A/N Hello, I am back with a new chapter. I had took a short break to just relax, catch up on something in life. Enjoy the weather etc. But here is Chapter 14, we will be getting into the next arc soon. (And we all knows which thief is up next).

So thank you all for your patience and please enjoy Until the Sun Sets. Feel free to review.

I do not own persona 5 characters.


Chapter 14

Present Day, 1885

"Hello Mr. Madarame, I am Detective Goro Akechi, I have a few questions for you." Madarame looked back at the Detective in question, he was young for his age.

"How can I help you, Detective?"

"I've recently come down here for a case of mine, however, some concern citizens were mentioning your recent absences around your venue. Some loud noises were also reported to the local law enforcement the other night. First and foremost I'm sorry to hear you were hogtied in your own exhibition. Was anything stolen?" The young detective asked. Akechi keeps a neutral look on his face when asking the questions. He still needed to find this Azazel that Kobayakawa mentioned. Famous people tended to know one another, after all, money talks.

"Yes Detective, I would like to report that one of my students stole my maiden work. A former student name Yusuke Kitagawa. I would like to have this piece back to me!"

"I'll have my agents look into this for you," Akechi replied back writing down more notes during the questioning. "Was there anything else stolen?"

"No Detective," The disgrace artist uttered.

"If you'll excuse me Mr. Madarame, I have a few things to review first, I will be right back." Akechi got up and left the room. He will get two of the men that came with him to check through Madarame's inventory before moving on. They already wasted time at a time in previous towns. No Azazel found their either. Someone wanted these links dead and he needed to find the next link before they were killed too. He had some temporary help from the local deputies to increase his search.

"Sheriff, sorry for the wait, I will need about two of your men to go through Mr. Madarame's inventory and markdown everything. We will cross-check them later on. I will also send one of my agents to assist them. In the meantime, I will take the rest of my agents with me to search the town for my case."

"Sure Detective, I got a spare deputy that can join you all," The older law officer said. That will increase his search party including himself to five. Just enough to focus on the main purpose they are here for.

"Thank you, sir. Let us go cut Madarame loose and send him home. I want to get his inventory check done and over with." The young ace Detective walked back to the back room where the held their questioning.

"I am sorry for the wait, you are free to—" What awaited Akechi was the last thing he wanted. Madarame was in his chair dead. His head was leaning back, eyes still open in fear. A piece of cloth was stuck in his mouth as fresh strangle rope marks appeared on his neck. "DAMNIT!" Akechi slammed his hand on the door. This was the second time a person of interest was killed under his watch. He was only gone for a few moments. It could've been anyone that came through here. He would need to check the deputies, hell possibly his own men. It could even go so far as a hired gun sneaking in and out without no ones noticing. But everyone was credited for?

"Change of plan, I want all available men to search through Madarame properties right now."

"Hey you can't do that Detective, this town is under my jurisdiction!"

"And this has now become a Federal case Sheriff. My words are the law at this moment. I want his house searched, any other properties he's owned and the art venue. Someone wanted him silenced and I want to know why? Report back to me if any of your deputies find anything. And if anyone does anything suspicious, I will find out."

They had closed the entire art exhibition to canvas the whole building, they needed to find if he had any other extra dealings. They first started from where they found him and his security being held. Would someone be that upset about owning a fake to commit murder though?

"Sir, I think we found something!" One of his agents called him over. Akechi had started with the art venue first. His men found a note in the safe upon further review of the room.

Sir Ichiryusai Madarame, a despicable man of vanity whose talents have been washed up. You are an artist that used his authority to steal the ideas of others. We have taken back what you have stolen in the first place. We will make sure you will not harm another again. May your crimes shine into the light from your own mouth.

From.

The Phantom Thieves

"The Phantom Thieves?" Akechi wondered. "Was there anything else in this room from them?"

"Other than the copied paintings and ropes, nothing Sir."

"I see. I'll check up on the team at his house. Alert me of any other findings while I'm gone."

".…Of course Sir." The young Detective got on his horse and trotted over to the run down shacked he supposedly stayed at. The poor thing looked ready to fall down any minute now. The deputies looked around the premised already when he got there. Checking every cupboard, mattress, chest, closets, nothing unusual.

Akechi was really starting to be convinced that Madarame and Azazel were one and the same. The location made sense and the man was killed shortly after he showed up talking with police. Every witness he talked to about this case was dead. The only leads he had were narrowed down to the Phantom Thieves and Madarame former student.

Taking one more walk around the house, Akechi felt a floorboard give away. Attempting to remove his foot from the floor he notices there was something underneath the broken wood. Ripping up a few more planks he found a giant wad of cash right under his nose. $10,000 possibly or more. Even an artist as famous as Madarame couldn't even dream-making that much with just the paintings.

Perhaps luck was still on Akechi side, but it would run out soon. He needed to find those Phantom Thieves.


Elsewhere

The group of seven now had packed up their belongings and left the harbor town. Hooking up Ann's newly purchase horse with the cart, they were able to carry many more items and also provided extra room for Shiho and Shinya to sit during their travels.

Ren had caught Yusuke up on all he needed to know. Everything they knew about Samael and where they were going to strike next based on Mishima's information.

"What a rotten apple this Samael must be to lock up an innocent person," Yusuke said as they trotted down the road. Oakwood harbor was two days behind them now.

"I guess you could say that. I have a few other choice words myself." Ren chuckled. They were enjoying peaceful talks as they made their way to their next destination.

Morgana had gone on ahead to make sure no law enforcement awaited them. Ann was riding on the back of Ryuji horse again. Whispers being said between the two. He doesn't understand why Ryuji insists the two of them were friends. The way they reacted around one another made an outsider believe they were lovers. Maybe they just didn't want to define it. As long as they didn't become distracted from the task, all was well in Ren's mind.

