Okay. Here goes another chapter. I have nothing else to say. So enjoy!
I don't own Naruto.
I don't own Tokyo Ghoul, too. ;)
Chapter 8: The Mystery Begins!
Unknown location
"Thank you very much" said a man as he walked away from his chair to leave the room.
"Take care" said the other man who is sitting on a chair.
"Next patient please" he asked. Suddenly a man crushed through his door and fell onto his table.
"Knock, Knock ... I finally found you" said a big man with white coat as he walked into the room.
"Yamori ..."
"I seem to have misplaced that nifty little toy you made for me. I want you to prepare a replacement."
"Of course, ..."
"Good, I'll be back." he said as he left the room.
Then the curtain behind the doctor opened and revealed his wife and daughter. "Dear ..."
At Anteiku
"Slowly now, ... " said the manager as he watched the boy trying to make a cup of coffee.
"There is no need to rush, Just keep up those spirals."
"R-Right" said the boy with a white eyepatch.
He then drank his coffee.
"How was it?" asked the manager.
"If I were to compare it to yours, this cup doesn't quite hit the mark." he said.
"Each cup of coffee is unique that it reflects the amount of effort poured into it. Like when dealing with people, coffee doesn't like to be rushed." the manager said.
"I see"
"There is something you need to consider. Anteiku isn't just your average coffee house. It's also a place where the ghouls of the 20th Ward can interact and feel at home. Of course, we also gladly serve human customers here. Just as we once did for you, right?"
"But if ghouls are trying their hardest to blend in with society, why would you go out of your way to serve human customers as well?"
"It is important to understand human behavior in order to inhabit the world they live in. Humans are living, breathing textbooks for ghouls like us. Besides, I like them" the manager said with a smile.
"All right, I think it's about time I send you down to give Touka-chan a hand."
"R-Right" he said as he walked down.
He then saw Naruto, Touka and his friend Hide.
"Yo/Hey Kaneki!" Naruto and Hide greeted him.
"H-Hide! What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I came here to have a coffee, of course! When did you start working here?"
"Since today" he said.
"Are you okay now?"
He just nodded.
"When will you come back to school?"
"I don't know, Maybe tomorrow."
"All right Kaneki, I'll catch you later." Hide said as he walked out of the cafe.
"Oh hey Touka-chan, I have to go somewhere else. So, I will be back later okay?" Naruto said.
She just nodded. He then left them.
"Make sure he doesn't find out about your ghoul situation" she said to him.
"I know."
"If he catches even the slightest wind about us ..., I will slaughter him on the spot."
"What? But that's ..."
"If you don't want that to happen, keep your mouth shut."
"So what about Naruto? He doesn't smell like a ghoul"
"Well, ... he is just a different matter."
'CLING'
The door bell rang and two woman came in. More like a woman and a girl.
"Welcome!" Touka greeted.
"Touka-chan ... " said the older woman.
"Ryouko-san! Kaneki, towels!" she ordered him
He then grabbed some towels and gave those to the older woman.
"I am sorry to bother you like this."
"Don't worry, it's nothing."
"Hinami, it's been a while."
The younger girl just leaned closer to her mother.
"Hinami ... "
"Where is Yoshimura-san?" the older woman asked.
"Inside" answered Touka.
"Thank you very much" she said as she walked to the manager's office.
"They are ghouls, right?" he asked.
"That's Fueguchi-san. We'll be taking care of her from now on."
"Taking care of?"
"Yeah, it's a bit of a long story."
"Story? What happened?"
"Seriously? Shut up! You are not even good for anything!" she shouted.
"I'm well aware of that..."
"Oh did the manager tell you something?"
"Huh?"
"About the guys who walk around with those big suitcases."
At CCG
"This is the current status of the 11th Ward." said the head of the CCG as he showed on the monitor.
"These patterns clearly indicate the start of organized movements. At this rate, it'll only be a matter of time until a war is raged. That concludes my report. Does anyone else have anything further?" he asked.
Then someone in the crowd raised up his hand and stood up.
"Amon Koutarou, First Class Investigator. I'll start with this. " he said as he showed some kind of pliers.
"I believe everyone is aware of the incident that happened a week ago, where Jason from the 13th Ward contacted with an S-rated ghoul from the 20th Ward, a binge eater. This piece of evidence was left behind at the crime scene."
"And that is?" asked the head.
