Chapter 2: School Days.

Joker was seen leaving the gates of Honnouji Academy, now donning his No-Star Goku Uniform after Satsuki forcefully recruited him into her school. Even so, the Uniform wasn't all that bad, far from it. Iori did a good damn job in making his uniform the size someone can only considered perfect for Akira's figure.

"About damn time you show up. Hell! You also seem to get yourself a seat with Honnouji Academy. Nice." Mataro has been waiting for the bespectled boy with arms crossed and back lying on a wall. "Honestly, I was expecting those high-class jerks to stuff your bones on a bag and throw them out to the ocean knowing how cruel Lady Satsuki can be to outlaws, I mean I saw them doing that last week with the last guy they accused of treachery. But you achieved flipping heads in the end, so good for you."

"Huh… Didn't know you were standing idle all evening here." Kurusu gently shrugged. "But now that mess is now over, how's been your sister? I just hope she hasn't gotten into trouble again."

"Yeah, don't sweat it dude. You clearly showed that bald brain who's the tough dog of the house. I'm sure those dweebs won't be picking on Mako for a looong time." Mataro blurted before laughing joyfully.

Mona opened the zipper of Kurusu's bag from the inside to breath some fresh air. "Whelp, seems that things have taken an abrupt turn for the bizzare. I can't even guess if it is something good or bad. Let's hope that it's for the better."

"AAAAH! Get that hell spawn outta here!" Mataro jumped out of his spot when he saw the black cat and fall on his butt.

Mona and Joker softly snickered at the sudden fright the runt had. It was nice for them to laugh after having endure that whole fight with Fukuroda, and now there's only the calm after the storm.

Joker helped the young Mankanshoku to get his rear end up from the dirt, only to soon follow it by noticing an unconscious Ryuko Matoi kissing the ground and her hand still gripping that giant red scissor. Worse still, she was still wearing that super-pervert skirt and god have mercy if a pervert comes by.

"Oh… So that's where Ryuko went." Ren sweatdropped, having really nothing clever to say. "Seems she wasted her steam on knocking her whistle."

"You're right! That's the same girl we've met at the station. I would like to tell something witty, but she really is in need of help. Doubt she even have enough energy to even move her fingers." Morgana pushed aside his font for women and see if he could aid the fainted young adult. He jumped off his friend's bag and immediately placed his paw on the woman's neck. "Her heart pulse seems to be okay. She must have fainted mid-row when she tried to flee." Now the question fluttering on his mind is how could a normal person pass out so quickly and not be caught by Honnouji's police force.

If Akira recalled correctly, he heard a bodyless voice near Ryuko telling her something related to minutes and blood, not forgetting the cold temperature only making things for her worse. Or so his mind remembers.

"Yeah, about the stripper chick…" Mataro cringed, knowing that anyone but Akira would take his request in the wrong context. "Just so happen that my big sis's a biiiiiig friend with the crazy chick, and if she finds out her bestie croaked the day she met her, I can already see her hanging my ass on the wall. So knowing how strong you are, m-mind if you can carry her to my house? I swear, i-It's not what you think it is!"

Joker of course, raised suspicions about Lighting-Speed Mataro's intentions. But seeing how much he was cringing when explaining, he could rest assured that this won't result on a bamboozle.

"Alright." Joker affirmed before picking up Ryuko and heading back to the station.

Both boys managed to claim an empty wagon for themselves. It surprised the rogue that the skies above this insane island was painted with that warm amber sky, you could mistake yourself of being trapped on the most beautiful painting you've ever seen. But this also brought the akward fact how everything happened so suddenly and without any warning whatsoever. A whole artificial city ruled with an iron fist by a literal fascist school, exoskeleton suits named Goku Uniforms powered by living threads named Life Fibers, a girl that looked like the edgiest egdelord in edgeville straight out of a 14 year old's Deviantart's page looking for whoever killed her dad with the same scissor she has as a sword, and god could only imagine what will there be next on tomorrow's menu of absurdity. This whole things sounds like the start of a went to a bar joke.

"Hey, now that you're studying at Honnouji academy, I've always wondered how are the Life Fiber resistance tests?" Mataro asked the phantom thief, resting his head and arms over the doors of the vehicle.

As much of how unorthodox this whole place was, the Life Fiber Resistance test was the least thing to be, the most normal of everything that has happened right now. They just made him wear a special 3-star Goku Uniform for some seconds just to be affirmed to be resistant. Still, his results showed that he was one of the students who had better resistance against Life Fibers, scoring a whooping 89%.

But well, back to the story…

"Hey, I know this may sound obvious, but… thanks for saving my sister back there." The kid turned his eyes at the sitting teen behind him. "It may not seem that we have the best relation, but deep down the 2 of us, we're the best sibling and we love eachother like the rest of my family."

