"I know you want to send the calling card right away, but are you sure you want to rush into this?" Ann asked Hifumi. Since it was late, the group decided to linger near a small park near Hifumi's house. It didn't make sense for her to go all the way back to Leblanc, then to come back home. Plus it was late anyway, and the last train would be coming up soon. The park was empty save for the group.

"I don't want to waste too much time…" Hifumi replied, looking up at the night sky. "She's growing more desperate. I don't know what she's planning on doing when she's like this, but I have to put an end to it."

"That's all well and good, but you'll accomplish nothing without pacing yourself." Akechi said seriously. "I understand you are emotionally invested in this, but it's unlike you to rush in."

"…You should've seen her when she first joined." Ryuji mumbled.

"I heard that." Hifumi furrowed her brows at Ryuji, who quickly went silent. "But…I suppose you all have a point. To be honest, when I think about the calling card, I do get a little anxious. I always feel this way, but it's more personal this time. Is it alright if I write it this time…?"

"I can think of no one better than you to present this one." Yusuke said. "All you need to do is leave the creation of it to me."

"How do you want to deliver it?" Morgana asked.

"I can just hand it to her and say I found it on the door, or in the mail." Hifumi replied. "It's the simplest way to do it…and I know she'd take it seriously. She's been so on edge since…well…the incident…" She meant Okumura's death, but she didn't want to just say it with Haru there.

"It's okay." Haru said with a slight nod.

Hifumi let out a quiet sigh and continued. "She's among the many that thing the Phantom Thieves are guilty. I guess it's a good thing in this case that she's so wary of them." She placed her hands in her lap. "That'll ensure the Treasure will appear."

Ann tilted her head slightly. Hifumi was…more serious than usual about this. It made Ann worry a bit. "…Hey, Fumi. Why don't you take it easy tomorrow? The match she made for you isn't for a few days, right? You can figure out what you want to say then."

"I agree with Ann." Makoto nodded.

"Me too." Haru said. "It's not easy facing a family member. Even if you think you're ready, it could still be harder than you expect." Haru and Makoto were the ones who could speak from this experience, especially the former.

"…" Akechi said nothing at first. "Just remember to savor that moment of triumph. After a long struggle against a parent, knowing you came out on top will feel refreshing." His usual pleasant smile came to the forefront, but behind that smile… "How ridiculous that I was dragged into this farce…but I may as well see it through to the end. I am a 'member' of the team for the moment, but once I'm done with them, he's next. I'll be sure to savor it all. Every. Single. Second."

Akechi's pleasant façade, on the surface, worked well. Nobody could guess what he was thinking, and as far as he was concerned, they were none the wiser to his true intentions. Ren was silent the whole time, before standing up from his seat. "It's your call, though. Like we said before…we'll act when you're ready. This operation involves you after all."

"You can count on us!" Futaba chimed in. She was on her phone, keeping Kasumi up to speed on the current events since she left the Palace early.

"Thank you." Hifumi had a moment to think it over. "Maybe…I'll use tomorrow wisely and plan my attack, instead of charging in headstrong." This decision did put the others at ease. "Yusuke, I'll contact you when I know what I want to write."

"I'll be waiting." Yusuke said with a nod.

Ryuji was on his phone. He then sprang up, eyes wide. "Oh crap! The last train's comin' up! I gotta go! See you guys later!" He sprinted off and fast at that.

"I guess it's time for us to get going…" Makoto was calm. Everyone nodded and started to split off for the night, but Ann lingered behind.

"Ann?" Hifumi tilted her head. "If you don't hurry, you'll be late."

"I know." Ann said. "Just…remember, I'm here for you, Fumi."

Hifumi smiled slightly. "I know…but it's nice to hear that again too. I want to thank you again for everything, but I'm going to withhold it for now. Once my mother's heart has changed, then I will."

Ann could smile to that. It was a soft smile, the gentle light of the moon shining down on her in the process. "I'll be waiting." With a small giggle, Ann turned around and hurried off.

