Ghoul: Starting with Sharingan

"..."

Eto's sultry voice sent a shiver down Byakuya's spine.

"Big brother, is it really okay?"

Mayu still asked Byakuya for confirmation.

"Of course, whatever you like is fine."

Uchiha Byakuya nodded.

"Okay!"

Mayu happily entered the clothing store.

Now that she was clean and dressed in her "mom's" beautiful clothes, and out with her "mom and dad", she no longer had to worry about being shooed away by the store staff like before.

Mayu looked fresh and adorable now, so much so that the store clerk, who had seen her a few times before, didn't recognize her at first.

In Byakuya's eyes, although the original "Nutcracker" had left a deep impression on him — her name implying something rather... crushing — it seemed Mayu wouldn't be heading down that path anymore.

After a while, the clerk began to feel that the little girl looked familiar. She finally remembered the little beggar who used to peek into the store from outside.

But even though she recognized her, she didn't say anything.

Though she didn't know how this little girl had suddenly transformed into a "little princess" from a wealthy family, it didn't matter to her. As long as the girl brought in sales, that was enough.

The clerk pretended not to recognize Mayu and greeted the family with a warm smile.

Mayu, still a bit reserved, only picked two sets of clothes she really liked.

"Don't you want to pick a few more?"

Byakuya asked.

Mayu shook her head.

She was already very satisfied and didn't want to ask too much of her parents.

"Alright, then think about if there's anything else you'd like to buy."

Byakuya said.

"Nothing else."

Mayu smiled. "Let's go home."

With that, she took Byakuya and Eto's hands.

...

However, they ended up staying in the mall a little longer.

There were still some daily necessities to buy, including items for Mayu.

They also picked up some toys for her, like a doll.

As they walked, Byakuya and Eto chatted and laughed with Mayu.

It was getting late, and the streets were becoming emptier.

As they passed through a small alley, Mayu didn't notice the danger creeping up behind her, too engrossed in her happy conversation.

In contrast, Byakuya and Eto had long since noticed someone following them.

"Seems like there's something... unclean around."

Eto suddenly remarked in a calm tone.

"Yeah..."

Byakuya responded.

Mayu looked at them with confusion, clearly not understanding what her "parents" were talking about.

Just then, the man who had been tailing them from the shadows stepped out.

He seemed to think they were easy prey, not believing they could escape under his watch.

"Well, well~ Isn't this the adorable Mayu?"

The man, wearing a blood-red mask, immediately targeted Mayu.

Hearing his voice, Mayu turned around sharply.

Seeing the man who had haunted her nightmares, her face turned pale.

She suddenly realized—this was the territory of "Blood Ghost"...

Mayu felt a pang of regret. Why hadn't she noticed something so important?

She had been so caught up in her happiness with her parents that she hadn't realized they were walking into danger.

Now, the family she had just found was about to be destroyed by "Blood Ghost"...

Byakuya and Eto turned to look at the ghoul, their expressions calm.

"I still can't forget the taste of your parents."

"Blood Ghost" sneered at Mayu. "It's been so long since I last saw you. Seems like you've been hanging around with two humans? Impressive, but too bad they're going to die because of you~"

Mayu bit her lower lip so hard it nearly bled.

Her father had been killed by "Blood Ghost," and her mother had been brutally tortured and murdered...

This was why Mayu had become the Nutcracker in the original timeline.

Her desire to earn money and become beautiful was an obsession, but this tragic past was one of the main reasons for her peculiar tendencies.

"Please run."

Mayu resolutely stepped in front of Byakuya and Eto. "He's very strong. Let me hold him off."

She remembered that "Blood Ghost" had been rated as an A+ ghoul by the CCG and was the "manager" of the 19th Ward. In her eyes, such a being was unbeatable.

Even though Byakuya was a Ghoul Investigator, "Blood Ghost" had already killed several investigators.

Mayu had no idea about Byakuya and Eto's true strength. She only hoped to buy time for her "parents" to escape.

Even if she died here today, she had no regrets. Today had been the happiest day of her life.

The only thing she regretted was not paying attention to their route, leading her "parents" into this dangerous situation.

"Trying to run?"

"Blood Ghost" wouldn't give them the chance to escape and immediately charged forward.

In her desperation, Mayu released her Kagune.

Her Kagune was unique, possessing both Ukaku and Koukaku types, with two Kakuhou.

This wasn't the result of cannibalization but a genetic inheritance from her parents, making her a "composite-type ghoul". Her parents had been an Ukaku and a Koukaku ghoul, respectively.

Of course, not every ghoul could inherit this way. Most ghouls only had a single Kagune, making "composite-type Kagune" a rare talent.

The most gifted were those born with all four Kagune types, like the only known example, Shikorae.

Her ukaku kagune shielded Byakuya and Eto, while her long, powerful koukaku kagune lashed out at the approaching "Blood Ghost."

"Oh? You have two types of kagune?"

"Blood Ghost" grew excited. "I'm definitely going to enjoy eating you!"

He had never seen Mayu release her Kagune before.

But Mayu's strength was still too weak. Her koukaku attack was easily dodged by "Blood Ghost" who was now closing in on her.

Mayu's face was filled with despair. Just as the critical moment arrived, she felt a warm hand gently rest on her shoulder.

"Don't be afraid. Leave the rest to me."