DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul Root A and Tokyo Ghoul:re and other products related to the TG Series are all owned by Sui Ishida, Shin Towada and Shueisha.
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Chapter 10: Mind Games
If there was something that Kenshin had almost forgot about when creating something as big as the organisation he had planned, it was paperwork.
Several stacks of papers were sitting on the only table of his small office.
A good 70% had already been compiled, those mostly concerning the site of the headquarters and the Gamer came to the conclusion that the 22nd Ward was the best place where to settle in.
The CCG garrisoning the Katsushika Ward was quite lax in their control as the zone bordered with the 23rd or, in layman's terms, Ghouls feared to be near Cochlea.
Plus it was near the Clowns' own HQ, adding even more security regarding the area and, while Roma was a crazy woman, she would be interested in seeing little children being removed from the crappy place she had been in her childhood.
Yep, Kenshin was going to scout the 24th Ward and take away part of its population. The ones that could still be salvaged, those who had yet to go mad down there.
Yet it wasn't something he could do immediately and without some trucks waiting outside as it could be quite hard to explain to some officer why he was leading a large crowd of poor-looking Ghouls through the streets of Tokyo.
He shook his head and the young man returned to the book that had taken his attention few moments ago.
...It is the only bliss of the closure, the attention of the paper being receptive of the soul, that made the whole point of breaking worthwile as it soon reshape the one soul I had into something much more meaningful...
He could remember reading in the manga a single excerpt from Dear Kafka and it had actually sparked the curiousity of wonder as how the whole part eluded not only to Kafka but to a more modern, close reflection of terrible childhoods.
+1 WIS and +1 INT for reading Dear Kafka!
It was a fruitful read as it was endearing and thus Kenshin decided to leave his less prone to 'nerdy' things younger 'brother'.
Few minutes became a whole hour as the Gamer was engrossed by the tragic tone of the dark words as those sinked further and further into his consciousness, drawing connections to his past and, for the first time in a long time, the Gamer felt a great doubt settling in his soul.
The more the book revealed its content, the more he could feel something nostalgic calling out for him.
Sympathy was something Kenshin would have doubted to have towards Eto Yoshimura before witnessing the emotion, the reasoning instilled by her hands, directly from her mind, into the letters and the punctuations.
Was she truly someone he could condemn? No.
The answer came in his head way too quickly and he tried to understand why it did so.
It struck as painful and waking as a lighting bolt and the Gamer felt his eyes close slowly in painful consideration.
They wanted one thing from the world to give it to those without it.
The hope of a better life. The hope of not having to fend off against terrifying obstacles of the ill-minded monsters ruling it.
To beat a monster, you need to become one.
His hand closed slowly the strong but small book, shivering threatening to reveal his inner manners, his well-hidden self.
The reverie shattered as two young but familiar figures entered his line of sight.
A youth with so much faux happiness covering his pains and a truly tragic teen following behind.
"Hey mister! I saw my friend there-" He pulled the shy boy close causing a blush to spread in the brunette's face at the unexpected semi-hug. "-saw you were reading one of his favourite books and I want him to socialise with someone."
Ken Kaneki wanted to die at the blunt approach his best friend, Hideyoshi-Hide Nagachika, had invaded the personal space of the man. The teen envisioned himself on the stranger's place and he found himself said attempt quite... poorly-executed.
Thus as he tried to excuse his friends' abrupt interruption, the teen was floored as the man genuinely chuckled at them. "S-Sure. Please, be my guests."
The blonde boy didn't need to be told again as he took one of the unused chairs and moved to the part of the table opposite to Kenshin's, while the brunette took some moments to realise what he had just said.
"I start the conversation! My name is Hideyoshi Nagachika but I prefer to be called 'Hide'. This is my friend, Ken Kaneki."
The embarassed teen almost shook his head as Hide tried once more to tempt his luck. "H-Hide, that's n-not how it works!"
