20th Ward — Street near Anteiku
Standing atop a military command vehicle, Yoshitoki Washuu gazed calmly toward the darkened street.
Cold wind whipped against his white coat.
Ahead of him—
Rows of armed personnel from the Commission of Counter Ghoul stood in tight formation.
Their weapons were ready.
Quinques glinted under the searchlights.
Above the district—
Helicopters circled slowly.
Their engines roared across the silent sky.
Behind Washuu stood six Special Class Investigators.
Each checked their equipment quietly.
Occasionally exchanging brief words.
"Status report."
Washuu spoke without turning.
His adjutant immediately responded.
"Sir, all units are ready."
"Ward 20 has been designated a special security zone."
"From this moment onward…"
"No civilians are permitted to enter or leave."
"Good."
Washuu nodded slightly.
His gaze fixed on the distant café.
After a brief pause—
He slowly raised his left arm.
"Owl Suppression Operation."
His voice was calm.
Yet every soldier heard it clearly.
"Commence."
With that single command—
The formation surged forward.
Like a steel tide sweeping through the silent street.
Near the Front Lines
Not far away—
Juuzou Suzuya noticed something strange.
"Uncle Shinohara."
He tilted his head curiously.
"You still look worried."
"Is it because of Massacre and the Corpse Collector?"
Beside him—
Yukinori Shinohara shook his head slowly.
"No."
"I'm not worried about the Corpse Collector."
"I captured him with Kureo Mado myself."
"I know his limits."
His expression darkened.
"What truly concerns me…"
"…is Massacre."
"I've never encountered a ghoul like that."
"His strength might even surpass the Owl."
The wind carried his words away.
"This is Squad A1 reporting."
"We've reached the target café."
"The area appears—"
Suddenly—
The stairwell lights turned on.
Harsh orange light burst into the darkness.
"Everyone on alert!"
The squad leader shouted.
Footsteps echoed from above.
Slow.
Measured.
Two figures descended the stairs.
One wore a yellow ape mask.
The other—
A black dog mask.
Koma Enji.
And Irimi Kaya.
"Welcome."
Their tone was almost polite.
As if greeting customers.
Before the soldiers could react—
Both figures vanished.
Blurs of motion tore through the formation.
Bodies fell instantly.
Weapons clattered onto the pavement.
Gunfire erupted.
But the flames and bullets struck only empty air.
"Don't panic!"
The squad leader shouted.
"There are only two ghouls!"
"Open fire!"
"Too slow."
Koma laughed mockingly.
Both ghouls leapt onto a nearby rooftop.
Bullets struck the walls below them.
Sending sparks everywhere.
Snap.
Koma snapped his fingers.
The sound echoed sharply through the street.
"Unfortunately…"
"Demon Ape and Black Dog were never alone."
Suddenly—
Footsteps erupted across the rooftops.
Behind them—
Dozens of masked figures appeared.
Members of the former Demon Ape and Black Dog organizations.
"What?!"
A soldier shouted in disbelief.
"That's Demon Ape…!"
"And Black Dog…!"
"Our intel said they were enemies!"
"How are they cooperating?!"
Irimi's voice sounded quietly beneath her mask.
"CCG intelligence is outdated."
Years ago—
The two gangs fought over territory.
But long ago—
They had abandoned that life.
Under Yoshimura's influence—
They joined Anteiku.
The CCG only knew they disappeared.
Never why.
Koma turned to his comrades.
A wide grin hidden behind his mask.
"Alright, boys."
"Still remember how to fight?"
"Let's show them."
Irimi spoke softly.
"Everyone…"
"Take their lives."
"Yes!"
Dozens of voices answered.
Then—
The ghouls surged forward.
Like a black tidal wave.
"Report!"
"A1 squad is in serious trouble!"
"The enemy is Demon Ape and Black Dog!"
Washuu considered briefly.
Then issued orders immediately.
"A1 squad—hold position."
"Attempt to scatter the enemy."
"A2 and A3 squads…"
"Attack from the flanks."
"Suppress them."
He turned slightly.
"Command of those squads is transferred to Special Investigator Itsuki Marude."
"Understood."
Marude's eyes locked onto the tactical screen.
"This is Squad 3."
A deep voice came through the radio.
"What is it?"
Marude asked impatiently.
"Leave Black Dog to us."
The speaker removed his mask.
Revealing a scarred face.
Shikorae Hachikawa.
"Fine."
Marude replied.
"Then Demon Ape goes to Tanaka."
"Leave it to me."
A cheerful voice answered.
"Hachikawa."
Marude warned.
"I know you have a grudge against Black Dog."
"Don't lose your head."
"Understood."
The communication ended.
Squad A1 had no chance.
Within minutes—
The unit was almost completely wiped out.
Koma seized the last soldier by the hair.
Lifting him into the air.
The man kicked helplessly.
His quinque already lost.
"Next…"
Koma said coldly.
Suddenly—
A voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Higher Mind!"
Koma's instincts screamed.
He leapt sideways instantly.
A blazing blue beam tore through the air.
The shockwave scorched the street.
Several Demon Ape ghouls were struck directly.
They vanished in blue-white light before they could scream.
Koma turned sharply.
A man stepped out of the smoke.
Holding a strange quinque pistol.
Smoke curled from its muzzle.
A thick mustache.
A smug grin.
Tanaka Maru Nozomi.
"Hey, hey."
He laughed casually.
"That was dangerous."
He exhaled slowly.
Still smiling.
"You should head back up the mountain, Mr. Monkey."
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL for more chapters.