But… it could also be that ghoul girl, Uruka Minami.
Eto felt like she couldn't completely rule out the possibility.
After all, Byakuya seemed to care quite a bit about that ghoul girl.
Thinking about it, Eto found herself even more curious; she would definitely have to pay that girl a visit sooner or later.
"You really are quite bold with your words, you damn lolicon…"
Eto teased.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"…I wasn't complimenting you."
Eto said, exasperated.
"By the way, did you know my real identity all along?"
She suddenly asked.
She wasn't completely certain yet, but she strongly suspected that this damn bastard had already known she was the One-Eyed Owl from the start.
Thinking back to his reaction, it had been a little strange; when he saw that she was the One-Eyed Owl, he hadn't shown even a hint of surprise.
At that point in time, she thought it was because he simply didn't care about her…
But looking back, something about it felt off.
"Yeah," Byakuya admitted.
"When I first heard Takatsuki-sensei's surname, 'Yoshimura,' I got suspicious, and when I saw the One-Eyed Owl in the 24th Ward, I was pretty much certain. Even though your face was hidden, your body shape gave it away."
While he admitted to knowing, his explanation was reasonable enough not to expose his identity as a transmigrator.
"So you were just pretending this whole time, playing along like some kind of fake game of house?"
Eto asked, her voice laced with amusement.
"Well, I did enjoy it."
Byakuya replied bluntly.
Eto's expression froze for a moment, but before she could react further, he added,
"I enjoyed Takatsuki-sensei's writing, so no, it wasn't some kind of 'game of house.'"
"…"
Eto's face darkened immediately.
This damn lolicon, why didn't he just finish his sentence in one go?!
She had almost misinterpreted it again.
"Alright, let's get going. It's time for me to return, but you, dear Lolicon-san, should also come to the 24th Ward; Aogiri Tree needs to welcome its new One-Eyed Lolicon King~"
Eto's voice was filled with mischief.
She was clearly having fun teasing Byakuya.
"Just don't actually start calling me that…"
Byakuya sighed in resignation.
One-Eyed King had a pretty cool ring to it, but adding "Lolicon" in the middle of it? That was just perverted.
"Alright then, Lolicon King. Or how about One-Eyed Lolicon~"
Eto continued to mock him, thoroughly enjoying herself.
However, seeing through her intentions, Byakuya simply stopped caring.
If he reacted, that meant she won.
Eto, realizing that her teasing had reached its limit, eventually returned to a more serious demeanor.
Shortly after, the two of them set off for the 24th Ward.
24th Ward, Underground Maze.
Aogiri Tree was preparing to gradually expand its influence in the 24th Ward, defeating rival organizations, absorbing ghouls who were willing to join, and steadily growing in power.
However, Eto had yet to give the official order, as she still lacked the necessary funds.
For now, Aogiri Tree's entire force, just a few dozen ghouls, had established a base in one of the more concealed areas deep within the 24th Ward.
Although Eto was absent for the time being, Aogiri Tree was still relatively safe in the 24th Ward, thanks to its two remaining lieutenants, 'Tatara' and 'Noro,' who were second only to Eto in strength.
Tatara, in particular, was a rare full-fledged kakuja rather than an incomplete half-kakuja.
Most half-kakujas were ranked SS, and by that logic, a complete kakuja should at least be rated SSS-.
However, since Tatara had rarely been seen killing in Japan, the CCG hadn't classified him as a greater threat.
After all, their ranking system was based on the danger level a ghoul posed, not strictly on the raw power of one.
As for how he was later one-shot by the half-kakuja Brain Jam King… Well, that was clearly just plot armor at work.
At best, one could argue that he had been severely weakened after a prolonged battle with the CCG, allowing Takizawa Seidou to finish him off.
Byakuya and Eto took a taxi to the 23rd Ward and then entered the underground maze leading to the 24th Ward.
Although Eto could've carried Byakuya at high speed in her kakuja form or even flown, her current circumstances no longer allowed her to expose herself so recklessly in the CCG's or V's line of sight.
"What do you think of this look? Feels fresh, doesn't it? These bandages cost me quite a bit, you know."
Eto asked with amusement.
She was now sporting a different outfit, completely wrapped in white bandages from head to toe, with a loose, oversized cloak draped over her.
Interestingly, the tight wrapping of the bandages made her figure appear even smaller than usual.
Normally, her loose clothing would hide her petite frame a bit more.
"You look even cuter now."
Byakuya took a moment to consider before stating his honest thoughts.
Eto clicked her tongue and scoffed, "All you ever say is cute, cute, cute. And you still claim you're not a lolicon?"
"I really am not."
Byakuya replied casually.
He figured Eto didn't realize that even ten years later, she would still have the same small stature.
Whether now or in the future, she would always be adorable, so his preference had nothing to do with being a lolicon.
Byakuya and Eto strolled through the chaotic, dangerous 24th Ward as if they were taking a casual walk home, chatting and joking along the way.
Since his A-rank quinques, Tsukikage and Fūrei, were on the verge of breaking down, he had left them at home, planning to take them to the CCG's research lab for repairs the next day.
If they completely broke beyond repair, he wouldn't be able to salvage them at all.
As expected, in a place like the 24th Ward, essentially a ghoul hive, it didn't take long before they ran into hostile ghouls blocking their path.
"Oh? A human actually wandered down here. But that little bandaged one looks a bit odd."
"Who cares? Whether human or ghoul, it's all just food to me!"
"Yeah, it's been a while since I last got to cannibalize; my kagune is starting to degenerate."
"…"
A handful of ghouls stood in their way, seemingly part of a small gang.
In the 24th Ward, even ghouls had to constantly be on guard as many hunted their own kind to strengthen themselves through cannibalism.
From beneath her bandages, Eto let out a delighted laugh.
"Seems like we've got some poor fools who don't know their place… Leave them to me, My King~."
...
(Original Author's note: At this point in the original story, Eto wasn't actually covering herself in white bandages; yet she interacted with Aogiri Tree's members using her real face. But for convenience's sake, let's not overthink it. The original manga had inconsistencies too, like how early Aogiri members knew Eto was the One-Eyed Owl, but by the time of the main story, only Tatara seemed to remember. Maybe because all the old members died off?)