Uesugi Ryu turned around to face Arima Kishou and gently nodded, signaling for him to continue.
A sharp glint flashed in Arima Kishou's gray eyes.
"I hope you can protect the children of Sunlit Garden. They have not become accomplices of the Washuu."
"As a Ghoul Investigator, I will do my best to persuade them."
"The lifespan of half-humans is extremely short. There isn't much time left."
Uesugi Ryu's eyes lifted slightly.
He noticed the subtle wrinkles pulled by the movement of Arima Kishou's Adam's apple. The final note of the phrase "the lifespan of half-humans is extremely short" trembled like a string stretched to its limit.
This was a clumsy plea that belonged solely to the Reaper.
The lack of time referred not only to the children, but also to himself.
The short lifespan of half-humans would not affect Uesugi Ryu's rule. Before long, they would fade away like fireflies.
Uesugi Ryu did not hesitate and immediately agreed to the condition.
"No problem. However, those who get in the way are not included."
Arima Kishou said nothing further upon hearing this.
A world where ghouls and humans coexist could not be realized. He had never truly had a choice.
After personally witnessing Uesugi Ryu's combat strength and growth, even he could not help but feel despair.
Uesugi Ryu was continuously growing stronger, while Arima Kishou was gradually declining.
By the time Uesugi Ryu had fully entered his field of vision, he had already become an opponent impossible to defeat.
Arima Kishou placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose and suddenly said,
"Compared to me, you are the true 'Reaper.'"
The muscles on Uesugi Ryu's right cheek twitched slightly as he revealed a smile, his sharp canine teeth flashing with a hint of coldness.
The Soul Devour ability indeed suited the title of Reaper, though this Reaper was somewhat of a glutton, consuming all the souls he collected himself.
"Who knows?"
As he spoke, his left hand was already raised horizontally between them.
Arima Kishou paused briefly, then extended his left hand and lightly clasped Uesugi Ryu's in a half-handshake.
Both of them clearly understood what needed to be done.
Before dealing with external threats, internal stability must be secured. To eradicate the ghouls, the Washuu had to be eliminated first.
Reaching cooperation with Arima Kishou would greatly assist in the plan to purge the Washuu.
Arima Kishou himself possessed immense prestige within the CCG and formidable strength. He also commanded the loyal Squad 0.
Coupled with his unique status as a half-human, his participation would make the strike against the Washuu even more decisive.
As for whether Arima Kishou was truly sincere in this cooperation, or whether it might be a trap or conspiracy, Uesugi Ryu did not care.
Ultimately, Arima's involvement was merely the icing on the cake. Given more time, Uesugi Ryu could still eliminate the Washuu on his own.
The only difference was that, by then, it would become a true extermination of their entire clan.
At this moment, Arima Kishou could no longer afford to consider the fate of his former collaborator, Yoshimura Eto.
After all, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Continuing to oppose Uesugi Ryu alongside Yoshimura Eto would undoubtedly lead to a dead end.
Arima Kishou himself did not mind. What he longed for was death.
However, given his strength and status, his decisions were destined to influence many people.
What Arima Kishou could do was to protect his fellow half-humans from Sunlit Garden, allowing them to experience at least a measure of freedom in their short lives.
................
20th Ward, CCG Branch.
Hoji Kousuke and Takizawa Seidou had been transferred out of the 20th Ward, and Shinohara Yukinori had returned to serve once again as the branch chief.
However, aside from his promotion to Special-Class Investigator, Uesugi Ryu did not receive any new positional changes.
He knew exactly why.
The Washuu had likely already planned to transfer him to the foul 24th Ward to keep him occupied with ghouls. Since that was the case, there was no need to adjust his current position further.
If Uesugi Ryu continued killing at this rate, ghouls might soon become an endangered species.
"Ah, how boring."
Uesugi Ryu yawned and picked up a drink from the side, taking a sip.
Mado Akira had gone to the laboratory building to research Quinques. Uesugi Ryu had no interest in that, leaving him alone here.
Crimson energy coiled around his fingertips, moving like a nimble serpent between his five fingers.
As it continued to circulate, faint, illusory blood-red scales appeared upon the energy.
"The precision of my energy control has improved quite a bit, but it still requires regular practice."
After glancing at the mechanical wristwatch on his wrist, Uesugi Ryu stretched lazily.
"I didn't expect that I've already been at work for more than half an hour. Time to clock out."
As he stepped out of his office, he saw Shinohara Yukinori approaching with a stack of documents. He greeted him.
"Shinohara-san, I'm heading out."
Shinohara Yukinori continued walking while flipping through the documents in his hands, his expression far from pleasant.
Ever since learning about the anomalies surrounding the Washuu at Mado Kureo's home that day, he had begun paying closer attention to their activities.
All fallen investigators' bodies were uniformly transported to a crematorium in the 1st Ward named Eternal Remembrance.
Through a joint investigation by several Special-Class Investigators, they discovered something unusual.
Several crematoriums near the 1st Ward frequently sent vehicles to the Eternal Remembrance Crematorium, with the activity becoming especially frequent in recent weeks.
Why would crematoriums engage in such frequent exchanges?
Eternal Remembrance was an affiliated industry of the CCG, while the others were privately owned. Logically, there should have been no interaction between them.
