Does True Nature Really Exist?
A/N: The BOLD has different meanings for Kenshin and Ken. For Kenshin, it's like his deep, inner thoughts. Those impulses you can't stop.
For Ken, it's a bit of a mix of things. Sometimes it's his own thoughts, other times it's the thoughts of others, and sometimes it's like a narrator. Now, there are reasons why his has so many meanings, but I'm not going to come right out and say why. One thing that I love about this manga is its complexity, so just sit and think about it.
Also, I want to quickly remind you guys that Tokyo Ghoul has a lot of edgy dialogue, which can feel cringe at times, but I love this masterpiece too much to really change it up. In other words, expect a lot of edgy dialogue in this novel. I'll try my best to not make it as cringe, though. Try...
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Kenshin hid in an alleyway somewhere in the city. He slammed his head on the wall, 'it was him! Kaneki Ken!'
You should have killed the investigators.
'I am NOT a murderer!'
Yes, you are. Have you already forgotten? They believe you killed Arima, not Kaneki.
'U-UGH!' Kenshin stumbled backwards, into the wall behind him, nearly tripping over some trash, 'N-NO! Investigator Arima said not to!
Listen to yourself! Those ideals of his got him killed. Humanity is now your enemy, whether you like it or not!
'SHUT UP!'
Kenshin began to unknowingly drool as he noticed the people walking by, 'this damn hunger! And fuckin' Kaneki!'
You can no longer keep this facade up, Kenshin. You must accept what you are.
Kenshin tried to cry, but for whatever reason, no liquid would appear. Sadness is a luxury he was not allowed, for his nature did not permit it.
"A-Are you okay, sir?"
'What?' Kenshin looked up from the ground. A young boy had come to check up on him.
This is it! Satiate your hunger, Kenshin!
"Get...away f-from me!" Kenshin pushed the kid away, but his hunger was ever-growing.
The kid looked determined, so he hooked his hands on Kenshin, who slowly looked up again, except the eyes, once windows to a soul, darkened and seemed to gleam with an unholy intensity. Pupils dilated, expanding like an eclipsed moon, swallowing the color and leaving behind an abyss that betrayed a lurking savagery.
"Mister...?" The boy began to tremble, and as he tried to take his hands off, he realized they were stuck, like glue. Kenshin's hands were grabbing the boy's wrists, his nails turned black and long.
He opened his mouth, showcasing how nearly all his teeth resembled canine, "food..."
"Let go of me!" The boy cried out, yet nobody would look into the alleyway, "let go!"
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Kaneki, Investigator Hirako, and Squad Zero walked away from the sun into an underground street.
"Takatsuki?" Kaneki murmured as he noticed a woman on the side of the road, her lower half completely severed, as her blood painted a trail.
"Hello there, young man. Glad to see you. It was worth crawling here for."
"..."
"Well, you see, let me lie down," She uttered, continuing, "I'm gonna die."
"I was helping your friends escape. Your Anteiku friends, but...that smirking clown did this to me."
"Why would you-"
"I promised you, didn't I? That I'd help you."
His face bore the weariness of countless days, with lines etched deeply and shadows beneath his tired eyes. Yet, in the midst of fatigue, there was a solemn grace—his gaze, though tired, held a quiet wisdom, and the subtle curve of his lips spoke of resilience and acceptance.
"So, now you want me to grant you your wish. Rather high-handed I'd say."
"Those who get their way are always like that. You know me. I've always been high-handed."
The lines under her eyes grew weary as she spoke, "besides, you no longer..."
Kill the One-Eyed King.
"...Have to grant me my wish."
*********************
Did you enjoy it, Kenshin?
Within the confines of an unfamiliar house, Kenshin took in the sight of demolished furniture and blood spatters adorning the floors and walls. The outside world resonated with the authoritative orders of the police, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
"I... Killed them." Kenshin said. All around him, human flesh that he had eaten.
Behind him, the TV played out loud.
"Breaking news! It is reported a boy under the name.... has been reported as missing," a photo adorned the screen, "if you have any information whatsoever, please contact the nearest police station."
"But what does human flesh provide me with other than a full belly...?"
"We reiterate this one more time! This is the police! Identify yourself!"
Don't ask me. You know the answer. The type of flesh that will better your abilities.
Kenshin looked at the heart in his hand. It was human. He brought it above his mouth and crushed it. Liquid poured from the heart in an uninterrupted stream, like a waterfall of blood becoming one with his mouth.
"That's right. In order to grow stronger..."
"We're coming in!"
"Us ghouls have to be cannibalistic."
Abruptly, the door came crashing down, tens on police officers surging inside, "turn around, and get on the ground!" One of them ordered, yet Kenshin looked at him, blankly.
"Sorry. I can't do that." A cracking noise began to fill the air, and an ominous crimson glow emanated from Kenshin's back.
"Oh my god..."
In an instant, two illustrious, crimson wings manifested. The officers stood in awe, but Kenshin, having lost his compassion, executed a swift and ruthless act. Five officers met a grisly fate as their heads were severed, rolling on the ground with the smooth precision of cue balls.
"S-Shoot him!"
Kenshin balled himself up in his wings. The bullets flew through the air, making contact with them, but no dents were made. And no pain was received.
"Kuhu...." Kenshin chortled as he spread his wings out, his teeth, sharp and elongated, gleamed like ivory fangs against the moonlight, "kahaha!" He swung his head down, grinning as he looked at dead men walking, "dead!"
"What the he-" A man began to voice his confusion, but the narrative abruptly shifted. The Ghoul, with a teleportation so swift it created a gust of wind against the man's skin, materialized before him. The menacing figure then glanced downward, revealing an arm piercing straight through his chest, forming a macabre, donut-like hole.
He fell to the ground, and the men around scattered to reload their guns.
With calculated precision, Kenshin positioned his arm and wing behind him, launching himself like a catapult. In a seamless motion, he executed decapitation, leaving a trail of severed heads in the room and throughout the building. The structure itself momentarily split into two, shrouded in a cloud of dust that billowed into the air.
"I get it now! Humans! Ghouls! How about I just kill them all!?" His wings fluttered, "I wonder, would I be able to pull it off?!"
You have not become too accustomed with your kagune.
"HAHA!" Kenshin walked over dead bodies, nearly clawing into his own face, "it doesn't matter! As long as I use both my quinque and my kagune, then nobody could stop me! Nobody! I'll do it!" The sun resonated off his body, "It'll be a massacre!"