Tokyo Ghoul: Madara Template Strikes Back!-Chapter 98 - 96: Kirishima Touka’s Brother, Ayato Kirishima

"Nothing."

Under Kamishiro Rize's persistent teasing, Kanzaki Ryoma brushed the topic aside, dodging her pressure with practiced calm.

From Banjou's perspective, though, there was no doubt now—Ryoma had to be Rize's man. She claimed it often enough, and now her behavior was practically proof.

Unlike Kirishima Touka or Tsukiyama Shuu, who assumed Ryoma was just another "prey," Banjou didn't question it. To him, this was real.

"Miss Rize... I came here to warn you. It's important."

Banjou's expression turned grim. Ryoma sat across from him, gesturing for Rize to sit beside him. She complied, though her eyes said she wasn't particularly interested in what Banjou had to say.

"I used to lead the 11th Ward, but the organization calling themselves Aogiri Tree invaded. We didn't stand a chance. I fought, but they were overwhelming. I couldn't let more of my people die, so we submitted."

He paused, then looked at Rize. "Now they're hunting doves. The CCG branch in the 11th Ward fell almost immediately. Their next target is the wards north of there. They're forcing weaker ghouls into joining them and wiping out investigators on sight."

Banjou's voice dropped lower.

"Their leader... he's cold, ruthless. For some reason, he's looking for you, Miss Rize. I don't know why, but it's personal. It won't be long before they come to the 20th Ward. You should run, or... submit."

The tension in the room thickened.

Despite being ordered to track Rize, Banjou had chosen to warn her instead—even if it meant betraying Aogiri Tree.

His three subordinates said nothing. They were loyal not to Aogiri, but to Banjou himself. Native to the 11th Ward, they had followed him through everything.

"Understood," Ryoma nodded.

"Then please," Banjou urged, "take Miss Rize and go. Leave this ward."

But Rize just smiled.

"I'm not going anywhere, Banjou-kun. Aogiri Tree isn't worth running from."

Banjou's face darkened.

"You don't understand. They're stronger than anything you've dealt with before. Even the doves were wiped out like nothing."

"I said don't worry," Ryoma said.

Banjou fell silent, worry plain in his eyes.

"If you're already here, that means others are coming too," Ryoma added.

Originally, Aogiri Tree should've sent Ayato Kirishima, Yakumo Oomori, and Nico together. But with Oomori gone, it was unclear who would come.

Unless it was Eto herself, Ryoma wasn't concerned.

"Who else?" Banjou asked, surprised.

"You'll see. I suggest you and your guys lie low so you're not caught in the crossfire."

Banjou's eyes widened.

Kirishima Ayato.

He hadn't reported to Ayato after finding Rize. There was a good chance Ayato would come to confront him himself.

And he was right.

Ayato had already arrived—dropping from the rooftop of the café, he burst through the window in a shower of shattered glass.

His kick shot straight at Banjou.

Only Ryoma and Rize moved.

Ryoma lunged forward and yanked Banjou back, intercepting the blow with his forearm.

"Huh?"

Ayato's expression tightened as his kick landed but didn't budge Ryoma.

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He assumed Ryoma was a ghoul. The truth didn't even occur to him.

Still, Ayato pushed past it. His target was Banjou, the one who failed his mission.

Nick would arrive soon, and Ayato wanted the credit. Plus, his sister Touka was here, and he didn't want Nico anywhere near her.

"Why is Ayato here...?" Banjou's men muttered, stunned.

"Stop it, Ayato!"

Touka's voice cut through the room.

She stepped forward, her face pale with disbelief.

"Yo. Long time no see, dumb sister."

Ayato sneered.

Their resemblance was unmistakable, from their sharp eyes to their jawlines. But where Touka stood calmly, Ayato slouched like a street punk, hands shoved in his pockets.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Out living real life. Unlike you, clinging to peace like a fool. I'm a real ghoul."

Touka glared. "You haven't changed."

Ayato laughed coldly. "Reality check, sis. You're just a kid playing human."

Before their argument could escalate, the door slammed open.

"Ara~"

A man walked in, hips swaying. Glittery sunglasses, flamboyant clothing, and a face as unsettling as his voice.

Nico.

SS-rated ghoul, member of the Clowns. Though not Aogiri, he loved tagging along with Oomori. Even now, he'd come just to see who'd taken Oomori out.

Behind him were two Aogiri cadres, cloaked and masked with the letters P and X—known as the Bottle Brothers.

Ayato's expression soured.

Nico beamed.

"Ayato, you didn't say your sister worked here. And she's just as pretty as you~ how wonderful."

The way Nico spoke made everyone uneasy. Even Rize looked disgusted, though she said nothing.

Touka's instincts screamed danger. She stepped in front of Hinami and Ryoko protectively.

Banjou scowled.

This wasn't going to end cleanly.

"Where's Rize?" Ayato demanded, no longer interested in talk.

Banjou stayed silent, but it didn't matter. Nico stepped forward.

"Right there," he said, pointing toward Rize. "The scent on her is unmistakable."

Ryoma turned to her.

"Rize."

Without a word, Rize tossed the schoolbag she'd brought with her toward Ryoma's seat.

He caught it and unzipped it, revealing a silver Quinque case inside.

He'd come prepared.

The moment Yoshimura told him he'd be away, Ryoma knew today would be trouble. Bringing the Quinque had been a calculated move.

Ayato narrowed his eyes as Ryoma pulled out the case. When the silver-white box revealed its contents, Ayato finally realized the truth.

Not a ghoul. A dove.

"Tch. You let a white dove get this close? You idiot, Touka."

The hatred in his voice ran deep. Their mother had been killed by doves. Their father had been taken. His rage toward the CCG was absolute.

Touka said nothing, focusing instead on getting Hinami and Ryoko to safety.

"So that's Rize, huh?" Ayato asked. "The one they call 'Oku'?"

Before Ryoma could answer, Nico giggled.

"Oh, she's beautiful. I'd love to be her bestie~"

Rize smiled, unbothered.

Ayato's temper snapped.

"Answer me, white dove!"

He charged.

Ryoma popped the latch on the case. In a flash, 13's Jason extended in his hand.

"You're Gecko's, right?" Ryoma said coolly. "Fitting. This belonged to him."

Ayato froze. Nico and the others did too.

They hadn't known who killed Oomori. Now they did.

"Well, well..." Nico cooed. "A pretty boy with a Quinque and a punch. I'm intrigued."

Ryoma didn't reply.

He struck.

Ayato scrambled back, releasing his ukaku. His kagune wings flared out, crimson and violet, firing a barrage of shards.

Ryoma deflected them easily. Jason shifted from blade to shield with a single twist. Then, just as fast, back to sword.

He closed the gap and slashed clean through Ayato's kagune, injuring the kakuhou but sparing the kill.

Ayato screamed and dropped to one knee.

Ryoma drove his foot into Ayato's gut, sending him flying across the café floor to land in front of Nico.

The Bottle Brothers rushed to guard him.

Ayato stared up in disbelief.

"You... held back?"

Ryoma didn't answer right away.

Then he said flatly, "Of course. Why would I go all out on a kid?"

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