The central gardens in front of the CCG Headquarters was the pride of Tokyo's Botanists. Multitudes of roses and tulips grew among the other flowers and tall Elms. Kaneki and Eto strode through these gardens towards to den of the enemy as if it belonged to them. Kaneki is once more wearing spectacles and looks every bit the Investigator.
"So what are we going to do once we're inside hmm?" Eto pulls her hoodie up a little tighter as they pass a pair of Investigators having lunch. Kaneki darts a look in her direction. She looked genuinely concerned. "We gain an audience with the Commander Washuu. Then we see where that gets us". The two of them stop in front of the great large doorway, proverbs of justice spelt out in Latin along the archways. "It's like the Gates of Righteousness itself isn't it? Too bad it's all a lie".
Kaneki steps through into the main lobby where the two of them pass through the RC detectors uninterrupted. As they approach the reception desk, one of the investigators asks for them to take of their hoods inside and asks for a name. As he slides his own hood off, Kaneki smiles at the man. "Good morning First Class Fura. Associate Special Class Sasaki here. Oh wait, they promoted me didn't they?" Fura's jaw basically hits the floor. "Special Class? I thought you were-""Yes yes I know everyone thought I was dead. That was all a misunderstanding you see. I need to speak to the Commander. Is he in?"
Fura nods dumbly and dials a number into a phone. A few seconds later, he turns to them and waves them towards the elevator. "He's waiting for you sir". Kaneki thanks him and the two of them step into the elevator. He pushes the button marked 200 and they wait in awkward silence until at last they arrive in Commander Washuu's office. The Commander himself is sitting at his grand desk, staring at the two of them as they walk forward. "What are you doing here Sasaki? No, Kaneki. It would be much easier for everyone if you would just stay dead again"…
Kaneki seats himself opposite the Commander and leans back, removing his glasses. "I'm not that easy to kill, as Arima has just learnt for himself…" Washuu glares at the man "Where is he? You killed him didn't you?" Kaneki shakes his head. "I didn't kill him. V has him. Probably to heal him quickly". Washuu blinks. "Exactly how much do you know, Ken Kaneki? You seem far too well informed". "I know that The CCG and V are intimately acquainted. I know that Arima is an agent of V". This causes the Commander to intake breath. "Shit. How didn't I know this? Arima is from V? He must be one of those…. 'Made beings'. No wonder he's undefeatable… Was undefeatable. Anyway, If you already know all this, why are you here?" Kaneki leans forward until their faces are almost touching.
"I need to know just how long the CCG has been tied to V, and why". Washuu sighs. "The CCG has been linked to V since its founding in Germany so many years ago. For what purpose, and even how I do not know. The only person who would have the knowledge you seek is my grandfather. The CCG's Founder and head of the Washuu Clan. However, why would the CCG give this information to a rouge investigator and half-ghoul like you? It makes no sense". "Because you know as well as I do that I have a plan, otherwise I wouldn't be here. You publicly announced that I was dead and promoted me. That means that I could come back as an Investigator of Special Class rank and nobody could do anything about it. At the same time you give me a SSS rating?
You've granted me virtual immunity on all sides, granting me the ability to do as I wish at this point"… Kaneki sits back again, staring out the window at the Tokyo City Skyline. "I want to take on V, and to do that I'm going to need the cooperation of you and you alone. I know you couldn't stop any investigator from killing me because V could just ask your grandfather to have it done. But with your confidence, I could find a way to enter V. You know that they aren't really Arbiters of balance. They seek to dominate this world". The Commander leans back in his chair, folding his hands in an arch steeple. "What you say certainly concerns me, but I have known this ever since I was a boy. It's what you plan to do that worries me. What would happen if V was defeated?They underline the entirety of Tokyo's society, maybe even further. How do you know that even if you could bring them to their knees that life would go on peacefully on both sides? The CCG's goal is to eliminate ghoul kind, and nobody knows what Aogiri's goals are".
