Now Kanae and Matsumae had essentially lost all ability to resist—at least they wouldn't regenerate anytime soon.
Next, time to finish off Tsukiyama.
Byakuya had originally intended to leave Tsukiyama alone, but the fool kept threatening people around him. Even if it meant offending the Tsukiyama family, he had to eliminate this pest.
Touka stood stunned. Byakuya had crushed those two Tsukiyama servants in no time—complete domination!
She'd badly underestimated his strength. She'd worried he might struggle against those two ghouls, especially since Matsumae seemed even stronger than Jason.
Now it was clear her concern had been utterly unnecessary...
Just as Byakuya was about to deliver the finishing blow to Tsukiyama, a figure suddenly blocked his path.
"You're..."
Byakuya looked closely—a middle-aged man in a suit, with the face of Tsukiyama Group president Mirumo Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama Shuu's father.
Mirumo didn't speak immediately. Instead, he dropped to his knees before Byakuya—a full dogeza.
"I apologize for my child's offense. Please show mercy and spare him. I'm willing to offer any terms as compensation."
Mirumo was pleading for Tsukiyama's life.
He'd heard Shuu planned to bring Kanae and Matsumae somewhere involving a CCG investigator. Uneasy, he'd followed—and sure enough, disaster had struck.
"..."
Byakuya watched Mirumo expressionlessly, unsurprised by this behavior.
The original Mirumo had been exactly like this—indulging Tsukiyama in everything, then going to any length to protect him when trouble arose.
The "Tsukiyama Family Extermination Operation" happened because Kanae and the servants kept hunting humans and ghouls indiscriminately to cheer up a despondent Tsukiyama, eventually drawing CCG attention.
In the original story, Mirumo had chosen to let the CCG capture him without resistance just to protect Shuu. With his probable SSS-rated strength, the operation would have been far more difficult otherwise.
Why only "probable"? Because Matsumae's strength was known to be below Mirumo's. A conservative estimate put him at SS+ or SSS-minus.
Just as Byakuya was about to ignore Mirumo and step past him, a system choice appeared.
[Ding! Host has activated a selection quest!]
[Option 1: Ignore Mirumo's plea. Eliminate Tsukiyama Shuu, Kanae, and Matsumae together. Reward: 50 Fusion Points!]
[Option 2: Capture Mirumo as well, exposing the entire Tsukiyama family as ghouls. However, this will draw intense Washuu attention—possibly being viewed as a threat. Reward: 100 Fusion Points!]
[Option 3: Spare Tsukiyama Shuu's life, but demand Matsumae's servitude and unrestricted access to Tsukiyama Group's wealth. The Group's finances can serve as startup capital for the "Akatsuki Organization." Reward: 200 Fusion Points + Further declassification of "Infinite Tsukuyomi" intel!]
Byakuya's expression grew serious.
All three options offered substantial rewards—clearly a significant quest.
Also... Option Three seemed to want him to establish the "Akatsuki Organization"?
Using the Tsukiyama Group as Akatsuki's foundation made sense given their immense wealth.
Eto had struggled with poverty when first building Aogiri Tree. She'd even tried writing for money, accidentally becoming a famous author—Aogiri's growth was funded largely by her royalties.
But what truly caught Byakuya's attention was the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" intel.
After pondering, Byakuya made his choice.
"Agreed. My terms: enslave that reasonably strong servant, unrestricted access to Tsukiyama Group's wealth, and Tsukiyama Shuu is never to touch anyone around me again—otherwise I'll crush him like an ant."
Byakuya stated his conditions coldly, without any courtesy.
"...No problem. As for Matsumae..."
Mirumo glanced at Matsumae, still struggling on the ground.
He knew "that reasonably strong servant" meant Matsumae.
"I... I'm willing too... if it means sparing the young master..."
Matsumae's voice was weak and strained.
She couldn't defy this demand—their lives were in his hands.
Moreover, if she failed to satisfy him, his status as an investigator meant he could bring the CCG down on the Tsukiyama family. The young master and master would both be endangered.
So she could only submit to being called "Master."
[Ding! Host completed Option 3. Reward: 200 Fusion Points + "Infinite Tsukuyomi" intel!]
["Infinite Tsukuyomi" Intel: This world has no Tailed Beasts and people have no chakra, yet the "Eye of the Moon Plan" can still be achieved. The modified "Infinite Tsukuyomi" can trap all humans and ghouls worldwide in a beautiful illusory world. There will be no chakra absorption or White Zetsu transformation. Instead, it will absorb all ghouls' kakuhou, kagune, and RC cells beyond human norms—until all ghouls are completely converted into humans.]
[Note: Establishing the "Akatsuki Organization" will unlock additional "Infinite Tsukuyomi" intel. Akatsuki establishment requirements: 1 Leader + 2 SS-rated ghouls + 4 S-rated ghouls]
Reading this intel, Byakuya's pupils contracted sharply.
If the system was telling the truth, this modified Infinite Tsukuyomi was the optimal solution for this world.
True peace between humans and ghouls was impossible—ghoul nature guaranteed this.
Even if special food allowing ghouls to eat was developed, it wouldn't stop ghouls pursuing gourmet experiences or greater power from continuing to prey on humans.
The original ending had "Dragon Orphans" becoming a common enemy for humans and ghouls, plus the "One-Eyed King" Kaneki's intimidation, achieving temporary relative peace—"relative" because many disobedient ghouls still hunted humans.
And the Dragon Orphans were also humanizing. Years later, they'd likely evolve into human-like ghouls—then the world would return to mutual human-ghoul slaughter.
By comparison, the system's Infinite Tsukuyomi was clearly the optimal solution.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"