1st Ward - CCG Headquarters.
Inside an enormous conference hall, more than a hundred CCG investigators had gathered.
A meeting of this scale was exceedingly rare in the entire history of the CCG.
At the front row sat Shinohara Yukinori, Kuroiwa Iwao, Marude Itou, Tanakamaru Mougan, Haizaki Shinmei, and Yasuhira Kiyoko six Special Class Investigators.
Aside from Arima Kishou, nearly all seven investigators of the Countermeasure I Division were present.
At this moment, the person presiding over the meeting was none other than the CCG Director
Washuu Yoshitoki.
"Investigators," Washuu Yoshitoki began calmly,
"I trust you've all heard the name 'Ghoul Hunter.'"
"He first appeared in the 20th Ward, where he hunted down a B-class ghoul and extracted its kakuhou."
"After that, he clashed with the Binge Eater."
"And even the S-class, extremely dangerous ghoul Yamori died at his hands."
"But what truly propelled him into notoriety was the ghoul restaurant incident in the 7th Ward."
As he spoke, Washuu Yoshitoki repeatedly tapped the laser pointer in his hand.
On the massive screen behind him appeared image after image
scenes of slaughter left behind after ghouls had been hunted.
"The Ghoul Hunter's most recent action took place at No. 12, Ueno Street, 20th Ward."
"Thirteen ghouls were killed, twelve A+-class and one S-class."
"From his first appearance to now, the total number of ghouls he has hunted is approximately one hundred and thirty."
The moment these words fell, the conference hall erupted into an uproar.
Although many investigators had heard of the Ghoul Hunter, due to differing jurisdictions and assignments, only Shinohara and the investigators of the 20th Ward truly understood the scale of his actions.
They hadn't realized his achievements were already comparable to several Special Class Investigators combined.
"Through the exhaustive investigation led by Special Class Investigator Shinohara and his team,"
Washuu Yoshitoki continued,
"as well as information provided by a cooperative civilian, we have now locked down the Ghoul Hunter's true identity."
He flicked the laser pointer.
The image on the screen changed.
Two photographs appeared side by side.
One was a normal student photo.
The other was the blood-soaked image submitted by Chie Hori.
"Fushimi Kyo," Washuu Yoshitoki read aloud.
"A third-year student at Kiyomi High School in the 20th Ward."
"Both parents were killed by ghouls several years ago."
"He is capable of consuming ghoul kakuhou. His exact species remains undetermined."
"Based on current assessments, his combat power rivals that of an SS-class ghoul, and his growth rate is extremely rapid."
"The CCG has officially designated his danger level as S-class, equivalent to the Owl."
"And thus "
"The purpose of convening this meeting is to formulate a detailed operation plan to exterminate the Ghoul Hunter."
The moment Washuu Yoshitoki finished speaking, the conference hall completely boiled over.
"You've got to be kidding… the Ghoul Hunter is just a high school kid?"
"So far, he's never preyed on humans. Isn't this extermination plan a bit excessive?"
"Judging from his record, he's already on par with multiple Special Class Investigators. Shouldn't someone like that be recruited instead?"
"An unidentified species is an even greater threat. And those kakuhou he's collecting do you really think he's just eating them all? Who knows what kind of dangerous scheme he's planning!"
"Even if his strength rivals an SS-class ghoul, is this kind of mobilization really necessary?"
Doubts filled the hall.
At that moment, Mado Akira suddenly stood up.
"Director Washuu," she said clearly,
"the Ghoul Hunter has not posed any threat to humans so far. Why initiate an extermination?"
She found the entire operation inexplicably excessive.
Even if an extermination were necessary, there was no need for such an overwhelming display of force.
"Humans cannot consume ghoul kakuhou,"
Washuu Yoshitoki replied coldly.
"So our preliminary judgment is that he is a ghoul or possibly something even more dangerous."
"At present, his strength is still within our controllable range."
"But once he breaks through to SS-class or above, his threat level will surpass even the Owl."
"Can you guarantee he will never turn against humanity?"
"So we will eliminate the danger while it is still in its cradle."
His words struck straight to the point.
As expected of the CCG Director, he hit the heart of the issue with ruthless precision.
Mado Akira was left momentarily speechless.
"Does anyone else have objections?"
Washuu Yoshitoki asked.
Silence filled the hall.
An SS-class threat, exterminated or not it made little difference to most.
"Very well."
"Operation assignments are as follows."
"Special Class Investigator Shinohara, you will command Team One."
"Special Class Investigator Tanakamaru Team Two."
"Special Class Investigator Kuroiwa Team Three."
"Special Class Investigator Haizaki Team Four."
"This operation must ensure that the Ghoul Hunter has no chance of escape."
"This is a mission of utmost importance."
"Failure is not an option."
With that, Washuu Yoshitoki bowed deeply to all investigators present, then turned and left the conference hall.
Back in his office, a faint smile curved Washuu Yoshitoki's lips.
"As long as ghouls and investigators restrain each other…"
"Only then can the Washuu clan maintain its exalted status forever."
"Hmph. Ghoul Hunter."
"Just a fool who broke the rules."
"This time, you'll be my example."
"I really am curious… what secrets your body holds."
Fushimi Kyo would never have imagined
That someone who had never harmed a single human
would receive this level of attention from the CCG.
"Hey, Special Class Marude,"
Shinohara Yukinori said quietly,
"don't you think we might be going a bit overboard?"
"Shinohara," Marude Itou replied with a grin,
"I understand your concern."
"But the Ghoul Hunter is a potential threat."
"He hasn't targeted humans yet but you can't guarantee he never will."
"So I agree with the Director's decision."
"Still…"
he chuckled.
"Mobilizing four Special Class Investigators to hunt down a single SS-class target?"
"This level of importance is almost on par with the Owl."
Night fell, shrouding the city in darkness.
Streetlights flickered weakly on both sides of the road.
Having just finished a late-night meal, Fushimi Kyo walked toward home.
There were fewer and fewer pedestrians.
Those who brushed past him did so hurriedly, heads lowered.
Four hundred meters later
The street was completely empty.
A suffocating pressure surged in from all directions, weighing heavily on his chest.
Suddenly, Fushimi Kyo stopped.
Under the dim light, he looked up at the night sky.
A droplet of water fell
and landed on his face, ice-cold.
"Rain?" he murmured.
"Heh… you think I'm pretty wronged too, huh?"
He chuckled softly.
At that instant
Whoosh!
From the rooftops all around, massive high-powered searchlights snapped on simultaneously.
Blinding white beams converged on Fushimi Kyo.
In an instant, the entire street was illuminated as brightly as day.
Thud thud thud thud.
Heavy footsteps echoed from every direction.
Fushimi Kyo narrowed his eyes.
From the street corners ahead, behind, left, and right, multiple squads emerged at the same time.
Judging by their uniforms
They were unmistakably CCG combat units.
And the figures leading them were all familiar faces.
"Heh…"
Fushimi Kyo laughed quietly.
"They really think highly of me."
"Four Special Class Investigators."
"Over a dozen investigators of Second Class and above."
"And four to five hundred regular combat personnel."
"This…"
"…isn't leaving me even the slightest chance to live, is it?"
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