Begin
~Normal POV
It was a harrowing experience getting back to the bar by herself, but Futaba had managed it somehow. She'd never run so fast in her life. She dead-bolted the door behind her and paced around the room anxiously trying to organize her thoughts.
Futaba would be the first to admit that outside the Metaverse she wasn't as useful as everyone else. Akira had all the connections. Makoto had all the brains. Ryuji had all the muscle… But Futaba? She was most useful with a keyboard and a comfy desk chair. She wasn't dumb, not by any means, but her intellect was with computers and phones and video games. She was, in every sense of the word, a techie. Even in the Metaverse, she was nothing more than mission control; not that she minded, she enjoyed her position very much. Her Persona was not built for combat. Her job was to fuck with the battlefield and guide them the right direction. Neither of which would help her in this situation.
It had also been a long time since she was without her family- not physically, but in the way of being completely isolated from them and their assistance. She couldn't reach them in the Metaverse and as such, they likely cannot find a way out on their own. Futaba had thought that her family would always be there for her in some way, but she hadn't been expecting this turn of events…
Tears filled her eyes. "I- I'm really alone…" She muttered to herself. "I haven't been alone in so long… What am I gonna do?!"
She then felt as if the Necronomicon was putting sense back into her as she suddenly slapped herself and said. "Damn it, get a hold of yourself, Oracle! You can fix this! All you have to do is traverse a deadly Jail full of monsters without getting… spotted… or you'll be killed… And so will everyone you care about…" Her resolve diminished entirely by the end of her thought.
"Oh god! Everyone's counting on me and I can't help them!"
Her resolve came back again as she kept talking to herself. "No- No! Shut up! You can do this! You punched your mother's killer in the face! You can save your family!"
She kept pacing while going back and forth with herself like this, endlessly thinking about the worst case scenarios. What if she couldn't save everyone and had to go back to Sojiro all alone? What if they all died in there and she had to be the one to tell their families and loved ones what happened?! What if she died in there and nobody told Sojiro! It'd completely destroy him if anything happened to her! And what about her school, and Kana-chan? What would she think if her friend suddenly vanished without a trace? Or Kazuo? He'd be waiting up online for hours on end hoping to talk to her like normal but she just wouldn't answer anymore without explanation… So many things could go wrong with this mission. What on earth was she going to-
The door to the bar jiggled loudly behind her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She panicked and quickly grabbed an empty bottle off the shelf. She could do this, right? She'd seen Ryuji do it a million times- you just swing without thinking- she got into position. No cop was gonna take her without a fight!
The mystery person unlocked the door and came down the stairs in a hurry. It was Zenkichi!
"Sakura!" He said, smiling. "Oh, thank heavens you're alright!"
"Zenkichi!" Futaba quickly dropped her bottle and ran over to hug him tight around his middle.
Zenkichi flinched a little from the sudden affection but didn't mind it. "Uh…" He gently patted her back. "Nice to see you too…" He then noticed they were alone here. "Where are the others? Did they make it?!"
Futaba was too busy crying into his shirt. "You're ok! I'm so glad…"
He could see that she was having it rough right now. He pulled away from her hug, but not in a rude way, and held her by the shoulders. "Calm down, of course I'm ok. Now, where's your family? Are they alright?"
She whined harder from that. "Nobody is! They've all been caught!"
Zenkichi felt his heart drop into his stomach. "Caught- by the police?!"
"No, by Akane!" She screamed, suddenly talking in a fast and panicky manner. "Akane has a Jail! She's a Monarch! So we went to try to save her because we thought she was kidnapped, but it was a trap! And everyone got locked up in a cage and I was the only one who made it out! And now I've gotta do something to save them or I'm gonna have to be the one to tell their families and loved ones what happened! It's all so awful and I don't know what to do!"
