Kanou Akihiro stood on a high ground, looking at the Twenty-Fourth Ward below that had already become a ruin, a flash of heat passed through his eyes.
This was his most outstanding, and also final, work.
"This world is bound by the twisted 'birdcage', and to destroy this 'birdcage', we can only rely on this miraculous organism, 'dragon'!"
"That woman is truly a genius. Precisely because of her, I was able to manufacture this complete-form organism in such a short time."
With a faint smile on his lips, Kanou took out a dark pistol from his pocket and pressed it against his temple.
At the moment when the 'dragon' rampaged through this world, his mission had ended.
Currently, this world still does not have a force to contend with it. Even if humans possess the wisdom to develop countermeasures, they don't have the time to do so.
This is all thanks to the Washuu Clan's suppression of such technologies.
Going from zero to one is an extremely difficult process.
The monster devours humans to gain energy and can even release a virus to turn humans into ghouls. Without a doubt, in the end, humanity will be completely extinct.
Once all humans are gone, the tragedies that humans consider tragedies will no longer exist.
———
"This monster is only temporarily dormant. I'm afraid it won't be long before it resumes activity."
"We must come up with counter-strategies in this limited time."
Inside a temporarily constructed tent, the upper echelons of the Twenty-Fourth Ward were basically all gathered here.
"Luckily, the Boss had arranged relevant work under the assumption that the Twenty-Fourth Ward might be attacked. These refugees were able to be resettled in the shortest time possible."
Mitsuki Tooru pointed to a red-circled spot on the map.
That was a shelter Jotaro had developed long ago.
She couldn't help but marvel at Jotaro being a natural-born leader.
Such foresight and strategic vision isn't something the average person possesses.
"After resettling the civilians, the next step is to gather manpower to clear out the monsters entrenched in the Twenty-Fourth Ward."
"And to search for those who are missing!"
Nezuko lightly tugged on Jotaro's sleeve, looking downcast and extremely uneasy.
"Jotaro-san, Shinobu-neesan should be alright, right?"
"Don't worry, that woman isn't someone weak." Jotaro spoke to comfort her.
Nezuko lifted her fine chin and looked at the chiseled profile of the man, realizing he had been staring outside the tent the entire time.
'Jotaro-san must also be very worried about Shinobu-neesan's safety. If only I could do something for them… I'm really is useless!' She thought to herself, filled with self-blame.
'It's all my fault. If only I could've held on a bit longer, maybe I could've saved her…' Touka was also filled with guilt in her heart.
Before the incident, she had been with Shinobu. If only her kagune had been a little stronger, maybe she could've turned back at the time and brought Shinobu out with her.
Seeing the two of them so heartbroken, Jotaro said, "With that woman's strength, she could've escaped immediately."
"I think she must have been held up by something important."
Nezuko's expression regained a bit of liveliness, and she nodded, "Shinobu-neesan is very capable. She'll definitely be fine… definitely."
At this moment, Mitsuki came over.
"Boss, we've already organized our people. Next, we will launch a carpet-style search in the Twenty-Fourth Ward."
"In addition, per your request, our research department is also being reorganized. It shouldn't be long before it resumes operation."
Jotaro nodded, "We must try to find that woman, Shinobu, before the monster awakens."
"If my guess is correct, this monster is a result of kagune mutation. I'm afraid only that woman has the means to handle it."
"Understood!" Mitsuki slightly bowed, then went off to assign tasks.
"Hey! I want to participate in this operation too." Akira came over a little shyly, her gaze flickering to avoid Jotaro's eyes.
Jotaro glanced at her and said indifferently, "No. You'll only make things worse."
With her current disoriented state, going to such a dangerous place was no different from seeking death. He naturally couldn't allow it.
"Don't underestimate me! I'm a CCG investigator too!" Akira suddenly looked at him, a self-deprecating smile appearing at her lips, "Also, after being hurt by you, I've become much stronger than before."
Jotaro couldn't be bothered to respond. Once the team was assembled, he set off with them toward the main battlefield of the Twenty-Fourth Ward.
People with combat ability are currently the most scarce resource in the Twenty-Fourth Ward.
Although Jotaro is the leader, in this critical situation, he must be active on the frontlines.
The others weren't worried about his safety.
After all, he had done this sort of thing plenty of times in the past.
And with him there, everyone felt reassured.
At first, Mitsuki had felt uneasy, but seeing Jotaro's broad back, she inexplicably felt much calmer.
"Mado-san, what are you doing!"
Nezuko's task was to care for patients near the shelter. Even though she was worried about Shinobu, she didn't follow Jotaro to the front lines.
While changing the medicine for a patient, she spotted Akira alone, putting on battle gear.
This disobedient woman was one of her patients.
"Your body hasn't healed yet. You can't do this!" Nezuko quickly came over to stop her.
"Why are you just like that guy? I'm not as weak as you think!" Akira's stubborn temper also flared up.
After being rejected by Jotaro, how could she let it go so easily? The unspoken fire in her heart had been growing nonstop.
She wanted to vent her anger on those monsters, not stay here doing nothing.
Nezuko blinked her beautiful eyes.
Women are always sensitive. How could she not notice Akira's feelings for Jotaro?
After several failed attempts at persuasion, she could only go for a more emotional approach.
"You misunderstood Jotaro-san. He told you to stay here because he's worried about your safety. Please don't make him worry, okay?"
Akira froze, shook her head, and said, "Worried about me? How could that be! He just thinks I'm a burden."
Nezuko took a deep breath. "That's because you don't understand him."
Hearing this, Akira's hands paused, showing a look that said she wanted to hear more.
"I'll tell you, he's the kind of person who says the opposite of what he means. He doesn't express what he really feels. Whatever he says, you should just take it as the opposite."
"Really?" Akira was half-convinced, half-skeptical.
Nezuko nodded heavily.
A faint blush appeared on Akira's face, and she murmured to herself in a voice only she could hear, "He really does care about me?"
To prevent Akira from doing anything reckless again, Nezuko dealt a strong final blow.
"Jotaro-san hates nagging, troublesome women the most. Miss Mado, you need to behave and accept treatment. No more causing trouble."
"…Okay." Akira softly responded like a mosquito.
Watching Akira obediently return, Nezuko, "…"
As the saying goes, "Teach the disciple, starve the master."
'Don't tell me I've just created a powerful love rival for myself…'
Shaking her head, Nezuko stopped overthinking and silently prayed.
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