KuzuRe

by Remus973

Tokyo, Japan. After a devastating invasion took place, the city is restored to is former state. However, ghouls still lurk in the darkness, hunting for humans to feed upon. The Ghoul Countermeasure Bureau (GCB) creates an enhanced squad to exterminate all ghouls, once and for all. Leading the squad, they assign Haise Yashida, who possesses an effective, and very familiar, mutation.

5. Ch05

Hello again, readers. Thank you all for your continued attendance. Your support means so much to me. Today's entry will have established Marvel villains in it. A lot of them a mix of the movies, comics, and TV shows (Live action or animated). With that said, let's get started. In this chapter, the Auction operation is underway with Mutsuki and Juuzo in disguise in the hopes of striking the first blow to the auction. However, this would prove itself to be a fateful night for many members of the GCB. Here we go!

Chapter 05 – join: Theatre of Chaos

Mutsuki found himself in some sort of box with a metal interior.

"Where am I?"

Little by little, Mutsuki remembered what happened to both him and Juuzo.

"Right, I remember…"

flashback

Both made it to the black sedan where Nutcracker said it parked. Nutcracker says to the two,

"Almost on time."

Juuzo says to Nutcracker,

"We didn't want to be rude."

Nutcracker looked at Juuzo and was amazed by how he dressed.

"You look so adorable. Like a doll."

"Nothing wrong with a little…attention."

Nutcracker laughed a little at Juuzo's comment.

"Oh, you're going to get quite a lot…"

As the two entered the car, Juuzo noticed that there was a partition in the car.

"Mutsuki…be ready for anything…."

As the window of the partition closed, gas began to fill up the back of the car. Both Mutsuki and Juuzo coughed until both were knocked out.

end

"Nutcracker must have that car specially made to knock out any victims she brings to her clients…and right now…"

Just then, gas filled up the area.

"Oh crap, not again!"

Mutsuki took a deep breath and held it for as long as he could. Unfortunately, the time to reach whatever destination proved itself longer than he expected. Soon, Mutsuki possessed little choice but to exhale. By then, Mutsuki inhaled enough gas to become unconscious again.

xxxxxx

(Zeum Hall)

The building was practically full of not just ghouls, but affluent ghouls. Ghouls who managed to gain fortune while hiding their true natures from the humans they either worked under, befriended, or hired. Although it is more likely that there are more ghouls than humans who worked under the affluent flesh eaters, the fact that these ghouls managed to gain riches from any and every type of industry under the GCB nose is a testament to their survival skills. Such events like the auctions help develop an underground ghoul economy. However, it cannot be ignored that the usual merchandise are humans. Humans for these affluent ghouls to do whatever they desire. Although the majority of times the ghouls that successfully bid on said humans as food, any humans who possesses skills that are useful to ghouls (such as engineers, scientists, architects, writers, and especially actors) they keep for special services. All done in locations that are fully rented out by undisclosed third-parties. And tonight was no exception. One of the most affluent ghouls, those belonging to the Tsukiyama group, attended tonight's auction. The head of the group was escorted by two of his personal security. One of which he spoke with.

"Kanae…I like these seats."

Kanae noticed a few of the attendants were vastly different from the rest of the crowd. Kanae noticed three in the crowd. One wore a black and red full-body tactical suit with a utility belt, and wore two katana holsters on his back. The only thing that stood out from the rest of the suit were the white eye sockets. He also possessed a belt buckle that matched the colors of his suit, as well as a pair of white crescent eyes on said buckle.

"Eigenartig…" (Peculiar)

The second individual Kanae saw was a large, muscular bald man that wore only a pair of jungle green pants with boots to match, skin-tight fingerless gloves, and a snake-like tattoo that started from his waist and ended at his left shoulder.

"Grell…" (Garish)

Lastly, the third individual. His appearance unnerved Kanae. Humanoid in appearance, this individual possessed green skin all over his body. His only piece of clothing on him was a pair of blue speedos. He also possessed sharp claws, fanged teeth, and moved around in a simian fashion.

"Makabar…is this what Big Madame hired as her security?" (Ghoulish)

In another part of the auditorium, Big Madame sat at one of the balcony seats, excited about the auction at hand.

"I hope Nutcracker has some good stuff. I'd really like a small, cute child to keep as a pet."

Soon, the lights dimmed. A moment later, two ghouls came onto the stage. One was a towering, fat male, the other a small young woman. What connected the two was the clown makeup on their face. The two engaged in stage play reminiscent of that from the circus. Some parts of the act made the audience laugh. None more so than the large, tattoo man. Much to the chagrin of the green furred one. At the end of the act, a piece of rope connected to the ceiling of the stage presented itself to the lady clown, to which she pulled it. What happened after that was the appearance of a cylindrical, domed house that dropped onto the stage, which astounded the audience. Soon after, a voice spoke to the audience.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, and everyone else in between, thank you for attending tonight's auction. What makes this one special is not only this one deals in humans…but also unique weapons that will allow you to contend with the dangers of today."

A series of lasers appeared on the ceiling of the auditorium, to which the audience paid attention to.

"We've all seen it. Mutants capable of the apocalypse by the power of their mind alone…"

A laser image of Legion was shown to the audience.

"Aliens that have tried to conquer our world."

Then, images of the Chitauri and the Shi'ar were then shown.

"Not to mention cosmic forces that treat our world as if it meant nothing."

Finally, an image of the Phoenix appeared. The laser light show soon ended, thus prompting the audience to return their attention to the stage.

"All these things should worry you. Which is why tonight's auction will hopefully stand out from the rest. And, if successful, would be the beginning of many more like it."

The curtain door of the domed house opened up.

"Allow me to introduce ourselves."

Soon, another individual in a beaked clown mask appeared.

"We are the Clowns. Your hosts and auctioneers for the night."

xxxxxx

Mutsuki instantly woke up, but still found himself in the same space. He took out a small earbud from his right ear and attempted to contact either Juuzo or any else that was listening.

"This is Investigator Mutsuki. Can anybody read me?"

The only sound heard in the earbud was static. Mutsuki feared the worst.

"Maybe I'm out of range…but Sensei knows where I am…just…what do I do now?"

xxxxxx

The auction began with Nutcracker bringing up one of the "items" for sale. The lead clown announced,

"Our first item for sale…"

The "item" began to panic.

"What the hell is this?"

"Is the actor Yoshiki Ohkura!"

The female clown explained,

"Known for staring in the series, Brain Ball, his performance in season three, episode 12 was acclaimed for being effectively moving, as many critics at the time proclaimed."

Yoshiki continued to act out in panic.

"Even now, he acting like his life is depending on it!"

"Bidding will start at 10 million. Please raise the pad given to you to make your bid."

Said the male clown. Soon after, many of the buyers began to bid. Kanae commented on the reasoning of ghouls wanting to own an actor.

"What value does a has-been have? It's been a long time since he was in anything good."

"Celebrities and public figures fetch a high price."

Said the masked guard accompanying Kanae.

"Either way, it's a waste…"

Eventually, both the head of the Tsukiyama group and Big Madame were the last bidders standing.

"Currently the ones left are Number 33 and Number 01."

Both kept outbidding one another until Big Madame could not keep up.

