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92.49% Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki / Chapter 542: The Akatsuki Organization

章節 542: The Akatsuki Organization

The world was exactly as Kaguya suspected—it was indeed the world of Tokyo Ghoul. The coffee shop was none other than the "Anteiku" from the original story. The reactions of its inhabitants also aligned perfectly with her expectations. In particular, the shop owner seemed to have caught onto something, which was likely why he came down from upstairs. Though his stance appeared casual, Kaguya noticed that he had subtly positioned himself in front of Touka Kirishima, shielding her.

It seemed like the people here were not to be underestimated.

While she still had no clear idea about the system's mission, Kaguya was beginning to form a plan.

At that moment, a petite figure came running toward her and collided with a thud.

"Ah!"

A soft cry escaped as the small figure tumbled to the ground, landing in a crouch.

"That hurts…"

The girl—no, more like a little girl, likely not even ten years old—had short golden-brown hair, fair skin, and delicate features that hinted at her future beauty. She sat on the ground, clutching her head in pain.

"I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Kaguya extended a hand to help her up.

However, the little girl refused her offer, quickly standing up on her own. She gave Kaguya a wary glance, stepped back several paces, and then turned to run away.

This left Kaguya bewildered. Did she look like a bad person? She had always thought of herself as exuding a friendly and approachable aura.

Oh well. There was no point in dwelling on it. Her current priority was to find a place to rest. While her immense mental strength meant she wouldn't truly feel exhausted, habits were hard to break, and this time of day always made her feel sleepy.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom echoed from a distant building. Kaguya's brow furrowed slightly.

It was already 11 PM. The once-busy streets were now much quieter, with only a few stragglers here and there. The vibrant, colorful neon lights continued to illuminate the city, painting it with dazzling hues.

At this late hour, it was unlikely to be a construction project. Normal people wouldn't venture out at this time either—unless they wanted to become a ghoul's late-night snack.

That left only one possibility.

Kaguya's lips curved into a smile. Lightly pressing the ground with her foot, she shot forward like an arrow leaving its bow, her figure a streak of light disappearing into the distance.

"Dammit! How dare you run away! That's mine! It's mine!" An enraged voice broke the silence of the night.

With a deafening crash, a hulking man smashed his fist into a thick steel girder, twisting it into a warped, mangled shape.

"Damn it… I'll get you. I'll get you!"

As his heavy breathing filled the air, the man emerged from the shadows. The neon lights of an advertisement board illuminated his figure—tall, broad-shouldered, and brimming with knotted muscles, resembling a human tank. A white mask covered his face, revealing only his bloodshot eyes.

"What's this? It's already over? I was hoping for a good show."

A voice as clear and ethereal as the wind rang out unexpectedly.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" The muscular man spun around and growled. "There!" He stomped the ground and charged in the direction of the voice, swinging his massive, knotted fist.

With a resounding boom, chunks of shattered concrete flew everywhere. Twisted steel rods shot into the air, and amid the swirling dust, a lithe silhouette somersaulted gracefully, tracing a perfect arc before landing gently atop a raised platform.

"My, how unfriendly. I was just passing by—was that really necessary?"

Standing before the muscular man was a silver-haired girl wearing a fox mask. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall in the night breeze as she balanced effortlessly on a steel beam.

"Hah! I thought it was her, but it's just some little girl who doesn't know her place." The muscular man sneered, turning away dismissively. "I don't have time to waste on a brat like you."

"What a bad temper. If you're too irritable, you might get your arms and legs broken." Kaguya wagged her finger teasingly. "By the way, what's your name again? Let me guess… Tiger? No, Shrimp? Hmm… Maybe Lizard?"

"You're the first person bold enough to talk to me like that. I have to admit, I admire your courage." The muscular man's bloodshot eyes locked onto Kaguya.

"You're the first person to talk to me like this as well," Kaguya replied, her white fingers lightly tapping her mask. A playful smile graced her lips. "And let me tell you, the last people who did… Well, let's just say the grass on their graves is already this tall." She gestured with her hand, indicating a rather impressive height.

"Ahahahaha!"

The muscular man burst into raucous laughter, his deep voice booming like thunder. After a moment, he said, "You're really something else. I've never met anyone quite like you. Fine. You've piqued my interest. I was going to let you go, but now I've changed my mind."

