Aki Hayakawa/History

Overview

History

Image Gallery

Synopsis

History

Aki's life changed forever the moment the Gun Devil killed his family.

During his childhood, Aki lived with his parents and younger brother Taiyo Hayakawa. On November 18th, everything changed when the Gun Devil appeared during an American terrorist attack involving guns. While waiting for Taiyo to fetch his gloves so they can play a snowball fight, Aki witnessed his family getting brutally killed in the crossfire. With his life changed forever, Aki would swore vengeance on the Gun Devil for killing his loved ones.

As he grew older, Aki joined Public Safety with a strong desire to finish off the Gun Devil. It was at this point where Aki would be partnered with Himeno after being introduced to her at a graveyard by Kishibe. He learns that Himeno had recently lost her fifth partner, and is told to not die like the others have. From that point on, Aki and Himeno would work together on several missions while forging a strong bond as the two became buddies over time.

Aki and Himeno dining together during their time as buddies.

Himeno taught Aki how to smoke, made him pierce his earrings, as well as trying to convince him to leave Public Safety for his own safety. He would also work under Division 2 before being transferred to Special Division 4. Unbeknownst to Aki, the Gun Devil was already defeated a long time ago and was separated into different segments across different countries. Regardless, Aki continued working under Public Safety as long as it got him closer to killing the Gun Devil when the time had come.

Introduction arc

Aki is introduced to Denji by Makima.

On Denji's first day as a Public Safety Devil Hunter, Makima introduces Aki as his senior and tells him to work with Hayakawa for that day. While patrolling the city, Aki slowly becomes annoyed with Denji asking whether Makima has a boyfriend. This leads to Aki pushing Denji into an alley to beat him up, as a warning that if he doesn't take Devil Hunting seriously, he could end up dead. Aki bluntly warns Denji to leave for his own good before turning to leave.

In an unexpected moment, Aki is repeatedly struck in the groin from behind by Denji, who states that he would risk his life to continue living the way Makima had shown him. Aki proceeds to slug Denji in return and tells him Makima would never have interest in a thug like him before collapsing from being kicked in the groin too many times. Once they return to the Public Safety Headquarters, Makima assigns Denji to Special Division 4 while arranging him to live with Aki in his household.

Although reluctant at first, Aki takes care of Denji despite feeling annoyed towards his new coworker's carefree way of living. One day, the two go on a mission to hunt a down Fiend. After witnessing Denji kill the Fiend by beheading it, Aki questions him why he didn't transform to finish the job. Aki lectures him to not show Devils any form of sympathy, as his own family was killed by one. Denji explains his reasons, including wanting to make friends with one as he doesn't have any friends. Shocked, Aki leaves not before telling Denji he'll remember his reasons. Aki is later present when Makima introduces Denji to his new buddy: the Blood Fiend Power.

Bat Devil arc

Aki and his squad arrive to clean up the mess from Denji's battle with the Bat and Leech Devils.

While Denji and Power are out on patrol, Aki drives Makima from her meeting with her superiors. In the car, Makima explains to Aki the reason she is intrigued by Denji at the moment is due to his ability to transform into Chainsaw Man. While struggling to handle Power’s chaotic demeanor, Denji recalls they were put together by Aki's recommendation. This causes Denji to become furious, believing that Aki is purposely trying to get him fired.

Aki explains to Denji what he had to offer to use his contract with the Fox Devil.

During the aftermath of the Bat Devil's defeat, Aki and his squad arrive just as Denji is about to be devoured by the Leech Devil after being impaled by her tongue. Aki saves Denji by summoning the Fox Devil, who quickly emerges to swallow the Leech Devil whole. Once the Leech Devil is handled, Aki gives out orders to his teammates while escorting Denji to the hospital.

Once Denji recovers in his hospital bed, Aki explains that Devil Hunters are able to form contracts with Devils by giving parts of their body away in exchange for helping them fight. Aki also reveals why he can use the Fox Devil by revealing that he gave part of his skin away. Though, Aki expresses disdain towards Devils, claiming they can't be trusted, and threatens to report Power and Denji should they not obey his orders as their superior.

