Kishou Arima's duty?
Nimura Furuta's one sentence made everyone present freeze for a moment, and at the same time, Lancer subconsciously took a step back, looking vigilantly at Kishou Arima.
Lancer had been very curious before about why Kishou Arima had such little presence during the fight. The Special Class Investigator, known as the CCG's strongest, seemed to have only played the role of simply using a Quinque during the battle just now? This was obviously inconsistent with the opponent's strength and reputation.
Facing the vigilant Lancer, Kishou Arima only frowned, glanced at Lancer and Nimura Furuta, and then silently raised the 'Narukami' in his hand.
"CCG Special Class Investigator · Kishou Arima is commissioned by General Chairman Washuu Tsuneyoshi to investigate Associate Special Class Investigator · Lancer. Associate Special Class Lancer, please return to headquarters with me."
If Lancer was only simply suspicious before, Kishou Arima's words completely put Lancer on alert.
In his opinion, the opponent might have noticed his anomaly long ago, and this 'Rushima Island Aogiri Tree Subjugation Operation' was probably not only aimed at Aogiri Tree but possibly a trap set for him.
The huge deep pit was now divided into three areas.
On the far left was Lancer, standing ready for battle; on the right was the frowning Kishou Arima, and at the top center was Nimura Furuta with a strange smile on his face.
At this time, the smiling expression in his eyes as he looked at Lancer and Kishou Arima below was completely undisguised. It could be said that the tense atmosphere at the scene was entirely due to his single sentence, but did he lie? No~ he didn't lie.
Kishou Arima's duty?
It was very simple: to monitor and confirm Lancer identity. In fact, Kishou Arima, as the executor, was not entrusted with the power of execution by Washuu Tsuneyoshi, or rather, he did not have the right to actively attack until Lancer made a threatening move.
If Kishou Arima explained carefully, Lancer might have chosen to return to the CCG headquarters with the opponent, after all, there was a basis for cooperation between the two sides.
But based on Nimura Furuta's understanding of the opponent, when doing things, he could be said to be extremely 'rigid' and would never condescend to explain specifically. Coupled with his verbal inducement, Lancer, not surprisingly, began to 'suspect'.
And once the seed of suspicion is planted, it will not be easily pulled out, let alone with his instigation, right~
Seeing the 'good atmosphere' at the scene, he also gestured with his eyes to a subordinate beside him to bring over the 'hostage' he had captured earlier.
"My mission is complete, and I should also return to headquarters to report. Oh, and I'll take 'The Owl' back with me~"
As Nimura Furuta spoke, Lancer also saw Yoshimura wearing a restraint mask, as well as other CCG Investigators, but Lancer had no impression of those people.
At this time, Lancer was faced with a choice: should he make a move for a 'partner' who had just caused him trouble?
Although the opponent did not cause any substantial impact and was stabbed in the back by the person he wanted to save, it was undeniable that the opponent's purpose in appearing was to obstruct him, and it did indeed cause the opponent's frenzy, thereby indirectly leading to Lancer 'exposure'.
However, considering it from another point of view, given the opponent's personality, he would probably be very remorseful because of this incident, which would also make him easier to control, and if Lancer guessed correctly, the CCG would probably do something to him next, and whether the outcome was good or bad…
Glancing at Kishou Arima, who was also wary of him, his brows furrowed even deeper. Undoubtedly, he did not want to have a direct conflict with the CCG. After all, he had worked for the CCG for a long time, and he genuinely trusted the Investigators he had cooperated with. He didn't want to stand on the opposite side of them.
But just as one of Nimura Furuta's subordinates was about to leave with Yoshimura —
"Whoosh~!"
A strange sound suddenly came from the forest, and then a Ghoul wearing a rabbit mask rushed out. She first used her Ukaku to force back the other Investigators who intended to go to the rescue, and then kicked the Investigator who was carrying Yoshimura.
This sudden change made Lancer freeze, but what he failed to notice was the look of ecstasy that appeared on Nimura Furuta's face, who had 'coincidentally' turned around.
When he captured Yoshimura before, he actually had a chance, and a very big chance, to capture Touka Kirishima, but he chose to give up. One reason was that in his opinion, Touka Kirishima leaving was more valuable than capturing them together, for example — here!
Nimura Furuta did not know about Yoshimura's cooperation with Lancer, but he knew that to muddy the waters, more people were needed, such as this 'accident' that was already within his plan.
"Capture The Owl! Capture that Ghoul! Open fire!!"
At this time, he was acting like a panicking Investigator, and Lancer and Kishou Arima intended to go and support together after freezing for a moment, after all, at least for now, the two had not truly fallen out, and the previous moment was merely a precaution.
But just at this moment —
Another figure rushed out from the shadows. He rushed towards Kishou Arima without hesitation, shouting at the same time.
