Chapter 97: Makima: What is the biggest difference between me and Kafka?
Sweet Mask almost collapsed onto the chair, drenched in sweat.
He felt a chill crawl up his spine, as if he were in an ice cave, and even the sweat on his forehead seemed to turn into ice shards.
『 Emperor Engine 』
Did KING just try to take out both him and Atomic Samurai? Or did he have the confidence to do so?
...No, other heroes couldn't possibly do that, but if it were KING, he'd probably be decapitated in an instant, right? What a madman...
Sweet Mask took a deep breath, barely managing to keep his hands from trembling too much.
"Sweet Mask, do you have any experience with Kafka's mind-control-like abilities?"
Bang, known as "Silverfang," took the initiative to break the unsettling silence.
"If so, please share it. We need to be prepared in advance."
Bang's tone was neither humble nor arrogant. As the third-ranked professional hero senior, he had a gentle personality, and his suggestions were usually well-received by most heroes.
"Heh, of course, there are monsters with similar abilities."
As he was about to talk about his experience of single-handedly defeating the Demon-level monster "Do-S," Sweet Mask's confidence finally recovered a bit, and a smile returned to his lips.
"Do-S's whip makes anyone it strikes lose consciousness and become her slave. The effect should be similar to Kafka's,"
Sweet Mask said. "
However, Kafka's methods are more varied; she can brainwash people with just words... This is clearly stronger than Do-S."
"The B-class hero organization, the Blizzard Group, once fell victim, but Do-S's whip didn't work on me. In the end, it's a matter of willpower."
Sweet Mask had a confident expression:
"So I speculate that if a person's mental strength is strong enough, they can resist Kafka's Spirit Whisper."
"...Uh, can we only measure Kafka by the abilities of Demon-level monsters? It's hard to draw an accurate conclusion."
Child Emperor lowered his eyes and pondered slightly:
"Although Kafka is human, her danger level is undoubtedly 'Dragon-level.' Conservatively estimated... probably not many S-class heroes can defeat her."
"Considering they can observe our world... whether they are friend or foe, we need to be prepared to deal with Spirit Whisper, so—"
Child Emperor was about to continue when he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a baseball bat hitting something.
"Everyone, if that's the case, then I have a solution."
Metal Bat showed a puzzled expression, wondering why they were making the problem so complicated.
"Kafka is just human, right? At that time, why not let Metal Knight or Drive Knight go? As long as there's no mind, there's no need to worry about being controlled, right?"
( Firefly: Mecha, huh? )
—
「 "It's just a small hint, letting them listen to me talk, that's all," Kafka said with a smile.
"Stelle, you know this best."
"This place isn't good. The Diviner has a long way to go, and it's no good for me either. Let's meet again up ahead."
Kafka finished speaking and turned to leave, leaving two Cloud Knights to block their way.
Fearing Kafka would get away, the group quickly defeated the two Cloud Knights, knocked them out, and chased after her.
When they reached an open area, they found Kafka waiting for them there.
Seeing them arrive, Kafka was very happy, her smile deepening,
"Welcome, members of the Express Crew, you've caught me."
"Is this also your plan?" Stelle asked.
"..." Kafka gazed at Stelle gently, no longer speaking. But her expression showed no hint of panic; instead, there was a sense of relief, as if everything was going according to plan.
"Show your cards, Kafka. Our arrival here should all be part of your plan," Welt said straightforwardly.
"Not a plan, but the future. We interfere in countless possible futures to turn the best future into reality. Don't flatter us, Welt, the Stellaron Hunters are merely slaves to destiny."
"The best future?" March 7th's face was full of disbelief. "The best future for whom? I doubt you'd consider anyone else."
"Heh, the entire universe—do you believe it? Of course, it's: for me." Kafka chuckled softly. 」
「 .....」
〜Chainsaw Man World〜
"It doesn't seem like she's lying... this woman called Kafka.
In the office of Public Safety's Division 4, Aki Hayakawa dropped two sugar cubes into his coffee and stirred it gently with a spoon.
Across from him, by the window, sat a young red-haired woman wearing a white shirt and black trousers. She rested her chin on one hand, her gaze fixed on the white puppy playing outside the window.
"For the entire universe, how noble... The universe she speaks of should include our Earth, right?"
Makima's voice was as still as a lake, without a ripple.
"However, it wouldn't be surprising if she wanted to detonate Earth one day, hehe."
Makima suddenly let out two dry laughs, then slowly turned her head. She stared unblinkingly at Aki Hayakawa, the rings in her irises like whirlpools on the sea.
"Aki, I heard someone in Public Safety say... I'm very similar to Kafka, what do you think?"
"Uh... I don't think so."
"Looks? Or temperament?"
Makima smiled slightly.
"Where's the biggest difference?"
"It's her eyes,"
Aki Hayakawa said.
"...A very novel answer, why?"
Makima adopted a more serious expression.
"Because..."
Aki Hayakawa hesitated, finding it difficult to continue.
Recalling Kafka's gaze towards Stelle in the light screen, it contained concern, tenderness, and even some motherly care for a child... Regardless, those were eyes that only humans possessed.
But Ms. Makima's gaze towards him, towards Denji, towards everyone in the company...
From beginning to end, it was no different from looking at the puppy outside the window.
—
「 "Time is running out, hurry up, or it will be too late."
Kafka urged, like a teacher in an exam room, rushing students to answer questions within the limited time remaining.
The group no longer hesitated, immediately forming a circle to surround Kafka, but just as they were about to act, Kafka pursed her lips and smiled, softly saying,
"Finally."
She suddenly raised two submachine guns, and countless bullets instantly poured into the sky.
But in mid-air, the silver-glistening bullets suddenly slowed down abnormally.
With a light tap of her toes, a pink-haired girl descended from the sky like a celestial being. Facing the barrage of bullets, she casually flicked the bullet trajectories as if strolling through a garden, a faint glow emanating from her Dharma Eye on her forehead.
"Petty tricks. Your every move was foreseen by the Dharma Eye."
The moment the two bullets behind the girl collided, time seemed to flow again. But even after Fu Xuan landed gracefully, the sky full of bullets hadn't even grazed her clothes.
"Divination Commission, Fu Xuan." The girl's childlike voice carried a hint of seriousness.
"The criminal is now under my custody." 」
「 .....」