A/N HOOOOOOO BOY HOOOOOO BOOOOY. I got a chapter for yall. But just a quick update on why this is super late. The month of February was just a double loop de loop of a month.

First, my job making a mess and I'm being the one to clean it up. And still trying to fix this mess into the next month

Second, I had to evacuate from my home due to some structural damage to the building. Pretty much was bunking at a hotel for a bit ( NO WORRIES they fixed all the issues and its structurally sound again and I'm back home. It was a bit nerve-wracking. ) So my mind was on a lot of different things I had to put first before the story. But we are here.

Its the casino heist which I had so much fun just writing this chapter. I did cut some small stuff out, just filler that didn't flow right But seeing as how we have no metaverse in this story it was a great challenge to try and translate it into something that works in 1800's wild west AU.

So I hope you all like it. I do have to give a warning about violence mostly in the latter half of this chapter. Just putting it out there.

Feel free to review

Chapter 46

Present Day 1885

With a large ever-evolving city, it was never easy to see who came and went, who was passing by or returning home. Horse-drawn carriages were still a hot commodity here. The paved streets clicked against the horse's hooves, unbeknownst to the passerby who their rider truly was.

4 horses clicked on the smooth street casually. Their riders switching to cleaning clothes they packed, the 3 men and women travel as if they were of no consequence. Targets running under their would be captors' noses.

The youngest of the bunch was in utter awe of everything around him, every corner was filled up with a stall, or a building or carriage parked. It was much more crowded, more trash than he's ever seen. Living in a place like this would make him desire open fields and grass, It was cramped.

"What's the next direction Fox?" Ann said riding next to Ryuji, with Morgana and Yusuke in the front. Yusuke had a piece of paper directing them to the Casino.

"I think we're 3 blocks away. It's supposed to be a bright building he said."

The "he" being Detective Akechi.

"Shouldn't be hard to miss, everything looks dull here," the younger Amamiya voicing his opinion.

And it wasn't when they came upon it, bright large lettering spelling out the Casino's name over a grand entrance.

People loitered around outside chatting away, lines of carriages waited on by employees. It was a high volume of people entering this evening hour. The quartet would be able to blend in to make way to the front.

Hitching their horses nearby, they checked themselves up and down to make sure no stains or offended wrinkles ruin their chances.

"Everyone ready?" Ryuji asked the gang. Three nods directed his way. They walked close to a group that was chit-chatting outside and now making their way in. Ann had linked her arm with Ryuji's as Yusuke and Morgana walked directly behind them heads held high.

Security was greeting people as they enter, smiles adorn their faces knowing the many guests will blow their cash on pointless games. When it was time for the Phantom Thieves turn, they took steps one by one to the entrance hoping no one will stop their progress.

The guard on the right took one glance before greeting the four as he's done with a prior guest.

"Welcome to the Leviathan Casino, enjoy your stay." Striding in, they were meet with the 1st floor of the building. Small social tables decorated the room along with a large chandelier and giant staircase. The balconies for several rooms on the second and third floor could be seen overlap one another. Clusters of people walked up to the 2nd-floor steps, the member's floor.

"We need to get a card to present to gain access to the other floors," Yusuke points to a help desk in the wall, "There, we should ask."

Walking up to the information desk, they could see a meek man wearing spectacles. He had a large book in front of him that was occupying his attention.

"Um….excuse me, Sir?" Ann asked calmly.

He didn't hear the young women prompting Ryuji to slap his palm down on the counter.

"Ryuji!—" hissed the younger Amamiya brother under his breath.

"Oh, can I help you all?" the man finally looking up.

"Yes, we like 4 playing cards to enter the main hall," Ann requesting again.

"Hmm….where are you four from, you don't look familiar? We get a lot of regulars around these parts."

"We heard about this luxurious Casino and wanted to see it for ourselves. The architecture is exquisite and complements the atmosphere. I hope to explore it."

