"Kaneki begins asking the right questions… What will he uncover?"
Kaiko leans back in his prison bed. His hair had begun whitening due to great stress, and his body was covered in pale scars. Kaneki raises an eyebrow. "Looks like Kanou really pulled a miracle with you didn't he? You were thoroughly dead after I had finished with you".
The former leader of V, one of the first ghouls and mastermind of everything shadowy in this world, Kaiko laughs at the statement. "Indeed you did Ken Kaneki. However, one moment I was spending my last in my mind palace, the next I wake up, trapped in here. Despite the power you possess, Kanou wields a far greater force…"
Kaneki nods slowly, leaning on the bars. "I've come to ask you some questions, you know, for old time's sake". Kaiko frowns. This wasn't what he had expected. "Very well… It's not like I have anything else to do now that's I'm stuck down here for eternity". The snowy haired ghoul folds his arms, staring into Kaiko's eyes. "Who gave you the idea to create V?"…
The prisoner's eyes widen a fraction. "My my… You have certainly gotten smarter haven't you? How do you know that I had inspiration?" Kaneki shrugs. "Just intuition… Continue". "Well… It was in the early days of the Second World War, when the Holocaust was in full motion. You know… it wasn't really the Jewish that Hitler was after. It was the Ghouls…" Kaneki looks up, surprised at this unexpected revelation.
"You see, the Nazis were backed by many organisations, but there was one that stood behind them all. I don't know the name of this organisation but I was approached by a man in a bar once. I had been fighting the Nazi's outside of Zurich and had gone into hiding after I had killed a brigade of German soldiers. This man was very nondescript. In fact, I think he employs certain abilities to make sure he isn't remembered accurately. He asked me to tell my story, and then went on to give me an opportunity".
"He told me to return to my homeland, Japan in order to protect Tokyo from being targeted by the American Atomic Bombs. Unfortunately Hiroshima was hit but Tokyo was left standing. Years later, he contacted me again to tell me that a certain clan of ghouls had just arrived from Germany wishing to make inroads. From there, I made friends with these Washuu's and subtly took over the family until they were a satellite branch of my increasing operations. I created V because I wanted to stop all-out war… In my eyes, conflict cannot be avoided, only regulated. That's why I had the Washuu found the CCG and Kuzen to abandon his child so she could found the Aogiri Tree. That way, his plan wouldn't be implemented here".
Kaneki nods slowly, taking in the information steadily. "Right… So this man tipped you off about the possible Tokyo Bombings, and gave you the means to control the entirety of Tokyo from the shadows using groups like the CCG and Aogiri to keep fighting only within the boundaries you set… So what has changed now that V is no more?"
Kaiko sneers at Kaneki's subtle jibe. "The CCG is now a clean organisation. Aogiri seems to be moving in this Ward after 25 years, but other than that, no large scale conflict has come up… But, I know you want to find the Doctor, and the Clowns, don't you?" Kaneki nods. "I want answers. My entire life has been staged for the advancement of someone's scheme. And I think Kanou is the man pulling the strings… Now, you once called the Clowns the first Children of the Garden"…
"Arima, Furuta and Ihei, among others were of the second generation of genetic experiments… This was all overseen by the Washuu's. I only sanctioned the creation of the Garden. Those investigators were failures as they had short lifespans, but the experiment almost succeeded. The Washuu's were trying to become human after all. It was the exact opposite of Kanou's experiment in turning humans into ghouls".
He rises and begins pacing around the dim lit cell. "However, the Garden had existed before that time… And it had spawned its own generation of experiments… The first children of the Garden are supposedly the very first One Eyed Ghouls… The Washuu created the CCG at my prompting that they should protect themselves from this new threat, but after an initial violent outburst, these One Eyed Ghouls disappeared, leaving only the CCG in its wake".
"The Clowns wanted only the destruction of V, the organisation that prompted the creation of the only anti-ghoul force in the world… And they got their vengeance through you. But I don't know what their greater purpose is, only that they want to find the one who created the Garden and created them. They refer to this person as their "boss", but they have as little idea as to who they are as we do. You see, the same man who gave me the means to create V is the same man who showed me how to find the Garden. He is the one who created it and the first One Eyed Ghouls… He is the one you're looking for, not Kanou".
Kaneki sighs, turning to leave. "This is all very interesting but you still haven't told me of Kanou's location so I assume you do not know it… Farewell Kaiko, I hope you didn't expect me to free you from what you deserve". He steps back into the tunnel and soon climbs a staircase onto the bottom floor of Cochlea. He traverses the darkened hallways until he enters the moonlit atrium. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
"So much has happened in this place over the years… I have come out of this place a changed man more than once…" He looks up as a noise suddenly pierces the dead silence. Someone was approaching him from the darkness. His eyes widen slightly as the very man he was looking for stepped into view. Akhira Kanou looked very much like the same man he had been 30 years ago. He raises a hand in greeting.
