Chương 15: Katana man
Haruto stirred from his slumber, his arm instinctively reaching out for Makima, but she was nowhere to be found. As he slowly opened his eyes, he caught sight of her buttoning up her shirt. Makima, noticing his gaze, said softly, "Haruto, you're awake."
"Yeah, are you leaving already?" Haruto asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Makima nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips. "I was hoping you could do me a favor."
Haruto sat up, his interest piqued. "What is it?"
"I want you to patrol with Denji and Aki today. Get to know Tokyo again. It's changed a lot in the eight years you were gone," Makima explained.
Haruto shrugged, "Alright, I guess. Where should I meet them?"
"They'll be in the city center in 30 minutes," Makima replied as she made her way over to Haruto. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a tender kiss. "I'll see you later," she whispered before leaving the room.
Haruto sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes catching his reflection in the mirror. His body was a tapestry of scars, a testament to the tortures he had endured in Hell. With a heavy sigh, he stood up and donned his immaculately pressed suit. His once vibrant blue eyes now seemed dull and lifeless.
As he stepped out of the room, he was greeted by Makima's pack of Huskies. Haruto took a moment to pet each one before heading out of the apartment. The streets of Tokyo were bustling with life, and Haruto found himself squinting against the sunlight, still not quite accustomed to its brightness after his time in the underworld.
Finally, he arrived at the designated meeting spot, spotting Aki and Denji in the distance. "Good morning," Haruto greeted them, stifling a yawn.
Aki nodded in acknowledgment. "Good morning. Should I call you senpai?"
Haruto shook his head, "No, don't. I don't like it."
Denji chimed in, "Good, because I wasn't planning on calling you that anyway."
"You, on the other hand, can call me senpai," Haruto retorted, a hint of mischief in his voice.
Denji scoffed, "Screw you, asshole."
Haruto let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright, let's get this patrol started." The trio began walking in silence, the weight of their duties hanging over them.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Denji blurted out, "So, what's the deal with you and Makima?"
Haruto, slightly annoyed, replied, "She already told you, didn't she? We're a couple."
Denji snorted, "I find it hard to believe that Makima would be into boring guys like you."
"I've known her for ten years," Haruto countered. "I'm not the same teenager I was back then."
A mischievous grin spread across Denji's face. "So, have you two... you know, done it?"
Aki, appalled by Denji's lack of tact, smacked him on the back of the head. "You idiot! You can't just ask people things like that!"
Haruto couldn't help but smirk. "If you must know, we have sex at least three times a day."
Denji's eyes widened, a mixture of envy and excitement. "Damn, I'm so jealous! But thinking about another man touching Makima... it's both infuriating and arousing."
Haruto raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly threatening, "You do realize you're talking about my girlfriend, right?" But Denji was already lost in his own perverted fantasies, oblivious to Haruto's warning.
Turning to Aki, who seemed to be the more level-headed of the two, Haruto asked, "I wanted to ask you something, since you seem more serious than this idiot."
Aki, taking a drag from his cigarette, replied, "What's on your mind?"
"What's Makima like? I mean, how does she behave?" Haruto inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Aki's face softened as he spoke, "Makima is an incredible woman. She's kind, compassionate, and always puts the well-being of others before her own. Her leadership skills are unparalleled, and she has a way of bringing out the best in people."
As the trio walked through the bustling streets of Tokyo, Haruto couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The city had changed so much in the eight years he'd been gone, and he found himself struggling to reconcile the memories of his past with the reality of the present.
Lost in thought, Haruto barely registered Denji's excited chatter as they made their way towards the designated meeting spot. It wasn't until they turned down a narrow alley that Haruto's senses snapped back into focus.
There, at the far end of the alley, stood a demon. Its grotesque form was illuminated by an eerie, flickering light that seemed to emanate from within its own body. Haruto recognized it instantly as the Firefly Demon, a notorious creature known for its ability to lure unsuspecting victims to their doom.
