On the battlefield, the Manager and Uta teamed up against Huiqi, but even two against one, they failed to gain the upper hand. Neither Uta's ukaku attacks nor the Manager's kakuja armor could touch him.
The long blade swept unseen across Uta's ukaku, instantly tearing open a wound deep enough to expose bone. That was only the force trailing behind the slash; the Manager was faring even worse.
Neither of them knew the maximum reach of the blade in Huiqi's hand. Every attack had to be tentative, and they dared not commit more force. Neither could be sure their attacks would work, but a counterattack from the Executioner would certainly hurt.
Seeing that the kakuja and half-kakuja's attacks had lost their edge, Huiqi gathered electricity along his blade and blasted it straight at them. Devastation spread wherever the lightning passed. His follow-up strike came too fast for either of them to react, leaving them to watch helplessly as it approached.
Just as the current reached the Manager's body, a figure boldly stepped in front of him. Four rinkaku could just be made out, overlapping to block the electricity.
"Kaneki?" the Manager called uncertainly as he looked at the figure before him.
"It's me. I'm sorry I'm late."
Ken Kaneki strained with every ounce of strength to withstand the current, answering between ragged breaths.
At the sight, Huiqi stopped attacking and studied him with interest. The hairstyle and silhouette were familiar. The only differences were his white hair and his changed demeanor.
Ken Kaneki... Not a bad transformation. He actually survived. Quite a rebirth.
Huiqi grew increasingly satisfied. Only a test subject like this could make it to the end. If Ken Kaneki died here, he would have to cultivate another one.
After blocking the attack, Ken Kaneki sent several kagune