"A pair of medical pliers, tailored for ghouls, supposedly. Upon further analysis, we have identified it as a Quinque weapon. Jason's objective is currently unknown. Those ghouls might be planning something in 20th Ward."
"I expected nothing less from the Academy's top student. Good for you Mado. Having such a reliable partner gives you more time to play with your toys, no?"
"Fortunately so. Now, if you could just get this over, I'd be spending my time on something far more productive." said the weird looking man.
"Blunt as ever, I see."
"All right, I want you guys to stay on top of things in the 20th Ward. Got it?"
"Hai" said Amon.
"Our purpose here at CCG is to eradicate every last ghoul from Tokyo. That is the one and only responsibility that we have been entrusted with. Even now, the fact remain the same. All right let's focus and get right to it!"
"Yes sir" everyone in the room shouted.
"This meeting is now adjourned. Dismissed!"
Back at Anteiku
"Here try this" said the manager as he gave Kaneki a sandwich. He tried to eat it. But he just threw up.
"M-Manager, I'm sorry but this is just like a dried up sponge and socks after an intense workout"
The manager just laughed. "That's quite a vivid imagination." he said as be picked up a sandwich and ate it.
"The trick is to swallow it whole without chewing. Pretend to chew and then swallow it. But throw it back before your body digests it. It is bad for health otherwise. With a little more practice, you can eat with your friend again."
"I will do my best"
"I have a gift for you" he said as he gave him a bottle of sugar cubes.
"Sugar cubes?"
"They're a bit different on the inside. Dissolve it in coffee and drink it. They will keep your hunger for a little while."
"Thanks, by the way, is Naruto a ghoul or a human?"
"Well, he smells like a ghoul. But he is a bit different. Normally, we just accept ghouls as workers. But he is a different matter."
"Oh,..."
"Listen Kaneki-kun, Can I trouble you to stay late today?"
"Oh, of course. I don't mind."
"I usually ask Touka-chan, but she is busy studying for a test. I'd like you to go procure some food in her stead."
"P-Procure some food?" he asked thinking about hunting humans.
"I-I can't kill anyone!" he shouted.
"Worry not, you won't be harming anyone. We provide food for ghouls who don't want to hunt people."
"Oh ..."
"Then would you mind taking it up with Naruto-kun for me?"
"Alright ..."
At that Night
"Yo Kaneki, sorry I am late. I got lost in road of life."
"Oh, Okay"
Both of them started walking in silence until Kaneki asked "Hey Naruto, how long have you known Touka-chan?"
"Hmmm ... about two weeks ago, I guess"
"Isn't she kind of scary?"
"Scary? ... I don't think so. She is kind of cute to me." he said with a smile.
"Aren't you afraid of us? I know you are a human. But you didn't seem like you are afraid of ... ghouls." he asked.
"Why should I? Tell me a reason why should I afraid of my friends? You guys are my precious people and I will do everything I can to protect you guys." he said with a foxy grin.
"Oh by the way, where are we heading?"
"You will see later"
About 20 minutes of walking they reached a cliff.
"Wow, this is pretty high up." Kaneki said as he put his hands on the fence.
"Don't do that" Naruto said.
"Huh?" He then fell from the cliff.
"Man..." Naruto said as he dived down to grab him. He then caught Kaneki in midair and landed on the ground softly.
"H-How did you jumped this high?" he asked.
"I have my own ways." he said with a grin.
Kaneki then saw a dead body and shouted.
"Keep quiet. A lot of people die here. Many of them come to throw their lives away. So people of Anteiku chose to eat suicide victims. "
He just looked at the dead body with horror.
"Okay let's pack him in and get out of here." Naruto said.
Naruto then packed it up.
"How will we get up there again?" Kaneki asked.
Naruto just smiled and gave him the package.
"Here hold this"
Naruto then picked him up and started walking vertically up the wall. Soon both of them reached the top again.
"H-How can you walk like that?"
"I told you before, I have my own ways" he said with a foxy grin.
"Come on Let's go back" he said as both of them went back to Anteiku.
The next morning, while Kaneki was washing a dish, the manager said "I think you will need a mask"
"A mask, huh?"
"Yes. I think you should have your own."
"I see..." then a girl came across them.
"Touka-chan" said the manager.
"Yes?"
"Would you mind helping Kaneki-kun out with his mask this afternoon?"
