Persona 5: The Phantom Files

by sithlorde1988

Will cover the events of both Persona 5 Royal AND Persona 5 Scramble/Strikers. What happens when in addition to Ren being sentenced to go live in the care of Sojiro Sakura for a year after being sued for assualt, his younger brother is also ordered to go and oversee him? How will this extra character change things? Read to find out! More info in chapter 1! Read and review! Enjoy!

21. End of Palace 2! Kitsune Artist part 9

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Persona 5- The Phantom Files! I was hoping to get this in the last chapter, but because of how long it went on, it just wasn't possible, but in any case this chapter will have the second calling card, and probably the boss fight with Madarame's Shadow in it! And if word count allows for it, maybe some other stuff as well! That said, time for the the disclaimer per usual!

Disclaimer: sithlorde1988 does not own the Persona series in any way shape or form (excluding the OC Kusa/Draconis who he made and therefore does own), and the credit for owning said Persona series belongs to Atlus, Sega and Koei Tecmo so credit to them!

And with that out of the way, sorry the opening A/N isn't longer, but it is what it is. Hopefully the end-chapter A/N will be longer to make up for it. Without further delay, on with the chapter!

Chapter 21: Call of the Dragon! Confronting Madarame! The Kitsune Artist part 9

(at Leblanc, with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

After sizing up his options (which to be fair were rather limited being as he'd just finished an infiltration in the Metaverse), Ren opted to brew more coffee, figuring he was low on SP items plus he needed the Charm boost. Sojiro looked over as he saw Ren getting ready to brew once more and spoke up.

"Oh...Looks like you're starting to get interested in this, Ren. Say...You're not trying to impress me, are you?" Sojiro asked as Ren spoke up.

"Not really. I mean, if I do impress you, that's just a bonus. I figured it couldn't hurt to keep bettering myself as a coffee brewer. That and the idea just really appealed to me for whatever reason so I figured why not?" Ren replied as Sojiro nodded.

"Fair enough...Well, whatever. All right, I'm headin' out to buy some cigarettes..." Sojiro said as he left. After he left, Morgana did his usual complimenting of Ren's coffee while Kusa laid upstairs on his bed chatting on his phone. Ren took a sip of his finished product and pumped a fist.

"YES! Getting better with every cup! Eventually I'll bring out a roast's full potential!" Ren said to himself excitedly. He also got 2 Leblanc Coffees for his efforts as well as the usual Charm boost. At that point Sojiro walked back into Leblanc and spoke to Ren, seeing him sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee in front of him.

"Heh, looks like you're at it again...How's it going, Ren?" Sojiro asked Ren who shrugged as he spoke up.

"I think it came out well enough, though maybe you'll have a different opinion since you are the expert brewer here, Sakura-san?" Ren said as Sojiro smiled and spoke up.

"So you say...but I'll judge that for myself. Here, I'll take a sip." Sojiro said as Ren offered the coffee to Sojiro who sipped it and spoke up.

"Mmm...This smoothness...There is no mistaking it...This is Hawaiian Kona...Let me explain! Hawaiian Kona is a Hawaiian treat. Because of the rarity and price of Kona beans, a Kona blend only needs to contain 10% Kona beans. A 100% Kona coffee roast is quite expensive. Good Kona coffee is known to have a rich flavor, bright acidity, and complex aroma. That said, you're getting there, but the flavor profile is still a bit bland. With a bit more practice, you should be able to bring out a roast's full potential.

However, I do see you're preparing the cup the way I taught you, so I'll acknowledge the hard work you're putting in. You're doing good, so keep it up and I'll keep mentoring you. And if you keep at it, you'll eventually reach a level where you find that flavor of coffee that only you can produce. I see that potential in you so keep up your training." Sojiro said as Ren smiled before he nodded appreciatively and Sojiro left. After he left, Ren finished his cup of coffee and did the dishes while Morgana spoke up.

"Well then...That was productive, but you should really get to bed given how big of a day we all have lined up for tomorrow." Morgana said sagely as Ren nodded, changing out of his apron and following Morgana upstairs where both smirked at Kusa curled up into his sofa, dozing peacefully as his phone laid open on the nearby table. Ren got comfortable and got into his bed while Morgana claimed his usual spot on Kusa's chest as the group dozed off for the night...

(The next day, on the way to school with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

Ren and Kusa blinked as they heard some first-years ahead of them talking, one male and one female, and listened in.

"Oh yeah, the cleanup event is the day after tomorrow. My class has to go in the opposite direction of Inokashira Park." The female first-year said as the male spoke up and his words made Kusa and Ren exchange a slight wince.

"I'm kinda looking forward to it. That honor student is actually in my group!" The male first-year said as the female student spoke up, both of them oblivious to the unimpressed looks that Ren and Kusa were giving the male first-year as the female first-year spoke.

"Huh? What, is she like, your type or something? Either way, too bad. I hear honor students are exempt from cleaning. Totally unfair, am I right?" The female first-year said as the male first-year blanched and spoke up.

"Wha...So, am I alone on a team of upperclassmen then? This sucks. I wanna just ditch now..." The male first-year said as Kusa huffed and exchanged an annoyed look with Ren as he spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"Is that putz serious!? First of all, being the only first-year in a group of upperclassmen is NOT a bad thing. I'd know that better than most given I'm the only first-year in our group that I know of. That said, he and his friend are idiotic if they think every honors student is going to want to be exempt. I know for a fact Yoshizawa isn't happy about being exempt, and said she might go anyways just to prove she's not better than anyone else. And I'm sure that just tickles your fancy rather nicely, Ren. But in all seriousness, let's get to school." Kusa said as Ren nodded and the two finished the walk to school in silence, Morgana spending the entire walk napping in Kusa's bag, as it was Kusa's day to carry him...

(Later that day, after school with Ren and Morgana)

"There's 8 days left. Aren't you gonna send the calling card?" Morgana asked Ren before continuing to mention the Mementos target once more and Ren frowned, anticipating the rest of Morgana's question and glaring at him to cut him off before he could ask it as he spoke.

"To your first bit, yes we'll probably send the calling card today, IF we can work out the logistics for it. As for the Mementos target, DO NOT ask me about that again until we have at least 5 targets since only then will it really be worth our time to make a trip to Mementos." Ren said as Morgana nodded understandingly. Ren then remembered his lottery ticket and went to check on it, only to frown when it came back a winner and he won 2,000 yen which was less than he paid for it.

He then bought another ticket with the money. After that Ren decided to gather everyone at the hideout to discuss the calling card. After sending a group chat to Ann, Kusa and Ryuji, the former of which forwarded the message to Yusuke, the group met up at the hideout...

(At the hideout with Ren, Kusa, Morgana, Ann, Ryuji and Yusuke)

"We can now take him down, yes?" Yusuke asked, speaking up to start the gathering. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Madarame's gonna be a changed man. There won't be any way to revert it though. Are you sure you're okay with that?" Mona asked Yusuke. Yusuke blinked but smiled as he nodded and spoke up.

"I have thought it over carefully, and I cannot think of a future in which he does not pay his dues. He has preyed not only on the art world, but on countless talents...so, I humbly request your help." Yusuke said as Ren and Kusa looked at each other and the former spoke up.

"All right. You are one of us now after all, Yusuke. So you don't have to be so formal about asking for help if you need it. I know we haven't added you to our group chats as yet, but that's moreso Ann's fault since she has your contact info. That said, don't worry about it. We'll see to it that Madarame pays for what he's done." Ren said as Kusa nodded agreeably as he spoke up, both livid with Madarame's actions and eager to finally change his heart and finish the current Palace as he spoke.

"Too right we will! Madarame is not only a disgrace to artists everywhere, his very existence insults the very title of Sensei! The sooner we change his heart, the better! So yes Yusuke, we've got your back on this!" Kusa said as he crossed his arms with a nod as Yusuke spoke up.

"Thank you, Amamiya-kun brothers, truly...I apologize for making you do this..." Yusuke said as Ann interjected by speaking up.

"Not at all. We just didn't want to impose if you weren't feeling up to it, Yusuke. But if you're already determined to do it, then there's nothing more for us to say." Ann said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up once more.

"Fair enough. Ah yes, if I recall, our next step is sending a 'calling card', correct? Heh, what a suave maneuver." Yusuke said as Kusa spoke up.

"Maybe a bit suave, but we don't necessarily send these cards just to be suave. We send them to make our enemies aware that we intend to seize their distorted desires and make their Treasure materialize, thus enabling us to pull off a successful heist, though as Morgana-sensei has said before, we only usually get one shot at it." Kusa said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly. As Kusa said, it's not about acting cool. The calling card is a way to trigger a change in his cognition." Morgana said as Yusuke spoke up.

"A change in cognition...That reminds me, you went through some trouble regarding that before..." Yusuke said as Morgana smiled and nodded as he spoke up.

"Ah, you must be talking about when we forced open that security gate in the courtyard." Morgana said as Ann spoke up.

"The Palace is a cognitive world, so changing its ruler's cognition changes the topography! ...I think!" Ann said as both Kusa and Morgana winced at the 'I think!' Ann added at the end of her sentence as the latter spoke up.

"Very nicely put, Lady Ann! You're absolutely correct. This will be a vital tactic from here forward." Morgana said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"I agree with Morgana-sensei, though I will remind him once more that he shouldn't get his hopes up too much on Ann reciprocating his feelings." Kusa pointed out sagely as Mona huffed and Yusuke spoke up.

"As interesting as the potential dynamic of Morgana and Ann could be...Actually, may I ask a truly basic question? You continue to mention cognition quite readily...But why does this world formed from materialized cognitions even exist to begin with? Don't tell me...Has it always existed, while we go about our daily lives completely oblivious?" Yusuke asked as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. At the very least, I know it existed before the Kamoshida incident...but that's all." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Your guess sounds accurate though, Yusuke. Personally, I think it's just one of those things that we may never find an answer to, unless of course we happen to find one as we keep doing our work as Phantom Thieves." Kusa said, lowering his voice near the end of his remark. Yusuke nodded as he spoke up.

"I see..." Yusuke said as Ryuji blinked and spoke up in surprise, visibly shocked by Yusuke's remark and also bothered by the implications of it as he spoke.

"Crap, he totally caught me off-guard with that...It's kinda weird thinkin' there might be whole worlds we just don't know a damn thing about...Did the thought ever cross your mind, Ren?" Ryuji said as Ren blinked at being addressed before turning to face Ryuji as he spoke up.

"Honestly? I can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind, but at the same time I don't really put a lot of thought into it. Of course it's crossed my mind." Ren said. Morgana huffed as he spoke up with a frown at Ryuji.

"Don't be so anxious. You don't even know everything about the city you live in, after all. All that's important si that we know how to make use of that world and how to traverse it." Morgana said as the others nodded. Ren then thought about it before speaking up.

"As interesting as all this intellectual talk about the Metaverse is, didn't we gather here to get the calling card sent? Or is that not an option today?" Ren said as the others smiled and spoke up.

"No, I'm for that for sure." Ann said with a smile as Ryuji spoke up.

"Hell yeah! Let's send it! I'm ready!" Ryuji said. Kusa spoke up.

"I agree, the sooner we send it, the better. Though hopefully this one will be better executed than the last one. We got lucky that our previous calling card was as effective as it was, given who wrote it and how un-subtle it was." Kusa said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Hey! It worked, didn't it!? And I didn't see you offering any ideas!" Ryuji said in an offended tone as Kusa spoke up.

"That's because I was tired that night and accidentally fell asleep or I would've helped you. I believe I told you this the day that Kamoshida found his calling card?" Kusa pointed out huffily. Ren winced and spoke up.

"Anyways, staying on topic, I agree with sending the calling card. Mona and Yusuke, do you agree?" Ren said, as Yusuke spoke up.

"I concur. The sooner we can end this, the better for all involved." Yusuke said as Mona nodded.

"I too agree! Then it's decided! Let's prepare the calling card at once." Morgana said as the group nodded and started brainstorming as Yusuke spoke up.

"A calling card, hm? Will he take it seriously? He is famous, after all...He has often received slanderous letters till now, as well." Yusuke asked as Kusa spoke up.

"If it's written like Ryuji here wrote Kamoshida's calling card, probably not. But if we can refine our approach a bit with this one, I think we can make Madarame take it seriously. ESPECIALLY if he doesn't recognize the writing style/wording of the card." Kusa said as Ryuji spoke up after giving Kusa an unimpressed glare as he spoke.

