Ghoul: Starting with Sharingan

The Washuu Clan naturally had the V conduct a basic background check on Uchiha Eto's identity.

However, they didn't verify the legitimacy of the supposed marriage. After all, Byakuya hadn't denied it, and digging deeper into such matters would be a hassle.

All they discovered was that Eto's background appeared clean, and she passed the RC gate scans without issue. As a result, they saw no need for a more thorough investigation.

The possibility that Eto might actually be Yoshimura Kuzen's daughter — explaining her ability to bypass RC detection — never crossed their minds.

After all, both the Washuu and the V placed great trust in Byakuya. How could they imagine that their most reliable operative was secretly collaborating with the very half-ghoul they saw as their greatest threat?

Moreover, the V could only operate covertly. Conducting an in-depth investigation of a half-ghoul with legitimate human identification wasn't something they could easily achieve.

Such investigations would fall to the CCG, but only if there was sufficient evidence to suspect the individual of being a ghoul.

This explained why, in the original story, Eto had been able to sign a contract with Shoeisha under her real name and live as an author for over a decade without detection. Naturally, the V couldn't blatantly demand private information about a specific writer from a publishing house.

Ultimately, it was Kaneki and Furuta, under the CCG's authority, who launched an investigation into Sen Takatsuki as a suspected ghoul.

To the Washuu and V, Byakuya had always been obedient, so they didn't feel the need to meddle in his private life—unless it involved spilling their secrets to his wife, assuming they even found out about such a betrayal.

In the past, if it hadn't been for Ukina investigating the secrets of V and getting caught, the organization wouldn't have interfered with Yoshimura marrying a human. At most, they'd have taken the resulting child to nurture in the Sunlit Garden, especially since, statistically, the offspring would likely be a half-human.

...

"Since we're already at the mall, let's stock up on paper and pens" Eto said as she grabbed several notebooks and pen refills.

Although she could use a computer, she preferred jotting her ideas down on paper. It made it easier to capture inspiration anytime, anywhere.

"Buy as much as you like. It's on me" Byakuya said casually.

"Love you~" Eto replied in the same offhand tone.

"...Your love sure seems a bit cheap" Byakuya muttered, shaking his head.

And yet, her casual proclamation of affection in public had him on edge — who knew if someone might overhear and call the cops?

"What's so cheap about it? As far as the CCG is concerned, our marriage is already an established fact. Saying 'I love you' is perfectly normal" Eto said with a teasing smile.

Byakuya, however, had gone silent. His gaze had locked onto a young girl nearby, stirring a faint sense of familiarity.

The girl looked about ten years old, with short black hair, dirty clothes, and no shoes. She stood outside a women's shoe store, her eyes fixed longingly on a pair of red high heels inside.

Her expression was filled with yearning, as if she desperately wanted those shoes.

Byakuya quickly realized who she was — this was a young "Nutcracker."

Because of her tragic childhood, Nutcracker would grow up twisted, willing to resort to any means to make herself beautiful, and even developing some bizarre tendencies along the way.

Eto noticed Byakuya's sudden inattention and narrowed her eyes. "You've been staring at that little girl. Don't tell me you're smitten, you lolicon!"

"That's not it. I think... she might be a ghoul" Byakuya whispered cautiously, careful not to draw the attention of passersby.

"A ghoul?" Eto initially thought it was just an excuse, but after approaching the girl and sniffing carefully, she detected a faintly distinct scent.

Though the girl reeked of filth, there was a distinct hint of decay beneath it, suggesting she'd been eating rotting flesh. Moreover, there was a faint trace of the unique scent of ghouls, subtle but unmistakable.

"This little one really is a ghoul. So, what do you plan to do?" Eto asked, her curiosity piqued as she studied Byakuya with a sly grin. "You're not thinking of abducting her, are you?"

Byakuya sighed, exasperated. "What kind of person do you think I am?"

"A lolicon" Eto replied without hesitation.

"Knock it off..."

Just then, a store clerk came out.

Noticing the disheveled girl loitering by the store window, the clerk seemed worried that her presence might drive customers away. She handed the girl a coin and said kindly, "Here's a coin, little one. Go buy yourself some candy and head home, okay?"

"…Thank you," the young Nutcracker muttered, her expression complex as she accepted the coin and thanked the clerk.

Though reluctant to leave the red high heels, she knew that stealing them would only get her killed by the Doves.

At that moment, Eto walked over to the girl and said, "Little one, I can grant you one wish. Tell me, what do you want most?"

The girl looked up, stunned by the sudden appearance of the elegant woman before her. She couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful Eto was, her clothes impossibly luxurious compared to anything the girl could dream of.

After a long pause, the girl finally pointed to the red high heels in the store window.

"If... if it's possible, I want those."

"Of course! Let's go in together" Eto said, taking the girl's hand and leading her into the store.

The girl stared at Eto in disbelief, wondering if this was all just a dream...