"...Akane is a Monarch?!" Zenkichi shouted. "That… That's insane… I can hardly believe what I'm hearing…"
Futaba tried to calm down as he processed this information. She looked him over carefully. She recalled how Akira had been treated when he was interrogated… Zenkichi looked fine, but…
"D-Did they rough you up when you were arrested?" She asked, worriedly. "I- I know Akira said being in a place like that is Hell…"
Zenkichi smiled from her concern. "Ah, I'm fine. I actually owe you kids for sending in the cavalry- in the form of a kickass lawyer."
"Sae!" Futaba shouted happily. "She did get here in time! Damn, she works fast!"
"That she does." He said, chuckling a little. "Next time my own people decide to arrest me, I'm calling her first thing."
"Where is she now?"
"Working with her superiors to take some of the pressure off us, at least for the time being. That way we can make our move."
Futaba cocked her head to the side curiously. "You have a plan?"
"In a way. I want to get in that Jail and walk out with my daughter, and the rest of your family."
She almost wanted to laugh at his suggestion but he looked deadly serious. "That's no plan- that's a suicide mission! There are gonna be Shadows all over the place! If you charge in without a Persona, you're toast!"
"What, I need one of these Persona things too?" Zenkichi asked. "Can't you just take 'em out with yours?"
Futaba sighed. "How do I explain this in a way you'll understand… You know how you have some cops who go out on patrol and arrest the crooks? And then you have the cops that stay at the department and man the computers and communications? The second one is me. I can't fight with my Persona, I don't even have a weapon… I'm just an eye in the sky navigator- built for support only. Everyone else protects me…"
Zenkichi scratched his head sheepishly. "Ah… I see…" He thought for a moment. "Well… that's fine. You have the advantage of knowledge. You give support, I'll take any you have."
Futaba gave him a serious look. "You do realize this could kill you?"
He nodded. "That may be… But I'm Akane's father. I'd die for her without a second thought!"
She smiled at that. Zenkichi really was kinda badass…
"Besides," He added, "If our loved ones are on the line, I'd rather take a stand than sit back and calculate risks… I know it's the same with you guys."
"Ok… let's do this! To Inari Taisha!"
~...
At the same time, the rest of the Phantom Thieves were sitting restlessly in their cell. Akane was watching them from a distance vigilantly, to ensure they didn't try to escape. The lock on the cell was a number pad but none of them dared try to guess the code while she was present. Akira found himself pacing around the cage with anxiety.
"I knew this would happen," He said, exasperatedly. "I knew this was how I was gonna die…"
"You knew you would die in the Metaverse?" Morgana said, quizzically.
"No-" Akira replied, simply. "I knew I would die locked in a cage by a crazy fangirl!"
"Honestly, this is more embarrassing than anything…" Yusuke said, bluntly, leaning against the wall. "We did know it was a trap…"
"That isn't helping, Fox…" Ann replied.
"At least Oracle made it out," Haru said, quietly. "She'll get help and save us…"
Meanwhile, Ryuji was leaning against the cage bars and trying to reason with their captor in his own way. "Yo, Akane? We're willing to negotiate. We're your Phantom Thieves, remember? We'll give you whatever you want if you let us out! Pictures? Autographs? Just name it!"
"Yes, yes!" Haru agreed, "We'd be more than happy to do anything for our fan!"
"But we draw the line at acting out fanfiction…" Akira added.
It didn't matter what they said, because Akane ignored them anyway. "Shut up!" She commanded. "I'm here to change your rotten hearts. You Phantom Thieves do nothing but dress up murder and glorify mass hysteria. No, you can't be the real Phantom Thieves. You're fakes hiding behind masks. I'll make extra sure to personally change your hearts."
"Akane, that's not true!" Morgana pleaded. "We're not the bad guys here!"
"We're on your side, you gotta believe us!" Akira said.
"He's right. I don't know who told you what but we're innocent!" Yusuke added.
"Bullcrap!" Akane screamed. "I won't let anyone fool me again! I can't trust anyone anymore… Not the police, not him… and not you losers!" She snapped her fingers and summoned Shadow guards to her side. "Now… Who wants their heart changed first?"
~...
