"In conclusion…"
Yukinori Shinohara's voice echoed across the strategic meeting room of the Commission of Counter Ghoul headquarters.
"I believe the café Anteiku in the 20th Ward is highly likely a ghoul hideout."
He paused briefly.
"And the ghoul known as Massacre may also be hiding there."
A holographic projection illuminated the dark room.
Displayed upon it were:
Surveillance photos of AnteikuA map of ghoul activity within the 20th WardCase analysis linking the Aoba Alley incident with the Cochlea prison incident
"That concludes my report."
Shinohara lowered the remote.
"This matter is extremely urgent."
"I recommend that we launch an operation against Anteiku immediately."
Silence settled over the room.
Seven Special Class Investigators sat around the circular table.
Each wore a different expression.
The tension was palpable.
"That's not how procedures work, Shinohara."
One investigator finally spoke.
Removing his glasses—
He rubbed his temples in frustration.
"The rumors you heard are not evidence."
"The Aoba Alley police report."
"The Rc cell scan results."
"That novelist's offhand remark."
"All of it is speculation."
"We cannot mobilize large forces based on 'intuition.'"
"But what if his intuition is correct?"
Another investigator interrupted sharply.
"If Anteiku truly is a ghoul gathering place—"
"Or worse…"
"If Massacre is hiding there…"
"Then that café is a ticking time bomb."
His voice hardened.
"We cannot allow an SSS-rated ghoul to roam freely through the city."
"For the safety of civilians—"
"He must be exterminated."
"And if we're wrong?"
The first investigator countered.
"Then we've wasted enormous manpower."
"Recently intelligence confirmed the existence of two Owls."
"That is the real priority."
"For decades the CCG has hunted the legendary ghoul known as the One-Eyed Owl."
"And now we're diverting resources based on speculation?"
"Should we simply ignore the massacre at Cochlea then?"
The argument intensified rapidly.
"Please calm down."
A calm voice suddenly intervened.
Koori Ui raised his hand.
"While Investigator Shinohara's report lacks direct proof…"
"The abnormalities in the 20th Ward cannot be ignored."
"Instead of arguing—"
"Let's hear other opinions."
Across the table—
A female investigator turned her gaze toward the far end.
"What about Special Class Investigator Arima?"
Instantly—
Every eye turned.
At the man sitting quietly in the corner.
Kishou Arima.
The CCG's strongest investigator.
The man known as the White Reaper.
Arima sat perfectly straight.
His eyes closed.
As if the surrounding argument had nothing to do with him.
When addressed—
He slowly opened his eyes.
Behind the lenses of his glasses—
A faint light flickered.
"I will follow the decision of the Special Class meeting."
As always—
His response was brief.
Emotionless.
No one could determine his true thoughts.
At the head of the table—
Director Yoshitoki Washuu felt a headache forming.
Half the investigators supported Shinohara.
Half opposed him.
And Arima remained neutral.
The meeting had reached a deadlock.
Just as Washuu prepared to speak—
Ring—
A telephone suddenly rang.
The sharp sound pierced the tense silence.
Washuu glanced at the caller ID.
His expression changed instantly.
He answered the call quietly.
Speaking in a low voice.
The others could not hear the conversation.
But they could see his brows slowly furrow.
His expression grew increasingly grim.
The call ended.
Washuu slowly placed the receiver down.
His gaze swept across the room.
His expression was more serious than before.
"New intelligence has just arrived."
He said slowly.
"It has been confirmed…"
"One of the two Owls—"
"…the Non-Killing Owl…"
"…is hiding inside Anteiku."
The words detonated like thunder.
Everyone froze.
Chairs scraped loudly.
Documents slipped from hands.
Even Arima Kishou's pupils contracted slightly.
Washuu continued.
"I hereby declare—"
"From this moment forward…"
"The CCG's highest priority mission…"
"…is the extermination of the Non-Killing Owl."
He paused.
"Operation codename—"
"Owl Extermination Operation."
"I will personally command it."
None of the investigators knew—
The call Washuu had received was not from a field agent.
It came from V Organization.
Their leader had delivered the order directly.
Since Kuzen Yoshimura refused to surrender Eto Yoshimura—
They had decided to eliminate the former "Cleaner."
Before he could become a threat.
"If Shinohara's guess is correct…"
Ui spoke slowly.
"Then Massacre may also be hiding in Anteiku."
Another investigator added grimly:
"And don't forget…"
"The ghoul called Corpse Collector was taken from Cochlea by him."
The atmosphere instantly turned heavy.
Everyone understood the implications.
If the rumors were true—
The CCG might soon face:
The Non-Killing OwlThe ghoul known as MassacreAnd possibly the Corpse Collector
Three powerful ghouls.
Inside one café.
Tanaka leaned back silently.
The previous arguments had vanished.
The scale of the situation had changed completely.
"Meeting adjourned."
Washuu finally announced.
The investigators rose one by one.
Leaving the room.
Shinohara remained behind.
He stood quietly before the projection screen.
The warm image of Anteiku still glowed upon it.
A peaceful café.
Golden sunlight.
Friendly smiles.
And behind the counter—
The calm young man named Ren Kiryu.
Shinohara stared at the image.
A faint unease creeping into his heart.
As a veteran investigator—
His instincts had rarely failed him.
He turned toward the window.
Outside—
Dark clouds had gathered over the 20th Ward.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Like the sky itself was about to collapse.
"…Is it going to rain?"
He murmured quietly.
Suddenly—
He remembered the thin, exhausted face of Kureo Mado in the hospital.
Exterminating the Owl…
Had always been Mado's lifelong wish.
And now—
That wish was finally about to become reality.
But the cost…
Might be far greater than anyone imagined.
"I hope we're wrong, Mado…"
Shinohara whispered.
"But if we're right…"
"The CCG will eliminate Massacre."
"…Along with the Owl."
He clenched his fist.
Turned.
And walked out of the meeting room.
Outside—
The first raindrop struck the window.
Then the second.
Then the third.
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