Hifumi returned home after the infiltration was complete. Now she simply had to wait until word was given to send the calling card. "Oh…my arm still hurts a bit…" She frowned. The pain was likely to go away in the morning, but it was still annoying to deal with.

"You're home late again…" Mitsuyo was in the living room, not turning her attention to Hifumi, but she heard her come in.

"Oh…!" Hifumi didn't think her mother would be home tonight. "Y-Yes. Were you worried?"

"I just hope that these friends of yours are not hindering your performance in school." Mitsuyo said.

Oh, right. School. While Hifumi was paying attention in school, between work as a Phantom Thief, the photoshoots she did with Mika occasionally, and her shogi…her schoolwork was dipping. It was an issue when she first joined due to the severity of the Kaneshiro case, it was no problem during summer since school was out, but now it was rearing its ugly head again. "Everything is fine, Mother, I promise." It wasn't a lie….technically. Hifumi was student with solid grades, but didn't stand out too much. She just had to remember to ensure that she didn't stick out too much at home with how distrusting her mother was towards her group of friends.

"…Alright then. If you say so, but I'll be making sure your grades don't drop. I know we're busy with your rising shogi career, but that's no excuse for your grades to drop. That's all." Mitsuyo responded calmly.

Right…another thing to worry about. Although it should've been simple, it was just grades after all. She walked past Mitsuyo, making sure to hide the bandage along her arm. The last thing she needed was her mother asking question about where it came from. She had a lie prepared, but it was better to just avoid the situation overall. Once Hifumi made it to her room, she sat on her bed and checked the time: "8PM…we were in there for a while. There's enough time for me to get some homework done and sleep." That was Hifumi's plan, but her phone buzzed. Was it the group chat? "Hm:

Mika: Hifumi-chan, are you busy? I want to ask you something.

Hifumi: Oh, um. I am a little bit…but if you needed something, I might be able to make time if I can convince my mother.

Mika: Oh, alright. I was hoping to talk to you tonight, but I can wait.

Hifumi felt her cheeks heat up. Mika inviting her someplace? Just them? Why was her mind suddenly getting ahead of itself?

Mika: I'll ask you again when I know you have time, don't worry!

Hifumi: Oh, if you're sure…

Mika: I am. Have a goodnight, Hifumi-chan~

"I wonder what that was about…" Hifumi was curious, but it didn't seem like she could get an answer right now. She just hoped it wasn't anything serious…

.

.

September 23rd.

There was a bit of haste in meeting up the very next day after the infiltration. The group gathered in Ren's room in Leblanc, needing to discuss their next step which was sending the Calling Card. Kasumi was able to make it today as well, so they gathered around the table to discuss their next move. "Oh, I almost forgot because Haru and Kasumi are so good at fighting…" Ann began. "But since they're new to the team, shouldn't we do what we did for Yusuke, Makoto, and Fumi?"

"Ah, you mean the Phantom Thief Basic Training." Makoto brushed her hair behind her ear. "There is much we need to teach them."

"Was yesterday just a warm up…?" Kasumi blinked. After what happened the previous day, it was hard to believe there was more for her to learn.

"Please do!" Haru said, determined.

"Well, if Haru-senpai is excited about it, I will go in as well!" Kasumi quickly nodded.

"Well, looks like they're both excited." Ryuji said.

"Well…I already explain to them both how everything worked." Morgana replied. "What else should we talk about…?"

"I do have a question." Haru raised her hand. "I know you said that the version of my fiancé wasn't linked to the one in reality…but did his defeat have any effect on my father?"

"Nope." Futaba shook her head. "They did something similar in my Palace and I'm totally fine."

"Is that so?" Haru blinked.

"If I may ask, what sort of, er, cognition did you fight?" Kasumi asked the group curiously. So far her fighting experience was limited to robots, Black Mask, and a few odd Shadows. "I'd like to learn what sort of opponents to watch out for in the future, if I decide to fully follow through with being on the team."

"Futaba's Palace was a tomb. The cognition we did battle with was her mother in the form of a sphinx." Yusuke explained. "If I was able to take a sketch of it, I would show you. It truly was a sight. I think I can recall it from memory, however."

"I…see…" Somehow, this wasn't what she was expecting to hear. But Kasumi was kind of hooked at the idea of it. Curiosity got the best of her. "I would like to see that sometime."