"Ignoring Kusa's slander of me, I think he'll know best whether the crime written on it is for real or not." Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"Is it slander if it's true though, Ryuji? Besides, I know for a fact both Ann and Ren, and even Morgana-sensei cringed at your calling card last time, because it was that bad." Kusa said sagely. Morgana spoke up with a nod, smirking as he spoke.

"I agree with Kusa on this. But wait...Are you going to write it again, Ryuji? That last one was questionable at best..." Morgana said as Ann spoke up with a smile.

"You should do it then, Yusuke! Oh! Make it really artistic and stuff!" Ann suggested as Yusuke shook his head and spoke up.

"No, it'll end with him figuring it out. He knows my drawing and artistic styles all too well." Yusuke said as Kusa stroked his chin in thought before speaking up.

"That's true...well, since I feel Ren might be too busy to make it, and I don't think he knows how to write a calling card very well, Morgana-sensei literally can't even write anything in his current form, no offense Morgana-sensei. And on top of all that, I don't think Ann wants to do it, so I suppose that leaves it to me to step up if we don't want Ryuji writing the card again." Kusa said as Ryuji spoke up ignoring what Kusa had said as he spoke.

"Oh, then I'll think it up, and you make it cooler!" Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up, giving Ryuji a sympathetic look as he spoke while giving Kusa a curt nod of respect.

"Sorry Ryuji, but given what the others have said, I think I'd rather Kusa be the one to write it while I do the art for it. That said, this should be fun. Designing a calling card, hm...Intersting. It shall become proof that the Phantom Thieves really do exist." Yusuke said as Ryuji huffed as he spoke up, both annoyed at being usurped as the card writer and conceding defeat as he spoke.

"Hmph...fine. I know when I've been out-voted. It's decided then!" Ryuji said as Kusa nodded and spoke up, his tone clearly showing how excited he was as he spoke.

"Very well...how shall we discuss the nuances of our handiwork, Yusuke? I'm sure we want to work on this together, am I right?" Kusa said to Yusuke who nodded.

"We can figure that out soon enough. I'm thinking we exchange contact information to start though." Yusuke said to Kusa who nodded as Morgana spoke up.

"Great! All that's left is to make the Treasure ours! You guys better come fully prepared!" Morgana said as Ren spoke up, giving the not-cat a surprised look as he spoke.

"When have we NOT come fully prepared, Morgana?" Ren asked in a surprised tone as Kusa spoke up, nodding his agreement with Ren's point as he spoke.

"I think he was more saying that for posterity's sake, Ren. But I agree, we do always do our utmost to be prepared." Kusa said. The group then dispersed for the evening on that note...

(That evening, at Leblanc with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

As Ren and Kusa got into Leblanc, their phones went off to signify a group chat from Ann and Ryuji, making Kusa frown as once again Yusuke wasn't in it.

"Yo, I tried changing the chat icon." Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response.

"Looks the same to me." Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Maybe it's just for the group and doesn't show up in here...Well you should take a look later. It's that Phantom Thieves logo I had Yusuke draw for us. I'm hoping the calling card turns out similarly great because of him too. Anyways, this is the first job for the Phantom Thieves. We really can't screw this up, k?" Ryuji sent as Kusa sent a response, feeling a tad offended at Ryuji's remark.

"First of all, if it turns out great, it'll be because of MY writing style, not just because of Yusuke's artistic skills. After all, when was the last time someone conveyed a calling card with just an image? And make no mistake, Yusuke and I will put together a masterpiece!" Kusa sent as Ann sent a response.

"I am not underestimating anything, I assure you." Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Make sure Yusuke gets a lot of rest today, OK?" Ryuji sent.

"Yeah." Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Welp, see y'all tomorrow!" Ryuji sent as Ren sent a response.

"Got it. And Kusa, you and Ryuji need to try and get along! I know he can be a handful at times, but you should be able to rise above his shenanigans. That said, I'm sure what you come up with will be great!" Ren sent as Ann sent another response.

"See you tomorrow!" Ann sent. After that, Ren went upstairs to make some infiltration tools with Morgana while Kusa and Yusuke had a private chat to iron out the logistics of the calling card, Ren hearing some genuine excitement in Kusa's voice for the first time in awhile as the discussion went on. After awhile, the group went to bed...

(The next day, at the Madarame exhibit with Yusuke, Kusa, Morgana, Ren, Ann and Ryuji)

"Pardon me, sir. There's a matter we need to notify you about..." A member of the exhibit staff said to Madarame who blinked but nodded to the staff and spoke to the group gathered around him, including Yusuke who was watching intently to see the results of his and Kusa's handiwork.

"Please excuse me for a moment." Madarame said as he walked off to the side with the staff.

"What is it?" Madarame said to the exhibit staff member who held out a card as he spoke up.

"We found this outside..." The staff said as he handed the letter to Madarame who frowned as he looked at it.

"A letter?" Madarame asked as the staff hesitated as he spoke up.

"It's... uh..." The staff said as Madarame looked at the card and read it. It read as thus:

"To the one who calls himself Lord Ichiryusai Madarame, a depraved con-man who claims to be an artist but in actuality is so consumed by vanity that his many sins taint his very honor and make him unfit to wear such an esteemed label as an artist, we know of how you have used your authority to brazenly and shamelessly seize the ideas of your pupils and then claim them for your own without an iota of remorse or concern for how it affects the well-being of said pupils.

As such, we, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts, have unanimously agreed that you will make a fine choice as our next target. So prepare yourself, because we're coming for your twisted desires. Or, more simply put, we will seize the Treasure of your vain and distorted heart and make you own up to and confess your many, MANY, heinous crimes with your own mouth. So be warned, we shall not fail to seize your desires! Consider this your warning! We will strike today! So be aware, your reckoning is nigh, Madarame!

-Sincerely yours, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts, aka Phantom Crew." The card read as Madarame frowned and crumpled up the card in annoyance and disgust.

"Who's doing is this!?" Madarame asked in annoyance and slight outrage. The exhibit staff member blanched and spoke up.

"We don't know! The same letter has been posted everywhere..." The exhibit staff member said as Madaramem spoke up in irritation.

"What about the security cameras!?" Madarame asked as the exhibit staff member blanched as he spoke up.

"There were no signs of the culprit...All we saw was a cat in the recordings..." The exhibit staff member said as Madarame spoke up angrily.

"Remove these at once!" Madarame said as the exhibit staff member bowed and spoke up, giving Madarame a contrite/apologetic look as he spoke.

"Of course!" The exhibit staff member said as Madarame huffed and tossed away the crumpled up calling card as the exhibit staff member kept speaking.

"Um..." The exhibit staff member said as Madarame huffed and turned to face him in annoyance as he spoke up.

"Ugh, what now!?" Madarame asked as the exhibit staff member spoke up, wincing at the annoyed glare Madarame was giving him as he spoke.

"It's about this affecting the exhibit...We believe it's just a prank, but what of the mass media?" The exhibit staff member asked as Madarame glared and spoke up, stamping his foot in annoyance as he spoke.

"Are you insinuating that this slander is true?" Madarame asked angrily as the exhibit staff member blanched as he hurriedly spoke up.

"Of course not!" The exhibit staff member said as the shot flickered to show a shot of Madarame's Shadow as he spoke up.

"It's those damn brats' doing, isn't it? Well, it means nothing... They'll only be able to do as they please until this exhibit is over..." Madarame's Shadow said as the security level of his Palace jumped through the roof. After that, Yusuke went to join the others, at which point he spoke up on finding them nearby.

"Will that do?" Yusuke asked the group as Ann smiled and nodded.

"Yup! It was perfect! The composition was way cooler too!" Ann said as Ryuji huffed and spoke up.

"I hate to say it, but Kusa really is a better writer than I am. A bit prone to occasional repetition, but otherwise better." Ryuji said as Kusa huffed.

"So what if I had one or two instances of repeating myself!? They say that repetition is good for memorization, after all." Kusa said sagely, keeping his voice down as Morgana spoke up.

"Exactly! That said, The Treasure should appear right about now." Morgana said as Ryuji smirked and spoke up.

"You better enjoy the air of freedom while you still can, old man. Anyways, d'you guys check online? People are already talkin' about that callin' card." Ryuji said with a grin.

"But of course they are. After all, a well-written calling card does lend itself to appealing to the masses...and the fact Yusuke added a nice artistic flair to the card itself helps our presentation all the more." Kusa said with a smirk as Ryuji spoke up.

"We'll show 'em... We're gonna surprise 'em all!" Ryuji said as Morgana spoke up.

"I'm sure you all know by now, but we only get one shot to pull this off!" Morgana said as Ren spoke up.

"Yep. So it's do or die time guys. But no pressure, since if we work together, I know we can pull this off. That said, let's do this." Ren said. Ann nodded as she spoke up.

"It'll be fine. We managed last time too." Ann said as Morgana looked at Yusuke and spoke up.

"You have no reservations about this either, right, Yusuke?" Morgana asked Yusuke who spoke up.

"Of course not. ...We'll do this." Yusuke said resolutely as the group went into the Metaverse...

(At the entrance of Madarame's Palace with Fox, Skull, Joker, Mona, Draconis and Panther)

"Hmm...The atmosphere in here seems significantly different..." Fox said as Skull smirked and spoke up.

"I mean, we did basically declare war on him by sendin' that card." Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"But there's nothing to fear. Well then, we've secured a route, and we're ready to go! We'll take the Treasure in style!" Mona said as the group nodded and kept moving. After some navigation, the group reached the crane controls where Skull spoke up.

"It's finally time..." Skull said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"There will be no turning back once we begin the operation." Fox said as Panther spoke up.

"And if worst comes to worst, we might have to fight..." Panther said as Draconis spoke up.

"I think a fight might be unavoidable at this point, Panther. After all, given that I basically called him out with that calling card, he's going to be fixin' for a fight!" Draconis said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"That's right. Are you ready, Joker?" Mona asked Joker as Joker spoke up.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this!" Joker said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"YES! Okay! Everyone to your positions!" Mona said as the group split into their designated assigned task sets...

(At the power control room with Panther, Draconis and Skull)

"There's an enemy inside, just as expected..." Panther said to Skull who spoke up in an unsurprised tone.

"I mean, we've done a ton here. It ain't surprisin'. Anyway, I'm gonna try and draw it out, so I'll leave the switch to you guys." Skull said as Panther and Draconis, the two designated to handle the switch, nodded as Panther spoke up again.

"Will you be okay? What if it catches up to you?" Panther said as Skull chuckled and smirked as he spoke up.

"Heh, don't underestimate an ex-runner. I'm definitely gonna shake it off!" Skull said as he pounded on the door before shifting his voice as he spoke up.

"Heyyy, there's some weird people over here! Heyyy, I need some helllp!" Skull said as he took off running. The Shadows inside blinked as one spoke up after walking out, not seeing the concealed duo of Panther and Draconis slip inside the room behind him.

"Hm!? What's the matter!?" The Shadow said as he ran off towards the direction Skull had darted off. Panther then poked her head out of the open doorway to speak up.

"You'd better make it, Skull..." Panther said as she went back inside with Draconis.

(Meanwhile, at the hook location with Fox and Mona)

"Is this good?" Fox asked Mona after he carefully secured Mona to the hook. Mona smiled and spoke up approvingly.

"Yeah, it's perfect!" Mona said as Fox smirked and spoke up, giving Mona a look that conveyed how amused he was with the not-cat's enthusiasm as he spoke.

"You seem to be enjoying this." Fox said as Mona grinned as he spoke up, a massive grin on his face as he spoke.

"Only the best can appreciate these critical moments. Plus, this really feels like we're really phantom thieves!" Mona said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Well, Joker and I will be counting on you, Mona. Along with Panther and Draconis as well, and even Skull." Fox said as at that moment Panther saw his speech from in the control room as she turned to Draconis and spoke up.

"That's Fox's signal! That means they're ready to go! Good luck, everyone! Let's do this!" Panther said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Couldn't agree more, Panther. Time to show that scumbag Madarame what's what." Draconis said eagerly as he and Panther killed the power and Fox turned to Joker.

"Joker, now!" Fox said as Joker nodded, pulling the lever and lowering Mona down to deftly grab the Treasure as Panther and Draconis caught up to Fox and Joker, the former of the two speaking up.

"Sorry for the wait!" Panther said as Skull ran in and spoke up.

"My bad! It took me ages to get that guy off my trail!" Skull said as Draconis smirked and spoke up.

"That, or it took you that long to kick his ass so he'd quit following you, either or." Draconis said dryly as Skull shrugged.

"You're not wrong, Draconis." Skull said as Panther blanched and spoke up.

"Wait, where's Mona?" Panther said as Joker pulled the lever and pulled Mona back up as Fox spoke up.

