I am a female swordsman.

Create a better environment for your partner Huang Quan to dance on the battlefield!

"Since you two are both here, I'll also relay the orders from headquarters..."

CCG Headquarters Countermeasures Section 2 Order:

The investigator squad "Crow," currently on a routine search mission in the 20th ward, is hereby ordered to rest for three days to provide support for some of the seriously wounded investigators withdrawing from the 11th ward. After three days, they will depart for the 11th ward to join the raid as a crucial force against the ghoul organization "Aogiri Tree" in the fight against the 11th ward!

This also means that the investigations into the [Rabbit], [Black Dog], and the possible ghoul mutual aid organizations in the 20th ward, mentioned in Huang Quan's previous report, have to be suspended.

Huang Quan sensed the anxiety of the CCG's Countermeasures Section 2 from this order.

"Is the situation in Area 11 really that bad?" Huang Quan, who had been staying in Area 20 recently, was unaware of the battle situation in Area 11.

"It's terrible."

Mado Kureo's expression turned serious.

"Currently, in terms of strength, we are at a disadvantage in Area 11. The Second Countermeasures Division underestimated the enemy. The specific situation is still very complicated. Let's take our time to understand it." The situation in Area 11 is indeed not optimistic. [Aogiri Tree] once attacked the Area 11 branch. If it weren't for the desperate resistance of the Area 11 investigators, the Area 11 branch would have been wiped out.

Speaking of which, Marute Tei-go was quite unlucky.

He probably has a huge headache right now, considering the emergence of the "Aogiri Tree" in Area 11 as an achievement. The support from "Crow" was already a bit unreasonable, and it might even be a deal between Mado, a senior class, and Marude, a special class.

"Teacher, I'd like to bring someone with me when I go to Area 11 this time."

"That boy from earlier?"

"No, it's someone else. He has very strong intelligence analysis skills." Huang Quan mentioned Hideyoshi Nagachika, a young man who, according to CCG files, is the orphan of an investigator.

The Raven squad is not lacking in combat power, and if they want to continue to expand, they can make up for their shortcomings in information processing.

Mado Kureo has the authority to specially recruit him into the [Crow] guild.

"Then go for it! I'm looking forward to more crows joining us!"

Mado agreed to Yomi's suggestion almost without hesitation. His trust in Yomi wasn't just lip service; he had complete faith in Yomi, his disciple and partner. This feeling of being deeply trusted by others was truly wonderful, and it's no wonder that so many investigators in the CCG sincerely call Mado "senpai" (senior).

Mado Kureo possesses a charismatic personality and a powerful, admirable will amidst his cruelty towards ghouls.

The initial tasks were quickly assigned on-site.

With his excellent appearance, Amon Kotaro went to meet the seriously injured investigator who was being evacuated from the 11th ward. Mado Kureo went to complete the handover process with the branch manager of the 20th ward. Yomi, before leaving, extracted more information about Aogiri Tree from Fueguchi Ryoko in the 23rd ward ghoul prison. The most important information was about the strength of Aogiri Tree's core members and their functions.

The crow with flapping wings will next target Area 11.

'It's time to leave Ward 20...'

Suddenly realizing that she was about to embark on another perilous mission, Huang Quan felt a pang of emotion. She made a decision: before leaving District 20, she would go to [Antiques] one last time to have a cup of coffee brewed by Xuan herself.

Chapter 81 Farewell

Ding-a-ling!

The next day, [Antiques]

Koma Enji, who was slowly preparing coffee at the front desk, was slightly taken aback when he saw the tall figure enter. However, he quickly put on a polite smile. It was truly amazing that he hadn't expected her to visit again.

"Welcome... Oh, it's been a long time, Huang Quan."

As Huang Quan slowly walked into the quiet coffee shop, she looked at the usual sparse customer situation and suddenly felt that perhaps she had little to do with the shop's plummeting revenue.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Furuma."

Huang Quan took off his sunglasses and habitually walked to his usual spot, but to his surprise, the spot was already occupied, and it was someone he knew sitting there.

Ken Kaneki.

It was obvious that the antique shop, with its dismal sales, didn't need any staff. Kaneki, relaxed and engrossed in a book, sat in Yomi's favorite window seat, completely absorbed in the book. He didn't even notice Yomi walking up behind him.