Futaba and Zenkichi made it back into the Jail without much hassle. He managed to lead her safely past all the cop patrols. Upon entering the Metaverse, they saw Shadow-guards were now patrolling the grounds. Thankfully the entrance area was left unchecked as usual.
"Ok- so, here's our plan." Futaba whispered. "I'm not too good at planning, that's Joker's thing, so just bear with me. First off, while we're here, you call me Oracle. Next, do you still have that comm I gave you?"
Zenkichi searched his pockets momentarily before pulling it out. "Yeah-"
"Put it in your ear." She commanded.
While he did so, she turned and jumped skillfully onto the rooftop beside them. He blinked in awe. Who knew such a frail kid could move so well? "Whoa…"
"Praise me later." Futaba whispered, leaning down to look at him. "Now, comm test-" She spoke into her speaker. "Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Zenkichi said, "So, what am I doing exactly?"
"The stealthy approach. I'll be monitoring the map and all you have to do is follow directions and I'll guide you past the guards." She checked her view screens. "They're being held… Found 'em! In the Jail's center! Once you get there, I'll open the cage. And you- try to reason with Akane."
Zenkichi seemed perplexed by her instructions. "Wait, what about you? You're not gonna walk with me?"
"I'll follow from the rooftops." Futaba replied, "And remember, if you get seen you're a goner. Our powers protect us, but if they catch you, they could take your Desire and turn you into a zombie too. So, be careful."
Zenkichi stared unsurely at the guards before him. Taking a deep breath, he brought up all his courage. His daughter was in here. And he was going to get her out no matter what it took.
"Ok… let's do this, partner."
~...
With Futaba's guidance, and a few anxiety-inducing close calls, Zenkichi made it to the center of the Jail where the other kids were being held in a cell. Akane was here too and had several of those Shadow things with her. He didn't even have time to process her wardrobe change or glowing eyes. He was more concerned with the fact that she looked ready to attack the kids!
He quickly stepped in front of her. "Don't do it, Akane!"
"Gramps!?"
"I knew you were too tough to be kept down!" Akira said, smiling.
"What are you doing here…?" Akane asked, taken aback by her father's presence.
While this happened, Futaba ran up to the cage to check on her family.
"Oracle! You're ok!" Haru said, happily.
"Thank god…" Akira said, looking relieved.
"Good going, Oracle!" Sophia said, brightly. "I knew you'd come."
Zenkichi was staring at Akane with confusion. Why did she look so different? "You are Akane, right?" When she didn't reply, he added, "Just stop this. None of them did anything wrong. If you're willing, we can talk this out."
Akane scoffed. "Talk it out? With you? HA! You can just go to Hell! No matter how many times I told you what happened, you didn't do a thing! So don't try acting like a father to me!"
He tried to ignore the sting of those words and kept talking. "Akane, please listen to me. Just this once. You're right. I couldn't catch the person who took your mother's life. I understand why you'd want nothing to do with a father who kept his head down and took it. But if you don't snap out of it, they're gonna get you, too! Now wake up!"
"You say you couldn't catch him?" Akane said, doubtfully. "It's more like you didn't want to catch him. That monster who killed mom… You knew it was Owada!"
As Akira had thought, Zenkichi was lying about knowing Owada. Now they knew why he was so eager to finish this case after finding out he was involved…
"It happened right in front of me!" Akane shouted, angrily. "Owada ran mom over without a hint of regret! I told you, the police, and everyone I could think of! But even then, he wasn't arrested!" Zenkichi didn't have a reply, so she continued. "Why is that?! Why does he get to take an innocent life?! Aren't the police supposed to do what's right?!"
"Zenkichi, tell her!" Makoto pleaded. "Akane-chan isn't just angry in the moment. She's been consumed with frustration ever since she lost her mother! Until you tell her the truth, she's going to keep playing this over and over in her heart! And if you do nothing, she'll never move past it!" Zenkichi glanced back at them unsurely.
"Tell her the truth," Akira urged, "Before it's too late."
