The apology of Tsukiyama Mirumo lingered in the quiet interior of Anteiku.
His words were calm.
Measured.
Perfectly sincere.
Yet beneath that humility lay the quiet authority of a man who controlled enormous influence within ghoul society.
He straightened slowly.
His gaze met Ren's without hesitation.
Ren smiled faintly.
Cold.
He understood exactly what Tsukiyama Mirumo was attempting.
By apologizing so formally—especially in a place like Anteiku—Mirumo was invoking the long-standing principle of peaceful coexistence among ghouls that Yoshimura had always upheld.
If Yoshimura had been present—
This matter likely would have ended immediately.
Tsukiyama Shuu would already be free.
"Manager Yoshimura is currently out."
Ren spoke casually.
But his eyes remained sharp.
"We accept your apology."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"So tell me, Mr. Tsukiyama."
"How exactly do you intend to deal with this… problem?"
He nodded toward the unconscious Shuu Tsukiyama lying on the sofa.
Tsukiyama Mirumo's gaze briefly softened when it passed over his son.
The emotion vanished quickly.
"My son has committed a grave mistake."
His voice remained steady.
"And mistakes must be paid for."
"The Tsukiyama family is willing to compensate for all damages."
He raised one gloved hand slightly.
"Medical expenses for Kaneki-kun."
"Compensation for Miss Kirishima."
"Compensation for Mr. Nishio."
"And for any inconvenience caused to this café."
"The specific amount…"
"…is entirely up to you."
He paused.
Then stepped forward.
"There is something else."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"A piece of information."
"One I believe will interest you."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"What kind of information could possibly be worth that much?"
Tsukiyama Mirumo smiled faintly.
"It concerns…"
"…'Arata.'"
The word landed like a stone in still water.
Ren immediately understood.
The reference was obvious.
Kirishima Arata.
The ghoul imprisoned by the Commission of Counter Ghoul.
Touka's father.
The one whose kagune was harvested to produce the Arata-series quinques.
The only thing that puzzled Ren—
Was the timing.
He had mentioned this to Touka only yesterday.
Yet today—
Tsukiyama Mirumo brought it up as bargaining leverage.
Did he somehow overhear the conversation?
Inside his mind—
Carnage answered.
[…No…]
[…He's simply clever…]
Tsukiyama Mirumo continued calmly.
"I know that Miss Kirishima…"
"And her brother…"
"…care deeply about their father's fate."
"The exact location of Arata."
"The guard rotations."
"The internal security routes."
"And the methods needed to approach his holding area…"
"…without attracting attention."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Such information is not easily obtained."
"But I believe…"
"…its value should be sufficient to reach a mutually acceptable solution."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
Even the Tsukiyama family—
Shouldn't possess such classified intelligence.
"Where did you get it?"
His voice turned sharp.
"…Washuu?"
For the first time—
Mirumo's smile faltered.
Only slightly.
A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
Then it vanished.
"It seems you know more than expected."
He inclined his head.
"Yes."
"The Washuu family."
The hidden rulers behind the CCG.
Even within Cochlea, information of this level was extremely restricted.
Mirumo continued speaking calmly.
"The reliability of the information…"
"…depends on how this situation is resolved."
He gestured subtly toward his son.
"And how appropriately my son is treated."
His gaze remained gentle.
But the meaning was unmistakable.
"A wise person understands."
"Having one more ally—"
"Especially one with resources like the Tsukiyama family—"
"Is far preferable to creating another enemy."
Ren's voice dropped suddenly.
Cold.
"Are you threatening me?"
The temperature in the room seemed to fall instantly.
"If I wanted…"
"You would not leave this café today."
He stepped closer.
"To be honest…"
"I already know Arata is in Cochlea."
"And if I wished—"
"I could simply destroy the entire prison."
"Kill every investigator in my way."
"And search every cell."
Tsukiyama Mirumo nodded calmly.
"I believe you could."
"The power of a kakuja-class entity is terrifying."
Then his tone shifted.
"But without precise coordinates…"
"Without knowing which containment sector…"
"Without knowing whether he is in a restricted isolation ward…"
"How will you find him before the CCG relocates him?"
He paused.
"If a rescue attempt fails once…"
"Finding him again will become nearly impossible."
The room fell silent again.
Kaneki watched nervously.
Touka's breathing grew shallow.
Even the pain in her waist seemed forgotten.
Ren remained quiet.
Inside his pocket—
His fingers tapped slowly.
He knew Arata was in Cochlea because of knowledge from his previous life.
But if the CCG moved him—
That knowledge would become useless.
Finding one ghoul in a prison filled with hundreds—
Would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Tsukiyama Mirumo waited patiently.
Certain of his advantage.
Inside Ren's mind—
Carnage growled impatiently.
[…Just tear him apart…]
Ren finally spoke.
"Mr. Tsukiyama."
His voice broke the silence.
"I must admit."
"You are…"
"…a very interesting businessman."
He stepped forward.
Meeting Mirumo's eyes directly.
"This deal…"
He paused.
"…we can discuss it."
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