[Ding! Host defeated a "B-rated ghoul." Reward: 5 Fusion Points!]
[Ding! Host defeated a "B-rated ghoul." Reward: 5 Fusion Points!]
[...]
Same as yesterday—the internship mission involved driving out ghouls.
However, Byakuya didn't kill every ghoul. Some he captured to bring back to the CCG.
Different situations called for different approaches. Ghoul investigators generally didn't kill ghouls unless necessary.
The Ghoul Countermeasures Law, Article 13, Section 2: Prohibited is the infliction of unnecessary harm upon ghouls. Simply put—don't kill or abuse them if it isn't necessary.
Though that's what the law stated, quite a few CCG investigators didn't fully comply.
For instance, Kureo Mado killed every ghoul on sight, regardless of whether they were good or evil.
And Tokage had tortured Yamori—"Jason"—so badly that the man's psyche had shattered.
However, no matter what Mado or Tokage did to ghouls, they faced no consequences.
Because the Ghoul Countermeasures Law also stated: "Any target designated as a ghoul shall not be protected under any law."
Since ghouls had no legal protection, there was naturally no legal punishment for any treatment inflicted upon them.
As for Byakuya's attitude toward ghouls—he certainly didn't believe in killing them all. Kill those who deserved it, spare those who didn't, and apply double standards when appropriate. Simple as that.
Just as he treated Rize. He didn't deny that his stance was pure double standards—after all, everyone was somewhat biased.
A simple example: in the original story, Touka Kirishima had killed two innocent CCG investigators, yet hardly anyone hated her for it or wanted her dead.
In the world of Tokyo Ghoul, who didn't have innocent blood on their hands? Kaneki included—in fact, Kaneki had probably killed the most innocent humans of anyone. When he finally transformed into Dragon, he'd devoured roughly half of Tokyo...
If they had to hold everyone accountable and execute them all, just thinking about it gave Byakuya a headache.
...
The day's internship concluded.
Byakuya and Suzuya once again performed the best, followed by Kurona and Nashiro.
"That concludes today's training. Come back tomorrow afternoon. The entire internship only lasts three days, so after tomorrow you can head back."
Koori Ui addressed them as they exited Ward 24.
"Understood."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
They'd known before arriving that the internship was only three days.
Of course, this was specific to Ward 24 internships. Other districts had completely different internship durations.
Ward 24 was the most dangerous and chaotic zone—ghoul encounters could happen at any moment. Three days of high-intensity training was sufficient to assess a trainee's capabilities.
Unlike other wards, where most ghouls kept their identities well-hidden. You'd have trouble actively seeking out ghouls unless you happened upon an active crime scene. The intensity was completely different.
"Um... Associate Special Class Koori Ui!"
One of the male trainees suddenly spoke up. "What does it take to join Squad Zero?"
The young man had that hot-blooded enthusiasm typical of his age. He idolized Arima and desperately wanted to join Squad Zero.
But he specifically asked Koori Ui.
Probably because Koori Ui interacted with them most frequently and maintained a friendly demeanor. The other Squad Zero members were comparatively aloof—only Byakuya had any real rapport with Shio Ihei.
"To join Squad Zero... you'd need to be at least First Class, I'd say. Preferably Associate Special Class or above."
Koori Ui didn't want to crush the trainee's hopes, but he gave an honest answer.
Though he was being conservative. Joining Squad Zero wasn't really about rank—Koori Ui himself had only joined because Arima valued him.
Furthermore, even Koori Ui didn't know that everyone in Squad Zero except himself was a half-human. The Washuu Clan's secrets had to be kept from all "outsiders."
Even though the CCG was founded by the Washuu Clan, all the humans within it were still "outsiders."
So joining Squad Zero was actually far harder than Koori Ui imagined. In all the years since the unit's founding, only two human members had ever been admitted—Koori Ui himself and, later, the unremarkable-looking Take Hirako.
Both shared one thing in common: a close relationship with Arima and abilities he acknowledged.
So to put it bluntly, this trainee shouldn't even bother hoping. He'd never make the cut.
Even Koori Ui's conservative assessment was enough to leave the trainee feeling despair.
"I see... I understand. I'll work hard."
His voice carried a note of dejection.
Forget Associate Special Class—he wasn't even sure he could make First Class someday.
...
On the return trip, Byakuya ended up on the same subway car as the Yasuhisa sisters again.
Today both sisters seemed unusually exhausted.
Perhaps yesterday's performance hadn't satisfied them, so they'd pushed themselves extra hard during today's training. Now they were completely drained—practically collapsing into their seats.
"Maybe you were right..."
Kurona suddenly spoke up, her voice flat.
"Right about what?"
Byakuya didn't immediately follow.
"You said I'm starved for affection, remember? About that—do you know why Nashiro and I were hostile toward you at first?"
Kurona looked weary, her voice soft and lacking its usual edge.
Byakuya shook his head.
He could guess, though—probably something to do with Kanou.
Still, Kurona's sudden willingness to share surprised him.
"Because of 'Father.' Nashiro and I want to earn Father's approval and praise, so we wanted to take both first and second place together. Then Father would definitely be proud of us."
Kurona explained.
She didn't mention that this "father" wasn't their biological father—they'd long since come to see him as such.
"Well, don't push yourselves too hard. I noticed you're both exhausted today. That's not good."
Byakuya started to offer some advice, then realized Kurona didn't seem to be listening anymore.
Nashiro on his other side had actually fallen asleep already. Her head gradually tilted until her cheek came to rest gently against Byakuya's right shoulder.
Then Kurona did the same—unconsciously leaning against his left shoulder, her steady, even breathing indicating she'd fallen asleep too.
Caught in the middle, Byakuya was momentarily at a loss...