Hi everybody. I'm back. It's been quite a long time since the last real chapter. The announcement I made some time ago may have left a bad taste in someone's mouth...however, I appreciate all of you sticking around to this point. Because of that, I have an announcement that will leave you in a better place. Before we get started, I hope you've read Deadpool: Gaiden before reading this. Now...in this chapter, the X-Force have resumed their operation of not just hunting down ghouls but also taking down major Aogiri operations. However, the team is different under Urie's leadership.

Arc 2: claim

Chapter 16 – assemble: not what it used to be

(November 2024. Nighttime)

As Urie stood in his room painting, he received a call on his phone. To which he redirected to his earpiece.

"Investigator Urie."

'There's been another ghoul attack. In the 7th ward.'

"On our way."

Urie knocks on the doors of his subordinates. The first to answer was Saiko.

"Another attack?"

"7th ward."

Saiko then yelled,

"EVERYONE OUT! GHOUL ATTACK!"

New members Shinsanpei Ichinose, Touma Higemaru, and Ching-Li Hsiao were the first to exit their doors. Deadpool took some time to get on his spandex shoes, to which Urie asked,

"Where's Yukio?"

"I texted her. She's finishing up sharpening her sword."

"Tell her to hurry up."

As soon as Deadpool completed his outfit, Deadpool goes to her room and opens it to tell her,

"Yukio, we got another assignment."

Yukio finished up in time.

"Right behind you."

xxxxxx

The X-Force arrive in the 7th ward to find not just ghouls, but those belonging to Aogiri as Urie reported,

"This is Investigator Urie of the X-Force. The ghouls we are hunting actually belong to Aogiri. Acknowledge."

'Acknowledged, Investigator Urie.'

Both Shin and Saiko lagged behind the rest of the team, as Saiko remarked,

"That beef bowl I had yesterday is doing a number on me!"

"This is why we don't skip leg day!"

Exclaimed Deadpool. Shin then tells her,

"Hang in there, Saiko."

Both Hsiao and Higemaru killed five Aogiri ghouls as they were ahead of the team.

"Two eradicated."

Said Hsiao, with Higemaru replying,

"I got three."

Urie yelled,

"ICHINOSE! I SMELL SOMETHING ON OUR SIX!"

"I see them, sir! Aogiri reinforcements!"

"Got this one!"

Exclaimed Saiko as she summoned her kagune. Although the Aogiri ghouls were swift in approaching her, Saiko wiped them out in one stroke. Much to Higemaru's amazement.

"Nice one, Saiko."

Shin then sees a pair of Aogiri ghouls above Urie and alerted him.

"Sir!"

"I smell them."

Urie then brought out this quinque.

"Dinner time..."

Urie's quinque was Ginkui, a bikaku quinque that took the form of a regular katana. However, when active, it took the form of a tentacle with a mouth possessing sharp teeth at the end of it. Such a feature made short work of the Aogiri ghouls. Urie then contacted the cooperating squad.

"This is Investigator Urie. Targets all eliminated."

'Acknowledged. Excellent work.'

Urie looked at the team and asked,

"Where's Deadpool and Yukio?"

"Right here."

Deadpool arrived with Yukio walking behind him. Yukio explained,

"We spotted some stragglers and took them out."

Urie replied,

"All right. Ichinose, you'll be attending the debriefing with me. Hsiao, write up the report."

"Yes sir."

Said Shin and Hsiao simultaneously. Urie tells the rest of the team,

"I'll be meeting with Assistant Special Investigator Washuu at headquarters. Everyone, get some sleep."

"Roger roger."

Said Deadpool, speaking for the rest of the team.

xxxxxx

Urie gave his report on tonight's hunt, alongside with Shin. Also present were Investigators Suzuya, Abara, and Kuroiwa (the younger one). When Urie finished giving his report, Assistant Special Investigator Washuu then says,

"Good work. Based on both the reports of both Suzuya squad and the X-Force, a vast majority of Aogiri hideouts have been cleared in all 23 wards. With any luck, this will compel the survivors to return to their stronghold. Exactly what we want."

"Yes sir."

Said Urie. Washuu continued.

"Although we've lost many Investigators during the Yashida Raid, recruitment in the past four months managed to make up for it. Although S1 and Ui squad are pulling their own weight, we need you to make up for their losses. All of you are dismissed."

Urie was the last to exit, just in time to witness Special Investigator Arima approach him. This surprised Shin as well.

"Investigator Urie."

"Investigator Arima."

"Wanna talk?"

"...sure. Ichinose."

Urie tossed him the keys to the car.

"Wait for me in the car."

"Yes sir."

Urie followed Arima to an empty conference room. Arima asked,

"Another successful assignment?"

"Yes sir. The X-Force have managed to perform to expectations."

"...What I really want to ask is...how's the team?"

Urie felt a little conflicted to get into the details before speaking with Arima.

"Ever since the Raid of Yashida Tower, the team doesn't feel like what it used to."

"You're referring to Kaneki?"

"...yes. But also Shirazu. Kaneki got lucky when he got into a coma. But losing Shirazu...made the cracks in the team widen. Mutsuki left to join another squad while overseeing and eventually lead, from what I heard, an emerging new generation of Quinx."

"I heard. Unfortunately, Director Washuu isn't forthcoming with the details."

"I thought he was always forthcoming. At least with-"

"We're having...a disagreement. Nothing to be concerned about. Continue."

"R-Right...when Ichiro Yashida no longer having a say in the Bureau, I really believed Hisako would come back. But when she told me how former Investigator Ihei quit, she wanted to stay in Ui squad for Investigator's Ui's sake."

"Hmm...I have noticed Ui to be a little...more tired recently."

"That was why she stayed. Surprisingly, both Saiko and Deadpool stepped up for the team. Saiko is pretty much the resident mom and setting a...pretty good example on combat conduct. While Deadpool has become reliable recently, which really went against what I thought of him."

"People can change."

Said Arima with a smirk on his face. Something which unnerved Urie.

"Maybe. Anyhow, the new additions to our ranks got us back on track..."

"Yeah..."

xxxxxx

Back at the chateau, the team relaxed in their own individual fashions. Both Saiko and Higemaru were playing games in the front living room.

Urie: Toma Higemaru. Practically fresh out from the Academy. Much like Investigator Ui, he comes from wealth.

Arima: He underwent the procedure during his time during the academy?

