WebNovels

Chapter 155 - Tokyo No-Limit Fighting Tournament (1/3)

"The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind fills the building…"

In the city center, standing at the edge of the viewing balcony on the second floor of the family mansion, Mirumo Tsukiyama, president of Tsukiyama Corporation, stopped his hand from gently caressing a bonsai. Touching the railing, he gazed heavily at the skyline of Tokyo, silent and pensive.

This was the ancestral home of the Tsukiyama family, accumulated since the late 19th and early 20th century by the first generation Tsukiyama. It had stood for over a hundred years, with a serene environment, vast grounds, and luxurious grandeur—enough to be worthy of being called a palace.

Even after the devastation of General LeMay's firebombing in WWII, it remained prosperous. To this day, in the land-scarce, ever-costlier Tokyo city center, it continued expanding by purchasing surrounding land, banning tall buildings nearby to preserve its privacy and comfort. This demonstrated the Tsukiyama family's vast influence, wide political and financial connections, and immense wealth.

However—exposed wealth brings misfortune.

Blessings and disasters are intertwined. The fortune of the Tsukiyama family had ultimately drawn disaster.

The wolf named America!

Just as Mirumo Tsukiyama racked his brains, searching for a way to break the deadlock, creak—the half-closed door behind him opened. A mature, composed woman with short black hair, wearing a traditional black-and-white maid outfit, walked over lightly.

"Lord Mirumo, the police from the Metropolitan Police Department have left."

"So it's you, Matsumae."

Without turning, Mirumo asked: "And Yae?"

"Yae is in the reception hall, comforting young master Shuu. The young master…"

"Is blaming himself, isn't he?"

In a voice so low no one else could hear, Mirumo murmured: "Originally, I was pleased that Shuu had such self-reflection and the awareness to change. If he can overcome this disaster and emerge on his own, I would consider him truly mature—elevated to another level. At that time, he would be a qualified heir of the Tsukiyama family, not merely one enslaved by desire and indulgence as a mere 'Gourmet.'"

"Regrettably, surrounded by wolves and tigers, the current tense situation will no longer grant Shuu the ample time to settle and reflect."

Mirumo turned sideways.

From there he clearly saw, outside the metal gates of the garden, as the police departed, new uninvited guests arrived. A black government car pulled over, and out stepped investigators from the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office.

This was not the first time.

In the past three weeks, police and judicial officials had visited frequently, questioning the Tsukiyama Group's behind-the-scenes ownership of the land where the ghoul restaurant operated, and the possibility that the group had invested in its establishment.

And their attitudes were telling—some polite, others harsh and forceful, but their goal was clear. They named and demanded testimony from Shuu Tsukiyama, rather than entangling with the experienced and steady Mirumo himself.

Was it a case of the King of Hell being easy to meet, but his little demons hard to deal with? Or of ambitious officials seeking gains, while petty underlings had no choice but to obey orders? Mirumo could not be sure.

The only certainty was that Shuu's reckless indulgence in opening a ghoul restaurant, and the suspicious traces of irregular funds, had already been unearthed one by one.

According to friends in politics, the Prosecutor's Office was currently drafting criminal charges against the Tsukiyama family, including—

Economic crimes, negligence and mismanagement, victim compensation, bribery, large-scale tax evasion, illegal collusion with officials…

At this thought, behind his round glasses, Mirumo's gaze revealed no joy, anger, sorrow, or delight. Turning, he asked: "Regarding the proposal of united pressure for self-preservation, Matsumae—did they give a clear answer?"

"They… not one of them dares to step forward…"

Pausing, Matsumae's face filled with indignation.

"Fools!"

Mirumo slammed his hand on the railing in frustration. "Do they think that once the Tsukiyama family falls, Vela Adelheid Russell will stop and spare them? Such short-sighted people!"

"That woman's purge of the CCG is only the beginning. What the Americans want will never be mere vanity. This is the start of a new economic plunder, political intimidation, expansion of influence, and deeper manipulation—a hidden colonization. A second 'Plaza Accord' of the new century. Can they not see it?"

"Lord Mirumo…"

Matsumae parted her lips slightly.

