"To eliminate the Ghoul Restaurant, we need to capture the financiers behind them—the Madam Organization."
Akira analyzed. "This group seems to be ghoul high society. Their position in the ghoul world is like aristocracy in human society. Director, do you have any leads on the Madams?"
"Mm, the Madam Organization is led by the SS-rated ghoul 'Big Madam.' The Ghoul Restaurant and Ghoul Auctions are deeply connected to this organization. Once we take them down, the Restaurant and Auctions will easily collapse."
Byakuya replied. "Though I've been close to Aogiri Tree, I've had virtually no contact with the Madams."
"Really? I assumed you'd know them."
Akira's tone was neutral.
But she distinctly emphasized the word "them"—clearly with deeper meaning.
"What's with that emphasis on 'them'...? I feel like my image in your eyes has completely collapsed..."
Byakuya felt somewhat helpless.
"Nothing—I just assumed the Director had extensive connections in the ghoul world, given how close you are with the Non-Killing Owl and the One-Eyed Owl."
Akira's tone remained perfectly calm.
"Speaking of which, when you have time, would you like to visit Anteiku?"
Byakuya suddenly remembered that Akira had never had coffee there.
If this were Kureo Mado, knowing how much Mado-san detested ghouls, Byakuya would never make such an invitation—it would seem disrespectful.
But Akira was somewhat more reasonable than her father regarding ghouls, so he felt comfortable inviting her.
"Of course, if you'd feel uncomfortable, just tell me. I definitely won't force you."
Byakuya quickly added.
"No, I don't feel uncomfortable."
Akira shook her head. "Anteiku... that's the café the Non-Killing Owl runs, right? I think visiting would be fine."
"Good. Let's see about timing after we finish dealing with the Madam Organization."
Byakuya smiled.
"Mm."
Akira nodded, then immediately switched to business mode. "Regarding the Ghoul Auction, we've already gathered considerable intelligence. The next one will most likely be held in five days. The specific location is..."
CCG had always placed high priority on the Ghoul Restaurant and Ghoul Auctions, never ceasing their investigations.
"Good. We have five days to prepare."
Byakuya said. "Though before that, there are some other matters to handle..."
...
Today, some Aogiri Tree members arrived at CCG headquarters.
Since cooperation had officially begun, they needed to get acquainted first.
Though they'd been longtime enemies, Aogiri Tree members had always worn masks. At minimum, they needed to know each other's real faces to avoid friendly fire.
The members who came held relatively high positions within Aogiri Tree—including Tatara, Noro, and Ayato Kirishima.
Leading them was Eto Yoshimura.
On the CCG side, all Special Class Investigators still in Ward 1 had gathered.
Arima, Marude, and Houji.
Though the situation between Houji and Tatara was extremely awkward, that was precisely why they needed to meet face-to-face.
"Houji..."
The moment Tatara laid eyes on Houji, his gaze turned ice-cold.
If Byakuya, Arima, and Eto weren't present, he'd have attacked Houji without hesitation.
But all three were here. No matter what, he could only force himself to endure.
"..."
Houji remained expressionless and silent, a bead of cold sweat forming on his brow.
"Investigator Houji, please bring out Chi She."
Byakuya spoke up.
Hearing "Chi She," Tatara's expression shifted slightly. He knew that was the Quinque made from his brother after his death.
"Yes."
Houji's face showed no surprise—he calmly produced the case containing the SS-rated Quinque "Chi She." Apparently, Byakuya had arranged this with him beforehand.
Byakuya took Chi She from Houji, then handed it to Tatara.
"Tatara-san, I know how important this is to you. Consider this a gesture of goodwill from me and the CCG."
Byakuya wore a slight smile.
He might as well have said please give me face.
"..."
Tatara fell silent.
He hadn't expected Byakuya to do this—simply to ease the hatred between him and Houji.
With Byakuya's power, he could easily suppress Tatara by force. Yet he hadn't...
Having gone this far, Tatara couldn't refuse without giving face.
Though partly due to Byakuya's intimidating presence, at least Tatara had been given a significant way to step down gracefully.
Tatara extended both hands to receive the Quinque case from Byakuya. Using both hands signified both his respect for Byakuya and his acceptance of this gesture.
Seeing this, Houji breathed a small sigh of relief. Now Tatara probably wouldn't insist on fighting him to the death.
He wasn't afraid of Tatara—he simply didn't want his personal issues with Tatara to jeopardize the CCG-Aogiri Tree cooperation.
"Oh, and Takizawa? Come out too."
Byakuya then called out Takizawa's name.
"Yes, sir!"
Takizawa Seidou emerged from the crowd of investigators behind them, looking quite stiff. His steps seemed unnatural.
Whether from nervousness at the crowd or fear of ghouls like Tatara—after all, during the Owl Suppression Operation, Tatara had left him with considerable psychological trauma. He'd wet himself back then.
Takizawa was also carrying a case.
He didn't dare hand it directly to Tatara, so he gave it to Byakuya first.
Byakuya once again passed it to Tatara. "This is Douhi. I know he was also your brother. They're both returned to you now—this is all I can do."
As CCG Bureau Director, Byakuya's sincerity couldn't have been more apparent.
Not demanding compliance as Aogiri Tree's One-Eyed King.
This wasn't just for Tatara—it was to show all of Aogiri Tree his sincerity.
The message was clear: even as CCG's Bureau Director, he wouldn't treat Aogiri Tree members differently.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
"Thank you..."
With both Chi She and Douhi now in his hands, Tatara couldn't help but thank Byakuya.
Because without Byakuya's help, even if he'd fought CCG to the death, he might never have recovered his brothers' remains.
[Ding! Host has eased the feud between Houji Kousuke and Tatara. Reward: 100 Fusion Points!]
...
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