U: Yes sir. He was tested to be a compatible recruit. The reason why he joined was due to the fact that members of the Higemaru family actually believe in public service. Many of them served in the JSDF, law enforcement, fire departments, and even rescue teams.

A: Most likely a factor in why he enrolled.

Ching-Li Hsiao was in the training room, performing yoga with Yukio.

U: Ching-Li Hsiao. . Genie Hsiao. Originally from Taiwan, she immigrated here to Japan on a student visa. She trained at the Hakubi garden, graduated at the top of her class.

A: I remember reading her file. Her hand to hand combat skills were excellent. One of her instructors once said that she's comparable to Natasha Romanov. I remember Ihei feeling jealous when she heard that.

Shin, meanwhile, was in the car on a phone call with his aunt.

U: Lastly is Shinsanpei Ichinose. Investigator Aura's nephew. Lost his parents during the Hunting Society Incident in the 16th ward. His aunt took custody of him afterwards. Enrolled in the Academy when he was old enough to enter high school. However, compared to his aunt, his grades were average at best. What made him stand out for his quinx attributes was his physical strength.

A: I heard that he was inspired by a former member in our ranks.

U: If you're referring to Piotr Rasputin, most likely. He was present during the incident in the 16th ward. Speaking of which, I heard that he and Aura used to be in a relationship.

A: I don't take stock in rumors...

xxxxxx

"However...there's the elephant in the room..."

"Yes...Yukio."

Urie now sounded a little angry when he started to talk about Yukio.

"The fact that she told us about what Ichiro Yashida was doing did, in fact, help us to rescue Kaneki...but the truth remains..."

"She spied on you and your comrades, isolated you from your leader, and kept to herself something horrible."

"...Precisely. That still makes me mad. And I don't think it's lost on her..."

"I know what you feel...and you have every right to feel that way."

"A part of me wanted her to go to the raft...which made me listening to Deadpool all the more surprising."

"Deadpool played a part in her staying on?"

"Believe me, I'm just as shock as you are."

flashback

(United Nations University, Shibuya)

Since Ichiro Yashida's experiments in immortality were exposed to the public, the company's income stream and business operations were put on hold due to the corporation's violations of the Sokovia Accords. Violations pertaining to using mutants as involuntary subjects for illegal scientific research. As Urie sat ready for his testimony for Yukio's trial, Deadpool arrived.

"Deadpool..."

"Hey. Wanted to talk to you."

"Okay..."

"Look man..."

Deadpool sat beside Urie before getting to the point.

"I think Yukio should come back to the X-Force."

"Are you serious?"

"Look man, she honestly does regret what she did to us."

"Let me guess: she told you that herself?"

"I understand why you want her in the Raft. If she remained a loyal stooge to her dead master, than I wouldn't be here to ask you to offer the judge panel probation by service to the GCB."

"Do you realize how much you're asking of me?"

"I know I'm putting you in a tight spot..."

"Me?! It's Arima, Director Washuu, the ENTIRE FUCKING BUREAU!"

"I GET IT! I get it. But just listen to me. Kaneki is still alive, so shouldn't that be reason enough to give her an option to serve her sentence?"

"Even if I can, why should I? Don't you know what she was doing to us?"

"Yes...and she helped us debug the Chateau. She gave us everything the Bureau needed to appeal to the UN and the World Security Council to place Yashida Industries under GCB custody. At the risk of her adopted family disowning her. Right now, she has nothing. We can give her a fresh start."

"And why do you want me to give her that?"

"Because Kaneki did it for me. And I'm still grateful to him for that...and I also know that you want to live up to the example he set."

Urie wanted to retort but could not due to how right Deadpool was.

"Here's some advice: it's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission."

end

"And you acted on that advice?"

Asked Arima.

"Honestly, I resisted. But...I failed in the end. I acted too far and asked that she serve the X-Force as a probation sentence. By the way, I still appreciate what you did for me."

"Well, I had to use a few favors in order to defend your decision."

Urie sighed before finishing with,

"So yeah. That's what's been on my mind."

Arima placed his hand on Urie's right shoulder.

"I understand you're under a lot of pressure. Believe me, I appreciate how you're holding up the team. But...based on what you just told me, you're not the only one who's doing their part."

Urie merely replied,

"Thank you, Investigator Arima. I'll see you tomorrow."

xxxxxx

(Cochlea, 23rd ward)

Deadpool arrived at Cochlea while carrying a plastic bag with the intention of visiting Fueguchi in place of Kaneki.

"How is she?"

"Same as usual. She won't talk to anybody she's not familiar with. The fact she can with you is nothing short of unbelievable."

"That's me in a nutshell."

"Anyhow, she still reads the books the currently unavailable Senior Investigator used to bring her."

"Well, from what I heard, she has something that makes her special from the rest inside."

"Yes...she does. We're still on standby on what to do."

"Well, I'm here due to her connection to Aogiri."

When Deadpool arrived, he sees her sitting on the chair in front of the glass partition in a depressed state. Only when she saw Deadpool did Hinami look a little more conscious.

"I got this from here."

The guard that guided Deadpool to Fueguchi soon left. When it was just the two of them, Deadpool brought out his smartphone.

"Delta?"

"Already done."

"You work fast."

"A mark of quality."

Deadpool then removed his mask in front of Hinami, which made her a lot more comfortable.

"How you've been?"

"Fine. How are you?"

"Well, let's just say I'm having back problems."

"Oh my. Really?"

"Yeah, it's been aching since I'm carrying the entire team."

Hinami started to laugh, which made Hide feel good.

"How is everybody outside?"

"I get texts from Hisako, who's asked me to relay everybody's messages to you. Give me a moment."

Hinami felt a little warm when Hide gave her everybody's messages from the outside. When he finished, Hinami then asked,

"How's Kaneki?"

"...he's fine. Still resting, after everything's that happened to him."

"Yeah...I remember when you first told me what happened..."

flashback

When Hinami was brought to the visitation room, she expected Hise to arrive to ask her more about Aogiri. What she did not expect was the appearance of a man in a red and black suit carrying a plastic bag. Despite being confused by this, when he sat down on his half of the glass partition, Hinami did not say anything.

"I get it. You don't know me."

Again, Hinami did not talk. Nevertheless, the man in red kept talking.

"Well, if the red suit didn't give it away, Christmas came early for you, young lady."

The man in red took out from the plastic a pair of books, something which Hinami slightly lit up at.