Yet this frequent contact coincided precisely with the period following the deaths of a large number of investigators. The coincidence was too striking.
Combined with the previous recording as evidence, the conclusion that the Washuu consumed the bodies of fallen investigators was almost certain.
To avoid alerting the enemy, Shinohara Yukinori and the others did not pursue the investigation further.
The thought that their fallen comrades had become someone else's food filled Shinohara Yukinori with uncontrollable rage.
The name Eternal Remembrance now seemed deeply ironic.
"Ah, I see."
Shinohara Yukinori was not in a good mood and had little interest in chatting further with Uesugi Ryu.
Observing his demeanor, Uesugi Ryu chuckled softly and offered reassurance.
"Shinohara-san, there's no need to be so anxious. Everything will be resolved soon."
Shinohara Yukinori nodded lightly, indicating his understanding.
At that moment, a slender young man approached.
Upon arriving, he first bowed respectfully to Uesugi Ryu before speaking in a calm tone.
"Special-Class Uesugi, greetings. This is our first meeting. I am the Director's current secretary, Arima Kou."
"I have come today specifically to convey matters regarding your position transfer."
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Uesugi Ryu's lips.
Just as he had expected.
"Then please explain the details, Arima-kun. A mere position transfer shouldn't require excessive secrecy, should it?"
Arima Kou paused slightly. Under normal circumstances, such matters would indeed be discussed in a private setting like an office.
With the campaign against Aogiri Tree at a critical stage, transferring Uesugi Ryu at this time seemed rather puzzling.
Washuu Yoshitoki had sent Arima Kou to personally explain and apply pressure, ensuring that Uesugi Ryu would obediently assume his post in the 24th Ward.
The Washuu held absolute authority within the CCG, so such measures were not strictly necessary.
However, Washuu Yoshitoki believed he understood Uesugi Ryu to some extent. Simply issuing a notification might be ignored, so this cautious approach was taken.
If Uesugi Ryu refused to cooperate, Arima Kou could promptly report back to the Chairman and allow for timely countermeasures.
A trace of difficulty appeared on Arima Kou's face.
"Special-Class Uesugi, it would be better to discuss this in your office. This is also the Director's intention."
At this moment, many investigators in the office had turned their attention toward the scene.
"If you don't want to say it, then don't. I still have work to do."
Ignoring him, Uesugi Ryu prepared to walk away.
Arima Kou nearly broke down at this response, not expecting Uesugi Ryu to be so domineering.
Nevertheless, he pressed on. After all, Uesugi Ryu offending the main family had nothing to do with him.
He hurriedly announced,
"Special-Class Uesugi is being transferred to the 24th Ward to temporarily assume the position of Special-Class Arima. You are to report for duty the day after tomorrow."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire office erupted into discussion. Many of the younger investigators glared angrily at Arima Kou.
A superior like Uesugi Ryu was hard to come by.
He cared for his subordinates, possessed overwhelming strength, always led from the front in battle, and was generous, never claiming credit for achievements, only for the heads of ghouls.
After defeating the Non-Killing Owl, his personal prestige had reached its peak. Many regarded him as the hope for the eradication of ghouls.
At such a critical moment, transferring him to the 24th Ward was a decision most found difficult to accept.
"Special-Class Uesugi, don't agree to this. We can't do without you!"
"That's right. Without Lord Uesugi, how can we stand against the One-Eyed Owl!"
"It's simple, I... (wrong scene)."
"Lord Uesugi, we all support you staying here!"
"We haven't repaid your kindness yet. You can't leave!"
"Without Special-Class Uesugi's leadership, we'll lose our light!"
^O^/
A cacophony of noisy shouts immediately filled the room.
Hearing this, Uesugi Ryu first revealed a look of surprise before letting out a soft laugh.
He raised his hand and casually waved it toward Arima Kou, speaking in a light tone.
"I'm truly sorry, but my physical condition hasn't been very good lately."
"I'm afraid I'm unable to take on the arduous task of guarding the 24th Ward."
As he spoke, he shook his head slightly and sighed, as if genuinely regretful about being unable to shoulder such responsibility.
However, this explanation was hardly convincing. After slaughtering the Non-Killing Owl and even killing the Dodgy Mother without suffering the slightest injury, claiming poor health was difficult for anyone to believe.
Arima Kou's lips twitched upon hearing this. He naturally understood that Uesugi Ryu was merely making excuses.
But as a mere secretary, he did not dare confront him, especially with the surrounding investigators glaring at him as if they could tear him apart.
Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Arima Kou forced a polite smile and replied,
"Understood. I will 'faithfully' report your situation to the Director. Please take good care of your health, Special-Class Uesugi."
"Then, I... I shall take my leave."
Before he even finished speaking, he fled the branch office as if his feet were greased.
As Arima Kou's retreating figure disappeared through the doorway, thunderous cheers erupted within the branch.
Shinohara Yukinori looked at the scene with astonishment. The spectacle was truly exaggerated. Even Arima Kishou had never received such treatment.
"However, is it really alright to provoke the hostility of the Washuu at this point? Or is this also part of your plan?"
Watching Uesugi Ryu's back, Shinohara Yukinori pondered silently.