Chapter 153

Afternoon.

Just as Vera was about to begin her work based on the recent Ghoul leads and tracking reports compiled by First Class Kureo Mado, and was carrying out her first ghoul-eliminating operation since returning to Tokyo—

"The Ghoul Disaster continues to ravage and spread in Tokyo. Early this morning, several mutilated and dismembered corpses were discovered in a dark alley near the Kamata-Nakadori shopping street in the District 11. Saliva left by Ghoul was found on the corpses. After testing, it has been confirmed that three of the male corpses belonged to Ghoul investigators dispatched by the CCG on patrol missions."

"At noon, shootings and casualties occurred in wards 1, 4, and 6 along the city's expressways. All three incidents involved taxi drivers. Our reporter has obtained confirmation and a response from the CCG spokesperson regarding these incidents. The target was 'Torso,' Ghoul disguised himself as a taxi driver and enjoyed molesting and preying on women. Currently, investigators have confirmed the killing of one Class A Ghoul and three Class B Ghoul..."

"In Wards 9 and 10, another premeditated Ghoul murder of an investigator has occurred. They are all wearing red cloaks with a long-tailed black bird emblem, clearly indicating that the Ghoul community is forming an organization to fight against the CCG's sweep."

"In Ward 7, investigators Vera Adelheid Russell, who had just been transferred to Tokyo, began frontline fieldwork immediately after their appointments took effect. According to witnesses, the battle had already begun before they were evacuated, and several Ghouls with grotesque predatory organs growing from their bodies were killed by Special Class Investigator Russell and his team..."

The Anteiku -style café, closed early and marked "Closed," is a residential-style interior where the television is playing the news.

The kind-faced Manager Yoshimura, stood by the table, squinting as he organized the coffee beans, grinding, roasting, and brewing equipment needed for the store's opening. On either side of him were several of the coffee shop's employees.

Several people were either wiping cups or packing up a special kind of pale yellow coffee 'sugar cubes' and 'meat chunks' in portions.

As news reports about CCG's actions spread, a somber atmosphere slowly permeated the air.

"I knew it. That woman looked like she was super troublesome and difficult to deal with. Fortunately, manager... as you reminded us, we have already frozen and stored enough food to last everyone in the 'Anteiku' for half a year through 'scavenging'."

"Koma, even so, we cannot let our guard down. If a fellow countryman comes to us seeking refuge, should we rescue him or give him food? If we don't, what if he is being followed by the CCG for hunting illegally, or even gets caught and then implicates us? In my opinion, that food is still not enough."

"Then what do you suggest we do? Iruma, I wanted to encourage and ease Kaneki's tension, but you insisted on arguing with me. Are we supposed to go and commit a crime against the wind? Didn't you see the news that a large number of North American agents, led by that woman, flew to Tokyo?"

"So, you're just burying your head in the sand like an ostrich and deceiving yourself? Is this your attitude towards solving problems?"

"You--!"

"Alright."

The Manager Yoshimura slammed the can of coffee beans down on the table, turned to the side, and revealed his scarlet Kagune Eye as he spoke softly, "Yuan'er. A-Xuan."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, manager."

Enji Koma and Kaya Iruma immediately lowered their heads and stopped arguing.

"Even those of us who choose to stay out of it are like this... This won't do."

Kagune Eye faded, Manager Yoshimura shook his head, put down the rag in his hand, and sighed.

"The current situation is a difficult time for each of us. Only by working together and helping each other can we overcome the difficulties."

"Ah Xuan is right. You can never have too much food. We'll continue 'scavenging,' but we need to be more vigilant about the CCG's possible stakeouts. I'll tell Si Fang to think of a solution at the Penang funeral parlor as well. Yuan'er is also right. Why are you all so gloomy? Life goes on, and a positive attitude is also important. We still have to open the shop tomorrow."

The Manager Yoshimura smiled and looked at the thin, unassuming boy standing to the side.

Because he wanted to date Rize Kamishiro, a 'Ghoul', he was passively exposed to Ghoul. Later, due to a series of coincidences, he received an organ transplant from Rize Kamishiro, which led to him Half-Ghoul Transformation.

