colleague

In the office of the CCG Ward 20 branch.

Chen Nuo held his coffee, stirring it leisurely as if he were in a world of his own.

Due to the disappearance of Touka Kirishima and Ken Kaneki, Ward 20, which had barely managed to settle down, began to get lively again, and headquarters had to speed up the plan to dispatch reinforcements.

Today was the day to welcome the newcomers.

However, before that, a routine meeting was required.

Mado Kureo, a First Class Investigator, was as active as ever in the meeting room, and Koutarou Amon, whom he led, was also becoming increasingly mature; the two of them working together put great pressure on the Ghouls in Ward 20.

The content of the meeting mainly revolved around the Binge Eater and the gourmet.

For some reason, both had disappeared recently. With no clues, Mado Kureo proposed to first thoroughly clean up and deal with the Ghouls whose tracks had already been found.

But this didn't mean the branch gave up on the investigation of these two S-Rank Ghouls; it just wouldn't invest too much energy, and the gourmet was handed over to Chen Nuo's responsibility.

Of course, this task would not be given to Chen Nuo alone.

"Nuo, come with me for a moment."

Mado Kureo hunched his body and beckoned to Chen Nuo. When not facing Ghouls, this man was actually quite easy to deal with and was a good senior.

At most, his appearance looked a bit morbid and twisted, but then again, he was indeed a psychiatric patient; his appearance was merely a reflection of his heart.

When he was young, Mado Kureo was quite a handsome fellow; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to marry such a beautiful wife.

Unfortunately, after seeing his wife eaten beyond recognition, Mado Kureo had already gone mad.

"Yes, Senior Mado."

Chen Nuo followed and then saw a young woman with long blonde hair tied up, wearing simple clothes. A pair of black stockings perfectly showcased the curves of her legs, looking both elegant and cold.

"This is your partner from now on. I think you should have known each other long ago."

Mado Kureo didn't say anything more. His energy was all on the Ghouls, so he left the conversation to these two.

"Long time no see, Mado. You and Senior Mado should be father and daughter, right?"

"Yes."

Mado Akira didn't speak much, especially to Chen Nuo.

For a highly competitive woman, Chen Nuo, the top student of the same class, could indeed be called a thorn in her side.

Losing to Chen Nuo wasn't unacceptable. What really made Mado Akira resentful was that this guy, Chen Nuo, could flirt with two twin junior sisters while still crushing her in all grades.

"Didn't you voluntarily apply to go to Ward 1? Why were you assigned to Ward 20 again?"

Seeing an old classmate put Chen Nuo in a good mood, so he asked.

Ward 1 was not a good place; a large number of Ghouls gathered there, and it was also the location of the CCG headquarters. Generally, the top graduates would take the initiative to choose to work there.

It was a kind of training; as long as you came out alive, the speed of promotion in the future would be faster.

However, Chen Nuo's choice to come to the relatively stable Ward 20 could be considered setting a precedent.

"This is the decision of the headquarters,"

Mado Akira replied indifferently.

"Alright, alright. Anyway, now that you've become my subordinate, I'll look out for you."

Chen Nuo didn't care about Mado Akira's attitude. It had been like this for many years. It was better than being paired with a big guy. Looking at these exposed calves, one could eat ten bowls of rice with them.

"It's colleague,"

Mado Akira seriously corrected him.

It was one thing to be a head shorter than Chen Nuo before graduation, but how could she still be a head shorter after graduation?

The key was that it was uncertain who would be promoted faster in the future.

Compared to Chen Nuo slacking off in Ward 20, she had previously followed Kishou Arima to perform 'whack-a-mole' investigation work in Ward 1 for a period of time, and the number of Ghouls who died at her hands had already exceeded double digits.

With such achievements, she believed that before long, Mado Akira would be promoted to Rank 1. At that time, when Chen Nuo saw her again, he would have to bow and say hello.

Thinking of such a scene, the corners of Mado Akira's mouth curled up uncontrollably.

Originally, Mado Akira could have refused this assignment. Because of her mother's death, the relationship between father and daughter had been very tense, but for some reason, she signed the assignment letter.

"What are you snickering at?"

Chen Nuo's sudden question startled Mado Akira. She quickly put away her smile and returned to an expressionless state in the blink of an eye, asking indifferently.

"When did I laugh?"

"Tsk, quite stubborn."