"What? Just when I finally landed a day off, too. Why don't you ask Naruto to help him?"
"Well, he said he had to go somewhere else this afternoon."
"Huh, ... I wonder why he has been busy these days. He doesn't come to school too. But why the eyepatch would need a mask?" she said as she pointed at Kaneki.
"Touka-chan, there are investigators in the 20th Ward."
"Doves?" she asked.
The manager nodded.
"They have already damaged. I would like to prepare one for him just in case."
"Hey eyepatch, meet me in the train station tomorrow, 1:30. Miss it by a minute, you're dead to me."
"H-Hai"
At 1:30 pm
Kaneki was waiting her at the train station. Someone then kicked him in the back.
"Jeez-what?" said Kaneki.
She then started walking and Kaneki followed her.
Then Touka entered a shop and shouted "Uta-san"
She then saw a certain blond haired boy talking with a man full of tattoo.
"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
"Uh, ... um, I am taking my ... order?" he said as he showed her his kitsune mask.
"When did you know about this place?"
"I have my own ways" he said with a foxy grin.
"You always say that whenever I ask a question about you" she said.
"Oh Kaneki, come in. This is Uta-san. He'll make a mask for you." Touka said and Kaneki came in.
"That's me" said the man.
"I am K-Kaneki. It's nice to meet you."
"You smells different" said the man as he sniff around him.
"The 20th Ward is normally peace and quiet. No doves check us out. Maybe they are here because of Rize's impact."
"Tsukiyama seems to be pushing his luck lately too." she said.
"Ah yes, that guy..."
"Sit over there. I'll take your measurements." he said as he pointed a chair. Both of them went to the chair to take some measurements and Q and A.
"Hey Naruto, where have you been these days? You don't even come to school."
"Well, ... um ... It is kind of complicated. I am kinda sensing someone different these day. And I am trying to find out who he is."
"What do you mean sensing someone? And why do you need to find out?"
"Well, It is a long story. I will explain you later."
"You are always secretive. Why don't you just open up?"
"Well, Sorry about that. I can't do that. Knowing more about me can cause you trouble. But I promise you that I will tell you one day and I never break my promise. That's my nindo!" he said with a thumb up.
"Nindo?" she asked confusedly.
"Well, um ... people from our village are mostly ninjas or shinobi. We live as a shinobi. So we all have our nindo."
"Oh, ... " she just said thinking about what he said.
Then the Kaneki came back.
"Oh, you are back. So why don't we go back to Anteiku" Naruto said.
They all nodded and left the shop.
On their way home, Naruto was just talking and smiling with Touka and Kaneki was following them from behind. He was thinking what about his little talk with Naruto from yesterday and why he can do extraordinary things. He then remembered about the two women who came to their cafe.
"Touka-chan, What exactly is Hinami-chan's situation like?" he asked.
"Is there any use in you knowing something like that?" she asked.
"I want to know ... If there is some thing I can do, ..."
"Now she has to live away from her father now, so she must be anxious. She isn't usually like this. She is now in danger so we have to protect her. "
"So that's how it is" he said.
"Huh?... what are you guys talking about?" Naruto asked.
"She is just a girl who moved to our cafe last two days ago."
"Why didn't I know about that?"
"They came in just after you left. So, you missed them."
"Oh,... I wonder why I was in rush."
"You idiot, how would I know why you were in rush if you didn't even know yourself"
"Oh you are right"
"Baka, ..." she said as she sighed.
"Touka-chan, what are those masks used for? " Kaneki asked.
"Huh? You came without even knowing what they're for?"
"Uh, yeah."
She just sighed and said "If you ever bump into a couple of Doves, you don't want them catching even a glimpse of your face"
"W-what will happen if they see my face?"
"They will behead you" she said with an evil glare.
"Be-Beheaded?" asked the sweating Naruto.
"Still think she is cute, Naruto?" asked Kaneki.
"N-no, not anymore. Y-You are right. S-She is s-scary." answered the shaking Naruto.
She just sighed and continued walking back to the cafe.
When they arrived at the cafe, Kaneki thought that he should get along with the girl and he walked to her room. He then opened the door and saw Hinami having her meal. Her mouth was covered in blood.
He then fell to the ground in horror.
"Um... take your time" he said as he stood up and ran back to the bar.
"You saw her eating, then?" Enji Koma said as he finished making his coffee.
Kaneki just nodded.
