Mado Kureo's obsession with Quinques manifested in many ways; not only did he love researching them, but he also placed great importance on their strength.
In his opinion, a B-Rated Quinque was no longer a good match for Uchiha Byakuya's skill level.
And honestly, he wasn't wrong. However, without a higher investigator rank, obtaining a more advanced Quinque was difficult; unless one personally exterminated a high-ranking ghoul.
For example, Byakuya was currently a Second-Class Investigator, but if he were to take down an S-Rated Ghoul, the CCG would recover its Kagune and convert it into an S-Rated Quinque exclusively for him.
"I appreciate your concern, Mado-senpai, but I'm honestly not too worried about this," Byakuya replied.
"How can you not care? A Quinque is everything to an investigator… but I suppose I shouldn't impose my views on you."
Despite his obsession with Quinques, Kureo wasn't the type to force his beliefs onto others.
After a short break, Marude Itsuki gave the order to move forward.
Having just secured a decisive victory in battle, the team's morale had improved significantly. Some investigators even started conversing in hushed tones.
"That last fight was close, but with Associate Special-Class Mado here, things feel completely different."
"Yeah. I mean, she's as strong as a Special-Class Investigator. As long as we don't run into the One-Eyed Owl, we should be fine."
"Oi! Don't jinx it! If that thing actually shows up, we're screwed!"
"Relax. The One-Eyed Owl was just heavily injured by Iwao Kuroiwa and a squad of investigators, right? It should be laying low for a while."
Hearing them mention the One-Eyed Owl, Byakuya's mouth twitched slightly.
He knew they were absolutely about to run into it soon. These guys really had the worst possible timing to run their mouths.
The squad continued to advance through the labyrinth of the 24th Ward.
Thanks to intelligence gathered from previous CCG expeditions, Marude had a precise route to follow, preventing them from getting lost too early.
However, the deeper they ventured, the harder the operation became. Information about the inner areas of the labyrinth was practically nonexistent.
"Up ahead is F124, but we'll need to push even further in," Marude warned the team.
None of them yet realized just how severe the situation was.
Except for Byakuya.
He knew exactly what F124 meant.
Because this was where the One-Eyed Owl would appear.
Sure enough; moments later, Byakuya's premonition came true.
A lone figure emerged ahead.
Shrouded in a long black cloak, their face was completely concealed.
From their back, several Kagune tendrils had already begun to emerge, though they had not yet entered their Kakuja state.
They were still holding back.
"That… that thing… is that the One-Eyed Owl?!"
Someone in the squad finally recognized the figure.
It was no surprise-the One-Eyed Owl had attacked the 2nd Ward's CCG Branch twice, and its image had long been circulated in official CCG reports and bounty notices.
A heavy sense of suffocation fell over the entire squad.
Cold sweat dripped from their tense faces.
They were standing before the SSS-Rated Ghoul, the One-Eyed Owl.
A ghoul so terrifying that it had nearly wiped out the entire 2nd Ward CCG Branch single-handedly.
They were up against an SSS-rated ghoul.
And not just any; the One-Eyed Owl.
Even Marude Itsuki, who had always prided himself on his composure, couldn't remain calm. His face darkened, already debating whether to order an immediate retreat.
Meanwhile, Mado Kasuka stepped forward, positioning herself at the very front of the squad.
She understood one thing very clearly-aside from Marude, she was the only one here who could put up a fight against the One-Eyed Owl.
"Special-Class Marude, order the team to retreat, now!"
Her voice was firm, commanding.
If they didn't get out immediately, the entire team would be slaughtered.
Marude hesitated for only a moment before making his decision.
"Change of plans; full retreat!"
"No! Kasuka!"
Mado Kureo immediately realized what was happening. His eyes widened in horror, and he rushed forward to stop her.
It was obvious; Kasuka intended to stay behind and hold off the One-Eyed Owl alone while the rest of them escaped.
This was her decision.
And even though Marude hated it, he knew there was no other choice.
"Kureo! GO! If you stay here, none of us will make it!"
Marude grabbed Kureo and forcefully dragged him away, ensuring he was pulled along with the retreating squad.
He knew the truth; anyone left behind would die.
And Kasuka was the only one who might be able to buy them some time.
"Let me go!!"
Kureo struggled violently, desperate to break free.
There was no way he would stand by and watch his wife face the One-Eyed Owl alone.
"…Kureo."
Kasuka turned her head slightly, offering him a gentle smile.
"Didn't we agree? When we're on duty, you're supposed to call me Associate Special-Class Investigator Mado."
Kureo froze for a brief second, just one second.
And in that moment of hesitation, Marude and the others had already dragged him away.
The squad was too focused on restraining him to notice a certain individual lingering in the shadows.
That individual was Uchiha Byakuya.
He had deliberately positioned himself at the back, staying out of sight.
That way, no one would notice him staying behind.
Kasuka's attention remained entirely locked on the One-Eyed Owl, so she, too, failed to notice Byakuya.
However, The One-Eyed Owl did.
Kasuka was not the one the Owl was looking at.
The true target of those blood-red Kakugan; Was Byakuya.
From the moment their eyes met, Yoshimura Eto had abandoned all thoughts of attacking the retreating investigators.
Because among them… was a familiar figure.
Uchiha Byakuya.
At first, she had been about to attack.
Then she saw him and for a split second, she hesitated.
That single moment of hesitation was enough.
In the original timeline, several investigators had already been slaughtered by this point.
But because of Byakuya's presence, they had lived.
Kasuka noticed the Owl's strange reaction.
She followed its gaze and saw Byakuya standing behind her.
"Second-Class Byakuya!"
Her voice was sharp with urgency.
"Why haven't you evacuated?!"
"Because…"
Byakuya stepped forward calmly.
"I choose to fight alongside you, Associate Special-Class Mado."
Kasuka's eyes widened in shock.
"Don't be ridiculous! You need to get out of here right now!"
Her focus remained on the Owl, but her words were directed at Byakuya.
There was no time to explain anything.
If he stayed here any longer, he was as good as dead.
But Byakuya didn't move.
Because he had come for one reason only.
To save Mado Kasuka.
At that moment; The One-Eyed Owl moved.
Its speed was terrifying; far beyond what the human eye could track.
And its target was Kasuka.