KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 53: Three Sentences to Make Makima Keep Me, and the String-String Fruit in the Lottery
🕑 Added 2025-04-24 11:56:53 +0000 UTCPower happily put her clothes back on and returned to the group.
Himeno saw how happy she was and asked curiously:
“You went to the bathroom and came back this cheerful?”
“I’m just happy~” Power wasn’t good at lying, so she changed the subject.
The group continued chatting.
Makima reminded them to train hard—more dangerous missions were coming.
Everyone, of course, responded enthusiastically.
No one in Anti-Devil Squad 4 dared disobey Makima’s authority.
On the other side, the folks from Anteiku Café had nearly finished their food.
Kurona and the others had never drunk alcohol before, so after a few rounds, they were all a bit tipsy.
Once the chatting died down—
Kuroiwa Hyō took a look around, got a nod from Manager Yoshimura, and stood up to settle the bill.
“Shopkeeper Hayashi, the bill, please.”
“Coming.”
Hayashi processed the payment at the bar.
The group got up and came over to thank him before leaving.
“See you next time, Shopkeeper.”
“That was delicious—I’ll definitely recommend this place.”
“Thanks again!”
Anteiku Café’s group left first.
Thor went to clean up.
Hayashi looked at the dishes and leftovers left behind by several people and sighed emotionally.
“Finding Thor really was hitting the jackpot.”
“Otherwise, what’s the point of a dishwasher?”
“SSR employees really are the best—and Thor’s the top pick.”
Hayashi finished processing the bill.
He watched as Thor calmly and efficiently cleaned the restaurant and kitchen.
She took away the plates and trash, then zapped the garbage away with a touch of her magic finger.
Once the cutlery and dishes were organized, she zapped again, and everything was done.
Fast and efficient.
“Hayashi-kun, can we talk outside for a moment?”
Just then, Makima appeared beside him.
Hayashi nodded. “Sure.”
Makima paid her bill first.
Then the two walked out to the courtyard and returned to the reclining chairs.
Makima clasped her hands together and apologized first.
“Sorry, Hayashi-kun. Regarding this afternoon’s incident—I can hide it from the upper levels of the domestic cabinet, but I can’t conceal it from foreign devil agency spies.”
“I’ll put you on a whitelist with the domestic authorities. That way, no Japanese government officials or public security agents will trouble you—but I can’t promise anything about foreign devil organizations.”
“From now on, please be careful. This is my personal number—you can call anytime. I’ll also be moving into the neighborhood before the end of next week.”
Hayashi: ?
Out of all that, the only part that really stuck with him was the last sentence.
“You’re moving near me?”
“Is that not okay?” Makima stared at him. “Look, I arrived late today.”
“No, no—I just think it’s kind of… unnecessary.”
“It’s necessary. Foreign devil organizations are stronger than we imagined—especially America and the USSR. Their professional operatives have been trained since birth.”
“Uh…”
“Trust me, okay? I also really love your cooking. I want to eat it every day.”
“…Fine. Whatever you say.”
“Mm.”
They chatted a while longer.
Makima talked about foreign devil organizations across Europe and Asia.
She especially emphasized the American and Soviet agencies.
America’s devil agency was backed by massive conglomerates—even their president was controlled by them. Assassinations were carried out by devils on the payroll or by hitman alliances.
The Soviets, on the other hand, had a government-run devil agency. Or more accurately, a militarized system of violence that controlled devils—because devils don’t obey humans by nature.
Either way, devils work by contract and cost.
Neither America nor the USSR was “clean.” Even Japan wasn’t.
This was clear from how the CCG and even cabinet officials had secretly made contracts with devils.
Makima’s “contracts” were paid for with the fortune and life force of Japanese citizens.
So no matter the country—America, USSR, or Japan—the top brass were all the same:
Scum.
And devils even fought amongst themselves. People would collaborate with foreign enemies to assassinate their own domestic devils—it was all chaos.
After a bit more chatting, Makima bluntly added:
“As long as a devil’s status is high enough, even rumors will draw international assassins. A devil’s power is a national resource.”
“I’ve been a target for a long time. European devil assassins have already infiltrated through bribery and coercion. They’ve contacted a local gang, and I expect they’ll make a move on me soon. That’s also why I want the team to train harder.”
Everything she said made Hayashi look at her with more respect.
Because he knew she was telling the truth.
Turns out, even at this point in time, Makima already knew about the underground connections—she’d been fishing, trying to lure the foreign assassins out.