"You're welcome kid." Kurusu sighted calmly. "All I did was to do the right thing after all. Couldn't let those bullies murder someone just because they just happen to be vaguely affiliated with someone they have a bone to pick with." He added before lifting his whole body into the row of empty seats and laid himself like a bed. "I'm not asking anything for you, really. But if there's something you want to do to repay me, that's fine in my book."

Indeed that Mataro wanted to owe this to Akira big time. He saved his sister for what it looked like an inescapable fate. "Hey! I got it! Since you've gotten yourself enrolled into Honnouji Accademy, I may think that you'll need a house to live in. Hell! I can convince my parents to let you stay on our house for as much as you like! Mom and dad are really welcoming to anyone who's friends with any of us, and even the friends of the friends of the friends of the friends. Sounds about, right?" He turned his whole body to offer his deal with Kurusu.

This has caught his attention. Knowing how hostile the slums were, it will prove difficult to set themselves somewhere safe. He got himself up and then approached the kid with his hands inside his pockets. "You won me there, champ. We've got ourselves a deal." He cheered as both boys shook hands to sigh their contracts with one another.

Akira felt glad that his first unfriendly face he met decided to ally with him.

He could feel that his friendship with Mataro was about to become stronger.

I am thou, Thou art i…

Thou have acquired a new vow…

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy clothing of captivity

With the rebirth of the Sun Persona

Thou have retrieved a power dormant within the soul

That shall lead to salvation and new power…

Lavenza's voice echoed inside the Trickster's soul as his whole world suddenly stopped for a moment.

On that moment, the Tarot card of the Sun Arcana materialized from thin air and fell over to Joker's hands. Once he grasped it, it disintegrated into a flock of blue butterflies, showing that his Persona of the Sun Arcana Horus has awakened from his slumber.

It appears that whenever he successfully manages to form a deep bond with someone from this world, he also unlocks the power of the Arcana they represent, thus re-kindling his Personas shackled deep within his subconscious. Well, it was quite obvious when he discussed this with Mona, but it seems that it also applies to residents of this dimension as well. But as all rogues know, a great thief always has a vast circle of friendships that are always there to get him up whenever he falls down.

Once done, his vision of reality came back to him. "Hey, you said that we're taking her to your house, correct? I was thinking taking her to a close hospital cuz' she really needs to see a doctor ASAP…" Akira questioned Mataro while pointing to the dazed-out Ryuko sitting down.

All the bandit of the slums said was a short snicker. "And that's why we're going to my house. My dad just happens to be a doctor." The boy with the sunglasses responded to ease off his new friend's worries.


After some time, the wild card and Mataro have finally arrived at their destination, being that of an old shack not that structurally different from the rest of the Slums' buildings. Though, one key difference was the giant neon sight that was a tacky eyesore for anyone's eyes. This only raised more unnecessary questions on how Mataro's parents were able to afford something like that if they have such a low income.

"Dr. Mankanshoku's Back-Alley Clinic? You dad's a quack doctor?" Akira was taken by surprise by this reveal. Well, not like this is the first time he had experiences with those.

"Hey! I said that my dad is a doctor, not a legit one!"

And speaking off the devil, the titular airhead was waving at the coming of the 2 boys with a warm smile. "Oh, Welcome back lil' bro!" Mako then slammed herself into her little brother only to strangle him with a lovely bear hug.

"H-heay Sis! B-BUT C-Can you l-let, l-let me off!?" Poor Mataro was pleading for his life with the little air his lungs had.

"Well, people say that love can hurt." Kurusu looked down at the airless boy, at least he knew that the kid only needed to recover his breath for the moment.

"Oh, and you brought Ryuko with you? Sweet!" Mako cheered in joy seeing that her new friend she just made was safe and sound. Though, her day would quickly become the better once she spotted the new uniform Akira had.

"OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!"

HALLELUJAH!

"I must be dreaming cuz' my 2 eyes can't believe what I'm seeing! Ren's gonna join Honnouji academy!? This is like the best day of all bests days ever! I though first that Ryuko was gonna be my only school friend, but the god of friends has blessed me with another! Thanks god of friends. I shall pray your name every night from now on! I already imagine the wacky adventures the 3 of us will participate like solving a mystery involving T.V.s, or climb one giant tower that leads to space, or travel from Kobe to Osaka, or mayb- "

"That's good sis, but time is money, remember?" Mataro snapped his big sister back to reality before she could hyperventilate even further. "Your friend here's knocking deaths door, so we better do something now!"

Mako then remembered Ryuko's dead expression restin upon Akira's chest. "Oh, you're right! Dad get the medical tools ready because we got ourselves a patient! Quick! get inside!" Mako quickly dragged her brother and Ren inside her house without even thinking it twice. This was the Gamagori situation all over again.


