She knew very clearly that what the Washuu Clan had operated for generations was precisely a mechanism that directed hatred accurately toward ghouls.
In the eyes of the vast majority of people, ghouls had been simplified into a terrifying symbol. Man-eating monsters. Nothing more.
They were not allowed any other identity, any emotions, any suffering.
How many ghouls in this world had never wished to harm others, carefully hiding themselves, only longing to live quietly under the sun like ordinary people?
They might never have killed anyone, never committed any crime. Yet once their identities were exposed, what awaited them was still complete fear, hatred, and merciless expulsion and slaughter.
No trial. No understanding. Only instinctive rejection and extermination planted deep within.
Hiro's words echoed in her heart. Every sentence struck against the beliefs she had upheld for many years.
Yet it did not make her waver. Instead, it was like a beam of light piercing through fog, bringing her unprecedented clarity.
It was him.
This realization was firmer than ever before.
He not only possessed the power to overturn the existing order, but also eyes that could see through illusion.
He saw the operating rules of this twisted world with complete clarity, yet was not bound by any side's stance.
Clear-minded like an observer standing outside it all, yet understanding the root of this tragedy more than anyone else.
Race, position, hatred. These shackles that bound countless people seemed not to exist on him at all.
He drifted beyond all labels. Precisely because of that, he might be the only one capable of breaking this cycle.
Yoshimura Eto took a light breath. Beneath the bandages, unseen by anyone, the corners of her lips curved into a faint arc of relief and resolute determination.
She had found him.
Not a mere weapon. Not a puppet pushed onto the stage by fate.
But someone who could truly bring change. The one who could break the deadlock.
When she lifted her head again, the single exposed emerald eye showed no trace of hesitation. Instead, it burned with an even fiercer and steadier light than before.
She leaned forward slightly and repeated her original request, word by word, clearly.
"As expected. You should still join Aogiri Tree."
Hiro was visibly stunned. A rare trace of astonishment crossed his face.
"...Huh?"
He almost suspected his own hearing. Had everything he had just said, stripping apart the underlying logic and cruel truth of the entire plan, been for nothing?
Had the behind-the-scenes leader of Aogiri Tree simply not listened at all, or deliberately chosen to ignore it?
Seeing Hiro's rare moment of blankness, Yoshimura Eto slowed her voice slightly, but made it more pointed.
"Hiro, you surely know Rize's background very well."
She precisely threw out her most important bargaining chip.
"The Washuu family has never given up searching for her.
I admit that with your strength, you may not fear their open methods. But what about their schemes in the dark?
Their omnipresent surveillance and sudden traps? Can you guarantee absolute safety at all times and under all circumstances?"
Her words were like a carefully woven net, tightening step by step.
"As long as you join us, Aogiri Tree's informants and intelligence network spread across every ward will be at your disposal.
Any slight disturbance in the wind, we will detect in advance, allowing you and Rize to always seize the initiative."
Finally, she summarized firmly, binding personal safety and shared goals together.
"Moreover, overthrowing the Washuu family is our common objective, is it not?
On this path, having one more ally is always better than having one more potential variable."
When her words fell, her gaze locked onto Hiro, waiting for his response.
This time, what she presented was no longer empty ideals, but unavoidable reality.
Seeing a slight shift in his expression, Yoshimura Eto leaned forward again, her tone gentler but filled with sincerity.
"You can rest assured," she raised her index finger and lightly shook it, as if emphasizing terms, "those trivial daily missions will never trouble you. You will have absolute freedom."
Tilting her head slightly, the gaze beneath the bandages seemed to flicker with cunning light.
"What we need is only at the most critical moments.
For example, when we need to prove to everyone that 'hope' truly exists, when we need an indisputable victory to intimidate all sides,
you can appear and, with your absolute strength, deliver enough 'shock' to this world."
She spread her hands in a relaxed posture, as if stating an obvious business transaction.
"You see, you gain the intelligence support and resource convenience of a massive organization,
better protecting the person you want to protect. And we obtain the most crucial cornerstone toward our final goal. Each of us takes what we need."
Her voice carried a persuasive tone as she asked again.
"Well, Hiro? For you, this deal brings profit without loss, does it not?"
Hiro tapped his knuckles lightly against the table, falling into brief contemplation.
Eto's proposal indeed had no real downside. Cooperating with Aogiri Tree meant gaining an intelligence network covering Tokyo. Acting would become much more convenient.
As for the position of "One-Eyed King," the corner of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
If he wanted it, he would take it. If he did not, no one could force him. The initiative always remained in his hands.
As for the Washuu and the V organization, he was not overly concerned. Although the later combat power system had collapsed to an unpleasant degree, Arima Kishou still stood there as a benchmark.
As long as he found an opportunity to personally measure the weight of the so-called CCG Reaper, he could estimate the overall strength level of the entire Washuu system.
Hm?
As his thoughts flowed, a specific point in time suddenly crossed his mind.
Based on the current plot direction, it seemed that the key moment was approaching. The Anteiku Raid. When that time came, Arima Kishou would definitely appear.
Hiro's tapping finger paused as he recalled that crucial turning point from the original work. It was precisely through Eto's casual hints that Shinohara Yukinori had been guided to visit that seemingly ordinary café, ultimately confirming the identity of the "Non-Killing Owl," Yoshimura Kuzen.
He lifted his head and looked at Eto, his tone serious.
"Cooperation is fine. But I have one condition."
Seeing him agree, joy flashed through Eto's heart, and she asked almost without hesitation.
"What condition?"
Since Hiro had agreed to cooperate, a single condition was not an issue.
"Do not lay a hand on Anteiku." Hiro's voice was not loud, but each word was clear.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Beneath the bandages, Eto's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
In the end, she paused only slightly before giving a clean and decisive reply.
"Fine."