Hifumi waved Ann off, before bringing a hand to her chest. "Really, thank you…" It was getting late though. Hifumi returned home for the time being, mulling over what it was to say to her mother via the calling card.

.

.

November 6th.

Since there was no school today, Hifumi made plans to visit her father in the hospital. It was the one thing she could think to do to help ease her nerves when it came to the coming calling card. She couldn't tell her father about it of course, but talking to him always put her at ease. "How are you feeling, Father?" She asked, taking a seat next to Misturugi's bed.

"A little better." Mitsurugu said with a slight smile. He was happy to be seeing Hifumi so frequently lately. "It's good to see you, Hifumi. Is everything well?"

"Well…somewhat." Hifumi was going to be as honest as she could, while omitting a few details. "It's about Mother. She's been…at her most difficult."

Mitsurugi let out a quiet sigh. "I knew this would happen sooner or later. I was hoping she wouldn't give you too much of a hard time…but there's not a lot I can do from here." It upset him that he couldn't be of more help to his daughter. "What has she been doing? I was worried that she might become more controlling as you became more social."

"Mm…" Hifumi nodded slowly. She paused for a minute as there was one question she thought about asking. "Do you…know what she's been doing?"

"Hm?" Mitsurugi stared curiously. "What do you mean?"

It didn't seem like he knew. Hifumi wasn't sure if she wanted to say anything about it. "Um, well…she's just been putting a lot of pressure on me and my friends. You know how she can be and how stubborn she is. She won't listen to a lot of the things I have to say, but I'm going to make her listen."

"So you're going to speak your mind to her…." Mitsurugi mumbled. "I hope you are able to convey your true feelings to her. It's always looked like you've been holding something back."

"Does it really?" Hifumi blinked, slowly tilting her head.

"You may be quiet, but you are a very expressive person, Hifumi." Mitsurugi's green gaze softened when he looked at his daughter. He knew her very well. "It started when you first played shogi and it's continued since then. I know a lot of things that you haven't even told me yet because of it."

"No way." Hifumi shook her head, smiling slightly as she lightly tapped her father's leg. Of course this wasn't lie, but her father never lied to her. "You said that all the time when we played Shogi, but I managed to surprise you all the same."

"That you did." Mitsurugi chuckled a bit while withholding a laugh, for it would make him cough. "But just by looking at your expression, I can tell that even now, you hold no malice towards your mother. Your care for her shines even brighter than it has before, actually."

Her father really could read her. Hifumi was a little embarrassed about it, but she gave a nod. "I love her. That won't change. I just want her to stop pushing herself and everyone around her – myself included – in such demanding ways. I know she can't take it much longer either."

"I'm sure she'll listen to you." Mitsurugi nodded. "Especially if your goal is to strike her heart. It has been the most effective method so far, hasn't it?"

Hifumi blinked. Wait. Why did he saw it like that? "H-Huh..?"

"I told you, I already know more than you think…your expressions tell me a lot." Mitsurugi said with a gentle smile. "When you asked what I thought of the Phantom Thieves, I knew that look of expectation. Anything that you're apart of is in no way evil, I know that in the bottom of my heart. Plus…I'm just a sickly old man…nobody would believe me if I said anything."

"F-Father, I…" Hifumi was utterly stunned.

"I won't ask for your reasons, but I do know you. If you're this committed to it, then I support you. I only ask that you be careful, please…" Mitsurugi said with a slow nod. "That's the only thing I'll ask of you."

Hifumi felt like she was going to cry. Not because her father read her like a book or even because of his support. Because she already knew she would miss him desperately. "I…I'll do my best…to make sure this family can be happy before anything happens to you. I promise." She was choking back the tears, but stopped when there was a gentle hand on her head.

"I know you can do anything you set your mind to. Your mother is the same way, and your determination is just like hers. And you get your kindness from me." He joked to lighten the mood. It did make Hifumi laugh a bit.