"Let's go! Let us reconvene with Mona!" Fox said as the group nodded and kept moving. After a quick double hop, the group reached Mona right as he and the Treasure reached the spot where the hook had started out as Mona spoke up with a smirk.

"Heh heh heh! How's THAT for a skilled plan?" Mona said as Skull spoke up.

"That was amazin', Mona!" Skull said as the Shadows all blanched as the looked at the area behind the lasers and a Shadow spoke up.

"Lord Madarame! Th-The piece is gone!" The Shadow said as Madarame's Shadow spoke up with a growl.

"Ngh...How dare those vermin...But now we'll corner them like the rats they are! Lock all the doors at once! They have nowhere to run!" Madarame's Shadow said as back above him and the Shadows, Skull spoke up.

"Hey...So? What'd the Treasure turn out bein'? I'm guessin' it's a paintin' based on the shape." Skull said as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"A painting...it's looking more and more like I might be right in my guess as to what the Treasure is." Draconis said to himself as Fox spoke up.

"Perhaps so Draconis, but we can look into that later. For now, we must escape." Fox said. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Yeah, it's time to go!" Mona said as the group kept moving. After hopping back down, the group was surprised when their way out wouldn't open up and Skull spoke up.

"Gah! Dude, no way! It's not openin'!?" Skull said as Mona blanched and spoke up.

"Seriously!?" Mona said as the voices of Shadows could then be heard.

"I heard sounds coming from the crane! Check up above!" The group heard a Shadow say as Mona spoke up.

"WHOA! Wh-Wh-What do we do!?" Mona said as Draconis smirked.

"What else!? We try and devise a way out, and failing that, we fight our way out, while conserving our SP in case we still have to fight Madarame's Shadow." Draconis said smugly. Skull smirked at Draconis and spoke up.

"Truth, Draconis! And Mona, you don't got a plan about how to get outta here!? What kinda master thief are you!?" Skull said as Draconis frowned and spoke up..

"When has Mona EVER said he was a master thief!? He's only ever called himself a gentleman thief! Besides, I think we can ALL agree Madarame caught us off-guard with the locking doors." Draconis said. Fox spoke up with a nod.

"I concur. In any case, let us search for another way out. We must escape!" Fox said and the group nodded as they kept moving. After some hopping across beams, Draconis smirked and spoke up to get the group's attention.

"Hey guys! I might be wrong, but I think that's our way outta here!" Draconis said as the group looked at where Draconis was looking, gaping as they saw the window he'd seen as Skull spoke up.

"Oh, a window! But, where's it go?" Skull asked as Fox spoke up.

"Who knows? Either way, now is no time to be lost in thought. We must go!" Fox said as the group dove out of the window and ended up in a new area. Skull winced as he spoke up.

"Whoa...this shit's real high up..." Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"But at least we're outside! Is there a way down out here!?" Mona asked as the group kept moving. After finding a bunch of ledges to hop down, the group eventually arrived at a red glowing portal, where Fox spoke up.

"Is this another portal to an unknown destination?" Fox asked as Mona spoke up.

"We don't have time to lose. Just go through it! Now's our chance!" Mona said as Skull spoke up.

"For real!? But... I guess there's no other way!" Skull said. Joker ran up to the portal as it turned green and the group found themselves at another area where Skull spoke up

"Is this... the courtyard!?" Skull asked as Mona darted forward and smirked as he spoke up.

"I knew it! All that security would've been meaningless if it just led back inside!" Mona said as Fox spoke up.

"It seems we managed to escape their siege." Fox said as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"Maybe for now, Fox, but I think that was only the first wave. For now, we need to keep moving and get back to the entrance, right Mona?" Draconis said then frowned at Mona seeming to have a reaction to the treasure making him blanch as he spoke up.

"Uh...Mona!? Are you having a reaction to the Treasure NOW of all times!?" Draconis said in shock.

"Mrrrr... Meowww..." Mona said as Skull huffed and spoke up.

"Dude...Why's Mona gettin' excited now, of all times...?" Skull asked as Mona spoke up.

"I just can't take it any more! Let's take a look at this Treasure...!" Mona said as he laid the wrapped Treasure down and opened it up to look at it as he put his paws on it and spoke up.

"Treasure!" Mona said excitedly before his eyes went wide as he noticed something off with it.

"Hrm!?" Mona said as he saw a painting, but Skull spoke up before he could say anything.

"THIS is the Treasure!?" Skull said in surprise as Draconis frowned and spoke up, his eyes narrowing as realization set in, making Draconis swear under his breath as he spoke.

"No... I'd say it's a trap! Could Madarame have swapped the Treasure out for a fake!?" Draconis guessed, annoyed that the group had been seemingly outmaneuvered by Madarame. Fox blinked as he noticed something that made him speak up.

"Get back!" Fox said as the group leapt clear of the fake Treasure as an electric fence surrounded it and would have trapped the group had Fox not called out when he did. However, before they could ponder the turn of events further, an unwelcome but familiar voice reached the groups' ears.

"Meddlesome vermin." Madarame's Shadow said as he approached the group, a pair of Security Shadows flanking him as he spoke up, nodding towards the right-hand Shadow who was holding another painting.

"Is THIS what you're looking for?" Madarame's Shadow said as Mona huffed and spoke up.

"How dare you try to trap me like some kind of mouse!" Mona said as Skull spoke up.

"So you had a fake prepped, huh!?" Skull said as Madarame's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"Counterfeits are accepted int he world of Japanese art." Madarame's Shadow said as Fox spoke up in disgust.

"What made you change like this!? Is it because you became famous!? Can't you understand how much it pains me to inquire about the crimes of my foster father!?" Fox asked Madarame's Shadow who huffed as he spoke up, giving Fox a dry look as he spoke up.

"Now that I think back, the only reason why I took you in was due to my ties with your mother. That woman never lost her passion for painting even after her husband died. Her skills and talents were quite astonishing...That's why I decided to look after her. Your mother and the artwork she created-they're all MY works of art!" Madarame's Shadow said as Panther huffed and spoke up, clearly disgusted by Madarame's Shadow as she spoke.

"How low can you sink?" Panther asked as Draconis spoke up.

"Careful, Panther. Some questions don't have a good answer for them and are usually better left unasked for that reason." Draconis said. Madarame's Shadow laughed as he spoke up.

"I suppose I can grant you a gift before you die-a glimpse of the genuine 'Sayuri'!" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox and Draconis' eyes went wide at this as the former spoke up.

"Genuine...?" Fox asked in shock. Madarame's Shadow nodded to the guard who lifted up the painting to reveal it was in fact the real Sayuri, making Draconis swear under his breath as Fox spoke up, his eyes widening behind his mask as he looked at the apparently genuine 'Sayuri', disbelief evident on his face as he spoke up.

"That's...the real 'Sayuri'?" Fox asked in stunned disbelief. He then blanched as he spoke up, his eyes widening before they narrowed, his expression a mix of livid and sad as he spoke.

"This can't be! Mom..." Fox said as Skull gasped and spoke up in shock as he looked at Fox while Joker, Mona, Draconis and Panther glared at Madarame's Shadow,.

"Huh!?" Skull said in surprise. Madarame's Shadow nodded as he spoke up, his words making both Fox and Draconis' eyes narrow in disgust as he spoke.

"Indeed it is. This was painted by your mother. It's a portrait of herself. A woman who knew her death was coming painted her last wishes, for the son she would leave behind. That is the truth behind the mystery of 'Sayuri's expression!" Madarame's Shadow said as Draconis gasped in realization before speaking up.

"No...so if that's Fox's mother in the painting, then the baby in her arms must be..." Draconis said, trailing off as he gave Fox a look of mixed surprise and respect as Fox nodded, speaking up to finish Draconis' thought.

"Indeed. That baby in her arms must be me." Fox said having realized the same thing Draconis did as Skull spoke up in disbelief and outrage.

"You stole something THAT personal!?" Skull said as Madarame's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"I knew at first glance. I knew it'd be a huge success if I added a touch to the painting and announced it under my name!" Madarame's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up with gritted teeth as he glared at Madarame's Shadow.

"Why you dirty, rotten, low-life piece of shit. Have you no shame!?" Draconis snapped as Fox spoke up.

"But the baby in the picture...Why did you paint over it?" Fox asked as Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"It was all to stage it. If the babe is erased, the reason for the woman's expression will become a mystery! That is what the general public is drawn to! Each of those parasitic critics wrote the same thing!" Madarame's Shadow said as Panther spoke up.

"I always felt something was off about all this... Now I know what it is. If you really treasured that painting, you wouldn't even think about replicating it for profit! YOU DON'T LOVE ART AT ALL!" Panther said, practically giving Madarame the stink eye as she yelled the last few words. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Though you have a real Treasure, your true skills are nothing more than those scribbles on that fake!" Mona said as Skull spoke up.

"It makes me laugh, asshole!" Skull said as Madarame's Shadow frowned before speaking up once more.

"So you'll defy me no matter what..." Madarame's Shadow said as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"No fucking shit we'll defy you, you jackass! Why would we ever help the likes of you!? You do nothing but plagiarize, lie, take credit for others' work, and blasphemize treasured memories just to turn a profit. So of course we're gonna defy you! Someone like you needs to have their heart changed in the WORST way!" Draconis said huffily as Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"So you say, young man. But I think you're the near-sighted and narrow-minded one. But never mind that for now. Well then, since you're my work of art, Yusuke, I'm going to reap you for the sake of my future. Along with those insolent friends of yours there." Madarame's Shadow said as Panther spoke up in annoyance and outrage.

"I can't believe you're treating both mother and son like they're objects...You're inhuman!" Panther said as Fox stood silently, his expression unreadable, making Mona turn to Fox and speak up, his gaze full of concern for Fox as he spoke.

"Fox?" Mona said worriedly. Fox looked up and spoke up, his voice both dry and unamused as he spoke.

"I've heard that you destroy your 'art' once they outlive their usefulness...Did that include my mother as well?" Fox asked, making everyone else bar Madarame's Shadow and his guards gasp as they glared at Madarame's Shadow as he spoke up.

"She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me. That's when a thought crossed my mind...If I don't call for help and leave her be, I could obtain her painting without any strings attached." Madarame's Shadow said as Panther spoke up in shock.

"No...You let her die!?" Panther asked. Draconis huffed as he spoke up.

"Of course he did. This low-life son of a bitch would probably do ANYTHING to make a quick buck. So I'm really not that surprised he'd let someone die in front of him. Too bad for him, he didn't consider the possibility that Fox's mom might've intended Fox to inherit the Sayuri. Hell, I wouldn't much be surprised to find out Fox is in fact the rightful owner of it." Draconis said dryly as he glared at Madarame's Shadow, noticing the contemplative look on Fox's face at his words. Madarame's Shadow spoke up with a nod.

"She was physically weak. No one would doubt if she just dropped dead because of a seizure. Above all, Yusuke, didn't you think it was odd that I discovered your talent when you were only three? The reason why I kept you around was to keep you from discovering the truth behind 'Sayuri.'" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox spoke up, suddenly full of rage as he spoke.

"You killed her...!" Fox said angrily as Madarame's Shadow kept speaking.

"The artistic talents you inherited from your mother were a delightful miscalculation, though. If I'm to steal ideas, it's much easier robbing the future of brats who won't talk back than adults. It's thanks to you I came up with the idea. You have my gratitude." Madarame's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up.

"You despicable, no-good, self-serving coward! Never mind what I said before, you truly are despicable! Not only have you no shame, but you also are depraved enough you'd prey on innocent children! You, sir, are the most despicable piece of garbage I've EVER seen!" Draconis said as Fox then started darkly chuckling, making the others look at him in concern.

"Yusuke?" Panther asked, ignoring the wide-eyed looks of shock on Mona and Draconis' faces at her using the wrong name in the Metaverse. Fox then spoke up.

"I thank you, Madarame. Every reason for me to forgive you has disappeared without a trace at this very moment! You aren't some rotten artist...You're a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!" Fox said angrily as Madarame's Shadow huffed and spoke up.

"All you good-for-nothings...! Barging into my museum and doing whatever the hell you want..." Madarame's Shadow said as he started giving off a red aura as he kept speaking.

"Those who have the connections make the rules. Those who don't, follow them. Not to mention, the value of art is all subjective! I make the rules in the art scene! I am the supreme being! I am the GOD of the art world!" Madarame's Shadow said as Draconis and Fox huffed at the words coming from Madarame's Shadow's mouth. Mona's eyes widened as he spoke up.

"This isn't good. Get back!" Mona said as the group took a few steps back. At that moment, Madarame's Shadow contorted and shifted until he took the form of a collection of paintings as he spoke up.