Aki and Denji become increasingly irritated with Power's demands.

Denji happily complies and the two agree to keep Power's treachery a secret to prevent her from being executed. Aki heads outside Denji's room, where he sees Himeno guarding a handcuffed Power. Himeno tells Aki that Power is his responsibility, to which he tells his buddy that as Devil Hunters, they will use every tool in their disposal for their job, even Devils and Fiends. He then bluntly mentions that he would never be friends with a Devil. Before heading home, Aki reports to Makima on Denji and Power's progress. The next day, Power moves into Hayakawa's apartment with Meowy and starts causing trouble. Both Aki and Denji become increasingly frustrated by Power making unnecessary demands in the household.

Eternity Devil arc

Aki gives Denji and Power gum to make them stop goofing off.

On a daily mission together, Aki and Himeno extract a piece of the Gun Devil's flesh from the Fish Devil's corpse. While Himeno wonders if the Fish Devil ate the flesh or was given it, Aki tells her their mission is still the same: to track down the Gun Devil no matter the cost. Makima later sends Aki and his teammates to collect more pieces of the Gun Devil's flesh, starting with the Eternity Devil located at Hotel Morin.

As the group approaches the hotel, Denji and Power begin mocking Aki as they do not take the Gun Devil issue seriously. Aki quickly silences the two with gum but Hirokazu Arai voices his distrust towards the two, to which Aki agrees due to being pranked by the two earlier in the morning. Himeno disperses the tension by making an offer that whoever kills the Devil lurking inside the hotel earns a kiss from her. Once inside, the group begins searching through the corridors of the hotel. While walking, Aki and Himeno discuss whether their teammates will survive this mission, to which Himeno reminds him to not die.

Aki, Himeno, and Denji facing the Eternity Devil.

Eventually, the group comes across a small Devil, which Himeno and Power handle with swift ease. Continuing up until the eighth floor, Arai notices the group is supposed to be at the ninth floor. Upon further investigation, Aki learns that they are trapped in a moment of time by an unknown Devil's ability. After informing the group of their situation, Aki continues exploring the eighth floor until discovering that their target has grown larger by feeding on the increasing fear from the Division 4 members. In the flesh, the Eternity Devil offers to set the group free in exchange for Denji's heart.

Aki protects Denji from getting killed by Arai and Kobeni.

Aki and Himeno try devising new ways of handling the current threat but to no avail, nothing seems to work. The situation becomes more desperate as the Eternity Devil eventually expands in power no thanks to the rising fear of Kobeni Higashiyama and Hirokazu making it stronger. The Eternity Devil then pursues the group, tilting the space they're trapped in and transforming the corridor into a tunnel that leads into his mouth. Ready to engage in combat with his sword, Aki asks for permission from Himeno, who restrains him and apologizes to Denji, as Arai and Kobeni prepare to kill him. Aki breaks free and shields Denji from the stab, receiving an injury in the process.

While Denji tells Power to slow down Aki's bleeding, Himeno has an emotional breakdown over seeing Aki hurt and frantically asks him what they should do. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Denji jumps down to face the twisted monstrosity and tells Aki that they'll call it even if they manage to survive. For three days straight, Denji tortures the Eternity Devil until it reveals its weak point with assistance from Himeno and the Ghost Devil. While that happens, Aki rests in one of the eighth floor's beds. Once the Eternity Devil is taken care of, Aki asks Himeno how long it has been, to which she answers it's been three days since then. Resting for the time being, Himeno climbs into the bed and cuddles with Aki before the group recovers later on.

Aki tells Himeno his plan to get Makima to talk more about Denji.

Sometime after the incident, Aki and Himeno retrieve the piece of the Gun Devil from the Eternity Devil's body. Outside the building, Aki and Denji are escorted to the hospital for recovery by Power and Himeno. Later on, Aki and Himeno discuss throwing a party for the entire 4th Division in celebration of their successful mission, though Aki suggests doing it before next week as Makima will head to Kyoto then. At the celebration party, Aki attempts to bribe Makima for more information on Denji, with her stating that she will tell him if he is able to outdrink her, which he and Himeno fail to do.

