News had spread like fire of Auron's battle with first the SS~ Rated "Owl" and the infamous SSS~ Rated "One Eyed Owl". When Auron had walked into Cochlea with Eto Yoshimura slung over his shoulder, asking the officers to detain her in the lowest level of the prison, the warden had asked him; "The lowest level? Are you mistaken Special Class Tanderus? That level has never had any inmates. That's the SSS~ Cell Block". Auron had shown him his prisoner and told him of their battle. The warden had immediately agreed and informed the CCG Commanders of this event. Three weeks later, all Investigators had been summoned to a ceremony to congratulate Auron on his accomplishments. After the predictable commendations and speeches, the crowd had been shocked as the investigator was awarded with a new medal, the Elite White Dragon Wing Award, designed only because of him being the first investigator to "eliminate" two SSS rated ghouls. Even more shocking was when afterwards Commander Washuu took the stage, asking for silence. "Today, one of our most valuable members has set a new standard of investigator. Honestly, for an achievement of this scale, we haven't rewarded him fittingly".
He had looked around the square. "Up until now, the highest attainable rank for an active investigator was Special Class..." Some of the investigators present, including Noro, blinked in shocked awe. "Now however, we Commanders feel that that the title of Special Class is too constricting for this man's ability. So, without further ado, I hereby promote Special Class Auron Tanderus to Elite Special Class Investigator. The first and only Investigator of this calibre now has a deserving reward". He takes two rank slides adjourned with the Eagle crest of a Special Class, ringed by a circle of gold stars, and attached them to Aurons shoulder plates.
The crowd went wild. Some spectators filled with optimism for the future of the CCG, others with respect for this man they had always know to be a cut above them all, and others still with envy, for this man who had only been an investigator for 7 years had surpassed even they who had thought themselves on top of the world. Noro was thinking one thing only. What should I do? This man… this ghoul has just been named the most senior Investigator in the CCG. But… I can't deny the fact that he really is the best investigator the CCG has ever seen… Noro frowns at an odd droning sound above him. He squints into the sunlight, a dark spot blotting out the sun. Noro is about to remark on this anomaly when a booming sound is heard from behind them. They all turn around as the CCG world memorial explodes, debris flying outwards, instantly killing dozens of Investigators. As the investigators draw their Quinque, a group of figures can be seen approaching through the dust. They step out into the view of the CCG members, a group of ghouls, some masked and wearing the Aogiri garb, others unmasked, clad in the uniforms of Cochlea inmates. A First Class next to Noro swears. "Shit! It's Aogiri…. And it looks like they busted the Cochlea ghouls too…." Noro's blood turns to ice. "Cochlea? Then…. That means that the One Eyed Owl is free again... And so are all those other SS~ Rated Ghouls…." He wipes his now sweating brow. Multiple Special Class Investigators were usually needed to take down just one SS rated ghoul… There had to have been almost 170 in Cochlea… He looks over to the centre of their ranks. Aogiri Tree's Generals… Tatari, Naki, Black Rabbit and Fuegechi. At their head stood Eto Yoshimura, the One Eyed Owl, now dressed in her usual bandaged attire.
Noro now sees another figure directly beside the Owl. Black hair shot with streaks of white, spectacles, and dressed similarly to Auron. Noro steps back. "No… Not Centipede…" Centipede, also known as "Eyepatch", Haise Sasaki and Ken Kaneki, had a long and complex history… He had begun as an artificially created One Eyed Ghoul. A victim of Dr Kanou's twisted work. But, at some point, he had been captured by Aogiri Tree and tortured, turning him cold and ruthless as a result. In the following years, he had been defeated at the hands of Kishou Arima, and brought under the CCG's wing as an Investigator, having lost his memories, just like Auron had. Haise Sasaki had gone at one point, replaced once again by his real persona, Ken Kaneki, who stayed with the CCG, even going as far as to be promoted to Associate Special Class. Some years later he had gone rouge, and had been given a SSS~ rating for the fact that he had managed to so deeply infiltrate the CCG. Also because he was able to fight toe to toe with the One Eyed Owl, even mortally wounding her.
