The catastrophe that hit Tokyo was soon broadcast across the entire country.
The evacuation of civilians from Tokyo had already stirred rumors, so the whole nation had been watching the capital closely.
Official channels streamed the chaos via giant projection screens, while countless reckless (yet fame-hungry) media outlets stayed behind with CCG investigators, risking their lives to report live.
Through various broadcasts, the world got its first look at the monster now dubbed the Dragon.
"Are you serious?! I thought it was an earthquake—but something like that came out from under Tokyo?!"
"Is this the actual end of the world? That monster's practically the size of the entire city! There's no way the CCG can handle it…"
"We're doomed! That thing looks like it can move—it's gonna tear Japan apart!"
"Shut it already! Stop spreading panic. We need to trust in the government!"
As the Dragon emerged, the whole country descended into chaos.
Especially those who had recently evacuated from Tokyo—they now looked back in terror, realizing just how lucky they'd been. If they hadn't followed orders, they'd be dead by now.
In the original manga, after Kaneki transformed into the Dragon, he devoured countless humans and ghouls alike across the Tokyo region.
"Wait—what the hell are those pink things?!"
"Ghouls? No way—ghouls don't look like that!"
"They're disgusting—and they're wrecking everything in sight! They might be even worse than ghouls!"
People started to notice them—monstrous humanoid creatures flooding the streets.
They were all identical in shape, roughly human-sized, but grotesquely built. Their skin was a sickly pink, their muscles bulging unnaturally, and the only feature on their horrifying faces were jagged, exposed teeth—no eyes, no nose, no ears.
They were dubbed Dragon Orphans
These things had the brute strength of ghouls but none of their intelligence—just mindless engines of destruction.
But according to the original story, these spawn evolve rapidly with each generation. Over time, they become more human-like in both appearance and intelligence.
In just a few years, the Dragon Orphans had already produced individuals with the intelligence of a five-year-old human, capable of leading others like a pack.
This sparked theories that perhaps the Dragon War had happened before, long ago—that previous spawn had outlived their progenitor, becoming what humans now know as ghouls. After centuries (or even millennia) of evolution, they had learned to blend in, adopting human forms.
That could also explain why humans exposed to large amounts of Dragon toxins gradually turned into ghouls themselves.
"These monsters… I hope big brother Byakuya and sister Eto are okay…"
Watching the scenes of destruction unfold on TV, Touka couldn't help but worry.
She and the rest of the Kirishima family—along with little Mayu—had been relocated to a temporary shelter. It was cramped, but at least it was safe.
"Mom… Dad…"
Mayu's eyes filled with worry too.
"They'll be fine" Touka's mother reassured them, even though her own voice lacked confidence. "Byakuya and Eto are some of the strongest people in Tokyo—they'll make it."
She didn't believe it completely herself, but she had to stay strong for the kids. Byakuya and Eto had fought through impossible odds before, but this Dragon… was unlike anything anyone had faced.
Inside the Washuu Estate
Tsuneyoshi and Yoshitoki had known something was wrong the moment the ground began to shake.
They sat calmly in the family's study, joined by Furuta. Outside, the Dragon raged—but for now, the estate was untouched.
Given that the Dragon's core was composed of their own bloodline, they guessed it might still retain enough sentience not to attack them—at least, not directly. The only unpredictable threat were the countless Dragon Spawn flooding the streets.
Their role now was to protect Furuta.
"What's happening out there? This isn't some normal earthquake…"
Furuta tried to get up and head outside, but Tsuneyoshi blocked him.
"It's dangerous. You can't just rush out there."
"But what about Byakuya… and the others?"
Furuta's voice cracked with concern.
"He's our enemy," Tsuneyoshi replied bluntly. "You're the King of the Washuu now. Why care about him?"
"He's not just anyone. Byakuya's my savior—and the person I respect most."
Furuta shot back without hesitation.
"I suppose that makes sense," Tsuneyoshi mused. "You've spent so much time around him… But soon, the Washuu clan will rise again. Those people—Byakuya, Eto—they won't win against that thing."
Furuta frowned. Something big was definitely happening outside.
"You're wrong. I believe in Byakuya. He will win."
"Then let's see," Tsuneyoshi said calmly. "If we lose, do whatever you want to me—kill me, exile me, whatever. Start a new Washuu family. But if we win… I'll do what's best for the clan. Always."
Even Tsuneyoshi wasn't fully confident. The Dragon was far too unpredictable.
Still, from his point of view, their odds were good.
"...Okay."
Furuta nodded slowly.
He tried to stay hopeful—but deep down, he couldn't help worrying.
All they could do now… was wait.
....
The emergence of the Dragon and its spawn caused widespread panic within minutes.
Under immense public pressure, the Japanese government tried to deploy the military—but it was useless.
The army didn't even match the CCG's strength.
Realistically, the only way to stop it would be a nuclear strike—but whether Japan even had nuclear weapons was another question entirely.
And then… a glimmer of hope.
News broke that the CCG had teamed up with a notorious ghoul faction known as Aogiri Tree.
Journalists embedded within the CCG were the first to report it—and it set off a media frenzy.
"Aogiri Tree? Aren't they the strongest ghoul group in Tokyo?"
"Wait, really? Tokyo already had the highest concentration of ghouls in Japan—so their top dogs must be terrifying!"
"Well, this might actually be good news. At least we've got a fighting chance now."
"But what about the CCG's new chairman—Byakuya? Isn't he supposed to be Tokyo's most mysterious and powerful figure? Where is he?"