A.N. Another day, and I still do not have wifi at home. So how am I able to post this? Personal hotspot. Man, technology has changed in the fifteen years since I have been on this website. Hey all, this is probably the longest chapter (so far) I have written for this. and frankly, I am both proud and happy with what I have written. Like I mentioned, it is all for personal enjoyment.

Tidbit: The say "Write what you know". Originally, my introduction to the Suiza character was set in Malibu California. But as the years passed and the rewrite was going through my head, it made more sense to have her from my hometown of the San Francisco Bay Area, California. I was born in Fremont, which now is known as "The Gateway to Silicon Valley." But I grew up closer to Oakland, home of the Black Panthers, the BEST China Town, Fenton's and the OG Raiders. Living here most of my life has given me a sense of pride and appreciation for my hometown/area. And the beauty of having my own car gives me the luxury to explore and see new areas/hidden gems. Just a few days ago, I went to the Mountain View Cemetery in Piedmont; and the view from those hilltops *chef's kiss*. This is why the setting for this story is very accurate, since I am "writing what I know."

Of course, I do not own Lupin III. Today's song is "Work, Work, Work," by Rihanna

Ghost Opera

Chapter Four: Work

"I believed in all your dreams, adoration."

"So what do we know about the Shikibu Family, Robson?" Rebecca Rossellini asked her trusted butler. She and Robson were in the back seat of a limo Miya Shimada had gotten for them. Rebecca looked outside her window as they were traversing on the Bay Bridge, where she could see the sun illuminating the San Francisco Bay.

"Well Miss Rebecca, they are one of the biggest land developers in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have some smaller other ventures as well, some rumors say these ventures are lawless, but nothing confirmed as of yet. The current head of the family is a former opera singer, Miya Shimada."

Rebecca yawned, "Sounds boring. Why on earth did we agree to meet her?"

"Miya Shimada said it was an urgent business matter, your late parents' work with Poenieri Industries helped make the Shikibu Family into what they are now. I am assuming since you are now head of the Rossellini House, she wanted to meet with you."

"There are a million other things I could, and should be doing now. I was hoping to do some shopping in Union Square, or eat at some of the finest restaurants this city has to offer." Rebecca whined as she continued to look outside her window. As the limo drove by Treasure Island, Rebecca couldn't help but remember her home of San Marino, and him.

It had been almost a year since she last saw Lupin, her sort of ex-husband as Rebecca never filed their marriage certificate. The man who showed her excitement, the man who showed her a new way of life. Rebecca's constraints due to her being the head of the Rosselini House made the way Lupin lived his life even more enticing. The man who had saved her life from that fanboy stalker, when Lupin himself wanted to steal Rebecca.

He kept true to his word the night they first met, he had in a sense stolen her. Call it her naivety, but Rebecca's heart was stolen by him. She almost lost herself in her daydreams until she heard her butler trying to get her attention.

"Miss Rebecca?" He tried again.

"What?" Rebecca groaned.

"I was only letting you know that we should proceed with caution. You know how it is dealing with Santino Poenieri, Miya Shimada had to have acquired the moniker "Tiger Countess" for something other than her singing skills."

"Yes, yes, I get it, Robson." Rebecca rolled her eyes, "After what I have been through these past few years, there is nothing much that can phase me now."

"You took my heart, and my keys, and my patience."

-The Palace Hotel, Lupin's Suite-

"Lupin, I've been your friend and partner for a long time." Jigen started as he continued to read the San Francisco Chronicle, "I've accepted some of your eccentricity and even your spontaneity…"

Lupin interrupted, "You have "but" face."

"...what?"

""But" face, where you look like you are going to say "but".

"But wanting to kidnap an elderly woman? Since when are we kidnappers?"

"In the context of an elderly woman, should we really use the word "kidnap? She isn't a child." Goemon interjected.

"Fine, "ransom her".

"I don't want to kidnap her, or ransom her, or whatever you two are thinking." Lupin answered as she was polishing a purple iris broach. "She is the last living Shikibu who knows about what went down twenty-two years ago with the rival clan, and my grandfather. The ring and Romanov fortune will be ours, but I need to speak with her."

"Then why don't we? You could not have sent her granddaughter that note."

"You're right, I could've been more secretive about it. However, I want the Tiger Countess to know we are after her."

