Begin!
~Normal POV
They departed on the ferry right away the first chance they got. The plan was for Zenkichi to head back to Kyoto to work over the list, while the gang stopped in Kyushu instead. (Mainly so that the boat ride wouldn't take as long.) This meant the gang were able to do whatever they pleased for a while. Zenkichi felt they earned it. That experience on Okinawa was something he'd never forget either. He was alone at the moment on the ferry, and decided to make another call to his boss before they got too far out.
"Hello, Commissioner? It's Hasegawa; I've just boarded the ferry back to the mainland. I'll lose signal soon, so this will have to be brief."
"Well done." Kaburagi complimented. "I've read reports from the local precinct- so there's a body in play, is there? And what of the research facility?"
"Inside, I found a list of the individuals who are believed to be victims of changes of heart. Not only was the document-tampering vice minister on there, but both of the Sapporo Central councilmen, too."
"So their hearts were changed by Madicce…"
"Most likely. At the very least, Madicce is benefiting from whoever has the power to change hearts. If we keep digging into the people from the list and their connections to Madicce, the mystery ought to solve itself. I'll bring everything I have to HQ once I'm ashore. I also plan to send it all to the local precinct back on the island."
"Good work, Hasegawa. You've brought us that much closer to solving this case."
"Thank you, Commissioner. It sure is a good thing we didn't bust the Phantom Thieves." Zenkichi said, happily. "Thanks to their help, we might actually be able to blow this case wide open."
"You seem pleased." Kaburagi said, curiously.
"Oh- well- It's just that-"
"Leave it. From now on be ready for things to swing into high gear at a moment's notice. And keep your eyes open. At this point, there's no telling between friend and foe."
"I understand. I'll report when I've arrived." Zenkichi hung up and pocketed his phone.
He sighed a little thinking about Kaburagi's grim warning.
~...
8/20 - Sunday
Due to Makoto complaining of back pain from all the driving, the gang paused from their trip to Kyushu and went to Fukuoka for the night. They even splurged on getting a hotel for the occasion so that she could rest easier. Zenkichi hadn't reported in for the last couple days so it really felt like they were on vacation again. And better than that, there were no Jails on the way either.
It wasn't until that evening when they were having dinner at a restaurant near their hotel that Zenkichi finally called Akira again.
"Hey, where are you guys?"
"We're in Fukuoka for the night," Akira answered.
"Alright, sounds like you're going at a decent pace. Anyway, I'm calling to let you know I think I found our guy."
"Seriously, that fast?" Akira asked.
"Don't give me that, Kurusu! It might surprise you to know that I'm actually good at my profession! I'll give more details in person. Saves us time and energy. Sorry it's so sudden but how soon can you guys get back to Kyoto?"
Akira winced. "Not very. Makoto hurt her back from all the driving. We were planning to stay at the hotel another night to let her rest. I don't like my people working under that kinda stress, inspector."
He heard Zenkichi groan a bit. "Niijima's down for the count, huh? Damn it, of all the rotten luck… Wait- what about Okumura? She said she has a license, too. All she'd have to do is take the Sanyodo from Fukuoka to Kyoto. Not a tough drive by any means. I know you don't like when I give orders, but we don't have much time. A lot rides on this."
"We'll head out in the morning…" Akira said, before hanging up.
~...
8/21 - Monday
Haru got into the driver's seat, with Makoto choosing to sit up front with her. For whatever reason, Makoto and Ryuji were both looking quite pale and fearful. But when asked about it they refused to answer…
"You know, Haru…" Makoto said, gently. "You don't have to force yourself…"
Haru put her hands on the wheel and took a deep breath; seemingly not even listening.
"Haru- sweetheart- just take it nice and slow…" Ryuji said, carefully.
Haru giggled. "I think I'll be just fine! In fact, I have a special technique that'll make your head spin!"
There was a collective shudder from everyone. Haru, despite her sweet smile and kind nature, could actually be very intimidating in the Metaverse. Swinging around her axe like a pro and decimating Shadows who got in their way. And her current tone was the same sadistic fear-inducing one she used as Noir. They now understood why her boyfriend and her best friend were so anxious about letting her take the wheel. (Even if it was for Makoto's health…)
"Uh, Haru… please drive safe… For everyone's sake…" Akira pleaded.
"Ok, we haven't told you guys this, but…" Makoto started to explain, "The moment Haru's hands touch the wheel-"
"Get ready to shift into overdrive!"
It was a long and scary ride.
~...