"But man, that cognitive person stuff is crazy!" Futaba thought back on Cognitive Sugimura. "He was so similar that even Haru couldn't tell!"

"It's how the Palace ruler sees that person, correct? If they acted that similarly…" Hifumi didn't like that train of thought.

"Usually cognitive people look totally different. The version of me in Kamoshida's Palace was terrible." Ann shuddered when she thought back about it. Watching herself, scantily clad, clinging to that perverted teacher's side so dotingly and affectionate made her sick to her stomach.

"Ah, and the version of me was a painting, not even a person…" Yusuke shook his head at the memory.

"And the cognitive version of myself in my Mother's Palace is…quite subservient and doesn't question anything." Hifumi disliked seeing herself in that way.

Haru frowned when hearing about Hifumi's cognitive self…but that only made her realize something. "Now that you mention it, why isn't there a cognitive version of me? Is it somewhere in there?"

"Well, I could imagine a couple of reasons why we haven't seen it, but I don't think you'll like it…" Morgana replied.

"…" Haru let out a quiet sigh.

"Cognitive beings…" Kasumi couldn't help but think back to what happened in that strange Palace. That must have been a cognitive version of her sister. It was starting to make sense, but she still wondered who that Palace belonged to anyway…

"Don't think about all that kinda stuff, though!" Futaba grinned. "If a dude's cognition could change the scenery of even the people in the Palace, couldn't you make a dream world filled with places and people you love? All my dreams could still come true! Although…that's kinda impossible this time, eheheh…but maybe we should try in the future?"

"I wonder how ideal that would be…" Hifumi wondered.

"That sounds…fun?" Ren wasn't sure. It sounded fun but also a little ridiculous.

Makoto just sighed. It felt like they were getting off track. "In any case, if Haru and Kasimi were able to follow the conversation, there's nothing else we need to teach them."

"Onto the next order of business then…the calling card." Ren looked to the others seriously. This was the most important step of any operation but the stakes were much higher after their encounter yesterday.

"Yeah, I was wonderin' about that part…" Ryuji sat up. "The hell are we gonna do? That guy knows about the Palace."

"Is he going to try and stop us…?" That was Haru's biggest concern. "What if he's in there right now, waiting for us this time?" She was right to feel worried too.

"I understand you're worried, Haru. But I have reason to believe the situation is still in our favor." Makoto said.

"What do you mean, Mako-chan?" Haru asked.

"First of all, outside of the single appearance your father's Shadow made, we did not encounter him again or hear a single word from him." Makoto started her explanation. "This gives me reason to believe that even if Black Mask went inside the Palace again, they would not find him. There is another part in our favor as well."

"Is it the calling card?" Kasumi surmised.

"That's right." Makoto smiled at Kasumi. "We will be taking a risk drawing the Shadow out, but there is one thing we know that Black Mask doesn't: when we send the calling card. While it's safe to assume they are aware of our goal to change Okumura's heart, they have no way of knowing when we'll plan our attack, so it's very possible for us to manage the change of heart before they know what happens."

"I see! So if we strike swiftly and concisely, we can subvert the danger!" Hifumi said.

"Are you sure he won't just be waiting for us in the Palace…?" Haru did have another worry.

"I also don't think that's very likely. They won't accomplish anything that way for the exact same reasons. Besides, if they remain in there for too long, there is all too high a chance he will be spotted and the security level would force him out. It's too risky for Black Mask to wait for us for us to act." Makoto was confident in this. "We have the element of surprise. This is our best weapon."

"It all comes down to how swiftly we strike." Yusuke leaned forward in his seat. "The danger won't be an issue if we deal with this quickly enough."

"We have a calling card ready." Ren told Haru. "But if there's something you want to say specifically, we can add onto it. It's your call at the end of the day." Because Haru's father was the target, they wanted to make sure she was satisfied with the end result. Ren passed the prepared calling card to Haru and she looked it over.

"There are… a few things I would like to say." Haru replied.

"Are you worried your father might find out it's you…?" Hifumi asked.

"No." Haru shook her head. "He…doesn't really pat attention to me in that way. I've never told him to his face what I think or how I feel. I doubt he knows at all either. And when I'm done…I place it in my father's study, the Treasure will appear, correct?"