"I haven't encountered a toy like you in a long time," he continued, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Before we play, though, how about you give me those two arms, those two legs, and all ten fingers?"

"Big guy like you, playing with tiny toys? Do you enjoy pretend tea parties too?" Kaguya smirked. "You're just adorable."

"Do you even know who I am?" the man snarled, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. "No matter. Once I rip you to shreds, you'll find out soon enough."

"Would anyone care about an ant underfoot?" Kaguya shrugged, raising her hands in mock helplessness.

"Interesting. So interesting. You're just too interesting." The man's crimson eyes gleamed with an unsettling light as his smile twisted into a grotesque grin. "I'll make sure you really enjoy what's coming."

"Thank you for the consideration," Kaguya replied, lifting something in her hand and waving it slightly. Her smile was serene as she said, "By the way, is this your trash? Tossing junk anywhere isn't very polite, you know."

The moment the man's eyes landed on the object in Kaguya's hand, his crimson pupils shrank dramatically.

In Kaguya's hand was nothing other than an ordinary pair of pliers. The only unusual aspect was its material—it was far harder than steel, crafted from something that seemed anything but ordinary metal.

The burly, muscular man before her was not a stranger to Kaguya. If she wasn't mistaken, this was Yamori, the deranged sadist infamous for his love of torturing others. In the original Tokyo Ghoul, he tormented Ken Kaneki relentlessly before being killed in retaliation.

What a truly disgusting individual, Kaguya thought, wrinkling her nose in disdain.

"How did you get that?" Yamori's pupils shrank dramatically, his bloodshot eyes flaring with anger as more crimson veins surged across them. "Give it back! That's mine! Give it back!"

Without waiting for a response, Yamori launched himself at Kaguya like an arrow, his massive frame moving with surprising agility. In a heartbeat, he closed the distance, his meaty fist swinging straight for Kaguya's head.

Just as the fist was about to connect, Kaguya's lips curled into a faint smile. Her figure blurred, disappearing with a sharp whoosh before Yamori's attack could land.

"What?!"

Yamori's eyes widened as he hastily stopped his advance, scanning the area frantically. The silver-haired girl was gone, her presence as if it had evaporated into thin air. A foreboding unease began to gnaw at the edges of his mind.

"Hey, big guy! What are you looking at?"

A playful, melodious voice rang out from behind him. Yamori spun around, his massive body moving with startling speed. Raising his powerful arm, he instinctively swung his massive fist toward the source of the voice.

Before his strike could land, however, Kaguya's own fist had already shot forward like a bolt of white lightning.

Boom!

The air reverberated with the impact, and gusts of wind rippled outward. Yamori glanced upward, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "You think you can fight me? You're too green, little girl."

To his apparent satisfaction, Kaguya's fist had been stopped by his bulging, muscle-bound arm.

"Is that so?" Kaguya's smile widened slightly. "If one punch isn't enough, how about a few more?" Retracting her hand, her eyes glinted with a cold light.

For reasons he couldn't quite place, a deep and primal fear suddenly bloomed in Yamori's chest. Memories of the torment he endured in the interrogation room began flooding back, triggering a storm of rage instead of retreat. A surge of adrenaline coursed through him, and his kagune, a red-and-blue scaled tail, burst from his back, morphing into an armored helm that encased his head—his Rinkaku fully unleashed.

Yamori tilted his head back and let out an ear-splitting roar. His voice thundered through the night as he charged forward with explosive force. The ground beneath his feet shattered, and his immense frame broke the sound barrier as he closed the gap in an instant, his massive fist aimed directly at Kaguya.

"Die! Die! Die!"

"One 'die' is enough. Did you really think repeating it would make it come true? You're such a naïve little child. Let me teach you the proper way to say it." Behind her fox mask, Kaguya's lips curved into a mocking smile. In a soft, deadly tone, she said, "Die."

The word had barely left her lips when an overwhelming barrage of translucent fists erupted around her. The strikes roared through the air like a tsunami, hurtling toward Yamori with crushing force.

Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.

"What?!" Yamori's face contorted in sheer disbelief. "This can't—!"

His protest was cut off as the barrage of chakra-infused punches crashed down on him like a meteor shower.

Crack!

