Although the underground corridors twisted and turned like a maze, they were no problem for Amano Hiro.
Arima Kishou was carrying his small clone on him, making him as obvious as a glowing icon on a game map within his perception.
Closer and closer.
Boom!
The heavy metal door of the conference room was kicked off its frame by him, flying into the room like a cannonball and embedding itself deeply into the wall!
The sounds of the battle inside instantly stopped.
Amano Hiro walked through the doorway at an unhurried pace while carrying IXA. With a sweep of his gaze, he immediately understood the situation.
Two members of the Washuu Clan were already lying on the floor.
Arima Kishou stood in the center, holding a dagger-type Quinque in each hand, his expression showing no emotion.
The remaining Washuu members looked as if they were facing a great enemy, while Washuu Tsuneyoshi, sitting at the head seat, had an especially interesting expression. His face alternated between pale and green like a color palette.
Looking at his appearance, Amano Hiro could not suppress his smile. He directly revealed a mocking grin.
"Yo, first time meeting you, old man."
Washuu Tsuneyoshi's expression darkened so much it seemed like water could drip from it. He had already guessed who the newcomer was, and he forced the words out through clenched teeth.
"Slaughter... You actually joined forces with them. When... when did Arima Kishou betray us?!"
Hearing this question, Amano Hiro almost laughed out loud. He managed to hold it back, but the mockery in his voice became even more obvious.
"When did you ever get the idea... that Arima Kishou was completely loyal to you?"
Washuu Tsuneyoshi was rendered speechless.
He knew very clearly that today would most likely be his end.
The strongest human and the strongest ghoul together. Their remaining forces were completely insignificant.
He forcibly suppressed his fear and attempted to negotiate.
"Slaughter! You cannot kill me! If you kill me, CCG will completely fall into chaos. The government will intervene directly and send the military to wipe out the ghouls!
When that happens, all of you will be finished! Spare me, and I will negotiate with the government. After that, we will immediately leave this country and never return!"
After hearing this "nonsense," Amano Hiro laughed outright.
"Old man, are you senile, or did fear make you stupid?"
He shook his head. Then his smile disappeared, and his eyes turned cold.
"Forget it. The only thing you need to do is."
"Go die obediently."
Amano Hiro casually threw IXA back to Arima Kishou. He himself charged straight toward the old man, Washuu Tsuneyoshi.
The battle that followed had no suspense whatsoever.
With two "strongest" fighters joining forces against these remaining defeated soldiers, it was as easy as cutting through melons and vegetables. It ended in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the corpses scattered across the ground, Amano Hiro did not hesitate. He crouched down.
Efficiently, he pulled out all the pure-blooded Kakuhou and absorbed them one by one. These were valuable things. They could not be wasted.
After dealing with the Kakuhou, he looked at the mostly intact corpses on the ground. After thinking for a moment, he decided that it still was not safe enough.
The sharp claws on both hands shot out with a swish, and he began violently slashing at the bodies in a dazzling blur.
In the blink of an eye, all the corpses were reduced to unrecognizable pieces.
Only then did Amano Hiro clap his hands in satisfaction.
He nodded.
"Finishing off enemies is a good habit."
Arima Kishou looked at the mess on the ground, and his tense shoulders relaxed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
The chains that had bound him for many years had truly been broken at this moment.
The new world that he and Eto had been pursuing was one step closer.
Since crossing over, Amano Hiro had not really had many proper conversations with Arima Kishou.
One reason was that this man was naturally quiet. The other was that there had been no need.
Some things did not need to be spoken. They both understood them.
The two turned around in perfect understanding and walked toward the exit, one in front and one behind.
When they were close to the surface, Amano Hiro spoke first. His words were direct.
"Next, we activate the final plan. You handle the aftermath on CCG's side."
Arima Kishou did not stop walking. He only replied with one word.
"Okay."
Still as economical with words as ever.
After leaving the underground, they stood once again on top of the ruins.
Amano Hiro looked back one final time at this ruined ancestral ground.
"I'm leaving first."
Before his voice finished, the ground beneath his feet shook. His entire body transformed into a dark red streak of light that shot into the sky, disappearing beyond the horizon in an instant.
Arima Kishou stood where he was, looking up at the sky where the trail quickly faded away. He remained silent for a moment.
Then he turned around and walked steadily along the path he had come from, heading alone toward CCG Headquarters.
...
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Rize turned her head from where she was curled up on the sofa.
"That was fast."
She blinked.
"Is everything taken care of?"
Amano Hiro's trip outside had only taken about an hour in total.
He walked to the sofa and naturally sat down, pulling Rize into his arms.
"Mm, done."
His tone was as casual as if he were talking about the weather.
"From now on, there is no more Washuu Clan."
Hearing this, Rize softened completely and nestled deeper into his embrace, her cheek pressed against his chest.
The hidden force that had always loomed over her like a shadow had finally disappeared completely.
She had not expected this day to arrive so quickly. The heavy stone weighing down her heart seemed to suddenly be lifted.
A long-lost, light and relaxed feeling spread from the depths of her heart.
Amano Hiro lowered his head and looked at Rize clinging to him like a cat that had found its nest. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Don't cook lunch today."
He rubbed her hair.
"We will go out to eat. Let's celebrate properly."
Rize raised her face from his arms, her eyes curving into a smile.
"Okay."
...
CCG's press conference only announced the most important information. After confirming the Washuu Clan's ghoul identity, it ended decisively.
Although there was not much information revealed, every single piece was enough for the media to digest for a long time, creating enormous waves.
After the press conference ended, the higher-ups immediately closed the doors and held another meeting.
The topic was very clear.
How to deal with the remaining forces of the Washuu Clan that had already been exposed.
The discussion in the conference room continued endlessly. Although there were differences in the details, the general direction was the same.
They had to be completely eliminated.
Just as everyone was arguing over the specific plan.
Click.
The door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open.
All voices stopped instantly. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.
The person who entered was Arima Kishou.
He walked into the room calmly, his eyes sweeping across every face present.
Then he spoke calmly, directly interrupting all previous discussions.
"No need to discuss anymore."
He paused, his voice clear and certain.
"The Washuu Clan no longer exists."
Arima Kishou's words instantly silenced the entire conference room. Everyone's heart skipped a beat.
A thought appeared in everyone's mind at the same time.
Could it be... Special-Class Investigator Arima personally took action and eliminated the Washuu Clan's higher-ups?
Marude Itsuki composed himself and asked.
"Special-Class Investigator Arima, do you mean... the core members of the Washuu Clan have already been dealt with?"
Arima Kishou still wore the same expressionless face. He nodded.
Confirming it, he said.
"Yes. Just now. I and Slaughter cleared out the main Washuu family together."
Boom.
This sentence was even more shocking than the previous one. A wave of suppressed gasps filled the conference room.
The destruction of the Washuu Clan was a good thing, but... together with Slaughter?
Those words caused everyone's hearts to sink.
Countless guesses immediately surfaced.
Arima Kishou and that monster.
When did they become connected?
What other unknown secrets were hidden between them?