Everyone who died in Anti-Devil Squad 4 had just been her pawns.
If they died, they died.
Makima had been under threat of assassination the whole time—totally normal.
Eventually, as Hayashi became more exposed to devils and ghouls, the assassins would probably come for him, too.
Doesn’t matter if he’s a devil or not—power makes you a target.
“Goddamn, what a mess,” Hayashi sighed. “Ghouls, devils—it’s all endless war.”
Makima looked at him and smiled.
“Actually, Hayashi-kun, if you were willing to devour all devils and ghouls, then everything could vanish—including me.”
“I couldn’t finish that.” Hayashi waved it off.
What a joke. He couldn’t possibly eat every devil and ghoul.
But Makima’s wish was to be eaten by Hayashi.
He knew that Makima was filled with extreme contradictions. Her powers and actions all revolved around domination, yet deep in her heart, she longed for a world that didn’t rely on control—a world without devils, where everything could run on its own.
That’s why Makima wished for Hayashi to devour all devils. So they would disappear. Forever. Never to reincarnate again.
And then, she’d want him to devour her.
That way, devils would cease to exist.
World peace. A devil-free world.
If that plan failed, then she’d find a way to dominate every devil herself and carry it out personally—her own way of achieving that goal.
It was outrageous, but that was how she thought.
This kind of ideal mirrored the thinking of Takatsuki Sen and Kishou Arima.
Makima wanted all devils to disappear.
Takatsuki and Arima wanted to create a “dragon”—a tyrant who was both human and ghoul, someone strong enough to dominate the world. That way, humans and ghouls would finally behave and live in harmony.
When Hayashi heard that?
He could only say: dreams are free.
But to them, it was the dream they chased.
And sure enough—
Makima hadn’t given up.
She reached out and tapped Hayashi’s cheek. “I believe you can do it, Hayashi-kun.”
“I can’t,” he shook his head. “Unless you bring me the source heart of devils after they revert to their true forms and let me kill them. Or you dominate them first, then let me strike. That could work.”
“Devils whose source heart I devour or destroy will vanish forever. They’ll never return.”
The “source heart” referred to a devil’s true form, not their humanoid form. So he had to kill them after they transformed, which was troublesome since they’d be stronger and resist more.
“!?” Makima was stunned. “It’s possible?”
To her, the only thing that mattered was whether it was possible.
“It is.”
“Then thank you in advance, Hayashi-kun. I’ll reward you in ways you can’t imagine.”
“…Wait, you’re seriously going to do it?”
“Why not?”
“I mean… it’s just a slash for me, but a whole mission for you.”
“That’s fine. As long as it’s possible.”
“Tch…”
Hayashi looked at her serious expression.
She really did plan to force devils into their true forms, kill them, and bring back their hearts.
Or dominate them, then let Hayashi do it.
That was intense.
Of course—it was Makima.
To Hayashi, it didn’t matter. If she really could bring them back, he’d only get stronger with each one he consumed.
In other words, Makima would be using the power of the government to feed him.
As long as he didn’t have to go out killing or get dragged into conflicts.
If she had the resolve and plan to do it, then fine—let her.
While Hayashi and Makima chatted, Himeno was secretly watching.
Seeing their private conversation and the intimate gestures—even if she couldn’t hear a word—confirmed all her suspicions.
It was terrifying.
A union of the powerful.
Outside in the courtyard—
After talking a bit more, Makima looked up at the moon and stood.
“It’s about time I headed back. Hayashi-kun, see you next time. Stay safe.”
“Mm. See you.”
Hayashi got up and walked her out.
He watched her lead the Anti-Devil Squad 4 away.
As they left, everyone waved goodbye.
Himeno invited him for a smoke sometime.
Of course, Power was the most over-the-top—she even secretly made a boob-grabbing gesture toward Hayashi.
Hayashi: ...
He watched the last guests leave.
By the time he returned—
Tohru had already cleaned the entire restaurant.
She also brought over two glasses of lemon tea—one for herself, one for Hayashi.
He took it and sipped.
Tohru glanced outside at the empty street.
“There won’t be any more customers tonight, right?”
Hayashi nodded. “Definitely not. That explosion next door? It'll be in the news. Shops around here are screwed—probably won’t get business for a while.”
Tohru was shocked. “Then what do we do?”
“What do you mean, what do we do?” Hayashi waved it off. “Our customers are all regulars. And even if no one comes, we’ll just bring down a game console and play while watching the shop.”
“!” Thoru's eyes lit up. “That’s perfect!”
But then she got a little worried.
