light and oppressive silence, Tatara stood at the center of the room, his face expressionless as he issued an order to Kirishima Ayato:
"Ayato. Toss that guy into the 24th Ward."
Ayato blinked in surprise, confusion rising in his eyes.
"The 24th Ward? He'll get torn to pieces, there won't even be bones left."
Tatara had explicitly said not to concern themselves with that one before, so why the sudden change?
But instead of answering, Tatara simply cast him a cold side-glance, his gaze filled with icy disdain.
"Someone will deal with him once he's down there. Why are you so concerned?"
"What, have you already started treating him like one of your subordinates?"
Tatara's contempt for the group of useless misfits under Ayato's leadership had never been a secret.
Hands still tucked in his pockets, Ayato's face darkened.
"Tch. Bastard..."
But despite his resentment, Ayato didn't argue. He merely nodded and replied in a low voice:
"...Understood."
With that, he turned and left the room.
...
Elsewhere, Kaneki Ken was alone in a separate room.
He took a small metal box from his coat pocket and inspected it. Inside were two vials of dark crimson fluid, RC Cell Concentrates.
"It's a good thing they were sealed so tightly," he muttered. "Any looser and they'd have shattered in the last fight."
He was conflicted.
"...Mr. Banjou has no combat ability. I'm no match for Ayato in my current state."
Struggling internally, Kaneki finally extended his right hand toward the vials.
But just as his fingertips were about to brush against them-
BANG!
The door exploded inward with a deafening crash.
Caught completely off guard, Kaneki scrambled in panic, hastily shoving the metal box back into his coat.
"What the hell are you doing in here, dumbass?!"
Kirishima Ayato stormed into the room, his face twisted in irritation. His piercing gaze bore down on Kaneki's panicked face, his voice rising in anger:
"Ay-Ayato...! I-I mean, Ayato-san, please calm down! What's going on?!"
Kaneki tried to force a smile, but it was worse than crying. His voice trembled.
Ayato had already kicked him a few times before, he was still sore.
"You idiot. HQ says I'm taking you to the 24th Ward."
"The 24th...?"
Kaneki's eyes widened in confusion.
Seeing this blank look only made Ayato angrier.
"Tch. So those bastards at Anteiku never told you anything, huh?"
"The 24th Ward is all ghouls. No humans. Cannibalism is as common as breathing down there."
Kaneki turned pale at those words, dread rising like a tide. His voice quivered:
"Why... why would you take me there?"
"Hell if I know!"
Ayato suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Kaneki's collar and yanking him up. His other hand reached swiftly into Kaneki's coat, and yanked out the metal box.
"No-!"
Kaneki's eyes widened in horror, struggling with all his might, but Ayato's strength was overwhelming. His resistance was as futile as a twig fighting a hurricane.
Ayato cracked open the box and, seeing the vials inside, raised an eyebrow.
"RC Cell Concentrates...? Where the hell did you get your hands on these?"
These weren't the weak, low-purity kinds given to ghouls in captivity just to keep them alive.
No, these were the real thing. High-concentration RC vials used by the CCG to forge powerful Quinques.
Outside of investigators, very few could acquire them.