less than thirty minutes.
That was all the time it took for the SSS-rated Owl to infiltrate and overrun the 2nd Ward's CCG branch.
Even with Associate Special-Class Investigator Kimura personally leading an elite squad of investigators, they had been completely unable to withstand the Owl's overwhelming assault.
At this moment, Yoshimura Kuzen had successfully forced his way into the deepest section of the 2nd Ward's CCG headquarters.
This signified one thing; The branch had officially fallen.
The facility housed numerous classified documents, but Yoshimura had no interest in them.
He already knew far more than whatever secrets were stored in these files.
His true objective was to seize control of the 2nd Ward's CCG headquarters and cause as much of a spectacle as possible.
The greater the uproar, the more it would divert V and the Washuu Clan's attention onto himself.
However, waves of investigators continued arriving to reinforce the branch, most of whom were lower-ranked.
Yoshimura Kuzen had no intention of proactively harming them.
Instead, he waited for them to strike first before incapacitating them.
He would only defeat them, never kill any.
Having lived to an old age, Yoshimura no longer wished to take any more lives, whether human or ghoul.
Half an hour earlier.
The moment the Owl appeared at the 2nd Ward's CCG branch, the 1st Ward's headquarters and several other branches immediately received distress signals.
The CCG's headquarters swiftly assembled a response team.
Among them, one name was specifically highlighted: Uchiha Byakuya.
Since he had previously repelled the One-Eyed Owl, he was naturally considered the best candidate for this mission.
At that moment, in the middle of class, Byakuya's phone suddenly rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, he saw that it was from the 13th Ward's CCG branch.
Without hesitation, he rose from his seat and said to the teacher, "Apologies, I have to leave, it's an urgent matter."
Without waiting for approval, he walked straight out of the classroom.
If the CCG was contacting him at a time like this, it could only mean something significant had happened, most likely related to the Owl.
Given the current timeline, it was just about time for Yoshimura Kuzen's attack on the 2nd Ward's CCG branch.
As expected, when he answered the call, the voice on the other end urgently reported that the One-Eyed Owl had once again launched an assault on the 2nd Ward's CCG headquarters.
Byakuya immediately understood; This time, the Owl was none other than Yoshimura Kuzen himself, disguised as his daughter Eto.
"Investigator Uchiha, headquarters has requested you to provide reinforcements for the 2nd Ward. You and Investigator Arima should head there together."
"Investigator Arima is still responsible for monitoring Lantern. I'll handle this alone."
Byakuya had no intention of bringing Arima along.
He had already resolved to take the position of V's next 'Reaper', while Arima had no desire for it; There was no need to drag him into this.
"That's fine. In that case, please proceed to the 2nd Ward immediately."
The other party showed no objection.
After all, aside from a select few within the CCG's upper ranks, no one truly understood Arima's full capabilities.
To most, he was merely a promising Second-Class Investigator, not someone to prioritize for such a high-risk mission.
Ending the call, Byakuya wasted no time and immediately departed for the 2nd Ward.
Meanwhile, the CCG had deployed additional reinforcements.
A response unit was being led by Associate Special-Class Investigator Mado Kasuka, accompanied by Mado Kureo and Shinohara Yukinori.
The team consisted entirely of First-Class Investigators and above, assembling from various CCG branches.
The emergency response team, composed entirely of First-Class Investigators and above, departed from various CCG branches.
As for Special-Class Investigators, it just so happened that all of them were occupied with critical missions and could not be deployed to the 2nd Ward immediately.
Ever since Kuroiwa Iwao had been killed by the One-Eyed Owl, the already small number of Special-Class Investigators had been further reduced, leaving the CCG perpetually short-handed.
Thus, the real objective of this makeshift support team was not to defeat the One-Eyed Owl outright, but rather to hold the line until the Special-Class Investigators could arrive.
They also pinned their hopes on Uchiha Byakuya. If he could once again repel the Owl as he had the last time, then that would be the ideal outcome.
By the time Byakuya arrived at the 2nd Ward and joined the support team, the Owl had already been attacking the CCG headquarters for over thirty minutes.
"First-Class Uchiha, we're relying on you again this time."
Mado Kasuka spoke with a trace of guilt in her voice.
Among everyone present in the support squad, Uchiha Byakuya was the youngest yet he was undoubtedly their greatest hope, even Associate Special-Class Investigator Mado herself thought so.
"It's fine; This is my duty."
Byakuya responded calmly, scanning the composition of the squad.
Among the familiar faces, he saw Mado Kasuka, Mado Kureo, and Shinohara Yukinori.
Shinohara Yukinori, who would later become one of the CCG's seven Special-Class Investigators, was known as Unyielding Shinohara.
However, at this point in time, he was still young and appeared to be of similar rank to Byakuya-most likely a First-Class Investigator.
Moreover, he was currently Kureo Mado's superior and partner.
"So this is the famed First-Class Investigator Uchiha, the one who single-handedly repelled the One-Eyed Owl? He's so young!"
"And to think he was only a Second-Class Investigator back then! Who would have thought someone of that rank could stand against an SSS-rated Owl?"
"A true genius! But wait… is he still in school? His uniform…"
"No, First-Class Investigator Uchiha is currently undercover for the Lantern investigation. That mission requires him to attend school."
"..."
Many investigators in the squad were quietly discussing Byakuya as they observed him.
At that moment, Mado Kasuka interrupted their chatter.
"That's enough. This is not the time for idle talk. When we face the Owl later, one mistake could mean death."
Her voice was grave, immediately sobering the investigators.
"Yes, ma'am!"
They all straightened up, realizing the gravity of the situation.
After all, this was their first time encountering an SSS-rated ghoul, and for some, it might also be their last.
"Have you all prepared your wills? Leave them in the main hall before we move out. The Owl is located in the innermost sector."
Mado Kasuka reminded them before the operation commenced.
This mission was extremely perilous-on par with a large-scale extermination campaign.
Even multiple S-rated or SS-rated ghouls could not compare to the danger posed by the single SSS-rated One-Eyed Owl.
Therefore, leaving behind their last words was a standard procedure before such operations.
However, due to the urgency of the situation, they had no time to send their wills back to their respective branches.
Instead, they would be temporarily stored at the 2nd Ward's CCG office for later retrieval.
Byakuya had nearly forgotten about this process. Without much thought, he requested a piece of paper and a pen, quickly scribbling out his will.
[The publishing process is proceeding smoothly. Sensei, please focus on writing without worries.] -To Takatsuki Sen.
Of course, this was just something he had hastily written on the spot, almost without thinking.
With all preparations complete-
Byakuya stepped to the front of the formation.
He was, without question, the strongest combatant in the squad.
Leading the support team, he advanced toward the One-Eyed Owl-or rather, toward the Non-Killing Owl!