The Quinx of Change
Hide and Kaneki fail to recognize each other, as the latter is focused on his next mission. This discourages Hide, who has a conversation with the one who tortured him, encouraging her to move on. As Hide returns back, however, he finds that he has put himself in a position he didn't know he could be in.
"Hello Kaneki Ken, it's nice to see you after all these times," Eto stated, and Hide, to his shock turned around to see his best friend.
He noticed another man beside him, Take Hirako, but he paid no attention to him. Here, was his best friend after a while, and yet he couldn't say anything.
Hide was trying his best to say something, anything, but he couldn't.
It wasn't until Kaneki looked at the scarecrow did his eyes showed a confused expression. It was this facial expression that hurt Hide, as while he knew it was because of the costume he was wearing, he hadn't expected Kaneki out of all people to not recognize him.
Hide sighed, nodding to Kaneki without using his voice, as he looked towards Eto, smiling at him.
It seemed that Kaneki was more interested in her at the moment, "Takatsuki?" He half stated half asked, in confusion and horror as he attempted to try and lift the injured girl.
Eto chuckled, "Glad to see that you're okay, after all this time."
Kaneki could only look on as Eto began to speak.
"I was helping your Anteiku friends escape, when that blasted clown beat me to the ground. Fortunately this fellow " She motioned to Scarecrow.
"Helped get him away." Eto finished and Kaneki looked at Hide and nodded.
"Thank you," Kaneki stated and Hide felt the urge to say something, but he couldn't.
"Anyways, it's fine. I'm about to die." Eto replied, shocking both Hide and Kaneki, "But it's okay, you don't have to grant me my wish anymore, it's already done."
Kaneki nodded, "I know, now. It makes sense." He stated, and Hide looked at his friend in confusion.
Eto simply smiled, "And what did the former one-eyed king say?" She asked.
Kaneki sighed, "He said that the person who was able to defeat the one-eyed king, the one who had caused suffering, would be the beacon of hope for everyone, for unity and coexistence between humans and ghouls."
Eto chuckled, "That sounds like something he would say, I can hear his wisdom and voice coming from you. I think we made a fine choice."
Kaneki nodded, "So I'm the one-eyed king now?" He asked still taking the information all in.
"Yes, the person who killed the former becomes the new. We unknowingly trained and prepared you for this moment, so you can do it. It is now up to you, Kaneki."
Kaneki looked appalled, even though the information was already given to him. Hide looked on in pity. It seemed quite stressful for his friend, and here he was listening and not trying to be there for him, like the great friend he is.
"I see." Kaneki spoke, "Thank you." He said as he began to walk away, leaving Hide with Eto.
"See you soon, Kaneki." Hide stated once they had gotten quite the ways from them. Hide had knowingly blown his opportunity to see his best friend, who could recognize him all this time. But instead, he remained quiet.
Ironically Kaneki was the one doing the talking, like they had reversed roles. It felt smeared if Hide could say so.
He then turned to the sound of coughing, coming from Eto.
Hide sighed, she was not doing well, as Hide was watching his captor die in his eyes.
"Eto-chan." Hide spoke up.
Eto looked at Hide, "My purpose is done." She stated.
Hide looked confused for a minute before recalling their conversation, "I see, and why do you say that?"
Eto chuckled, "Everything I had done, every blood I opened, every flesh I cut open, every being I tortured, it was all for the same purpose,"
Eto looked closer to Hide, "Coexistence."
"I guess even we can fall to our desperation sometimes. I guess I can see it, with someone new being the beacon of hope, you feel that your goal is inevitable." Hide stated for Eto, who nodded, a smile on her face.
"You're pretty smart, especially with your intuitions," Eto commented. Hide shrugged
"I like to think of it more as understanding why people are the way they are, you may have tortured me for that week, but beyond was probably a reason." Hide looked away, not wanting to see Eto's face when he mentioned that.
Eto sighed, "Looking back at it, I've seen myself get hurt over and over, when I got to see others feel suffering, it made me feel better. Especially considering it was those closest to me who caused this harm."
Hide sighed, "I guess I can relate to that."
