"Indeed..."

Eto nodded slightly: "I was originally planning to reveal myself during the final battle. Revealing my identity a bit earlier won’t be a problem."

Byakuya and Eto were conversing in the furthest corner of the room, with no other customers nearby. As long as they kept their voices down, outsiders wouldn’t overhear.

"I should probably head back. I’ve just started working on a new book and need to get some writing done."

Eto said, standing up.

"I look forward to Teacher Takatsuki’s new book."

Byakuya said.

"There you go again..."

Eto smiled faintly: "If you don’t show up to support me at my book launch... then you’re a big liar."

Given Byakuya’s strength, she couldn’t exactly threaten him, so "big liar" was the harshest thing she could say.

"How could I not? I’ll definitely be there to support Teacher Takatsuki."

Byakuya said.

Learning that Eto was leaving, Hinami looked reluctant: "Eto-neechan will come back, won’t she...?"

"Of course! And Hinami-chan, whenever you miss me, you can always call."

Eto smiled.

"Okay!"

Hinami nodded happily.

...

A few days later, Squad Zero had a mission to carry out.

It wasn’t a ghoul extermination operation—rather, another batch of Academy recruits was due for their field training.

Byakuya was now sitting in the conference room at the Ward 20 CCG Branch, with Koori Ui discussing the details.

"This is the list of trainees for this round. We’ll be taking them to Ward 24 for some experience, just like you and Rank 2 Suzuya went through."

Koori placed a document in front of Byakuya.

Rikai Souzu sat nearby, also reviewing the list.

Since Akira Mado and Juuzou Suzuya weren’t Squad Zero members, they weren’t present in the conference room.

Looking at the names and photos on the list, Byakuya’s eyes flickered slightly. He recognized several familiar faces.

Kuki Urie, Tooru Mutsuki, Ginshi Shirazu, and Saiko Yonebayashi—all four were members of the Quinx Squad from the original story, and they were all on this trainee list.

As for the other trainees, he didn’t recognize them. If he did, that would be truly remarkable.

"Some of these trainees should be classmates you know, right? After all, you’ve only been out of the Academy for less than a year."

Koori asked casually.

"Yes, though we’re not close. I’ve only seen them around."

Byakuya nodded.

He’d only actually met Tooru Mutsuki before...

"Doesn’t matter. You’ll get to know them soon enough."

Koori smiled.

"We won’t be deploying the full squad this time. Neither Arima-san nor I will participate in this ’Whack-a-Mole’ operation. Headquarters wants you to serve as Squad Zero’s acting captain for this mission."

Koori explained: "Also, I’ll be leaving Squad Zero soon. You’ll likely take over as vice-captain. It’s probably because I’m about to be promoted to Special Class and will be reassigned. Though honestly, I think you deserve this ’Special Class’ position more than I do..."

"That’s not true. Koori-san’s contributions during the Owl Suppression fully merit this honor. That doesn’t conflict with however well I performed."

Byakuya shook his head slightly.

Whether the post-Owl Suppression promotion ceremony saw him normally promoted to Associate Special Class or skip-promoted to Special Class, he didn’t particularly care.

These titles were just Fusion Points in his eyes—fixed points he’d eventually earn. No need to rush.

"Well, I appreciate you taking this on. The major battle just ended, and now you’re already being asked to lead a team of rookies."

Koori said.

"It’s fine. Being too idle actually makes me uncomfortable."

Byakuya said casually.

"I’ll have the trainees assemble directly at our branch this time. It’ll be more convenient."

Koori said.

"Sounds good."

Byakuya nodded.

"By the way... that ’Non-Killing Owl’ is probably still in Ward 20, our jurisdiction, isn’t it?"

Koori suddenly brought up this topic.

"Possibly. Or it might have fled elsewhere to hide."

Byakuya replied evenly.

"Sigh... Headquarters doesn’t have the bandwidth to deal with the Non-Killing Owl right now. All eyes are on the One-Eyed Owl and that ’Madara.’ There are just too many terrifying and dangerous enemies these days."

Koori slumped back in his chair.

His last battle against the One-Eyed Owl had left him utterly battered, and then an even more terrifying "Madara" had appeared...

"Honestly, I really don’t want to fight that ’Madara.’ You’re probably the only one who could go toe-to-toe with him."

Koori sighed.

"...Don’t put everything on me."

Byakuya felt somewhat amused and exasperated.

Last time he’d essentially been fighting himself, yet CCG had already positioned him as their primary asset against "Madara."

"If we can’t count on you, there’s no one else to count on. Even Arima-san was helpless against him."

Koori stood and patted Byakuya’s shoulder, speaking solemnly: "We’re counting on you from now on."

"Alright then..."

Byakuya smiled wryly.

Koori then left the conference room to handle other matters.

"Rikai, let’s go too."

Byakuya stood and addressed Rikai Souzu.

"Yes, Acting Captain Amaha."

Rikai had already adapted to this form of address.

Passing by the office area, Byakuya noticed Akira working overtime even during what should have been rest time.

She was investigating the "Gourmet" case, and had also taken on the "Binge Eater" case that originally belonged to Shinohara and Suzuya.

Both the Gourmet and Binge Eater had now been confirmed to be closely connected to the SSS-rated "Madara" that CCG was prioritizing—specifically, they were confirmed to be members of the same ghoul organization.

"Akira, working hard even on your day off..."

Byakuya expressed his concern.

"Staying home is too boring. Sitting in the office investigating ghouls suits me better."

Akira replied without expression.

"Fair enough. But make sure to rest properly."

"Thank you for your concern, Investigator Amaha. I’ll keep that in mind."

Even as she responded, Akira’s eyes never left the intelligence reports on her desk.

"..."

Byakuya felt an indescribable sense of awkwardness.

The main issue was that "Madara" was actually him. Akira was working overtime specifically to investigate matters related to him...

...

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