Akane no Mai

by Kanius

A man from the world of Vein drops into a world of Thieves. He meets a pragmatic woman. She greets him with a calm smile. "My name is Togo Hifumi." Following the fateful encounter, a host of monsters arrive, disrupting the peace. The Thieves return to confront these entities outside their realm and ultimately cross paths with the Revenant man.

27. Mythological Waves

Chapter V: Mythological Waves

---

Shibuya, Tokyo (渋谷区, 東京)/5:30 PM (JST)

Hours after the Shujin Academy reunion, the groups split up and mulled over tonight's supposed Yami Matter incursion due to occur near midnight. The Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and the Spiritual Gamblers thought long and hard about what they'll expect. Despite Colonel Sanders's spirit's recent appearance, it was a minor inconvenience compared to what is to come.

Biding its time, the Yami Matter decided the start of the new year was the best time to launch its next attack.

During the in-between time, Skyler and Hifumi went back to their apartment to discuss things about tonight's Yami Matter event. This also gave them time to rest before heading off to meet with the Thieves and other Vein Remnants at Yaksha Weaponries.

"We should get as much help as we can, Skyler. Io and I have a bad feeling this event will be bigger than we anticipate," Hifumi suggested along with discussing their latest plans.

"We'll see. I'm sure Rin and Davis would be willing to help, but the others, like my sister Karen, might be unsure," Skyler replied. "But, it doesn't hurt to ask. I did ask her and Aurora to meet us at Yaksha Weaponries."

"If she has access to all of her Revenant abilities, then I'm sure she and the others can help us."

"Let's hope so."

As they continued their way toward Yaksha Weaponries, they both stopped when someone obstructed their way. The person in question paused her approach and folded her arms over her waist.

"Hello, sorry did I happen to get in the way? I wasn't paying attention," the young woman addressed them in a polite tone. When the couple got a good view of her, she appeared roughly in their age range: barely into their early-20s. She has a beautiful youthful look to match her kind smile. Her long, shoulder-length hair is dark chocolate brown that contrasted with her reddish brown eyes. She is garbed in a long-sleeved black sweater, a knee-length skirt, thigh-length white socks, and brown boots.

"No, we should apologize. We were caught in a conversation," Hifumi humbly replied.

"Hey, wait a minute. Aren't you that famous Shogi player?" The young woman asked her.

"Well, y-yes, I am."

"Ah! This is incredible! I finally get to meet one of my idols!" The girl approached Hifumi. "Sorry, am I getting a little too close?"

"No, it's fine. I'm already used to my fans taking notice of me out in public."

"Sorry, but I'm so happy to get to meet you. You see, I'm a Shogi player myself, too. You could say I'm a rising star in my own right."

"What's your name?" Skyler asked her.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I should've introduced myself. My name is Nakamura Miki."

Upon hearing this, Hifumi gasped. "Wait, I know about you. Yes, I've seen you compete in the recent Shogi tournaments online."

"Is she good?"

"Very good, Skyler. She's managed to beat a few pros whom I've played against before and most recently a grand champion. Nakamura Miki is said to be a genius in Shogi. Her skills may even surpass my own."

Blushing, Miki replied with a sheepish smile. "Oh, I wouldn't exactly buy into that hype. You know how the media likes to hyperbolize stories, especially with famous people. Though, I wouldn't call myself famous. I'm just good at what I do. And no, I don't consider my Shogi skills to be any better than yours, Hifumi-san. I've always looked up to you."

"Well, I'm flattered to get to know a fan," Hifumi's smile broadened.

"I hear you go to Sophia University."

"I do."

"And you're involved with the Shogi club there?"

"I help run it, yes."

Miki bowed her head down. "Would it be ok if I visited your campus and your Shogi club? Perhaps maybe we could play a game or two?"

Hifumi nodded. "I'd be happy to. Drop by anytime while I'm there, Miki-san."

"I'm glad to hear this, Hifumi-san. I'll surprise you one of these days." Then, as she turned to leave, Miki extended her hand to Hifumi. "I hope we can get to know each other and become friends."

Nodding, Hifumi put her hand out and shook Miki's hand. "Likewise, and let us have some fun and competitive games." As Miki bowed and turned to leave, she faced Skyler and smiled. "Well?"

"Looks like you got a new friend, Hifumi. I hope I'll get to watch you two play."

Hifumi chuckled, giving a coy and playful grin. "Why? Are you going to try and learn from our moves and apply our strategies to your Shogi skills?"

"Uh, I guess? I mean, I'm still a novice compared to pros like you two."

Hifumi chuckled. "You'll get better with more time and practice."

"Are you going to hit me with those 'practice makes perfect' advice?"

"No, because no one's perfect, but you can get better, Skyler."

Skyler gently grabbed Hifumi's hand as they exchanged a kiss. "I know because I have the best teacher in the world right in front of me."

"Oh, stop it," Hifumi giggled as she kissed him. "But, I'm glad to know."

With that, they headed their way toward Yaksha Weaponries and met with their friends to discuss tonight's plans for the Yami Matter event.

---

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮)/Shibuya, Tokyo (渋谷区, 東京)/11:30 PM (JST)

"Welcome, everyone. I'm glad you're all here. Judging by who's here, Sayaka informed you of the event set to happen here?" Yuriko greeted the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and the Spiritual Gamblers. Also accompanying the group were Rin, Davis, Coco, Karen, Aurora, and Emily.

"By the stroke of midnight, an incursion will occur, but what kind of enemy we might face is a mystery," Ren stated.

"We might be fighting the Yami Matter that Io warned us about," Skyler informed his colleagues.

"So, we'll get the chance to destroy this entity and restore time the way it was before!" Mia declared.

"Let's hope that's the case and then we can put this Yami Matter thing behind us," Morgana said as he jumped out of Mia's bag.

"Whoa, you brought Morgana along?!" Rin exclaimed.

"Of course, he's part of the team. Wherever we go, he comes along!" Futaba quickly asserted, clarifying it for the other Revenants.

"So, he's more than just your mascot? Well, that's cute," Karen smiled.

Upon hearing the other Revenants talking about him, Morgana shook his head dismissively and ignored them.

"Just one thing, Morgana, you've been hanging around close to Mia lately," Ann quickly pointed this out.

Realizing he had been caught, Morgana sighed. "Well, I don't want to barge in while you and Ren are having intimate moments. That'd be awfully rude of me, Lady Ann!"

Ann rolled her eyes. "Suuuure." Then, upon realizing until the last second what Morgana confessed, she did a double take and screeched. "Wait…?! You peeped on me and Ren having sex?!"

"Whoops busted!" Futaba sneakily grinned and chuckled without Morgana noticing.

"By accident! How was I supposed to know you two were making love?!"

"Oh, Morgana, you're in trouble now," Sumire chuckled out loud.

"Dude, what the hell, cat?!" Ryuji spat out.

"Well, that explains the loud noise outside that one night," Ren chuckled, not at all embarrassed during this exchange.

"And since I didn't want to disturb you, Mia found me and offered a place for me to stay," Morgana explained. "Plus, it helps Mia is a good cook."

Feeling modest and flustered, Mia put her hands on her cheeks. "Oh, you give me too much credit, Morgana!"

"No, she makes very serviceable food if I do say so myself," Davis remarked.

"More than serviceable I'd say! She knows how to make dishes!" Coco added, crediting Mia's culinary skills.

"C'mon, guys. You're embarrassing me here," Mia modestly remarked.

Are they actually talking to that cat?! Almost like the cat is talking to them? But, all I'm hearing is meowing…? Yuriko thought, looking on awkwardly from the sidelines. She immediately cleared her throat and garnered their attention. "Anyway, I should escort you all. By the way, there are a few other guests here who want to meet you. In fact, Yumeko, Ryōta, and Mary, there's a group of former students from our academy that wish to see you." She then turned to the Phantom Thieves. "And there's someone here you've met before who requested an audience with you."

"Wonder who that could be?" Yusuke pondered the individual who wished for an audience with him and the other Thieves.

"Guess we're going to find out," Makoto added.

Ren confronted Yuriko with a pressing inquiry. "So, I take it you know we're the Phantom Thieves? Sayaka was able to figure out who we were."

"Yes, I am. My Guardian Spirit has already informed me about your identities, but I vow as an honest shrine maiden, your secrets will remain secure with me. Now, this way. We don't have much time."

As Yuriko escorted the massive group into the shrine, they entered a forest. Unknownst to the group entering Meiji Shrine through a pathway, five tiny green humanoids wearing black bowl-shaped helmets watched them with their beady yellow eyes. These are Kodama, forest spirits that were neither deity nor Yokai. They scrambled through the trees like squirrels and hid away as if sensing an encroaching presence set to hit the shrine.

"Did you guys see those?" Akechi pointed out the Kodama.

"Yes," nearly everyone else emphatically replied to Akechi's query.

"Some of us could stand to stay outside the shrine and keep an eyeful gaze. Eva, Akechi, would you like to volunteer?" Jack asked the two. As Eva concurred without question, Akechi was hesitant to join them, but a stern glare from Jack forced Akechi to comply and stand outside to guard the shrine.

Davis, too, joined Jack, Eva, and Akechi on shrine guard duty.

"Oh, why me?" Akechi deeply sighed, coming to terms that nearly everyone he's interacted with has either given him the cold shoulder and wary looks. One could hardly blame anyone for being cautious around him.

---

Inside a shrine, nine individuals awaited them.

First; the former students Yuriko alluded to earlier revealed themselves. The first of which was a short young woman with blonde hair that went down her chin level and blue eyes. She wore a long red-sleeved sweater, a white skirt, dark blue leggings, and brown boots. She also wore a green hairband.

Upon seeing each other, Yumeko and the girl quickly pointed to each other.

"IT'S YOU!" Both instinctively yelled out.

"Sumeragi Itsuki! I remember you were obsessed with Yumeko's nails!" Ryōta recalled Itsuki's former desire for acquiring Yumeko's nails to add to her nail collection.

"Oh yes, and how badly I wanted your pretty nails, Yumeko," Itsuki smirked while priming her hair.

"And then I exposed your cheating ways. Sorry, hun, but I'm not betting on these nails again unless you got something else worth taking?" Yumeko purred darkly.

"Yeah, no. We have a more serious thing to take care of. That's why Yuriko gathered us," Itsuki turned to the shrine maiden.

"Indeed, and for our other guest," Itsuki motioned for the second individual to step forward. Yumeko, Mary, and Ryōta were surprised to see another fellow academy student.

