Tokyo Ghoul: Starting with Kamui!

After returning home, Byakuya took a quick shower before collapsing onto his bed, ready for sleep.

Regardless of whether one was human, Ghoul, Half-Human, or Half-Ghoul, sleep was still a necessity.

He placed the Quinque briefcase beside his bed, deciding not to store it back in Kamui's dimension.

Using space-time transfer techniques consumed RC Cells and ocular power, and in his current state, he couldn't afford to overuse his Mangekyō Sharingan.

His body was slightly weakened from using Kamui earlier, but it wasn't serious—after a full night's rest, he would recover naturally.

Tonight's battle had proven something.

Even with just the base abilities of his Mangekyō Sharingan, he could easily overpower an average Ghoul.

And that was while using only a B-rank Quinque.

As long as he didn't act recklessly, his Mangekyō's passive enhancements were already more than sufficient.

Before sleeping, Byakuya opened the System Shop through his mental command.

[Tier 1 System Shop]

[Item: Rinnegan Tomoe Mask]

[Description: Identical to the white, tomoe-patterned mask worn by Obito Uchiha during the early Fourth Great Ninja War. No special effects—purely for identity concealment.]

[Price: 5 Attribute Points]

[Item: Tiger-Stripe Mask]

[Description: Identical to the red tiger-stripe mask worn by Obito Uchiha on the Night of the Red Moon. No special effects—purely for identity concealment. (Includes a Red Moon Night Obito outfit + chain weapon as a bonus.)]

[Price: 5 Attribute Points]

[Item: Low-Grade Lifespan Pill]

[Description: Consuming one pill extends lifespan by one year. Once taken, freezes physical appearance until the extended lifespan expires. Unlimited purchases available.]

[Price: 10 Attribute Points]

[Item: RC Cell Storage Device]

[Description: Stores excess RC Cells. When using Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, the device will automatically consume stored RC Cells instead of draining the user's own.]

[Also prevents RC levels from rising too high, which could otherwise cause Ghoul-like symptoms such as an inability to eat normal food.]

[Price: 50 Attribute Points]

The System Shop interface appeared before Byakuya's eyes.

Though currently only Tier 1, the four available items were all valuable.

The masks could help conceal his identity whenever he used Kamui; since activating Mangekyō Sharingan caused his eyes to turn glow red, it was dangerously easy for others to mistake him for a Ghoul.

If the wrong people found out his identity and assumed he was a Ghoul, his life could be in serious danger—not just from the CCG, but from the forces that even Eto feared.

Wearing a mask while using Kamui would be the safest option.

The Lifespan Pill could resolve one of his biggest weaknesses; sInce as a Half-Human, his lifespan was only half that of a normal human.

He had, at most, 30-35 years to live—just like Arima Kishou.

But with this pill, that problem could be easily solved.

As for the RC Cell Storage Device?

The price seemed high, but in reality, this item was essential.

As he continued to grow stronger, his RC Cell count would increase as well.

Once his RC levels surpassed a certain threshold, he would lose the ability to eat normal food—just like a Ghoul.

The only known exceptions to this rule were naturally born Half-Ghouls, like Yoshimura Eto.

They could still eat human food, even if their RC levels exceeded normal human limits.

For Byakuya, the RC Storage Device would prevent this Ghoul-like side effect, allowing him to retain his humanity while still utilizing his Mangekyō Sharingan's power.

Eating human flesh was something Uchiha Byakuya absolutely refused to do.

That made the RC Cell Storage Device an essential item for him.

However, he only had 13 Attribute Points at the moment.

"I should buy something useful for future operations first..."

After some thought, he made his decision.

The first item he would purchase was the Tiger-Stripe Mask.

[Ding! The host has successfully purchased "Tiger-Stripe Mask."]

[-5 Attribute Points. Current Attribute Points: 8.]

The mask didn't immediately appear in Byakuya's hands.

"It must be in the system inventory."