"If he notices it, yes." Yusuke answered, but he could see the trepidation on Haru's expression. "Are you afraid of doing this to your own father?"

"…To be honest, a little." Haru admitted.

"Simply remember what it is you're standing up for…and why." Hifumi gave Haru a reassuring smile.

Haru was silent for a moment before turning to the others. "…So we're carrying out this plan tomorrow?" It appears that she found her resolve to follow through on this.

"That's right." Ren confirmed.

"Alright, no stayin' up late tonight then!" Ryuji said that to make sure everyone was in tip top shape.

"I am a little nervous just thinking about it…" Kasumi admitted. "It feels like I'm preparing for a big meet, do you all feel this way too?"

"Yeah!" Ann said with a smile. "The first time we did this, it was sooo nerve wracking. But we were determined to see it through. I still get a little nervous each time, but I'm way more confident about it now!"

"We haven't messed it up so far. We really can't afford to mess it up this time either." Morgana said firmly. "We only get one shot at this. Everyone, I'm counting on you!"

.

.

September 24th.

It was early morning. Haru walked downstairs, only to see her father sitting on a couch. In his hand was the calling card. "…!" Her eyes widened and she stayed where she was, for she did not want to disturb her father while he was reading it.

"Sir Kunikazu Okumura, the great profiteer sinner of greed." Okumura read the note aloud, already scoffing from the audacity of it all. "Your success and global fame exists due to the tyranny you reign over your employees. This is not the person you used to be. You were once a person of greater care…and it is for that reason we have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth. From, The Phantom Thieves. Hmph." He stood up, tossing the card on the table carelessly. "I must take care of this before it becomes a problem." He pulled out his phone and pressed a button, speed dialing someone. "I've received a calling card from the Phantom Thieves. I need you to send it over to the police. "

"…!?" Haru's eyes went wide once more. Was he seriously going to turn it over to the police..!?

"DON'T make me repeat myself. Give it to the police. That's an order. These scoundrels have threatened me. Aren't the police supposed to side with law-abiding citizens?" Okumura made his demand.

Shadow Okumura responded to this threat. He couldn't be stopped now, not when he was so close to seeing his ambition fulfilled. "I will NOT fail…!"

"This matter is urgent. Take care of it at once." Okumura hung the phone up after.

If Haru would've been able to swipe the calling card to prevent this, she would've. But she already knew there was no chance her father was letting that card out of his sight until the police came to take it. With grimace, she had no choice but to go to school, too. What a long day, anxious day it was going to be….

.

.

It was an incredibly long day at school with the operation waiting for them. After school was over, everyone made a beeline for the hideout to discuss their next move. Ryuji was completely in shock at this turn of events. He was reading comments on his phone and there were a lot of comments online. "He even figured out WHEN we're gonna do it!?"

"This is different from normal." Yusuke's tone was a little heavy. "I do not like it. He has some nerve, delivering the card to the police himself."

"Either he's certain his heart won't be changed, or he's been colluding with the police from the beginning." Makoto surmised.

"It's very possible that the answer is both." Hifumi replied. "If he does have knowledge of the mental shutdowns in any way, he may be aware of the Metaverse and how it works. Of course, this is nothing more than empty speculation, we don't even know if he is truly aware of it…."

"As strange as it may sound coming from me, I can see this being the case." Haru said.

Futaba was reading the comments on her phone. "Whoa! Comments are coming in hot…!" Futaba said, turning her phone so the others could see.

Haru was the one reading them. "I don't care what happens as long as the Phantom Thieves show up…just do it quick lol…"

"They're just saying whatever they want." Morgana shook his head.

"We're being seen purely as entertainment…" Yusuke grunted. "The means and the ends have been reversed."

"Isn't this bad…?" Kasumi said. "We were about to work under the guise that…nobody would know when we were striking. But now the public is all riled up…"

"Yeah, this is a problem." Ren frowned. Okumura's actions were a gigantic wrench in their plan. Nobody could've predicted that he would send the calling card to the police himself.

"Yeah, but we still gotta do this!" Ryuji exclaimed. "We can't just drop everything now!"

"Ryuji's right. We can't look away from this now…" Ann was still nervous.

"And given the issue with Haru's fiancé, we don't have another choice in the matter." Makoto closed her eyes. This was a bigger reaction than she expected.