"...what the hell? Tiger Countess?" Jigen asked.

"I am surprised you don't know about the Tiger Countess of the West, Jigen." Goemon added, "Miya Shimada's exceedingly clever nickname."

"How do you know about it?"

"Irrelevant, but the highlights are that the Shikibu Family chose the White Tiger of the West as their symbol. Supposedly the Shimada family descends from the royal family but that itself is an unconfirmed rumor. She herself was the daughter of the Shimada Family boss, but was later disowned when she married Sojiro Shikibu."

"And some say she was not only Sojiro Shikibu's wife, but also his most trusted adviser." Lupin added, "I admit, my grandfather did underestimate her. But if I learned anything over the years, is that women can be deadly."

"Told you. Women are always your downfall." Goemon smirked.

Lupin rolled his eyes, "Ha. ha."

"So now, not only do we have a She Wolf to fear, we have a Tiger." Jigen scoffed, "Wonderful. Any more animals I need to know of?"

"That reminds me," Goemon started, "What will we do if we have to contend with the She Wolf of France?"

"I was wondering that as well. I've read about her, what she's done in the Middle East and Africa. Supposedly the turmoils that were occuring in Egypt and Yemen were all ignited by her."

Goemon interjected, "And she's killed three law enforcement agents."

"Oh I am well aware of her reputation guys." Lupin replied.

"We may have another problem." Jigen said as he looked up from his newspaper.

"And what is that?"

Jigen passed the newspaper to Lupin, "Read it."

Lupin looked at the article, as he read out, "Young model and entrepreneur Rebecca Rossellini arrives in San Francisco this week...oh crap."

"All that I wanted from you was to give something that I never had."

-Oakland, California. The Shikibu Residence-

Rebecca's limo stopped in front of the Shikibu Mansion in the Oakland Montclair Hills. The high fence opened to reveal Suiza eagerly awaiting the young model. Suiza herself was wearing a light blue Yves Saint Laurent summer dress with matching white flats. The dress accentuated her curves and figure, she smiled as she saw Rebecca and Robson exit. "Good afternoon Miss Rossellini, and welcome to my home" Suiza cheerily spoke, "I am Susanna Shikibu, I hope your travels went well."

"Rebecca, please, and it was okay," Rebecca responded, "Wow! I love your dress, is that from this season?"

Suiza giggled, "Unfortunately it's from two years ago I believe. I should've worn the dress from your fashion house that I have, but I was afraid you'd ridicule me for wearing a dress from four seasons ago."

"We must update your closet as soon as humanly possible." Rebecca winked.

"I'd love that." Suiza smiled, "My grandmother Miya has asked me to escort you and Robson out to the patio for tea and lunch. There we can discuss the business matter she wants to clarify with you. If you would, please follow me." Suiza turned around and walked up to the wide front yard to the door of her house, with Robson and Rebecca trailing behind her.

Once they were inside, Suiza led them to the patio door, the back patio had a beautiful awning allowing for perfect shade. The patio itself had a glass table laid out with four plate settings, four wooden chairs, and Miya herself sitting on one of them.

"Miss Rebecca, it is my honor to present to you my grandmother, Miya Shimada-Shikibu."

Miya stood up and smiled, "Hello Miss Rebecca," She smiled as she went to hug the young CEO, "I thank you and Robson for coming to my lovely home. I am very sorry for the loss of your parents."

"And we are sorry for the passing of your late husband, Madam." Robson started.

Miya bowed her head, "Thank you for the condolences," but as quickly as she bowed her head in remembrance of her late husband, she lifted it back up and smiled, "now I hear lunch is almost ready, but why don't we rebel a little? Have some of the cheesecake my granddaughter made and open a bottle of white wine?"

Rebecca smiled, "White wine is my favorite."

"So we have been told," Miya then nodded her head to one of the servers, who nodded back and walked inside the house. Robson, Rebecca, Miya, and Suiza all took their seats at the patio table. "I do thank you once again for coming all the way to California to meet us. I can understand it being an inconvenience. But while you are here, we got you and your butler some tickets for the premiere of the show Susanna and I will be performing."

"Oh yes," Robson spoke, "I heard a rumor that you were returning to the stage."