"Sold to Number 33 at 35 million!"

In another area with the auditorium, Ayato's group kept an eye out for any uninvited guests. Karao looked around and was amazed to see so many rich ghouls in the room. The head of the Tsukiyama group caught his attention.

"Who's he?"

"Who?"

"The guy with the mustache and glasses in the balcony seat over there."

Ayato looked to see who Karao meant.

"He likes to be called Croque Monsieur. He's part of a different group, but makes a more money than Big Madame. Don't know how he makes it though."

As the bidding went on, Karao asked Ayato,

"Are these humans really valuable to them?"

"Value is subjective. Even if the rich ghouls don't want them, then the ones who make a more than decent living will buy them. Either way, auctions like these only benefit ghouls who make money."

In his mind, Karao imagined himself bidding on the humans that none of the affluent ghouls wanted. It then occurred to him that these auctions would have been a safer way to continue his "hobby."

"If I had the money, I could go back…"

"Up next is a package deal."

Said the male clown. Another pair of clown ghouls arrived with two individuals in tow. One seemed to be a human, with pale white hair and skin to match, black fingernails, and black lips on the right side of his body while the left side seemed to be almost nothing but metal on a stretcher that later got into a reverse Trendelenburg position in front of the crowd, with bindings on its arms and legs. The other was a mustached man in a burgundy suit.

"Where the hell am I?!"

"The human with metal arms you see here…"

The male clown pointed to the person on the stretcher.

"Is called a cyborg. Specifically, Deathlok."

The crowd spoke with amazement at the sight of Deathlok. While Big Madame and Croque Monsieur were interested.

"The man in the suit next to me is the creator of Deathlok."

The male clown went to the human captive. The human wanted to escape, but the large clown stood next to him, silently communicating the futility of escaping. The female clown whispered to him,

"Don't try anything."

The male clown spoke to the human.

"Tell us your name."

The male clown held the microphone in front of the human.

"H-H-Harlan…Ryker."

"What is it you do, Mr. Ryker?"

"I…was…the creator…of the Deathlok Program."

The audience furthered expressed astonishment.

"So, this one is your first one?"

"No…I made at least four more before this one."

"Where did you work before?"

"I used to be a private contractor for the US Army, but it caused a strain on my personal life. Soon, the army lost interest due to the… "ethical" aspects of the program."

The clowns laughed when Ryker quoted the word ethical.

"Well if you call using dead humans as an ethical aspect, by all means."

Some of the audience laughed at the mild joke.

"Anyhow, how many Deathlok cyborgs did you make for the US army?"

"Just the prototype."

"But you said you made four."

"After the US army terminated my contract, I was approached by William Stryker to continue my project."

The audience gasped at the revelation.

"Does that mean…?"

"I worked for Weapon X."

The next revelation further shocked the audience. For Big Madame, this encouraged her to reach further into her accounts to purchase both the cyborg and Stryker.

"Call Yuki. Tell him to prepare an additional 400 million."

"Are you sure?"

"This is something that could pay back in the future."

The male clown said to the audience,

"Bidding starts at 10 million."

"15 million!"

"20 million!"

"40 million!"

The bids kept on and on until Big Madame bid a number that floored the audience.

"120 million!"

The audience gave the loudest collective of the entire night.

"Sold to Number 01 at 120 million!"

The audience applauded at Big Madame's acquisition of both Deathlok and its creator. Big Madame, however, felt a sting of regret.

"Even if I get my money back by getting buyers, the problem for now is where can I make these cyborgs without the Doves noticing?"

Both Deathlok and Harlan were escorted off the stage, with Harlan's hands bonded together by handcuffs. Nutcracker was there to give, strangely enough, hugs to both Deathlok and Harlan.

"120 million!"

She squealed with joy over the money both brought her.

"Even if it just a commission, IT'S STILL A SHIT TON OF MONEY!"

Nutcracker continued to scream with glee, which left Ryker confused. The female clown explained.

"She always had a hard-on for money. Like that song about material girls."

The clown girl handed the package deal to two other clowns to escort to the merchandise holding area. Ayato commented on the bidding for Deathlok.

"Well, guess there's a whole new headache for the Doves."

Just then, Hinami picked up a familiar scent. Which caught Ayato's attention.

"Hinami, what's wrong?"

"I just picked up something…"

The male clown addressed the crowd once more.

"If you thought that was exciting, what's coming next will floor you for sure!"

Nutcracker dragged out Mutsuki and threw him to the stage floor. Mutsuki attempted to get up, but stopped when he found himself in front of a stage of people.

"We'll be starting bidding at 10 million for a very special reason…"

Mutsuki initially panicked, but tried to calm himself down.

"Try to assess the situation…I'm being sold in the auction…so maybe Investigator Suzuya won't be that far behind…"

The male clown got close to Mutsuki. Enough to use the tall nose on his mask to take off Mutsuki's eyepatch. The reveal of his kakugan utterly stupefied at the sight of a one-eyed ghoul. Which especially fascinated both Kanae and Ayato. For Karao, this made him act on instinct.

"Tooru!"

"Karao, the hell's the matter with you?"

The male clown addressed the audience.

"As you can see, a one-eyed ghoul is such an absolute rarity that many of you can understand its worth. Bid will open at 10 million!"

Within the crowd, one affluent ghoul got up from her seat and began to leave.

"Madame A, is something wrong?"

"I'm not just feeling well. Excuse me."

Madame A soon left the auditorium, knowing what's to come.

"Nothing good happens when a one-eyed ghoul is here. I know that from experience."

Back at Ayato's group, Karao continued to act out in desperation.

"Seriously, the fuck's the matter with you?"

Asked Ayato in an annoyed tone.

"Ayato, I need money!"

"You crazy or something?"

"TOORU'S BEING SOLD! I NEED MONEY NOW!"

As the bidding went on, Mutsuki internally panicked over his current situation. So many thoughts raced in his head. The stress of the situation was apparent to the male ghoul, and whispered something to Mutsuki.

"No one's coming for you."

As Mutsuki fell to despair, two bidders remain. Kanae yelled out the bidding amount.

"100 million!"

Said amount amazed the audience. The male clown commented,

"It looks like it's now between Numbers 01 and 110. I don't blame them. Who wouldn't want this specimen?"

Big Madame raised the bid.

"120 MILLION!"

The crowd were utterly dumbfounded at the price Big Madame raised. A few of the audience members wonders if purchasing both Deathlok and the one-eyed ghoul meant bankruptcy. The male clown then commented,

"Big Madame takes the lead. Does Number 110 have what it takes to catch up?"

Kanae looked at Croque Monsieur. The patriarch of the Tsukiyama gave the silent signal to Kanae to go above and beyond in his stead. To which Kanae gave a bid that assured a flabbergasting victory.

"200 MILLION!"

And a flabbergasting victory it turned out to be. The crowd, to put it lightly, lost their minds at the bid. A few of the audience almost fainted. The audience then turned their attention to Big Madame, waiting for a bid to outmatch Number 110's. Kanae stood sure of victory.

"Master Shuu…"

Just as the male clown closed the bidding war, Big Madame made a bid that blew Kanae's out of the water.

"220 MILLION!"

