"That weirdo who can't decide if they're a boy or girl—they came from the Ugawa Orphanage, right? Is it true they killed a cat?"
"Probably. I heard they were holding a blood-soaked knife at the time."
"How terrifying. Their family was probably killed by them too, don't you think?"
"..."
In the depths of her pain and despair, Mutsuki Tooru's mind drifted back to the past.
During her time at the Academy, she had always been alone—her isolation rivaling even Suzuya Juuzou's.
The cat mutilation incident was indeed her doing. Under the instigation of instructor Tokage, she had even framed Suzuya for it.
But as for her family's deaths, her mind had completely blocked out any memory of it as a self-protective mechanism. She had always believed that ghouls had broken into their home and murdered everyone. Because of this, she felt deeply wronged.
Ah—
Nothing good has ever happened in my life...
I just want to go home...
Just then, a thunderous boom erupted from the wall beside her as a massive hole was blasted through.
Saeki Karao instinctively whipped his head toward the sound, but before he could make out the figure emerging from the swirling dust and debris, an overwhelming force seized him and yanked him through the air.
He had no chance to resist. His body was completely beyond his control.
"What?!"
Saeki could only watch helplessly as the invisible force slammed him into the wall.
CRASH!
The impact carved a person-shaped hole through the concrete, leaving Saeki on the brink of death.
The next instant, the figure he hadn't been able to see clearly appeared before him.
Saeki struggled to lift his head. Only now could he finally make out the face before him.
Though he didn't recognize this person, those grayish-purple concentric eyes filled him with inexplicable dread.
Then, in the next moment, his left eye transformed into a crimson orb with strange, intricate patterns—making Saeki's shock even more profound.
"I have some sympathy for what you've been through," Amaha Byakuya said, looking down at Saeki with cold indifference. "But no matter what, you were destined to die."
As he finished speaking, Byakuya used his left eye's Kamui to twist Saeki's neck.
[Ding! Host has defeated an "A-rated ghoul." Reward: 15 Fusion Points!]
Even if Saeki had survived today, he would have remained obsessed with Mutsuki Tooru. Eventually, after her inevitable breakdown, she would have killed him anyway.
More importantly, Byakuya didn't want one of his own people to suffer abuse and then fall into darkness. This man's death was certain from the start.
Everything had happened so suddenly and so quickly that Mutsuki hadn't yet processed what occurred. She still lay there, unmoving.
"Rank 3 Mutsuki, are you alright?"
Byakuya turned to address her.
"I... I'm fine."
Mutsuki finally snapped back to reality. She hurriedly rose and straightened her disheveled clothes, brushing off the dust.
"Follow me."
Byakuya gave a slight nod without saying more, then headed off in a specific direction.
He brought up his radio to report in.
"This is Special Class Amaha. I've located Rank 3 Mutsuki. I'll continue searching for other auctioned victims."
After relaying the message to Akira and Matsuri at the temporary command post, Byakuya continued onward with Mutsuki in tow.
Following behind him, Mutsuki felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Given Director Amaha's strength, accompanying him into dangerous territory to rescue people was paradoxically the safest place to be.
Then Mutsuki suddenly realized she had forgotten something important. The thought struck her, and she quickly spoke up: "Thank you, Director Amaha! For saving me just now..."
"It's nothing. We're all on the same side."
Byakuya smiled gently.
Mutsuki froze for a moment, then softly replied, "...Mm!"
This was probably the first time she had ever encountered someone who didn't discriminate against her and showed her such genuine care...
...
The venue still swarmed with bodyguards from the Madam Organization, and most investigators found themselves locked in prolonged skirmishes with them.
Roma Hoito, fleeing through the corridors, ran straight into a squad led by Hirako Take.
"Run, run, run!"
Initially, Roma hadn't attacked any investigators. But to amuse herself with her "wolf in sheep's clothing" act, she deliberately left openings, baiting them into attacking her.
When a longsword-type Quinque pierced her abdomen, she collapsed dramatically. Just as the investigator moved in for the killing blow, kagune suddenly erupted from her stomach—multiple koukaku tendrils bursting forth.
However, these tendrils merely shaved off a portion of the investigator's hair and destroyed his Quinque. She hadn't aimed to kill.
The investigator stood frozen in shock, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
His once-full head of hair had been cleanly sheared away in an instant. Another fraction of an inch, and his skull would have gone with it.
"Hehe~ Did I scare you? Surprised~?"
Roma beamed with delight.
"Everyone, be careful. This is a powerful enemy."
Hirako immediately warned his squad members.
Itou Kuramoto, Hirako Squad's vice-captain, didn't hesitate. He launched himself at the mysterious clown-masked ghoul, attempting to rescue his imperiled teammate.
But just as his blade was about to connect, a figure appeared out of nowhere and blocked the attack with their own body.
It was Uta, wearing his signature noseless mask.
"How rude. A bunch of grown men being so rough with a delicate, defenseless girl like me~"
Roma had already hopped onto Uta's shoulders, her tone dripping with mock grievance.
"Isn't that your fault, though?" Uta teased.
"Oh? Hirako-san, it's been a while."
At that moment, Uta noticed Hirako standing before him.
He remembered this man. Years ago, Hirako had accompanied Kishou Arima to Ward 4 to exterminate Uta's "Clown Masks" organization. What left a lasting impression was how Arima had fought them while simultaneously instructing his subordinate, Hirako.
"..."
Hirako remained expressionless and silent, though he clearly recognized the ghoul before him.
Uta and Roma could have easily escaped at any time, but they seemed determined to stay and play with these investigators.
Perhaps running into Hirako again had piqued Uta's interest.
He dodged Hirako's attacks without counterattacking, even chatting casually as they fought.
"You've improved quite a bit. What rank are you now? First Class? Associate Special Class?"
"..."
Hirako said nothing, focusing entirely on his offense.
He knew this opponent was not to be underestimated. He couldn't afford even a moment's distraction, let alone idle conversation.
"...Don't like chatting? That's a shame."
Uta sighed.
With Hirako Squad engaged with a powerful enemy, nearby squads rushed to provide backup.
Uta, Roma, and the portly clown—just three of them—managed to tie down a significant number of investigators.
Just then, Uta leaped lightly onto an elevated platform. Hirako immediately gave chase up the stairs.
In that brief window, Uta suddenly covered his face with both hands and produced a sound that was unsettlingly familiar to Hirako.
"Hi... Hirako. Standby."
As his hands parted, Uta's face had transformed into Kishou Arima's features—glasses and all, perfectly replicated. Even his tone and speech patterns were identical. Only the hairstyle differed.
...
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