Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

The story of a silver-haired girl wearing a fox mask had inexplicably spread everywhere. It became the talk of the town, whispered about in every corner, from bustling streets to quiet alleyways. Moreover, the rumors grew increasingly exaggerated as they circulated.

Originally, all Kaguya had done was visit the prison at Cochlea. By the time she arrived, the battle between Aogiri Tree and the GGC forces was already nearing its conclusion. She hadn't intervened in any meaningful way, merely crossing paths with them briefly and engaging in minor skirmishes. There had been no intense fights or large-scale battles.

Yet, the rumors painted an entirely different picture. In the tales being spread, the silver-haired girl in the fox mask had single-handedly crushed both Aogiri Tree and the GGC forces. Supposedly, she had decimated entire units of the human military, defeated the renowned ghouls of Aogiri Tree, and even humiliated the GGC headquarters' own "White Reaper," Kishou Arima, in brutal combat.

The name "Akatsuki" (Dawn) quickly spread like wildfire, becoming synonymous with terror. People spoke of the group with dread, and many lived in constant fear, worried about when the ghouls' wrath might descend upon them.

Even before this, ghouls were already a major threat. However, the presence of GGC headquarters and the unshakable strength of Kishou Arima—a special-class investigator whose power far exceeded that of others—had always reassured the populace. But with rumors of his supposed defeat circulating, GGC's reputation took a serious hit, and public trust wavered.

Fortunately, Cochlea prison had been reclaimed, once again becoming a human stronghold. This small victory gave the citizens some peace of mind.

···

Inside the Anteiku coffee shop.

Crash.

A coffee cup fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. Its contents spilled across the ground, leaving a dark stain on the floor.

"I'm sorry!"

A flustered Touka Kirishima hurriedly grabbed a broom and cloth, bending down to clean up the shards and the spilled liquid.

"Hey, what's wrong with you today?" a young man with short, messy blond hair walked over and scoffed. "This is the second time you've done this."

It was Nishiki Nishio.

"None of your business, Nishio," Touka retorted, turning her head to glare at him.

"I couldn't care less," Nishiki said with a snort. "I'm just worried you'll break all the coffee cups in this shop. What will we use to serve customers then?"

"That's not your problem," Touka replied curtly, turning away in irritation.

"Well, whatever. I have class today, so I'm leaving the rest to you," Nishiki said as he removed his work apron and set it aside. "Make sure you clean everything up properly." With that, he turned and walked out.

"Just get lost already," Touka muttered under her breath, her annoyance clear.

Once Nishiki was gone, Touka crouched down again, quietly sweeping up the broken porcelain shards. Her expression was downcast, and she seemed lost in thought.

"What's wrong, Touka? You seem to have something on your mind," came a gentle voice from behind her.

Touka turned around and saw a woman standing there. Her long hair was tied up elegantly, with two strands falling neatly on either side of her face. She had delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and a tall, slender figure that exuded the charm of a mature woman. It was Kaya Irimi, one of Anteiku's members.

"It's nothing," Touka said, shaking her head and speaking softly. "I'm just a little tired."

"That doesn't sound convincing," Irimi replied as she walked over and gently took the cleaning tools from Touka's hands. Smiling, she said, "Why don't you take a break? I'll handle this."

"Thank you, Irimi-san," Touka said, offering a faint smile.

"We're family, aren't we? There's no need to be so formal. If you keep acting like this, I might just get angry," Irimi teased, her smile warm and comforting.

"By the way," Touka Kirishima suddenly remembered something and glanced around curiously. "Where's Hinami?"

"Oh, you mean that little girl? She went out with Ryouko-san," Kaya Irimi replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I think they went to Itomori Shrine to see her father."

"To see her father? But her father is already…" Touka froze mid-sentence, her expression quickly shifting to one of alarm. "Oh no!"

Before she could explain further, Touka bolted out of the coffee shop, running full speed toward Itomori Shrine.

Gritting her teeth, Touka pushed herself to run faster, her heart pounding with anxiety. I have to make it in time. Please, let me be in time. Don't let anything happen. Wait for me!

Just yesterday, Touka had discovered Hinami's father at a construction site. Or rather, what was left of him. He had been killed by two GGC investigators. One of them was a man with messy, straw-like white hair—a man she recognized: Kureo Mado.

Mado was a powerful opponent. Despite being ranked as a First-Class Investigator, his combat ability far exceeded the standard for that rank. He was a force that could rival, or perhaps even surpass, the strength of a Special-Class Investigator. What made him even more dangerous was his sharp intuition and extensive combat experience. Ordinary ghouls stood no chance against someone like him.

Touka had suspected it was all a carefully orchestrated trap, designed to lure them out.

She had originally wanted to tell Ryouko about what she had discovered but held back, fearing it would only cause unnecessary heartbreak for Ryouko and Hinami. And in the chaos of everything that had happened yesterday, she had somehow let it slip her mind entirely.

"Damn it!" Touka cursed under her breath as she clenched her fists, pumping her arms furiously as she sprinted toward Itomori Shrine.