"Hey, it's been a while, huh?" Midari greeted them with a sadist grin.

"Ikishima Midari, fancy seeing you here. Not really," Mary acknowledged the sadist.

"Heh, how can I forget you?" Yumeko replied with a welcoming smile.

"Hey, I know you!" Rin yelled out and pointed at Midari. "I see you often at our weapon's shop and old man Iwai's place!"

"It's true. She's a regular at our place and Untouchable Airsofts," Coco recognized the gun fanatical gambler.

"We do appreciate you giving us your business," Davis added.

"Hey, what's up? You guys are in on this, too? Shit, what a small world," Midari blinked in bewilderment at the Yaksha owners.

"Well, well, if it isn't Jabami Yumeko and her two friends. How long has it been? A few years since we've last met each other," another voice addressed the three Spiritual Gamblers.

"Hey, check it out. Look who's here!" Ryōta garnered the young ladies' attention from the crowds.

The group saw a wheelchair-bound, brown-eyed, modest young woman with a pale complexion. She wore a dark red dress shirt, a knee-length white dress, elbow-length white gloves, and wore pink lipstick. She has short, neck-length dark brown hair with a near-perfect cut at the bottom. She has very well-trimmed and sectioned bangs covering her forehead. She wore a blue blanket that covered her legs.

"Look, it's Totobami Terano!" Yumeko recognized the wheelchair-bound woman.

"Well now, I wasn't expecting your presence here," Terano acknowledged the Spiritual Gamblers. Her serious demeanor hadn't left her face.

Sitting on Terano's lap is her first of two Guardian Spirits: a small brown raccoon dog with its base body covered in a ball-shaped seal. A small Japanese castle is situated on its back. Sitting beside the wheelchair-bound woman is her second Guardian Spirit: a white-furred monkey with a golden spiked mane and wearing white garb trimmed in gold.

"Hey, look at her lap! She has a Guardian Spirits!" Mary pointed to the raccoon dog and the monkey on Terano's lap.

"You're right! I can see them!" Itsuki exclaimed.

"Since you're now aware we have Guardian Spirits. Allow me to introduce mine. The raccoon dog is named Narikama and the monkey is Masaru," Terano revealed.

Midari meticulously glanced over and saw no disturbances. "Yeah, that's a Guardian Spirit. Otherwise, these people would've noticed and stared at the thing."

"Aww, how cute!" Yumeko walked over and patted the raccoon dog. When she turned to Masaru, the monkey squeaked and crawled up on Terano's right shoulder.

"Surprise seeing you here, Jabami Yumeko," Terano acknowledged the Spiritual Gambler. "If you can see my spirits, then you must have one, too."

Nodding, Yumeko showed off Nine-Tails to her. "That's right! Mine is right here!"

"Very intriguing. And I understand your friends have Guardian Spirits," Terano kept a collective demeanor.

"Yep, that's right."

Terano placed her fingers together. "That's very interesting."

"Just wait until we show ours off," Mary scoffed toward Terano.

Standing on Terano's left side is a young woman with shoulder-length light brown hair. Her hair is styled in a twirlier fashion. She wore pink lipstick. She is seen wearing a long-sleeved, light pink dress shirt, light brown khaki pants, and brown dress her hair, she wore a green dragonfly brooch she received from Yumeko's sister when she was a child. Her light golden eyes met the gazes of the guests allured by her appearance when Yumeko and her gambler friends remembered her having a more androgynous-looking appearance a few years ago.

"Batsubami Rei!" Yumeko recognized the individual at a heart's beat.

"Good evening, Yumeko and company," Rei greeted them politely with a bow.

"Allow me to show you my beautiful Guardian Spirit. First, come forth Yatagarasu," Rei muttered as a bird appeared on her right shoulder. It's a black crow with red eyes and reddish markings beneath its underwings. A small red rope is seen tied around its neck with a black ornament. It gave a low caw when its gaze met those of the Spiritual Gamblers. "And now my second spirit: Yaonami-Hime."

With Rei's beckoning, a light blue-skinned woman with a mermaid's form. The spirit has the upper body of a human with long snow-white hair and a dark blue fish's lower half. The spirit is also seen with a jellyfish hat as its tendrils covered her face like a thin veil.

"Your Guardian Spirit is a crow and a mermaid?!"

"Correct, Yumeko. You're looking well."

"Thanks. Same to you, too!"

"That isn't just any mermaid. That is as she's already said: a Yaonami-Hime," Yusuke identified the Guardian Spirit.

"What's the scoop about it, Inari?" Futaba queried.

"It was once a noble family's daughter from the Heian period. After consuming the flesh of a mermaid, she was granted eternal life but that came with a price. By becoming an immortal, she was forced to watch those close to her die one by one through the passages of time. Unable to bear the sadness that came with this gift, she drowned herself but as a result, she became a mermaid."

Hearing this, Haru gasped. "That's so tragic."

Makoto nodded. "Immortality always comes with a cost. Right, Louis?"

Louis nodded and muttered. "Us Revenants are functionally immortal but if someone targets and destroys our B.O.R. Parasites, we can die."

Standing on Terano's right side is an emerald-eyed young woman with a light brown tanned complexion. She had her long blonde hair tied into a ponytail by a mere clip that had yellow flowers. She wore a light purple long-sleeved coat, a white knee-length dress, lavender boots, and a red neck scarf. Her lips are bright red thanks to lipstick. She wore elbow-length white gloves. Of the guests, she wore the most upbeat and cheerful expression.

"Well, well, if it isn't Terano's sister," Mary faced the upbeat young woman, whose outward personality contrasted the quiet and serious Terano.

"Totobami Yumi?!" Ryōta exclaimed.

"Hi! I love your dresses!" Yumi cheerily greeted them. "Since Terano showed her Guardian Spirits, let me reveal mine! Come forth, Enko!"

A large saber-toothed tiger covered in a reddish ethereal aura and wearing a flame-wreath around its neck appeared beside Yumi. The beast also wore a necklace with ornaments like green and black orbs and a yin-yang ornament. This is her Guardian Spirit: Enko.

"And here's my second spirit. I summon you Yumehami!" Yumi beckoned as a dark golden mist appeared. From this veil of smoke, a dark golden Baku with a crown of spikes and a thick red mane aligned across the back of its head materialized beside its upbeat wielder.

"That's a Baku!" Karen called out.

"And what is that, Karen?" Aurora asked her partner.

"It's a mythical creature whose origins started in China. As you can see, its form consists of various animal features: an elephant's nose, a rhinoceros's eyes, a cow's tail, and a tiger's legs. Baku are devourers of nightmares and protect a person's dreams of good fortune."

"Hmm, very intriguing," Davis meditated over this detail.

"It's so cute!" Rin chimed in.

"I guess in a big pig kind of way," Mia remarked.

"It looks more like a tapir if anything," Skyler added.

Coming from the left and opposite from the trio is a short-statured woman with pink hair that she wore in two long pigtails. She wore a black formal dress styled in the Lolita fashion and elbow-length black gloves. There are white accents seen on her dress. Her most notable features are her heterochromia eyes. Her right eye is dark pink while her left eye is a contrasting blue. She wore red lipstick and carried what looked like a pale yellow stuffed caterpillar.

"Feh, well, well, if it isn't, Mushibami Erimi," Midari acknowledged the short woman.

"Hey, it's been a while, hasn't it? How could I forget our little Guillotine game?" Erimi greeted them with a devious grin, which irked Midari, who remembered that like it was yesterday. "Now, how about I show you my Guardian Spirits? First, say hi to my adorable Hi-nezumi!

Sitting on Erimi's right shoulder is a tiny mouse smoking on a pipe. It wore a ring-like ornament around its waist. The end of its tail looked like a flame. This is her Guardian Spirit: Hi-nezumi.

"And here's my second Guardian Spirit: Shirohami," Erimi unveiled in her hands a white viper with a dark gold and navy blue rope around its body.

"Wow, a mouse and a snake! How adorable!" Yumeko squealed with delight.

"I wouldn't call that thing adorable," Midari snorted at the white viper, which hissed at the blond gambler.

"Now, now, Shirohami gets grumpy when you say mean things to it," Erimi smirked. "Its venom is highly toxic, so I'd be nice if I were you."

Yumeko sighed in a cold, deadpan tone. "Midari, you'd be so kind and apologize to her snake. If it bites you, don't come crying to me."

"Hey, whose side are you on?!" Midari snarled at the Compulsive Gambler.

"Not yours!"

Terano patted the raccoon dog on her lap. "Since I've heard from Kirari's associates that her group and yours use codenames, we have determined our codenames. My codename is Tanuki-Ō if you can already surmise based on my raccoon dog partner."

Rei turned to the crow. "Yes, since one of my Guardian Spirits is a crow, you can call me Karasu."

Yumi showed off her saber-toothed cat. "Well, my partner is a tiger, so you can call me Shere-Khan!"

Erimi tapped the mouse's head gently and winked. "My codename is Bebe."

Midari snorted. "The hell kind of name is Bebe?"

"The one that I came up with myself, smartass."

Yumeko clapped her hands once. "You all have such cute and wonderful-looking spirits!"

"Hey, what am I? Chopped liver to you? Don't forget about me," an irked deep tone from a young woman interjected.

One was a tall, pale-skinned young woman with back-length light silver hair. She wore a black dress shirt with a red t-shirt underneath, black dress jeans, and black boots. Her hair split in two at the end and went along her back. The split hair ended in twirls. She wore a stoic expression as her green eyes scanned the Spiritual Gamblers first before turning toward Terano.

"Look, it's Mira!" Yumeko waved over to the woman in black clothing.

"Honebami Miroslava. No, how could I forget you? I was just letting the best for last introduce herself to our guests," Terano smirked as she and the aforementioned woman locked eyes.

"Best, you say? I'll remember that," Miroslava then pivoted toward Yumeko. "I understand you have Guardian Spirits like me?"

"Yep! And we can definitely see yours," Yumeko acknowledged.

Miroslava walked by Yumeko, Ryōta, Mary, Midari, and Itsuki. They saw a large blue bull spirit wearing a golden rope tied around its neck.

"Since you're able to see my Guardian Spirit, mine is named Fuse-ushi. My codename is Nandi," Miroslava revealed to Yumeko and her friends.

Taking a deep breath, Yuriko addressed her guests. "Since we're all unveiling our Guardian Spirits, now would be the best time I show mine. Come forth, Izuna and Kara-jishi!"

