Denji sprinted through the chaotic streets, undeterred by the panic and explosions surrounding him. His face remained stoic and focused, showing neither fatigue nor fear. Upon reaching the Public Safety headquarters, he burst through the doors, finding a scene of frantic activity as people scrambled to respond to the unfolding crisis.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAsv6dePHr8W
Ignoring the chaos around him, Denji scanned the room until his eyes locked onto Arai, who appeared panicked, covering his ears amidst the commotion. Denji approached him with urgency.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAkv5dK9hxNV
Denji: "Arai, I assume. Figures, because you look like 'em. Come with me; I'll explain on the way."
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4HXW9SQ47F
Arai, confused and anxious, nodded, recognizing Denji's capabilities. As they left the building, Denji guided Arai back to the apartment complex, providing a brief overview of the dire situation.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGshTEUmHHr
Denji: "So basically, dimensional rifts are tearing open, spitting out alternate versions of everyone. Currently, only two alternates have come through – one is me, and the other is Power. The alternate me killed Alternate Power, and he has also killed Aki and severely injured Makima."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAmUFT16Mf7q
The weight of the news shook Arai to his core, his voice cracking with anxiety.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAgaSCUTWpoZ
Arai: "Where is Makima now?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAhbYWqfuv38
Denji glanced back at Arai, then continued in the direction they were headed.
105Please respect copyright.PENANALeeL8eBpBW
Denji: "Alternate me implanted some device in her skull, sealing away her abilities and forcing her to remain conscious. To make matters worse, she's now just a severed head, alive and aware. The alternate me consumed the rest of her."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAzSKCIPW0wX
Arai recoiled at the revelation, his hesitation evident as he took a step back.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAn5O2dVFjQ3
Arai: "Wait! How do I know you're the real Denji? What if you're one of the alternates?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAlr58jzMZ9N
Denji halted abruptly, turning to fix Arai with an intense glare.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAMtyDy7Tml4
Denji: "Super, Power, Himeno, and I have formed a faction called 'Team Prime.' Our members wear the uniform I have on now. Super specifically sent me to recruit you."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAPtlueGbxFB
Despite Denji's explanation, Arai remained wary, his tone laced with distrust.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAjZZuJIhdrj
Arai: "But how can I be sure you're not lying? You could be one of them, pretending to be you."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAA2pFUx6AFn
Denji pivoted fully to face Arai, his expression serious and determined.
105Please respect copyright.PENANACJrtg0f7C0
Denji: "Arai, I only learned about this myself less than an hour ago. I know as much about that alternate me as you do. But here's the thing – if I were that alternate, I would have already attacked you. The fact that I haven't should be assurance enough. Now, pull yourself together and make a decision. We don't have time to waste."
105Please respect copyright.PENANA25aCsc0ARE
With that, Denji turned back around and resumed walking.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHTgGTKygtk
Denji: "If you choose to stay behind, that's on you. But mark my words, when more alternates arrive, you'll regret not listening. You'll be alone, vulnerable, viewing everyone as an enemy. And that'll make you a prime target. If you're eager to meet your end, then by all means, stay behind."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAl7MucCRhjD
Arai paused, allowing Denji's words to sink in. After a moment of contemplation, he made his decision and followed behind. Denji, still forging ahead, noticed Arai trailing behind and offered a slight smile, reassured by his choice. Together, they reached the apartment building, where Denji led Arai to Super, who was pacing in the hallway.
105Please respect copyright.PENANANjRWm83t4o
Denji: "Super, I brought him."
105Please respect copyright.PENANA5DSWTqZTSI
Super shifted his focus to them, nodding in approval.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAlCoElwShGj
Super: "Good. Did you brief him on the situation?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAKmMNUa3HAV
Denji affirmed with a nod.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAvNif8mSqST
Denji: "Yes, I gave him a quick rundown."
