Der Reporter Shuuji Niekawa will für seinen nächsten Zeitungsartikel herausfinden, wer der Stärkste in Tokio ist. Er wird von Informant zu Informant geschickt und immer wieder fällt der Name Shizuo.
A journalist named Shuji Niekawa is beaten up by Shizuo six months ago while trying to research who is the strongest person in Ikebukuro. As he goes around interviewing Simon, Izaya and Celty, Niekawa narrates his feelings on his latest work and the regret of not able to bond with his distant daughter, Haruna. After heading back home from a long day of work, Niekawa is attacked by the slasher who stabs him with a kitchen knife. After he survives the attack with no memory of the incident and awakes in hospital, Niekawa is possessed by the slasher spirit and directed to look for Anri, who was heading back home in episode 14. As he attempts to attack, Kyohei and his gang knock Niekawa down and rescue Anri. However, Niekawa gets back up to attack a second time but is knocked down by Celty on her bike with Shizuo in tow. Upon seeing Shizuo, the demonic spirit in Niekawa professes its love for him. Shizuo is enraged on hearing the slasher's confession and rips out a car door to bludgeon Niekawa.
Dopo essere tornato a casa dopo una faticosa giornata, Niekawa viene attaccato dal Laceratore che lo trafigge con un coltello da cucina. Sopravissuto all'attacco, senza alcuna memoria del fatto, Niekawa, posseduto dallo spirito del Laceratore, si dirige a cercare Anri. Appena cerca di attaccare, Kyohei e la sua banda fermano Niekawa e salvano Anri; tuttavia, Niekawa si rialza, ma viene atterrato da Celty sulla sua moto. Vedendo Shizuo, lo spirito demoniaco in Niekawa confessa il suo amore per lui. Shizuo è adirato al sentire la confessione del Laceratore e strappa la portiera di un'auto per picchiare Niekawa.
雑誌記者・贄川の情熱はおさまっていなかった。むしろその熱は高まっていた。
寿司屋を営む外国人、粟楠会幹部、情報屋、首なしライダー……。
池袋最強と謳われる男・平和島静雄の強さの秘密に迫ろうと、贄川はさまざまな人の元を訪ね歩く。だが、そんな贄川を突如襲ったひとつの人影。そしてこの夜の惨劇は、これだけでは終わらなかった——。
El afán investigativo de Niekawa, el periodista de una revista, no conoce límites. Entrevista a todo tipo de personalidades de Ikebukuro para saber si Shizuo Heiwajima es verdaderamente el hombre más fuerte de Ikebukuro y armar un artículo sobre él.
