Although using "Dual Kamui" to perform a spatial transfer would cause Byakuya's Mangekyō Sharingan to appear;
The transfer itself lasted only for a brief moment, his Mangekyō immediately reverted back to black irises, making it almost impossible for anyone to notice the change.
Arima Kishou and the members of the Inaba Squad were also positioned behind him.
The moment Byakuya gave the command, "Commence the operation," they all launched their attack.
The ghouls lurking in the shadows realized they could no longer remain hidden and rushed out to attack Byakuya and the others.
However, the strongest among them was only an S-rated ghoul, and this ghoul just so happened to be the one directly facing Byakuya.
This particular ghoul wore a clown-themed mask, the signature of the Clowns organization.
Byakuya immediately retrieved his A-rated quinques, "Tsukikage" and "Fūrei", from his briefcase.
"Die, Dove!"
The unlucky ghoul unleashed a vibrant green rinkaku, aiming straight for Byakuya's head.
However, the latter's Mangekyō Sharingan had already foreseen the attack.
His body arched backward, bending to the point where he was nearly parallel to the ground, narrowly avoiding the rinkaku.
In the same instant, he counterattacked, thrusting Fūrei upward, piercing through the ghoul's abdomen.
His blade precisely punctured the ghoul's rinkaku kagune, striking its kakuhou, rendering the ghoul unable to regenerate or use any more kagune attacks for the time being.
"What?!"
The ghoul was shocked by the sudden pain surging through his abdomen; stunned at Byakuya's terrifying speed.
He couldn't comprehend how this human had not only dodged his attack so effortlessly but had also simultaneously executed a counterattack he never saw coming.
His wound was severe, though not fatal.
If he had been an SSS-rated ghoul, such an injury would have regenerated in seconds though the kakuhou damage would still take longer to recover.
Though as he was only an S-rated ghoul, he would need much more time and his kagune recovery was completely out of the question.
Naturally, Byakuya wasn't about to give him that time.
With swift precision, he plunged Tsukikage into the ghoul's left arm and Fūrei into his right arm, pinning him to the ground.
"AAAAAGGGHHH!!"
The ghoul screamed in agony.
Despite their enhanced physiology, ghouls still felt pain just as intensely as humans.
"Call your leader over."
Byakuya spoke in a calm, indifferent tone.
He wasn't in a hurry; he would simply wait here for Uta to arrive.
[Ding! Host has defeated an S-rated ghoul, reward: 15 Attribute Points!]
Since his opponent had lost all ability to resist, the system automatically confirmed the victory.
Meanwhile, Arima swiftly finished off his own opponents.
A few A-rated ghouls were no match for him; even with nothing but a B-rated quinque, he effortlessly incapacitated them.
However, he did not kill them; instead, he destroyed their kakuhou, ensuring they could no longer fight.
After all, Arima never particularly enjoyed killing.
As for the Inaba Squad, their battle wasn't as smooth.
Due to their lack of real combat experience, they already struggled against B-rated ghouls and a handful of A-rated enemies.
The tide only turned when Inaba Emi and Urei Kuni stepped up, working together to slay two A-rated ghouls, finally shifting the battle in their favor.
With the remaining enemies only being B-rated ghouls, victory was now inevitable.
At the same time, Arima stood nearby, observing the battle.
If things got too dangerous, he would step in but intervening too early wouldn't serve as proper training for the Inaba Squad.
However, no matter how long Byakuya waited, Uta never showed up.
It seemed that Uta wasn't nearby.
So, Byakuya adjusted his approach and turned to the S-rank ghoul he had subdued.
"Speak. Tell me where your leader is, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, you'll be sent to 'Cochlea' to face the most brutal interrogations."
Coincidentally, this S-rank ghoul was one of those who had recently escaped from 'Cochlea' during Aogiri Tree's assault.
He knew firsthand just how twisted and sadistic some of the interrogators in that place could be.
There was no way he wanted to be thrown back into that hell.
If he could avoid interrogation, he might at least get shoved into a cell, given rotten meat to survive on, and left to waste away.
But if he was unlucky enough to be selected for torture; especially by one of those psychotic interrogators then he'd be better off dead.
"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
He gave in instantly, so fast that even Byakuya was a little surprised.
But it didn't matter; as long as he got the information he wanted.
Soon, Byakuya extracted Uta's location.
Keeping his word, he released the ghoul.
However, he needed to act fast before this guy ran off to warn Uta.
"First Class Arima, let's go."
Byakuya turned to Arima.
"The Inaba Squad will stay here and secure the area."
"Understood."
Led by Inaba Emi, the Inaba Squad remained on standby.
On the way to Uta's location, Byakuya called Eto.
4th Ward, Abandoned Church.
This abandoned church served as the true stronghold of the Clown Mask faction.
Inside, Uta and Renji Yomo were both present.
"Lately, it seems like Doves from other wards have been flocking to the 4th Ward."
Uta mused aloud, his gentle demeanor at odds with the numerous tattoos covering his body.
His eyes, permanently displaying ghoul-red sclera were the result of a special pigment injection, a process known as "tattooed eyes."
"I'd say it's safe to assume the CCG has their eyes on us now."
"So, what's your plan?"
Renji Yomo, with his sharp features and silver hair, spoke in a calm, detached tone.
"More and more Doves are going to flood the 4th Ward, if we don't make the first move, we'll lose our advantage."
Uta's voice remained playful, as if he wasn't concerned at all.
"I won't be joining you."
Yomo replied indifferently.
"I have no interest in picking a fight with the CCG."
He had no desire for conflict.
All he cared about was keeping his sister's family safe and living in peace within the 4th Ward.
"Oh?"
Uta chuckled, then tilted his head slightly.
"Well, it seems like you might not have a choice."
He had already sensed it.
Two intruders; two Doves were closing in.
Yomo picked up on it as well.
Without another word, he tensed up, preparing for a possible fight.
"Alright, everyone."
Uta spoke in a light, sing-song tone,
"Time to put on your masks. Looks like the Doves are here~"
Despite the situation, he didn't seem the least bit worried.
Only a short while later...
Two humans or rather, two Half-Humans entered the church.