"I'll...I'll...I'LL PAINT ALL OVER YOU!" Madarame's Shadow said as the fight started.

"In the world of art, those who are mediocre cannot understand! Now...Let's begin, you vermin!" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox spoke up.

"You used others for your own despicable desires, Madarame...You aren't even WORTH the art you 'create'!" Fox said as Mona spoke up.

"Joker, don't lose focus...There's no telling what he might try!" Mona said as the fight began. As soon as one of the eye paintings was defeated, it was revived, making Mona speak up in annoyance.

"They heal as soon as they're destroyed if we don't defeat them all at once...!? Dammit!" Mona said as after a few more turns Madarame's Shadow hit Fox with an attack that covered him in black paint making him vulnerable to everything causing Mona to speak up.

"What is this attack!?" Mona asked as Draconis huffed from the background where he and Ann were watching the battle.

"Hell if I know, Mona-sensei! But I'd say it's something that needs to be removed ASAP!" Draconis said as Mona nodded and kept speaking.

"There has to be more than just our color changing! We should be cautious!" Mona said. A few rounds later, Fox and Joker managed to defeat all the paintings, causing Madarame's Shadow to revert to its' true form. Mona then spoke up.

"Madarame's out!" Mona said as the group did a Hold Up on Shadow Madarame who spoke up.

"Dammit...I'm the great Madarame...The Madarame who gathers a full crowd every time he opens an exhibit! I'm not someone that worthless brats like you are allowed to defy!" Madarame said as Mona discreetly tagged out with Draconis while Fox spoke up.

"Enough of your egotistic ranting! Taste the wrath of all those you've preyed upon!" Fox said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Fox. You've had one hell of a reign, but as the saying goes, all things must come to an end, even if in your case it's a fucked-up thing we're ending!" Draconis said as he crossed his arms as the group launched an All-Out Attack that did very little but anger Madarame's Shadow who spoke up.

"I'm the great artist, Madarame! If you brats can't fathom that...Then you'll witness it for yourselves! Behold my master craft!" Madarame said as he used a technique to duplicate himself as Mona spoke up in shock from nearby.

"Wha-!? He made copies of himself!? Ha, I see. Creating duplicates IS his specialty!" Mona said as Draconis nodded.

"This is true, but clearly these duplicates are not identical! After all, if you look, each is a different color than the one next to it." Draconis noticed. After some attacks, the gold Madarame clone, or 'Ersatz Joy' as it called itself, was quickly dispatched while both the red and green were knocked down and damaged a lot as the blue clone spoke up angrily.

"You dare defy an esteemed elder! May you all be frozen in fear!" The blue clone, or 'Ersatz Sorrow' as it called itself, said as the red clone, or 'Ersatz Fury' got up and spoke up.

"Damn clueless brats...My fiery rage shall reduce you all to mere ashes!" Ersatz Fury said as the green clone, or 'Ersatz Mirth' as it called itself, stood up and spoke.

"Disappear from my sight without a trace, like dust scattered in the wind!" Ersatz Mirth said as he and the other clones hit the group with elemental attacks. Eventually, the collective of the clones was defeated as Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"N-Ngh...Stop this...Is this how you show your gratitude to the man who raised you!?" Madarame's Shadow said to Fox who spoke up angrily.

"SILENCE! Don't waste your breath!" Fox said as Madarame's Shadow created more fakes. As the battle went on and more fakes were spawned in, Mona blinked and spoke up as he noticed something.

"Hey, something seems wrong! Could he have...?" Mona said as Draconis shrugged and Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"What!? I, the great Madarame... made an error!?" Madarame's Shadow said in surprise as Fox huffed and spoke up.

"So this is the true limit of your skill...How infantile. To think you'd fail to produce even one of your counterfeits-please, don't disappoint me any further!" Fox huffed. After cutting down a few more waves of clones, Madarame's Shadow huffed as he spoke up.

"Dammit...Dammit...Stop it, you brats, or else...!" Madarame's Shadow huffed as Draconis spoke up.

"Or else what? You'll get tired of us kicking your ass? Too effing bad! This is one reckoning you've long had coming! It's FAR too late now for you to beg for mercy!" Draconis said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"You think we'll be daunted by such threats!?" Fox said in an unimpressed tone. Draconis looked at Fox and nodded as Fox downed another wave of clones.

"Shall we finish this, my friend?" Draconis said to Fox who nodded, giving Draconis an approving/grateful look for his offer while also speaking up in a resolute tone, glaring at the array of Madarame clones and Madarame's Shadow as he spoke..

"Gladly. GOEMON! CUT DOWN THESE FAKES WITH A VOLLEY OF BUFUS!" Fox called out as some of the fakes were destroyed while Draconis smirked, looking at the weakened enemies as he spoke up, glaring at Madarame's Shadow which was cringing in fear by this point as he spoke.

"And my turn for the finisher. SMAUG! End this! Show this swine your wrath! Let loose your mighty Megido!" Draconis called out as Smaug glared at Madarame's Shadow before shooting out a burst of divine energy that cascaded down on Madarame's Shadow and the rest of his army of Ersatz fakes, the Almighty attack utterly destroying all the fakes and knocking Madarame's Shadow to its knees.

"Ugh...NOOOO!" Madarame's Shadow said as he hit the ground, ending the battle. As a result of the lofty EXP drop from Madarame's Shadow, Joker, Mona and Draconis hit level 20, Fox and Skull hit level 19 and Panther hit level 18, while two of Joker's Personas also leveled up in the form of Agathion who went all the way to level 14, and Saki Mitama who hit level 11. As a result of the level ups, Agathion learned Dodge Elec, Smaug picked up Resist Elec, and Zorro picked up Pulinpa. Mona and Draconis smirked as they spoke up.

"Awesome! Not only is that another one down, but our arsenal of skills continues to expand! Not bad for one battle's work, if I do say so myself!" Draconis said happily as Mona spoke up, grinning happily even while he agreed with Draconis' observation as he spoke.

"Now I'm even MORE charming!" Mona said happily. Skull then spoke up, but his words would end up making Draconis, Mona and Panther frown.

"Dude! Fox was badass there, even with that flashy finisher of Draconis' ending it! With skills like that Fox, we might not need Draconis on the front lines much more!" Skull said jokingly, not seeing the frowns on Panther and Mona's faces at his remark or the gasp of disbelief that came from Draconis which was followed by an irritated glare and a huff. After the fight, Madarame's Shadow backed up fearfully, seeing Fox advancing on him with a glare in his eyes.

"Eek! No one cares for true art...All they want are easily recognizable brands! I'm a victim in this too! Wouldn't you agree!?" Madarame's Shadow said as Skull huffed and spoke up with a glare on his face.

"Excuses now?" Skull said as Draconis spoke up with a glare of his own that he aimed at Madarame's Shadow as he spoke.

"Of course. Does that man look like he has ANY sort of personal integrity, much less moral compass!?" Draconis snarked as Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"The art world revolves around money after all... You can't rise up without any money...Yusuke, you understand, don't you!? Being a poor artist is truly miserable! I just didn't want to return to that life!" Madarame's Shadow said as he blinked with the others as Fox grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up to look him in the eyes as he spoke.

"A fiend like YOU has NO right to speak about the world of art! You're done for-along with this whole wretched world!" Fox said angrily as Madarame's Shadow looked at him in fear and spoke up.

"Aagh! No, please! Just... don't kill me!" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox tossed him to the ground and spoke up venomously.

"You're not worth killing. Now, return to yourself in reality and confess your crimes- ALL OF THEM!" Fox said angrily as Madarame's Shadow looked at him in fear.

"Y-You're not going to kill me?" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox glared at him and spoke up.

"SWEAR IT!" Fox said as Madarame's Shadow quivered in fear before speaking up.

"AAGH! All right...All right! Wh-What about the other one though? The one with the black mask?" Madarame's Shadow said, making everyone exchange a confused look. Fox blinked and spoke up.

"Hm?" Fox said as Joker spoke up.

"Who? What do you mean, one with a black mask?" Joker asked as Draconis glared at Madarame's Shadow.

"And don't try fooling us! We might be sparing your worthless self, but that doesn't mean we're fools here!" Draconis huffed. Panther spoke up.

"A black mask? Wait, who's he talking about?" Panther said as Mona's eyes went wide as he spoke up.

"It can't be... There was another intruder besides us within this Palace!?" Mona asked in shock as the Palace started rumbling making Skull speak up.

"There's no time! Hurry!" Skull said as Mona nodded and ran forward to assume his car form as he spoke up.

"Get on!" Mona said as Panther, Skull and Joker darted into Mona's van form as Draconis helped Fox with the treasure as Madarame's Shadow spoke up.

"Hey, Yusuke, what should I do?" Madarame's Shadow said as Fox gave him a look of disgust before speaking up.

"Put an end to all this and use your own artwork for once." Fox said as he grabbed the Sayuri and made to walk off with Draconis in tow as Panther called out.

"Hey, Yusuke!" Panther called out as Draconis frowned.

"Hold your horses Panther, we're coming! And also, CODE NAMES! Do you and Skull not get that simple concept!?" Draconis said rebukingly as Fox nodded and the two went to the Mona van as Madarame's Shadow cried after Fox.

"No, wait! Please! Yusuke! Yusukeee!" Madarame's Shadow called out to deaf ears as the group left in the van, making a hasty exit from the Metaverse...

(Back in the real world, with Morgana, Ren, Kusa, Ryuji, Yusuke and Ann)

"The destination has been deleted." The MetaNav's voice said from Ren's phone. Mona spoke up.

"It would be bad if people started getting suspicious of us. We should leave at once." Morgana said as Ryuji nodded and spoke up.

"Yusuke, c'mon." Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up, still holding the painting in his hands.

"Right..." Yusuke said as he turned to the atelier and spoke up once more with a bit of regret in his tone as he spoke.

"Goodbye, Sensei." Yusuke said as the group relocated to the hideout...

(At the hideout)

"I guess the mission was a success. All that's left is to see if he had a change of heart or not." Ryuji said as he sipped the can he was given and winced at the flavor as he kept speaking.

"Ugh, so bitter... Why'd you get it black?" Ryuji asked as Yusuke spoke up, Ren and Kusa looking on over his shoulder at the painting in his hands.

"The 'Sayuri'..." Yusuke said as Kusa spoke up, giving Yusuke a sympathetic/understanding look as he spoke.

"I hate being right, but unfortunately Yusuke, this is EXACTLY what I thought the Treasure might turn out to be given how much that last puzzle he threw at us involved it." Kusa said as Yusuke just nodded his understanding as Ryuji chuckled and spoke up.

"You're not gonna get all teary-eyed and say stuff like, 'Mom...!', are you?" Ryuji asked Yusuke as Kusa glared at him and spoke up, still annoyed at Skull for his previous remark about him.

"And what if he is, Ryuji!? Maybe he's entitled to that now that he knows the full truth of this painting's origins, or did you think about that, you insensitive and tactless jackass!?" Kusa snarked at Ryuji as Yusuke spoke up again, seemingly not hearing Kusa's venomous reply to Ryuji as he spoke.

"To think that this painting was the source of Madarame's distorted desires. The only saving grace is that my mother won't know of what transpired..." Yusuke said as Kusa patted him on the shoulder reassuringly and spoke up with an understanding smile.

"That's true, but never forget Yusuke, the ones we love have a way of looking down on us from above, so I'm sure if she did see any of that, she's almost certainly proud of you for avenging her besmirched legacy and honor right now, so never doubt that we did the right thing bringing that scummy son of a bitch down." Kusa said sagely with a nod. Yusuke smiled and nodded back as Morgana spoke up.

"The genuine painting at his atelier has been altered, after all...Ironic as it may be, this one here is her true self-portrait now." Morgana said. Ann nodded and smiled as she looked at the painting over Yusuke's other shoulder as she spoke.

"It's a wonderful painting. And...although it took some time, it's in your hands now, Yusuke." Ann said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Back where it rightfully belongs. Never doubt that your mother likely loved you with all that she was, Yusuke. I might not have known her, but anyone who can paint such a masterpiece was clearly an unfailingly kind and loving person." Kusa said sagely as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"I agree, and I'm thankful for it. However, it's impossible for this painting to be acknowledged by society anymore..." Yusuke said as Ren spoke up.

"That's a shame, even if it's not necessarily the worst thing. But, and you can tell me you don't want to answer this if it's too personal Yusuke, but was 'Sayuri' your mom's name?" Ren asked. Yusuke simply shook his head and spoke up.

"No. I doubt it's the name of any woman in particular." Yusuke said as Kusa spoke up.