Katana Man arc

Aki prepares to battle Katana Man using a sword and his contract with the Curse Devil.

Aki, Denji, Power, and Himeno eat out at a ramen shop, unaware that Public Safety is under attack by members of the Yakuza. While eating their food, a man with sideburns starts talking about his backstory, with Aki asking Denji if he knows him. Once the man reveals he is working with the Gun Devil, he starts shooting at the group. Power uppercuts the Yakuza with a swift blow to the chin, allowing Aki to follow up by summoning the Fox Devil to swallow the man whole. As the restaurant is in ruins from the Fox Devil destroying it, Aki sees both Denji and Himeno fatally wounded from their injuries. Just before Aki can process the situation, the Yakuza transforms into a Devil-Human Hybrid with the power of the Katana Devil and breaks free from the Fox Devil's grasp.

Aki is fatally wounded by Katana Man's special technique, which creates a large tear through his body.

Seeing that the situation has escalated, Aki tells Power to check on Himeno while unsheathing a large nail-like sword to fight the new adversary. In battle, Aki manages to pierce Katana Man three times, not before asking the Curse Devil to finish him off. The Curse Devil restrains Katana Man and seemingly kills him. Afterward, before Aki can focus on Himeno's safety, Akane Sawatari suddenly shows up and revives Katana Man back to full health. Aki braces himself but is swiftly slashed through the chest by Katana Man's blades, leaving him in fatal condition as he collapses to his knees. Before Katana Man can finish Aki off, Himeno sacrifices her life to save him via giving all of herself to the Ghost Devil. Aki can only watch as Himeno smiles back at him, telling him not to die and hopes he can cry for her once she dies. After the Ghost Devil is killed by Akane's Snake Devil, Himeno's entire body vanishes, leaving nothing but her clothes and eyepatch behind. Aki is left in a state of devastation and silence before losing consciousness.

Aki mourns over Himeno's death, unable to accept the reality that his buddy is gone forever.

Sometime after the attack, Aki reawakens in a hospital bed and sees Denji and Power next to him reading manga. Denji reveals that Kobeni and Madoka survived, though Madoka resigned. After the two leave him with some apples, Aki takes his sword and asks the Curse Devil how many years he has left. The Curse Devil tells him that he only has two years left. Aki takes a cigarette, and as he tries to use the lighter, he remembers Himeno and begins to break down in tears. Shortly after, Tendo and Kurose visit Aki and introduce themselves as career coaches who came per Makima's request. Because of his loss of the Fox Devil due to getting on its bad side and his limited use of the Curse Devil's sword, Aki is told that he must make a contract with a stronger devil if he plans on continuing devil hunting. Aki states that the one who killed his family and the one who killed his friends are still alive, so he can't quit. A woman then enters, surprising Aki.

Aki forms a contract with the Future Devil, who tells him he will die in the worst way possible.

The day after, Tendo and Kurose take Aki to an underground special facility, where Public Safety locks up devils they capture. Kurose then recalls seeing the girl that entered Aki's room after them and wonders if he is his girlfriend. Aki explains it was Himeno's sister, who gave him Himeno's letters to her family. Reading them, Aki saw that Himeno was thinking about how to make Aki quit. They take him to the cell holding the Future Devil. They warn Aki that two people have a contract with him; one gave half of their life span, while the other gave it their eyes, senses of taste, and smell. Aki then enters the cell and faces the Future Devil. The Future Devil tells Aki to stick his head into his gut, which he follows. After a few moments, the Future Devil laughs and states he wants to live in his right eye, and that way, he will grant him his power. Future Devil explains it is because Aki will die in the worst way possible. Before he can say anything else, Aki stops the Future Devil, as he is uninterested, and tells him to get in his eye.

The Angel Devil shields Aki from a bullet using one of his wings.