The audience cheered at Big Madame's bid, to which the male clown yelled out in semi-excited tone,

"SOLD AT 220 MILLION!"

The audience cheered for Big Madame further for acquiring not just one desirable acquisition, but two. While Kanae felt defeat, snatched from the jaws of victory. As soon as the male clown ended the bidding war for Mutsuki, he then says,

"If you wish to collect your winnings sooner, please head to reception desk to do so."

Nutcracker went to the stage to retrieve Mutsuki. As Mutsuki was bound, Nutcracker felt as if she practically possessed the means to own paradise itself as she repeated the amount that Mutsuki sold for.

"220 million! 220 million!"

She then unzipped her mouth to kiss Mutsuki on his left face cheek.

"A kiss for 220 million."

Nutcracker continued her gleeful walk as she dragged Mutsuki to the holding area for paid merchandise. Meanwhile the auction continued. The crowd was still abuzz about Big Madame getting away with the two most desirable auctions to date.

"Clearly tonight presents itself to be a memorable one. Let's move on to the next item, shall we?"

Kanae sat, dejected at failing to acquire the one-eyed ghoul for Shuu.

"We'll get the next one."

Said the other guard of Croque Monsieur. The curtain on the stage slowly opened as the male clown built up the excitement.

"This next one is a stunning young lady. Guaranteed to cause another bidding war."

Juuzo appeared on the bidding stage. Once again, the audience were entranced by the auction item appearing before them.

"Look at her pristine skin!"

"Those big eyes!"

"It's like she's a doll!"

One of Big Madame's personal aides commented on the doll-like human presented.

"Madame, won't she look wonderful for the…"

The aide sat perplexed by Big Madame's almost vacant expression on her face.

"Madame?"

The male clown began auction bidding once again.

"Bidding starts at-"

"Sorry, but I'm not for sale."

Juuzo lifted the right side of his skirt, revealing his right leg to be a prosthetic leg containing many quinque knives, to which he threw at the male clown. The knives landed on the clown's face, causing the ghouls in the audience to panic. While some of the security forces were quicker to act than others. The one in the red and black suit took out his radio and contacted one of Big Madame's security guards patrolling the area.

"Ghost, do you read me?"

xxxxxx

Meanwhile, Madame A finally found the exit, but what she saw outside made her confirm her beliefs. By then, some intangible figure stood beside her. The figure wore an all-white, full body tactical suit with a hoodie and a white mask to cover his face. His weapons consisted of a custom-made beam rifle and clawed gauntlets. He also seemed lanky, almost like a living scarecrow. It scared her to no end. The intangible figure made himself tangible once again. By then, he heard his radio.

"Ghost, this is Deadpool. Answer me, you cum-colored prick!"

"This is Ghost."

"Damn fucking time! What's going on out there?"

"Doves."

Ghost saw a legion of GBC Investigators ready to raid the Hall.

"Oh shit. Big Madame is gonna hate this."

xxxxxx

(One hour earlier)

Just as Investigator Washuu finished putting on his body armor, he walked down a hallway leading to the Bureau garage where a convoy of command trailers waited for his team. As he walked, he asked one of his subordinates,

"Location of Suzuya Squad?"

"Currently heading west on Route A63."

"Then get me the plans of Routes A57, A75, and A127."

"You made them already?"

"Assistant Special Investigator Ato, is it?"

"Yes sir."

"Considering the core matter of the Investigation i.e., the nature of the merchandise of the auction, the plans of said routes will allow us to narrow down the possible location of where the auction will be held. If it's anywhere near these routes, then that is where we will find Investigator Suzuya."

Investigator Ato was impressed by Investigator Washuu's foresight.

"I see…"

"Thinking ahead and deducting the best possible outcome of any operation…That is the purpose of the S2 squad. Half of the job is more than knowing how to wield a quinque."

"Yes sir."

Meanwhile, in one of the combat trucks carrying the Investigators for the mission, the Quinxes were all together in a truck of their own. Haise discussed with them some of the details he was privy to.

"We've also intercepted that the Madames have hired extra security."

"More ghouls?"

"No…Supervillains."

This piqued Urie's interest.

"Like the kind that exist in America?"

"Some of them are from America."

Haise brought out the files pertaining to them.

"This is what we're possibly fighting against."

The first one Haise brought out pertained to Ghost.

"This one is called Ghost. We don't know what gender Ghost is, so we're going with "it" for now. It possesses invisibility and phasing technology allowing it to move around like an actual ghost."

That detail creeped out Shirazu and Yonebayashi. Urie, however, felt perplexed by the possibility of facing an opponent like Ghost.

"Maybe it'll come down to the use my senses."

"The second supervillain to watch out for is Blockbuster. He's pretty straightforward. His powers stem from his mutation, so he was hired for invulnerable muscle. That's about it."

Shirazu looked excited for the prospect of facing Blockbuster. To Urie internally responded,

"What better way to take down an idiot than with another idiot."

Haise brought out the third file with him.

"This one…is a little unnerving."

"More than the ghost one?"

Asked Yonebayashi.

"That's for each of you to decide."

Haise opened the file on The Jackal with the picture included. This one disturbed Urie.

"He looks like the bastard child of Bigfoot and Gollum."

The Quinxes laughed at what Urie said, which confused him at first. Shirazu explained.

"Damn Urie! Where the hell did you hide your sense of humor?"

"I was…just being honest."

"Well, either way, the info on him is somewhat extensive. Formally called Miles Warren, he used to be a scientist for Empire State University. However, his underground activities were exposed."

"What underground activities?"

Asked Shirazu.

"He researched cloning techniques, but when his illegal cloning and gene-splicing experiments were exposed, he was kicked out of the university and was sentenced to the Raft. However, the arrest couldn't be completed due to his latest experiment: Himself. He integrated Jackal DNA into himself, creating the individual you see in this picture."

The Quinxes looked at the picture, attempting to imagine this figure as a human before the transformation. Haise then took out two more files. The one on the left featured a pale-skinned man with an X-shaped sash that covered his upper body, and a purple speedo on his lower body. The one on the right featured Deadpool.

"The one you see on the left is called Fire-Eater. He's a pyrokinetic who used to belong to the Circus of Crime. After that was busted by the FBI, he took on underground odd jobs."

"And what about this guy?"

Asked Yonebayashi while pointing to the file on Deadpool.

"He's an assassin for hire. Although relatively new, his skills are something to be taken seriously. Some of his targets include politicians, revolutionary leaders, military targets, and it was reported that he was behind the one-man extermination of the Hernandez clan in Guatemala."

Urie spoke up.

"Wait I think I've read about that one. Wasn't that clan-"

"Under investigation by the Central American branch of the GCB? Yes, and because of him, 12 years' worth of work down the drain by this lone assassin."

The Quinxes were stunned by Deadpool's involvement of an extermination of an entire ghoul clan.

"And because of that, several ghoul cartels within the region attempted to seal the power vacuum. Leaving our comrades in the Central American branch overwhelmed to the point that military forces had to intervene."

"Damn."

Said Shirazu.

"Exactly. So, if any of you meet any of these supervillains or any ghoul stronger than you, just run."

Urie thought to himself,

"The same safety speech…gag me."

Just then, Haise received a call on his earpiece.