Clearly, the intelligence fog caused by the CCG's high-level power shifts over the past month, followed by the unprecedented intensity of the CCG's ghoul sweeps with international investigator support, the intervention of US forces stationed in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces in Tokyo's security and stability, and the ambiguous stance of political and business circles…

This series of external upheavals turned into anxiety and exhaustion. Even a gentleman as composed as Mirumo Tsukiyama could not help but lose his composure.

"…So be it. Time, fate, fortune…"

A sigh—venting slightly instead of suppressing everything was better for emotional balance. Mirumo calmed himself, murmured so, and returned inside.

About half an hour later—

Vroom! The sound of an engine starting. The investigators from the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, who had come to question Shuu Tsukiyama and record new testimony, drove away.

Inside, Shuu—who had been forcing himself to endure, suppressing his murderous urges to avoid exposing his kakugan—suddenly collapsed as if drained of all strength. He sprawled limply on the sofa, his handsome model-like face under his light-purple bangs twisting in pain, eyes shut tight, brow creased into a deep furrow.

"Yuuma… everyone died because of me… I even dragged my gentle, refined father into being investigated… Grandfather's legacy became an excuse for political enemies to covet… the Tsukiyama family shamed because of me… ahhhh—! Shuu Tsukiyama, you fool, what have you done?!"

Smack!

He struck his own face hard. His voice, filled with self-blame, pain, and despair, echoed through the mansion.

"Young Master Shuu…"

The attendants and servants standing in the reception hall corners all looked pained. A purple-haired, androgynous beauty with a long fringe over the right side stepped forward worriedly, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe Shuu's cheek.

"That's enough, Yae. Let Shuu calm down. To suffer setbacks, then rebuild—that is something everyone must experience."

A steady male voice spoke at his ear. Yae froze mid-motion. "Yes, Lord Mirumo."

She looked toward Mirumo, who walked in carrying coffee, and bowed respectfully.

"Shuu."

Mirumo looked at his son, collapsed in decadence under the weight of guilt.

Since his wife's death, he had always given Shuu double the love.

Now, it seemed overindulgence had harmed him instead.

A twisted obsession bordering on perversion, indulgence in desire, lack of restraint, emotions worn openly and prone to extremes of joy and despair… These were not qualities befitting the heir of the Tsukiyama family.

"Father."

Hearing his father's voice, Shuu lifted his head, face shadowed. The slap he had given himself had been hard—skin broken, swelling, stained with blood.

"I made you coffee."

With a gentle tone, Mirumo set down the tray and pushed the freshly brewed coffee toward his son.

"I'm sorry, Father. I… I've disappointed everyone."

Numb and sluggish, Shuu picked up the cup.

The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, but when the cup reached his lips, he couldn't drink it.

Pressing his lips shut, he said nothing, his gaze vacant, staring at the attendants standing nearby.

Seeing this, Mirumo sighed heavily. "The past cannot be grasped. We cannot remain forever in the past—otherwise, we will miss the beauty of the present and future. Shuu, if you stay like this, how can I entrust the Tsukiyama family to you?"

It sounded like a man preparing his last will.

As if by fate, at that very moment a servant pushed the door open, reporting: "From our human employees planted around CCG Headquarters and branch offices—Lord Mirumo, that foreign Dove, Vela Adelheid Russell, has made her move. She has left CCG Headquarters. Several Special Classes have also left their jurisdictions!"

"Which ward did she go to?"

Mirumo asked.

"Ward 1. The Washuu family estate."

"Oh?"

Behind his round glasses, Mirumo's eyes flashed sharply.

The Washuu family, eh?

This was a good opportunity!

...

Ward 1, outside the Washuu family estate.

"Briefings—everyone has read them, yes?"

Stepping out of the car, Vela stood calmly, carrying a black Quinque case, and looked at the group of CCG Special Class Investigators gathering around her.

To her left stood longtime allies who had fought beside her many times: Acting Bureau Chief Marude Itsuki, Countermeasure Division I's Shinohara Yukinori—currently in charge of Ward 7 operations—Kuroiwa Iwao, commander in Ward 11, as well as the newly appointed Deputy Director of Division II, Kousuke Houji, and the new head of Division II's Mobile Sweep Unit, Chuu Hachikawa.