While driving him back to HQ, Kurose criticizes Aki's goal of killing the Gun Devil. Aki doesn't care what they say and tells them to sit back and watch, and if he ends up dead, they can laugh at him. After dropping Aki off, Kurose tosses him a cola and states that even though Aki pisses him off, he is rooting for him and warns him to be careful. On the day of the hideout raid, Aki asks Kishibe the plan on taking down the Yakuza, to which the veteran Devil Hunter informs him that every Special Division member is going all out inside the building. Aki and his squad enter the building and begin taking down multiple hordes of the Yakuza's zombies.

After slicing through several zombies, Aki is approached by the Angel Devil, who asks him if he can borrow a tissue to clean himself up. After giving him one, a Yakuza man attempts to shoot the two but the Angel Devil enlarges one of his wings to shield themselves from harm. Aki swiftly knocks the man down and asks the Angel Devil to bring him outside. Meeting back with his other teammates, Aki informs them to split up to take down their main targets: Katana Man and Akane.

Aki battles the Ghost Devil and Akane Sawatari.

Aki reaches the fourth floor, where he faces more of Katana Man's henchmen. However, all of them bleed from the nose and collapse to the ground due to Makima using her powers elsewhere. Regardless, Aki eventually finds Akane waiting for him. Aki braces himself as Akane is revealed to have Himeno's Ghost Devil in her possession not before sending it to kill him.

Despite tearing through most of the Ghost Devil's hands, Aki is soon overpowered and nearly strangled to death. As he is strangled, Aki fondly recalls the time Himeno gave him his first cigarette while dining with him. He is then released and given a cigarette reading "Easy Revenge!" by the Ghost Devil. Realizing what this meant, Aki calmly recomposes himself and beheads the Ghost Devil, promising Himeno that he will meet her again in the afterlife soon. Shocked by this, Akane attempts to use her Snake Devil but is held at knifepoint by Kobeni sneaking up behind her.

Aki decides to join Denji's ball-kicking tournament as a requiem for Himeno's death.

Aki later finds Katana Man restrained by Denji near a bullet train. Reporting that the mission was a success, Aki is ready to take Katana Man into custody but Denji proposes a tournament as payback for Himeno's death. Although he initially disagrees, Aki takes a look at the cigarette again and decides to join in. With that, Aki and Denji happily bond over striking Katana Man's groin to make him scream in agony for the deaths he caused. While enjoying his time with Denji, Aki wonders if Himeno can hear their requiem for her. In the aftermath of the battle, Aki, Denji, and Power return to their apartment to celebrate their victory with a huge feast. Sometime after dinner, Aki goes to his balcony and decides to smoke using the cigarette given to him by the Ghost Devil.

Bomb Girl arc

Aki and the Angel Devil out on their first patrol together.

The next day, Aki is partnered with the Angel Devil by Makima. Before being sent on patrol, Aki learns what the Angel Devil is capable of, including his power of turning the lifespans of those he touches into weapons. While on patrol, Aki reprimands the Angel Devil for being lazy and apathetic. Later on, after Aki slays the Pig Devil, he and the Angel Devil discover a fatally wounded Civilian Devil Hunter inside the target's stomach. Aki tells the Angel Devil to put the Devil Hunter out of his misery, to which he refuses as he believes humans should die in pain. With no other choice, Aki pierces his sword through the Devil Hunter, not before telling the Angel Devil that he can't pretend to get along with him.

On one of their patrols, it begins to rain, forcing Aki and the Angel Devil to take cover. At the same time when Reze asks Denji if he prefers the town mouse or country mouse, the Angel Devil explains to Aki the same fable. Aki learns that the country mouse gets to live in safety but doesn't get to eat delicious food like the ones in the city. On the other hand, while the town mouse receives more luxuries, they have a higher chance of being killed. That being said, the Angel Devil admits to Aki he prefers being the country mouse to avoid being further involved in the dangers of the town mouse.

Aki wearing boxing clothes at Division 2's headquarters.