Zenkichi checked the time again. He had texted Akira this morning with the address of their meet-up spot. "Where are they… It shouldn't have taken them this long to-" From somewhere above him he heard the loud sound of tires screeching and a loud bang. "What the hell!?"
He quickly ran outside to find the Phantom Thieves had gotten here right on schedule. And they all looked like they just walked out of the scariest haunted house ever created, even Akira was shaking. Except for Haru who looked perfectly natural. The cat was borderline unconscious too!
"Is… everyone ok?" Akira asked, shakily.
"I thought we were gonna die…" Ann whined, clinging to his arm for support.
"I think we already did…" Futaba grumbled, swaying a bit. "My soul's barely tethered to my body…"
"Haru- babe- I love you but that was horrifying…" Ryuji said, trying to keep his balance and looking like he was going to puke.
"My apologies, Haru, but I request that you steer clear of the driver's seat from now on…" Yusuke said, as gently as he could while looking sick to his stomach as well. "I only have so many lives left…"
"Meow…" Morgana whined from Akira's bag.
"Meowgana's unconscious." Sophia chimed. "Wake him up."
"In a minute…" Akira replied, breathing heavily.
"Okumura, what the hell happened?" Zenkichi asked, seeing that Haru was the only one who even noticed his presence.
Haru flushed with embarrassment. "Um… I was just driving normally… I think."
Zenkichi didn't really believe her but didn't question further. Instead he led them inside their meet-up spot. It was an underground, empty bar. There was a counter with stools and a shelf full of empty drink bottles and cups. In the back were two bathroom doors. And to the side were a couple booth tables. It was lit by a few hanging lights. There was an old tv above one booth. And by the stairs Zenkichi had set up a bulletin board with various pictures and newspaper clippings from past cases. It was small and tidy, even though it looked like no one had worked here in ages. He allowed all of them to recover from their "drive" before they started their briefing.
"What is this place?" Yusuke asked, "It seems unfit for a typical gathering of law enforcement."
Zenkichi chuckled. "You could call it my secret base, I guess. Basically, it's a place to hole up if shit ever goes south. A good friend of mine used to run it. But now it's just an empty old bar, suitable for investigating far away from any prying eyes."
"You could have just said it was a hideout." Akira said, smirking. "You act like we aren't familiar with that concept."
"Well- a hideout is only for people who have broken the law-"
"Those newspapers," Yusuke interrupted, looking at the bulletin board. "Are they not from two years prior?"
"Those newspapers are irrelevant." Zenkichi replied, firmly. "Ahem. Now we have other business to discuss." Everyone took seats around the room to listen. "So, I cross-referenced every name on the list we found. Based on our assumption that the mastermind would benefit from changing hearts en masse… This is who we ended up with." He showed them a picture from his pocket.
It was of an old, heavyset man in a suit with grey hair and a sour expression on his face. He appeared to be at a conference of some kind since he was standing at a podium filled with microphones. Akira's glance shifted to the familiar looking pin on his suit jacket, telling him instantly what kind of man they were dealing with.
"Yeah… he sure looks like a schemey bastard…" Ryuji said.
"Of course he does, he's a politician." Akira said, bluntly.
Zenkichi blinked in shock. "How did you-"
"Legislator's pin." Akira replied, pointing it out in the picture.
"Ah, right. You're an observant kid…" Zenkichi put the picture away. "Well, you are still right- he does look like a schemey bastard… To think he'd turn up now of all times…"
"You sound upset. You know him?" Akira asked.
"...No, not in particular." Zenkichi said, shifting his gaze to the side in a suspicious manner. Akira didn't believe him but didn't interrupt. "Anyway, his name is Jyun Owada. He's 69 years old, and he's on his tenth term as a legislator. Not only that, but he worked his way up to Chief Cabinet Secretary of the ruling party. In short, he's not someone to mess with. And- you'll love this part- apparently he was a Masayoshi Shido supporter last year."
"Fucking wonderful." Akira scoffed. "Now you know he's worse than a piece of shit."
"Who is Masayoshi Shido?" Sophia asked.
"The biggest asshole on the planet. And that's all you need to know," Akira answered.
"Well, he's sitting comfy in a prison cell right now because of you guys, so he's not important," Zenkichi said, changing the subject. "The reason why Owada is our prime suspect is because our list contained a handful of his political opponents. That means he's the one with the motive."
"Then how is he doing it?" Makoto asked.
"Well, obviously, a man like this doesn't do his own dirty work." Zenkichi replied. "He'd have a heck of a time getting his political opponents to friend him on EMMA. After checking his inner circle for sympathizers, I found out he's been meeting frequently with a certain entrepreneur…"
"Konoe?" Akira guessed.