"You're right." Hifumi gave a determined nod. "I know what I have to do now, thank you, Father." Hifumi said while springing up from her seat. Whatever troubles she had were gone now. "I have to go now…but I'll be back soon."

"Of course. Good luck, Hifumi." Mitsurugi gently waved as Hifumi made her exit. "Haha…that's my girl…"

Hifumi pulled out her phone, texting Yusuke hastily.

Hifumi: Yusuke! I know what I want to write for the calling card now. Will you help me?

Yusuke: Of course. My artistic talents are at your disposal.

.

.

The group gathered at the hideout later in the day. Hifumi was holding the calling card in her hands, looking it over and taking a deep breath. "It's a little more nerve wracking when I'm the one holding it like this…"

"Were you able to convey your thoughts properly?" Akechi asked.

Hifumi gave him a nod in response. "Yes. I thought long and hard about it, but I've figured out precisely what it is I need to say. She's not home right now, but I always see her in the morning before I leave for school. So I'll tell her that this came in the mail the night before…"

"It sounds like you've been thinking a lot about this. That's good." Morgana said with a nod of approval.

"So we should get ready tonight and head out after school." Ren told the others.

"Oh man…" Ann groaned. "I'm gonna be antsy all day." Considering this involved Hifumi, Ann was going to be extra impatient to get this going."

"So what did you write?" Ryuji didn't want to think about school. Instead he was all kinds of curious about what Hifumi decided to say.

"…It's a secret." Hifumi tucked the card away into her pocket. "For my mother's eyes only."

Ryuji then looked at Yusuke, but he shook his head. "Apologies, but I promised I wouldn't say a word." After all, he was the one who helped Hifumi write it. But the contents were going to remain a mystery. "But worry not, I have poured every ounce of my artistic ability into this calling card, so I am certain it will be effective!"

"Aw man…" Ryuji slumped over, but he understood.

"Should we prepare for it to come to blows? I'm just asking." Haru said with her hands in her lap. She had a sweet smile, but everyone already knew what intentions lied behind that.

"I…would hope it doesn't come to that, but it is my mother." Hifumi said with a sweat drop.

"Based on our last encounters with her, I think it's safe to assume she won't hand over her Treasure so easily." Makoto said.

"But don't worry. We'll make sure to properly nab it! And we can show the newb how it's done." Futaba pointed at Akechi, who just gave a slightly uncomfortable chuckle.

"R-Right. I'll be taking notes. This will be good practice for Sae-san's operation." Akechi replied.

Hifumi had a determined visage. "I'll be sure to thank all of you when we succeed. Because I won't fail this time…"

.

.

November 7th.

Hifumi was getting ready for school, and she spotted her mother in the living room. She stared at the calling card in her hands, took a deep breath, and walked forward. "Good morning, Mother. I checked the mail yesterday while you were away."

"Oh you did? Thank you." Mitsuyo said, turning to face Hifumi. "Was there anything for me?"

"Yes actually." Hifumi nodded, slowly handing over the calling card. "This came for you…"

"…?" Mitsuyo lifted a brow and took the calling card, opening it up to read it aloud. "Mitsuyo Togo…your unquenchable lust for conquest has distorted your view on the world around you, putting undeserved pressure on numerous people. Your family, your daughter's her friends, and anyone who shares the fate of playing shogi with your daughter. Your underhanded tactics and criminal acts will no longer be tolerated, thus we have decided to lay siege to your kingdom, and make you confess your crimes with your own mouth. You have lost sight of what's truly important, and we will be sure to remind you. This is a declaration of war from, The Phantom…Thieves…?"

"…" Hifumi remained silent as her mother read the calling card.

"What is this!?" Mitsuyo whipped around to face Hifumi. "Did you send the Phantom Thieves after me?!"

Hifumi predicted this response and shook her head. "No…I would never. After all, there's a small chance that…you would end up like Okumura…and I don't know what I would do if I lost you too." It was a pretty bold faced lie, but Hifumi knew how to make it work.

