After the medal ceremony concluded, everyone gathered for the reception banquet.

Byakuya, Akira, Kureo Mado, Kurona, Nashiro, and all of Squad Zero sat at the same table.

Though Kurona and Nashiro couldn't eat, they could drink alcohol and other beverages—enough to manage important occasions like this.

"Miss Akira, we meet again."

Hairu Ihei approached Akira with a smile.

"Miss Ihei, it's been a while."

Akira responded flatly.

They exchanged greetings but didn't converse further.

...

Meanwhile, as the CCG held its Promotion Ceremony, Aogiri Tree was executing an operation of its own.

"By the way... Byakuya, is this your real body or a clone?"

Unable to distinguish between Byakuya's main body and his clones, Eto asked the masked, Akatsuki-robed figure beside her.

"This is the real one."

Byakuya answered.

That meant the "Amaha Byakuya" at the Promotion Ceremony was a Wood Clone. Outsiders couldn't tell the difference anyway.

This also provided him with an ironclad alibi for what came next.

"Ooh, your real body... You must take this operation seriously if you're only sending a clone to your own promotion."

Eto was dressed in her usual Aogiri Tree attire—white bandages wrapped around her entire body.

"Are your people ready?"

Byakuya ignored her teasing and got straight to business.

"Ready and waiting for the 'King' to ascend his throne."

Eto smiled.

"Let's go..."

Byakuya nodded.

They arrived at Aogiri Tree's temporary base.

All of Aogiri Tree's members, including the executives, had gathered here.

Here, Eto would reveal her true identity for the first time.

She stood on a platform before a table and began her speech, tearing away the white bandages covering her face in front of everyone.

The assembled ghouls below remained silent—they didn't yet know Eto's true identity or recognize her face.

"Today, I have something to tell all of you."

Eto spoke calmly. "I am... the ghoul known as the Owl. I also have another name in human society—the author 'Sen Takatsuki' is me as well."

Murmurs erupted below.

"The Owl... Eto is actually the One-Eyed Owl...?"

"Sen Takatsuki is that famous human author, right? That's her too..."

"Does this mean Eto is our One-Eyed King...?"

"..."

Everyone found Eto's self-revelation incredible.

Tatara, Noro, and Ayato Kirishima stood behind her on the platform.

Apart from Tatara and Noro, who showed no reaction, the other executives looked equally stunned.

As for Byakuya—he stood right beside Eto...

"Eleven years ago, I led a small group of ghouls in multiple attacks on the CCG as the One-Eyed Owl. But I was eventually hunted down. A thick-browed investigator severed one of my arms, and I was forced into hiding with severe injuries..."

Eto recounted her history. "That was the price of overconfidence in my own power. So I decided to gather more numbers and strength, founding Aogiri Tree. Now we've assembled over a thousand ghouls..."

"You all know Aogiri Tree's purpose: to create a world friendly to ghouls—where ghouls can live as a matter of course. Though our surface enemy is the 'Doves,' the 'twisted root' hidden in the deepest shadows is my true target."

"Legend says that a century ago, an extremely powerful 'One-Eyed Ghoul' appeared, forcing humans to establish an organization to oppose it—the prototype of the CCG. The emergence of that One-Eyed Ghoul was a harbinger of great change. Many of you probably believe the 'One-Eyed Owl' is our 'King.'"

"Everyone—the One-Eyed King is not me. It is... the one standing beside me..."

As Eto's words fell, every ghoul's gaze snapped to the figure at her side.

"..."

Byakuya said nothing. He had no intention of speaking.

[Ding! Host has become the "One-Eyed King." Reward: 200 Fusion Points!]

As for Arima Kishou—he had naturally stepped aside.

Arima had been Aogiri Tree's One-Eyed King, yes, but he wasn't the true One-Eyed King who could bring change to the world. His collaboration with Eto had been to pave the way for the real one.

Now, the one who met all the requirements had appeared—someone who didn't even need a path paved for him...

"This time, under our King's leadership, we will launch our greatest counterattack against the CCG—no, more precisely, against the 'Washuu' hidden in the deepest shadows..."

As her words concluded, Eto's single kakugan blazed to life.

Though the ghouls below were still somewhat dazed, they immediately erupted into fervent cheering.

...

Backstage, only Byakuya, Eto, Tatara, Noro, and Ayato Kirishima remained.

Byakuya removed his mask.

Eto and Tatara, who already knew, showed no reaction. Noro barely had any consciousness to speak of.

Only Ayato's expression was priceless.

He'd long suspected this mysterious masked figure, but learning the truth still made him lose his composure.

"Long time no see, Ayato-kun." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Byakuya greeted him with a smile.

"You... you... it's actually you?!"

Ayato exclaimed.

"Do not be disrespectful to the King."

Tatara immediately reprimanded him coldly.

"..."

Ayato's emotions were complicated.

"I'm here on Touka's behalf to ask how you've been."

Byakuya said.

"...That idiot sister can mind her own business."

Ayato turned away, feigning indifference.

Byakuya simply smiled without comment.

"It's almost time. We should move out."

Eto spoke up.

"Wait a moment. My people should be arriving soon."

Byakuya said.

Shortly after, two figures appeared behind him.

One of them made Eto's expression freeze—it was Yoshimura...

...

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