Tokyo Ghoul: Starting with Kamui!

If everything proceeded as expected, then soon, the Owl would launch a third attack on the CCG's 2nd Ward Branch.

However, this time, the attacker wouldn't be the "One-Eyed Owl."

Instead, it would be Yoshimura Kuzen—Yoshimura Eto's father.

In the original story, the SSS-rated Ghoul "Non-Killing Owl" was one of the strongest Pure-Blooded Ghouls—and also one of the most tragic figures in the series.

Of course, the title "Non-Killing Owl" only emerged much later in the timeline.

At this point, CCG still believed that all three previous attacks on the 2nd Ward Branch had been committed by the same Ghoul—the "One-Eyed Owl."

It wasn't until later that they realized the third attacker was actually someone else.

To distinguish between the two, CCG designated Kuzen as the "Non-Killing Owl."

The Real Reason Behind the 2nd Ward Attack

The upcoming attack wasn't random.

Yoshimura Kuzen had received word that his daughter had suffered a near-fatal injury.

To protect her identity and mislead their true enemies, he decided to impersonate the "One-Eyed Owl" by modifying his Kakuja form to resemble Eto's as closely as possible.

His real objective wasn't just to attack CCG; It was to throw off the true masterminds lurking in the shadows, making them believe that all past attacks were his doing rather than Eto's.

As Eto was Kuzen's biological daughter, she had inherited half of his abilities, including a similar Kagune and Kakuhou structure.

Moreover, high-level Kakuja users could freely alter their monstrous forms—allowing Kuzen to perfectly mimic Eto's appearance.

Thus, his deception was flawless.

Meanwhile, at the CCG 2nd Ward Branch

"Uchiha? You're back. Weren't you assigned to Shoei Publishing to investigate Ghoul activity?"

A passing colleague greeted Uchiha Byakuya casually.

"Yeah, I was just curious about some intel."

Byakuya responded.

His system had already implanted the necessary memories, so he instantly recognized this investigator—Yamada Saki.

Saki's gaze drifted to the computer screen, where the profile of the One-Eyed Owl was displayed.

"Ah, checking up on the Owl, huh? That thing is terrifying. It even killed Special-Class Investigator Kuroiwa Takehito."

Saki shook his head.

"In less than half a year, it went from an unknown threat to an SSS-rated extermination target."

Byakuya remained silent.

He knew from experience that Saki was a chatterbox—it was best to just let him talk it out.

"Good thing we have a rising star like Kuroiwa Iwao."

Saki continued.

"He landed a fatal blow on the Owl during the last battle. I doubt that thing will be showing up again anytime soon."

"Though... it's a shame Kuroiwa got critically injured, too. He's still recovering in the hospital."

Kuroiwa Iwao—a Senior Investigator at this point—would one day become one of CCG's most powerful Special-Class Investigators.

Byakuya waited until Saki finished his rant before speaking.

"I've seen enough. Did you need to use the computer?"

"Huh? Oh—nah, I was just passing by."

Saki scratched the back of his head.

"Alright, I'll be heading out. I still have an investigation to work on."

Byakuya replied calmly.

"Got it. Take care, Uchiha! Let's chat again sometime!"

As Saki watched Byakuya leave, he couldn't help but think-

"Man, Uchiha-san is really dedicated."

He had also heard rumors that Byakuya was a direct recruit from "that place."

Everyone knew that investigators from that place were prodigies.

They didn't even need to graduate from CCG's training academy.

They were simply "parachuted in" as full-fledged CCG Investigators.

After returning to Shoei Publishing, Uchiha Byakuya began preparing to investigate the Ghoul case assigned to him by the CCG.

The reason he had been given this mission was simple—two Ghoul feeding incidents had recently occurred near Shoei Publishing.

Forensic analysis confirmed that both attacks were committed by the same Ghoul and took place in the exact same location.

Given Byakuya's Sunlit Garden background, he had no choice but to stay in line and fulfill his duties at the CCG—at least until he could comfortably use Dual Kamui without restrictions.

Recklessly drawing attention to himself would only invite certain death at the hands of those whom even Yoshimura Eto feared.

Though he possessed some self-defense capabilities, constantly being hunted down was hardly an enjoyable lifestyle.

At the very least, working at the CCG provided stability.

Besides, completing missions led to promotions which meant higher pay.

And staying within the CCG also served his own interests.

"Let's see if I can lure this Ghoul out tonight. So far, both of its victims were young students who were walking alone at night—and both attacks happened in a secluded alleyway..."

Byakuya analyzed the intelligence provided in his case files.

Since it wasn't nighttime yet, he decided to stay in the office and review Takatsuki Sen's manuscript—the digital version of Dear Kafka.

Reading as a normal reader, he made editorial notes on sections where he felt improvements could be made.

Of course, his suggestions were just recommendations.

He had no intention of forcing Eto to make changes, after all, the final decision was hers to make.

This, in his opinion, was what a responsible editor should do.

As the workday came to an end, Byakuya noted where he left off, shut down his computer, and headed home.

His current apartment was one provided by the CCG, located in a residential building not far from Shoei Publishing.

Rent and living expenses could later be reimbursed through CCG funds.

After arriving at his small, ordinary apartment, Byakuya had a quick meal before resuming his review of the manuscript.

Since he had no immediate plans, he focused on refining his editorial feedback.

Midnight.

"It's about time."

Byakuya closed his laptop, grabbed his coat, and headed out.

His destination—the alleyway where the Ghoul had previously attacked.

After about ten minutes, he arrived.

The dark, narrow alley was shrouded in shadow, with an overwhelming stench in the air.

The smell was a mix of filthy sewage, rotting garbage, as though the place had been left unattended for far too long—a perfect hunting ground for a Ghoul.

However, for someone with Mangekyō Sharingan, the lack of light meant nothing.

Byakuya could see everything around him with absolute clarity.

He acted like an aimless young man, casually strolling through the alley as if he had nowhere better to be.

Sure enough—it didn't take long for the Ghoul to notice him.

A shadow lurked in the darkest corner of the alley, watching him intensely.

Byakuya was already fully aware of its presence.

His Mangekyō-enhanced perception allowed him to detect the Ghoul's every movement.

He even noticed the Ghoul was wearing a mask—something most Ghouls used when hunting or fighting to hide their real identity from CCG investigators.

Suddenly, the Ghoul lunged forward, launching a silent sneak attack!

From its Kakuhou, a green Koukaku-type Kagune erupted—forming blade-like weapons aimed directly at Byakuya's chest.

"Too slow."

Byakuya muttered, effortlessly sidestepping the attack.

The Mangekyō Sharingan's ability to read movements made this trivial.

By observing the Ghoul's starting posture, he had already predicted its exact attack pattern.

To him, the Ghoul's actions were painfully slow—as if moving in slow motion.

"What?!"

The Ghoul's eyes widened in shock.

It had been so sure that its sneak attack would end this human in one strike—yet the boy had dodged effortlessly.

For the first time, the hunter felt fear.