"If that's true, that's a shame since Sayuri really is a lovely name, at least in my opinion." Kusa said with a smile. Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"I bet it was to make it more mysterious-just a part of Madarame's foolish staging." Yusuke said as Morgana gave a sad smile as he spoke up.

"Well, it would've been obvious that he plagiarized it if he had used the real name." Morgana said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up sadly.

"So, this is my mother...There's no way that I would remember her face clearly...But I was right about the rush of emotion I felt when I saw this painting." Yusuke said as Ann and Kusa nodded agreeably as Ryuji went off screen to swap his can out for a bottle of soda and came back, chugged a bunch of it and then burped right in Ann's face, getting annoyed glares from Ann, Mona, Ren and Kusa for his troubles while Yusuke just gave him an indifferent look. Ann huffed as she spoke up.

"UGH! Stop that!" Ann said as Morgana spoke up, exchanging an annoyed glance with Kusa as he spoke, both of them irritated at Ryuji.

"You're so vulgar, Ryuji." Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"For real, Mona-sensei! He's also very lucky I'm not kicking his ass right now." Kusa said huffily. Ryuji looked at Yusuke as he spoke up, ignoring Kusa's comment.

"So, what're you gonna do now? We're gonna keep targetin' big shots." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Why do you do such things?" Yusuke asked as Ryuji spoke up.

"It's to get back at scumbags and like...society in general? We also wanna give courage to the people that're sufferin' 'cause of selfish adults." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Courage, hm...What does that do? You mean the courage to stand up for themselves, correct? Will acquiring that make them happy?" Yusuke asked as Ren and Kusa exchanged surprised looks as the former spoke up.

"Honestly, I'm not sure Yusuke. But what Ryuji also doesn't mention is that in both cases so far, it was the right thing to do to change our targets' hearts, so in a way we're like the unseen force that steps in if someone gets too out of hand and makes the corrupt see the error of their ways. So whether or not we're in the right on that will be made clear in time." Ren said as Kusa nodded his agreement, along with Ann and Morgana. Ryuji then spoke up in agreement with Ren.

"Yeah. There's no knowin' whether it'll turn out good for everyone or not. Still, we won't know unless we give it a try." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up, having a thought occur to him as he spoke.

"In other words, it all depends on the person, hm? Then the same can be said about myself right now. I also suffered because of an adult's selfish act. Moreover, if we investigate these Palaces, it may expand my artistic repertoire." Yusuke said as Ryuji spoke up.

"You really only think about art, huh? You're impressive." Ryuji said. Yusuke spoke up and ignored Ryuji's remark.

"Well, I won't take part in any inelegant plans, all right?" Yusuke said as Ann winked as she spoke up.

"No worries! I've got us covered! Plus, we have a rule that says we always have to decide on a target unanimously." Ann said as Morgana looked at Ren.

"How about it, Joker? We can give our calling cards a lot more 'oomph' if we have Yusuke on our team, especially with how well Kusa wrote this last one." Morgana said, ignoring the sputtering Ryuji as he waited for Ren's response. Ren eventually spoke up after a bit of a pause.

"He would make a great member. And we can use all the allies we can get to a point." Ren said. Yusuke smiled and nodded as he spoke up.

"I will try and live up to those expectations." Yusuke said as Morgana spoke up.

"At any rate, I'm curious...Another intruder besides us, huh?" Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"That's right...Madarame said something about someone in a black mask while he was begging for his life, didn't he?" Kusa said as Ann nodded as she spoke up.

"Right. Our only clue's a black mask, so that doesn't necessarily mean it's just one person, right?" Ann said as Ryuji spoke up.

"But there's no way to check anymore. The Palace is gone." Ryuji said as Yusuke frowned before speaking up.

"I'll try probing Madarame. I may be able to learn something from him." Yusuke said as Ann spoke up.

"Are you sure? I mean-" Ann said as Yusuke spoke up, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence.

"I'll contact you all if anything turns up." Yusuke said as Ann spoke up once more.

"We should probably exchange our contact info with you then." Ann suggested as everyone nodded and pulled their phones out and exchanged info with Yusuke, aside from Kusa and Ann who'd already done so. After the exchange was done, Yusuke spoke up.

"An artist and a phantom thief...It seems I'll be engaging in two trades from here on...Very well. You only live once, after all. Still, the incident about this other intruder does concern me a little..." Yusuke said as Kusa smiled and spoke up.

"Exactly, my dude! YOLO!" Kusa said happily before he kept speaking after hearing the other half of Yusuke's statement.

"And as for this other intruder, we can only keep up our guard and exercise all due diligence in case this person in a black mask ends up being an enemy." Kusa said as the others nodded and parted ways for the evening...

(That night at Leblanc, upstairs with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

"Not only have we dealt with our second big target, we even have a new addition to the team! Goodness, things are going so well!" Morgana said as Ren nodded.

"It's all thanks to you, Morgana. However, that said, we can't get too cocky. We need to stay on our guard in case we run into that black-masked person Madarame mentioned." Ren said. Morgana nodded as he spoke up.

"That's true. Still, let's honestly be happy about it right now. But I have to say, you sure are something special. This is our sixth Persona-user. It'll help broaden our battle strategies as well. Besides, having an eye for beauty is a must for Phantom Thieves. We're lucky to have Yusuke. An artist is a talent you rarely come across. I mean, he IS a bit strange, but still...An artist, huh...What kind of person do you think I was?

There's no way I'd turn out to be some bad guy in the end, right? I get so engrossed with the embodiment of human desires...And that's not all. When it comes to the Metaverse, I'm the only one who can transform into a car...I'm special, but it's still odd. Who could I actually be?" Morgana asked Ren who smiled and spoke up.

"While we have no way to know what your true form is for sure, I can say for certain after all we've been through so far that you're at least a human at heart, Morgana." Ren said. Morgana looked at Ren and spoke up hopefully.

"You really think so? Ugh, what a half-assed answer. Well, there's no way a dashing, honorable rogue like me could be evil. A man who saves those in trouble in the west, while punishing evildoers who may lurk in the east! A man who chastises people who smoke inside in the south, while saving bullied cats in the north. A man who has a sturdy body, and vows to always do one good deed a day, be it rain or shine. I'm that kind of ideal person...Or so I hope. So if I turn back to being human, surely she'll take notice of me, won't she?" Morgana asked Ren who spoke up.

"If you're talking about who I think you are, we'll know eventually. Though I wouldn't get your hopes up just in case, Morgana." Ren said. Morgana looked at Ren and spoke up.

"Well, that's true, but...ugh, where should I go when I become human? I wonder where she'd like to go...An amusement park, a movie theater, a fancy cafe, shopping...What do you think?" Morgana said as Ren shrugged, not sure how to answer that, even as he felt his bond with Morgana deepen. As a result, the 'Magician' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'II' becoming a 'III' to signify that his Confidant link with Morgana had reached rank 3, enabling Morgana to use Follow Up. After that, Morgana spoke up again.

"Oh yeah, you're supposed to meet at Inokashira Park for school tomorrow." Morgana said as Ren blinked.

"That's right... that's tomorrow, isn't it!? Good, we got done in time so Kusa doesn't have to roast me!" Ren said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"What, did you forget? Kawakami said there was a community cleanup event." Morgana said as Ren's phone went off to signify a group chat with Kusa, Ryuji, Ann, and surprisingly so Yusuke, with Ryuji eventually sending the first response.

"Yo, good job guys." Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response.

"We all did our best." Ann sent as Yusuke sent his first response in the group chat.

"Allow me to express my thanks once again. Because of you, I was able to retrieve the painting that had been filled with my mother's love." Yusuke sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Hearing you say that makes the whole thing worth it, Yusuke!" Ryuji sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Agreed. At least Yusuke knows how to appreciate his teammates, Ryuji." Kusa sent snarkily making Morgana and Ann wince, knowing exactly why Kusa had sent that comment.

"Seriously. I wasn't sure you'd really want to change Madarame's heart." Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"I'm sorry to have worried you. I have no regrets about it now." Yusuke sent as Ann sent a response.

"And the change of heart WILL happen this time, right?" Ann sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Provided we were able to safely delete the Palace before that black masked person Madarame mentioned got there, then probably. It should be fine though, Ann. In any case, tomorrow should be fun, provided Ren doesn't manage to muck up his big chance." Kusa sent as Ren frowned before sending a response.

"It should be fine. And Kusa, what big chance? You mean with Yoshizawa? Didn't we hear those first-years say this morning she was exempt from coming to the cleanup?" Ren sent as Kusa sent another response.

"We did, but those idiots don't know what they're talking about. Besides, Yoshizawa told me herself she was coming even if she was exempt. So I wouldn't worry about her being a no-show Ren. Also, I'm on my way back now. Had to make a detour on the way home that took longer than planned." Kusa sent. Ryuji sent a response.

"Yeah. We did it just like with Kamoshida. And Kusa, screw you! I appreciate my teammates!" Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response of her own.

"Never mind that right now, Ryuji! By the way, I'm curious about what he said at the end." Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"You mean about the other intruder besides us? It was something about a black mask, yeah? And fine, I'll ignore Kusa basically being a dick to me for no real reason." Ryuji sent as Kusa sputtered and sent a response.

"EXCUSE YOU!? It was NOT for no real reason I just called you out, Ryuji! Or are you going to deny basically insinuating that Yusuke's talents might make me unnecessary on the front lines? No offense to you by the way Yusuke, you're awesome!" Kusa sent as Yusuke sent the next response.

"Don't worry Kusa, I took no offense from that. I heard that comment too and was honestly appalled by it. I think you were just as exemplary out there as I was and would never dream of taking your place, on the battlefield or otherwise. And as for the black mask thing, that may have been nothing more than a lie. Madarame was quite deranged by that point, after all. For now, we should wait for his change of heart in peace." Yusuke said as Ann and Kusa both sent responses.

"OK." Ann sent as Kusa's response came in.

"Sounds good to me. You hear that, Ren? You don't have any reason to duck out on tomorrow's clean-up, meaning this might finally be your chance for some one on one time with Yoshizawa! Just to make sure of it, I'll even take Morgana-sensei with me in my bag if you want." Kusa sent as Ren smiled and sent a response.

"Nice, I might take you up on that. And the door's still unlocked since I haven't locked up yet if you need to get in Kusa." Ren sent as he put his phone away. Mona then spoke up.

"Well then...That reminds me, the home shopping network is airing today... You wanna check out the TV?" Morgana asked Ren who nodded. After checking out the TV, Ren bought a 'Folding Screen Set', unable to resist the accessories in it. After that, he shrugged and decided to brew some coffee. As he did so, Sojiro spoke up.

"I'm headin' home for the day. It's good you've really taken a shine to this stuff." Sojiro said as Ren nodded and started brewing, Morgana then spoke up.

"Whoa, that smells great." Morgana said as Ren nodded and sipped his own finished product, smiling as he pumped a fist.

"YES! Gettin' better with every cup!" Ren said as Kusa walked in at that point, smirking at the sight of Ren in a barista's uniform as he spoke up conversationally.

"Ah, brewin' more coffee, are we? Maybe you're taking my suggestion more seriously than I thought? Still, can't say that I blame you Ren, since I hear Yoshizawa enjoys coffee on occasion." Kusa said as Ren nodded and spoke up as he got 2 Leblanc Coffees.

"That and I thought it might give me some extra Charm for tomorrow, so it's worth a shot." Ren said as Kusa nodded sagely as Morgana spoke up.

"We should rest now, after all, tomorrow's a big day for you Ren." Morgana said as Ren nodded with Kusa. As Ren and Kusa went to bed, Ren woke up in the Velvet Room, where Igor spoke up to him.

"You have expelled one who was stained in vanity. You are now one step closer to your rehabilitation. It's a delightful thing, indeed." Igor said as Justine spoke up.

"Our master is pleased. You should be honored, Inmate." Justine said as Igor kept speaking.

"However, that man's remarks are concerning. It seems another has made their way into the Metaverse." Igor said as Ren spoke up.

"I'm sure it's probably true, but who could it be, Igor? Do you have any idea?" Ren asked. Igor shook his head as he spoke up.

"That is beyond my knowledge...But your rehabilitation is progressing smoothly...That is for certain. May the devotion to your rehabilitation grow even deeper. I have high hopes for you." Igor said as Ren felt his bond with Igor deepen as the 'Fool' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'III' becoming an 'IV' to signify that his Fool Confidant had reached Rank 4. After that Ren went back to his slumber...

(The next morning, with Ren and Morgana, in the attic of Leblanc)

"Hey, we're cleaning up today? It's further away than school, right? Hurry up and get dressed so we won't be late." Morgana said as Ren nodded and did as he was told as his phone went off, making him blink as he answered it.