···

Meanwhile, on the streets near Itomori Shrine:

"That's Dad!" Hinami gasped, her delicate face lighting up with excitement. "This is his scent. He's nearby—he must've come to pick us up!" She darted off toward the familiar smell.

"Hinami, wait!" Ryouko, startled, called after her daughter. Her expression shifted to one of dread as a thought struck her, and she quickly chased after Hinami.

But Hinami was already far ahead, weaving through the busy crowds on the street. No matter how hard Ryouko tried, she couldn't catch up to her.

Hinami, filled with joy, turned into a narrow alley at the corner. However, her smile gradually faded as she came to a halt. Her expression turned confused, and her voice wavered. "Dad? Dad?"

What lay before her was not the father she longed to see. Instead, two men stood at the end of the alley, clad in gray trench coats and carrying white briefcases.

"Hinami!"

At that moment, Ryouko finally caught up, breathless. When her eyes fell on the two figures ahead of them, she froze, her face going pale.

"That smell…" Hinami's voice trembled as her wide eyes brimmed with disbelief.

The familiar scent of her father was in the air, but to her horror, it wasn't coming from a living person. Instead, it was emanating from the briefcase held by the white-haired man.

"What an excellent rainstorm," said the white-haired man with a crooked posture, lifting his gaze to the sky as he chuckled strangely. "But if it keeps pouring like this, I'll be inconvenienced. You see, I won't be able to hear your screams as clearly."

This man was Kureo Mado, a CCG Investigator. Standing next to him was his partner, Koutarou Amon.

At the same time, several black-clad men holding handguns emerged behind Ryouko and Hinami, silently raising their weapons to aim at them.

"Would you mind sparing us a bit of your time, Madam Fueguchi?" Kureo Mado's lips curled into a twisted grin as he spoke.

Beneath the white-feathered Ukaku, Ryouko lowered her body, cupping Hinami's tear-streaked cheeks gently in her hands. With her thumbs, she tenderly wiped away the child's tears. A soft, warm smile graced her lips as she whispered, "Hinami, run."

"Mama…" Hinami's eyes widened in shock, her tears falling uncontrollably like pearls from a broken string, streaming down her delicate face.

"It's okay. You head back to Anteiku," Ryouko said softly, her smile unwavering. "Mama will come home soon too."

"No, no!" Hinami's reddened eyes brimmed with anguish as she threw her arms around her mother, sobbing, "I only want to stay with you, Mama!"

Though still a child, Hinami had inherited the instincts of a ghoul. She could sense something ominous that others couldn't perceive. Her small voice trembled as she cried, clinging to her mother.

"Hey! Use Q-type bullets!"

"Yes, sir!"

Bang! Bang!

The sharp crack of gunfire shattered the melancholic atmosphere. Ryouko's eyes snapped open, her irises glowing a crimson red, flickering with an eerie, dangerous light. Four enormous wings of pure white spread out behind her in a sudden surge, sweeping toward the investigators who had opened fire.

Boom!

"Aah!"

Two investigators behind her, unprepared for the sudden attack, were flung backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Run!" Ryouko whipped her head around, shouting urgently.

Hinami's pupils dilated, her heart quivering as she looked up at her mother. Her trembling lips pressed tightly together as she hesitated for a fleeting moment. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, she let go of her mother's hand and turned to sprint out of the alley.

"Stop her! Capture the girl!"

"Mother-daughter love, huh?" Kureo Mado stepped forward, his face twisting into a mocking sneer. "How utterly nauseating."

"I won't let you pass!" Ryouko snarled, biting her lip as her hands clenched into tight fists.

"Oh?"

Mado let out a sinister chuckle as he raised his arm. His centipede-shaped quinque glinted ominously as he lifted it high above his head.

···

Meanwhile, Hinami ran desperately down the rain-slick streets, her arms pumping as she cried out at the top of her lungs. "Help! Big brother! Big sister! Somebody, help!"

Her tears blurred her vision, mixing with the rain that drenched her small frame. Her delicate face, streaked with water, betrayed her terror and hopelessness. She kept running, her voice hoarse, her tiny chest heaving with sobs.

The sky above was an oppressive black, heavy clouds rolling endlessly, casting a suffocating gloom over the world. Rain poured relentlessly, pelting down in an unending torrent, bouncing off the ground and splashing into tiny puddles.

Suddenly, bam!

Hinami collided with a middle-aged woman, the impact sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Ow! Whose kid is this? Running around so recklessly, with no manners at all!" the woman complained, clearly annoyed.

But Hinami paid her no mind. Gritting her teeth, she scrambled to her feet, her legs shaky beneath her as she stumbled forward, continuing to sprint toward the direction of Anteiku as though her life depended on it.

Her small bag, packed with books she had picked out at the bookstore with her mother, lay forgotten on the wet ground. They were her favorite books, but in this moment, she couldn't spare a second thought for them.

Faster. Faster!

Hinami bit down on her trembling lip, willing her legs to move quicker. She had to make it. If she could just get back to Anteiku, she could bring everyone to save her mother. She had to.

But deep down, she knew the bitter truth. The distance to Anteiku was far too great. By the time she made it back… by the time she called for help… her mother might already…

Splash!

