The moment those words left his mouth—
The massive crimson claw tightened.
Before the sound of bones breaking could even echo—
Another stream of dark symbiotic matter burst from Ren's shoulder.
It twisted violently.
Transforming into a grotesque maw filled with serrated teeth.
With a single motion—
It swallowed the man's head whole.
Along with the frozen terror in his eyes.
Crunch.
The headless body convulsed briefly.
Then went limp.
Scarlet symbiotic tissue surged over the corpse like a rising tide.
Consuming everything.
Moments later—
Nothing remained.
The alley returned to silence.
Sunlight still streamed lazily through the entrance.
Distant market noise drifted faintly through the air.
As if nothing had happened.
Ren watched calmly as the symbiote withdrew into his body.
He glanced around carefully.
Confirming no traces remained.
Inside his mind—
Carnage sounded mildly disappointed.
[…The taste was mediocre…]
[…But acceptable…]
"Food is food."
Ren replied lightly.
He dusted his sleeves.
Then walked toward the alley exit.
No one would notice anything unusual.
Except perhaps the crows perched along the telephone wires.
"These days…"
He muttered.
"With so many White Doves patrolling the 20th Ward, hunting in broad daylight…"
"…that ghoul was truly reckless."
Anyone who violated Anteiku's feeding rules—
Was no longer under its protection.
Especially someone who had already chosen him as prey.
For Carnage—
It was simply an unexpected meal.
Outside Anteiku
When Ren returned—
Two figures were standing near the entrance of Anteiku.
One leaned casually against the wall.
Arata Kirishima.
His complexion looked far healthier than when he had been rescued from Cochlea.
Opposite him stood Kuzen Yoshimura.
Holding a cup of tea.
Listening patiently.
"Kiryu-kun is back."
Arata noticed him first.
Yoshimura turned.
Smiling gently.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kirishima. Manager."
Ren approached calmly.
"How is your recovery progressing?"
Arata stretched his shoulders lightly.
"Almost completely healed."
A faint warmth appeared in his voice.
"Touka… took very good care of me."
Ren nodded silently.
Yoshimura spoke next.
"How did the contract negotiations go?"
"The process was… very smooth."
Ren answered naturally.
"Everything has been settled."
He paused briefly.
"The new supply channel is more stable than expected."
Yoshimura nodded thoughtfully.
"You've worked hard."
"It's my responsibility."
Arata seemed to sense the subtle tension.
"You two talk."
He smiled lightly.
"I'll go upstairs and rest."
After he disappeared inside—
Yoshimura turned to Ren.
His tone had changed.
"Kiryu-kun."
"Please come upstairs with me."
Anteiku — Second Floor Office
Sunlight filtered through the blinds.
Casting long striped shadows across the floor.
Yoshimura sat behind his desk.
A cup of tea rested before him.
The tea had long since gone cold.
But he made no effort to replace it.
Ren sat opposite him.
Waiting quietly.
His eyes briefly fell upon a coffee cup placed carefully at the corner of the desk.
It looked pristine.
Untouched.
Yet it carried the faint sense of something preserved for a long time.
"Kiryu-kun."
Yoshimura finally spoke.
His voice was unusually low.
"This morning…"
"A representative of V Organization came to see me."
Ren remained silent.
Listening.
"They discovered…"
Yoshimura continued slowly.
"…that the One-Eyed Owl…"
"…is my child."
The air in the office seemed to freeze.
Ren's expression remained calm.
He had always known this truth would eventually surface.
Years ago—
When rumors of the One-Eyed Owl first appeared—
Yoshimura had immediately realized it must be Eto Yoshimura.
To protect her—
He deliberately drew the attention of the CCG toward himself.
But over time—
The differences became obvious.
Yoshimura's kagune remained controlled.
Humanoid.
Eto's kagune had evolved into a monstrous kakuja form.
Investigators were not fools.
Eventually—
They discovered there were two Owls.
"He demanded that I hand Eto over."
Yoshimura said quietly.
"In exchange…"
"They promised to overlook everything related to Anteiku."
"You refused."
Ren said.
"Yes."
Yoshimura answered immediately.
No hesitation.
"What was their response?"
Yoshimura picked up the cold tea.
Taking a slow sip.
"Kichimura's messenger told me…"
"The CCG has already confirmed that Anteiku is a ghoul sanctuary."
He looked out the window.
"They are preparing an operation."
"A siege on the 20th Ward."
Ren's brow tightened slightly.
"The messenger also said…"
Yoshimura continued.
"If I surrender Eto…"
"The Washuu Clan will intervene."
"And cancel the operation."
"And you refused."
"I refused."
Yoshimura's voice was steady.
"Eto is my daughter."
"I have already failed her once."
"This time…"
"I will not abandon her."
Ren studied him quietly.
Behind Yoshimura's calm expression—
A deep exhaustion lingered.
Carnage scoffed.
[…This old man…]
[…trying to play the hero…]
"Manager."
Ren asked calmly.
"What do you intend to do?"
Yoshimura stood slowly.
Walking toward the window.
Sunlight illuminated his back.
Casting a long shadow across the floor.
"Tonight…"
"I will gather everyone in the café."
"And tell them the truth."
His posture remained upright.
Despite the weight pressing upon him.
"I have made many mistakes in my life."
"This café was created…"
"…to atone for them."
"If disaster truly arrives…"
"Let the responsibility fall upon me alone."
He turned back toward Ren.
His eyes filled with determination.
"Kiryu-kun."
"I need your help with something."
"Please tell me."
Ren replied calmly.
Yoshimura's voice softened slightly.
"Protect everyone in this café."
"They…"
"…should not be dragged into this."
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