"Only for this performance, and for a special reason. You see, I took a sabbatical after my son married. You could say I was too eager to become a grandmother," She said as she smiled to Suiza, who in turn smiled back, "But it was also to help my husband run his business ventures. And ever since he passed seven years ago, I've tried my best with the help of my brother. Which is why Susanna ascending to the role as leader is a god send." She placed her left hand on Suiza's right hand, feeling the emerald as she gave a small squeeze.

The servers came, one opened the bottle of white wine Miya had promised the guests. While another brought in the cheesecake Suiza had made earlier, the server started cutting into the cake as Miya continued, "Susanna herself has decided to take her sabbatical from lavish productions to go on tour as a singer. Then again, this tour is more or less another way for her to meet with the various investors of our small conglomerate. She will be performing by night, but by day, she will be introducing herself as the head of the Shikbu Company and its holdings. Which is why I am returning to the stage, for my granddaughter's final performance in a production for the time being."

Rebecca yawned, pretty loud, loud enough for Robson to acknowledge her disinterest in the conversation. Suiza raised an eyebrow, shocked at the naive nature of the young woman, Miya looked at server who finished slicing and plating the cheesecake, "I thought we had some fresh strawberries and preserves for the cake?" She said almost authoritatively.

"Grandmother," Suiza softly whispered as she passed the plates around, letting her know how she didn't like how she talked back to the servers.

The server was used to it, he quickly nodded his head and went back into the house to get what Miya had asked for. Miya sighed as she went to grab her wine glass, "I do apologize for rambling my dear, I can understand how business talk can be boring for someone your age."

"Please forgive Miss Rebecca," Robson started as Miya took a sip of wine, "It has been a long flight, and I am pretty sure she is exhausted from trying to acclimate to the time difference."

"Oh there is no need to apologize, Robson dear." Miya chuckled softly, "Ah, here comes the preserves." She smiled as the server came back with a small bowl of strawberries mixed with preserves and a serving spoon. She passed the bowl to her granddaughter, who proceeded to pour some of the preserves in her slice of cheesecake. "I am well aware of whom I am speaking to. While young Miss Rosellini is a star in her own right: model, actress, CEO, the list goes on. Including wife of noted thief Arsene Lupin III." Miya said in a questioning tone.

Rebecca had brought her wine glass to her lips, she suddenly stopped when she heard the name, "Excuse me?" Was her response as she set the wine glass down. "How do-"

"-Please dear. I may be old, but I am not senile; and I do keep up with business news, your wedding to him back in your home of San Marino was the wedding event of the century. Even beating out The Duchess of Suffolk's own wedding to the future Duke of York." Miya chuckled, "But I heard rumors, something of it was a sham marriage?"

"Sort of…" Rebecca started as she went to pick at her cheesecake, "In all honesty I didn't submit the paperwork, we were married but without the legality."

"She never filed the marriage certificate." Robson added.

"Pish-posh." Miya responded, "If you shelled out and stayed for the Catholic Ceremony, it's a marriage in the eyes of God."

"Forgive my grandmother," Suiza chimed in, "She may not show it, but she is an active member of the church."

"Susanna," Miya interrupted. "Let me come to the point Rebecca," the elderly woman began as she sat straight in her seat and looked at both Rebecca and Robson straight in their eyes. "I want you to tell me the truth about him, about the Phantom Thief. I know what the press says about him, but I wanted to get it from someone who actually had a connection to him."

Robson interjected, "Forgive me Lady Shimada, but I thought we were here to discuss an urgent business matter."

"Robson, this is an urgent business matter." Miya went into the pocket of her dress jacket and took out the note Suiza had received three days ago with the roses. "My granddaughter received one of his little calling cards with a dozen red roses a few days ago."

Rebecca's eyes widened, it was the same card he had given her the night they met. She remembered it all too well, along with the words 'Stasera vengo a rapiriti'. I will come to take you.

It seemed Miya could read Rebecca's mind, "I see you still have strong feelings for him."

Rebecca stamered, "I-I-I…"

"You, you. Who else would know better about him?" She sighed, "I apologize for putting you on the spot like that, but you need to understand. I am well aware of what he is after, and I just need to be prepared."

"He basically made a threat on my life," Suiza said softly, "I only want to know what he means." She pleaded; as Rebecca heard that, she flipped over the card to see his message of his intent to take Suiza and the Emerald of Hesse.

