Aaaaaand here we are with Chapter 3. This is…coming together surprisingly and frustratingly well. Why can't I do this with my other fanfics?

Before we get into the chapter, some shameless plugging. My financial situation hasn't been doing too great. I can still pay the bills, but groceries is another story. If you wanna help a guy out, consider buying my book Chase Ryder and the City of Lost Memories over on Amazon or become a Supporter over on (Pa)treon\SkyRig. I have no content currently up over there yet, but per the suggestion of a friend, I have posted a public poll asking people which of two fanfics that have been on the back burner become (Pa)treon exclusive fanfics. As in, that's where they will be posted until further notice. The poll is open to the public so you don't need to become a Supporter to participate.

Okay, plugging over! On with the show!

Chapter 3:
Of Mice and Chainsaws

If you told Denji he had a sort-of mini-celebration with a bunch of talking mice for driving off some weird Devil knockoff monster, he would never believe you. And yet that was exactly what happened. The mice took him to their camp and threw a feast, though it wasn't his kind of party to be honest. The vines and their goop tasted surprisingly good, but the fruit left much to be desired. The juices were just so bitter that his face soured almost every bite.

The party didn't last for long. Evidently the mice weren't hardcore party people and got tired pretty easily. Most fell asleep in their tents made of sticks and leaves while the rest were minutes away from joining them. Denji was the only one alert and awake.

I feel like I'm in a kid's story book or something, he thought to himself while glancing around the camp. It was pretty adorable, seeing the mice all huddled around each other and leaning on one another while snoozing the day away. It kinda reminds of me that celebration Himeno and Aki took us to after I kicked the crap out of that Eternity bastard.

As always, a bitter pang bit at his chest. Every time he thought about Aki, his chest got tight. He thought back to what was probably the absolute worst day in his life, worse than the days spent working to pay off his debt to the yakuza. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't forget it. He could not forget opening the apartment door to find Aki standing there, a gun barrel sitting where half his face should be. Then there was the stuff with Power, how she brutally killed her in front of him and…

Power's still alive. Denji cut that line of thinking form his mind the second it entered his thoughts. It might not be her, but she's still alive. I just gotta find her.

The last time Denji and Power saw each other was when she returned to her true self as the Blood Devil. Just before she died, the two made a contract. They would remain as friends, but in return, he had to find her and jar her memories. Remind her of the days they spent in Public Safety, of Meowy. He was almost certain that furry tub of lard could do half his job for him. If Meowy couldn't bring back Power's memories, he wasn't sure what could. Either way, a promise was a promise.

Part of him was a little concerned about how Nayuta might react to Power and vice versa. Nayuta was big on rules, and Power could never follow rules unless Aki laid down the law. Assuming Denji could remind her of their days in Public Safety, there was also Power's reaction to Nayuta to consider. She was terrified of the Control Devil for blatantly obvious reasons.

Denji's face soured. Thinking about his friends from before left a bad taste in his mouth, and it wasn't from the fruit. He couldn't stay here any longer than he already had. He needed to find Nayuta and figure out how to get out of this weird place. He looked back at the camp of mice. Most were asleep by now. The rest were too tired. They wouldn't notice him leaving.

The Devil Hunter gingerly stood up, carefully making his way out of the camp. He made it halfway when a voice called out to him from behind. "Leaving already, Chainsaw?" Denji looked over his shoulder. The Mouse Leader had come out of his tent, standing atop a log to get a better look. "Going to find your friend?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "She can handle herself, but I can't help but feel worried, you know?"

"Well, if she's anything like you, I doubt she'll have to worry about the Jabberwalker."

"You mean that freaky thing from earlier, right?"

The Mouse Leader explained it to him when they brought him back to their camp. The Devil-lookin' thing he fought was the Jabberwalker. No one knew where it came from or what it was doing here in the Ever After, but whatever it was, it was dangerous. It killed the denizens, akin to a wild animal on a hunt. It matched up with Denji's own impressions of the monster. It was agile, it was fast, and to anyone other than a Devil Hunter, dangerous.

Fortunately, it didn't seem as if the forest was its usual stomping grounds. The Jabberwalker roamed the acres in search of prey. Denji was almost certain he would run into it again at some point. When he did, he was going to make extra sure it died at his hands.

"Yeah, I think Nayuta can handle it." Denji paused as a thought came to his mind.

…Nayuta wouldn't make it into a pet, would she?

He imagined the scene in his head. Nayuta walking down the streets of Tokyo with a toothy smile and a leash in her hand. Connected to said leash was a six-foot-tall purple monstrosity with a metal head and horns.

Oh, who am I kidding? She totally would!