"Hello?" Ren said as he was surprised to hear Yusuke's voice on the other end.

"It's Kitagawa. I'm calling about Madarame's state. For the time being, he hasn't suffered a mental shutdown. Other than that, his demeanor seems to have softened a bit. Is that the change of heart?" Yusuke asked Ren who shrugged.

"It could be. Having not seen the full effects of a change of heart myself, I couldn't say for sure." Ren said. Yusuke kept speaking at that point.

"I see...I was curious and looked into Kamoshida as well. It's as if he was an entirely different person. Will the same be true for Sensei? I'm sorry to have taken your time. That's all I wanted to tell you. Good-Oh. I'll try asking him about the black-masked intruder from the Palace when the time is right. Goodbye then. This time for sure." Yusuke said as Ren hung up the phone and headed to the park, Kusa having gone on ahead of Ren on a whim...

(Meanwhile at Station Square with Yoshizawa)

"Sorry, but I'm in a bit of a hurry." Yoshizawa said to a middle-aged man who was standing in front of her as he spoke up.

"You go to Shujin, right? I heard things have been rough there lately, what with that violent incident. You wanna go talk about it somewhere?" The man said as Yoshizawa shook her head and spoke up.

"Thank you for your concern. However, I really am in a hurry, so if you'd excuse me..." Yoshizawa said with a bow, but was surprised when the man grabbed her roughly by the wrist to stop her from moving, right as Ren and Kusa walked over and saw it, the former frowning as Yoshizawa gave an 'Ah!' of surprise. The man looked at Yoshizawa as he spoke up more.

"C'mon, there's no need to be shy." The man said. Yoshizawa winced as she spoke up, trying to keep her tone polite.

"Like I said..." Yoshizawa said as the man spoke up once more, apparently not taking 'no' for an answer.

"If you're so busy, I'll put my number in your phone so you can call me later. Sound like a plan?" The man said as Yoshizawa couldn't stop herself from wincing as she spoke up.

"Stop it..." Yoshizawa said as Ren and Kusa looked at each other and nodded as Ren walked over and glared at the man as Kusa spoke up.

"OI! Didn't you hear it's rude to pick on defenseless ladies, you asshole!?" Kusa snarked at the man as Ren deftly guided Yoshizawa away from the man while Kusa reamed him. Yoshizawa gave Ren a look of mixed shock and gratitude before she briefly spoke up.

"Uhhh..." Yoshizawa said in surprise as the man glared at Ren and Kusa before speaking up in an angry tone.

"And what do you two brats want?" The man said as Kusa glared at the man and spoke up.

"For starters, you to keep your slimy ass hands off my friend! And another thing, how dare you skulk around here and act like some fucking creeper! That's not okay at all! Now if you're smart, you'll get the hell out of here before my brother and I wreck that ugly effing mug of yours." Kusa said as Ren nodded before speaking up.

"Yeah, you need to stop. Besides what my brother here said, can't you see you're hurting her?" Ren said with a glare of his own as he stood between Yoshizawa and the man as he stood with Kusa, ready to defend Yoshizawa if need be. The man huffed and backed off, crossing his arms as he spoke up.

"Don't get so worked up. I'm being friendly here." The man said as Kusa huffed.

"Friendly, my ass! You were totally preying on her! She's just too sweet and soft-spoken to really stand up to you, which is no fault of her own. Luckily Ren and I happened to be walking past when we did, otherwise who knows what your ass might've tried to do to her!" Kusa huffed as Yoshizawa ran to hide behind Ren as the man spoke up.

"Oh, what the...What're you getting so jumpy about? Like you're anything special?" The man said as Ren huffed and spoke up, giving the man a very annoyed glare that Kusa eagerly matched as Ren spoke.

"Excuse you!? I might not know her that well yet, but I can say with certainty I'd MUCH rather be her friend than a friend to a dirty-ass creeper like YOU! Now get the hell out of here before my brother and I kick your shady creeper ass all over this area. You're lucky I'm on probation too, or I'd have already socked you for manhandling the young lady behind me." Ren said huffily. The man just huffed and walked off as Kusa glared at his retreating back, before speaking up as he was unable to resist throwing a parting shot at the fleeing man.

"Yeah, you better run, you coward! Count yourself lucky Ren and I have better things to do!" Kusa yelled at the man's retreating back. Once he was gone, Yoshizawa turned to Ren and Kusa with a grateful expression as she slowly backed away and spoke up, her face lightly tinged pink with embarrassment at the situation that Ren and Kusa had had to save her from as she spoke.

"Thank you both so much. I'm sorry for the trouble!" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up, giving Yoshizawa a relieved look, glad he and Kusa had gotten there in time as he spoke.

"It was no trouble at all, Yoshizawa. What that guy did was totally not okay. Frankly, he's lucky that Kusa and I are calmer than we were a few years ago, or else he'd have probably left here with a broken nose, at least one black eye and some missing teeth, depending on how generous Kusa and I were feeling, but moreso Kusa since he's more of the fighter of us two." Ren said encouragingly to Yoshizawa as he gave her a soft smile and kept speaking.

"But more importantly, are you okay? That guy looked like he grabbed your wrist pretty hard there." Ren said as Kusa huffed.

"For real though, that guy's lucky I have self restraint, or I'd have probably broken his nose on principle for what he was doing to you! No one preys on my friends like that! You can even ask Ren here, I've actually beaten people up for less before when protecting those I care about." Kusa said. Yoshizawa gave Ren and Kusa a soft smile as she spoke up to answer Ren's question, glad that the two had been there to rescue her as she spoke.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Kusa. And Ren, to your question, yes I'm fine now! It was pretty scary, though..." Yoshizawa said as Ren nodded as he spoke up softly.

"I can just imagine how scary it must have been for you. Thankfully Kusa and I got here when we did since who knows how much worse that could've gotten for you if we hadn't." Ren said as Yoshizawa nodded agreeably, going briefly silent and making Kusa smirk at the very subtle trace of pink on her cheeks as she looked at Ren before speaking up, smiling appreciatively at Ren as she spoke.

"Ah- Um..." Yoshizawa said as Ren gave her a confused look as Yoshizawa spoke up once more.

"May I ask you something? So... what made you step in to help me?" Yoshizawa asked as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"You mean besides the fact that that guy was one scummy son of a bitch and needed to have his ass beat into the pavement?" Kusa huffed as Ren gave him a warning glare which made Kusa huff but wisely stop talking before Ren smiled and spoke up comfortingly to Yoshizawa.

"I couldn't look the other way. Besides, I'm not about to sit back and do nothing when a lady is in trouble." Ren said. Yoshizawa looked at Ren in surprise, and possibly even a bit of awe as she spoke up once more, both stunned and impressed by Ren's response.

"I...see. Well, I apologize for asking something so strange. You're headed to the clean up as well, right?" Yoshizawa asked as Ren and Kusa both nodded as she kept speaking.

"...The cleanup...?" Yoshizawa said as she pulled out her phone to check the time and gasped as she spoke up in surprise.

"Look at the time! I'm so sorry, I haven't even thanked you properly yet! Oh no! I forgot my gym clothes at school! I'll see you at the cleanup, soon. We can talk more then, if you like" Yoshizawa said as Ren nodded before looking at Kusa.

"I think I'd like that, Yoshizawa-san. That said...please don't take this the wrong way, since it's not that I don't trust you Yoshizawa-san, but I'd really feel better if you at least let Kusa accompany you back to the school so you're not alone in case that creeper tries anything else. Not to say you can't handle yourself, just that there's safety in numbers." Ren said as Yoshizawa nodded agreement and smiled as Kusa spoke up.

"I agree, Ren. I was going to offer to escort her regardless. After all, wouldn't want my brother's potential crush getting into trouble before she really gets to spend any time with him, now would I?" Kusa said with a teasing wink to Ren who glared but nodded as Kusa and Yoshizawa walked off towards the school while Ren and Morgana headed to the cleanup site, but not before Yoshizawa turned back one last time to smile gratefully as she looked at Ren and spoke up.

"Pardon me." Yoshizawa said to Ren, bowing to him in gratitude as she walked off with Kusa...

(Meanwhile at the cleanup site with Ryuji and Ann)

Ryuji and Ann were chatting among themselves as Ren walked up, making Ryuji smile at Ren as he spoke up, his tone slightly surprised as he realized Kusa wasn't with him while he spoke.

"Yo, what took you so long? And where's Kusa? I thought he'd have walked here with you?" Ryuji said as Ren frowned and spoke up.

"He did, but then some ugly stuff went down at the station and suffice it to say, Kusa's walking Yoshizawa to school to get her gym clothes since she forgot them since she almost got jumped by some outright piece of shit who was trying to prey on her, and would have most likely succeeded had Kusa and I not walked up when we did to chase the bastard off." Ren said huffily as Ann spoke up before Ryuji could comment on what Ren had said.

"Did you really come here from home in your gym clothes?" Ann asked Ren who spoke up.

"Yep. Is that weird?" Ren said. Ann blanched and spoke up.

"No, that's not what I meant..." Ann said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Huh? Ain't it normal? And, uh, are you plannin' on doin' this clean up in that outfit?" Ryuji asked Ann uncertainly as Morgana frowned from where his head poked out of Ren's bag. Ann huffed as she spoke up.

"Of course not! I brought my gym clothes with me! I was gonna change in the bathroom, but now there's a huge line." Ann said. Ryuji nodded and spoke up.

"Ohhh, that makes sense. Sounds like it sucks to be a girl." Ryuji said as Ren winced at the glares Morgana and Ann gave Ryuji at that comment. Luckily for Ryuji, Mishima chose that moment to walk up and unknowingly diffuse the tension his comment had caused.

"It's such a nice day out that even the weather seems to be mocking us." Mishima said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Dude, could you try pushin' your way into our conversation a little less awkwardly next time?" Ryuji said. Mishima shrugged and kept speaking, acting as if Ryuji hadn't spoken up as he spoke.

"I bet some Kichijoji clean-freak hung paper dolls all over and prayed for clear skies today." Mishima said as another person walked up to them, in this case Maruki, and spoke up making both Ryuji and Ren wince as he spoke.

"Hey. Morning, everyone." Maruki said as Mishima blinked and spoke up.

"Oh? Are you here for the cleanup too, Doc?" Mishima asked Maruki, who nodded as he spoke up.

"You got it." Maruki said as Ryuji blinked and spoke up.

"Uh, in THOSE clothes?" Ryuji asked in surprise. Maruki blinked and spoke up.

"Oh, no. I'm in a different-" Maruki said before his sentence was cut off by a female voice that could be heard approaching the group.

"There you are, Doctor Maruki!" The fawning female said, ignoring the winces that Ryuji and Ren shared as she spoke. The fawning female's friend spoke up.

"We're going to start prepping soon..." The thin female said as Ann blinked and spoke up.

"Prepping what?" Ann asked as Maruki smirked and spoke up.

"I'm part of the cooking crew. Hope you're looking forward to a solid meal. See you all later." Maruki said. After he left, Ryuji huffed and spoke up.

"Hmph, more like 'Doctor Popular'..." Ryuji said as Mishima spoke up with a smirk.

"I'm sure the Phantom Thieves will be even bigger someday..." Mishima said as another voice could be heard speaking through a megaphone making Ren wince as he recognized the speaker.

"Good morning, Shujin Academy students and staff...Please pick up all trash located in the areas assigned to your group. Once the cleanup is completed, a lunch of miso soup with pork and vegetables will be served." Niijima said through her megaphone as Ann spoke up.

"Ooh, pork miso soup! So that's what Doctor Maruki's fan club is making." Ann said as Mishima spoke up.

"FYI, the school already assigned the groups at random. They're four people apiece, boys and girls mixed." Mishima said as Ryuji hung his head.

"Oh...really?" Ryuji asked. Before Mishima could answer Ryuji, Makoto's voice could be heard once more.

"Now that those announcements have been made, please break into your groups and head to your designated areas." Niijima said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Alright, let's just get this over with as fast as possible so we can chow down on that soup and get outta here!" Ryuji said as the group broke off into the assigned groups they were put into. Unfortunately, none of them were put into the same group so they all went off in separate directions...

(With Ren's group)

"Hey, that guy-yeah, him. Is he...THAT transfer student?" The third-year in charge of Ren's group asked as one of the two females, a second-year, spoke up.

"Yeah...I hear he has a younger brother who's a first-year, though supposedly he's not nearly so infamous as that transfer student is. Though there were some brief rumors about him having the gumption to actually mouth off to Kamoshida when he was still a teacher." The second-year group member said. The other female, a first-year, spoke up.