"Their vigilance is too poor."

With a chop to the head, Huang Quan was somewhat dissatisfied with Jin Mu's low vigilance.

Such comfort and relaxation would put her at a huge disadvantage if attacked. Don't be fooled by Huang Quan's usual indifferent and aloof demeanor; she is actually always on high alert. This habit of constantly being on edge is ingrained in her very being.

"Senior Huang Quan...?" Regaining his senses from the choke, Kaneki stood up somewhat awkwardly!

'What's up with Senior Sister Huang Quan at [Antiques]?!'

Kaneki Ken felt a jolt run through him. He realized that Touka seemed to be at the shop today, probably upstairs just now. He hoped she wouldn't lose control of her emotions upon seeing Yomi-senpai. After all, after what happened with Ryoko-sama, Touka had taken Hinami in because she didn't want Hinami to survive in that cesspool-like place like the 24th ward.

"Why are you so nervous? You were doing fine during training this morning."

Completely unaware that he had infiltrated enemy territory, Huang Quan casually and naturally sat down. The spot by the window was bathed in the warm midday sun, which felt wonderfully comfortable on his skin.

With his eyes slightly narrowed, Huang Quan exuded a languid air, his half-open eyes reflecting the bright light and radiating an unusual, sharp, and vibrant luster.

For some reason, Kaneki suddenly felt that Yomi was acting very strangely.

She seemed to have lost her usual sharp and murderous aura, and was no longer as cold as before. The silver-haired, red-eyed girl possessed a flower-like temperament, seemingly forgetting that she was a ghoul investigator. That faint, melancholy smile was firmly imprinted in Kaneki's eyes.

"Xuan doesn't seem to be here today..."

"Miss Irimi will be here to take over soon." Kaneki answered hesitantly. He wondered if Yomi-senpai, who had also fought with Miss Irimi, would be discovered as well.

"That's wonderful. It's nice to have a cup of coffee you all made before I leave." This time, Huang Quan wasn't visiting as [Sword Demon] Huang Quan, but as someone who had been saved by someone else. Huang Quan had a premonition that he might not return to District 20 for a long time after this departure.

Kaneki looked somewhat surprised. What had he heard?

Senior Huang Quan, are you leaving?

Perhaps it was because Kaneki wasn't someone who could hide his thoughts, or perhaps it was because the doubt in his eyes was too intense, but Huang Quan easily saw through Kaneki.

"I didn't tell you this morning because I was afraid it would affect your training. You know my job; I often have to travel around."

Huang Quan only told Jin Mu about the changes at work now.

Many things about ghoul investigators are kept secret for their safety. Seeing that he was about to leave, Yomi casually mentioned it, without specifying when or what he was going to do. Kaneki's mood visibly sombered. For some reason, hearing that Yomi was leaving made him feel as if he had lost something important, as if the pillar that gave him courage had vanished.

"Is it a new book, another collection of poems?"

Noticing that the book Kaneki Ken was reading seemed to be different from the one he carried with him during training, Yomi adjusted her posture to make herself more comfortable. Her voice was a little light and airy, as if she wasn't using any strength.

"It's Bai Qiu's poetry collection."

When Kaneki was hospitalized for surgery, Yomi, who came to visit him, sat beside him in the same way, listening attentively to the verses that gave Kaneki a glimmer of light in his confusion and despair. These beautiful verses also gave Yomi something indescribable, something called artistic conception and fantasy.

Kaneki could never forget what happened that day.

He realized that, without realizing it, he had come to regard [Sword Demon] Huang Quan as a close elder, and what he had borrowed from Huang Quan today became the reason why he did not forget the fragrance of roses even in the face of the harsh winter.

When Ru Jianxuan arrived at the [Antiques], Huang Quan had been waiting for a long time.

There was no impatience, no eagerness, only a faint joy. Iruma's expression changed slightly. Upon seeing Huang Quan, she seemed to recall that day in the torrential rain, the "Sword Demon" who mercilessly tried to cut off her head with his sword—a stark contrast to the serene, smiling girl before her!

This is what humans are like...

Without any mercy, they took away Mrs. Ryoko's crow.

"Huang Quan, why did you suddenly come here today?" Although her mind was racing, Ru Jianxuan managed to disguise and suppress the mixed feelings in her heart.

