Chapter 167
Fire!
The cannon fired.
The image is jarring; a black-armored figure turns and walks away.
And on that building that combined Japanese and Western styles, a huge, indistinct burst of flames erupted, with building materials burning and falling to the ground like raindrops. The dazzling orange-red light made the entire scene slightly darker.
Click, the video paused.
The border of the recording of "True Warriors Never Look Back at the Explosion," which is full of American individual heroism, has been reduced, and the upper body image of the black-armored "Seraph" has been enlarged proportionally and moved to one side.
A line of annotation text appeared:
Vera Adelheid Russell – [Commander of Martial Law, Joint Operations Command for International Ghoul Countermeasures [Tokyo Metropolis] & Plenipotentiary Special Investigator [USA]]
The host appeared at the appropriate time.
"... Just now, the CCG's Annihilation Operation codenamed [Washu] has achieved its objective. The leaders Washuu Tsuneyoshi Washuu Yoshitoki, have been executed."
"Official channels have formally declared that the prestigious Prestigious Clan Washuu Clan the Hereditary Countermeasures Bureau Director, is Ghoul Conspiracy Group hidden within the government. According to multiple confidential sources, the Prime Minister signed a cabinet resolution a day ago, stripping the Washuu Clan of all political rights and human rights..."
District 20, Anteiku coffee shop.
"The Washuu Clan, the pinnacle of the CCG is actually Ghoul?"
In the quiet room, Ken Kaneki looked up in shock. Beside him were men and women deep in thought, both intimidated by the terrifying power of the CCG's "Angel of Death" and horrified by the truth that the head of the investigators they had fought for so many years was Ghoul. After martial law was declared, news reports exploded one after another, leaving people overwhelmed.
Bang--!
Touka Kirishima slammed her hand on the table.
The force was so great that the food and beverage items on the table rolled to the ground with a 'crash', some coffee cups shattered, and fragrant brown water splashed everywhere.
"Are you kidding me!"
Her breathing became rapid, and the girl's face showed anger.
It wasn't her enemy's heroic figure that provoked her, but rather—
"The former director and former chairman of the CCG and their entire family are Ghoul, so what about our hiding when we faced the CCG's encirclement and suppression in the past?"
Her knuckles cracked as she gripped the table, her lips trembling as she cursed.
"How could they have the nerve to lead investigators in slaughtering their own people for so many years?! A bunch of beasts who deserve to go to hell! Traitors! Ghoul Traitor! Trash! Scum!"
The Washuu Clan scandal not only made the entire Japanese political arena and investigative system a laughing stock, but also broke the mental state of countless Ghoul hiding in the corners and outskirts of the city.
Especially those Ghouls who were unwilling to fight, unwilling to kill for food, and cautiously hid from the investigators' sweeps time and time again. Their mentality was even more shattered.
On what grounds?
I originally thought the Moon Clan was the most successful among their compatriots, but I never imagined there were even more ruthless ones...
As Prestigious Clan that can Hereditary Countermeasures Bureau Director, much of the information about the Washuu Clan is publicly available.
Putting aside the suspicion of self-aggrandizement, the current CCG was founded more than 100 years ago by Washuu Yoshitoki, the head of the Washuu Clan. And these beasts proudly boast about this in their public resumes, spouting things like how the Washuu Clan has always had the mission of eliminating Ghoul.
Before this, no one had ever imagined that the Washuu Clan, the head of the Japanese investigators, were actually Ghoul themselves.
Now that the truth has come to light, let's revisit the statements made by the Washuu Clan.
Ironic, ridiculous.
The Washuu Clan has committed heinous crimes!
Compared to that, the fact that the 'Angel of Death' from North America in the CCG killed her brother doesn't seem so hateful anymore. After all, killing and being killed are the ways of life that Ayato herself chose.
"Alright, Touka."
Kōzen Yoshimura glanced at Touka Kirishima, whose face was contorted with rage, and said, "It's all in the past. The Washuu Clan could not escape punishment in the end, and their extermination was their only fate. Although it was Vera Russell who did it, perhaps I should thank her for avenging me."
Touka was taken aback.
"Now that things have come to this, I'm not afraid to tell you and everyone else..."
At this point, Kōzen Yoshimura solemnly opened his closed eyes and looked around the room at his like-minded companions, juniors, Renji Yomo Irimi Kaya, Enji Koma...