"Haise."

"Investigator Madou. I was discussing with the team the extra security the auction will most likely have."

"Well, I just have the floor plans for Zeum Hall. That's where the auction is currently being held. Sending the plans to your phone now."

Haise took out his smartphone and saw the upload sent to his device.

"Got it."

"I also have some news. S2 squad lost contact with Investigator Mutsuki. It could be a communications breakdown. I'll lead a detachment unit. You got the Qs?"

"…Affirmative."

Shirazu laughed a little, saying,

"I bet he's pissing in his dress!"

"Well, let's get there before he soaks it."

Each of the Quinxes were in thought about the upcoming operation.

"Hang on, man…"

"Stay safe, Mutsi…cuz I'm useless…"

For Urie, his thoughts were on something else.

"Promotion is definitely guaranteed if this mission doesn't go off the rails…I hope IO get there before the rest of the squads…"

Then, each GCB Investigator received an all-personnel call. Investigator Washuu's voice came through.

"Attention all Investigators. Here are the parameters of the mission. Objective one, exterminate every ghoul in sight. Especially Big Madame. Do NOT let her escape. The expectation of Aogiri's participation is present, but cannot stand in the way of the completion of the mission. Objective two, rescue any and every human kidnapped. The safety of civilians is our top priority. However, our latest intel has discovered that the Madames have hired powered humans as part of their security detail. Should you encounter them, special permission of excessive force has been permitted. In either of these cases, respond accordingly. Over and out."

As soon as Investigator Washuu finished, he thought to himself,

"If I didn't say that, the higher-up will be on my ass. Saving people might be part of the job, but the priority is the extermination of Big Madame. When that happens…I will become Special Investigator…"

xxxxxx

Back inside the hall, the only ones left were Investigator Suzuya, and the auction security personnel that served either the Madames or any of the affluent ghouls. Ayato heard his radio.

"Rabbit, this is Deadpool."

"Status."

"Well, we're about to be fucked in so many ways that that'll make even a nymphomaniac sore."

"Just give it straight!"

"Ghost just reported that the Doves have arrived, and in droves."

Ayato grunted when he sees Investigator Suzuya taking down the ghouls that he took with him for tonight.

"I need Blockbuster on the Doll."

"Well as one-sided fights go, you can't go wrong."

"God willing it'll be one-sided. Have Ghost, Jackal, and Fire Eater join with Naki and Miza on the doves."

"And me?"

"Guard Big Madame. No matter the cost."

"Got it."

Deadpool ended the call. Before Ayato could do anything, Karao asked,

"What should I do?"

"Get Hinami out of here."

Karao performed his orders. As soon as they left, Ayato sees the Investigator go up against Blockbuster. Although the dove did not penetrate Blockbuster's skin with his knives, the dove proved himself innovative as he used pressure points against the mutant powerhouse. The Dove eventually subdued Blockbuster as the mutant fell onto the stage floor, losing consciousness as he fell.

"Useless…"

Ayato sees Deadpool attempting to get Big Madame out of the building. Big Madame, however, seemed to be lost in thought as he and Juuzo stared at each other. Ayato used this an opportunity to handle the dove himself. As soon as he leapt onto the stage, he activated his kagune. Meanwhile Croque Monsieur managed to make his escape. The other masked guard asked Kanae,

"Kanae?"

Kanae was in thought about the one-eyed ghoul from earlier.

"That girl is still out there…and with all this going on…Although I am above stealing, for Master Shuu…everything is permissible."

"Matsumae. I have to go take care of something."

xxxxxx

Outside the hall, one Investigator spoke to whatever ghouls that stood by outside.

"To all ghouls within the area, you are surrounded! Surrender now or you will be subject to extermination!"

The only ghouls outside were the White Suits, led by Naki. Alongside with Miza who, like him, were rated S. Alongside the two large ghouls usually by Naki's side, all stood on the roof as the Doves were on stand-by.

"The hell they're talking about?"

"They're saying either we give up or they kill us."

Said Miza. The two large ghouls in white suits simply muttered to themselves.

"They motionally unstable or something?"

"You mean emotionally unstable."

Miza sighed before resuming.

"Well, from here there's quite a lot. We're gonna have to work together to-"

"I don't think so. In a situation like this…"

"Hey!"

Yelled Miza as she saw Naki willfully jump from the roof of Zeum Hall and unto where the Doves stood.

"HE WHO STRIKES FIRST…GETS NO LAUGHS!"

The closer Naki got to the Doves, the faster his kagune manifested for him to kill a few Doves he got close to. One of the Squad Leaders sees Naki appearing and killing a few of the Investigators under his command.

"It's the White Suits! Prepare for battle!"

Naki kept on killing Doves left and right while laughing.

"YOU WATCHING ME, BRO?"

Naki instantly got angry at how Naki acted.

"That…dumbass!"

Miza took out her radio and contacted Hinami.

"Hinami! Naki's lost control! Again! If that idiot thinks I'm backing him up, he's got another thing coming!"

"Ayato just gave the command. He's sending Fire Eater, Jackal and Ghost to help."

"What about Deadpool and Blockbuster?"

"Deadpool is guarding Big Madame. Blockbuster is helping Ayato taking on some sort of…cyborg dove."

Miza sighed over the radio before replying,

"We'll be waiting, then."

Just as Hinami and Karao attempted to exit through the front, Karao sees Nutcracker being in a carefree attitude while towing Mutsuki.

"Tooru…"

Karao saw an opportunity, to which he acted on by leaving Hinami without her notice. Back outside, Naki kept on killing Doves.

"Attention command. Naki from Aogiri Tree is here! Requesting Immediate backup!"

Madou instantly respond.

"On it! Tateshima and Isa squads with me!"

Investigator Washuu then gave a command of his own.

"Hirako, Shimoguchi, and Shibashi squads, flank them and cover the rear. Cut off their retreat."

"Roger that."

"Remaining squads, enter from the front. Investigator Ato, you are in command of the front forces."

"Roger that."

"All Investigators, take out any ghoul you encounter."

"Roger!"

Said every Investigator on the field at the same time. Investigator Washuu then gave one more order.

"Suzuya Squad, rally with you leader."

"As if you need to say it."

Said Investigator Abara.

xxxxxx

As Nutcracker continued to bring Mutsuki to the merchandise holding area, she notices a lot of the auctioneers running from something.

"What…the hell's going on?"

Seeing Nutcracker distracted, Mutsuki took the opportunity to escape by kicking Nutcracker in the shin as hard as he could, with the outcome being what Mutsuki wanted. As Nutcracker recovered from the kick, she later found a personally disastrous truth.

"Oh no…200 MILLION!"

xxxxxx

Juuzo held his ground against Rabbit. However, he knew that he needed more than his knives against a ghoul of Rabbit's caliber. Juuzo took off his wig as he said to himself,

"If I don't have Jason soon…then Mr. Rabbit is gonna kill me sooner or later…"

Juuzo spoke into his radio.

"Hanbeh, I'm in a rush."

Unfortunately, no one answered.

