Kyoto, Cabinet Minister's Office.
As per routine, Makima arrived to give her work report.
But unlike before, she faced the formidable Cabinet Minister with Pochita at her side.
Logically, she should have left Pochita outside. On such an occasion, discretion was better. But she didn't. She refused to be without him.
The Cabinet Minister's eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and subtle. Makima's expression remained calm, her heart steadier than ever.
Her sense of smell told her everything. Pochita may have looked harmless, but the scent was unmistakable: Black Saw.
The Hero of Hell, her only idol. Compared to him, the opinions of these humans were meaningless. Even the risk of dying by contract violation didn't matter.
With her idol by her side—and the occasional thrill of watching Cael transform into Chainsaw Man—life felt peaceful.
What a load of crap. This Cabinet Minister, all mysterious and suffocating.
Fuck you. Who do you think you are?
The corners of her mouth lifted into a faint smile. Calmly, she reported, "According to my investigation, the perpetrator of the Tokyo shooting case is a former civilian Devil Hunter, Sawatari Akane. She contracted with the Gun Devil, supplying guns to criminals in exchange for large sums of money."
A small lie, delivered calmly. Not entirely untrue, but meant to mislead. The real target of Sawatari Akane? Cael's heart. Makima knew more than even Akane did.
Once Sawatari Akane set her sights on Cael, she had already failed. The power in his chest was only a fragment of Black Saw. Only Pochita could erase devils completely. But those secrets were hers alone.
The Cabinet Minister's expression betrayed curiosity. "Money? Why money?"
"Perhaps collusion with foreign powers," Makima suggested casually.
"Perhaps?" he frowned. "Makima, why not use Control on Sawatari to find the real reason?"
She smiled faintly. "I tried. Akane triggered a passive suicide mechanism. Revealing the real reason would have violated her contract with the Gun Devil."
The old man rubbed his forehead. "Very well, Makima, continue with the rest of the situation."
"Yes."
Makima stroked Pochita gently, expression neutral. "The operation to clear the Zombie Building went smoothly. Fiends and Devils were the main force; our Devil Hunters remained largely uninjured. We recovered 14 kilograms of Gun Devil pieces. Combined with the 5 kilograms already held by Public Safety, the total of 19 kilograms has begun moving… slowly, in one direction."
"Has it finally started?" The old man leaned forward. "Where is it moving?"
Makima lowered her eyes, sighing softly. "Probably the United States."
"I see," he said, a satisfied tone in his voice. "Makima, train your dogs well. Pick a few suitable ones, prepare for the expedition to subjugate the Gun Devil."
Makima said nothing. She and the Cabinet knew the truth: the Gun Devil had already been fragmented and distributed across nations. The so-called expedition was just a story to get their subordinates to risk their lives. A war to plunder its pieces.
Hearing the word "war" left a bad taste in her mouth. If a real war broke out… daily life with Pochita would vanish forever.
"Makima, didn't you hear me?" the Cabinet Minister pressed, irritation creeping in.
Heh. Dumbass.
"I understand. I will prepare," she said, turning to leave. Time to head back to Tokyo—her hired help couldn't handle the dogs alone.
"Makima, stop right there."
Tsk. Dumbass.
"Anything else?" she asked, tilting her head.
"You seem to have forgotten the rules," he said, frowning deeper.
Makima suppressed a smirk. He was warning her, yet she had already made up her mind.
"We allowed you to keep and train dogs, Makima, but you mustn't grow attached. Certainly don't bring them before us. We hate the smell of dogs… remember, that is the rule before this Cabinet."
Tap, tap, tap.
SLAM!
Makima didn't reply. She slammed the door as she left, fists clenched. Contract restrictions aside, she wanted to strangle them.
Burying her face into Pochita's back, she took a deep breath. "Smelly? I bathe you every day."
Che! Dumbass.
---
Noon.
The short break was over. Cael drove Denji to the middle school entrance.
Elementary school was clearly inappropriate for his age. At least in middle school, he might learn something.
By now, Denji could recognize over a hundred Kanji, mostly funeral-related. He genuinely wanted to help Cael.
"Take care, Cael! I'm heading in!" Denji waved, schoolbag in tow.
"Remember to eat well and get some rest," Cael reminded him.
"Yeah! When I come back in half a month, I'll definitely give you a big surprise!"
"Looking forward to it."
Cael closed the car window, popping two pieces of gum into his mouth—a new habit. Strange-smelling breath was unacceptable.
Next: Tokyo Fourth Higher Academy to pick up Asa Mitaka. She had messaged him earlier.
University classes were few, and exams over, giving her a long break. Work could wait. Fun was mandatory.
He parked at the university entrance, driving a normal sedan, not a hearse.
Asa stood under a greeting tree, uniform crisp, pure aura radiating. Clearly, she'd been waiting.
Cael's lips curved. My girl is so beautiful.
"Sorry, am I late?" he asked, approaching her.
"No, I arrived five minutes early. Perfect timing," she said shyly.
Cael took her arm. "Let's go. Lunch is lamb spine hotpot, my treat."
"Mhm," she replied.
As they got into the car, two girls in uniform passed by, whispering and staring at Asa.
"Hey, isn't that Mitaka?"
"Kukobi and Tanaka are dead, yet she already has a man?"
"That guy must be blind to pick her."
"Heehee, tell me about it~"
"Ahahaha, quiet! They'll hear us!"
---