Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Kikoru Shinomiya furrowed her brow in confusion.

"The Defense Force is enough. Why would we need another organization? Who would lead it? Who would handle recruitment?" she asked, her tone sharp but reasonable. "Don't forget that the birthrate in Sakura Country is low. A new organization would mean stretching our resources thin. And the funding? That's an even bigger hurdle. These are real, unavoidable problems."

As the daughter of a high-ranking Defense Force officer, Kikoru's perspective was steeped in pragmatism.

Drake Myers nodded thoughtfully. "I see your point."

Still, he was determined to establish his own organization—an independent Hero Association that would act as a counterbalance to the Defense Force. To achieve that, he needed Sakura Country's endorsement and to establish his credibility as a human ally.

Drake had his reasons for wanting distance from the Third Defense Division. He needed to operate freely, without suspicion or interference. His ultimate goal required a network of exceptional individuals united under his leadership. Being tied down as a subordinate wasn't his style.

Meanwhile, in a downstairs hospital room...

Kafka Hibino had resolved to join the Defense Force and fight for his dream. As he sat in his hospital bed, an insect-like monster suddenly appeared before him.

"Found you!" it announced with eerie intelligence.

"A... monster?" Kafka stammered, his voice trembling.

Without hesitation, the creature dove into his mouth, forcing a merger. Kafka convulsed as the transformation began.

Drake, whose heightened senses picked up on the disturbance below, remained calm.

"So, it's happening," he muttered to himself. While capable of absorbing monsters' abilities, Drake had little interest in Kafka's unique transformation. It was a risky symbiosis—one that could spell doom in the long run.

Still, Kafka had potential. Drake preferred to recruit strong allies rather than dismiss them outright.

Reno Ichikawa entered the room moments later, concerned for his senior.

"Senpai, are you okay?" Reno called out as he pulled back the privacy curtain.

What greeted him was a creature cloaked in dark armor with glowing blue streaks. Though its eyes seemed oddly innocent, its fanged maw suggested otherwise.

"Y-You're... a monster?" Reno's voice quivered as he stared in shock.

Kafka caught a glimpse of himself in a nearby mirror.

"What the—?!"

Unfortunately, an elderly man passing the room also caught sight of Kafka. The man froze for a moment, then calmly pulled out his phone to call the Defense Force.

The alarm blared at the Tachikawa Base.

"Alert! A monster has been detected at Yokohama General Hospital!"

Captain Soshiro Hoshina sprang to his feet.

"Finally, it shows itself! All surveillance units, move in now!"

In Drake Myers' room, Defense Force operatives burst through the door, weapons raised. The commotion startled Kikoru Shinomiya, who had been chatting with Drake.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Kikoru demanded, stepping forward angrily.

Kisaburo Saegusa, the Shinomiya family's loyal butler, positioned himself protectively between Kikoru and the intruders. His presence radiated authority, a testament to his hidden strength.

"You dare barge in without cause? I'll see to it that you're all held accountable!" he growled.

The Defense Force soldiers hesitated, realizing they might have overstepped.

Back downstairs, Reno pleaded with Kafka.

"Senpai, you have to run! Drake Myers is in the hospital—if he finds you like this, you're done for!"

Kafka wanted to explain, but his monstrous appearance left him no choice. Without a word, he leaped out the window. Reno followed, determined to protect the man who had saved his life.

Drake, listening from above, chuckled softly.

"Interesting turn of events," he mused. "Consider this a favor, Kafka. You'll need time to grow into your new role."

Back in Drake's room, Kikoru's fury hadn't subsided.

"You people are unbelievable! Acting without evidence and rushing to judgment—what were you thinking?" she fumed.

Drake stood from his bed, feigning indignation.

"She's right. If you can't prove I'm a monster, you have no grounds to accuse me! I demand to see Captain Ashiro immediately."

The Defense Force team exchanged uneasy glances. Kikoru's faith in Drake and her family's influence made it clear they couldn't proceed without solid proof. One of the soldiers quietly reported the situation to the base.

At Tachikawa Base, Kaomi Tachibana, the tactical officer, received the update.

"Target has fled the hospital. Pursue immediately!" she ordered.

Captain Hoshina groaned, frustrated by the mishap.

"This is a mess," he muttered.

The hunt was on.

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