Nagachika Hideyoshi, dressed in a suit, took a deep breath before stepping into the CCG branch building.
Although Uesugi Ryu hadn't given him any specific dress code instructions, Hideyoshi, who had managed to get in through connections, decided to keep a low profile to avoid causing any trouble for Uesugi Ryu.
As he walked toward the front desk, he politely greeted the receptionist.
"Hello, may I ask if First-Class Uesugi is available? I'm here for an interview..."
The receptionist, Kobayashi Yumi, looked up at the sound of his voice and slowly gave him an odd look, scanning him from head to toe.
However, she quickly turned her gaze away and, after a brief pause, replied, "Hm... it seems like First-Class Uesugi isn't here."
She then added, as if recalling something,
"However, he did leave instructions. If anyone comes looking for him, just send them directly to the Human Resources Department. You must be Mr. Nagachika, right?"
Nagachika Hideyoshi ignored Kobayashi Yumi's strange look and smiled curiously.
"That's me. But is First-Class Uesugi really not here? I spoke with him over the phone..."
Kobayashi Yumi shook her head lightly.
"I'm not sure about that..."
She gestured casually with her hand.
"The Human Resources Department is on the third floor, and the signs are very clear. Mr. Nagachika, you can head up there yourself."
She wasn't sure if he knew the details, but even if he didn't, she wouldn't have said anything.
As a front desk worker, she was well aware of the CCG's confidentiality rules. Investigators' movements were not to be disclosed carelessly.
"Thank you, I understand."
Nagachika Hideyoshi noticed something off in the exchange, but since he couldn't pry any further, he just sighed and headed upstairs to report in. He looked a little troubled as he did.
"Kaneki, where are you?"
......
1st Ward, Headquarters.
Suzuya Juuzou stretched and yawned, some moisture appearing at the corners of his eyes.
"So boring, all these meetings..."
Shinohara Yukinori didn't seem to care about Juuzou's complaints.
His eyes were filled with concern as he stared at Mado Kureo, whose figure seemed slightly hunched. His lips trembled, as though he wanted to speak.
But before he could, Mado Kureo immediately raised his hand to stop him.
He knew what his old friends wanted to say. Over the past few days, Mado Kureo had been able to hear the changes in their tone.
"Don't start. Whether the Owl shows up or not, that's still a question. Don't make it sound like I'm going to my death."
At these words, a slightly awkward smile appeared on Shinohara Yukinori's face, and he let out a dry chuckle.
"Haha, you're right, but we still have to be careful."
Uesugi Ryu, who had been standing behind them, glanced at the indifferent Suzuya Juuzou and walked a little closer.
"Juuzou, take care. Don't die."
Suzuya Juuzou froze for a moment after hearing this, and then a series of large question marks seemed to appear on his childish face.
In his simple world, death was as routine as eating and drinking. What Uesugi Ryu had just said was as absurd as telling him not to eat or drink.
"If you die, you won't be able to see me again."
Seeing Juuzou's reaction, Uesugi Ryu explained calmly.
Suzuya Juuzou gave a helpless smile, scratching his head.
"You're becoming more like Shinohara-senpai, huh? I got it!"
Hearing this, Shinohara Yukinori turned around, his gaze falling on Uesugi Ryu.
"Ryu, don't push yourself too hard either."
After saying this, Shinohara Yukinori patted Hirako Take's broad shoulder lightly, his tone carrying a hint of a plea.
"Hirako, please take care of him for me."
Hirako Take, expressionless, couldn't help but retort.
"Shinohara-senpai, do you want to think about what you're saying? Who's taking care of whom?"
Shinohara Yukinori merely shrugged and smiled as he praised, "You're the most outstanding assistant of Arima, after all. You must have some valuable experience in dealing with an enemy like the Owl."
Hirako Take slightly shook his head, his face still showing little emotion.
"No, I haven't learned anything like that. It's not something a mere mortal like me could understand."
At this moment, Uesugi Ryu, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, suddenly smiled.
Although Hirako Take appeared to be very humble, his true strength was not to be underestimated.
Uesugi Ryu politely nodded toward Hirako Take.
"I look forward to working with you, First-Class Hirako."
Hirako Take didn't say much, only nodding lightly. After all, the two weren't very familiar with each other.
Uesugi Ryu glanced at the large box he was holding in his left hand. Considering the possibility of a battle with the One-Eyed Owl, the CCG had specially sent over a new piece of equipment.
Normally, this would be given to the highest-ranking officer, either Aura Kiyoko or Hoji Kosuke. But in the end, it had been entrusted to Uesugi Ryu, the hope of the CCG.
Aura Kiyoko wasn't suited for this equipment as her fighting style focused on agility and technique. Furthermore, the equipment was still in the experimental phase and could backfire on the user.
While Aura Kiyoko was strong, her small frame made her ill-suited to handle this item.
Hoji Kosuke trusted Uesugi Ryu's strength and had given him the equipment instead.
Uesugi Ryu wasn't entirely confident he could defeat Yoshimura Eto. Her regenerative abilities were more than absurd, and as a natural half-ghoul, her self-healing was the strongest of its kind.
Although the Blood Frenzy could suppress ghoul regeneration, Yoshimura Eto's RC cell count was off the charts, making it nearly impossible to stop her healing.
While Uesugi Ryu had ample mana, he wasn't limited to just using Blood Frenzy.
Any other techniques he had would also consume it.
If his Mana could be used to power this new equipment, it would at least cover up his weaknesses in strength and physique.
But this would also mean that his Mana reserves would become tight, something he was not looking forward to.
He had always been confident in his Mana but now found himself concerned. He hoped the new equipment wouldn't drain him too much, or he might be exhausted.
As for Arima Kishou? Uesugi Ryu had never even considered him. Arima was just an actor, someone he couldn't rely on.
The 23rd and 24th Wards weren't far apart. Back in the original timeline, no one had been able to stop Arima from reaching the One-Eyed Owl. If anyone claimed that wasn't intentional, they were simply lying.
It was likely that Arima had already leaked the CCG's movements in Cochlea to Yoshimura Eto, but Uesugi Ryu believed she would still come. To her, aside from Arima, the CCG investigators were nothing more than ants.
As for Uesugi Ryu himself, he wasn't even part of her calculations.