The Cold Embrace...

(As the next day was Saturday, Bai was outside enjoying the autumn weather but felt it was a little too cold today.)

"Bai: ...Its too cold.."
"Negan: Hey kid! What're you doing out here in the cold?"
"Bai: Sorry Negan, I'm actually about to go to the store for some drinks."
"Negan: Then bring me back some grape juice, we're almost out."
"Bai: Will do."

(As Bai then leaves the Uesaka District on bike, he'd travel to the suburban areas to the nearest mini-market for grocery shopping. As Bai then arrives, he'd walk into the store and meets the two store clerks who works at the market. Bai then picks out everything he has listed, goes to the checkout, pays in the exact amount of yen he was told.)

"Female Cashier: Aw.. Hey, Narita, do we have anymore change?"
"Narita (Store Manager): I think it's in the back, did you check the safe?"
"Female Casher: I don't think so, I'll go look."

(As she then does so, the manager was continuing to stock items as Bai then waits but noticed it was getting a bit more chillier than it was outside. As Bai was then handed his exact change back, he'd smile but looks up at a blue crystal eyed man staring him down as Bai then was too intimidated to run or even move.)

"Bai: ...."
"Goto: Well well... Mr. "Caiyan Zhihao", we meet at last."
"Bai: .... (Thinking): I didn't even sense him... No.. I couldn't feel or sense anything off of him... He's dangerous."
"Goto: Relax. I want a conversation, I'm actually a bit interested in talking to you."
"Bai: ...O-Oh really.. w-why is that...?"
"Goto: Your very personality resembles a certain someone from China. Same shoe size, same height, weight and the circumference shape and size of your skull and head. You're Bai Zhen, aren't you?"

(Bai's heart immediately fell to his stomach as his eyes widened on his identity being noticed immediately. As Goto then slowly unsheathed his sword, the entire mini market was beginning to freeze in immediate ice. Bai then takes one step away as Goto drew his sword quick, Bai zooms out of the market by a sheer second and dodges a massive glacial slash of pure ice destroying the entire mini market with one blast as Goto walked out with a silhouette of a spirit of nothing but pure, destructive ice as if Goto was a god.)

"Bai: ..W-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU..?!"
"Goto: I am Goto Hokitada, and you will tell me everything there is about the Triple Ghoul and his 15 Ghouls, then die."

(As Bai then backs away and summons begins to rely on his Jet Blessing and rush right back to the Uesaka District without bringing the groceries with him. As the ice around Goto becomes even stronger, he'd vanish after one step, freezing the surrounding area where Bai was currently flying through then was brought down by a devasting stomp to the ground which trembles the surrounding area as Bai was now defeated in only two moves. Goto then lifts Bai's head to view his now bleeding face.)

"Goto: I'm willing to make things very tougher for you if you wish to not comply. What do you know of the Triple Ghoul and his 15 companions?!"

(As the sky surrounding them turns dark, a shadowy figure approaches and snatches Bai's hurt body as he was given a chance to recover while Negan arrived with his barbed wire bat ready to hurt Goto.)

"Negan: Out of all the ridiculous shit this kid's went though, he managed to gain the attention of the Big 4's Blizzard Clown so soon?"
"Goto: "Blizzard Clown"? You dare mock the Mercenary Associations?!"
"Negan: Uh.. Duh, that's the joke. Are you that dumb or did you hit your head before crashing down on Caiyan?"
"Goto: What you don't understand is that damned tyrant is the reason why Ghouls are more active than they were three years ago! As long as he lives, Ghouls will continue to be active and alive until they get their hands on his blessing."
"Negan: You think I'm that stupid? I knew about what this kid's been going through and its why we're here. We're training himself to become stronger, we're strong alone yes but we need to focus on the truth... The Triple Ghoul is getting stronger and neither of our Blessings are just as effective. You're attacking our only key to making Ghouls extinct permanently."
"Goto: ..."

(As Goto sheathed his sword, he took a moment to ponder.)

