17 Finally Freedom-Eren would be proud

Kobeni's eyes widened in sheer horror as she saw the blade embedded in Ryota, the realization of her own actions hitting her harder than any physical blow could. The manic energy that had previously consumed her melted away, replaced by a crushing weight of guilt and self-loathing.

"I... I tried to kill my own brother," she whispered, her voice trembling. Her fingers loosened around the knife, letting it clatter to the floor.

Stumbling backward, tears streamed down her face as her mind spiraled into a torrent of emotions. "I'm the worst sister... I don't deserve to live."

Without another word, she suddenly dashed towards the window, intending to throw herself out and end her life. The atmosphere in the room shifted to pure panic as everyone realized her intentions.

"KOBENI, NO!" Himeno shouted, dashing after her. The others, despite their shock, quickly moved to prevent the tragedy, their differences momentarily set aside in the face of the looming catastrophe

Power frantically attempts to stop Ryota's bleeding, her hands stained with his blood. "Stupid Denji! This is all your fault!" she yelled. "Why don't you go and die? I was so close to my Nobel Prize!" Her voice quivered, a blend of anger, desperation, and concern.

Ryota, even in his pain, managed to chuckle weakly, "You really care in your own twisted way, don't you?"

Power turned her head away, cheeks flushed, "Hmph! Just don't die on me, idiot."

Arai, overwhelmed and panicked, turned towards Aki. "Aki, do something! We can't let him die! Should we... should we give Denji to that thing?"

Aki took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering, "No. We can't sacrifice Denji. He's our comrade. We don't have the right to ask that of him."

Denji, clutching his chainsaw, looked around at the desperate faces of his friends. "I've made up my mind," he declared, determination flashing in his eyes. "I won't be anyone's meal. I'm going to take that thing down." He then dashed towards the monstrous Devil, chainsaws revving, ready to challenge its might head-on.

The room's atmosphere thickened with a tension that could be sliced as Denji charged, chainsaws roaring, straight into the gaping maw of the Eternity Devil. Once inside, the grotesque innards of the fiend pulsated and writhed, attempting to smother and tear Denji apart.

The devil's insides were a nightmarish labyrinth of fleshy tunnels and chambers, each filled with razor-sharp teeth, acidic fluids, and wriggling tentacles. As Denji surged forward, he was bombarded from all sides. Tentacles lunged, wrapping around his limbs, trying to tear him apart. Acrid fluids sprayed onto him, attempting to melt his flesh. But every time a part of him was ripped or melted away, he rapidly regenerated by consuming the devil's blood.

The air was filled with the grisly sounds of slashing, tearing, and chewing. Denji's chainsaws buzzed violently, mowing down walls of flesh, cleaving through bone and sinew, leaving trails of destruction in their wake. Blood, both Denji's and the devil's, splattered everywhere, painting the fleshy walls in layers of red.

But the Eternity Devil was not without its defenses. Every time Denji inflicted damage, the beast retaliated. Giant teeth snapped at him, trying to crush him whole. Acidic stomachs attempted to digest him. And yet, no matter how brutally the devil assaulted him, Denji kept moving, fueled by a mixture of determination and the devil's own blood.

Amidst this dance of death and regeneration, it became evident that while the Eternity Devil was vast and powerful, Denji's relentless assault was taking its toll. The creature's movements grew sluggish, its attempts at defense became weaker and less coordinated.

With one last surge of energy, Denji drove his chainsaw deep into what he perceived as the devil's core. The beast let out a deafening, agonized roar that echoed through its chambers. Then, with a final spasm, the Eternity Devil's insides went limp, its life force extinguished by the very prey it had sought to consume.

In a moment of somber reflection, Himeno recalled standing amidst the countless tombstones, each a testament to the deadly risks Devil Hunters took every day. Her heart was heavy with the weight of grief for her lost partners. Beside her, Kishibe, a veteran hunter with countless battles under his belt, observed her silently.

She could still hear the wind rustling through the leaves, creating a somber melody. Kishibe broke the silence, "Most hunters that die on the job are the sane ones. It's the ones who've lost a screw or two that survive the longest."

