I am a female swordsman.

The strong winds and waves swept in all directions, causing the three people's trench coats to flutter violently!

The buzzing of the propellers drowned out everything.

Mado Kureo, carrying a box in each hand, had an extremely stern and murderous expression. Behind him, two disciples, each holding their own weapon, followed steadily behind their master. Before leaving, Amon and Yomi exchanged a gesture—a gesture signifying their determination—and smiled at each other.

The three helicopters, arranged in a triangular formation, quickly disappeared into the night sky, like seasoned crows vanishing into the Tokyo night.

Aside from the occasional flash of red light, no one would notice the deliberate presence hovering overhead. Huang Quan, experiencing her first helicopter ride, felt a surreal, unreal sensation; her head was neither in the sky nor on the ground, a truly wondrous feeling. She also took this opportunity to fully appreciate Tokyo's dazzling night view.

A dazzling array of skyscraper lights, and a constant stream of tiny car headlights.

The three of them communicated from time to time through the onboard headsets. Although they were high in the sky, they still had to pay attention to the situation below at all times.

Although not explicitly told to Mado Akira, this intelligent and composed female investigator had roughly guessed the true intentions of the decision-makers. If they attempted to eliminate the elites of [Aogiri Tree] before the campaign even began, and then reappear as new [Ravens], [Aogiri Tree] would surely become curious.

One group called "Crow" has already given the ghouls in all 23 wards of Tokyo a real headache.

If another [Crow] is fired, the ghouls' situation will be even worse.

"...It is said that in order to ensure the success of this subjugation operation, headquarters has transferred several outstanding investigators from other districts to support District 11."

"Take care of yourself first, bespectacled girl. Don't get so scared by the big scene that you wet your pants." Hearing her old nemesis's excited voice, Hilde immediately launched into a sarcastic remark.

"Hmph, little brat, that's the line I was going to say. If you're going to get stage fright on the battlefield and embarrass [Crow], then go ahead and wash away your shame with your death." Igarashi, who was already used to this teasing, used his height advantage to ruffle Hilde's blond hair, making the little lion bristle and roar again.

Normally, Akira Mado would definitely warn her two partners to be mindful of their image.

But now...

Having just experienced something like that two days ago, she was naturally not in a good mood and remained in a state of turmoil. Igarashi and Hilde's antics were also a way to release their inner tension. After all, this was the first truly major mission in their careers as investigators, and as the team leader, any mistake could be a fatal blow to their lives. As the captain, she had to be fully focused on the upcoming battle.

Judging from the headquarters' repeated disregard for the pacification forces of other districts and the mobilization of investigators, the destruction of the [Bronze Tree] is inevitable.

We are determined to win!

Chapter 139 Enemy Encountered

The area of ​​contact with the [Bronze Tree] is much wider than that provided by the CCG Countermeasures Department 1.

However, this was to be expected.

Following a predictable battle plan is wishful thinking. The enemy isn't an NPC that only follows fixed patterns; after having so many fingers cut off, their main body will definitely react. The lead investigator convoy was attacked by a large number of ghouls, causing a violent explosion.

The support forces that followed were exactly the same as those that had previously attacked various districts.

The nearby power system was destroyed, plunging the surroundings into a chilling darkness. This was followed by a massive onslaught of ghouls employing contact attacks, and a brutal battle ensued.

The sound of gunfire echoed!

The screams of human ghouls!

The sudden attack immediately put the fifty-man search team into combat mode, and the enemy, showing no intention of lingering, retreated and fled in one direction after the initial contact.

A very clumsy attempt at seduction.

The propellers vibrated as they spun, the engines roared violently, and the faint whistling of the wind could be heard through the headphones—the sounds were subtle yet not inaudible. Sitting on the edge of the open cabin door, looking down, it was clear that a large area below was plunged into darkness due to the power outage.

In the darkness, streaks of bright yellow gunfire occasionally flashed.

Her small nose twitched slightly.

Huang Quan smelled a familiar scent from below—a mixture of gunpowder smoke and rust, permeating deep into his nostrils. Once you're tainted by this smell, even a half-hour shower with perfume and hot water won't wash it away.