Denji, eager to prove himself, placed his hand on his chest, ready to pull the cord and transform into the legendary Chainsaw Man. "Leave this one to me," he declared, a cocky grin spreading across his face.
But before Denji could make his move, Haruto stepped forward. With a casual flick of his wrist, he snapped his fingers, and a thin line of flame appeared on the ground, snaking its way towards the demon.
The Firefly Demon let out an ear-piercing shriek as the flames engulfed its body, the searing heat fueled by Haruto's anger and resentment. The demon writhed in agony, its cries echoing through the alley as it slowly turned to ash.
Denji, his face a mixture of awe and annoyance, turned to Haruto. "Hey, no fair! That one was mine!"
Haruto shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Too slow, kid."
Aki, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "We need to report this to headquarters."
Haruto sighed, his shoulders slumping in exasperation. "What a pain. Let's just leave it here and let some private agency claim the bounty."
The three resumed their patrol, an awkward silence hanging between them. Haruto, his curiosity getting the better of him, finally spoke up. "So, tell me, why do you two want to be Devil Hunters?"
Aki's face hardened, a steely resolve in his eyes. "I want to defeat the Gun Devil."
Denji, on the other hand, shrugged nonchalantly. "So I can eat good food... oh, and kill the Gun Devil, I guess."
Haruto glanced over his shoulder, his piercing blue eyes studying Denji and Aki intently. "No offense, but you two wouldn't last a second against the Gun Devil."
Aki bristled at the comment, his pride wounded. "What would you know about it?"
Haruto extended his finger, pointing directly at Aki. His eyes, deep and unfathomable, seemed to bore into the young Devil Hunter's soul. "Beneath my hand, I have two demons far more powerful than the one we just encountered. Care to test your mettle against them?"
Aki swallowed hard, his hand nervously adjusting his tie. "I apologize, sir."
Haruto's face softened, a playful grin replacing his earlier intensity. "I'm just messing with you. It's good to see that there are still Devil Hunters with guts out there."
Denji, oblivious to the tension, piped up. "I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Can we go get some food now?"
Haruto shook his head, exasperated. "We just started our patrol, Denji."
Aki, his curiosity piqued, turned to Haruto. "If you don't mind me asking, sir, why did you become a Devil Hunter?"
Haruto sighed, his eyes distant as he gazed off into the bustling city streets. "At first, it was for revenge. Then, I wanted to make this world a better place. Now... I'm not so sure. Maybe it's still about revenge, in a way."
Aki's brow furrowed. "Revenge against what?"
Haruto's face hardened, his tone sharp. "You ask too many questions, kid."
As the hours ticked by, Denji's complaints about his hunger grew more and more frequent. Finally, Aki relented. "We were supposed to meet Himeno for lunch. We should probably get going."
Denji let out a whoop of joy, his earlier frustrations forgotten at the prospect of food. Haruto couldn't help but chuckle at the young Devil Hunter's enthusiasm.
The train glided smoothly along the tracks, its rhythmic clatter a soothing backdrop to the bustling city outside. Makima sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. The carriage was nearly empty, save for her escort and a few scattered passengers engrossed in their phones or newspapers.
One of her escorts settled into the seat beside her, his posture rigid and alert. "It seems we'll arrive at the meeting on time, ma'am," he said, his voice low and respectful.
Makima's lips curled into a soft smile. "So it appears," she replied, her tone even and unreadable. She let out a small sigh, her gaze drifting back to the window. "The beer from last night... it tasted so good."
The train plunged into a tunnel, plunging the carriage into momentary darkness. In that split second of obscurity, a gun barrel emerged silently from behind Makima's seat. The world seemed to hold its breath for a heartbeat, and then...
BANG!
The gunshot shattered the quiet, the bullet tearing through Makima's skull. Before anyone could react, another shot rang out.
BANG!
The escort crumpled to the floor, his life extinguished in an instant. More shots followed in quick succession, a brutal symphony of death ensuring no survivors.
Meanwhile, across town, Haruto slurped his ramen noodles, savoring the warmth of the broth despite its lackluster flavor. Sunlight streamed through the small restaurant's windows, casting a golden glow over the mismatched tables and worn linoleum floor.