Himeno glanced at him, seeking clarity. He continued, "The hunters who have a clear reason, an obsession even, tend to push the boundaries of what's possible. That insanity, that slight craziness gives them an edge."

She remembered the resolute look in Aki's eyes every time the Gun Devil was mentioned. "Like Aki," she murmured.

Kishibe nodded, "Yes, the fact he's hell-bent on killing the Gun Devil, even if it's the last thing he does, makes him unpredictable, even to the devils. But remember, that kind of obsession can also be a double-edged sword. It can give him the power to survive or drive him straight to his death."

Himeno took a deep breath, processing Kishibe's words. The world of Devil Hunters was filled with danger and uncertainty. She knew that every mission could be her last, but it was the burning desire for vengeance, justice, or even mere survival that kept them pushing forward, walking the tightrope between sanity and madness.

Flashing back to the past, Himeno and Aki were seated in a dimly lit, intimate restaurant. The clinking of cutlery on plates provided the backdrop as they discussed their roles as Devil Hunters.

Himeno hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching Aki's, trying to decipher the depth of his obsession with the Gun Devil. "Aki," she began gently, "have you ever considered going private? Leaving the Public Safety job behind?"

Aki blinked, taken aback. "Why would I?"

She sighed, "It's just... Kishibe once told me that the truly sane hunters tend to fall. Your drive to kill the Gun Devil is... consuming. I worry about you."

Aki smirked, "So you're saying I'm slightly mad?"

Himeno chuckled, but her eyes betrayed her seriousness. "Just enough to be alarming."

Back in the chaos of the present, as Denji ruthlessly tore through the Eternity Devil, Himeno couldn't help but be awed by the raw, unbridled force that Denji represented. His ferocity, his absolute lack of hesitation, painted a clear picture in her mind.

It clicked for her. If someone as untamed and unpredictable as Denji could be channeled to take on the Gun Devil, Aki wouldn't need to risk his life. She felt a surge of hope.

She turned to Ryota, "If we strategize this right, with Denji's raw power and your planning, we might just have a shot at this. And we could all come out unscathed."

Ryota nodded, "It's not just about brute force. It's about playing our cards right, using our strengths and covering our weaknesses."

Aki, overhearing them, gave a thoughtful nod. Maybe, just maybe, they had a chance after all.

The remnants of the Eternity Devil lay scattered, a testament to Denji's relentless onslaught. The once imposing devil, now a shadow of its former self, panted heavily, desperately trying to hold onto the last threads of its existence. From its mangled form, a pulsating heart emerged.

"Take it," the Devil gasped, its voice a whisper. "End this suffering."

Without hesitation, Denji reached out, gripping the heart and squeezing it with force until it fell silent. The once chaotic environment was now eerily quiet, a thick tension hanging in the air.

After a few moments of silence, Aki spoke up. "We need to debrief, and I think we could all use a good meal."

The group, exhausted and covered in layers of grime and blood, headed to a nearby restaurant. The establishment was modest, but it offered a cozy atmosphere, perfect for the tired Devil Hunters.

As they settled into their seats, Kobeni hesitated before speaking, "I... I'm sorry for what I did. I panicked. Thank you, Ryota," her voice was soft, guilt evident in her eyes.

Ryota waved off her apology with a smile. "It's okay. We're all alive, that's what matters."

Power, ever the chaotic energy, exclaimed, "I want meat! The rarest steak you have!"

Denji chuckled, "Me too. And after that, some dessert."

Himeno leaned back, watching the interactions with a smile, "This might be the weirdest team I've ever been a part of, but there's something about us. Something special."

Aki nodded in agreement, "We've been through hell and back. It's made us stronger, together."

As dishes arrived, and the group began to eat, they shared stories, laughed at past mishaps, and discussed future plans. Despite their differences and the intense situations they faced, they were forging bonds that would be hard to break.

Ryota, raising his glass for a toast, said, "To survival, to the future, and to this strange family we've become."

Glasses clinked together, sealing the sentiment. In that moment, amidst the laughter and chatter, they felt invincible. The horrors of the Devil Hunting world felt distant, and for a brief moment, they could just be... human.