I am a female swordsman.

"So fast?" Hideyoshi Nagachika quickly caught up.

"With the layout map provided by Nagachika-kun, it's a very simple matter." Indeed, it was very simple. Yomi had already found the retreat route map that Nagachika Hideyoshi wanted to embezzle without making a sound.

That was a way out he deliberately left when he made the arrangements.

After learning that his best friend Kaneki Ken had been kidnapped by Aogiri Tree, Nagachika racked his brains trying to figure out how to rescue Kaneki. Seeking help from Yomi was the most convenient option, but he couldn't explain why. So, Nagachika secretly sabotaged things within the CCG while trying to find out if Kaneki's comrades needed help. To do all this, he had been getting very little sleep lately.

In the end, however, they handed it over to someone else.

………………

Bronze Tree Outpost, Torture Chamber

Jason has recently become uncontrollably obsessed with torturing Kaneki Ken, going to the torture room every day to brutally abuse his nearly recovered prey. The more Jason tortures Kaneki Ken, the more he feels as if he is destroying the Sword Demon, pouring all his hatred for that terrifying woman onto her disciple.

"Kaneki-kun, happy times always seem so short."

Jason's brutal, deep voice echoed in the torture chamber as he cracked his knuckles, making a chilling sound.

“The CCG will be in soon, time is precious. We’ve been playing for so long and you still haven’t given up, why don’t we play the most forbidden and dangerous game among ghouls… ghouls!” Fingers wearing iron finger guards dug deep into Kaneki Ken’s throat, forcing him to look up at him.

The one-eyed ghoul, Kaneki Ken, was looking at Jason with a sleepy expression.

'Your swordsmanship is about protection; never give up in the face of adversity.'

The gratified voice of Huang Quan still lingered in his ears; he had surpassed the god and demon within his body. Even without any sound, the instant his consciousness returned to his body, Kaneki Ken still heard the sound of the eggshell breaking. The whole world was cheering for his rebirth!!

'And don't forget your promise to me, Kaneki.'

"Don't worry, Senior Huang Quan."

The illusion of a tall, beautiful woman who cared for him like an older sister shattered, and Kaneki Ken's temperament underwent a dramatic change! His original temperament was severed and replaced, and he increasingly resembled the sharp and dangerous temperament of Yomi in her early days!

The swordsman's spirit! Inviolable!!

Jason was the one who felt this most directly. He stared at Kaneki Ken with wide eyes in disbelief. In such a short time, the one-eyed man had completely changed! It felt just like facing the heavily injured but still dangerous Sword Demon under the curtain of rain that day!

He was so frightened that he took two steps back.

"What do you mean by saying that all the bad things in this world are due to the incompetence of the parties involved? What do you mean by saying that the weak should be trampled on? What do you mean by saying that the strong can act recklessly? These sophistry-like arguments, even if they are said a hundred times, will not become the truth. This is utter nonsense."

Kaneki Ken's voice was so clear it was almost unbelievable.

His voice had a somewhat feminine tone, but as it grew louder, Kaneki's gentle voice revealed an unwavering determination.

"You're nothing but a coward who cries and begs for his mother."

Kaneki's hollow pupils solidified in an instant! The sharpness of the attack, as if tangible, struck directly at Jason's vulnerable spot!

Clang!

The kagune that emerged from behind cleanly severed the handcuffs and shackles, and the nails on Kaneki's pink fingers and toes turned pure black. The four eerie kagune on Kaneki's back were then attached to his hands and feet.

Slurp!

The sound of the kagune merging with the muscles was chilling and painful. But compared to the inhuman torture I had endured, this pain was insignificant. Tell me, tell me, tell me, who is inside my body? Nobody! I am in control of my body!

"Mr. Jason, let me tell you what I've learned."

The black-haired [Kenbatsu] kagune extended from his palm, eventually solidifying into a single-edged longsword. Overcoming the urge to cramp his fingers, Kaneki Ken's aura was unparalleled!

"This brutal pleasure will end in brutality."

"How dare you lecture me!!"