Power, her pink hair a stark contrast to the drab surroundings, leaned across the table towards Himeno. "Seriously, you didn't hook up with the scoundrel?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Himeno chuckled, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "You'd be surprised. Denji can be quite the gentleman when he wants to be."
Haruto set down his chopsticks, a mischievous glint in his eye. "On the other hand, Makima left me completely drained last night."
Denji narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with annoyance. "Are you going to brag again?"
Haruto laughed, the sound rich and full. "By the way, this ramen tastes like shit."
A solitary figure at the adjacent table spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I thought I was the only one who noticed. It's completely bland."
Denji frowned, confusion evident on his face. "Really? It tastes normal to me."
The stranger's lips curled into a smirk. "Naturally. You've spent your entire life eating garbage. It's only normal that your taste buds have atrophied."
Power bristled at the comment, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Hey! Why are you being so familiar, you scoundrel?"
The man's expression softened, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. "You know, Denji, I used to have a good grandfather. With the money from selling drugs, he would buy me sweets. He was a Yakuza, but one with honor."
Aki's gaze darted between Denji and the stranger, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Do you know him?"
The man reached into his pocket, producing a worn photograph. "He loved me very much, Denji. He even took care of you."
Denji's patience wore thin, his voice sharp with irritation. "What the hell do you want?"
The stranger sighed, his hand moving to his waistband. "You know, the Gun Devil... it wants your heart."
In a flash, he drew a pistol and fired. Time seemed to slow as the bullets hurtled towards Denji, but before they could find their mark, a wall of flame erupted from thin air, melting the projectiles into harmless droplets of molten metal.
The man clicked his tongue in frustration, but before he could react further, Aki's voice cut through the chaos.
"Kon!"
At his command, a massive fox head materialized, its jaws gaping wide. With frightening speed, it lunged at the attacker, swallowing him whole. The force of the summoning sent tables and chairs flying, shattering dishes and scattering food across the floor. Patrons screamed and scrambled for the exits as the fox's enormous form crashed through walls and upended fixtures, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Himeno, her eye wide with shock, turned to Aki. "What the hell was that?"
Aki shook his head, his own surprise evident. "I... I don't know."
The fox turned its massive head towards Aki, its voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Aki Hayakawa, you fed me something horrible. It's neither human nor demon."
Before anyone could process the fox's words, a series of impossibly fast slashes tore through the air. The fox's head split apart, revealing a figure emerging from within its shattered form.
Katana Man stood amidst the carnage, his blade gleaming in the sunlight that now streamed through the gaping holes in the restaurant's walls. His eyes, cold and devoid of emotion, scanned the room before settling on Denji.
"So," he said, his voice as sharp as the sword in his hand, "you're the one they call Chainsaw Man."
Denji tensed, his hand instinctively moving to his chest where the pull-cord lay hidden beneath his shirt. "Who the hell are you?"
Katana Man's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I am the blade that will carve out your heart for the Gun Devil."
Haruto stepped forward, flames dancing around his fingertips. "I don't think so, pal. You picked the wrong group to mess with."
The air crackled with tension as the Devil Hunters faced off against this new threat. Aki's hand hovered near his sword, ready to draw at a moment's notice. Power bared her fangs, her eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Himeno stood ready, her ghost hand poised to strike.
Katana Man's gaze swept over the group, his stance relaxed despite being outnumbered. "Impressive. But numbers mean nothing against true skill."
The bustling streets of Tokyo became a battleground as Haruto snapped his fingers, sending a streak of fire racing towards Katana Man. The flames engulfed the hybrid, his agonized scream echoing off the concrete buildings that lined the narrow street. Pedestrians scattered, their shocked faces illuminated by the hellish glow of the inferno.
Haruto, his fist wreathed in fire that cast dancing shadows across his scarred face, struck Katana Man with devastating force. The impact sent the hybrid flying, his smoldering body crashing into a parked car, leaving a dent in its sleek metallic surface.
