Tokyo Ghoul: The One-Eyed Swordsman

by Daemon of Wrath

Sometimes, heroes lose their humanity... But that does not mean they are the real monsters.

7. The Roost

Co-Written with Demons Anarchy of Pride, the creator of so many great stories like Persona 5: Night of the Phantom, Highschool DxD ALT, Highschool DxD: Shatter Destiny, Zero Irregularity, Highschool: Devil X Seraph, Code Geass Tokyo Ghoul, and many more. I could never have created this and my other projects without him.

I really appreciate your help, man. Couldn't have done this without ya!

Like, follow, favorite, and review. Thank you to all who continue to support this story.

Also…..ALL FLAMES CAN JUST BURN IN HELL!...So don't even bother.

Otherwise…..ENJOY!

Happy Thanksgiving!

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 7: The Roost

When Sinon met her partner, she soon realized that Iwa had not been kidding when he said that Mougan was eccentric.

The man stood a full head taller than her with a wide frame of muscle. His black hair was fashioned into a pompadour and a thick mustache sat on his upper lip. However, that wasn't what Sinon would classify as eccentric.

It's his way of speaking and personality.

"Mmmmmm!" the man breathed heavily. She could swear she saw steam blow out of his nostrils as he stroked his mustache. "So, you're Shino Asada, hm? You're small, but I hear you're pretty terrifying with a gun." he grinned broadly as he extended his hand. "It'll be nice working with you!"

"Y-you as well." the sniper nodded hesitantly, taking her hand into his. 'Holy crap they're huge,' she noted, noticing the vast difference in size. They were like giants in comparison to her skinny hand. "It will be a pleasure working with you."

"Good. You have a strong grip. I can tell you are strong, young miss." The man smiled broadly. He let go of the smaller woman's hand and nodded with a sage-like expression.

"Th-thank you..." She spoke in gratitude. But inside, her mind was busy pondering. She just can't understand this man.

"So!" his voice boomed suddenly, causing her to jump. "How good are you with a firearm, Shino-kun?"

Sinon felt her eyebrow twitch in annoyance. He did realize she was a girl, right? "Fairly well, I suppose." she stated. "In VRMMORPG's like Gun Gale, I'm pretty much a sniper. Not to brag or anything, but I was considered the strongest sniper in GGO. That being said, there's a difference between guns in virtual reality and guns in real life."

"Mmmmmmm, indeed!" Mougan nodded. "Still, from what Iwa's told me, you got a perfect score on the firearm test. Very impressive for someone so young."

"It was nothing really. Honestly, I'd have to thank Gun Gale for helping work on my marksmanship. When using a sniper rifle, aim is everything."

"Say, Shino-kun."

"Mougan-san, you do know that I am a girl, right?"

"What does gender matter?"

"Huh?" She looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"Ones gender shouldn't determine their ability or skill. We are all people. We all have equal potential to succeed and beyond."

...Were it not for the fact that the speech was arousing, Shino would have probably decked him for misinterpreting her words. Sighing in resignation, she shrugged her shoulders. "I see," she lied. "So, what do we do first?"

"Well, before you can even think of going and shooting Ghouls full of holes, you're going to need something far more useful than a gun." Mougan grinned. "And I have JUST the thing!"

He tossed the silver briefcase to her. She panicked as it descended toward her, catching it on either side and nearly losing her balance before she shifted herself back to a more comfortable position. She sighed heavily in relief before glaring at the man. "Next time, hand it to me."

"Oh, just open it. I guarantee this Quinque will be right up your alley." he assured her, crossing his arms with a look of anticipation.

"...O...kay." Shino did as she was told. She somewhat doubted she would be impressed by the Quinque just by his words alone...

...But she turned out to be wrong. She clicked the button and the case opened.

The metal case fell to the floor, and in her hands was...

'...I'm in heaven.'

The Quinque was shaped more like a gigantic sniper rifle, easily taller than Mougan. Its barrel was long, and quite different than any gun she ever saw with a bloody red vein-like pattern that extended from the mouth. Resting near where the barrel and the hilt of the gun met was a scope. The arm rest was also large, extending as long as her legs.

All in all, it was beautiful.

"Allow me to introduce the S Rank Quinque," Mougan smiled broadly in pride. "Phantom Bullet. Made from the S Rated Ghoul, Hollow Knife, knowing for his quick percision and strength with an Ukaku. You'll find it to be quite the nasty little devil."

Sinon grinned. "...I like it already, Mougan-san."

"Hahaha! I am glad you are enjoying your new Quinque, Shino-kun. It is also a weapon nearly on par with my Angel!" The Special Class Investigator patted the silver briefcase next to him.

"Your Angel?"

"Yes. My Higher Mind."

"And what's that do?" she inquired curiously.

"Mmmmmmm, you'll find out soon enough, I think." he told her, much to her disappointment. "Anyway, for the time being, you'll simply be training to get used to your weapon, until something occurs. Word is that a group called Aogiri is preparing for an attack."

"Aogiri..." Sinon frowned deeply. "You mean Aogiri Tree."

"Mmmm." Mougan nodded. "A Ghoul Organization led by the One-Eyed King, and at his right hand... the One-Eyed Dragon. A monster beyond anything you can imagine."

The man had a stern expression and fierce gaze when he spoke of the Dragon. Shino noticed this, and believed that there was some history between the CCG and One Eyed Dragon. What it was, she did not know.

"...They are truly that powerful?"

"Indeed. Ten years ago...the CCG was attacked by the One-Eyed Dragon. We nearly lost half of our forces to the savage beast. If Arima-kun hadn't stepped in and severely wounded it, who knows how much worse it would be."

The girl's eyes widened greatly. "It's that dangerous?!"

"Mmmmmmm!" the burly man nodded with the utmost seriousness. "He is labelled as an SSS-Rated Ghoul, but the King... that demon is a league far beyond any Ghoul. No one knows his true identity... but he is a demon in every sense of the word."

"...I see." Sinon nodded. "I will do my best, Mougan-san."

"Hahahahaha! Ready to jump into the fire!" Mougan howled with laughter. "I can tell! This shall be a fine partnership!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Philia fidgeted nervously, her Quinque case sitting in her lap as she waited inside the main lobby. She had been instructed to wait for her superior, and her partner, here, but already half an hour had passed since the order arrived. In truth, she was a bit nervous.

After all, it wasn't every day that you meet with the person that you are paired up with for your duty as a Ghoul Investigator. She really wanted to make a good impression and not make things awkward. If she was going to work with someone for an indefinite period of time, she preferred it with someone she was comfortable being around with.

"...Kotone-chan?"

Philia stood up straighter, hearing someone calling out for her. She turned to see someone entering the building, finding herself frozen in place for a while. It was a woman in her mid-twenties, bearing blonde hair that bore two braids, one on either side, and dressed in a professional suit with black leggings, purple heels, a black skirt with a dark purple work jacket, and a black shirt underneath. Her eyes bore a curious, almost dangerous gleam to them colored light silver. In her hand was a silver briefcase.

"H-hai!" she greeted, bowing her head. "A-are you... my senpai?"

