Ghoul: Starting with Sharingan

"Whatever you think our relationship is, that's what it is."

Eto smiled as she spoke.

"…You're not actually married, are you?"

Yoshimura asked, though he wasn't ruling out the possibility.

Ghouls didn't follow human customs when it came to marriage. They had no legal rights as humans did, and official marriages were out of the question. If Eto and that young man had privately decided to consider themselves husband and wife, it wouldn't be surprising at all.

"And if I said we were? What would you do?"

Eto asked teasingly.

"I wouldn't do anything… Just think it's a little soon, that's all."

Yoshimura forced a slightly awkward smile. "But if it's true, then of course, you have my blessing."

He had never considered himself a good father, so he knew he had no right to dictate Eto's choices. If she was happy, that was all that mattered.

"Actually, I was just messing with you. We're not married — he wouldn't even have the guts."

Eto finally dropped the act, her tone turning serious. "And with everything you and my mother went through, plus the threat of V and the Washuu, it would be too much of a hassle anyway."

"…"

Yoshimura fell silent for a moment.

Their past had clearly left a deep impression on Eto.

"But from what I hear, that boy is a CCG investigator, isn't he? I never expected you to get so close to someone like that."

Yoshimura's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Because he's someone I can trust."

Eto kept her answer simple. Even though Yoshimura was her father, she wasn't about to reveal too much about Byakuya.

She respected his wishes—if he wanted Yoshimura to know, he would tell him himself.

"I see…"

Yoshimura nodded slightly.

"I'll go get him so you two can talk."

Now that she had reunited with her father, there wasn't much left for them to say. Besides some casual conversation, the only other thing she could do was vent her frustrations—but she didn't want to do that.

"Alright."

Yoshimura also wanted to speak with the young man.

Shortly after Eto left, Byakuya arrived upstairs.

"Manager"

Byakuya greeted him.

"Byakuya, my child has caused you a lot of trouble."

Yoshimura said with a warm smile.

"Not at all. Eto is smart and strong—she hardly ever gives me any trouble."

Byakuya replied.

"Then please, I beg of you—protect my daughter."

Yoshimura pleaded.

He could tell that Eto and this young man were more than just acquaintances. Their closeness was undeniable, and it was likely they had formed some kind of alliance.

Looking at everything that had happened recently, his suspicions weren't unfounded—like how Yomo and Uta were saved by Eto after fighting this young man.

"I'll do my best, senior Kuzen"

Byakuya nodded.

"…senior Kuzen?"

Yoshimura was confused by the way Byakuya addressed him.

"Yes, because I'm a Cleaner for V as well. That makes you my senior, doesn't it?"

Byakuya revealed his identity without hesitation.

He was already preparing to turn against the Washuu.

The moment he helped Furuta and Rize escape their grasp, there would be no turning back.

Revealing his true allegiance to Yoshimura now didn't matter anymore.

"…"

Yoshimura's expression stiffened in shock.

He hadn't expected this young man to be V's current Cleaner. Even more shocking was how casually he revealed it.

Yoshimura couldn't help but feel wary—was Byakuya still loyal to V?

If he reported the truth about Eto — the One-Eyed Owl — to V, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Whose side are you really on?"

Yoshimura asked gravely.

"Eto's, of course. Otherwise, she would have doubted me long ago."

Byakuya made his stance clear, his sharp gaze unwavering. "In other words, I intend to overthrow the Washuu."

"…So that's why Eto trusts you."

Yoshimura finally understood. "But you must realize how dangerous that is."

As a former Cleaner himself, Yoshimura knew exactly what Byakuya was up against.

His situation was even more precarious than Eto's.

The Washuu and V didn't necessarily want Eto dead — they wanted to capture her. A naturally-born half-ghoul like her was incredibly valuable to them.

Their human-ghoul hybrid experiments were proof of that.

But Byakuya was both a CCG investigator and a V Cleaner. Clearly, he was born from the Washuu bloodline — whether as a legitimate heir or a branch family member.

And the Washuu did not tolerate traitors.

The original One-Eyed King had been exiled underground for that very reason.

"I've already made my decision. I know what the consequences will be."

Byakuya's expression remained calm.

There wasn't a hint of fear in his face.

Yoshimura felt both admiration and shame.

To him, the Washuu were an unbeatable force. That was why he had never tried to fight back.

He had even believed that Eto was on a doomed path, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything—so he had only asked Byakuya to protect her.

But now, he realized that both Eto and Byakuya had already chosen their path. There was no turning back for either of them.

"If there's anything this old man can do to help, just say the word."

If things had come to this, Yoshimura figured the least he could do was support them.

If nothing else, he wanted to fulfill his role as a father.

"When Eto is in danger, protect her."

That was all Byakuya asked of him.

For now, he didn't want Yoshimura or Eto to face the Washuu head-on—it was too dangerous.

At this stage, only he could afford to take that risk.

"Of course."

Yoshimura had already made up his mind.

Even if it cost him his life, he would protect Eto to the very end.