"Watch over Denji," Haruto commanded the others, his voice cutting through the cacophony of car alarms and panicked shouts. The group stood at the edge of what was once a quaint ramen shop, now reduced to rubble and splinters. Aki nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for any threat.
Haruto leapt down to the street, his coat billowing behind him as he landed on the cracked asphalt. Katana Man was already rising, his clothes singed and smoking. With a wave of his arm, Haruto summoned chains that erupted from the ground, tearing through the road surface and wrapping around the hybrid like metallic serpents.
The air crackled with tension as Haruto struck again, his fiery fist connecting with Katana Man's face. Flames burst from the hybrid's mouth, briefly illuminating the dark alleys that branched off from the main street.
"Tell me, what are you?" Haruto demanded, his voice as cold as the steel of the nearby skyscrapers. The setting sun cast long shadows across the battlefield, painting the scene in hues of orange and red.
Katana Man, defiant even in his trapped state, spat back, "I have no reason to answer you." He then headbutted Haruto, the sound of the impact like a thunderclap in the confined space of the street.
To Katana Man's shock, Haruto merely smiled, unaffected by the assault that should have shattered his skull. Behind them, a neon sign flickered to life, bathing the scene in an eerie blue glow.
"Why aren't you dead?" Katana Man gasped, fear creeping into his voice for the first time.
Haruto's smile widened, revealing teeth that gleamed in the fading daylight. "I'm sorry, but I have a pact with the devil." More flames erupted from the ground, engulfing Katana Man once more. His scream echoed off the glass facades of the surrounding buildings before he finally succumbed to unconsciousness.
The street was now a scene of destruction, with small fires burning amidst the debris. The acrid smell of smoke mixed with the usual city scents of exhaust and street food. Suddenly, a young woman with short blonde hair appeared from behind an overturned vending machine, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Seriously? You defeated him?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the distant wail of approaching sirens.
"Who are you?" Haruto questioned, his gaze sharp and focused. The woman stood out against the chaos, her pristine clothes a stark contrast to the destruction around her.
From his prone position on the cracked pavement, Katana Man managed to whisper a warning, "Akane... Run."
Akane's eyes widened in terror, and she turned to flee down a narrow alley. But before she could escape, chains burst from the ground, tearing through the weathered concrete and trapping her. As she struggled against her bonds, her gaze was drawn to a sight that froze the very blood in her veins.
Behind Haruto stood the Demon of Final Judgment, a being of impossible proportions that seemed to distort the very fabric of reality around it. Its form shifted constantly, one moment a towering figure of blinding light that dwarfed the surrounding buildings, the next a swirling vortex of darkness studded with countless eyes. The air around it shimmered with otherworldly energy, causing nearby streetlights to flicker and die.
Haruto regarded Akane coldly, his silhouette stark against the demon's radiance. "I didn't want to judge the demon, as I'd like to know more about him... But you, you're of no use to me."
Akane's facade crumbled entirely, her earlier bravado replaced by raw, primal fear. The Demon of Final Judgment began to recite her sins, its voice a chorus of countless tones that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once: "For it is written in the Book of Revelation: 'And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.'"
The very ground beneath their feet began to tremble and crack. A portal to the Underworld yawned open beneath Akane, a swirling vortex of darkness that cast an unnatural chill over the area. Despite her frantic pleas, which echoed off the walls of the surrounding buildings, Haruto watched impassively as she disappeared into the depths, swallowed by the insatiable hunger of the Underworld.
As the portal closed, leaving behind only a scorched circle on the pavement, the others ran to Haruto. Their footsteps echoed in the sudden silence that had fallen over the street. Aki asked, "Are you alright?"
Haruto nodded, his eyes scanning the devastation around them. Overturned cars, shattered windows, and small fires painted a picture of apocalyptic chaos. "Yes, but we need to figure out what's going on here." He looked at the unconscious Katana Man, now in his human form, lying amidst the rubble. "Let's head back to base and get in touch with Makima."
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