Chen Nuo didn't continue the topic but took Mado Akira for a walk around the branch to help her get familiar with the environment and meet her future colleagues.

"Enough, when will the mission start?"

Mado Akira put her hands on her hips, looking at Chen Nuo, who sat back in his chair. Her expression was really difficult to manage.

If they continued to mess around like this, wouldn't a whole day pass?

"Don't worry, don't worry. You just got here. Do you want a cup of coffee? The branch's coffee shouldn't be worse than the headquarters', right?"

"I don't know, I haven't had it."

Mado Akira looked at the coffee Chen Nuo brought over, showing a 'I give up on you' expression, but her hand unconsciously reached out to take it, and she sat opposite Chen Nuo.

"These are all recent clue reports regarding Ghouls."

Chen Nuo picked up a stack of documents and placed them on Mado Akira's desk, giving her an encouraging look.

"What about you? What are you doing?"

Mado Akira raised her eyelids, her slightly cold eyes falling on Chen Nuo.

"I'm responsible for making coffee for you."

Chen Nuo refilled Mado Akira's half-empty coffee cup.

"Is this how you do things? With this attitude, when will the Ghouls be completely eliminated?"

Mado Akira said with a bit of disappointment. What she disliked most was Chen Nuo's lazy attitude. It was like this when they were studying; everyone was diligent and hardworking, but he still had the mind to pick up girls.

Yet, such a person had always occupied the top spot in the grade.

"You're just a Second Class Investigator, why are you worrying like the Director? Let's find the gourmet first."

Chen Nuo was unmoved. He stretched, took out a pillow, placed it on the table, and lay down to rest.

Last night, he had spent too much time with the twins, and his energy was drained. Now he had to seize the time to recover.

"..."

Mado Akira's eyelids twitched violently, her breathing quickened a bit, but she finally endured it and flipped through the papers in front of her fiercely.

She secretly made up her mind that she must find this gourmet, and then she would see how Chen Nuo could continue to slack off... Inside the Anteiku coffee shop.

A 'Closed' sign hung on the doorknob, and the atmosphere in the shop was somewhat low and tense.

Anteiku had always adhered to one principle.

They would take in and care for Ghouls who lacked the ability to hunt, but if a Ghoul took the initiative to attack an Investigator, they would have to bear all the consequences themselves.

That being said, The Manager still acquiesced to Irimi Kaya and the others' search actions.

After all, Touka Kirishima was like family to them. When family was in danger, principles could be temporarily set aside.

"Is there still no information?"

The Manager narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"Currently, we have only found information on that Investigator."

Irimi Kaya said as she handed over Chen Nuo's information. This was the result of their investigation over the past two days.

As one of the former leaders of the Ghouls in Ward 20, the influence of Irimi Kaya and the others did not just stay within the scope of Ghouls.

When her subordinates integrated into human society, they naturally penetrated the CCG branch.

"...I will go visit this young man."

After hesitating, The Manager made a decision.

He really couldn't leave Ken Kaneki and the others alone. There had to be an answer whether they were alive or dead.

"We will go with you,"

Irimi Kaya followed, but was stopped by The Manager raising his hand.

"No need. Tell your people to stay quiet lately. Something big might happen soon. Don't attract the attention of the Investigators anymore."

This was also why The Manager was visiting. He had long since keenly smelled the undercurrents surging beneath the calm.

"Understood."

Irimi Kaya and the others bowed and agreed. Since the boss had spoken, they could only do as told.

Only Nishio Nishiki, who had just joined not long ago, was dissatisfied with this decision, but as he was alone, he couldn't say anything at this time and could only show a resentful expression... After work, Chen Nuo invited Mado Akira to eat together.

"Overtime? Listen to what you're saying. Leaving on time is the bottom line that every worker should strictly adhere to."

Chen Nuo pulled Mado Akira up from her workstation. She, who was only 1.6 meters tall, seemed somewhat petite in front of Chen Nuo, and her struggle was particularly weak.

There was no helping it; the gap between the two in the subject of physical fitness was the largest.

"Let go of me first."

Being carried while walking made Mado Akira feel ashamed, but since her arm couldn't win against his thigh, she could only try to communicate.

"Let's clock out first."

Chen Nuo grabbed Mado Akira's soft hand and pressed it on the time clock, then dragged her out of the branch.

"What do you want to eat tonight? My treat."

Chen Nuo ignored Mado Akira's murderous look and patted her shoulder with a smile.