As much as the idea of having a new kickass pet sounded, confident as he was in Nayuta's ability to tame it (Devil powers notwithstanding), he did not want another mouth to feed. Between Power's fatass cat and seven dogs, not to mention school fees and lunch money, he barely had enough money for himself as it is. That wasn't even going into the fact the damn thing resembled a Devil, meaning hunters would be all over it in seconds.

"It's been fun hanging with ya, little man, but I gotta bounce." Denji bowed his head in gratitude. "I just gotta look for the red trees, right?"

The Mouse Leader nodded. "Follow them, and you'll be on the path to King's Acre in no time. Although…"

"Although…?"

"…if it isn't too much trouble, Chainsaw, do you mind if I tagged along for the ride?"

Denji blinked. That request was the last thing he expected to hear from the Mouse Leader. "I don't mind, but why? Aren't these guys your followers or something?"

"It's precisely why they follow me that I have to go with you." Upon seeing the young man's confused expression, the Mouse Leader clarified. "You may have driven the Jabberwalker away, but sooner or later, it will come back. We've gotten too complacent. If my brothers and sisters are to survive, we must seek out new pastures. New lands."

"Oh, so you wanna come with to scout for a new home?" The mouse nodded. Denji could understand where the talking animal was coming from. He and Nayuta had gone through two apartments before winding up in their current housing; the first apartment ended up getting demolished in a fight with a newly reincarnated Leech Devil while the second was…well, that story was better off not told to anyone.

"Yup! You, uh, don't got a problem with that?"

Denji smiled. "Nah, feel free. It's kind of boring to travel by myself."

Now that I think about it… Isn't this the kind of set-up you get for an isekai story?

His situation had all the trappings of one. Dumped in another world, meeting fantastical creatures and monsters, getting allies… The more Denji thought on it, the quicker his excitement grew. While he wasn't a hardcore fan of the genre like a certain classmate of his, he understood the appeal. Well, that and he really enjoyed the fanservice moments. He cursed the lucky harem protagonists on more than one occasion and even the wholesome ones who scored a hot girl as their one and only girl.

Maybe this is it! I might get a girlfriend!

"ALRIGHT! LET'S DO THIS SHIT!" Denji roared to the heavens, startling the Mouse Leader in the process.

"Sheesh, what's with this guy…?!"

Contrary to what some in the Ever After believed, the creature called the Jabberwalker was not mindless. It was not nearly as bestial as others would have you believe, either. That it could speak implied intelligence as it could its current actions.

Adapt…

For as long as it could remember, the Jabberwalker had a purpose: To fix what was "broken". Two beings of opposing concepts created two lesser beings. One was small and lithe, made by one embodying Creation to assist the residents and denizens. It offered pieces of itself and offered guidance. The other was tall and strong, made by one embodying Destruction to mend those who failed and faltered and became failures. It searched, sought, scoured, and scouted for those who could not accomplish their purpose even if offered guidance.

Adapt…

The two beings went about their roles in the Ever After. It quickly became apparent, however, that something was…wrong with Destruction's creation. Those it fixed did not return. It knew that when a being of this world 'died', it would return in a new form that could better accomplish its role. For reasons the Jabberwalker did not understand, those it helped did not return to the Tree. They remained "broken". Worse, they were gone. This led to an argument between Destruction and Creation, one that repeatedly saw the former's creation constantly being erased and returned. Something happened during their argument, causing the beings to leave the Ever After.

Adapt…

The Jabberwalker did not know how long it had been since Creation and Destruction left. For a while, it wondered what its creator's departure meant for it. There was a time it waited for its 'father' to return. However, it's nature could not be ignored for long. There was an impulse, a gnawing feeling within its gut, propelling it to 'fix' the ones its counterpart could not mend. It resumed its purpose and meaning, but despite its efforts, nothing changed. The things it tried to 'fix' stayed broken and gone. It did not understand why or what it was doing wrong.

Adapt…

The Jabberwalker did not know what to do. The only one who might know how to help it was no longer here. Eventually, the creature realized Destruction was not going to return to the Ever After. Unlike its counterpart, it did not believe it was abandoned. Destruction left because it was perfect. Too perfect. It and Creation were too grand, too powerful for the Ever After anymore. Perhaps that was why the beings argued so much and why the Jabberwalker's efforts to mend what was "broken" continued to fail. Destruction, as his "role" demanded, made it too strong.

Adapt…

The creature did not know what to do if such was the case. There was a time when it drove itself mad, trying to understand how it could fulfill its purpose to help those no longer able to fulfill their role. It also became apparent the Jabberwalker had an anger problem. Every time the residents rejected or fled from it screaming in terror, it could not help but react violently. Some of its victims weren't "broken". When it realized what it had done, it left the scene of its crimes in frustration and shame. It did not understand what was wrong with it and wondered whether it was "broken".