Eto sarcastically chuckled, "I wouldn't be so sure of that. The rare offspring between a ghoul father and human mother, do you know the chances?"
Hide thought back to the conversation he had with Arima, kind of shocked that the guy was now dead.
"Most are failed ghouls, half-humans, but 2-5% can become a one-eyed ghoul." Hide answered.
Eto smiled, "So you do know, not every day you come across someone who knows about the anatomy."
Hide scratched his head, "Well I learned from the former one-eyed king himself."
Eto smiled and didn't waver, "of course. But the idea, my parents were doomed from the start. My father killed my mother and then abandoned me. You know how much pain that put on me?"
Hide looked on, in shock at the tragedy she had endured at a relatively young age. "That's, I guess I cannot say anything in pity."
Eto's face showed hurt, "That's one way of putting it. Being a half and half in this volatile world."
"I'm now like that too you know." Hide remarked.
"How can you be so sure?" Eto asked, "You were turned into a one-eyed ghoul recently. Try being one upon birth."
Hide couldn't ponder it, "It's a tragedy, we all go through it."
Eto chuckled, "Well look at mine, what can you possibly feel with this story?"
Hide looked at Eto, "Because I have my tragedies. Try being blamed for your mother's death from the moment you were born!" Hide yelled at Eto, whose eyes widened.
"What?" She asked after a bit.
Hide sighed, bringing his head down, "My mother died giving birth to me, and ever since my father blamed me for it. Upon my birth, I was already subject to pain and suffering, so don't tell me I cannot relate to that."
Eto looked down as well, a bit ashamed at bringing up less-than-stellar memories.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Hide-kun, how can you forgive yourself? After seeing others blame you?"
Hide shrugged, "I don't know honestly, I just learned to move on. My mother died for me, so I have to make her proud. Even if my father said otherwise."
Eto looked back towards Hide, "I guess I haven't learned to stop blaming others for my suffering, maybe that's what got me the way I am."
It was at this point did Hide unexpectedly understood Eto more. She wasn't the way she was because she enjoyed watching others suffer. But rather she did this to, sort of teach the world a lesson.
But here was the problem, one it was unethical and terrible to torture someone for your gratitude.
But the second problem.
"Wouldn't that just make you part of the problem?" Hide asked.
Eto, looked up at Hide in a bit of confusion, "What do you mean, I'm part of the problem?"
Hide pondered a bit before he spoke, "Sure, you may be different from both worlds, but you're still ultimately contributing to the pain and suffering that comes from them."
Eto merely listened, her head up as Hide's voice played out for her, "I mean, if we are being correct, then the both of us contribute to this. I mean I've killed some ghouls, some while working for the CCG, and others for food, but I'm no different than you, as hard it would be to think."
Eto chuckled, "You seem more self-aware of your actions."
Hide sighed, as he heard the sound of a specific ghoul play into his mind.
"I guess you could say, I have a voice in my head telling me stuff." Hide joked a bit, with Eto not knowing the full extent of that statement.
"Well, that's one way of putting it, or coping in this world." Eto chuckled as she delivered her witty remark, "But when you say I'm part of the problem..."
"We all are. No one is safe from it, whether it be stereotypes or whatever. You can't blame ghouls for their actions. They need to eat, they have a right to, but you cannot also blame humans for fearing them. They are, by nature, their (ghoul's) prey."
Eto smiled, "We have similar visions, you and I."
Hide nodded, "I could see that, especially since I had this kakuhou implanted in me. Living as a ghoul for six months, I've learned a lot, especially with another artificial one. But we are still human, at least in our minds."
"That was Kanou's plan, to create these species, who have the body of a ghoul and the mind of a human, to explain the wrongs of this world, and how it could be fixed. Can you imagine the idea of the two worlds you come from, merging? From someone who was made by both, but is accepted by neither."
Hide shook his head, he would never experience that feeling, at least from birth. He was brought into this situation that, in reality, shouldn't be one.
He found himself chuckling, "Well then, so by inflicting more pain onto others, that's how it'll unify them?"
