"Its a shame. I wish you could have served Iwa some of your delicious coffee," Shinohara said solemnly. Yoshimura stops for a moment, signaling his own sentiments for a moment such as that.

The battle between ghoul and investigators is soon to start, as the investigators prepare to end the reign of the Owl.

Yoshimura engages with multiple special class investigators. The men that are not fighting could only watch in awe as the higher-ups battled out the Owl. It is truly a show to die for on their part.

The Owl's hulking figure manages to keep up with Shinohara, Iwa, Ui, and Hoji, The men combined attack with explosions and close-combat to overwhelm the monster. Their attacks were absorbed by the armor, but it could only take so much punishment.

"We need more men. Where is Juu-?" Shinohara question is cut abruptly with as the sound a motor vehicle caught their attention. A motorcycle driven by Juuzou appears and is destroyed when he leaps off to attack the Owl.

A small figured emerge from the smoke with the scythe in tow launching intensive blows against the Owl. His small frame keeping with the notorious ghoul, while the other watch.

"Juuzou. His attacks are random and agile, which will give them an advantage." Shinohara ponders while watching his young charge face the Owl head on. "Stop fooling around Juuzo and take him serious, otherwise you are going to get hurt!" Shinohara reprimands the young boy from a distance. Regaining his stamina as the duo faces off for the time being.

"You should learn to trust your partner Shinohara. Predictions will only take you so far, but that trust will guide you and ease you while in the heat of battle. It worked while we were partners and it will work now." A visage of Mado states to Shinohara helping him understand the situation at hand.

"Thank you, Mado. You just had to get your final words in," Shinohara creases his face before moving back into battle.

Juuzou's scythe pierces the Owl in numerous strikes, tarnishing his cloak and armor with blood. Finally growing tired of the young boy, Owl backhands him. Tunneling his small figure into the ground, while Shinohara checks his status.

"Are you okay, Juuzou?" Expressing his concern for his adopted son.

"I am okay," Juuzou responds quickly.

"I need your help in defeating this monster. Will you be apart of our aid, son?" Shinohara sentimentality sheds in the darkest of moments. Juuzou nods in response to the question. The father and son, duo, launch a collaborative attack pressing the Owl to the upper stairs. Moving in sync as they continue to damage the monster with a majority of their attacks.

"That is impressive," Hoji remarks in regards to the duo's work against the Owl.

"Yeah. Here they come," Iwa firmly notes before they maneuver once more into the battle. Fiery explosions take place with Hoji's projectiles attaching themselves to the Owl. Iwa, Shinohara provide the heavy hitting by tanking blows and parrying attacks that would easily destroy regular CCG gear. Juuzou and Ui provide a distraction as they engage the Owl from its rear side.

"We need one more man and this victory will be ours." Shinohara thinks to himself. "Where is Hirako? Mougan?" Asking the other members of the group about potential help.

"They are dealing with Eyepatch, sir," Ui responds promptly to his leader's question.

"How are they doing?" "Their quinques have been destroyed, but they are doing fine for the time being," Ui once again answers his superior's question.

Owl jumps up latching himself to the building's structure and ascending higher. Thoughts of Kaneki plague his mind, while he gazes over the snowy city. Lights shining and glistening rain for all to see. " Kaneki."

"Don't let him get away!"

He is knocked down, as Juuzou attacks from behind. Balancing himself to lessen the damage from the collision.

Yoshimura thinks about the workers of his shop, each a bonding moment for him. Memories that he will never forget.

The entire squad focuses on him, planning to finish him once and for all. Blocking the main attacks, as he amputates Iwa's left arm. But, that did not stop the investigator from slashing his torso. Juuzou goes next delivering a devastating head blow at the cost of his leg. Hoji reveals his second weapon. An SS rated quinque named Chisha that he uses to strike a blow into the Owl's side. "This is for you Mado." Shinohara goes in for the final blow, cutting down the remaining arms forcing the Owl onto his knees.

His shoulder blades amputated, body repeatedly slashed and pierced, before finally, his masks break. Dropping to the floor, as he sees his wife shinning in the distant. Yoshimura slowly crawls towards her figure, as he reaches for her hand. Before finally, he stops moving.

"Owl extermination complete."

The Eyepatch ghoul is before him once, as if life had bigger plans for the two. Nonetheless, it was almost cliche for Amon that the two happened to be facing one another once more. Destiny. A falsehood of events that has led to this moment. One that he will not let easily go. In which, will produce the answers that he sought not only for himself but the ghoul as well.

"You are not getting passed us... Eyepatch."

"I do not want to kill you. And if you would, may I ask your name?" Kaneki questions, as he gains a combat stance.

"You are not getting out here ghoul bastard, even if you did everyone will be hunting you. Now, to honor your earnest request, my name is Amon Koutarou!" Charging the ghoul for what almost felt like deja-vu.

"Here I come, Amon. Do not die." Kaneki simply states engaging the investigator.

Clang! The simple sound began it all. It was all happening so fast. Half-ghoul vs investigator, both struck, and defended themselves, and clashed once more. Distant destruction brought the harsh reality of the world into existence. They are fated enemies and nothing would change that. Not while either one of them was breathing at this moment.

"Maybe in a different universe we could be allies." Amon thought to himself before storing the thought, as his opponents rear back for another assault.

Fog, hanged close masking the battle. Each blow, each breath, each movement spoke in the silent battle. The resonance of two philosophies clashing against each other searching for a hidden truth that is just out of reach.

