273. Chapter 273: Do You Want the Strength to Protect Your Family? CCG Investigators!
Following the clue, Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon found Hinami Fueguchi's Residence. Looking at the dilapidated building before them, a hint of solemnity flashed in their eyes.
They took out their Quinque, forged from kakuhou, preparing for the upcoming battle.
Quinque are special weapons unique to CCG Investigators. The material is taken from the kakuhou inside a ghoul's body, and the form of the weapon varies depending on the type of kakuhou. Generally, processed ukaku are mainly used as shooting weapons, capable of firing kagune bullets or energy bodies.
As for koukaku, being heavy and hard, it is typically processed into swords or other heavy weapons, as well as armor. Regarding rinkaku and bikaku, the former has various forms and is generally processed into special weapons, while the latter, lacking decisive attack methods or weaknesses, is mostly processed into beginner weapons suitable for new Investigators.
"Looks like we're in for a tough fight," Koutarou Amon said with a solemn expression.
"Tsk tsk tsk, look at this destructive power. It seems to be at least an S-Rank or higher ghoul."
Kureo Mado, carrying his briefcase, slowly turned the ring inside his glove. Suddenly, he turned his head to look behind him.
Without knowing when, a man in a black trench coat, with his hands in his pockets, had appeared behind them.
Kureo Mado pressed the switch on his weapon almost without hesitation. Two brilliant kagune, like the tails of strange beasts, shot out from the Quinque, instantly restraining the man's upper body.
Xia Shang looked at the purplish-red bikaku wrapped around him, smiled slightly, and with just a gentle exertion of strength in his arms, snapped the bikaku.
"Tell your Director, Yoshitoki Washuu, that the Dragon is about to be born. Tell him to wait and see."
Xia Shang walked between the two of them, placing a hand on Kureo Mado's shoulder.
Bang! Kureo Mado's right shoulder instantly caved in, and he knelt heavily on the ground, half his body slumped.
"Mado-Senior!" Koutarou Amon nervously supported Kureo Mado, blood seeping from his mouth.
"Cough, there are quite a few big fish in the 20th Ward."
Kureo Mado coughed up blood, smiled, and looked up at the man's back as he spoke.
"I'll take you away first." Koutarou Amon didn't expect the fight to end so quickly. With just one exchange, Mado-Senior was severely injured. The opponent's strength was simply terrifying. He and Mado-Senior had carried out so many missions together, but the man before him was the only existence that made him feel startled and fearful.
...
Inside the house.
Amidst Hinami Fueguchi's Father's roar, the white smoke dissipated, and the monster's figure could finally be seen clearly.
The surface of the humanoid monster's body was covered in a thick layer of black armor. Its true appearance was hidden beneath a helmet with a molten texture, and sharp, hideous black spikes protruded all over its body. However, the monster's overall shape did not appear bulky at all; instead, it gave off a sense of elegant, mysterious fluidity.
"..."
Ryouko Fueguchi didn't speak. Instead, she pursed her lips and stood in front of Hinami Fueguchi, who was wrapped in tentacles. She spread her hands, shielding Hinami Fueguchi behind her.
"Aren't you afraid of death?"
An untimely voice suddenly sounded.
A man walked with leisurely steps, arriving behind the monster.
The monster lowered its head, respectfully retreated to the side, and retracted its tentacles.
Rize Kamishiro needed to devour more high-quality Kakuhou to become the Dragon, especially Rinkaku Kakuhou. And Hinami Fueguchi, with SS-rank strength, was the most suitable provider. "Don't worry, I have no ill intentions." Xia Shang's face wore a smile that seemed incredibly false.
At least to Hinami Fueguchi's family, it was utterly hypocritical. They didn't believe a single word, not even a single punctuation mark, of what Xia Shang said.
"If you have no ill intentions, then let us go and leave our home." Ryouko Fueguchi watched Xia Shang vigilantly.
"Guess who I met on my way here?"
A large amount of black liquid flowed down Xia Shang's back, instantly forming a throne.
Xia Shang sat on the throne and smiled, "It was CCG Investigators. From the looks of it, they must have discovered your Residence. If I'm not mistaken, their purpose for coming this time is probably to pry information about Gecko out of your husband.
You should be very clear about their style of doing things. If you fall into their hands, your fate will be ten thousand times worse than it is now. Oh, and let me tell you a little secret: Gecko suffered unimaginable torture after being locked up in the detention center, which caused him to have a mental breakdown and turn into a perverted lunatic who enjoys torturing people.
How about it? Compared to them, aren't I considerably more benevolent?"
"I don't know where Gecko is. He never tells me his whereabouts." Hinami Fueguchi's Father still thought Xia Shang had come to find out Gecko's location.
To be honest, if he had known Gecko had offended so many people, he would have moved out of the 20th Ward long ago and found a hidden place to hide.
"No, no, no, Gecko has already been killed by me. I don't care about his whereabouts."
Xia Shang looked at Hinami Fueguchi, who was curled up on the ground, having returned to her human form, and said gently, "I just want you to understand that without absolute strength, you cannot protect what you want to protect. This is a dark world. Ghouls eat humans, and humans purge ghouls. Sometimes, ghouls even engage in cannibalism among themselves. So, simply running away won't solve the problem. Only strength can allow you to live a truly peaceful life."
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Ryouko Fueguchi frowned and asked.
"I want to say... I can give you strength, make you stronger ghouls, and let you live happily forever." Xia Shang's voice was extremely tempting.
"I agree. What do you want me to do?" Hinami Fueguchi's Father supported his heavily injured body and looked at the man on the throne.
"You?"
Xia Shang smiled, then shook his head.
"You are not qualified enough. Your wife is also not qualified enough."
"What do you want to do to Hinami Fueguchi! If you let her go, I'm willing to accept any torture!" Hinami Fueguchi's Father said hoarsely, his eyes red.
"Torture? Don't overthink it. I'm not a pervert like Gecko. I just plan to train your Daughter into an SSS-rank ghoul, and then, when necessary, take a few Kakuhou from her body."
Xia Shang had no intention of hiding his plan at all and stated it openly.
Unexpectedly, after hearing Xia Shang's purpose, Hinami Fueguchi's Father became even more agitated.
"If you want to kill Hinami Fueguchi, then just kill me now! Otherwise, I will stop you even if I have to risk everything!"
"I understand that ordinary ghouls die after having the Kakuhou removed from their body, but you should know that SSS-rank ghouls have more than one Kakuhou. Normally, they should have six or more. If only a few are removed, the ghoul will not die; at most, they will become weak."
(End of Chapter)