Eto chuckled, "No, Hide-kun, the way I see it, I'm essentially willing to play the villain. The evil one everyone has to take down. If I have to be the antagonist to bring everyone together, then I'll gladly do it. I won't be seen as a product of love between a ghoul and a human, I'll be seen as an abomination."
"But when you revealed yourself to be a ghoul, the public reaction was mixed."
"That may be so, but once the shock comes in, it'll turn to disgust and hatred."
Hide remained silent. "Well, that's where I think you went wrong."
"Huh?" Eto looked up.
"I don't see you as an inheritable bad person I see quite the opposite. I see a person who's been plagued by the burden of being a hybrid, which caused you to perform your actions."
Eto looked down, and Hide could have sworn he saw a tear escape her eyes.
"Sure you tortured me and others, and I may not exactly forgive you for it, but I can see your intentions, match that of others out there. But if you want to bring your goals to light, you have to stop this cycle of violence. We're not going to get anywhere with killing and hurting each other." Hide stated and Eto laughed.
"What's so funny?" Hide asked.
Eto shook her head, "It's nothing, I've been told that exact statement by Kaneki."
Hide again flinched, before remembering his best friend, and how much they had missed because of this.
"He's your best friend, right Hide-kun?" Eto asked. "It's funny, he always seemed like such an interesting person. You too, you guys are like a dynamic duo. Now you are both one-eyed ghouls like me. To think, it's a good thing you two are best friends, both of your stories are tragic."
Hide nodded, "It's something I've been thinking, but when everyone goes through these similar things like it's a norm, is it a tragedy?"
Eto pondered, "I don't know, but it certainly would explain the destruction we have going on."
"Everyone acts for a reason, you included, the only way to stop this, is to end the violence. It'll get us nowhere when kids are being orphaned and filled with hate and revenge."
Eto laughed at that, "Again, quoting Kaneki, why didn't you talk to him?"
Hide sighed, "I was scared."
Eto shook her head, "Oh Hide-kun, you idiot."
"I know." Hide laughed before becoming serious again.
"You know what I think?" Hide asked, Eto looking up at Hide's scarecrow face.
"What?"
"I think you should join Kaneki and his group." Hide stated.
Eto looked at Hide like he was insane, "And why should I do that?"
"To reaffirm your goals. Just because you did some bad things doesn't mean it's the end of your pursuits. I've done some terrible things, even Kaneki has, even if I would say he's the best guy I know of. You're not different from the rest of us."
Eto looked down, again getting teary as if Hide was striking a nerve.
"But if anyone deserves to see the reality of when this world changes for human relationships, then it's you, considering you've been living in this world your whole life."
"You know." Hide stated, "I know a ghoul who loves a human right now, a close friend of Kaneki's."
Eto's face remained down, as Hide continued, "His name is Nishiki, he has a human girlfriend, who loves each other regardless of their status."
"Imagine their reaction when they see the possible product of their love?"
Eto continued to remain down, her body was tired, and the regeneration stalled, indicating that Eto would soon pass.
With a bit of struggle, Eto looked up to Hide, "Can I see what I've done?"
"Huh?"
"Let me see what I've done to you, from those times," Eto spoke, her tone noticeably lighter.
Hide, with a bit of hesitance, took off his scarecrow face, and Eto looked a bit shocked.
"Your hair, it's brighter, because of the stress..." Eto stated, looking like she was about to cry.
Hide sighed, "It has happened, and there's no way I can remove it."
Hide stated, eventually deciding to take off his whole scarecrow suit, before choosing to sit down right in front of Eto.
With a big breath, Hide told Eto something she had never thought he would say.
"Eat me." Hide stated, and Eto looked at him like he was crazy.
Hide tucked off his shirt from his right shoulder, putting it in front of Eto's face.
"Eat some, you'll need it to see the future." Hide stated, and Eto still looked hesitant.
"Listen, I'll regenerate quickly from a moderate bite, you've given that to me, so don't worry about me, I can handle it. You've seen me handle worse situations." Hide joked slightly, looking at Eto's uncertain face.
Was she certain to die right here and now? It was a question Hide had asked himself before he felt something bite down on his right shoulder.
The pain, Hide could feel was high, though his pain tolerance had improved significantly. He had taken a tentacle through his stomach and out, he could handle the gash on his shoulder.