He finally looked at the television screen where state media was revealing more details about the "Washuu Clan."
Those were high-definition images captured using a special close-up camera.
The thugs kept by the Washuu Clan — Half-human of the V Organization.
Their deathly pale skin, indistinguishable from that of corpses, the absence of sclera, and their completely white eyes were all captured clearly in the photograph. The announcer went on and on, emphasizing their inhuman nature in every word.
"When I was young, I served the Washuu Clan's V Organization as a 'cleaner,' and my job was to eliminate the organization's hostile forces. At that time, I did not know that the V Organization was a subordinate organization of the Washuu Clan."
Kōzen Yoshimura, seeing Touka Kirishima remain silent, continued, "Until I chose to leave the organization because of one... no, two of the most important people to me."
"Although I couldn't keep them all, I couldn't possibly fight against the organization on my own. In the end, to fulfill my promise to the most important person in my life, I came to the District 20 and opened this coffee shop. I'm trying to explore the feasibility of coexistence Ghoul and humans in an attempt to survive the worst."
"..."
Touka Kirishima naturally understood the profound admonition and advice in Kōzen Yoshimura's words.
Give up revenge.
Let the spiral of hatred stop.
Revenge may be a sacred thing, but Ghoul these days can't afford to mess around anymore.
As human technology continues to advance, the room for maneuver will only decrease.
Even the V Organization, which the store manager, one of the top SSS-rated Kagune User, Ghoul not contend with the Washuu Clan, which was hiding behind the scenes, were so fragile in the face of the state's violent machinery that humanity was truly mobilizing.
Waiting is the most rational choice.
It was also painful.
But it is also a form of hope.
There are also researchers like Nishino Nimi who are knowledgeable, capable, and willing to contribute to the normalization of Ghoul.
The research findings of Ghoulology Master, such as Hishikori Kouichi Donato Porpora Kanou Akihiro, also prove that Ghoul can be saved.
Vera Adelheid Russell, for reasons unknown, spared the lives of the Fueguchi Mother and Daughter. The project to create "artificial food with high Rc cells that Ghoul can eat" continued, along with discussions about the "Legal Ghoul" bill...
Lost in thought, Touka Kirishima's gaze unconsciously returned to Kōzen Yoshimura. Today, the manager didn't seem to be wearing his signature Waiter Uniform.
"Manager, are you getting ready to go out? Is this a time of great tension?"
She asked casually.
"Ah... it's time."
Kōzen Yoshimura simply lowered his eyes and smiled.
"Renji, I'm leaving the shop to you. Take good care of Touka, Kaneki, Kaname, and Enji. I don't need you to follow me to the very end. Do you remember our promise...?"
Wait a minute, doesn't this sound like a will?
As she listened, something seemed amiss, Touka Kirishima's eyes widened. Just as she was about to get up, smack.
Her uncle, Renji Yomo, gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Let the manager go. It's his decision... as an Unqualified Father."
"Ah, thank you, Renshi."
Finally, with a satisfied smile, Kōzen Yoshimura put on a round hat and pushed open the door to leave.
"Eto..."
He murmured to himself.
Since World War II, Tokyo Metropolis has never been as bustling as it is today.
The Anti-Ghoul Operation in District 23 on the ground has entered a critical stage.
The anti- Ghoul has expanded to include anti-dereliction of duty, anti-bribery, anti-collusion with Ghoul, and anti-tax evasion... It can almost be said that a vigorous and unspeakable "American-style neo-economic colonialist purge" is underway.
At the opportune moment, a search and investigation team led by the CCG, Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, Self-Defense Forces stormed into the Moon Clan Ancestral Home.
Around the same time, the Moon Clan made their move. Several helicopters carrying timber, belonging to the Ghoul organization 'Apollo Group' and disguised as Apollo Forestry, took off from District 6 and flew towards the northern part of Honshu Island.
Following the CIA's surveillance, members of the North American Ghoul Countermeasures Committee also responded.
Meanwhile, Vera led her troops to the Ghoul Containment Facility in District 23.
Gazing at the smoke and the thick reinforced concrete walls of Quilalea, thick with the mingled smell of CRC Gas, Vera tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the Quinque case of her newly acquired [Owl].
