Player 10,000 Year Later (Chainsaw Man / The Boys) Multiverse later

At the rooftop of the Public Safety Devil Hunter building in Kyoto, Aki and Himeno stood side by side, waiting for Kang Woo and Kishibe to return. The night had fully settled in, casting long shadows across the rooftop, and the air was still, heavy with unspoken tension.

Himeno, with her usual calm demeanor, lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, exhaling the smoke slowly into the quiet night air. She glanced over at Aki, her eyes reflecting the weight of countless battles. With a playful smirk, she held out a cigarette to him. "Want one?"

Aki hesitated for a moment, his usual stiff posture softening ever so slightly. Just as he reached for it, though, Himeno pulled the cigarette back with a teasing grin. "Didn't you say smoking's bad for your bones?"

Aki blinked, taken aback by her playful jab, then chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I did say that." He paused, his gaze distant as he looked out over the city skyline. "But after watching Kang Woo... how he operates, how he plans everything so meticulously, it made me think. He once said, 'I'll prepare a thousand plans, even if only one is used, it's worth it.'"

Himeno raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the shift in Aki's tone. "And?"

Aki sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he leaned back against the railing. "I've been too focused—too obsessed with chasing the Gun Devil. It's consumed everything I do, every decision I make. But now… I realize I need to slow down, take a step back, and plan my way to victory, just like Kang Woo does. It's not about rushing headfirst into revenge. It's about thinking things through. Maybe I need to relax a little, not let the need for revenge control me."

Himeno listened quietly, her heart swelling with warmth at his words. She smiled, a rare, wholesome smile that lit up her face. "That's growth, Aki. I'm proud of you."

Aki glanced at her, his usual stoic expression softening in the warmth of the moment. "I used to think revenge was everything. But now... maybe there's more to life than just chasing after the past."

Himeno took another slow drag from her cigarette, savoring the taste as if it carried away her burdens. "You know, there's something about smoking that's comforting. It's like… all the stress, all the weight you carry just lifts off for a moment. I used to hate the taste at first, but now, every puff feels like I'm letting go of something."

Aki nodded thoughtfully, contemplating her words. "Maybe that's why people smoke—to feel like they can breathe for just a second, even if it's bad for them."

Himeno chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling in the low light. "Exactly. Sometimes we need those small moments of release. You've been carrying too much on your shoulders, Aki. If you keep going like that, the weight will crush you."

Without warning, Aki reached over and took the cigarette straight from Himeno's mouth, taking a drag himself. Himeno's eyes widened in surprise, before she broke into a cheerful laugh. "Heeh, getting aggressive all of a sudden? How does it taste coming from your partner's mouth?"

Aki smirked, exhaling the smoke. "Sweet. I like it. Feels like a good kiss."

Himeno, clearly touched by his rare display of affection, smiled warmly, her usual teasing replaced by a more genuine appreciation for him. "All right, then," she said playfully, lighting up a new cigarette for herself. The exchange made her feel lighter, as if Aki's words and actions had lifted a burden from her heart.

After a moment of silence, Aki spoke again, this time with a hint of uncertainty. "Himeno-senpai, do you think I can ever be as strong as Kang Woo? He always seems to have a thousand plans for everything. He can manipulate darkness and create black flames…"

Himeno smirked, her response dripping with sarcasm. "You're asking that to a drunkard and a cheerful woman?" She shook her head lightly, then added with more sincerity, "But I can suggest one thing—you've already done enough. You have a contract with the Curse Devil, and now you've got the Fox Devil, thanks to Kang Woo. The result? The Fox Devil is completely loyal to you, Aki. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. But... I think what you really need is to relax a little."

Before Aki could respond, Himeno wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Can you call me Himeno-senpai again? I like it… very much."

Aki smiled softly, the tension fading from his body. "Himeno-senpai," he said, the words feeling comforting. "When this is over… when my vengeance against the Gun Devil is finished… where do you want to go?"

Himeno pulled back slightly, her eyes glinting mischievously as she thought about it. She leaned in closer and whispered, "I want to go to a place where you finally realize you've been my subordinate this whole time... and carry all my bags."

