A/N Hello everyone I am back. AND FINALLY caught up after the whole New Year's fiasco. The older chapters should be almost done with fixing grammatical issues which will allow me to go back to my regularly scheduled two-week updating. Thank you, THANK YOU all for being so patience while I got that mess sorted out. This is a longer chapter another moment that I have been waiting to write for QUITE a while. So I do hope you all enjoy some surprises and feel free to review.

Chapter 31

Ace Detective Goro Akechi wishes he knew what he must do to stop being called in by the Captain and back onto his cases. He hand-delivered a ranking Medjed member, after being drench in rain for over the three-day trip. All the while Kaneshiro was due to be executed this afternoon, he for one wasn't going to miss Justice be handed down.

The only sound that could be heard in the room was the ticking of the grandfather clock and deep inhales of the Captain admiring his cigar.

"Was there anything you needed from me, Sir?"

The Captain enjoyed a few more puffs before rubbing the cigar out, "There was actually one more thing." The older gentleman sifts through folders on his desk. "I have a high profile case I would like you to work on. This man is a big financial contributor to this Department's funding."

"I appreciate the recommendation, but with all due respect Captain, I would like to resume my prior case," Akechi defiantly told. He's truly shocked he hasn't been fired yet lately.

"That case has formally been closed Son, in fact, I've set up a meeting with reporters before Kaneshiro's execution. The threat they presented is no more so the public can rest easy."

"But Sir—"

"You BEST be down in the front lobby by Noon. Is that understood."

".….Yes…..Captain."

"Good. See yourself out." Akechi felt a little rebellious slamming the door behind him. Checking his pocket watch, he had time to kill before his required appearance. Walking down to the file room, he calmly greets the receptionist.

"Hello Detective, how can I help you?"

"Hello, Do you have files from August 1883?" He asked her.

"One moment, she went to look through the ledger, fingers scrolling downwards.

"It appears we don't have this one on file."

"Then what about January 1884?" She took another look before shaking her head.

"Someone else had checked out that file," She explained to the anxious Detective.

"Did you write down who currently has it?"

"The gentleman didn't give his name, I think he was mute."

"Mute…." Akechi thought out loud. What would Loki want with those case files?

"If I see him, I'll make sure he will return those files to you, Ma'am."

Leaving the room, Akechi checks his watch once more; one hour. He walked back to his office to search for the muted agent. He checked the ammo room, holding cells, Nijima's office, up and down four flights of stairs. Nothing, 15 minutes left.

"I don't have time for this." The young Detective took a deep breath to calm down. His pristine light brown jacket and vest had a few wrinkles from searching throughout the building. Hair was undone falling in his face.

"This will have to do," he spoke out loud.

Reporters were gathered outside, some had a camera stand set up. A small podium stood on the top step, the Captain was seen giving a few words. Curious men and women scribbled furiously on their notepads to get the latest scoop.

".…And now I'll have our own Detective Akechi answer a few questions." Akechi had spoken before to reporters on the cases he cracked, but not in front of this man previously. He was suspicious about the urgency of the matter when they were still missing pieces yet to be solved. Four men dead or soon to be. Three had interactions with these Phantom Thieves before their untimely death. And if Kaneshiro words were to be believed, there's more. He really needed those files, and what does Amamiya have to do with this case?

Clearing his throat, the young man spoke clear and loud to the public, "Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. A few weeks ago we caught the notorious gang leader Junya Kaneshiro. He and his men will face their punishment for their crimes shortly before you, and know that we at the SIU will do what we can to protect our citizens." Akechi eyed back to the Captain who gave him a demanding look." …I can safely say these incidents with Kaneshiro's gang are over. We will continue to focus our efforts on the remaining outlaws that threaten this new way of life. I'll be happy to answer any questions?"

"Detective!" The reporter in the front yelled, "I'm from the Daily Tribune, any words on who behind the slain artist Madarame? People reported seeing SIU agents canvassing the house and exhibit?"

"We are still investigating Sir."

"Detective Akechi over here, any concern over the new gang called the Phantom Thieves?"

"No I'm not worried," he calmly said. He's only seen their leader in person and a few news briefs in the papers. Nothing warranting front page material.

"But what about the citizens of Northsbury? They are being hailed as heroes."

