Two Ghoul Investigators ran down the hallway. Upon hearing Lan Qing's shout, they immediately grabbed their briefcases and drew their quinques. One investigator wielded a massive club, its tip encased in red crystals, resembling a mace without spikes. The other's quinque was a peculiar-looking submachine gun.
In the next moment, both lunged at Bai Ye. The one with the gun quickly pulled the trigger, firing a barrage of blood-red crystals towards Bai Ye.
"Lei Zhen!"
Bai Ye extended his hand forward. Electricity surged from his body with a crackling sound. An invisible wave spread outwards, deflecting the incoming crystals, which shattered against the walls. Simultaneously, the other investigator attacked, swinging the club down towards Bai Ye.
*Clang!*
Bai Ye raised Lei Ya Nu Shou horizontally, parrying the blow. Lan Qing seized the opportunity, scrambling to his feet and fleeing. He knew the two investigators were no match for Bai Ye and only needed to buy himself time to escape.
Bai Ye, however, was distracted by something else and didn't notice Lan Qing's departure.
Because...
His proficiency with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit had increased.
Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Devil Fruit) (Item) (Gold): A top-tier Logia-type Devil Fruit that allows the user's body to become elemental. It can transform the body into lightning. In this state, physical attacks are rendered ineffective, as are some energy attacks. The user can also unleash lightning attacks. With increased mastery, the power of attacks can be enhanced, and more techniques can be learned.
Weaknesses: Cannot touch saltwater or sea prism stone.
Current Proficiency: 0/8000
Skills Unlocked: 4/12
Effects: Teleportation... Flash... Lei Zhen... Lei Shou (Releases a beast-shaped lightning entity with physical attack capabilities, effective for ground-based attacks and defense.)
Bai Ye had been away from the ancient town for many days, encountering numerous dangers. During his battles, he had intentionally utilized the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's abilities. Thus, his proficiency was on the verge of increasing, and it had finally reached three thousand points. As expected, a new offensive skill had been unlocked. Concurrently, his proficiency had risen from 3,000 to 8,000 points.
Bai Ye watched the holographic display while swinging Lei Ya Nu Shou forward.
*Sizzle!*
A piercing sound of electricity filled the air. A vast net of electricity formed, blocking all incoming attacks. In the next instant, Bai Ye raised his fist, preparing to unleash a punch.
"Let's try the new skill, Lei Shou..."
Before Bai Ye could finish speaking or attack, a figure suddenly zipped across the ceiling. Immediately after, a pair of crimson wings unfurled in the air. The blood-colored crystalline feathers were exquisite. Yet, beauty often harbored danger.
*Boom, boom, boom.*
As the red crystalline feathers landed, the ground erupted with explosions. Surrounding walls collapsed, and a thick cloud of dust filled the hallway. Bai Ye stood with his fist raised, unsure whether to strike. What was going on?
Moments later, as the dust settled, the two Ghoul Investigators were revealed. One was pinned beneath a collapsed wall, only an arm protruding, from which blood was seeping. The other investigator rushed towards his companion, frantically pulling at the stones in an attempt to dig him out. At that moment...
A figure suddenly appeared behind the investigator and violently stomped down on the investigator's head. With a sickening thud, the head struck the ground, splattering blood. Bai Ye got a clear view of the assailant: a black hoodie and leather pants, with shoulder-length, curly blue hair. His face was obscured by a mask, but the visible features suggested he wasn't very old.
As Bai Ye mused, he activated his bio-mask for a scan.
Bio-scan initiated...
Bio-scan concluded...
Ayato Kirishima (Native) (Healthy): A spiritual area Ghoul, currently affiliated with the organization Aogiri Tree.
Strength...
Speed...
...
At this point, Ayato turned his head towards Bai Ye, his gaze lingering on Bai Ye's mask for a moment before saying, "You are the Eater?"
Bai Ye asked in confusion, "What?"
"It seems you don't know the codename the doves gave you?" Ayato said, hands in his pockets. "As a pervert in Ward 11 who specifically targets women and devours their bodies, the doves gave you the codename 'Eater' and have officially issued a warrant for your arrest."
Ayato spoke as he walked backward, brushing past Bai Ye. "Let's go, I'm here to save you. Seeing as you could keep them occupied for so long, your strength must be considerable. I hope you can be of some use."
*If you hadn't shown up, I would have already electrocuted those two into charcoal,* Bai Ye thought. However, the current situation didn't allow for any denial. From a purely deductive standpoint, one group, the Ghoul Investigators, wanted to kill him, while another group, Aogiri Tree, seemed to want to save him. Good heavens, if he told them now that they had the wrong person and he was just passing through... Bai Ye felt he would immediately be in conflict with Ayato.
With a sigh, Bai Ye had no choice but to follow obediently. What went wrong? How did things get to this point? Bai Ye was baffled. Didn't he just try to make some money and happen to witness a murder? Why had he become the target of both sides? A hidden mission? Bai Ye glanced at the display... There was no hidden mission. Bai Ye became even more depressed. If there were a hidden mission, it would be one thing, but with no hidden mission, it meant... he was simply unlucky?
Speechless, Bai Ye followed Ayato into an elevator, which took them directly to the underground parking lot. They got into a car and drove off quickly. As they passed the hotel's front, Bai Ye noticed an unusual commotion. Many ghouls and ghoul investigators were engaged in battle, and the pedestrians on the street had already been evacuated. Ayato glanced at the scene, then picked up his phone and said, "Tell everyone to withdraw. I've found him."
After speaking, Ayato drove the car away rapidly. Bai Ye looked out the car window and asked, "Where are we going?"
Ayato replied, "To Aogiri Tree's headquarters, of course."
"Aogiri Tree?" Bai Ye asked. "Can you explain what's going on? I'm a bit confused right now."