For a second, Aki just blinked, processing the joke. Then he burst into laughter—loud and genuine. "Pffft—!"

He doubled over slightly, his shoulders shaking with amusement. "Yeah, right! Like that's ever gonna happen, Himeno-senpai!"

Himeno grinned wide, thoroughly enjoying the rare sight of Aki laughing. "Hey, you asked, didn't you? Be careful what you wish for."

Aki, still chuckling, wiped a tear from his eye. "Maybe I walked right into that one," he admitted, his heart feeling lighter as he stood beside her.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching behind them. Both Aki and Himeno turned to see Kang Woo and Kishibe arriving on the rooftop.

Himeno grinned, her cigarette dangling from her lips. "So, how's Hell?"

Kishibe, as usual, responded with his bored, nonchalant tone. "Not as fiery or terrifying as I expected. Just a bunch of doors in the sky and flowers everywhere."

Aki raised an eyebrow and directed his question to Kang Woo. "Did you get the Hell Devil's contract?"

Kang Woo gave a simple nod, his expression serious. "I've got to rescue the princess. See you later." With that, dark, shadowy wings sprouted from his back, and with a single powerful beat, he took to the sky like a dark comet, racing toward Aokigahara Forest at an incredible speed.

Kishibe watched him go, hands casually stuffed into his pockets, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That makes four times Japan's seen a dark comet. Every time, it's been Kang Woo flying."

Aki and Himeno exchanged glances, both feeling the weight of the moment. Himeno took another slow drag from her cigarette, exhaling as she gazed at the sky where Kang Woo had vanished. "Whatever happens next," she said softly, "I just hope he brings her back in one piece."

Kishibe let out a sigh, muttering, "Hell Devil, Kang Woo ditched us. We need transport, and I'm in a pinch situation."

Suddenly, the Hell Devil materialized in front of Kishibe, its massive form looming over them. "You have no authority over me, human—" the Hell Devil began in its deep, gravelly voice, but something made it pause. It narrowed its eyes, as if recognizing something. "Don't tell me... you're the noble one spoke of? To protect in a pinch situation... the human named Kishibe? That human is you?"

Kishibe shrugged nonchalantly. "If you don't believe me, ask the ones behind me," he said, glancing over his shoulder at Aki and Himeno.

Himeno, her cigarette still between her lips, grinned. "That's our teacher, the veteran devil hunter Kishibe."

Aki stood quietly beside her, nodding in agreement, though his thoughts raced. It must be Kang Woo again, he thought. The fact that a high-end devil like the Hell Devil was responding to Kishibe in such a way—it was probably thanks to Kang Woo's unpredictable and chaotic influence.

Kishibe, sensing the moment was right, turned back to the Hell Devil. "Transport us to the entrance of Aokigahara Forest. Didn't Kang Woo mention he'd reward you for your best performance?"

The Hell Devil growled, its deep voice laced with disdain. "I hate you all, humans." But despite its grumbling, it summoned a giant, six-fingered hand, grabbing onto Kishibe, Aki, and Himeno. With a single motion, it teleported them to the designated location at the entrance of Aokigahara Forest.

High above the Earth, Kang Woo hovered in the atmosphere, his dark wings outstretched against the sky. He felt the final Clink  sound resonate in his mind—a confirmation of his adaptation to the Future Devil's foresight. Now, with future sight added to his growing arsenal, he felt even more unstoppable.

His mind drifted back to the Ten Shadows technique, most of which he had already subdued. However, one remained unresolved—Mahoraga. "The Mahoraga ritual was interfered with by Homelander," Kang Woo mused to himself. Summoning Mahoraga to troll Homelander had been an amusing move, but now, Kang Woo needed to kill Mahoraga again to complete his 10 shadows . "That arrogant supe still has a part to play in my grand plan," Kang Woo thought of homelander part in his grand plan with a grin.

Without further delay, Kang Woo began the chant, his voice ringing out with power. "With this treasure, I summon Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga!"