The woman smiled slightly. "I wouldn't call myself a 'senpai,' simply because I've only been in the CCG for two years now, but yes, I am your partner." She extended her hand in greeting. "I am Rank 2 Investigator, Akira Mado. It's a pleasure."

"It's nice to meet you as well." Kotone greeted in kind. Based on the initial meeting, it seemed that Akira was a nice person. This put the girl's worries more at ease.

"You know...I was surprised that not just one...but five teenage girls managed to pass the examinations and climb up to Rank 2 Investigators in the span of months. You and your friends must be prodigies of some sort." The woman smiled playfully.

Philia rubbed the back of her neck, a sheepish grin on her face. "W-well, we were all stuck in a death game for two years, and it's kinda hard to forget about what makes you fight for survival."

Akira laughed somewhat. "I think I can understand that." she said. "Still, it's good to meet you. You'd be surprised how many female Investigators are actually enlisted, so it's a nice change of pace."

"Really? So the CCG is pretty much male-oriented?"

"Pretty much. Although, most of them come from families who wish to protect their spouses and children." Akira explained. But something changed in her eyes as she spoke the latter, as if she was proud of something.

"Really? Like who?"

"My father. He's a Top-Class, though I'd like to think he's on par with a Special Class." she explained. "He's also partnered with someone who's considered Top-Class material. His name is Koutarou Amon."

"Koutarou..." Philia recognized the name. "Oh, I've met him before back at the hospital. He was looking into the incident." Suddenly, her eyes became dark. "...The Ghoul responsible for that mess. He's dead, right?"

Akira took note of her change in demeanor, and nodded in confirmation. "...Yes. Autopsy reports indicate that the culprit behind the massacre is the S-Rated Ghoul, Ripper. However, a large portion of his body, even his Kagune and Kakuhou, are missing, presumably devoured. However, the Chimera-type Ghoul that was supposedly there at the scene of the crime was missing. Most likely, he had escaped."

"So... he was eaten." Philia smiled somewhat, in spite of her rising anger. "Must be karma, being eaten by another Ghoul."

"Cannibalism is rather common, believe it or not, but it seemed more like the Black Ghoul, which is what we are referring to the culprit as for the time being, was suffering from starvation. He must have not had eaten in a long time... confusing, really." Akira noted. "Especially since he was in a hospital."

"Wait...are you saying that he was trying NOT to eat the patients and staff there?" Kotone questioned.

"That seems to be the case. But for what reason, we are unsure. It is almost as if this Ghoul is similar to Shi."

"Shi?"

"An SSS Rated Ghoul that targeted only Ghouls. He's something of a hired gun, you could say. He was captured by Associate Special Class Marude only a few days ago. He was apparently chasing after an unknown Ghoul... who, though, we don't know."

"A Ghoul who only eats other Ghouls...? That's pretty weird."

"Indeed. It confuses us as well. He even stated that he has no wish of harming humans."

'I call bullshit on that,' Kotone thought to herself.

As far as she was concerned, Ghouls were heartless monsters who take pleasure in causing others to suffer and kill humans without any restraint. They are savage beasts who relish in death and bloodshed.

They were no better than Laughing Coffin.

She learned that after Kazuto Kirigaya's demise at the hands of Ripper.

Truly...the world would be better off without these...things...!

"Kotone-chan?"

"...sorry. Just thinking about some morbid stuff."

Akira raised an eyebrow, but relented. "Anyway, starting tomorrow, we'll be working over at the 22nd Ward."

"Is there any special reason?" Philia questioned. "Or is that where we'll be stationed?"

"A bit of both. Recently, a new Ghoul has popped up, and it's earned our attention. From what we understand, it seems to follow the same pattern as Shi... except this one targets humans as well: but so far, the humans he targets are nothing but rotten scum."

"Scum?" she frowned. "How so?"

"They're either drug dealers, rapists, murderers, or gang members."

Kotone's eyes darkened from hearing all those criminals running around. Just how twisted was this world if scum like them were running loose? However, she felt some level of reassurance upon hearing that they all got what they deserved.

"So he is some sort of vigilante poser?" She offered.

"Possibly."

"So... any idea who it is?"

"Somewhat." her partner nodded. "He always leaves behind a mark, a calling card of sorts. It resembles a black bird of some kind, and given his clothing, we refer to him as Crow."

"Crow?" Philia stiffled a chuckle. "What? Like the movie and comics?"

"It's fitting, don't you think?" Akira grinned back. "Only difference is that he's a Ghoul and not a zombie."

"Technically, they don't count as zombies."

"How so?"

From that point onward, while heading for the train station, the two debated over various subjects, mostly relating to old overseas films. Needless to say, Philia was glad she received such an awesome partner.

XXXXXXXXXX

"TYEEEEEAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!"

Iwa remained steadfast as he held his ground, his Quinque easily withstanding the furious and swift barrage Suguha was delivering. It was like watching a nimble warrior take on an immovable giant if you were to make comparisons. Ever since the spar started, Kuroiwa had not moved from where he stood as he deflected and parried every strike Suguha performed, with the girl forced to improvise and change tactics. Already, she ran through several as she tried to attack him from multiple fronts, even deciding to play dirty for once and tried to trip him up. That plan ended in failure, however, as Iwa seemingly expected this, and countered effeciently by knocking her back with a hard strike to the gut.

Sweat poured down her face and her jersey clinging to her rather uncomfortably. Thirty minutes had passed, and still she was nowhere close to defeating him. Hell, she hadn't landed so much as a single strike on him!

'So this...' she thought wearily. 'Is the strength of a Special Class...?'

"Is that it?" Iwa asked her. "Come on. Clear your mind of thought, stand tall, forgo your fears, and focus on the enemy before you. If you hesitate, even take so much as a single step back... you will die where you stand." He jammed his shield-like Quinque into the ground, creating cracks. "Now... come at me! With the intent to kill!"

"K-Kill...?" Suguha backpedaled slightly. Even though she was frustrated in her spar against the man, she didn't want to kill him! In the short time she's known him, he's been something like a kind, yet strict mentor to her. She could never...!

"Yes. Do you not wish to join CCG to slay Ghouls? The monsters who took your cousin away?!"

The words were cold and sharp, and hit home. Suguha bit her lip.

"We have all suffered loss, one way or another!" Iwa spoke volumes of the pain that many had been forced to endure, his body tense and trembling from the memories. "I have watched my comrades fall before my eyes, and I have made sure those responsible pay! Answer me, Suguha Kirigaya!"

"Will you destroy that which has robbed you of your loved one?! Or will you stand there and hide behind others like a coward?! If that is the case... then drop your Quinque and leave!"

"I...I..." The girl bit harder on her lip, threatening to draw blood. Months ago...she learned of her precious cousin's demise at the scene of the crime at the hospital. She grieved for hours...but that despair was replaced by rage and loathing of the race who took him away. When she was given the option of becoming an Investigator, she took it without hesitation.

Memories of her time in Aincrad, and in ALfheim, brought forth intricate memories... and they all had her brother in them.

She bit her lip harshly, enough so that blood was drawn. She hardened her grip around her Quinque, and glared up at the man.

"...You asked for it!"

With that, she charged. Iwa smiled, and prepared himself for the clash.