The following night, Aki spends time with his old coworkers at Division 2's headquarters. Upon finishing a sparring match, Aki is approached by his friend Nomo, who asks him to rejoin Division 2 someday. While heading out, the Angel Devil questions Aki on why he hadn't told Nomo that he is going to die eventually. Even when learning that Power was the one who told the Angel Devil when he'll die, Aki tells his partner to keep it to himself.

The Angel Devil laments on having to continue working while remarking that Aki is fortunate to die so young. Suddenly, Nomo alerts Aki and the Angel Devil of Beam arriving with an unconscious Denji. Beam informs the Devil Hunters that the Bomb Devil is arriving and is allied with the Gun Devil. Before he can get any more answers, Reze approaches the entrance of the building, readying herself to attack. Division 2 decides to hold off Reze while Aki takes Denji to safety alongside Beam and the Angel Devil.

Inside his car, Aki instructs both Beam and the Angel Devil to feed Denji some blood. Before he can drive off, Reze stops the group and presents her brutal massacre of Division 2 with the decapitated heads of Nomo and the Vice Captain. Despite this, Aki drives off into the nearby city while the Violence Fiend Galgali and Kobeni arrive to stall Reze for the time being. With no more distractions, Reze catches up to Aki's group and lands onto a truck in front of them. Denji soon recovers and transforms to fight Reze despite Aki telling him not to. Aki also warns Denji to not be so gullible towards Reze's claims of liking him before the two Hybrids clash.

Aki ambushes Reze from behind and slices her arm off to free Denji.

In the aftermath of the explosive battle, Reze incapacitates Denji by repeatedly blowing him up to prevent him from regenerating. While this happens, Aki blends in with other injured civilians as Reze is about to make her escape. Sneaking up behind the Bomb Hybrid, Aki quickly slices Reze's arm off and frees Denji from her grasp.

Reze retaliates by launching a barrage of punches and explosives, to which Aki frantically dodges thanks to his contract with the Future Devil. Before Reze can strike Aki, Galgali arrives to save him. Seeing that she is outnumbered, Reze calls in the Typhoon Devil and the two begin causing havoc throughout the city. Denji manages to recover and utilizes a new strategy to counter Reze involving him using his chains to ride Beam's shark form.

Aki tells the Angel Devil he doesn't want to lose anyone he cares about anymore.

As Denji and Reze engage for a rematch, Aki and the other Division 4 members can only watch the explosive battle raging on. Aki notices the Angel Devil about to be sucked right into the swirling flesh of the Typhoon Devil and grabs him by the shirt. The Angel Devil tells Aki that it's fine to let him go, as he wants to die anyway.

Aki refuses and instead pulls the Angel Devil in an embrace to protect him from further harm. Bewildered by Aki's decision, the Angel Devil questions him why he bothered saving him. With a solemn expression, Aki tells his partner he doesn't want to see anyone he cares about die in front of him anymore. This action also reduces Aki's lifespan to just two months remaining.

In the aftermath of Reze's attack, Aki and Kishibe are present at the cleanup scene where Denji and Reze's battle took place. Kishibe informs Aki of an urban legend regarding the Soviet Union and confirms Reze was one of the kids the Soviets forcibily experimented on to serve the government's purposes.

International Assassins arc

Aki and the others are invited on a trip to Enoshima by Makima.

Following the previous event, Makima informs Aki, Denji, and Power that she will be taking them on a paid vacation to Enoshima. This is quickly cancelled the moment she also announces that Denji will be placed under heavy protection due to his battle with Reze has exposed him worldwide. Assassins from all over the world will be targeting Denji for his heart. On their way out, Makima asks Aki to be part of Denji's protection squad and informs him that he will also be placed on the operation to battle the Gun Devil next year.

While having lunch with the Angel Devil, Aki is informed that all Devils have an endless cycle of death and rebirth; they can always come back to life in another form as long as their name is still feared. In addition, the Angel Devil further explains that Devils who die on Earth are sent back to Hell, where they are slain and then reincarnate back on Earth with no memory of their previous life. Most importantly, Aki learns from the Angel Devil that every Special Division Devil and Fiend remembers the sound of chainsaws buzzing before dying in Hell in their previous life.

