Four days after...
"Kaneki? You feeling alright, buddy?" Hide asked his best friend. Kaneki was just released from the hospital the previous day after a life-saving surgery. He was told that during his friend's date with that girl he liked, a load of pipes fell and crushed them both. Kaneki was the only survivor.
"Ehhhh...yeah. Never better..." Kaneki said. It was clear to the blonde haired boy that Kaneki was obviously still recovering.
"That was a stupid question! Why did I ask that?" Hide mentally scolded himself.
"Why don't we head over to Big Girl? You look like you could use some REAL food! Not some IV fluid that just barely keeps ya alive," he asked hi friend again.
"O-ok. I am feeling a tad bit hungry."
"Alright!"
Hide hailed a taxi to take them to Big Girl Restaurant. Just as the taxi stopped, a blue armored car sped past them.
"Kaneki sure has been acting weird. It almost looked like he didn't want to eat those burgers we ordered," he thought as he walked home. Vomiting in the middle of eating...was that normal after having an operation?
"I'm no doctor...but then again... Oh Kaneki. I hope he gets well real soon."
Chiyoda, Tokyo
"It appears that the program is going quite well, General," the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission said as he read a paper listing down the number of ghouls who have come forward to participate in the "Societal Reintegration Program" brought about by the Ghoul Rights Treaty of 2001. The treaty entails the countries of the world to give equal treatment to ghouls and humans. The enforcement of the treaty is overseen by the Ghoul Rights Council and performed by an international, UN-affiliated law enforcement organization called the Ghoul Pacification Task Force. They are a supplemental organization to the police and military which specializes in dealings with ghouls. Japan, being one of the countries that agreed to the treaty despite the Counter-Ghoul Commission's protests, had the two organizations work together. Unfortunately, the GPTF have a strict, no-killing policy as they are trying to prove to the ghouls that they are not here to eliminate them, but to give them a second chance at living side-by-side with humans. This in turn, disagrees with the CGC's "Ghoul Countermeasures Law" as the GPTF are essentially being given the permission to commit the crime of protecting ghouls, especially as the GPTF have ghoul operatives in a unit known as the Ghoul Countermeasures Unit or GCU. As such, both organizations can only be described as having a mutual hatred of each other, with their personnel having a vitriolic relationship with each other due to their differing goals and outlooks on ghouls.
"Over a thousand ghouls over the past two years...impressive! I just hope there's enough meat to keep them going," he said as he placed the paper back in the folder from where it was stored and handed it to General Shoji Kageyama, the GPTF Japan commander.
Kageyama was a former General in the JSDF. Handpicked to lead Japan's branch of the GPTF due to his experience with ghouls in the JSDF's experimental ghoul-integrated division which serves in conflict zones as peacekeeper troops. They were quite effective, although the cases of them collecting body parts from their fallen enemies to eat caused a bit of a stir. The general was dressed in a dark blue, semi-futuristic miitary uniform. He had his black hair, which was graying near the ears, in a military crew cut. Seated in front of him, was CGC Director Yoshitoki Washuu, who was dressed in his signature white suit.
"Now as for you, Director Washuu. How goes the investigation on the Aogiri Tree?" the Minister said as he handed Kageyama the folder. Yoshitoki took a deep breath before speaking.
"...So far, we only have minor leads to work on. Nothing new has come up over the past few weeks." he solemnly said.
The Minister slowly shook his head.
"You know, Washuu. Maybe the investigations regarding Aogiri and the Owl would be faster if you simply allowed yourselves to work cooperatively with the GPTF. The additional resources and manpower might-"
"I don't believe that's necessary, sir." he interrupted, shooting a look towards Kageyama, who remained indifferent to it.
"Besides. We've been at this for centuries. As much as I admire the...efforts that they've done, it's best that you let the ones who have the most experience deal with matters like this." Yoshitoki said to the Minister.
"*sigh* Your decision, Washuu. Now thank you both for your reports on each of your progress. I expect even better results next time," the Minister said as he stood up with the other two.
"Director. General. Fax me the copies of your reports. I have another meeting to go to so I can't wait for the copies now. Both of you are dismissed."
The Minister, Washuu and Kageyama all walked out of the office with the Minister, who left in the opposite direction of the hallway while the other two walked to the stairs leading to the exit.
"I'm sorry, Shoji. As much as I want to ask for your help, I'm afraid the rest of my guys would object grievously to it." Yoshitoki said to the older-looking man.
"That's fine, Washuu." the general said as he arranged the folder as they walked to the exit of the building.
"I would like you to know that unlike the others, I'm willing to accept the enforcement of the laws but..."
"Yes. I know."
Yoshitoki tapped Kageyama on the shoulder.
"Thank you for understanding. I hope more ghouls wish to reform their ways and make our jobs easier for us both," he said to general as he entered a gray car with the CGC symbol on the four flags on it. Kageyama watched it leave as he entered a blue armored car with the GPTF symbol on the sides of it.