The first three were among the seven most senior Special Class Investigators of the CCG. The latter two were recently promoted by Vela herself.

Especially Hachikawa Chuu—hunting ghouls like a mad dog, relentless, continuously providing Vela and Dr. Kouitsu Chigyou with plentiful Kakuhou. The overall quality was lacking, but the supply was stable.

Since Dr. Chigyou had taken over Kanou Akihiro's underground Ward 6 laboratory, he needed abundant materials. For that reason, Vela had even taken time to personally craft new Quinques for him and his team.

To her right stood two other senior Special Class Investigators: Countermeasure Division I's command officer Kiyoko Aura, Ward 2 Branch Chief Mougan Tanakamaru, and Associate Special Class Investigator Koori Ui, who held command authority over Ward 4.

Koori Ui, even under the Washuu regime, had been specially permitted to attend Special Class meetings. Following precedent, Vela considered his strength acceptable, his intellect sharp, and as a member of the CCG's local younger generation, she decided to bring him along despite his rank being only Associate Special Class.

After all, the grand drama about to unfold required enough witnesses.

"What about Arima?"

Walking behind Vela, Marude Itsuki—completely unbothered that as Acting Bureau Chief he stood behind Division II command staff—nodded respectfully toward her, then looked around.

"He's in Cochlea, Ward 23. According to reliable intel, the One-Eyed Owl of Aogiri Tree has appeared, seemingly preparing to assault the ghoul prison. Special Class Arima, concerned with his old adversary, has gone to reinforce Warden Shinme Haisaki. He cannot leave."

Passing unhindered through the Washuu estate's outer garden gates, Vela replied without looking back: "Then simply inform him afterward. He unconditionally supports the resolutions passed by the Special Class Council."

She had no interest in exposing Arima Kishou's little secret as a dying half-human.

Her stance was simple—let the "White Reaper" finish his last shift. After death, a grand state funeral awaited. Should he betray them with tricks of the One-Eyed King, his end would be disgrace, his final years infamous.

"Tch, Arima never did like meetings. How many times has he skipped already…"

Marude shrugged, lips twisting.

Shinohara Yukinori and Kuroiwa Iwao glanced at him, faces stern.

Though Marude spoke lightly, it was his way of easing tension, pretending calm. Yet the slight tremor of his fingers and his unsteady gaze betrayed the unrest deep within.

"So, Commissioner Russell—you are truly prepared to end the Washuu family's hereditary control over the CCG Bureau Chief and Grand Chairman posts?"

Exuding mature intellectual poise, Kiyoko Aura asked thoughtfully.

As the first female Special Class Investigator since the CCG's founding in Tokyo, Aura was unlike Vela, not known for combat prowess. Like Marude, her role as Special Class leaned more administrative and command-focused.

"Obviously."

Vela smiled faintly.

"Ghouls infiltrating investigator ranks, Rc detection gates with 'white list' loopholes, ghoul disasters in Tokyo multiplying the more they are suppressed… Case after case. So many management failures with no one held accountable—it cannot continue."

"You're a harsh commander, Lady Russell. But I support this. A single family monopolizing one department for too long, with no circulation, only breeds corruption and stagnation…"

Mougan Tanakamaru voiced his agreement.

For the misunderstanding among her colleagues, Vela had no intention of clarifying.

This was exactly the misleading impression she wanted.

Soon, they would understand.

Ending the Washuu family's hereditary control of the CCG could be done in law—or in blood.

The group climbed the steps, treading the blue brick path into the estate's interior.

Unlike the bustling atmosphere of the surrounding city, inside the main estate, the deeper they went, the quieter it became. Vela's ears heard only the crisp footsteps of her party against the tiles. Oh—and the faint sensation of unseen eyes watching from the corners.

Entering a grand hall with a towering ceiling, Vela's gaze immediately found the massive hardwood table set before tall floor-to-ceiling windows. Behind it sat an old man.

The former Grand Chairman of the CCG, Tsuneyoshi Washuu.

Dressed in a formal kimono with hakama, his hair and beard pure white, his expression stern, a man whose presence carried authority without anger.

Standing beside the table was the former Bureau Chief of the CCG, Yoshitoki Washuu—a middle-aged man with a thin mustache, his face appearing gentle, in sharp contrast to his father.

