At the CCG, there's a "Partner System", where higher-ranking investigators are paired with lower-ranking investigators-essentially a mentor-apprentice relationship, or more simply, a senior guiding a junior in the field.
The higher-ranking investigators include:
First-Class Investigator
Associate Special-Class Investigator
Special-Class Investigator
The lower-ranking investigators include:
Third-Class Investigator
Second-Class Investigator
First-Class Investigator
As for Assistant Investigators, they're essentially interns and aren't included in this system.
Now that Uchiha Byakuya had been promoted to First-Class, and Arima Kishou was still a Second-Class, they were now eligible to be assigned as partners.
Previously, Byakuya had no partner because he had only recently joined CCG and hadn't been assigned one yet.
Additionally, he never took the initiative to request a partner, so he had been operating solo up until now.
However, unbeknownst to him, Washuu Tsuneyoshi and Kaiko had already decided his partner in secret; None other than Arima Kishou, the man who would one day be known as "The Undefeated Ghoul Investigator" and "The White Reaper".
At this moment, Mado Kureo was insisting on taking Byakuya to CCG's Experimental Facility to request a higher-grade quinque.
Since his B-rank quinque, "Erik," had been destroyed, Byakuya had no reason to refuse.
Now, the two had arrived at CCG's Experimental Facility.
Despite bearing the CCG name, this facility was actually a subsidiary of the German Ghoul Research Organization, GFG.
Its primary functions included:
Developing quinques-the specialized weapons used against ghouls
Conducting ghoul-related research
Advancing RC cell studies
In other words, every single quinque used by CCG investigators was manufactured here.
Currently, Byakuya and Mado Kureo were in discussion with one of the facility's researchers.
"First-Class Mado, this request is a bit difficult to approve."
The researcher frowned and explained,
"Even though Investigator Uchiha has been promoted to First-Class, S-rank quinques are typically reserved for Associate Special-Class and above."
"Not to mention, S-rank quinques are extremely scarce-nearly all existing ones are already assigned to investigators. Additionally, the materials needed for them-the kagune and kakuhou-are provided by the investigators themselves."
"I see... If it really can't be approved, then that's unfortunate..."
Mado Kureo sighed in mild disappointment.
The researcher had already made it clear-there was no way to force an exception.
"It's fine."
Byakuya remained unbothered.
He never particularly cared about quinques-as long as it wasn't just another B-rank, he was fine with it.
After all, he was a First-Class Investigator now-surely they could at least issue him an A-rank quinque?
"Given Investigator Uchiha's current clearance, the highest we can provide is an A-rank quinque."
The researcher paused before adding,
"However, given his recent outstanding achievements, I can make an exception and issue him two A-rank quinques instead of just one."
"It's only fair-he's more than earned it."
"Much appreciated."
Byakuya nodded in gratitude.
Having two A-rank quinques was actually a great deal.
"Then, First-Class Investigator Uchiha, please follow me. However, First-Class Investigator Mado, I'll have to ask you to wait here."
The researcher's request was clear-Mado Kureo wasn't allowed to witness the quinque selection process.
"Understood."
Mado Kureo was well aware of this regulation, so he waited outside instead of accompanying Byakuya.
The researcher then led Uchiha Byakuya to the quinque selection room.
"You can make specific requests, what kind of A-rank quinque would you prefer?"
"A katana-type and a longsword-type."
Byakuya answered without hesitation.
While he was more proficient with katana-style weapons, he wanted to broaden his adaptability by wielding different weapon types.
"Alright, no problem."
The researcher left for a moment, then returned with two quinques.
"These are 'Tsukikage' (Moonshadow) and 'Fūrei' (Wind Spirit)-both are A-rank. See if they meet your expectations."
Byakuya examined them.
Tsukikage - A katana-type quinque with a dark, obsidian-black blade.
Fūrei - A longsword-type quinque with a shining silver-white blade.
Both fit his aesthetic preferences perfectly.
"They'll do."
Byakuya nodded in approval.
"Alright, I'll register these under Investigator Uchiha's name."
When Byakuya exited the lab, Mado Kureo immediately noticed the two new quinque cases in his hands.
As they were about to leave the facility together, they ran into Mado Kasuka at the entrance.
"Investigator Mado."
Byakuya and Kureo greeted her in unison.
"Investigator Uchiha, Investigator Mado."
Kasuka acknowledged them with a nod.
Her gaze immediately fell on the quinque cases in Byakuya's hands.
"Are those the new quinques you just received?"
"Yes. Thanks to Mado-senpai, I was able to get two A-rank quinques."
Byakuya replied.
"I see… By the way, would you like to stop by our house for a bit? It's nearby."
Kasuka suddenly invited him.
She had come to drop off her damaged quinque for repairs-it would take time to fix, so she only needed to hand it over and leave.
"That's right! We haven't properly thanked you for saving Kasuka's life."
Kureo added.
"Alright."
Byakuya agreed.
Ten minutes later
Byakuya arrived at the Mado residence along with Kureo and Kasuka.
It was a detached house, much more spacious than a typical apartment-a sign of the financial stability of CCG Investigators.
"Excuse me for intruding."
Byakuya politely changed into indoor slippers before stepping inside.
Just then, a young girl with pale blonde hair came running toward them.
"Papa! Mama!"
This was Mado Akira, the daughter of Mado Kureo and Mado Kasuka.
She had her mother's hair color, her father's sharp eyes, and her mother's delicate facial features.
The moment she spotted the unfamiliar Byakuya, her expression tensed with wariness, her gaze sharp and intense-just like her father's.
At least Kureo's current expression wasn't as unsettling as in the original, in the original timeline, his stare was downright chilling.