Prime Minister

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"Now that it's just the two of us, can you finally tell me? What exactly is your plan?"

Eto pressed Byakuya for an answer.

"It's all about the dragon beneath the city. Once the Washuu Clan awakens it, the toxins it releases will alter half-humans, making their lifespan equal to that of regular humans."

Byakuya explained.

"So that's how it is..."

Eto nodded, not even questioning how Byakuya knew this. After all, in her eyes, Byakuya always had knowledge of things far more absurd than this.

With that, she felt completely at ease.

The night passed.

When Byakuya woke up and looked in the mirror, sure enough, his hair had turned completely white.

He immediately opened the system shop and purchased a lifespan pill from the Tier-1 store.

[Ding! Host successfully purchased 'Low-Grade Lifespan Pill' -10 Attribute Points. Current Attribute Points: 1540!]

Without hesitation, Byakuya swallowed the pill to prevent further aging.

With this, his lifespan was extended by one year, and his physical appearance was now locked in place. His body would not age for the next year.

Since he had plenty of attribute points, he decided to buy a few more.

[Ding! Host successfully purchased 'Low-Grade Lifespan Pill' -10 Attribute Points. Current Attribute Points: 1530!]

[Ding! Host successfully purchased 'Lifespan Pill' -10 Attribute Points. Current Attribute Points: 1520!]

[...]

After purchasing four more, he had 1500 Attribute Points left.

"What's that in your hand, Byakuya?"

Eto, having just woken up, noticed the candy-like pills in his hand. She also quickly noticed his completely white hair.

"This is a special medicine that extends lifespan."

Byakuya replied honestly, though he avoided mentioning the system. There was no need to reveal it unless absolutely necessary.

"There's actually a drug like that?"

Eto was surprised. "You really do keep coming up with the craziest things."

Byakuya simply smiled without saying much.

He swallowed three of the pills, leaving one for Arima.

As for Eto, she didn't need one yet. Her body was still developing, and taking the pill now would do more harm than good.

"Speaking of which, is Aogiri Tree going to keep expanding as usual?"

Now that she no longer had to worry about Byakuya's lifespan, Eto switched topics.

"Yes, the goal is to turn Aogiri Tree into the ghoul world's equivalent of the CCG—to protect weaker ghouls while keeping the unruly ones in check."

Byakuya nodded.

"That sounds good. Then let's make taking over all of Tokyo our next objective."

Eto smirked.

"By the way, the special food for ghouls has finally been developed. The first batch will be produced and distributed soon. This should solve the food crisis."

Byakuya informed her.

"Let me guess, this was your doing again?"

Eto didn't even have to think about it—this had to be his work.

"More or less. The Washuu Clan had been secretly blocking this research for years. Otherwise, it would've been developed long ago."

Byakuya carefully omitted any mention of the system, making his explanation sound completely reasonable.

"That figures… In that case, the most important issue—food—will finally be resolved."

Eto sighed, feeling a sense of relief.

Meeting with the Prime Minister

To prepare for the awakening of the dragon beneath the city, Byakuya, now holding the title of CCG Chairman, arranged a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Though he was originally just the Bureau Chief, claiming the Chairman position was easy enough for him.

In Japan, the CCG Chairman held a status equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister.

And that was only on paper. The reality was that the Washuu Clan had been the true power in the shadows, controlling everything from behind the scenes.

Even the Prime Minister had to show deference to the CCG Chairman.

"Chairman Byakuya..."

The Prime Minister was already well aware of the recent conflict between the CCG and the Washuu Clan.

As Japan's leader, there was no way he didn't know the Washuu Clan's secrets. In fact, his entire cabinet had been conspiring with them for years.

It all boiled down to one thing — profit and power.

Thus, he remained wary of Byakuya.

"I'll get straight to the point" Byakuya said. "You know about the Washuu Clan's First One-Eyed King, don't you?"

The Prime Minister's expression darkened, but he remained silent.

He knew he had to be cautious—every word he spoke could become leverage for Byakuya.

If he admitted to knowing about the first One-Eyed King, that could be used against him.

Byakuya, noticing the Prime Minister's hesitation, didn't press the issue. Instead, he continued.

"The first One-Eyed King became the ruler of the underground, and after dragonization, fell into a deep slumber beneath the city. But now, the Washuu Clan is about to awaken the Dragon, and when that happens, Tokyo will be thrown into chaos once again. Only this time, the destruction will be far worse—because unlike last time, the first One-Eyed King will not be there to hold back."

At this, the Prime Minister's eyes flickered with fear.

He understood the potential catastrophe that could unfold if the underground Dragon were unleashed.

"So, I want to discuss organizing an evacuation—moving Tokyo's civilians outside the city before the crisis unfolds."

Byakuya finally stated his real objective.

"...I see."

After a brief silence, the Prime Minister nodded.

Though he still wasn't entirely convinced of Byakuya's claims, he knew that if the Washuu Clan did awaken the Dragon, the consequences would be catastrophic.

It was a gamble he could not afford to lose.

...

As Byakuya negotiated with the Prime Minister, Tsuneyoshi and Yoshitoki remained unaware of what was happening.

Byakuya had confined them within their clan's mansion, ensuring they couldn't interfere.

Tsuneyoshi, however, remained calm.

He was simply waiting.

Waiting for the Washuu members who had ventured underground.

Waiting for them to awaken the Dragon.

Once that happened, everything would change.