Should we call him lucky, or pitiful...?

Fortunately, he wasn't eaten by Rize Kamishiro, who had a voracious appetite. After receiving a Ghoul organ transplant, he successfully adapted and survived.

Poor thing, from then on, he stepped into hell and was drawn into a deformed and bloody Ghoul World.

"Kaneki, where is Nishio?"

The Manager Yoshimura spoke up to inquire.

"Ah?"

While wiping the dishes, Ken Kaneki, who was staring blankly at the news, belatedly said, "I don't know about Nishio Nishiki- senpai. Even with Nishino, his personality is still too awful..."

"Now is not the time for him to show off."

Manager Yoshimura said seriously, "Tell him to protect Nishino Nimi well. As a graduate of the Kamii University, she will most likely pass the CCG logistics department's recruitment test... If the rumor that the four sides have heard is not unfounded, perhaps we can say goodbye to 'scavenging' from now on and no longer hurt anyone for the sake of survival."

Ken Kaneki nodded solemnly.

A collaborative project between the Tokyo Ghoul Countermeasures Bureau and the North American Ghoul Countermeasures Committee, the High Rc cell synthetic food Project promoted by Special Class Investigator Vera Adelheid Russell...

This is information that Mr. Renji Yomo accidentally obtained while tracking Mrs. Fueguchi Ryoko and Hinami, who were detained by the CCG.

"Humans are knowledgeable and good at learning; they are always progressing. If Ghoul continue to live a muddled life based on instinct, they will eventually be wiped out, just like endangered species in human zoos, ultimately becoming specimens, protected animals, and raw materials for Quinque... Unfortunately, most of our compatriots cannot see this. They still narrowly regard humans as inferior beings."

Manager Yoshimura patted Ken Kaneki on the shoulder and said with emotion, "We don't have much time left."

"Kaneki, while you're getting used to your Kagune and fighting, don't neglect your studies at Kamii University. You're currently the most academically accomplished person in our café, so keep it up."

"Yes! I will do my best to do it well."

Knowing the store manager's and everyone's expectations, Ken Kaneki quickly nodded. He had made up his mind. Since fighting was something he was not good at, he would try his best to help everyone in another way.

"That's more like it, Kaneki-kun."

Enji Koma gave Ken Kaneki a thumbs-up.

Kaya Iruma nodded encouragingly, "Good luck."

Ken Kaneki's eyes lit up with a slight smile at his friend's kindness, and he scratched the back of his head shyly.

Wait, it seems someone is missing...

Ken Kaneki looked around.

Where is Touka?

Normally at this point, it should be the girl's sharp-tongued admonitions and reminders that follow.

He felt somewhat unaccustomed to the absence of discouraging voices from his peers.

Faced with Ken Kaneki's question, Kōzen Yoshimura's aged face suddenly became particularly complicated.

"Well..."

He closed his eyes, let out a deep sigh, and then looked out the door at the corridor leading to the staircase.

Do you remember the riots that happened in the District 20 eight months ago?

Upon hearing this, Ken Kaneki's face stiffened, and he instantly realized that he had asked a very stupid question.

"Aya was killed using Quinque made by Arata Kirishima, who was Touka's younger brother and father. Special Class Investigator Russell officer who controlled the Quinque made from their Kakuhou, arrived in Tokyo yesterday."

Kōzen Yoshimura continued.

"Touka must turn a blind eye, force herself to calm down, and even prepare herself mentally to walk alone. Whether it's cowardice or escapism, she cannot choose revenge because she must live. Otherwise, all her previous efforts will be in vain."

At this point, Kōzen Yoshimura paused for a moment, then murmured, "Sometimes, living takes more courage than dying."

Ken Kaneki opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

"Go."

Kōzen Yoshimura suddenly said.

Ken Kaneki looked puzzled.

"Touka needs some time to calm down, and she also needs verbal support and comfort. She was vomiting and had diarrhea after she came back yesterday. She ate human food but couldn't vomit it up in time, and she didn't sleep all night. She's probably tired of hearing all the lectures from us old folks. You, who are the same age as her, have gone from being human to being Half-Ghoul, while she needs to learn to go from Ghoul back to being human. If you try to persuade her, it might have a miraculous effect."

