"Mr. Tatara!" Kirishima Ayato called out in shock.
Tatara did not respond. Beneath his mask, his gaze remained fixed on Sol Mirek.
"No matter who you are, you will pay for tonight."
Sol smiled faintly, clearly amused.
"Finally, someone worth my time."
He raised his hand, letting rainwater gather into his palm before it dispersed again.
"Show me what Aogiri Tree's second-in-command can do."
The fight resumed instantly.
Even against Tatara, the outcome did not change.
Sol moved with effortless precision, brushing aside each attack as if humoring a child. Every exchange left Tatara in worse condition, his movements slowing, his strength failing to match Sol's pace.
The rain began to fade. The sounds of battle gradually died out.
Sol stood among the fallen, his scarlet eyes sharp against the dim light before sunrise.
"That's enough for today."
He turned, preparing to leave.
"Wait." Yoshimura forced himself upright, clutching his abdomen. "Who are you?"
Sol paused and glanced back at him.
"Just a passerby."
His figure slowly faded into the morning mist, his voice lingering behind.
"Get stronger. Next time, try to last a bit longer."
Silence followed.
The battlefield was left in ruins. Ghouls and investigators lay scattered, groaning in pain.
Yoshimura steadied himself, looking around. The Anteiku staff helped one another up. Kirishima Touka had already retracted her Kagune, though her face remained pale.
"Manager…" Kaneki Ken's voice shook slightly. "Will he come back?"
Yoshimura took a moment before answering.
"I don't know. But we need to be ready."
Nearby, a Special Class investigator directed rescue efforts. He glanced toward where Sol had vanished, his expression complicated.
This man was neither ghoul nor investigator, yet his strength had overwhelmed them all.
"Report this to headquarters immediately," he told his assistant quietly. "Ward 20 needs to be reassessed."
Three days later, inside the CCG headquarters conference room.
"Based on eyewitness reports, this individual, Sol, demonstrated combat ability far beyond an SSS-rated ghoul," Marude Itsuki said, pointing to a blurred image on the screen. "More importantly, he shows no alignment with either side."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi sat at the head of the table, tapping his fingers lightly.
"What is his objective?"
"Still unclear," Marude replied. "But his actions suggest he is testing the strength of different factions."
"Ridiculous," Arima Kishou said coldly. "You expect us to believe someone would challenge an entire ward just for that?"
Before anyone could respond, Washuu Tsuneyoshi stood.
"Regardless of his motives, he must be located. If he cannot be brought under control…"
He did not finish, but the meaning was obvious.
The conference room door burst open.
"Report! The target has appeared at Central Plaza in Ward 1!"
The room erupted.
Marude stood immediately. "What is he doing?"
"Nothing yet," the investigator replied, catching his breath. "He's just standing there, but a crowd is forming."
Arima reached for his Quinque.
"I'll go."
"Wait." Washuu Tsuneyoshi raised his hand. "Send a negotiator first."
Central Plaza, Ward 1.
Bright sunlight reflected off the fountain as Sol stood nearby, his black coat shifting gently in the breeze. His attention lingered on the growing crowd, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
A man in a suit approached carefully.
"Sir, please remain cooperative. I represent the government and would like to speak with you."
Sol turned toward him.
"About what?"
The man kept his distance.
"We've observed your abilities. The government is interested in working with you."
Sol gave a quiet laugh.
"Working with me? What does that involve?"
"We can provide generous compensation," the envoy said cautiously. "In return, you would serve under government direction."
Sol glanced around the plaza.
Plainclothes officers had already surrounded the area. Snipers waited in the distance.
"That all?"
He looked back at the envoy.
"No extra conditions?"
The man hesitated.
"You would need to follow certain regulations."
Sol raised an eyebrow.
"Like not hitting people whenever I feel like it?"
"…Yes."
Sol let out a short laugh.
"Tell your boss I'm not interested."
The envoy's expression tightened.
"Please reconsider…"
Before he could continue, Sol vanished.
The plaza descended into chaos as alarms began to sound.
Back at CCG headquarters, inside the monitoring room.
"Gone?" Marude stared at the screen. "How?"
Technicians worked frantically.
"No camera captured his movement."
Arima gave a quiet scoff.
"Not surprising."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's expression darkened.
"Issue a Level 1 alert. Increase patrols across all wards."
Sunlight streamed through the glass walls of the building, casting a warm glow that failed to ease the tension in the room.
The frozen image of Sol's back remained on the screen.
"Issue a Special Class warrant," Washuu Tsuneyoshi ordered. "All Special Class investigators are to return immediately. Form a dedicated task force."
Marude adjusted his glasses.
"We still don't know if he's a ghoul."
"Does that matter?" Arima's Quinque case clicked softly. "That kind of monster doesn't fit any category."
He stepped forward slightly.
"If necessary, I will handle him."
Silence filled the room before several investigators nodded in agreement.
Marude broke it first.
"If even Special Class Arima is willing to act personally, then this situation has already exceeded standard classification."
The others exchanged looks.
Iwao Kuroiwa spoke in a low voice.
"In twenty years, Arima has never misjudged a threat. At nineteen, he drove back the One-Eyed Owl alone. He remains the CCG's strongest asset."
His hand rested on his Quinque case.
"If he considers this target serious, then we should prepare for the worst."
No one argued.