While the two were unaware of the understanding smile plastered on Kenshin's visage, the Gamer watched in amusement as the friendship that was highly highlighted on the series was there and already cemented in the world.
"It's fine. My name is Kenshin Ogura and you have caught my attention with your friendship."
The blonde looked confused as he asked. "Why so, Kenshin-san?"
Kaneki showed his own curiousity with his physical behavior as he frowned quizzically at the young man.
"I think it's good that two youngsters as similar as you have founded each other. It's quite rare to share such a close bond."
Surprisingly enough Kaneki looked down on the table and blinked, a blank expression on his face.
Hide looked shocked but replied quickly. "You sure are blind, Kenshin-san. While Kaneki is my bro, we are one the opposite of the other. I mean, I'm good in Biology while 'neki is more of a word-guy."
The foxy smile hanging on the young man's face didn't fade at the blonde excuse.
"I think your friend has already understood what I mean, Hide-san." Then he shook his head. "Now, no more about real sad stuff and more real sad stuff." The man pointed at the copy of Dear Kafka. "I think we were using this to start a discourse."
The Nagachika paused, glanced at the book and then returned to smile widely. "You are right, Kenshin-senpai!" The young teen turned to the still absent-looking brunette. "C'mon Kenny, I managed to find a funny guy that likes the same genre you cherish like a religion and now you are here brooding."
Kaneki blinked as Hide's remark returned his attention to earth and blushed once more at his distraction. "S-Sorry, was thinking about what Kenshin-san was talking about."
"It's Senpai, Kaneki. This dude is like a guru of fun and knowledge."
Kenshin bit back a laugh as the short description oddly felt true to his head.
"A-Anyway, Kenshin-senpai... did you read Takatsuki-san's books regularly?"
The Gamer shook his head, taking the book in his hand. "It's actually the first time I read the work of this writer and I have to say the positive reviews that have compelled me to start this little experiment had been proved right."
"S-So what do you think of De-Dear Kafka?"
The question was precise and quite deadly to his secret musings but he decided to comply with the curiousity of the young teen. "I found it oddly nostalgic and familiar to myself and I admit I would have never thought a self-insert fiction would have caused so many emotions to explode in my soul."
Hide was obviously confused and clueless about my answer, while Kaneki frowned at my words.
"I understand your feelings as this very book felt like I was the protagonist but I think it's quite... wrong to call it a self-insert fanfiction."
Kenshin mused Kaneki's lack of stuttering in his last words and a curious thought entered his brain.
"I actually meant 'fiction', not 'fanfiction. But I have to ask.. do you find it hard to see the author herself expressing her thoughts about her childhood?"
The question seemed to wake a change in the teen's demeanor as he seemed quite shocked.
"Ms. Takatsuki's works are not self-insert fanfiction!" That's how Kaneki tried to deflect his mistake.
"I'm 100% sure of what I'm talking about, Mr. Kaneki." That's how Kenshin repelled said attempt.
The teen looked surprised at his own outburst but the appeasing gesture made by Kenshin with his hands seemed to calm him down.
"You are quite attached to the book, that I understand. I admit it was a nice discussion." The Gamer took two small papers with his number and give it to the two. "You are a funny bunch. I will be more than happy to engage in whatever you want to. Sadly... I have to go."
The two stared in surprise as Kenshin bid a curt goodbye and left the library, leaving them in their confusion.
He had seen them moving... there!
"It's sad that Kenshin-nii couldn't come, Ayato." Hinami whispered to Ayato as the two kids walked calmly, completely unaware of the young man few metres behind them.
Interesting...
"Yeah, I called him but he said he going to be busy for some hours."
Cheeky brat, I remember asking you to call me if there was something.
Finally, as Kenshin managed to get much closer to the two, Hinami stopped for a moment, quietly sniffing the air. "Ayato, did Kenshin-nii tell you if he was going to be in this Ward?"
The previously confident Ghoul halted as the question sinked in his brain. "No, why?"