"Goto: You've known this information for how long...?"
"Negan: Ever since me and Bai touched down in Japan. There's someone we know who can tell you more, but you need to remain at ease and don't try any funny shit."
"Goto: ...As intriguing as the offer is, how can I believe you're not lying to me?"
"???: Because I'm the one who understands the situation at hand."

(As Kokei returned from his long-term business, he'd stare down Goto for he did not turn around to view Kokei.)

"Goto: Kokei Uesaka, why pray tell are you siding with the Commander and a Ghoul?"
"Kokei: Because I was told the story and believed it. It is true that the Triple Ghoul and Mr. Zhen are somewhat related but he does not know much about them more than we."
"Bai: ..."
"Goto: So even the legendary Uesaka Clan managed to befriend a Ghoul, how embarrassing. What would the temple leaders think of such a thing?"
"Kokei: They would never be told a single word. The Uesaka Clan holds a reputation on silencing those who reveals a secret involving the clan, ally or not."
"Goto: Hm... Very well. I'll agree to your request, Zhihao. Under the circumstance that I am lied to, I will take.. young Zhihao here into custody under the Counsel's Federal Law."
"Negan: All I'll say is, good luck. Now let's talk."

(As the four then regroups at the Uesaka District, Bai was recovering while being watched by Silke and Jia, Negan and Kokei were the three talking about the situation at hand.)

"Kokei: Now if I may, we three are familiar of the Triple Ghoul and his 15 powerful companions. The Triple Ghoul has ten of the fifteen's Blessings and Curses and an unknown count of Spirits, Curses and Blessings. Many Mercenaries from years ago managed to try and gain information but never made it back alive. Luckily, we've managed to gain data from the day he reemerged in Hong Kong, China. We've learned that if he uses your own blessing against you, he can temporarily or permanently deactivate it, by harming your Blessing Spirit or if he manages to strike you in the heart, where the Blessing Realm lies."

"Goto: But how exactly was this proven?"
"Kokei: One of the two women in the living room is Jia Yi, former Disciplinary Committee Leader and has the Wind Blessing. She was stabbed through the chest by the Triple Ghoul and managed to survive by sheer luck. Her blessing is showing positive signs that it's working again, her Blessing shutdown was temporary but she made it through."
"Goto: Hm... And what of the child?"
"Negan: Bai Zhen's was nearly killed several times by Ghouls. I heard a rumor that they threw him out onto incoming traffic. But ever since that day, the rise of Ghouls were appearing faster than there were Mercenaries for hire."
"Kokei: And then there was the attack on Jingyi Grand Academy where multiple students were taken as hostages. Negan single-handedly finished the operation and we've managed to rescue the students. That clan leader, Rac demanded that either the Mercenary Associations disband or Bai Zhen would be killed."
"Goto: Yes, I'm aware of that incident now. But why exactly is the Justice Blessing so important that even the 15 Ghouls would want it?"

(The two was then silent.)

"Kokei: We do not know the truth to that ourselves."
"Negan: Even I've done my fair share of research. All we know is for whatever reason that Blessing is so important, it got the attention of thousands upon thousands of enemies."
"Goto: I see. Do you two at least know anything of the Triple Ghoul's location?"
"Kokei: There has been some traced signals that no association could be able to translate. Once we manage to find someone who can triangulate the signal, we'll be able to find their location and dispose of the Ghoul's main hideout once and for all."
"Goto: If it's possible, do you have this signal?"

(Kokei then pulled out a tablet device and plays a recorded audio as scrambling, screeching and static was heard.)

"Goto: Hmm... I may know someone who could-"

(Goto's alarm from the Mercenary Association was ringing as three Category S Ghouls were in the area as he then generates an icy mist around himself.)

"Goto: We'll continue this conversation another time, there are Ghouls in the vicinity."

(As the temperature immediately increases to freezing, Goto then vanishes as the temperature dies down immediately as Benjamin returned in time with four bundle boxes of fast food for everyone as Jia refuses to leave Bai's side, Silke rushes to the kitchen, Negan begins to eat as well and Kokei began to ponder on Bai's blessing.)

"Kokei (Thinking): What could possibly be so important of the Justice Blessing...?"