Aside from the original executives, there were now two more among their ranks. Rize's foster father, the SS-rated Kamishiro Matasaka, and Yamori's subordinate, the S-rated Naki.
This lineup could truly be called powerful and well-armed.
Within the group, the mountain-like Kamishiro Matasaka locked his sharp gaze instantly onto Rize, who was leaning against Hiro.
His low and forceful voice broke the silence.
"Rize."
That single call immediately drew the attention of every ghoul from Aogiri Tree present.
Curious and probing gazes turned toward Rize. This was the woman the organization had once ordered captured, though for unknown reasons the higher-ups later rescinded that order.
Rize looked up when she heard him, but merely curled her lips dismissively.
She looked exactly like a willful, rebellious girl, with no intention of responding.
Seeing this, Yoshimura Eto seemed to smile faintly beneath her bandages and spoke at the right moment.
"It seems Miss Rize and Mr. Kamishiro have some family matters to discuss. Hiro, perhaps we should first..."
Before she could finish, a furious roar exploded like thunder.
"Ah? You are Hiro?"
The blond Naki's eyes were blood-red as he glared at Hiro, trembling with rage. "You are the one who killed Yamori-bro. I will kill you and avenge him!"
Almost at the same moment as his roar, Naki burst forward. His koukaku erupted instantly from his shoulder blade, slicing through the air with a sharp tearing sound, thrusting straight toward Hiro's face.
The strike was lightning fast and ferocious, causing several nearby ghouls to cry out instinctively.
Hiro did not even move his feet. He simply cast a casual sideways glance.
At the instant the koukaku was about to touch his skin, his figure spun like a phantom, and a clean, decisive roundhouse kick tore through the air.
Crack.
The sickening sound of bone shattering rang clearly.
The kick struck Naki's jaw with perfect precision. The massive force sent his entire body flying off the ground.
Boom.
Like a kite with its string cut, Naki slammed into a distant load-bearing pillar. The impact was so violent that his body embedded deeply into the concrete.
Chunks of debris fell. His eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness completely.
His jaw was utterly pulverized. Blood mixed with shattered teeth streamed from the twisted corner of his mouth.
The entire plaza fell into instant silence.
Nearly every ghoul was shocked. They had not expected Hiro to be this strong.
They knew Naki was not weak within the organization and had S-rated strength, yet this seemingly easygoing man had defeated him instantly without even using his kagune, relying purely on physical combat.
Yoshimura Eto and Tatara showed no change in expression, clearly having anticipated this outcome.
Kirishima Ayato clicked his tongue impatiently and turned his head away.
Kamishiro Matasaka's scrutinizing gaze, however, grew deeper.
From earlier, he had already noticed that Rize had been holding tightly onto Hiro's arm. That intimate, dependent posture was something he had never seen from this foster daughter before.
What unsettled him even more was that the Rize before him was completely different from the mad and dangerous "Binge Eater" in his memory. That nearly docile obedience felt unfamiliar.
Kamishiro Matasaka's thick brows furrowed slightly as he thought to himself that he would have to properly ask Rize what exactly her relationship with this unfathomably powerful Hiro was.
Yoshimura Eto seemed entirely unconcerned with the flash of conflict that had just occurred.
As if Naki being kicked into a pillar was merely background decoration, she continued speaking lightly to Hiro.
"Hiro, do not let this small interruption spoil the mood. How about it? Care to have a cup of coffee and sit down for a proper talk?"
Hiro did not answer immediately. He first turned to look at Rize beside him.
He noticed the slight tension in her expression due to Kamishiro Matasaka's presence. Reaching out, he gently pinched her soft yet slightly awkward cheek with his knuckles.
Then he leaned down, warm breath brushing against her sensitive ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Go on. Have a good talk with my 'father-in-law.' You cannot avoid him forever, right?"
Rize shot him an annoyed yet charming glare, but her tense body relaxed quietly.
She gave a soft huff in response and finally stepped forward toward her tall, imposing foster father, Kamishiro Matasaka, whose gaze was complicated.
After sending Rize off, Hiro turned back to Yoshimura Eto, the corner of his lips curving lazily.
"Lead the way."
Heh heh.
Yoshimura Eto let out her signature playful laugh and turned to personally guide him.
She brought Hiro to a small reception room beside the plaza.
The room was not large, but it was arranged cleanly and neatly, in sharp contrast to the rugged underground base outside. It was clearly used for receiving important guests.
By the time they arrived, Tatara had already waved away the other curious executives and members.
When Hiro and Eto entered, only the two of them and Tatara, who followed shortly after, remained inside. The previous noise was completely cut off.
They had just taken their seats when a knock sounded at the door.
A lower-ranked ghoul member entered quietly with a tray, efficiently placing three steaming cups of richly aromatic coffee on the table before them.
He then bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door behind him. The entire process was silent, displaying Aogiri Tree's strict discipline.
Hiro unhurriedly picked up his coffee and took a light sip.
The rich bitterness intertwined with a subtle aftertaste on his tongue. He set the cup down and directed his calm gaze toward Eto, who sat across from him, and Tatara, who stood like a statue.
"So," he said, a trace of understanding in his voice, "you invited me here specifically to talk about what? Or is it the same matter as last time. You want me to join Aogiri Tree?"
Yoshimura Eto's face was unreadable beneath the bandages, but her voice carried persistent curiosity.
"Hiro, I have always been curious. Why are you so resistant to joining us?"
Hiro did not answer at once.
The room fell into brief silence. Only the steam from the coffee curled in the air.
His slender fingers unconsciously traced the warm surface of the cup.
After a moment, he suddenly lifted his eyes. His sharp gaze pierced straight at Eto as he asked a shocking question.
"You..." He paused, his tone calm. "Do you want me to become that 'King'?"
"...You?" Eto was truly shocked. This plan had never been told to outsiders. Hiro should not possibly know.
For the first time, her voice wavered noticeably, even carrying a hint of sharp disbelief.
"You even know that?"