"Close your eyes and don't open them until I say so."
Izanagi's voice was calm yet firm as he addressed the Zombie Devil.
The devil didn't ask why. Having already signed a contract with Izanagi, it had no choice but to comply. Contracts between devils and humans were absolute — breaking one meant instant death, regardless of how powerful the violator was.
The Zombie Devil shut its eyes tightly, not daring to peek.
Moments later, a swirling vortex of distorted space engulfed the Zombie Devil's massive body, sucking it into Izanagi's right eye. The devil was transported directly into Kamui's dimensional space.
Though his Mangekyō Sharingan's powers had merged, using one eye's ability exclusively conserved energy. Izanagi had established a clear strategy — the left eye for attack, the right eye for Kamui's defensive abilities. Splitting their use minimized his stamina drain.
"AAAGGHH! What the hell did you do to me?!"
The Zombie Devil's voice echoed through the void, shrieking in pain.
A creature of that size couldn't be transferred without some discomfort, and Izanagi himself felt the strain. His chest tightened, and his vision blurred slightly. The larger the object, the greater the burden on his body.
"This is my devil power," Izanagi said flatly. "I've placed you somewhere safe... for now. Don't open your eyes until I say so. I'll release you when it's time."
Kamui's space was his own personal dimension — a realm no one else could access. Through his Sharingan, Izanagi's words carried directly into the void, ensuring the Zombie Devil could hear him.
"Fine... I get it..."
The Zombie Devil's tone was cautious. The unfamiliar, silent environment unnerved it.
Even without opening its eyes, the absence of familiar smells and sounds told it this was no ordinary place.
What the hell did that devil hunter do? Where am I?
The more it thought about it, the more unsettled it became.
---
Meanwhile...
Denji had already packed what little belongings she had and was sitting anxiously at home. Nearly half an hour had passed.
At first, she was excitedly chatting with Pochita about Izanagi.
But as time dragged on and Izanagi still hadn't shown up, her excitement turned to unease.
"Pochita... he's just running late, right? He didn't... abandon us... did he?"
Denji hugged Pochita tightly, staring out the window.
Her voice had softened, barely a whisper. She tried to sound hopeful, but the words felt empty — more like she was trying to convince herself.
Deep down, she knew that even if Izanagi had changed his mind and left her behind, it wouldn't be surprising. After all, those gangsters were terrifying. Most people wouldn't risk their lives to fight them.
"Woof..."
Pochita whimpered softly, mirroring Denji's gloom.
"I'm starving... Let's eat one of the bread slices first," Denji muttered.
Reaching for a crumpled paper bag on the table, she pulled out a loaf of hard, dry bread — the cheapest kind she could afford. It was stale and tasteless, but she couldn't complain.
Even this pathetic meal had to be rationed carefully.
"We can only eat one piece... The other one's for him when he gets back..."
Denji tore the slice in half and handed one piece to Pochita.
She still clung to the small hope that Izanagi would return.
Minutes passed.
Ten more.
Denji's heart sank deeper with every second.
Her excitement had turned to despair. That brief moment of hope — the idea that her suffering could finally end — now felt like a cruel dream.
Denji knew she couldn't sit there any longer.
Today was the end of the month. If she didn't pay off part of her debt by tonight... she knew what awaited her.
"...Alright."
Denji took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"Pochita... let's find another devil. If we can kill one, maybe we'll have enough to make this month's payment..."
"Woof!"
Pochita barked in agreement, doing his best to lift her spirits.
Just as Denji reached for the door, the figure she'd been waiting for appeared down the street.
Denji froze, eyes wide.
"...He's back?"
She rubbed her eyes, convinced she was seeing things. But the closer the figure came, the clearer it became — it was Izanagi.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Izanagi said.
Seeing Denji standing in the doorway, red-eyed and clutching Pochita like a lifeline, Izanagi felt a pang of guilt.
He had only meant to be away for a little while but ended up taking nearly an hour.
In truth, he could've returned sooner... but he had taken some extra time to buy food.
"You're not late! I've got everything packed!" Denji said, quickly wiping her eyes. Her voice shook with relief.
At this point in her life, Denji hadn't yet experienced the heartbreak and trauma that would harden her in the future. Her emotions were still simple, her feelings open.
"Before we leave... eat something first."
Izanagi handed her a plastic bag filled with bread, snacks, and a few other food items.
Denji blinked in surprise.
"This... all this... is for me?"
"Yeah," Izanagi replied. "I already ate."
For a moment, Denji couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Moments later, she rushed back inside, clutching the bag like treasure.
Pochita wagged his tail excitedly, following close behind.
Izanagi watched them both, quietly amused.
Despite his cute appearance, Pochita wasn't just some harmless pet. In reality, he was the Chainsaw Devil — a being powerful enough to terrify even the most vicious devils.
The so-called "Chainsaw Man" was feared throughout Hell, a relentless destroyer capable of erasing devils from existence. Any devil consumed by him would vanish completely, even their concept erased from reality itself.
It was why devils across Hell dreaded the sound of that accelerating chainsaw.
"Funny..." Izanagi muttered to himself. "That little orange dog... is feared by nearly every devil in existence."
At that moment, Pochita suddenly turned and wagged his tail at Izanagi.
For reasons he couldn't explain, the gesture made Izanagi smile.
Acting on impulse, he bent down and scooped Pochita into his arms.
Pochita barked happily, licking Izanagi's hand without resistance.
[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: "Pochita's Intimacy (Lv1)" — Attribute points +2!]
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