In an instant, Mahoraga appeared before him. The shikigami's towering, muscular figure cast an imposing shadow, its four wings protruding from eye sockets, and its head crowned with a spinning eight-handled wheel. Its tail-like appendage swayed ominously as it hovered in the sky, ready to adapt to its surroundings.

Kang Woo wasted no time. He grabbed Mahoraga by the neck, forcefully pushing him downward, sending them plummeting back toward Earth. As the heat of atmospheric reentry began to envelop them, Mahoraga's adaptation mechanism kicked in, its wheel spinning faster, and the telltale CLANK echoed again.

"Already adapted to the heat? Tch. Annoying as ever," Kang Woo muttered, but his grin never faltered. "No matter. I'll finish this here."

With a surge of dark energy, Kang Woo extended his palm and unleashed one of his most devastating techniques. "Hellblaze Omega!" he roared. A massive spider-like blast of black flames erupted from his hand, far more intense than any of his previous Hellblaze attacks. The flames consumed Mahoraga, wrapping around him like a relentless inferno. The shikigami's adaptation mechanism spun rapidly in an attempt to adjust, but Kang Woo grinned darkly. "Too late."

As they reached their destination, Kang Woo directed their crash toward Aokigahara Forest—the very site where Makima was locked in battle with Baba Yaga.

 From a third-person perspective, it was a scene of utter destruction. The dark comet that was Kang Woo, with Mahoraga in tow, plummeted to the Earth, crashing directly onto both Baba Yaga and Makima. The impact sent devastating shockwaves through the forest, obliterating everything in its path. A massive 5-kilometer square portion of Aokigahara Forest was wiped out, reduced to ash and rubble in the wake of Kang Woo's destructive power.

As the dust settled, Kang Woo hovered above the wreckage, surveying the destruction with satisfaction. He could feel Mahoraga's bending to his will, another powerful tool added to his growing arsenal. "Finally," he muttered, a twisted grin spreading across his face. "Mahoraga, under my command... all thanks to a little cheating, as usual."

Kang Woo's gaze shifted to the darkness cocoon the Commandment of Piety that had enveloped Makima to protect her. He thought for a moment, reflecting on how the commandment acted on its own, following his earlier order to keep her safe. "So, the Commandment has its own thoughts," he mused. "As long as it remains loyal to me or her I'm fine with that."

He recalled hearing Makima's apology and her confession through the Commandment of Piety. He had witnessed everything through it, after all it was his creation, given to Makima. With a snap of his hand, the dark cocoon dispersed, revealing Makima's weakened form. She had lost an arm in the battle, and the Commandment was doing its best to repair her heart and limbs.

Without a word, Kang Woo scooped her up in a princess-style hold, his dark wings still outstretched. He looked down at her, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Apology accepted."

Makima, exhausted and fragile, managed a genuine smile—something she rarely allowed herself. This time, it wasn't the carefully crafted, manipulative smile she was known for. It was a tired, yet sincere expression of relief. She was glad her hero had given her one last look before the end.

Kang Woo, on the other hand, was quietly amused. As he gazed down at her, his thoughts flickered. Even if you had died, I could resurrect you with Ingál, you know, he mused, the power of resurrection lying in his hands. But this time, I want to keep this moment as it is... maybe troll her a little more.

Makima attempted to speak, but her voice failed her. Her lips moved, trembling, but no sound escaped her throat. She looked up at Kang Woo, her eyes brimming with a sudden sadness. Kang Woo, noticing this, smirked. With a wave of his wrist, he activated his Authority of Projection, creating a screen on their left. The projection captured every word that Makima was trying to say, showing it on the screen as glowing text.

Makima's lips quivered, tears beginning to stream down her face as the words appeared, translating her broken whispers into readable form. "Kang Woo... thank you... for appearing in my life... because of you, I felt alive, truly alive..." she continued, more tears falling as her heart spilled out. "If... in another lifetime, or another reincarnation, you meet a Control Devil like me... please, guide her. Make her your wife... or at least your concubine."

The words hung in the air, the weight of her final confession heavy between them. Kang Woo, despite his usual cold demeanor, felt a pang of sadness creep into his chest. He hid it well, though, and behind the sadness, he was already using his Authority of Regeneration. Secretly, he repaired all of her wounds the damage to her heart, the severed arm restoring her body without her knowing.

