"Don't just stand there, sit."
Arima cast a calm glance at him, gesturing toward the chair.
Hayashi nodded, walked forward, and sat down.
Though Arima's tone was light, almost casual, Hayashi could feel an intangible pressure filling the room.
Until now, the only person capable of making him feel that way was none other than the White Reaper of the CCG.
"Headquarters has issued a mission. You're to head to the 11th Ward."
Arima spoke evenly, pulling a file from his desk and handing it over.
"The 11th Ward?"
Hayashi accepted it, lowered his gaze, and skimmed through.
It detailed an organization called Aogiri Tree, which had recently been slaughtering investigators across the 11th Ward. The impact was severe, drawing the highest level of attention from headquarters.
"This organization is larger than anything we've seen before — by far the most powerful to date."
Arima crossed his hands on the desk, his voice unwavering.
"In only a few days, nearly the entire 11th Ward branch has been wiped out. Only a handful of investigators managed to escape."
Hayashi nodded, his expression calm and steady.
"You don't look surprised."
Arima's indifferent eyes flickered with the faintest trace of interest.
"I expected this outcome, so I was mentally prepared."
Hayashi nodded again, speaking the truth.
After all, this was just following the plot of the anime.
Soon, Aogiri Tree would expand its influence into the surrounding wards, leading to an inevitable war against the CCG.
Since investigators in the 11th had already been almost completely annihilated, their expansion and the coming conflict were only a matter of time.
"The 11th Ward branch has been destroyed. Headquarters has lost control of the area."
"That's why the decision was made: send several strong investigators there, gather intelligence, and recover anything of value from the ruins of the branch."
"Originally, this mission would have fallen to me. But due to certain developments, I can't leave headquarters."
"So, I recommended someone else…"
Arima paused, his sharp gaze falling on Hayashi.
"And that person is you, Hayashi."
He recommended me?
Hayashi blinked.
He had already guessed headquarters would send a couple of strong investigators to the 11th, and he figured he might be chosen — after all, he'd been in the spotlight recently.
But the fact that Arima himself had recommended him? That he hadn't expected.
As the CCG's strongest, there weren't many investigators Arima deemed worthy.
"I heard from Marude about your achievements."
"For example, single-handedly eliminating a S-rated ghoul, and wiping out the large-scale ghoul organization known as the Ghoul Restaurant on your own."
"At your age, such accomplishments already put you at the top among investigators."
After finishing, Arima gave a faint nod.
Though his tone was as calm as water, coming from him, this was already high praise.
Nearly every investigator in the CCG admired him, striving endlessly for even a word of recognition. Few had ever received it.
"The moment you stepped into this room, I knew you could handle this mission."
Arima glanced at a pen on the desk, crushed to fragments without Hayashi even realizing.
"You're strong. Far stronger than I imagined."
"So… will you accept?"
Arima lifted his eyes, regarding him coolly.
"Since it's headquarters' order, of course I won't refuse."
Hayashi shrugged, casual and unbothered.
"Good. You're free to assemble your own team. Bring whoever you deem fit."
Arima tapped lightly on the desk, showing no surprise at the answer.
"Of course, I'll also assign someone to accompany you."
As his words fell, the door to the office opened.
"Arima, is it finally my turn to make an entrance?"
The voice behind him was gentle yet lazy and playful.
Hayashi froze, instinctively turning his head.
The moment he did, his eyes landed on a breathtaking face.
A young girl—stunningly beautiful, to the point of stealing breath.
Her short pink hair swayed lightly, dazzling and impossible to look away from.
Within the CCG, there was only one beauty like this…
Hayashi swallowed hard, his lips moving before he could stop himself.
"Hairu Ihei?"