When Suguha's blade made contact, Iwa felt the heaviness of the strike needed to push him back, albeit slightly.

But the swordstress would not relent as she continuously hacked and slashed away at her tank of an opponent.

Finally...her attacks now had conviction. They had purpose. They had drive!

With a satisfied, and broad grin, Iwa finally went on the offensive rather than sitting and waiting around for Suguha to try and land a strike.

And then she learned just how terrifying a Special Class could be.

Iwa took a chance to go on the offensive. Each attack that she tried to block felt like stopping a speeding truck.

In little time at all, she was being overwhelmed. His speed was unexpected, and the weight of his strikes staggering. Her Quinque, which was more or less some kind of demonic katana with a dark green blade and a glowing, bloody red edge lacking a hilt or guard, was being shoved down with each strike. Even still, she held her ground, and used her own speed to her advantage, along with her kendo training.

It still failed to penetrate his defenses. Suguha bit back a curse, and stepped things up a notch.

'Faster!' she demanded of her body. 'Go faster!'

She forgone precision in her strikes in favor of greater speed. '...faster!' She swung rapidly, her eyes locked onto her target. '...Faster...!' The image of Kirito crossed her mind as she moved, vividly recalling one of his famed combo moves in ALO.

"FASTER!"

Iwa grunted as he began to defend against a flurry of attacks. 'So quick!' he thought in amazement. 'Arima told me that Asuna Yuki had superb speed and strength from being inside of Sword Art Online, but this girl has equal mettle!' His thoughts went back to her cousin, the boy who was killed. 'Kazuto Kirigaya... I wonder what you would think of your cousin, seeing where she is now?'

He knew the boy would feel sad and perhaps furious, seeing his sister figure throwing herself head first into danger simply to try and avenge him, yet Iwa couldn't help but feel that even he would feel impressed and awed by how she performed, and would no doubt feel pride in knowing she had come this far.

"Ooooyaaaarrrggghhhh!" She put her strength into this final swing. She was betting on one last strike to break through his defenses.

The strike created a shockwave that caused the world to shudder for only a brief moment. Iwa's body faltered for only a slight moment, his leg bending forward and down to his knee. 'Such strength!'

In that moment of weakness, Suguha managed to break through his iron-clad defenses. The shield-like Quinque was moved away only a few inches, and aimed directly for his shoulder. Iwa, however, proved to be a veteran, and to her shock, grabbed the blade with his bare hand. It stopped just short of the fabric, held tightly in place with an iron-clad grip. Suguha was stunned, even more so when she saw Iwa staring at her with a satisfied smile, despite the fact that blood was flowing out of his hand.

"...Well done, Kirigaya."

"A-Arigatou!" The young girl relaxed her stance and dropped her weapon as the man let go. She bowed in appreciation of the compliment, her previous feelings of bloodlust forgotten.

"Still, I must admit, I didn't think you could be so terrifying." the old yet spry warrior chuckled. "I'll say this, I pity the poor Ghoul who pisses you off. If I didn't know any better, I thought I was looking at Shi in his younger days."

"Shi?"

"A Ghoul I met in the past. He's an oddball, really. Never targets humans, only Ghouls. Something personal, I'd wager. Either way, he's ranked as SSS-Rated. A shame he was captured, though." Iwa sighed. "I still had to return the favor for saving my ass from the Dutchman half a year ago. Ah, oh welll... I can always settle for a poker game when I visit him."

Suguha stared at her superior in silence. He...just acts so casual. Even when he says he wants to play poker with a Ghoul prisoner.

'One moment he's a terrifying juggernaut, the next he's a reminiscing old man.'

Truly, the mind of Kuroiwa was a strange thing indeed.

XXXXXXXXXX

Rika stared at her superior/partner with unsure eyes, as if unable to ascertain who she was looking at. "...You're a lot older than what I was expecting." she remarked.

Taishi Fura shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, I've been called worse." he replied casually, taking a long drag of his cigarette. "So, you're Rika Shinozaki, right?"

"Hai," she nodded. "Though I prefer Lisbeth, or just Liz."

"Handle I take it?"

"Best blacksmith in ALfheim." she declared with pride, puffing out her chest.

"Really now? Is that a fact, or a self-proclaimed title?"

"Hey! Call it what you want, but I'm proud of it!" She snapped.

"Sorry. Didn't mean it like that. Just curious." The man shrugged as he blew out a plume of smoke.

Lisbeth sighed, shaking her head. She honestly couldn't make neither heads nor tails of this man. He may have looked like a middle-aged man, but there was something about him that just seemed... off. Almost like a contradiction.

"So, you have any experience dealing with monsters outside of video games?" Fura asked her at point bank. She shook her head. "Huh... Well, in that case, you'll learn fast. Just try not to die. This job usually leaves more widows than you think."

"...I'll keep that in mind." Rika nodded, letting the words sink in. She knew that this job had a high mortality rate the moment she learned of it. However...she just couldn't stop herself from joining if it meant a chance for revenge against the guy who killed Kirito.

"...Also, keep personal feelings out of your job." Her eyes widened. How the hell did he-?! "A lot of people join this gig because they want revenge for their loved ones... and 9 times out of ten, they all end up either buried six feet under, or inside a Ghoul's stomach. So word to the wise, unless you want to join your friend in the afterlife, just fight to survive. It won't be any different from SAO."

The girl just stared at this man in awe. In contrast to his rugged appearance, he was actually a wise individual. Huh...guess you can't judge a book by its cover.

Even still, she felt a little pissed about what he said earlier about Kirito. "R-right." Rika nodded. "Um... by the way, sir?"

"Just call me Fura, kid. Sir makes me feel older than I already am."

"Uh... Fura-san... What exactly will we be doing?"

Fura took a quick drag of his smokes before he blew out another smoke. "We're helping Investigators Kotone and Akira in the 22nd Ward. Apparently, a Ghoul's been showing up... and if you ask me, it's just like the guy who decided to have Ripper for lunch."

Internally, Rika was relieved. She would be working with one of her friends. However, the latter portion of what the Investigator said caught her attention. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that this guy has been killing and eating the scum on this earth. Drug dealers, murderers, rapists...gang members..." He hesitated on the last word before returning to his stern demeanor. "...the works."

Her eyes widened in shock. "S-seriously?"

"Yeah. Because of what he leaves behind, and his fashion statement, we refer to him as the Crow." A sighed escaped him. "He's an interesting one. Being a member of the Clowns and a vigilante... kinda makes you wonder if he's related to the Phantom."

"Uh...huh..." the brunette girl said slowly before frowning. "Are all Ghouls weirdos?"

"Most of them are." he told her. "Anyway, let's get going."

"Hai!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Well done." Raijuu smiled pleasantly as the group returned. "I assume the mission went as planned."

"Heh, more than that, Raijuu-sama." Yamori grinned widely. "We didn't leave so much as a single bastard left... a shame, though, If you woulda let me, I would have taken one of them as a souvenir. Then you could watch me play around with him some."

"Please, don't tempt me, Yamori." he told him. "It's already hard to resist imagining such a spectacle and watching as a maggot begs for mercy."