At this, Eto removes her hood and smiles at the Commander. "Perhaps I could answer that for you? Pawn of the Washuu's". Washuu's eyes widen momentarily before narrowing at the woman. "You brought the One Eyed Owl with you in the base of the enemy? You certainly are bold Ken Kaneki". He turns to Eto, smiling slightly "So what is Aogiri Tree's goal Ms Yoshimura? I must admit I'm perplexed as to what exactly you're trying to achieve". "I founded Aogiri Tree in order to fight against the organisation my father abandoned, V. I thought to get to them through you and the CCG. Kaneki here has convinced me of an alternative, one that would gain true equality in this twisted birdcage of a world. I can't tell you what it is though. After all, a woman should never give away her man's secrets". She winks at Kaneki, who raises an eyebrow at this gesture but says nothing about it. "Commander Washuu, this is what I ask of you. Cooperate with me and my associates in gaining entrance to V. I know it will be difficult to defy your grandfather, but he is one of those at the very heart of this web of conspiracy. You know that, I know that". Washuu looks uncertain, and Kaneki gets to his feet, staring down at the Commander with his Kakugan active.
"This is all a game of Chess, Commander Washuu. What are you going to be? A Pawn? Or a King?" He motions for Eto to follow him as they walk towards the elevator. "Farewell. Think on what you have heard today and decide. You yourself are a pawn of the Washuu, a pawn of your grandfather. Become a King. Do what you know is right". Washuu calls out to him as he leaves. "And what are you in this game Ken Kaneki? Are you a King?" Kaneki smiles and stops in front of the elevator doors, turning his head to face the Commander. "Me? I'm a Knight. I have no wish to rule, only to protect". With that the two One Eyed ghouls step into the elevator and exit the office, leaving the Commander to pace around his office window.
It was a cold night on Rue Island. The raid had been started last night, and still more Aogiri forces were pushing the Investigators back. Rank One Urie and his Quinx Squad had been providing support for Special Class Koori Ui's Squad and they were currently engaged in combat with the SS Rated Ghoul "Owl". Saiko calls out a warning to Urie as he narrowly dodges Owl's Kagune by a hair. "Shit. That was too close". He unleashes his own Kagune, swiping furiously at the ghoul-incarnate Takizawa, trying in vain to push him to the edge of a nearby cliff face. The rest of his squad use their own Kagune to hamper the ghoul, but even Urie couldn't scratch Takizawa with his Frame 5 Kagune release. "Damn! Why can't I hit him?"
He's about to order a retreat when a loud explosion rocks all the combatants on their feet. The SS~ rated Tatara strolls up behind Takizawa, laying a restraining hand on his shoulder. "You'd best stop attacking these ones Owl. If he comes here and see's you doing this, you won't survive another encounter". Takizawa scowls at the Aogiri Executive, biting his nails manically as he speaks. "Kanou's masterpiece? You said he was going to pull some suicidal scheme in Cochlea. He's surely been slain by the Reaper already". Tatara shakes his head "Eto has told me of things that are yet to pass. She believes this man will rise again and that he will come with her in tow. He will truly unite Aogiri Tree and someone important will abandon us. You must reconsider your actions before-".
He pauses, looking over at the blood soaked beach beyond. "He is here". He turns away, preparing to return to the ruins. "If you wish to stay, I bid you farewell, Seidou Takizawa. You served Aogiri well"… As Urie watches Tatara leave, a noise behind him causes him to turn around. In the evening gloom, an investigator carrying two Quinque approached the group. His hair was black and unkempt, and his trench coat was pure black. Urie's eyes narrow as the man comes closer. "Associate Special Class Sasaki…." Saiko turns to look along with the rest of the squad. As Kaneki comes within conversational distance, he nods to Urie and Saiko in greeting. "Good evening Rank 1 Urie, Rank 2 Saiko".
Saiko meekly says hello while Urie glares at him. "What are you doing here Associate Special Class? I thought Arima Squad was tasked with defending Cochlea?" Kaneki sighs, looking intently at Urie and Saiko. "Urie. Please…. Don't call me Haise". The leader of the Quinx frowns. "Why not? Why are you here? I thought you no longer cared about us!" Looking into Urie's eyes, Kaneki can see the sadness within. "I know I was cruel in abandoning you all… But I needed to distance myself from everyone. I needed to become stronger". Urie continues to quietly glare at his superior.
"Whatever. So if your name isn't Haise, then what is it? Who are you now that you weren't before?" Kaneki cracks his neck to the side, removing his glasses and letting his single Kakugan show. "My name is Ken Kaneki… And I'm a half ghoul. I'm sure Akira told you that after I defeated Serpent". Urie nods slowly "She said you were a victim of Doctor Kanou's experiments. That you used to be a human until the organs of a ghoul were transplanted into your body". Kaneki nods. "In that she told the truth". He pauses, looking out towards a flock of crows flying off the beachfront. Urie suddenly feels faint, a vision of a white haired young man wearing a mask and eyepatch. He frowns, shaking his head. "You… you were the Eyepatch Ghoul. The one called Centipede".
