Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Prime Ministers Official Residence.
The morning sun streamed into the conference room through the French windows, but it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere inside. The Minister of Defense slammed a stack of photos onto the conference table. The papers scattered, each clearly documenting the one-sided battle on the streets of Ward 20 last night.
"Chairman Washuu, is this what your CCG calls a 'controllable threat'?" The Minister of Defense's voice trembled with anger. "A monster that can toy with CCG forces at will, and you actually think you can solve it with force?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi sat upright in his seat, his fingers lightly tapping the table: "Your Excellency, Minister, the CCG knows its limits."
"Limits?" The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare sneered. "Thirty Investigators sent out last night all seriously injured and hospitalized—is that your limit?"
The Chief Cabinet Secretary pushed up his glasses: "According to the on-site report, the man named Mr. Allen didn't even move from his position. He created shockwaves that knocked everyone down just by snapping his fingers."
The Prime Minister's face was grim as he flipped through the report: "Washuu-kun, I need an explanation. Why did the CCG conceal such important information? Don't think we don't know about the dirty dealings of your Washuu Family."
A sinister glint flashed in Washuu Tsuneyoshi's eyes: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, the CCG has been fully investigating this person's background."
"Investigating?" The Minister of Defense slammed his hand on the table, standing up. "Now all of Tokyo knows there's a monster capable of easily defeating the CCG roaming free! The United States Forces Japan Headquarters called this morning to inquire about the situation, and the White House is even considering sending in special forces!"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's fingers tightened slightly: "This is entirely a domestic affair of Neon; there's no need for foreign powers to interfere."
"Domestic affair?" The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare sneered. "A monster that can crush an entire CCG elite force overnight, do you think this is still a simple domestic issue?"
The Prime Minister raised a hand, signaling for silence: "Enough." He turned to Washuu Tsuneyoshi. "Washuu-kun, I don't care what personal grievances you have with this Mr. Allen. The top priority now is to control the situation."
The Chief Cabinet Secretary added: "According to intelligence, this person seems to have quite a few complaints about the Washuu Family. If Chairman Washuu is willing to step down..."
"Impossible!" Washuu Tsuneyoshi suddenly stood up, then, realizing his lapse, slowly sat back down. "What I mean is, the CCG needs to maintain stability right now."
The Prime Minister gave him a meaningful look: "Then please go and speak with Mr. Allen yourself. Tell him the government is willing to offer him any conditions he desires, as long as he is willing to serve Neon."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's face became extremely grim: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you are compromising with a terrorist."
"Compromise?" The Minister of Defense scoffed. "Compared to plunging all of Tokyo into panic, I believe this is called strategic cooperation."
The Prime Minister stood up, ending the meeting: "I want to see results within 24 hours, otherwise, the Cabinet will consider reorganizing the CCG leadership."
Walking out of the Prime Ministers Official Residence, Washuu Tsuneyoshi's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water. His family had migrated from the Middle East to Neon, struggled for so many years, and finally gained a foothold, only to have it all ruined by a suddenly appearing monster.
At this moment, members of the V Organization, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward: "Family Head, should we take action?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi gave him a cold look: "Get the car ready, we're going to Ward 20."
Meanwhile, in a high-end apartment in Ward 20.
Allen stood in front of the French windows, looking down at Tokyo in the morning light. He was toying with a CCG badge in his hand, a souvenir he had casually taken from an Investigator last night.
"It seems it's time to move to the next stage," he murmured to himself, his crimson eyes appearing particularly eerie in the sunlight.
The doorbell suddenly rang. Allen didn't turn around, he just lightly raised his hand, and the door lock automatically opened.
"Please come in, Chairman Washuu, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi walked into the apartment alone. The V Organization members behind him were blocked outside by an invisible force. He looked around. The apartment was simply decorated yet exuded luxury everywhere, clearly obtained through some extraordinary means.
"Mr. Lin," Washuu Tsuneyoshi suppressed the unease in his heart, maintaining a calm facade. "I represent the Neon government to negotiate with you."
Allen turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Oh? You've finally realized that force can't solve the problem?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's fingertips trembled slightly: "If you are willing to serve the government, any conditions can be discussed."
"Any conditions," Allen slowly approached. "Including the CCG, which the Washuu Family has controlled for generations?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's pupils suddenly contracted: "You're joking. The CCG is a national law enforcement agency, not the private property of a certain family."
Allen suddenly burst into laughter: "Well said! So, what if what I want is precisely this country's law enforcement agency?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's face became extremely grim: "Mr. Lin, you are challenging the entire order of Japan."
"Order?" Allen's smile vanished instantly. "A ghoul family controlling a human organization to hunt its own kind—is that the order you speak of?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's kakugan almost uncontrollably manifested: "What exactly do you want?"
Allen walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey: "I don't want anything. I just purely want to see how much fun your strength can bring me."
He took a sip of his drink, his crimson eyes looking directly at Washuu Tsuneyoshi: "Do you know? I'm very curious how much improvement I'll gain when all of Neon's armed forces come to encircle and suppress me."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's body visibly trembled: "You are declaring war on the entire nation."
"Declaring war?" Allen tilted his head. "That's a good word to use. So, Chairman Washuu, are you willing to represent the Neon government and accept my declaration of war?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's hand unconsciously reached for the hidden quinque at his waist: "You will regret this."
Allen suddenly appeared in front of him, so close that they could feel each other's breath: "Try me."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's kakugan instantly manifested, and the quinque—Arata—slid out from his sleeve, stabbing directly at Allen's throat. This weapon, made from an SS-class ghoul's kagune, was enough to tear through steel, but it stopped abruptly one centimeter from Allen's skin.
"Too slow," Allen said softly, his right index finger flicking lightly.
"Bang!"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the wall, which immediately cracked. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, looking in shock at the broken quinque in his hand.
"This is impossible."
A hint of fear flashed in Washuu Tsuneyoshi's eyes: "Who exactly are you?"
"That's not important," Allen stood up. "What's important is that starting today, I'm declaring war on all of Neon."
He waved his hand, and the apartment door swung open: "Get out, before I change my mind."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi stumbled towards the door. As he was about to leave, he looked back at Allen, who stood in the sunlight. The man's figure appeared so tall in the morning light, like an invincible deity.
"You will regret this," Washuu Tsuneyoshi whispered, then quickly left.
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