Adapt…

Then came the day when the Jabberwalker found its counterpart, dubbed the Curious Cat by many. It was not the same as it was before when Creation made it. It vaguely recalled how innocent it had been then, how it smiled and offered its paws and pieces of its heart. When it found the Curious Cat, it was almost unrecognizable. There was not much of its heart left anymore. It smiled, but it was not a kind one. Not like it used to be. Its words were barbed and full of bitterness. The Curious Cat traveled with a pair of humans, but it did not offer guidance.

Adapt…

It was then the Jabberwalker realized something. Its counterpart was "broken", just as it was. It offered pieces of its heart still, but it did not realize what it was doing to itself. It was killing itself! Breaking apart to support everyone. There would come a time when the Curious Cat would not be able to continue its purpose…no, it couldn't fulfill its purpose anymore. It did not realize how it no longer offered guidance, but trickery. It did not offer support, but manipulation. But how could that be? The Curious Cat was made by Creation. Unlike Destruction and the Jabberwalker, Creation and the Curious Cat knew what they were doing. They helped the Ever After. So why was it failing? What caused it to lose sight of its purpose?

Adapt…

Then came the day when the Jabberwalker watched it kill the human traveling with it. Any doubts it may have had then dissolved. It knew what it needed to do. It needed to fulfill its purpose. It needed to 'fix' the Curious Cat. Make it better. Help it return. The task proved more difficult than expected on account of its counterpart's fanciful movements and flights of whimsy. It did not stay one place for too long. Even so, it was not deterred. Its mind was made up, and its purpose reinvigorated.

Adapt…

In the midst of its search, long after the death of the human and the Jabberwalker's realization, it came upon an unusual creature. It was not a resident of the Ever After, bearing the shape and form of a human, but it was something else. It changed shape before the Jabberwalker's eyes, sprouting blades from its arms and forehead while donning a most malicious mask. The creature challenged and threatened it, so it responded in kind. It expected to overpower the creature, but to its surprise, the creature was vicious. It was brutal, it was wild, and most importantly, it was powerful. It could challenge it. Fight it. Kill it.

Adapt…

It was the first time the Jabberwalker ever felt fear. It thought its life reached its end when that horrendous spinning blade carved through its mask and ripped into its head. It did not know how or why it survived and pulled itself back together, but it knew it had no chance of winning. It escaped before the creature could finish its work. Defeat was a most bitter taste, but it was enlightening as well. It was the first time the Jabberwalker encountered something new. Something powerful. Something stronger than itself.

Adapt…

As if possessed its counterpart's former spirit, the Jabberwalker grew curious. What manner of beast was this creature? Where did it come from? How did it gain such power? Could it learn from watching its example? Could it help fulfill its purpose?

And so it watched, skulking in the shadows and observing this monster calling itself Chainsaw Man. The Jabberwalker would watch and learn. It would follow its example.

It would learn.

It would—

"Adapt…"

It took a day for Denji and the Mouse Leader to arrive at King's Acre. As its name implied, it was a vibrant place full of color and all manner of bizarre creatures. For some reason, the place was full of the color red as well.

"Real swanky place," Denji commented as he walked through the open streets, his hands in his pockets. He occasionally glanced at the passing beings, who in turn cast a curious gaze to him. Despite the wide and varied forms, he noticed some wore what he assumed were festive garments. There were decorations strewn about the place as well, all of which were also red. "What's going on around here? Some kind of party?"

"The Harvest Festival," the Mouse Leader supplied for him. "It's held twice a year. The Red Prince orders his soldiers to go out and procure bounties from the nearby acres, usually the Jungle and Gardens."

"The Gardens?"

"The acre past this one. There's a market there as well. It's also where you'll find the Herbalist. Never met the fella myself, though. I'm not into all that mystic mumbo jumbo."

"Huh. Cool." He had no interest in that sort of stuff himself, but there was a chance Nayuta could be there if his search here proved fruitless.

Denji turned the corner, just in time for something to bump into him. Whatever ran into him was small and did little more than make him stumble. The same couldn't be said about whatever bumped into him as it hit the floor and yelped in pain. "OW! Watch where yer goin'!" Blinking, the Devil Hunter looked down.

By his feet was a girl. Or what he assumed was a girl. She looked like one, having vibrant green hair with red and yellow stripes along her bangs and a pigtail on the left side and mismatched eyes, one red and one blue. Her clothes were weird, way more than what he saw in town. They looked pretty fancy, but looked better on a boy. Her skin was deathly pale, almost pure white. On a second glance, Denji realized what he saw wasn't skin, but porcelain. Looking at her hands, he saw ball-like joints at her wrists and knuckles.

"A doll?" Denji murmured with a frown, thinking back to his encounter with the assassin who wanted to kill Makima. What had she called herself again? Doll Woman? Doll Devil?

The doll glared up at him as she stood up on her feet. "I beg yer pardon? Who you callin' a girl, ya jolly green giant?! Don'tcha see a lady when ya see one?!"

