Arima Kishou was supposed to be investigating "Aogiri Tree" in the 24th Ward, yet he appeared at the 1st Ward CCG headquarters.
"Associate Special-Class Arima, it's rare to see you here. Why did you suddenly come back?"
A colleague, surprised to see Arima, immediately asked.
"There are some matters that need to be handled. Besides, tomorrow is Associate Special-Class Uchiha's funeral, so I returned early…"
Arima answered expressionlessly.
"That's true…"
The person recalled that Associate Special-Class Arima had partnered with Associate Special-Class Uchiha for quite some time.
Realizing that this was not a suitable topic to continue, he chose to drop it.
Feeling slightly awkward, he just exchanged a few more words with Arima Kishou before walking away.
In truth, Arima's return this time was not just to attend Byakuya's funeral.
As he had mentioned, there were "some matters that needed to be handled," and those matters concerned the "One-Eyed Owl."
Arima was worried that Byakuya's death might provoke Yoshimura Eto, and if she acted impulsively, their entire plan would be thrown into chaos.
If something were to happen to Yoshimura Eto as well, there would be no way to salvage the situation.
If the "One-Eyed Owl" did indeed appear, it would be necessary for him to intervene.
Since many high-ranking members of the Washuu Clan were at the 1st Ward CCG headquarters; including the Supreme Chairman, Washuu Tsuneyoshi, and the Bureau Director, Washuu Yoshitoki.
There was a high probability that Yoshimura Eto would launch an attack here.
If high-ranking officials were put in danger, V would undoubtedly take action.
If Arima could stop Eto, at the very least, he could put on a show.
However, one thing would take him completely by surprise; the one about to appear would not necessarily be just one "Owl."
Shortly after Eto and Yoshimura Kuzen had left the "Anteiku" safe zone, Byakuya returned to the café, albeit a little too late.
Just as Kirishima Hikari and the others were agonizing over how to explain Byakuya's disappearance to the little Mayu, they suddenly saw Byakuya walk right in.
"Ah?!!"
They were all dumbfounded, as if they had just seen a ghost.
Wasn't Byakuya already dead?
Even his will had been delivered.
Yet, standing before them, Byakuya looked perfectly fine with not a single wound visible on his body.
Was this… a resurrection?!
"No, Byakuya-kun, you… Didn't the CCG say that you had already died?"
Kirishima Hikari couldn't help but ask.
"I… died?"
Byakuya looked utterly confused.
He had no idea that he had supposedly died.
But he quickly realized that something was wrong.
He didn't see Yoshimura Kuzen or Eto, had the CCG already sent his will?
"Yes, a ghoul investigator came here carrying your will, saying that your funeral is scheduled for tomorrow. We all believed it."
Hikari said, exasperated.
None of them had expected such a thing to be false.
"..."
For a moment, Byakuya didn't know what to say.
He figured it must have been because he had transferred into Kamui's dimension, and Kaiko and the others had assumed he was dead.
Walking over to a table, he picked up an envelope that had been tucked under a book. The envelope had already been opened, and inside were several farewell letters.
Eto had definitely already read them.
Seeing his own farewell letters, which he had personally written, end up in Eto's hands, Byakuya suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
However, more than embarrassment, what he felt was concern.
"By the way, the Manager and Miss Eto both just left. You should hurry and find them, especially Miss Eto; she must be heartbroken."
At this moment, Hikari reminded him.
"Mm…"
Byakuya responded before immediately leaving the café.
"I knew it, there's no way he'd go down that easily."
Yomo Renji remarked.
"Since when did the CCG become so unprofessional? How could they make such a basic mistake?"
Koma Enji complained.
"This really turned into a huge misunderstanding… But the Manager and Miss Eto should be fine. The only question is, where did they go?"
Hikari sighed.
They had no idea that Yoshimura Kuzen and Eto had gone to confront the Washuu Clan, so when they learned that Byakuya was still alive, they were genuinely relieved.
At the very least, they no longer had to worry about explaining things to Mayu upstairs.
However, now it was Byakuya's turn to have a headache.
1st Ward, CCG Headquarters
After leaving "Anteiku," Eto had immediately activated her kakuja form and flew straight toward the 1st Ward at incredible speed.
Yes, she flew.
The "One-Eyed Owl" descended from the sky, crashing directly into the CCG headquarters' lobby.
The sudden surprise attack from the "One-Eyed Owl" caught the investigators completely off guard, sending them into a panic as they scrambled for their quinques.
"That's the 'One-Eyed Owl'?! She actually attacked headquarters directly?!"
"Quick! Notify the Bureau Director!"
"Damn it! Of all times, she had to strike now? Tomorrow is Associate Special-Class Uchiha's funeral!"
Some of the investigators were furious, thinking that if the "One-Eyed Owl" caused too much destruction, they wouldn't be able to hold the funeral properly the next day.
Eto had no interest in dealing with these ignorant fools; she headed straight for the Washuu high command within CCG.
"Stand down."
At that moment, Arima Kishou stepped forward, carrying his quinque briefcase.
"Associate Special-Class Arima!"
The surrounding investigators immediately perked up.
Since Special-Class Investigators rarely stationed themselves at the 1st Ward headquarters, spending most of their time overseeing other areas, Arima was currently the strongest investigator present.
Aside from him, there were only two other Associate Special-Class Investigators in the building.
Of course, even if the other Special-Class Investigators were here, Arima would still be the strongest among them.
Thus, all the investigators pinned their hopes on Associate Special-Class Arima to repel the "One-Eyed Owl."
"I heard that Associate Special-Class Arima's true strength is already comparable to a Special-Class Investigator. He should be able to handle the 'One-Eyed Owl' without much trouble…"
"Believe in Associate Special-Class Arima. He was Special-Class Uchiha's partner, after all."
"We should back off quickly and avoid getting in his way."
Following that sentiment, the investigators all retreated further inside.
Against an opponent of this caliber, their presence would only hinder Associate Special-Class Arima.
And, to be frank, most investigators feared for their own lives.
Now, the only ones left in the CCG lobby were Arima Kishou and the "One-Eyed Owl."
"Get out of my way…"
Eto didn't immediately understand why Arima Kishou was blocking her. Her voice was cold and low.
Maybe this guy had betrayed them after hearing of Byakuya's death; but whatever the reason, she had no patience for it right now.