Eventually, Eto managed to stop herself, and immediately the effects of her regeneration were beginning to take hold. She looked at the bloodied mess that was Hide's right shoulder, looking down.
"S-sorry, for everything," Eto mumbled, but Hide could hear it.
He looked at Eto, who was now healing again, her wounds and cuts were healing, and Hide smiled knowing Eto had chosen to live continuously.
"It's okay." Hide softly replied, putting a hand on her shoulder, and smiling at her.
Before, Hide probably couldn't stand this person, the same one who tortured him, and made a week of his life hell, forced to put on a different persona to get through Eto's sadistic character. However, now, she had regret in her face, and guilt throughout. But through it all was constant pain and sorrow, all due to her status.
"No, it's not," Eto mumbled, before, to Hide's surprise, she began to cry.
Hide looked at Eto again, her frail figure, and her face covered by her hands, trying to hide her saddened expression, of being redeemed, hopefully.
Hide sighed, it was a tough act to do, but it was something he could relate to. With a simple expression, his shoulder healing relatively quickly, he hugged Eto, giving her a shoulder to hold onto.
"I'm sorry Hide." Eto croaked, and Hide rubber her hair.
"It's fine." He continuously stated as he let the girl cry in his arms.
It took around five minutes for Eto to calm down. She wasn't crying hysterically, but rather was quiet and serene.
Hide looked at her figure, specifically the health of it. She still seemed relatively frail, but she wasn't in a critical condition. Her body merely needed rest to strengthen her body after her injuries.
Hide's shoulder, by comparison, had healed well, with only the outermost skin needing to replenish.
Still, it was strange, to be comforting the same person who had tortured Hide, was a bit of an enigma. To be comforting a popular novelist was even more shocking, but Hide didn't think much of it.
Eventually, Hide then spoke up, "Well, maybe you should be on your way."
"Where will I go?" Eto asked, and Hide sighed. He didn't know.
"I don't know, but like I said, you can continue being used to Kaneki in the future. He is the one you ultimately raised after all, am I right?" Hide asked.
Eto nodded, "But where would he go?"
Hide chuckled, "Look for a coffee shop name: re, you'll find close associates to him."
Eto looked down, a bit unsure before nodding, "Alright, but what about you? Aren't you going to see Kaneki?"
Hide sighed, "When I'm ready I will. I have some personal affiliations to deal with before I can safely go back there. If you want someone to talk to regarding me, Yomo already knows of my identity, so you can discuss it with him, tell him you know Hideyoshi Nagachika, or Scarecrow, and he'll believe you."
"Got it," Eto stated, and with that she walked out, still weak, but alive, and presumably able to rebuild herself, both in her personality and character.
Hide sighed, taking a large breath, before putting back on his scarecrow. He may have successfully done something that would help Kaneki, but now he had to deal with his issues.
With that, Hide made his way out of the torn building before anyone could find him.
He had hoped that conversation, or conclusion with Eto would be good for Hide, and he felt like it was. That's not to say he forgives Eto for cutting off his fingers and toes multiple times, but he at least understands her better, knows her tragedy and what made her act the way she does.
With, Hide had begun to make his way towards the Helter Skelter. The battle had done a number, and by the time he had gotten out, he hadn't seen Amon at all.
While he was tempted to go search for his fellow friend, he unfortunately had no time. He had seen the rest of the Quinx Squad, including Shirazu and Mutsuki leave the perimeter, which made Hide a bit nervous as he had to also avoid some threats.
However, he made it out, and once he got back to the Helter Skelter, he was bombarded with questions by Itori.
Hide sighed, it was enough of a day to tire the man out and an energetic older woman was passively being annoying and over-the-top talkative.
"Itori, can I please rest, the day was brutal." Hide stated, and Itori shrugged.
"Alright, but I'm just here to deliver a message of payment."
Hide raised his head from his makeshift bed, "What?"
Itori smiled, "Some people I'm close with need help making balloons."
"What? Making balloons or preparing them?"
Itori chuckled, "Oh sorry my bad, preparing them, they plan an explosive surprise for an event."