Out of control, Jason roared, unleashing a torrent of kagune from his back as he wildly stabbed at Kaneki! Kaneki closed his eyes in mockery. All bark and no bite. He had already witnessed how Yomi-senpai had crushed Jason with her exquisite swordsmanship during that downpour, and he could do it too!

He nimbly moved, one foot on Jason's kagune!

Using his feet as a pivot, Kaneki Ken moved with astonishing speed, appearing behind Jason with incredible agility. His invincible kagune pierced Jason's throat, and amidst the gushing fountain of blood, the merciless [Kenbatsu] remained calm and composed, mirroring Yomi's actions!

They ripped open Jason's throat, releasing a large amount of blood!

With a slight dodge, Kaneki deftly twirled the bloodstains from his single-edged sword. At the same time, Jason's trembling kagune was cleanly severed at the base, the cut as smooth as a mirror.

"One-eyed!!!"

"Let it all end here. Goodnight, Mr. Jason." With his body blocking the exit, Kaneki lowered his stance, raising his longsword to shoulder level. He prepared to thrust, then vanished from Jason's sight in the next second, his consciousness plunging into endless darkness. In his final moments, Jason seemed to feel a slight itch between his brows.

I'm sorry for being born.

Chapter 159 She's Here

Kaneki was already prepared to take someone's life with his own hands.

Compared to the grand promises he made in his fantasies.

Killing a hopeless ghoul with his own hands could no longer affect his mind. Having endured unimaginable suffering and forged a sword in the crucible of fire, Kaneki Ken could now roughly understand some of the thoughts of the "Sword Demon."

Tick ​​tock!Tick ​​tock!

The sound of dripping blood was exceptionally clear in the darkness.

Standing before the corpse of the half-ghoul [Jason], Kaneki's elbows and ankles were severely ulcerated, and even with the repair from his kagune, the exposed white bones inside his body were still visible. Kaneki had paid a heavy price for instantly killing the S-rank ghoul [Jason].

In fact, with his swordsmanship and strength, he could have easily killed Jason, but he chose not to.

This is Kaneki Ken's kindness.

To eliminate Jason in the fastest and most efficient way, to make him die completely, would be the greatest mercy in the world for the unforgivable Jason.

From where Kaneki had stood to where Jason's body lay, a series of exaggerated spurts of blood and deep footprints were visible on the ground. In that instant, he mobilized his muscles, unleashed his kagune, and used a sword technique that thrust at breakneck speed; even the air trembled, as if trying to stop this overwhelmingly sharp strike!

The Kagune sword pierced Jason perfectly between the eyebrows, completely destroying the inside of his brain!

"Even in the harshest winter, never forget the fragrance of roses... Senior Huang Quan, I did it." Kaneki couldn't help but feel a little proud; he really did it.

Become as powerful as you!

The next step is to...

Kaneki Ken's gaze fell upon the unseeing eyes of Jason, whose hunger was now rising after the relentless torture and the devastating blow that surpassed his own peak. He was, after all, a one-eyed ghoul, and if he didn't eat soon, his rage would consume him and his reason would become a serious problem.

Since I can't accept eating humans, I'll eat ghouls instead.

Compared to human food, which is impossible to even digest, ghoul meat, though extremely unpalatable, at least provides sustenance. Kaneki, in his agonizing chewing and swallowing, felt as if he had opened the door to a new world. With technology so advanced now, creating delicious synthetic foods for ghouls didn't seem impossible!

………………

"Irukan, how is the situation?"

Store manager Yoshimura asked Irimi Kaname, who was listening intently with her eyes closed, about the important members of the [Antique] rescue team, Kaneki, including [Black Dog] Irimi Kaname.

As a former ferocious SS-rank ghoul, Irimi Kaname possesses not only extensive combat experience but also undeniable abilities. Although her strength has significantly declined after consuming human flesh for many years, her foundation remains. Most importantly, Irimi Kaname was injured by Jason at Antique, and she must avenge that defeat!

"Building 2, Bronze 16, White Dove 18... Building 3 East, White Dove, 14 people moved. Building 7 is still under Bronze's control, Jinmu is still being searched, his scent is too faint."