"Order Mado Nissou to lead the troops to continue the pursuit."

The calm command from Mado Kureo came through the earpiece. This was not addressed to Yomi on the same channel, but rather to Hideyoshi Nagachika, who was in charge of contacting the old crows and others.

“But, according to the information from Mado-ni, this is clearly a trap set by Aogiri Tree. Wouldn’t continuing the pursuit be playing right into their hands?” On the other side, Nagachika Hideyoshi didn’t quite understand Mado-ni's thinking. If there was a trap waiting for the fledglings, wouldn’t it be better to avoid the trap and distract Aogiri Tree from both ends?

“Well said, Nagachika-kun.”

Mado Kureo expressed his appreciation for Nagachika Hideyoshi's questioning.

"Break the trap along with their confidence, drive them back to their kennels like stray dogs, and blow that stinking lair to the sky!" In another helicopter, Mado Kureo, his unkempt hair flying wildly in the wind, couldn't wait to see the despair on the faces of these monsters.

"I understand."

Hideyoshi Nagachika is one of the main leaders of Project Scissors. Through comparison and analogy, the CCG has been able to estimate the current number of [Aogiri Tree]. It will not exceed four hundred heads, and according to the latest intelligence, there are no unusual personnel movements in Japan that could conceal the CCG's activities.

In other words, there won't be too many enemies in this trap.

The quality may be very high.

The ghoul with its mouth agape in the trap, is it S-rank? Or... SS-rank? Huang Quan tried to analyze it herself. Based on the information she had in her mind, there weren't many ghouls in [Aogiri Tree] strong enough to be used as traps.

………………

"Continue the pursuit? Okay, I understand."

Upon receiving the clear orders from command, Akira Mado hesitated only slightly before ordering her subordinates to pursue the trail deliberately left by the Aogiri Tree ghouls. While maintaining speed, they were to be wary of enemy ambushes and traps, and to pursue through open areas whenever possible.

Pursuit is the weakness of the white dove.

With the help of kagune, ghouls can easily overcome obstacles and heights that ordinary people cannot, which would undoubtedly expose huge weaknesses if pursued in urban street battles.

But this is an order!

"Chase them! Chase them! Let me slaughter these damned ghouls!!" Igarashi leaned half her body out of the speeding chariot, shouting wildly as her longsword swung, transforming into a ring of cold light. The ghouls that had just been cut by this silver ring of light were easily sliced ​​into pieces by Quink!

"It's so noisy!"

Like a knight from an ancient battlefield, his dark silver armor was stained with blood, and his emerald eyes radiated a fierce aura. Hilde crouched atop the chariot, and he could hear Paladin's cries for more ghoul lives.

In his eyes, ghouls are achievements.

Hilde joined Raven to gain more merit! To prove those old, rotten superiors who abandoned him in Japan wrong!

Whether it's CCG, [Raven], or [Sword Demon]!

He would not hesitate to offer up his sword as a wandering knight if he could prove his merits!

"assault!!"

【Young Crow】 and the group of investigators quickly caught up with the enemy's tail, with ghouls dying one after another in the battle, and white doves also losing their lives when caught off guard by counterattacks. Akira Mado kept a close eye on the overall situation of the team she led, maintaining high morale and a stable level of combat ability.

If things continue like this, the final act of the purge can be successfully concluded.

As the pursuit continued, the investigators quickly reached the ruins area. The so-called ruins area refers to the area that was destroyed in the previous battle between the CCG and the Bronze Tree and has not yet been rebuilt. In such an area, the CCG's control is undoubtedly very low.

Upon entering the ruins area, two figures coordinated their attacks and charged out!

Their seamless teamwork caught the investigators completely off guard, and they all perished under the ferocious power stirred up by the tail!

The formation in front was easily torn open, and with the help of the extension of their tails, they coordinated their attacks with incredible agility. Ordinary investigators were no match for these two!

"Hilde Igarashi!"

Without needing further instructions from Akira Mado, the two had already taken the initiative to meet the attack upon sensing the appearance of a formidable enemy!

One strike!