"...Hotpot."

Mado Akira thought for a moment. At this point, she could only use this to fleece Chen Nuo to vent her anger.

"No problem."

Chen Nuo wasn't short of money to begin with, and now that he had inherited Akihiro Kanou's legacy, he was even wealthier.

Seeing him agree so readily, Mado Akira felt even more depressed. She felt like she couldn't use any strength. Facing Chen Nuo, it seemed like it had always been this way, as if she were naturally countered.

Mado Akira liked spicy food and ordered a bright red pot base.

Even while eating, she could show a mysterious sense of efficiency. Fine beads of sweat were drawn on her smooth forehead, but she could still maintain calm eyes and swift movements.

Although they didn't talk much, Mado Akira was actually very relaxed when she was with Chen Nuo.

After finishing dinner, Chen Nuo sent Mado Akira away and turned back toward Kanou General Hospital.

With Ken Kaneki's contribution and Akihiro Kanou's research data accumulated over those years, his research on Ghouls could be said to have progressed by leaps and bounds, and a new breakthrough was coming soon.

However, on the way back, Chen Nuo saw a tall, kind old man in a trench coat, who was feeding pigeons.

"How long have you been waiting for me?"

Chen Nuo walked up and asked directly.

Seeing himself exposed, The Manager was surprised, but he was more and more certain that the disappearance of Ken Kaneki and the other person must be related to the other party. This young Investigator was definitely not as simple as he looked.

"Not too bad, not too long. As I get older, my patience also grows."

The Manager pressed down the brim of his hat. Since things couldn't develop as he expected, he could only take it one step at a time.

As an SSS-Rank Ghoul, The Manager still had some confidence.

"You're here for Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima, right?"

Chen Nuo's words were a default that their disappearance was his doing.

The Manager nodded and followed Chen Nuo's footsteps deep into the deserted construction site.

"How are they?"

"Very good. They are physically sound, no diseases or disasters, but they might be a little hungry."

Chen Nuo stopped and turned toward the person in front of him, the two sides separated by a few steps.

"It's a bit offensive to say this, but can you please let them go?"

The Manager found it increasingly difficult to see through the person in front of him. As an Investigator, the other party's stance seemed a bit blurry, and he also seemed to know him. Could it be that he was connected to the 'V' organization?

Once, The Manager was a member of the 'V' organization, specifically responsible for 'cleaning up' hostile Ghoul forces.

And this organization, like the CCG, was a subordinate of the Washuu Clan.

"Of course not. They attacked me. I didn't kill them but just let them cooperate with me for some research. I've been generous enough, don't you think, Owl?"

When Chen Nuo revealed The Manager's other identity, the other party immediately burst out. A thick Ukaku extended and wrapped from his shoulder, turning into a sharp blade and slashing toward Chen Nuo.

With a 'clack.'

The Manager's scarlet pupils shrank suddenly.

Chen Nuo just raised his hand and blocked this sudden blow. The Ukaku, which was enough to cut through steel, fell into his palm, leaving only a faint white mark, and as he applied force, the Kagune instantly shattered.

"Attacking by surprise at your age, you can't afford to lose, and you don't have the strength."

Chen Nuo muttered as he reached out, seized The Manager's arm, and then pressed down hard. Only a crack was heard.

The pain of the broken arm was not enough to make The Manager's face change. A large amount of Kagune bloomed from the kakuho, and seeing that it was about to turn into a Kakuja form, Chen Nuo raised a knee and slammed it against the other party's chest.

The violent impact directly interrupted The Manager's movement, making his vision go black. Blood mixed with internal organ fragments was squeezed and sprayed out of his mouth uncontrollably.

All this happened in an instant.

In close quarters, The Manager couldn't make any waves in Chen Nuo's hands. If they pulled apart, he might be able to flap around a few times with his Ukaku.

"Calm down, old man. If you make too big a commotion, it won't be easy for me to clean up the mess."

Chen Nuo didn't give The Manager a chance to resist. He pressed his face and slammed it directly into the concrete ground.

A dull loud noise came, like a clap of thunder.

A moment later, Chen Nuo dragged the seriously injured and unconscious The Manager away. His back showed a faint joy, feeling like he was lying under a tree basking in the sun and then picked up a rabbit that had hit the tree.

An SSS-Rank Ghoul, this is a ninety-nine percent rare item.