"Tch! How dare they!" Mitsuyo crumbled the calling card in her hand out of anger and let it drop to the floor. Now she was going to have to worry about this all day!? "I don't have time for this…!"

"A declaration of war!? Do they really think they can lay siege to MY kingdom!? I've worked too long and too hard to get where I am now! To get Hifumi where she is now! If those Phantom Thieves think they can get the better of me, they have another thing coming! I am not a loser…I AM A WINNER!" Shadow Mitsuyo fumed from the Metaverse.

If anyone knew what made Mitsuyo tick, it was Hifumi. As Mitsuyo stormed out of the house, Hifumi had to withhold a smile. She then pulled out her phone to text the group chat. "Now, the second part should be happening any time soon."

Hifumi: She read it. I know in my heart that the Treasure has appeared by now. Futaba, can you start the next part?

Futaba: Mewhehehe! Just leave it to me!

.

.

Activity from the Phantom Thieves was scarce since the Okumura incident, at least publicly. There were a few people whose request were fulfilled, which gave them hope that the Phantom Thieves were still good people. But a vast majority of Japan believed them to be villains thanks to the media and Masayoshi Shido's words. Mika was on break in the middle of a photo shoot when she heard some people gossiping about some comment they read online that was spreading like wild fire.

"I dunno if it's true or not, but someone says the Phantom Thieves are going to target Mistuyo Togo next!" One of the staff told another.

"It's just an anonymous comment, right…?" The other staff member said. "That's Hifumi-san's mother too…"

"…!" Mika's eyes widened. The Phantom Thieves were about to go after Mitsuyo? Oh, this was TOO rich if it was true. …She had to make sure it was true, which is why she stared at her phone before sending a message.

Mika: Is it true? Did the Phantom Thieves really send their ghostly calling card to your mom?

Hifumi: …Ghostly?

Hifumi: I mean, yes, it is true.

Mika: Oh, that's so good. I wonder how they steal hearts. Do they like…reach inside and just grab it or something?

Hifumi: {Sweat drop emoji} …No…

That had Mika thinking. If they were successful in stealing and changing Mitsuyo's heart, then maybe…..

.

.

Sae was sitting at her desk, infuriated by the lack of progress in the investigation. At this rate, she was going to have to result to desperate measures to close this case. She was so desperate, the moment she caught wind of this alleged calling card to Mitsuyo Togo, she jumped on it on her laptop. "Why are they going after her? Or is this some sort of prank?" Sae rubbed her temples in irritation. It didn't make sense to her. After killing Kunikazu Okumura, they were going to someone completely unrelated? This was only a rumor too, with no basis of truth to it whatsoever. All she knew is that it was causing a stir. So naturally, she was going to visit the Togo household to discern the truth.

What Sae didn't know was that this was another clever move on the Phantom Thieves part. Hifumi had the idea that if Sae caught wind of this, it would make her more susceptible to the calling card when the time came. All they had to do was prove they were successful against Mitsuyo, and surely, that would in turn stir Shadow Sae in some way. Two birds with one stone!

.

.

School was finally over. Ren, Morgana, Ryuji, Makoto, Ann, and Haru were about to make their way to the train station. They were going to head straight to Hifumi's house to enter the Palace. Kasumi caught up to them before they could leave. "You guys are going?"

"Yeah. It's time." Ren nodded.

"…I want to come to, but I know we can't let Akechi-san see me." Kasumi frowned. She was invested in this after all.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to get a few good hits in for you too, Kasumi!" Haru smiled.

"…I don't think that's what she meant." Ann said with a sweat drop. "But she is right about one thing, we got this!"

"Promise me you'll be careful." Kasumi said.

"We'll be fine!" Ryuji gave Kasumi a thumbs up. "We won't mess it up this time…!"

"And if this works out, Sis might take the bait too…" Makoto mumbled that part to herself.

