:re Chapter 99

Some weeks after the bloodshed at Rushima and Cochlea, Kaneki has been sheltering with Take Hirako and the members of Squad 0. Roused by the children, the household heads out to the reopened cafe, and once the others leave to eat, Touka welcomes him with a cup she brews herself, which he fondly likens to the old manager's. She wonders at his changed hair, and he relays Dr. Shiba's account that his dampened Rc cell activity set off a passing surge of melanin. A news broadcast lists him and Take as wanted, notes two injured investigators, and confirms the deaths of Arima and Haisaki. Asked what name he prefers, he answers simply with Kaneki and promises he is still the person she knew, earning a slap from Touka over both her real meaning and his conduct during the earlier raids.

Yomo arrives to signal that the moment has come, and outside the group reunites with Irimi and Koma, whose survival Kaneki learns he made possible by stalling Arima back at V14. Nishiki joins them after leaving Roma in one of Banjou's subordinates' care, while Koma and Irimi stay to mind the shop. At a concealed Tsukiyama estate, Shuu ushers everyone into a hall crowded with former Aogiri Tree fighters, among them Ayato, Miza, the White Suits, and Kurona. Naki, recognizing the man who killed Yamori, lashes out, refusing to accept a human-friendly ghoul as the One-Eyed King until a White Suit restrains him. Miza then approaches to press Kaneki on his intentions.

Recalling Eto's parting argument that the world must be cracked open like an egg and rebuilt, Kaneki accepts that, as the ghoul who felled Arima, he alone can attempt it. He declares his aim to inherit the former King's will and force humans and ghouls toward mutual understanding, holding up his own path from man to ghoul as proof it can be done. Kurona mocks the notion as against nature, yet Kaneki resolves to squeeze the CCG toward negotiation. When the prisoners he freed from Cochlea, led by Fuka, file in and bow to him, he names the new organization Goat.