[Ding! The host has defeated the SSS-rated ghoul 'King of Labyrinth.']
[Reward: 200 attribute points!]
Since Ishikari Takeshi had surrendered, Uchiha Byakuya naturally received his attribute reward.
At first glance, Ishikari's surrender might have seemed premature. With his regeneration abilities, he could have fully restored his kakuja form in no time.
But in reality, during the brief moment it would take him to regenerate, Byakuya and Eto could have already killed him multiple times over.
So, the moment he realized he couldn't overpower the One-Eyed Owl and that there was an even more unfathomable threat, the One-Eyed King; he knew he had no chance at all.
"No, no, no! You misunderstand! I was actually trying to pledge my loyalty to Aogiri Tree!"
Arai, still fearful that Byakuya might misinterpret his earlier actions as an attack, hurriedly tried to explain himself.
He was understandably nervous, but he felt somewhat confident.
After all, he knew what Aogiri Tree had done during the Cochlea raid, rather than slaughtering every ghoul; they had recruited as many as possible.
They had done the same thing in the 24th Ward: those who surrendered were taken in, while only the defiant ones were executed.
On top of that, Arai was a kakuja; he considered himself powerful enough that Aogiri Tree would want to keep him.
"..."
Watching Arai shamelessly grovel for survival, Ishikari felt a surge of disgust.
But in the current situation, saying anything was meaningless.
Byakuya cast a cold, indifferent glance at Arai before speaking in a detached tone:
"Eto, he's yours to deal with."
He had no interest in a traitor. Arai was nothing more than a disloyal rat, there was no value in keeping him around.
"Understood, My King~"
Eto's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Uh..."
Arai was momentarily confused.
Wouldn't just a simple yes or no from the One-Eyed King suffice?
Why was he being handed over to the One-Eyed Owl?
He still hadn't realized the gravity of the situation.
It wasn't until Eto began slowly advancing toward him, without deactivating her kakuja form that a sense of unease finally crept in.
Then, in a sudden burst of speed, Eto lunged forward!
Her kakuja arm swung violently at Arai in an instant.
Arai reacted just in time but his kakuja transformation couldn't keep up.
Worse still, one of his kakuhou had already been damaged by Byakuya earlier, slowing his transformation even further.
His kagune had barely covered half his body before-
"SLASH!"
Eto sliced him in half, severing him at the waist and destroying his lower kakuhou in the process.
Arai collapsed to the ground, his upper body trembling as he barely managed to support himself with his arms.
His face contorted in shock and agony as he stared at Eto.
"Why…?"
"I haven't forgotten our old grudge~"
Eto's playful tone was tinged with an icy killing intent.
"..."
Arai's eyes widened in horror.
He had never expected her to be this vindictive.
Years ago, he had pursued Noro and a young One-Eyed Owl but he had given up halfway.
And yet, she had held onto that hatred all these years?!
But in truth; this was not just about revenge.
The moment Eto heard Byakuya's tone earlier, she immediately understood what he meant.
And since it allowed her to settle an old grudge at the same time, all the better.
"No! I-"
Arai tried to beg for his life but Eto didn't give him the chance.
With a single, swift motion, she beheaded him. His voice was abruptly cut off.
After dealing with him, Eto casually devoured his kakuhous.
Four in total.
With this cannibalization, she gained yet another power boost.
Seeing Arai slaughtered and his kakuhou consumed right before their eyes, the remaining ghouls of Labyrinth were filled with terror.
Would they meet the same fate?
Ishikari Takeshi, however, felt… somewhat relieved.
At least now, he could die in peace.
"You have two choices: submit, or die."
Eto turned her gaze toward Ishikari.
She had no personal grudge against him, and since Byakuya hadn't explicitly stated a preference, she decided to give him a choice.
"..."
Ishikari hadn't expected to be offered a way out.
But he would rather die than submit to anyone.
After a brief moment of silence, he spoke in a firm, unwavering tone:
"I choose death."
"Very well. I'll make it quick."
Without hesitation, Eto swiftly beheaded him.
And, of course, she consumed his kakuhou as well.
Having devoured two kakuja-level ghouls in a row, yet another kagune sac emerged on her body.
Her kakuja form grew even larger; by now she had likely surpassed even her father in size.
Now, it was time to deal with the remaining ghouls.
As always, those who submitted lived.
Those who resisted were executed.
And with one exception; Ishikari Takeshi, who had at least maintained his pride, every single remaining ghoul surrendered.
Aogiri Tree's numbers expanded further, bringing them closer to their goal of 1,000 members.
However, it would be difficult to gather that many from the 24th Ward alone.
The underground labyrinth of the 24th Ward was simply too vast. Many ghouls were hidden away in areas that were difficult to locate.
Now that Aogiri Tree had fully taken control of the 24th Ward, they could begin expanding outward, just as they had in the original timeline.
The 1st Ward.
By now, Byakuya and Eto had moved their base of operations.
They had even rented a high-end penthouse apartment.
Like the other 22 wards, the 1st Ward also had an entrance to the 24th Ward.
In fact; every single ward did.
Because the 24th Ward was, in essence, Tokyo's underground world.
This was due to the events of the past; when the First One-Eyed King underwent Dragonization, nearly destroying Tokyo in the process.
The old Tokyo had collapsed into the ground.
What stood today was merely a rebuilt version of the city.
As a result, no matter where they were, Eto could return to the 24th Ward at any time.
"Where should we expand next?"
Eto asked for Byakuya's opinion.
"We should target the wards where the CCG's presence is the weakest. Let's start with Ward 19."
Byakuya replied decisively.
Given his position and status within the CCG, he was well aware of how the organization distributed its forces across Tokyo.
The CCG assigned its resources proportionally; the more powerful or threatening the ghouls in a district, the stronger the CCG forces stationed there.
Ward 19's CCG presence was minimal, which meant the ghouls there weren't particularly powerful.
It was the perfect place for Aogiri Tree to expand next.
"Understood, My King~" Eto replied playfully.