Kasumi was satisfied with that answer. "Okay. Good luck you guys." She went off ahead, but…she couldn't just sit still. So she was already making the decision to tail them into the Palace, but remain out of sight. She just…couldn't not be a part of this somehow. She wanted to see Hifumi's determination through to the end, even if she couldn't take an active part.

Ren looked to the others and gave them a firm nod. "Alright. It's showtime!"

.

.

Security Level: 100%.

Shadow Mitsuyo was on guard the moment she read the calling card. That was precisely what they wanted. The Phantom Thieves already fought their way through the Palace's security, so the only thing left to do was make it to the throne room. They knew the way and stood before the doors to the Throne Room. Dragon was leading the charge and she looked back at the others to make sure they were ready, and they nodded. With a deep breath, Dragon used her staff to break the doors down. "Mother!"

Shadow Mitsuyo sat on her throne, one leg crossed over the other. The Treasure? One would expect a crown of some sort, but no. It was a key that Shadow Mitsuyo held in her hands. "Hifumi…so it was you that sent that calling card?!"

Dragon placed her hands on her hips, giving Shadow Mitsuyo a nod. "Did you enjoy my declaration of war? Gone are the days where I sit idly by and allow you to use me like a pawn!"

"Hope you were countin' the minutes down, cuz it ends here!" Skull said while cracking his knuckles.

Shadow Mitsuyo's hand tightened on the arm of her throne. She scowled at the Phantom Thieves in front of her. "I am your mother! You are my daughter! I raised you! So my child should be devoted to serving me and my kingdom! What is so hard to understand about that!?"

"I thought I was fine living that life…" Dragon shook her head. "But it's never what I wanted. I did what I could because I wanted to make you happy, like you were on that day when I was younger. But I realized a long time ago you were demanding too much of me…and then I learn you were blackmailing people to lose to me! The lengths you go to…I can't abide by them any longer!"

"I can finally be happy when you become a famous shogi player!" Shadow Mistuyo exclaimed. "That's the only thing that matters to me. And you're going to fulfill that dream no matter what."

"Hifumi isn't yours to use!" Panther suddenly shouted. "And you should be ashamed that you only see her as a tool! She's such a nice and caring person…she does a lot for people she cares about, and you don't see that at all!"

"And that's why I can't stand by and watch you treat her like this." Noir said with a fierce scowl. "You're a terrible mother."

"Hmph." Shadow Mitsuyo scoffed. "Do you really think you can stand up to me? Defeat me?" She said while slowly standing up from her throne, clenching that key in her hand. "All of your victories, Hifumi, were orchestrated by me. You have no skill, and I've been the one building your commercial value! If I didn't get rid of all your rivals, you wouldn't be where you are now!"

"No." Dragon shook her head. "That's not the truth at all. I'm only where I am right now….because of everyone standing right here behind me. Because of father…and yes, you too, but not in the way you think."

"Your own daughter has changed in front of your own eyes, yet you refuse to see it." Joker shook his head.

"She must be blind…or maybe she just isn't willing to face the truth." Mona said.

"That's a shame," Crow stroked his chin. "Because in the end, the truth will always rear its head. You can try to suppress it, but that's nothing more than a losing battle. Especially for one so ignorant as Togo-san's Shadow. You can only avert your gaze but for so long."

"I was the one who told the magazines that my husband was sick…that he won't make it until the end of the year. That cursed shogi game only takes, but I can use that to my advantage! Heroines and tragedies go hand in hand! I'm so close to victory! I won't let you take this away from me!" Shadow Mitsuyo's aura exploded outwards, her appearance changing slightly. Devilish wings sprouted from her back, along with a tail. She floated in the air, above the Phantom Thieves. "I WILL WIN!"

"She's quite far gone…" Fox said.

"Talk about a control freak…" Oracle was already getting prepared for battle. "We're ready!"

Dragon nodded, pointing her staff at Shadow Mitsuyo as everyone else got ready. It was time to upstage the stage mother! "Prepare yourself, Mother! Because today is the day your Togo Kingdom falls!"