Hide pondered, they probably were talking about fireworks, but why balloons? There was no connection between fireworks and balloons.
Regardless, Hide had no say in the matter. He was only doing this as a sort of retribution to pay Itori for her hospitality.
"Very well, can I do it a bit later, I just want to rest." Hide stated, and Itori made a yes noise, before walking out of Hide's room.
He was so tired to the point that he didn't even bother taking off his scarecrow suit. He just wanted to sleep after everything that had happened so far.
Whilst Hide was sleeping, Yomo decided to bring Touka behind in: re.
"Why are you bringing me here?" Touka asked, clearly confused.
Yomo looked around. "I have quite the story to tell you, so be prepared."
"Alright…" Touka mumbled, waiting for what Yomo had to tell her.
Yomo sighed, "We found out Hide is alive."
Touka's eyes widened, "What?! I thought he was confirmed dead…"
Yomo looked on, "He was assumed missing and deceased. It seems that Hide is under the alias of a ghoul to protect his identity."
Touka looked down, trying to think, "I don't know what to do…"
Yomo shrugged, "For now, it would be in our best interest to let Hide live how he is…"
"Are you sure?" Touka asked concerned. "It would be in our best interests to reunite Kaneki and Hide."
Yomo nodded, "Hide has a mostly stable way of living for now. It is clear that he values his privacy at the moment, so until he's ready, then we'll see him."
Nishiki was in the back, listening to the whole thing, unbeknownst to both of them.
"Of course, it would take more than that to kill that kid…" Nishiki mumbled, as he eventually walked off.
Once he got up, he would unfortunately have to meet with some of Itori's close associates to help in what she described as a planned event at a parade or something.
Of course, Hide stated he would help with the background stuff, like the items, but refused to participate in whatever they were going to do.
The "Clowns," were something Hide wanted no association with. Considering his past with the CCG and Aogiri Base, it wasn't a good look for him. He didn't need a third party after him as well.
When it came to allegiances, Hide had quite the opinion. Specifically, with the whole idea of Clowns, he felt like something fishy was going on. Specifically, with how Itori always brought the whole ideas and plans to him. They were always last minute, and she would always use the excuse of payment, due to him living with her.
As a result, he merely stuck to this, with the explanation that he was paying back Itori for the occasional nights he would stay in the bar. To be fair, he couldn't go anywhere. Any application was a no-go, once Hide had to put his name, which was assumed deceased on the applicant.
He was aware of Kaneki's group but knew he would not be accepted, considering how mysterious he was towards them. Sure Yomo and Uta would be nice, specifically Yomo, but he knew he wouldn't be liked. As a result, that made Hide knows that sticking with the Clowns, and how was the best he can do at the moment.
As a result, Itori's bar was the only reasonable place he could stay, and Itori merely stated he would have to help her close associates if he were to stay. Thus, a compromise came up, with Hide not being a part of their organization, which he was heavily thankful for, but anything in the background Itori needed, he would provide.
And so, most of his day went to creating these weird balloons. Of course, Hide wasn't allowed to voice his opposition to the practice, knowing the danger of this, and the potential lives he would indirectly be responsible for.
Still, even after that, Hide now had to worry about where Amon was. The guy had gone missing after the event, and Hide was determined to find him. His first idea was the check Aogiri again, but considering what happened there, it was highly unlikely he was captured. Perhaps he unfortunately passed, Hide did not know.
What was more likely, was that he was captured by the CCG. It did seem plausible, as he stated he had to save some people. Whether those included Akira, or someone else, Hide didn't know.
However, if Hide had any idea as to what kind of person Amon was, it seemed that the only connections he had were to those in the CCG, like Takizawa and Akira. Thus, the CCG was Hide's next guess.
It also was further proved when he gathered some intel in terms of Amon's whereabouts, and how he was defeated by the Quinx Squad. Thus, if Hide had to hypothesize as to the aftermath, they probably had some experimentation on him, considering the guy was effectively a ghoul.
Of course, he couldn't just go in to see for himself. He was still an A-rated ghoul on the CCG's list, and thus couldn't walk in like a normal investigator. He wasn't a member of the Quinx Squad anymore and thus was struggling with the whole idea of switching allegiances, to an extent.