"Susanna, once again, he will not hurt you."

"And how the hell do you know that grandmother?!" yelled Suiza frantically, "Isn't this why we brought her here?!" she pointed to Rebecca, "To see what she knew about this lunatic?"

"Susanna Reika, you need to calm down."

"How can you tell me to calm down?!"

"Do shut up dear, and if you cannot compose yourself, I must ask you to leave me alone with Rebecca and Robson."

Suiza relented, despite her fears.

Miya sighed, "Are you frightened Miss Rebecca? It's only us here, I just want your honesty. I will never betray your confidence, nor let him know I consulted you, if that is what you fear. I just need to know what you know about him, including one important thing.

Rebecca sighed, "And what about Lupin is so important that you couldn't have Googled?"

"Did he ever mention someone by the name of Ayame Yamada?"

"Something that you've never seen."
-SFO-

Sandra paced around the terminal. She could almost strangle that wanker Chief of the precinct, she thought. She knew Inspector Zenigata's reputation within the ICPO; the main detective on the Lupin III case and the self-proclaimed expert on the Phantom Thief. And yet, despite that ridiculous title, the man had never actually apprehended the criminal. Okay, maybe a few times, but every time ended with his escape, and Zenigata an embarrassing failure.

She never anticipated nor thought of consulting this man with her own Lupin troubles. The She Wolf of France was a relatively new fugitive as opposed to her younger brother; while Lupin was traversing the world in search of his next steal, Genevieve had only recently started her career in chaos and destruction.

Sandra was well aware her task wasn't easy, a woman already in her late thirties, and barely making a name for herself in INTERPOL. She groaned as she sat down, recalling why she even decided to take this job in the first place. And like a switch, it all came back to her; from her early beginnings in the RAF, to how she started out as an MI6 Agent. Her subsequent fondness for her partner, their engagement, and how she called it off when learned how bad the agency she was working for was. Rather than go back to Scotland a failure, she felt the only real way to make a difference, was to work for INTERPOL.

"How ironic," She mumbled to herself, "I do the bare minimum in bringing in the bad guys for the EU's FBI, work my ass off from the mere desk job to becoming an Inspector, and here I am. Trying to prove some bullshite loyalty in the middle of Brexit, and waiting for the amadan of the ICPO." She sighed as she closed her eyes, trying to gain her composure. She opened her eyes, and saw the people who were just arriving from the flight she was waiting for.

She then saw the all too familiar face of Inspector Zenigata, "Jesus Crist," She mumbled in Scottish Gaelic, "Inspector Clouseau and Columbo called, they want their wardrobe back." She rolled her eyes at noticing Zenigata's getup, as she got up to introduce herself. "Pardon me Inspector Zenigata, I am the one the San Francisco Police Chief told you," Sandra went into her purse to take out her badge, "Inspector Sandra Mackenzie Campbell, ICPO."

"Very nice to meet you Mrs Campbell-"

"Miss." Sandra corrected.

"Apologies. Miss Campbell,"

"Let's just skip with the pleasantries Sir."

"Inspector."

"...you've got to be kidding me."

"Well that is the title I have been given, especially since I've been with the ICPO longer than you have."

"So what do you want? A medal? Look, I don't mean to be abrasive early on, but you were presumptuous and thought I was married."

Zenigata sighed, "Alright, I am sorry. Anyway, the Chief didn't give me much details, except that you're assigned to the Lupin case?"

"Not necessarily," Sandra responded as she went to collect Zenigata's luggage. They started walking towards the curb to wait for a cab, "Well, not your Lupin case."

"...There's another division for him?" Zenigata asked, confused.

"For the "Supreme Authority" on Lupin III, you sure don't know about The She Wolf of France, do you?"

"...You mean the Queen Consort of Edward II of England?"

Sandra stopped, "...wow I didn't realize that connection, and I am British." Sandra mumbled. She shook her head, "Forget it, that isn't whom I am talking about. That She-Wolf nonsense is just a moniker for Lupin III's older sister, Genevieve Lupin."

This time it was Zenigata who stopped, "...he has a sister?!"

"Something that you've never been…"
-Shikibu Residence-

Rebecca and Robson had left a while ago. As the servers were picking up the patio and the mess of dishes and wine glasses, Suiza paced around the gardens. After her grandmother asked the question of a mysterious woman, she asked her granddaughter to leave her alone with the young CEO and her butler. She was annoyed that her grandmother practically commanded her, it made her feel like her own flesh and blood was hiding something from her, or couldn't even trust her.

Miya finished speaking with the servers, she went to sit down on the bench at the apex of the gardens. "Something the matter, dear?" She asked.

"You told that young girl that you would never betray her confidence," Suiza started, her gaze focused on the dried Oakland Hills, not bothering to look at her grandmother, "And yet you are betraying mine."

Miya was flabbergasted, "I beg your pardon?"

The soprano turned to face her grandmother, "What was so damn secretive about a woman named "Ayame", that you couldn't divulge it to me?! Your own granddaughter?! I thought that now that I am becoming the head of the family, that there wouldn't be any more secrets between us, that I would have your confidence before anyone else?!"

"Susanna Reika, you really need to calm down."

"Oh I need to calm down?! I love how cavalier you're being. Someone sends a note to kidnap me, you refuse to call the authorities, and you call some young upstart for information, all because she "married" the guy who is threatening to take me!"

"See this is why I cannot divulge to you my plans." She said firmly as she stood up and walked to face her granddaughter, "I honestly don't think you're ready."

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me, I do not think you're ready to take over the Family. I think you are letting your emotions get the better of you. Have you ever given thought to how my cavalier nature developed, let alone why I always seem calm and calculating? Because this life, this life I married into, and took over ever since my children died, taught me that my emotions made me weak and vulnerable. And that is not what a leader needs. This is why I have to keep my plans secret, why I cannot let you in."

Suiza's expression changed in that instance, she wasn't angry anymore, she was now upset. Upset and hurt that her grandmother thought of her as weak and unready. "Well then that settles it." Suiza then grabbed her phone and keys from the bench and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Miya asked.

"For a walk. I need to clear my head." She growled as she walked into her house, and out the door. She went to the neighboring garage to get inside her car, a black 1964 Chevrolet Impala. She pulled out from the garage, and stopped as she began to tear up, she took a deep breath, sighed, and wiped her tears. She then grabbed her phone and texted a message to her personal assistant.

"Francine, I need you to meet me at Mountain View Cemetery by the Merritt Mausoleum. I need any information that you can get me on the Phantom Thief Lupin III and his crew. As soon as you can, please hurry."

"But I wake up and everything's wrong."

-Palace Hotel, Lupin's Suite-

"And the plot thickens." Jigen commented from his position on the couch, a laptop was on the coffee table in front of him.

"As things get more complicated." Goemon added as he observed Jigen working on some sort of research on the computer.

"Yes, yes, my ex is in town. But what of it guys?" Lupin asked, "For all we know she is taking in the sites, it's not like she is coming to the opera. I know her, she'd find it boring."

"Who'd find what boring?" Fujiko asked as he came out of the bathroom, in only a towel wrapped around her body. She was using another towel to dry off her hair.

"Rebecca is town, and I am assuming Jigen thinks it's a problem because I will be distracted."

Fujiko rolled her eyes, "Really? You still holding a torch for the girl?"

"Confirmed. You're still jealous."

"Am not," Fujiko glared, she turned around to go through her luggage, looking for her outfit. "I just think it ridiculous is all. Your marriage to her was fake, and yet you still seem to care."

"It's complicated Fuji-cakes." He got up from his spot on the couch and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders, "But you know you're always my number one, baby." He chuckled as he went to kiss her. Fujiko immediately put her hand up to his face, stopping him.

"Oh save it. Now go away, I need to get ready. I have to go back to my shift in a bit. The young Shikibu Queen has a lot of meetings to go to in preparation for her start as the new head of the family."

Lupin raised an eyebrow, "Gee, you sure are taking this job seriously."

Fujiko grabbed a pink blouse and grey slacks, "Only until I get my hands on that Emerald." She said as she grabbed a white lace bra and matching panties.

Lupin's eyes widened in excitement as he saw the lingerie Fujiko had picked out for herself, "Speaking of the Emerald, my dear Fujiko, I was thinkiiing…"

"Yeees?" She replied in a sing-song voice.

"Why don't we team up? You know my aim in seeing the Tiger Countess, but once you grab that Emerald, and we find the secrets of it, we can split the profits?" He grinned.

"Hmmm," Fujiko thought as she put on her underwear, maintaining the towel on her body, "Tempting. But then again," She said as she took off the towel, revealing her curved figure, and of course, her big breasts.

Goemon turned away, blushing, Jigen wasn't paying attention, except for the conversation. He was glad at that moment that his hat covered his eyes and that he was too engrossed in his research to care. Then again it wasn't the first time he had seen Fujiko's body, but it was nothing new or exciting for him. "Then again what?" Lupin asked, the whole time admiring Fujiko.

She was putting on her bra when she began to speak, "I have been working as Miss Shikibu's personal assistant for two months, and it almost feels like cheating if I shared the profits with someone who hasn't even put in that much work." She concluded as she put on the slacks.

"...Excuse me?" Lupin asked, confused.

"I am saying thanks," she started as she pulled over her undershirt, "But no thanks." She concluded as she adjusted the shirt, then went to put on the dress shirt, buttoning it.

"Oh come on!" Lupin whined.

"Look darling, it's just how I feel. Besides, it will look bad if I aided you in kidnapping my "boss'" grandmother." She sat down to put on her heels, when her phone beeped, "Oh, speaking of my "boss"," she glanced on her phone, reading the text message, "Please come now, I need you to do something as soon as possible." Fujiko sighed, "Oh well, duty calls. See you Lupin." She winked at him as she got up and left.

Lupin shrugged, "Well, I tried."

Jigen looked up from the computer, "Lupin, I think we should reconsider your "not being too flashy this time" rule."

"Why is that?" Lupin turned to see Jigen turning the laptop screen.

"You ever looked into the She-Wolf's accomplices?"

"I know of them, but what's got you bent out of shape?"

"Tournesol and Dr. Elle-Noir...what kind of friggin' names are those?"

"Well Tournesol is the French word for "Sunflower"."

"Again, what kind of a code name is "Sunflower?" That's more ridiculous then when I read in the papers about one of El Chapo's henchmen. His alias translated to "Lollipop"."

"Lollipop?" Goemon asked.

"Ridiculous and irrelevant"

"And getting more ridiculous," Lupin quipped, "Why are you getting so bent out of shape about her allies?"

Jigen turned the laptop around so the screen could face Lupin, "With names like "Sunflower" and "Elle", it only points to one thing. Women."

Lupin glanced at the screen, looking at the pictures. Tournesol looked to be in her mid-thirties, with long light brown hair, light skin and what looked to be as cherub like demeanor. Elle seemed a few years younger, with brown skin and curly dark brown hair, her demeanor more vexed and displeased. Lupin's eyes widened, recognizing the women. "Wow, her team really have aged. When she started out, these two were just regular women, one was a professor and the other was a former olympian from Switzerland turned mercenary. Wait, where did you get this intel?"

"Dark Web, a sort of database on hitmen, mob bosses, and other unsavory types. The site Ami showed us a while ago."

"Huh, well gotta love Ami for showing us old men how to be more technologically inclined."

"Old?" Goemon commented, "Speak for yourselves."

Jigen chuckled, "Like you're a young spring chicken."

"Well this young spring chicken is going for a walk," Goemon said as he stood up, and walked out the door.

"If I get another chance to, I will never, no never, neglect you."

-Millennium Tower-

"So, is everything set for the premiere?" Genevieve asked Gerard as she sat on the desk. She moved her swivel chair to face him, her hands interlocking.

"The Okami has set up the false security devices and is placing the bugs around the opera house as we speak." Gerard replied

"Did it take a while for her to finish her stupid game in order to do what we asked?"

Eleanor chuckled as she was polishing her gun on the couch, a small Ruger .380 ACP,
"She was eager to do her job when I mentioned it, she may be young and childish Genevieve, but for the money you're paying her, she does her job very well."

"Especially when it came to getting the intel on Ari's crew." Juliette chimed in inbetween her stretching. She was on the floor, opposite of Eleanor, and doing the splits, "Some sort of hilarious Dark Web database."

"Nothing she couldn't have gotten from the papers," Eleanor added as she took out the clip from her gun, adding bullets, "I know all about the Blue Brothers looking reject and the Samurai."