Apparently now he had been freed by Aogiri today, and decided to join his former enemies to take out his other enemies. Us… As Noro watches in growing dread, Eto leans in towards Kaneki and whispers something in his ear. He nods, cracking his fingers in that way that had always made Noro nauseous since he was a Rank 2, and leaps nimbly into the air, landing on the stage directly in front of Auron. Auron in turn raises an eyebrow. "I'm honoured… truly. To be approached by the legendary SSS~ Ghoul… Kaneki…" Kaneki frowns, removing his own spectacles, throwing to the ground, and crushing them underfoot. "Not nearly as legendary as you it would seem. Black Reaper" He smiles, unintentionally mimicking his own infamous ghoul mask. He cracks his fingers again. "The Owl seems to think of you as an unwilling, if not valuable, asset. Will you come quietly Auron Tanderus?"
Auron chuckles and shakes his head, looking at his Quinque, then discarding the thought of using it, he throws it behind him towards Noro. As Noro catches the sheathed blade, Auron removes his own spectacles, sliding them into his pocket. "I'm afraid I cannot comply with your request, ghoul". He looks around at the Investigators holding back the ghouls. "As you can see, I'm not the man I once was… I'm your enemy, Ken Kaneki". Kaneki sighs. "Somehow I knew that you'd say something like that". He smiles. "But, no matter what bullshit you spout and preach about redemption, I will always know your true motives".
As he says this, he violently twists to the side to avoid the RC poisoned knife that Auron had thrown, watching as it slams into the wall behind him. "Tsk. That was just rude Auron…" "I've heard enough, Centipede. Leave now or this day will be your last, trash". He quickly brings out his Kagune, flexing all 4 limbs at once. Kaneki raises an eyebrow at the sight of the man's Kagune. "4 limbs? And each a different type too. You truly are a pedigree pure blooded ghoul aren't you?" He looks around at the shocked doves around them. Whispers of He's a ghoul? Traitor! And what's going on? were spreading like a wildfire. "It looks like your colleagues mightn't so easily accept your true nature as you thought…" He brings out his own Rinkaku Kagune, shaping one of his limbs into a hand, lunging for Auron's throat, another in the shape of gaping jaws. Auron jumps out of the line of fire, using his Koukaku as a blade to slice off Kaneki's limbs. As they regenerate, the one eyed ghoul cocks his head. "Damn, you really are another one of those men. Like me, you groomed yourself to surpass Arima Kishou, though for very different reasons…" He lashes out with his Kagune, slicing a wound across Auron's right shoulder and drawing blood. Auron lands lightly on his feet, examining the wound is it near instantly heals over.
"Commendable skills you have Ken Kaneki. I wouldn't be lying when I say that you truly are the first person to have wounded me since I became an Investigator". Kaneki laughs. "It's appreciated. But you… Instant Regeneration? I'd never have thought it…." He raises his eyes to look into Auron's. "That your ability had risen so far above my own…" He is cut off mid-sentence as Auron impales him with all 4 of his Kagune limbs. Blood dribbles from his mouth as Auron's Kagune retract, and he drops to the ground. Auron looks down with sad eyes at the famous One Eyed Ghoul. "I know what this was. It was a rite of passage. The passing over of the baton of legend…" He bows. "Thankyou…. I won't disappoint you I'm sure. This wound won't kill you, but you won't be able to move for a while, so stay still and pretend to be dead".
He gets back up, looking around at the faces of his comrades. "I'm sure you all have a lot of questions…" One Special Class Investigator, his name was Erwin Dorman, spoke out above the others. "Yeah I have I question. Why is a ghoul wearing the uniform of an investigator? What the fuck are you playing at? Why shouldn't I kill you where you stand?" Auron opens his mouth to answer when Commander Washuu places a hand over Dorman's chest. "Why shouldn't we kill him? Because…" He looks at Auron. "To be honest, I don't think any of us here could lay a finger on him… And besides, look at this scene. Auron has just eliminated a third SSS~ Rated ghoul in defence of the CCG…" He walks up to face Auron. "I truly don't know what your motives are, but clearly both your goal and that of the CCG cooperate to a certain degree, otherwise you wouldn't have joined our ranks, being a ghoul after all".
