A Show

"This world is always filled with violence and plunder, even though we try to convince ourselves that it's just the way things are," Yoshimura's voice resonated with power and depth. His blades scraped against the ground, creating sparks.

He approached Yukinori Shinohara and Iwao Kuroiwa step by step.

"But you take lives without reason, and when we do it, it's... evil!" Yoshimura stood above them, his imposing form casting a shadow over them.

Shinohara and Kuroiwa were weakened, feeling the aftermath of their brief surge of power using Arata's abilities.

"If gods truly exist in this world, it seems they are unwilling to lend their power to you," Yoshimura remarked. However, Shinohara and Kuroiwa couldn't understand why he hadn't attacked yet.

"Whoosh!"

A sudden sound broke the silence as Yoshimura looked surprised. A gigantic snake formed from the blades lunged towards him.

He swiftly leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Boom!"

With a loud noise, the snake hit the ground, shattering the cement slab and creating cracks.

Lin Yi followed closely, and as his palm touched the snake, the blades retracted and transformed into a crimson longsword in his hand.

"I'm not too late, it seems."

"Phew... You finally arrived," Itsuki Marude's voice came through the communicator.

Marude had been anxious all this time, witnessing the defeat of his comrades.

"Hey, why do you look so miserable?" Lin Yi glanced at Shinohara and made a light-hearted comment.

But Shinohara wasn't in the mood for jokes. He forced himself to stay alert and warned, "Be careful, this guy is unlike any enemy you've faced before!"

"Understood," Lin Yi nodded and turned to face Yoshimura. "Senior Kuroiwa, can you still move?"

"No problem," replied Iwao Kuroiwa, standing up unsteadily. His injuries were relatively minor.

"Then please take Senior Shinohara and retreat. Leave this to me," Lin Yi said.

Iwao Kuroiwa sighed but nodded. He helped Shinohara up, realizing that if he continued to fight, he would only be a burden.

Soon, Iwao Kuroiwa led Shinohara and the others in a quick evacuation from the rooftop.

"Crack."

Once everyone had left, Lin Yi crushed the communicator in front of Yoshimura.

"It's just the two of us now, Shopkeeper. This should be our first meeting."

Yoshimura was surprised that Lin Yi had recognized his identity. But since his identity had been exposed, he no longer concealed it and removed his mask.

Beneath the terrifying form of the ghoul, there was a kind and gentle face.

"I also want to thank you for sparing Touka Kirishima and Asaki Fueguchi earlier."

"I had no reason to kill them," Lin Yi shook his head.

Yoshimura now realized that the person in front of him was different from ordinary investigators. When did investigators need a reason to kill ghouls?

"Don't worry, Kaneki and the others are safe now. If you see Kaneki again, you'll be surprised by his transformation. He has grown a lot," Lin Yi said casually.

"But I also have a favor to ask, sir."

"You have indeed done me a favor. Please, go ahead," Yoshimura narrowed his eyes.

"I need to achieve greater feats to fulfill my own aspirations, and there is probably no greater achievement than defeating the One-Eyed King," Lin Yi added in his mind. Although Yoshimura was a counterfeit One-Eyed King, he was still a genuine SSS-class ghoul, a true monster.

"Young people these days have such bold ambitions. Very well, then. If I leave now without a fight, you won't be able to convince anyone," Yoshimura opened his hands and put the One-Eyed mask back on his face.

"Bang!"

In the next moment, Lin Yi made his move.

He stomped on the ground, channeling all his strength, shattering the floor beneath him. His speed reached its limit.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed, sparks flying. Within seconds, the two had exchanged blows several times.

Yoshimura was secretly astonished. Lin Yi's displayed strength, both in power and speed, surpassed Shinohara and Kuroiwa with their equipment.

"Boom!"

Their battle caused a great commotion.

Meanwhile, Iwao Kuroiwa, supporting Shinohara and the others, had just reached the ground floor when CCG officers approached them. They were placed on stretchers, and doctors began removing the Arata armor implanted in their bodies.

Itsuki Marude also approached.

"What's the situation now? We lost contact with Lin Yi through the communicator," he asked. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a loud noise and looked up, catching a glimpse of the massive ghoul figure on the rooftop, engaged in a fierce battle.

"Senior Lin is amazing! He's actually managing to hold that monster down," exclaimed Koutarou Amon, who had participated in the fight earlier but quickly retreated after being injured. He had keenly felt the power of the One-Eyed Owl.

"Inform headquarters immediately and dispatch our elite forces as quickly as possible. This is the best opportunity to capture that monster," Marude urgently ordered.

On the rooftop, the battle between the two continued.

However, it didn't seem like a fight to the death. Lin Yi and Yoshimura seemed to have a tacit understanding, and instead of fighting for their lives, it appeared more like a display of their skills.

Communicating with intelligent people is simple, Lin Yi thought to himself. Although Yoshimura might not be able to guess his exact thoughts, with Lin Yi's attitude towards ghouls, Yoshimura had already developed the intention to assist him.