The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"So, what do we do now?" Shoko asked Makima curiously. Though many were present, the decision clearly rested with Makima.

Returning from Hell hadn't resolved the issues they'd left behind on Earth, like what to do with Quanxi and the other assassins sent to steal Denji's heart.

"..."

Makima remained silent, merely glancing at Quanxi. The former strongest Devil Hunter immediately knelt, her surrender evident even without raised hands – which she currently lacked.

"I surrender," Quanxi stated calmly. "Spare my women."

The four female Fiends accompanying Quanxi were her girlfriends. Alone, Quanxi might have risked a desperate fight against Makima, but with her girlfriends' lives at stake, surrender was the only option.

"The bodies are at—" Makima was about to eliminate the now-useless Quanxi and her group, but hesitated, glancing at Shoko.

Her original plan was to let Denji and the others cause chaos in Hell, distracting the powerful figures while she slipped in and rescued Shoko. Those left behind would be on their own.

A ruthless plan, using everyone as pawns, but typical Makima.

She hadn't intended to reveal the full extent of her plan to Shoko, assuming Shoko wouldn't know how many had entered Hell.

But Makima hadn't anticipated them appearing directly in front of Shoko, forcing her to intervene.

Now, with Shoko watching, a massacre might…

Though unlikely, she didn't want Shoko to dislike her.

"What do you think, Shoko?" Makima ultimately deferred to Shoko.

"Surrendering for the sake of love, giving up resistance… Foolish, but understandable."

Shoko didn't hesitate. Glancing at Denji, the injured Devil Hunters, and the looming Doll Devil, she considered briefly, then spoke. "Let's have a contest. The Doll Devil got some flesh pieces from the Darkness Devil, making her a bit tricky… Denji, you and this lady, race to kill the Doll Devil."

"Miss Quanxi, was it? If you win, we'll spare your girlfriends – though they'll still have to work for Public Safety… as community service."

"As for Denji… if you win, we'll go on a beach vacation. How about that?"

"Thank you."

Quanxi breathed a sigh of relief. This Shoko was clearly giving them a way out. She wasn't seriously pitting Chainsaw Man against her; the reward for Denji was a joke—

"Doll Devil, prepare to lose your head!!!"

"He's totally serious?!"

"Never thought my first task back would be babysitting you three…"

Some time later, in a hospital room, Shoko sat peeling an apple, facing two occupied beds. Denji, leg in a cast, occupied one, while Aki, bandaged from the waist up, lay in the other. Clinging to Shoko, refusing to let go, was Power.

Aki had lost both hands facing the Darkness Devil. They'd been retrieved and reattached, thankfully.

Denji, having lost his contest against Quanxi, had flown into a rage, attacking both Quanxi and the Doll Devil, resulting in a broken leg.

And poor Power, traumatized by the Darkness Devil, had developed a severe case of PTSD. Everything seemed to trigger memories of the Darkness Devil, except Shoko, whose light had offered a brief respite in Hell.

"I haven't thanked you yet."

Shoko placed the apple slices on the cabinet between the beds, stroking Power's head while smiling at Aki and Denji. "Thank you for coming to save me."

"Honestly, it was a surprise… Died so many times, but this was the first rescue mission."

"...It was nothing. We should be thanking you."

Aki looked away. "We might have all died in that attack if it weren't for you."

"And… there's something else…"

I'm sorry. I doubted you.

He wanted to apologize, but the words caught in his throat.

What if Shoko hadn't noticed his suspicion? Bringing it up now would only hurt her.

[Energy +2700]

My, my, he really is struggling~

Shoko, fully aware of Aki's inner turmoil, wasn't about to offer comfort.

A lingering guilt complex was a steady source of income. She'd resolve it eventually, before her final demise, of course. No point in leaving money on the table.

Spearing an apple slice, Shoko offered it to Aki. "Get well soon. Power's clinging to me makes things… difficult."

"...I—"

Aki stared at the offered apple, then chuckled. Just as he was about to speak, Denji's whiny voice interrupted.

"Hey, why are you only feeding Aki?! I want some too! Feed me first!"

[Energy +300]

"Denji, your hands are fine. Feed yourself." Shoko popped the apple slice into Aki's mouth, then turned to offer another to Denji. "You could regenerate your leg if you transformed, why are you still lying here?"

Though her words were teasing, Shoko understood Denji's motives. Unable to go on their vacation, he was using this as an excuse to be cared for, to spend time with her.

Poor Denji, in the original story, he'd at least kissed Reze, groped Makima, and… well, experienced things. With Shoko around, he'd only touched Power's chest pads. Meeting her was his misfortune.

"Keep an eye on Power. I'm going to report to Makima. Be right back."

After much effort, Shoko managed to detach Power, placing her beside Denji and Aki. She gathered her things, preparing to leave.

Power continued to fuss, but Denji, surprisingly, refrained from arguing. He seemed genuinely concerned about Power's fear, offering comfort.

The sweet taste of apple filled Aki's mouth. The antiseptic smell of the hospital, usually unsettling, now felt strangely calming.

A sense of peace settled over him. No immediate threats, no one in danger. It felt like being with family, safe and secure.

Shoko was back. Maybe he should resign from Public Safety. Makima clearly valued Shoko and might allow her to leave the dangerous life of a Devil Hunter. And Denji and Power… if they were deployed against the Gun Devil, they could die…

The thought of Denji and Power dying flashed through his mind, unbidden.

He'd ask Makima about it, ask her to—

Seeing Shoko at the door, about to leave, Aki was about to call out to her, but his voice caught.

His pupils constricted as if witnessing something utterly horrifying, his back drenched in cold sweat.

"Future Devil… what did you show me?!" Aki hunched over, barely managing to suppress a scream that would alert Denji and Power.

To Aki's strained question, the Future Devil residing within him simply chuckled. "That, Aki Hayakawa, is the unavoidable future, soon to come."

"Standing upon all your corpses, Shoko will claim Denji's heart."