A faint smile finally appeared on Yoshitoki Washuu's face. He stood and walked to the window. "This is precisely the time when we most need intelligence."
"Regarding the kakuja who defeated Shinohara and Kuroiwa," Marude Itsuki also rose, his tone shifting into analytical calm, "I believe it is highly likely to be the 'Slaughter' that briefly appeared in the 12th Ward before."
"Can you confirm it?" Yoshitoki Washuu turned back to look at him.
"Not completely certain, but the probability is extremely high." Marude stepped to his side. "'Slaughter' appeared in the 12th Ward for a very short time and then vanished without a trace.
We compared the traces at that scene with the attack marks left by the unknown kakuja that appeared in Cochlea this time and found multiple matching characteristics."
He paused, his voice growing heavier. "Therefore, there is ample reason to suspect that the two are the same ghoul."
As Marude's words fell, the office sank into silence.
Yoshitoki Washuu's long, defined fingers tapped unconsciously against the smooth desktop, producing dull knocking sounds.
After a long silence, Marude almost wondered whether the Bureau Chief had drifted off or simply did not believe his judgment.
Just as he was about to add something more, Yoshitoki Washuu's tapping hand suddenly stopped.
He turned and walked to the desk, pulling open the mahogany drawer on the right, its surface worn smooth with age.
His hand paused slightly inside, as if searching for something. Then he took out a list.
He placed the list gently on the desk, pressed it with two fingers, and pushed it toward Marude across from him.
Marude stepped forward instinctively and reached out to take it. His eyes swept rapidly over the page.
Names he either knew or did not know were listed one by one, each followed by detailed ranks and assigned units.
Marude's brow furrowed slightly. He looked up, confusion in his tone, his voice unconsciously rising a little. "This is...?"
Yoshitoki Washuu leaned back into the wide chair. "This is the core member roster of the 'Owl' subjugation force that I personally selected."
After a brief pause he continued, "Later, you will notify the people on the list. Headquarters Conference Room One. Assemble on time."
...
CCG Headquarters, top-floor strategic conference room.
The atmosphere was almost tangible with killing intent. The circular chamber, capable of holding a hundred people, was filled to capacity. Rows of white investigator coats formed a silent tide.
Everyone present was headquarters elite. Several Associate Special Class investigators were also among them. It was a lavish lineup rarely seen in recent years.
At the head seat, Yoshitoki Washuu in a pure white suit was like a pillar stabilizing the sea.
On his left and right, Marude Itsuki, Special Class Kuroiwa Iwao, Special Class Shinohara Yukinori, Special Class Mougan Tanakamaru and others sat upright in sequence like a row of blades about to be drawn.
A pin-drop silence filled the entire room. Only heavy breathing rose and fell. All eyes were fixed on the main seat.
Yoshitoki Washuu rose slowly, bracing both hands on the table as his sharp gaze swept across every face in the room.
"Those gathered here today," his voice steady yet carrying unquestionable authority, "are all members of the 'Owl' subjugation force personally selected by me."
He paused deliberately, letting the weight of the words sink into each person.
"From this moment, you will be detached from your original units and become my direct command!"
"The rampancy of Aogiri Tree, the threat of the 'Owl,' and... the unknown kakuja designated 'Slaughter,' capable of easily defeating Special Class investigators."
His voice rose sharply here, laced with cold killing intent. "Their crimes are already proven. Once their stronghold is located, we have only one mission."
The entire hall held its breath.
Yoshitoki Washuu enunciated each word, carving the objective into every ear.
"Launch an annihilation operation!"
"Understand clearly. Our targets in this hunt are: the 'Owl,' 'Slaughter,' and the entire 'Aogiri Tree'!"
————
At this time, in the café, Hiro was quietly observing every movement of Roma Hoito, but he did not notice that this scrutiny had already fallen into Koma Enji's eyes.
Koma leaned closer and nudged Hiro lightly with his elbow.
Lowering his voice, he teased, "What is it, Hiro? So interested in the new girl?"
Hiro could not help laughing. New girl? This one was an "old monster" older than most people present.
He shook his head and brushed it off casually. "No way. Just a bit curious."
Irimi Kaya, who had been wiping glasses, rarely joined the conversation. Her cool voice carried a hint of teasing. "I have heard that curiosity is often the first step to liking someone."
"Oh, spare me," Hiro waved both hands quickly. "That kind of 'blessing' is not something I could handle."
Koma and Irimi exchanged a smile, both assuming he was wary of Kamishiro Rize getting jealous.
After all, everyone in Anteiku knew he and the purple-haired beauty were close.
Hiro drained the remaining coffee in his cup and stood, straightening his collar.
He planned to go back first and discuss properly with Rize about going to Aogiri Tree.
That "Clown" hidden behind a smiling mask could wait until he finished the important matters.
Hiro tightened his collar and pushed the door open. A gloomy winter wind rushed at him.
He exhaled a cloud of white breath at the entrance and looked up at the lead-gray sky. At this rate, it would probably snow soon.
When he returned home and pushed the door open, warmth immediately enveloped him.
Completely different from the cold outside, the indoor heating was turned up high.
Kamishiro Rize was already awake, wearing only a dark-purple silk nightdress, curled lazily on the sofa watching TV.
She sipped cola in small mouthfuls, her slender fingers tapping the cup wall absentmindedly.
"You are back." Hearing the door, she did not even turn her head, only greeting lazily.
Hiro walked over and sat beside her, naturally reaching out to pull her into his arms.
Rize leaned obediently against his chest, carrying a faint post-bath fragrance.
He took the cola from her hand and gulped down a large mouthful. The icy stimulation made him sigh in satisfaction.
In this life, what could be more pleasant than holding soft warmth in his arms, watching TV leisurely and drinking cola, without having to struggle for a living?
Just as he relaxed, Rize poked his chest with a fingertip. "Hiro, when are you going to replace this table?"
She pointed at the coffee table in front of them, split into two halves and barely propped up with cardboard boxes. "It crushed the cardboard underneath again just now. I had to find another one to wedge under it."
Hiro glanced at the weather-beaten table. That had been his "masterpiece" from accidentally splitting it while practicing.
He rubbed Rize's hair and replied readily, "We will replace it. We will pick a new one tomorrow."