In the original timeline, Marude Itsuki had been tipped off by someone else and discovered the truth through a cemetery investigation, finding that the bodies of buried investigators had mysteriously vanished—confirming that the Washuu Clan was indeed a ghoul family.
Today, Amaha Byakuya intended to use the same method to expose the Washuu Clan's true nature.
Under Byakuya's orders, the guards reluctantly summoned additional personnel to excavate several graves.
Soon, the first grave was opened.
They retrieved the coffin and lifted the lid—only to find it empty. No corpse, not even bones or ashes remained.
"This... how is this possible? They were definitely buried here!"
The guards were shocked.
The investigator's body that should have been inside had inexplicably vanished!
Byakuya said nothing, simply ordering them to continue.
One after another, graves were opened.
Every single coffin was empty. All the investigators' remains had disappeared.
"I don't think we need to continue. This is enough to confirm that the Washuu Clan has tampered with the investigators' bodies in this cemetery."
Byakuya signaled them to stop. "Fill these graves back in exactly as they were. And spread the word that the Washuu Clan has been secretly exhuming and stealing the bodies of deceased investigators."
"...Yes, sir!"
Though still confused, the guards understood the gravity of the situation and nodded in acknowledgment.
...
Word spread through the CCG like wildfire.
"Did you hear about the Washuu Clan stealing investigators' bodies from the cemetery...?"
"I heard, but that can't be right, can it? Why would the Washuu bigwigs dig up corpses?"
"It's already been reported in the news. There were already rumors that the human organization in Takatsuki Sen's new book closely resembles the Washuu Clan. Now people are saying the Washuu have been eating the investigators' bodies."
"..."
Investigators throughout headquarters were discussing the matter.
Some senior investigators tried to speak directly with Bureau Director Yoshitoki Washuu, but found his office empty.
At this critical moment, Marude Itsuki took charge and convened a Special Class meeting at headquarters.
Nearly all of the CCG's current Special Class Investigators attended: Marude Itsuki, Kishou Arima, Koori Ui, Kuroiwa Iwao, Tanakamaru Mougan, Houji Kousuke, and Kiyoko Aura. The only one absent was Haisaki Shinme, the Cochlea warden, who couldn't leave his post guarding the prison.
Amaha Byakuya, an Associate Special Class, was the only non-Special Class investigator present.
Eight people sat around the conference table.
"Byakuya, I heard you ordered the cemetery investigation. Is it true that the investigators' bodies are really missing?"
Marude's expression was tense as he addressed Byakuya.
He hadn't been this nervous even when commanding the Aogiri Tree Suppression or the Owl Suppression operations. This situation was simply terrifying.
If the Washuu Clan truly was a family of ghouls, the CCG would be thrown into chaos—especially since the Washuu had always been the organization's leadership.
Their only option seemed to be... resistance...
"It's true."
Byakuya nodded. "We now have strong reason to suspect that the Washuu Clan members are ghouls."
"So you're saying... we've been serving a ghoul family all along?"
Koori Ui looked utterly incredulous.
"It's hard to believe, but the Washuu have never done anything obviously suspicious before..."
Tanakamaru Mougan spoke up.
"Arima, share what you know. Now is the right time."
Byakuya addressed Kishou Arima.
"..."
Arima was silent for a moment.
In that brief pause, he made his decision—to trust in Byakuya's abilities.
"I am a Cleaner for the Washuu Clan. My role is to eliminate any threat to their position of power, whether the target is human or ghoul."
Arima revealed his secret directly.
The other Special Class Investigators stared at him in disbelief.
"Arima-san, what are you talking about?"
Koori Ui asked, his face pale with shock.
Arima didn't respond to Ui, but continued. "The Washuu Clan established the CCG to maintain balance between humans and ghouls. As long as this balance persists, the Washuu—as the CCG's founders—continue to profit from it."
"In other words, we investigators are merely pawns for the Washuu Clan to consolidate their rule."
Kuroiwa Iwao analyzed.
"Yes. The Washuu use the CCG's power to fight ghouls openly, while secretly deploying Cleaners like Arima to eliminate significant threats—constantly maintaining that balance."
Byakuya said calmly.
"Those bastards! They treat human lives like nothing!"
Marude cursed angrily.
"Our Bureau Director... and the General Chairman too... they're all ghouls. What terrifying news..."
Houji Kousuke sighed.
"Bureau Director Washuu..."
Marude's expression darkened. "And here I've always respected him so much... only to find out he's our enemy..."
"We're caught between enemies now—Aogiri Tree ahead, the Washuu behind. We don't have nearly enough personnel if we're actually going to resist..."
Kiyoko Aura said with concern.
"Actually, Aogiri Tree may not be our enemy."
Byakuya said. "Most of this intelligence came from Takatsuki Sen—the One-Eyed Owl of Aogiri Tree. Her father, the Non-Killing Owl, was once a Cleaner for the Washuu Clan, so she knows many secrets."
"She provided this information?! Speaking of which, so she really was the One-Eyed Owl. I thought it was strange that she only had one kakugan."
Marude exclaimed.
"Yes. So there's no need to worry about Aogiri Tree. As for the Washuu Clan..."
Byakuya's expression remained calm. "Leave it to me. I'll make them answer for this."
"Byakuya... what are you planning?"
Kiyoko immediately asked with concern.
"I'll go to them directly. The Bureau Director and General Chairman are hiding to avoid attention, so I'll find them myself."
Byakuya said.
"That's too dangerous. Even if everyone here went together, there would still be considerable risk."
Marude voiced his concerns. "I think we should proceed cautiously. We still don't know what the Washuu Clan is truly capable of."
"It's fine," Byakuya said evenly. "They can't do anything to me."
...
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