With that, Izuna, a white-furred fox with a long, single red-tipped tail, appeared on Yuriko's shoulder. Then, Kara-jishi, a venerated red Shisa with a white mane and tail, materialized next to the shrine maiden.

"I shouldn't be surprised since shrine maidens are closely attuned with the spirits," Yusuke remarked.

"They're so beautiful," Ann muttered, admiring Yuriko's spirits.

"Wow, your spirits are so pretty! One of them is even a fox!" Yumeko shrieked joyously.

"So, do you two have your own Guardian Spirits?" Ryōta asked Itsuki and Midari.

"Why don't we show 'em?" Midari asked Itsuki, who nodded in exchange.

With that, Midari and Itsuki invoked spiritual connection with their Guardian Spirits.

A ring of fire formed around Itsuki as it expanded into a pillar of red light. The red spirit energy then materialized into flames. A tall, slender-necked bird with massive wings and body covered in red feathers appeared next to Itsuki. The bird turned its head to its summoner and folded its wings.

"No way, that's… isn't that the spirit of Suzaku?!" Ryōta exclaimed in shock.

"And we know your Guardian Spirit is Genbu," Itsuki addressed Ryōta. "And let me show you my second Guardian Spirit: Inosasao!" With that, a large white-furred boar with red body and facial markings, an azure bamboo growing from its back, and a golden rope around its body appeared beside her.

"Now, that's a pig, Mia," Hifumi corrected her.

"Yeah, yeah, no need to rub it in!" Mia shrugged.

"Heh, that's not all. Why don't I show you my spirits?" Midari mischievously grinned as a gust of wind materialized around Midari. From this wind, a serpentine-bodied dragon appeared floating next to her. The dragon's body is mostly covered with blue scales and chains. Its light blue head had facial spikes that made it look like it had a mane. Three long white protrusions with filaments poked out from the back of its head. Two long antler-like horns protruded from its forehead. Its right eye is yellow, while its left eye is red.

In conjunction with the dragon, a second Guardian Spirit appeared next to Midari. Something resembling an old man with a bulbous head, a long white beard, and batches of white hair at the back of its bulbous head appeared. He has a pipe sticking out his mouth. His wardrobe consisted of a red silk robe, a black top, and black hakama pants. Sticking out from underneath the black hakama are four brown spindle legs.

"That's the blue dragon of the east, Seiryu!" Mary cried out.

"That means three spirits based on the Sacred Beasts are wielded by different Guardian Spirit wielders," Louis assessed.

Makoto elaborated. "Since we know Nekomata is the White Tiger, so far Ryōta wields Genbu. Now, Itsuki has shown us Suzaku and Midari just revealed Seiryu."

"Actually, it's just called the Blue Dragon, but technically you're right," a deep feminine voice chimed in to inform the guests. "And Midari's second Guardian Spirit is called the Nurarihyon."

"Wait, that voice…" Ren muttered as he and the Phantom Thieves recognized the tone of this female figure, who stepped out of the dark corner.

"Mina! Is that you?!" Ann exclaimed, recognizing the large muscular woman.

"And Kyosuke as well!" Yusuke sighted Mina's colleague next to her.

"Yes, it's been months since our last meeting, Phantom Thieves," Mina addressed them. She appeared to them as a tall woman, whose height was taller than most of the men present. Upon seeing her, the woman had a noticeably thick, athletic figure. With her shirt sleeveless, she showed off her muscular arms and if she were to flex her biceps would certainly show. Her dress shirt cut off above her midriff, revealing her six-pack abdominal muscles. Her blue eyes scanned the Thieves, the Remnants, and the Gamblers.

As he walked forward, Kyosuke paused and stood beside Mina. A composed grin smeared across his facial hair grain.

"Hello to you all, old friends, including to the new faces among you," Kyosuke addressed the Thieves and Yumeko's gambler trio.

"Mina! Kyosuke!" The other Thieves, Yumeko, Mary, and Ryōta yelled in unison.

"You're right! It's been months!" Ryuji said. "How's it been?"

"And what brings you two here?" Futaba asked the muscularly built woman and her male companion.

"My Guardian Spirit, Makami, sensed an approaching malevolent force spreading its influence and set to manifest here," Kyosuke answered.

"Yes. My Guardian Spirit, Saoirse, resurfaced and informed me of an impending dark source set to manifest in Meiji Shrine," Mina replied to their concerns. "We just couldn't ignore this warning. This shrine maiden allowed Kyosuke and I to communicate with William and his colleagues. Then, these young people showed up to receive Guardian Spirits." She said referring to Midari, Itsuki, Terano, Yumi, Rei, Erimi, and Miroslava. "Now, it appears you've come to investigate this dark source, Phantom Thieves. And you've brought new colleagues…" She paused as she stared at Skyler. "Hold on."

"Wait, you couldn't be…" Kyosuke was also baffled to see Skyler, who was a spitting image of the Sion he remembered.

Hifumi explained. "His name is Skyler Jones. He may look like Sion, but he's not the same one you remember. And these are his friends. They may appear similar but they're not the same Revenants you fought alongside before. Those were cognitions. These are the real ones."

Mina greeted the Revenants. "Yes, it's true. You appear the same but your auras are different. Anyway, my name is Hattori Mina."

"And I'm Itoshii Kyosuke. It's a pleasure to meet all of you," the man bowed to their guests.

"Well, Hifumi already introduced me, though I also go by my codename: Sion. These are my friends," Skyler said, turning over to his fellow Vein Remnants.

"It's good to meet you. I am Louis Amamiya. My codename is Sekiken," Louis said. "And this is my sister Karen." When he introduced his sister, Karen kindly bowed to Mina and Kyosuke.

"You may call me Karen or my codename: Medic."

"Likewise, good to meet you," Mia and Yakumo added.

"I'm Shinonome Yakumo. I also go by my codename: Omusubi."

"I'm Mia Karnstein. My codename is Mircalla."

"My name is Jack Rutherford. I also go by my codename: Hunter."

"I'm Eva Roux. You may also call me by my codename: Songstress."

"Hey, don't forget us! My name is Murasame Rin! I've chosen the codename: Yaksha."

"I'm Coco. I also go by Merchant. The name fits with my occupation."

"My name is Aurora Valentino. My chosen codename is Leto."

"I'm Emily Su. My codename is Adel!"

"And my name is Davis. Tyrone is my codename."

"You definitely remember me and my two besties, right?" Yumeko called over to Mina. She then pulled Mary and Ryōta over.

"She's still as big as I remember her," Mary eyed Mina's powerful and imposing presence.

"We're glad to see you two are doing well," Ryōta casually addressed Mina and Kyosuke without a second thought.

"Since you three have codenames, I might as well tell you mine. It's Firebird," Itsuki said as she stared over Suzaku.

"I'm Azure," Midari declared, naming herself after her Guardian Spirit, Blue Dragon's color scheme. She beckoned Blue Dragon and Nurarihyon to defend her.

"And I'm Miko," Yuriko firmly stated as her Guardian Spirits, Izuna and Kara-jishi, reappeared for another battle.

"Those aren't half-bad codenames! Probably better than mine," Ryōta complimented modestly.

Probably better? How cute. Mary chuckled in thought.

"Now that we have introductions out of the way. Let's discuss why we're here. We have a Yami Matter incursion due to strike here based on Sayaka's claim," Ren verified with Mina and Kyosuke.

"Tell me, Miss Hifumi. You don't possess a Guardian Spirit, but I feel a presence living within you. What manner of nature is this entity inside you?" Mina pivoted toward Hifumi. "In fact, it's nature feels akin to Skyler and his colleagues here." She faced the Vein Remnants.

Hifumi explained. "The other entity you sense is…" Before she could finish, a beam of white light came out of Hifumi and materialized into Io, much to Mina and the other Gamblers' surprise.

"Io!" Skyler exclaimed as he helped the pale Revenant up.

"Did someone call for me?" Io asked, rubbing her head.

As soon as Io appeared, every Guardian Spirit, including Mina's Saoirse, appeared and confronted her. Befuddled by the Guardian Spirits' sensitivity toward her unearthly presence, Io backed away.

"Wh-What's going on here? Why do I sense hostility from these ancient spirits?" Io asked Skyler and Hifumi.

"What's the meaning of this?" Hifumi asked as she noticed the Guardian Spirits also turned toward her with uneasiness. She became unnerved when even the Gamblers' spirits intensely stared at her.

"Please, don't take this the wrong way, Togo Hifumi," Mina spoke on behalf of the Guardian Spirits.

"They've just never sensed this type of entity before," Kyosuke said. "Your friend's aura is very alien to them and they're merely confused, perhaps even wary."

Just then, the spirits of William, Hattori Hanzo, Hide, Tokichiro, Okatsu, Date Masamune, Sanada Yukimura, Oda Nobunaga, Nōhime, Yasuke, Giant Toad, Sarutobi Sasuke, Toyotomi Hideyori, and Mumyo appeared inside the shrine. Nekomata also appeared. Of these spirits, this was the first time Yumeko and her friends had seen Oda Nobunaga, Nōhime, Yasuke, Giant Toad, Sarutobi Sasuke, and Toyotomi Hideyori.

"The spirits are only unnerved because your powers are now derived from the same false god that nearly corrupted your society," William addressed Hifumi.

"Is it all because my newfound abilities are similar to Yaldabaoth and Datenshi's powers?" Hifumi realized why the Guardian Spirits showed sudden hostility toward her.

"They shouldn't be hostile toward her even if she has similar powers as them. She's not going to become like them!" Skyler protested on Hifumi's behalf.

"That doesn't explain why they showed hostility toward Io," Mia said.

"Probably because they thought she was a Yokai," Hanzo stated. "Seems we and the Guardians misjudged you."

"Yes, ease your worries, Miss Hifumi. You cannot blame us or the Guardian Spirits for being troubled toward a source once linked to Datenshi," Tokichiro calmly reassured Hifumi.

"I can assure you that I'm not one of these Yokai you speak of," Io pleaded before the renowned spirits.

"We now know," Hide added.

"Well, since Skyler, Hifumi, and the others have already introduced themselves, my name is Io. My codename has been determined: Moonlight," the pale Revenant kindly greeted the gamblers and the spirits.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but oh my god! That giant toad looks like Gamabunta!" Futaba pointed to Giant Toad.

"Eh, dropping a reference from a ninja show, are we, Futaba?" Skyler sardonically remarked.

"Damn that is one huge frog!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"Toad. There's an obvious difference between a frog and a toad even if they're from the same family," Makoto corrected him.

"What's more is the giant toad is derived from Japanese mythology if you recall. It's the giant animal form that the legendary ninja Jiraiya used," Yusuke elaborated on his Japanese mythology knowledge.

"So, we should be calling Gamabunta or Jiraiya from now on?" Haru wondered.

"No, Giant Toad is just fine, children," Giant Toad responded in a deep and throaty voice. He took out a large pipe to smoke on.

"See? He has a name, Futaba," Yusuke stated.

She grumbled under her breath. "Pfft, I'm still gonna call him Gamabunta."

"Yes, I see a few more young people have received Guardian Spirits," Nobunaga noticed the Spiritual Gamblers with their respective Guardian Spirits. "Just recently, myself, my wife Lady Nōhime, and Yasuke passed our Guardian Spirits over to three other youth."

"Can you tell us who?" Mary asked the former daimyō.

"I can easily answer that," Yuriko interceded. "Yumeko, Ryōta, and Mary, you should know these three well. In fact, you've already met one from Shujin Academy."

The three Spiritual Gamblers faced the Yuki-Onna and quickly made their own conclusions. They remembered the snowy butterflies that covered Sayaka's office.

"So, you two already figured it out?" Ryōta asked the other two.

"Yeah," Mary nodded.

"Then, the other two are with Kirari and Ririka," Yumeko concluded as a sly grin creased over her face. "Heheh, now I really wanna duel and bring our gambling on to a whole new level!"

"So, that new Shujin principal has this Yuki-Onna's Guardian Spirit," Haru said.

"The snow butterflies are kind of a dead giveaway," Ren reminded them while also noting Yuki-Onna's presence.

"That's the least of our concerns now," Louis stated.

"But, still, Yumeko and her friends know these people very well," Ann pointed out. "We're probably bound to meet them sooner than later."

"If I know Kirari, you won't need to find her and her entourage. They'll find you when the time is right for them," Terano warned them.

"We'll be ready then," Ren added.

Suddenly, Io's yellow eyes gleamed as she grabbed her head. "No, they're coming!"

"What? Is it the Yami Matter?" Skyler asked the pale-skinned Revenant.

"It's… it's worse than I feared! There's more! It's like a flood wave about to burst through!" Io cried out.

"She's right. I'm sensing a wave of evil energies intending to emerge in our world!" Yuriko warned them.

Nekomata then interjected. "That is why I've summoned William and the other spirits from their eternal rest in response to this impending evil essence. We will help mitigate and eliminate the spread of this Yokai source!"

It didn't take long for the Phantom Thieves, Vein Remnants, the Spiritual Gamblers, and the spirits to sense the evil entities encroaching into their reality. Then, they heard the sound akin to a dam breaking followed by water breaking through the barrier. Everyone stormed out of the shrine and watched a tidal wave of black energy waves spreading throughout Meiji Shrine.

"The Yami Matter… it's here…!" Io intensely muttered as Hifumi comforted her.

"Damn man! This looks awfully like when those Yokai things entered our world during the Olympic Games!" Ryuji shouted as he and the Thieves recalled that exact day the demonic entities invaded.

Hifumi recalled that incident happening on the same day she first met Sion. She looked up at Skyler, who glared intensely toward the demonic entities taking shape. He had the same look Sion did when the very first Yokai wave appeared. That same intense look scared her then and it still disturbed her now.

"We're going to fight… right, Hifumi?" Io asked the Shogi woman.

"Io?"

"We're going to fight together, yes?" Io grabbed Hifumi's hands. "Say you will."

Before she can answer, Hifumi witnessed her friends turning into their Phantom Thief forms. She then saw Skyler and the Vein Remnants' eyes turning red. She even witnessed the Guardian Spirits materialize next to their Spiritual Gambler wielders.

"You better make up your mind, Hifumi," Skyler waited for her response to the threat.

"Because we're going in," Ren said as the black and white domino mask materialized on his face and he instantly became Joker.

The Shogi woman faced Io, who nodded and smiled persuasively to get her to join the fight. Feeling no pressure, Hifumi didn't hesitate and harvested some of Io's power. Hifumi transformed into Tennyo and brandished Io's halberd.

"Glad you made the right choice," Skyler proudly regarded his girlfriend's decision.

"I'll also fight with you, Hifumi! I have enough strength to fight!" Io said, choosing not to merge with her vessel but instead join her independently.

"The darkness has manifested new Yokai waves to destroy this shrine. A Hyakki Yagyō is upon us! You all mustn't allow these abominations from leaving these grounds!" Masamune reminded the heroes about their top priority.

"Yeah unless you don't mind letting these demons wreck your town and convert it into some demon city," Mina remarked.

"I sure as hell don't want to see that," Kyosuke said.

"We know what to do. Right, everyone?!" Joker asked, rallying his group and the other party members.

"We're ready, senpai!" Violet called out, brandishing her rapier for the impending battle.

"Let's tear them up, Revenants!" Sekiken declared.

With no hesitation, the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Spiritual Gamblers, and the spirits headed straight into the Yami Matter infestation. As the Yami Matter essences took hold of Meiji Shrine, a dozen or so different types of Yokai appeared. The large group decided to split into smaller parties to neutralize the first wave of Hyakki Yagyō.

---

The Hyakki Yagyō struck with relentless force and happened quickly.

In the center of the shrine, an Onryoki and a Great Centipede appeared with an army of undead Skeleton Warriors and Axemen, Yoki, and Red Kappas. Also appearing among them are several brown-and-gray Yokai crabs with red eyes and large pincers called Bakegani.

Joker, Fox, Oracle, Violet, Yaksha, Firebird, Azure, Miko, William, Okatsu, Hanzo, Mina, Nobunaga, Nōhime, Masamune, Giant Toad, Nekomata, and Hideyori arrived and engaged the Yokai army.

"Heheh, alright! Not only is my hair orange again but I can fight with y'all!" Oracle proudly showed off her orange hair as she entered her Persona Al Azif. After granting her party members a speed boost, she turned Al Azif around and fired a beam at several Skeleton Warriors and Axemen.

"Alright, Oracle just fired the first shot! Time for us to strike!" Joker declared as he summoned his Kohryu Persona.

"And I shall aid you, my friends!" With that, Nekomata changed into his true form, the White Tiger.

The two Spiritual, Firebird and Azure, Gamblers became astounded by Nekomata's true form.

"Holy shit! What the fuck?!" Azure exclaimed profusely.

"No way! Did he just become…?!" Firebird exclaimed.

"Byakko," Miko answered, her eyes fixated on the majestic White Tiger's presence.

"It's not the first time we've seen this side of him, Joker and Oracle," Fox reminded them of Nekomata's White Tiger reveal. "Even now, I'm still taken aback by Byakko's beauty, grace, and magnificent strength!"

"Admire him later. We have a battle ahead for us," Nobunaga shifted their focus back on the Yokai army heading their way.

"C'mon! Bring it on, ya Yokai filth!" Giant Toad charged ahead with the White Tiger accompanying him. He and the White Tiger clashed with the Great Centipede, leaving the others to deal with the smaller and lesser Yokai.

The Great Centipede quickly crawled on the ground, knocking over obstructions that stood in its way. The White Tiger and Giant Toad pursued the giant hundred-legged Yokai arthropod. The Great Centipede turned its head and expelled red poisonous mist that covered the area. As they evaded the mist, Giant Toad quickly brandished his giant spear and pushed it toward the Great Centipede's face. The Yokai arthropod's mandibles caught and snapped Giant Toad's spear. While the two giants wrestled, the White Tiger lunged and clawed into the Great Centipede's side. As the White Tiger helped knock the Great Centipede over, Giant Toad drove his spear into its chest. The Great Centipede bellowed and instinctively spilled poisonous mist, forcing the White Tiger and Great Toad away.

Meanwhile, Joker, Fox, Oracle, Violet, Firebird, Azure, Miko, William, Okatsu, Hanzo, Mina, Nobunaga, Nōhime, Masamune, and Hideyori helped reduce the Yokai armies. Firebird, Azure, Miko, and Mina assisted the Phantom Thieves with their Guardian Spirits.

As Mina turned around and saw a Bakegani charging at her, the Yokai crab narrowly snapped her in two with its large pincers. Then, Violet swiftly charged and shoved her rapier through the Yokai crustacean's body. Summoning Ella, Violet used Sword Dance and slew the Bakegani.

At the same time, Yaksha slew another Bakegani with her Japanese greatsword, which she named Nagimukuro.

"You have my thanks, you two," Mina expressed her gratitude for Violet and Yaksha saving her life.

"It was my pleasure!" Violet merrily replied.

"Anytime, muscle lady!" Yaksha gave a thumbs up.

Joker's Kohryu cast Mapsiodyne and paralyzed Skeleton Warriors, Yoki, and Red Kappas. After Joker cast a Concentrate boost, Kohryu then blew them away with another Mapsiodyne. Joker helped blast away Yokai with his Tyrant Pistol. Fox's Persona, Gorokichi, unleashed Heat Wave to burn away the Yoki and Red Kappas. Hovering over a Yokai army, Al Azif fired beams at them.

"Keep it up, guys!" Joker commanded his colleagues. He turned as the Great Centipede rose for an attack, but Giant Toad and the White Tiger barricaded the Yokai arthropod's way.

"Doing ok down there, Inari?!" Oracle asked from within Al Azif.

"I'll manage!" Fox called out.

"Don't get too comfortable, guys! We have the big boss to deal with!" Joker warned them of the Great Centipede's presence. Just then, charging Joker from behind is the Onryoki, who prepared to finish him while his guard was down.

Quickly coming to Joker's aid, William slashed the Onryoki's chest, drawing and spilling its blood with his sword. After William wounded the Onryoki, Firebird, Azure, and Miko stepped in and summoned Inosasao, Nurarihyon, and Kara-jishi.

"Attack, Kara-jishi!" Miko beckoned her Shisa beast as electricity imbued its body and electrocuted the Onryoki.

After striking the oni with a lightning blast, Firebird's Inosasao and Azure's Nurarihyon attacked the Onryoki. As Inosasao charged and headbutted into the Onryoki's gut, Nurarihyon blasted it with water.

"He's yours, Joker!" Firebird called out to the Thief.

"Take his ass down!" Azure yelled.

Taking advantage of his allies' assistance, Joker ran his dagger through Onryoki and slit its throat. Then, Kohryu unleashed Psycho Force and obliterated the oni. As Joker landed in front of the explosion where the Onryoki perished, Joker struck his signature pose and grinned.

"Heh, that's pretty badass, Joker!" Azure cackled sadistically.

"Who would've thought we'd be fighting alongside the Phantom Thieves and those Revenants," Miko muttered, eyeing Joker.

"Me, too, but Yumeko, Mary, and Ryōta have known them for a few months. Looks like we have a lot of expectations to live up to as Guardian Spirit wielders," Firebird said as she, Miko, and Azure helped Joker fight off some Yokai.

---

On the northeast side of the shrine, a Nue appeared. It wasn't alone as several Wheelmonks, Karasu Tengu, Rokurokubi, Namahage, Gaki, and an Enenra joined it.

Omusubi, Hunter, Songstress, Tyrone, Merchant, Skull, Crow, Tamamo, Brave, Presto, Kyosuke, Yasuke, Sasuke, Yukimura, Hide, and Tokichiro arrived to intercept them.

Hide, Tokichiro, Kyosuke, Yasuke, Sasuke, and Yukimura quickly headed off the first few Yokai. They attacked and slew a few Wheelmonks, Rokurokubi, Karasu Tengu, and Gaki.

Lifting his Argent Wolf Warhammer, Tyrone swung and crushed a Wheelmonk with it. Keeping a few Yokai off Tyrone's back, Merchant blasted away some Rokurokubi with Riot Breaker, her trusted bayonet.

As two Karasu Tengu swooped down on the group, Hunter and Songstress intervened and fought them off. One Karasu Tengu flew over to grab Hunter. The Revenant utilized a veil of fog-like blood, which he used to conceal himself from the Yokai tengu's view. Once utilizing his Night Fog Veil, Hunter cut the Karasu Tengu in two with his Executioner sword as its halved body bled out and dissolved into dust.

Targeting the other Karasu Tengu, Songstress conjured blades of sand out of thin air and launched them for the Yokai. Upon getting caught by Songstress's Volatile Storm, the Yokai exploded in a mixture of bloodied sand.

When two other Karasu Tengu dove toward Hunter and Songstress, Crow's Hereward shot the Yokai tengu down with Riot Gun.

"Well, don't I get a 'thank you'?" Crow asked Hunter and Songstress as they remained silent. "Oh well."

"Just keep your guard up," Hunter sternly advised him.

"We're going to need help over here!" Tyrone called out to Hunter and Songstress.

"If you two got time to flirt, you got time to fight!" Merchant yelled out.

"Ready?" Songstress asked Hunter, who nodded as they headed off to assist Tyrone and the ancient spirits.

The Nue aggressively responded to its opposition with quick yellow lightning bolts. After dodging its concentrated blast, the party members spread out. Putting on his mouth guard mask, Omusubi took on a defensive stance and summoned his Hound-Type Blood Veil, which came in the form of dark-armored, sharp-toothed dogs emerging from his back. These hounds growled and snapped their jaws fiercely at Nue.

"Alright, time to sic my boys and tear you a new asshole!" Omusubi openly declared hunting season on the Yokai beast. As he charged, Omusubi unleashed his Blood Veil hounds to inflict nasty bites on Nue.

Nue instinctively retaliated with a yellow mouth blast. Omusubi narrowly dodged and forged a barrier. Activating his Gift and using his Foulblood Barrier, the Revenant stopped another mouth blast. Skull used Elec Break on Nue, suppressing its electric resistance. He followed up augmenting his own electric offense with Elec Boost and blasted Nue with Ziodyne. Nue was blasted back and without its electric resistance was left open to some of Skull's lightning attacks.

Tamamo chuckled darkly. "Oh, it's my turn? Thanks, boys, for softening him up for me!" With a hand covering most of her face, she opened two fingers and revealed her glowing red eyes. "Why don't I show you how it's done?" A sadistic, creepy smile adorned her face.

As Nue steadily stood recovering, Tamamo summoned her Nine-Tails and attacked the Yokai with it.

In the middle of all this, Crow, Hunter, Songstress, Tyrone, Brave's Janomecho, Presto's Genbu, Yasuke, Kyosuke & Makami, Sasuke, Yukimura, Hide, and Tokichiro reduced the Wheelmonks, Karasu Tengu, and Namahage numbers. Janomecho and Genbu took down a Rokurokubi and an Enenra.

"Oh shit, Yumeko's getting her freak on again!" Brave cried out.

"Could either be a good or bad thing, but hopefully the former!" Presto yelled.

As Tamamo unequivocally bonded with her Nine-Tails, the Guardian Spirit resonated with the Spiritual Gambler. Her clothes gained a burnt appearance and small nine foxtails, which wagged and twitched around. Tamamo then got on all fours and creepily smiled. Her still red glowing eyes pierced a menacing glare at Nue.

"C'mon, entertain me! Please!" Tamamo cackled and lunged forth at Nue.

Nue went right at Tamamo and swiped at her with its snake tail. Tamamo jumped over Nue and launched two flamed pillars shaped like dice. The fiery projectiles struck Nue head-on and knocked it back. Tamamo repeatedly blasted Nue with fiery projectiles. As Tamamo kept blasting the beast, Omusubi and Skull double teamed on Nue. Skull cast Maziodyne on Nue. Omusubi used his Blood Veil hound heads to bite off chunks of Nue, including biting off its snake tail. Then, as he passively activated his Flashing Fang Gift, Omusubi cut off two of its legs with his Oni Bane. Tamamo quickly encircled Nue, unleashing fiery waves that burned the Yokai beast alive. Nue howled and collapsed in flames. The flames burned Nue alive and reduced it to a charred corpse.

Tamamo mounted the charred beast and howled in victory. Her red eyes gave off an intense glow as she licked her right hand and purred.

"We've cleared this area and got rid of these monsters!" Presto called out.

"I swear, Yumeko is enjoying this too much," Brave sighed.

"I must commend you for commanding my Guardian Spirit effectively, young miss," Yukimura acknowledged Brave.

Brave modestly replied to Janomecho's former wielder. "I'm glad to make you proud."

"Excellent work, my friends, but the shrine hasn't yet been purged of Yokai," Yasuke said after chopping a Karasu Tengu in half.

"Yo, Yumeko! Let's get going!" Skull cautiously approached Tamamo, unable to discern her current mindset.

"Yeah, we've finished this area," Omusubi said.

Tamamo was silent.

Brave and Presto came up to Tamamo.

"Yumeko?" Presto queried as he reached for her shoulder.

Tamamo quickly turned and smiled. She gave a sweet and innocent smile. "Sure!" She hopped off the charred corpse and loyally followed her friends.

"Whew, I'm glad she didn't flip out and go psycho on us," Omusubi sighed with relief.

"Dude, tell me about it," Skull scratched his head. "Sometimes even I don't get her."

---

On the northwest side, Tennyo and Moonlight confronted an Ogress, several Yamanba, and a Mitsume Yazura. Alongside these Yokai is a new Yokai that Tennyo hadn't seen before: a rancid, giant lump of living flesh called a Nuppeppo.

As the Ogress beckoned the Yokai forth, Tennyo and Moonlight charged head-on and attacked them. Swinging her ko-naginata, Tennyo beheaded a Yamanba. With another swing, she bisected another Yamanba. When the Mitsume Yazura tried to tackle Tennyo, Moonlight saved her vessel.

"Leave Hifumi alone, creature!" Moonlight hissed as her golden eyes glowed intensely in response to the Yokai's sneak attack. As the Mitsume Yazura directly attacked her, Moonlight conjured a halberd in hand and slew the Yokai with it.

"Thanks for the save, Io!" Tennyo called out. When she sensed another Yokai coming toward her, she narrowly dodged the Nuppeppo's inhalation attack. She quickly responded and stopped the Nuppeppo with her Shogi Shield. She then summoned a lightning bolt through her ko-naginata and obliterated the Yokai.

Once they cleared the field, Tennyo and Moonlight faced Ogress. Upon facing the Yokai, Tennyo remembered an Ogress being the first Yokai she and Sion encountered, but from what she can discern, this wasn't the same one who was originally Ieyasu's wife, Lady Tsukiyama.

Waving hands over their faces, Tennyo and Moonlight summoned their mouth guard masks. Quickly lunging forward, Tennyo swung her halberd at Ogress. Cackling menacingly, Ogress dodged and fought back with her claws.

"You're the same monster that attacked me and Sion, aren't you?!" Tennyo charged and forced Ogress back with another swing. "Well, as you can see, I'm not the same helpless victim you can chase at your black heart's content!"

Moonlight quickly came running at Ogress's right side. Moonlight took a chance to side attack Ogress, but the Yokai narrowly dodged Moonlight's reach. This provided a distraction for Tennyo to throw the halberd to Moonlight. After discarding said weapon, Tennyo summoned her ko-naginata.

"Come!" Moonlight beckoned the Yokai, who flew into a berserk rage and attacked them with quick slash combos.

Tennyo and Moonlight dodged Ogress's attacks with grace and agility. Both were able to read Ogress's unfocused movements. Swinging her halberd, Moonlight quickly chopped off Ogress's left arm. Ogress screamed as dark blood spewed out of her wound. Tennyo followed through and unleashed multiple bodily strikes with her ko-naginata. Tennyo then chopped off Ogress's right arm and quickly came up behind Ogress. Tennyo shoved the ko-naginata through Ogress's chest and pulled it out, leaving a hole in the Yokai's chest. Moonlight swung her halberd down and summoned a bunch of spikes out of the ground that pierced through Ogress. Caught in Moonlight's Ivy-Type Blood Veil, Ogress had nowhere to go. Tennyo forged her Divine Thorn, which whipped across and incinerated Ogress into dust.

"Well done, Hifumi!" Moonlight said.

"Thanks for the assist, Io. Now let's find Skyler and give him some assistance," Tennyo suggested as she and Moonlight headed for Sion's location.

---

On the southwest corner of the shrine, Sion and Panther faced a Hino-enma. This vampiric Yokai gave off a very sinister and sensual aura that disturbed her adversaries. Joining the Hino-enma are several Tesso and Nure-Onna.

Before attacking them, the vampiric Yokai openly teased Sion and Panther. Sion readied and attacked Hino-enma with his Queenslayer Blade. The female Hino-enma dodged a fairly slow but powerful strike, only for Panther to catch her with her whip.

"Hold her for me, Ann!" Sion called out.

"Yeah, I'm trying, Skyler, but she's pretty strong!" Panther struggled to hold Hino-enma. The red leather-clad woman cast Maragidyne and burned the vampiric Yokai. Hino-enma barely moved, dodging Panther's attack. The Yokai pulled Panther forward with her own whip and tossed her aside.

While Panther fought off Hino-enma, Sion slashed apart the Tesso and Nure-Onna with his Queenslayer Blade and Hanemukuro. After hacking apart the Yokai with his dual weapons, the Revenant incinerated and dissolved a Tesso with his Frenzied Fire.

Sion headed over to tend to Panther. Taking a moment to recover, Hino-enma noted Panther's wedding ring. It chortled and assumed Panther was Sion's wife.

Realizing this, Panther angrily snapped. "No, don't get the wrong idea! He's not my husband! But, you better not get any ideas with him either!"

"She won't get the chance after I'm through with her," Sion focused his killing intent on Hino-enma. He summoned his mouth guard mask and charged at the Yokai.

Hino-enma continued seductive taunts to get under their skin. However, Sion was no longer in any mood to be manipulated. As Hino-enma unleashed a purple wave to put Sion under her control, Sion still went through the smoke. His mask protected him from the mind control wave. Taken aback, Hino-enma tried another tactic. The Yokai's face split in two, unveiling a nasty lamprey-like tongue to suck Sion with.

"Yeah, nice try!" Sion yelled, slashing Hino-enma's lamprey tongue with his Queenslayer Blade. Activating his Gift, Sion cast Frenzied Fire and burned the Yokai with it.

Attempting to evade Sion's critical attack, Panther stepped in and blasted the Hino-enma with Blazing Hell.

"There's no escape for you, freak!" Panther shouted as Sion backhand gripped his Hanemukuro and swung it to slash at the Hino-enma.

After neutralizing the Hino-enma, Sion took on a swordsman stance and unleashed his Circulating Pulse. Sion's Gift quickly bisected the Hino-enma and finished her off.

As the Hino-enma dissolved, Sion and Panther watched her remains scatter away to the wind.

"Ugh, she really thought we were a married couple? As if I'd ever cheat on Ren," Panther groaned.

"She even tried seducing me into making me think she'd be a better woman than you."

"Really?"

Sion nodded. "And she also wanted to see how you tasted, too."

"Eww, did you need to tell me that?!"

"Well, you wanted to know what she was telling us based on her body language."

Panther sighed. "I don't even want to know anymore."

Just then, Tennyo and Moonlight convened with Sion and Panther.

"Oh thank god, you're ok, Skyler," Tennyo hugged Sion.

"Yeah, I'm glad you're ok, too."

Moonlight eagerly nodded. "You should've seen me and Hifumi, Skyler. We took down a Yokai together!"

"We're all ok, but we need to check in with the others. I'm worried Ren and his group's got their hands full," Panther turned toward the Joker and company's location.

"Then, let's go check if they'll need us," Sion suggested.

---

Over on the southeast side of the shrine, Mircalla and Mona confronted a Joro-Gumo. The Yokai spider didn't come alone. A few ox carriages with hag-like Yokai faces that have small yellow forehead horns called Oboroguruma. There are also miniature Yokai, known as Konaki-Jiji, resembling old men that are seen wailing like infants.

"Let's take down these small fries!" Mona called out as he clashed with and slashed apart the Konaki-Jiji with his swords.

When a few Konaki-Jiji rode on an Oboroguruma, they charged straight toward Mircalla. The Revenant aimed with her bayonet and fired a Fusillade Rondo that obliterated the Yokai with homing bullets.

After taking out the Konaki-Jiji and Oboroguruma, Mona and Mircalla confronted Joro-Gumo.

"You're next, you eight-legged freak!" Mircalla snarled and dashed toward the Yokai spider.

"Wait, Mia! Look out!" Mona called out as the Joro-Gumo spat out webs at the Revenant.

Joro-Gumo tried to ensnare her adversaries with webs. Mona nimbly hopped away, evading getting caught and trapped by the spider-woman's webs. Mona fired a shot at Joro-Gumo with his Sudarshana slingshot. This diversion allowed for Mircalla to shove her bayonet through Joro-Gumo's spider body. Hissing fiercely, Joro-Gumo shot one of her spider legs to stab Mircalla with it.

"Move!" Mona cried out as he jumped over and pushed Mircalla away.

Mircalla grabbed Mona and barrel-rolled away from Joro-Gumo's spider foot. Joro-Gumo ran across attempting to stab them with her legs. The bayonet was out of Mircalla's reach. Mona awoke in time to summon his Persona, Diego. Diego attacked Joro-Gumo with Garudyne. The attack burned Joro-Gumo, giving Mircalla and Mona enough leeway to recover. Mircalla turned around and summoned her mouth guard mask.

"Let's finish her, Mia!" Mona declared.

Nodding, Mircalla's eyes glowed red, which exuded a killing intent. As Joro-Gumo quickly rushed at Mircalla, the Revenant unleashed a projectile of freezing ice that froze the spider Yokai in place. After freezing it with her Freezing Roar, Mircalla summoned her Stinger-Type Blood Veil, which was a metallic scorpion-like tail that was bigger and longer than Mircalla's entire body. Mircalla readied the metallic tail and shoved it through Joro-Gumo's human body. As the scorpion caught the spider, Mona fired Magarudyne to burn away the spider-woman.

Withdrawing her Blood Veil, Mircalla panted hard. "Wow, that was pretty cool."

"Hold on, we're not done yet," Mona heard the movement of multiple legs behind them. "There's another one this way! Remember we can't let any one of these things leave the shrine, Mia!"

"Let's go and exterminate this freak!" Mircalla said as she and Mona headed for the other Joro-Gumo.

---

On the east side of the shrine, Queen, Noir, and Sekiken faced an Onmoraki, an Ubume, and several Kiryoki, which are tall black-bodied ape Yokai with glowing yellow horns and wielding switch glaives. The Yokai bird let out a terrible screech similar to a demonically-possessed elephant.

"Oh great, I'm fighting this big birdbrain again," Queen remarked, recounting the previous battle she had with the Onmoraki. At that time, she, Joker, and Sion fought hard against it when Yokai and Lost attacked Osaka.

"I remember you, Joker, and Sion went after this monster and brought it down," Noir gawked at the Onmoraki as it already flew up and prepared for an aerial attack.

"Here they come!" Sekiken called out as Onmoraki flew above them and unleashed tornados at the trio.

As they dodged its attack, the Yokai bird flew over them and turned around for another attack.

The other Yokai charged at the group steadfastly. Sekiken, Queen, and Noir rushed head-on and slew the coming Yokai horde. Conjuring her axe, Noir swung and beheaded the Ubume with her Buster Axe. While dodging their switch glaives, Queen took out two Kiryoki with Atomic Flare. Vanishing through a veil of red mist, Sekiken befuddled a Kiryoki and came up behind the Yokai ape. The Revenant then beheaded it with his Enduring Crimson.

"Get ready!" Sekiken charged and prepared to retaliate against Onmoraki.

Then, unexpectedly, a samurai's spirit appeared before them. Much like the other revered spirits, a divine aura enveloped his majestic form. He is seen garbed mostly in red and black armor and a black helmet with an ornate golden tengu's face on the top of the helmet.

"Who are you?!" Queen fiercely called out.

"Yes, you're in the way!" Noir pleaded with him to move away.

"Hello, I am Minamoto no Yoshitsune."

"Tell me you're on our side?" Sekiken asked, his red eyes glowing instinctively while siding on the err of caution.

"I am. Is there room for one more? Kurama Tengu, come forth!" Yoshitune asked the two Thieves and the Revenant. Getting nods from the trio, he summoned Kurama Tengu, a green humanoid crow with yellow wing and tail feathers, black hair, a dark gray beak, and glowing light blue eyes.

"Perhaps make that two of us?" Kurama Tengu added in a wise woman's tone.

"You can talk just like Nekomata and Hakutaku!" Noir exclaimed.

"Of course, I can. Now, would you like our aid?" Kurama Tengu asked them.

"Thank you, we'd appreciate the assistance!" Queen replied with a dignified response.

"Let us combine our spirits!" Yoshitune called out, beckoning Kurama Tengu to merge with him. As a result, he invoked his Yokai Shift.

"He's another Shiftling?!" Queen exclaimed.

"A Shiftling?" Sekiken queried with bewilderment.

"Yes, he's able to merge with his Guardian Spirit and turn into a Yokai-like beast. Thankfully, if he's like Hide and Kyosuke, he's on our side!" Noir explained as she and the other two witnessed Yoshitune transform into a tall black-feathered tengu humanoid with red pants, a dark golden tengu-like mask, and a pair of glowing golden wings folded over his back.

"Let us slay this Yokai abomination!" Yoshitsune openly declared his initial attack on the Onmoraki. Gliding into the air, Yoshitsune attacked Onmoraki with two slashes, a kick, and two more consecutive slashes. As Yoshitsune wildly slashed and wrestled with Onmoraki in mid-air battle, the two Thieves and the Revenant made their next move.

"He's wearing that thing down! It's time to make our move!" Queen declared.

Once summoning her Agnes Persona, Queen hopped on. After Yoshitsune inflicted some damage to the giant bird, Onmoraki repelled him with a wind attack. Upon seeing Queen driving its way, the Yokai unleashed and sent a tornado attack toward Queen.

Queen, while riding Agnes, escaped the tornado attack directed her way. Noir fired on Onmoraki with a grenade launcher and tried to clip its wings with projectiles. When all else failed, Noir beckoned forth her Persona, Lucy. Noir commanded Lucy to blast Onmoraki with Cripple, shooting off Onmoraki's upper left wing. While not enough to bring down the Yokai bird, the attack affected its flight mobility.

"I think we can bring this thing down faster!" Sekiken declared, summoning his mouth guard mask. He quickly produced his Ogre-Type Blood Veil. Sekiken's right arm changed into a black-armored Revenant's arm. His fingers turned into long sharp black and red claws.

Queen and Noir witnessed Sekiken's right arm transform into something straight out of a monster film. Much to their relief, this Revenant's hand would be used against the Yokai bird. Sekiken yelled out and goaded the Onmoraki to attack him. Taking on Sekiken's challenge, Onmoraki dove and unleashed a tornado attack. Sekiken chanced close quarters combat and rushed ahead. Sekiken barely evaded Onmoraki's tornado attack and jumped on its left face. Sekiken punched and ripped at Onmoraki's face with his Revenant hand. Then, Sekiken shoved the same Revenant claws into the Yokai bird's left eyeball and ripped it out. Sekiken ignored the fact blood sprayed all over him.

Coming for Sekiken's assistance, Yoshitsune once again flew toward and fiercely clashed against Onmoraki. Taking out his Usumidori blade, Yoshitsune slashed it twice before performing a lunging stab into Onmoraki's upper body.

Queen rode Agnes on top of a shrine and launched herself straight into Onmoraki's head. As the motorcycle crashed into Onmoraki's head, Queen hopped off and mounted the back of the Yokai bird's head. Onmoraki tried pecking at the two, but Sekiken and Queen punched its face.

As Queen solitarily pummeled Onmoraki, Sekiken cast his Fire Storm and burned its head with his flaming blasts. Queen landed consecutive punches to its beak and broke off sections of it. As Onmoraki opened its beak and released poison, Queen instinctively covered her mouth.

"Makoto!" Sekiken instinctively transferred his mouth guard mask to Queen, which protected her from the poison.

Sacrificing his well-being for another, he breathed in some of the poison. Taking out his Enduring Crimson, Sekiken shoved his one-handed sword through Onmoraki's forehead. Then, while passively utilizing his Gift called One-handed Sword Mastery, he split and cracked the Yokai bird's skull open.

"Mako-chan! Louis! Hang on, I'm getting you two and that thing down!" Noir beckoned Lucy to blast Onmoraki with a One-shot Kill. This highly critical shot blasted the Yokai bird's head, causing half of its face to explode, and took out two of its wings.

Onmoraki came crashing down. Sekiken and Queen jumped off the flying beast. As Onmoraki struggled to stand, Sekiken and Queen charged for a double finishing blow. Sekiken shoved his Revenant claw through its vital spot and ripped out its heart. He then tossed it to Queen, who crushed the Yokai bird's vital organ. Onmoraki collapsed and died.

"Mako-chan, Louis! We did it!" Noir called to them.

"Haru, hurry! Louis needs some healing! He got caught by that thing's poison!" Queen shouted for medical aid.

"That was very well executed teamwork, my friends," Yoshitsune acknowledged their united efforts.

Upon noticing Queen wearing Sekiken's mouth guard mask, Noir urgently used Lucy to use Amrita Shower to remove the toxins affecting Sekiken. She even used Lucy's healing to treat Queen while restoring Yoshitsune and Kurama Tengu's energies.

As Tengu Kurama split off from Yoshitsune, they both bowed their heads.

"Thank you, we appreciate you healing our spirits," Yoshitsune said with gratitude.

"It's our pleasure," Noir nodded in approval.

"Ah, that's much better!" Sekiken breathed out as the toxins were purged out of him.

"Here," Queen handed Sekiken his mask. "Thanks, Louis. I don't know what to say."

Smiling, Sekiken took the mask. "Your welcome. And don't worry, you don't owe me."

"I feel like I do."

"My bond with you and Haru is all the thanks I need."

Hearing this, both ladies weren't sure how to respond to his selfless action. Queen, especially, was shocked he had no witty remark, but given the situation, they're currently in it shouldn't be. Queen gladly accepted Sekiken's willful gesture and helped him up.

"I do believe your other colleagues require 8.5-foot assistance?" Kurama Tengu reminded the two Thieves and the Revenant.

"Yes, of course. Why don't we go check in with the other groups? Ren and Skyler might need a hand," Sekiken suggested, clenching his Revenant hand. He sighed. "I know this hand looks pretty freaky."

"We were a little spooked, but we've seen scarier," Noir said.

"Yeah, that thing does come in handy in situations like ours," Queen nodded. "How about using it to help Skyler?"

"You can count on it."

---

While the intense fighting took place at the shrine, four uninvited guests snuck through the forest area. It was Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming, who walked through the forest.

"I still can't believe you two convinced me to come!" Reiko chastised the two boys.

"Nicola said he heard his sister would be coming here to meet with Ren's group. For what, I don't know," Shinya said.

"Mia told me she'd be out doing something late and sounded serious about it. I asked if she needed me and she said no. Before she left, I overheard Mia talking on the phone while I pretended to mind my own business in my room. I found it peculiar because Mia rarely ever has 'midnight' plans," Nicola said. "So, that aroused my suspicions."

"What do you think they could be meeting at Meiji Shrine for?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Shinya."

Just then, the four teens heard the sound of combat inside Meiji Shrine.

"You guys hear that? Sounds like some fighting!" Shinya exclaimed. "Maybe the Phantom Thieves are fighting something out of the ordinary!"

"Like what? Monsters?" Reiko asked.

"Maybe?" Shinya shrugged.

"Let's go see!" Li-Ming cried out.

Just then, the four teens turned and watched as a Tsuchigumo raced past them. When it stopped right in front of them, the arachnid creature, a Tsuchigumo, loomed over them. It resembled a large black spider, walking on two legs while its other six arms were fully sprawled out on display around its body. Two of its arms have clawed hands. Hundreds of tiny red eyes covered the Yokai spider's face.

The Tsuchigumo quickly stopped and noticed potential food to prey on.

"Uhhhh… guys…!" Reiko's face went blue as she pointed at the Tsuchigumo.

"Oh shit… it… it saw us!" Shinya cursed fearfully.

"Run!" Nicola shouted as he and his three friends turned to escape, but the Tsuchigumo pursued them.

Then, the Tsuchigumo lunged at the four teenagers. As they screamed together, Shinya threw himself in front of his three friends.

"You want my friends?! You'll have to get through me first, you spider bastard!" Shinya shouted with defiance.

"SHINYA!" The other three screamed in terror at the sight of their friend about to become the Tsuchigumo's prey item.

"No!" Nicola shouted as he instinctively dashed forward and pushed Shinya away. "GET BACK, SHINYA!"

"NICOLA!" Li-Ming and Reiko cried out in unison, watching in horror as the Tsuchigumo clenched its arms around Nicola.

Before words could escape Shinya's lips, he and the girls witnessed a glowing light erupt from Nicola's body. The same light brushed the Tsuchigumo back. Then, the light carried Nicola into the air as his friends witnessed this strange and unexpected event occur before their eyes.

"Nicola?!" Li-Ming cried to him.

"What's happening with Nicola?! What's this light?!" Reiko asked in bewilderment.

"I...I wish I knew! Hey, Nicola!" Shinya called out to him again.

Their words seemingly fell on deaf ears, but the light quickly shrouded Nicola and transformed his outward appearance. In Nicola's mind, a large 8.5-foot tall suit of steel armor with massive Irish elf-like antlers flashed inside his mind.

Nicola thought what this would mean but his memories reminded him of who he was and the significance of this armored suit. It was him.

The Successor of the Breath has returned.

As steam poured from his mouth, Nicola changed into that same 8.5-foot tall armored behemoth with the massive antlers. The left antler was notably broken off.

Upon seeing their friend transform into a giant armored suit, they fell into silence momentarily.

Until Li-Ming broke the silence with an audible gasp and muttered. "Nicola? Is that really you?"

"Nicola! Can you hear us?!" Reiko called out to him.

"Oh shit, that spider freaks' coming back for another round!" Shinya shouted as the Tsuchigumo charged at them. "Hey, Nicola! Move!"

As the Tsuchigumo expelled a ball of webbing from its mouth, the armored suit then responded with a swift punch to the spider's gut. The three teens witnessed as the suit not only punched the spider but unleashed a powerful force that ripped it in two. After breaking it in half, the Tsuchigumo fell on the ground, twitched violently, and dissolved into dust.

Gazing at his hand, the suit lifted his head as yellow eyes appeared inside his helmet piece.

"That was a close one. Are you guys ok?" The suit asked, speaking in Nicola's voice.

Naturally, the three teens were more intrigued by Nicola's new form and crowded around him like fanatics. Needless to say, he wasn't sure how to take in his friends' reactions toward his Successor form.

"Whoa, Nicola! Is that really you?!" The teens shouted, intrigued with their friend's armored form.

"I never knew you had it in ya, dude!" Shinya gleamed proudly over Nicola's unexpected transformation.

Nicola, now in his armored form, knelt and produced white spheres, which turned into beams and enveloped Shinya, Reiko, and Li-Ming.

"This is my Successor form. I am the Successor of the Breath. With my power, I've conjured something for you, guys. Consider these as friendship gifts from me," Nicola offered to them.

A white light ball in Shinya's hand formed into a silver gun with glowing neon green and yellow lights. His outfit matched the color of his gun with lines of neon green and yellow covering his streamlined suit. His mask is a helmet with a visor, which opened up like slots and revealed his face. Gazing upon his new attire, a big smile smeared across his face.

Reiko's wardrobe changed as she now wore a white dress garb. Her hair was braided on her right side. A white feathered headdress adorned her crown. She gained a white mask with angel-like feathers.

Li-Ming's outward appearance saw significant changes. Her skin complexion gained varied colorations starting with dark brown spots on her cheeks, five black stripes running from her forehead, and dark brown spots on her arms & legs. Her nose became pink, gaining cat-like whiskers. A pair of brown cat-like ears poked out of the crown of her head. She also gained a dark brown spotted tail. The Chinese girl freaked out at the sight of her 'catgirl' appearance.

"Hell yeah! Watch me pack heat with this baby!" Shinya flashed his laser gun. "And you…" As soon as his eyes fell on Reiko, he stuttered and blushed. "...whoa, you look so…"

Reiko blushed. "What?"

"I was gonna say pretty?"

"Oh thank god, I thought you'd say something stupid."

"Nah, I wouldn't… HOLY CRAP! It's Yamapikarya!" Shinya pointed his laser gun at Li-Ming.

"NO! DON'T SHOOT!" Li-Ming shrieked. "It's me, Li-Ming!"

"Li-Ming?! Geez, you had me scared! I almost shot ya!" Shinya quickly apologized.

"Hey, look at Li-Ming now!" Reiko pointed to 12 small glowing orbs floating around the Chinese girl.

"12? If there's 12, that must mean…!" Li-Ming gasped upon realizing the number could be a dead giveaway. "Nicola, you actually made my wish come true!" She watched as the 12 orbs popped, unveiling the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.

The first to appear is a dark-furred rabbit with a white veil over its chest. It had the appearance of an Amami rabbit. "I'm the Healing Usagi!"

The second one was revealed to be a white rooster with fiery red wings and black tail feathers. It had the appearance of a Japanese bantam. "I'm the Blazing Basan!"

The third one turned out to be a brown bristled-haired rat. It resembled a Ryuku long-tailed giant rat. "I'm the Invisible Nezumi!"

The fourth one is a yellow-furred Shiba Inu. "I'm the Quake Inu!"

The fifth revealed to be a large brown boar. It resembled the Japanese boar. "I'm the Gluttonous Buta!"

The sixth one turned out to be a brown, white-bellied goat-antelope. It resembled a Japanese serow. "I'm the Lightspeed Yagi!"

The seventh to appear is a miniature orange-scaled, winged seahorse. It slightly resembled a Japanese seahorse. "I'm the Æther Tatsu!"

The eighth one is a brown and white-furred macaque. It resembled the Japanese macaque. "I'm the Shinrin Saru!"

The ninth was revealed to be a pale yellow snake. It resembled the Japanese keelback. "I'm the Storm Hebi!"

The tenth one turned out to be a black bull. It resembled a Wagyu. "I'm the Virtus Ushi!"

The eleventh to appear is a light brown horse with a reddish mane and tail. It resembled a Noma of the Japanese horse breeds. "I'm the Telepathic Uma!"

The last and twelfth one is a tiger garbed in yellow and blue body armor. It has large round eyes and big ears. "And I'm the Aurora Tora!"

The Twelve Zodiacs announced in unison. "Together we are the Shēngxiào!"

"The Shēngxiào?" Shinya blinked in confusion. "And what's that translate to?"

"Duh, the Chinese Zodiac! Oh, Nicola, you have no idea how happy I am about this!" Li-Ming clapped her hands joyously as the Shēngxiào whirled around her. She counted each one, all of them are 2-foot tall miniatures.

"And that would make you the cat that was supposed to be in the Shēngxiào, right?" Nicola asked Li-Ming.

"Yes, it's kinda weird I'm a catgirl now, is it?" Li-Ming blushed, trying but failing to hide her cat ears and tail.

"No, no! You look so adorable now, Li-Ming!"

"Oh, thanks, Nicola!" Li-Ming hugged the now giant Nicola's right leg. "Whoa, you're so cold! And you've grown so big now. I'll have to get used to this new you."

"Heh, well I am steel armor now. I hope I'm not stuck like this."

The Shēngxiào formed a circle around Li-Ming.

"What shall you have us do, Miss Li-Ming?" Healing Usagi asked.

"We are here at your behest," Blazing Basan obediently added.

"We are at your beckoning!" Storm Hebi stated.

"Eh, not me. I don't help cats," Invisible Nezumi snorted and turned away, earning him a slap from Quake Inu.

"Now, now, be nice to Miss Li-Ming!" Quake Inu barked at the rat.

"Don't worry, we'll keep the rat behaved, Miss Li-Ming," Aurora Tora reassured her.

"Thank you so much!" Li-Ming replied. "Listen, Shēngxiào. We need your help to beat those Yokai. Can you do it?"

The Shēngxiào nodded in unison as they turned into a wreath of light that formed over Li-Ming's upper chest.

"Wow, pretty," Li-Ming gleamed happily as she touched the glowing wreath.

"Just beckon any of us at your command and we shall assist you!" The Shēngxiào cried out in unison.

"You're so lucky, Li-Ming. I wish I was the one controlling animal spirits," Reiko sighed.

"It's best you leave them with me. Besides, no one's a bigger fan of the Shēngxiào than I. Anyway, Nicola. How come you never told us you can turn into a giant armored suit?!"

"Well, I…" Before Nicola could fully explain his Successor nature based on his memories, they heard someone coming behind them. When Nicola and the others turned, they saw Mircalla and Mona slowly approach them. Nicola noticed his sister facing him in awe.

"Nicola, you've unlocked your Successor form," Mircalla muttered in disbelief. "How did this happen?"

"Well, a giant spider came and attacked us. It tried to grab Shinya, then I stepped in the way, and then I became my Successor form," he explained in the slightest detail.

"Don't worry! He killed that big nasty spider! Nicola was incredibly badass and strong!" Shinya exclaimed.

"How did you three get those suits and masks?" Mircalla asked Shinya, Reiko, and Li-Ming.

"Well, you see Nicola gave us these new powers and costumes," Reiko said. "Wow, we have masks! That would make us like Phantom Thieves!"

Upon realizing this, Shinya smiled proudly for becoming like his heroes. "Yeah, that's a good point. Hell yeah, I'm a Phantom Thief now!"

"Eh, you've got a long way to go, kid," Mona remarked as the four teens heard him speak.

"You just spoke!" Reiko cried out in shock.

"Hey, I recognize you from the big screens when you and the Thieves called out Shido's ass!" Shinya recalled that instance.

"Eh, I've already had my fill of talking animals already," Li-Ming remarked.

"Sis, he's one of the Phantom Thieves. I didn't know you two know each other."

"Nicola, there's a lot of things I haven't told you yet. Yes, Louis, me, Skyler, Yakumo, and the others are fighting with the Phantom Thieves. I wish you four hadn't shown up, but since you four now have powers, it looks it can't be helped," Mircalla smiled toward Nicola. "You really came through for your friends as I asked. I'm proud of you, little brother."

Hearing this, Nicola almost wanted to blush if he could in his current state.

"Anyway, Mia is right. We're going to need the extra support if we could."

"For the Phantom Thieves and Nicola's sister's friends, we'd be happy to come," Shinya nodded approvingly. "Right, guys?"

Reiko and Li-Ming replied enthusiastically. "Yeah!"

"You four! This way!" Mona barked at the four teens as he headed through the forest path into Meiji Shrine.

"Well, you heard him. Follow us!" Mircalla beckoned the four teens.

"We're coming, sis!" Nicola earnestly replied.

"C'mon, let's go!" Shinya rallied his three friends toward the Yokai battles.

---

The Great Centipede bellowed and released a poisonous breath mist. However, the White Tiger retaliated with a yellow laser from his right eye that tore through the giant Yokai arthropod's underside. This helped cripple and bring down the Great Centipede.

Before Joker, Fox, and Oracle went for an All-Out Attack, the other Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and Spiritual Gamblers arrived to assist them.

"Need a hand?!" Sion called to Joker.

"Let's bring that big bug down!" Panther declared.

"Go for it!" Mona openly shouted and rallied the Thieves.

Without delay, the Phantom Thieves struck the Great Centipede with their All-Out Attack. The Great Centipede was on the receiving end of fast piercing and combustible attacks that dealt critical damage to it.

However, that wasn't enough to put away the Great Centipede.

Sion gathered Tennyo, Moonlight, Mircalla, Sekiken, Omusubi, Hunter, and Songstress.

"Let's deal the finishing blow, Vein Remnants!" Sion called out.

As the Great Centipede weakly rose, the Vein Remnants unleashed their variation of the Thieves' All-Out Attack. The Revenants summoned their Blood Veils. They tore into the arthropod's body, ripped off its appendages, blasted holes through its body, and bombarded it with varied blasts.

Joker and Sion landed beside each other. Joker pointed his Tyrant Pistol at the same time Sion readied his Queenslayer Blade and Hanemukuro.

"Ready, Ren?"

"Let's finish it!"

With that, the Thief and the Revenant quickly took apart the Giant Centipede. As Sion ripped through the arthropod's segmented body using, he slashed consecutive strikes while swinging his two weapons, even tearing through its demonic visage and spilled its blood, which splattered across the vicinity. Firing a few shots with his pistol, Joker blasted the Giant Centipede's remains away.

"Great work, you two!" Hunter called out to them.

"Wait, something else is approaching!" Moonlight warned while her golden eyes gleamed in response to the festering presence.

"So, we're not quite finished yet," Tennyo cautiously noted while scanning their surroundings.

"The Yami Matter hasn't completely vanished, but I am sensing more spiritual presences," Moonlight verified.

"That must mean more spirits are set to appear," William inferred.

"Whatever the case, this battle is not over yet," Joker said.

---

Chapter Soundtrack

Persona 5 OST - A Woman - Hifumi and Sion meet a young woman named Nakamura Miki.
Nioh OST - Loneliness - The Meiji Shrine scene of the protagonists gathering together in preparation for the Yami Matter event.
Nioh 2 OST - The Sohaya - Meeting the historical figures and the spirits sensing Hifumi's powers derived from the alternate Yaldabaoth before the Yami Matter event.
Nioh OST - Battle II - Yokai are unleashed into the human realm.
Nioh OST - Ayakashi I - vs. Yokai in the first wave such as the Onryoki.
Nioh OST - Ayakashi II - vs. Yokai in the first wave such as the Hino-enma.
raTEoREkiSImeAra (Telethia Battle) - Xenoblade Chronicles X OST - Hiroyuki Sawano - vs. Yokai in the first wave.

---

A/N: Our heroes meet the Nioh spirits in a big way. Yumeko and her friends meet old academy students. Mina and Kyosuke meet the Phantom Thieves.

Heh, yeah Gamabunta was an obvious Naruto reference. Not surprising to hear it from our otaku (Futaba) of the Phantom Thieves.

Our first Yami Matter incident just happens to be a Hyakki Yagyō, but certainly not the last. Do you think this chapter was the end of that? Heh. Not even close.

Writing the battles didn't consume too much time. Since this is just a first wave battle, there wasn't a necessity to focus on the Yokai since they're just cannon fodder. I've carefully made sure to crowd control the battles since I'll be applying that to fight scenes in the novel I'm writing. That's why I intentionally left out the remaining Revenants and Spiritual Gamblers from this to avoid overly crowded scenes, but they'll have their moments in Hyakki Yagyō's second half. So, in comparison to my other fanfics (which are larger scale and have more crowded scenes), the battles have so far been very minuscule. Though, that'll change as this story progresses.

Mia/Mircalla is found out by her brother and his friends. It was only a matter of time. Moreover, Nicola has invoked his Successor of the Breath form. In Code Vein, he's one of the Revenants capable of using these forms, which grant them more abilities. And as a result of his bond with his three friends, Shinya, Reiko, and Li-Ming have received their own abilities akin to Phantom Thieves and their abilities are linked to their personalities. For example, Li-Ming's Shēngxiào is linked to her Chinese heritage and her love for the Zodiacs (like Tohru from Fruits Basket, which Li-Ming is a huge fan of). Shinya getting a laser gun should be obvious.

Yep, won't Shinya be surprised to see the Phantom Thieves in person.

Oh yeah, and Hifumi has met perhaps her biggest fangirl and someone whose Shogi skills might match/surpass her own. Tell me if that name Nakamura Miki rings any bells? Her name was mentioned in the Consortium's debut scene in the chapter Reawakenings.

Anyway, that's all I have to say regarding this chapter.

Send a review and see you in the next chapter, readers!