"Nice guess," Zenkichi complimented. "Yep, the CEO of Madicce. I came across communication records between him and the director at Okinawa, and it showed they kept in contact."
"Then all the pieces fit," Makoto said.
Zenkichi nodded. "Whenever Owada wants someone out of his way, he calls Konoe to take action. And Ubukata was likely the one who arranged this. Now it's too late to tell."
"Wait-" Futaba interrupted. "If Konoe is the one changing hearts, does that mean he's a Monarch too?"
"But he's the CEO," Haru said, "He could have gotten one of his subordinates to do it."
"Nah." Akira said, shaking his head. "Remember, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. It'd make way more sense for him to be the one. You need to be friends on EMMA for it to work. And Konoe, as a CEO, does fit with the political social elite. And as the person responsible for the app in its current form, he'd have to be the Monarch to ensure nobody can overthrow him… Except us, of course." He finished, smirking.
"I agree." Zenkichi said, "That makes the most sense. And the people on the list most likely had their hearts changed in Osaka. Everyone on there who went crazy traveled to Osaka at some point. Plus- that's also where Madicce's main office is."
"Perfect, we already have a Jail location," Akira said, "I gotta say, you've exceeded my expectations, inspector."
"And you've exceeded mine." Zenkichi said, smiling. "But the only way we'll know if there is a Jail is if Sophia tells us."
"I did sense a Jail." Sophia chimed in.
"Oh, right! We did pass through Osaka when I took a wrong turn…" Haru said, sheepishly.
"Sophia, you should have said something!" Ryuji whined.
"I did, but you guys were too busy to listen."
There was an uncomfortable pause. "...We were likely too busy screaming for our lives…" Yusuke said, quietly.
"Well, we know there's a Jail in Osaka at least. That's one point in our favor." Ann said, changing the subject.
"But we still need to determine that Konoe is indeed the Monarch-" Zenkichi said.
"Hold up. If you know that much already why not just go cuff his ass?" Ryuji asked.
"Because we have no proof, Ryuji," Akira said.
"That's right. The list only spells out motive and connections. It's not solid proof that he's been changing hearts." Zenkichi added. "We can't arrest someone on speculation alone. The most we can do is conduct a search- and that's only with his consent. Hell, he could pack up and run if he wanted to. We don't have any legal authority over him." He paused and sighed heavily before getting into the next topic of concern. "But… here's the real problem… There were a lot of high-ranking members of the force on that list."
"He has the police in his pocket…" Makoto said, frowning.
"Exactly. Not just the rank and file either. The most I can do without being traced is some light investigation." Zenkichi said, worriedly. "And even that might be impossible. If it's the top brass we're dealing with, they might leak the info and take action before I can lift a finger!"
"In other words, the police are not our allies…" Yusuke said.
"Tell me something I don't know." Akira scoffed.
Zenkichi rolled his eyes. "You do realize I'm also a man in uniform? Anyway, it's obvious that going about this in the regular way is out of the question. What we need is something more uncanny… Something only you guys are capable of?"
"Change Konoe's heart. And make him confess." Akira answered. "We can do that, everyone on board?" He was met with collective agreement. "You heard it, inspector, we're in. But we can't do a thing without the keyword to enter the Jail."
"That's why I had you rush over here." Zenkichi said, smirking. "I'll be meeting with Konoe at Madicce's corporate HQ today."
They all gaped at him in shock. "How the hell did you manage that?!" Ann asked.
"By going about it like a cop." Zenkichi answered, smugly. "'We received information about a possible party attempting to hack EMMA.'"
"Do you need me to help out," Futaba asked.
"Nah, it was to score the appointment," Zenkichi replied, dismissively. "Besides, actually trying that would be too dangerous for you, Sakura. At the end of the meeting, I'll suggest that he add me on EMMA so I can answer any further questions, and we'll have our keyword. He'll think I'm just another pawn for the taking! It'll be easy. Of course, thanks to you, I know not to actually add him to protect myself. Once I've got it- if I get it- I'll send it to you."
"Do you want us to come with?" Ryuji asked. "We'd get it done faster if we're already there."
"That's true, but if I don't get the keyword then you coming along would be a waste. And you look like you need a breather after that ride. You can wait here until I call you."
"What the hell, we gotta wait even more?!"
Zenkichi smirked again. "Oh? You really want to complain, Sakamoto? Right when I'm about to tell you the big surprise I have for you?" He stood from his chair and added. "Follow me. You're gonna love it."
~End of Chapter
