Arima Kou looked at Uesugi Ryu and revealed a faint, ambiguous smile.
Compared to his previous bedraggled appearance, he now looked completely different.
"Special-Class Uesugi, we meet again~."
He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, looking rather punchable.
"The Chairman is summoning you. Arima-san will also be going along."
"As the CCG's trump cards, some more interaction will surely be beneficial."
As soon as he finished speaking, he no longer cared whether Uesugi Ryu would respond.
He turned slightly to the side and extended his right hand, making a gesture of invitation.
Uesugi Ryu unfastened the buttons at his shirt cuffs and nodded lightly.
"I see, got it."
"But Arima and I have already met. I gained a lot from it."
The sound of leather shoes striking marble echoed as Arima Kishou walked out from the meeting room behind them.
Arima Kou paused slightly at the sight, though he was not surprised.
He was responsible for inviting Uesugi Ryu, while Arima Kishou was responsible for monitoring him.
Seeing Arima Kishou appear, he immediately understood why Uesugi Ryu was being so "obedient" this time.
Arima Kou sneered inwardly.
The fake smile on his face became even more genuine, his lips almost stretching to his ears.
He thought to himself, "So what if you're strong? In front of the Washuu, you still have no choice but to submit."
Arima Kou glanced at his watch and then said calmly.
"Good. It's getting late. Please follow me, both of you."
Uesugi Ryu exchanged a glance with Arima Kishou beside him, a trace of coldness flashing through their eyes.
Arima Kishou gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Soon after, the two got into Arima Kou's car and headed toward the main office.
...........
1st Ward.
The asphalt road gave off the smell of tar.
Ash flicked from a middle-aged man's cigarette scattered into gray specks in the air as he squinted at the flashing warning lights a hundred meters ahead.
"What's going on up there?"
The young man in the driver's seat looked outside and replied.
"Looks like the CCG is searching for ghouls."
The middle-aged man frowned, then did not ask further.
He took out an ID from the inner pocket of his work uniform and held it lightly in his left hand.
Hachimoto Chuu stood by the roadside holding a Quinque case.
His face was as dark as a storm cloud. Not long ago, he had learned the truth about the Washuu.
That alone was whatever, but the fact that the Washuu consumed the corpses of fallen investigators truly provoked him.
Fellow investigators who died protecting civilians being eaten by ghouls after death was something no investigator could accept.
After Hachikawa Chuu's classmates and mentor were killed by Black Dog, their bodies were sent to the Eternal Remembrance Crematorium for cremation.
That day was something he would never forget.
Many of his colleagues were orphans. As the only survivor, Hachimoto Chuu would occasionally go to pay respects to those who had passed.
"Damn bastards. If this is true, I'll chop you all into minced meat."
Veins bulged on Hachimoto Chuu's forehead as he stared at the passing vehicles.
"Associate Special-Class Hachikawa, calm down."
Hoji Kosuke stood beside him. Noticing his gaze, he spoke calmly.
"Got it. What a hassle."
Hachikawa Chuu frowned. In his view, they should just storm in directly. Why go through all this trouble here?
But a single recording and some speculation could not serve as decisive evidence, nor could it mobilize all investigators.
They needed more conclusive proof. That was why they had brought Hachikawa Chuu.
He was the type who held nothing back and harbored extreme hatred toward ghouls. With even the slightest possibility, he would act.
Takizawa Seidou tapped on the van's driver-side window and bent down slightly.
"Routine inspection!"
The middle-aged man in the passenger seat took out his ID and handed it to Takizawa Seidou, a friendly smile appearing on his face.
"You investigators have it tough. I'm a staff member from the Eternal Remembrance Crematorium."
Takizawa Seidou took the ID. At the bottom was a special CCG insignia.
"What's in the vehicle? We need to check."
The middle-aged man frowned. Normally they were waved through. What was with today?
The vehicle was carrying urns transferred from other crematoriums.
While this was not exactly a secret, it was best not to have it exposed.
He said with some dissatisfaction, "You're searching for ghouls, not your own people, right?"
"The vehicle contains urns. These are all prepared for fallen investigators. I think we can skip it."
Takizawa Seidou frowned. He did not know what was going on. Just as he was about to ask his superior for instructions.
Hachikawa Chuu walked up to the passenger side and slammed his hand against the window.
The middle-aged man rolled down the window and turned to look at him.
"You must be the officer in charge here. Our superiors are from the Washuu family."
Before he could finish speaking, Hachikawa Chuu yanked open his collar, revealing a ferocious expression.
"What a coincidence."
His grin stretched so wide it looked like it might tear his cheekbones apart. His dark red gums, exposed to the air, looked as terrifying as a demon's.
"I specialize in killing Washuu dogs."
The Quinque in Hachikawa Chuu's hand erupted with dazzling electricity. Bright yellow spikes instantly pierced the middle-aged man like a hedgehog.
The cigarette in the man's mouth dropped onto the floor mat with a soft tap.
Blood splattered across the windshield, forming speckled patterns.
His body was thrown sideways by the impact, crashing into the young driver.
The young man hurriedly pushed the door open.
His legs were as limp as overcooked noodles, his knees striking the curb with a sharp crack.
Takizawa Seidou was stunned, instinctively taking a few steps back.
In the next moment, a crimson Kakugan appeared in the middle-aged man's eyes.
A blue-green kagune emerged behind him as he tried to escape through the open door.
Hozuki Ayumu, holding a Quinque blade, rushed past Takizawa Seidou and charged straight at the ghoul.
Her blade flashed, instantly severing the ghoul's thigh.
Warm blood splashed onto the asphalt.
The middle-aged ghoul let out hysterical screams.
Soon after, his kagune and remaining leg were both cut off by Hozuki Ayumu.
At that moment, the young man lying on the ground showed a flicker of hope in his eyes and suddenly got up, running toward the other side.
Before Takizawa Seidou could even raise his Quinque, a hail of bullets rained down, instantly turning the young man into a sieve.
"Takizawa, are you alright?"
Hoji Kosuke patted Takizawa Seidou on the shoulder and spoke softly.
Nearby, an investigator holding a camera perfectly recorded the entire process.
Screams from civilians rang out, and fully armed investigators quickly set up a perimeter, sealing off the area.
"What... what's going on, Hoji Kosuke?"
Takizawa Seidou asked in confusion. Why would there be ghouls mixed into an official crematorium?
He was still holding the ID.
"I'll explain later. Gather everyone and move immediately."
Hoji Kosuke had no intention of explaining further. He extended his hand toward Takizawa Seidou.
After a brief pause, Takizawa handed over the ID.
Taking it, Hoji Kosuke immediately began directing the investigators on-site to rush toward the vehicles parked along the road.
"Well done. Too bad we have to spare this one for now. He's still somewhat useful."
Hachikawa Chuu kicked the ghoul lying on the ground and praised Hozuki Ayumu.
Hozuki Ayumu, with hair like a broom, nodded silently.
A faint smile curled at the corner of her lips beneath her hair.
"Now that we have this, those hesitant fools won't have anything to say."
"Today is the end for these monsters!"
Hachikawa Chuu turned and led his subordinates onto the transport truck. Three fully loaded trucks quickly sped toward the Eternal Remembrance Crematorium.