The record keeper continues to look at them, nothing of note came to mind. They could just be regular patrons instead of card sharks, "Very well, names please."

"Oh….uuhhh," Ryuji was stumped they got this far. But they can't use their Phantom Thieves name…"Uhh Kidd, William Kidd." The man behind the booth wrote the name down on a blank membership card.

"If you wish to gain access to the high-rollers floor, you must pay a fee or win 20 games, whichever comes first. If we suspect you are cheating, we have the right to remove you from this establishment. Any questions?"

"Is there anything past the high-rollers floor?"Morgana conspicuously asked.

"Just the manager's floor. But that is off-limits to the guest," the man said in a bored tone.

"I see, thank you for your time. Bye." Leaving the information booth, they were allowed one card and up to 3 guests accompanying the cardholder. Any more and they would've needed another card and pay.

"Everyone knows their jobs?" All nodding back towards the youngest in their group, "Remain calm, don't draw attention to ourselves. Keep an ear out for anyone mentioning Lion's Crest."

"We got that part down short stack, same to you, don't get carried away with shiny objects."

Morgana grumbled under his breath but didn't make a scene, "Whatever, just split up."

Yusuke and Morgana went in their own separate direction while Ann and Ryuji walked closer towards the Craps tables. Fancy perfume and cologne stench the area. Expensive jewelry hung around their necks and wrist. Joyous laughter burst out as people won various money prizes. Large sums of money being thrown around for the simple pleasure of entertainment.

"I don't know how to play these games, how about you Panther?"

"Just…..goldfish," Ann was embarrassed to say, "We're doomed."

Ryuji quickly grabbed two champagne floats passed around by waiters, "At least the drinks are free-flowing. I miss my share at the Gala."

"You weren't missing much."

"Well then, we'll toast. Here's to a safe mission and recovery." Clinking the glasses together before the two down the liquid.

Carefully hugging tunnel walls, three people navigated their way underneath the bustling city, watchful of each step. The waste of food, trash, and stool greeted them on a one-way slip off the ledge.

"How much further do we have Akechi? I think my sense of smell has completely deteriorated," Makoto complained.

"These aren't the most steady edges to balance across. If you want to fall into the mush below, be my guest."

"We're not the ones who thought climbing through a shit pile was a good idea." Ren had tripped a total of 3 times but thankfully managing to stay out of the foul-smelling sludge below. It was absolutely ghastly. Stuck to sneak through the narrow tunnels of the city's sewer system while avoiding the city's waste.

"Calm yourself, we just pass another ladder, a intersection should be coming up. We'll need to take a left there." The Detective instructed.

The trio continues their slow but steady pace to keep above the water levels below them. As predicted, a three-way intersection appeared before them. Making the decision to go left, Ren, Makoto, and Akechi carefully adjusted to the harsh angle turn. A surprise rat spooks the younger Nijima, almost losing her own balance.

"Lean back, press yourself to the wall," Ren went to help her stick to the ledge as her heart willed itself to calm.

"Why rats…."

"We're just about there Nijima. This should be the cover right here." Akechi jumps the ladder climbing to the little light the tunnel granted them. Raising the lid by an inch, he quickly checks his surroundings of any passerby. With the coast clear, he slides the heavy man cover over and pulls himself up. The gaudy bright lights of the Leviathan Casino backside greeted them.

"Come on up, we're clear.

Makoto walked up first, closely followed by her partner. Ren closes the sewer hole behind them still cautious of those around.

"We got some more climbing to do, from here on out we go by codes. Keep your mask up the entire time until the signal." The elder Amamiya tied his bandanna over his lower face tighter. Makoto followed suit with her scarf.

"I'll go by Joker still, Makoto, any suggestion on yours?"

She never had the opportunity to obtain a special name as the other Phantom Thieves had. But there was one recently she liked.

"I'll go by Queen. Another card in the deck sounds right."

"Queen, I like that. Detective, you're up."

"I already have a designation. It's Crow."

"Crow?" Ren and Makoto asked.