"By the way, my famous name is Deadpool."

"Deadpool?"

"Yes...but my real name is...well, first things first."

Deadpool brought out his smartphone to reveal some figure in Iron Man-like armor on his phone.

"This is Delta. Think of him like Jarvis, the AI Iron Man used to have."

"Oh wow..."

"And what he can do is pretty cool. Like right now, he's giving the security system a fake feed to what's really going on here."

"But why?"

"So I can do this."

Deadpool removed his mask to reveal his actual identity, one which Hinami was familiar with.

"Wait...did we meet at-"

"Anteiku? Yeah. I used to regular there with my best friend."

Hinami finally knew who he was but failed to remember his name.

"You're Kaneki's and Nishiki's friend...I'm sorry. I do know you, but I never got your name all this time."

"...It's fine. It's Hideyoshi Nagachika. You can call me Hide for short."

"So why make a fake feed?"

"So I can tell you some honest to god good news."

Hinami sat curious, as well as hopeful.

"Kaneki is back."

Her eyes now lit up with life before asking,

"Like, back back?"

"Definitely back back."

Hinami jumped off her seat and began to dance around a little when she heard the news, which made Hide grin.

"He got his memory back?"

"Yes. He's back in all the ways that matter...but therein lies some bad news..."

"Bad news?"

"I can't tell you everything right now. I've only got less than two minutes here."

"Less?"

"We can only talk for about five to seven minutes at a time. Any longer, and the security here will pick up on what's really going on."

"What are you trying to do?"

"...finding a way to break you out of here."

end

For the next two months, Hide gave Hinami whatever he could share about Kaneki's condition. Other subjects included how Touka and her café was doing, the state of Aogiri, but sometimes books. Hide could only bring in two books at a time for Hinami. Despite this, Hinami enjoyed what he brought in. What was different today was that Deadpool made some headway for her escape.

"Listen. I think I got a way to get you of here."

"Really?"

"But the way involves Kaneki...and Hisako."

"How is she?"

"Fine. We just haven't talked much recently...but the few times we did, she agreed that we needed more hands to get both you...and him out of the GCB."

"Kaneki is coming with us?"

"We just need to get some extra hands for the job. Not to mention Aogiri has our hands full. That's part of the reason why your...execution dates keeps getting pushed back."

"Oh."

"The other part is due to Delta pushing your date back until the opportunity finally arrives. By my request."

"Thank you."

Delta alerted Hide that his time was almost up. He puts his mask back on before saying to Hinami,

"Just hang on a little further. You see everyone again."

"Thanks, Hide."

"See you, little lady."

xxxxxx

(The next day)

Investigator Ui was on a phone call with Investigator Furuta about their lead.

"How far have you've gone with Shunji Shiono's interrogation?"

'Aside from confirming what we know, he has no idea when he can contact Sen Takatsuki again. Apparently, she contacts him. Never the other way around.'

Ui grunted a little as he remembered the hair color of the One-Eyed Owl. A match of Sen Takatsuki.

"Did you tell him about the laws concerning hiding a ghoul?"

'I have. I even scared him a little with Rotton Fellow. Nothing still.'

Ui got further annoyed by the lack of leads.

"What about Takatsuki's apartment?"

'Well, it's a lot to go through. I mean, Half-read books, notes, memos...there's just so much to go through. The only thing I can say for certain is that she's up to something. Also she's a slob to boot.'

"Keep searching. I know she's the One-Eyed Owl. The few times I spoke with Kijima, he spoke of how efficient you were with file sifting."

'It's really the only thing I'm good at.'

Ui sighed before finishing with,

"Keep up the search."

'Roger that.'

Ui ended the call just before entering a room where a Special Investigators meeting was held, helmed by Director Washuu. He sees Arima finally present at a meeting, even signaling to him to sit beside him. Ui took his seat alongside both Arima and Tanakamaru. Director Washuu started the meeting.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks to your efforts, and the efforts of those each of you command, our war with Aogiri Tree is finally reaching its end. It took 13 years, but we're finally nearing the end."

Marude spoke next.

"Surprise to see you in one of these meetings Arima."

"Well...this one is a little...too special to miss."

"Surprising to hear that from you, Arima."

Said Aura, with Tanakamaru following with,

"Well, considering he's played a key part in this, why shouldn't be here?"

"The fact that he's here means that Aogiri's end is a foregone conclusion."

Said Ui with Haisaki replying,

"At the very least, it's a morale booster. Considering our losses at the Yashida raid."

"Speaking of which, how is Investigator...Kaneki?"

Asked Houji, with Suzuya asking next,

"I want to know, too. I miss when he brought the snacks."

The last to speak was Matsuri Washuu, who felt annoyed when the meeting shifted to Kaneki's well-being.

"Does anyone here find it strange we went from talking about causing the downfall to one of the dangerous organizations of monsters since HYDRA to speaking about the health of one mutant?"

Most of the special Investigators, including the Director, stared daggers at Matsuri for how he spoke about Kaneki. Arima responds with,

"This mutant..."

Arima then did something that blew the minds of everyone present.

"PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT PART IN NOT JUST THE BUREAU'S EVENTUAL ERADICATION OF AOGIRI...BUT ALSO TOOK DOWN AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL KAIJU, LED A TEAM OF NEXT-GENERATION SOLDIERS! NOT TO MENTION SAVED THE WORLD FROM A POWER-HUNGRY SPACE DICTATOR AND GAVE HIS LIFE IN THE PROCESS! SO DO US A FAVOR AND SAVE US YOUR TIRED AS FUCK RASCISM!"

Arima's emotional outburst not just shocked the director, but every single one of the special Investigators present. Arima then recollected himself before asking Matsuri,

"Now...would you please start...the meeting?"

Although slowly regaining his composure, Matsuri stammered a little before giving the briefing.

"Very well...Due to the Bureau's operations against them, Aogiri Tree is pretty much on its last legs. Their influence across the globe is on the decline as their international cells are either defunct or currently in the process of it. The opportunity now is to stamp out the last of their numbers. To that end, two goals must be met. One, locating and taking out the One-Eyed Owl, their leader. Two, locating their now primary base of operations. The first goal is currently under Ui's squad purview. Investigator Ui, from what I read in your latest report, your squad has a suspect connected to the Owl?"

Ui stood up before speaking.

