TG: Starting with Mangekyo

"You want to come with me?"

Eto was slightly surprised.

What is this guy up to?

"Yeah, actually, I really respect senior Yoshimura. Last time, I injured him, so I wanted to go and offer my apologies."

Byakuya offered an excuse to explain himself.

It made sense to call Yoshimura as 'senior' as he was the previous Cleaner. 

Although Byakuya's main goal was to ensure Yoshimura and Eto could meet, he genuinely did want to check on him.

"But my work isn't going to be published that soon, is it?"

Eto questioned, uncertain about the timeline.

"True, it'll take at least another two or three months" Byakuya replied. "But I don't think we have to wait for the novel to be released to visit him."

"Even so, I'd rather wait until I'm more self-sufficient before I see him" Eto said, shaking her head lightly.

"Fair enough. Then let's focus on perfecting the manuscript for now" Byakuya agreed. "By the time the publishing process is done, we'll have the most polished version ready"

Respecting her wishes, he didn't push the matter further.

"But before that, there's something else" Eto said suddenly, her tone turning serious. "Our 'Aogiri Tree' needs a One-Eyed King. My original plan was to take that role myself, but my strength doesn't compare to yours or that blue-haired guy's"

"Since you're the new Cleaner, you're likely stronger than him. I want you to be the One-Eyed King" she said. "But you're a half-human, and your lifespan is too short. We need to prepare for the next One-Eyed King to inherit the throne."

Though she was the only natural-born half-ghoul, Eto lacked the overwhelming strength expected of the One-Eyed King. On the other hand, Byakuya was the strongest half-human she had ever encountered, but his limited lifespan made it unlikely he could bring lasting change to the world.

Eto believed the hope for revolution lay in grooming the next One-Eyed King.

"The next One-Eyed King, huh... I don't think that's necessary" Byakuya replied calmly. "If we can work together to change the world now, there's no need to wait for another King"

He was well aware that, in the original story, the next One-Eyed King, Kaneki, wouldn't assume the position for another decade or so. But Byakuya didn't have the patience to wait that long.

With the immense power of his Mangekyo Sharingan changing the world wouldn't take him years — it would be effortless.

"So confident, aren't you? Just a shameless lolicon" Eto remarked, surprised by his confidence.

Though she still doubted whether she, this shameless lolicon, and that blue-haired guy could change the world within a half-human's short lifespan, she felt an inexplicable trust in him.

Perhaps it was the air of mystery surrounding him. She even suspected that he had yet to reveal his true strength.

For now, she decided to trust this shameless lolicon.

"Aogiri Tree has already moved to its next base, right?" Byakuya asked.

"Yes, in the 24th Ward. It's the best place for us to grow stronger" Eto answered honestly.

She had already accepted Byakuya as the first One-Eyed King of Aogiri Tree. Not trusting their "King" would make no sense, so she didn't hide anything.

"I see..."

Byakuya was already forming a plan.

In the original story, Arima, the Cleaner, spent years leading the Squad 0 in the 24th Ward, engaging in a 'whack-a-mole' game with Aogiri Tree.

Though it seemed like he was busy, nothing substantial came from it.

This strategy worked because the labyrinthine structure of the 24th Ward made it nearly impossible for even V to monitor the area effectively.

If Aogiri Tree's base was in the 24th Ward, Byakuya could pretend to be leading an assault while secretly playing "whack-a-mole" with them—or even use the opportunity to focus on other matters.

...

The night grew late as Byakuya and Eto continued polishing the manuscript together.

When it was time for Eto to leave, she stopped at the door, a playful expression on her face.

"Mr. Lolicon, not walking me home this time?" she teased.

"Your nicknames for me are getting out of hand..." Byakuya sighed, unable to hold back a complaint.

Lolicon, Lolicon Editor, Shameless Lolicon, Shameless Lying Lolicon... and now 'Mr. Lolicon'. He had lost count of how many nicknames she had given him, all tied to the same theme.

"Are these nicknames wrong? They're obviously well-deserved" Eto replied, clearly enjoying herself.

Despite constantly calling him a "lolicon" her tone was never harsh or dismissive — it was almost cheerful.

"I can't argue with that" Byakuya admitted, maintaining a straight face. "But I must correct you. I'm not a lolicon. It's just that the person I like just happens to be a loli"

He had no control over the fact that he'd been transported to ten years before the events of the original story. Even if this was before Eto became the Eto of legend, she was still the person he liked most.

He wasn't joking.

Eto, hearing this, froze for a moment. Her small, adorable face turned slightly red.

It was clear what he meant by "the person I like."

Who else could it be but her?