TG: Starting with Mangekyo

However... it could also be that ghoul girl named Uruka Minami.

Eto felt that this possibility couldn't be completely ruled out.

She had a sense that Byakuya seemed quite interested in that ghoul girl.

Thinking of this, Eto became even more curious. Sooner or later, she would have to visit this ghoul girl.

"You're a bold one to say something like that, you shameless lolicon…"

Eto teased.

"Flattered" Byakuya replied, unfazed.

"...That wasn't a compliment" Eto muttered, feeling a bit speechless.

"Speaking of which, did you already know my true identity?"

Eto's tone shifted as she posed the question.

She wasn't entirely sure, but she strongly suspected that this shameless lolicon had long since figured out that she was the One-Eyed Owl.

Thinking back, his reactions had been odd. When he first saw her as the One-Eyed Owl, he wasn't surprised at all.

At the time, she thought it was because he simply didn't care about her... but something about it still felt off.

"Yes" Byakuya admitted, "When I learned that your surname was Yoshimura, I began to suspect. Then, when I saw the One-Eyed Owl in the 24th Ward, I was pretty much convinced it was you. Even with your face covered, I could tell from your figure"

Although he admitted it, his explanation sounded reasonable and didn't reveal his identity as a transmigrator.

"And you've just been pretending all this time, playing along with this 'make-believe' game, haven't you?"

Eto said, her tone laced with an eerie undertone.

"Well, I enjoy it"

Byakuya's bluntness momentarily stunned Eto. Before she could fully react, he clarified, "I enjoyed Miss Takatsuki's work, so it wasn't a 'make-believe' game"

"..."

Eto's face darkened with frustration. 

This bastard lolicon didn't finish his sentence properly. She was almost misled just now.

"Well, then, let's go. I need to head back. But, Mr. Lolicon, please also make your way to the 24th Ward. We at the Aogiri Tree must welcome our new king — the Lolicon One-Eyed King~"

Eto's tone was playful, clearly mocking him.

"Please don't actually give me that nickname…" Byakuya sighed in defeat.

The title of 'One-Eyed King' sounded cool enough, but with 'lolicon' tacked onto the front, made it sound perverted.

"Got it, Lolicon King. Or should I say, One-Eyed Lolicon~"

Eto chuckled, clearly enjoying her mischief.

Realizing her intent to provoke him, Byakuya decided not to care. After all, reacting would only mean losing.

Once satisfied with her teasing, Eto returned to her usual demeanor.

Then, the two set off for the 24th Ward.

...

The underground labyrinths of the 24th Ward.

The "Aogiri Tree" was preparing to establish its dominance in the 24th Ward, aiming to defeat rival groups and recruit willing ghouls to expand its numbers.

However, Eto had yet to give the order to move. She lacked sufficient resources to act on her plans just yet.

Currently, the "Aogiri Tree" had settled in a relatively hidden area deep within the 24th Ward. Though Eto was absent, the strength of the two remaining leaders, Tatara and Noro, second only to hers, ensured the group's safety.

Tatara, in particular, was a rare case. Despite being rated as SS, he was a fully developed kakuja, unlike the incomplete half-kakuja most ghouls managed.

Most half-kakujas were rated SS. Logically, a full kakuja deserved at least an SSS rating.

Perhaps because Tatara rarely killed in Japan, the CCG didn't raise his danger level too high. After all, their ratings were based on perceived threat, not purely on power.

As for his later defeat by the half-kakuja Takizawa, it could be chalked up to plot necessity. A plausible explanation might be that Tatara was already worn down from fighting the CCG, allowing Takizawa to deliver the finishing blow.

Byakuya and Eto took a taxi to the 23rd Ward, then entered the underground labyrinths of the 24th Ward from there.

Though Eto could have carried Byakuya through high-speed movement or flight in her kakuja form, her current circumstances didn't allow her to casually expose herself to the CCG or the V's surveillance.

"What do you think of my outfit? Doesn't it feel novel? This bandage ensemble cost me quite a bit, you know."

Eto had changed into an entirely new look, wrapped head-to-toe in white bandages and covered with a large cloak.

The bandages accentuated her petite figure, making her appear even smaller than usual.

(Note: During this period, Eto didn't actually wear full-body bandages and interacted with her organization members in her true form. However, for convenience, let's skip over these details. The original story also had inconsistencies, such as early Aogiri Tree members knowing Eto was the One-Eyed Owl but by the main storyline, only Tatara seemed aware—perhaps because the early members all died?)

"It makes you look even more petite and cute" Byakuya said after a moment of thought, speaking honestly.

Eto clicked her tongue in mock annoyance. "All you ever say is 'cute' and yet you insist you're not a lolicon"

"I really am not" Byakuya replied casually.

He figured Eto wouldn't know that, even ten years later, she'd have the same petite figure. So, whether now or in the future, her appearance was always "cute" — and that had nothing to do with being a lolicon.

The two made their way through the chaotic, dangerous 24th Ward as if they were simply returning home, bantering all the way.

Soon enough, they encountered a group of hostile ghouls blocking their path.

"Well, well, a human in our territory? And that little one wrapped in bandages looks odd…"

"Who cares? Human or ghoul, it's all food!"

"Exactly. Haven't had a proper feast in ages. My kagune's starting to wither."

"..."

The group of ghouls, seemingly part of a small organization, had cornered them.

Underneath her bandages, Eto let out a delighted laugh.

"Looks like we've got some blind fools here. Leave them to me, my king~"