"Correct. We believe that the public identity of the One-Eyed Owl to be Sen Takatsuki, a notable author. We have apprehended her agent for information. I have both Investigators Ichiki and Furuta handling the interrogation. However, because of her public persona, we're taking all considerations to avoid any and all repercussions."

"Thank you, Investigator Ui."

Ui then sat down before Director Washuu addressed Arima.

"Arima, any progress on the second goal with your team?"

Arima gave a text message on his phone before talking to the director.

"We have."

The doors opened to reveal Hirako wheeling in a whiteboard with pictures taped to its surface.

"Thank you, Investigator Hirako."

"Sir."

Hirako left the room, leaving Arima to continue his presentation as he brought out a laser pointer. The pictures on the white board were of identified ghouls connected to Aogiri, as well as an island.

"There have reports as of late of activity on an island off Tokyo bay. A recon team was sent to investigate the area. The name of the island is called Rushima. The island once served as one of the defense outpost during World War II. Now..."

Arima then shifted attention to the pictures of ghouls.

"These individuals all of you can see here are the various known ghouls that hold command within the organization, called executives. Although the One-Eyed Owl holds leadership, who we discovered to be the second in command is one ghoul called Tatara, a survivor of the Chi She Lian."

Arima turned off the laser pointer before continuing.

"Investigator Houji, after the meeting, I'd like to discuss on how to confront Tatara, considering your part in the operation that led to the downfall of the organization Tatara used to be a part of."

"...Sure."

Replied Houji. Arima noticed the hesitation in his voice, but did not say anything. Aura commented,

"It may look like Rushima may be the battleground to our final confrontation with Aogiri."

"Rushima...takes me back to when I was boy."

Said Tanakamaru with a wistful tone. Suzuya asked,

"What do you mean, Investigator Tanakamaru?"

"Back when I was in elementary school, one summer, my father managed to sneak me and my mother there. Only to enjoy the beach."

"If we could get back to the subject at hand. Arima, I've noticed that Noro is on there."

Said Marude, with Arima replying,

"Yes, Investigator Marude. Noro did used to occupy an executive space, but..."

Arima then took out a marker to cross out Noro.

"Since the X-Force were responsible for exterminating him during the Yashida Tower Raid, it's a solid prelude for our final battle with Aogiri."

Director Washuu asked Arima,

"Arima, is your squad in charge of surveying the island?"

"No. I've given that assignment to Hachikawa squad."

xxxxxx

(Later that night)

Hachikawa squad finally arrived at Rushima island by rowboat to avoid detection. Assistant Special Investigator Chu Hachikawa remarked as he first stepped foot on the island,

"If this is where they sleep...they have to reek of fish by now."

The rest of the squad got off the boat as Hachikawa told to one of his subordinates,

"Ayumu, don't get my suitcase wet."

Ayumu only nodded yes as Hachikawa addressed his team.

"Now that we're all on shore, here's a reminder...the assignment is to find out where they sleep. Nothing more."

He then tells one of his subordinates,

"Do your thing. Sniff them out."

The subordinate he gave the order to was Mutsuki.

"It's my sight, actually..."

"Same difference..."

On another part of the island, one ghoul caught Mutsuki's scent.

"Toru..."

As the squad advanced into the island, they did their collective best to maintain stealth. Due to this, their recon of the island bore sufficient fruit as Mutsuki managed to take pictures of the types of modifications they made to the island's existing fortifications. They even managed to discover what kind of weapons Aogiri had on them. The existence of a dozen tanks based on reverse-engineered Shi'ar technology was the kind of intel Hachikawa squad desperately wanted the Bureau to know. When the squad reached the other end of the island, they unfortunately found a dozen Aogiri ghouls. The ghouls see them and begin to attack the squad as Hachikawa exclaimed,

"I'll get the ones in the back. Take care of the front."

Most of Hachikawa squad were struggling to hold their ground with the Aogiri ghouls. Mutsuki, on the other hand, wiped the floor with them using only their knives. Hachikawa sees this and yells,

"WHAT ARE YOU DICKING AROUND FOR?! USE YOUR GODDAMN KAGUNE!"

"Don't need it for these ones!"

Mutsuki almost single-handedly killed the Aogiri ghouls that attacked the squad. A few managed to kill one each while others need a measure of teamwork to survive. Hachikawa then tells the squad,

"Alright. Let's see where everybody is. The smell's getting worse. Stay sharp though."

"Yes sir."

Replied the squad simultaneously. Hachikawa then addressed Mutsuki.

"Mutsuki...good work."

"Thank you sir."

As Hachikawa squad searched the center of the island, they found a partially destroyed dome. Hachikawa commented,

"Battle damage from the war, most likely..."

Mutsuki used their hearing to discover that some sort of meeting was taking place.

"Investigator, I think there's some sort of meeting taking place now."

"You sure?"

"Positive. I'm hearing a lot of chatter."

"...let's get closer."

xxxxxx

(earlier)

Ayato located Miza to ask her,

"Miza, have you seen Saeki?"

"Not really. By the way, boss is calling for a rally."

"What for, exactly?"

"No idea. All I know is that Eto wants us there."

The way Miza said her boss' name compelled Ayase to ask,

"Wow. You really hate her, don't you?"

"I know a devious bitch when I see one."

Miza sighed before asking Ayato,

"How's it going on Cochlea?"

"Surprisingly enough, I'm nearing my goal."

"Seriously?"

"Remember Deadpool?"

"I thought he was with the X-Force."

"He contacted me about a month ago. We met a neutral location. Told me about how I can rescue Hinami."

"Really? How?"

"I'll tell you more after the rally."

"Fine. Let's go."

As the two went towards where the rally is taking place, Ayato asked,

"By the way, Naki is still down after losing Shosei, but is already ahead of us."

"Why tell me that?"

"Well, I never see you in the guard tower, so it made me think you were looking out for him."

At the partially destroyed dome where the rally is taking place, as the members of Aogiri gathered, Eto looked back on her life thus far.

flashback

A 14 year old Eto Yoshimura fought against a younger Iwao Kuroiwa. He stood strong as to avenge one of his fallen comrades. With assistance from his teammates, the Owl was defeated. In her last moment of consciousness, she thinks to herself,

"Well damn...not strong enough, it would seem..."

Although her Owl form broke away, Tatara arrived in time to rescue her before the Doves can find out who the Owl was. The morning after, Eto met with her future literary agent, Shunji Shiono. He reviews a manuscript she submitted to the publishing company he works for.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 14."