Kaneki raises an eyebrow. "Very perceptive Urie. Yes, I was the SS rated ghoul Centipede. I was defeated by Arima and… converted into an investigator. My memories lost, my personality chained". Saiko steps forward, reaching a hand out to touch Kaneki's face near his Kakugan eye. "This scar… I always wanted to know where it came from. It was Arima, wasn't it?" He nods. "Kishou Arima tried and succeeded in creating Haise Sasaki. He was my dream, the person and life I wished I could have lived… I'm sorry if you think I'm not the person you once knew, but it's still me".
Urie clenches his fists and jabs a quick punch at Kaneki's gut. Kaneki in turn uses his Kagune as a pivot to launch himself backwards. "Why did you leave us? Why did you abandon your friends? And why aren't you at Cochlea with Arima?" "I… I needed space to grow and plan. I… wanted to rescue Fuegechi and the One Eyed Owl from Cochlea, and I have. Arima lays wounded with his allies, and I have succeeded in my mission". Urie blinks. "The Owl? And that Hinami ghoul? Why? How could Arima have lost?" Kaneki smiles, turning to face the sea. "I got over my fear and trauma. I stopped wanting to die, and that made me stronger. Hinami is like a sister to me, I couldn't live with myself if I allowed her to die. As for Eto Yoshimura, Aogiri Tree needs her if the alliance between them and the CCG is to work"…
The entire Quinx Squad starts shouting. Urie steps forward, grabbing Kaneki by the collar of his trench coat. "What the fuck? An alliance? What in god's name are you thinking Haise? No, Kaneki Ken?" Kaneki pulls away, walking off towards the ruins and the battle. "I assume you've heard of V? They are the true enemy. I must put an end to their machinations in this world, and an alliance is the only thing that will achieve that goal". He reaches into his pocket, drawing out a small business card. Passing it to Urie who takes it, he waves. "I cannot talk any longer. If you wish to know more, or to help, then that card will give you the answers". He climbs to the top of a crest when suddenly Takizawa lunges towards him, Kakuja gleaning in the moonlight.
"You're not going anywhere, Ken Kaneki!" Kaneki dodges the attack with ease, using his Kagune to rope the other One Eye towards him. As he draws both his SSS Quinque, he looks at Takizawa with pity in his condemning gaze. "Rank 2 Seidou Takizawa… I thought for sure both you and Amon had been slain by Noro. It looks like Kanou got to you as well"… Owl rages and writhes against his bonds, but cannot escape Kaneki's Kagune. "You are Kanou's masterpiece! How can you disrespect him so much? You could have been the greatest One Eyed ghoul ever!" Kaneki sighs. "I pity you, twisted pawn of Kanou. He will abandon Aogiri after tonight, mark my words. And you… you won't leave here alive".
Immediately after speaking, he uses Yoshimura and Reiyuza to slice Takizawa's body into 4 clean pieces. What's left of his body reaches out a shaking hand towards his killer. "The…. The King has come at last"… He drops to the ground, dead. Urie, Saiko and the rest of the Quinx had witnessed Kaneki's ease eliminating a powerful SS+ rated ghoul with awe and envy. As he watches Kaneki crest the hill, Urie grits his teeth. Ken Kaneki huh? He's strong, even more now that he remembers whatever happened in his past…. Asshole. "Saiko… please look into this once we finish up here..." Saiko takes the card from his hand, scanning its contents. A picture of a coffee shop they once visited with Haise. "I know where that is.: re….."
Once Kaneki had finished off Owl, he had traversed the field of bodies, Aogiri ghouls and investigators alike. He makes his way to the outside of the ruined facility, where Special Class Ui and the other members of S1 and S2 had made their stand. The ghouls had pushed forward as far as the entrance to the carpark, and Tatara stood atop one of the buildings, seemingly unconcerned. Kaneki leaps through the air silently landing next to the SS~ ghoul. Seeing the Chinese ghoul sent an uncertain shiver through Kaneki. Even though all that had happened in the future was his dream, he still hesitated to talk to the ghoul.
"Greetings, Ken Kaneki. I must admit I never thought even you would make it this far". Kaneki shrugs, and peers over the railing at the battle below. "You speak of the return of my memories yes? I also never thought I could return from the prison Kishou Arima had built for me. But here I am". He looks Tatara in the eyes. "It's almost time to begin. I assume Eto has told you of what she has foreseen?" He nods. "She said that you would return, which you did. She said that you would manage to imprison her, which you did. And she said you would aid in the escape of both herself and Hinami Fuegechi, which you did, even if Ayato and the others didn't believe me when I said their interference was unnecessary. I am ready to believe almost anything now". Kaneki nods slowly.
