Chainsaw Man, starting contract to cut down the Demon Line

That day, the devil of guns not only destroyed Hayakawa Aki's family, but also froze his time forever in that smoke-filled ruin.

Hayakawa Aki joins the Public Security Bureau, desperately climbing the ranks, even sacrificing his life to make a contract with the demon. All he does is kill that monster.

After reminiscing, Yan Liang picked up his coffee and took a sip, feeling the sweet taste gradually spread in his mouth.

"You really don't treat me like an outsider..."

Yan Liang looked at Hayakawa Aki and asked in a calm tone:

"However, are you sure you've got the right person? If your goal is to defeat the Gun Demon, the entire Anti-Demon Special Division is currently under Miss Machima's leadership. She controls the most resources of the Public Security Bureau."

"Moreover, finding and killing the Gun Demon by collecting fragments of the Gun Demon is also one of the main objectives of the Public Security Bureau."

"If you're going to ask someone, go ask Machima! What's the meaning of coming to me privately to talk about this now?"

Upon hearing Makima's name, Hayakawa Aki did not answer. After a moment of silence, he gave Yan Liang an answer that Yan Liang had not expected.

"I do not question Miss Machima's decisions, nor have I ever doubted her abilities."

Hayakawa Aki's voice was very soft:

"But as a leader, Ms. Machima represents the entire Public Security Bureau. And the Public Security Bureau's guiding principle is always to prioritize the so-called big picture."

"How to control demons, how to maximize profits, and even how to transform dangerous demons into useful tools..."

"Just like today, as long as there is any value to be gained, even if Pawa commits a heinous act of betraying his comrades, the police will choose to be lenient and keep him in the team."

"This makes me uneasy. I'm even a little scared... If one day in the future the Public Security Bureau successfully defeats the Gun Demon, they will choose not to kill it after defeating it."

"They might use the excuse of the greater good or future use to secretly contain it."

At this point, Hayakawa Aki's hands, which were resting on her lap, involuntarily clenched into fists.

"I don't want to let the fate of the Gun Demon be decided by this damned grand scheme of things..."

"I do not accept that the Public Security Bureau has turned it into a strategic tool for balancing the situation. That monster has no right to continue existing in this world in any form!"

"I must see it die with my own eyes, let it disappear completely, that's why I'm asking you this..."

After listening to this rational analysis, Yan Liang pondered to himself.

Hayakawa Aki's thinking was very clear.

He wasn't blinded by hatred and blindly believed in Machima. Instead, he realized that Machima's approach of controlling and exploiting everything conflicted with his goal of revenge.

"So that's how it is. You want to use me to completely kill the devil of guns."

Yan Liang put down his coffee cup and scrutinized the man in front of him.

“But, Hayakawa Aki. Even if I were to help you, you wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed from a demon of that level.”

Yan Liang did not refuse, but instead steered the conversation in another direction:

"Look at yourself now..."

"You now have a stable life and are considered an outstanding elite among your colleagues in the public security bureau. With your qualifications and looks, if you wanted to enjoy the life of an ordinary person, I reckon there would be plenty of young women lining up to like you."

Looking into your eyes now, I can roughly guess what kind of painful past you've gone through. But the past is the past, what's the point of keeping yourself trapped in it?

"And even if you do kill the Gun Demon, the dead can never come back to life."

"Are you really determined to risk your life to kill it?"

Faced with Yan Liang's questioning, Hayakawa Aki's tense body suddenly relaxed at this moment.

He turned his head and looked out of the coffee shop's huge glass windows.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly. On the streets, couples strolled hand in hand, and children ran by playfully. Everyone was enjoying this hard-won peace and tranquility.

Hayakawa Aki's eyes were calm as still water, without the slightest ripple.

"The future...?"

He twitched the corner of his mouth and gave his answer softly.

"Actually, my time has long since stopped on that snowy afternoon."

"For someone who should have died in the past, in this world..."

"What else can I do besides seek revenge?"

Chapter Thirty-Six: I Just Love Freebies

"so it is……"

Yan Liang leaned back in his chair, looking at Hayakawa Aki in front of him, and understood what was going on.

He had no intention of interfering in other people's ways of life. And based on his understanding of the original plot, Yan Liang was very clear about Hayakawa Aki's true nature—

He was a person who had nothing.

A dead man who nailed everything to the past snowstorm.

Like many Japanese, he has a very serious tendency toward self-destruction. As for Hayakawa Aki insisting on becoming a tragic hero who burns himself out, as long as no one gets in his way, Yan Liang has no energy to interfere.

Yan Liang picked up his coffee, took a small sip, pondered for a moment, and then spoke again:

"However, Hayakawa Aki, putting all that aside, your request is still somewhat unreasonable..."

"No, it's not what you think!"

Hearing the hint of rejection in Yan Liang's words, the usually composed Hayakawa Aki suddenly lost his composure. He retorted:

"Just as you said, the police also have to fight against the evil of guns."

"As the captain of the Public Security Bureau, you will definitely participate in the battle against the Gun Demon."

Hayakawa Aki speaks very fast:

"You don't need to confront the Gun Demon head-on. Once we defeat it and corner it, you just need to... no, accidentally kill it!"

"Even if there aren't suitable conditions for me to make a move then, I will do everything in my power to create those conditions for you!"

