"Officer Zhao Anmen, two hours ago, we received an anonymous tip via a payphone in one of the outer streets. The caller claimed that there's a fatal flaw in the Vision Corporation's metro renovation project."
Inside New Eridu Public Security headquarters, Zhao Anmen was sifting through recent intel related to the Nin-Village. Just as he was contemplating how to clean up after his fellow members, a junior officer suddenly entered the room.
In his hand was a freshly written report.
"Vision Corporation? The subway demolition project again? What kind of mess are they stirring up now? Right when things are this sensitive... they'd better not make things worse." Zhao Anmen responded with a casual tone.
At first, he didn't pay the report much mind. His priority was resolving the Nin-Village situation before it spiraled any further out of control.
The officer hesitated for a moment before handing over the document. "Sir, you'd better take a look at this."
Zhao Anmen paused, then accepted the report. His expression turned darker as he read.
After a moment, he put the report down and asked, "Did you report this up the chain? And what about the tipster—can we identify them through street surveillance?"
"About that... I'm working on tracking the caller. But as for the higher-ups—they said there's no evidence, so they're not going to pursue it."
Hearing that the higher-ups were brushing it off, Zhao Anmen's expression grew even colder.
"No evidence? And they never questioned how Vision Corporation could complete their project faster and cheaper than anyone else? What, would it kill them to send a few people from a precinct to check out Canvas Street?"
He grabbed the report off the desk, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash can.
He already knew why the people upstairs didn't want to get involved.
The municipal elections were fast approaching, and the public was still furious about the last disaster. If a new scandal involving Vision Corporation broke out now, the elections would probably be called off entirely.
That was the last thing those scheming officials wanted.
And if it meant turning a blind eye to the lives of every resident in Canvas Street—then so be it.
Even though there was no concrete proof yet, Zhao Anmen found their attitude utterly disgusting.
"Sir, are you… going alone?"
Seeing his superior's furious expression, the junior officer could already guess what was about to happen.
"Hold things down here. Don't touch any of the reports about the Nin-Village. I'll handle them when I get back." With that, Zhao Anmen stood up and walked out of his office.
At the same time, on the other side of the city, Zhong Yan had also begun to take action.
…
When Zhao Anmen arrived at Canvas Street via the Dead End Hollow, the scene that greeted him left him speechless.
A massive crowd of residents had crammed themselves into a dilapidated building. This was completely contrary to the report Vision Corporation had submitted—one that claimed the entire area had been fully evacuated.
Clearly, not only had they lied, but they'd also deployed civilian-grade signal jammers to cut off the residents from any outside communication or chance to escape.
What a convenient way to save time and money.
The burning anger in Zhao Anmen's heart was almost uncontrollable.
He had joined New Eridu Public Security to uphold justice. That didn't conflict with his identity as a member of the Nin-Village.
Most members of the Nin-Village held their own convictions. It was precisely because the organization embraced and accepted such diversity that it had grown so strong.
As the Shadow with the highest authority in the Nin-Village, Zhao Anmen had played a critical role in that progress.
"Excuse me, Officer… Have you determined when we'll be able to leave?"
His thoughts were interrupted when an elderly woman stepped out from the crowd. Hope flickered in her eyes as she looked up at him.
Since Zhao Anmen was wearing his New Eridu Public Security uniform, the residents weren't afraid—in fact, they were filled with expectation. They hoped their nightmare might soon be over.
"Ma'am, could you tell me what's been happening here these past few days? If there's anything wrong, I'll report it up the chain right away." Zhao Anmen said, forcing his emotions under control.
The elderly woman then recounted everything that had happened.
First, they lost contact with the outside world. Then, when some tried to question Vision Corporation's staff, they were stopped by people in security uniforms claiming to be officers. Those impersonators told them they'd be evacuated "in a few days."
But in reality, New Eridu Public Security had never stationed anyone in the area.
Those supposed officers were Vision Corporation plants.
After hearing the truth, Zhao Anmen knew—some things needed to be handled immediately.
"Oh, Officer… my granddaughter ran into the Hollow earlier. If you have time… could you bring her back? None of us can enter the Hollow—we're not ether-compatible."
The woman's words took him aback.
"Your granddaughter's got guts, going in there alone. But protecting civilians is part of the job—don't worry, I'll bring her back," Zhao Anmen said with a reassuring smile.
There was still time before the scheduled demolition. At least for now, the residents weren't in immediate danger, which gave him a window to rescue her.
However, this Hollow wasn't an ordinary companion Hollow—it housed a giant-class Ethereal, the Dead End Butcher.
Even if Zhao Anmen went all out, he likely wasn't a match for it.
If the girl encountered the Butcher… there'd be no chance of survival.
If he was going to find her, he had to move fast.
There was no time to hesitate.
…
Meanwhile, deep inside Dead End Hollow—
The space around it suddenly twisted, warping under an unseen force. As the distortion solidified into a vortex, a figure emerged from its center.
The Uchiha had arrived.