In the early hours of the morning, the interior of "Anteiku" was brightly lit, filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans.
Yoshimura Kuzen stood behind the counter, his expression gentle as he brewed coffee for everyone, including Noro, who sat quietly in the corner.
Eto was rarely without bandages. Her pale face carried an undisguised, carefree smile.
"Today was really satisfying, Hiro." She swung her legs, her voice carrying a long absent lightness.
For many years, the V Organization had weighed on her heart like a festering bone disease. Tonight, it had been uprooted completely.
That feeling of clouds parting to reveal the sky made her whole person seem brighter.
Yoshimura Kuzen gently placed a cup of hand brewed coffee in front of Amano Hiro.
A complex yet warm light flickered in his eyes. "I never thought that in this lifetime. I would be able to avenge Ukina."
He paused, his voice growing softer. "And the dream Ukina and I once had is finally about to come true. All of this is thanks to you, Hiro."
Amano Hiro smiled and casually pushed the coffee cup toward Rize beside him.
"We are companions who came together for the same goal. Supporting each other is only natural. Saying that makes it sound distant, Manager."
Rize accepted the coffee and took a sip with a smile.
Though no one spoke further, everyone present shared the same thought as Yoshimura Kuzen. They were deeply grateful to Amano Hiro.
If Amano Hiro had not appeared, following the original trajectory of fate,
every person sitting here at this moment would have met a miserable end. They would all have died, and terribly at that.
Yoshimura Kuzen placed another brewed cup in front of Tatara. "You must be Tatara-kun. Over these years, Eto has been in your care."
Tatara received the cup with both hands. Catching a glimpse of Eto's sincere and unshadowed smile from the corner of his eye,
his voice softened slightly. "Kuzen-san overstates it. It was nothing like taking care of her."
Eto suddenly set down her cup, her eyes shining as she looked over.
"Hiro, when do we begin the next phase of our plan?"
The shop fell silent, and all eyes turned toward Amano Hiro.
Instead of answering directly, he looked at Eto, a trace of casual amusement in his tone.
"How much of your new book is left to finish?"
Eto tapped her chin lightly with her finger and thought for a moment. "Hmm. About two more months, I think."
"Then we wait until your new book is completed." Amano Hiro lightly tapped the table with his finger, his voice steady and clear.
"The day your new book concludes will be the day we launch the next phase of our plan."
Eto's eyes lit up. She lifted her coffee cup again, the corners of her lips rising.
"Then. Let's wish in advance for everything to go smoothly."
Yoshimura Kuzen smiled faintly. Tatara nodded. Rize also raised her cup.
Even Noro, sitting quietly at the side, seemed to lift his head slightly.
"Cheers."
The fragrance of coffee curled upward, blending into the warm yellow light.
This night not only settled blood debts, but also made the road toward "hope" clearer than ever before.
...
Early the next morning, inside a top secret conference room deep within CCG headquarters, it was already filled with people.
Members of the Washuu Clan sat along both sides of the long table, each face shrouded in gloom.
At the head seat, Washuu Tsuneyoshi rested his hands clasped before him. No emotion could be read from his aged face.
After enduring repeated blows from Carnage, and especially the complete destruction of the V Organization last night, he had forced all rage and unwillingness deep into his bones.
Helpless fury was meaningless. He understood that better than anyone.
"The situation at the Sunlit Garden, you are all aware of it." His voice was steady without a ripple. "What are your thoughts?"
Washuu Matsuri adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharp behind the lenses. "Judging by the style and combat strength,
it should be a joint operation between Carnage and Aogiri Tree. At present, only they possess such capability."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi gave a slight nod. "Carnage is indeed troublesome. We have suffered several heavy losses at his hands. Does anyone have a strategy to break the deadlock?"
As his words fell, the conference room sank into silence again. They had no strategy at all.
If they had a solution, they would have already eliminated Carnage. They would not be sitting here holding a meeting.
At that moment, a slightly frivolous voice sounded from the end of the table.
"I think we should set Carnage aside for now and concentrate all efforts on locating Aogiri Tree's base.
If we uproot Aogiri Tree first, then even if only Carnage remains, no matter how strong it is, it cannot act alone. After that, we can slowly deal with Carnage, just like back when we handled the previous One Eyed King."
All eyes turned toward the speaker. Furuta Nimura.
The illegitimate son of Washuu Tsuneyoshi tilted his head, a seemingly careless smile hanging at the corner of his lips.
Washuu Tsuneyoshi looked at him deeply. Although there was still estrangement in his heart,
the family was now at a moment of survival or destruction. Any viable strategy or usable person could no longer be discarded due to prejudice.
"What Nimura says does have merit."
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying unquestionable resolve. "Issue orders to all of the CCG. Searching for and expelling Aogiri Tree is to be made the top priority.
Concentrate all resources. I want to see every trace of Aogiri Tree in Tokyo completely erased in the shortest possible time."
He paused, his gaze settling on Furuta Nimura's face, as though evaluating a weapon he had finally decided to employ.
"From today onward, you will resume the Washuu surname."
Furuta Nimura's face instantly bloomed into an incomparably bright, almost innocent smile, as if this were the recognition he had long awaited.
"Yes."
He lowered his head respectfully in response. No one saw that beneath his lowered gaze, the smile had already turned into cold calculation.
Old fool. And those obstructive clan elders. One by one.
When you all disappear from the chessboard, the Washuu family will be mine to command.
Hopefully Carnage will be useful. If Carnage eliminates them before I need to act, that would be even better.
The fact that Carnage destroyed the V Organization was something he had not expected. He had originally planned to seize V for himself.
Now he was slightly passive because of it. But it was not a major problem. Everything was still within his control.
Since Washuu Tsuneyoshi had already made the decision, there was no further delay. They prepared to carry out the orders.
As the others filed out of the conference room, Washuu Matsuri also rose and walked toward the exit.
The moment he stepped outside, he saw Furuta Nimura waiting at the side. Now he should be called Washuu Furuta.
Washuu Matsuri did not even look at him, passing by as he continued toward the CCG strategic conference room.
Washuu Furuta followed with a smiling face. "Director Washuu Matsuri, please take care of me from now on."
Washuu Matsuri glanced at him without speaking. Just an illegitimate child, a disposable tool at any time.
Hmph. And he really thinks of himself as a member of the Washuu family.