"Well if it isn't my Ken Kaneki… Back from the dead are we? Aren't you glad I kept you alive? To think that waiting in this place would prove so fruitful". Kaneki glares at him, ready to unleash his Kagune and tear the Doctor in half, but he pauses, and instead takes a smarter approach.
"Kanou… I know a lot more about you than I ever have before… I could almost say that we're equals in terms of bearing knowledge… So, what brings you across my path like this?" Kanou smiles and laughs softly. "I do suppose you're right. Only those Clowns know more than us. Even now the Aogiri Tree and the CCG are mere pawns, hell, not even pawns any longer, only floundering Carp". He looks behind him at the unmoving form of Arima, victim of Uta and the others.
"I feel that it's time that we finally begin to cooperate. You've been through enough now that you deserve to know everything…. I made you into a One Eyed Ghoul because One Eyes are the only beings that can truly make a difference in this world of ours, this birdcage…"
Kaneki strokes his chin thoughtfully. "I finally understand what you mean. V wasn't the birdcage, V was only one of the things cloaking the existence of this birdcage…" Kanou grins happily. "Yes yes! I'm so happy that you of all others can understand me. You see, I assume that you've caught up with me by now. I know of the Clowns origins, and the existence of this overarching watcher that has been manipulating and regulating both Humanity and Ghoul kind since the very beginning…"
Kaneki nods to show that this was correct, but frowns. "But… how are you still alive? It's been over 130 years since you were born. I found your birth certificate, and it lists you as being born in Germany, 1890…" Kanou pulls out a vile of clear liquid from a pocket of his white coat. "This, is a serum that I developed many years ago that halts aging. I cannot die through the mere course of time with this, you should know what I mean. I injected you with it back when I first gave you Rize's Kakahou…"
"Listen to me, Kaneki. I am not your enemy. All this time you've been asking the wrong questions. It's only recently that you finally got on the right path… Please… help me break open this birdcage… None of us will ever be free while it exists… It's only a case of finding its roots…"
The One Eye walks forward and looks upon the body of Arima. "You used a Kakahou to revive him… He already had the organs and Rc Factor to easily accept the operation.. But he died before his brain and heart could restart, unlike me… Kanou… Revive Arima, and I will cooperate with you". The Doctor pauses, then nods. "Very well. It will be done. But before we do anything, I must ask about your son".
Kaneki stares wistfully at the moon that could be seen through Cochlea's shattered ceiling. "Kuzo… Isn't yet powerful enough… I can't let him follow until he is ready…" Kanou raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Then you do care about him don't you? It's just like the relationship between Arima and you… That's why you want him revived isn't it? Because he was more of a Father to you than anyone…"
Kaneki ignores him. "I will need both Arima's and Kuzo's strength to do this". Kanou folds his arms, smiling. "And what is it that you want to do?" Kaneki turns his head so that his single Kakugan glowed in the moonlight. "I want to shatter this birdcage… But I need more… Kanou, will you help me find the Clowns? I think that they are the only ones that can tell us what exactly One Eyed Ghouls were created for…"
Kanou sighs. "Indeed they are. I created you so that you could make a difference, and you have already, but that is our next step…" He walks over to Arima while pulling out a blood red vial and attaching it to a syringe. "This serum will restart his heart while increasing the amount of Rc Cells. He'll be living again in minutes". His explanation is interrupted as a loud crash comes from above. On one of the higher landings, a large group of robed ghouls unleashed their Kagune and moved to engage a group of suited Investigators standing upon the rim of Cochlea's ceiling.
"Is this what you meant when you said that Aogiri was active again Kaiko? Dammit all we need is to be stuck in the crossfire between those ghouls and the CCG… We need to get out of here Kanou!" The Doctor shakes his head irritably. "We can't leave until Arima wakes up! You'll need to buy us some time if you can". Kaneki cocks his head to the side as his Kagune forms from his lower back. "I thought you knew me better than that Kanou. Of course I can take care of it".
He leaps into the air and uses his Kagune to swing himself higher and higher, the battle above him getting ever so closer…
…
Kuzo stood at the rim of Cochlea as the S3 Squad engaged the Aogiri affiliated ghouls below. Hiyori Arima, as the S3 leader, was fighting at the front lines against the violent ghouls. He smiles. Thanks to his intelligence the S3 Squad had been able to pounce of Aogiri as they emerged from the tunnels of Cochlea. Noro stood next to him and directed him to follow his Squad as they pushed deeper into the prison.