Kaneki's kagune thrashes in an untamed manner hoping to disarm the man without killing him. Amon's quinque decisively countered the strikes, opting to rush in for a close encounter. The drill-esque weapon pinned against the ghoul's heart and a brief pause overcame him. "I can not do it." And at that moment his utter hesitation cost him.

The kagune pierces his shoulders forcing him to gain distance. He would not lose. He could not lose. His mentor died to these monsters, and he would not let this weapon be tarnished because of that. Gaining the utmost fury Amon charged and changed the tides of battle once more. Destroying each defensive measure the ghoul produced, while keeping up his offense assertive.

Kaneki manages to block most of the attacks and successfully uproot the weapon from its wielder's grasp.

Amon laid defeated once again his adversary. A voice calling out to him, " Amon, take this." The scientist dropping two new quinques for him that would strengthen him for this fight in particular.

Activating the new quinque, which turns into sleek black armor that envelops his large frame. Arata prototype, an armor that offered enhanced strength and durability at the cost of one's limits. The new lance glistens, as he rams Eyepatch. Knocking him several meters back, while the men cheer in the background.

Inhuman muttering can be heard from the fog. Kaneki's kakuja forming to take on the armored investigator, cracking his finger to begin the battle.

"I will never let you through Eyepatch."

Kaneki's defensive nature is destroyed as the investigator pummels him with each blow. Trying his best to disarm rather than knock him unconscious, but he will need to be more aggressive.

Gaining speed Kaneki viciously attacks the investigator causing him to stumble in recoil. Increasing ferocity as the ghoul tears his left arm off within the clash of wills.

"Fa- Father. Even now you haunt my thoughts whether helpful pleas or discreet motivation it does not matter. I will stop him." Amon shakily grabs his lance, then launches it through Kaneki's abdomen creating a large hole.

Blood spills from Kaneki's mouth, the pain being nothing new. Dropping to his knees, clutching the wound in pain. "My wound is not healing. I can not stop now. I-I have to save the manager. I will rescue him. I must rescue him."

Crawling, dragging, pulling each motion Kaneki takes is excruciating as he makes way to the sewer entrance. "I will save him..."

An astronomical figure crashes on the rooftop, then lets out an ungodly screech. The investigators clutch their weapons close. as they come face to face with the true Owl. Its menacing smile became etched into their mind as it began its onslaught.

The true Owl knocks Hoji, Iwa, Shinohara, and Juzo from the building. Ui evades the attack by an inch. "So, you're the real Owl after all."

"I will have to borrow this Hoji," Ui picks up the large blade before attacking the Owl. "Director, I will buy enough time for Arima to make it. I am a coward you see..."

The Owl launches a rainstorm of shards that cover the area. Quickly acting, Ui uses the blade as a shield to avoid the main barrage. However, it is not enough to save him as it knocks the blade and him into a nearby wall.

Juuzou looks up seeing that the Owl is coming for them. Its gargantuan frame trembles the roof, each step brought terror to him. He is looking at death itself and this time he will not be able to escape.

In a blink of an eye, Shinohara' left leg is amputated emulating Juuzou. The Owl devours the leg effortlessly as it smiles at Juuzou.

"Now you match." The distorted voice of the Owl chimes in his ears.

Memories flood his consciousness of all the times he has spent with Shinohara... his father. Juuzou lets out a howling scream bawling at the torture of his father.

"AHHHH! AHH!" Unscrupulous laugher rings as the boy wails for help filling the Owl's sadistic humor.

" Must rescue..."

" No time..."

"Meat..."

" Kill someone and eat..."

"Amon... do not die..."

" Take! Take! Mine! Mine!"

Hollowed-eyed Rize and Yamori grip onto Kaneki's body. " It is mine. GIVE IT TO ME!"

Kaneki clenches his head in agony, " GET AWAY FROM ME!"

" STOP IT!"

" STOP IT!"

" STOP IT!"

"GET OUT! IT IS MINE!"

"MY BODY IS MINE!" Kaneki's kagune burst forward, raging in an unraveling manner.

"GIVE IT TO MEEEEEEEEEEE!"

" MY FLESH! "

Covering his face with his pale hands. Kaneki shakes and trembles in desperation, insanity, and hunger.

" No, I was not the one eating ghouls. It was not ME!"

The raging antics finally quieted down. Leaving nothing but the drips of rain and flowing sewer water.

"Yo, Kaneki. How has it been? And what is up with the setup? New fashion taste?" Hide asks his friend walking closer to him with each step.

Kaneki's kakuja masked eye stares at the figure before him.

"H-H..ide."

"All this time you have been suffering alone."

"It cannot be real. Hide is not here. It is an illusion. I am seeing things again..."

"I am dreaming. I am dreaming. It is a dream. It is nothing special it happens all the time."

Placing his hand on Kaneki's shoulder, " I already knew, so do not worry about that. Let's just go home already." Hide's golden smile lightening the mood slightly.

"Hide... I hear these voices... Please run away or I will..."

"I want to help you. But, all the entrances and areas are swarming with investigators. No ghoul is walking out alive." He sighs knowing the circumstances of the predicament that they are in.

"That is a nasty wound you have there, Kaneki."

"Ugghh..!"

"Sorry... Can you fight with all you have just one more time?"

Everything else went blank for Kaneki. The splashing of the water. The sweet taste of flesh.