Ayato groaned in irritation. "Whatever, can we get on with this meeting?" he asked. "Seriously! I'm bored to death here! No disrespect, Raijuu-sama, but those were some fucking pushovers!"

"All in due time, Ayato-kun." the young man assured him. "All in due time."

The meeting had yet to begin. Not everyone was present in the room. They were still waiting on Noro and Tatara. Both had another assignment in another ward by orders of the King.

"My, they're rather late." Nico commented. "How long will they be gone?"

"Probably a while, given Noro-sama's appetite." Yamori chuckled. "Still makes me wonder how the hell that skinny bastard can eat so much? He puts binge eaters to shame."

"Well, I won't deny that..." Raijuu nodded. "However, given his abilities, Noro needs to eat a large amount. At any rate, Tatara said we can begin the meeting without him."

"Eeeeeh?" the feminine man said with surprise. "That's a rare thing for someone as strict as Tatara-kun to do!"

"Indeed, but given the importance of the matter, there's not much to discuss."

"Really? Well, what is it you wanted to share with us?"

"That is..."

"You needn't speak, Raijuu." a voice called out from the darkness. "After all... this matter is quite intricate, is it not?"

Raijuu displayed shock and surprised, turning to the unknown figure in the darkness. The others grew disturbed and tensed up. The Ghoul smiled, however, as he nodded his head.

"Of course... You're Excellency."

Then, the figure stepped out of the darkness. Everyone, sans Raijuu, froze when their eyes met the newcomer's form. Their reactions varied.

The Bin Brothers felt every morcel in their bones shiver in fright, and wanted to bolt out of there like a bat out of hell.

Nico was close to passing out from excitement.

Ayato took a step back, sweat pouring down his face like a waterfall.

Yamori looked like Christmas had just come early.

The new figure was wearing a tattered robe around his tall frame, with worn and beaten clothes underneath. Long and messy black hair spilled out from his head and through his hood, reaching down to his shoulder blades. However, it was the mask itself that was the most horrifying piece of his attire. It had black holes for eyes, resembling sockets, and a wide toothy grin that reaches to either side of his face.

However, it was the heavy, potent stench of blood, both of human and Ghoul, coming off of him and daunting presence that make the atmosphere to tense.

"W-who the fuck are you?!" Ayato snarled.

Raijuu lost all pretense and posture of kindness, rage and fury fully expressed on his face. "Ayato Kirishima, you will hold your tongue this instant!" he snarled with absolute venom.

Strangely, the newcomer laughed. "It is fine, Raijuu..." he assured him, his tone baritone and smooth like brass. "I did not mean to startle anyone here... but, given your recent accomplishments, and how highly regarded you are from what Raijuu has told me, I thought I would come to see you in person."

Yamori was obviously the first to recognize him, simply by the smell and his psoture. "You are him, aren't you?" he asked with a tone of reverence. "It-it is an honor, Your Excellency."

"And it is a pleasure, Yakumo Oomori... or rather, Jason of the 13th Ward." the figured nodded. "Allow me to introduce myself...

"...I am the One-Eyed King. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."

"...!" To those who were unfamiliar with the man, it felt as if a bomb had been dropped inside the very room. They have never seen the One Eyed King before...but they have heard tales of his power, charisma, ferocity, and bloodlust.

And to think...that very being is now in the same room as them. The Ghouls who stood before now knelt before their King.

"F-f-forgive me, Y-Your Excellency!" Ayato cried out. It was out of both respect and fear. Here, the strongest of them all stood... and he did not disappoint. Just the overbearing smell of blood, along with the contained bloodlust that rolled off him in spades, was enough to nearly make him prostrate himself like a damned fool and plead for salvation. "I-I didn't-!"

"It is fine, Ayato Kirishima." the King told him with a shrug of his hand. "Rise, all of you. I will not have any comrade of mine prostrate himself before me like some damned fool."

The Ghouls unfamiliar of the king were surprised by his benevolence. They assumed that due to the menacing aura he projected, he would be a cruel being who demanded reverence. Immediately, they all stood on their feet, but maintained a respectful stance toward their leader.

"So, to what do owe this pleasure, Your Excellency?" Nico asked. "After all, from what I assumed, you didn't care for such mundane events or people like us."

The King chuckled heartedly. "Rightfully so... but given the situation, I thought that this would be the best time." Instantly, a moment later, his voice became cold. "From here on out, the only ones you will follow are myself, Raijuu, and Tatara. Am I understood."

"Hai, Your Excellency." Yamori nodded, a large grin on his face. "So then, what do you ask of us?"

The leader of Aogiri was silent for a while, gathering his thoughts. "...We have all gone through hardship, myself included." he spoke in a whisper. "All of us, outcasts of this blackened society society. We've been labelled as monsters, freaks... abominations." A snarl escaped him. "The humans think of us as mere abhorrent beasts without a sense of morality. They think of us as mindless vermin who know only to feast on their flesh. And who is to blame for that? It is not humans... but the ones who rally them to take up arms."

The King turned to face them, his bloodlust leaking out. "The Wasshu have labelled us as threats and monsters... if that is the case, then why not show them just how monstrous we can be?" He spread his arms out. "From this point onward, we'll show those misguided fools no mercy. Show them none, and leave them begging for their lives, just as our bretheren have when faced down upon the blade of death."

"As of this moment," the One-Eyed King roared. "I declare war on the Wasshu Family-no... on the entirety of the Commission of Counter Ghoul!"

The room fell in silence in a mixture of reactions. Some grinned madly in bloodlust, some smiled in amusement, while others were shocked from this lofty proclamation.

War on the CCG? war on the group that killed so many of their kind...?

...How Exhilarating...!

'This is absolutely glorious!' Nico thought, trembling from the very thought of it. 'Hahahahaaha! What fun! It's like a carnival! Oh, to think the One-Eyed King would be so... so hilarious! War on humans?! HAHAHAHAHAH! Oh, if only the others could hear this!'

"War..." Yamori cackled. "Hahahahaha! I never thought I'd hear those words in all my life! Oh, the fun I'll have! Your Excellency, will I be able to...?!"

"Feel free to toy with them as you see fit, Yakumo Oomori."

Ayato felt his body shaking, and his mouth twisting into a grin. "Finally... Finally!"

Finally...this was Ayato's chance! He will finally get a chance to fight better opponents! The ghouls he fought up to now were nothing but a pack of weaklings! But an Investigator...an Investigator can truly test his skills and determine how strong he has become!

Not only that... if all went well... he could kill the bastard who made Aneki's life a living hell!

The Bin Brothers were most certainly looking forward to it. They joined Aogiri simply because it meant getting back at the Investigators for thinking that they were mere chump change or pests that needed to be exterminated. A war on the CCG was just the thing they hoped for.

Raijuu was smirking.

He could feel the rising morale and bloodlust from his subordinates at the King's words. This was just what they all needed. They all had a new mission...the eradication of the detested CCG!

The One Eyed Dragon was grinning madly in anticipation. He looked over to his leader in reverence and gratitude. To Raijuu, the One Eyed King is the beacon of hope that could rend the twistedness in this world. He is the savior of their kind. Only the One Eyed King is able to destroy this tainted world and recreate it anew!