Kishou Arima, what role would you choose to play?
164
Chapter 164 Tokyo Spring.
Vera casually swung the Quinque sword she had picked up from the ground, beheading the red Aogiri Tree ghoul wearing a gas mask. The Ghoul Kagune fell to the ground, and the corpse spun and flew to the side due to inertia.
Is it specifically designed to prevent CRC Gas...?
The preparations were quite thorough.
Vera shifted her gaze from the gas mask lying on the ground out of the corner of her eye and continued to advance. With each step, she slashed and thrust with her sword, cutting down three or four more Ghoul. Then, with a whoosh, she used her blunted longsword like a throwing dagger to make the most of it, stabbing down another one.
"They informed me of the situation as soon as they made contact with the remaining personnel at the Quilalea branch."
While monitoring the potential firefights within the perimeter of the Ghoul Prison, Vera calmly issued the order, "Also, notify Special Investigator Kishou Arima and Squad 0 to report the situation."
"CCG, SWAT, MU, cordon off the scene."
"Attention all squads, the limit on excessive firepower is lifted. Suppress the ghouls and enforce the law. Kill all members of Aogiri Tree. Execute all prisoners who followed the escape."
As soon as Vera finished speaking, bang bang bang! Fully armed CCG investigators filed out and surged up the reinforced concrete steps of the towering walls surrounding the outer district of Quilalea.
It's her!
"CCG's damned devil!"
"Go and inform Lord Eto immediately!"
Upon seeing the arrival of CCG reinforcements, the Ghoul who had occupied key positions at the entrance to Quilalea revealed their Kagune Eye and displayed their Kagune. Some even drew their weapons.
In the Ghoul world, regardless of individual temperament, remembering the CCG's formidable investigators, especially Special Class Investigator and those Associate Special Class Investigator, is an essential survival skill for them. Even international investigators from abroad are no exception.
In an instant, gunfire erupted.
Bullets of varying calibers struck metal and concrete, scattering debris and occasionally producing muffled groans.
"Stop her! Buy the leader time! As long as we kill the 'The White Reaper' and the 'Black Reaper,' release our comrades imprisoned by humans, and gather the Ghoul forces of all of Tokyo, we Ghoul can definitely create a place suitable for our survival—"
Bang--!
A high-explosive grenade with the letter Q printed on it struck a yelling Ghoul leader squarely in the face. Boom! The explosion engulfed it, followed by the sound of flesh tearing and blood splattering, as fragments mixed with dissolved Kagune bounced around.
"Noisy".
After retreating to the erected riot shield, Vera returned the SAFE 40MM Revolver Grenade Launcher, with its belly safety restored, to her subordinate beside her.
Then, calmly, she raised the [New Ayakata-α] Quinque case in her hand, and sizzle! Donning her armor, she handed [Black Abyss IV] to Dennis for safekeeping, then picked up the newly acquired [Owl], and sizzle—
Let's use the Aogiri Tree as a test subject.
With a flick of her wrist, Vera stomped heavily on the pale Quinque sword, causing the dry ground to crack and shatter. She then flew up in a blur.
As the Ghoul roared and pounced on Vera like dying beasts, [Owl]'s sword sliced through fabric, Kagune, flesh, and bone like a hot knife through butter.
Whether it's Koukaku, Ukaku, Rinkaku, or even the tough Kagune shell of an S+ rank Half-Kakuja that can withstand the strafing of a medium-caliber machine gun, they are all no different from paper in front of this CCG's only SSS-rated Kagune User Quinque.
As she swung her arms, Vera felt almost no resistance.
Even when the target is a steel gate or concrete, the chopping motion is still smooth and fluid, done in one go, leaving an exceptionally smooth cut.
In less than two minutes, with the 'Angel of Death' as their spearhead, the CCG support force breached the Aogiri Tree's defensive line at the entrance to Quilalea. Blood, flesh, and limbs flew everywhere as they rescued survivors, while the vanguard entered the Ghoul Containment Facility.
Thump, thump.
Vera continued deeper into the Ghoul Prison, recalling the map she had written down on her way there. She glanced around and saw the mangled bodies of Prison Guard scattered about behind the violently smashed and torn Quinque Steel gate.
The further down you go, the more pronounced the feeling of confinement and oppression becomes.