Iruma Kasumi opened her long, narrow, and intellectual eyes slightly.

The battle between the white dove and the ghouls was so intense that it severely affected her five senses. Fortunately, thanks to the thorough information provided by the mysterious person, they were confident that they could rescue Kaneki and retreat safely without revealing themselves.

"Miss Irimi is really amazing."

Hinami looked at Irimi Kaname with admiration and longing, thinking that if she had that power, she could help Kaneki-nii.

"Hinami-chan can try it too! If we concentrate our five senses, we can perceive a lot of things." Irimi Kaname gently stroked Hinami's head with affection. This strong girl finally saw a glimmer of hope. May this operation reunite Hinami and Ryoko.

"Ok!"

Nodding vigorously, Hinami puffed out her cheeks like a hamster! Then she closed her eyes!

The moment she closed her eyes, she "saw" the horrific scenes unfolding at the Aogiri Tree stronghold: white doves and ghouls locked in brutal combat, a sight that deeply distressed Hinami Fueguchi. There was no intention, nor any need, of mutual understanding; both sides were intent on killing each other!

That's too cruel...

Hinami Fueguchi couldn't help but recall that woman with the sharp longsword in the rainy alley that day. The "Sword Demon" must be a perfect example of this, embodying the will that ghouls must die.

Tap tap, tap tap.

Amidst the cacophony of figures, a rhythmic footstep suddenly caught Hinami Fueguchi's attention. Her heart skipped a beat, cold sweat poured down her forehead, and she found it difficult to breathe!

Tap tap, tap tap!

The crisp sound of footsteps, like a haunting, incantation, firmly occupied Hinami's hearing. Unhurried and composed, yet carrying a chilling fear that made one want to kneel. The footsteps seemed to stop right in front of her, but she didn't have the courage to even look up at the source of the sound! *Thud!* A head suddenly fell from above and rolled into her view—it was her father's head!

'Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!'

"Hinami...Hinami-chan!?"

The shout from Irimi Kaname, seemingly coming from an extremely distant place, instantly awakened the demon-possessed Fueguchi Hinami. When she came to her senses, she realized that her clothes were soaked with sweat.

Everyone was looking at Hinami with concern.

Her face was deathly pale, she was sweating profusely, and trembling with fear. This didn't seem normal at all. What could have possibly frightened the strong-willed Hinami like this?

"I saw Dad..."

Hinami's first sentence surprised everyone at the antique shop, but her next sentence made them feel a strong sense of crisis.

"That woman is here too, she's here! Sword Demon!" Her father's killer, the CCG's Winged Raven, the Sword Demon whose steel is stained with blood, a third-class investigator of the Underworld. She is Hinami Fueguchi's nightmare; let alone seeing her, just thinking about her makes Hinami Fueguchi tremble with fear!

Irimi Kaname hugged Hinami's trembling, petite body.

She tenderly kissed Hinami's head, soothing her frightened heart. Irimi Kaname glanced at the shop manager and the others, asking what to do next.

[Sword Demon] is not being considered as he is present.

According to the information given by the mysterious figure, the [Sword Demon] shouldn't have the energy to participate in the [Aogiri Tree] extermination battle tonight. However, an unexpected situation occurred: the sudden appearance of the [Sword Demon] filled many with a sense of foreboding. Shopkeeper Yoshimura noticed that Irimi Kaname's eyes, after a period of struggle, became incredibly resolute.

She nodded emphatically to everyone. She believed in Huang Quan, and even if the hope was slim, she was determined to give it a try!

Chapter 160 Powerful

While the group of "Antiques" were filled with worries, Kaneki also encountered some trouble.

He... got lost.

Getting lost in the Bronze Tree's stronghold sounds unbelievable, but it's true. Ever since he was captured and taken to the Bronze Tree's stronghold, he has been unjustly deprived of his personal freedom. In the early days, he was monitored, beaten, and verbally abused. Later, when he fell into Jason's hands, he was subjected to endless torture and abuse.

In this situation, it would be strange if Kaneki could recognize the way.

Moreover, now...

Bang! Bang! Tap! Tap!