“It’s been dangerous lately. Miss Kusimigaoka hasn’t shown up for days. I have a bad feeling about the area. Did Miss Makima say anything?”
“Yeah.” Hayashi sighed. “She said that after today’s incident, foreign devil spies will definitely learn about it. They might suspect I’m a devil, and I could be targeted for assassination. I have to be careful.”
“Ah!” Tohru suddenly exploded in anger.
Her eyes and limbs shifted to dragon form.
“Anyone who dares hurt Hayashi-san must be eradicated!”
“Like Fafnir says, any who harbor ill intent—annihilate them all!”
Hayashi chuckled. “Fafnir—is he your dragon friend from Earth?”
“Sort of. He used to be aligned with my father’s faction.”
“Do you have other friends?”
“Yes, but they’re in another world. I don’t think they’ll come.”
Then she quickly added:
“Hayashi-san, you really have to watch out for hidden threats!”
Hayashi scratched his head. “Aren’t you strong, Tohru?”
“Super strong!” She raised her dainty fists. “I’ll protect you, Hayashi-san!”
“And I’m not strong?”
“You are!” she confirmed.
“Then that’s that.” Hayashi spread his arms. “Whoever comes dies. If enough of them die, they’ll stop coming.”
Tohru suddenly understood: “You’re right!”
Take the Anteiku café for example.
The shop was run by the SSS-rated ghoul, Yoshimura the Owl.
Even after being discovered, he and two SS-rated staff held the line.
And that guy was ancient—still powered by specialty food.
He only died in the end because he refused to fight and went easy on the CCG.
If he had gone all-out?
The CCG wouldn’t have stood a chance—unless Arima personally came.
So if you’re strong enough—
Wherever you are becomes a safe zone.
A place of absolute security.
That’s the kind of power Hayashi wanted—not some hidden, cautious lifestyle.
“I’ll go finish the cleaning.” Thor beamed, having understood his mindset.
Instead of trying everything to protect Hayashi from assassins—
She thought his “whoever tries, dies” policy was way better!
So simple!
Just annihilate them!
Meanwhile, after seeing the guests off, Hayashi remembered something:
[Quest: Raving Reviews!]
[Objective: Attract important guests (3/3)]
[Mission Reward: Store Attractiveness Level 1v1, Multiverse Food Lottery x1]
It was completed!
Lots of new visitors came today.
Like Himeno, Kobeni, and from Anteiku: Koma Enji, Irimi Kaya, Yomo Renji, and even Manager Yoshimura.
There was no way this wouldn't be completed.
Hayashi looked toward the system.
In the shop status section, he saw a new buff function.
[Store Attractiveness Level 1v1: Increases the attraction rate for important customers. Due to coincidence, association, or instinct, important individuals will find the store and come to dine or shop.]
Highlight: Important customers.
It won’t just mindlessly attract random people—it targets significant ones.
“Interesting… let’s see who comes back next.”
The second part was a lottery draw.
Nothing much to think about.
Hayashi silently said in his mind, “Draw it.”
[Congratulations! You’ve received: Paramecia-type Devil Fruit – Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit) x1]
“?”
Seeing the reward, Hayashi grinned.
“Golden pull from the lottery.”
The String-String Fruit! That’s actually great.
From now on, he wouldn’t even need knives to cook—he could cut anything into any shape he wanted.
Hayashi summoned the fruit.
With a flick of his hand, the fruit appeared.
It was completely white, rounded and fluffy, with a single purple stem curling at the top. Its surface was covered in twisted string-like patterns.
“So this is the String-String Fruit... Heard these taste awful.”
Recalling the scenes of people vomiting after eating Devil Fruits...
Hayashi actually started getting curious.
“They ate it and got sick, but I’m not the same.”
“I devour devils.”
“Let’s try it!”
Hayashi didn’t hesitate.
Holding the String-String Fruit like an apple, he bit into it—one bite, two bites, three, four—
He gobbled it down like it was nothing.
Gulp~!
With a loud swallow, it went straight into his stomach.
Afterward, Hayashi smacked his lips and revealed an “as expected” expression.
“No flavor… it’s just bland, like yam. Doesn’t feel like anything special.”
His body didn’t react much either.
But when he extended a finger and focused—
A nearly invisible thread emerged from his fingertip.
Hayashi pulled it taut, flicked it once—
Then compared it to a knife. When he drew it blade to blade, the ¥30,000 knife’s spine was sliced clean in half.
“This is way better than Spider-Man’s webbing.”