'Soon...' he thought with glee. 'Soon, the world we want... will come to fruition!'

XXXXXXXXXX

"H-hello," the girl bowed humbly to the two. "M-my name is Sachiko Murayase, b-but please, call me Sachi."

The timid girl introduced herself to the staff at Anteiku. Kirito stood next to her while Touka and Kaneki stood a bit further back behind the duo. After Kirito saved her, he got on his knees and apologized excessively to the girl. Neither teen had ever seen the Black Swordsman like this. First it was an episode of lethal, berserker rage, now it was complete remorse and sorrow.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sachi-san." Yoshimura said kindly, bowing his head. "I am Yoshimura, the manager of the cafe. I heard from Touka that you went through quite the ordeal, so please, try to relax here."

"A-arigato."

The dark haired girl bowed again. The girl was still trying to take in everything that happened thus far. Not too long ago, Kirito had saved her from pushy gang members. But the way he had done it instilled some unease into her. No human was capable of indenting a wall like that with a person's body. And her suspicions were confirmed when he saw that one eye...

That being said, she wasn't scared at all.

Even though he had the eye of a Ghoul...how he acted afterward solidified the fact that it really was Kirito. She understands that Ghouls are the hunters of mankind, heartless monsters who prey on the weak, but she knew Kirito was not like that.

After all, he had tried to save them in the past. He had done everything he could. If it weren't for him, she wasn't sure if she or the others would have survived out in that forest. Even though she ended up being killed in the game, she saw how hard he tried for them.

That was all she needed.

When he got on his knees, cried his heart out, and apologized, she knelt down and wrapped her arms around him. He had endured so much pain and suffering...and it was all her fault. When she was killed in that dungeon, she had no idea that torment he had carried for nearly a year. It wasn't Kirito who should be begging her for forgiveness...it was the other way around.

"Hm..."

Sachi fidgeted somewhat when Koma leaned in somewhat, a hand on his chin. From what she understood, the shy boy with the eyepatch, Kaneki-san, and the intimidating girl, Touka-san, were Ghouls as well, so she assumed those who worked at Anteiku were also Ghouls. Being stared at so intently was certainly enough to make her squirm on the spot.

"Koma-san," Kirito said, getting in front of her rather protectively. "What are you doing?"

"...Damn, talk about lucky." Koma's face broke out into a large grin. "Nice score~ She's pretty cute. So, you two out on a honeymoon?"

"Wh-what?!" Both teens' faces lit up in a furious blush. "I-it's not like that!" Both denied with a shake of their heads. Seriously...what was Koma thinking...? Kirito had a girlfriend for crying out loud! Man...if Asuna saw this...

'...that's gonna be one long conversation, me being a Ghoul aside..' he groaned at the thought.

"Eh?" a disappointed frown formed on his face. "So she's not your girlfriend?"

"N-no! Her name is Asuna!" Kirito snapped. "Good grief...!"

"K-Kirito-san and I are just friends!" Sachi insisted, her face still painted pink.

"Ah...I see...I guess I misunderstood." The man nodded.

"Yeah you did!"

"Still, you two look pretty good together!"

"DAMMIT KOMA!" Kirito yelled at the man. The situation quickly grew comedic...so much to the point that Sachi was unable to stifle her giggles.

Touka smirked at the sight, as if finding it to be karma while Kaneki chuckled lightly. Yoshimura smiled somewhat, a hand at his chin. "My word, you're quite the lively bunch, aren't you?" he asked as he placed a cup of coffee on the counter. "Here, this should calm the nerves."

"Ah...thank you..." Sachi accepted the cup graciously. She tipped it to her lips and let the hot fluid fill her taste buds.

"Aaaah..." she exhaled, a smile of content on her round face. "This is wonderful."

"Thank you, Sachiko-san."

"It's pretty good huh?" Kirito asked her.

"Mm." She nodded eagerly.

"Um, S-Sachi-san..." Kaneki spoke up. "Y-you were in SAO with Kirigaya-san, right? T-then, were you...?"

Sachi shook her head. "No, I..."

"Oh yeah...How...how are you even here...?" Kirito asked tentatively, just realizing the situation. The girl had perished before her eyes...how was she alive...? "I...I saw you die...your NervGear should've...it should've..." He couldn't bring himself to say it.

Sachi frowned somewhat at the mention of the subject. "I... I don't really know myself. According to my parents, and the men who came to see me, there was something about my NervGear that seemed... faulty."

"Faulty?" the geeky teen repeated, frowning. "...Sachi, by any chance, the NervGear... when did you buy it?"

"Hm... I think when it was first released to the public, so... three years before SAO was released."

"So it was one of the earlier models." Kirito nodded. "That must explain why. When the NervGear was first released, it received some pretty bad reception because of bad network connections, lagging, or just downright horrible software. It wasn't until Kayaba stated that he had purposely released faulty hardware because of a project he was working on."

"I think I know about it." Kaneki chimed. "According to an interview featured in a famitsu article, Akihiko-san said that, by receiving critical reviews, he was essentially gathering data on it, using everyone who ever bought the NervGear as beta testers in a sense. It wasn't until a month later in another interview that he announced Sword Art, the first ever Virtual Reality MMMORPG game, set exclusively for the NervGear."

"And at that point, he had already gathered enough data to refine the mechanics of the system, resulting in improved connection, high speed processing, and superior software. Because of this, he was confident enough for his control in the Death Game to be reassured."

"So then, her NervGear is one of the older models?" Touka questioned. Kirito nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "It would make sense. The most probable thing to think is that her NervGear must have malfunctioned within the ten second timeframe of when her Avatar was destroyed, and when the NervGear registered it. It takes that much time for the NervGear to fry someone's brain."

"So most likely...it's due to the first generation NervGear's flaws that she managed to survive that game even when her avatar died?" Kaneki offered.

"Yeah...that seems to be the case."

"In that case...the girl has got some Devil's luck."

"I-I wouldn't go that far..." Sachi said weakly, a small smile on her face before turning to Kirito. "And... Kirito-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." she told him. "For trying to save us"

The raven haired teen's eyes widened. Thank...you...? He...he didn't deserve such a thing. He tried to save them...but he was unable to...It was because of him...Ducker...Keita...all of them were killed!

"Sachi... I..." he looked down at his hands, unable to look her in the eye. How could he, after everything that transpired?

"Kirito-kun, please... stop blaming yourself." Sachi told him gently, taking a hold of his hands. "It wasn't your fault that all of us died..."

"B-but I..."

"Won't you just try, at least once?" she asked him. "Won't you try to forgive yourself, if only a little?"

"I...but I..." He continued to look to the ground.

"Kirito-kun. Look at me." Sachi told him firmly.

The boy was unable to.

A gentle hand came to his face, pulling it upward. Sachi looked at him, her face oddly serious. It reminded him of the Sachi he encountered in the Hollow Area, the Sachi who had the will that the shy girl had lacked. "Kirito-kun, it's alright." she told him. "You couldn't have known what would happen, even at your level."

"B-but..."

"But nothing." She shook her head. "I know you kept your level hidden from us to protect us..."

