The next morning—
When Ren walked downstairs, the sight before him was completely different from the destruction of the previous night.
The first floor of Anteiku had transformed into something resembling a construction site.
The smell of fresh pinewood shavings and drying paint filled the air.
The faint metallic scent of blood from yesterday's battle had completely vanished.
Inside his mind—
Carnage murmured.
[…All of them…]
[…Ghouls…]
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly.
He quickly noticed something unusual.
The workers moving around the café were fast.
Disciplined.
Every movement coordinated with practiced efficiency.
They wore dark gray overalls.
On the right shoulder of each uniform—
An embroidered emblem stood out.
A stylized ape head.
"Good morning, Kiryu-kun."
A familiar voice sounded.
Kaya Irimi stood beside the damaged bar counter.
A clipboard rested in her hand as she directed workers clearing away the wreckage.
"Good morning, Irimi-nee."
Ren replied politely.
His eyes still scanned the busy scene.
Irimi placed the clipboard down.
A teasing smile appeared on her lips.
"Little Touka already left for school."
"She looked much more energetic today."
She paused deliberately.
Watching his reaction.
Ren's step faltered slightly.
One eyelid twitched.
He hadn't even asked.
"The manager has been waiting for you."
Irimi's tone shifted back to business.
"He's outside."
He nodded.
Stepping aside to allow a burly worker carrying a doorframe to pass.
Then he walked through the swirling dust toward the entrance.
Outside—
Yoshimura stood with his back to the café.
He was quietly observing workers removing the shattered door frame.
Morning sunlight illuminated his gray hair.
"Good morning, Kiryu-kun."
Yoshimura turned with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, manager."
"The damage this time is quite severe."
Yoshimura glanced inside calmly.
"The first floor will take some time to repair."
A faint embarrassment crossed Ren's mind.
Thinking back—
The destruction caused while subduing Yakumo Oomori had not been small either.
"Manager."
He changed the subject.
"Who are those workers?"
"Ah, them…"
Yoshimura began to answer—
"They're my old boys."
A voice interrupted proudly.
Enji Koma appeared suddenly.
A measuring tape hung around his neck.
He grinned widely.
"Former members of the Devil Ape group."
He slapped a large worker on the shoulder.
"Emergency reconstruction squad."
"Impressive name, right?"
"Boss!"
Someone shouted from inside.
"Take a look at this support beam!"
"Coming!"
Koma rushed off.
Still grinning.
Yoshimura watched him go.
A faint smile in his eyes.
Then he turned serious again.
"Kiryu-kun."
"Thank you for last night."
"It was nothing."
He shook his head.
"I'm also part of Anteiku."
Yoshimura nodded.
Then looked toward the distant streets.
His voice lowered.
"Yesterday, Yomo and I investigated Ward 11."
"The situation is worse than expected."
His expression became grave.
"Aogiri Tree nearly wiped out the ghoul investigators stationed there."
"The entire ward is falling under their control."
"The Commission of Counter Ghoul is sending massive reinforcements."
He paused.
"A full-scale conflict may begin soon."
Then—
Yoshimura smiled again.
Warmly.
"For now, though…"
"The café will remain closed during repairs."
"You should rest."
Later That Night
Neon lights flickered across the crowded streets of Tokyo.
Ren walked out of a supermarket.
Two large bags of chocolate hung from his hands.
The cashier's strange stare had already been ignored.
Suddenly—
Carnage spoke.
[…Look…]
His gaze shifted upward.
Toward a massive digital screen.
A news broadcast filled the display.
"Today, the CCG, together with the police force, has assembled a strike team of over one thousand personnel for a large-scale operation in Ward 11."
"The on-site commander is Special Investigator Kiyomi Marude."
Marude's serious face appeared on screen.
Behind him—
Rows of heavily armed investigators prepared for battle.
"The safety of citizens will be protected with ninety-nine percent of our strength."
"The remaining one percent requires cooperation from everyone."
"Together, we will reclaim peace in Ward 11."
His speech echoed across the city.
Ren watched quietly.
He understood immediately.
The 11th Ward Battle had begun.
Which meant—
The attack on Cochlea was only a matter of time.
Carnage's consciousness flickered.
[…What…do we do…]
"Wait."
His eyes remained calm.
He had no intention of joining the Ward 11 war.
It was merely bait.
A diversion.
The true objective of Aogiri Tree was different.
While the CCG moved reinforcements to Ward 11—
The defenses of Cochlea would weaken.
That was when Aogiri planned their real strike.
And Ayato—
Despite refusing earlier—
Would almost certainly contact him.
That boy's personality made it inevitable.
All Ren needed to do…
Was wait.
Suddenly—
A loud horn blasted nearby.
A speeding car rushed past.
His body moved instantly.
Like a tightened bowstring snapping sideways.
The vehicle missed him by centimeters.
Carnage spoke calmly.
[…Careful…]
[…If we get hit…]
[…that would be inconvenient…]
"…Thanks."
Ren muttered.
Carnage replied lazily.
[…I didn't want…]
[…the chocolate to be damaged…]
"…."
He ignored the final remark.
And continued walking.
After all—
Paid leave…
Was always enjoyable.
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