"Crap…"

Seeing Rabbit rushing towards him, Juuzo pulled a couple of small black balls from his skirt, and slammed them to the ground. The result was an explosion of smoke, which clouded Rabbit. This gave Juuzo the opportunity to escape from the ghoul. When the smoke cleared, Juuzo seemed to disappear. Much to Rabbit's annoyance.

"Out of ammo, Suzuya"

Juuzo stood behind the stage, catching up with his breath.

"I'll stand down for now, but I gotta keep my promise to Haise."

xxxxxx

Mutsuki found an empty room to hide in. He sat down in darkness, catching up his breath, thinking back about how he performed so far.

"I still remember those words he said to me…but the operation is still going on…so, why would they lie? Rather, how do they know about the plan? Was Nutcracker behind this? It doesn't make any sense."

Mutsuki tried to remember reading a report of something like this happening before.

"Weapon X…they knew how to break into the Bureau's cybersecurity…and it's been confirmed that a scientist that used to work for them now works for Big Madame…maybe that's it. The Madame are collecting people that used to work for Weapon X…but for what exactly?"

Just then, another voice spoke to Mutsuki.

"Servus, Katchen!" (Hi, Kitty!)

Mutsuki yelled back,

"Stay the hell away from me!"

Mutsuki remembered the individual in front of him.

"Y-You tried to bid on me…"

"Ja…I want to confirm something from you…your…GESCHMACH!" (TASTE!)

xxxxxx

As the Quinxes entered the inside of the Hall, they encountered more ghouls in the building. Each of them took out any in their way. Except for Yonebayashi, who simply ran away. As Haise sliced the ghouls with his claws, some of them says each other,

"Those claws…"

"Is that him…?"

As Haise fought on, some of the Investigators alongside the Quinxes noticed Haise's mutation and fighting style.

"Is that Haise Yashida?"

"The possible heir to Yashida Industries. And the mentor of the Qs."

"He's a mutant? I thought he was one of them."

Haise finished the last of the ghouls stopping their momentum.

"Move to the Central Building! Ohshiba squad, to Administration!"

"Roger that!"

Haise sees one Investigator lagging, only to see a large object speeding toward the lagging Investigator. Haise soon tackled him, saving his life.

"Th-Thanks…"

"Just keep up and stay frosty."

"Roger that."

Haise sees where the large object came from. It came from a part of a ghoul with its kagune out in the open. He was bald, wore a black sweater, white pants with a black belt, and a pair of sunglasses. His kagune took the form of huge shields emerging from the bottom of his shoulder blades. Haise recognized who it was.

"That's who was with Nutcracker when we stalked her."

Shirazu responded,

"Yeah, I remember. And his kagune is huge."

"It's a kokaku."

The bald ghoul cracked his neck before beginning his attack. Although each of the Investigators he attacked adequately defended themselves, the power behind such strikes demonstrated the kind of threat these Investigators stood against. Haise thought to himself,

"This one's a challenge…I'll have to stay to help Investigator Ato…"

Just then, Ato told Haise,

"Yashida, orders from the top! Keep moving!"

"But…"

"The Ato squad will handle this."

Although he wanted to stay, Haise dared not to disobey. He ordered his fellow Quinxes to follow him deeper into the building. While the Ato squad faced the bald ghoul alone.

xxxxxx

Outside, Naki continued to kill Investigators like a lion to antelopes. Although the Doves' numbers proved itself too much for Naki to handle. At that moment, Miza arrived unto the scene. Her kagune emerged, she slayed at least seven Doves. Some of them noticed as one of them yelled,

"TRIPLE BLADE!"

Naki yelled out her name.

"Miza!"

"Don't say my name, idiot!"

Soon, more white suits arrived to aid Naki in killing the Doves. The Doves felt their back further to the wall when Ghost, Fire Eater, and Jackal arrived to aid the White Suits in killing the Doves. Fire Eater burned some Doves alive in his sights, Ghost went from tangible to intangible as the Doves tried to attack him, and Jackal simply sliced the throats of what Doves were in his way.

"Damn Aogiri!"

"We're getting creamed out here!"

Just as things seemed hopeless, a long, snake-like quinque killed some of the White Suits. Naki reacted quickly as he summoned his kagune to protect himself.

"Step back…I got this."

It turned out to be Investigator Madou, arriving with her kagune. It was the same kagune that her father once wielded. Naki looked at her.

"It's you…"

Akira and Naki faced each other before Akira attacked first with her quinque. Naki, however, dodged the attack. Naki laughed, but Miza yelled out,

"Fall back! She'll kill you!"

"Just shut the hell up!"

Miza groaned at how bullheaded Naki acted. In his mind, however, Naki acknowledged how much of a threat Akira's quinque is.

"It's so long and fast…the only way I can hit her is when the bones are too stretched out…"

Naki sees the quinque stretched out as he imagined. And yet, where Naki saw opportunity soon revealed itself to be a trap set by the daughter of Kureo Madou as Akira indicated where her quinque soon hit Naki. But the hint proved itself too little, too late as the sharp end of her quinque impale his stomach. Akira explained.

"Fueguchi is a difficult weapon to handle. But I spent an entire year mastering this. Now…it's almost as easy as moving my index finger."

As Fueguchi recoiled back to Akira, Naki struggled to get back up. Akira says to him,

"You look like the type of man who's stuck in the past. You're damning yourself that way."

Akira's words struck a chord with Naki. Which disturbed Miza.

"Woman…"

Akira shifted her attention to the triple blade ghoul.

"You cannot kill him."

"All the more why I should."

Soon, a small group of Investigators went to Akira's side.

"Investigator Madou! We'll assist you!"

Naki kneeled as he was deep in thought.

"Stuck in the past…all my strength comes from the past…my grudge…my sadness is all I am!"

The Investigators took out their rifles and aimed them at the ghoul.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME!"

"FIRE!"

Death seemed sure for Naki, until two huge ghouls came to Naki and defended him from the bullets. To Naki's dismay.

"GAGI! GUGE! THE FUCK YOU DOING?!"

Both took on the hits. One of them says,

"Protec…Naki!"

Their capacity for pain reached their threshold until their very last burst of adrenaline energized the two to give one of the most brutal beatdowns both ever gave. The speed and power of their punches scared the Investigators. One of them commented,

"What the hell's gotten into them?"

Immediately, said Investigator received many punched to his entire being. After all the Investigators, except Akira, laid on the ground unconscious, Gagi and Guge soon fell to the ground. Naki went to them, not knowing that the two ghouls died as they fell.

"Gagi…Guge…get up…come on…"

Naki started to cry as the two large ghouls did not stand. Naki touched the both of them, but nothing happened. Naki cried some more as he says,

"Don't leave me here…please…Gagi…Guge…"

xxxxxx

Back in the building, the Quinxes made their way to the entrance of the auditorium. There they met with numerous Aogiri ghouls. One of the Aogiri ghouls issued a command.

"Lead squad is almost at the hall! Stop them however you can!"

At least 15 Aogiri ghouls charged toward the Quinxes. However, each of them died by either the blades of both Shirazu and Urie or by Haise's claws. Hinami heard their deaths and reported it to the lead Aogiri commander of the mission.

"Yuri, the squad in the main hall died."

"Got it."

Yuri stood on the roof and issued a command to the battalion. Hinami listened further, and she heard a most familiar sound.

