Tokyo Ghoul: Madara Template Strikes Back!-Chapter 117 - 114: CCG shocked, Ryoma Rocked!

When Yoshimura Kuzen was blown out of the building, his massive figure twisted mid-air, stabilizing with a subtle shift of his kagune. A master of the Ukaku type, Kuzen was among the very few ghouls capable of limited aerial mobility. Only he and his daughter, Eto, had demonstrated such control— proof of his status as an apex predator.

Just like Kanzaki Ryoma had said... the time had come. And Kuzen, ever precise, used the momentum to retreat from the 11th Ward's crumbling "Aogiri Tree" stronghold.

But one question lingered in his mind.

How did Ryoma recognize him?

On the surface, Kuzen looked unharmed. In truth, beneath the armor of flesh and kagune, his aging body had taken a hit. It wasn't Ryoma's Gunbai that had injured him but the combined assault of Special Class Investigators Shinohara Yukinori and Kuroiwa Iwa using the proto-Arata armor. He had endured, but his regeneration, weakened by decades of not having a proper human flesh, was no longer as swift. The damage was internal, subtle... yet real.

Back at ground level, a ripple of shock spread among the investigators.

"What the hell was that?"

The One-Eyed Owl, who was feared even among SSS-rated threats had just been blasted through a reinforced concrete structure. And the one that did it— holding that oversized black fan... was only a First-Class Investigator.

"What kind of Quinque is that?" someone gasped.

Kureo Mado's eyes narrowed with predatory curiosity. His attention was no longer on the Owl's escape, but on the massive Gunbai in Ryoma's hand. A weapon that could repel the Owl? Impossible, yet undeniable.

Amon Kōutarō stood frozen. Awe and disbelief flashing in his expression.

"He really is... the second Arima," Ui Koori muttered, his voice tinged with both admiration and envy.

Ryoma had not taken down the Owl the way Kishou Arima had ten years ago, he hadn't severed limbs or destroyed his kakuhou but he had driven the beast back. Alone. A feat no one but Arima, himself had accomplished.

Even Shinohara and Kuroiwa, still catching their breath from the earlier engagement, exchanged a shocked look. They had worn the latest Arata prototypes and still barely held their own. What kind of power did Ryoma's Gunbai possess?

Standing amidst their stunned silence, Ryoma finally spoke, his tone calm and collected.

"I didn't use much force. He was already planning to withdraw. The base is collapsing... he chose to cut his losses."

It was a convenient truth, one the others readily accepted. Ryoma had no interest in flaunting the true powers of his weapon, and it was better they attributed the Owl's retreat to strategy than strength.

Kuroiwa gave a slow nod. "Either way, you left him with no better option."

"He could've slaughtered us all. But only Ryoma forced him back."

Shinohara exhaled heavily, pain still etched into his joints. "Ten years, and the Owl is still just as dangerous as he was..."

"The SSS-rated One-Eyed Owl has claimed the lives of multiple Special class Investigators," Kuroiwa added grimly. "Back during the Owl Suppression War, even the elite fell."

"I wasn't part of that operation," he continued, "injured at the time. But rumor had it that... not even a single investigator died. Only injuries."

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Shinohara's eyes widened. "You're saying... today was the same."

Ryoma, listening quietly, took note. The inconsistencies between the Owl's past actions and what they had seen today were growing obvious. The original One-Eyed Owl was ruthless, slaughtering investigators without hesitation. The one they fought now—Yoshimura Kuzen was far too restrained.

Still, whether Shinohara and Kuroiwa suspected the truth didn't matter. The Washū Clan already knew. They knew there were two Owls... and that Kuzen's daughter was the natural-born half-ghoul they were after.

"Marude," Shinohara called into his comms, "The owl has retreated. Correction— he was repelled by Kanzaki Ryoma."

"Repelled? By Ryoma?" Marude Itsuki's voice crackled over the radio. "You telling me he did what Arima did 10 years ago...?"

"I guess it wouldn't be far fetched to call him the second coming of Arima kishou!"

Shinohara chuckled faintly. "I don't think he likes being called second to anyone."

That wasn't a joke. It was the truth.

Ryoma was Ryoma. Arima was Arima. And both of them are different — both in nature & powers.

"Keep pushing. Without that Owl, the rest won't hold."

With that, the CCG began to regain momentum. Their forces swept through six buildings, neutralizing resistance. Only 200 ghouls had been stationed at the 11th Ward's Aogiri Tree base, but each one fought like five, driving CCG teams to the edge.

"Report: No sign of the bin Brothers. But we did engage a Yuukaku-type with winged kagune, commanding a squad of ghouls. He's strong—we couldn't take him."

The report came in breathless.

"So in total... just the Owl and one other?" Kuroiwa asked, thinking aloud.

Ryoma stepped forward. "Leave him to me. Which building?"

"Building Seven!"

"Confirmed." Kuroiwa nodded. "Go."

No one objected. If Ryoma could handle the Owl, one cadre-level ghoul wouldn't be a problem.

And with that, Kanzaki Ryoma turned and walked toward Building Seven, a suitcase in his hand, ready to put down the last ember of resistance himself.

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