Shiono looks at her before feeling how long the book was.

"It's got to be at least 500 words...not to mention I have to arrange a dinner meeting with Yamada..."

"It's pretty clear that you can write...but..."

"Please. Be honest."

Shiono sighed before giving his honest opinion.

"There's a lot of abrupt poetic language, and how you use turn of phrase is a little too wordy. However, it's pretty good for someone your age. If you can write something else to show me, maybe something shorter but of the same quality, then we can move forward from there."

"...ok."

Eto spent the entire day and night wandering around the city.

"I thought I could get money for my writing..."

She thought back on what Tatara told her about her parents. She held a large measure of hatred for her father as she muttered to herself,

"I won't be like Kuzen..."

When morning came, she returned to the publishing company to request her manuscript back. As she approached the office building to retrieve, she sees Shiono running towards her.

"Miss Eto! Miss Eto!"

"Mr. Shiono?"

As he stopped in front of Eto, after taking a moment to catch his breath, Shiono exclaimed,

"Why didn't you write your contact info on your manuscript?"

"Well for starters, you said it was too long..."

Shiono felt a little on the spot before explaining why he changed his mind.

"Well, about that...one of my bosses read your manuscript. He thought it was brilliant...and called me out for how stupid I was to reject you. I spent the entire day looking you up online. I'm surprised you don't have either Facebook or Myspace."

"Well, the reason why is...well, I'm homeless. I escaped an orphanage before I finished my manuscript."

"I see...well, first. Let's get you a cell phone."

Both Eto and Shunji went to a nearby mall and managed to get a cell phone for her.

"All right. Carry this with you all the time so I can call you for anything involving your book."

"Ok."

"And...I'm sorry for blowing you off yesterday. Let me make it up to you by making you a best-selling author."

"I can be one?"

"Absolutely. You bring the talent, and you got a lot of it...and I'll make it shine for the world to see."

Eto smiled at Shunji's promise before he asked her,

"By the way, what's your last name?"

"...It's Yoshimura. Eto Yoshimura."

Time passed. Eto was now well-off and a reputable author. One day, she looks up the location of her father and finds a location. She sees him inside of a coffee shop, with a smile on his face while being friendly with his employees. This stoked the anger within her as she threw the book she wanted to offer to him. Time went on. One night, Shiono went to Eto's apartment to check on her. He found out that the door was left unlocked.

"Did she left it unlocked? Doesn't she know how any crazy fans she has out there?"

He sees Eto asleep on her keyboard. He then gently places a blanket on her and decides to prepare breakfast for her. As he opened the refrigerator, he sees it stocked with Tupperware.

"Hm...leftovers? And she numbers them...well, she's organized on this front."

When he opened them, Shiono was thrown for a horrifying loop when he discovered that there was an eviscerated jaw within one of the Tupperware containers.

"Mr. Shiono?"

end

She muttered to herself,

"13 years...Aogiri, Takatsuki...I've lived for this long...time really does fly."

When everyone was present, Tatara tells her,

"Eto, it's time."

"Very well. No time like the present, I guess."

Eto stood in front of her army and addressed them.

"Many of already know this. This part is for those who've failed to realize the bigger picture. Before I can get to that, I have to make an important announcement. Raise your hand if you want to know the true face of the Owl."

A few Aogiri ghouls raised their hands. Eto then pointed at herself with both her index fingers.

"You're looking at her. I'm also Sen Takatsuki."

Many Aogiri ghouls responded to the such a discovery with total surprise.

"13 years ago, I formed a group that was the precursor to Aogiri to fight against the GCB. The losses outweighed the victories, mostly to my overconfidence. That was when I made a decision to grow the organization that became to what is now called Aogiri Tree. We used to not just number in the thousands, but we also had branches across the world."

The Aogiri ghouls cheered when Eto mentioned how their struggled was more than noticed by ghouls in different countries. At the other end of the dome, while he listened, Deathlok caught a scent of something familiar to him.

"Hachikawa..."

"However...we are nowhere near to our goals. We exist to make the world better for ghouls. One where we can live freely. Our enemies are the not just the doves...and no, I am talking about not just the X-Men or the World Security Council. It is the distortion that lurks behind all of them. An ally of mine once said that this world is a warped bird cage. A description I quite agree with. I seek the destruction of this birdcage, and I want all of you to be the foundation of the new world that will come to be after the birdcage is destroyed."

The ghouls talked among themselves as to what Eto just said to them for a while before Eto moved on with her speech.

"What made the GCB exist in the first place was a research institute founded in Japan. Only when a one-eyed ghoul appeared did the humans reform a research group into an arm of public defense against the supernatural. Not long afterwards, in the west, when the humans discovered the emergence of the mutant did they create an organization that was the precursor...to Weapon X. It was called...Weapon Plus, the organization that gave us...Captain America."

Many of the ghouls gasped at this fact. Although Miza asked Ayase,

"What the hell is she talking about?"

"Let's stick with it."

Eto then finished with,

"I tell this because we are on the cusp of the same kind of discovery. A discovery that will shake the foundations of the world. And I want Aogiri to exist long enough to take such a discovery and have it serve as the spearhead of our victory. That discovery is the emergence...of the One-Eyed King. Many of you wish the Owl to be such a king. Unfortunately, I am not such a candidate. The one who is...will be your new leader. This is my last order. Survive. Do what you must...to make the world free for ghouls. Right now, the Doves have already sent some of their own to find us. Isn't that right, Deathlok?"

The Aogiri ghouls all turned to Deathlok, which alerted Mutsuki.

"They know we're here!"

"Move your asses!"

Exclaimed Hachikawa. The squad managed to get a head stary, but Ayumu lagged behind. She looked behind her to see a massive crowd of ghouls running out of the partially destroyed dome, which prompted her to run faster. Back at the dome, Eto spoke with Tatara.

"So this is the end?"

"I'm afraid so...for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"I have no regrets. What about you?"

"I'd like to believe I got all that I could get...but then I'd be lying to myself."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I got my payback with my old man. All that's left...is to prepare the king for his role."

"Very well..."

As Eto walked out of the dome, Tatara then tells her,

"If I was your old man...I'd be proud of you, regardless of how it all turned out."

"If you were my old man...I'd kill you where you stand."

Back outside, the Aogiri ghouls slowly caught up to Hachikawa squad. Hachikawa looked behind him to see one of the ghouls chasing them jumping into the air and diving towards Ayumu.