"Can I really do it?"

"Do your best."

Watching Ken Kaneki disappear outside the door, Kōzen Yoshimura turned his gaze away as the sound of footsteps on the stairs rang out.

"A time of great turmoil."

He sat down, exhausted, and for the first time, a look of struggle and confusion appeared on his face.

"The 'Aogiri Tree' has been making too much noise lately, assassinating an investigator in the street and attacking a CCG branch headquarters in broad daylight... Are they adding fuel to the fire and trying to start a full-blown war?"

Kōzen Yoshimura thought of the One-Eyed King from 'Aogiri Tree'. Owl, the One-Eyed Owl.

Eto...

You are half human, so do you hate humanity that much?

QQ.

After arranging the glass containers holding the special sugar cubes, Iruma Kaya Iruma Kōzen Yoshimura, who was deep in thought and looked weary, and asked, "Manager, are we just going to keep hiding like this?"

"If, and I mean if, the 'Aogiri Tree' is truly wiped out by the CCG, and all those Ghouls who actively prey on humans are slaughtered, leaving only us, the marginalized scavengers, can we continue to hide as human technology continues to advance?"

She stopped tidying up her suit and Enji Koma and nodded. "Even if we are cautious and scavenge for carrion, as long as we still feed on human flesh and blood, we will eventually be exposed."

This can be seen as echoing the concerns expressed by Kaya Iruma.

"..."

Kōzen Yoshimura remained silent.

Because he didn't know where the future lay.

"It all depends on human effort."

After a long silence, he took a deep breath, his tightly pursed lips finally loosened, and his voice was low and heavy, "It's just a matter of trying to survive against all odds. Heaven or hell, we have no choice."

Just as the three of them were looking at each other in silence, creak~

"Manager."

A man wearing a simple, solid-color turtleneck coat and with his silver-white hair parted in the middle appeared at the door.

"It's Renji. What did you find out?"

"A lot of."

After Renji Yomo entered the room and sat in a circle around the central table with Kōzen Yoshimura, Kaya Iruma, and Enji Koma.

"Let me make a long story short. Shuu Tsukiyama's 'Ghoul Restaurant' in the 7th ward may have been targeted by the CCG. His culinary activities were too conspicuous, and because of the related incidents, they were reported to Vera Adelheid Russell in the USA Tsukiyama Family's connections and networks in Tokyo's high society have nowhere to be used."

"A major sweep of District 7?"

Kaya Iruma asked.

"More than."

Renji Yomo her head and spoke in a more stern tone.

"Upon taking office, that woman immediately restarted all the cold cases within the CCG that had been delayed or abandoned for various reasons. These included the Tokyo Taxi Association, private and public hospitals in Tokyo, the Black Market, and the CCG's logistics department..."

"Districts 4, 6, 7, and District 14 —all Ghoul gathering places that have connections with the Tsukiyama Family and usually evade searches through relationships and connections—may be under surveillance."

Enji Koma hissed as he breathed out cold air.

"She's definitely a troublesome woman; she made a big move as soon as she arrived."

Kishou Arima couldn't have conducted an investigation of this scale.

This requires extremely high authority and political influence.

Clearly, the North American Ghoul Countermeasures Committee has put pressure on them.

"What about the Aogiri Tree?"

With narrowed eyes, Kōzen Yoshimura asked, "Tatara, Noro... Eto."

The last name was mentioned, almost in a sorrowful tone. "Where are the three top executives of the Aogiri Tree?"

He asked.

"I don't know."

Renji Yomo the shopkeeper a deep look. "But their actions are strange. The Aogiri Tree members who entered the District 20 a while ago have all withdrawn. It seems they're consolidating their forces..."

"Contracting power, huh?"

Kōzen Yoshimura sighed again and looked at the news being reported on television.

—Russott Special Class Investigator Russell officials in District 7—

"Eto, this is the worst option..."

Zone 7.

Light rain.

Inside the blockade line.

"What a wonderful rain. Rain dulls their senses. Isn't this the perfect workday?"