"Commissioner Russell, did you come here to laugh at my family's downfall?"

Tsuneyoshi Washuu was the first to speak, his voice low and hoarse.

"And bringing a Quinque case with you—what, do you distrust your colleagues so much?"

"Safety first. Caution is never a mistake. Who knows if the Nimura Furuta incident might repeat itself."

Vela shook her head with a smile. "As for laughing at you? To be honest, Bureau affairs are already complicated enough. I don't have the time to mock you."

Then, without courtesy, she said: "I came only to announce one matter. I expect the two former Bureau Chiefs to cooperate…"

"Hey, hey."

Unaware of the full truth, thinking Vela merely wanted to promote democracy on behalf of the USA and abolish the CCG's hereditary practices, Kiyoko Aura, Mougan Tanakamaru, and others were dumbfounded, furiously signaling with their eyes.

There was no need to strain relations so harshly, was there? Whatever their faults, the two former leaders had worked hard for the Bureau. Such bluntness would only deepen divisions.

"…."

Marude Itsuki, who had already suspected and unearthed some of the Washuu family's secrets, remained silent.

"What are you proposing?"

Agitated by Vela's bluntness, Yoshitoki Washuu could no longer sit still.

He seized on what he thought was his breakthrough—turning on Marude Itsuki. "Marude, I am very disappointed. Forcing my father and me to step down wasn't enough to satisfy your ambition? I was the one who promoted you. You should know very well—without the Washuu family, there would be no CCG. You know this!"

As everyone's gaze shifted to him, Marude first glanced at Vela, still calm as ever. Feeling steadied, he then lifted his head with a gloomy expression.

To rise against one's superior—to challenge the very man who had promoted him—when the moment came, it was true torment.

Yoshitoki Washuu saw Marude's eyes and trembled inwardly… He had never seen Marude wear such a pained, conflicted, sorrowful look.

Could it be—?!

Marude spoke calmly: "Bureau Chief Yoshitoki, Grand Chairman Tsuneyoshi—you two… are ghouls, aren't you."

"Marude-senpai, you…"

At the back of the group, the lowest ranked, least experienced, and least informed—Koori Ui gasped in shock, his pale purple eyes wide with horror.

"Shinohara, Kuroiwa…"

He looked around, but saw those men unnervingly calm, as though they had foreseen this moment.

Aura and Tanakamaru were surprised, but still waited for the Washuu leaders' rebuttal.

As for Vela Russell, she looked anything but serious—her lips curled into a delighted smile.

"…"

Inside the hall, a silence like ice.

Tap. Tap.

Vela stepped forward naturally, placing herself before Marude. "Still want to keep denying it?"

As she spoke, she pulled a phone from her pocket and dialed a video call.

Beep… beep…

As the signal went out, a new sound rose outside the estate—

Whirr-roar! Helicopter engines and the thunder of armored vehicles shook the air.

Beep.

The video connected.

Onscreen appeared a US officer in camouflage uniform, an eagle insignia patch howling on his arm.

"Commissioner, ma'am—the 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division awaits your orders."

The soldier's voice followed: "We have already split forces to surround properties within Tokyo identified by the CIA as belonging to the Washuu family."

To this, Vela straightened, nodded, and smiled.

"Good work."

The last piece of the puzzle was in place.

As long as the evidence she uncovered—of human-ghoul collusion, ghoul crimes, or simply interference—was sufficient, and the cake called "Japan" she presented to the Diet's old men was large enough to carve, the longer she played, the more support and resources she would harness.

Such was the advantage of working within the system, backed by great powers.

The initiative was hers. Calling reinforcements, leaning on official power to avoid risk—perhaps not the bravest path, but the surest and most convenient.

"After hiding so long, rats in the gutter—don't you think it's time to crawl into the light?"

Vela beckoned mockingly toward the direction where the darkest hostility radiated.

I wait for reinforcements—what are you waiting for?

Her answer came in pairs of irises glowing bright red.

Kakugan. Both of them.

"You go too far!"

Shrrrip! Shrrrip! Shrrrip!

The tearing of flesh as Kagune burst forth interwove with the metallic grind of Quinque cases unlocking.

...

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