Zenkichi sighed heavily and said. "After your mom died, I was taken off the case. They reasoned that a family member couldn't judge impartially. Soon after, that secretary ended his own life… leaving behind a note saying he was the one responsible. No one else spoke up to contradict that. To the police, it seemed like solid proof. Eventually, they concluded the secretary was at fault and left it at that. To them, the case was as good as closed. Akane, when you told me what really happened, I knew that note was fake. So without skipping a beat, I opened up my own investigation. But no matter what I found as proof, it'd get wiped one way or another before I could bring it to light…"
"So you gave up, right?" Akane replied, scornfully. "Your sense of justice sure didn't get you very far…"
"Akane… I made a promise to Aoi… that I'd protect you… no matter what the case."
Akane blinked. "What…?"
"At that point, you were my only reason to live." Zenkichi said, sadly. "I didn't want to lose more family. So I promised Aoi I'd never let anything happen to you… even if it killed me."
"Hmph." Akane huffed. "Saying that doesn't change anything."
Zenkichi kept going despite her harsh comments. "One day, I received a threat letter in the mail… telling me to stop my investigation… or my daughter dies."
Akane gasped. "Wha-!?"
"How could they…" Makoto said, quietly.
Akira mentally connected the dots. Owada killed Aoi. Owada was a personal friend of… Masayoshi Shido… The crime happened two years ago, when Shido was using the Metaverse to rig the election for prime minister. It wasn't hard to see where Owada's hired gun would have come from…
"We know how already…" Akira said, softly.
Zenkichi didn't hear these comments and kept talking. "That's when I realized there was definitely evil in this world. And in the end, one man is nothing compared to the forces of darkness."
"Gramps…"
"I will never forgive Owada! Even though I can't lay a finger on him…" Zenkichi said, firmly. "If it weren't for my current boss, I'd still be wallowing in despair. I decided I'd do whatever it takes to help her reach the top. All the while thinking it was the only way to protect Akane and honor Aoi's memory…" He frowned with regret and glanced back at the kids once more. "And I was even prepared to use all of you without a second thought…"
None of them were really that surprised by this information. They'd been expecting such a thing. What they hadn't expected was to see Zenkichi second guess that choice and come to their rescue. He could have left them for dead, but instead he followed Futaba in here to help them at the risk of his own life.
Akane laughed. "See?! You hear that just now?! He's nothing but a scheming manipulator! As long as he gets his way, he'll hang you all out to dry!"
"How could you say that?!" Ann screamed.
"Did you not get that he's been trying to keep you safe?!" Ryuji added.
"Oh, I know what he was trying to do. But to do it, he sacrificed his values as an officer." Akane replied, harshly.
"Akane-" Zenkichi tried to interrupt but she wouldn't let him.
"If it was only us, I'd get it. We're family. Mom would think so, too." Akane argued. "But what about the secretary who died? Did you ever stop to think what his family's going through!? Not only did they lose a loved one, they have mom's death hanging over their heads! Did you forget that?! Or did you choose to forget it on purpose?!"
Zenkichi was stunned at her words. "I… I had no idea you were thinking of them…"
"You're just like the trash who killed mom… pretending nothing ever happened."
"I'm… like Owada…?"
"You and the police just sit on your asses all day, letting bad guys roam free." Akane said, "You people can't save anyone! But I can… I'm the only one who cares! I'll change that evil bastard's heart so mom can rest in peace! I'll beat down every last villain in this world!"
Zenkichi thought for a moment before the realization hit him like a brick. "Is this… why you became a Monarch? Because I sacrificed others to keep what little family I have alive? Was I wrong… this whole time? And this… is all my doing. You're like this because of me…"
He stepped backwards, putting a hand to his head in shame and guilt. He could have cried; it felt like his heart snapped in two. Akane was suffering like this and it was all his fault. He vaguely heard his name be called in concern but he ignored it. His head was spinning.
"It's true." He said, sadly. "I used whoever I could. As long as my daughter was safe, it didn't matter what anyone else suffered. What else was I supposed to do? I was trying to protect my family! It's what anyone would have done! Anyone!"