"You mean the one in all the crazy rumors?" The first-year female said as the third-year leader spoke up.

"Keep it down! What if he hears us!?" The third-year leader said as Ren sweatdropped while picking up trash the whole time...

(Meanwhile, with Ann's group)

"Ugh. Anyone who just dumps a broken umbrella on the ground like this is human garbage." One of the males in Ann's group, a testy first-year, said as Ann spoke up.

"Oh, before you trash it, you have to make sure you separate the plastic parts from the metal frame." Ann said as the other second-year in her group, also the other male, spoke up.

"Separate it? How?" The large second-year male asked. Ann smirked as she answered him.

"Like this." Ann said as she easily removed the plastic from the metal parts. The first-year male smirked and spoke up.

"Whoa, awesome!" The testy first-year said as the lone third-year of the group, a brunette female, spoke up.

"I had no idea you knew about that kinda stuff, Takamaki-san. I bet you'd make a wonderful wife." The brunette third-year said making Ann gape before smiling as she spoke.

"Oh, nah..." Ann said as the group kept working...

(Elsewhere, with Ryuji's group)

"Sweet, a wallet!" Ryuji heard the third-year of his group say as the lone female of the group, a second-year, speak up.

"Anything in it?" The female second-year asked as the lone first-year who was also male spoke up as he looked inside, his eyes slightly wide in shock.

"Whoa! Yeah, a shit-ton!" The first-year said as the third year looked around before speaking up.

"We goin' splitsies on this?" The third-year asked as Ryuji spoke up, to not only the group's surprise but his own.

"Wait-shouldn't we take that to a police box?" Ryuji asked as he got surprised looks from his group making him huff and speak up.

"What? How was THAT weird?" Ryuji asked. The rest of his group just kept working and ignored him...

(Elsewhere with Mishima and Kusa's group)

"Man, this park is trashed...Now way this was all done by kids-it's gotta be the work of some no-good adults, too." Mishima said as another voice spoke up from nearby, surprising him as he looked up, blinking as he noticed a certain ponytailed first-year next to him who looked at Mishima, smirking at him as he spoke up with a curt nod of respect and a grin.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Mishima-kun. But it is what it is, I guess. Let's just get it done so we don't have to worry about it for long, am I right?" Kusa said as he helped Mishima pick up trash, getting a surprised look from Mishima as he spoke up.

"Amamiya-kun the younger!? I thought you'd be in a different group?" Mishima asked Kusa who chuckled as he spoke up, giving Mishima an amused look as he spoke.

"I thought so too, but turns out my original group kicked me out for showing up so late so I just got sent to the first group with an opening, or yours. But in my defense, not like I was gonna prioritize being on time to this cleanup over helping out Yoshizawa-san when she needs it. But that stays between us for now since I don't know if she wants people knowing that she almost ended up in a rough spot this morning, yeah?" Kusa said to Mishima who nodded understandingly as he and Kusa kept picking up trash. As they worked, the poofy-haired third-year in charge of the group walked over and spoke up, making Kusa blink as he vaguely thought he remembered seeing her on the roof once.

"If you don't mind, may I have the cap on that bottle?" The third-year asked as Mishima looked up and nodded.

"Huh? Sure...Oh! Are you a collector?" Mishima asked the third-year. The third-year spoke up with a blink.

"Ah... Not exactly. Recycling companies collect these and covert them into vials for vaccines." The third-year said as Mishima looked at her in surprise as he spoke up.

"Huh, I didn't know that...Well, that sounds like an awesome way to bring more justice to the world!" Mishima said as both Kusa and the third year blinked at his comment, and the latter spoke up, not noticing Kusa was there as she spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I follow you." The third year said as Kusa shrugged at the third year's words and kept picking up trash, hoping the others were having better luck...

(At that same time, over with the cooking group and Maruki)

"Before I add taro to the pot, I have to rub them with salt to reduce the sliminess..." Maruki said as the fawning female spoke up.

"Ohhh, you're an amazing chef!" The fawning female said as Maruki smirked and spoke up.

"I do cook pretty often at home. Let me try this little technique here..." Maruki said as he grabbed some powder and flicked his wrist, making loads of glittering particles flutter off on the wind, making the other female speak up in confusion.

"Huh? What the...Why's the wind salty!?" The thin female asked as Maruki sweatdropped and spoke up.

"Uh...Sorry." Maruki said sheepishly as he realized his plan to show off botched slightly...

(Back with Niijima)

"The cleanup is officially complete. Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Would the leader of each group please come and get the soup for their teams?" Niijima said as she addressed the groups...

(With Ren's group)

"So, after the soup's doled out, everyone's free to do whatever they want. Heh, including getting the hell outta here." The third-year leader of Ren's group said as the second-year female spoke up.

"Oh, okay." The second-year female said as the first-year female spoke up.

"Thank you for everything." The first-year female said as Ren huffed quietly and stood a bit off to the side so as to not have to hear them discussing him. The rest of his group then left, leaving just him and Morgana standing there, the latter of whom poked his head out of the bag to speak up, giving Ren a sympathetic look as he spoke.

"I don't know the best way to put it...but that sure was a crappy time out there." Morgana said, and then almost as if in a stroke of fate or irony, footsteps could be heard as Ren looked over in time to see Yoshizawa walking towards him as she spoke up, looking surprised to run into him again as she spoke.

"Oh! I've finally found you." Yoshizawa said as Ren chuckled and spoke up in what he hoped was a winsome tone.

"Indeed you have. Was there something I can do for you, Yoshizawa-san, or did you just crave my company?" Ren said jokingly as Yoshizawa giggled at the playful remark from Ren before speaking up.

"Eh, a bit of both honestly. You see, I was trying to find you so I could thank you properly for this morning. I already thanked Kusa properly but he just said he was happy to help. But I still feel like people who help out should really be given a proper thanks." Yoshizawa said as Ren nodded. Yoshizawa then frowned as she noticed something off and spoke up, only mildly surprised that Ren was by himself.

"So...Where'd the other people in your clean-up group go?" Yoshizawa asked as Ren gave a hollow laugh.

"Considering they spent most of the time gossiping about my being 'THAT transfer student' and about all the stuff going around about me, I'm not that surprised they took the first chance they could get to ditch me. But I'm kind of used to it by now. Basically, other than Kusa and the others I hang with, and of course you, pretty much everyone else avoids me at all costs. But I'm not bothered by it. If anything, that just shows how fickle they are and I don't much care to have fickle friends." Ren said sagely. Yoshizawa winced at his response but nodded understandingly.

"Ah... I see. I'm in pretty much the same situation." Yoshizawa said as Ren gaped in surprise.

"You? The much-talked about first-year honors student, in the same situation as me, the school's infamous transfer student? Say it isn't so!" Ren joked. Yoshizawa giggled at Ren's attempt at humor and smiled as she spoke up, and Ren found himself thinking that he didn't mind spending time with Yoshizawa, if only so he could keep seeing that brilliant smile of hers aimed at him as Yoshizawa spoke, looking into Ren's eyes as she spoke.

"If it's all right with you, why don't we eat our soup together?" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"That's fine with me. You do realize it's just soup though, right Yoshizawa-san?" Ren asked Yoshizawa with a smirk. Yoshizawa smiled and spoke up.

"I know, but any meal can be great if eaten with the right people and in the right atmosphere. It's all in how you view things. That said, great!" Yoshizawa said before sitting down with Ren and smiling as she spoke up once more.

"Thanks for the food." Yoshizawa said as she dug in to the food with her chopsticks, making Ren impressed with how gracefully she used the chopsticks as she spoke up between bites while her mouth was empty.

"I want to thank you again for this morning. That man was even more frightening than he might have appeared to you and Kusa..." Yoshizawa said as Ren laughed and spoke up in an attempt to cheer Yoshizawa up, giving Yoshizawa an amused smile as he spoke.

"Perhaps, but Kusa and I still would've had him dealt with between us if we'd had to. No way in heck were we letting that creeper come ANYWHERE near you! Nope, not happening! I'm sure you could've handled yourself if you had to, but you'll forgive me if I'd rather not risk seeing that pretty face of yours roughed up by a creep like that." Ren said with what he hoped was a winsome smile. Yoshizawa smiled as she spoke up, idly noting that Ren had called her pretty but choosing not to react to it at that point.

"I've no doubt you and Kusa could've handled that guy, but the fact you stepped in for me means a lot to me, especially that you stepped in. So I truly appreciate what you did for me! Thank you so much." Yoshizawa said to Ren who smiled and spoke up, giving Yoshizawa a winsome, charming smirk that Yoshizawa found herself unable to look away from as Ren spoke.

"Don't worry about it, I was happy to help you out. But since I know how polite and formal you can be, you're welcome. But I don't mind stepping in like that for you from time to time. I know we don't know each other that well just yet, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate those who refuse to believe the rumors about me, which I can promise you are all false for the most part. So I'm happy to help out someone that appears to believe in me the way you do, Yoshizawa-san." Ren said sincerely as he looked into Yoshizawa's eyes for a moment. Yoshizawa smiled as she looked into Ren's eyes, trying not to let it show when her cheeks got a bit red from how intently Ren was looking her over, before she spoke up with an almost shy smile, trying to keep her embarrassment under control from Ren looking at her as she spoke.

"Yes! There's one more issue I need to address...I'm also so sorry for what happened the other day!" Yoshizawa said as Ren looked at her in confusion.

"The other day?" Ren asked, trying to think of what she was referring to. Yoshizawa saw Ren's confusion and spoke up.

"The run-in we had outside of the guidance office." Yoshizawa said as Ren's eyes went wide in recollection as he had a flashback and remembered the day Yoshizawa had mentioned and spoke up, giving Yoshizawa what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he looked into her eyes while he spoke.

"Ohh right, that day. Don't feel bad about that. After all, you had one of the biggest disgraces in Shujin talking to you, and it's not exactly a secret that the teachers don't have the best opinion of me given my circumstances for transferring here, so I'm used to being looked down at. But if it makes you feel better Yoshizawa-san, I appreciate you being honest enough to apologize. But to be honest, I don't blame you for speaking the way you did that day. But I also don't hate you for it." Ren said comfortingly as Yoshizawa smiled softly before frowning a bit as she spoke up to explain herself.

"Mister Kamoshida had just told me about you a moment prior, so I sort of spoke without thinking there...I heard some of my classmates gossiping about you, too. Luckily, Kusa took offense to it and told them to mind their own business in a fairly polite tone so I didn't have to deal with it myself. It comes in handy sharing a desk with him at times, let me tell you." Yoshizawa said happily. Ren smiled as he spoke up.

"I can just imagine. So, be honest, were you disappointed and/or surprised in me?" Ren asked, unable to resist a bit of curiosity of Yoshizawa's opinion of him. Yoshizawa smiled as she looked at him, unable to resist giggling as she answered his question.

"No, nothing of the sort. I don't like gossip or rumors and the like...And I know this'll sound strange since I just met you, but you don't seem like the kind of person they describe. It'd be a different story if all those rumors were actually true, though. What were all the crimes I'd heard? Burglary, murder, and...elephant tusk trafficking, was it?" Yoshizawa asked as Ren's eyes widened fractionally while his jaw dropped as he spoke up, stunned by what Yoshizawa had said was being said about him as he spoke.

"I'm sorry...WHAT!? I can tell you for sure those are ALL false. I've never even so much as vandalized a house in my life. The closest I've come to getting into trouble was when I get sent here for being sued falsely after defending some woman from a drunken jerk who was trying to force himself onto her, not unlike what that creeper might have intended to do to you earlier had Kusa and I not intervened when we did. So you have nothing to fear from me.

Besides, I'd sooner throw myself in traffic than do anything to upset a sweet lady like yourself, Yoshizawa-san." Ren said honestly, inwardly trying not to laugh at the idea of him trafficking elephant tusks because that is kind of a hilarious idea to imagine. Yoshizawa smiled and giggled slightly at Ren's reaction as she spoke up, giving Ren a pleased look and subconsciously fluttering her eyelashes slightly as she spoke, ignoring the shocked but intrigued look on Ren's face as she did so.

"That's what I had figured. Besides, if the rumors about you had been true, I don't think you'd have stepped in to help like you did that day on the train. That alone was a big clue that the rumors were probably false. And if I'm being honest, that might have made me admire you a bit and respect you." Yoshizawa said shyly, going a bit pink as she kept speaking.

"Rumors can't be trusted at all, yet everyone starts shaking in their boots whenever they hear your name...Hm?" Yoshizawa said as Ren looked at Yoshizawa in surprise.