"AYUMU, ABOVE YOU!"

Ayumu dodged in time. It turned out that it was not a ghoul, but Deathlok. Hachikawa recognized him and speaks to him.

"Takizawa...or rather, you like to be called...Deathlok. I'm sue Houji would cry tears of joy to see you like this."

Deathlok gave a menacing grin as he replied,

"Don't push your luck, you second-rate Investigator. I'm way beyond your bullshit. Now I just want to live my life anyway I wish."

"You deranged son of a-"

Just now, one ghoul got the jump on Hachikawa as he landed behind the Investigator and bit his nose off. Although he lived, Hachikawa felt like he was caught with his pants down.

"God damn it!"

Mutsuki recognized who that ghoul was. While Hachikawa summoned Quinque to use against the ghoul who just attacked him.

"My nose is nobody's snack!"

Hachikawa went for the ghoul that attack him, but Deathlok got in the middle of it.

"Stay the hell out of it!"

"Personally..."

Deathlok used the minigun in his arm to shoot at Hachikawa. Both shot at each other with their respective firearms. Unfortunately for Hachikawa, the ammo of Deathlok's weapon proved themselves to be more powerful than the ammo of his quinque, killing Hachikawa where he stood.

"Noses are overrated."

With Hachikawa dead, Mutsuki ordered the rest of the squad,

"Head for the boat! Alert headquarters!"

The squad did what Mutsuki ordered. However, once again, Ayumu lagged behind. The ghoul that targeted Hachikawa not targeted Ayumu. The ghoul fired kagune projectiles, but Mutsuki acted in time as they summoned their kagune to block the enemy projectiles aimed at Ayumu.

"Ayumu, with me!"

Mutsuki located a nearby cliff and jumped off it. As they attempted to locate where the two could possibly be, the ghoul that attacked Hachikawa previously asked Deathlok,

"Eat Hachikawa?"

"Go for it."

When they felt they were far enough from their enemies, Mutsuki dived upwards to discover a cave. When they entered, Mutsuki located a small shore, enough to deliver any first-aid to Ayumu.

"You alright?"

"They didn't hit me. I just feel bad that I slowed down my comrades."

"Well, in the X-Force, I had a comrade who believed that skipping leg day is a crime on par with murder."

"That's a little extreme..."

"Well, it's how I stayed alive."

"Good point."

"Anyhow, the rest of the squad have already escaped the island. All we have to do is wait until rescue will arrive."

Ayumu only nodded to what Mutsuki just said before they continued with,

"Hachikawa fought bravely."

Ayumu nodded in agreement before talking with Mutsuki.

"Way before I joined...a squad was assigned to eradicate the Black Dobers when they took a hostage. Almost all of them died. Hachi was the only survivor..."

Ayumu started to cry for her fallen boss.

"He was mean almost all the time, foul-mouthed, and barely anybody liked him...but I still couldn't hate the way everyone around him did."

flashback

Ayumu stood in front of her new boss. Fresh from the academy. Hachikawa asked her,

"Question: you too poor to get a haircut?"

"N-No, sir. I let my hair grow long...to hide my freckles."

"Seriously? That's the reason?!"

Ayumu felt that Hachikawa was insulting her before seeing him revealing his face to her.

"Take a good look at this face. Do you see anyone wanting to be around some like me?! I'd rather take one covered in shit than this one."

Despite the crass way he put it, Ayumu felt less awkward about her freckles.

end

"I know he was crass...but that made me loyal to him. Even now, that one memory outweighs all the bad..."

How Ayumu thought of Hachikawa made Mutsuki think of Kaneki. Before the raid on Yashida tower.

"Sensei..."

All of a sudden, Ayumu's hair was pulled by a ghoul most disgustingly familiar to Mutsuki.

"Hi, Toru."

Torso then slammed Ayumu's head to a nearby wall before throwing her into the water.

"Investigator Hogi!"

Torso then grabbed Mutsuki by the throat and slammed her to a nearby wall as well.

"Toru...you came to see me...I'm really touched..."

xxxxxx

In a dimly-lit location, Both Arima and Furuta met with an individual wearing a long coat and black fedora.

"I hear you have a lead on the One-Eyed Owl?"

Arima explained,

"One of the Special Investigators is currently underway in determining its identity."

"I can testify to that. I'm part of the squad taking on the investigation."

"And both of you are sure that Takatsuki is the Owl in question?"

"Considering that Investigator Ui managed to see what the Owl looked like without her kagune during the Yashida Tower Raid, all signs point to that conclusion."

The black fedora chastised Furuta for speaking up.

"Nimura...I thought the garden taught you better manners."

"Not sure. Did they teach you?"

"Shut up..."

The room then fully lit up, revealing a giant sized V on the floor.

"It is imperative that the Owl is locked with her cage. The fact that she is Kuzen's daughter makes her dangerous enough."

"Yes sir."

Replied Arima.

"Nimura...keep up the investigation. Get her behind bars as soon as possible."

"Yes sir."

"Kisho...how is Ken Kaneki?"

"Still comatose."

"Well, that's one situation that still under control. Considering Yashida' actions."

"If I may...?"

Asked Arima. The black fedora nodded yes to him.

"Respectfully, I warned that Ichiro Yashida wanted to perform the same kind of project that our formal rivals, Weapon X, wanted to perform on him."

The black fedora sighed in exasperation before telling him,

"Yes Kisho. As I told you before, you get to lord that over us for the foreseeable future. But don't push your luck!"

Arima hid his disdain for the black fedora as he replied,

"Yes sir."

"As long as Ken Kaneki remains sleeping, Vasuki's plans is still in motion. What is left...is to eliminating any remaining opposition laws of the humans cannot touch. That is why...you, Kisho, will eliminate them. You'll be given the assignment in the near future."

"Yes sir."

xxxxxx

(The next day)

Deadpool went to the hospital where Kaneki currently laid comatose. He checked in when he entered the hospital.

"Mr. Deadpool. Here for him?"

"Pretty much."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate how much you've visited him all this time."

"I know he does."

As Deadpool stepped inside the elevator, he got out his smartphone.

"Delta?"

"Everything is all set. No one will know you entered."

"Set the food delivery drone?"

"On standby on the roof."

"Great."

Deadpool arrived at the floor Kaneki was on, went towards his room. When he entered, he knocked. Kaneki laid on his bed.

