Inside the Central City of the 24th District.
Shuuzou Suzuya stood in front of Maniwa Haruo, whose arm hung limply, heavily injured.
Not far from them, Ye Lu, Duduo Liang, and Kirishima Ayato glared menacingly.
"What exactly is Arima doing, abandoning the enemy during battle ?"
Maniwa Haruo glanced at the enemies before them, feeling a tinge of despair. If it weren’t for Shuuzou Suzuya’s enhanced combat abilities after equipping ’Xing’, they both would have perished.
"Although I’m not sure what’s happened, you two are definitely going to die."
Duduo Liang looked at the two coldly, murderous intent boiling in his eyes.
"Finish them quickly; I can’t hold on much longer."
Kirishima Ayato crouched on the ground, occasionally spitting large mouthfuls of blood. Despite having only exchanged blows with Arima Kishou for a short time, he was nearly killed.
"Ye Lu, surround them." Updates are released by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
Just as Duduo Liang was about to kill the two and move to support Takatsuki Sen, three people emerged from the city entrance.
"This is impossible."
Duduo Liang looked in disbelief at one of the bound figures among the three.
Su Xiao and Arima Kishou were escorting Takatsuki Sen out of the passage.
Sparing no words, Ye Lu unexpectedly spoke up, ignoring Su Xiao and Arima Kishou entirely, charging straight ahead. It seemed Ye Lu was very concerned about Takatsuki Sen, having watched her grow up.
Su Xiao stood in front of Takatsuki Sen with Dragon Slash in hand.
"Get any closer, and I’ll cut off your head."
He wasn’t joking. If Ye Lu dared to attack, he wouldn’t hold back.
Takatsuki Sen, already bound, was startled, watching Su Xiao’s back with mixed feelings about their supposed cooperation.
"Have your men retreat, or Bai Ye will really kill."
Arima Kishou whispered softly in Takatsuki Sen’s ear.
Takatsuki Sen was speechless but also found her impression of Su Xiao refreshed. This guy isn’t just outwardly murderous.
"Ye Lu, Duduo Liang, Ayato, the three of you retreat first. Go find Yizang and have him figure out a way to rescue me."
Ye Lu halted his forward charge, confused as he looked at Takatsuki Sen, having no idea who Yizang was.
Duduo Liang also didn’t know anyone named Yizang, his mind racing with thoughts.
As Bronze Tree’s strategist, Duduo Liang vaguely sensed a possibility.
"Ye Lu, let’s retreat and find Yizang."
Ye Lu still didn’t understand what was going on.
"Leave quickly, Ye Lu. You want to die in vain?"
Takatsuki Sen shouted and subtly signaled to Ye Lu.
Even if Ye Lu were a fool, he realized something was off. Using Heko, he picked up Kirishima Ayato, and along with Duduo Liang, retreated deeper into the Central City.
Kirishima Ayato, being picked up, looked bewildered, completely unaware of the situation.
"Duduo Liang, who is this woman?"
Kirishima Ayato looked at Takatsuki Sen in confusion.
"She is our leader; I’ll explain later."
Soon, the three disappeared into the depths of the Central City, which was actually Bronze Tree’s stronghold, familiar terrain for the trio.
With the enemy retreating, Maniwa Haruo breathed a sigh of relief.
"Special Agent Bai Ye, who is this woman? She seems to hold a high position in Bronze Tree."
Su Xiao didn’t answer Maniwa Haruo; it was a somewhat troublesome matter.
Takatsuki Sen’s father killed Maniwa Haruo’s mother. However, within the CCG, only a few people knew ’The Owl that Does not Kill’ and the ’One-eyed Owl’ were two different Ghouls; most believed there was only one Owl.
The Owl that Does not Kill was the manager, and the One-eyed Owl was the manager’s daughter, Takatsuki Sen.
The one who killed Maniwa Haruo’s mother was the manager. But if it were revealed that Takatsuki Sen was the Owl, Maniwa Haruo would stop at nothing to try to kill Takatsuki Sen.
"This woman is the leader of Bronze Tree."
Arima Kishou casually replied, knowing that the truth would eventually come out. Maniwa Haruo would sooner or later sense the reality, as Duduo Liang and others had already clearly hinted at it, which Maniwa Haruo vaguely guessed.
"Leader of Bronze Tree?"
Maniwa Haruo stared blankly at Takatsuki Sen.
"That means she is the One-eyed Owl!"
Maniwa Haruo ground her teeth, her beautiful face slightly twisted.
"Ah, she is the One-eyed Owl. Bai Ye, she’s your subordinate. You handle this."
Arima Kishou’s expression was indifferent; after causing trouble, he simply passed the problem to Su Xiao.
"I want to kill you!"
Maniwa Haruo cried out, charging toward Takatsuki Sen with Kuingke in hand.
"Hey, hey, is this woman crazy?"
Takatsuki Sen’s upper body was wrapped in iron chains; her wrists were shackled with thick manacles. She could break free of these bindings, but doing so would expose herself.
Su Xiao shouted loudly, watching Maniwa Haruo emotionlessly.
"A living Owl is far more valuable than a dead one."
Hearing Su Xiao’s words, Maniwa Haruo’s hand holding Kuingke trembled.
"She killed my mother; I have to kill her!"
Maniwa Haruo nearly lost her wits.
"You can try. With my interference, see if you can kill her."
Maniwa Haruo’s face was full of pain.
"Will you stop me, Special Agent Bai Ye?"
If Maniwa Haruo stirred up trouble now, Su Xiao wouldn’t show any leniency.
"Damn it! Damn it! Why is this happening?"
Maniwa Haruo threw her Kuingke to the ground, kneeling, her shoulders trembling continuously.
With Su Xiao’s obstruction, she couldn’t succeed, and Su Xiao’s cold gaze made her feel as if she had never known this man.
The conflict within the team was temporarily defused; once back on the surface, Maniwa Haruo would have no chance to meddle.
"Return to the surface, our mission is complete."
The four escorted Takatsuki Sen out of the Central City, with Maniwa Haruo continuously staring at Takatsuki Sen on the journey back to the surface.
Takatsuki Sen remained composed. With Su Xiao and Arima Kishou present, Maniwa Haruo couldn’t harm her.
Even if they weren’t there, Maniwa Haruo had no chance of killing her.
The journey went smoothly as the changes in the 24th District’s passage had ceased. Using a compass to determine direction, they soon left the 24th District.
A broken metal door marked the entrance, and not far beyond, numerous investigators guarded the entrance.
All these investigators were injured, evidently having faced Ghoul attacks.
Marude Itsuki saw Su Xiao and the others and stepped out from the crowd, quickly approaching Su Xiao.
"Where is Black Basalt Special? Did you get separated from him?"
Su Xiao didn’t speak, only patted Marude Itsuki’s shoulder; everything was said without words.
"Is there still a chance to find the... the body?"
Marude Itsuki’s voice trembled; he and Black Basalt were partners for over ten years.
Black Basalt had been consumed by Blood Eye, already digested by now.
Marude Itsuki’s voice was low as he closed his eyes in pain.
"What did he die for?"
Although Black Basalt’s rear guard was ineffective, it couldn’t be denied that he was a brave investigator.
"This thing, give it to Black Basalt Special’s family."
Su Xiao handed over a twisted and deformed Kuingke, something he’d picked up on the way back.
To leave the 24th District, only one correct route existed, so Su Xiao passed the location where they encountered Blood Eye on the return journey.
Marude Itsuki gripped the blood-stained Kuingke tightly and silently walked toward the surface.