SNIKT!

Her heart skipped a beat.

"No…it can't be…"

xxxxxx

Kanae slapped Mutsuki so hard that blood came out of his nose. Kanae caught some of the blood with her fingertips, and licked it. During the tasting, Kanae felt a wellspring of euphoria from within.

"This…I've found it."

Kanae shed one tear over how delicious Mutsuki's blood was to him. Then, from out of nowhere, Kanae got tackled by a hooded individual. Kanae tried to get up, but the hooded person punched him so fast and hard that it left Kanae unconscious. The hooded person heavily breathed as Mutsuki watched with a sense of caution. Soon, the face within the hood became visible, which horrified Mutsuki.

"Tooru…"

Mutsuki instantly ran away from him.

"Tooru, it's me Torso! Tooru, please come back!"

Kane regained consciousness as he said,

"You're…going nowhere!"

Kanae summed his kagune and pierced Tooru in the stomach. Shocked by this, Torso turned his attention back to Kanae and resumed beating him to death. However, Kanae proved himself too fast for Torso as he dodged Torso's punch and delivered a beatdown of his own. As the two ghouls fought against each other, Mutsuki escaped. Although he got away, the injury Mutsuki attained made him limp away. As he limped, he remembered his time in the academy.

flashback

As young Mutsuki walked around the campus, he overheard some of the students talk about him.

"You hear about him?"

"The guy from Asakuwa Home, right?"

"Yeah, I heard that he killed a bunch of cats."

"And he was caught with the knife he did it with."

"For real?"

"Yeah. It was all bloody."

"Damn. You wanna know something else?"

"What?"

"I bet he killed his whole family."

When young Mutsuki was by himself, he cried a little over the rumors.

end

xxxxxx

In another part of Zeum Hall, Investigator Shimoguchi was assigned to Hirako squad. Although Investigator Hirako gave him the proper respect, the same cannot be said from the rest of his "comrades."

"Investigator Shibashi, hold it!"

The younger Investigator ignored him on purpose as his ghouls showed no signs of slowing down, much to Shimoguchi's irritation.

"Who the hell does he think he is? 1st class at age 24? Cocky asshole…"

Shibata looked at Shimoguchi with a combination of pity and arrogance.

"Get a clue, fogey. Your days are over…"

Just then, Hirako squad encountered the female clown from the auction. Investigator Shibata gave the order.

"Satomi, Toga, surround her. Okamochi, cover the rear. Don't let her escape."

As the Investigators followed his orders, Shibata thought about what kind of ghoul he encountered.

"That mask…she must be one of the clowns…this is gonna get me a promotion for sure!"

The female clown attempted to escape, but the Investigators prevent said option.

"This is my time! Shimoguchi at this point is a living fossil!"

With quinque in hand, Shibata gave a decisive slice across her stomach. The female clown fell on the ground, dying in the process. Shibata got close to the clown to make sure she died. As he got closer, the clown tried to speak.

"Hel…help…"

As Shibata got close, the female clown took the opportunity to summon her kagune. What made the feint effective is that her kagune materialized before any of the Investigators realized what happened.

"ME!"

Shibata instantly got ripped apart, and the female clown laughed like a madwoman in the process. The Investigators could only watch their squad leader dying before their eyes. The female clown continued to laugh dementedly as she showered in the blood of Investigator Shibata. One of the young Investigators wanted to avenge their fallen comrade, but she was stopped before doing so. Then the female clown turned her attention to the rest of the Investigators in her sight.

"Your squad leader was delicious…I wonder…HOW ALL YOU TASTE?!"

Shimoguchi attacked the clown first. Although she dodged the attack, Shimoguchi's stand against the ghoul clown made the younger Investigators snap out of their fear, but also energized them against the clown.

"Damn kids these days…think they're hot shit 'til they're dead meat!"

Soon, the rest of the Investigators joined with Shimoguchi in trying to kill the female ghoul. Although the Investigators regained their courage, their skills did not help them in slaying the clown. Only when Investigator Itou joined in that that the death of the female clown came near. Just as both Shimoguchi and Itou closed in on the clown, ready to slay it. Until the arrival of another clown derailed such an even happening as the male clown picked up the female one, placed her on his shoulders and took the blow meant for her. Although Shimoguchi stood confused, Itou knew who this clown was and said to Shimoguchi,

"Shimoguchi, back off now!"

Both did so. All the Investigators witnessed the wound both Shimoguchi and Itou gave heal as if it never happened. The female ghoul acted in a childish manner, talking with the male clown.

"Waa! They're bullying me! Ganging up on a little girl…"

"You sure it wasn't your fault, Roma?"

Soon, Investigator Hirako arrived, with Itou informing him of the familiar clown.

"Hirako…it's him."

"Leave him to me…"

The male clown then says,

"Hi, Hirako. Long time."

Hirako readied his quinque and thrusted it at the male clown. Although the male clown dodged the Investigator's attacks, the difference the clown felt like he honestly had to try to dodge said attack.

"You're better than I last saw you. Your attacks feel like they have more weight to them. What's your rank?"

Hirako said nothing.

"Don't feel like talking?"

All of a sudden, the female clown seemingly leapt up from out of nowhere and tried to kill Hirako. But Kuramoto blocked it just in time. The male clown says to the female one,

"Careful, Roma. He's no joke."

Hirako says to Kuramoto,

"Kuramoto…she's all yours."

"Roger that."

As Hirako took on the male clown, Kuramoto was swift in his offensive against Roma and sliced off both her emerged kagune and left arm. As Roma fell, the huge clown entered the fight and attempted to slam Kuramoto. Thankfully, Investigator Takeomi Kuroiwa blocked the attack with his quinque. The force of the attack created a small shock that everyone within the area definitely felt.

"Takeomi!"

Exclaimed Kuramoto. Roma then says in a demented voice,

"Let's play!"

Hirako issued a command.

"Shimoguchi, take at least three people with you. Advance further into the building."

"Roger that!"

Just as Investigator Shimoguchi left with five of Hirako's squad, the male clown leapt up a staircase, with Investigator Hirako following him. When the Investigator did so, he found the male clown convulsing for some reason. As soon as the mask fell, the face that Hirako sees is Arima's. Hirako instantly sliced it, which shocked the clown.

"No hesitation. Does he really piss you off? Maybe some…hate?"

Just then, Hirako felt some knives pierce his right arm.

xxxxxx

In another location far from Zeum Hall, Akihiro Kanou looked at the entire incident via live security camera footage through a series of computer monitors.

"The tide is turning…"

"Unfortunately so."

Said Eto as she slowly stepped out of the shadows.

"I believe it's time to activate our asset."

"But what about Mr. Ryker?"

"I've already made backups of his data. At this point, Harlan himself is expendable."

"Alright then…"

Kanou then types a command on the computer keyboard in front of him. The command read,

WAKE UP, TAKIZAWA. TIME TO EAT.

Within seconds, the command was reached to the cybernetic mind of the Deathlok cyborg within the holding area of Zeum Hall. Deathlok opened his eyes to reveal that both were completely different from one another. One was cybernetic as it glowed a bright red, while the other was a kakugan. With his combined cybernetic and ghoul strength, he broke free of the bindings on the stretcher. Harlan sees this and says,

"About damn time, Kanou."

As Deathlok stood upright, he soon received another update from Kanou. Harlan sees Deathlok continuing to stand still, which irritated him.

"Well, you going to get me out of here?"

Deathlok still stood silently.

"HEY!"

Unknown to Harlan, Deathlok received another command from Kanou.

EAT RYKER FIRST. THEN GO CRAZY WITH EVERYONE ELSE.

Deathlok smiled a most menacing smile, which slightly scared Harlan. Then, Deathlok slowly turned his head to Harlan while still smiling. Harlan now felt scared at the cyborg he created.

"Is it Kanou? Is he doing this?"

Deathlok says to Harlan,

"Sorry, doc…Kanou's orders."

Deathlok tilted his head to the right while still grinning like a maniac. Which deepened the fear Harlan currently felt.

"Damn you Kanou. I knew it was a bad idea fuse his work with mine!"

With his hands still handcuffed, Harlan attempted to escape for his life. Although he got faraway from the cyborg, Deathlok still smiled as he jumped as far up as the roof, and landed in front of Harlan. Harlan fell to the floor backwards in fear as he looked up at Deathlok, still grinning like someone who is demented. Then Deathlok laughed like a madman, which scared Harlan to his limits and he tried to get up while yelling,

"SOMEBODY HELP! HE'S WANTS TO KILL ME!"

From Deathlok's cybernetic arm was a miniature missile launcher. Deathlok aimed it at Harlan, and shot one, killing his target. The kill resulted in Harlan's remains splattering all over the area. Deathlok laughed relishing in the memory of his kill wrenched in fear before his death. Then Deathlok received another message.

GOOD WORK, TAKIZAWA. NOW GO CRAZY.

"I will…but under one condition."

Then he yelled,

"I'M NOT TAKIZAWA ANYMORE! IT'S DEATHLOK!"

xxxxxx

As Ato squad took on the bald ghoul, Investigator Ato remembered what heard about Haise.

"It's not the fact that he's the grandson of some rich old fart. That's not where his power is from…and it's not just his mutation that makes him a powerful Investigator…It's the fact that he was trained by Arima that he leads means that his squad's strength is superior to ours…"

Ato saw his squad taking on the bald ghoul with little to show for it. He says to his team,

"I got this."

Ato took on the bald ghoul with nothing but his quinque and skills.

"I'll admit…it's frustrating to see these new technologies given only to not just new personnel, but a new generation of Investigators…all of this reminds me of when I first met Arima…"

flashback

"I first saw what Arima was capable of about a decade or more…"

Young Arima appeared in the middle of an operation, with Marude giving him permission to take on the ghouls he and the rest of the older Investigators currently took on. The older Investigators protested this.

"Investigator Marude! Are you crazy?!"

"He's sixteen, for god's sakes!"

"When the ghouls arrived, Marude sic'd him on them…"

Both Ato and rest of the older Investigators witnessed the pure skill Arima proved capable of.

"When I saw him kill all those ghouls…I saw something akin…to God."

By the time Arima finished, all of the older Investigators thought of Arima as something superhuman.

"When you see somebody who possesses so much more skill that you could possibly ever achieve…I saw God's inequity."

end

Ato slowly gained the advantage over the bald ghoul.

"Ever since Arima arrived, so many ghoul Investigators see him with either envy or hatred…for me, I just focus on what I can do. I may not be powered…but with enough experience…even someone like me can stand on their own feet."

Soon, Ato landed the killing blow unto the bald ghoul. His team looked at Ato as they felt their hearts slowly filled with hope.

"Investigator Ato took him down!"

"We'll definitely survive with him around."

Just as Ato felt satisfaction over a well-earned kill, from out of nowhere, Deathlok appeared and ripped Ato's head from his body with little effort. Any hope Ato's squad felt instantly disappeared. Deathlok held the severed head over him to let the blood drip into his mouth.

"Like a fresh-picked pineapple…"

Grabbing the hair of the severed head, Deathlok spun it.

"This concentrates the blood, making it tastier…"

Deathlok drank the blood once more. All while the squad sees the travesty unfold before them.

"That…bastard"

One of the Investigators forced himself to get a close-up kill on Deathlok. He yelled as he readied his firearm, got close to the pale cyborg, and fired his weapon at point-blank range. And yet, said action had no effect. Another of Ato squad wanted to help, but was stopped by one of his comrades.

"SAWAIKE!"

"Don't! We're pulling out!"

Soon, the pale cyborg decapitated Sawaike with little effort. the second in command gave the order.

"Run like hell!"

As Ato squad ran, the second in command says to them,

"We have to return with the rest of the squads for backup!"

"I'll contact Investigator Wash-"

Deathlok instantly caught up with Ato squad and killed the Investigator who tried to contact Investigator Washuu. Deathlok then grabbed the other Investigator next to him by his head, and slammed it to the nearest wall. The Ato squad continued to run, but the pale cyborg not caught up to them, but continued to play with their corpses like child playing with its food. Soon the Ato squad was reduced to two, cornered into a ladies restroom. They looked on in fear seeing one of their comrades reduced to a bloody mess as the pale cyborg ate his corpse. While eating, Investigator Washuu's voice came through the radio on the corpse.

"This is Investigator Washuu to Ato squad. Head to the Administrative building immediately."

No response.

"Investigator Ato, do you read me?"

Still no response. Investigator Washuu feared the worst.

"Ato squad is out…didn't realize the One-Eyed King was out of plays already…"

Soon, Deathlok paid attention to the two remaining members of Ato squad. He spoke to them.

"Ever since I was a child, I had to learn to eat anything given to me. Although I was never a picky eater, the one food I hated…were carrots. Now it's different…I can eat literally anything."

The last thing Deathlok said, he said in a demented tone. Which furthered scared the two Investigators in front of him.

"You're scared…it's plain to see…it's human nature, of course. We fear what is different from us. Hell, once upon a time…I was no different from you. I saw what the other side was capable of…"

Deathlok walked closer to the two Investigators. Each step filled the Investigators with further dread and fear.

"And it scared me shitless…much like how you are…right now…"

Deathlok wet his lips in front of them.

"It was when I became this that I learned to become what I feared. If you become what you fear, then you have no more fear. Right now, the two of you are afraid to die. Well, who can blame you?"

Deathlok laughed a little.

"The reason why you fear death is because you are alive. If you don't want to be afraid of death…then become it."

The female Investigator took a closer at the pale cyborg, and found something most familiar about him.

"Investigator…Takizawa?"

Deathlok ceased to act menacing the moment she brought up his past name.

"What did you say?"

"I'm right…I remember you giving us a lecture one time."

Deathlok remembered giving said lecture.

"It's me, Togi…"

Deathlok grabbed his face as he seemed to be in pain. Togi then says to him,

"Is this what happened to you during the invasion?"

Deathlok then remembered when he felt the fire of the Phoenix burning the entire left side of his body. Soon he snapped back to reality by Kanou texting to him,

SNAP OUT OF IT! FOCUS!

Deathlok slapped himself hard. Then he looked at the two Investigators with an angry expression, which deepened the fear they had for him.

"How dare you…remind me…OF THAT WEAK SHIT TAKIZAWA!"

