Kagune as lush as bird feathers enveloped his entire body, and his original height of just over a meter suddenly increased to more than two meters.
If Hiro hadn't personally witnessed the transformation process, he would never have been able to connect the masked little guy from before with the giant in front of him.
"No scent of demons, angels, fallen angels, gods, or vampires. Young man, what exactly are you?"
A distorted voice, as if altered by a voice changer, came from within the "One-Eyed Owl" in the distance and was received by Hiro's ears.
Even from this far away, you can smell my scent.
As expected of you, Yoshimura Eto, but... when have you ever smelled the scent of demons, angels, or fallen angels? And why didn't the angels purify you on the spot when they saw you?
"Although I am indeed quite strong, just as you smelled, I am indeed a human, a pureblood human."
Separated by a distance of ten meters or so, Hiro spread his hands innocently, a hint of helplessness in his tone:
"Asuna and I were just passing by and didn't intend to disturb your meal."
As he said these words, his eyes weren't looking at Yoshimura Eto's kakuja form but were focused on her core body, on the silver-white "5" above it.
Although he was very envious, Hiro also understood that with his current abilities, relying solely on Intrinsic Time Control and Finger Gun, he didn't have the strength to directly defeat Yoshimura Eto, the "One-Eyed Owl," let alone last for tens of minutes or even hours...
After all, his two fingers were only so long.
Even if they could penetrate her defense, how much damage could they do?
Perhaps he wouldn't even be able to touch Yoshimura Eto's real body hidden inside.
"Human? Let's just say so." Judging from her tone, Yoshimura Eto obviously didn't believe Hiro's words.
"Young man, judging from your expression, you don't seem to have any hostility towards ghouls, these man-eating monsters. Is that my imagination?"
"Your feeling is correct. I indeed don't have much hostility towards ghouls. Of course, this is on the condition that they, well... or rather, you don't court death and don't harm the people around me."
Seeing that Yoshimura Eto, who had transformed into the "One-Eyed Owl," didn't seem to have any intention of attacking, Hiro raised an eyebrow slightly, turned around, and wanted to leave the alley to reunite with Asuna, who had already walked far away.
"Is that so..."
Watching Hiro turn and leave, Yoshimura Eto muttered softly to herself.
After thinking for a moment, she didn't attack but used her two kagune to form arms and picked up the "food" beside her feet.
However, thinking of the "original Asuna," Hiro suddenly realized something, stopped in his tracks, and looked back at the large figure picking up the corpse, seemingly intending to pack up the "food" and take it home to continue enjoying.
"Oh, right, why did you want to capture Asuna alive just now, and even specifically requested 'no injuries' from this small fry?" Hiro kicked the already stiff corpse of the male ghoul with his left foot and asked curiously.
If she only regarded Asuna as food, Yoshimura Eto wouldn't have needed to emphasize the detail of "no injuries," unless she herself had a habit of "live food"...
But according to the image in Hiro's memory, Yoshimura Eto didn't seem to be a ghoul with such a nasty habit.
"That girl... it's nothing special, I just didn't want to hurt Mikan's older sister."
After hearing the reason given by Yoshimura Eto, the corner of Hiro's mouth twitched violently.
Mikan? Yuuki? Yuuki Mikan? After Sword Art Online, High School DxD, Tokyo Ghoul, We Never Learn, and My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, are you throwing in a Love Ru world too?
Are you kidding me?!
Moreover, judging from the homeroom teacher's surname, Kyoudo, there might even be a possibility of "Guilty Crown" getting mixed in.
My mom is a young, busty, blonde housewife whose maiden name was "Takasu," and her name is "Yasuko." It seems, probably, should still be another work getting mixed in...
"If you want to find me, go to the Anteiku coffee shop in the 20th ward of Tokyo and look for the manager. At that time, we can have a good chat about various topics related to ghouls~~"
The coffee shop in the 20th ward, looking for your dad, huh?
"I understand. If I have time, I'll go see you with Asuna, Yoshimura."
Waving his hand somewhat helplessly, Hiro lifted his feet again, completely ignoring Yoshimura Eto's reaction...
Yoshimura?! Does he know me? Or did he recognize me? No, no, no, let's not consider when I might have met him.
I was wearing a mask just now.
How could he recognize me just by my eyes and body shape?
The pupils of Yoshimura Eto, whose entire body was enveloped in his ukaku, suddenly contracted, and his heart was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
His two kagune arms unconsciously used excessive force.
Clatter~
It wasn't until the sound of something falling to the ground rang out that she snapped out of her thoughts.
"Ah~ In this state, I don't have the appetite to swallow."
Looking at the indistinguishable mass at her feet, Yoshimura Eto muttered to herself.
Glancing at the corpse of the ghoul in the distance, she threw the mangled remains in her right hand to the side, picked up the yellow-haired ghoul's corpse in a few steps, and disappeared into the secluded alley..."Yes, yes, yes, I have another classmate..."
When Hiro reached Asuna's side, he happened to hear these words and quickly leaned down to add:
"Escaped together."
??!!
Asuna's body stiffened for a moment, then she suddenly turned around.
Seeing Hiro's unharmed figure, her eyes instantly turned red, and she was about to burst into tears.
"Hello? Hello? Did your classmate escape together? Or what happened? Was that your classmate's voice just now? Hello, hello..."
Looking at the surprised and joyful expression on the girl's face, Hiro raised his right index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture, and pointed to the still-ringing phone in her hand.
"Ah, yes, that was my classmate. He's fine now and doesn't seem to be hurt."
With a slight sob in her voice, Asuna answered the CCG personnel's inquiry on the other end of the phone...
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Every 250 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter