Fortunately, Lucian's prediction proved correct... well, only he and his companions were happy about it, while the Anteiku staff were very unhappy about it.
I don't think anyone would be happy to have their coffee shop raided and a friend kidnapped by a rather cruel organization, and more specifically by a ghoul who is known for his fixation on torturing those he captures.
Such concern is certainly justified, the cruelty of the "Jason of the 13th district" is considered high even for cruel ghouls, and the bodies of his victims could make even ghouls nauseous, as demonstrated by one of the Aogiri members who was given the task of processing the human corpses and preparing them for distribution.
And even if the captor was someone else, the situation would still be very bad, being kidnapped isn't usually good and those who kidnap don't usually have good intentions.
Touka was very affected when she saw her brother, Ayato Kirishima. When she realized that she was still very weak... her inability to protect someone she was supposed to protect. And her brother's words only reinforced this idea and her desire to obtain power only expanded...
The same with Renji Yomo, after all, Ayato and Touka are his nephews.
Yoshimura was also particularly affected, because while investigating the Aogiri Tree he heard that this organization is run by the "One-Eyed King" and he knows a certain one-eyed ghoul...
And if he's right, things would certainly get very complicated, for one simple reason... not so simple, but this powerful ghoul who can be classed as SSS and possesses only one kakugan as a result of her hybridization between ghoul and human is his daughter, Eto Yoshimura.
The others from Anteiku were also in a state of sadness and anger at having one of their comrades kidnapped right in the place that served as their "base", but their thoughts were focused in a different direction from the people previously mentioned.
As something big had happened, the Anteiku staff gathered to discuss what they would do next.
"Is everyone here? Several people will arrive late, but we'll start without them. Let's talk about the problems of the eleventh district. We should discuss Anteiku's response... but first, there's something I'd like to say about Kaneki, who's been kidnapped. I don't think we'll be able to keep in touch with him anymore." Yoshimura began his speech, his heavy tone matching the atmosphere hanging over Anteiku.
He had already known that Kaneki might be in danger, but because he hadn't been able to arrive early enough, this fellow had been kidnapped by the enemy organization.
"Hey, you old bastard! Don't say such vague shit... so he's... Kaneki's dead?" Nishio was elated to hear Yoshimura's words, despite the disagreements the two had had in the past, the moment Kaneki helped him save Kimi he became his friend. And he couldn't just sit back when a friend was kidnapped.
As for his rude behavior and attitude... Nishio is just like that, he acted the same way with his sister.
"I can't say whether he's alive or dead. There is a possibility that he will be saved, but for now, the worst case scenario is also possible," Yoshimura replied, his emotions not showing on his face, but his words seemed to be intended to dissuade them from this idea.
"Well, if there's a chance we'll save him, right?!" Nishio continued to insist.
"The 'Aogiri Tree' is made up of ghouls who live only to fight. Infiltrating their fortress and helping Kaneki is not a simple task. Besides, we can't disregard the CCG's movements. They'll probably make their move soon... I think a unit designed to wipe out the Aogiri Tree will be deployed to defend the 11th district soon, if that happens then we won't be able to interfere. The chances of us being annihilated are more than enough, honestly, it's too dangerous," Yoshimura spoke slowly, pointing out the danger and difficulty of accomplishing such a feat.
"What are you saying?! You're just planning to abandon him!?!" Nishio became enraged when he saw the intent to dissuade in what Yoshimura was saying, and again exclaimed when he remained silent: "Say something!"
"I will." Touka suddenly spoke up, "What was the motto of this place again? Manager, if you're not going, then I'm going alone."
"I still owe him, if he dies I'll never be able to pay him back." Although it was somewhat evasive, Nishio made his intention to help clear.
Unfortunately for Kaneki, Hinami wasn't there to volunteer like in the original work, but these two friends were still willing to help.
"Touka, Nishiki, I'd like to say something, since you misunderstood me. I intended to go after Kaneki from the start, I just wanted you to understand that I can't guarantee your survival. But I understand your feelings, if you want to rescue Kaneki, please risk your lives for it, in return, Yomo and I will protect you with all our might. Anteiku's motto is 'Helping our fellow ghouls', so can you do that?" The manager's inspiring words served to further strengthen the resolve of these employees.
"We can!"
"Irimi will also help us this time. She'll serve as my backup. And we'll have some extra help too. Please come in." Yoshimura announced, and soon the door behind him opened to let people in.
"Loves... long time no see." Tsukiyama greeted lightly, in fact, he greeted as if he were seeing some of his closest friends.
But, in stark contrast to his calm and friendly demeanor, Touka and Nishiki weren't so happy about his presence.
"Tsukiyama?! How are you still alive?" Touka's surprise was more than justified, she had left Tsukiyama in a seriously injured state and he wouldn't recover without food, but how could he feed himself in that state?
"Oh, I just took your advice," he replied naturally, as if it were no big deal, but this answer shocked Touka to the core.
'My advice... don't tell me you're capable of eating even your own flesh...'
"I wasn't strong enough to get someone's flesh, but I was able to cling to life. And now my arm is new! Somehow reattached, it's a good thing I'm a ghoul." Yes, this was the way he managed to survive even though he was in such a bad state.
And not withstanding, there was something he needed to comment on: "And I've made a discovery, I'm very delicious, perhaps because I eat too many delicious things."
"What a stubborn guy..." The discontent was clear in Touka's expression, but what happened next made much of that discontent dissipate.
"I know the joy of reunion is too much, but you're blocking the door." A voice sounded and then Lucian slowly appeared as Tsukiyama gave him room to pass.
Naturally, he already knew what Tsukiyama had done to survive, so him revealing it didn't surprise him in the slightest, but it might have caused a certain admiration.
After all, devouring the flesh of one's own body in order to survive demonstrates the strong determination that Tsukiyama possesses.
"That aside, why is he here?" Touka asked, pointing at Tsukiyama, someone she had 'despised' for a long time.
"I called him. Having him with us increases our chances of success, it's comforting to have him as an ally," Yoshimura replied calmly, putting aside previous events in favor of rescuing Kaneki.
"I'm honored, Mr. Yoshimura." Tsukiyama put a hand on his chest and bowed his head as he thanked you, then he began to speak: "I'm heartbroken... I, too, experience the same sadness as you... and to think that my peerless friend Kaneki could be exposed to great danger for no reason at the hands of these guys, there's no way I'm going to let that happen, is there?"
Anyone who didn't know Tsukiyama and didn't know about the previous events was sure to be moved by his fervent speech. Whether it was the tone of his voice, his expression or his gestures, everything suggested that he was deeply concerned and had a great desire to rescue Kaneki.
But his brilliant performance didn't even come close to convincing those present, all of whom had a clear understanding of this ghoul called "gourmet".
And yes, even though Lucian had given him some of his blood, Tsukiyama still wanted to devour Kaneki, after all, a feast was never limited to just one dish.
"I won't allow it! Manager, this guy just wants to eat Kaneki!" Touka refused again, his determination to drive Tsukiyama away still alive, "And with Lucian here, he won't make much difference."
"Actually, he'll be very useful. He's also an S-rank ghoul and although you defeated him with relative ease, he can still be considered quite strong," Lucian said, to Touka's unhappiness, supporting Tsukiyama's entry into the rescue team.
"You don't have to worry about that, I'll keep an eye on him... he won't do anything unnecessary." At this point, Renji Yomo spoke up and ended the discussion.
"Actually, I've started to like him a bit, but I only realized it recently," Tsukiyama said, perhaps there was a hint of truth in his words, but he undoubtedly wanted to eat Kaneki.
"... You haven't forgotten about Kimi, have you?" Nishiki couldn't resist either, and he had to speak up; the fact that Tsukiyama hadn't mentioned Kimi at any point infuriated him.
"I have no interest in that thing." The contempt was more than visible on Tsukiyama's face as he spoke about this human.
And of course, hearing this only increased Nishiki's anger, after all, Kimi is his beloved girlfriend. Fortunately, Touka managed to stop him.
"Hi. Can we come in?" Two heads appeared in the doorway.
"Itori-san... and Uta-sa?"
"The manager is trusting us too," Itori spoke as he approached and took an envelope out of his bag, handing it to the manager straight away, "Here it is. It's only a draft, though."
"Thanks Itori-san." The manager thanked him.
"And I... can I go along with Yomo?" Uta asked.
"Yes, please do." Yoshimura readily agreed, the presence of yet another powerful ghoul would certainly be something nice.
"Uta, are you going too?" Touka asked curiously.
"Yes, otherwise my body will end up weak. And there's something I'd like to see... a certain mask maker.
"Right, then I'll go with Irimi. Touka, Nishiki and Tsukiyama will go along with Yomo, Uta and Lucian." Yoshimura made a simple division of the rescue teams.
"Yoshimura, if Irimi is going, what should 'Demon Monkey' do?" Enji Koma asked, he was the only one who hadn't been given a task yet.
"I'd like the Demon Monkey to protect the store." Yoshimura smiled, assigning Koma a task.
With these plans completed, the group gradually left the meeting room.
Turning away from Itori, Lucian approached Yoshimu, his characteristic smile still on his face, "I couldn't help noticing that the distribution of people in each team is somewhat unbalanced... you want to act as bait, don't you?"
"What keen eyes." Yoshimura followed Lucian's example and put a slight smile on his face, "I imagine you must know what I fear might happen... that the Kaneki we knew no longer exists."
"I'm counting on it. But there's no need to worry, Uta and Renji are more than enough to ensure that no one dies, my protection is completely redundant." Lucian assured, he knew that this was the reason he had been placed on the main team.
Although it doesn't take many people to act as bait.
Anyway, after giving his assurance, Lucian walked closer to Touka and Itori, he would much rather be accompanied by beautiful women than a wrinkled old man.
He really hoped that Kaneki had changed, as long as his personality remained weak, Lucian could get almost no benefit.
Just don't ask him how this counting is being done.