"Suzuya-kun."
Byakuya smiled back at Suzuya. "So you're partnered with Shinohara-san now. How's it going? Working hard? Not causing trouble for Shinohara-san, are you?"
"Well, about that..."
Suzuya grinned awkwardly and scratched his head.
Clearly, he couldn't deny having caused Shinohara quite a bit of trouble.
"Though it's not necessarily a bad thing. Suzuya-kun seems much more cheerful and optimistic than back at the Academy."
Byakuya had no intention of scolding Suzuya—he simply expressed his observation.
"Really? I guess I was a bit... off... back then."
Suzuya said, only now realizing it himself.
Back at the Academy, other trainees, instructors, and combat trainers had all treated him like an "outcast," which had made him rather withdrawn.
Things had improved considerably since joining the CCG. Both Byakuya and Shinohara-san treated him well, though he was also gradually revealing his true nature.
Having been kidnapped to the "Ghoul Auction" at a very young age and then purchased by Big Madam—the chief lady of the Madam organization—and raised in bizarre ways, he naturally lacked a normal worldview and moral compass. That's why he did many unethical things...
For instance, when Kaneki first met Suzuya in the original series, his wallet was immediately stolen by Suzuya—though there wasn't much money in it anyway.
Listening to the exchange between Byakuya and Suzuya, Shinohara was quite surprised. Suzuya, who'd always been a troublemaker, actually showed this obedient side in front of someone. And it didn't seem like an act.
"First Class Mado, Rank 1 Amon—it's been a while since we've met too."
Byakuya then greeted Mado and Amon as well.
"Indeed. Rank 1 Amaha is here for the Ward 11 Special Strategy Meeting as well, I take it?"
Notably, even at an important meeting, Mado was carrying his Quinque briefcase—unlike others who came empty-handed.
"Yes."
Byakuya nodded.
"It seems Rank 1 Amaha will be participating in the operation. I heard that Aogiri Tree's S-rated executive 'Jason' was eliminated by you—and he was even a half-kakuja. You probably have more experience facing Aogiri Tree than any of us."
Amon spoke with evident respect in his voice.
"I heard Rank 1 Amaha received an S+-rated Quinque made from 'Jason.' Could I take a look at it sometime?"
The moment Quinques came up—especially an S+-rated Quinque made from a "half-kakuja"—Mado's obsession couldn't be contained.
"Mado-san."
Amon immediately gave Mado a warning.
After all, such matters concerning Quinques were serious business. Other investigators would certainly take offense at such a request.
Mado-san's reputation within the CCG was already rather poor. Constantly making such impositions on fellow investigators wasn't a good look.
"It's fine, Amon. If Rank 1 Amaha isn't willing, I certainly won't force the issue."
Mado said.
"..."
Amon was momentarily speechless. This wasn't about whether the other person was willing or not—you simply shouldn't make such requests of fellow investigators in the first place.
But Mado-san was his superior and someone he deeply respected, so he couldn't exactly lecture him.
Shinohara's expression suggested he'd seen this coming. When they'd worked together in the past, Mado-san had done the same thing. His obsession with Quinques was the most extreme Shinohara had ever witnessed among all investigators.
[Ding! Host has activated a mission. Divine Selection initiated!]
[Option 1: Righteously refuse Kureo Mado. Ghoul investigators shouldn't casually show their Quinques to anyone. Reward: 10 Fusion Points!]
[Option 2: Agree to Kureo Mado's request and lend him the Quinque to examine sometime. Reward: 30 Fusion Points!]
Byakuya considered the options for only a moment before making his choice.
"Sure. I can bring that Quinque to show you sometime, Mado-san."
Byakuya spoke calmly.
Though 30 Fusion Points wasn't much, lending Mado a look at the Quinque had no real impact on him anyway.
Unlike other investigators who depended almost entirely on their Quinques, he wasn't in that situation—which was precisely why they worried about Quinque intelligence leaking to ghouls.
If someone wanted to see his Sharingan, now that he definitely wouldn't show so casually.
[Ding! Host has completed Option 2. Reward: 30 Fusion Points!]
Hearing that Byakuya had actually agreed, Amon looked shocked.
Shinohara was equally astonished as he looked at Byakuya. That was a "half-kakuja" level Quinque—even Associate Special Class Ui's Quinque wasn't as high-grade as Byakuya's. Such an important, high-grade Quinque, and he was willing to let Mado-san examine it?
Though Mado-san's character was certainly trustworthy—he was excellent to colleagues and subordinates, and both Shinohara and Associate Special Class Houji had benefited greatly from working with him—matters concerning Quinques really couldn't be taken lightly.
Suzuya had no concept of such things. He was still planning to steal all 55 remaining Scorpion 1/56 daggers from the armory. Having just one felt unsatisfying.
Never mind Amon and Shinohara—even Mado himself was surprised.
Though he'd made the request, he hadn't really expected anything. After all, he'd been rejected many times by other investigators. Almost no one would agree to such a thing.
His inner surprise mixing with delight, Mado said: "Really? Wonderful. Contact me when you're free. Let's exchange contact information."
Thus, Byakuya and Mado exchanged contact details.
"Rank 1 Amaha... is this really... okay?"
Amon couldn't help but ask.
Byakuya's behavior was incomprehensible to him, to the point where his speech became halting.
"It's fine. I believe Mado-san is trustworthy."
Byakuya said calmly.
Though this was just a convenient excuse, it was actually true.
From a human faction perspective—or as teammates—it was hard to find a more reliable ally in the CCG than Kureo Mado. Setting aside "stat monsters" like Kishou Arima was another matter entirely.
...
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