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4UAa07bzTB
With a decisive clap of his hands, Super conjured a flash of light that enveloped Arai, revealing him in the same uniform as the rest of the faction, solidifying his place among them.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA1QJc0TXKg4
Meanwhile, Power and Himeno sprinted along the rooftops, scanning the area for Kishibe. They leaped down from the buildings to the ground and scanned their surroundings before dashing off again. As they raced at high speeds, a loud crash echoed through the air, bringing them to a sudden halt.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAfTQmzomotx
There, before them, Kishibe crashed to the ground and swiftly regained his footing. He stood battered and bruised, his typically impassive expression now replaced with determination and seriousness.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAEnnXnEsGyc
Himeno placed her hand on his shoulder and addressed him.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8jDTdHj07K
Himeno: "Kishibe, we've come to recruit you to our faction. Will you come with us?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAsBJVGcnDOm
A deep yet familiar voice resonated through the air.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAkEoNaG6e6A
???: "Ah, Himeno... It's been a while, hasn't it? Fascinating to encounter so many familiar faces..."
105Please respect copyright.PENANARtnOO0edZx
Silence fell over the group as they looked up at the hole Kishibe had crashed through. From the shadows within, a figure emerged, dressed in a long black coat with a suit underneath, hair loose, a blindfold covering his eyes, and a sword strapped to his back. Despite his unusual appearance, Himeno immediately recognized the figure's identity.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAN5A7C4T3Jz
Himeno: "Aki, is that you?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAwrDauTWf3f
Alt Aki: "Bingo, Himeno. You've always had a knack for stating the obvious..."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOF3rVpqR46
Power observed the scene unfolding, while Kishibe clenched his fists in response.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAdCt4cNt1Nl
Kishibe confronted the alternate Aki, his frustration evident.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAvDmwcupEni
Kishibe: "Why the hell are you using past tense words like 'were' and 'was'? Have you lost your mind?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAoeHuxC3fQu
The alternate Aki casually stepped out, gracefully landing on his feet. He retrieved a flask from his coat pocket, took a swig, and then pointed at the trio.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4DmKLhQscp
Alt Aki: "Because, Kishibe, you two are supposed to be dead. Yet here you are, and the genius Kishibe decided to attack me."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAnu4GYZ2YRp
Power interjected.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA55OJ9sXxmz
Power: "Are you blind or just stupid? There's more than two people here, you idiot."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAjzYACF6Zic
The alternate nonchalantly put away his flask.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAfL4CE48K7F
Alt Aki: "Eh, whatever. Not like you matter."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGEyyhYnzqc
Power took a step forward but was blocked by Himeno.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAhbK0FMAe6w
Himeno: "Aki, I have a question. Did you go through a rift? Because, in this reality, you're supposed to be dead."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAUEfk4PJATR
Alt Aki: "I don't know. I remember getting pulled through something, blacking out for a while, and then waking up in this strange place. I guess that could make sense."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAAXjt3BfGjv
Kishibe expressed his disbelief.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAgJpdP9LriJ
Kishibe: "That's nonsense. Are you telling me that rifts are opening up and spitting out alternate versions of us?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANARElrZRFaFO
Himeno interjected, attempting to explain.
105Please respect copyright.PENANADQIetOwoUL
Himeno: "That's what we were going to explain once you came with us."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqz3F9vie4D
Power, growing impatient, suggested a more forceful approach.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAF4Q95EPDVB
Power: "Talking to him clearly isn't working. Let's just drag him to Super, and he'll make him join us."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGvty53gFzE
Himeno disagreed, considering the potential risks.
105Please respect copyright.PENANACFLga0Wp0r
Himeno: "No, we can't risk it with another alternate running loose. Even though he's Aki, he's not our Aki. We can't trust him."
105Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2OofeDqs3
The alternate Aki, now calmly smoking a cigarette, listened to their conversation. Kishibe sighed, preparing for another confrontation, while the alternate casually extinguished his cigarette.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAVueIaGttTh
Alt Aki: “I have no desire to engage with any of you. My interest in you is non-existent. I only defended myself when provoked. In my current base, you pose no threat. However, I lack the inclination to ruthlessly eliminate you.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHdZoeI5Pwp
Himeno: “So, you're not our enemy? You won't harm us?”
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8w9Nnk3xgq
The alternate affirms.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAwe67pL9Uwx
Alt Aki: “I have more pressing concerns than wasting my efforts on you three. Simply refrain from interfering, and we need not cross paths.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAa0fT9mjcgM
Turning away from the trio, the alternate adds:
105Please respect copyright.PENANAPrE0vyI39g
Alt Aki: “Do not pursue me. It would not end favorably.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAeEPi7t9iy2
With those words, the alternate disappears in a blur, leaving the group to their own devices. Power clicks her tongue in annoyance and crosses her arms, Himeno shakes her head in disbelief, while Kishibe struggles to grasp the situation.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAriYgGcpcKf
Himeno and Power seize Kishibe, swiftly ushering him away before he can interject further. They escort him back to the apartment complex and lead him to Super's presence. Standing before Super, Denji, and Arai, the trio awaits Super's address.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA6EBGzL0LvX
Super steps forward, his gaze intent as he addresses Kishibe.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAoX0uC0pCIG
Super: “Listen, we're organizing a faction for identification and support. Recently, I was pulled into a rift and thrust into battle against a god. My temporary allies and I emerged victorious, but the conflict was on a scale beyond comprehension. Now, rifts are opening, disgorging alternate versions of ourselves. Aki fell to an evil, cannibalistic alternate Denji, and Makima was incapacitated by him as well. So, here's the bottom line: join us for solidarity, or face a gruesome fate when more adversaries arrive. It's your call.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAboFCAJeyLB
Kishibe exhales deeply, processing the gravity of the situation. He adjusts his appearance, smoothing down his hair and brushing off his coat.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHFR5XaheyT
Kishibe: “Given my own encounter with an alternate, and seeing your dedication, I'm in.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOPG2dtVMA9
Super's brow furrows in response.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA18UgN0ttoc
Super: “You've faced an alternate? Who was it?”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAF7jBNjMRnQ
Himeno provides the answer.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9oqPowuqn
Himeno: “It was an alternate version of Aki. He claimed non-hostility and mentioned other priorities.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAfcgQZSrnZD
Super absorbs this information with a nod.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAou12HdOLEW
Super: “If he poses no threat, he's not our focus. We maintain neutrality until events unfold. That means our primary objective remains targeting Alternate Denji, our greatest adversary.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANAgPERA1mg1z
Super claps his hands, a flash enveloping Kishibe as he's fitted into the faction's uniform. Kishibe speaks up.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAuJBnVzyCoa
Kishibe: “So this alternate Denji killed our Aki and harmed Makima. Sounds like he's some sort of malevolent Denji, perhaps even a cannibal. 'Evil Denji' or 'Cannibal Denji' should suffice if we encounter more alternates.”
105Please respect copyright.PENANABAvtAn6O79
Super nods in agreement.
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4c8NCa9RkJ
Super: "Alright, now that we've gathered most of everyone—"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqld1uzJyXm
Denji interjects.
105Please respect copyright.PENANAArh7WyfeKG
Denji: "What about that crazy chick? You know, Kobeni?"
105Please respect copyright.PENANAPiqFZaknQe
Super: "Ah, right... I almost forgot about her. I'll go fetch her. Meanwhile, the rest of you, head out into the city and keep an eye out for Cannibal Denji. Stick together; our unity is our greatest strength."
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8IMdL9if5Y
Everyone nods, acknowledging the directive, albeit mostly out of apprehension. As Super assumes leadership of the situation, he retrieves his phone and the slip of paper bearing Kobeni's number. He dials the number, waiting patiently for a response..
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqttTR3DMIv