"Anyone but a man of justice."
Zenkichi snapped his head up and looked around. That voice. It was a rich baritone that sounded regal and authoritative. Where did it come from? It sounded vaguely like his own, but he'd never heard it before. Was it only in his head?
"Who's there?" He asked.
"Are you sure you weren't at fault?" The voice said.
"Who's talking to me?!"
"You knew what it would cost to give up the chase. Yet you fled from the truth. Convinced yourself it was right and just, with your daughter's name hollow upon your lips. You are as guilty as those you hate- a foul villain, rotten to the core!"
"That's… no… I…!"
"You traded away the justice you'd built. You bought your comfort, bribed your guilt." The voice finished, laughing maniacally in his head.
With his heart feeling heavier than ever the man dropped to his knees with guilt pouring over him.
"Zenkichi?" Sophia asked, worriedly.
"Zenkichi, snap out of it!" Morgana pleaded.
But the man wasn't listening. "He's right…" He said, quietly. "It's all true. I let Aoi's murderer run free, and used the Phantom Thieves solely for my benefit. I'm just as rotten as those criminals… I don't have the right to lecture Akane… I never did to begin with."
"That's bullshit!" Akira shouted. "You want to finish what you started? You came here to save Akane, didn't you? Then do the world a god damn favor: stand up and fight!"
Zenkichi looked back at him in confusion. "Fight…?"
"That's right, Zenkichi! Wake up!" Futaba said, "Maybe you did stuff your emotions away, but it was for your family's sake. You did it to protect Akane, the daughter you love! My mom was the same! She worked as hard as she could every day, doing what she believed was right! So stop blaming yourself! If you want to blame someone, blame those monsters who hurt your family!"
"Yeah, don't lose sight of your target!" Ryuji shouted.
"Your devotion to your daughter is what matters." Yusuke said, "Torturing yourself over that would be a waste! Now look deep within your heart and find your way forward!"
Zenkichi couldn't believe his ears. They were encouraging him? "Guys…"
"Be strong, Zenkichi," Sophia said.
"Please, get back up!" Haru shouted. "This is something only you can do!"
"The real enemies are still out there." Makoto said, firmly. "Bring them down for Akane-chan's sake!"
Zenkichi was quiet several moments before finally saying, "...You're right." He got to his feet once more. "The real threat is still out there… Those who ruin lives and tear families apart without a second thought. How stupid have I been? My own daughter tells me how to do my job, and then these kids start lecturing me… I may not be a hero, and I sure as hell don't deserve any awards… But at least I know what makes a person evil. Evil only cares about itself. It's the mark of a man who would bring another to ruin and dare not show remorse." He felt his anger rising as he spoke, to a level he'd never felt before in his life. "I will never let people like that go free. And I will give everything I have to bring them down!"
"Do you finally see the truth?"
The anger that Zenkichi was feeling was replaced with excruciating pain as the voice in his head returned. He was in so much pain he couldn't remain standing, and dropped to his knees once more, clutching his temples and crying out in agony. He didn't know what was happening, but somehow, he also felt like he did know at the same time.
"Do you know the true face of the guilty?" The voice continued, ignoring his cries. "They condemn the good to slavery. Pretend they do not see their agony… Just as you once did. But another story must begin. Now, show your gaolers that you will wear a different chain. I am thou, thou art I… If you yet seek true justice, we will see it done!"
Instead of letting this awful headache get the best of him, Zenkichi ignored it and slammed his fist against the gravel before weakly getting back to his feet. "Fine… Seal the contract." When he lifted his gaze once more, he felt something materialize on his face, replacing his glasses. It felt something like a mask, a black pinpoint blindfold with white eye holes. Going off of sheer instinct at this point, he reached up and tried to remove it. And that same instinct in his heart told him who that voice was in his head. He tugged forcefully at the mask, ignoring the pain it was causing him, before ripping it off; with his own blood dripping down his cheeks as he did.
"VALJEAN!"
