"Alright, if you insist on confronting them directly, I'll support you fully."
Marude stated his position.
The others shared his sentiment.
"There's no need. I'll go alone. You should guard headquarters and prevent any ghouls from taking advantage of the situation."
Byakuya said.
While Aogiri Tree wasn't a concern, they weren't the only ghoul organization. The Clowns, the Madam organization... these were all groups worth monitoring.
In the original timeline, the Clowns alone had caused the CCG significant trouble—after all, even the weakest Clown members were SS-rated, and Furuta Nimura would eventually surpass even SSS-level in combat power.
Though Byakuya had warned Roma Hoito previously, he didn't believe she'd simply obey.
"Byakuya, don't try to handle everything yourself."
Kiyoko said worriedly.
"Kiyoko-nee, I'm not being reckless."
Byakuya smiled reassuringly, his expression conveying complete confidence.
Kiyoko-nee...?
Hearing this, Tanakamaru Mougan looked at Kiyoko with surprise.
As a senior Special Class who'd risen through the ranks alongside Kiyoko, he knew her fairly well.
Normally, she treated male colleagues with strict professionalism—stern, proper, and difficult to approach...
This was the first time Tanakamaru had ever heard anyone address Special Class Aura as "Kiyoko-nee," and she showed no displeasure whatsoever. In fact, she seemed genuinely concerned about Byakuya.
When had Special Class Aura and Associate Special Class Amaha become so close?
But given the gravity of the situation, Tanakamaru certainly wouldn't ask such questions aloud. He simply noted it mentally and moved on.
"It's time."
Byakuya rose from his seat.
With that, he departed ahead of the others.
...
Ward 1, Washuu Estate.
Although Byakuya had said he'd act alone, Marude and the others couldn't help but mobilize.
Marude deployed over half of headquarters' investigators and staff, surrounding the entire Washuu estate.
The remaining personnel stayed at headquarters, guarding against any ghoul organization that might try to exploit the chaos—exactly as Byakuya had advised.
Tanakamaru Mougan and Houji Kousuke were assigned to defend headquarters.
However, the Washuu estate wasn't far from CCG headquarters, so if ghouls attacked there, reinforcements could arrive quickly.
For this reason, Marude hadn't stationed Arima at headquarters as well.
Meanwhile, Amaha Byakuya had already entered the Washuu estate alone.
"Arima, do we really not need to storm in and back him up?"
Marude, uncertain what to do, turned to Arima.
"No."
Arima's reply was calm.
He understood Byakuya's strength better than Marude.
Though every member of the Washuu Clan was a natural-born kakuja, based on what Arima knew of Byakuya's capabilities, they shouldn't pose a problem.
"Alright, I'll trust your judgment."
Marude nodded gravely. "We'll observe from out here and wait for Byakuya's update. He must have brought a radio at least..."
With that thought, Marude tried to contact Byakuya.
"Associate Special Class Amaha! Associate Special Class Amaha! Can you hear me? Please respond if you can!"
But after a long wait, there was no answer...
Marude realized something was wrong. "Damn it, that kid really didn't bring one!"
"..."
Arima gazed silently at the Washuu estate. He was probably the least worried person among all the investigators present.
...
Akira Mado had been assigned to the team defending CCG headquarters.
She was concerned about Byakuya's safety, but couldn't disobey orders.
Just as she was at a loss for what to do, a strange, diminutive figure suddenly appeared before her.
The figure wore a black robe embroidered with red clouds, with white bandages wrapped around their entire body, including their face. The bizarre appearance immediately struck her as unsettling.
"You're...?!"
Akira instantly remembered.
She'd encountered this person before in Kanou's underground laboratory. At the time, she didn't know they were the One-Eyed Owl—and even now, she only knew them as an unusual executive from Aogiri Tree.
But Akira's intuition kicked in again. Looking at this figure, she immediately thought of Eto Yoshimura.
"You're the Owl...?"
Akira said coldly.
She never doubted her instincts, so she'd already confirmed the other's identity.
The problem was that Eto should have been detained for examination. For her to appear at CCG headquarters now... had the investigators guarding her already been...?
Akira's gaze turned cold and hostile, her guard raised against Eto.
"Correct. Your intuition is impressive, Akira-san."
Eto casually unwound the bandages from her face, revealing her true appearance.
"Why are you here? And those investigators—did you...?"
Akira questioned her icily.
"Relax, Akira-san. I just knocked them unconscious. I didn't hurt them. After all, I wouldn't want to make that guy unhappy."
Eto's tone was completely relaxed. "Besides, you're worried about how Byakuya's doing right now, aren't you?"
"...That's none of your business."
Akira refused to show any friendliness.
If not for the vast gap in their strength, and because Byakuya had said some favorable things about Eto, she would have attacked with her Quinque already.
"Akira-san, I know you hate me, but I genuinely want to help you."
Eto's voice was sincere. "I know a spot where you can overlook the Washuu estate. If you're willing to trust me, I can take you there to see how Byakuya's doing."
"..."
Akira lowered her head, hesitating.
"Or... is this enough sincerity?"
Hearing Eto's words, Akira instinctively looked up.
Eto suddenly released multiple strange, multicolored kagune tendrils. Under Akira's wary gaze, she proceeded to destroy her own kakuhou.
"?!"
Akira's wariness transformed into shock.
...
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