20th Ward, CCG Branch.
Special-Class meetings were always held at the CCG Main Office in the 1st Ward, but this time the situation was somewhat different.
All Special-Class Investigators except Haisaki Fukami were gathered in the 20th Ward.
The meeting room door was gently pushed open, and Arima Kishou, dressed in a black suit, slowly stepped inside.
"Arima."
Marude Itsuki's expression was complicated, his voice low and hoarse.
His expression carried both anticipation for Arima Kishou's arrival and a trace of unease that was hard to conceal.
A close friend like Washuu Yoshitoki being a ghoul, and the once strongest of the CCG being a pawn of the Washuu.
Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle. The Washuu's control over the CCG far exceeded his imagination.
"Arima boy, it's rare to see you show up at a Special-Class meeting!"
Mougan Tanakamaru broke the silence, his tone carrying a hint of emotion as he tried to ease the tense atmosphere in the room.
However, his smile seemed somewhat forced, and vigilance flickered in his eyes as well.
The undefeated investigator, the White Reaper.
Whether considering strength or personal feelings, none of the Special-Class investigators present wanted to stand against him.
People always lack a clear concept of power that surpasses imagination.
Uesugi Ryu was also very powerful, but he always gave them a sense of unreality. Although they had agreed to participate in this coup, they still felt uncertain deep down.
Now that Arima Kishou stood on their side, it undoubtedly placed a massive weight on the scales of this coup.
However, whether this undefeated investigator's defection was genuine remained to be seen.
Everyone present still held a trace of caution toward him.
Arima Kishou did not respond, only giving a slight nod before walking to an empty seat beside the long table and sitting down.
Uesugi Ryu, seated at the head, clapped his hands.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's announce the operation plan."
His gaze swept across every Special-Class Investigator present, finally stopping on Arima Kishou.
"Arima and I will go meet Washuu Tsuneyoshi. I'll deal with Washuu Tsuneyoshi, and Arima will lead Squad Zero to handle the V Organization."
Uesugi Ryu's tone was calm, as if he were discussing something utterly ordinary.
Marude Itsuki frowned tightly upon hearing such an extremely crude plan and could not help but speak up.
"Isn't this plan far too simplistic?"
His fingers unconsciously tapped against the table.
As a professional commander, he instinctively felt uneasy about a plan lacking in detail.
Uesugi Ryu glanced at Marude Itsuki, signaling him to calm down, then casually looked at the other Special-Class investigators present.
"The task of exposing the Washuu's true nature will be left to all of you. The specific command will be handled by Special-Class Investigator Marude."
"The key point is to act immediately when Washuu Tsuneyoshi summons Arima and me."
"Dispatch a large force to surround the Washuu estate. Not a single ghoul is to escape."
After Uesugi Ryu finished speaking, Arima Kishou opened the briefcase in his hand, revealing a thick stack of documents.
"This is all the intelligence I know about the Washuu, as well as the half-humans planted within the CCG."
"As for the layout of the Washuu estate, my understanding is limited."
Arima Kishou adjusted his glasses and continued.
"I've drawn a rough map myself. Hidden escape routes and similar locations will need to be discovered by all of you."
The operation plan was simple, built upon absolute force.
Uesugi Ryu had that confidence. Even alone, he could defeat the Washuu, but what he wanted was not defeat, but total annihilation.
Shinohara Yukinori sat to the side, hands clasped on the table, speaking in a grave tone.
"The Washuu Clan's influence runs deep. Besides them, we must also be wary of the Madam factions."
"The Washuu likely have significant ties with these ghoul families."
Kuroiwa Iwao nodded, his gaze passing through the glass toward the distant scenery.
"Public sentiment below has not been favorable to us lately. The exposure of the Washuu must be done thoroughly."
Only Mougan Tanakamaru and Aura Kiyoko were flipping through the lists in their hands. The others had already read them.
Aura Kiyoko's slender fingers gripped the edge of the list, her knuckles turning slightly pale from excessive force.
Sunlight slanted in through the high windows of the 20th Ward meeting room, dividing her cold and elegant face into light and shadow.
Aura Kiyoko was responsible for command in the 1st Ward. As the location of the CCG Main Office and the Washuu estate, the Washuu's infiltration there was undoubtedly the strongest.
At this moment, Aura Kiyoko's gaze swept quickly across the names.
With just a glance, she had already recognized at least four familiar faces.
A chill rose in her heart.
"Even you..."
Aura Kiyoko bit her lower lip tightly, and the beauty mark at the corner of her mouth trembled slightly with the subtle movement.
The Washuu's infiltration into the 1st and 2nd Wards was too strong, which was why Aura Kiyoko and Mougan Tanakamaru were only being informed now.
Even knowing the list of infiltrators, with their current manpower, they could not suppress such a large number of spies and half-humans.
Uesugi Ryu looked toward Aura Kiyoko and Mougan Tanakamaru, whose expressions had turned grim.
He seemed to understand their concerns and spoke with implication.
"Half-humans who surrender will be detained for now. As for ghouls, eliminate them on the spot."
As veteran investigators, Aura Kiyoko and Mougan Tanakamaru naturally understood the gravity of the situation.
They exchanged a glance, determination filling their eyes, and answered in unison.
"Understood!"
Uesugi Ryu spoke one final time, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Everyone, this is our only chance. We must strike with one blow."
He pressed his hands against the table and slowly stood up, his palms leaving five deep imprints in the steel conference table.
"This is the first step in purging ghouls. Let's kick these obstacles into hell first!"
A dark golden light flickered within Uesugi Ryu's eyes, and an invisible pressure filled the meeting room.
Silence fell. Only the sound of the wind outside brushed past.
Everyone's gaze unconsciously settled on the groaning conference table.
No matter the form, power ultimately belongs to strength. Uesugi Ryu's terrifying power became the fuel driving this operation.
In the next moment, everyone stood up simultaneously, chairs scraping harshly against the floor.
All eyes focused on Uesugi Ryu as they bowed in unison.
Firm hands pressed tightly against the combat uniforms beneath their investigator coats.
"Understood!"