13th Ward, Seishin Academy.
"You've become the 'Cleaner'?"
Standing near the rooftop railing, Arima Kishou turned to look at Uchiha Byakuya and asked in his usual emotionless tone.
"Yeah, Kaiko ordered me to establish 'Squad Zero.'"
Byakuya replied casually, continuing, "I already made you the vice-captain, sorry for not asking your opinion first."
"It's fine, even if you had asked, I wouldn't have had the right to refuse."
Arima's expression remained blank.
To him, the fact that Byakuya had taken his place as the "Cleaner" was already a tremendous favor.
"Kaiko has given me orders, the organization that led the previous attacks on the CCG, the one the 'One-Eyed Owl' commanded, its base has been discovered."
Byakuya informed Arima of their next objective.
"Our mission is to exterminate them."
"Then let's go."
Arima didn't hesitate for even a second.
He immediately prepared to move out.
2nd Ward, CCG Branch.
Returning to the recently devastated 2nd Ward's CCG branch, Uchiha Byakuya and Arima Kishou found the place still undergoing emergency repairs.
But despite the damage, the investigators were already back to work.
The Zero Squad had been officially established within the CCG system, though for now, it consisted of only two members.
Uchiha Byakuya and Arima Kishou.
And as per CCG protocol, the squad would operate under the CCG's name.
Arima donned his signature white battle attire, while Byakuya remained in his black trench coat.
"Chief!"
The moment they entered the branch, the 2nd Ward investigators stood at attention, greeting Byakuya with utmost respect.
At this point, he was already the youngest branch chief and the youngest Associate Special-Class Investigator in the CCG's history.
Even among veteran investigators, his prestige surpassed some Special-Class Investigators.
After all; Everyone believed that his promotion to a fully-fledged Special-Class was only a matter of time.
Especially after his legendary feat, severing the arms of the 'One-Eyed Owl' and forcing it to retreat.
The last time the CCG drove back an SSS-rated ghoul was years ago, when then-CCG Director Yoshitoki Washuu personally led the capture of the "Dodgy Mother."
So not a single person had any complaints about Byakuya becoming the branch chief of the 2nd Ward.
Uchiha Byakuya simply nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his attention to preparing for the operation.
His SSS-rated Quinque, "Owl," was still undergoing production.
So for now, he had to rely on his nearly broken A-rated Quinques, Tsukikage and Fūrei.
Since this was an extremely high-risk extermination mission, both he and Arima were required to submit their last wills before departure.
Byakuya casually scribbled down his will.
As usual, it was addressed, [To: Takatsuki Sen]
Meanwhile, Arima, who had always submitted blank wills had this time actually written something.
Byakuya didn't peek at Arima's will, but he could already guess who it was for.
It was most likely addressed to Uruka Minami.
After all, in the original timeline, Arima never had anyone to write to; Until now that is.
Aogiri Tree's Hideout.
In a crumbling, abandoned building, the members of Aogiri Tree had gathered.
Though small in number, the group huddled together, giving off a somewhat desolate atmosphere.
At this stage, Aogiri Tree had only a few dozen members.
Eto had yet to expand its ranks significantly.
For now, she was only recruiting strong ghouls and even the weakest were A-rated or higher.
The reason Aogiri Tree had yet to expand was simple; Eto just didn't have enough funds.
Meanwhile, several ghoul members were discussing the recent attack on the CCG.
"This is so weird… The 'One-Eyed Owl' attacked the CCG last time, right?"
"But Eto was with us the whole time!"
One of them questioned in confusion.
"Yeah, no idea."
Another ghoul nodded in agreement.
"It must've been someone impersonating Eto, but how the hell did they manage to replicate her kagune so perfectly?"
"Hey, do you guys think it might've been a relative of Eto's…?"
A different ghoul voiced his suspicion.
But before he could continue speculating, another immediately hushed him.
"Oi! Watch what you say, Eto already told us she doesn't have any family."
The ghoul who spoke quickly shut his mouth, fearing he might accidentally anger Eto.
But in his heart, he still felt that the only explanation for such a high similarity in kagune would be a direct blood relation.
Of course, in front of Aogiri Tree's members, Eto only used the name 'Eto'.
She never mentioned her surname to avoid exposing her true identity.
After all, the name 'Yoshimura' was highly infamous among ghouls; A reputation forged through blood and slaughter.
However, in human society, she had the advantage of being a natural-born half-ghoul.
Since she could perfectly blend in, she had no reason to hide her name when dealing with humans.
It was why she revealed it when signing her publishing contract with Uchiha Byakuya.
Yet at this moment, Eto ignored their conversation.
Her mind was occupied with a different matter.
Her father, Yoshimura Kuzen.
However, all of a sudden; A ghoul on lookout duty rushed in, panicked.
"Bad news! Two 'Doves' are approaching!"
"What?!"
"How the hell did the Doves find us?! Did someone leak our location?!"
"Get ready to fight! We can't let them leave here alive!"
The Aogiri tree ghouls tensed up, their expressions grim and serious.
Even Eto immediately pushed aside her thoughts about her father.
She pulled up the hood of her black cloak, concealing her face, and prepared for battle.
She had no idea how their hideout had been exposed but one thing was certain:
After dealing with these two Doves, she needed to relocate Aogiri Tree as soon as possible.
"I should've moved the organization to the 24th Ward sooner."
She had already delayed her relocation plans too much.
First because of her dealings with that lolicon investigator over her novel and then because she ran into him in the 24th Ward.
Both incidents had interfered with her schedule.
"Damn it… It's all that bastard's fault!"
She cursed Uchiha Byakuya in her head.
But just as she was mentally blaming him, the door suddenly swung open and in walked Uchiha Byakuya and Arima Kishou.
For a moment, Eto froze.
She had just been thinking about him, and now he appeared out of nowhere.
"What the hell is this timing…?"
The Aogiri tree ghouls immediately prepared to attack; Rushing forward to slaughter the intruders.
Yet before they could even move, a voice stopped them cold.
"Stand down!"
Eto shouted abruptly.
The ghouls hesitated, confused.
They turned to look at her, uncertain why she was stopping them.
But even though they didn't understand, none of them dared to disobey.
"Everyone, fall back."
Eto repeated the order, altering her voice slightly, using a different tone than the one she normally used when disguised as a human.
That way, Byakuya wouldn't recognize her.
She knew that these ghouls stood no chance against Uchiha Byakuya.
If they rushed in recklessly, it would only be suicide.
"Tatara, take them and leave."
Eto turned toward the white-haired man wearing a red mask, one of Aogiri Tree's strategists.
It was worth mentioning; Tatara was actually a ghoul from China, not Japan.
"...Understood."
Tatara hesitated for a brief moment, but in the end, he obeyed.
He immediately began leading the other ghouls in retreat.
And just as they were leaving, Eto activated her kakuja transformation.
Her entire body became enveloped in her kagune, assuming her full, owl-like kakuja form.
Without hesitation; She launched herself at Uchiha Byakuya and Arima Kishou, initiating the battle.