"Er… sorry?"

"Chainsaw," the Mouse Leader said suddenly. "I think we're better off turning around and going the other way."

He blinked. "What? What for?"

He looked at the mouse and blinked again. The Mouse Leader was usually fearless in all things except the Jabberwalker. One more than one occasion had Denji been forced to save the little furball from being eaten by some fruits with teeth ("Seriously, what the hell is this?! Is this whole place the freaking Safari Devil or what?!") and he treated the whole thing like an adventure. And yet for some reason, the mouse looked…apprehensive? Was that the word?

"What's wrong, man?"

"There you are, sister mine!"

"SISTER!"

The doll froze upon hearing two shrill cries behind her. Approaching her were two more dolls, all wearing similar fanciful-looking clothes. They looked identical to the girl in front of Denji, albeit with different colors. The first doll's clothes were a mix of red and green. The two across from her wore clothes colored green and purple and purple and red respectively. The second girl's hair was yellow with strips of green and red along her bangs, a pigtail on the left side of her head, and had mismatched eyes: One red and one brown. The third girl's hair was red with green and yellow strips in her bangs. In comparison to her sisters, the third girl had no pigtails. Her eyes were also mismatched: One blue and one brown.

The twins were also wearing small striped top hats, barely big enough to cover half their heads. They had tags, reading 1/3 and 2/3 respectively.

"Triplets?" Denji questioned. "And what's with the weird clothes? They're dressed like they're going to some fancy party."

The Mouse Leader groaned. "Oh, great. It's all three of them."

"We've been looking all over for you, sister mine!" the yellow-haired doll said angrily. "Do you know how much trouble you have caused us?"

"Sister!" the red-haired doll weeped. "Please come back! I-I'm sure whatever's wrong, we can fix it!"

Family drama, Denji thought. I better skedaddle before I get dragged into this. I don't have time for—

"Wait, who is that hooligan?!"

"Fuck." Denji swore, only to later cry in pain the green-haired doll stomped on his foot. "Ow! What was that for, you brat?!"

"No cussing!"

"Why the hell not?!"

"Just forget it, Chainsaw," the Mouse Leader said miserably. "You're not going to win."

"You know these kids?"

"Not personally, but I know their reputation," he replied. "They're all troublemakers who cause no small amount of trouble here in King's Acre."

The yellow-haired doll glared at the mouse. "Excuse you! We aren't making trouble for anyone! We're doing our job, that's all!"

"B-but, they have been angry with us for a while…" the red-haired doll groaned.

"Bah! Worry not, sister dear. We'll make them realize they need us soon enough." The yellow-haired doll patted her sister on the shoulder in comfort before once again glaring at the green-haired doll. "Which is why you must come back with us, sister mine! We can't run the shop without you!"

The green-haired doll scowled. "And I told you already! I am so sick of that store, and I am sick of you two!"

"Sister!" the red-haired doll sobbed.

The yellow-haired doll's face turned scarlet. "How dare you!"

Denji looked back and forth between the triplets, unsure what to make of all this. It was the first time he saw a sibling quarrel outside of Nayuta's favorite drama shows. He had some expectations when it came to these sorts of things, mostly amusement and whether he needed popcorn and a soda. It was amusing to watch when it happened on a television screen, but in front of him was another story. It made him feel…uneasy.

I don't think this is how siblings should be, he thought to himself.

The Mouse Leader noticed the conflicted expression on Denji's face and grew concerned. "Is everything alright, Chainsaw?"

Before he could answer his animal companion, the yellow-haired doll turned her gaze from her sister to him, pointing an accusing finger at him. "This is your fault, isn't it? You've been filling sister mine's head full of your foolish nonsense! Who are you? Some sort of deviant? A kidnapper?!"

"Wait, what? Hang on a second here!"

This was bad. He had no idea what kind of laws there were in the Ever After, but the last thing he wanted was to be accused of child kidnapping and/or grooming. That stuff never ended well for anyone involved.

Later on, Denji wished he had taken the Mouse Leader's advice to not get involved in the triplet sister's antics. It was one thing to get involved in family drama, but it was another thing entirely to get involved in family drama in the Ever After. He would find it a welcome distraction, enough that he hoped to retell the story to Nayuta when he found her.

Unbeknownst to any of them, a pair of blood-red eyes watched the exchange from above.

"…how utterly, unexpectedly unpleasant."

This chapter was an entirely Denji-focused chapter while also giving some insights to the Jabberwalker and its motivations, or at least what I thought of it after watching Volume 9. The next chapter will be a Nayuta and Curious Cat centric and set up my overall arc for Nayuta's character going forward.

I'm also surprised by how quickly this fanfic is coming together. I haven't felt this invigorated in years! Hopefully my muse will keep on going.