The girl merely smiled. "Because Kenshin-nii is just few moments from us."
The young Kirishima froze and paled at the reply, slowly turning around and seeing the sickly-smiling man waving at them. "I am dead.."
"Nii-chan!" A part of the Gamer was happy that Hinami was already well-trained to use her nose to catch any familiar scent, good and bad.
"Hina-chan! I didn't know you were visiting." The brawler redirected his smile towards the already panicking Ayato. "It seems that someone forgot something. But don't worry!" He said in a theatrical way. "I will see for the culprit to be punished justly!"
"Can said 'culprit' be given a lenient punishment?"
A smile sent more chills to his back. "If the 'culprit' is going to be good in the next few days, his punishment shall be 'lenient'."
With a final sigh Ayato looked the ground defeated while the young Fueguchi seemed have not catch on what the weird exchange was about.
"Anyway, what are you two doing there?"
Hinami smiled. "Today there is Sen Takatsuki's book signing! Since mom is always busy with dad, I asked to go with you and Ayato." Then she turned towards the boy. "He told me you were busy but he could accompany me."
Kenshin gave a knowing smile towards Ayato and the teen looked somehow embarassed.
"Well, I've finished with my commissions, so I might as well join you two."
The female Ghoul's smile almost melted the Gamer's heart. "Thank you, nii-chan!"
After almost twenty minutes of walking, the three reached the place where the event was held and they were all delighted by the fact that they were among the first ones in the line.
The Gamer's curiousity regarding the woman that was going to be one of the greatest foes in his plans grew even more as the more they advanced in the line, the more he could see glimpses of her appearance.
While she was an year younger than him, he could clearly see her long, unruly hair combed in that short and possibly style.
Out of fashion clothes and useless glasses would have been seen by many as signs of an unattractive woman, it would be criminal to consider Eto Yoshimura as such.
Petite as she was, her young visage was focused adorably on hearing the simple requests of her fans and writing her name on the books they brought to her.
As their turn came, the writer smiled at the two young teens. "Oh! I didn't expect to see a couple as young as you are!"
Her blunt statement shocked both Hinami and Ayato and they both turned red in embarassment.
Kenshin smiled a bit but he soon froze as Eto's eyes moved to stare at him.
Emeralds stared into charcoals and the woman's smile widened, almost turning smug.
"And you, 'big' man?"
The taunt at his height didn't faze the young man that decided to answer with a smile of his own. "Oh, I'm just accompanying the two, young lady."
They were both shorts and it was really easy to see that both attack and counter were meant for spare amusement.
The writer turned back to the two teens. "So your boyfriend is here for support or he too wants his copy signed?"
Hinami, still red-cheeked, shook her head. "H-He's not my boyfriend. A-And no, he doesn't have a copy."
"What a shame!" The woman exclaimed dramatically. "He seems like a good fan that has been wasted."
Kenshin frowned at her words, catching a bad meaning behind them.
Since Eto had grown in the 24th Ward and that there many Ghouls developed their senses better than normal ones, it wasn't too farfetched to believe she already knew
"I think Ayato wouldn't like the genre." He interceded calmly. "Sometimes we need to live with the losses."
Stop pushing your luck.
The writer thought about his words and continued with a less cheerful tone. "Are you sure, big man? I think he would."
He is good and I want to recruit him!
"I'm his brother and I know him well enough to know what he likes. Certainly, the genre lacks heroes."
He is my family and I will stab you if you keep going at it.
"What about you? Do you have a name?" The pressure lessened between the two as the woman tried another approach.
Hey, you are good at this games. Who are you?
"Kenshin Ogura, Takatsuki-san. It's nice to meet you in person."
You better not forget me soon, bitch.
Eto smiled, pleased with this new information. "Oh no, I think I am delighted to meet someone as interesting as you are, Ogura-san."
Don't worry. I will not underestimate you
"Yeah. Too bad we are on a limited time as I think we are exceeding our stay there.."