"Even still..." he bit his lip. "If... If I hadn't kept it a secret, then maybe... then maybe none of you would have..."

"Enough." She cut her off. "That's enough, Kirito-kun. Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault. It never was!"

"Sachi…"

"I'm serious Kirito-kun."

For a while, the boy was silent. He continued to stare at her for the longest time, as if trying to find something in her words, or in her eyes.

He wondered if this was how Asuna felt when he had told her about what had happened in the Hollow Area, when he met an AI version of Sachi.

At first, he did not know what to make of the initial meeting. But all he felt was a desperate hope that Sachi somehow survived.

Inside, however, he knew it was a false hope to hold on to. When someone dies in the game, they would die in the real world. It was a fact, and it was undisputed. No matter how much Kirito wanted to believe it was her, the Sachi he met in the HA was not the Sachi that was in front of him now.

They were completely different people. One was composed solely of data, while the one before him was real flesh and bone. She was alive.

Just a few hours ago, he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him...but he still believed it to be her nonetheless.

This was Sachi, the girl he tried to protect... and failed. It was like the universe of the digital world was slapping him in the face, telling him to remember his mistakes from Sword Art Online.

"... still, if I hadn't kept it a secret..." Kirito's body shook. "If I... if I had just been stronger, then... maybe... maybe I could have...!"

"That's enough!" She spoke sternly. Kirito flinched from the volume of her words. "Will you please stop blaming yourself like this? I keep telling you that it wasn't your fault!"

"B-but I- OW!"

Kirito yelped when a heel slammed into his head, causing a lump to form. Sachi reeled back in shock, eyes wide as she turned to the attacker. Touka's face was one of annoyance, her heel lifted in the air with her arms crossed. Kaneki looked surprised by the action, and also worried for Kirito, while the others didn't seem so worried.

"Dammit, Dobe-Shima!" the black-haired teen growled. "What the hell was that for?!"

"For being such an emo bastard, that's what!" she snapped, causing him to flinch. "You're a fucking broken record! I don't know what happened in SAO, but for God's sake, man up and stop whining like a bitch in the middle of her fucking period!"

"You don't understand...You have no idea what the hell I've done!" he yelled arguably.

"Maybe not...but that doesn't give you the excuse to be some sort of Emo whiner, always being sorry for himself instead of just moving on!"

That remark certainly hit home, causing Kirito to sink back in his seat.

"You think I haven't been through hell?!" Touka snarled. "I dunno what sort of shit you had to go through, but I guarantee you, the hell I was forced to live in was a thousand times worse. All you've done is just set one foot in it, so you don't have the fucking RIGHT to complain, got that... human?"

"..." Kirito remained silent.

"...That's what I thought. Don't think you're the only one who has endured hell. Look at us." She gestured to the rest of Anteiku. "We all have bad blood in our pasts."

"U-um, T-Touka-chan..." Kaneki stuttered. "D-don't you think you're being a bit too harsh on Kirigaya-san? I mean... he just reunited with someone he thought died."

"That still doesn't give Kuro-Baka the right to whine like a little bitch." she huffed.

"What did you call me?!" Kirito shot out of his seat, his eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

"You heard me. You were complaining so much for the past half hour I thought I had to rip my own ears off! You just wouldn't shut up!"

"Why you...!"

"What? Wanna go, Kuro-baka?" she taunted, flashing her Kakugan. "You couldn't take me on, even in a hundred years. Hell, you don't even know how to use your Kagune."

"Don't tempt me, Touka..." Kirito snarled. "I am not in the best mood right now!"

"H-hey, wait a minute!" Kaneki immediately saw what was about to happen, and got between the two. "C-c'mon, there's no reason to fight! E-especially not in front of Sachiko-chan!"

"Move it, halfer." Touka warned. "Otherwise, you're gonna get throttled."

"Kaneki, stand aside." Kirito glared harshly, his own Kakugan flaring. "I'm just about to beat the shit out of her! All you've done, ever since I got here, is treat me like shit! I'm totally sick of it!"

"And what'cha gonna do, huh?! Keep on whining?!"

"You're asking for it, Dobe-Shima!"

"ENOUGH!" The human girl cried, causing everyone to turn at the source of the loud voice.

"Please stop this! Aren't you supposed to be friends?!"

"Me? Friends with this idiot?" Touka scoffed. "Get your eyes checked, brat... Ghouls don't have friends, and do you know why? Because of people like YOU."

Kirito whirled on her, furious. "Leave her out of this, Touka!"

"Then keep your pet on a leash!"

"THAT'S IT!"

Kaneki's eyes widened in fright when he saw Touka form a scowl, flowing wings forming out of her back. Kirito lunged. 'No!' he thought in panic. Unbeknownst to him, his left eye formed into a Kakugan. 'No!

"STOP!"

Suddenly, he felt his back flare in pain.

"STOP THIS!" The timid boy leaped forward, unaware of his own body moving. Within his peripheral vision, crimson red tendrils shot out from either side of his and intercepted both Kirito and Touka before they could clash.

The tendrils pierced through the wings, destroying them as they crystallized. Another pair pierced into Kirito's wrists, slamming him into the wall and keeping him pinned there.

"Wha-?!"

"Khe-!"

Both teens winced in pain as the sharp appendages impaled their bodies. Touka placed a hand to her back over her damaged Ukaku wings while Kirito grit his teeth in pain as he bled from his wrists, his fingers numb and unmoving.

"Please stop this! I don't want you guys to fight! Aren't we all supposed to be friends?"

"Didn't you just hear a fucking word I-"

"And I don't care!" Kaneki shouted, causing the girl to step back. That had been the first time he had raised his voice. "I never asked to become a Ghoul, and neither did Kirigaya-san! We don't know how harsh it is, and despite that, he's been through hell! I may not know what it's like, living like a Ghoul, but..." He clenched his fists tightly as the tendrils receded, removing themselves from Kirito's wrists. The gamer fell to the floor, the holes beginning to repair themselves. "That doesn't mean we can't have a life of our own! Nor does it mean we can't let our own troubles get to us! It's... it's not..."

"It's not right...!"

"...Well put, Kaneki-kun." Yoshimura smiled, patting the boy on the shoulder. "Kirigaya, Touka, the two of you should follow his example."

The girl's eyes widened. "What?! You can't be-"

"Touka," he cut her off, his voice having lost it's gentle softness, replaced with only a cold, iron edge that made everyone in the room, sans Koma and Kaya, flinch and shiver. "You of all people should understand what I'm getting at."

Touka bit her lip, knowing full well what the man was referring to. Her mind drifted back to the past where she had lost not one...but two people precious to her.

"And Kirigaya-kun, do try to keep your temper in check." Yoshimura advised the boy as he rubbed his wrists. "And please, try to understand... You were not the only one who's lost people close to you."

"...I understand. I am sorry for my brash behavior." The boy hung his head in defeat.

"Sachiko-san, I do apologize for all of this." the old man bowed his head deeply. "Today has been... rather stressful."

"I...I can tell." Sachi nodded with some unease. She was still wrapping her mind around what Kaneki had just done. But she didn't let it scare her as she knew he was just trying to stop the conflict.

"Well, I trust everything is done?" he asked. "If so... I trust I won't see another incident like this again."