A claw-like blade appeared from Deathlok's cybernetic arm. He attempted to swing it at the Investigators, but stopped as soon as he heard a gunshot missing his head by an inch. The two Investigators looked at see who it was, and saw someone in a red and black jumpsuit.

"Deadpool…"

Said Deathlok, to which Deadpool responded,

"Didn't your mama teach you not to play with your food?"

Deathlok growled at him before a text from Kanou appeared.

HE'S SUPPOSED TO GUARD BIG MADAME.

"Aren't you supposed to guard Big Madame?"

"She's a big girl. She can handle herself."

Another text from Kanou appeared.

HE'S TURNED ON US. KILL HIM.

Deathlok then pointed his blade at Deadpool.

"New orders. You're to be-"

"EXTERMINATED?!"

Said Deadpool in an exaggerated robotic voice.

"You robots are all the same."

"I'm a cyborg…YOU FUCKER!"

Deathlok tackled Deadpool out of the restroom. Which gave the Investigators an opportunity to escape.

xxxxxx

Torso laid in a state of exhaustion after Kanae almost finished thrashing him.

"How dare you challenge me, you piece of shit…"

Said Kanae as he kicked Torso, even after he showed no more energy to defend himself.

"If I fail to capture that girl, I'm coming back to kill you. Now stay there."

As he laid down on the floor, Torso lamented on how thorough the beatdown he received from Kanae.

"Too strong…he's out of my league…"

As Kanae searched for her target, Mutsuki searched for either his teammates or an exit out of the building.

"That short break helped. I can move with little problem now. Based on the noise from before, the operation must've already begun. I just have to join with one of the squads…"

However, said search cut itself short when Kanae finally found Mutsuki.

"Where are you going…katzchen?" (kitty)

Kanae took a good look at Mutsuki. While Mutsuki looked around for anything to use as a temporary weapon.

"You've healed already…Toll! Master Shu can enjoy you over and over." (Great)

Mutsuki spotted a fire extinguisher, grabbed it, and tried to hit Kanae with it. However, Kanae prover himself quicker, and punched Mutsuki in the gut before the young Quinx even hit the ghoul. When Mutsuki partially laid on the floor, Kanae brought his kagune.

"That fact that you heal by yourself means…I DON'T HAVE TO BE GENTLE CATCHING YOU!"

Just as Kanae's kagune almost reached Mutsuki…

SNIKT!

Kanae's attack on Mutsuki got interrupted by Haise as he instantly arrived at Mutsuki's side.

"Sorry I'm late."

Kanae stood puzzled at what happened.

"What the hell is going on?"

Just then, Urie arrived and kicked Kanae in the gut. Just as he tried to kill the ghoul with his quinque, Kanae blocked said attack with his kagune. Urie backed off and went to Haise.

"It's a rinkaku…"

"I see it."

Kanae sees Haise and instantly got angry.

"You…"

Kanae readied his kagune and attacked Haise with utter fury.

"HAISE YASHIDA!"

Kanae furiously attacked Haise as he internally cursed Haise with every strike.

"It's because of you…IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!"

Haise, however, successfully blocked every attack with his claws. Soon, he got on the offensive as he swiped his left arm, slicing Kanae on the left side of his stomach.

"Urie! Shirazu!"

Both Quinxes got on the offensive and sliced Kanae in the chest area. The last thing Kanae said before falling on the floor.

"Master Shuu…"

Then, from out of nowhere, a vine-like kagune appeared just before Kanae hit the floor. It then encompassed him and carried him away from the Quinxes. Urie kept up and tried to kill Kanae, but his strike did not take.

"Too shallow…"

Kanae looked at the vine-like kagune around him and sees Matsumae carrying him.

"Matsumae…"

Soon, the same vine kagune began sprouting from the floor of the building, and emerged between the Quinx squad and the ghouls. Urie acted by trying to slice the vines with his quinque, but the vines proved themselves too tough for anybody to cut through.

"They got away…"

Haise commented on the nature of Matsumae's kagune.

"A ghoul detaching their kagune…I didn't think it was possible…"

Haise soon contacted Investigator Washuu.

"This is Yashida. Investigator Washuu?"

xxxxxx

In the command trailer, the S2 squad watched over the overall progress of the operation. While many radio transmissions gave constant updates of the operation. When he heard his last name being said by Haise, Washuu picked up the radio that held Haise's voice.

"Washuu here."

"I've finally located Investigator Mutsuki."

"Nice to hear."

"We're attempting to capture a ghoul that tried to feat on Mutsuki, but our advance is currently stopped by some sort of…kagune wall."

"Investigator Yashida…what do you think about…the bodies lying around you?"

"…I honestly find it weird…"

"Explain."

"Most of the ghouls we've taken down belonged to Aogiri. We haven't encountered any of the guests, especially since this was an auction."

Some of the S2 squad overheard the conversation, and were surprised that Investigator Yashida picked up on something that seemed to over the rest of the Investigators in the operation.

"Exactly. Which means that the guests are somewhere else in the area, using Aogiri's attacks on us as a distraction."

"Which squad was in charge of examining the premises?"

"Ohshiba squad. They're currently engaging the Nutcracker…and losing."

That last detail shocked Haise.

"Her offensive capabilities were a lot more than what we've gather, and such she's been upgraded from rated A to S. I want Quinx squad to assist them in taking Nutcracker out."

Haise sees his squad tending to Mutsuki. Shirazu gave Mutsuki his knives.

"Here's our quinque."

"Thanks, Shirazu."

Haise says to Washuu,

"Requesting permission to send Investigator Mutsuki out of the field."

"Explain."

"Investigator Mutsuki went through a lot, leaving him injured and exhausted. I don't think he's in any shape to continue the mission."

"…Granted. Send Urie as security."

"Roger that."

As soon as Haise finished, he turned his attention Mutsuki and says to him,

"Mutsuki, you going back to the command post. Have the medics look at you."

"Yes sir…"

Haise sees Mutsuki looking a bit sad. He deduced that Mutsuki felt that he felt disappointed at the young Investigator.

"We had the element of surprise because of you. You've done more than enough for the mission. Urie."

"Yeah?"

"Escort him out."

Urie felt shocked over this decision.

"But Investigator Yashida…!"

"Listen. Shirazu needs a firmer grasp of the layout, and between Saiko and Mutsuki, neither of them has the strength to survive what may hit them. You're the only one I can count on."

Urie felt that Haise wanted him out for personal glory.

"I know you wanted to do more for the mission…but you're the only one who can protect Mutsuki."

Within Urie, resentment for Haise grew.

"Fine…"

With Urie "agreeing," Haise says to both Yonebayashi and Shirazu,

"Saiko! Ginshi! To the administration building."

As they left, Urie says to Mutsuki,

"Follow me."

As Mutsuki followed Urie, Investigator Washuu privately contacted Urie.

"Investigator Urie."

"Yes, Investigator Washuu?"

"I have a favor to ask you…"

And done! I wanted to write more, but I wanted this to be a Halloween release. Thank you all for your patience. I'll be sure to release the next chapter before Christmas. At least. Thank you for reading. Don't forget to leave a review and share this with your friends. Happy Halloween!