Blazing flames spread across the battlefield as Tatara's massive kakuja shell collapsed with a thunderous crash, dispersing like crystal shards.
The brilliant blue flames mixed with the rain, producing a constant hiss as droplets evaporated.
Hōji Kousuke tightly gripped Chi She, his expression complicated.
The fated rivalry between the two had finally come to an end.
Looking at the young man lying in a pool of blood, Hōji Kousuke merely said his farewell in his heart.
"Tatara, goodbye."
Suzuya Juuzou grinned, his face full of satisfaction.
He had finally avenged the loss of his hair.
"Got him, Mr. Flamethrower!"
...........
CCG Investigator Training Academy.
Towering flames engulfed the once peaceful academy.
Two burly investigators clad in black armor stood directly in Donato Porpora's path.
Amon Koutarou and Kuroiwa Iwao. Both wore the newly improved Arata armor.
Behind them, Urie Kuki leaned against the wall, a bloodstained quinque dagger in his hand.
Donato's target was Urie Kuki. Urie's father, Urie Mikito, had once joined forces with Kuroiwa Iwao to capture him alive.
Now, Donato intended to settle that old score while amusing himself with these adorable investigator cadets.
His heels crushed severed limbs scattered across the floor, blood pooling beneath his feet into grotesque patterns.
The boy dangling from his hand still had a trainee badge lodged in his right eye, blood spraying continuously from the mangled stump of his severed limb.
Looking at the two men before him, Donato spoke with mock appreciation.
"Perfect timing."
"Donato!"
Veins bulged on Amon Koutarou's forehead as he roared in fury.
He recognized that boy. Amon often lectured at the academy and remembered him.
"Urie, are you alright?"
Kuroiwa Iwao turned to Urie Kuki with concern.
Clutching his arm, Urie slowly pushed himself upright against the wall.
"I'm fine."
Donato removed his mask, revealing a disdainful smile.
"Amon, you're still the same as ever."
Then his gaze shifted to Kuroiwa Iwao. That familiar build caused his pupils to contract slightly.
"Kuroiwa, is that you? It's been a long time."
Amon Koutarou's eyes burned with murderous intent.
"I'll kill you right here. The era of ghouls running rampant is over!"
Before he could finish, Donato moved first.
Lifting the boy, cross-shaped kagune fragments instantly ripped open his abdomen.
Scarlet blood splattered across Donato's black priest robes.
The moment Donato released him, the boy's screams and the roar of quinques tore through the air simultaneously.
Amon's Doujima Kai carved deep furrows into the ground.
Meanwhile, Kuroiwa's Arata smashed several clones apart with clean, brutal efficiency.
Fierce battles raged throughout the academy.
The deranged Shikorae wandered the grounds, feeding wherever he pleased.
After escaping prison, he had been accepted by the Clowns. More accurately, Roma had brought him into the organization.
"I'm starving. These guys taste pretty good. Hahahahaha!"
Shikorae bit his finger as his eyes darted around wildly.
His kagune glowed with vivid crimson light, growing thicker and stronger with every bite.
...........
Uesugi Ryu slowly applauded, the crisp sound echoing through the room, an enigmatic smile on his face.
"Interesting."
His voice carried a hint of amusement.
"As expected of Takatsuki-sensei. Truly moving. Such dedication is admirable."
Yoshimura Eto frowned slightly, but a sweet smile quickly returned to her face.
"So, you agree?"
Uesugi Ryu nodded, his golden eyes gleaming.
"But first, could you give me something?"
Confusion flashed across Yoshimura Eto's face as she opened her mouth to ask.
Uesugi Ryu suddenly moved.
His right fist shot forward like lightning, slamming into her jaw.
They were standing too close. Yoshimura Eto had no time to react, nor had she expected him to attack at that exact moment.
Crack!
Her jaw shattered instantly.
Her petite body was launched into the air by the tremendous force.
Her kagune erupted instinctively, stabbing toward Uesugi Ryu's chest.
He paid it no mind.
Black, illusory dragon scales partially materialized across his body.
The sharp kagune struck him in a shower of sparks, but failed to leave even the slightest mark.
Uesugi Ryu's blade flashed.
Two blood-red crescents cut through the air.
Slash!
Yoshimura Eto's legs were severed in an instant, blood spraying everywhere.
She screamed as she crashed into a pool of blood. As sweat and blood blurred her vision, black leather boots crushed the rubble beside her ear.
Blood dripped from the tip of Uesugi Ryu's blade, blooming into dark crimson flowers on the ground.
Yoshimura Eto stared at him in shock and disbelief.
This plan had benefited him as well. She could not understand why he had suddenly attacked.
Uesugi Ryu walked over and crouched before her, that same calm smile still on his face.
One hand gently caressed her convulsing neck.
"I have something to take care of. To keep you from running away, I'll take these legs first. It's not like you'll be needing them."
"But I accept our cooperation."
Before she could react, Uesugi Ryu produced two RC suppressants and drove them directly into her eyes.
"Mmph!"
Yoshimura Eto's pupils contracted violently.
As the suppressant entered her system, most of her strength vanished instantly, leaving only crushing weakness.
She glared at him furiously.
With her jaw shattered, she could only make a few muffled sounds of protest.
One look at her expression was enough for Uesugi Ryu to know exactly what she wanted to say.
He looked down at her.
"Bastard. Pervert. Psycho. Scumbag. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"Not very effective. Your insults are just as weak as you are."
Yoshimura Eto's expression twisted even further.
Faced with Uesugi Ryu's openly mocking smile, she could only close her eyes in resignation.
"What, not talking anymore? I'll take that as agreement."
Uesugi Ryu clicked his tongue and abandoned the idea of prying her eyelids back open.
Then he grabbed a fistful of her long green hair and hauled her upright.
With such an enormous dose of RC suppressant, even Yoshimura Eto had no strength left to resist.
Besides, she did not dare resist.
Otherwise, Uesugi Ryu would absolutely cut off her arms next.
Blood dripped steadily from her wounds, pattering onto the floor.
Yoshimura Eto stared blankly at the ground.
She had expected an ending like this.
Still, the feeling was awful.
She had always been the mastermind, manipulating the lives of others from the shadows.
But when the roles were reversed, the experience was truly something else.
A self-mocking smile appeared on her lips.
"I didn't lose to humanity. I lost to a monster like you."
Uesugi Ryu paid her no further mind.
The sound of gentle rain reached his ears as the bustling city disappeared behind a curtain of water.
Looking out at the rainy scene, a smile spread across his face.
"What a wonderful rain..."
..........
"Famed author Takatsuki Sen has been confirmed to be a ghoul and has been arrested by the CCG."
"Her true identity is the leader of the ghoul organization Aogiri Tree, the infamous SSS-rated ghoul, the One-Eyed Owl."
"Aogiri Tree, the largest ghoul organization of the past decade, has effectively been destroyed with the capture of its leader."
"In two days, the One-Eyed Owl will be publicly executed at CCG Headquarters."