"Akcehi shakes his head over their reaction, "A team I was assigned to had a theme. Robin, Hawk, Sparrow, Crow. I just keep it."

"Well works for me, lets get moving upstairs before someone sees us." All in agreement, the three make the trek by the emergency stairway. The metal structure was bolted to the building as a fire escape, should one ever occur. The ladder was the first climb, its cold rungs biting into Ren's red riding gloves. Pulling himself up step by step onto the second floor. The second floor was the size of a Grand Hall, two dozen rows of metal steps greeted them.

"I hope you two are preparing for more steps, we have to do the same for the third floor."

"Should we be receiving a warm welcome once we get to the roof?"

"Doubtful, who else would be crazy to climb up the roof when there's a front door," Akechi explained.

"It…seems were….the crazy ones." Makoto was starting to breathe heavily over climbing stairs. Her thighs burn as the muscles used were waking up to the cold temperature. "My school never had this many stairs."

"It's a larger building than normal Queen, we're almost at the top, hang in there."

They had one final ladder to climb once they finished with the fire escape stairs. Delicately climbing over the ledge of the roof, the height allowed them to see a larger view of the city. Even at the twilight hour, the city sparkles in the waning light.

Makoto was awed at the view, taken a moment to admire it all, "So this is what Sis sees every day?"

"It is quite the view, but we'll have to admire it another day. Crow, Queen, let us go."

"Over here, there are glass windows up here that lead to a balcony on the manager's floor. We can ease ourselves down using the rafters. Then comes the hard part." Akechi tells the other two how the roof structure works, "The 4th floor is only accessible by a specific stairway that not accessible to the public. The Manager's floor also isn't visible from the ground, no windows except this one. But there are balconies for VIPs. That is what we need to reach."

Ren was good on his feet, but it was still a long way down should he fall trying to cross the rafters to the other side, "I'll go first," gently prying the window open from its latch, Ren drops to the ledge of the ceiling. He can see the hundreds of people below oblivious to the happenings above.

"This IS higher than I thought. Clinging his back even tighter to the wall behind him, he shimmies over to the first rafter beam.

It was as if a balance board laid in front of the young thief, the type you see circus performers complete. One foot in front of the other. He inhales through the nose and exhales out his mouth, continuing his balance. The ceiling beams interconnect on each other providing enough strength to hold up the chandeliers below them.

Ren steps left, then right, then left again. Arms outstretched to keep his balance straight. The nerves in his feet tingle in anticipation. Sweat forms on the back of his neck, keeping his focus in check as he's halfway across now. The burn in his shoulder hurts, but he leaves them straighten to ensure his balance.

Makoto looked on as she was lowered on the ledge next, also gluing herself to the wall, "Don't look down, don't look down…." She mumbles.

The elder Amamiya brother is on the final third of the beam before he makes the adjustment to land on the balcony. The noises below are but a dull sound where they are. Laughter, chatter, the noise of doors opening and closing.

Akechi is coaxing Makoto to follow him on the beam. Her resolve strong, but her legs shaking. "Listen to me Nijima, don't look down, look forward. And keep walking," he instructs.

Ren himself was tempted to walk back before the Detective waved him off. Slowly, ever so slowly and steady all three made the walk across the rafters. The hardest part was over. With the three making it to the balcony it was time for stage 2.

The balcony had a modest table and chair set up for the guest whenever they wanted to peer down onto the masses. A used cup sat alone.

"We take any guards down quietly and quickly. We don't want to alert reinforcement early." Ren turned the doorknob, opening up to an empty master bedroom. The owner was not in sight despite clothes scattered on the bed.

Akechi motions for them to move forward to the room's door. Peeking out, they see no guard in front of the door itself, but one's back was turned at the end of the hallway.

"I'll handle this one. Walking as quietly as he could, Ren grabs the guard placing his hand over his mouth and arm around his neck. The struggling guard is out after a few moments. Looking left, looking right, the coast was clear again, "We need to keep going. Where to next Akechi?"

