Not quite up to the heist yet, but things are progressing. And this chapter brings us something truly special. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Fate series, Lupin III, Ni No Kuni, or My Hero Academia.
Chapter 25: A Matter of Family
Zenigata was speaking with the officers in charge of searching Kariya's apartment. "There's been no sign of him for at least a year," one officer said, "The landlord says rent is still being paid in a timely fashion, but from the looks of the dust he hasn't set foot in the apartment for quite a while." Zenigata rubbed his chin. He knew Kariya had to be the Matou representative for the Holy Grail War, but he also knew most magi wouldn't suspect one of their own to be using a small rented apartment for their base while the War was going on.
Then an idea came to him. "Does he have any connections with any of the major families in the city?" The officer checked the file. "Well, according to his backstory he knew the current wife of Tokiomi Tohsaka. They apparently went to school together, and even kept in contact for a while after she married." 'That explains it,' Zenigata realized, 'Kariya must have been concerned Tohsaka could coerce his whereabouts out of an Aoi. Between that and whatever Zouken did to him, he'd clearly not want to be seen in public so readily.'
He had gone through Zouken's research earlier. The man was a psychotic bastard, but he was an intelligent psychotic bastard. It wasn't structured like a typical person interested in occult practices, that journal contained legitimate research. Even to a normal person there would be a sort of logic to it, twisted as it was. He and Akimi entered the apartment. "The whole place looks like it as cleared out," Akimi noted. "There's one thing I should mentioned," the officer said, "The landlord said that Kariya was recently permitted a roommate, someone going by the name Toshinori Yagi. The paperwork was completed the same day the calling cards for the Laughing Peacock were dropped."
'Meaning it was the same day iris and Jonathan arrived in Fuyuki,' Zenigata noticed, 'I'm willing to bet Toshinori is actually Kariya's Servant. But what class is he? Can't know that without getting a look at the guy.' He was relatively sure Jonathan was meant to be Saber judging from the fact that he kept brandishing that sword during their fight against the assassins the other day. And he knew from Father Risei that Caster and Lancer were dead. Lupin was obviously Assassin. Thus, taking into account the fact that there were eight classes in this war, the possibilities were Rider, Archer, Avenger, or Berserker. And Toshinori Yagi could very well be an assumed name, much in the same Jonathan faked his last name.
Just then another officer ran into the apartment. "Inspector! There's an emergency! This letter was mailed to the station just last night! The chief found it on his desk and wanted it brought straight to you!" Zenigata was curious. 'Who on earth could have sent this that the chief would want it brought immediately brought to my attention?' He then remembered a few events in his career and got a bad feeling. He opened the envelope, and grew livid. It was another calling card with Lupin's trademark facial picture, saying, "The riches within the vault of the Fuyuki National Bank will soon be mine! -Lupin the Third!" Zenigata's response was so loud, it made the dust kick up and caused nearby birds to fly away. "LUPIN!"
Risei smiled as Sakura busied herself cleaning up the church. She was probably the happiest she had ever been in months, the work taking her mind off of everything that had happened. By now only the Stardust Crusaders and Zenigata had anything truly useful from Byakuya. Risei made sure of that. And Zenigata likely had the only real connection Kariya still had to the Matou magecraft, his journal. Having another officer in the police willing to keep a secret for the safety of outsiders was a welcome addition. Especially since Chief Makoto was under a lot of stress lately.
He suddenly heard a knock on the back door. Walking over to it, he asked, "Who is it?" "Please open the door Father," came the sarcastic tone of Lupin, "I've been a naughty boy." He sighed as he opened the door. "You know by now you've committed so many sins it's come full circle and I'm certain your bound for Heaven, so why bother with confession." Lupin grinned. "Well here's hoping the angels upstairs are as beautiful as I've always dreamed." 'He's lucky the Deadly Sins only send one to Hell if they lead one to evil actions,' Risei noted.
He then heard a familiar voice clearing its throat. He peeked out, and spotted Kariya and All Might standing there. "Good grief Assassin… Keep this up and I'll wind up breaking my vow of sobriety." "I'm here to let Sakura know I'm all right," Kariya explained, "I won't be staying long. And Lupin made sure no one would spot us coming in." "After what happens tonight, Kariya might be able to start using his apartment again," All Might explained, "So he wanted to let Sakura know." Risei realized what that meant, All Might was being sent to fight. And there was only one person Kariya would want out of the Holy Grail War.
'I could warn Tokiomi of this,' he thought, 'But after everything that's happened I find myself starting to lose faith in him.' "By the way," Lupin said as the three of them entered, "The police will be needing to confirm Sakura's safety before she gets handed over to Kariya." "I've already made arrangements for that," Risei assured him, "Once the necessary preparations have been complete, I'll be informing the police that you left Sakura on my doorstep, having gotten all the information you need from her. Specifically, information regarding Tokiomi Tohsaka." Lupin grinned. "Well, that's convenient. Especially considering my next heist."
Lupin entered the kitchen first, and Sakura was glad to see him. After a bit, Lupin motioned for Kariya to enter, and that's when Sakura's smile really brightened. "Uncle Kariya!" She laughed as the two of them hugged. "How you doing kiddo? Lupin here told me that Father Risei undid what your nasty old grandfather did to you." Sakura nodded. "Yeah, I've never felt better. It's nice to have any wriggling in me." Kariya chuckled. "Yeah, don't I know it. Actually, to tell you the truth, I was the one who pointed Lupin in your direction." Sakura hugged him again as she laughed. "Then you kept your promise! Thank you, Uncle Kariya!"
After they let go of each other, Kariya stood up. "I just have one more errand to run before I can move back in my apartment. After that Father Risei will letting the police know you're all right. After that, it looks like we'll be living together." Sakura smiled and nodded. "Yeah! It'll be just like old times!" All Might turned to Risei. "Sorry to push this all on you, Father." "It's fine," Risei said, "To be honest, whatever can be done to improve Sakura's mood is good. After all… Kariya may be the only real family she has anymore."
Outside the city, a big white yacht was just pulling into the harbor. On it, a young woman addressed a middle-aged man with red hair, much of his face covered in burn scars. "Master Pycal, we're approaching Fuyuki City." Pycal nodded. "How is our meeting with Fujimura doing?" The woman grimaced and handed Pycal a picture. He gasped, not only because of the grisly scene of some of his men dead, but because of the message written in chalk above them. "Don't pull this sort of shit while the Kuzuryu are visiting friends." Pycal crumpled the picture in his hands. "This got a little more complicated. No matter. For now we'll focus on this Holy Grail that Lupin wants so badly. Finally I'll have my revenge…"
Pycal's a villain from the early Green Jacket season of Lupin, basically one of the earliest villains he defeated. The Kuzuryu showing up is yet another connection to Jojo New Universe (Part 9: Jojolion includes characters from Danganronpa, including Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, the Ultimate Yakuza). Read and review.