Makima's expression softened as she continued, her voice now accompanied by a glint of playful affection. "I won't slap you. I love you too much for that. I hope... you understand." Her tear-streaked face still held a mix of exhaustion and emotion.

Suddenly, Makima glanced down at her right arm the one that had been severed moments ago. She gasped in surprise as she saw something odd in her hand. It was a dark, shadowy trophy, glowing faintly with the inscription: Best Actress Award, 2012. She blinked in confusion, and as realization dawned, she quickly placed her hand on her chest. Her heart, which had been torn apart, was now fully healed. Her wounds completely gone.

Kang Woo's smirk widened into a mischievous grin as he leaned in closer, his lips curling as he whispered, "April Fools."

Makima's eyes widened in disbelief. Her mouth dropped open, and suddenly, an exasperated cry escaped her. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed, her emotions overflowing as tears ran down her face.

Without thinking, she threw herself into Kang Woo's arms, hugging him tightly. The surge of feelings the relief, the frustration, and the love poured out in waves as she clung to him, her sobs muffled against his chest. Despite everything, despite the trolling, she had never felt so alive.

Makima's thoughts raced as she clung to Kang Woo, still overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions. Kang Woo always bully me... ugh, it's so embarrassing and annoying... but his body is warm... and his scent is... nice. She found herself feeling strangely comforted, despite her exasperation.

Kang Woo, clearly enjoying the moment, smirked. "What, do you want another trophy?" he teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

Makima didn't respond with words. Instead, with a sudden surge of emotion, she leaned in and kissed Kang Woo on the lips, her actions soft but filled with an undeniable romantic intensity. Kang Woo, caught completely off guard, widened his eyes in surprise. "Ehh?"

The kiss lingered for a moment, as if the world around them had paused. Makima, usually so composed and in control, felt a strange sense of power in this vulnerable act. Her heart raced, but she was fully aware of the impact it was having on Kang Woo, who for once seemed stunned into silence.

In her mind, a mischievous thought crept in. To make him mine... I need to show him kindness, don't I? She laughed softly under her breath, her lips curling into a small, sly smile. Kuhuhuhu...

Kang Woo, still processing what had just happened, looked down at her, a mixture of confusion and amusement playing on his face. This time, it was his turn to be caught in her web of unpredictable emotions.

Makima, feeling a surge of victory from her bold move, looked directly into Kang Woo's eyes and declared, "I got you, Kang Woo. For the first time, I know your weakness... and I declare you are now my property."

Kang Woo, still somewhat dazed from the kiss, muttered under his breath, "There goes the Nayuta personality... guess I'm gonna need pizza, huh."

Makima blinked in confusion, narrowing her eyes. "What? Is my charm making you stupid?"

Kang Woo shook his head, regaining his composure and waving his hand dismissively. "Nah, forget it. Not the arc for that anyway."

Before Makima could question him further, the ground shook beneath them. The half-destroyed Baba Yaga's house, a monstrous structure, reared up behind them, attempting to attack Kang Woo from behind. Makima quickly snapped to attention, her eyes widening in realization. "Oh no, we're still in her territory!"

Kang Woo didn't seem fazed by the sudden danger. With an almost casual gesture, he muttered, "Authority of Sloth."

Instantly, the entire area in front of them, including the Baba Yaga house, slowed down drastically. Time in that space crawled, the house's movements becoming sluggish and distorted as if trapped in molasses. Kang Woo's eyes fixated on the massive house, ensuring it remained in his field of vision, trapping it in the slow time field.

Makima, still held in Kang Woo's arms, watched in awe as the terrifying house barely moved, stuck in slow motion. "That's... fascinating ," she whispered, the tension easing as the immediate threat was neutralized.

Kang Woo still kept the Baba Yaga in his range of vision and activated his Authority of Beholder. Immediately, the status window of the Baba Yaga Devil appeared:

Name: Baba Yaga Devil (Primal Fear)

Level: 32

Abilities:

Cursed Inferno Skulls – Summons an army of skulls that explode upon contact with targets, causing widespread devastation.