Auron nods. "Yes… I aim to bring down the Aogiri Tree, just as you humans do… Besides". He grins ironically, "I've been trying to raise the bar for you humans to achieve greater success". He retracts his Kagune, picking up his spectacles from the ground and dusting them off. "Is it so wrong that a ghoul decides to work alongside humans? Be realistic. The CCG greatly benefits from my battle prowess". Commander Washuu nods thoughtfully. "The CCG employing a ghoul to fight the ghouls? It's rather poetic isn't it?" He looks at Auron, then walks to him and shakes his hand. "I hope we can continue to work together Auron…. So I'm using my authority as a Commander to promote you to Commander…" The spectators gasp. "You will be the CCG's Battle Commander, the executive in charge of promotion and the mobilisation of CCG Operations".
The crowd gasps, and even Auron raises an eyebrow. "Are you really willing to make such a drastic change to the CCG as this? Letting a ghoul lead you?" Washuu nods. "I believe that I can trust you to act in our best interests Auron… Please live up to my expectations". Auron turns around, facing the remaining Aogiri ghouls and Eto Yoshimura. "Well? Aogiri Tree has lost the day. Aren't you going to retreat back into the night?" Eto scowls at the man, showing officially that even the One Eyed Owl feared the Ghoul turned Investigator. "Fine. I'll give you this victory for now…" She looks down at the still form of Kaneki. "What are you going to do with him? You aren't going to take my Kaneki from me are you?"
Kaneki suddenly gets up onto his feet, his wounds completely healed. "I'm not going to join Aogiri Eto, not ever. I didn't back then and I'm not going to now". He walks over to Aurons side and grins at him. "The baton of legend has passed from me, but I can still play my own role". He turns to the newly promoted Commander. "Will you accept my reenlistment into the CCG?" Auron's face is thoughtful, then returns to its usual calm demeanour. "I am hereby reinstating Ken Kaneki as a member of the CCG, and furthermore, am promoting both him…" He looks towards the rear of the crowd, where Arima is watching the spectacle. "And Kishou Arima to Elite Special Class Investigators, to become part of my new personal Elite Squad, S4". Arima walks forward, bowing respectfully towards his new superior.
Auron bows towards Washuu, then to the other Investigators. "This meeting is now officially adjourned". He looks over at Eto and her generals. "That means you too. Leave this place or die…" He draws both his Quinque, Reiyuza, and his Kagune. Arima draws his own Ixa and Kaneki likewise summons his Kagune. Eto scowls, then turns on her heel, leaving the courtyard. Ayato looks at Kaneki, the ghoul who he had in many ways come to respect as a crusader for his kind, then also turns away in disgust. Hinami gazes at the man she thought of as her older brother and mentor, then at the fearsome man who had ghosted his footsteps, and gone on to defeat him with such ease. She turns away before anyone see's the tears running down her cheek…
It had been 3 months since Auron had become a Commander and formed the Elite Squad. In that time, he had overseen several operations against Aogiri's forces, and even had another run in with the elusive ghoul organization, V. Currently, He, Kaneki and Arima were strolling down a quiet street, stopping outside a small coffee shop named :RE. Auron looks down at Kaneki. "This must be nostalgic for you". Kaneki shrugs. "Many things have happened since those days. I'm not the same ghoul I once was…" Arima opens the door, holding it open and gesturing the two of them inside. As they all sit down at a table, an attractive blue haired woman appears behind the counter. Seeing the investigators, she shivers, then walks over to serve them.
First she see's Kaneki, and her eyes widen then turn sad. She still thought he was Haise Sasaki. Then she spots Arima behind him, and she stops moving entirely, frozen in fear of seeing the CCG's White Reaper in her store. Auron leans over and pats her on the shoulder. "Excuse me miss? I'd like a drink if you may. Milk and two sugars please. Touka looks over at Auron and frowns. She didn't know this Investigator. But he must be high up, considering his present company. Kaneki had been an Associate Special Class if she remembered correctly, and everyone knew Arima was a Special Class. She nods and goes into the kitchen, returning with three coffees for the men. As she sets the drinks down, Auron reaches into his pocket and pulls out his CCG ID. Arima and Kaneki do the same. "Ma'am, if we may ask you some questions?" Touka reads the ID's before her. Commander Auron Tanderus, Elite Division. Next she scans the other ID's. Elite Special Class Kishou Arima, Elite Division, Elite Special Class Ken Kaneki, Elite Division. She frowns, then looks at Kaneki. "Your name is listed as Kaneki?" Kaneki nods. "Yes Touka… It's me". She gasps, then covers her mouth. Auron looks at her. "This store…. It's run by ghouls is it not?" Touka's eyes widen, and she stumbles back, only to be caught mid-air by Kaneki's Kagune limb.