It would also be a good time to stop by Boss's place to catch their breath and come up with a solid plan. They also needed real supplies and food. Ren knew where he could find some extra cash that needed to be dug up. A payout stolen from one gang of thieves to another and then to elder brother himself. Ren didn't feel bad taking their money, they were a ruthless gang that had burn down a schoolhouse for the fun of it with some children inside. He and Morgana felt no remorse sneaking upon them in the middle of the night and emptying their guns. They gave half of the money to the mourning families and buried the other for future emergencies.

It was probably the closest rage he felt at that time since starting this journey. It would be another few day's journeys before they would be close to digging up that spot.

"Everyone okay back there. Anyone need a water break?"

"Kidd is fine, but Carmen could use a break since the gal is lugging extra weight."

"Alright, we'll break off into the side over here for a short break." Ren had directed the rest of the group. It allowed them to unhook the horse from its harness for a brief rest. It shouldn't be too hard to find and break some wild horses they could use instead in the future.

The elder Amamiya brother took a quick inventory of what they had. They would be okay with food for a while and if they were desperate, they could always hunt with the harbor behind them and the abundant grass fields ahead. Yusuke's painting laid secured in the cart wrapped in a think blanket. Extra clothes stored in the chest that came with it, blankets and sheets. Once they get camping supplies for everyone, he may need to upgrade it to a wagon.

"Hey Mister Ren, is there anything I can do?" Turning around, he sees Shinya by the cart wearing the only pair of clothes he had with him. The boy hardly had anything at all with him since wandering the street. He's pretty sure some of Morgana's old clothes back at the Saloon could fit him.

"You don't have to do anything right now Shinya. Once we get more settle, I can teach you some cool tricks," He promised. The young boy had something to look forward to and went back to rest in the cart.

Shiho had been reading some of the books she found in that house to Shinya on their trip. The physicals wounds had healed on her and she seemed to be opening up more to the others. A small how do you do to Yusuke was progress he guessed.

A few strangers had ridden by tipping their hat while they rested. Ren couldn't wait to get back to the Saloon and get to a proper bath and shave. His one o'clock was starting to look more like a six o'clock, he learn from Boss growing it can get itchy. Morgana has been trying to grow one but he just gets various strands here and there.

"Break is over, we need to hurry up if we wanna find some decent shelter before the sun goes too far down." The group minus Morgana got back on their horses and reset the harness for the cart.

After traveling for most of the day and the morning of the next, the group had caught up with the younger sibling. He set up his own small camp while he waited for the rest to follow up.

"About time you all caught up. The town is just over that hill, only seen about two patrols ride pass. But we should be able to make it undetected in time." Morgana said. Truth be told these patrols did make him weary. But most Bounty Hunters or law enforcement tended to stay away from their little home. The town folks protect Boss and Boss protects them.

They pulled in later in the afternoon, the Amamiya brother's being greeted as usual. "Since the Saloon only has a certain amount of rooms, we'll have to place you at the Inn at the edge of town if that's alright with you all. Shinya being the youngest can stay with us.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in." Ren looked behind him seeing Boss carrying some boxes back to the building.

"We thought we make a pit stop before continuing on. Get some real decent sleep and home cook food."

"You didn't run into any further trouble did you?"

"No….but we did pick up some new people as I mentioned in the letter. Everyone this is Boss, he runs the local Saloon here. He may seem grumpy, but he's really nice." Ren said. They introduced themselves to the older man and went inside to quench their thirst.

"So where are you going after this place Ren?" Ryuji asked. He, Ren and Morgana sat at one of the tables discussing their next set of plans. Yusuke was sitting at another angle sketching something on a spare piece of parchment. The two women decided to turn in early at the Inn. Shinya himself was observing a local Poker game, the patrons didn't seem to mind.

"My informant sent word about our next target. We will be heading up to Northsbury to find our person of interest. He might be in a closer ring than Kamoshida was so things might get dangerous."

"Dangerous. We laugh in the face of danger brother."

"That we do. But if this person has a whole city under his hands, we have to be vigilante Mona. But with that said, I could use a real bed right about now. You to better not start a fight. Boss won't be afraid to throw you out."

"Don't bother, I'm sure its bedtime curfew for the pipsqueak anyway."

"I told you not to call me pipsqueak you bucktooth monkey."

"I ain't a monkey you flapdoodle!"

"You are too you stupid scallywag!"

"ENOUGH! Both of you go to bed." Children, he is surrounded by children.

Wearily walking up to the housing section of the saloon, he walks up to Futuba's door and knocks. She normally greets them whenever they come back into town but was unusually absent this evening.

"Futuba, are you in there? It's me, Ren." He could hear some sounds of shuffling but she didn't open the door. "Can you at least knock twice to let me know if you have eaten yet?"

Two knocks were heard from inside the room. "Okay. Is there anything you want to do before I go to bed. If so knock three times." He waited a few moments but no knocks came. He hopes she wasn't reverting back. She seemed so excited when they stayed the last time. Did something happen while they were gone for a few weeks?

"If you don't need anything else Futuba, I'm going to bed. My door is always open okay…..good night." Ren goes to the room him and Morgana share and tried to get some rest. The slight sounds of mumbled insults could be heard under Morgana's breath. He doesn't give up, does he. No matter, tomorrow was a new day.


A/N Slightly short chapter, transitioning into the new arc soon. We also might see some familiar faces that haven't been mentioned yet. I've had plans for them for awhile now in this story.

Thank you for reading. See ya next week