"Yes, Yoshimura-san." The two ghouls nodded.

"Good."

"And, Kaneki-kun?"

"H-hai...?"

"Try to be more careful where you use your kagune." he advised with a warm smile. "Even if we are closed right now, one can never be too careful."

The artificial One-Eye realized what he meant. Even though the doors were closed to the public, there may have been random people passing by by chance. He nearly risked exposing them all. "R-right. I'm sorry..."

"It's alright, just be more careful in the future." Yoshimura said before looking back at the two. "Now then... while I do believe the both of you have learned your lesson, that still does not change the fact that you had just outright nearly started a brawl, not only in the presence of a human, but in MY shop no less."

Suddenly, Touka's body went slack, her eyes wide, and all the color in her face bled away to reveal a pasty white. Her body trembled as the old man glared at the two, his Kakugan exposed. Even Kirito felt terrified for what was about to happen.

"I trust..." he said coldly. "You know the consequences."

"...We're fucked, aren't we?"

"...Yeah, we are."

XXXXXXXXXX

Asuna had to admit, Cochlea was not like how it was portrayed in the news networks.

On the media, the Ghoul detainment center was described to be a filthy prison harboring the most vile of the monsters as they are kept for interrogation then execution. However...that wasn't completely the case. Contrary to belief, Cochlea was a rather clean and high-tech maximum security center that was colored a sleek white. There were multiple levels in the building, stretching far underground. And the holding cells for the high rated Ghouls were not the standard iron bar cells, but metal boxes embedded inside the walls with only a controlled sliding door for access.

All in all...it was a rather impressive sight.

"Rather bleak and dreary, despite how impressive looks, isn't it?" Arima asked, walking steadily in front of her. "No matter how many times I come here, it always looks so gloomy. Then again, I suppose Ghouls would feel the same way, being locked up here."

"I-I guess." Asuna replied, still breathless. She could never have imagined that THIS was where Ghouls would end up when captured. "H-how many Ghouls are in here?"

"To be honest, I lost count after two hundred."

The Vice Commander of the KoB's eyes widened "T-two hundred..." That was both an impressive, and staggering number. She glanced down at the ground, seeing the bars and giant square cells that stood tall and proud. "There are that many...?"

"Yes, and we're about to visit their latest addition."

"Who?"

Arima smiled somewhat. "...an old friend."

"...Eh?" Asuna could only mutter that one word. An...old friend...? What did he mean? A...Ghoul was his friend?

Impossible.

"We're here."

The room itself was wide, with a single wall bearing plexiglass keeping the Ghoul and the Investigator separate. The room's occupant was present, lounging in a cot that hung close to the corner of the room on his side. He looked rather shabby, probably around the same age as Arima, with a cold yet lonesome face with dark eyes and messy black hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore a blue prison outfit of some kind, though there were no shackles at all. In his hand was a book, The Deathly Hollows from the Harry Potter series if she recalls.

Arima stepped inside, Asuna following suit. The doors closed behind them. "...It's been a while, Shijo."

The Ghoul stopped, his finger ready to turn the page when a small smile broke across his face. He folded the corner, and closed the book shut. "...It's been a long time since I was called that name." the Ghoul said as he turned to face the white-haired Investigator. "Hello, Kishou."

"...How have you been these past few years? And how is Minami doing?" The Reaper of CCG questioned.

"She's been doing well. Although she'll probably kill me for being thrown in her when she hears of it..." He shrugged.

"That sounds exactly like her."

Asuna blinked rapidly, watching as the most feared man in all the Commission of Counter Ghoul and this Ghoul, likely S rated or higher, were chatting away. "Uh, A-Arima-san... who is this?"

"This is Shijo Kawasaki, or rather, Shi." her superior informed her. "An old friend back when I was your age."

"So, you finally got a new partner, huh?" Shi commented. "And a young one too... Did she lose someone precious to a Ghoul as well?"

"Her lover."

Shi sighed, shaking his head. "And they wonder why humans despise us Ghouls so. I've said it before, and I will say it again: sometimes I wish I was born a human. Too much shit for a Ghoul, you know?"

"I'm fully aware of that. Also, Fura sends his regards."

Shi raised an eyebrow. "I thought he wanted to have my head on a platter still when I saved Minami, considering, well, you know..."

"He does, but he has mellowed out some. Although, he did want you to send a message to Minami as well."

"Let me guess, 'I'll kill you if I find you,' right?"

Arima smiled somewhat. "Something like that."

"Hahaha...Yeah...that guy hasn't changed THAT much." The Ghoul chuckled.

"Indeed."

Asuna was lost in all of this...

...Just what the hell was going on?! Why was her superior interacting with a dangerous Ghoul so casually?! It...just didn't make sense!

"If you keep your mouth open, you'll let a fly in." Shi advised, causing her to snap out fo her daze. "And the reason Kishou and I are friends is because, well..." he shrugged, gesturing to said Investigator. "Does he ACT normal to you?"

"...No, he really doesn't."

"Exactly." the Ghoul nodded. "He's just as weird as the next Ghoul, and sadly, I'm not really much of an exception."

"I am here, you know." Arima reminded him.

"You should ask me if I care," Shi rebuked. "So, I doubt this is a social visit, considering you brought your partner with you. A girl who lost her boyfriend? That's asking for her to grab her Quinque and barge inside this cell to skewer me, so that leaves one other option: interrogation."

Arima pushed up his glasses. "...The Ghoul you were fighting with. Who was he?"

"A scum above all scum." the black-haired man frowned. "He murdered several Investigators. I figured I might as well earn those men some peace for doing their duty."

"...Get real." Asuna scowled, her nails digging into the base of her palms. "Your kind are nothing but-"

"Cannibalistic murderers? Freaks? Abominations? Monsters? Demons?" he offered, cutting her off. "Kid, do you know what I wish for the most?"

"No, what?" she humored him. She could have never expected the answer.

"For every last one of us to die a horrible death."

"...Eh...?" Her mind just froze from the blunt answer. "Wh…what?"

"Like I said. I just want every last of us Ghouls to perish in the worst way possible." He repeated.

"...What?!" Asuna still couldn't comprehend this. What was this Ghoul saying?!

"I mean what I said. Despite the fact I was born as a Ghoul, I truly detest my own kind. Who are we to take the lives of beings so much like us...all for what? Nourishment? Amusement? or based on a whim? It all sickens me...Why should we be the slaughterers of the human race? And why humans? They are a race that had progressed so much in the time they have existed on this earth. Knowledge, fine arts, sports, medicine, technology, media, everything! All of this was because of humans."

"My point, girl," Shi continued. "Is that my kind are nothing but monsters who deserve nothing short but a fate befitting our crimes. And don't tell me you don't think so as well."

Well, he certainly had her there. She wanted them dead and gone. All of them. It wasn't fair to her that she and the others lost Kirito, all because of their sick amusement and hunger. It wasn't right.

"...You really haven't changed, Shijo." Arima noted, staring at his old friend. "Even back then, you still wished you were dead. And yet, you saved Minami, despite the fact she went everything you believed in."