Auron stands up and offers a hand, his eyes turning black as night. "Please Miss Kiroshima, calm down". He smiles, his eyes returning to normal. "I tend to refrain from killing my own kind if they don't deserve it… I'm sure Kaneki feels the same, and I at least think Arima doesn't kill innocent women". Touka nods warily, then stands up on her own. "Who are you? And why are men such as you in the same room? Let alone the CCG…" Auron shrugs. "I have a complicated history you see. But I've been working with the humans for many years now, so I don't see why I should stop now…" Touka frowns. Kaneki pats her on the back. "Don't worry about it. Auron has history that makes even my head hurt". He grins in an oddly cheerful way, his eyes squinting at the same time behind his spectacles. "Kaneki I… You've changed since that time. You seem calmer and… warmer". The Elite Special Class twists his expression. "You mean I don't break down and start screaming anymore? Yeah, Touka, I'm a different man than I was as a youth". He pulls a chair out for Touka, gesturing towards it with his Kagune limb. "So, Touka. Now that the pleasantries have been exchanged, can we get into the crux of the matter?"
She looks at this man who was allegedly Kaneki's superior. His ID pins him as one of the CCG's Executives. A Commander. So what's someone like him doing here? As she nods silently, Auron takes out a piece of paper from the inside of his black coat. On it were a list of names of well-known ghouls from within the 17th Ward. "You want me to tell you if I know any of them?" Auron smiles appreciatively. "You're indeed mentally agile Miss Kiroshima. Yes. I'm currently investigating a lead on a missing ghoul from the 17th Ward that may provide valuable intelligence for us…" She nods, then scans over the names and faces. It made sense. She and her brother Ayato had survived on the streets of the 16th Ward, just a few blocks away, for many years before. She sees a name at the top of the list. Next to several portrait photos the name was written in bold, red ink. "Reaper" SSS~ Status: Unknown. Touka gasps, then looks up at Aurons face, comparing the most recent photo to that of the Investigator in front of her. "You're the SSS~ Rated "Reaper"?"
Auron nods. "Don't fuss too much over that. The CCG already know of my identity as a ghoul. I have…. Gained their trust through my actions. Please, keep looking". She goes back to reading the list. She suddenly spots a familiar name. "This one". She points to a photo of a young looking white haired male, his mask strangely reminding her of Kaneki's old Eyepatch mask. Auron leaned over, then nods. "Dusk. An S~ Rated Ghoul who was a part of the Timekeeper Siblings of the 17th Ward". Touka nods also. "I remember meeting him when he was protecting his siblings from s group of Doves. He nodded to me, telling me to forget what I saw. I never saw him after that. He disappeared around the time that Reaper..." She corrects herself "You became active". She stands up, crossing her arms. "But I don't know why you want to know about him. What does he have to do with you?" Auron avoids the question. "Did you happen to know the name of his parents? I heard they died when the siblings were young".
Touka raises an eyebrow. "I think so… The other most noteworthy ghouls in the 17th Ward before him was the Eclipse Ghouls. They were the leaders of the Tanzai Tree, Toshiro and Izanta. I can't remember their last names… Sorry but-". She is cut off as Auron holds up a hand for silence. "Their surname was Tanderus…" Touka looks intently at him. "But that's your…. Name…" He nods. "Yes. That young ghoul back then was me. I'm sorry about this. But I had truly forgotten the names of my parents. That's all I needed to know. Thank you Miss Kiroshima". All three men stand up to leave, Arima bows to Touka. "Thank you for your time". She nods in bewildered thanks. As Auron stops at the door, he calls out; "I'm afraid we'll be very busy in the next few weeks, but I'll let Kaneki call by every now and again. Good day, Miss Kirishima". Kaneki winks at her as the door shuts behind him…