TG: Starting with Mangekyo

Night

Eto arrived at Byakuya's house as usual.

"Mr. Byakuya, should we revise the manuscript first, or talk about today's events?" She asked.

"How's your injury? Nothing too serious, I hope?" Byakuya showed concern for her condition.

"You were so ruthless with me back then, and now you're worried?" Eto replied with a slightly bitter tone.

"..."

Byakuya wasn't sure how to respond. If he hadn't acted that way, it would have been difficult to get Eto to open up about her true feelings, let alone align Arima with his own plans.

"Anyway, can you finally tell me what's going on?" Eto sat in a chair, her feet swinging back and forth as they habitually did.

"Hmm..."

Byakuya decided it was time to reveal a few things. "Actually, Arima and I were both born as half-humans raised in the 'Birdcage' of the Washuu Clan. Our lives have always been tied to their service."

"So, it's true... You're both half-humans"

Eto wasn't surprised. This matched her earlier suspicions.

"So, you're still part of that organization, right?" she asked.

"That's right. Just like your father once was, I became a Cleaner for V" Byakuya admitted without hesitation.

At the mention of her father, Eto fell silent for a moment.

Hearing that Byakuya was now a 'Cleaner' for V struck a chord.

"So, as a Cleaner, are you really willing to ally yourself with me, the leader of a hostile organization?" Eto asked, still finding it hard to believe.

After all, she knew that cleaners for V lived well — they simply followed orders, eliminating threats, with no material concerns.

To Eto, who had long become indifferent to killing, this aspect didn't seem particularly significant.

"Of course. You want to change the world, just like Arima and I do" Byakuya replied.

"I see... That explains why you cared so much for that ghoul girl before. By the way, what's her name again? I'd like to visit her sometime."

Eto's interest was suddenly piqued by the thought of the girl.

"Her name is Uruka Minami. She's currently attending Seishin High School and receiving help from the 20th Ward's Anteiku. As long as she refrains from harming others, she can live a normal life there... under your father's care" Byakuya replied.

"That old man... Just hiding away and playing the nice guy" Eto muttered, slightly pouting.

She had never agreed with her father's ideology.

What was the point of running a coffee shop in a place like that?

No matter how kind he was, he could only help a small fraction of ghouls.

Without changing the world itself, there would always be ghouls born into a life of suffering and tragedy.

"..."

Byakuya remained silent, knowing it was not his place to speak casually at this moment.

While he deeply respected Yoshimura's kindness, he couldn't ignore the truth. Yoshimura, as a former cleaner for V, had killed many humans and ghouls, including Eto's mother, Ukina, under the organization's orders.

The matter of Ukina was an unhealed wound for Eto.

Yoshimura knew the enormity of his sins, which was why he sought death during the final battle at Anteiku.

Byakuya, merely an observer, understood Eto was the true victim here. He didn't feel entitled to ask her to forgive her father.

Even if it was necessary for his quest, such an attempt would likely backfire.

"I've learned a bit about your father's past. Given the circumstances, he truly had no other choice" Byakuya said cautiously.

"I know that. Of course, I know he had no choice... V's members are all incredibly strong" Eto murmured, her head slightly lowered. "But he killed my mother. That's something I can't accept. And you know, my mom originally approached him to investigate V. I was nothing more than a byproduct of that mission..."

This was the source of her deepest sorrow.

Realizing she had said too much, Eto abruptly changed the subject. "Anyway, I don't want to end up like him. I'll do everything in my power, even if it kills me"

"I understand how you feel. But it's also true that Ukina forced herself to eat human flesh for your sake, and Yoshimura attacked the CCG for you this time" Byakuya pointed out.

Eto fell silent for a moment. "...I know. That's why, after my first book is published, I want to visit Anteiku and meet him."

This was it!

Byakuya immediately realized this moment was crucial.

In the original storyline, Eto visited Anteiku after publishing her debut novel Dear Kafka. However, upon seeing Yoshimura laughing and chatting with Koma and Irimi, Eto, who had endured so much tragedy, was overcome with negative emotions.

He had abandoned her to suffer in the 24th Ward while living peacefully here. She couldn't accept it.

Eto crumpled her novel in anger and left without speaking to her father.

Later, Yoshimura found the discarded book outside the café and realized Eto had been there, but it was too late.

This deepened their estrangement, and Eto's faint hope for her father eventually shattered.

In time, she lost all faith in the world.

"I'll go with you" Byakuya said firmly.

He wouldn't let history repeat itself.

At the very least, he would ensure that father and daughter could meet face-to-face.