Chapter 261: Rebirth
"Undoubtedly, the mangaka Ren always opposes the existence of utopianism," said Fenghuangyuan with emotion after reading the latest volume of Chainsaw Man.
In fact, Edgerunners can also be considered a dystopian work. It should be mentioned that cyberpunk-type works are all dystopian.
This type of work does not consider that the future science fiction world is necessarily beautiful.
The supposed utopia is a great lie that covers up the truth, or a world so stressful that no one can resist.
"Amamiya-sensei's works are as profound as ever."
In front of Fenghuangyuan, it turned out to be Takashi, chief editor of Akatsuki Comics. He took a sip of tea and said.
"Indeed... and all his works are excellent," asked Fenghuangyuan, unable to help himself. "So, are the rumors about his identity online true?"
"I can only say that I don't know, but for now... yes," nodded Takashi, and added, "But Amamiya-sensei seems quite optimistic now. Perhaps it's because he achieved enlightenment after years of retreat in the Xuanmen sect."
"Did he ever enter the Xuanmen sect and become a cultivator?" asked Fenghuangyuan with curiosity.
Although he created the popular cultivation manga Purple Air Coming from the East and seemed to be an expert in the Xuanmen sect, some fans even claimed that he had practiced Taoism for several years, in reality, he never did. He was simply fascinated by the Xuanmen sect for a long time, which led to the creation of Purple Air Coming from the East and popularized the theme of cultivation in the manga industry in the Republic.
"It is said so... In fact, it seems there is very little false information online," said Takashi.
The omnipresence of the internet has begun to reveal itself little by little. If one wants to investigate someone's past, the internet will always provide countless clues.
For example, the fact that Ren's original incarnation was a Taoist priest was known to netizens thanks to photos taken by tourists visiting the Xuanjing Temple and testimonies from Taoist priests at the Xuanjing Temple.
The omnipresence of the internet has greatly facilitated the dissemination of information.
Were it not for the strict subsequent controls, this type of incident would have become widespread.
"It seems that Xuanmen is a wonderful place, a place to cultivate the body and mind, and refine feelings," said Fenghuangyuan with a smile. "It seems that Ren has achieved the fruit of the Dao of Xuanmen, which is why he has overcome his past and returned to normal."
"Returned... to normal..."
The first part was fine, but the last part left Takashi speechless.
Do you say Ren is normal? Do you consider Ren's current madness and his occasional appearance of life normal?
And what about abnormality?
After learning about Ren's past, as long as he doesn't suffer from depression or suicide, it's normal.
"What's wrong, Chief Editor Takashi?" asked Fenghuangyuan with curiosity.
"Nothing," replied Takashi helplessly. "Sensei Ren is quite normal now, isn't he?"
...
Although Makima caused a sensation by revealing her purpose, the origins of the Chainsaw Devil, and her complete worldview, which delighted the fans, the popularity of Chainsaw Man subsequently declined.
However, it only dropped to third place. Purple Air Coming from the East maintained its dominance, thanks to its immense popularity and the enormous fan base accumulated over many years of serialization.
The same happened with True Dragon Selection, which came in second, a world of fire.
Its accumulated popularity and enormous fan base were something that emerging stars like Ren and Yusuke Sato could not overcome in such a short time.
Chainsaw Man at least relied on the fan base and popularity accumulated by Ren's Edgerunners, added to the plot of Aki Hayakawa's death, to achieve a resounding success.
But after success, fatigue always comes.
Chainsaw Man continues, with the Chainsaw Devil returning from hell and heading straight for Makima.
He managed to cut Makima into several pieces, but unfortunately, due to the contract, Makima was truly immortal.
However, afterward, the Chainsaw Devil heard Koji Higashiyama's cries for help.
He ran and killed the clerk who had harassed her. Remembering Denji's wish, the Chainsaw Devil wanted to help him fulfill it, so he ate a freshly made hamburger and kidnapped Koji for a date.
Makima then summoned a series of devils under her command to fight the Chainsaw Man, including... the resurrected Reze, Katana Man, and Quanxi.
Popular characters like Reze and Quanxi had been resurrected, but now they were fighting against Denji...
especially against Reze. The mere thought was heartbreaking.
However, at first, Pochita was able to control these armed devils.
After all, the Chainsaw Devil was truly powerful, and Pochita himself was no match for Denji.
Pochita was a hero of Hell, capable of fighting countless powerful devils without a single blow.
It's just that... heroes have the strength of heroes, but also the burdens and weaknesses of heroes.
Makima exposed Chainsaw Man's identity on the radio and defined him as a hero. People began to admire and revere Chainsaw Man, but his strength was considerably reduced because the world no longer feared him.
After all, the devil's power comes from the fear in human hearts. Once the fear disappears, it's like a mobile phone that runs out of battery and loses its previous capacity.
Chainsaw Man... Danger!
However, at that moment...
"I haven't slept enough! Ugh..."
In a dark place with many intestines as a background, Power, who should have been killed by Makima, is actually sleeping here? "Wow! Power isn't dead!"
Many manga fans who appreciate Power were suddenly excited. They were very happy to see her again.
After all, if Power is resurrected now, she will undoubtedly help Denji! "Wake up... Power..."
It's... Pochita, trying to wake Power up.
"Huh? Who are you?"
Power finally woke up and looked at Pochita, but she didn't recognize him and asked sadly.
"Ah!".
She suddenly remembered something and said, with a sudden understanding, "Are you the Pochita that Denji mentioned?".
Pochita smiled immediately, not knowing if it was because Denji mentioned him often or because they had finally been saved.
However... the fans looked at Pochita and their hearts melted at that moment.
"Wow! Pochita is the best dog in the world!".