"As long as you make it look like an accidental killing in battle, even the higher-ups can't hold you accountable!"

Seeing Hayakawa Aki's impatient appearance, Yan Liang's eyes remained devoid of any emotion.

He put down his coffee cup, met Hayakawa Aki's expectant gaze, and slowly shook his head.

"You're not being honest, Hayakawa Aki."

"Is it interesting to play this game of sophistry in front of me?"

"..."

Hayakawa Aki wanted to explain something, but when she met Yan Liang's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, she finally shut her mouth.

Looking at Hayakawa Aki slumped back onto the sofa, Yan Liang sneered inwardly. In fact, he had seen through Hayakawa Aki's true intentions the moment she made that request.

That's right, the devil of guns is completely unimportant.

The real focus is on the person behind the Gun Demon—

Machima.

On the surface, Hayakawa Aki's request was to kill the devil of guns, but this was only the surface.

Otherwise, why would he insist on talking to me secretly in private?

While his pride was certainly a factor, Yan Liang understood the deeper reason very well.

Just as Hayakawa Akiko himself admitted to the unease.

Hayakawa Aki fears that after defeating the Gun Demon, he will keep Makima as a weapon for the Public Security Bureau.

Therefore, the core of this request is not about confronting the demon of the gun itself, but about defying Machima's will. He only said these things to me because he saw that I dared to refute Machima repeatedly.

However, there is one thing that Hayakawa Aki doesn't know, but Kono Ryo, who is familiar with the original plot, knows very well.

That means the Demon of the Gun is just one part of a scheme set up by Machima to control the Electricity.

At that point in time, facing the Devil of Guns head-on was equivalent to facing Machima head-on. This was a completely different matter from their previous minor, tentative exchanges.

Even if he had offended Machima before, it was always on the premise that there was no conflict of core interests between the two parties.

Machima wanted to test his limits and control him, while he wanted to use his police privileges to find clues to his way home. Everyone got what they wanted. But Machima's ultimate goal was to control Chainsaw Man. Anyone who dared to disrupt this plan would be ruthlessly eliminated by her.

Yan Liang's goal was very clear from beginning to end. In his plan, there was absolutely no need for him to fight Maqima to the death.

His scheme exposed in a single sentence, Hayakawa Aki's face showed a look of dejection. He gave a bitter laugh and said in a dry voice:

"Feel sorry……"

“You’re right, I was too selfish. To involve you in this kind of thing… was really asking too much of you.”

He picked up the black coffee in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Just pretend you didn't hear what I said today, Captain Yan Liang. As for this meal, I'll put it on my tab."

"..."

"However, since you've begged me so much, it's not impossible."

Just as Hayakawa Aki was about to get up and say goodbye, Yan Liang suddenly changed the subject and interrupted him in a garbled manner.

"……Why?"

Hayakawa Aki was stunned, and looked up in disbelief.

Yan Liang picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth, then looked calmly at Hayakawa Aki.

"Since you've begged me so humbly, I might be able to think of a way to help you..."

“I can promise you. When the Demon of the Future Gun appears, I will seize the opportunity to strike, depending on the specific circumstances at the time.”

Although Yan Liang did not make any specific promises, for Hayakawa Aki, who had already experienced great ups and downs, the words "act according to the situation" already carried a lot of weight.

Before Hayakawa Aki could show any joy, Yan Liang's tone suddenly became somewhat playful:

"However, if you want me to take the risk, a few kind words or a cup of coffee are far from enough."

“I’m willing to pay any price!” Hayakawa Aki replied resolutely.

"It's too empty."

"It's no use telling me this."

Yan Liang held up one finger and waved it lightly in front of Hayakawa Aki: "The reason I'm agreeing to this now is because you have to agree to me first and owe me a favor."

"And this favor represents a transaction, and at the same time, an agreement."

"If one day in the future I need you to do something, you must help me unconditionally, according to my request."

"Whatever I ask you to do, whether it violates your discipline as a police officer or your personal principles."

"Of course, if you refuse my request at that time, then my promise to help you today will be automatically null and void."

This was undoubtedly an unequal contract, but Hayakawa Aki didn't hesitate for even half a second.

For this undead who lived only for revenge, he was willing to pay any price, even his own life, to completely eradicate the demon of guns from the world.

"I promise you."

Hayakawa Aki stared directly at Yan Liang, a flame rekindling in her previously dark eyes.

"I'll do whatever you ask me to do, as long as I can kill it."

"Very good, then we've reached an agreement."

Yan Liang smiled with satisfaction, leaned back on the sofa, and felt quite pleased.

This deal is a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

In truth, Yan Liang knew that he most likely wouldn't live to see the day when he would fight the demon of guns.

His promise to Hayakawa Aki was nothing more than an empty promise.

It's like a high-interest loan. Whether or not the loan will be repaid, and whether it can be repaid at all, is entirely up to Yan Liang. But now, he can use this promise to get benefits from Hayakawa Aki in advance.

With Hayakawa Aki's keen insight, he might not have missed the flaw in this agreement. But having no other choice at this moment, what right did he have to bargain with himself?

He picked up the cup of coffee and swirled it around, but after taking just one sip, Yan Liang frowned, realizing a problem.

"I said..."

"Waitress."