Despite it having been a while since they had seen a new Persona awakening, it never failed to leave them in awe. Especially with the appearance of Zenkichi's Persona, Valjean. He was tall and human in shape; his eyes were glowing yellow in a menacing way. He was dressed in a similar manner to a nobleman with a fancy white waistcoat, and a dark blue long tailcoat, with a silver candle pattern on the back of his coat tails, with black boots. Hanging around his chest was a holstered pistol. But under his regal attire was a series of intricate chainmail all over his body. His hands were cuffed in odd restraints, ending with hanging chains from his wrists, but he could still move his fingers. He even had a pointy helmet to match the knight aesthetic. And to top it all was a metal plate on his chest with the number 24601 carved into it.
Zenkichi's idea of a rebel was- there was no other word to describe it- cool. He too had a black ankle-length tailcoat, but with black buckled tassels at the end of the sleeves and a silverish-grey folded up collar at forehead-length, with a large brimmed, fedora-based hat attached at the collar with a long, swordfish-like point at the front of the hat. His tailcoat had large V-shaped lapels. Under it, he wore a high-collared jacket coat with silver accents, black gloves, and matching double bandolier belts around his waist, both holding revolvers. His pants were also black; and he had silverish grey accented boots. The whole thing put together made him look less like a cop and more like an old west bounty hunter. It suited him in a surprising way.
"For real?"
Akira smirked at the sight. With a single wave of Zenkichi's hand, Valjean expertly decimated the Shadow-guards behind Akane.
Zenkichi was feeling more smug confidence than he'd ever felt in his life. This power was exhilarating. He could get used to this.
"I know what I have to do now… Condemn the evil and hunt them down!"
~...
For a man of his age, they were surprised and awed by his ability to wipe out the Shadows sent his way. He was rather like a wild animal hunting his prey mercilessly. His Persona's magic was unlike any they had seen before but it was powerful, and that was all that mattered. Valjean had gifted him, of all things, a zweihander to fight with. And by some miracle, Zenkichi wasn't even tired yet after the fight. Akane was still here too, and he needed to reason with her.
"Listen to me, Akane. Those scumbags are feeding off your pain, and that of other decent human beings." Zenkichi said, "They drain the lives of those around them like parasites, all for their own petty convenience. So don't let them take advantage of you! You need to come home with me!" (They had neglected to explain that this wasn't the real Akane he was talking to, so he didn't know that wouldn't work.)
"After all this, you still won't see things my way!" Akane argued. "I won't believe you… I can't! With the power I have, I can finally change the bad people's hearts! If that bothers you, then come and get me! But fair warning: I'll change your heart before you even know it!" She teleported away, deeper into the Jail.
Futaba quickly cracked the lock on the cage, allowing everyone freedom at last. She received many relieved and grateful hugs from her family as a result. All while beaming and being happy to have them back.
It wasn't until moments later that Zenkichi felt what they called the "rebound" of his awakening. He was unsteady from exhaustion and nearly collapsed, but Ryuji quickly caught him and helped him up. "Ah… thanks…" He mumbled.
"No problem, dude. Yeah, using your Persona- it feels amazing but it saps you dry. I'm surprised you stayed up as long as you did…"
"Persona…?" Once Zenkichi was able to stand on his own again, he examined his attire change curiously. "Was that what happened…?" He asked, "I just went off instinct there…"
"Well that instinct just saved our lives."
Zenkichi gulped as Akira approached him. What would he say? He had to explain himself about the hotel business.
"K- ahem, Joker…" Zenkichi started, frowning apologetically. "Listen, about what happened at the hotel- you don't think that was my fault, right? Because I swear it wasn't! I- I just wanted to do something nice for you kids after you helped out so much, and I am so sorry for putting you all in danger like that!"
"I know that." Akira replied. He didn't look angry at all, which was quite a surprise. "I heard you that night, as we were escaping. You came to help us. Just like you did right here." He ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. "And… While we're on the subject of apologies… I believe I owe you one, as well. When I met you, I thought you were just another crooked cop, taking advantage of us. Granted, you were actually doing that, but when shit hit the fan, you looked after us- protected us- risked your life and your freedom when you could have walked away at any time. All for a bunch of damn kids?" He smiled a little. "I don't recall if I've mentioned this, but loyalty is very important to me. In extreme situations, I'd even argue that it's more valued than justice itself, so…" He held out his hand politely. "I'm sorry, Zenkichi."