Shi smiled wryly. "Idiots do stupid things for love... not like I'd expect you to. You haven't even found yourself a girlfriend yet."

"That is beside the point." The man stoically brushed off the subject.

"Haa...man...you keep acting like this, and you'll be single forever." Shi shook his head in exasperation.

"That's the last thing I need to hear from you." Arima replied back coolly before returning to the subject at hand. "Anyway, that Ghoul you were after... what was his name? Or at least his alias?"

"Jail," Shi answered. "I'd guess he would be SS-Rated at most. His strength is insane, and his use of a Kagune is almost terrifying. He's killed over twenty Investigators, five of which were Top-Class."

"Really now?" Arima raised his eyebrow in intrigue while Asuna only gaped in shock. The Ghoul Jail killed...that many Investigators? A quarter of them being Top Class?!

Just how powerful was he...?

"At any rate, it was because the bastard gave me the slip that I'm now sitting in this cell."

"And yet you could have escaped." the white-haired male pointed out. "After all, Marude is..." he hesitated as he looked over his shoulder briefly, and at the camera at the corner of the room before whispeing, "A blithering idiot."

Shi ended up laughing. "W-well, he certainly is, but Jail ended up getting the better of me, so I really couldn't fight them off all that well. Anyway, I dunno where he is now. What I do know, is that he is no joke."

"And you are saying there is a chance that Jail would be going after the CCG?"

"Possibly. I mean...he does enjoy wreaking havoc."

"Hm... interesting." the Reaper noted, filing that information in his head. "Is there something else I should know?"

"Yeah... though it's more or less nothing but a rumor."

"Well, something is better than nothing. Let's hear it."

"...the One-Eyed King is making his move." Shi's face turned deathly serious. "Every Ghoul in the 24th Ward is on edge, and even worse, they're all getting ready for something."

"And what is that?"

"War, Kishou." he said with a terrifying chilliness. "The One-Eyed King is preparing for War."

"What do you mean?" Arima asked again, this time in a grave tone.

"Do I really need to spell it out? He's preparing for war against the CCG!"

XXXXXXXXXX

When Ryouko and her daughter, Hinami, arrive at Anteiku, she had come across the most bizarre sight she had ever seen in all of her life.

Neither female had any words to respond to this...strange situation.

"U-um, Yoshimura-san, isn't this a bit... extreme?"

"Not really. Given Kaya and Koma's work experience, this is a rather light punishment for them."

"Y-you can do it, Kirito-kun!"

The sight was... weird... to say the least.

Both teens were suspended mid-air upside down, their bodies tied up with rope. Both of their arms were fully extended to either side of them, holding onto buckets filled with water.

"Um..." Hinami spoke up quietly, staring at the sight with idle curiosity and confusion. "Should we... come back later?"

The old man, likely Yoshimura, turned around and smiled. "Oh, no, this is just a simple punishment." he told the two. "They caused a little trouble."

The raven-haired boy was gritting his teeth, trying to keep his arms from failing him while the blue-haired girl seemed to be doing fairly well, sweat dripping down her face.

"I-I see..." Ryouko nodded hesitantly. "You are... Yoshimura-san? My husband mentioned you on the phone.

"Yes. You must be Asaki's wife, Ryouko." He then nodded to the girl next to her. "And this must be Hinami. Nice to meet both of you."

"H-hello." the shy girl nodded her head.

"H-hey there...!" Kirito struggled to say without breaking his concentration. But his voice sounded congested due to the blood rushing to his head.

"...talk to you later." Touka said through clenched teeth.

"...Will they be okay?" Kaneki asked as he walked in. "I mean, it's been nearly an hour since they were like that."

"This isn't exactly Touka's first time." Koma remarked. "Although, I am impressed. Kazuto's lasting longer than I thought he would."

"Yeah. I honestly thought that he would crack after the first ten minutes." Irimi agreed.

"Still...this can't be good for either of them. I mean...look how red their faces are."

"Touka sees this as training in a way" the man stated. "Although, in reality, the punishment ends when the buckets drop."

Kirito's eyes widened when he heard this, the buckets dropping to the floor in a clatter. "WHAT?!" he cried. "You telling me I could have ended this if I had just dropped them?!"

Irimi giggled. "Pretty much. Like Koma said, this is training in a way."

"Seriously?! Why didn't you guys tell me that an hour ago?!"

"Oh, come now, Kirigaya-kun." Yoshimura chuckled into his hand. "It made good exercise, no?"

"You know, for an old man, you really are a devil!"

"I'll take that as a compliment." The man grinned in amusement.

"Ha...Can someone please get me down from here?"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Dammit, where the hell did he go?!"

"Don't just stand there! Find him! He couldn't have gotten far!"

"We can't let him escape! Search the area!"

The Investigators scurried around like rats in search of their target...one that had eluded them 30 times now.

Once again...the Phantom is a difficult one to nab.

And speaking of such elusive rats, said thief was lounging about on the rafters, his back laying against the wooden beam while his hands rested behind his head, his legs crossed.

"Buncha suckers," he grinned. "They'd actually do their jobs better if they looked!"

"You know, man, you can be one scary dude sometimes."

"Like you aren't, Ryuji?" he snarked back to his companion. "Oh, wait, it's Kidd, right?"

The figure in the shadows stepped out in the moonlight, revealing himself to be a teenage boy around Takeshi's age. However, he had short, spiky blonde hair and brown eyes seen through the metal skull mask that only covered the upper half of his face. He was garbed in dark clothing, consisting of a leather jacket with an upturned collar, a black t-shirt, and black pants with metal knee guards. Looped around his waist was a black belt with a metal skull buckle. Around his neck was a red neck tie that hung casually.

"Damn right it is," Ryuji Sakamoto, AKA Kidd, named after the infamous pirate due to his outfit, grumbled. "Anyway, Carmen's waiting for us. You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, matey~" Takeshi grinned as he leaped to his feet. Just them, a bullet whizzed past him, causing his hair to flap. His face turned into a grin as he looked down to see several Investigators, a few with guns aimed at them. "Took ya long enough boys!"

"It's Phantom and the Kidd!" one of the Investigators cried. "Shoot them down! Capture them!"

Ryuji chuckled. "Not very bright, are they?" he asked, ignoring the bullets flying past them. Takeshi nodded in agreement, and the two moved through the hailstorm of bullets, evading them as they came.

"Dammit! Why aren't we hitting them?!" An Investigator shouted.

"Shut up and keep firing!" The leader yelled.

"Adios, amigos!" Kidd shouted over his shoulder.

And with that, the thieves were gone.

The next day, on the newsletter, as people expected, there was a bold headline:

"THE PHANTOM EXPOSES POLITICIAN!"

The story following it held details of the Thief's latest exploit. It explains the revealing the actions of a corrupt politician taking bribes from companies and illegal parties to favor them or pardon them of their crimes by framing innocent civilians for them instead. He had been laundering money from the government. He hired hit men to take out any political opponents that jeopardized his plans. He even killed his own employees who got too close to his operations or just to get their life insurance. The bastard was immediately kicked out of office, stripped of his position and assets, and sentenced to the death penalty.

Eto grinned from ear to ear. "That's my little bro~"

To Be Continued…

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela