Well, this version of Ren-- or Akira, rather, seems to be rather mischievous. Bordering on flirtatious, even.

"You flatter me so. I truly doubt the picture turned out to be that photogenic..."

Dove is a bit taken off guard by the choice of codename though, quickly gleaning the intent.

"Ah, no matter what, I'll be forced to use a variation of your name. Clever thinking, Kira-san. I must say, the thought hadn't occurred to me when I arrived here."

Perhaps he alert the other Akechi he met about this idea, a slight variation on his name...