"You have to admit, the Samurai is adorable looking." Juliette grinned.

"Here we go…" Eleanor groaned.

"What?" Juliette looked at Eleanor quizzically.

"Juliette, you must restrain yourself," Genevieve interjected, "Honestly, at this point we might have to physically bound you ourselves."

Juliette giggled, "Oh Genny, you're hilarious."

Genevieve rolled her eyes, "Back to the point ladies. I highly doubt the marksman and the samurai will be a problem."

"What about the woman?" Eleanor asked.

"Woman? What woman?"

"The Okami mentioned a woman, one who is usually on Ari's team, if not against him. Once I saw her picture, I recognized her almost immediately as the Soprano's assistant."

"What?"

Eleanor stood up, going into her pants pocket and taking out a photo of Fujiko she gave to Genevieve. "The database refers to her as one, Fujiko Mine. Part thief, part spy...and currently the object of Ari's affections."

Genevieve looked at the photo, then looked up at Eleanor, "Dr. Elle-Noir, if you're going to let your feelings for my brother get in the way of us doing this job…"

Eleanor quickly interjected, "I won't. And you as well as anybody know, my feelings for Arsene are over." She said as she cocked her gun, "They have been for a very, very long time."

"I mean who am I to hold your past against you?"

-Market Street-

Goemon was trying to clear his head of the distractions. He realized his attempts at tranquility were not going to work in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco's Market Street. His astute senses were letting him in on the people and places around him. Passing by different outlets and boutiques, restaurants, people who were hurrying up to get to the MUNI busses or BART trains. To the people who gawked at him for what he was wearing, others lost in their own mindless chatter, and homeless people who were just asking for a handout.

Throughout his walk however, Goemon couldn't get over the feeling that he was being watched. He turned his head over, thinking he saw whom he suspected of following him. He began to walk a bit faster, turning into another busy street that led up to Union Square. He passed by a few more high end shops before turning into a shadier part of San Francisco, the Tenderloin District.

The Tenderloin was vastly different from Market. While he wasn't far away from the fancy hotels and the many European Boutiques like Gucci, Prada, and Chanel; the array of homeless and shady people made him feel like he was in a high risk area. But it didn't phase him, he just needed to get away from the busier streets to somewhere where he can confront this person. He passed by a few people who were huddled together making some sort of deal. They looked up from their glance to make an off-hand comment about Goemon's attire.

Goemon turned into an alleyway, he stopped and assumed his stance, ready to unsheath Zantetsuken at a moment's notice, "To whomever is following me, I suggest you come out now," He spoke.

Goemon's eyes were closed, for he can sense the presence of another person, someone who came charging towards him. He unsheathed his sword, and turned, holding back the perpetrator's own sword. Goemon didn't know who the person was, he could see that it was a man in a dark blue ninja outfit, his face covered, dark brown eyes glaring at him. Goemon was surprised that Zantetsuken wasn't cutting the ninja's own sword.

Then he put two and two together when he looked into the eyes of the man before him. He remembered those dark brown eyes, "Wait...you're a member of the Koga Clan."

The ninja relaxed his stance, and pulled back. Putting his sword back in his sheath as he chuckled, "Did I at least take you by surprise, Master?" The gentleman asked in a heavy Japanese accent.

"A little," Goemon chuckled as well as he put back his blade in its sheath, "I see you continued your training without me, Genji Minamoto."

Genji took off his mask and hood, and revealed the face of a young Japanese man in his early twenties; with dark brown eyes and short black hair that was tied back. He had a small blade scar on his left cheek, "I did," He chuckled, "I could say the same for my older brothers, but they didn't need to do the kind of work that I need to do."

"What kind of work involves you stalking people? Wait, how did you know I was here?"

Genji chuckled, "Why Master, we all know you're one of the Phantom Thief's accomplices," Genji shrugged, "Finding you isn't that hard. But in all honesty, me finding you here in San Francisco is a coincidence."

"Coincidence? What do you mean?"

"I am searching for a mutual friend of ours. A source of mine on the Dark Web knows she's here. I was following my lead to find her, and that's when I saw you walking back on Main Street. I think it's fate, for you can help me retrieve her."

"...she's run away again hasn't she?"

Genji nodded, "She did, you know how evasive my little twin sister can be. For you trained her as well."