"There's a large wooden door we need to find, it had some symbol on it. But the vault was behind it."

"Do you know which direction?" Makoto chimed in.

"I came from a different way. I wouldn't know where the old starting point was."

"Then we do this the difficult way, wander every pathway we can till we find it. While staying out of sight as best as we can."

Wander the halls they did. This floor was built like a maze, filled with operation rooms, meeting halls, more VIP master bedrooms. The trio of thieves had to duck behind crates or crouch beneath window ledges to avoid detection. But not every bit of exploration was without confrontation, as Ren and Akechi quickly handle knocking out guards. Hiding their unconscious bodies did become a problem with lack of space.

"We're getting nowhere with this. We've double back three times now and ran into too many dead ends," The Phantom Thief leader whispered to his companions. He took a peek at his pocket watch, to see it was half-past 9 before dumping it back in his vest's breast pocket. "Our window is closing fast, we are leaving the others out to dry."

"The only route we've missed was guarded, we may have to fight our way through. We've turned every corner on the Manager's floor Joker."

"I hate to follow through, but Queen might have the last option Joker."

These were the unknown factors Ren had worried about, unnecessary interactions. Gunfire would bring in more and more where they would be funnel into a trap with no escape.

"How's your hand-to-hand combat?" he asks the other two.

"I can get the job done."

"My Father taught me and Sis a little. It will do."

"Alright, we head back to that hallway, lets keep things clean and quickly again."

With a new plan in motion, they set off backward on the ever-dangerous floor. Avoiding any remaining roaming guards they haven't taken out yet. Stopping at the corner, they once detoured from, three same guards stood watch in front of a door, but not particularly the door they needed.

Ren signals back to Akechi and Makoto to get ready. Confirming, the elder brother walks out of hiding startling the guards.

"Evening gentlemen, lovely night isn't it."

"What the! How did you get up here? This floor is restricted access!" A guard yelled at him.

"I peacefully asked that you let me through the door, I have some business to attended on the other side." Ren knows they'll never back down, but he was buying time to walk closer and closer.

"Stop! You will be arrested!" This time it was the 2nd guard reaching for his sidearm.

"That won't do," Ren said rushing to heel palm strike the 2nd guard in the chin. The man stumbles backward allowing the thief to kick away the 3rd guard and elbow the first.

Taking cue, Makoto and Akechi is closely behind their leader joining the fight. Akechi handles his opponent with ease, the mask keeping his identity hidden. The fallen Detective grabs the 3rd guard's arm twisting them while kicking out the legs underneath. It was easy from there to put him in a knockout chokehold. Taking the 2 out of 3 guards down in seconds.

Queen's opponent puts up some resistance as he threw a few jabs towards her way. Her Father's training letting her dodge with ease the telegraph movements the final guard was giving. Attempting a move she learns years ago, she pivots her right foot and swings her left foot around high, finding purchase on the guard's face. Knocking him out cold.

"I thought you said your Father taught you basic skills, not a whole fighting style?" her lover said in shock. He thought a few boxing practices was it.

"I said basic skills, I never said for what."

"Heh, you continue to surprise me, Queen."

"If you two are done, Joker we need to stick to the schedule."

"I'm on it now Crow." Ramming his shoulder to the door, it busted open with force, leading the three to a new room. The only thing standing in there was a receptionist, a flight of stairs, and the final door with an odd symbol on it.

"That's the door Joker." Akechi confirms.

The woman behind the desk was about to scream for help. The commotion from outside had scared the young lady.

Bluffing with his gun, Ren threateningly points it at her. "Do not scream, it's the difference between your life or death." She nods and slowly hides underneath the desk fearful of these intruders.

"Crow, keep watch, Queen and I will continue to the vault. We start the countdown when we get out."

Rushing up the steps they slam through the final door, behind it as promise was a vault. A key locking mechanism keeping the contents shut.

"We need a key Joker or we can't get in."

"It's not gonna be in here. Wouldn't surprise me if the owner personally carried it on them.

"So…..what now?"

They examine the device itself. Nothing overly complicated, unlike the Kaneshiro setup. It was simple locking with no further gimmicks or timer.

"I think I know what I can do." Reaching into his tool pocket, he pulls out a pair of glasses. Futaba's glasses she bestowed on him before leaving. Dislodging the earpieces, he turns the sharp objects into the slot before fiddling with another into the keyhole.

"Queen, keep watch, I need a moment to get through this." No key was no problem for the Phantom Thief leader when you have lock picking skills. He was thankful for Futaba's gift as his own tools got lost or broke on his recent travels. This was much needed in circumstances like this.

Testing it left caused something inside to click. Rotating caused more clicking to be made from the vault.

"Come on…" Ren pushes. The locks had reset themselves a few times before he could get back to where he was with unlocking.

"JOKER! We have reinforcement coming up, we're out of time." Makoto alerted him. She could see Akechi jump behind the reception desk for cover and fire back at the invading presence at the door.

"I'm almost there," they weren't taking the while stash but a few gold bars could help. Spreading the wealth to those they knew needed it.

With the final click heard, he immediately pulls the door wide open. Laid before him was a Casino's wealth of gold bars and bags of gold coins. Taking three bars and a single bag of coins, Ren safely tucks them in his satchel. Causing the bag to gain extensive weight.

Here, Queen take this with you. I can't bring it where I'll be going." Passing the bag over.

"But…."

"No buts, Crow's in trouble. Let's back him up before we trap ourselves." The two latter companions join the fray, keeping the reinforcements at bay.

"About damn time. Do you have what you need?" Crow was reload his gun staying low as guards fired blindly in there direction.

"Yes."

"Good, then we're taking those stairs, it should lead us to the kitchen we can escape from there." Akechi said but not before pointing down to their extra body, "Miss, you stay down. If anyone asked just say you were a hostage."

She nods as loud sounds of gunfire pin her to the floor in terror again.

Dashing for the exit, the final countdown was beginning. Ren wasn't sure how much of a scene he needed to cause now as they were already being chased.

"When you get to the second floor, search for the others, I'll continue to draw them away. The chaos should allow you to walk out the front with the crowd. They can't check all those people at once. When you're clear meet at the hideout and wait 3 days." The three were running down the stairs before exiting through the busy kitchen area.

"Excuse us, nothing to see."

Shocked faces of Chefs and waiters greeted them along with dropped champagne trays.

"Sorry." Makoto running and apologizing as she ducks and weaves between staff members. The weight of Ren's satchel weighing her down in more ways than one.

The guards are following behind but also facing trouble getting through cooks and other staff members.

Exiting the kitchen was the door for the 3rd floor and another staircase leading to the second. "Alright we'll part ways here, if all goes well I'll see you on the other side," Ren said parting but not before Makoto gives his hand a giant squeeze. She looks directly at him one last time.

"See you on the other side."

Ryuji was trying his hand at blackjack past hour. He and Ann passing table to table trying their luck in earnings. The blonde gunslinger had a good hand going when a loud commotion interrupted the game. People from the 3rd floor above started to yell as gunshots rang out.

Turning to said commotion, Ryuji sees his leader and friend standing on a poker table shouting, as fired warning shots past him in the air. The people around scared out of their mind rush towards the exit. With this establishment a buzz, SIU will be here any moment.

"Panther, it's time to get back to the horses and leave. Stay close." The two blondes merged into the crowd of frightening guests. Any loose gold coins left behind on tables were easily grabbed. Not many will notice that in this mess. Pocket change for the thieves later.

The man who created the chaos was jumping from table to table as the Casino's guards tried to catch up to him. His fancy footwork allowed him to climb up and over any grabbing attempts made. Outpacing his chaser, Ren finds a hiding spot, taking a moment to catch his breath the real chase was here.

"SIU, come out now you criminal!"

"And if I decline?" The elder brother yelled back before starting the chase all over again. Running through the poker tables rooms, and dice games room was an attempt to run them in circles. But they showed some smarts also trying to use the rooms against him to corner him to no avail. He coul try cutting through the kitchen once more and back down to the second floor.

But the kitchen was a no-go, filled with guards both SIU and Casino alike.

"Shit!"

Ren hurriedly turns to run back through the way he came. The grand hall game room. He could try to use them balconies to jump down to safety, into the 2nd floor poker room.

Turning the corner to reach the 3rd-floor balcony, Ren was suddenly batted in the head by an SIU agent's baton. The Phantom Thief leaders stumble backward over the balcony railing onto a 2nd-floor poker table, breaking his fall. The table unable to sustain the impact broke too.

"Ugh…." he was sure that would leave a bruise on his back in the coming days.

No more than a few seconds later he was surrounded on all sides. A man in a suit standing close while agents cuffed the Thief to the ground.

"My, my, my…..the country's most wanted man trying to steal in our backyard. How stupid can you be? Bring em down to the station boys."

The blunt to the head and the fall were starting to catch up, he needed to stay awake…stay awake.

The smell of wet cement and dried blood alerted the elder Amamiya brother awake. He could feel himself in a chair, hands cuffed behind his back. They were closed tight rubbing harshly into his skin.

"Look who's finally awake." Looking up Ren could see it was the same man at the Casino.

"I want to speak to Prosecutor Nijima."

"And deny us the right to make you squeal ourselves. I don't think so. We all know what you've done, there's no easy way out with trash like you," the Agent said.

"Then you'll have nothing from me," The two other men in the room cracked their knuckles as the lead agent left chuckling."

"Please make sure to give our guest a warm welcome." he distinctly locked the door behind him as the first fist connects to his stomach. The second strike clearly on his har. Ren took another 4 punches to his stomach, unable to defend.

He started to lose track again when the other enforcer pummels his face. Ren could feel the blood in his mouth and a cut on his lip. A bruise on his cheek was forming, and soreness by his ribs. This was just the start of Day 1.

The next time Ren woke up was too freezing water being dumped on him.

"AAAHH!" It hurt to move. His face felt numb from prior interactions. It was hurting to breathe as well. He was shivering. His ribs weren't broken but he knew they had to be badly bruised.

"So then outlaw. Are you ready to speak with us now?"

"I'll only speak to Prosecutor Nijima," Ren muttered out.

"We want to leave her out of this, why don't you talk to us filth. How many of you are out there, where's your base. Answer!"

"I'll only speak to Prosecutor Nijima," he stated again.

The SIU agent snaps his fingers at the enforcer who handed him a baseball bat in return.

"Why don't we try this again, where are your friends?"

"I have nothing to say to you." Ren continues his defiance

"Wrong answer," the agent took a swing at his exposed midsection at full force.

"AUGH!" Now his ribs were sure broken. Spitting up blood to the floor, Ren tries to keep his resolve. There was much at stake.

"How many are you!?" The agent yelled at him. Ren continues his silence not even bothering to speak. This prompted another swing to his ribs. He tries to ignore any further questioning. Focusing on his own mind to ease the pain to his legs and upper body,

Ren thought of Makoto, of wanting to see her again. To hold her and kiss her. To sit under his childhood tree. The next hit to the head must've caused him to lose consciousness. His body shut down as he no longer feels impact of the bat.

Opening his swollen right eye, he's in the room alone, uncuff. The bruises on his face are still there. The chafing on his wrist stings to the cool table they laid upon. He also has a horrible nausea feeling of throwing up.

There's no windows or clocks, nothing to tell time. How many days, or has it only been hours that next sound he hears is the muffle voices from beyond the door getting closer.

"Why did no one tell me he was here. This is MY case. Move!"

"Captain's order…."

"The Captain just gave new orders. I need to be in there."

"Then your time will be cut short. We don't want him to escape." The guard outside unlocks the door revealing one angry Sae Nijima. He probably looked pitiful to her bruised from head to toe.

"Those monsters, they never treated a previous prisoner like this. Can you understand me? We can't talk if you just going to lose consciousness."

"I'm awake. I've been wanting to speak with you. How long have I been here?" Each word a struggle to say coherently.

"About a day." Opening up her folder about this case, "I have to say these charges are not looking good for you."

"Which ones do you believe I actually did."

"Are you trying to get me to believe you're innocent in all this?"

"I'm trying to get you to see the truth."

"The truth," She folds her arms and looks at him reluctantly.

"Yes. Most outlaws and criminals have a typical MO they stick by, why would I follow the same pattern for years only to slip up and change my mind now. I want to help you get to the bottom of all of this. I believe helping you will help me."

"What's in it for me to help you?" She scoffs at the outlaw's suggestion.

"More than you think, Miss Nijima. May I start from the beginning? That may help you understand this."

Taking out a notepad, she prepares to jot down what she assumes are his confessions, "Very well."

"Thank you Miss Nijima." Ren gathers himself, keeping the pain away to focus on his task. The numbness was overriding all his senses but he needs to fight it.

"It started a little over 5 years ago. I was arrested for a crime I didn't commit."

"This crime being?"

"A drunk man was trying to force himself on women. I intervene and he got injured in the pushback. I was arrested for assault. I highly suspect the Sheriff and Deputies were on his payroll as they didn't bother getting to the bottom of it all. I was to be hanged for this crime until I was able to escape."

"If you escaped, why didn't you stay hidden?"

"I knew too much, I was a liability in his perfect world. He sent men after me, after those I care for. I only know him as Mr. Samuel. I thought it would be in my best interest to bring the fight to him than wait."

"So you thought becoming a criminal was your best option?" Sae understood the first crime was something of a misfortune. She's seen her shares of the wrong person, the wrong place.

"I believe my best option was to stop people from having the same fate. There are those who are willing to trample on the weak without remorse. That man walked away without caring that he was sending an innocent man to death. I wanted to bring all of him and his associates to justice. And so, I did. Kamoshida, was a sex traffiker and kidnapper. Kaneshiro was a distributor moving the "profits" along. All while Okumura was a financial backer. All of them stepped on someone else to get there where they are in life. I made them pay. Wouldn't you, Miss Nijima?"

She would, she knew she would. It's why she strives to get this job. So people like her Father's killer could also face justice, "This interview isn't about me. It's about you and this Phantom Thieves gang. Now, why don't you tell me who they are?"

"I won't tell you who they are."

"Is that so? Even if it means you avoid death?" She bluffs. He didn't bite on it and decides another approach. She searches through some other paperwork from her research before finding the right document. "Here we are. I have a list of descriptions of people witnesses say help you with your crimes. The first is said to be a young man similar to your stature and hair, many think this is Morgana Amamiya also wanted one varying crime. Formal pupil Yusuke Kitagawa, disappearing shortly after his teacher's death, wanted for tampering evidence. Ryuji Sakamato, wanted for stealing and public drunkenness.

Sae pauses for a moment before continuing, "There are also troubling reports of an unidentified, brown hair young woman, also recently seen. And one SIU agent Goro Akechi. Do any of these people ring a bell to you?"

"Never heard of them," He calmly said. The pain was starting to flare up again but he shook it off.

Frustration seeps into the Prosecutor as this was getting them nowhere, she slams her hands onto the table in anger. "Are you going to answer any question truthfully!?"

"I'll be happy to, but you're not asking the right questions."

"Did you murder Kunikazu Okumura!"

"No, his true killer works for Mr. Samuel as well. I only wanted to talk to him. But his daughter is safe and sound. I guarantee that."

Sae couldn't detect any lie in his statement and that upset her. She was sure this was the same man that fit this impossible bill. But the person in front and the person on paper couldn't be more opposite. The sense of doubt was creeping in, just like Ren wanted.

"I have another question…..off the record."

"Ask away."

"I…..I have a younger sister who is not where she is supposed to be. A confidant of mine tells me she is somewhere or with people that will keep her safe. I cannot help but wonder…is this unidentified young woman and my sister one and the same?"

Ren was debating if he should reveal this to Sae. It might be the catalyst to get her to side with him. He would be lying if he said no harm had come to her, but she was safe for now. "She's worried about you. That's why I'm here."

"Then where is she, is she safe?"

"You can see her again, but only if you help me help you," Ren said again.

"How do I know you're not lying about all this to avoid the hangman's noose."

"That's for you to decide, but there are bigger things than the two of us right now. There are those that are trying to hide a bigger mess. Question everything about this case, everything out of place. Your sister is worried this consumption of trying to prove everything will lead to your downfall. You don't have to believe what I told you today. But I do ask you seek out the truth for yourself, just like your father did." Ren had no more energy after that, using every working muscle to stay awake and convey the important message.

All of Sae's thoughts felt scrambled inside. On one hand, locking this Thief up would guarantee promotion but what if he's innocent. What if he can reunite her with Makoto. Everything she thought was true was flipped on its head. What if there was a bigger picture Akechi was trying to get her to see. Could they have framed him as well to keep him quiet?

"I need some time to think, I will continue this tomorrow."

"Will tomorrow be my 3rd day locked up?"

".….Yes. Why."

"There's no windows to tell which side of the day it is. Hope to see you tomorrow Miss Nijima." With that said, she packed up her files and closed the door behind her. He was at least thankful they left his hands uncuffed, it will be easier to sleep on the table without them.

Tomorrow was the day they planned, everything came down to the next 24 hours.

Ren took small naps the next morning, forcing himself awake when the pain got worse. What he needed was Dr. Takemi's special bath mixers, the welts from the prior days were angry and purple in some spots.

Sae never gave a time of when she would return if she ever decided to return at all. Akechi did say no one bothers the prisoners on the 3rd day.

Reserving his strength he rested his back to the chair lightly not forgetting the bruise obtain from the Casino.

The turning of the doorknob stirred him wide awake, expecting Sae Nijima once more.

But it wasn't the prideful Prosecutor, but a black-cloaked figure. The man behind Okumura's murder and probably dozen others. The figure pulled the hood back revealing a face, one that Ren had definitely seen before.

"You! I've seen you before. You worked with Akechi during the Kaneshiro's case!" Ren would never forget a disfigured face filled with burn scars.

"I assume you're here to kill me….Loki was it?"

"You're becoming a pain in my employer's side."

Ren tried to hide his shock as he specifically recalls being told the man was mute. But he could also hear the difficulty of speaking just as Yusuke described it when he heard it at Okumura's mansion.

"Out of all the little ants that bother him, I guess I annoyed him the most," Ren said standing up defiantly. He was sore to the bone especially on his legs, both had little circulation that last couple of hours. "Your boss isn't going to get away with this."

"That's not going to be a problem anymore." Pulling a gun out of his cloak, he aimed straight at Ren's chest, "Mr. Samuel sends his regards," and fired.

A/N I went there. Also I'm sorta surprise no one been guessing Loki. Snce akechi is "different". So someone gotta be the murderer. I did leave hints from chapter to chapter about him and I got some more stuff up my

I also may have tone down the interrogation scene compare to the original draft. I originally had them slam a wrench or some sort on Ren's hand breaking a few fingers buuuuuuut that was too cruel.

With Sae's interview she's already has some doubt going into talk to Ren, but just like everyone else you need a little push in the right direction. I will also try my best to get the next chapter out in time so you all aren't sweating about what happening to Ren. Clearly with now metaverse the stakes are a bit higher in this situation but you're welcome to guess.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter, feel free to review, or provide suggestion for games, movies etc. I'm currently addicted to Hades at the moment. NGL I had to force myself to put the controller down to work on this chapter a few times.