More than herself, she was worried that after what happened to Mrs. Ryoko not long ago, Yomi's sudden visit to [Antiques] might tempt some of the ghouls in the shop to attack her. For example, Touka, or Mr. Yomo.

"Aren't you welcoming me?"

"On the contrary, I always welcome you to try my coffee."

Looking at the languid silver-haired, red-eyed girl, Irimi Kaname couldn't help but smile slightly. Even when she was a "Black Dog" and faced life-or-death situations with the "Sword Demon," forced to fight fiercely for their respective races, as Irimi Kaname and Yomi, they could sit together happily chatting and carefree, dreaming about what they would do in the future.

However, most of the time it was Irimasu who talked about her future, while Huang Quan listened attentively and cherished the moment.

Upon learning of Huang Quan's impending departure, Irimi Kaname was taken aback.

It turns out that Huang Quan came here today specifically to say goodbye. Being a ghoul investigator is a high-risk profession, and every year a number of ghouls tragically perish for various reasons. Huang Quan had no idea how many dangerous battles awaited him in Area 11, and if he left without saying goodbye, it would be a huge disregard for Xuan as a friend.

Chapter 82 Understanding the Bronze Tree

"Three cups of coffee, all for you!"

On the tray that Irimi was holding were three cups of coffee. One was brewed by her, another was a gift from Kaneki, who was new to brewing coffee, and the last one was a gift from Yoshimura, the store manager.

Just as Yoshimura, the shop manager, came downstairs, she looked up and saw her two employees happily slacking off during work hours. Although business at the [Antiques] shop hadn't been great lately, and there weren't many customers to serve, such blatant slacking was still highly inappropriate. She had originally intended to reprimand Kaneki and Irimi, but upon seeing Yomi among the three sitting together, Yoshimura understood their true intentions.

If the two of them weren't there to accompany Huang Quan, things might have gotten a little out of hand.

Similarly, upon learning that Huang Quan was about to leave District 20, Yoshimura Kōzen also carefully brewed her a cup of coffee as a farewell gift.

"Thank you."

Huang Quan happily accepted the three identical cups of coffee, feeling that his trip was already fulfilling.

Stepping out of the [Antique], Huang Quan's languid expression vanished. She seemed to have let go of something or made a firm decision about something, transforming back into the [Sword Demon] who terrified many ghouls on the battlefield.

Only Kaneki came out to send him to the underworld.

"Don't worry about me, this is something I'm used to." Seeing the inexplicable fear and unease on Kaneki's face, Yomi comforted him instead.

Could it be more dangerous than it was two months ago?

She survived that disastrous start, so how could she possibly be killed in a battle in Area 11? Besides, Huang Quan isn't fighting alone anymore; she has a partner she can entrust her life to, and skills honed through brutal combat!

"May you return safely and triumphantly."

"Not bad, Kaneki. This time you didn't mention that you've achieved success in your career."

Huang Quan was still in the mood to joke, which made Kaneki Ken unable to help but let out an awkward chuckle.

Just as Kaneki was scratching his head and chuckling, he was suddenly flicked on the forehead. Yomi flicked her finger against his forehead. This was a habitual gesture Yomi used to warn Kaneki when he made a mistake during training. Kaneki didn't know why Yomi was making this gesture now, or what its meaning was.

"Kaneki, you are a bit like I used to be. You have gained some strength and are living a hard and fulfilling life. But you are still lacking something: the ability to deal with the obsession that is truly powerless and desperate. What I am saying may sound absurd and ridiculous to you, but I hope you remember to find your own obsession and direction. Only then can you truly become strong, instead of always needing to borrow courage from others."

Instead of relying on the warmth of others, it's better to strive to become the sun that can warm others.

This was the last lesson that Yomi gave to Kaneki Ken before she left.

As for whether she could guide Kaneki onto the path of true self-strengthening that he hoped for, Huang Quan herself was unsure. Ultimately, she lacked experience as a teacher and was still figuring things out on her own path to growth. She had done what she could, and the rest was up to natural development.

He gestured to Kaneki that he didn't need to continue escorting him.

The third-class investigator from the underworld waved goodbye in the midday sun, her free and easy demeanor possessing an amazing charm that, even as a woman, was truly captivating.

………………

Ward 23, [Cookria] Interrogation Room