He opened the System Panel to check.

[Host: Uchiha Byakuya]

[Species: Half-Human]

[Affiliation: CCG Second-Class Investigator (Public), Sunlit Garden Half-Human (Secret)]

[Age: 18]

[Physical Strength: 20]

[RC Cell Value: 600]

[Current Attribute Points: 8 (Total Earned: 113)]

[Inventory: Tiger-Stripe Mask]

Aside from minor updates, a new section had been added—[Inventory].

As expected, the Tiger-Stripe Mask was stored inside.

Byakuya mentally activated it.

Immediately, a red tiger-striped mask appeared on his face.

The orange-red mask was adorned with black stripes, resembling a tiger's fur pattern.

Although it only had one visible eye hole on the right side, it didn't interfere with his Dual Kamui abilities.

This was a special effect of the mask;

His left eye could still see through it and use its Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, but others wouldn't be able to see his left eye from the outside.

Byakuya picked up a small mirror from his bedside table and examined his reflection.

"Not that bad."

With the mask on, his face was completely concealed, only his right Kamui eye was visible.

"Wait... doesn't this make me look like a One-Eyed Ghoul?"

Or, more accurately—a Half-Ghoul.

Byakuya deactivated the mask, and it vanished back into his inventory.

His true face reappeared in the mirror.

Just like in his previous life, his features were exactly the same.

While he wasn't unrealistically handsome, his sharp, refined features gave him an undeniable attractiveness.

His expression was naturally intense, giving him a calm and serious aura.

Unlike cheerful and outgoing personalities, he had a colder, more composed demeanor.

But that was to be expected—very few Uchiha were known for being "sunny and cheerful."

In that sense, Byakuya felt he had "lived up" to the Uchiha name.

The Next Morning—CCG 2nd Ward Branch

Byakuya was summoned back to the CCG branch office.

Naturally, it was regarding last night's Ghoul elimination.

"Second-Class Uchiha, I heard you successfully completed your mission."

"The autopsy report confirmed that both fatal wounds were inflicted by your Quinque, Erik."

"Excellent work."

The speaker was Byakuya's superior officer, the Squad Leader of his team;

A First-Class Investigator named Sakai Jōji.

Like Byakuya, he was also a Half-Human from the Sunlit Garden.

The memories implanted by the system told Byakuya that Sakai was a straightforward and easygoing person.

Now that he was meeting him face-to-face, it seemed the memory was accurate.

"You're too kind, first-Class Sakai."

Byakuya replied calmly.

"Hahaha! No need to be so modest, Uchiha!"

"The cleanup team was raving about you when they returned!"

Sakai Jōji laughed heartily and clapped Byakuya on the shoulder.

"Keep it up! I have high hopes for you—you might just become a Special-Class Investigator in the future."

"Thank you."

Byakuya nodded expressionlessly, showing no particular emotional reaction.

After that, he went through the usual post-mission procedures—including commendations and psychological counseling.

CCG required all Investigators who had fought Ghouls to undergo mental evaluations.

The reason was simple.

Ghouls looked basically exactly like humans, and for some people, this psychological disconnect could lead to severe mental trauma.

If left unchecked, many investigators developed PTSD or even psychotic breakdowns.

After Byakuya left, another First-Class Investigator—one of Sakai's closer colleagues—walked over and remarked in surprise.

"Sakai, you're joking, right? Becoming a Special-Class Investigator isn't that easy..."

The difficulty of reaching Special-Class was astronomical.

Throughout all of Tokyo, there were fewer than ten Special-Class Investigators.

To qualify for promotion, one needed an absolutely exceptional record.

"Of course, I know that."

Sakai grinned confidently.

"But my gut tells me Uchiha has a real shot at Special-Class. At the very least, he'll make Associate Special-Class."

The other investigator frowned slightly.

"Hmm... Associate Special-Class, maybe. But Special-Class? That's a long shot."

Sakai simply crossed his arms and smirked.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"