Yoshimura Kuzen's pupils contracted slightly, but quickly returned to normal. He slowly took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with his apron, his movements still elegant and unhurried.
"The guest seems very interested in the 20th Ward," he said, putting his glasses back on, his voice a few shades deeper. "How about we discuss this in more detail in the back?"
Allen's lips curved into a slight smile: "Just as I wished."
The two walked one after another into the warehouse behind the coffee shop. The moment the door closed, Yoshimura Kuzen's aura suddenly changed. The image of the gentle old man vanished, replaced by the oppressive presence of the SSS-rated Ghoul, 'The Non-Killing Owl'.
"Who are you?" Yoshimura Kuzen's voice was chillingly cold. "A Special Class Investigator from the CCG? Or a Ghoul from another ward?"
Allen leaned casually against a shelf: "Just a passing coffee enthusiast."
Yoshimura Kuzen's Kakugan slowly appeared, its crimson color particularly striking in the dim warehouse: "What you just did isn't something an ordinary person could accomplish."
"The feeling is mutual," Allen chuckled. "The legendary Non-Killing Owl, now selling coffee here, how interesting."
Yoshimura Kuzen's back arched slightly, his Kagune poised to strike: "What exactly is your objective?"
"Relax," Allen waved his hand. "I'm just here to confirm a few things."
He slowly stepped forward, each step making Yoshimura Kuzen's nerves even more taut: "I heard the 20th Ward is very peaceful under your management. I want to see if it lives up to its reputation."
Yoshimura Kuzen's Kagune finally fully unfurled, protecting him like wings: "If you're here to disrupt this peace, I will not stand by and do nothing."
Allen stopped, tilting his head: "With just you?"
Before he finished speaking, Yoshimura Kuzen's Kagune struck like lightning, its sharp edges cutting through the air with a shrill whistle. Allen did not dodge, simply raising his right hand.
"Bang!"
The Kagune collided with his palm, emitting a dull thud. Yoshimura Kuzen was shocked to find his attack blocked by the other party with a single hand. Even more terrifying, Allen's arm didn't even have a scratch.
"Good speed," Allen commented. "A bit lacking in power."
He clenched his fingers, crushing the incoming Kagune. Yoshimura Kuzen grunted, quickly retreating, his shattered Kagune regenerating at a visible rate.
"Who exactly are you?" Yoshimura Kuzen's voice held an unprecedented gravity.
Allen shook the blood from his hand: "I told you, just a passerby."
He flashed, instantly appearing in front of Yoshimura Kuzen, his right hand clamping onto the other's throat like lightning: "Now, let's have a good talk about the situation in the 20th Ward."
Yoshimura Kuzen tried to struggle, but found Allen's hand as unmoving as an iron clamp. He spoke with difficulty: "What... do you want to know?"
Allen released his grip on Yoshimura Kuzen, and the old man staggered back a few steps, clutching his throat and coughing violently. The atmosphere in the warehouse was so heavy it could almost drip.
"How many Ghouls are there in the 20th Ward?" Allen asked directly, his crimson eyes particularly striking in the dim warehouse.
Yoshimura Kuzen regulated his breathing, his Kakugan warily fixed on Allen: "About two hundred... most of them are weak Ghouls seeking refuge."
Allen nodded thoughtfully: "Does the CCG know about this shop?"
"They are suspicious, but have never had conclusive evidence," Yoshimura Kuzen replied cautiously, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of his apron.
Allen slowly walked towards the coffee bean sacks in the corner of the warehouse, casually grabbing a handful of beans and gently rubbing them in his palm: "You've been operating here for ten years, just to provide shelter for these Ghouls?"
Yoshimura Kuzen's eyes flickered: "The sins committed in youth... someone has to atone for them."
"Interesting," Allen scattered the coffee beans back into the sack, turning to face the old man. "Then do you know what happened to Kaneki Ken?"
Yoshimura Kuzen's body visibly stiffened for a moment: "Kaneki-kun is just an ordinary university student..."
"Don't play dumb," Allen interrupted him. "The Rize Kamishiro incident, you couldn't possibly not know."
The temperature in the warehouse seemed to drop to freezing point instantly. Yoshimura Kuzen's Kagune slowly unfurled again, his voice low and dangerous: "Who exactly are you? Why do you know these things?"
Allen didn't answer directly, but walked towards the warehouse door: "By this time tomorrow, I want you to gather all the Ghouls in the 20th Ward, the more the better."
Yoshimura Kuzen's Kakugan contracted slightly: "What do you intend to do?"
"A small spar," Allen's lips curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry, I won't take their lives."
The air in the warehouse seemed to solidify. Yoshimura Kuzen could feel the terrifying oppressive presence emanating from the man in front of him. He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "I need time."
Allen turned to walk towards the door: "Don't try any tricks. You should know that it would only take me an instant to destroy this shop and everyone in it."
The warehouse door opened and closed. Yoshimura Kuzen slumped to the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He had never felt such immense pressure, as if the being standing before him was not human, but some higher-dimensional entity.
"I understand," the old man nodded with difficulty, his voice dry. "By this time tomorrow, I will try my best to gather everyone."
Allen's lips curved in satisfaction, and he turned to push open the warehouse door. Outside, Kirishima Touka was carrying a tray, preparing to knock. The moment their eyes met, the purple-haired girl's body visibly stiffened for a moment.
"Sir, your coffee," her voice trembled slightly, instinctively sensing danger.
Allen took the coffee cup: "Thank you." He took a small sip, his gaze sweeping across the coffee shop. "Good craftsmanship."
Kirishima Touka instinctively took half a step back, her Kakugan almost uncontrollably appearing. She suppressed her instincts, bowing stiffly: "Please enjoy."
Allen returned to his seat with the coffee, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Kaneki Ken was secretly glancing at him. The black-haired boy quickly lowered his head when their eyes met, and his book fell to the floor with a "thud."
"Be careful," Allen bent down to pick up the book, returning it to Kaneki Ken. "Aren't you an employee here? Why so nervous?"
"Th-thank you," Kaneki Ken stammered his thanks, his fingers freezing the moment they touched the spine of the book. He saw the faint red pattern on the back of Allen's hand.
Is the other party... also a Ghoul? Or a half-human, half-Ghoul like himself?
Allen casually withdrew his hand and continued to enjoy his coffee. He could feel the entire coffee shop's atmosphere becoming extremely tense, with all the employees secretly observing his every move.
He put down his cup and stood up, walking towards the restroom. As he passed the counter, Kirishima Touka and Irimi Kaya both tensed, the two girls' Kakugan already faintly visible.
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