"Is it true they freed captive men held hostage by Kaneshiro? If so, why are they label as criminals," Another reporter from the back yelled.

"Our reports believed the Phantom Thieves were in partnership with Kaneshiro to rob the citizens of their money. An act of good doesn't salvage prior acts of lawbreaking…..now—"

"There were reports similar men were seen freeing missing women from a brothel a few months ago. Are these the same gang members? Any comment on that Detective?"

"Now if you let me explain—"

"How do we know the SIU is doing their due diligence."

"Is it true you let them escape!"

"Detective over here, what are your comments regarding this matter…"

"Detective!"

"Detective?"

Questions were flying at him left and right unsure of the correct answers. But the torture ended when the Captain turned them away.

"We are done with questions. Thank you."

"Captain are you sure that was a good idea?" Akechi wondered.

"Half of their information gets falsified anyhow. Come boy, we have a show to watch." They walked to the town's fallow where Kaneshiro and his men were to be hanged.

"You've been charged with the following: Convicted of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and assault. Do you have any last words?" The Deputy had his hand over the lever as Kaneshiro remained quiet. The lever pulled as five men fell through the platform, rope tightening around their throat. It was hard to watch these when Akechi first started. It reminded him too much of how he found his mother. But after a while, he became numb to it. It must be done, he tried to convince himself.

After the intense afternoon, Akechi wanted to take a nap in his office to recover. Upon opening the door, he sees a pile of files laying upon his desk. Akechi scans the room to make sure no one else was in here. No-one underneath the desk or in his closet. All clear.

Eyeing the files, he notices one was the document he was particularly looking for. A case from over a year ago, dated 1884. One of the most notorious gangs in history was taken out in a short time with no other rivals claiming their death. Whispers of two saviors spread amongst the civilians.

All the agency knew was from a note.

"From the Phantom Thieves." Assuming these were murderers of the school fire.

Goro Akechi never took his intelligence for granted. There were three things he was certain of:

One, the SIU and Captain were deliberately hiding something from him regarding his case.

Two, there was something or someone bigger than connected Kobayakawa, Kamoshida, Madarame and now Kaneshiro. Four men from varying backgrounds.

Three, his sole goal in life was to uncover the truth. Whatever is hidden will be found out.

The young Detective heard a few knocks on his door before Prosecutor Nijima stepped in. "Hello Miss Niijima, what can I help you with?" He asked her.

"That looked rough out there earlier."

"The Captain probably doesn't think so. He's sending me on another mission, high profile case it seems."

"Then get your bag pack, I'm leaving tonight."

"Wait you're coming as well?" Akechi questioned.

"Captain's orders."

Akechi tucks the file back into the folder and packed it. This was going to be a long ride, best bring something to read.

Present Day, 1885

Ren was breathing deeply through his nose as Doctor Takemi attempted to dig the bullet out of his shoulder. Out of numbing medicine, he had to bear it with the tweezers.

"Almost there kid. Boss, you got anymore whiskey left in your box?"

"Yeah, hold on," he told her.

"Give it to him, he starting to look a little pale." Ren had already down one bottle to get through the ordeal. They were still waiting for the others to come back with her missing ingredient.

"I'm all done Guinea Pig, you got through the hard part. You still with me?"

"That was more painful than the last time you dug through my flesh." He was not sure how she can operate in the night with only the campfire to light the night sky. They had also used that time to heat up his knife, they needed to seal the wound.

"Do you want a stick to bite down on?" She asked him.

"I what just happen I can handle a little burRRRNNNN!" She had pressed the hot knife to the damaged skin allowing the flesh to meld whole again. This wound would most likely leave a scar.

"You couldn't have given me a WARNING!" Ren gritted through his teeth.

"And have you tense up, you're lucky to be fixed up with what I currently have left here. It could've been worse Guinea Pig. I have some burn cream that should help a little, but I'm still concern about a possible infection." She put new bandages after applying the cream to keep the wound dry.

"The best you can do now is rest the arm."

"First class handy work as always Doctor. Rest does sound nice." He could still move his forearm and hand but the left shoulder still felt stiff. Ren could hear the crackling of the campfire as Boss tended to it. Futaba was leaning against him in sleep as a warm blanket covered her. To Ren's right, he was able to see Shinya on a spare bedroll already sleeping into the night. His own bedroll has seen much travel, but tonight it brought a certain comfort he hasn't felt since Lavenza's warning.

