"Eto."

Yoshimura still wore his black hat, but his clothes had been replaced with an Akatsuki Robe.

Byakuya had given him the robe. Considering the Manager's age and diminished strength, wearing it would help restore some of his former power.

"Why is he here?"

Eto immediately asked Byakuya.

A moment's thought made it obvious Byakuya had done something.

"I just had a talk with the Manager."

Byakuya said casually.

Before this operation, he'd specifically met with Yoshimura.

"Manager, Eto and I are about to begin our operation. Have you decided?"

"If you don't mind this old bag of bones, I'll do everything I can."

Yoshimura had learned of Byakuya and Eto's plan. He'd decided to risk his life once more for Eto's sake.

Even if he was torn to pieces, Byakuya would be there. He didn't need to worry about Eto.

"Just had a talk..."

Since Byakuya wasn't willing to elaborate, Eto didn't pursue meaningless questions.

In truth, Byakuya was just too lazy to explain the whole thing...

"Didn't I tell you, old man? Stop running around causing trouble. Why won't you listen?"

Eto turned to Yoshimura instead.

Yoshimura showed no displeasure at her disrespectful words.

He smiled gently. "After this operation, I'll officially retire."

"Honestly... Just take care of yourself. I won't be responsible if you die."

Eto said dismissively.

In truth, she was happy that Yoshimura was here at a time like this.

"If you're happy, just say so. What's with the tsundere act?"

Byakuya deliberately teased her.

"You... Want me to bite you?"

Eto bared her white teeth threateningly.

"You must be Tatara. And... Noro."

Yoshimura addressed the other two. "Thank you for looking after Eto all these years..."

When he mentioned Noro, Yoshimura's heart grew heavy. He knew his old friend was now barely more than a corpse.

But Noro's faint consciousness seemed to still recognize him. Whether through kagune or mouth, he produced a weak, raspy sound: "Kuzen..."

"Mr. Yoshimura, thank you for joining us."

Tatara spoke respectfully.

Previously, he would have dismissively called him "old man Yoshimura." After all, his ideology aligned perfectly with Eto's Aogiri Tree—naturally, he couldn't approve of Yoshimura's old ways.

But now the situation was completely different...

"By the way, this is Rize, isn't it?"

Eto turned to the other figure beside Byakuya.

Also wearing an Akatsuki Robe and white mask, with distinctive long purple hair and unmistakable scent.

"That's right."

Rize removed her mask and spoke.

Byakuya had only brought Yoshimura and Rize, believing this operation didn't require the entire Akatsuki organization—especially with all of Aogiri Tree's forces at their disposal.

Actually, he'd originally only called for Yoshimura. Rize had insisted on coming along.

"Good. Now we can depart."

Eto smiled coldly. "Destination: the Sunlit Garden..."

...

Aogiri Tree advanced toward the Sunlit Garden in full force—the base where V Organization members resided.

This wasn't just about the plan for Eto. It was also personal.

Her birth mother Ukina and her adoptive father Noroi had both been killed by V Organization assassins.

Though Yoshimura had personally killed Ukina, Eto wasn't foolish enough to blame him. Anyone could see he'd been forced by V.

As Aogiri Tree invaded, alarms blared throughout the Sunlit Garden.

"Lord Kaiko! A group of ghouls wearing Aogiri Tree uniforms have broken into the Sunlit Garden!"

"What? Aogiri Tree dares attack us directly?!"

"The One-Eyed Owl must be with them. Otherwise they wouldn't have the nerve. We've been looking for that Owl anyway."

"..."

V Organization members rapidly assembled to face the invaders.

Nearly all of them possessed Special Class-level combat ability. On paper, Aogiri Tree's strength was vastly inferior to V Organization.

Without Byakuya, that would indeed be true—which was why Eto had spent years hiding from the Washuu and V.

It was only with Byakuya present that she'd decided to assault the Sunlit Garden.

"Byakuya, will you let me have my revenge?"

Eto asked.

"Of course."

Byakuya nodded.

If Eto couldn't handle it, he'd step in to help.

"Mm..."

Eto smiled in acknowledgment. Then her kagune erupted fully, transforming instantly into the One-Eyed Owl's kakuja form.

From atop the Sunlit Garden's highest building, she launched herself toward the battlefield where Kaiko and the other V Organization members waited.

The One-Eyed Owl descended from the sky and fired ukaku shards at the black-clad figures. But these were all Special Class-level fighters—they emerged unscathed.

"One-Eyed Owl? So you finally decided to show yourself. All that hiding made you quite hard to find."

Kaiko spoke mockingly. "Don't tell me you think being a so-called 'One-Eyed Ghoul' is enough to stand against V?"

"On my own, I might not be strong enough. But what if there's another 'Owl'?"

Eto said flatly.

Her voice emanated from her kagune—it was simply that developed.

"Another 'Owl'...?"

Kaiko froze momentarily.

He immediately realized who she meant—and that person appeared before him at that very moment.

Yoshimura emerged beside the One-Eyed Owl, still in human form, adjusting the brim of his black hat.

"It's been a while... Kaiko, my old friend..."

...

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