"Something wrong, Yoshizawa-san?" Ren asked as Yoshizawa spoke up with a smile.

"You know what, it just hit me- I haven't even introduced myself yet!" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"If we're introducing ourselves, I'll go first. I'm Ren Amamiya, though I'm sure you already knew that since you share a desk with my little brother Kusa, the instigating little cynic that he can be. He is a good guy though, at least once you get past that dry and guarded exterior of his." Ren said with a nod. Yoshizawa smiled as she spoke up.

"Oh, I'm sorry to make you go first...Amamiya-senpai." Yoshizawa said as Ren blinked at this, giving Yoshizawa a shocked look as he spoke up, smiling at her as he spoke.

"You're calling me senpai?" Ren asked before he could stop himself which made Yoshizawa giggle with a nod, smiling at Ren as she spoke up, feeling inexplicably happy despite herself to be there with Ren in that moment as she spoke.

"Of course! You've helped me out a lot, and even shown me a few things along the way, so it only seems proper I consider you my senpai! I apologize if it makes you uncomfortable though. That said, I apologize that this was such a long time coming, but I hope we can get along well!" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled.

"I hope the same thing, Yoshizawa-san. After all, I'd hate to not get along with a cute girl like yourself." Ren said honestly, not seeing Yoshizawa blink in surprise as she heard him speak, putting a hand over her mouth to stifle the surprised gasp that escaped her at hearing Ren refer to her as cute, making her flush as she looked away to not let Ren see how his comment had affected her, all the while having a thought go through her head.

'Did...Did Amamiya-senpai just call me 'cute'!? No way, is he already noticing me!?' Yoshizawa found herself thinking as she smiled at Ren, managing to school her features before she spoke up politely.

"I believe you already learned form our meeting at school that my-" Yoshizawa said before cutting herself off as she leapt deftly into the air to catch a balloon that floated by, leaving both Ren and Morgana to gape in shock at her as they watched her land deftly on the ground with the balloon in hand as the latter spoke up, blinking as he saw the object lying on the ground that had clearly fallen out of Yoshizawa's pocket when she leapt up to grab the runaway balloon, making Morgana blink while he spoke.

"Wh-What the hell just happened!? Oh, look." Morgana said as Ren saw that a card had fallen out of Yoshizawa's pocket, or on closer inspection, a pocketbook. When Ren looked, he saw the name 'Kasumi Yoshizawa' written inside the pocketbook, making him smirk as he realized this meant both Ann AND Kusa were right about their guesses about her name the whole time, but he chose to keep that to himself as he waited for Yoshizawa to return so he could give her back her pocketbook.

As he turned to look, he smiled as he saw Yoshizawa lean down to hand the balloon back to the surprised little girl who'd accidentally let go of it, a girl which Ren realized in surprise was the same girl who'd seen Morgana on the train, making him blink before he smiled as he saw Yoshizawa give the little girl a kind, understanding smile and gently speak to her, not seeing the impressed but shocked smile and look Ren gave her as she spoke.

"Got it just in time...Here you are. Don't let go of things you like, okay?" Yoshizawa said as she handed the girl the balloon, getting a happy nod from the girl as she walked off. Yoshizawa then returned to see a smiling Ren looking at her as she sat back down and spoke up.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to run out on you like that." Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up, impressed despite himself with how graceful, poilte, considerate and kindhearted Yoshizawa could be as he spoke.

"I didn't mind. That was amazing, what you did for that kid right then. Also, I think you dropped this when you leapt into action." Ren said as he held out the pocketbook to Yoshizawa who blinked as she accepted the pocketbook, giving Ren a look of surprise as she spoke up.

"Huh?" Yoshizawa said before giggling as she spoke up with a smile, impressed by Ren's honesty and amused at how quickly Ren had looked at the pocketbook to know it was hers as she spoke.

"I guess you sleuthed me out before I got to tell you. Well, you've cracked the case-I'm Kasumi Yoshizawa, a first-year!" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"That was impressive, Yoshizawa-san. Are you an athlete?" Ren asked. Yoshizawa flushed a bit from the praise as she spoke up, both embarrassed that Ren had noticed her gymnastics and pleased that he seemed intrigued by it as she spoke.

"You mean that back there? Oh, it was just some basic gymnastics. It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it- just a hop, skip and a jump." Yoshizawa said as Morgana spoke up so only Ren could hear, smirking as he spoke.

"Gymnastics, huh? Hey-don't you think some of those moves would be awfully useful? I was just thinking about how the Phantom Thieves need to get some sweeter moves, too..." Morgana asked Ren who blinked as he realized all Yoshizawa could probably hear was meowing. Yoshizawa looked at Ren as she spoke up, noticing the contemplative look on his face.

"What's the matter, Amamiya-senpai?" Yoshizawa asked Ren. She then blinked as she spoke up.

"Wait...is there a cat somewhere around here?" Yoshizawa asked as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"Yeah, he's in my bag because he likes to travel around with me. But don't mind him. Any chance you could teach me that? Even if I don't get it right away, it would make for a good chance to spend more time with you. And I'll be honest- I definitely have no issues with getting to know you better, Yoshizawa-san. You're not only nice, but incredibly kind and caring to those you meet. Not to mention you're always so polite and considerate. Those are all good qualities to have, and honestly I admire you for them." Ren said sincerely. Yoshizawa blinked in surprise at Ren's question before she spoke up in shock, going slightly red at the compliments that Ren had given her as she spoke.

"Does that mean you're interested in gymnastics?" Yoshizawa asked Ren who shyly nodded and spoke up as he looked at Yoshizawa, smiling fondly at her as he spoke.

"I wasn't really that opinionated on it one way or the other until I saw you do that flip before, then I knew I had to learn it, if only so I could better appreciate your talents." Ren said honestly. Yoshizawa smiled happily, making Ren's heart skip a beat at the sight of her doing a closed-eye smile for a reason he couldn't describe, as she spoke up.

"That makes me so happy! I'd be honored if you'd allow me! The only problem is...I have a favor to ask for myself as well-if you wouldn't mind...Lately, I haven't been getting the results I want from my performances, and I'm worried that I'm over-thinking things...So it would be wonderful if you could give me some advice whenever you have the time." Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and spoke up again with a grin on his face that made Yoshizawa's smile widen slightly as she looked at how brilliant his grin was, and unbeknownst to Ren, his smile also made Yoshizawa's heart skip a beat as she looked at Ren's grinning face as he spoke.

"I would be delighted to help you out with that, Yoshizawa-san. Keep in mind though that I don't know much about gymnastics so I can't really give much advice on that for now, but most anything else that I can give advice on, I'll happily advise you on to the best of my ability. That said, you're sure you want my advice? After all, you know what they say about me. And while I know you don't put stock in rumors, gossip and the like, I'd hate to see your reputation take a nosedive just because you took the time to help me out." Ren said honestly to Yoshizawa. Yoshizawa smiled her closed-eye smile and nodded, both surprised by how selfless Ren was as well as impressed with his humility and consideration for others as she spoke up with an eager nod, pleased with Ren's response as she spoke.

"Of course I am! I'm not looking for technical coaching so much as just lending me an ear from time to time." Yoshizawa said as Ren nodded, smiling at her as he spoke up, impressed with her resolve in spite of himself as he spoke.

"That, I can definitely do, Yoshizawa-san. I'd be delighted to help you out." Ren said with a smile, nodding to Yoshizawa's request. Morgana then spoke up so only Ren could hear, not seeming to realize Kasumi could also hear him as he spoke, even if all she heard was meows.

"I see...This sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me-what do you think?" Morgana asked Ren. Ren ignored Morgana as he looked at Yoshizawa and spoke up, looking her in the eyes as he spoke.

"I hope I can be of assistance to you, Yoshizawa-san. That said, as far as I'm concerned, we have a deal." Ren said as Yoshizawa's eyelashes fluttered a bit despite herself as she did another closed-eye smile as she spoke up, either not seeing or ignoring the slight flush her smile put on Ren's face as she spoke.

"Thank you! Then we've cut a deal! Heheh..." Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and nodded in agreement...

(Flash forward to the interrogation room with Sae and Joker)

"I've read in the reports that the Phantom Thieves' physical abilities are more acrobatic than the average person's. It seems you've gained an aptitude for specialty equipment as well. Wouldn't a natural conclusion to draw be that you were trained by an expert in that field? Well? Tell me the truth!" Sae demanded of Joker...

(Back in the present)

As Ren expected, he heard the voice go off in his head to signify the formation of a new Confidant.

"I am thou, thou art I...Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Faith Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power..." Ren heard in his head as a new card appeared in his mind's eye, this one reading 'Faith', and sporting a 'I' on it to signify his Faith confidant had reached rank 1. Oddly enough, much like his World confidant with Kusa, Ren noticed that the 'Faith' Confidant only had 5 stars on the card, making him wonder if those links aren't as far-reaching as the others or if they're restricted somehow. After this, Yoshizawa smiled and spoke up.

"Oh, why don't we exchange contact information?" Yoshizawa said as Ren nodded, very eager to swap contact info with Yoshizawa, if only so he could keep getting to know her.

As Yoshizawa pulled her phone out to do the exchange she frowned as she looked at it and spoke up.

"Hm? It shut down...Sorry, my smartphone's been acting up lately. Ha, it's back! Okay, I'll contact you when I've got free time, if that's fine!" Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled and pulled out his phone to exchange contact info with Yoshizawa as Niijima's voice could be heard over the megaphone.

"Attention Shujin Academy students: the cleanup event will be ending momentarily. Please, do not discard your trash in the bins here. Instead, bring your waste to the predetermined location for disposal. After that, we will be officially releasing everyone for the day. Thank you all for your hard work." Niijima said over the megaphone as Yoshizawa smiled and spoke up again.

"Well, the cleanup seems to be finished. We're already in our gym clothes-would you care for some basic training before heading home?" Yoshizawa asked hopefully, making Ren smile and nod eagerly as he looked into her dark red eyes as he spoke up, making Yoshizawa get slightly embarrassed at how intently Ren was gazing at her as he spoke.

"But of course. I'd not say no to spending more time with you, Yoshizawa-san." Ren said honestly making Yoshizawa smile happily as she spoke up once more.

"Let's start with some core exercises! Those are the foundation for staying in shape." Yoshizawa said as Ren smiled, noting he'd done his first training session with Yoshizawa, even if he mentally referred to her as Kasumi in his head. The two trained together for awhile until Ren eventually returned to Leblanc in the evening, where Sojiro spoke up.

"Yo, another box came for you." Sojiro said to Ren who nodded as he opened up the box, making Morgana look over and speak up as he saw Ren opening the box.

"What did you get?" Morgana asked Ren. After they saw it was the set of chokers Ren had ordered, Morgana spoke up again, wincing as he spoke.

"We're finally home...Ugh. You're all dusty. Hurry up and get changed." Morgana said to Ren who nodded and went upstairs to change. Morgana then spoke up to remind Ren about the sooty armor he'd been holding onto. Ren shrugged and considered that as he pondered his next move, idly noting that Kusa hadn't returned home yet...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: And there we go, another chapter done and dusted! But even more importantly, that's the second calling card AND boss fight also done and dusted! Now all that remains of this arc is to wait for Madarame's change of heart, so I'd estimate tops 2 to 3 more chapters (if even that many) remain of Kitsune Artist before it's over.

And those who were paying attention at the back end of the chapter probably also saw several familiar faces re-appear during the cleanup event at the end of the chapter, but more importantly one of what I consider Ren's most poignant Confidant links was forged in this chapter and there was even a handful of Confidant rank-ups in here as well in the forms of Morgana and Igor. So yeah, a pretty good chapter all-around.

Next chapter will probably be more miscellaneous shenanigans as the Thieves wait out the last few days of the current deadline and try to live peaceful lives in the interim. And why was Kusa conspicuously absent at the end of the chapter? Maybe that will be explained as well (it probably will though), but we'll see. That said, for those of you reading the story, feel free to either leave a review or PM me (ideally both) with your feedback/thoughts/opinions on the story, I appreciate the input and support either way. And until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

Confidant link levels as of the end of this chapter:

-FOOL (Igor): Rank 4

-MAGICIAN (Morgana): Rank 3

-HIEROPHANT (Sojiro): Rank 3

-WORLD (Kusa): Rank 3

-LOVERS (Ann): Rank 4

-CHARIOT (Ryuji): Rank 3

-STRENGTH (Caroline and Justine/Twin Wardens): Rank 1

-DEATH (Takemi): Rank 3

-MOON (Mishima): Rank 2

-FAITH (Yoshizawa): Rank 1

-COUNCILLOR (Maruki): Rank 3