The elder Amamiya brother could feel the rope get tighter around his neck. He desperately grasps for air that wasn't there. The ground below him gave way as the tightening got worse. No one was coming for him this time. Black-spots appear before his eyes. The crowd cheering for the waning ticks of his life. Startle by a breaking bone he awakes.

Covered in sweat, Ren wakes up to see the others have returned.

"You okay there brother? You look like you had a nightmare."

"Just a bad dream, I'll be fine. When did you guys get back? Did you find what we needed?"

"Yeah, that and a bear." Ryuji had expressed his displeasure towards the younger dark-haired boy. But getting the chance to change his undergarments once back at camp better his mood.

"A bear?"

"Not to mention Ryuji drank some funny water that made him derange," Yusuke added. The artist was busy sharping his knives.

"Hey, it was purely by accident. How the hell I was supposed to know the water was bad!"

Ren had scoffed at the craziness of it all, "I must've missed a lot."

"That son of a gun is always ratting me out," the blond gunslinger continued to mutter under his breath.

While the others regale the story to Ren, Takemi had finished making her medicine for the Phantom Thief leader, "Here, drink this."

Taking a whiff, it doesn't smell as foul as he remembered but it always tasted bad all the same. Taking the vial all at once it still left that aftertaste he hated.

"I don't think I'll need anymore dosage Dr. Takemi."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Anyhow, we should leave first thing tomorrow. We already stayed here long enough, I'm not going to have my injury cause use to be sitting prey. Besides we already had to deal with some visitors."

Makoto, intrigued to join the conversation, "Who?"

"Your sister and that Detective Akechi."

"My sister was here!?"

"Yeah and just as stubborn as you." She couldn't believe her elder sister had traveled this far out. She normally always worked at her office. Makoto hoped all was well with her…..

The next day, the group was all packed up ready to go, with no traces left other than the dying campfire. Ren was feeling a little better this day that he forgo the makeshift sling. But still limited his tender arm.

Pulling out his compass and map from his satchel, Ren double-checks the coordinated Mishima had given to him as a backup hideout.

30.4515 N, 91.1871 W

It was going to be hot where they were going, especially with summer breaking in.

"Let's move," he ordered. The thieves rode on their specific horses, Sojiro manning the main stagecoach with Shiho, Futaba, and Shinya in the back. Takemi drove her own carriage and medical supplies. Ren had Arsene's reins in one hand directing the mare into a regular trot. They keep a consistent eye out for any roaming bandits or patrols that could be encountered.

The sun was out in full force without a cloud in the sky. The elder brother had to drape his black coat over his saddle while unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt to breathe easier.

"It seems the solstice has arrived early," Ren look to see Makoto riding up next to him.

"Indeed it has. Though I think southern heat is more to blame," he replied back.

"How are you holding up now?"

Rolling his shoulder, he can move it with some slight discomfort, but manageable. "Dr. Takemi medicine does wonder."

"That's good." She looked down for a bit before Ren nudged her.

"Don't look so down, you're apart of this team now. We look after each other. So stop thinking this wound is your fault." He heard her giggle a little after his speech.

"You and Morgana really are brothers." She mentions, making sure to keep Anat on pace with Arsene, "He said something similar the other day."

"Ah." Ren had look behind him to see Morgana chatting with Boss from his horse. "I guess he's getting a little bit more mature as he gets older."

He had thought back to the confrontation with Sae and Akechi. Akechi must've never told the prosecutor where her sister was as she never once demanded info about her. But if he didn't know what happen to Morgana, he would be just as concerned.

"You know, the next post we find maybe send your sister a letter. I'm sure she's worried."

"She didn't ask about me?"

"No…but I don't think the Detective told her either. Which is quite odd."

"I guess I could, but would she care?"

"I would if I didn't hear back from Mona. Even far apart there has to be something between you two sisters."

Memories of her and her sister were few and far between. Fewer since their father died. "There was one time, a few years ago around Christmas. We still lived in the city around then, a fire was burning in the fireplace. Father used to have this funny looking instrument with strings that you can pluck. And he would play and sing every Christmas by the fire for us." Makoto reminisces fondly. Ren was still intently listening to her tale.