"Lancer! Go quickly!"
Who is this guy?
This thought appeared in everyone's minds almost simultaneously, especially Lancer, who was completely Confused. He only knew a few Ghouls, and there were no others besides the people from Anteiku. And go? What was he running from?
But before he could react, the opponent's Kagune had already attacked Kishou Arima. Kishou Arima naturally swung 'Narukami' towards the opponent without hesitation.
"Pfft~!"
The opponent was directly cut in half by Kishou Arima without any delay, but this was only the beginning. Several more Ghouls rushed out from the forest, their targets very obvious — to attack Nimura Furuta and Kishou Arima.
But strangely, no Ghouls attacked Lancer, but this did not make Lancer expression better. Instead, his face became so dark that it looked like water might drip from it.
It can be said that the situation at the scene was already very 'clear'. Anyone with a bit of discernment could basically see that those Ghouls should be Lancer subordinates or acquaintances, but the problem was that Lancer truly did not know them.
'Who exactly is plotting against me? The CCG? Anteiku? Neither seems likely. Who is it!'
But just at this moment —
"Lancer! You have indeed colluded with Ghouls!"
Nimura Furuta's provocative expression gave Lancer an incredible idea —
Could it be that the opponent was the one who made the move?
But why?
Did he know the opponent? The last promotion banquet was the first time the two sides met, right?
But regardless of the reason, Lancer was determined to capture the opponent and find out.
But just as Lancer was about to move…
"Special Class Arima! Save me!!"
Nimura Furuta let out an extremely exaggerated cry for help. In Lancer view, it was simply stupid and speechless, but what he didn't expect was that Kishou Arima actually held 'Narukami' and blocked in front of him.
Looking at Kishou Arima blocking him, Lancer expression was extremely ugly.
"Special Class Arima, do you really think I would join forces with these Ghouls?"
"Sorry, regardless of whether it's true or not, at least you are currently under suspicion, and…"
Kishou Arima glanced at Nimura Furuta with his eyes. He wasn't stupid; how could he not see that Nimura Furuta was targeting Lancer as soon as he appeared? But he was equally confused about why the opponent was targeting Lancer.
But confusion aside, he knew that Nimura Furuta was a member of the Washuu family, so he had to protect the opponent, at least he couldn't let Lancer kill him.
On the other side, Nimura Furuta couldn't help but clench his fist secretly when he saw Kishou Arima blocking in front of him.
Didn't he plot so much just to make Kishou Arima and Lancer antagonistic?
Indeed, with his 'father' still alive, no one could command Kishou Arima except the former, but the latter also had his own duty: to protect the members of the Washuu family when the situation allowed.
At this time, looking at Lancer, he even wanted to burst into laughter.
Of course, the price for doing this would inevitably be facing questions from his 'father' when he returned, but —
'The premise is that he can find trouble with me by then.'
The originally mocking expression turned directly into a cold smile. Undoubtedly, he had been waiting for this day for a long time!
It was also a confrontation, but if the previous one was just a simple precaution, now it was truly possible for a clash to occur at any moment. And Lancer wondered if it was his imagination, but Nimura Furuta's subordinates seemed to unconsciously move closer to Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon, which instantly made his expression even uglier.
'Does this bastard intend to make a move on Mr. Mado and Amon too?!'
Undoubtedly, at this moment, no one paid attention to Yoshimura, who was being held by Touka Kirishima, but the difference was that Lancer had no time to deal with it, while Nimura Furuta felt that everything was under control.
But no one noticed that there were actually two other people on the periphery of the battlefield.
"Hideyoshi, what should we do?! Why are Special Class Arima and Associate Special Class Lancer confronting each other?!"
Seidou Takizawa, lying next to the dirt pit, should logically be the one to decide, as he was the senior and the protector of Hideyoshi Nagachika in this mission, but unfortunately, his mind was in chaos at this time, and he seemed completely unable to figure out what was happening at the scene.
But Hideyoshi Nagachika on the other side was gritting his teeth, thinking about what he should do.
He was an Investigator and also Ken Kaneki's friend. He had also heard about Lancer so-called 'progress with Ghoul food', so he wanted Lancer to be safe.
As for Yoshimura and Touka Kirishima on the other side, he recognized them at a glance. They were also 'elders' who had secretly helped Ken Kaneki a lot.
But once he made a move, it meant he had no turning back, and what was worse was that he didn't even know if his action would have any result, as he was also very clear about his own strength.
But fortunately, just as he was struggling over what to do, the situation on the field changed again.
Several huge Kagune struck from the shadows, instantly throwing away the Investigators around Yoshimura and Touka Kirishima, and Ken Kaneki, wearing a one-eyed mask, appeared at the same time.
The already chaotic scene became even more chaotic…