Vines of Oblivion – Manipulates plants to unleash deadly, sharp wooden shrapnel, raining down destruction upon enemies.

Abyssal Horde (Rank A+) – Summons lower-ranked devils to serve as an army or sacrifices them to absorb their power for increased strength.

Strength: 28

Dexterity: 70

Health: 100 (Mid High Regeneration)

Mana: 0

Negative Energy: 300

Intellect: 20

Wisdom: 30

Kang Woo narrowed his eyes as he looked over the stats. Although it's a primal devil, the strongest ability is only ranked A+? he thought, mildly disappointed. I expected more from something like Baba Yaga.

Despite its Primal Fear status, Baba Yaga wasn't living up to his expectations. With its health regeneration and devil summoning, it was strong—but a disappointment

Kang Woo, still holding Makima in a princess-style carry, observed the Baba Yaga Devil's half-destroyed house as it began to stir once more. He kept his calm demeanor, fully aware of the advantage he held over the Primal Fear. With a wave of his hand, he deactivated his Authority of Sloth, allowing time to return to its normal flow.

Instantly, the Baba Yaga Devil roared to life, summoning an army of low-ranked devils, their grotesque forms emerging from a door-like mouth that opened wide in its chest. The devils flooded out, only to be consumed immediately by the Baba Yaga, their screams muffled as they vanished into the infernal maw.

Kang Woo, ever the tactician, wasn't fazed. With a casual smirk, he already extended his wings of darkness, hovering effortlessly in the air. He could feel Makima's weight resting gently in his arms, and with a subtle shift in his expression, he created a floating dark chair out of pure darkness manipulation. Gently, he placed Makima on the chair, allowing her to sit and observe. After all, the ground beneath them—the massive crater formed from Kang Woo's previous dark comet impact—was far too deep, spanning 5 kilometers square in both width and depth. It was a scene of absolute devastation.

As Kang Woo turned his gaze back toward the Baba Yaga Devil, he noticed something new: the devil had begun to levitate, orange flames bursting from its feet, allowing it to rise into the air. The Baba Yaga glared at Kang Woo, rage simmering behind its hollow eyes.

In a voice laced with venom, the Baba Yaga demanded, "Where did you get that dark orb?" Its gaze was locked on the Commandment of Piety floating beside Makima, clearly unaware of the true nature and power of the orb. "That cursed object that hovers beside the Control Devil—what is it?"

The Baba Yaga's tone and demeanor were that of the mythical witch, filled with arrogance and curiosity, as though it was demanding something it had no right to claim.

Kang Woo, however, remained unshaken. With a cold and sharp tone, he responded, "Are you in any position to ask questions right now?"

The Baba Yaga, infuriated by the retort, unleashed an attack. From its half-destroyed body, countless skulls began to materialize, each one glowing with an eerie light. As they launched toward Kang Woo and Makima, the skulls exploded upon contact, sending shockwaves through the air. At the same time, the Baba Yaga's half-body began to regenerate rapidly, though it was clear the process was imperfect.

Kang Woo remained calm, raising his hand with an almost dismissive gesture. "Authority of Freezing."

A cold, piercing wind swept through the area as an intense frost covered the battlefield. The temperature dropped drastically, and a solid layer of ice spread across the crater, instantly freezing everything within a 1-kilometer radius—everything except for Makima and the Baba Yaga itself. Ice crystals formed in the air, shimmering ominously as the entire area transformed into a frozen wasteland.

The Baba Yaga, still floating, snarled in frustration. The freezing temperatures had no effect on its body, but it could feel the tension in the air. The massive crater, now filled with ice, was a chilling testament to Kang Woo's overwhelming power.

Kang Woo's gaze remained focused on the Baba Yaga, his smirk never fading. "Any other tricks to show?" he asked, his voice carrying an air of mockery. "Other than your fake regeneration, that is. I know your soul is already half-damaged."

The Baba Yaga's eyes flickered with a hint of fear, though it tried to conceal it. Kang Woo had already seen through its tactics. The low-level devils it consumed were nothing more than a facade, a cosmetic attempt to cover the true extent of its injuries.

