In this world, there are Humans. Those people who sit at the top of the food chain, or so they believe. There are those who prey upon Humans as their only food source. They walk among Humans, nearly indistinguishable. These beings are known as Ghouls. For years, Humanity hunted the Ghouls, seeing them as nothing more than bloodthirsty monsters. But...there were Humans who met Ghouls, and understood them. There were those who fell in love with Ghouls, and together they had children. Few of these half-breeds survived, but the ones that did were exceptional. Humans with profound strength and speed, who aged rapidly. Ghouls with only one red eye, and the ability to better blend in with Human society. These survivors became powerful beings. But none of these were as exceptionable as the first person to truly belong to both Ghouls and Humans. A Human named Ken Kaneki suffered a terrible accident, only to be saved by an experimental transplant. He was given the organs of a Ghoul, and in doing so, became half Ghoul himself. He gained the abilities of the rare one-eyed Ghouls, as well as their appetite. However, his human ideals combined with his ability to see the Ghoul world was a spark...a spark that ignited change. Through many long and hard trials, Ken Kaneki finally brought his vision to light, a vision of a world where Humans and Ghouls could live in peace. That was five years ago...through my childhood, I managed to survive the hell that was Tokyo's 18th ward. Now, I live in this world Ken Kaneki has brought about, where Ghouls are now protected by law instead of condemned by it. Where the CCG acts as a peacekeeping force between Ghouls and Humans. Where officers can elect to become Quinx, and optional Ghoul transplants save lives. Where Ghouls can purchase the food they need just like Humans can. This world is better than what it once was...but it is hardly perfect. My name is Katsuki Tsukoyomi, and I am a Ghoul. I am nineteen years old, and I run a soup kitchen and homeless shelter in the 18th ward known as Haven. Haven is one of the few shelters to service both Ghouls and Humans...but the issue is food. We can't afford enough supplies for both Ghouls and Humans. It was two years ago that I came up with a solution. We focus most of our spending on Human food, while I hunt for what the Ghouls need. Human flesh. The laws regarding predation are a tricky matter, but I discovered that in hunting criminals, I could legally acquire the food we needed. That was how it started. Soon after, rumors of the Ghoul "Claw" returning to the 18th ward began flooding the streets...and here we are today...not my first kill...but the first one that was a Ghoul.
Katsuki sat in the alleyway, covered in blood. Plenty of it was his own, and plenty belonged to the Ghoul corpse lying before him. Groaning, he pushed himself to lean against the wall of the alley. Weakly, he turned to look at the frightened woman.
"Are you...okay?" He asked, unsure if he could even be heard through the cloth covering his lower face.
The woman nodded, looking between the body and Katsuki. "Th-thank you." She looked down at his injuries. "Are you?"
For a moment, Katsuki considered lying and saying that he was. A painful cough quickly destroyed that thought. Instead, he closed his eyes and shook his head.
"But...don't you heal?" She asked. "I read in this book on Ghouls that...your type...where your claws emerge from...you heal fast."
He nodded. "That's true, but there's a limit to what we can handle. I was already hungry when I came out here, and that Ghoul...well, you saw how strong his Kagune was...damn Koukaku. Normally my type is supposed to be stronger against them..." He sighed. "I'd need to feed to heal from this." Hearing a gasp, he chuckled. "Don't worry...I won't eat you, even if you were crazy enough to offer."
"S-sorry." She muttered. "Th-that's not...I'm just...the idea of eating people still bothers me. I haven't fully adjusted to Ghouls living among us."
"We always did." Katsuki said. "It's just a little more open now." He looked over at the dead Ghoul. "If we could choose differently, most of us would. It's just the way we are...technically, it's not even cannibalism. Biologically, we're completely different."
The woman's eyes widened, and she looked to the body as well. "Cannibalism...you go by Claw, right?"
Katsuki nodded. "That's what people choose to call me."
"Claw..." The woman began. "What would happen if a Ghoul ate another Ghoul."
The wounded Ghoul looked at the dead one with a sudden life in his eyes. "It's similar to eating steak gristle, if I've understood the descriptions right."
"The descriptions of eating steak gristle, or Ghoul?" She asked.
Katsuki breathed heavily. "Both." He crawled closer to the body. "But it would boost my RC cells...might even make me stronger. And there's a chance my Kagune could take on some properties of his."
"So it could save you." She said.
Katsuki nodded. "But it comes with a price...I could become addicted...I could go insane...I could lose control of my kagune...any number of things could happen." He laughed a little. "And yet...despite all that...I don't want to die." Finally, he reached the body. "If you don't want to watch, now would be a good time to go."
With that, he pulled his mask down, eyes turning red. The woman backed away, before turning and running. As she escaped the alley, Katsuki fed, taking bite after bite out of the Ghoul. As he ate, his strength returned. His wounds began to heal, and he pulled himself up, eating more and more, faster and faster. Before long, Katsuki sat in a pile of blood, but none of it was his, and there was no more trace of who it belonged to. Wiping his mouth off, he stood, pulling his mask back up, along with his hood. Hiding his hands in his pockets, he walked away. His eyes had returned to their normal shade, the only sign that he was a Ghoul were the tears in his clothes, and the bloodstains on his shirt.