"But that one Christmas after Father pass but before I was to be sent to school, Sae had dug out the instrument from his room. She tried to play it how it sounded but it just never came out quite right, but we laughed about it. I think that was the last time I saw her smile."

"That would be interesting to see. Can't imagine the revered Prosecutor Sae Niijima smiling."

"Seeing Dad's murderer walk free really broke her I think. She had hoped the system was going to send him away for good. But that no longer matters," Makoto recalled.

"Living out here, I've learned that one must walk the fine line of doing what needs to be done. Unfortunately, it isn't always the morally right choice. I've made my peace of wanting to right a wrong, or die trying."

"We'll find him, Ren," she reassured their leader, "I mean look at us, we're nothing but a ragtag group of outcasts. Anything is possible." He laughed as she used his own words against him.

"That we are Makoto."

It took them a few more days to get close to their destination. They ate sparingly and only came across a few attempted robberies which were quelled quickly.

"We should almost be there everyone, just a few more miles," Ren double-check his compass and map once more during their rest stop. The humidity was really coming down hard on them. His own water pouch emptied awhile ago.

The thunderous charge of hooves coming towards them alerted the group. A lone rider coming around the bend.

"Oh thank goodness, I'm glad I located you all in time," the rider said.

"Mr. M whats the problem, these are the right coordinates you gave me right?"

Hopping down from his horse, Mishima went straight up to Ren, " I thought so too, but then a large group of SIU agents came running into this location a few days ago. I've been desperately trying to find you so you would walk right into a trap. It's no longer safe here anymore. I'm sorry."

"Dammit…" The group was tired of being on the road with short breaks and skirmishes. Even Boss was looking worse for wear.

"Did you see who was in charge?"

Mishima shook his head, "I'm afraid not, I got out of there as fast as I could losing a few of my own spies. I wish I had more news to give."

"It's not your fault." He patted his informant on the shoulder before getting on his horse.

If he went further South there was a place he knew they could be safe, but he was hoping to avoid it at all cost. "I know where we can go, everyone please move quickly."

"Argh, my butt hurts from riding all day."

"No complaining blondie, we're in a precarious situation already."

"How are you holding up Miss Sakura?" Yusuke had asked Futaba. He's been on carriage duty the past few times, holding short conversations with the Boss's spunky daughter.

"It's too hot…." She was leaning out the window with her head leaning on her arms.

"Here, use the rest of my canteen." The young girl shyly grabbed the water from the artist sharing the contents between her and the younger Shinya.

The gang had to travel for another 3 hours before they came upon a large plot of land. It wasn't a town but a compound of sorts as if it belongs to a large family.

Makoto was astonished by the size of it, fences had blocked off what she assumed was the owner's property, "Ren, where are we?"

"I'll inform you all later, all of you please wait here. I'll be right back." He took Arsene alone down the narrow dirt path leading up to the main house.

It was truly a large mansion that had been standing here for decades. Jumping off Arsene, he made sure his shirt was tuck and hair somewhat neat before knocking on the large double door. A moment past before an elder gentleman wearing a servant suit opened up.

"It's been awhile Edgar….um is your Miss home?"

The older man motions for Ren to walk into the grand lobby.

"Please wait here, Sir." The lobby contains not a speck of dust, the grand staircase split on each side decorating the room. A large crystal chandelier hung before him shining from the incoming sunlight

"I had a feeling you would show up again." Ren heard the voice of a young woman. She was station at the top of the right staircase gently making her way down in an evening casual dress.

"I had promised I wouldn't bring trouble to your doorstep again. But, I'm afraid I had nowhere else to go to. I'm here to cash in a favor, will you help me Kasumi?"

A/N Yes Kasumi has ARRIVED. So please note this chapter came out before the western release of P5 Royal. I have not seen anything for this game besides like the first two trailers so I have no idea of her actually personality game wise but I have my own characterization of her. So I guess when the game comes out she may seem OOC in this story who knows. But I really wanted this reveal to happen before the game was release here. Phew made it in time.

We also should be entering into the Haru/Okumura arc so please stay tune for that.

Thank you all for reading this far. It really warms my heart of you all giving this story a chance. See you all next time and feel free to review :)