"Pochita is so adorable!".
"This is probably what Amamiya-sensei thinks of his own dog. I've heard that Amamiya-sensei also has a dog named Pochita."
"Hhhh... He drew his own dog in the manga. Amamiya-sensei adores his own dog."
And in the manga...
"Power... please," said Pochita solemnly. "You must save Denji."
Then he explained that the reason Power was not yet dead was because Denji had sucked her blood.
This blood remained in Denji's body, and since Power was a Blood Fiend, she was not yet completely dead.
But she would die again in a while.
But...
"Don't worry," said Pochita. "Devils increase their power by consuming other powerful devils...".
He added, "I want you to eat me and be reborn as a devil... Will you help me save Denji?".
Faced with Pochita's question, Power answered without hesitation, "Of course!".
"Denji is my old partner!".
Then, in reality, Power, transformed into her true form of a Blood Fiend, suddenly appeared from the Chainsaw Devil's mouth.
She wanted to get Denji out of the siege, but... she was too weak. Besieged by Makima's followers, it seemed impossible to escape.
Faced with Makima's threat, she said, "Power, hand over the Chainsaw Man to me sincerely, and I will spare your life and let you continue to be my pet."
Faced with such fear, Power...
"Yes, sir!".
She simply grabbed the Chainsaw Devil from behind, immobilizing him.
"Puff...".
This scene was unexpected for the fans, but although unexpected, it was also reasonable.
After all, Power... it wasn't the first time she had done something like this.
"How could this happen...".
Even Pochita was speechless, beginning to wonder if he had trusted the wrong person.
But then, as Power captured her, the Chainsaw Devil asked a bewildered question, "Power?".
For an instant, Power was paralyzed; her memories of her and Denji returned to reality.
And then...
"Ahhhhhhhh!" she screamed like crazy, attacking Makima and the others, and then ran away with the Chainsaw Devil.
"Why on earth am I going against Makima?".
"There's no chance of winning!".
But as Power wondered, she kept running, grabbing the Chainsaw Devil... no, Denji.
Finally, her inner monologue revealed her true thoughts.
"Life is just as insignificant, even mine."
"So there's no need to mourn anyone's death, not even my own."
Power and Denji were, in effect, similar people; both believed they would not cry for the deaths of others.
But after so much time together, they had developed a bond... a family bond!
So...
"Only Denji... absolutely not..." Power muttered to herself, her body shattered by Makima and her followers, as she ran towards a dark corner of the alley with Denji.
"Because Denji..."
"Denji is..."
"My first..."
"Friend!"
Power, with what was left of her body, threw Denji into the trash.
All the anime fans had a premonition.
That familiar feeling...
that familiar smell...
could it be...?
At that moment, Denji seemed to regain consciousness.
In the cramped space, Denji looked up and saw... Power.
Power was now the familiar face he had known before, the two of them huddled together.
In that trash.
"Power..."
"Denji..."
Power enthusiastically hugged Denji, her face pressed against his, and said, "...I'm here to save you."
"I've... I've had enough, Power," said Denji, with an impassive expression. "I've eaten so many delicacies, I've flirted with girls, I've played with everyone, and I've slept with you."
He had lived a life he had never imagined possible.
So he was happy.
Under the completely different black light painting, Denji said, "Compared to when I was in debt, this life is like a dream."
"So I'm happy. There's nothing to be happy about, even if I continue to live."
"Even if I live, I won't see Power, right?".
It was clear that Denji was truly heartbroken.
Aki Hayakawa was dead, and Power was about to die.
He had nothing, and he would have nothing if he lived.
So... there was no point in living.
But at that moment...
"Idiot!" Power suddenly shouted and cursed at Denji. "Idiot! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
This scene reminded many fans of the fight between Togata and Agni in Fire Punch.
Their eyes filled with tears.
And, indeed... what followed was...
"Is it worth being so depressed about not being able to see you?" Power asked Denji angrily.
"Of course it's worth it...".
But Denji answered in the affirmative.
"Idiot...".
Power cursed again under her breath.
Then, looking at Denji with anxiety and depth, she said, "Even if a devil dies in this world, it will be resurrected in Hell. Although I won't be the same person then, the next time we meet, we will be enemies."
Seeing Power's serious face, Denji was silent and sad.
So, the next time they saw each other, would Power be a different person, an enemy? But then she smiled at Denji and said, "Denji, you must find the Blood Devil."
"Find her, then find a way to become friends with her, and then turn her into Power."
"That way we can be partners again, right?"
With Power's words, Denji's fighting spirit seemed to gradually return.
The fans, upon seeing this, cried again.
They couldn't count the times they had cried over the manga Chainsaw Man.
But of one thing they were sure...
"Amamiya-sensei, you really have no heart!".
Power then directed her last words to Denji. "Denji, this is our contract...".
"I will give you my blood in return...".
"You must find me."
With Power's last words, Denji suddenly stood up!
"Power!".
But now he was in a dumpster, just like in the first episode, when he was resurrected by Pochita's contract.
This time, thanks to Power's blood, he had been reborn from the dumpster.
But there was no trace of Power before him.
"Power...".
Remembering Power's smiling face, Denji cried again sadly.
Denji, who once said he would never cry for anyone, now cried time and time again for the deaths of others.
But just then... Kishibe appeared. He sat next to the dumpster and said to Denji calmly, "Denji, let me ask you, are you Denji?".
"Or that chainsaw monster?".
"If you're Denji, I'll help you escape from Makima."
"If it's that monster, you can keep sleeping in the dumpster."
Finally, Denji gave Kishibe the "two" sign.
He... was Denji, and the chainsaw monster Kishibe was talking about: the Chainsaw Man!
- - - - - - -
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