Inside a luxurious villa, Wakayama was sitting on the sofa, looking through the documents in his hands.
Suddenly, a burst of arguing came from downstairs, followed immediately by the sounds of fighting.
Wakayama instantly felt that something was wrong. His whole body trembled as he stood up and prepared to run toward the hidden room.
Unfortunately, there was no way he could outrun the investigators.
Marude Itsuki led several investigators and quickly blocked his path.
Marude Itsuki's expression was cold as he said sternly,
"Mr. Wakayama, you are under arrest!"
"You colluded with the ghoul family Tsukiyama Clan. What awaits you will be the death penalty!"
Wakayama immediately shouted in rebuttal,
"Special-Class Marude, you need evidence when you speak!"
"Besides, the CCG has no authority to arrest me! Is there still any law left?"
Marude Itsuki's expression did not change, but a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
He indeed had no evidence. He was only carrying out orders.
Uesugi Ryu slowly walked down the stairs, his leather shoes making dull thudding sounds against the wooden steps.
A gentle smile appeared on his face as he said calmly,
"Mr. Wakayama, you should confess early. It will save everyone trouble."
Wakayama turned his head toward the voice. When he saw Uesugi Ryu, a red glint flashed in his eyes.
Then, as if he had truly come to his senses, he immediately began confessing his crimes.
"Yesterday Tsukiyama Mirumo came to me and asked me to help find a relatively remote coastline. We were old classmates, so of course I helped him."
"He probably wanted to relocate his family. That's actually a good thing, right? Driving out ghouls without any effort!"
The more Marude Itsuki listened, the worse his expression became. He had never seen someone so shameless.
"You beast!"
Uesugi Ryu casually loosened his tie, looking completely unconcerned.
"Alright, Special-Class Marude. Move immediately and intercept them."
At this moment, Wakayama finished confessing. A trace of clarity returned to his eyes.
When he realized what he had just said, his face turned ashen, and his body collapsed uncontrollably onto the floor.
Marude Itsuki nodded. With a wave of his hand, his subordinates lifted Wakayama and carried him out.
Wakayama was not insane. There was no way he would confess his crimes without any evidence.
It was obvious that this was Uesugi Ryu's method. Marude Itsuki clearly realized this, but he neither dared nor needed to say anything.
"I understand, Director."
.............
In the quiet night, the ghouls' revelry continued.
What they did not notice was that more than thirty military speedboats were cutting through the sea in the distance, rapidly heading toward the cruise ship.
Uesugi Ryu stood at the front of the lead boat.
The heavy machine guns mounted on the boats emitted a chilling metallic gleam under the night light.
This was not the city. Heavy firepower could be used freely.
Besides, Uesugi Ryu was not Washuu. He would not deliberately let ghouls go.
Although in terms of pure power these heavy machine guns could not compare to S-rated and above Ukaku Quinques, they made up for it in sheer volume.
This time, Uesugi Ryu would let the ghouls experience what carpet bombardment meant.
Resting on his shoulder was an extremely exaggerated rocket launcher.
Previously, Arima Kishou had cut out one of Yoshimura Eto's Kakuhou.
He had no use for it, so after reaching cooperation with Uesugi Ryu, he gave it to him.
It happened to be a Ukaku Kakuhou, so Uesugi Ryu turned it into an SSS-rated long-range Quinque.
Continuing the red and black color scheme of Destroyer, this was another terrifying weapon that normal humans could not use.
Destroyer II. Its terrifying 275mm caliber was even larger than an average person's head.
Through the scope, three calibration rings appeared, drifting briefly before locking onto the cruise ship in the distance.
A teasing smile curled at Uesugi Ryu's lips.
"Since I came all this way, how can I not say hello? Have a taste of my big shell!"
Standing beside him, Mado Akira showed a hint of anticipation.
However, she immediately retreated into the cabin and tightly covered her ears with both hands.
Whoosh!
Uesugi Ryu pulled the trigger, and a piercing screech tore through the night sky.
Thick smoke burst from the barrel, quickly dispersed by the cool night wind.
The terrifying recoil pressed the rear of the speedboat ten centimeters into the sea, the rising wall of water shimmering like a curtain under the moonlight.
The massive energy rocket streaked through the air in a crimson arc, slamming directly into the cruise ship. The warhead tore through the hardened hull.
A towering blaze erupted along with a deafening explosion, like the signal to begin the battle.