Zenkichi stared at him in awe. Never- not even once- did he ever hear Akira call him by name. Everyone else had done it at least once, but never him. It was always Inspector, or Inspector Pain in the Ass, with no in between. And he knew why, or rather he had a good guess. It wasn't out of respect for his title, it was derogatory and spiteful. It was to remind him how he viewed him: as the enemy. But here, Akira was looking at him finally not as the enemy, but as an ally. Maybe not a friend, no that would be a bit much to ask right away, but definitely he was an ally. Someone the leader of the Phantom Thieves considered worthy of keeping around, and worth at least a modicum of his respect. And it lifted a weight off of Zenkichi's shoulders to know that they didn't blame him for that night.
He smiled and shook his hand. "Heh, apology accepted…"
"Thank you…" Akira then changed the subject, "So- you saved our lives, you have a Persona, you can kick ass and take names, and we need to save Akane's heart from the Jail. It'd be pretty cruel to not let you help out… Would you like to join the Phantom Thieves?"
Zenkichi stared at everyone's eager smiles and pretended to think it over. "...I'd be honored."
His response was met with various cheers of excitement. It seemed Akira wasn't the only one who hoped he'd say yes. But really, how could he say no at this point? What kind of father would he be if he just sat back and let them save his daughter without even lifting a finger?! And with this power, he could come with them to take down Konoe personally. And damn did Konoe have it coming now…
"You know what this means…" Ryuji said, slyly.
"He needs an official codename!" Haru answered, bouncing eagerly on her heels.
"Code- oh right, that." Zenkichi said. "You call each other something different in uniform… Uh, what's everyone else's?" Upon hearing all their codenames, he could see where most of them had come from. (Their outfits kinda gave them away.) "Ok, got it… Hm…" He lapsed into a thinking pose.
A codename… it should be tough. Fierce… something his enemies would remember. Something that fits his aesthetic…
"Just so you know, if don't pick one yourself, we will pick something stupid for you," Akira said, smirking.
"I'm getting to it!" Zenkichi grumbled. "I ain't gonna let you kids name me just to amuse yourselves… Call me… Wolf. Those endless days of barking on command are done. From now on, lone wolf or not, my fangs will shred all evil."
"I like the sound'a that!" Ryuji said, grinning.
"Yeah, that totally puts it in perspective!" Ann added.
"You do look cool, Wolf!" Sophia said.
"Welcome to the Phantom Thieves." Makoto said, happily.
"It's that simple…?" Zenkichi replied, quizzically.
"You're one of us now," Akira said, "And we gotta get you outta here so you can recharge. I promise, we'll come back today, but you need to rest up a bit first. Awakening to a Persona completely drains you. You'll feel better once you get back to reality. And once she's safe again, we'll be sure to think up a really stupid initiation for you."
Zenkichi chuckled. "Always with the damn quips…" A thought crossed his mind as they started walking back to the entrance. "By the way… I gotta ask-"
"You want to know why I'm called Joker?"
"Uh, yeah… It's been driving me crazy ever since I learned about it. Seriously, why?"
Akira smirked. "It's because I have a special power called the Wildcard. You'll see what it is when we come back."
Zenkichi blinked in surprise. Well, that was easier than he thought it'd be. But even though he was so exhausted, to the point where they had to help him walk since he could barely move his legs beyond standing, he actually felt pretty happy now. It had been a long time since he'd worked directly with a team… He never thought he'd be glad to be accepted into a gang of thieves, but strangely that part didn't bother him anymore.
~End of Chapter
Side note: For those who don't know, Zweihander is German for "Two-handed sword." My fiancé is kind of a sword geek so he calls it a zweihander and I choose to do so as well.