What have I done? He thought to himself. Why did I step in? It wasn't my business. He sighed, as he stepped into the back entrance of Haven. I didn't even bring anything back. Sorry everybody.
As he stepped in, he was greeted by one of the Human volunteers, Hideyoshi Nagachika. "Whoa...you look awful, man."
Katsuki lowered his mask and hood at the sound of Hideyoshi's voice. The electronic tone was unmistakable. While Katsuki didn't know the exact details, he knew that Hideyoshi had been injured by a Ghoul seven years ago, and that the lower side of his face had sustained heavy damage. The speaking aid had been made for him by CCG scientists during the Dragon crisis five years ago. Other than that, he knew Hideyoshi was just as comfortable around Ghouls as he was around anyone else, and that many of his friends were Ghouls. Strangely enough, Hideyoshi had caught on to Katsuki's method of feeding the other Ghouls rather quickly, and had made no objections.
"I don't have anything." Katsuki said.
Hideyoshi raised an eyebrow. "What happened out there?"
Katsuki sighed, and began walking towards his room. "There was another Ghoul...he was about to attack this woman...not like the people I hunt, she was innocent. I stopped him...almost died doing it."
Were he able, Hideyoshi would have frowned. "Alright...just take it easy man. We have enough in reserve to last us tomorrow so long as it's just the regulars."
"We get new regulars every day." Katsuki said. "They keep tearing down buildings for renovation, or to try and clear more of the dragon's corpse out of the way. Until more places are built, more jobs open, and living becomes affordable again, there's only a handful of places for these people to go, and we're the only place in the 18th ward."
"You don't have to do this alone." Hideyoshi insisted. "Plenty of the people here would help you...people elsewhere too."
"I'm not turning anyone else into a killer!" Katsuki snapped.
Hideyoshi was unfazed. "Alright. Just get a shower, wash all that blood off. I'll get rid of your clothes and find you something else to wear on your night excursions."
Katsuki looked down, ashamed of his outburst. "Thanks...sorry."
It was early morning. The sun had not even fully risen yet. Hinata sat alone on a bench, crying to herself. A few people noticed, but none said anything. At least, not at first. Hinata was stirred from her crying when she noticed someone sitting down next to her. She looked over to see a beautiful woman with short purple hair, swept in a way where it covered one eye. Sniffing the air, Hinata could tell she was another Ghoul.
"What's wrong?" The woman asked.
Hinata looked down. "I ran out of food."
"Oh." The woman's expression was one of concern. "You don't have anywhere you could get more? Without...hunting, I mean."
Hinata shook her head. "Mom and Dad would always bring me food...but the CCG arrested them...because of where they got it from."
"I see." The woman said. "What if I told you that I know a place where they'd give you food...and a place to stay, too?"
"Really?" Hinata looked up at the woman, feeling hopeful.
The woman nodded. "What's your name?"
"Hinata." The girl replied.
The woman smiled. "That's a pretty name. Mine's Touka."
Katsuki poured another bowl of soup for the next person in line. Normally, he'd give a reassuring smile, but last night's events had left him in poor spirits. As he handed the bowl over, Hideyoshi approached.
"I'll take over here." He said. "I think you should move to the front, things are getting a bit heated between some people."
Katsuki nodded, removing his apron and stepping outside. There seemed to be a crowd of "protesters" gathering.
"It was one of the Ghouls in there! I know it! You have to get your food from somewhere!" The leader of the crowd was shouting.
Shaking his head, Katsuki approached the man. "Is there something you need? It's harder for people to get in with everyone blocking the way."
"You're damn right there's something I need!" The man's volume did not lower. "My dad didn't come home last night! I wanna know which one of you assholes ate him!"
Katsuki's brow furrowed. "None of the Ghouls sheltered here are predators. If your father really was attacked by a Ghoul, you won't find the one responsible here."
"Is that right?" The man leaned in close. "And just how would you know, huh? I wanna speak to the guy in charge here."
"You are." Katsuki replied.
The man raised an eyebrow. "Really? Hah! A little runt like you?"
Katsuki gave a bow. "Katsuki Tsukoyomi. I'm the owner and manager of Haven, a non-profit homeless shelter and soup kitchen for both Humans and Ghouls."
"Alright, tell me then Katsuki." The man said. "Where do you get your Ghoul food?"
Katsuki's eyes narrowed. "The CCG gives monthly handouts of their artificial supplement to groups such as this."
The man laughed. "Artificial supplements? Like that's enough to keep those bloodthirsty monsters satisfied! The Ghouls you're harboring are nothing more than man-eating animals!"
"Is that the case?" Katsuki asked, rhetorically. "Tell me, have you ever held a conversation with a Ghoul before today?"
The man paused. "Wh-...no...why would I try talking with-"
"Do you believe Ghouls are capable of holding an intelligent conversation?" Katsuki continued.
"Of course not!" The man shouted. "They can talk well enough to blend in, but put one in a class and they'd be slower than a special needs student."