Hide sighed, kind of wanting to know how the rest of them were doing. While he was somewhat forced into the role, that wasn't the say he hated being a member, he enjoyed it and wished he was still in there. However, as life does it, things change, and nobody knows of his true whereabouts or his actual identity, only Yomo, Uta, and Itori know.
Making his way towards Cochlea, it was relatively late, and he donned his traditional scarecrow suit. He had finished talking to Itori, who merely thanked him for the preparation of those balloons. It wasn't something he was proud of, but he sucked it up and continued on his quests.
You could ask Hide, why are you waiting for Kaneki to regain his memories again? He got it back. Hide agreed, but knew he couldn't offer much assistance to what he was prepared for. Besides, if he was associated with Kaneki, he would most definitely, be in danger, both of them. As a result, it was best for Hide to remain vigilant, while staying on the back fronts of their missions, but to not closely align with them, as to cause suspicions.
For Hide, he had been watching Kaneki, through intel and through safe distances to see how he was doing. In particular, he noticed the relationship between him and Touka, and Hide in particular smiled at that, seeing his best friend happy after all the stuff he had seemingly gone through.
Hide still needed to find assistance for Kaneki, but ultimately was caught up in his drama, as he needed to connect with those he was associated with. He couldn't do it alone and thus needed the help he could get. That included Amon, and was precisely why Hide found himself planning on breaching the CCG lab. It was different from Cochlea, which was destroyed and in the process of being prepared.
Hide wasn't sure at this point where Eto went, but a conversation with Yomo told him she was playing a small role in both helping Kaneki and his group.
It must've been strange for Kaneki, for his favorite author to be helping him in these matters, but Hide digressed. How was he to act, considering her circumstances? Sure, she tortured him to an extent, but he could tell she too was broken and messed up to an extent.
But then again, whenever anyone in this entire war was involved, he realized that pretty much everyone involved was messed up mentally to an extent, thus Hide could only manage to imagine the mental toll this had on the individuals. As of right now, he probably could be considered insane because he talks to the "ghoul in his mind," and also has another, defensive personality whenever he goes through severe emotional stress.
He merely watched on, as the night sky faded, as he was heading towards the CCG lab. He had for once taken the time to look over his kagune and the abilities he could use. A sort of reflection, if you will, that he was able to use over the times that had passed.
When he first started practicing, he was weak due to his stamina. Of course, that wasn't his fault completely. The anatomy of the quinx just didn't allow for the whole gist of Hide's actual kagune.
Hide's kagune used flames to increase his power and moves, at the expense of using RC cells to fuel it, slowly burning it away. The upside was that Hide was able to use multiple moves, and also can burn his opponents, which was effective even for ghouls.
The downside, at least when he was a quinx, was his abysmal stamina, which he couldn't control. He would eventually fall and collapse after a bit, as his RC cell levels would run dangerously low. When he turned into a ghoul, his overall gist with his kagune and abilities improved, since his kagune used rc cells. Since as a quinx it was too low to be of use, when he became a ghoul, not only did he have enough RC cells to effectively last him into battle, but he had more than the average ghoul.
He never got to check his levels, but according to Eto, it was enough to be falsely considering a failed subject or experiment, for a bit, before they realized how stable his body is. His rc level was at a point where it would hurt other ghouls, so it made Hide curious how exactly he was able to power through it.
"Don't worry Hide-kun, it's just how I fought my battles, using my rc cells. Think of it like fuel to your flames. Don't use too much or else you will be vulnerable!" The voice of Amber was of course the one to butt in, and decide to tell Hide something random. Well, it wasn't random, it was useful information, that would have been nice to know a bit earlier.
Once he got himself used to the whole idea of how his kagune worked, he set foot on what he was looking at.
Of course, it took quite the time, especially in avoiding those, who were skeptical of him. Again, he could pass as a normal person without his costume, though his yellow hair did look a bit weird now. Regardless, he continued, and once he found himself close by, proceeded to put on his scarecrow suit.