Since his promotion, Kuzo had gained his own squad and already had a great deal of accomplishments. They worked silently, like a machine. As he orders his team to descend on steel ropes, he looks at the carnage around him as both the S3 Squad and the Aogiri Ghouls begin splintering, each group going off to their own spate battles for survival. Kuzo wasn't going to just survive. He was going to win!
As they reach the bottom floor of the Atrium, Noro raises a hand to stop Kuzo and his Squad. Since losing them both, Noro had been given two prosthetic arms, fitted to have faster reaction times. "Associate Special Class… Take your Squad into the right hand tunnels and flank around to the SSS Cellblock. Don't wait for me". Kuzo nods and takes his team to the mouth of the tunnel. Before going inside himself, he turns to see two figures standing in the gloom facing Noro. One was an old man dressed in a lab coat.
"That must be Akhira Kanou… That bastard. Is he with Aogiri Tree?" Then he notices the features of the man standing behind the Doctor. His hair was white and his black Kagune gave his identity immediately. Ken Kaneki was here in Cochlea… But Noro had pushed him away because he thought that Kuzo wasn't strong enough… The investigator clenches his fist before plunging into a tunnel filled with ghouls, he sprints ahead of his squad and releases Owl, tearing through them all with no remorse. After several minutes of constant killing, Kuzo's squad arrives at a crossroads in the tunnels.
All is silent but for the dripping water as a lone man stands waiting for them. The ghoul's hair was white, and his half mask was red iron. This was a ghoul that the CCG knew little about even now after 25 years of not being seen… Tatara looks at Kuzo directly in the eyes and nods. "You're the one… The strongest among them. This will do nicely". His Kagune begins to slowly extend from his back and his eyes turn jet black. "I'm fortunate that the first Investigator I met here was the CCG's finest… Let us begin, Kuzo Kaneki".
…
Noro stood facing Kaneki and Kanou as his squad expertly set up a defensive perimeter, ensuring no small fry could enter the Atrium. The Doctor smiles at him warmly as his One Eyed companion takes a deep breath, letting it out in a loud sigh. "Honestly… Of all the people to come after me, it just had to be you…"
Glaring at his former mentor standing next to one of the highest profile targets for capture on earth, Noro growls. "Are you in league with Kanou now? The very man who turned you into a ghoul?" Kaneki raises an eyebrow at the insinuation. "Poor Noro. I'm glad to finally be with Kanou, the one who gave me the power to make a difference… I know things now that I never did before… And now? Your time is now".
The Investigator shakes his head angrily, taking out a Quinque, looking at it and then discarding it. These weapons weren't going to be of any use to him where he was going. As he crouches slightly, his Kagune reaches for the sky, several limbs poised to attack. "For this whole time I've never been able to understand you… Why? Why did you have to change?" Kaneki's eyes harden and he cracks his finger, irritated.
"You really are clueless aren't you? All of you! Even after I removed V from the equation the CCG are still little more than free roaming pawns… Let's get this over with, Noro. It's time to finish this… Time to realise what you're really here for". He suddenly lashes out with his Kagune, so fast was this attack that Noro hadn't even registered it before both of his prosthetic arms were sliced off at the stumps. Kaneki laughs at the shock on his face.
"Is that it? Come now you must be sick of losing your limbs by now. Fight with your Kagune, do it!" Noro narrows his eyes, his Kagune flicking to the left and right before lunging for Kaneki. His opponent dances out of the way, rolling and bringing his own Kagune in a wide arc to clash with Noro's Kagune mid swing. "Good… You've gotten faster and stronger. Let's see how well you've mastered the use of my Kagune then shall we?"
Noro tuts, forming one of his Kagune limbs into blades and slicing three of Kaneki's at once, the tips of his Kagune dropping to the floor. The White haired ghoul brings forth 5 more to replace them and continues his barrage against Noro, the Investigator sweating under the pressure. Suddenly, a sharp pain wraps his body in agony, and he falls to his knee, clutching his right side. Kaneki stands a distance away from him.
"You broke my frame… The Kakahou… It's fusing with my body!" Kaneki nods. "There's something I never told you when you were younger. Yoshitoki Washuu was of course V's puppet, and upon seeing the initial results of the Frame 10 Surgery on you, he ordered that the frame be given an extra thick layering… He was afraid of your potential Noro, just let it all out". Noro shakes his head, panting. "Never! I won't become a monster like you, I'll control it!"
He screams in pain, armour beginning to clad his torso, shoulders and face. This incomplete Kakuja form gave Noro the appearance of a winged angel, and Kaneki raises an eyebrow. "To think that he'd develop similarly to myself… Well, let's do this, Noro Schneider". Noro's mind was remaining intact, but he could feel his Humanity slipping away, so he threw himself at Kaneki over and over again, the two of them clashing, with one landing a hit on the other most times.