With an exaggerated roar and immense power, Hilde unleashed her full strength, smashing one of the kagune figures away like a train! Even the opponent's kagune was severely dented by this explosive force, and the entire person was sent flying like a cannonball!

"elder brother!!"

The ghoul wearing an X-patterned mask was about to rush over to help when he caught a glimpse of a chilling silver ring slicing towards him from the side at a sinister angle!

"Before worrying about your brother, worry about your own safety, you filthy stray dog!" Igarashi, grinning maliciously as he removed his glasses, successfully intercepted the second guy, separating them! Then he prepared to kill them one by one!

Chapter 140 The Difficult Battle Situation

【Bottle Brothers】The backbone of Aogiri Tree, they are relatively troublesome ghouls.

Just as their codename suggests, these ghouls are brothers and are extremely skilled at combined attacks. No wonder so many investigators couldn't stop them at first; instead, they were overwhelmed by the ghouls swinging their kagune and charging in, causing chaos in the investigators' formation.

It's worth mentioning that the [Bottle Brothers] are rated S-level by CCG!

That's exactly the maximum level of ghouls that [Young Crow] can handle!

"Igarashi, don't let them get together!" Akira Mado, recognizing the [Bottle Brothers], immediately warned Igarashi, whose mask bore the X-shaped pattern. She herself activated her Quinque, preparing to support Hilde. Allowing these two well-coordinated ghouls to gather together would be far too troublesome for the [Young Crow], who currently had virtually no teamwork. Therefore, they absolutely could not be allowed to reunite!

"Leave it to me!"

The sword light of the Iai Slash was exceptionally fierce. As Igarashi wielded her longsword Quinque in pursuit, the eerie red light spreading across the blade intensified! The swordsmanship she followed was modeled after the explosive swordsmanship of the [Sword Demon], and this ruthless and uncompromising fighting style subtly countered the balanced kagune ghoul.

"Move! Move! Wild dogs! Hehe!!" Igarashi grinned maliciously, ignoring the blood splattered on his face, and listened intently to the hissing sound of the blade cutting through the air.

An S-class ghoul? Is that all you've got?

It's a bit overrated.

The X-masked ghoul panicked, its thick kagune blasting wildly at Igarashi on the ground, sending cement and gravel flying. Igarashi weaved and dodged through the chaotic kagune, its exaggerated reflexes making it seem like a fish in water, narrowly escaping each dangerous attack.

Go all out and chop off his head!

Dedicated to Lord Huang Quan!

Just as she was about to take the enemy's head, Igarashi's excited expression suddenly froze. A large gash had appeared in her abdomen, blood gushing out. Looking up again, the X-mask was almost touching her, and Igarashi's brown pupils instantly contracted to pinpoints.

………………

"Strength, speed, and kagune are all superior to mine!" Amidst the turbulent, billowing dust, Hilde gripped her greatsword tightly with both hands, the dust stirred up by the battle becoming her greatest obstacle at this moment.

Hill and the others were caught in a fierce battle!

This ghoul with a P-shaped mask quickly adapted to Hilde's fighting style and power after the surprise attack, and in turn suppressed her. The S-rank ghoul's physical strength and kagune performance surpassed Hilde's, who was enhanced by Quinque, in every aspect, forcing Hilde to defend herself in several exchanges.

He tried to fight back, but without any restraint, he couldn't mount a strong counterattack!

'Damn it! Where is it?'

Blinded vision, disrupted hearing, and the constant threat of attack!

A faint whooshing sound came from above. Hilde immediately raised her hand and raised her cross sword to parry, but was forced to her knees by the powerful force. As she knelt heavily on one knee, the ground immediately cracked open with shocking spiderweb-like fissures.

"Get up!!"

Hilde's roar erupted from beneath the mask, and the Quinque armor covering her legs writhed and made a sucking sound. The power drawn from Hilde's blood propelled him to stand up, despite the S-rank ghoul's tail.

At the same time, a red whip-like shadow swept from the side into the depths of the smoke extending from the tail!

Swipe!

Deep within the smoke where visibility was obstructed, two shadows, like wildly dancing red snakes, clashed and produced a harsh, stinging sound.