It wasn't perfect, as some knew who Scarecrow was, but the fact that he was relatively friendly to humans made him seem less of a threat to the public eye.
However, when he began to jump on the roof, he spotted something interesting. Three figures, two of which looked familiar.
One was a boy with striking white hair that Hide knew well. Takizawa.
Another was pretty much similar to Touka, except was a boy. Ayato.
But the third, the girl was unknown to Hide, and thus he shrugged. Ayato probably would recognize him and thus a case of mistaken identity wouldn't be a possibility.
Getting up to the roof, Hide merely walked up to the three, who turned back in confusion at the new figure that had approached them.
"Who are you?" The girl asked, and Hide nodded, turning to Ayato, who thankfully recognized him.
"This is Scarecrow, he was with Banjou's group during the Cochlea raids," Ayato stated, and they nodded. Of course, Hide's incomplete kakuja acting up during the raids complicated matters.
"Nice to meet you, what are your intentions here at the CCG lab?" Hide asked the three, with Takizawa seeming confused at the sudden voice the scarecrow had.
"We're here to steal some of the rc suppressant drugs. We need it to heal Akira Mado from her injuries." Takizawa explained.
Hide nodded, before the girl asked Hide, "What is your purpose?" She asked, accusingly.
"To find the whereabouts of Koutaru Amon." Hide stated, ignoring the shocked look from Takizawa. "Last seen fighting the Quinx Squad."
Takizawa sighed, "Well it is highly likely you'll run into him here as well."
"I figured." He stated before he noticed the strange expressions they were holding.
Atari turned to the scarecrow, "At the designed time, he left to steal the RC suppressants. I don't know if you will follow our instructions, considering our conflicting ghouls, but we have no problem helping you if you do the same, understood?"
"Yes, I will go when you do." Hide merely replied, looking around as if he were making sure no one could see him. He was a relatively strange figure.
"Say you sound familiar," Takizawa commented.
Hide nodded, "I know I would to you, Takizawa."
He flinched at the mention of his name. "How do you know Amon and I?" He asked
Hide sighed, "That will be answered with time, right now focus on your objectives, Takizawa."
The girl seemed a bit turned off by the mysteriousness of this new figure, but she sighed. If the rest were fine with him, then she'd allow it to join them.
"You can distinguish the drugs from the others, right?" Ayato asked.
Hide looked at Takizawa nodding, as Hide nodded as well.
"I can tell the symbols, it's very distinguishable, though it may be my prior experience with it." Hide stated, with Takizawa again looking at him with a strange expression.
To Takizawa, this scarecrow figure sounded very familiar. He knew of both him and Amon, was familiar with the tf suppressant drug, and seemed to have some weird connection to the CCG as he did.
"Say did you used to work at the CCG?" Takizawa asked, and the scarecrow nodded.
"Well, why'd you quit or defect?" He asked taking it in.
Hide sighed, "It's a long story. I will be willing to explain if we meet again, the best I can say is that I could no longer work there."
That broke some of the confusion, but it was clear this scarecrow fellow knew some stuff.
"Who are you?" The girl asked, and Hide suddenly found himself a bit stuck, scared.
"Listen, currently I am wanted by the CCG, and before its destruction, Aogiri Tree, and as a result, my privacy is to be respected."
The girl then asked, "Who in Aogiri wanted you?"
It was who Hide mentioned next it raised quite a bit of eyebrows, "Akihiro Kanou."
The name was well known to the three of them, but before they could further ask questions, they were given the light to head into the lab.
For the girl, however, the sound of that name brought some hatred and confusion, after his betrayal and neglect. If Kanou wanted this person, then was he one of those as well?
A.N / So this goes up to chapter 107. It turns out that the other volume was mainly to focus on Amon and the Quinx Squad, so I just decided not to include it there. I guess the only exception would possibly be that Shirazu was there because he's alive in this AU.
Pierce Flash.
Midnight Bane.
Guard Shroud.
Precise Bullet.
Pyro's Flame Orb.
Flaming Arena.
Flame Trail.
Igniting Storm
Smolly.
Red Rain.
Flame Body.
Shapeshift.
X Flames.
Flaming Pellets.
Fiery Drift.