Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

[Blood Demon Art: Combustible Blood] 

[Description: A special ability originating from the 'Demon Slayer' world.] 

[Effect: Allows the user to make their own blood explode at will, generating high-temperature flames capable of burning the target. This fire possesses the unique property of "only burning what the user intends to burn."] 

[Price: 1,500 points] 

---

"Blood Demon Art? An ability from another world?" Kaneki murmured as he scanned the product description on the light screen. 

"The name has 'Demon' in it... That fits my current identity rather well." 

As if to emphasize his point, a long scarlet tentacle extended from his back, rising high into the air. 

Thanks to the transformation brought by the Essence of Life, Kaneki's body had undergone a complete genetic overhaul. He could now wield his 'kagune' without fear of the debilitating side effects typical of ghouls. 

While Kaneki didn't have the nearly indestructible immortality of the demons from the 'Demon Slayer' world, his ghoul physiology allowed him to heal from even fatal injuries, provided he had adequate sustenance. 

The idea of using his own blood as a weapon seemed like the perfect fit for his unique state. 

"I want this item," Kaneki declared with firm resolve.

"Very well," Enel replied, a curious glint flashing in his eyes. 

Without further ado, a crimson sphere of light materialized before Kaneki and swiftly merged into his body. 

The Blood Demon Art: Combustible Blood—a rare ability Enel had procured from the 'Demon Slayer' world—was now Kaneki's to wield. 

And the source of this power? It was none other than Nezuko Kamado, Tanjiro's sister. This particular blood technique had been inherited from her unique abilities. 

"I hope it grants you the strength you seek," Enel murmured, before snapping his fingers with a sharp 'click'.

'Snap!' 

The telekinetic hold restraining Touka dissipated instantly, causing her to plummet from the sky. 

Though the event was abrupt, Touka's agility and instincts kicked in. She flipped mid-air and landed gracefully on the ground. 

But as her feet touched down, her gaze locked on Enel, a mix of fear and awe flooding her expression. 

Having witnessed the entire dimensional transaction, her usual defiance was replaced with stunned silence. 

She had seen it all—Kaneki's ghoul hunger vanishing after the deal was concluded, leaving him in a state that felt neither human nor ghoul. 

To her, Kaneki now resembled something entirely new—something unprecedented. 

"Is this... real?" Touka murmured, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Enel smiled knowingly at Kaneki before turning to Touka. 

"Well, the transaction is complete. It's time for me to leave." 

His gaze returned to Kaneki. 

"I look forward to our next trade, Kaneki." 

With a flicker of lightning, Enel vanished into the sky, leaving behind a sharp crackle. 

——

'Honk! Honk!' 

On the overpass above, impatient drivers blared their horns as vehicles sped by, oblivious to the monumental events that had just unfolded below. 

Touka stood frozen, staring at Kaneki with wide eyes. 

Kaneki, noticing her stunned demeanor, was momentarily taken aback. Then, as realization dawned, he offered her a soft smile. 

"Thank you, Miss Touka." 

---

Half an Hour Later 

In Tokyo's 20th Ward, within a small coffee shop named 'Anteiku', the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. 

Though it was prime business time, the shop had closed its doors, its rolling shutters drawn tightly over the windows, sealing it off from the outside world. 

Inside the café's meeting room, a group of ghouls sat huddled around a sofa, beads of sweat trickling down their faces. 

All eyes were fixed on Kaneki. 

'Gulp.' 

Enji Koma, known as [Devil Ape] in the ghoul community, audibly swallowed, his gaze trembling as he watched Kaneki. 

Before them, Kaneki was devouring a hamburger—a human food item—with apparent ease. 

"Is this... is this a joke!?" 

Enji instinctively blurted out, his voice tinged with disbelief. 

But as he saw the genuine expression of satisfaction on Kaneki's face, his fists tightened involuntarily. 

At this moment, the store manager, Yoshimura Quzin, also realized the gravity of the situation. 

Despite his usual calm demeanor, his voice trembled as he asked, "Touka, is what you're saying... all true?" 

"Yes," Touka replied, her tone heavy with fear, her eyes betraying the lingering dread from what she had just witnessed. 

It was clear that Enel's actions had left a deep impression on her. 

If she was not mistaken, before Kaneki underwent the transformation, Enel had glanced at her with a look of disgust and thinly veiled hostility. 

At that moment, she had genuinely felt as though her life hung by a thread. 

It wasn't until Kaneki subdued his ghoul hunger—a torment he endured as a means of preserving his "humanity"—that Enel's killing intent began to fade. 

Despite her fear, Touka recounted everything she had seen and experienced in detail, unwilling to withhold the truth from the store's occupants.

'Hiss!' 

A collective gasp filled the room. 

Yoshimura's hands trembled slightly as he picked up his coffee. Though his voice was calm, his wide eyes shone with a glimmer of hope. 

"Has a miracle finally arrived?" he whispered. 

The possibility of ghouls living like humans—wasn't this the dream they had all harbored for so long? 

However... 

Before the room could be consumed by this hopeful revelation, Yomo Renji, ever the voice of reason, spoke up. 

"What arrives may not be a miracle..." he said grimly. "It could just as easily be a disaster." 

"What do you mean?" 

All eyes turned toward Yomo as he raised his head and stared at Kaneki, who was still ravenously devouring human food. 

"Someone who can use their kagune to conduct dimensional transactions and continually grow stronger..." Yomo began, his voice laden with concern. "If this becomes known, all ghouls could become prey." 

He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing: 

"If humans learn of such possibilities, ghouls will no longer be hunters. They will be hunted." 

The room fell silent. 

The realization hit hard. 

If the CCG—or anyone else, for that matter—discovered that ghouls could leverage dimensional transactions for unimaginable power, their fates would be sealed. 

Ghouls, once feared predators, would be reduced to helpless prey. 

What they had initially celebrated as a chance to integrate into human society now felt like a potential harbinger of doom. 

A cold sweat broke out across the group as they fully grasped the gravity of the situation.

At that moment, Kaneki quietly set the burger down and raised his head, meeting the gazes of everyone in the room. 

Though he had only recently met these people, he felt an unexplainable sense of peace in their presence. 

Recalling his conversation with Manager Yoshimura the previous night, Kaneki took a deep breath and said slowly, "May I stay here in Anteiku? I want to learn more... about ghouls."

Though he now possessed the ability to grow stronger and protect those important to him, Kaneki's innate kindness and empathy had not been dulled by his transformation. 

Having endured the torment of ghoul hunger, he understood the struggles they faced on a deeper level. 

This understanding fueled his desire to help them. 

Even as a dimensional trader, Kaneki's heart remained steadfast. 

The more he empathized with the plight of ghouls, the more he realized: 

This was a race in need of salvation. 

And he... 

As someone who straddled the line between human and ghoul, and who now wielded the extraordinary power of a dimensional trader, felt a deep sense of responsibility. 

In that moment, Kaneki understood. 

There were things in this world that only he could do. 

And so, he had made his choice.