There was some silence in the room, so Ryuji took this opportunity to keep going. "If we don't, everything we've done up until now would be for nothin'!"

"I believe this is best too." Haru nodded. "After hearing my father speak, I saw no remorse in him."

"Haru and Ryuji are right." Morgana chimed in. "Honestly, everything the public is saying does bother me a little. But Okumura may just be the one behind the metal collapses. We can't leave this be."

"We definitely can't. I want to know the truth." Ren said firmly.

"I feel like he's hiding something…something big." Futaba said.

"Worry not." Hifumi said confidently. "He will not be able to hide the truth from me…!"

"And we've already sent the calling card." Haru added. It was too late to back down on this.

"I'm ready for this! I'll do my best, I promise!" Kasumi said to assure the others.

Morgana took one look at everyone. They were all prepared to do this. "Let's do this like we always do, and steal his Palace's Treasure!" It was go time.

.

.

It was a straight shot to the Weapon Production. That's where the Treasure was waiting for them, but there was something that wasn't there before: a UFO. Oracle was the first one to notice it. "Whoa…! It's a UFO!"

"Is that the Frisbee Skull was talking about?" Mona asked.

"More importantly the Treasure has taken shape up ahead!" Dragon pointed at the spherical capsule in front of them. But as they got close, an alarm started blare throughout the entire space station.

"Emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. Certain areas may be shut off or destroyed. I repeat, emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. All personnel is advised to evacuate immediately to a safe area of the facility." A robotic voice spoke out on the intercom.

The Treasure was then taken up to the UFO. "What in the world!?" Mona gasped.

"There is no time to deal with you thieves. I must be making my exit. You can all stand and watch in despair as you go down with this base. Your destruction is imminent!" Shadow Okumura's voice mocked the Thieves with a final laugh, the UFO carrying the Treasure away.

"He's planning to abandon everything!?" Violet gasped.

"This must be his way of leaving Okumura Foods behind…!" Panther suggested.

"We don't have time for this! We need to hurry!" Queen exclaimed.

Oracle found them a path. It led to some scaffolding that led to the next area. "This way! And don't worry; I don't detect any unwelcome guests nearby!" She confirmed that Black Mask wasn't nearby.

"Come on, we must make haste!" Fox declared, everyone quickly hurrying along to chase down Shadow Okumura and the Treasure. They were able to catch up to both, now standing directly under the gigantic UFO that Shadow Okumura was about to board.

"Looks like we caught up to you, Mr. CEO." Skull said smugly.

Shadow Okumura was clearly shocked at they caught up to him so quickly. "I…" And suddenly, he fell to his hands and knees. "I've had a change heart! I'm sorry! I've had a change of heart!"

"Father…." Noir's lips parted slightly.

"Haru, you were always so agreeable. Whether it was in school or after, you only ever did as I said. You've become so admirable…ah yes, do you remember, Haru? You cried your eyes out when my work kept me from attending your first sports day. It was then that you stopped talking back to me. Honestly, you had me worried…still, you stood up against me and became an independent young woman. Nothing could make a father happier than seeing that!"

"What's gotten into him…?" Queen was so confused. Just a moment ago Shadow Okumura was about to leave them for dead!

"Did….did we win…?" Violet looked at the others. Was changing a heart that simple?

"You…still remember something that happened so long ago…? Back then, you poured your heart into making delicious food…you wanted to bring joy to others. Why did you change?"

"Forgive me, Haru. But I would never last if my Treasure was stolen! Please don't do it, I'm begging you!"

Noir started to step forward, but Dragon placed an arm in front of her to stop her. "Huh?" Noir stared at Dragon.

"That's a nice look for you." Dragon said while stepping forward, unknowingly standing in the middle of a circle. "Groveling on the floor like a guilty dog…fitting considering you just lied to us."

"…!?" Shadow Okumura's eyes went wide. How did that one know!?

"H-…He lied…?" Noir wanted to believe her father's shadow, but she knew full well that Dragon had no reason to make up the notion that someone was lying.

"A sudden change of heart? Don't make me laugh. You had this planned in case you were cornered, didn't you?" Dragon narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare lie to Noir like that…! She truly cares about you, and you have the nerve to use that simply to trick her!"