Hinami's foot slipped on the rain-slick pavement, and she fell hard into a puddle. The icy water soaked through her clothes as she lay there, trembling. Her tears spilled over, her small shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't hold them back anymore. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing helplessly.

Amid her tears, something white fluttered down in front of her.

A paper crane.

It had slipped out of her pocket when she fell.

Hinami blinked, her tear-filled eyes focusing on the small, delicate shape. That's right…

Her eyes lit up with a sudden spark of hope. Wiping her tears away with her sleeve, she reached out with trembling hands and gently picked up the crane.

"If you fold nine hundred and ninety-nine paper cranes and release them into the air," a sweet, melodious voice echoed in her memory, "they'll fly, and your wish will come true."

"If I throw this crane into the air… if it flies… then maybe…" Hinami whispered to herself, her voice filled with fragile hope.

Clutching the paper crane tightly in her hands, she stood up shakily. With all her strength, she raised her arms and threw the crane into the sky, her heart clinging desperately to the dream of a miracle.

Hinami's pupils constricted.

The paper crane fell from the sky.

Due to the rain, it was soaked through, unable to glide even for a short distance as it usually would. Instead, it plummeted straight to the ground like a stone.

"How can this be?"

Hinami's eyes glazed over, her face blank with despair. If the crane couldn't fly, her wish couldn't come true. Did that mean… her mother would…

No!

Hinami shook her head vigorously, refusing to accept it. She hurriedly picked up the fallen crane and threw it into the air again.

But the paper crane was completely drenched now, limp and sagging, on the verge of falling apart. It had no chance of flying.

Hinami bit her lip, her nose stinging as she fought back tears. Over and over, she threw the crane skyward, unwilling to give up. Each attempt ended the same way—the crane dropped back to the ground, just like before.

Passersby on the street watched the strange actions of the little girl with curious eyes. Some kind-hearted strangers approached to persuade her to go home, but Hinami remained silent, repeating her futile motions. Shaking their heads, they left, muttering to themselves that the child must have some kind of mental problem.

"How can this be…"

With a thud, Hinami collapsed to her knees, her small legs giving out beneath her. Her trembling hands covered her mouth as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"Papa… Mama…"

At that moment, a shadow loomed over her, and a voice, soft yet tinged with amusement, spoke above her head.

"Well, well, isn't this little Hinami? What are you doing out here? Playing in the rain, perhaps?"

Hinami's pupils shrank as her tear-filled eyes darted upward. Her blurred vision couldn't make out the speaker's features clearly, but she could see the faint trace of a smile.

···

In a narrow alleyway, the battle had come to an end.

Ryouko knelt on the ground, her body riddled with injuries. Blood trickled from numerous wounds, flowing down her skin in crimson rivulets, though the relentless rain quickly washed away the color.

"This is my final mercy to you. Any last words?" Mado Kureo sneered, tossing his unruly white hair aside as he chuckled darkly.

Ryouko remained motionless, silent.

"What's the matter? Don't hold back now," Mado prodded, his grotesque grin widening.

Slowly, Ryouko lifted her head, her pale lips curling into a faint, bittersweet smile.

"Too bad," Mado said coldly, raising his centipede-shaped quinque high. The weapon gleamed ominously under the dim, rain-soaked light as he sneered, "It's over."

With that, his arm swung downward in a brutal arc.

Clang!

"What?!"

Mado's eyes widened in shock.

Unbeknownst to him, a figure had appeared before them—a silver-haired girl wearing a fox mask. She stood motionless, two slender fingers effortlessly pinching the blade of his quinque, stopping it dead in its tracks.

A weapon like the quinque was specially designed to give humans an edge over ghouls, to grant them overwhelming strength. Even an average investigator, with some basic training, could wield a quinque to face a ghoul. Its power was unparalleled in ordinary combat.

Yet this girl, with a single casual motion, had rendered it useless.

But what truly stunned Mado wasn't just her strength. It was her appearance. His sharp eyes, trained to notice the smallest detail, caught something peculiar.

In this pouring rain, the girl's body and clothing were inexplicably dry. Not a single drop of water clung to her. It was as though an invisible barrier surrounded her, repelling the rain completely.

Mado's heart sank as realization struck him. His pupils dilated with horror.

Could she be… the one from the incident at Cochlea?

Cold sweat dripped down his face.

Before he could react, a dark blur flashed before his eyes. The fox mask loomed closer, almost instantaneously. Mado barely had time to register the movement. He instinctively tried to lift his weapon in defense, but it was already too late.

Boom!

A muffled explosion of force echoed through the alley as a powerful kick slammed into Mado's abdomen. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body was launched like a cannonball, slamming into the wall behind him with a deafening crash.

"Looks like you've figured out who I am," the silver-haired girl said coolly, retracting her leg as she stood tall and imposing. Her voice carried a biting chill that cut through the rain-soaked air like a blade.

Her icy tone deepened as she continued, "You really are bold, aren't you? Who gave you the right…"

She exhaled sharply, her fox mask tilting slightly downward as if to peer into Mado's very soul.

"…to cause trouble on my turf?"

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