"Then I advise you to prepare yourself — because I'm going to break every single bone in your body" Hearing those words, Ayato's eyes filled with killing intent and icy rage.
From childhood until now, this was the first time he had ever been threatened so directly. Faced with such a brazen provocation, he could not endure it for even a second.
With his arm regenerated, Ayato charged forward once more. This time, his ukaku kagune wrapped around his entire body like armor. Countless blood-crystal projectiles fired outward, more numerous and faster than before.
Hayashi sidestepped, dodging the storm of spikes, his hand gripping the hilt of the sword. The fragments floating in the air spun violently, shattering every single projectile that came at him.
In the next instant, Ayato broke through the barrage and lunged at full speed. He was so fast that human eyes could barely keep up.
Hayashi raised the blade to strike, but Ayato seized it before it could fall.
"You've taken the bait!" Ayato's mouth curled into a cold smile as he gripped the weapon tightly.
"This bizarre blade of yours is dangerous only because you can control its fragments freely. But without those fragments, it's nothing more than a lion stripped of its claws and fangs. At this distance, your shards can't return in time to save you."
With that, his Ukaku kagune engulfed Hayashi's body.
"Human, I admit you're strong. The strongest dove I've ever faced. But your weak, fragile flesh is your natural burden. So die—join my fallen subordinates!"
Countless blood spikes erupted at point-blank range. At this distance, there was no way to dodge, no way to defend.How could a human body endure such a storm?
"Hayashi!" Seeing this, Kurona and Nashiro's eyes widened in panic.
By contrast, Akira and Ihei remained calm.They knew Hayashi wouldn't die so easily. Even though this was certain death by all logic, their instincts told them otherwise — he would survive.
A moment passed. Still no movement within Ayato's kagune.
"By now, his body should be riddled with holes." Ayato exhaled, the tension in his chest easing.
That had been far too close—had he been even a second slower, he would've died instead. But luck was on his side. He survived.
Now, it was time to deal with the others.
His cold eyes swept across the investigators. The pink-haired one was clearly the strongest. The rest posed little threat.
"Next, I just need to wipe all of you—"
Before he could finish, a hand shot out from within his kagune and clamped around his throat.
"How… how are you still alive?" Ayato's eyes filled with disbelief as suffocation set in.
It was impossible. At that range, no one could have survived unscathed. And yet here Hayashi stood, without so much as a scratch. It was a fairy tale made real.
"You dare threaten my subordinates? That's a death wish." Hayashi's cold eyes flashed as he lifted Ayato into the air by the throat.
"You actually believed I was dead?"
The scent of bloodlust spread like a storm, choking the very air. Ayato felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss, his body trembling uncontrollably. Never before had he felt such crushing pressure — suffocating, inescapable pain.
At death's door, images of Touka surfaced in his mind. Her delicate, noble face. Her familiar voice, nagging and complaining in his memory.
His lips curved into a faint smile.
So… this was the end. He would never see her again.
But he had no one to blame but himself. He was too weak. All he could hope was that this absurdly strong investigator wouldn't target Touka — wouldn't hurt her.
But that was beyond his control now.
'Sister, I'll be going ahead'
With that thought, Ayato closed his eyes.
But in that instant, a massive stone pillar came crashing down.Caught off guard, Hayashi was forced to release Ayato and dodge aside.
When he looked again, Ayato had already been snatched away.
Dozens of Aogiri Tree members in hooded cloaks now lined the rooftops. At their head stood a small, almost doll-like figure.
She wore a dark red hooded cloak, her entire body wrapped in bandages. Despite her petite, loli-like appearance, the crushing aura she radiated shook everyone to their core.
In that suffocating pressure, there was no mistaking her identity. The leader of Aogiri Tree. The strongest being in the 11th Ward.
Even though she was completely concealed, Hayashi recognized her at once. Thanks to the anime, there was no doubt—this was Eto.
"Investigator Hayashi — we finally meet." Her mechanical voice carried a strange, subtle joy.
"Oh?You know me?" Hayashi smiled faintly, his expression calm and almost gentle.
"I've heard your name. I just didn't expect to meet you here." Eto nodded slightly, her voice still flat and unreadable.
Indeed, she hadn't expected CCG's forces in the 11th Ward to include Hayashi. Perhaps it was Arima's arrangement, or perhaps mere coincidence. But regardless, Hayashi now stood before her.
"The night is still young…" Eto lifted her gaze toward the sky, then spoke softly:
"Care to play a round with me?"