A sickening sound echoed as the first punch struck his mask, shattering it like a brittle eggshell. Fragments of the mask flew outward in all directions.

But the assault didn't stop there. The fists continued raining down, relentlessly pummeling Yamori's face.

Boom!

Blood sprayed into the air as Yamori's brutish features twisted grotesquely under the relentless onslaught. His flesh rippled and peeled back in grotesque, slow-motion waves, leaving his face a mangled, unrecognizable mess.

Finally, with a thunderous bang, Yamori's colossal body was sent hurtling through the air like a cannonball. He crashed into a distant wall, leaving behind a massive, human-shaped crater. Spiderweb cracks spread across the surface of the wall as chunks of debris rained down.

Scarlet blood mixed with fragments of white teeth splattered into the air, creating a gruesome mist.

Thud!

Yamori's broken body crumpled to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Dark red blood oozed from his wounds, pooling around him and staining the earth with its foul stench.

"This… This is impossible…" Yamori croaked, struggling to lift his battered head. His eyes fixed on the approaching silver-haired girl, terror twisting his features.

Kaguya walked toward him with the elegance of a predator, her every step deliberate. Reaching his side, she placed her foot on his head and pressed down, grinding it into the ground with a cruel smile.

"I told you, didn't I? To me, you're just a brat playing house. No, you're worse than that—not even as good as a child playing with toys."

She crouched down slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "In my eyes, you're nothing more than an ant. No matter how strong an ant thinks it is, it's still just an ant."

"An… an ant?" Yamori's eyes widened in disbelief. If she'd said this earlier, he would've laughed and torn her apart. But now…

Kaguya straightened and, with one swift motion, delivered a sharp kick.

Boom!

Yamori's massive body was launched like a ragdoll, crashing into a steel pillar with a deafening clang. The impact bent the metal column out of shape.

Splurt!

Yamori coughed up a mouthful of blood, his breaths ragged and labored. His entire body was a patchwork of injuries, inflicted by Kaguya's overwhelming attack. Even his kagune-enhanced durability couldn't withstand such brutal force. He slumped helplessly, his broken form barely clinging to life.

"What a disappointment," Kaguya said with a sigh. "I thought you'd last a bit longer. But it seems even a few hits were too much for you."

"Who… Who are you?" Yamori gasped out, his voice trembling with fear. To him, this silver-haired girl was no longer human—she was a monster, wielding unimaginable power without even revealing a kagune.

"Who am I?" Kaguya tilted her head thoughtfully before replying with a smirk, "Call me Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki…" Yamori muttered, the name unfamiliar and strange. He had never heard of such a person or group before. But there was no time to dwell on it as the silver-haired girl approached him again.

"I warned you—bad tempers get their owners' arms and legs broken," Kaguya said lightly, her voice dripping with mockery. She raised her foot and brought it down with force.

Crunch!

"AAAAARGH!" Yamori's scream tore through the night as pain seared through his body.

"You see? I told you it would break." Behind her fox mask, Kaguya's serene smile radiated a chilling warmth.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!"

Accompanied by a series of sharp, crisp bone-cracking sounds, Yamori let out an agonized scream, his voice hoarse and raw, barely able to hold out. His massive body writhed uncontrollably, desperate to escape the demon who loomed over him. Unfortunately, it was all in vain.

"I think that's enough," Kaguya dusted off her hands, though they were spotless to begin with. "Thank you for helping me feel so much better."

After thoroughly venting her frustrations on this pitiful creature, Kaguya felt her pent-up annoyance dissipate entirely. For that, she decided she wouldn't kill him—for now. After all, wasn't it a shame to destroy such a fun toy?

Yamori, however, was already at death's door. His eyes were glazed, blood seeped from his nose and mouth, and his body was a mangled heap of broken bones. Were it not for the faint shivers occasionally coursing through him, one might have thought he was already dead.

"Maybe I overdid it," Kaguya remarked offhandedly, leaning closer with a tone devoid of any actual remorse. She crouched down, pulling out the pliers she had taken from him earlier, and gave them a casual wave in front of his face. "This thing? I doubt a cripple like you would need it anymore. Let me help you dispose of it."

With a flick of her wrist, Kaguya's fingers clenched.

Crack!

The pliers crumbled into fragments like brittle glass, and as her hand relaxed, the shattered remains clattered to the floor.