"I see." Katsuki commented. "Final question. Would you consider this debate we're having above a Ghoul's cognitive abilities, since you seem to believe they're fairly low?"
"I guess." The man was entirely confused.
Katsuki smirked. "Thank you. You've cleared up something very important for me. I wasn't quite sure until you gave me those answers."
"What's that?" The man asked.
"You're an idiot who doesn't know shit." Katsuki said.
The man grimaced. "Why you little-" Angrily, he swung his arm to punch Katsuki.
His arm was subsequently stopped halfway. A thin armored tendril had positioned itself between the man's arm, and Katsuki. This tendril had emerged from Katsuki's back, specifically his rinkaku kakuhou. The man looked at the tendril in surprise, before turning to see that Katsuki's eyes had turned red.
"Let me give you some advice." Katsuki said. "Firstly, not only is it rude to harass, and downright insensitive to harass the homeless, but it's just unwise to harass a Ghoul, much less a building full of hungry Ghouls. Second, if you want to find your father, I'd suggest filing a missing person's report at the CCG. Let the professionals handle it. Third and final, don't ever underestimate someone you know nothing about." With that, the tendril retreated and dissolved. "If I see you or anyone else in this crowd starting trouble anywhere near here, I'm calling the authorities."
With that, Katsuki walked back inside. Everyone stayed frozen in shock for a moment, before the crowd began to retreat, almost in a panic. Seeing the nervous looks from the people in line, Katsuki finally managed to bring out a reassuring smile.
"Sorry for the disturbance everyone." He bowed as he apologized. "Now that Nagachika and I are both serving, how about forming another line so we can get to everyone faster?"
They went about feeding everyone as if nothing happened. Before noon, they were almost out of packets for the Ghouls.
Katsuki sighed. "I have to go get more."
Hideyoshi's eyes widened. "During the day?! Katsuki, no."
"I can't let them starve." Katsuki insisted. "Believe me when I say that that's worse."
"I know first-hand Katsuki, but there's got to be another option." Hideyoshi countered.
Katsuki ran a hand through his hair. "What option? Tell me, Hideyoshi. What should I do?"
Hideyoshi paused. "...nothing...don't do anything, I'll take care of this."
"No." Katsuki shook his head. "No, I can't risk you. If something happens to me, you need to keep this place afloat."
"I'm not getting my hands dirty, Katsuki. I don't need to." He looked around, as if someone might be listening. "I'm going to ask a friend if he has any reserves he could offer."
"A friend?" Katsuki asked. "Another Ghoul? Do I know him?"
Hideyoshi gave a so-so gesture. "You know of him. That's not important, he's a good guy, and he gets plenty more than he needs from the CCG. I'm sure he'll gladly offer up his spares. Just...just let me make a quick phone call."
"Hide?" Kaneki smiled. "It's been a while. How are you?"
"Same as always." Hide replied. "Look, I need to ask a favor."
"Anything." Kaneki answered without hesitation. "You're practically family, just say the word."
Hide was quiet for a moment. "How much...leftover food do you have?"
"Leftover food?" Kaneki raised an eyebrow. "The CCG practically gives me an unlimited supply. Why do you ask?"
"Do you know Haven, in the 18th ward?" Hide asked.
Kaneki frowned in thought. "It's a homeless shelter, right?"
"Uh-huh." Hide confirmed. "For both Humans and Ghouls. The thing is...we don't have enough food for all the Ghouls here."
"That's a big ask...Ghouls have been flocking to 18 from what I hear...I'm not sure if pitching in what I have will do more harm than good." Kaneki explained.
"Look, you know I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important." Hide started. "Kaneki, the guy who runs this place...Katsuki...he's a good guy. But he's been having to get the food himself. He's got this whole vigilante thing going on, hunting down muggers and stuff for his food, but...I just don't want him to cross a line he can't come back from."
Kaneki understood, instantly. "You want to help him the way you tried to help me."
"Yeah." Hide said. "With you, that was a place you needed to go, I get it. He's different...he's just a kid, Kaneki...all he wants is to take care of these people, Ghouls and Humans alike."
"I can send over enough to get you guys through the rest of today, maybe you'll have a little left over for tomorrow...but I need to talk with this Katsuki." Kaneki said.
"Yeah, I can arrange that." Hide agreed.
"Hide...is he Claw?" Kaneki asked.
Hide was silent for a moment. "Yeah...but there's more to that story than there seems...even I can't figure it all out."
"Just...be careful." Kaneki advised.
Special Investigator Yoshino Sunohara looked at the new recruit files on his desk with a satisfied grin. "These are the ones who said yes?"
The officer before him nodded confirmation. "Ms. Fujikawa especially was adamant when we made the offer. The analysts recommend her for captain."
"The analysts?" Sunohara mused. "Who were they this time?"
"Suzuya and Urie." The officer answered. "And they both claim to have discussed it with Kirishima."
Sunohara chuckled. "Can't wait to meet her. Well, as of today, Operation Legacy is officially up and running. Notify the new investigators to report to HQ first thing tomorrow morning, and make sure the quinques assigned to the Humans match the Kagunes of the ghouls. We want our teammates to get along."