"Delta's got everything covered."

Kaneki then opened his eyes and replied,

"Alright then."

Hide took off his mask as gave a big grin. He then opened a window to allow a drone to enter inside to deliver the food. Kaneki's private room was a luxurious one. It came with a minifridge, a kitchenette, and a coffee machine. Such questions as to why a comatose patient would need such luxuries, but both Deadpool and Yukio spoke with select members of the hospital staff to keep this arrangement a secret.

"Here. To keep you from starving."

"Appreciate it."

The drone brought a week's worth of microwavable meals, ramen packs, and condiment packets. Hide rechecked the mini-fridge to see it partially full of water bottles.

"Good to know you're keeping yourself hydrated."

"Well, it's hard to get up to take a piss when you're supposed to fake a coma."

Hide laughed a little before replying,

"Can't imagine how much that sucks."

"Yeah well...my complaints are small compared to what you did for me."

"I remember..."

flashback

(A/N: Read Deadpool: Gaiden first before continuing)

"What did you mean?"

"There's a lot more going on than just your great-grandfather ripping off a horror movie. Kaneki...you need to lay low for a while."

Just now, Shuu asked,

"Excuse me?"

"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you. Nishio and Touka are waiting for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They'll take you and your people here to safety in the 24th ward."

Shuu and the rest of the Rose ghouls were shocked to hear that such preparations were made on their behalf. Just in time for Karren to become weak where she stood. As did Milo and Matsumae. Shuu became shocked when he saw this.

"Forgive us, master Shuu."

Said Milo with Matsumae continuing with,

"What kept us up was adrenaline. The injuries we've sustained are catching up to us."

SNIKT!

Kaneki took out one claw and sliced a large piece of his arm and cuts it in four pieces to give to the ghouls.

"Here. You'll get back your strength back fast with this."

Shuu grabbed the flash and gave it to them before keeping one for himself. Kaneki asked,

"Tsukiyama?"

"I'm taking one as well. At least, to inspire confidence."

Shuu gave each of his people one piece of Kaneki's flesh before eating the piece himself. Although they were surprised to see their master eating mutant flesh, they took his lead and ate the flesh themselves. After a moment, their strength return to them.

"Amazing..."

Remarked Milo, with Matsumae following with,

"Agreed. We are grateful for you...Kuzuri."

Kaneki smiled a little before telling Shuu,

"When you get to Touka, tell her that you ate my flesh. She'll know what to do afterwards."

"Right...will we see you again?"

"...Yeah. But there are some things I have to do first."

Shuu understood what he meant and told his ghouls,

"Let's flee before the doves find us."

"Allow me..."

Said Yukio as she walked toward another hidden elevator.

"This will take you to the hidden rear entrance of the tower."

"Both Touka and Nishio are waiting for you guys there. Now get moving."

Shuu and his ghouls did what Hide said. When they were gone, Kaneki then asked,

"Now can you explain why I have to lay low?"

"...it's because of Vasuki."

"Vasuki?"

Yukio had a look on her face that gave away how much she knew about them. Much to Kaneki's notice.

"Yukio?"

She hesitated at first before realizing she began to act on habit.

"Apologies, Ken. Allow me to explain myself."

"...alright then."

Yukio took a deep breath before explaining who Vasuki are, as told to her by Madame Hydra.

"Vasuki...is the ghoul wing...of HYDRA."

Kaneki's eyes widened when Yukio said the word HYDRA.

"Great-Grandfather worked with HYDRA?"

"Not exactly. When HYDRA was active, one of their allies here in Japan was the Washuu clan. The Washuu clan hidden away money from the government during the second World War. When it ended, Ichiro went to the Washuu clan for the fund to create his company in return for the Washuu clan to use the black clan for whatever favors they wanted them to do."

"That is...exactly what I was going to say. Why do you know that exactly?"

"It is what Madame Hydra told me before Harada killed her."

"Madame Hydra?"

"Ichiro's personal doctor. I don't know exactly how she knew that, but nevertheless she told us me and Harada this out of arrogance. She also mentioned that Ken has the potential to change the landscape between the species."

Hide and Kaneki looked at each other before deciding to tell her,

"It's because Kaneki's flesh can get ghouls to eat actual food instead of human flesh."

This discovery made Yukio's mouth drop.

"You're shitting me..."

"Does it look we're shitting you?"

Asked Hide. Yukio looked at Kaneki, only for him to nod in confirmation.

"My god...he was right."

"That's why we need this guy to stay low..."

"I'm afraid I must agree with Mr. Nagachika."

Said Delta as he appeared on Hide's smartphone.

"Whoa. Didn't know my phone plan came with a Jarvis clone."

"I am significantly more advanced than that."

"Delta..."

Delta then appeared on Yukio's phone when she called for him.

"Status."

"All ghouls have fled from the tower. All that is left are GCB Investigators rounding up the dead. Right now, Kisho Arima is currently locating Ken Kaneki."

"Then we don't have a lot of time. Kaneki, you have to hide. We can make something up-"

"No."

"Ken, if Vasuki is after you, then we have to get you to a safe place."

"I know of a safe place...a hospital. One owned by Yashida Industries."

"Why, exactly?"

"Even though Ken possesses a healing factor, we can create a false diagnosis that the attempted mind transfer took a toll on his mental state, leaving him in a coma."

Said Delta as he pieced together Ken's plan in an instant.

"Precisely, Delta. Vasuki will have me right where they want me, but in a place where "Ichiro" wanted me out of their reach..."

"By request of Tomoko Yashida."

Said Yukio, contributing to the coma plan. Hide took a moment before making a contribution of his own.

"We'll gonna have to make sure that the hospital room you're in is built like an apartment room. We'll have to sneak everything you'll need to keep up the act."

"There is a hospital I know from the records."

Kaneki then says,

"We'll have to falsify some of Ichiro's records to sell this, but yeah...that's the plan."

end

As Ken ate the microwaved food, Hide tells him,

"Kaneki..."

"What is it?"

"Aogiri Tree is gonna be destroyed in the near future."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. From what I've heard, they're located on Rushima island."

"Rushima...I think that used to be one of the old fortresses used by the Imperial Army during the second World War."

"That's right. Intel stated that they also got some heavy weapons on there as well. Arsenal created from reverse-engineered Shi'ar tech. In short, that island is gonna be a warzone again."