This power is immeasurable! To think that I had this kind of potential the entire time… Maybe, with this I can leave Cochlea alive! As these thoughts race through his head, Kaneki locks his winged Kagune in his own limbs, bringing their faces together, almost touching. "Noro… I will kill you here… There is no avoiding this… If you die, Kuzo… my son will replace you as my adversary… Only then can he become strong…" Noro slashes at him, tearing Kaneki's body in half. As the One Eye, torso spawns Kagune limbs that reattach his upper and lower body, he blinks in surprise.
He hadn't expected his former student to be capable of injuring him like this. He smiles, wiping blood from his mouth. Kaneki had become far too accustomed to easy wins since he gained the Ascended Kakuja, and this was good practice for him. Noro faces him, now not panting at all. Kaneki starts as he notices the look in his opponent's eyes.
I forgive you… Ken Kaneki…
I know what must be done, but that doesn't mean that I'm going out without a fight. I will defeat you here!
He smiles, relieved that Noro had finally steeled his heart against this world. The Investigator impresses Kaneki as Noro cracks his finger, Kagunefied and twisted flesh coiling out of the stumps of his shoulders to form clawed hands. At last someone else had managed to achieve the level of Kagune Manipulation that he had. It was a pity that it still wasn't enough…
They clash for the final time, Noro using over 10 Kagune limbs to pin Kaneki's own limbs to the wall as he lunges at his chest with both clawed hands. The One Eyed King looks Noro directly in the eyes and total understanding passes between them as Kaneki tears Noro's Heart and Kakahou from his body with his own hands. Noro gasps, blood trickling from his smiling mouth as he drops to the floor.
Kaneki cradles his body in his arms as the Investigator looks up at his mentor. "It's been a long time huh? All those times I thought you betrayed me… You were preparing me for death weren't you?" Kaneki nods, tears running down his cheeks onto Noro's gaping chest cavity. "Fear not and sleep well, Noro Schneider, for eternal happiness awaits you in the Garden… I rejected it because I was not yet ready, but you have done what I needed you to do…"
Noro smiles and closes his eyes. "I'm so tired… I think I might rest a while…" And so the Special Class Investigator breathes his last, Kaneki crying out in anguish at the cruelty of this world… Kanou watches from the darkness as the rest of Noro's squad watch in dumbstruck numbness as their leader dies before them. Then, as if they had known what would happen, they all retreat into the tunnels silently, leaving them alone in the Atrium.
Arima suddenly gasps, sitting up and clutching the wounds in his chest and shoulders. Kanou smiles, holding out a hand. "It's been a long time since you lived and breathed, Kishou Arima. Why don't you come and give Kaneki a hand?" The reborn Investigator holds his hand against his chest, feeling his own heartbeat. "But… I was dead… Even if I was reanimated I should be aging so fast that I'll be dead in minutes…" Kanou nods patiently. "Yes yes I know of your half ghoul ailments… But thanks to the miracles of science, I've reversed the effects of your mixed blood. You are going to live a very long time, Arima"…
…...
Tatara limps along the wide tunnel, using his arm to steady himself as he clutched at the wound in his side with the other. The Aogiri force had been ambushed as he expected, and he had staged it all so that he could encounter Kuzo Kaneki, but things had gone wrong. He had been severely outdone by the ghoul investigator, and had needed to retreat. Even now he could hear chatter telling of the battle between Kaneki Ken and the Special Class Noro.
He grimaces in pain. The Operation was a failure, and he had to retreat for now. But there would come a time when Aogiri could rise again, and Kaneki would be the one to provide that chance…
…
Eto sits upon one of the high, iron rafters crisscrossing beneath Cochlea's walkways. She had witnessed the battles that had taken place and now watched as her son walked away into the tunnels, a body cradled in his arms…
…...
Kuzo pants as he approaches the Atrium with his squad in tow. He had dealt with the ghoul Tatara swiftly, forcing the Aogiri leader to retreat. Now he needed to get back to Noro so he could fight with him. His train of thought is broken as he crests the rise of the tunnel and is now standing in the Atrium itself.
A lone body lies prone on the cracked cement, blood still pooling around him. Kuzo's eyes widen and he lets out a scream of anguish as he sprints over, dropping Owl and cradling the warm body of Noro Schneider in his arms. No one else was in sight. Kaneki and Kanou had disappeared. He sees the peaceful smile on Noro's face and a deep, cold feeling settles in his chest. Torment. "Damn you Ken Kaneki… How could you possibly be my father?" He begins to sob uncontrollably, moonlight enveloping them as Kuzo says his final farewells to his own mentor…
"Sacrifices have been made. The planted tree is bearing fruit!"
End Tokyo Ghoul: Crimson 07
Next Time: The Agents of Dusk