Tokyo, Japan, inside a teahouse.
This was a gathering place for civilian Devil Hunters in Tokyo.
People from all walks of life came and went. Most of Tokyo's civilian Devil Hunters took on missions here, and it was one of the few places where they could relax.
After all, with so many peers gathered together, even if they all had their own hidden agendas, ordinary Devils wouldn't dare cause trouble here easily.
It was a rare haven in this dangerous land where they could let their guard down somewhat.
In the corner sat two young men.
"It's been almost ten years since we last met, Ishigami."
Makoto's lips curved into a slight smile as he looked at Yu across from him, whose hairstyle now closely resembled that of an adult Sasuke.
"I heard about what you did. You killed several Devils using only Taijutsu and combat experience, without making a contract with any Devil."
"You flatter me, Senpai. I owe it all to the Taijutsu scrolls you gave me." Yu still had that expression of admiration and respect.
"Why did you suddenly ask to meet? What's wrong?" Makoto asked.
He had come to this gathering place for civilian Devil Hunters because Yu had invited him.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't doubt your decisions, but I couldn't stop worrying."
Yu's gaze fell on Pochita, who was dozing off beside the tea table, a deep wariness in his eyes.
"What condition did this Devil make in exchange for its contract with you?"
As he spoke, Pochita, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opened its eyes and shot Yu a sidelong glance reminiscent of a certain cat, as if to ask: 'What are you implying?'
Makoto reached out and rubbed Pochita's head, chuckling softly. "Ishigami, are you worried that Pochita made some excessive demand in the contract?"
"Yes."
Yu nodded emphatically.
"Senpai, you always warned us not to make contracts with Devils lightly. Over the years, I've seen too many colleagues who didn't die at the hands of Devils but were instead ruined by the contracts they signed."
When he first crossed into this world, he had heard Makoto talk about the cost of contracting with Devils. But only after witnessing those tragic outcomes firsthand did Yu realize that reality was far more horrifying than Makoto's descriptions.
He had even seen a bastard who sacrificed his own family to gain power.
Ever since seeing on TV that Makoto had formed a contract with a Devil, he had tossed and turned for several nights, constantly worried that Makoto had been tricked by this Devil. He was already so strong… there was no need to get involved with Devils at all.
Makoto smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Pochita is my companion, just like you. There's no exchange of benefits between us."
Sensing Yu's genuine concern for Makoto, Pochita decided not to hold it against him. It curled back up and went back to dozing by the table.
"I see... Since Senpai says so, I won't say anything more."
Yu really hadn't expected that there could be a Devil in this world who would form a contract without asking for anything in return.
'As expected, Senpai was never an ordinary person.'
Just then, the wooden door of the teahouse slid open, and a young woman's voice came through:
"Excuse me, is Chainsaw Man Nishikawa Makoto here?"
Everyone in the hall, including Makoto and Yu, turned to look at the entrance.
A woman with wine-red hair braided in pigtails walked in slowly, dressed in a crisp business suit. Her appearance and figure were top-tier, yet she exuded a suffocating pressure.
Behind her followed several middle-aged men in public security uniforms, their presence equally imposing.
Makoto's expression shifted slightly.
'Makima.'
The moment he returned to Japan, he knew she would come looking for him sooner or later. But he hadn't expected it to be this fast.
Unlike Makoto, who was focused on Makima, Yu's attention was more on the middle-aged man to her right and rear.
Kudo Yusaku!
As a civilian Devil Hunter, Yu had heard that the Public Security Bureau had hired a new reasoning consultant, but he hadn't expected to run into Yusaku here.
The teahouse manager raised his hand and pointed toward the corner.
Makima led her men directly toward Makoto's table.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Nishikawa. I'm Makima, Chief of the Public Security Bureau's Special Division 4."
Standing by the table, Makima showed her credentials first.
It had to be said, this woman's facade was perfect. Despite her intense desire for the Chainsaw Devil's power, she never once glanced at Pochita by the table.
Tap, tap.
Makoto tapped the table with his fingertips. Pochita, who had been lying on its side dozing, opened its eyes instantly, scurried over to Makoto's chest, and visibly melted into his body, merging completely.
Witnessing this, Makima's unique eye pupils, resembling multiple concentric rings, finally showed the faintest ripple.
After merging completely with Pochita, Makoto turned his head toward Makima. "What does the Public Security Bureau want with me?"
Makima quickly regained her composure. "We would like to invite Mr. Nishikawa to join the Public Security Bureau. Since the Gun Devil incident, Devils everywhere have become increasingly rampant. The Bureau urgently needs talent like yours."
Makoto understood in his heart. Once his identity as Chainsaw Man was exposed, Makima would inevitably try to get close to him. Inviting him to join the Bureau was simply a way to keep him under surveillance, waiting for an opportunity to seize the Chainsaw Devil's power.
But whether to go along with her plans, he hadn't fully decided yet.
Besides dealing with those who dared provoke him, another purpose of causing such a stir in North America was to deepen people's fear of Chainsaw Man.
In this world, the source of a Devil's power was human fear. The deeper the fear, the stronger the power.
This logic was somewhat similar to the belief value systems in some novels, only in reverse.
"Join? Don't be ridiculous."
Just then, Yu suddenly spoke.
"With Senpai's strength, it's not a matter of him joining. It should be the entire Public Security Bureau kneeling before him."
Hearing this, Makima and the accompanying public security investigators' expressions changed drastically.
'This kid was incredibly audacious.'
"Kid, do you know what you're saying?" A public security Devil Hunter behind Makima snapped.
"I'm just stating a fact." Yu showed no fear.
Although Makima didn't get angry like her subordinates, she looked at Yu with some surprise.
This man's blind devotion and loyalty toward Makoto reminded her of those under her own control.
'To gain such unwavering loyalty without using my power of control?'
'The Chainsaw Devil's contractor was more interesting than I had anticipated.'
Makoto raised his hand to signal Yu to calm down, then turned to Makima and asked, "What's in it for me if I join the Public Security Bureau?"
"Compared to civilian Devil Hunters, the Bureau can offer better compensation and security. If Mr. Nishikawa is willing to join, I can apply for the highest level of treatment for you. In addition..."
"That's enough, that's enough, that's enough."
Makoto directly interrupted Makima's official spiel. "I don't need anyone to guarantee my safety, and I'm not short on money like him. The conditions you're offering don't tempt me."
As he spoke, he pointed at Yusaku standing beside Makima.
Makima glanced at Yusaku in surprise. "You know each other?"
Yusaku nodded sheepishly.
He had heard of Makima's reputation during his probation period, and after officially joining her division, he had personally experienced her terror.
She looked like a young woman barely over twenty, but her innate sense of oppression was suffocating.
Moreover, as a public security Devil Hunter directly under the Cabinet, everyone was strictly forbidden from looking at Makima's Devil form.
Whenever she used her abilities, others had to cover their eyes. By the time they could see again, all targets were dead without exception.
He hadn't wanted to come either, but the problem was that the Special Division had better pay, and he needed to support his family.