"And the team will be there as well?"

"With one exception..."

Kaneki stopped eating in time when Hide gave him some worrying news.

"Mutsuki got captured by the enemy."

Kaneki became depressed when he heard the news.

"Oh no..."

"I know you're worried for them. You looked out for them, cared for them the best way you knew how...I'm sure the rest of the team will get them back. But listen...a majority of the Bureau is gonna be on Rushima. We won't have a better opportunity than this. Say the word, I can tell everyone involved in the breakout. We can get Hinami out."

Kaneki was in thought before giving his answer.

"Alright. Soon as almost all of the Bureau is on Rushima, we'll bust Hinami out."

"Barring any surprises, it should be smooth sailing from here."

"When is the raid on Rushima?"

"Three nights from now."

Just now, Delta gave an alert to Hide.

"Urie and Saiko have arrived to visit Kaneki within three to five minutes."

"Oh shit. Get back!"

Kaneki instantly laid on his bed and pretended to be comatose while Hide places his mask back on before picking up the trash and placing it inside the bathroom as a last-ditch effort. Kaneki comments on this.

"The bathroom? Seriously?!"

"Hey! You're supposed to be in a coma!"

When the door opened, Kaneki instantly closed his eyes. Just in time for both Urie and Saiko to enter the room.

"Deadpool?"

"Hey, Urie. Here to see the former bossman?"

"…Pretty much. Saiko's here."

Saiko approached the bed to look at Kaneki. She sees his head turned sideways, something Deadpool became nervous about but his mask hid how much he panicked right now. Thankfully, Saiko did not say anything. Rather, she just turned his head upright and spoke to him.

"Hi, maman. We're back. I know you're doing fine. We're doing fine as well."

"It's true. Saiko's been pretty reliable on the field lately."

Said Deadpool, to which Saiko added,

"Yeah. I had to because we got those new guys on our team. They're really good at fighting ghouls. And they're nice to be around. I think you'll like them when you wake up."

Urie smiled a little when Saiko spoke with Kaneki about the team. Almost like how it used to be.

"I know she's holding on…acting like when Kaneki wakes up, it'll be like old times…"

Urie remembered Shirazu. How he lived…and how he died.

"Not to mention…"

Urie then asked,

"Saiko?"

"Ok. Urie wants to talk to you."

Saiko stepped aside to let Urie talk to Kaneki.

"Hey…I'd ask how you were doing, but we all know that…Like Saiko said, the team has new members. Both Saiko and even Deadpool have done their best to keep everything as smooth as when you were in charge. We're fine…but I have to tell you…

Urie almost hesitated to tell him, fearing that the shock of the news would wake Kaneki up.

"Mutsuki has been captured by Aogiri. They were with Hachikawa squad performing a reconnaissance mission before the enemy detected them. Both they and Investigator Hogi were left behind for the rest of Hachikawa squad to escape. I intend to rescue Mutsuki when the X-Force ill be taking part in the Rushima offensive. We'll get them back, Kaneki. That's a promise."

"Most of the X-Force."

Both Urie and Saiko looked at Deadpool, wondering what he meant.

"Me and Yukio got the order. We're guarding Cochlea during the offensive."

Surprised by this, Urie asked,

"Who issued the order?"

"Arima. He gave the order based on the last time the Bureau launched a major operation against them."

"Right…I read the report by Investigator Madou."

"What happened last time?"

"The Bureau dedicated most of its forces taking back the 11th ward, but some of Aogiri forces infiltrated Cochlea to retrieve more ghouls for their cause. This was stopped because of the X-Men arriving sometime after the incident in Tohoku."

"Oh yeah. I remember that because the U-Men were involved."

"Precisely. Investigator Madou was present during a sting operation to prevent more weapons being sold to Aogiri. From what she told me, it felt unusual to use her quinque against something that wasn't a ghoul."

Saiko felt amazed at how the whole must've been like.

"That must've been awesome to be part of. Real superhero stuff."

"Don't forget. You're part of that "superhero stuff" as well."

Saiko smiled when Urie repeated what she just said.

"Yeah. We're gonna get Mutsuki back. Then, when you wake up, we'll be a team again…"

Saiko then remembered Shirazu. She kept herself back from crying for him while finishing with,

"Even though not all of us are back…it'll be like old times. I know it."

Urie then checked the time before telling Saiko,

"We need to get going. We need to train for the operation. Then tomorrow we have a meeting for the plan of attack on Rushima."

"Okay. We'll see you when we get Mutsuki back, maman."

Saiko hugged Kaneki before exiting the room. Urie then tells him,

"We'll be back…with Mutsuki. Hell, for all we know, you'll wake up by the time we're back. See you then."

Before he exited, Urie tells Deadpool,

"Deadpool…thanks for…well, everything you're doing right now."

"Nothing to it, man."

"I mean it. I'm…being honest when I say…I appreciate what you do for the team."

"Like I said…nothing to it."

"Good luck in Cochlea."

As Urie left the room, Kaneki opened his eyes.

"Still as I remember them…"

"Yeah…"

Hide removed his mask before finishing with,

"I really hate to break their hearts like this…but you know what we have to do…"

"I know…"

Kaneki felt a measure of guilt for what he will take part of in the days to come. However, he knew the people he was doing this for. The family he was doing this for.

xxxxxx

(The next day)

As Urie walked alongside Arima for the meeting, he tell Urie,

"Urie, how is the team?"

"Same as usual. Ready for the offensive."

"Good to know."

"I was hoping for Deadpool and Yukio to join us, but orders are orders."

"Orders?"

"Deadpool told me that you ordered him and Yukio to guard Cochlea in case Aogiri would try to do what did during the 11th ward operation."

Arima paused for a moment before replying,

"Of course. Must've slipped my mind. Apologies."

"No need to…sir."

And this is where we stop for now. Before we end the chapter, a little announcement. I will be starting a new fan-fic. It is another crossover. One I've wanting to start for quite some time, and now will take the opportunity for. It is the Oshi no Ko/ John Wick X-fan-fic I've been wanting to write. The reason why is due to the manga's ending. I'll express my feeling on the matter on the first chapter. Which will be a short prologue chapter. I'll be juggling this fan-fic and the other one. I know I said this one will be my last one…but I said it from a place of hopelessness. But now I have a little bit more. Enough to start a new one. Something to look forward to. Until then, be safe out there and stay tuned. Goodbye for now.