The speedboats had already reached the vicinity of the cruise ship, while several armed helicopters descended above.
First combat squad lineup:
Uesugi Ryu (Destroyer II), Arima Kishou (Narukami), Tanakamaru Mougan (Higher Mind), Aura Kiyoko (Zebizu), Houji Kousuke (Hollow), Mado Kureo (T-human), Suzuya Juuzou (Guren Requiem).
(Ihei Hairu was injured and still lying in the hospital, so her Quinque was temporarily requisitioned.)
All members were equipped with S-rated or higher Quinques with ranged attack capabilities.
"Whew, that felt great."
Uesugi Ryu lowered the Quinque in his hands.
A strange device was strapped to his body. It was the 3D Maneuver Gear he had obtained earlier.
The shriek of steel cables tearing through the air rang out as high-pressure gas burst from the device at his waist. Two grappling hooks pierced the cruise ship's steel plating, sparks flying, and the taut cables yanked him forward like a bolt of black lightning.
The deck cracked into a spiderweb beneath his boots as he dove through the breach created by Destroyer II.
The hem of his coat stretched straight in the rushing air, and the twin blades Jason dragged faint purple arcs as he sped forward.
At this moment, chaos had erupted inside the cruise ship. Ghouls were rushing toward the lifeboats.
When they finally managed to seize a lifeboat, what awaited them was the violent barrage of heavy machine gun fire.
"Ah! Ah!"
Screams rang out continuously as ghouls were cut down like dumplings being dropped into boiling water, falling into the sea with heavy splashes.
Seeing the situation turn bad, the ghouls immediately rushed downward into the ship.
As long as they could break through the bottom of the ship and dive into the sea, there might still be a chance of survival.
"Move, move! We should've set sail earlier. Tsukiyama Mirumo is an idiot!"
"Shut up and run!"
Curses and screams echoed throughout the ship. When they reached the passage leading downward, a figure in a black coat stood in their way.
Uesugi Ryu flicked the blood from his blade. Bits of flesh stuck to his boots dragged crimson streaks across the metal floor.
He looked calmly at the group of ghouls and said lightly,
"Go back now. You might still have a chance to live."
A dense killing aura and oppressive presence radiated from him.
Under his gaze, the leading ghoul involuntarily stepped back twice.
But the ghouls behind did not care, still pushing forward in a swarm.
Forced forward by those behind him, the leading ghoul broke out in cold sweat.
"Black coat... golden eyes..."
From the middle of the group came the sound of chattering teeth like porcelain cracking. A ghoul who had participated in the 20th Ward extermination suddenly shouted in terror,
"This guy... it's Uesugi Ryu!"
"It's the Blood Demon! Run!"
When the first ghoul turned and fled, crashing into his companions, it triggered a chain reaction.
One after another, the ghouls scrambled backward in panic.
Uesugi Ryu lightly brushed his fingertip across the blade. In an instant, not a single ghoul remained in the corridor.
"Blood Demon? That nickname is terrible."
Uesugi Ryu complained inwardly as he slowly walked toward the wrecked banquet hall ahead.
But today, he was in a good mood, so he spared a few ghouls.
After all, Arima and the first squad were blocking the deck above. Not a single one would escape.
Broken plates and shattered wine glasses littered the floor.
The expensive wool carpet was stained with spilled wine and overturned food.
Tsukiyama Mirumo sat upright in the center of the banquet hall, his suit neat and without a single wrinkle.
When he saw Uesugi Ryu approach, his expression remained calm.
"No matter what, I couldn't hide from Director Uesugi. Even escape is not allowed?"
Uesugi Ryu looked quietly at the composed Tsukiyama Mirumo and chuckled softly.
"The game isn't over yet. How can an NPC leave the stage?"
Tsukiyama Mirumo's eyes flashed with understanding. He gently adjusted his appearance.
"A game? To someone like you, I suppose it is."
Uesugi Ryu did not waste words. He raised his blade and held it horizontally before Tsukiyama Mirumo.
"You have more composure than that idiot Tsukiyama Shuu. As a reward for that, I'll wipe out the entire Tsukiyama Clan."
A flash of blade light passed.
A thin line of blood slowly appeared across Tsukiyama Mirumo's neck.
Uesugi Ryu sheathed his blade and left the banquet hall.
The orange glasses Tsukiyama Mirumo had always worn fell to the ground with a snap, the lenses shattering into pieces instantly.