"Associate Special-Class Mado, can you hear me?" Kiyoko Marude asked, watching Kureo Mado approach the rooftop on the screen.
As one of the combatants in this operation, Kureo Mado had deliberately conserved his strength, but he sprang into action the moment he saw Owl.
Almost everyone who had participated in the operation against Owl ten years ago knew that Kureo Mado's hatred for Owl had reached a point beyond reconciliation.
"Are you confident you can kill Owl?" Marude's brow had remained furrowed ever since Owl appeared.
Although he had just reached a verbal agreement with Ice Mask, he still did not want to let this chance to take down Owl slip away.
Kureo Mado had already participated in two operations against Owl. The first time, his teammates knocked him unconscious and carried him away while his wife covered their retreat. The second time, fear briefly overtook him when he saw Owl, and the young Kishou Arima stepped in to drive Owl back.
Kureo Mado had not lost his fighting spirit because of that. He had continued working as a Ghoul Investigator all these years.
He had spent several years preparing for his third encounter with Owl-this very encounter. He no longer had the impatience and impulsiveness of his younger days, so the fact that he was still this driven suggested he had some confidence in his chances.
Although Marude did not particularly like Kureo Mado, he had considerable respect for his current strength, experience, and judgment.
"A ten percent chance..." Kureo Mado slowed his steps and held his earpiece as he spoke, his unevenly sized eyes fixed on the final flight of stairs.
He had waited far too long for this day. Even if Marude ordered him to retreat, he would still fight Owl to the death.
"Ten percent..." Marude