"Very good. I'm glad you can keep an open mind Tatara. This alliance will seal the fate of V, and I'm sure they will attempt to intervene here tonight. I want you to be ready for them". The Aogiri Executive nods. "Of course, Black Reaper. All we wait for now is the arrival of Eto… and Kanou's Floppy". Kaneki frowns, but says nothing. As they look on, Kaneki spots the Quinx Squad approaching the battle from the east, observing the massacre. A slight shift in the breeze is all that signals the arrival of the One Eyed Owl as Eto activates her Kakuja mid-air and slams down amid the combatants. As Special Class Ui see's the ghoul dropping from the sky, she orders an immediate retreat of junior investigators. "Shit! It's the One Eyed Owl! How did that bitch escape from Cochlea? As the dust clears, and the Owl rises to her Kakuja's full height, Kaneki walks forward to stand alongside her.
The Special Class glares at the Black Reaper before her. "Associate Special Class Sasaki… You really sided with the ghouls, didn't you?" Eto dispels her Kakuja, her nude body dropping down into Kaneki's arms. He removes his trench coat and wraps her body in it, letting her stand on her own. "My comrades of Aogiri Tree! Lay down your Kagune, for I have returned from Cochlea, and the Commander of the CCG himself has sanctioned this event!" This brings murmuring among both human and ghouls. "What does the boss mean?" "Sanctioned by Commander Washuu? She's got to be lying". Kaneki steps forward towards the legion of investigators. "Heed my words, fellow investigators, I, Special Class Kaneki, have come here today to officially state the alliance between the Commission of Counter Ghoul and the Aogiri Tree!"
Koori Ui steps out and aims her Quinque rifle at the man standing before her. "Do not listen to him. He's a ghoul himself! He's betrayed Arima and the CCG at Cochlea and freed the One Eyed Owl!" Kaneki narrows his eyes, draws Yoshimura from its sheath and slices Ui's Quinque clean in half. "Stand down Special Class. Unless you wish to take a complaint to the Commander himself?" He activates his single Kakugan, circling the area and letting all humans and ghouls see his true nature. "Yes! I am a half ghoul, and a victim of Doctor Kanou! I am both Special Class Investigator and the now SSS rated ghoul Centipede. I am of both worlds! And that is the authority I speak to you all with today". He points to the earth beneath his feet.
"Below our feet lies the one true evil in this world. The ghoul organisation V. They have ties and links to all factions, including the CCG and the Washuu's. The CCG was founded in order to remove the enemies of V so they could expand their powerbase! At the moment, you are all pawns of their designs. An alliance between our factions would allow us to finally strike back at V". He turns on the investigators. "Arima Kishou, the CCG's Reaper, is a member of V himself! You have V's influence in the highest tiers of your ranks!" As the humans gasp and begin to shuffle nervously, Eto turns on her own Aogiri members. "My own father, Kuzen Yoshimura, was a member of V many years ago. My human mother and he were hunted by V, just because they wanted happiness. Rize Kamishiro, the Binge Eater, also came from we like it or not, V is our true enemy. We must join instead of fight against the CCG in order to gain true equality and freedom. Will you join us?" After a long minute of silence from both sides, Tatara steps forward, coming to his knee and bowing to the woman.
"I will serve you and ghoul kind always. If this is the only way, I shall gladly follow". Not a moment after, Special Class Juuzou Suzuya steps forward and plants his Quinque, Jason, into the ground and salutes Kaneki sloppily. "I always thought that I had met you before. Now I know. You were the one who really defeated Jason didn't you?" Kaneki nods and smiles "Will you join us in moving forward Juuzou?" The young Special Class laughs and nods. "Of course. This should be fun!" After that, many other ghouls and investigators stepped forward, even Special Class Ui. As she plants her Quinque into the ground, she glares at Kaneki. "Haise… Kaneki. If I find out that you truly have betrayed as and you're lying about Arima, then I will be the first to try and kill you". Kaneki smiles thinly at her. "You can try, but I suggest you live a little longer Special Class Ui. Things are only just getting interesting..." Soon enough, the entirety of the human and ghoul kind present had joined Kaneki's new alliance. As he scans the crowd, he cannot see Urie or any of the Quinx Squad…