The green glow of the monitors filled the room. Marude Itsuki glanced at Mado Kureo beside him, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes.
It had been over a decade since they last fought side by side. Back then, they were still young.
But time had flown, and now they were both halfway to the grave, old men in the midst of life.
Marude Itsuki drew a deep breath and spoke gravely.
"Washuu, the perimeter defense is yours."
"If Aogiri Tree shows up and the frontline is stable, you'll take command of the reinforcements led by Hōji and the others."
Mado Kureo nodded and quickly scanned the surrounding surveillance feeds.
"So far, Crow has not appeared, but we still need personnel on high alert."
Even while taking command, Mado Kureo kept his quinque close.
The large case rested beside him, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.
Marude Itsuki nodded in acknowledgment.
"If he shows up, let Ui Koori and Hazuki Shime handle him. Our forces are still sufficient."
Mado Kureo crossed his arms, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he glanced toward Washuu Yoshitoki, a faintly sinister smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Next, we just wait for the main character to appear."
On the streets, suddenly, massive flames shot into the sky, accompanied by deafening explosions.
Screams and the sounds of battle mingled together.
The heavy boots of combatants hit the asphalt like death drums, echoing relentlessly.
Uesugi Ryu walked alone through the chaos.
Fully armed soldiers rushed past him, forming streaks of motion in the street.
He lifted a hand to his Bluetooth earpiece on his right ear and asked,
"Mephisto, what's the situation?"
Mephisto's voice came through the earpiece.
"Nothing major so far, but the underground passage has been completely sealed. No way to check inside."
"However, I found an interesting guy, Kaneki Ken is heading straight for Anteiku. He's about to encounter the investigators."
Mephisto paused briefly, glancing at the Yasuhisa sisters, who were practically steaming with excitement, and asked,
"What do you want me to do? Should I send the Yasuhisa sisters to intercept? They seem really hyped right now."
Uesugi Ryu frowned, exhaling helplessly.
"Give me the location. I'll handle it."
Mephisto immediately sent through the shared visual link. Once connected, Uesugi Ryu turned and strode forward.
......
An investigator helplessly glanced at the broken quinque in his hands and hurriedly reported to the command center.
"Unnamed ghoul detected! Extremely powerful, already breached our defenses! Requesting reinforcements!"
"Understood."
Just as Mado Kureo prepared to deploy forces, Uesugi Ryu's voice came through another channel.
"I'm here. No need to send anyone."
Snowflakes fell as Uesugi Ryu met Kaneki Ken in a dark alley.
Uesugi Ryu glared at the familiar mask and cursed softly.
"You bastard. Always in the way."
With that, the two briefcases in Uesugi Ryu's hands vanished instantly.
A long purple blade appeared in his grasp.
Seeing this, Kaneki Ken did not speak. Four sharp kagune sprouted rapidly from his lower back. He spoke calmly.
"Didn't settle it before. Now's not too late either."
Uesugi Ryu smirked, amused by the remark.
Kaneki Ken probably could not even achieve half-kakuja right now. If he had SS- level strength, that would already be a blessing.
At that moment, Mado Kureo's voice came through the earpiece again.
"Ryu, the Owl has appeared! Near the Director. Amon and the others are already there. How long will you need?"
"19 seconds."
Kaneki Ken only saw Uesugi Ryu's lips move slightly.
Before the words reached his ears, the biting wind, mixed with snow, slammed into him.
The world seemed to fall silent in that instant.
The purple blade traced a soft arc, like a classical dance.
Four crimson kagune, deep or light in shade, were severed by the sharp blade.
Snowflakes landing on the blade instantly melted, splattering together with the blood in midair.
The golden eyes of Uesugi Ryu were filled with icy malice and violence.
Kaneki Ken only realized the danger when met by that gaze, but it was already too late.
Uesugi Ryu's strong, articulated hand shot out and gripped Kaneki Ken's neck tightly.
The muscles in his forearm tensed. With a snap, the cartilage around Kaneki Ken's Adam's apple crushed beneath the grip.
Then, Uesugi Ryu twisted his waist, rotating his body, and slammed Kaneki Ken into the nearby wall.
With a resounding *bang*, Kaneki Ken's body slammed hard, rebounded, and hit the ground.
He opened his mouth, spewing a mouthful of vivid crimson blood.
Fragments of organs lodged in his throat.
The crushed cartilage blocked his airway, and he began coughing violently.
Uesugi Ryu's blade spun in his hand, two flashes of brilliant steel slicing past.
In the next moment, Kaneki Ken's limbs were severed, chopped down to mere stumps.
His neck twisted under immense force, making even breathing difficult.
"Hah… hah… hah…"
Kaneki Ken tried to make a sound, but he could do nothing.
2.9 seconds. The battle was over.
"Stay here. Someone will come for you."
It felt as if it had all been an illusion. Uesugi Ryu stepped away, crushing him like an insect without a care.
His figure quickly disappeared, leaving only Kaneki Ken lying in the snow.
Blood poured from his severed limbs, unstoppable even for Kaneki Ken's regeneration.
Fresh air became a rare luxury, mingled with the iron tang of blood.
Only now did Kaneki Ken realize the vast gap between him and Uesugi Ryu. He could not even track his opponent's movements.
His pupils dilated. His throat had healed.
The battle had ended in an instant, and his RC cells were still abundant.
He spat out the fragments of organs stuck in his throat and gazed at the snow falling silently.
A miserable smile touched his lips. Those golden eyes were imprinted deeply in his mind.
That inhuman, otherworldly aura convinced him: this friend could never be human.
How could a human possess such power?
A question echoed in his mind.
"Ryu… are you a savior sent by heaven for humanity, or a god playing with mortals?"
"Caw. Caw."
.....
"Ryu still hasn't arrived? Looks like we'll have to make the first move."
Koutarou Amon and Kuroiwa Iwao exchanged a glance. Both wore the newly upgraded combat suits, their eyes fixed solemnly on the monstrous kagune not far away.
Everywhere, feathered kagune rampaged across the streets. Limbs flew. Countless investigators died.
Even against an overwhelming foe, the gun-wielding investigators charged forward fearlessly.
"Assault! Assault!!"
With each roar, their firearms spewed torrents of fire.
Yet these attacks were not even enough to scratch the SSS-level Binge Eater.
A shrill slicing sound rang out. Another wave of sharp kagune rained down.
The lead investigators watched in despair.
"Am I going to die here?"
Under this indiscriminate barrage, survival was impossible.
He instinctively closed his eyes, awaiting death.