By the time Uesugi Ryu arrived at the CCG Investigator Training Academy, the battle was already basically over.
With Arima Kishou providing support, the Clowns stood no chance against the CCG.
Donato Porpora had been killed by Amon Koutarou and Kuroiwa Iwao working together. Uta had been slain by Hirako Take, Ui Koori, and Aura Kiyoko.
Itori and Nico had both died at Arima Kishou's hands. With that, the Clowns were officially annihilated.
The only enemy left was the deranged Shikorae.
For some reason, Shikorae's strength had skyrocketed. His body was twisted, wrapped in massive amounts of kagune.
The kagune took on many forms. At a glance, all four kagune types seemed to be present on his body.
His back was covered in white spikes, and his lower body resembled that of an arthropod, supported by eight bony legs.
He even looked slightly similar to the One-Eyed Owl, though far more grotesque.
Hirako Take turned to the approaching Arima Kishou.
"Arima-san?"
Arima Kishou was the strongest investigator here. Dealing with the monster before them naturally fell to him.
Arima Kishou took a quinque case from Ihei Shio.
He looked at Hirako Take and the others.
"Have the other investigators withdraw first. Can you still fight?"
Ui Koori, Hirako Take, and the other members of Squad Zero answered in unison.
"Yes!"
Arima Kishou drew Owl and slowly walked toward Shikorae.
"Tactic C. Support from the flanks."
Nearby, Uesugi Ryu stared at the bizarrely mutated Shikorae and paused.
Only then did he remember this guy existed.
Judging by his current state, Yoshimura Kuzen's corpse had probably been eaten by him.
Uesugi Ryu remembered that Shikorae could absorb other ghouls to strengthen himself.
"Didn't this guy evolve even further in the original story? Kanou can dissect him."
After a moment's thought, Uesugi Ryu decided it would be best to put the waste to good use.
"Arima, don't kill him. This one is interesting."
A trace of helplessness flashed through Arima Kishou's eyes.
He did not reply, merely leading Squad Zero in a coordinated assault on Shikorae.
Even after evolving, Shikorae was utterly powerless against a full-strength Squad Zero. He was quickly reduced to a mangled ghoul-stick and captured alive.
Conveniently, both the Investigator Training Academy and the research building were located in the 1st Ward. Less than twenty minutes later, Shikorae had been delivered to the laboratory.
Kanou Akihiro had returned to the CCG. He and Kouitsu Chigyou were now jointly responsible for ghoul biotechnology research.
The manufacturing and development of quinques had been handed over to Inoue Tomoya.
The next day, 1st Ward, CCG Research Building.
Inside a transparent containment chamber, Shikorae was firmly strapped to a cold steel operating table.
His severed limbs had already begun regenerating.
Kanou Akihiro was extremely interested in him. After a lengthy and enthusiastic exchange with Shikorae, he finally emerged from the laboratory.
He was still wearing his white lab coat, though the pristine hem was now stained with conspicuous blood.
Removing his bloodied gloves, Kanou Akihiro looked at the expressionless Uesugi Ryu nearby.
"This one is fascinating. I tried feeding him several ghouls."
As he spoke, excitement spread across his face, as if he had discovered an entirely new continent.
"Shikorae appears capable of absorbing other ghouls' kagune and continuously evolving. With him, I'm certain we'll soon produce some very interesting results."
Uesugi Ryu remained calm.
"How is the ghoul food research progressing?"
He knew Shikorae's potential better than anyone. In the original story, after being infected by Dragon, he had become a mutual enemy of both humans and ghouls.
Kanou Akihiro looked somewhat disdainful, but answered immediately.
"That is far simpler. Within a week, the first batch of the newest food product should be ready."
Uesugi Ryu nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
Watching his back, Kanou Akihiro hesitated for a few seconds before speaking.
"By the way, could you let me study the One-Eyed Owl as well?"
"A natural one-eyed ghoul would be extremely valuable research material."
Uesugi Ryu did not even turn around. As the laboratory door sealed shut, his voice drifted back.
"I'll send you the head after the execution."
........
1st Ward, CCG Headquarters.
A massive execution platform had been erected in the plaza.
The square was packed with people from all walks of life.
Some had come because they hated ghouls and wanted to witness the downfall of this Ghoul King.
Others were fans of Takatsuki Sen, here to see her off one last time.
Large numbers of investigators maintained order throughout the crowd.
Every investigator ranked First Class and below had gathered in the plaza, each of them visibly excited.
The One-Eyed Owl, the strongest ghoul. Its downfall carried immense significance.
Uesugi Ryu stood on a nearby balcony, with six Special-Class Investigators arrayed behind him in a fan formation.
Mado Akira stood at his side, her eyes lowered in thought.
Uesugi Ryu slowly raised his head, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.
"The execution begins!"
His voice thundered across the entire plaza.
Before the echoes had faded, the main gates of CCG Headquarters swung open.
Two masked executioners dragged Yoshimura Eto out between them.
She wore prison garb, her face pale as paper.
Though somewhat disheveled, her eyes remained cold and unwavering.
The investigators lining both sides stepped aside in perfect unison.
The executioners dragged Takatsuki Sen through the crowd and onto the towering scaffold.
With a heavy thud, she was forced to her knees, her shackles clanging against the platform.
Mado Kureo stepped forward.
He picked up the quinque that had been prepared beforehand.
At the press of a button, it instantly unfolded.
The chainsaw's growl tore through the air like the snarl of a beast.
Its gleaming blade flashed under the sunlight.
Mado Kureo's breathing quickened, his eyes burning with mad hatred.
Yoshimura Eto lifted her head slightly, a mocking smile curling her lips.
There was no fear in her eyes, only near-contemptuous calm.
She muttered softly, "What a terrible sense of humor."
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd below.
"Hey, Takatsuki Sen! Are you the One-Eyed King, or is it someone else?"
Yoshimura Eto swept her gaze across the crowd and gently shook her head.
"The One-Eyed King? It isn't me."
A commotion immediately erupted.
"So, does that mean the One-Eyed King is just fictional?"
Yoshimura Eto suddenly became animated. She shouted at the top of her lungs.
"No! The One-Eyed King truly exists!"
"When he awakens, every human in this world will become a ghoul!"
"The rebels will meet their end, and we ghouls will once again stand above the heavens!"
Her voice struck like thunder, sending waves of whispers through the crowd.
Only then did the two executioners realize how serious the situation had become.
One of them immediately thrust forward his naginata, the blade piercing straight through Yoshimura Eto's heart.
She grunted, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
Yet she seemed not to feel the pain at all. Her body lurched upright as she roared.
"My brethren, go and seek it! The world's secrets, the truth of ghouls, the source of power. Everything lies in the 24th Ward!"
"I may die here, but us ghouls will not perish, not at this moment!"
Her voice cut off abruptly.
The chainsaw roared once more.