Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters.
A grand building.
But today's destination was not here. Makima drove the Crown Toyota directly away from Sakuradamon.
"Huh, the Public Safety Devil Extermination Division 4's office isn't at the police headquarters?"
Himeno clicked her tongue. Even though it was one of the police department's divisions, its office was located elsewhere, truly unconventional.
"If it were located together, key police officers like you, Himeno, would surely notice... Whether for reasons of secrecy or security, the Division 4 headquarters is separate."
After about five more minutes of driving, Makima drove the car into a building resembling a manor.
The manor was surrounded by tall stone walls, with only a single classical iron gate leading to the outside world.
Lawns were neatly arranged on both sides, and at the end of the road was a small pond with an overflowing fountain. Further ahead stood a classical European-style building. Exquisite glazed tiles and carved stones separated this place from the outside world.
To Himeno's surprise, the exterior of the Public Safety Devil Extermination Division 4 building did not display the Japanese flag, the Hinomaru.
Makima, as if sensing her confusion, explained as they walked: "It's a disguise, a disguise~"
"Outwardly, this place is just an ordinary private company."
They soon entered the classical building. It was completely different from what Himeno had imagined. The hall was empty, with only their footsteps echoing.
"In Japan, including private Devil Hunters, there are about fifty registered individuals. Our Special Division 4 accounts for half of them."
"But because we have to carry out missions in various parts of Japan, the entire building is usually empty. Only when data needs to be compiled will relevant personnel from the police department be contacted to enter."
"Special Division 4 also has the best benefits, with about a month of paid leave annually. When there are no missions, we can clock in and out on time. But our public identity is just that of ordinary Public Safety police officers. Everyone's information is treated with high-level confidentiality; every Devil Hunter is a valuable asset to Japan..."
"Wait a moment." Himeno interrupted: "What's a Devil Hunter?"
"Devils, Supernatural beings, Anomolies whose origin is unknown, but their appearance signifies a major disaster, requiring immediate containment and extermination. Their forms can be grotesque monsters or beautiful humanoids... And Devil Hunters are superpowered individuals capable of dealing with such beings."
"At the same time, Devil Hunters are also responsible for apprehending superpowered criminals, spiritual entities..."
"Ordinary criminal cases are handled by the police department. Public Safety Devil Extermination Division 4 is only responsible for supernatural incidents. But when necessary, our Division 4 officers have the authority to mobilize and command ordinary police officers; remember that."
Makima led Himeno into her spacious office.
She spoke softly, walking to a filing cabinet, from which she took out two stacks of documents and placed them in front of Himeno, who was sitting on the sofa.
"These are summaries of Devil-related cases that have occurred in the Tokyo area. Take a look first."
Himeno solemnly accepted the documents Makima handed her. She knew that once she opened these case files, she would probably say goodbye to the world of normal people.
But she was ready.
To catch Kira, she had to catch Kira!
Himeno took a deep breath and opened the files Makima handed her.
[Chiba - Serial Ghoul Case],
[Morioka Town - Mysterious Disappearance of Females Case],
[Tokyo - Apocalypse Virus],
[Kanagawa - Puberty Syndrome].....
Himeno's gaze quickly scanned the pages. The cases recorded there tugged at her heartstrings. She couldn't help but ask, "Even the Apocalypse Virus too?"
"Yes, that's right. From a scientific perspective, the Apocalypse Virus is inexplicable. And supernatural power was found in the virus samples."
Finally, Himeno's gaze fell on the last entry.
[Chiba - Kira]
An extremely rare case, named after the criminal's self-proclaimed title. Usually, Public Safety cases are named comprehensively based on the progression of events and the criminal's characteristics.
A case named Kira alone showed the importance the police department's higher-ups placed on it.
"Kira~" Makima's eyes were deep. "A criminal with unknown abilities, acting without restraint."
"The Araki Financial Company incident has already caught the attention of the higher-ups. Yesterday evening, they ordered our Public Safety Devil Extermination Division 4 to apprehend the criminal as soon as possible."
"Now, even I have to work overtime."
Makima leaned back on the office desk with both hands, her tone full of playful amusement, yet without a hint of impatience. Perhaps catching criminals was like a cat-and-mouse game to her.
"Heh, Kira's abilities must have scared them," Himeno couldn't help but scoff. "After all, based on all the clues from the scene, Kira might be able to kill remotely, create illusions, and coupled with that terrifying ability to manipulate causes of death..."
"Those idle figures are probably scared that they'll be killed by Kira without even knowing why."
"Perhaps~"
Makima neither confirmed nor denied Himeno's conjecture.
Himeno was right.
Japan's order had crumbled to this extent, and it was inseparable from those who held positions without doing anything. They kept emphasizing human rights and the rule of law, delaying the execution of deserved death sentences, and being lenient with crimes against ordinary people.
In the wide-area designated incident where an animation company was set on fire, resulting in 36 deaths and 35 injuries, the perpetrator was still living freely and comfortably in prison under Prisoners Act. The heinous gunman who assassinated the former Prime Minister became a bargaining chip in the hands of politicians, with his verdict continuously delayed... Yet, Kira, who displayed supernatural abilities, was targeted immediately upon acting, and the higher-ups secretly issued an order to arrest and kill as soon as possible.
Ultimately, what they pursued was not the rule of law and order or the protection of the public, but whether they could safely enjoy the sweet taste of power. So-called human rights and the rule of law were nothing more than dirty bargaining chips used by politicians to win votes.
How boring.
Makima's eyes were filled with cold, murderous intent.
Such a world was too dull.
Whether it was the higher-ups who held their positions without contributing, or police officers like Himeno who strenuously pursued justice, right or wrong, it didn't matter to Makima. The same applied to the criminals who caused chaos; as long as they didn't disturb her peaceful life with Tsuki-kun, Makima had no interest in dealing with them.
However, for the first time, she felt such an interest in a criminal.
She wanted to apprehend Kira.
But her purpose was not to hand the opponent over for prosecution, nor to kill them. Rather, she wanted to first understand Kira's abilities. If their abilities truly allowed them to freely control death...
Then, Makima would control Kira, control this power, and use this power to create her ideal world.
A world where, below me and Tsuki-kun, all beings are equal—
Makima lowered her gaze, her orange hair falling beside her face, like a dominating mother goddess pitying all beings.
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