Aki barely manages to defend himself and the Angel Devil in time against Quanxi.

On the night before the assassins arrive in Japan, Aki finds Denji pondering about who Pochita is and why everyone wants to claim his heart. Sitting on the young teenager, Aki reminds Denji that once the situation is dealt with, then they can all go on the postponed trip with Makima. Aki soon joins up with Denji's protection squad the next day. The group patrols for a while until Denji discovers that Public Safety is using him and Power as bait to lure out the assassins. Aki then proposes a deal that the three of them go to Enoshima and Power can suck Denji's blood dry in the aftermath of the battle.

During the all-out battle, the group manages to dispatch the Three American Brothers and most of Santa Claus’s dolls as they ascend a shopping mall. However, Kishibe's old buddy Quanxi overpowers every Public Safety agent guarding Denji, with Aki barely managing to defend himself and the Angel Devil using a vision from his future sight. Kishibe and Beam intervene, which allows Denji to escape. Aki and the Angel Devil regain consciousness just as Santa Claus uses her contract with the Hell Devil to send everyone inside the mall to the depths of Hell.

Aki collapses at the mercy of the dreaded Darkness Devil within Hell.

Aki and Public Safety form a temporary truce with Quanxi to find a way out of Hell. Unfortunately, the Darkness Devil arrives at their location and nearly kills off everyone one by one. Upon seeing Power brutally wounded, Aki remembers seeing Himeno's final moments before her death. Not willing to lose someone he cares about again, Aki can only stare as the Darkness Devil looms right in front of him after rendering the Angel Devil unconscious.

Bleeding, Aki collapses to the ground just as the Darkness Devil readies itself to finish him off. Using Princi to transport herself to Hell, Makima intervenes and rescues the group by controlling Tolka to offer all of himself to the Hell Devil to send everyone back to Earth. Aki remains unconscious while a rejuvenated Denji and Quanxi battle Santa Claus, who is now powered by darkness itself. Once all assassins are dealt with, Aki is taken to recovery alongside the remaining agents of Special Division 4.

Gun Devil arc

Aki's final moment of peace with Denji and Power in Hokkaido.

Recovering from battling the assassins, Aki and Denji take care of Power, who is now traumatized and scarred by the Darkness Devil. It is also revealed Aki only has his right arm reattached to his body. Aki tells Denji that many members of Special Division 4 are either dead or have resigned. Regardless, Denji continues helping Aki and Power as time passes on. As Power slowly recovers from her traumatic experience, the Hayakawa family take a trip to Hokkaido to pay respects for Aki's deceased parents and brother. During that time, Denji and Power's antics manage to cheer Aki up as the three become closer than before. Upon returning to Tokyo, Aki has lunch with Kishibe and tells him he no longer seeks vengeance against the Gun Devil. Instead, he now wants to spend his remaining time with Denji and Power, both of whom he has truly grown to care about.

Aki learns from the Future Devil that he and Power will be killed by Denji in the future.

The trio's moment of peace is interrupted by Makima calling them forward to her office. From there, they learn that the Gun Devil has already been defeated and is split across different countries. Completely shocked by this revelation, Aki questions Makima about the guns that were used to kill Himeno, Kurose, and the others, to which she confirms they were manufactured by man. With the fear of guns rising everyday, Makima informs Aki that there will be an eventual war in the distant future.

Outside, Aki realizes that even after they kill the Gun Devil, the body would merely be collected by the Japanese government, continuing the cycle of global hostilities whilst also meaning the Gun Devil can never truly die. Aki is then given a vision of the future and reacts with visible intense fear. At night, Aki learns from the Future Devil that an inevitable future will come: he and Power will be killed by Denji and after that, "The Devil that Devils fear the most" will return.

Aki tearfully pleads Makima to help him protect Denji and Power.