Yamori's pupils constricted in terror, his body trembling like a leaf. His wide, bloodshot eyes stared at the silver-haired girl before him, their gaze filled with nothing but raw fear. The sight of the pliers being reduced to scrap so effortlessly robbed him of the will to resist.

Though his fury had vanished, his heart clenched painfully, gripped by an invisible hand as his breaths grew shallow. His dread surged to an unbearable crescendo.

"I had initially planned to kill you," Kaguya said softly, leaning closer. Behind her fox mask, her crystalline eyes gleamed with a cold light that sent shivers down Yamori's spine, like an icy flood pouring over him.

"But then again," she continued, standing upright with a light chuckle, "killing you would feel like such a waste. As weak as you are, you're still not completely useless."

If anyone had dared speak to Yamori this way in the past, they'd have been torn to shreds before finishing their sentence. Yet now, hearing Kaguya's voice, he let out a faint sigh of relief. At least it seemed she wouldn't kill him—yet.

But then her next words made his heart leap into his throat again.

"Still," Kaguya mused, her white fingers tapping the edge of her mask, "keeping you alive doesn't seem all that useful either." Her gaze shifted back to him, her voice calm yet filled with a subtle menace. "You're with Aogiri Tree, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes," Yamori stammered, nodding frantically.

"Good," Kaguya said, the faint edge of a smile audible in her voice. "Here's what I want you to do—take a message to your organization. Tell them to surrender and swear loyalty to me. If they do, I'll consider forgiving their past crimes."

"What?" Yamori's jaw dropped in disbelief. Had he just heard her correctly? No one had ever spoken of Aogiri Tree with such disdain.

Aogiri Tree wasn't some trivial gang. It was a powerful group of ghouls that had once terrorized even the CCG's strongest investigators. Only the intervention of someone like Arima Kishou had managed to push them back. For her to speak so casually about making them submit—it was madness.

In the past, Yamori would've laughed and ripped her to pieces for her arrogance. But hearing it from this fox-masked girl felt… disturbingly natural, as though it were an inevitable fact.

"If they refuse," Kaguya added, crouching down so her words were almost a whisper, "the Akatsuki will personally seek them out… and eliminate every last one of them."

Behind her mask, her crescent-shaped eyes seemed to smile, but Yamori felt no warmth—only an overwhelming chill that made his entire body tremble uncontrollably.

"Do you understand?" Kaguya asked, her voice light yet brimming with quiet menace.

"Y-Yes," Yamori croaked, blood bubbling at the corner of his lips as a violent cough racked his body. A fresh spurt of crimson splattered the ground.

Lucky for him, ghouls were remarkably resilient; otherwise, he'd already be dead. Even so, his recovery felt agonizingly slow, leaving him teetering on the brink of death.

"You look like you won't last much longer," Kaguya said, tapping her mask thoughtfully. "And if the CCG finds you, it'll mess up my plans." Her tone shifted, laced with a hint of annoyance. "Fine, let's fix you up."

Raising her pristine hand, Kaguya splayed her fingers. A faint glow of chakra pulsed from her palm, bathing Yamori's broken form in a warm, soothing light.

As the energy seeped into his body, Yamori braced himself, convinced she was about to end his life. But after a moment, he noticed something unusual—his pain was fading. His shattered bones mended themselves, and the numbness in his limbs began to ebb. Slowly, he found he could move his arms and legs again.

"There. That should do it," Kaguya said nonchalantly. "Now stop lying there like a corpse and get up."

Yamori blinked in disbelief but instinctively obeyed, rising unsteadily to his feet. He glanced down at himself, stunned to find that his injuries were completely healed. Even his fractured bones had been reset perfectly. It was as though his ordeal had never happened.

"This… this is…" Yamori muttered, awe and confusion battling in his mind.

"Quit wasting time and leave," Kaguya snapped, her tone sharp. "And don't forget what I said, you useless fool. If you dare disobey me…" Her voice trailed off ominously as she turned her back on him, her silver hair swaying lightly as she walked toward the building's exit.

Yamori remained frozen in place, his emotions in turmoil. Relief at being alive warred with the icy fear of what he had just experienced. The sheer power this girl had displayed defied everything he knew. She was no ordinary ghoul—she was something far more terrifying.

