"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Approximately a hundred ghouls, suspected to be part of the Aogiri Tree, are attacking Cochlea!"
"All personnel, immediately prepare for combat! Do not let go of your quinques!"
"All outside units, retreat to Cochlea!"
An alarm blared throughout Cochlea. The investigators stationed there, known for their exceptional composure, showed no panic despite the sudden attack.
After all, this wasn't the first time Cochlea had faced a ghoul assault. The largest attack in its history involved over a thousand ghouls.
As both a prison and an impenetrable fortress, Cochlea's investigators retreated within its heavily fortified walls. For any ghouls outside, breaking in was a near-impossible feat.
But in the next moment, the investigators noticed an unusual commotion overhead.
Two massive blue hands were tearing open the fortress's top gate. Clearly, this was a kagune — one so large it likely belonged to a kakuja ghoul.
Moreover, this kakuja was not listed in the CCG's records...
"Don't... don't worry... this is the sturdiest gate there is..."
Just as an investigator tried to reassure themselves, the gate was forcefully ripped apart.
Even in its initial form, Susano'o's strength was overwhelming for this world, as if it defied the laws of reality.
A towering blue figure descended through the now-shattered gate.
Boom!
The massive form landed on the ground. However, thanks to the unique materials used to construct Cochlea, the impact caused only minor cracks.
The investigators immediately launched an extermination effort against Byakuya.
Stationed at Cochlea were one Special Class Investigator, several Associate Special Class Investigators, and a substantial number of First Class Investigators.
However, Byakuya ignored the investigators around him, instead heading straight for the central control room.
Breaking into the control room would allow him to release all the imprisoned ghouls, making it unnecessary to waste time clashing with the investigators.
Despite their attempts to strike him using long-range ukaku quinques, none of their attacks could even slow him down.
Their strikes failed to breach the defenses of his Susano'o. Not even a scratch appeared on its armor.
And this was only Susano'o's initial form. Likely, only an SSS rated quinque could pose a threat to it.
In fact, Byakuya's initial Susano'o had already surpassed the SSS+ rated.
"Stop him! His target is the control room!"
The more perceptive investigators had quickly realized his objective.
The control room was Cochlea's most critical point. If it fell, the entire prison would be overrun.
With countless S rated, SS rated, and even SSS rated ghouls released, Cochlea's current defenses would stand no chance. Only a full mobilization of the entire CCG could hope to regain control.
Naturally, the control room had the strongest defensive force.
Defending it was the warden of Cochlea, a Special Class Investigator, accompanied by several Associate Special Class Investigators.
As Byakuya approached the control room, several Associate Special Class Investigators moved to block his path.
"A half-kakuja?... No, a full kakuja. What a headache..."
"We must stop him here. If he breaches the control room, it's over!"
"Exactly..."
The investigators frowned as they observed Byakuya's kakuja-like form, his face completely concealed by a crimson tiger striped mask.
Though they'd never seen this type of kakuja before, its enormous size left no doubt that it wasn't a mere kakuja.
They estimated this ghoul to be at least SS rated, possibly even SSS rated.
"Let's go together! I'll take the front!"
One of the sturdier investigators wielding a koukaku quinque charged at Byakuya, acting as a shield.
This investigator carried an S rated quinque — a massive red shield capable of fully covering his 6'3" frame.
But with a casual swipe of Susano'o's arm, Byakuya sent the investigator flying.
Crash!
The investigator was thrown over 30 feet away, slamming into a wall. The koukaku shield he carried showed visible cracks.
"What?!"
The remaining investigators were stunned. Even an S rated koukaku quinque couldn't stop that ghoul?!