"Was it all a lie!?" The others stepped forward, all of them standing in the circle now. Panther was glaring at Shadow Okumura.

"No…he wasn't lying about not lasting if his Treasure was stolen. I don't know what that means, but we intended to pry the truth from his lips from the very beginning." Dragon said.

"How…how did you…!?" Shadow Okumura knew for a fact that Haru would buy into his act. But that dragon masked woman was able to completely see through him.

"I…" Noir's expression changed; her jaw was clenched tight, heartbreak in her eyes. Her father truly lied in her face…he tried to emotionally manipulate her. "Is this the person you've truly become…!?"

…Ultimately, it didn't matter. Because things ended up working out for Shadow Okumura anyway. "You foolish girl." He pulled out a device and pressed the button. Just as he did, Dragon quickly shoved Noir out of the nick of time. A barrier appeared around the others, keeping them trapped.

"What the-!?" Joker gasped.

"Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others. That is our family motto." Shadow Okumura said with hubris. That apparently extended to even his own daughter. "The cold reality of kicking people down is part of business! Virtue and sentiment are for losers. What happiness can be found in acting with justice and losing the battle!?"

"What happiness can be found through profit gained by crushing the hearts of others?!" Noir asked.

"Better that than fail!" Shadow Okumura shot back. "I'd much rather destroy others than wallow in the misery of debt! Regardless, I shall soon set sail into the political realm. To the upper echelons of the world! To utopia! My name shall be etched in the annals of history! Now…make your decision, Haru. If you case them away, I'll let you join me on this ship. Stay, and you will be incinerated along with this entire base. Now, what is your choice!?"

Noir lowered her head, remaining silent. "…"

"I'll give you ten seconds. Time is money after all." Shadow Okumura said. To keep his point, he even pulled a gun out to entice Noir's decision. He was hoping for a fast answer.

"…It's always been gains and losses with you, hasn't it, Father?" Noir said, clenching her hand into a fist. "Ever since I was a child, you've provided all the money and fame one could ever want. But I can tell you've never once thought about it. You've never realized…that in this world, there are a lot of things money and fame simply cannot buy. There are a number of things I've wanted from you that money could never provide. I will not betray my friends! They've given me genuine companionship, they don't make me feel as alone as I used to, Father! And because of that, I could never, ever accept your offer!" Shadow Okumura may have had a gun, but Noir was faster on the draw, pulling out and firing her rocket launcher. She didn't need to aim the rocket at him, but she did aim it close enough at his feet so that it threw Shadow Okumura off balance, the force of the explosion causing him to release the remote in his hands.

"What!?" Shadow Okumura grunted.

Noir caught the remote, crushing it within her hand. This caused the barrier to fall and freed the others. "If I have to betray anyone to overcome failure, then it will be you!"

"Whoa, what to go, Noir!" Mona said with a wide smile.

"Wowza! You're so cool, Noir!" Oracle said while excitedly nudging Noir.

"Heh, way to steal the show!" Skull gave Noir a playful pat on the back.

"Wow…" Dragon was in awe, watching Noir stand up to her father like that.

"I support you fully, Noir!" Violent gave Noir a great big smile. After something like that, Violet felt there was no choice but to give her all to respect Noir's resolve.

"Beautifully said, Noir!" Fox gave Noir a thumbs up.

"We're right behind you!" Queen added.

"Feel like going back onto your knees yet?" Panther quipped to Shadow Okumura, who realized the severity of the situation. He was cornered, slowly backing up.

"You showed your trick, but now it's our turn." Joker said while glaring at Shadow Okumura.

"So much for the negotiations." Shadow Okumura grunted. "Hmph! You rebels! There is time before launch! I will crush you all!" A chair appeared behind him and he sat down in it.

"Very well then." Fox scoffed.

Panther was excited, placing one fist into her palm. "Bring it!"

Dragon twirled her staff around, giving Shadow Okumura a disgusted glare. "We accept your challenge."

"If this is your course of action, Father…then I shall meet you head on! I will make you see consequences of your actions, and change your heart!" Noir declared, pulling out her axe and having a tight grip on the weapon. Her gaze burned with the flames of determination.

Shadow Okumura gripped the arm of his chair so tightly, his hand trembled in anger. "You little…! YOU WON'T GET OUT ALIVE!"