Washuu Tsuneyoshi's body began to disintegrate, turning to dust from his head down.
The patriarch of the Ghoul family, who had ruled the CCG for over a century, didn't even manage to let out a single scream in his final moments, silently vanishing into thin air.
The command center was deathly quiet, everyone staring dumbfounded at the scene.
The Prime Minister slumped in his chair, his lips trembling, unable to speak.
The Minister of Defense instinctively reached for the pistol at his waist but froze under a glance from Allen.
"Does anyone else want to try?" Allen's voice was soft, yet it made everyone present feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
No one dared to move.
The red lights of the alarm continued to flash, but apart from the hum of machinery, the command center was so quiet that they could hear each other's heartbeats.
Allen slowly walked to the main control panel and casually pressed a button.
The entire Tokyo emergency broadcast system activated simultaneously, his voice clearly echoing through every street:
"The 24-hour countdown has begun. Everyone who doesn't want to be affected by the war, gather in Ward 20."
With that, his figure disappeared again, leaving behind a group of high-ranking officials still reeling from shock... Over the next few hours, Tokyo plunged into a bizarre state of unprecedented chaos and order.
On one hand, the government was still desperately denying the Washuu Family's secrets through the media, claiming it was a terrorist rumor and urging citizens to stay home.
On the other hand, countless citizens had witnessed Allen's superhuman abilities displayed in Shibuya, as well as the Self-Defense Forces' actions of firing on civilians.
Yoshimura Kuzen and the Ghouls from Anteiku Cafe fully assisted in the evacuation efforts.
Kirishima Touka and Kaneki Ken led the Ghouls, utilizing underground passages and their special abilities to guide citizens past the Self-Defense Forces' blockade lines and towards the safe areas of Ward 20.
"Please go this way!" Kaneki Ken helped up an old woman who had fallen, "It's safe ahead."
The old woman trembled, grabbing his arm: "Are you really Ghouls? The TV says you're monsters."
Kaneki Ken's Kagugan briefly showed: "We just want to help everyone get out of this dangerous place."
At the same time, members of the Aogiri Tree also joined the evacuation efforts with Tatara's tacit approval. Kirishima Ayato unfurled his Ukaku, easily flipping over Self-Defense Forces armored vehicles blocking the way.
"Hurry! Don't stop!" he shouted at the hesitant crowd.
In the underground command center of the Prime Ministers Official Residence, the Minister of Defense, who had temporarily taken over command, watched the surveillance footage with a grim expression.
On the screen, tens of thousands of citizens were surging towards Ward 20, and the Self-Defense Forces' blockade lines were steadily retreating.
The Prime Minister of Japan was also assassinated during a speech by a man with a homemade gun. The Self-Defense Forces wanted to arrest him but had to retreat disgruntled due to Allen's intervention.
Now, in the entire command center, there was no one capable of making a decision.
"Sir, the United States Seventh Fleet has arrived in Tokyo Bay!" an officer reported, "They are requesting instructions."
A ruthless glint flashed in the Minister of Defense's eyes: "Tell the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, they are authorized to use tactical nuclear weapons!"
The entire room erupted in an uproar.
"Minister! There are still tens of millions of civilians in Tokyo!" a staff officer exclaimed.
"Those who voluntarily follow terrorists are no longer civilians!" the Minister of Defense roared, "This is war! For the survival of the nation, necessary sacrifices are acceptable!"
"This is our country! Not theirs!"
The order was given amidst controversy.
Outside Tokyo Bay, on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, Fleet Commander General James looked solemnly at the authorization order from the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
"Are these Japanese people crazy?" the adjutant said in disbelief, "Using tactical nuclear weapons in such a densely populated area?"
General James was silent for a moment: "Execute the order. Target: Ward 20 barrier epicenter."
At the border of Ward 20, Allen stood atop a tall building, sensing the abnormal energy fluctuations coming from the direction of Tokyo Bay. The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.
"Finally couldn't resist, huh?"
He gently raised his hand, and the range of the Psychokinesis barrier suddenly expanded, completely enveloping the entire Ward 20.
At the same time, a tactical nuclear missile was launched from the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, trailing its exhaust plume as it flew towards Tokyo.
In the streets of Tokyo, people watched in horror at the deathly light in the sky, screams and cries rising in unison.
Yoshimura Kuzen looked up at the sky, his face grim: "Everyone immediately enter the underground shelters!"
Just as the nuclear missile was about to hit Ward 20, Allen's figure suddenly appeared high in the sky. He raised one hand upwards, and Psychokinesis formed a transparent palm, steadily catching the nuclear missile.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment, everyone holding their breath, watching the figure in the sky who, with a mortal body, stopped a nuclear missile.
"How boring," Allen said softly, flicking his wrist.
The nuclear missile returned the way it came, at an even faster speed, accurately heading towards the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
Outside Tokyo Bay, General James stared dumbfounded at the radar screen: "My God!"
A huge fireball rose from the sea, and the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and its escort fleet were annihilated in the nuclear explosion. The shockwave even reached the coastal areas of Tokyo Bay, but under the protection of Allen's Psychokinesis barrier, Ward 20 remained unharmed.
The aftermath of the nuclear explosion gradually subsided, leaving only burning wreckage and thick smoke on the sea. The Tokyo Bay coast was in ruins, but Ward 20, being inland, was not directly affected.
Allen hovered high in the sky, his black trench coat flapping in the sea breeze. He looked down at the panicked crowd below, his voice once again spreading throughout Tokyo via Psychokinesis:
"23 hours left."
At this moment, no one doubted his ability and determination anymore. The government's carefully managed public opinion control completely collapsed, and citizens surged towards Ward 20 like a tide.
In the Prime Ministers Official Residence, the Minister of Defense watched the surveillance footage with a ashen face.
The Self-Defense Forces were already unable to control the situation, and many soldiers even laid down their weapons and joined the fleeing crowd.
"It's over, everything is over," he muttered, pulling out his pistol and pointing it at his temple.
"Bang!"
The gunshot echoed in the command center, but no one paid attention anymore. Officials scrambled to escape the underground fortress, only wanting to save their lives within the final time limit.
At the border of Ward 20, over a million citizens had already gathered outside the Psychokinesis barrier established by Allen.
Yoshimura Kuzen and Kaneki Ken were organizing the Ghouls to maintain order, guiding people to enter the barrier in an orderly manner.
"Please remain calm! Follow the signs!" Yoshimura Kuzen's voice echoed through the megaphone.
Kirishima Touka unfurled her Ukaku, patrolling in the air, promptly detecting and handling several disturbances.
Surprisingly, most citizens did not show fear when they saw the Ghouls' Kagugan; instead, they thanked them gratefully.
"Thank you," a mother holding a child said with tears streaming down her face, "If it weren't for you, we really wouldn't know what to do."
Kaneki Ken awkwardly scratched the back of his head: "It's what we should do."
Just then, a white figure appeared on the outskirts of the crowd.
Arima Kishou walked alone, his IXA Quinque box on his back.
Kirishima Touka immediately landed in front of him, wary: "White Reaper, what do you want?"
Arima Kishou looked at her calmly: "I'm here to surrender, and to help."
Yoshimura Kuzen walked over, scrutinizing him: "What's the situation with the CCG now?"
"It's collapsed," Arima Kishou replied concisely, "Most Investigators have fled, and the remaining ones have chosen to side with the citizens."
He looked at Allen, who was suspended in the distance: "He has accomplished what none of us could, breaking the Washuu Family's rule, and one could say, revealing the truth that the upper echelons have always hidden from the lower ones."
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