In his thoughts, Kang Woo mused, Those devils you consume… all just for show. Pathetic. This is getting boring.

Makima, watching from her dark chair, could sense the shift in the battle.

Kang Woo, keeping his cool demeanor, glanced toward Makima, still sitting on her dark chair. With a teasing tone, he asked, "Yo, tsundere princess. Do you have any arsenal left, or is that kiss your last attack?" He teased her, though there was a hint of concern behind the banter, knowing that Makima's original power had been severely weakened after her contract with the Prime Minister was severed effectively removing her immortality.

Makima acknowledging her vulnerability but still maintaining her composure. "Probably the only thing I currently have is that dark orb you gave me... and my control power is severely weakened. I can't regain my immortality like before, Kang Woo."

Kang Woo gave a thoughtful nod, already considering the next steps. He extended his hand, and with his darkness manipulation, he created a floating platform beside him for Makima to stand on. Gently, he grabbed her hand, his touch firm but reassuring. "Don't let go," he said, his tone uncharacteristically soft. Makima smiled and nodded, her confidence growing in his presence.

Kang Woo then turned back to the Baba Yaga Devil, who had been watching warily. His voice shifted, filled with authority as he activated his next ability. "Authority of Fear," he intoned, his eyes glowing with power. Instantly, the Baba Yaga's expression twisted into terror. Kang Woo fear authority seeped into its very being, rendering it a puppet, incapable of resisting, even in thought.

The Baba Yaga Devil, reduced to a trembling shell of its former self, stared blankly as Kang Woo mockingly said, "Fucking run, Granny." In a panic, the Baba Yaga Devil tried to flee, moving as fast as it could, desperate to escape Kang Woo's overpowering presence.

However, the Commandment of Piety—hovering beside Makima—activated in response. Ethereal chains shot out from the commandment, wrapping around the Baba Yaga, stopping it dead in its tracks. The chains glowed ominously, binding the primal devil in submission. Kang Woo's grin widened as he glanced over at Makima.

"Now you have a new slave," he said, his voice playful but with an underlying promise. "Consider this your temporary arsenal... and one of your future wedding gift."

Makima's face flushed with surprise. Her heart skipped a beat, caught completely off guard by Kang Woo's comment. Slowly, her cheeks grew warmer as a blush spread across her face, her lips parting slightly as she processed his words.

Makima's mind raced with emotions she wasn't used to—joy, comfort, even vulnerability. A wedding gift? The thought alone made her heart flutter. Her usual cold, calculating exterior melted away as she held Kang Woo's hand, her smile warm and genuine.

"Thank you…" she whispered, barely louder than a breath, but full of emotion. The words were soft, unguarded, and full of the happiness she rarely allowed herself to feel.

Kang Woo, always one to stir the pot, smirked and broke the silence with a teasing comment. "Hey, just so you know, I'm still going to have a harem in the future. But you'll be the first wife."

Makima blinked, surprised by the remark, but then without hesitation, she pulled him into a tight embrace, pressing him against her chest. Her heart beat steadily as she held him close. With a playful yet affectionate tone, she whispered, "Didn't I tell you? I don't mind being even a concubine. I'm just glad I'm the first wife."

(Preview for Next Chapter may change later )

Kang Woo, still holding Makima, suddenly tensed. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by an expression of urgency and gravity. "Makima, listen carefully," he said, his voice sharp. "If you see a white creature with wrinkled skin, four bat like wings, and four curved upward pointing horns… and it's not me..."

Makima's heart raced, her eyes wide with confusion as she looked up at him. "What are you talking about?"

Kang Woo's grip tightened around her, his gaze piercing. "Gather everyone you know and hide in a bunker. Don't engage it. Don't even look at it. There's a big chance..."

He paused, his jaw clenched before he continued, "...that I could get killed."

Makima's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in shock, horror washing over her face. "HAHHHHHHHH?!" 

 Something powerful enough to kill the man she thought was very powerful was on the horizon... and it was coming soon. 

(anyone can guess what the creature is can request what power that kang woo can add to his arsenal )