Sure, but I cannot stay there as I've better stuff to do.
"I-I understand." She took Hinami's copy and signed it. "This is for?"
"Hinami Fueguchi, Takatsuki-san."
The older Ghoul nodded as she signed it at 'her favourite fan, Hinami Fueguchi'. "There."
Hinami thanked the woman as she took back the book in her arms.
"Well, I hope we will encounter in the future then."
See you soon, crazy woman.
"Count on it, Kenshin-kun!"
It will be sooner than you think~
Few moments later...
"Nii-san, why you talked like that with Takatsuki-san?"
Kenshin contemplated if to tell them or not. In the end, the truth seemed the best in that moment.
"Takatsuki-san is a dangerous woman. I think you caught the reason why, Hina-chan."
The girl frowned and nodded slowly. "She is... a ghoul."
Ayato groaned. "Okay, which of the big ones was she?"
The grimace on the Gamer's face sent some shivers to Ayato.
"One-Eyed Owl."
Silence fell on the group as they continued their walk back home.
"You mean that you just chatted with another SSS-rank Ghoul?"
Hinami's eyes widened as she heard Ayato as he rearranged what had just happened.
"Yep."
...
"Why you attract so many dangerous people, Kenshin-nii?"
The calm expression somehow unnerved the young Ghoul. "I always wondered about it myself.."
AN
I'm not going to pull another love-at-first sight thing in this fanfic, but I wanted to complicate MC's life a little by having one of the worst enemies to fight already at his doorstep. Eto will be interested in Kenshin's as a model for another book, not in any romantic way. (yet [Maybe])
Also big explanation about future schedule of all my active fanfics:
I plan to continue FPO from October 31st as to have enough time to finish Ghoul-Man and continue a bit both Fukuro no Sewa and The Human King.
I had unconsciously put too much food in my table and I'm kind of getting too much confused on what to pick. Thus I've planned to finish Ghoul-man by Chapter 20-21 as I've thought of doing at the very beginning.
I am sorry for the major delay for FPO but I had a terrible week and I've had a lot of forced writer's blocks through the way.
Thankfully by Halloween I should be able to start properly and finish the ARC III.
Review Q&A!
ZKG1007: Thank you!
Blake Tourdner: The back pains felt like a knife piercing my side. Also I am sitting on a chair most of the day and it's rare to get pains from that, I hope you don't hurt yourself by sitting too much!
theawsomest5: *Roblox pain sound*
marsonlino: By stats level 150 he will develop a trait. I though that since I was speeding much I needed to contain giving too much and spoil everything. Next chapter will have some Gamer stuff and two new battle Skills for Kenshin.
[Status]
Name: Kenshin Ogura
Title: The Gamer
Level 52 - Exp: 695/1570
Age: 20
Health Points (HP) : 1140/1140
Special Points (SP) : 4560/4560
Money = 3455000 Yen
Attributes
POW: 106
INT: 77
AGI: 104
WIS: 86
VIT: 94
CHA: 80
LUK: 92
Skills
Gamer Body (LVL Max.) - Congratulations, your body had been turned into one influenced by the rules of the Game Module. This Skill is present in all Users from the very beginning.
Gamer Mind (LVL Max.) - As a Gamer, you are blessed to have a mind devoid of possessions and manipulations. The emotional impact to your actions has been reduced of the 50%.
Beginners' Luck (Non-Level Skill) - This temporary Skill will add a EXP multiplier related to LUK for Skills and LVLs. Expiration Level: LVL 10.
Power Punch (LVL 20 40/630) - The power of a mighty punch! Your fist is coated in energy that let you deal a single punch with a damage ten times it's normal. Outside of fights this Skill has the power of a high explosive device +5. Drain: 30SP per hit!
Power Barrage (LVL. 11 10/170) - A flurry of powerful punches tear down the most dangerous of fiends. Punches deal DMGx5 than normal and drains 18SP per hit.
