Carnage did not immediately attack.
Instead—
The towering crimson monster simply stood there.
Watching.
Its pale eyes were filled with cold indifference.
As if the half-kakuja before it were nothing more than an insect struggling in vain.
In his half-kakuja state, Yakumo Oomori radiated terrifying rage.
The floor beneath his feet began to crack.
Unable to withstand the sudden increase in weight and power.
Fragments of wood splintered outward.
"Die—!!"
Jason roared like a beast.
His massive body exploded forward with astonishing speed.
His right arm—
Wrapped in thick purple bikaku kagune—
Struck toward Carnage's chest with devastating force.
BANG!
The kagune pierced straight through Carnage's torso.
A dull impact echoed through the café.
Jason grinned viciously.
Expecting the monster to collapse.
But—
Carnage merely swayed slightly.
The wound in its chest wriggled.
Tiny scarlet tendrils twisted like living creatures.
Within seconds—
The damage vanished.
As if nothing had happened.
Carnage tilted its head.
Its voice rumbled low and mocking.
"…That tickled."
Jason's grin froze.
Fear replaced fury.
Instinct screamed danger.
He tried to pull his arm back—
At the same time—
The two regenerated kagune blades from his waist lashed out toward Carnage's head.
He attempted to retreat.
"Running?"
Carnage's left claw moved faster than sight.
Grabbing Jason's arm instantly.
The immense strength dragged him forward.
Stopping his escape.
At the same time—
Scarlet fluid surged along Carnage's right arm.
Hardening.
Forming a massive bone blade.
SZZZ—!
The two attacking kagune snapped apart.
Falling uselessly to the floor.
Dozens of thick scarlet tentacles erupted from Carnage's back.
Like giant serpents.
They wrapped around Jason's body.
Layer after layer.
Creating a writhing cocoon of crimson flesh.
Then—
They tightened.
Slowly.
Like a hydraulic press.
"UUGHHHH—!!"
Jason roared in pain.
His immense strength meant nothing.
His kagune creaked violently under the pressure.
Yet he couldn't move.
Not even an inch.
Carnage's right arm shifted again.
The bone blade melted—
Reforming into a massive claw.
It grabbed Jason's head.
The claws sank deep into the kagune armor covering his skull.
Grinding.
Meanwhile—
Carnage's left claw clamped onto Jason's arm.
TEAR—!!!
The sound of flesh ripping echoed through the café.
Jason screamed.
His entire right arm—
Along with part of his shoulder—
Was torn from his body.
Blood erupted like a fountain.
Carnage laughed softly.
A chilling sound.
"I gave you a chance."
"You came back anyway."
Its gaze slowly swept across the room.
Stopping briefly on Nick.
Then it spoke calmly.
"I'll deal with the prey."
"Wait here."
Carnage dragged the screaming Jason toward the kitchen.
Leaving a thick trail of blood across the floor.
The kitchen door closed.
Silence fell over the café.
Ken Kaneki stared at the door.
His expression grim.
Kazuichi Banjou and his companions stood frozen.
Disbelief filled their faces.
Jason—
An infamous S-rank ghoul of Aogiri Tree—
Had been defeated like a stray animal.
Minutes later—
The kitchen door opened again.
Ren stepped out.
The crimson symbiote had vanished.
Only several pools of blood remained behind.
Jason's body was gone.
Inside his mind—
Carnage whispered with satisfaction.
[…Not bad…]
[The taste… interesting…]
"A half-kakuja."
Ren replied calmly.
"A rare meal."
Carnage chuckled.
[Still…]
[Too little…]
He pushed open the kitchen door fully.
Returning to the main hall.
Only to find Touka Kirishima standing there.
Arms crossed.
Her blue eyes scanned the destroyed café.
Then locked onto him.
"Why are you here?"
He asked.
"If I hadn't come down," Touka said coldly,
"Were you planning to destroy the entire café while the manager is away?"
Her gaze swept across the broken floor.
The missing door.
The bloodstains.
"What happened?"
"Some people from Aogiri Tree came looking for trouble."
He shrugged.
"They wanted to take Kaneki."
He gestured toward Kaneki behind him.
Touka frowned.
"Them?"
Her sharp eyes moved toward Banjou and his group.
Suspicion obvious.
He shook his head calmly.
"No."
"Another… overly enthusiastic gentleman."
"I persuaded him."
"He realized his mistake."
"And left voluntarily."
Touka's lips twitched.
She clearly didn't believe a single word.
Just as she was about to question him—
A strange voice interrupted.
"This handsome gentleman~"
Nick slithered closer.
His tone sticky with fascination.
"My name is Nick."
"Perhaps we could become friends?"
A chill ran down Ren's spine.
"…No."
He stepped back immediately.
Nick blinked.
Surprised.
Trying to speak again—
Ren turned sharply.
His eyes suddenly cold.
"Say another word."
"I'll send you to meet Jason."
Nick froze instantly.
Fear replaced his excitement.
He retreated silently.
Touka looked between them.
Then glanced at the blood trail leading to the kitchen.
Her eyes twitched slightly.
She decided not to press further.
Instead she asked:
"What were they doing here?"
"Looking for Rize Kamishiro."
He replied lazily.
"Who knows what those lunatics are planning."
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