Izanagi could tell from Pochita's wagging tail and relaxed demeanor that he had finally earned its trust. By keeping his promise to return for Denji and bringing enough food for both of them, Pochita had started to warm up to him.
Holding Pochita in his arms, Izanagi felt a wave of emotion.
Pochita's true power was immense, so overwhelming that only the Primordial Devils, like the Control Devil or the Death Devil, could rival him. Even so, the full strength of Chainsaw Man had never been fully revealed.
Rumor had it that in Hell, the Four Horsemen — Control, War, Hunger, and Death, along with countless devils, had once banded together to kill Chainsaw Man... but they failed. In the end, Pochita survived and even nearly killed the War Devil.
Yet for a devil of such terrifying strength, all Pochita ever truly wanted was to be held.
But with a body covered in roaring chainsaws, getting close to others meant sawing them to pieces. For someone like Pochita, even a simple dream like being hugged seemed impossible.
That was likely why Pochita had chosen to stay in his weakened form, the form of a loyal little dog instead of regaining his full power. This way, he could stay by Denji's side.
Izanagi set Pochita down and turned to Denji.
"When does your debt collector usually show up?"
"Tonight, probably," Denji replied between bites of food. "It's the last day to pay this month, so he's bound to come."
Denji spoke casually, too focused on devouring her meal to give it much thought.
"Then we'll wait," Izanagi said calmly.
"Uh-huh!"
Denji was too busy stuffing her face to question what Izanagi meant by that.
"Oh, by the way," Izanagi added, "I'm going to summon a devil later. Don't freak out."
"A devil?" Denji blinked, still chewing. "Pfft, whatever. I've seen plenty of those."
Izanagi activated his Kamui. The space behind him twisted and warped before spitting out the massive form of the Zombie Devil.
"You can open your eyes now."
"Finally!" the Zombie Devil grumbled.
The devil stretched and groaned, bumping its head against the ceiling of the cramped wooden house.
"Why is this place so damn small?"
Denji turned at the sound and froze.
"Whoa! That's a really nasty-looking devil!"
Her face scrunched in disgust. Surprisingly, there wasn't even a hint of fear — just revulsion.
"You brat!" the Zombie Devil snarled.
It recoiled slightly when Izanagi's cold stare shot its way. Despite its size, the Zombie Devil had learned its place.
"Woof! Woof!"
Pochita barked furiously, standing protectively in front of Denji.
"Hah! What's that tiny mutt gonna do?" The Zombie Devil sneered.
"Behave yourself," Izanagi warned, his voice low.
The Zombie Devil instantly fell silent.
"This devil's going to handle your debt collector tonight," Izanagi told Denji.
Pochita, still eyeing the demon with suspicion, finally settled down.
"Wow... that's crazy! How can you control something like that?" Denji asked, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Yeah, I'm awesome," the Zombie Devil interrupted smugly.
"Shut up."
Izanagi's gaze hardened, and the Zombie Devil shrank back, nodding obediently.
"Got it... got it..."
"Would you like a snack?" Denji offered, tossing a potato chip into the Zombie Devil's mouth.
The devil chewed thoughtfully. "Not bad... but barely enough to fill my teeth."
Ignoring him, Izanagi turned serious.
"Alright, Zombie. Let me tell you the plan."
---
Night fell, and Denji and Pochita, stuffed from all the snacks, were now relaxing in the corner.
The Zombie Devil knew exactly what to do. All they had to do now was wait.
"By the way... besides the one debt collector, are there others?" Izanagi asked.
"Nope," Denji replied. "I paid off the smaller debts... but the gang's one is just too huge."
Denji paused for a moment. "Oh... I haven't paid the water and electricity bills either... and I don't have any cash left."
"You won't have to worry about that," Izanagi said firmly. "As for the gang... after tonight, they won't be a problem anymore."
Denji's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Izanagi nodded.
"Um... hey... what's your name?" Denji asked awkwardly.
Izanagi realized he'd never introduced himself.
"Kanzaki Izanagi," he answered.
"Then... I'll just call you Izanagi!" Denji grinned.
Izanagi chuckled softly. "Sure."
---
The night air turned cold and still.
Moments later, the sound of wheels grinding against the dirt road echoed from the distance.
A knock pounded on the door.
"Denji! You know what day it is. It's time to pay up!"
The voice was hoarse and raspy — unmistakably the gang's debt collector.
When the door creaked open, it wasn't Denji who greeted him.
It was the Zombie Devil.
The old man — white beard, hat, and glasses — staggered back in shock.
"W-What the hell...?"
"Human," the Zombie Devil growled, "Wanna make a deal? I can give you... power."
The man froze. The terror on his face faded, replaced with something else — greed.
He forgot all about the disgusting demon in front of him. All he saw now was an opportunity.
"You can really give me power...?"
The old man's eyes glinted with hunger.
"I want it," he muttered. "I want it!"
====
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