Aki visits the Angel Devil in the hospital, explaining his future vision to him. In an act of kindness, Aki advises the Angel Devil to give Public Safety a letter of recommendation from him and Kishibe to avoid getting killed. Before leaving, the Angel Devil stops Aki and explains the humans whose lifespan he absorbed often appear in his nightmares, and that he will do everything he can to ensure Aki's survival. Seeing his partner's resolve, Aki suggests asking Makima for advice to prevent both of their deaths from happening.

On their way to Makima, the Angel Devil advises Aki to quit Public Safety and run away. Aki refuses and cites Denji, Power, and Makima as the reasons he's staying. Aki then starts to wonder why he liked Makima in the first place... just as they spot her at the beach waving at them. He tells Makima that his time is running out and tearfully pleads for her to help him protect Denji and Power no matter what. Blaming himself for his younger brother's death, Aki resolves to prevent the same tragedy from happening, even to the point of making a contract with any Devil.

Aki is fully controlled against his own will by Makima, who uses him as a pawn against the Gun Devil.

She then looks Aki into the eye, and asks him to make a contract with her. Before Aki can process her words, Makima uses her powers to force him into making the contract. With that command, Aki is controlled against his own will as he becomes one of Makima's pawns. After Makima's true nature as the Control Devil is revealed, the Angel Devil finally remembers his past and attempts to stop Makima, only to fall under her control as well.

Makima then engages in battle against 20% of the monstrous Gun Devil sent by the U.S. to finish her off once and for all. Once the Gun Devil reaches Makima, it begins firing multiple gunshots at her, which kills an unresponsive Aki in the crossfire. Despite this, Makima is unphased and utilizes multiple Devil contracts and powers to counter the threat, including Aki's antemortem contract with the Future Devil. Upon defeating the Gun Devil, Makima forces it to inhabit Aki's corpse and sends him back to his apartment to slaughter his loved ones.

Aki is sent back to his apartment as the Gun Fiend to kill Denji and Power.

Back at Aki's apartment, Denji and Power await Aki's return from his mission. Hearing the sound of the doorbell ringing, Denji is about to reach the door, only to hear Pochita telling him to not open it. He then receives a phone call from Makima, who "warns" him that the Gun Devil has inhabited a corpse and is waiting outside the door. Knowing what this meant, Denji tells Power to take Meowy and wait outside the balcony. As he walks over... Denji slowly opens the door... only to see Aki standing right in front of him as the Gun Fiend. Murmuring Denji's name, Aki fires a powerful gunshot that tears through Denji's body and destroys their apartment in the process. Denji yells at Power to run away but the latter is in utter disbelief, as she sensed it was Aki's scent at the door.

Aki stops fighting the moment he sees Denji crying.

Unable to process what happened, Denji quickly transforms to block an incoming attack from Aki while shielding Power and Meowy. Within his mindscape, Aki hallucinates the experience as him playing a snowball fight. Denji desperately tries to bring Aki back to his senses but none of his efforts appear to work. Their battle tears through the neighborhood, with many bystanders getting caught in the crossfire. Aki continues "enjoying" his "snowball fight" with everyone around the area, believing his life has finally "gotten fun" the moment he strikes down Denji with a fatal gunshot. However, Denji gets back up, to which Aki takes as him "not giving up". Denji repeatedly screams at the Gun Fiend to turn back into Aki, only to be sent crashing into multiple debris.

After allowing Denji to finish him off, Aki reunites with his younger brother Taiyo in the afterlife.

Eventually, Aki reaches Denji again, who realizes he has no other choice but to kill him to protect the civilians. Stopping his assault, Aki sees Denji crying as he "throws" one last "snowball" at him. Afterward, Aki doesn't see Denji anymore but turns around to see Taiyo calling out to him near their old house, realizing he wanted to play catch all along. Reunited with his brother in the afterlife, Aki proceeds to play a game of catch with him. In reality, Aki's decision to stop gave Denji an opening to put him out of his misery. Denji is revealed to have impaled Aki using both of his chainsaws. Reverting back into his human form, Denji slumps down and starts crying over the loss of Aki Hayakawa. The Future Devil mocks the posthumous Aki for dying in the worst possible way for Denji.