"Assist me in killing Makima."
"Retire? But I'm not even 25 yet? Retiring so early... Oh, no, that's not the point. Let me reiterate, Captain Kishibe, I don't have a mental illness; you've misunderstood."
Renji and Kishibe began to chat idly, while Renji took the paper and pen and started writing on it. The two began their true communication through paper.
"Why? Now?"
"You should know Makima's identity, right? Her true identity is the Control Devil."
"I know."
"I believe everything you just said, because it can explain many things: the ruined city outside, the differences in some details in everyone's memories, and the golden light that caused all of this. There are many cases, but these things can only be dealt with later. The immediate task is to kill Makima. It's likely due to that golden light that Makima used it to control everyone in the upper echelons of Kyoto."
Renji looked at the content on the paper. To say he wasn't shocked would be a lie; this was already very different from the original plot.
"You mean, Makima-san is currently the highest authority in Tokyo and Kyoto?"
"Yes, that's right. The recent series of strange demands were all spoken by Makima through the mouths of those old women she controls in Kyoto. This can't go on, so I must find an opportunity to kill her. If a Control Devil stands at the apex of humanity, the future will surely end in the annihilation of all mankind."
Renji took the paper, for a moment unsure how to begin writing.
Makima is now at the apex of humanity, and she has absolute control...
In the original work, because she was the Control Devil, Makima only had an unequal concept of superiors and subordinates with others, or other devils.
Therefore, what Makima most desired was an equal relationship, the existence of an equal concept, with the ultimate goal of creating a perfect world where everyone is equal, without death, war, hunger, and other negative things.
This was also why she had a bad relationship with Kishibe.
In the original work, Makima wanted to achieve her ideal world through Chainsaw Man's power, but it seems that's not the case in this world. By all accounts, Makima most likely wants to achieve this goal through Renji, relying on the concept of males.
Why say "most likely"?
Because Makima occasionally shows a feeling of disgust towards Renji. According to the original work, if Makima liked Renji, such an emotion shouldn't exist.
Renji also couldn't figure out what was going on.
This was different from the original work, so Makima's positioning in Renji's eyes was very unclear; she might not be the ultimate antagonist as in the original work.
Furthermore, Makima achieved her goals by utilizing and cultivating various Devils. Although her initial intention was to create a better world, her methods and means were filled with a desire for control and domination, which was quite ironic.
Renji thought for a while in his mind before writing on the paper.
"I... I can't agree to that yet."
"Why?"
"Because I have a date with Makima-san tomorrow."
"Ding~ Detected Kishibe's shocked emotions. System rewards 20 points."
Kishibe was stunned, her expression blank as she looked at Renji.
"Is your head broken?"
Renji took a piece of sushi and put it in his mouth, eating and writing at the same time.
"No matter what, I won't agree to you, at least not now. If it's really impossible, then forget it. I don't absolutely have to find the Darkness Devil."
After Renji finished writing, he handed the paper to Kishibe. Kishibe looked at the note, then at Renji, and spoke aloud.
"Hmm, your mind really does have some issues. I truly don't know what controlled you to make such a nonsensical cold joke."
She also started eating sushi. Neither of them spoke. Renji looked at Kishibe, unable to discern any expression on her face, nor what she was thinking.
After eating, Kishibe wrote on the paper again.
"You can reconsider. I also have many things not yet prepared, and there's still some time. If you ever make up your mind and change your decision, you can come find me anytime. I'll think of a way regarding the Darkness Devil. There should be news tonight. If there's nothing going on tonight, just stay home and don't wander around."
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
"No problem."
"Let's stop with the jokes here. Slacking off like this won't be tolerated next time."
Kishibe tidied the table, paid the bill, and left. Renji watched her push open the door and disappear from sight, his mind blank.
Just then, Renji suddenly felt something gently tugging at his pant leg under the table. He looked down and saw it was the Shark Fiend.
She looked up at Renji pitifully and said softly.
"Renji... Lord Renji... I'm... I'm sorry... I'm not full yet... I'm still very hungry... My stomach is still growling..."
The Shark Fiend only dared to do so after Kishibe left; she had finished her portion of sushi within three minutes of it being served.
Renji picked up his leftover sushi plate and handed it to her.
"Eat up. If this isn't enough, I can go buy more."
The Shark Fiend took the sushi, her face beaming with joy, and cheered,
"Yay! Lord Renji is indeed the best! And the strongest!"
After eating their fill and settling the bill, Renji and the Shark Fiend returned to their patrol duties.
They stopped and went along the way, Renji thinking about what Kishibe had just said—that he shouldn't run around at night and should stay put if possible.
"I'm still going to Reze's house tonight, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"
Around afternoon, Renji and the Shark Fiend walked into a slightly dilapidated small park.
Perhaps because the environment was relatively safe, there were few people, or perhaps she was attracted by the surrounding scenery, the Shark Fiend boldly floated her upper body out of the ground, looking around.
Renji, feeling a bit tired from walking, found a long bench to sit and rest, while the Shark Fiend obediently floated on the ground beside him.
After a short rest, Renji looked at the Shark Fiend, who was still looking around, and asked,
"Hey, Shark, I've actually always wanted to ask a question. Why have you been submerged in the ground and walls ever since we met today? Haven't you thought about coming out and walking around? Is it always like this normally?"
"No... not like that, Lord Renji... I also need to walk on land every day! If I stay submerged in the ground for too long, my skin will develop some problems!"
The Shark Fiend explained anxiously, afraid that Renji would misunderstand her.
Renji nodded.
"Oh... so that's how it is. You don't need to be nervous, I was just asking. So, do you only come out to wander around after work every day, when you're alone at night?"
"It's... it's not like that either, Lord Renji... I actually find opportunities to come up to the surface and walk around every hour or two, it's just... today's situation is a bit special, so I didn't come out on time..."
"Ding~ Detected Shark Fiend's shy emotion. System rewards 20 points."
As she spoke, the Shark Fiend's face gradually turned red. She quickly retracted her upper body back into the ground, leaving only her small head exposed.
Renji saw her shy and adorable appearance and became interested, pressing on,
"What's the special reason? Can you tell me?"
For Renji's inquiry this time, the Shark Fiend kept her lips tightly sealed, not saying a word. Perhaps it was due to extreme shyness or something else, but she simply stopped talking altogether, shrinking her entire body into the ground.
Renji thought she was unwilling to answer and didn't press further.
After about a minute, the Shark Fiend floated her small head out again. She looked at Renji and slowly crawled out of the ground.
Gathering her courage, the Shark Fiend walked in front of Renji, head bowed, legs fidgeting, and hands nervously crossed and fiddling in front of her body.
"It's because... because of this... ever since I saw Lord Renji today... my little mantou flower heart has been flowing with seawater... Lord Renji... I... I feel so shy... that's why I've been shrinking into the ground and not coming out..."
Renji looked at the Shark Fiend's Jardín secreto—the thong that covered a small black piece of cloth over the Shark Fiend's little mantou flower heart.
He looked at the large letter "B" on it.