And yet, as her back disappeared into the distance, a reckless thought crept into his mind. He clenched his fists, debating whether to strike. She had just healed him. Her guard might be down. If he attacked now, maybe, just maybe, he could—

No. Yamori hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead. She was far too strong. If he failed, he'd be dead for sure. Yet the lure of revenge gnawed at him. If he could kill her, it would be a massive victory for Aogiri Tree.

The conflict raged within him, his legs trembling under the weight of indecision.

As he debated, the silver-haired girl had already vanished into the shadows of the night. Yamori finally exhaled, his body slackening with relief. He had chosen not to act. Only now did he realize his clothes were soaked with sweat, his legs nearly giving out beneath him.

Just as he prepared to leave, a faint, chilling voice drifted through the air.

"I thought you'd try something."

Yamori froze mid-step, his blood running cold.

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章節 543: Infiltrating the CCG

The night sky was hazy, dotted with scattered stars.

The evening had already deepened, and after the earlier commotion, the city had grown eerily quiet. The show Kaguya wanted to see didn't happen, and instead, she had wasted a good chunk of time. Now, the entire city felt hollow. The streets were almost deserted, with only a few scattered pedestrians and vehicles passing by. The lively neon lights were the only signs of vitality left in the urban sprawl.

"Recently, there have been multiple incidents of ghoul attacks in the 20th Ward," announced a news report on the large screen in the city square. "The CCG has launched an investigation into what they believe is a single perpetrator responsible for these feeding incidents. We urge all citizens to remain vigilant, especially at night, and avoid going out unnecessarily to reduce the risk of encountering a ghoul."

Kaguya glanced at the large screen, her lips curling into an amused smile. "It seems life here is vibrant and full of surprises," she remarked softly. "Maybe this world will turn out to be more entertaining than I thought. I'm looking forward to it."

Her sharp senses suddenly caught the faint metallic tang of blood wafting through the air from a nearby dark alley.

A seasoned warrior like Kaguya instantly recognized the unmistakable smell—it was human blood, rich and acrid. Clearly, some unfortunate soul had met a grisly end. Yet, she felt no obligation to interfere.

She strolled toward the source of the scent, her curiosity piqued.

As Kaguya entered the dim alleyway, the scent of blood intensified, sharp and nauseating. The sound of ravenous chewing and gulping echoed faintly against the brick walls.

At the alley's far end stood a tall, slender figure, hunched over with their back to her. Wet, guttural chewing noises emanated from the figure as they devoured something on the ground. From Kaguya's perspective, she could only see a pair of slender legs lying limply—a woman, most likely, judging by the black stockings she wore.

The pool of crimson blood on the ground and the overpowering stench left no doubt about what was happening here. This was a ghoul, feeding on a human corpse.

Kaguya didn't feel particularly disturbed by the sight. To her, this was nothing more than nature's way—survival of the fittest. Stronger creatures thrived while the weak perished. It was a natural law, no different from how humans feigned moral outrage while hypocritically slaughtering animals for meat. Even vegetarians consumed plants, another form of life.

Pretending to uphold morality while enforcing one's values onto others was nothing more than a shallow charade in Kaguya's eyes.

"Well, this is none of my concern," Kaguya muttered, shrugging as she turned to leave the alley. She still needed to find a place to sleep tonight. Babysitting random humans—or their predators—wasn't on her agenda.

But it seemed that trouble had a way of finding her.

Just as Kaguya was about to leave, three figures emerged from the alley's entrance, blocking her path.

Although they looked human at first glance, their crimson irises and black sclera revealed their true identities—ghouls.

"Well, well, what a stroke of luck," sneered a lanky young man with his hands stuffed in his pockets. His predatory gaze fixed on Kaguya. But as his eyes swept over her face, he froze for a moment. "She's… beautiful."

"What do you mean, beautiful?" scoffed a burly man with dyed green hair, stepping forward. He followed his companion's gaze and froze briefly before letting out a boisterous laugh. "Well, I'll be damned. Looks like we hit the jackpot tonight. Just look at her—smooth skin, delicate features—bet she'll taste fantastic. And before we eat…"

"Heh, heh, heh," cackled the third ghoul, his face lighting up with a lecherous grin.

"You bunch of fools," came a voice from deeper in the alley. The ghoul who had been feasting earlier stood up, his back still to Kaguya and the newcomers. "Have you never seen a woman before?"

When the man turned around, Kaguya's eyes narrowed in disgust.

The man—if he could still be called that—was a grotesque sight. Though he had short hair and a long face, his overly flamboyant appearance was jarring. He wore oversized sunglasses, bright red lipstick, fake eyelashes, and earrings. His gaudy purple outfit, embroidered with flowers, only added to his revolting aura.

"Nico… Nee-san Nico," one of the ghouls stammered, lowering his head as if in reverence. Clearly, this man held some authority among them.

"So, this is the woman you're talking about?" Nico sneered, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with an exaggerated flourish. "She's yours. Just don't waste her. Save a portion for my dear Jason."

"Understood!" the ghouls replied in unison.

With a theatrical wave, Nico turned and sashayed out of the alley, his hips swaying unnaturally.

Kaguya suppressed the urge to retch. The sight of him was downright revolting.

"Well then, let's dig in," said the lanky ghoul, licking his lips as he and his companions closed in on Kaguya.

"Heh, heh, heh…"

The other two echoed his sinister chuckle, advancing with predatory intent.

"You seem to be unaware of your situation," Kaguya said, her voice soft yet laced with a chilling undertone.

"What did you just say?" barked the burly ghoul, his grin faltering slightly.

"You're nothing but stray dogs barking at the edge of society," Kaguya replied, her serene smile fading into a cold sneer. "If you dare bare your fangs at me, you've forfeited your right to live."

The ghouls froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Did you hear that? She just called us stray dogs!"

"And now she's threatening to kill us? Oh, that's rich!"

"Too funny—I've never—ARGHHH!"

"Stay back! STAY BACK!"

"Help! HELP ME—"

Their mocking voices dissolved into panicked screams and the chaotic shuffle of footsteps. Moments later, the alley fell eerily silent once more.

In the dark and shadowy alley, several bodies lay scattered haphazardly on the ground. Their forms were drenched in blood, limbs torn apart, and flesh mangled. Their lifeless bodies collapsed limply, crimson blood slowly pooling around them, filling the air with a suffocating metallic stench.

"Disgusting, vile bloodsucking parasites. Absolutely revolting," Kaguya muttered disdainfully, flicking the blood off her sword with a swift motion. Her delicate brow furrowed in distaste as she turned and walked deeper into the alley.

Although Kaguya did not see ghouls as inherently evil or deserving of scorn, their actions often left her with a bitter sense of revulsion. At best, they were an annoyance; at worst, they were a blemish.

As she ventured further in, her eyes fell upon the mutilated body of a woman not far ahead. The victim's corpse was horrifyingly disfigured, her once-whole form now little more than a grotesque heap of torn flesh and shattered bones. The exposed parts of her limbs and torso revealed brutal injuries that made it clear she had suffered unimaginable torment before her death.

Among the carnage, something shiny on the ground caught Kaguya's attention. She crouched down, retrieving a small, glossy card.

The card depicted a girl of modest beauty, her delicate features framed by a cascade of flowing, jet-black hair. While not extraordinarily striking, she had a charm about her that was hard to ignore—particularly her waterfall-like tresses, which added an alluring quality.

Of course, her current state was far less appealing.

"Tsukiyomi," Kaguya read aloud, noting the name on the card. "What a graceful name. Shame you're already dead."

Gripping the girl's hair firmly, Kaguya lifted her entire body off the ground with one hand. Despite the limpness of the corpse, faint spasms rippled through her muscles, her fingers twitching slightly.

"Save… me…" The girl's lips parted weakly, releasing a strained and broken voice. Her vocal cords, partially devoured, made her speech sound hollow and wispy, like air escaping from a cracked bellows.

Kaguya tilted her head slightly, a glint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Oh? You're still alive? Impressive. Your body's in tatters, and yet you're still clinging on. You're remarkably tenacious, aren't you?"

"Save… me…" the girl pleaded again, her dull eyes flickering with a faint glimmer of hope.

Kaguya scrutinized the girl's blood-soaked and mangled figure. In the past, she might have called this girl beautiful. But now? Her shredded and disfigured form barely warranted a second glance.

"Well, since you've asked so earnestly," Kaguya said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "I'll grant you your final request."

Her hand darted out like a striking viper, piercing the girl's abdomen with unerring precision.

Splat.

Fresh blood sprayed outward, painting the alley walls in crimson streaks.

"Guh… uh…" The girl's lifeless eyes rolled back, her legs convulsing violently in the air for a moment before her body went completely limp.

"Considering how much pain you were in, I thought I'd do you a favor and end your suffering," Kaguya said nonchalantly, lifting the corpse closer to her face. Her calm voice carried an eerie detachment. "No need to thank me."

She then casually swung her arm, flinging the body aside like a discarded doll. The girl's mangled form arced through the air before landing heavily on the blood-soaked ground. Her lifeless eyes remained wide open, frozen in an expression of disbelief.

"Tsukiyomi, huh?" Kaguya murmured, her fingers toying with the identification card she had found earlier. A faint, enigmatic smile played across her lips—ephemeral and dazzling, like fireworks in the night sky. "Such a lovely name."

A soft glow radiated from her palm, like starlight distilled into a single point.

Mirror Flower, Water Moon – Replica.

Kaguya's appearance began to shift. Her silvery hair darkened to a sleek, raven black, cascading over her shoulders like a midnight waterfall. Her striking features softened and morphed until they mirrored the girl's. Even her stature and build adjusted subtly, her clothing changing into the uniform of a CCG investigator.

If anyone had been present, they might have been astonished to find that the silver-haired girl had vanished, replaced by an exact replica of the fallen investigator, Tsukiyomi.

"Not bad," Kaguya remarked, inspecting her new form with satisfaction. She adjusted her uniform, her movements graceful. From head to toe, there wasn't a single detail out of place.

Turning to the lifeless body on the ground, she gave it a mock salute. "Thank you so much for your cooperation. Don't worry—I'll avenge you."

With a snap of her fingers, black flames erupted from the corpse, devouring it entirely. The flames blazed fiercely, reducing the body to nothingness. Not even ashes remained—such was the power of Amaterasu.

Unbeknownst to Kaguya, a pair of terrified eyes had been watching her every move from the shadows. The onlooker—a ghoul who had survived the earlier massacre by feigning death—trembled uncontrollably, their heart pounding wildly in their chest.

What they had just witnessed was nothing short of monstrous.

Unable to tear their gaze away from the black-haired girl's figure, the ghoul's mind raced with a single, horrifying thought: What the hell is this creature?

Sweat poured down their face as they cowered silently in the corner. They dared not breathe too loudly, lest they draw her attention.

For what felt like an eternity, the alley remained deathly quiet. The oppressive silence hung heavy in the air, amplifying the tension.

Finally, the ghoul mustered the courage to crawl away, desperate to escape this nightmare. But just as they turned to flee, a cold, sharp sensation pierced their neck.

Splat.

Blood gushed into the air as their severed head flew upward in an arc, landing with a sickening thud. The headless body staggered briefly before collapsing to the ground, pooling blood staining the pavement.

Kaguya lowered her hand, flicking away the blood that had splattered on her palm. Her gaze swept over the head lying at her feet, its face frozen in terror. "Foolish," she said, her tone dripping with contempt. "Did you really think your pitiful little tricks could deceive me?"

The air in the alley remained thick with the scent of blood as Kaguya walked toward the fallen girl's belongings. Among the scattered items, she found a small phone and picked it up.

Flipping through the phone's contents, Kaguya scrolled until her eyes landed on a contact labeled "G." Her lips curled into a smirk as she pressed the call button.

On the large screen of the CCG headquarters building, a news broadcast rolled continuously, featuring reports primarily about the recent string of ghoul-related incidents. Many of these reports focused on various ghoul attacks, with special emphasis on certain districts and the rising casualties among civilians and investigators. The grim updates underscored the challenges faced by CCG personnel in their ongoing battle against the ghoul menace.

Kaguya scanned her surroundings, her eyes taking in the sterile yet imposing atmosphere of the facility. This was indeed the kind of bastion one would expect from an organization tasked with combating ghouls on a national scale. The high ceilings, pristine corridors, and meticulous security gave it an air of unyielding vigilance.

Just as Kaguya had anticipated, her infiltration into the CCG had gone smoothly. Using her new identity as Tsukiyomi—a recently deceased investigator—she had successfully bypassed scrutiny. The current state of chaos in the 11th Ward, where the investigators were overwhelmed by the relentless attacks of Aogiri Tree, worked to her advantage. The investigators stationed in other districts were too preoccupied to investigate discrepancies.

And with the situation in the 11th Ward spiraling out of control, Kaguya knew it was only a matter of time before all personnel there were wiped out by Aogiri Tree. Once that happened, there would be no witnesses to contest her cover story. After all, the real Tsukiyomi was long gone, and the dead never complained.

"Relax during the meeting," said a middle-aged man walking beside her, his voice calm and reassuring. "Just think of it as a routine briefing. There's no need to be nervous."

"Thank you, Special Class Shinohara," Kaguya replied with a polite smile, her expression as poised as ever.

The man next to her was Kōsuke Shinohara, one of the CCG's seven Special Class Investigators and the commanding officer overseeing operations in the 20th Ward. Shinohara was known for his bravery and leadership, often leading his team into the fray himself. Unfortunately, his boldness came at a cost; during his fight against the One-Eyed Owl, he was critically injured, losing his right leg and suffering severe abdominal wounds that left him comatose.

As she followed Shinohara into the conference room, Kaguya noted the immediate attention her presence garnered. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the room, the investigators exchanging glances as they speculated about her identity.

"That must be Investigator Tsukiyomi," someone muttered.

"She's incredible! I heard she single-handedly took down eight ghouls!"

"Really? I also heard she's a fresh graduate from the academy. It's hard to believe, isn't it?"

"She came from the 11th Ward, didn't she?"

"Wait, what? Isn't the 11th Ward completely overrun by ghouls? How did she even survive?"

"It's true! That makes her even more amazing."

Ignoring the murmurs, Kaguya took her seat with a faint, confident smile, her demeanor exuding composure.

"Let's begin today's meeting," announced a tall, gaunt man with neatly parted hair who had just entered the room.

Kaguya recognized him immediately. His distinctive hairstyle and sharp features were hard to forget. This was Kiyoko Marude, another Special Class Investigator. Though his combat skills weren't particularly outstanding, his exceptional strategic mind and leadership abilities had earned him a prominent position within the CCG.

The meeting itself was straightforward, devoid of unnecessary preamble. It focused on the current state of the ghoul threat, recent developments in the 20th Ward, and updates from other districts. When it came time for Kaguya to report on the situation in the 11th Ward, she presented her carefully fabricated narrative, ensuring there were no gaps or inconsistencies that could raise suspicion.

What surprised her, however, was that no mention was made of assigning her a partner. Typically, CCG investigators were paired up to maximize efficiency in the field and to provide mutual support in case of unexpected ghoul attacks. After all, the nature of their work often involved high levels of danger, especially when facing hostile ghouls or ambushes.

As the meeting concluded, Shinohara approached Kaguya with a kind smile. "How are you feeling? Was everything alright? If there's anything you need clarified, don't hesitate to ask me."

"Thank you, Special Class Shinohara," Kaguya replied warmly. Despite her aloofness toward most people, she found herself slightly appreciative of Shinohara's genuinely kind and approachable demeanor.

"Oh, I nearly forgot!" Shinohara said, turning back toward her as if something had just come to mind. "Given your recent accomplishments against the ghouls, you've been granted a special item."

"A Quinque?" Kaguya's expression remained neutral, but her curiosity was piqued.

A Quinque was a weapon forged from the kagune of a defeated ghoul. They were highly effective against ghouls, capable of inflicting fatal damage even on stronger adversaries. While Kaguya didn't need a Quinque for her purposes, she couldn't deny her interest in the craftsmanship and design.

"It's a small reward for your outstanding performance," Shinohara explained, gesturing for her to follow.

He led her to the CCG's research and development laboratory, where the Quinques were forged and stored. As they stepped inside, Kaguya immediately noticed the room's other occupant.

A hunched figure with stark white hair stood by the workbench, his back to the entrance. Though his posture was stooped, there was a distinct sharpness to his presence that made him instantly recognizable.

Kaguya's gaze lingered briefly before she smirked slightly.

"Kureo Mado… or rather, the infamous Mad Mado," she murmured to herself, her interest further piqued.

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40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

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