"That's no good. Girls are sensitive when they come to that staff."
"I see..."
"Here take this and bring this up and apologize as well" he said as he gave him a cup of coffee.
Kaneki then took it to her room, knocked the door and asked "Hinami-chan, may I come in?"
"Yes" said the girl.
He then opened the door and walked into the room.
"Sorry about that earlier. Here, as a apology." he said as he put the cup of coffee down on the table.
"U-um.. Oni-san, .. um ... which one are you?" she asked.
"I am sorry. You are completely different from everyone else. If you were one of us, I'd be able to tell from miles away." she said again.
"Um, ... Let's just say I have a mind of a human and body of a ghoul."
He then saw a picture of a panda with a scarf and said "That is a pretty cute drawing. What kind of animal is it?"
"Um, it is my father." she girl said with a slight blush.
"Y-You did a really good job on him!" he said.
"I hope you will be able to see him soon." he said again.
She just smiled at him.
He then saw the book in her hands and asked "Is that Monochrome of Rainbows?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah"
"Hinami-chan, you read Takatsuki's books? That's impressive, given how tough they are to read. Oh, but they are short stories so I guess they're relatively easier. Hinami-chan, which story is your favorite?"
"U-Um, Small Rain .. Night Time..."
"Small Rain Night Time? Oh you mean Showers at Sunset? That was the prototype for Egg of the Black Goat."
"Pro-type? Showers at Sunset? U-Um.."
"How do you read this?" she asked as she pointed out a word in the book.
"That's 'hydrangea'"
"Hydrangea? Like a flower?"
"Yes"
"Then what about this one?" she asked as she pointed out another word.
"That's written like 'thin ice' but pronounced like 'black ice'."
"Black ice...?"
She then wrote down the words she just learned.
"I don't go to school, so I write down the things I learn here."
"You know, I can teach you new words like this every now and then"
"Really?" she asked with joy.
"Of course!"
"Thank you Oni-chan."
Then someone crashed the door in front of them.
"Ouch, ... Touka-chan really hit her." said the guy.
"Naruto? What happened?" asked Kaneki.
"Well, I just pranked Touka-chan and she punched me through the door."
"That's your fault for pranking Touka."
Naruto got up from the floor and saw a girl in front of him sitting with Kaneki.
"Oh you must be Hinami that Kaneki talked earlier"
She just nodded.
"Well, Nice to meet you, Hinami-chan. I am Naruto Uzumaki." he said with a foxy grin.
"I am Hinami Fueguchi, nice to meet you Naruto oni-chan"
"What are you doing with Kaneki?"
"He is teaching me some new words."
"Really? Isn't learning boring?"
"Hey, Learning is not boring!" shouted Kaneki.
"For me it is boring" he said with a yawn.
"Wanna have some real fun?" Naruto asked Hinami.
She just nodded.
He then picked her up piggyback style. And started jumping from rooftops to rooftops. Air was blowing against her face and it was like riding an airplane without screens except that she was now riding Naruto.
"See? This is fun. This is nothing like reading a book. Isn't this cool?"
"Yeah you are right Naruto Oni-chan. But how did you do it?"
"Well, I have my own ways." he said with a foxy grin.
The same time at the Anteiku
Touka came into the room and saw Kaneki only and asked "Where did Naruto go?" she asked with a furious tone.
"He just left with Hinami-chan"
"What the hell is that idiot doing?"
"He said something about having real fun and took her"
"I am going to find that idiot" she said as she left him.
Back with Naruto and Hinami
After about an hour of jumping from rooftops to rooftops. He stopped at a roof top.
"Had enough fun?" he asked.
"Yeah, I have never experienced like this before."
While they were talking something white came up from the ground. And tried to hit him from the back. He noticed that and suddenly picked Hinami and dodged the attack and landed on a tree.
"What the hell?" he said. Then he looked at what attack him. He saw very familiar white thing.
"How did you get here? It is impossible for you to get here!" he shouted as he got into his fighting stance.
"Naruto Uzumaki, nothing is impossible ..."
Author's Note:
AHA! My chapters are getting longer and longer. Well, I added some more mysteries. I will see you guys again in next chapter. Remember what I said? About Touka's character? Well, I just said her character WON'T BE 100% THE SAME as in anime. By the way, I will upload chapter 9 in Friday. I am not sure I will finish it tomorrow. So see ya in next chapter.
Ja ne!