Meditation (LVL. 5 18/170) - This Skill allows you to reach for your inner potential. Warning! This Skill drains 96SP per minute as your mind is too much inexperienced to obtain this grade of enlightement.
ID: Create(LVL. 5 78/190) - Create a personal Hunting Ground where to rest or fight a particular set of enemies. Current Available Selections: (ID: Empty) - (ID: Zombie1-2) - (ID: Goblin)
ID: Leave(Non-LVL Skill) - The ability to leave an Hunting Ground. It becomes available together with the Skill ID: Create.
Party/Co-op (Non-LVL Skill) - Tired of singleplayer? Why not invite a friend of yours to enjoy the beauty of this awesome Game?
Traits
Educated Intellectual - A fine man of knowledge, you crave to learn more about yourself and everything around you. +10% experience from learning books and Intellectual-Type Skills.
Soul of the Fighter - You have fought your way in the world for almost your entire life. You are a prideful but careful warrior that cherish fighting without falling in a battlelust. +15% experience from fights and Fighting-Type Skills.
Smiling Monster - Once the mask is on, your true power is revealed! Gain +200HP, +400SP and a +20 to all stats when you are wearing the newly named object 'DEAD MASK'!
Perks
Apprentice Brawler: You prefer to solve problems with your fist than with diplomacy. Gain a 20% DMG bonus for any Bare Hands attacks.
Young Wise Man: You have reached a good understanding of life and can understand better those around you. Immediate +20% to your CHA and to your WIS.
Golden Touch: Enemies drops 10% more money than before.
Shrewd Salesman: Your experience in selling stuff has made you capable of buying things at a cheaper price. -15% discount to any shop's object.
One Last Time: Your mind refuses to surrender to a sure defeat. Receive back 50% of your HP back if your HP reaches below 10%.
Power Style - Beginner: You have a basic understanding of true Power! Power-Type attacks receive a 10% DMG boost.
He who fights Ghouls!: You have developed an uncanny power when dealing with those creatures! +10%DMG boost when fighting Ghouls.
Basic Medic: You now understand the utility of saving people! All your healing potions receive a 15% Boost in their effectiveness.
Tactical Leader: Your teammates become an important strenght of yours. Party members led by you receive a 5% Overall Boost of their Stats.
Speedfreak: The fastest you are, the least you shall be beaten! Your speed while running receives a 25% bonus!
Knowledge Hunter: Your thirst to know new things has grown. +1 WIS and +1 INT from reading books.
Inventory:
50 x B. HP Potions
40 x B. SP Potions
DEAD MASK (Unequipped)
The Original Reaper - Support
[Status]
Name: Ayato Kishimura
Title: Chibi Rabbit
Level 23
Age: 11
Health Points (HP) : 920/920
Special Points (SP) : 4880/4880
Money = 15000 Yen
Attributes
POW: 41
INT: 37
AGI: 44
WIS: 38
VIT: 54
CHA: 38
LUK: 39
Skills
Ukaku Barrage (LVL. 20/20 -/-) - Your Kagune is developed for long-range attacks. You spend 1SP for every pellets you use. (Until you meet all the requirements of Ukaku Kagune Trait, you cannot exceed LVL.20 with this Skill)
Ukaku Meele (LVL. 20/20 -/-) - While not the recommended use for you Kagune, your Ukaku is sharp enough to kill in the close quarters. (Until you meet all the requirements of Ukaku Kagune Trait, you cannot exceed LVL.20 with this Skill)
Traits
Ghoul Skin- You are a full-blooded Ghoul and thus your skin is bulletproof and bladeproof. Damage from Normal-Type Guns and Blades is nullified.
Deadly Ukaku Kagune (1/4)- Beware from the beautiful sight as this Kagune leaves death on its wake (15%DMG to Ukaku-Type Skills). Your current level permits to all Ukaku-related Skills to reach a LVL20 maximum of growth. To upgrade this trait, consume at least 10 Ghouls.