Yoshimura Eto lay inside the bathtub, hazy steam lingering throughout the bathroom.
Most of the injuries on her body had already healed. After her thigh had been pierced by Uesugi Ryu, she had decisively severed the limb once again to survive.
The newly regenerated left leg beneath Yoshimura Eto's skin pulsed with worm-like blood vessels.
This limb was nearly half shorter than her right leg and appeared extremely thin.
"Even the corpse became a trap?"
Her fingertips brushed over the still-unhealed stump, and the stinging pain of the regenerating tissue reminded her of the sudden agony at the book signing event.
At that time, Uesugi Ryu had stood right in front of her, smiling as he watched her endure the torment.
Tatara was also severely injured. Unlike Yoshimura Eto, who was a One-Eyed Ghoul with powerful regenerative abilities, he did not possess such resilience.
Losing two Kakuhou was an extremely serious injury for him, and it could be said that he had nearly died.
With the tree fallen, the monkeys scattered. Only a handful of members remained in Aogiri Tree.
The only remaining executive, Kirishima Ayato, was nowhere to be found and had most likely fled.
While recovering from her injuries, Yoshimura Eto also had to take care of the severely wounded Tatara.
She had also taken Yoshimura Kuzen's corpse with her, originally intending to consume it to replenish her RC cells.
However, the blood-red energy spikes had erupted from within Yoshimura Kuzen's body.
Fearing that Uesugi Ryu might have left some kind of hidden contingency inside it, Yoshimura Eto ultimately abandoned the idea.
Her brows were tightly furrowed, her heart filled with confusion.
The sudden eruption of the blood-red spikes was enough to prove that Uesugi Ryu possessed the ability to manipulate that energy, and that his control over it was both precise and far-reaching.
If that was the case, then during the previous book signing event, Uesugi Ryu must have already discovered her identity.
Yoshimura Eto gently brushed several strands of hair clinging to her cheek behind her ear.
"He discovered my identity yet chose to turn a blind eye. What exactly does that mean?"
She pressed her forehead against the cold tiles as her Kakugan surfaced uncontrollably.
After a moment of contemplation, she arrived at an answer.
"A hunter's twisted pleasure in toying with his prey..."
The tides of fate had shifted. Yoshimura Eto had always been the one manipulating and toying with others.
But now, whenever she saw that red energy, she could not help but feel a sense of fear.
Being treated as prey and repeatedly thwarted by Uesugi Ryu left her with extremely complicated emotions.
Uesugi Ryu was becoming stronger each time. Previously, she had barely been able to contend with him, but now she likely would not even be able to stall for time.
"Cough... cough cough..."
From the adjacent room came Tatara's heart-wrenching sounds of retching.
The second-in-command of Aogiri Tree now resembled a bedridden patient, unable even to straighten his back.
Yoshimura Eto let out a soft sigh and slowly stood up from the bathtub. A kagune emerged from her back.
The crimson kagune, like a nimble serpent, swiftly wrapped around her severed limb, temporarily replacing the missing portion.
Her complexion was pale and she appeared extremely weak. After drying her body with a towel, she slowly walked out of the bathroom.
Entering the room, Yoshimura Eto casually sat down on a chair and reached for the glasses placed beside her, putting them on.
Her eyesight was perfectly fine; they were merely a pair of plano lenses.
However, whenever she wore these glasses, she inexplicably felt a surge of creative inspiration.
In the dimly lit room, only the faint glow from a laptop illuminated the space, while the rhythmic tapping of keys echoed softly.
.........
Ward 1, CCG Headquarters.
Uesugi Ryu closed the door and slowly stepped out of the Director's office.
He had only taken a few steps when he saw Arima Kishou approaching from the opposite direction.
The distance between the two gradually shortened, and they soon met in the middle of the corridor.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, draping the entire hallway in a layer of golden radiance.
The bright light illuminated both Uesugi Ryu and Arima Kishou, casting long shadows on the ground.
After reaching Uesugi Ryu, Arima Kishou suddenly stopped and spoke.
"Special-Class Investigator Uesugi, we meet again."
Uesugi Ryu raised an eyebrow. He had just exited, and Arima Kishou appeared immediately. There was no such thing as a coincidence.
"Is there something you need, Arima-san?"
The bright, almost dazzling sunlight reflected off Arima Kishou's glasses.
He wore the distinctive long white coat of Squad Zero, his gaze fixed directly on Uesugi Ryu's eyes, which appeared slightly different from the last time he had seen them.
Simply meeting that gaze caused an inexplicable sense of palpitating unease.
Nevertheless, Arima Kishou did not avert his eyes. His tone remained completely calm, devoid of any fluctuation.
"Can we talk?"
A hint of curiosity flashed in Uesugi Ryu's eyes, and he nodded lightly.
The two walked side by side, slowly making their way outside until they arrived at a secluded rooftop.
Looking at the blue sky in the distance, Uesugi Ryu felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if two undercover agents were meeting.
The lenses of Arima Kishou's glasses reflected the fading glow of the city's neon lights. The wind swept across the rooftop, lifting the hem of his white coat into a sharp arc.
He turned to look at Uesugi Ryu and said calmly,
"I believe you are already aware of the truth about the Washuu."
Uesugi Ryu remained composed. He narrowed his eyes slightly, resting his hands on the edge of the rooftop as he quietly observed everything below.
"So, what is your choice?"
Observing Uesugi Ryu's reaction, Arima Kishou seemed to understand something.
He gazed at the ant-like flow of traffic in the distance, his silver hair tousled and then smoothed by the wind.
"What is your objective?"
In truth, he already had a vague answer in mind.
Based on Uesugi Ryu's personal history and the people around him, his objective seemed to be only one: the eradication of ghouls.
Uesugi Ryu had an irreconcilable conflict with ghouls.
However, the existence of Kaneki Ken introduced an element of uncertainty. Otherwise, Arima would never have asked such a question, as it would have been too foolish.
Since Kaneki Ken existed, he wanted to understand Uesugi Ryu's true intentions. Perhaps there was still a final chance for change.
Uesugi Ryu slightly lifted his chin, his tone carrying unquestionable resolve.
"Purge, and then rule."
Within his dark golden pupils, the patterns of the irises seemed to flow like molten gold.
Arima Kishou fell silent for two seconds, lowering his gaze to his pale hands.
"With power surpassing that of a king, you are qualified to say such words."
Arima Kishou opened his mouth, intending to continue, but after a brief moment of thought, he suddenly abandoned the idea.
Uesugi Ryu stepped half a pace forward and raised his right hand, loosely grasping the air. The silhouette of a distant tower appeared faintly between his fingers.
"One last time, I will ask you."
The final note of his voice lowered abruptly, the vibration in his throat sending subtle ripples through the air.
"What is your choice?"
Arima Kishou suddenly removed his glasses.
The gray eyes long hidden behind the lenses revealed their true sharpness, yet when they met that golden gaze, they subtly shifted aside.
"I have one request. If you can agree to it."
"Until this blade breaks, it will be at your disposal."