It was a blessing that Ryuko hasn't passed to a better life once that hideous parasite drank her dry like a juice box. Her questions mulling her mind were not going to stop haunting her. Why did her father create a sentient school uniform that transforms its wearer into a stripper? What's the deal with Honnouji Academy and their crazy-ass Club Presidents? How could those No-Stars persist on going to that school if all they get is the short end of the stick? And most importantly, who the hell was that pervert teen with the angel-thief ghost who froze the entirety of Honnouji and what's his deal off? And also, what was ther a fat stranger swinging back and forth while she opened her eyes?

Wait…

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME YOU PERV!" Ryuko howled at the pervert stranger with a mad fist coming to break its nose. Howhever, it was soon caught by Joker's hand.

"H-hey calm down! That's Mako's dad! He was just vending your wound!" Joker tried to explain what was happening to calm her nerves off.

Before she could bark back even louder, Ryuko quickly realized that the Phantom Thief was correct. Right beside the strange adult's side was a first-aid kit and a roll of medical bandages. This only turned the more akward when the mankanshoku brothers quickly entered the room to see if their father was alright. Well, shit…

"I-im really sorry, Mr. Makanshoku! I really acted like a moron!" Ryuko plead before Bazaro Makanshoku for her stupid stunt.

"Nah, don't need to sweat it. I'm a doctor after all, so I could just perform plastic surgery on myself if you were to break my face. Hahaha!" Mako's dad laughter it off despite how violent Matoi acted before.

"And speaking of near-death, if it weren't for this badass right here tearing the Boxing Club President 10 new arseholes, you would've end up as Lady Satsuki's new scarecrow." Mataro commented with a snarky wink.

Oh yeah, she forgot about the pervert teen she met not that long ago. But her feelings of indifference of him would then turn into those of hostility once she saw his No-Star outfit. "Oh, so that's how it is! So even after that dumb stunt show you put up, you're still became one of that Eyebrow Bitch's bootlickers! Just warnin' ya that I'm feared crazy bitch from Kanto for a reason, dweeb!" Ryuko threatened the phantom thief as she brought out her Scissor Blade to point at his throat.

"But didn't Ren save me and himself from Fukuroda, Ryuko? Don't worry! I'm sure he's a gppd guy like you!" Mako being Mako, only saw the good side of things, which was enough reason for her friend validate her point.

"Hmph… I'm not a stupid goody-two shoes like four eyes fuzzy hair over here. I could have taken that bald dick-sucker all by myself, but he just had to take my thunder." Matoi pouted and looked the other way around. It was gonna take some effort for Kurusu to get on her good side as he could tell.

"Well, if you wish to beat the bejeesus out of someone, you're free to hit my husband and my son as much as you like." Suyuko Makanshoku, the mom of Mako and Mataro entered the room to spread an air of no worries, carrying a tray of 2 cups of tea for her 2 guests.

"Oh… Ms. Mankanshoku. Didn't see you there." The Trickster turned at the mature woman before picking up a cup. "Apologies for not telling you this earlier, but thanks for giving me residence with you for the time being. I just hope neither I or Morgana aren't much of a nuisance." He made sure to be polite and thankful for Mataro's family from accepting to be their guardians while taking a small drink from his bamboo-cup.

"D'aw... You're so sweet with words, Ren. How else could I pay you for what you did for us? You save my little girl from those weaklings after all."

"Ren? That's your name? Sheez, Must be shitty to live the rest of your life being called like that. You must really resent your parents." Ryuko squinted while accepting Sukuyo's tea to cool down her nerves and guzzle down all the crazy crap she had to endure.

"Not really, its just a nickname." He chimed while continuing to consume his warm drink. "But hey, at least your weird shirt managed to turn itself into something more decent. Then again, being stuck on a stripper outfit must be better than to be stuck with a stupid name." He quipped while following with a faint chuckle afterward.

What was that fuzzy-haired freak talking about? Was she talking about that freaky monster from her home's basement? And that snark of his, she really wanted him to punch him in the face for saying something that got under her skin. But then again, that guy could probably fold her into a paper crane if he so desires, so it's better to not provoke him.

She looked down and be surprised by the result. "What the…?" Ryuko noticed that the talking sailor uniform has morphed itself into a more normal set of clothing, a black school sailor uniform to be more exact.

"You look surprised." The "eye" of the uniform looked up to Ryuko. "I take this "normal" form when we're not fighting to prevent me from drinking blood."

"Geez, just like a mosquito too full to continue drinking." Ryuko furrowed at the babbling skirt while poking his eye. "H-hey! Why didn't you turn into this instead of that weird-as-fuck fetish skirt!? You could've saved me the embarrassment from yesterday! And you better have a good reason for not doing so, ya' hear me?"

"Like I said earlier, this is a non-combat form. In your own words, being transformed into that "Fetish skirt" is the only way I can lend you my powers Ryuko.."

"Tch… whathever, if it doesn't make me look like a whore, I guess It's fine." Ryuko sighted and shrugged it off. Good thing that her dad put these kinds of measurements if this were to happen.

Akira was hearing the conversation between Ryuko and that odd voice from before. "And by the way Ryuko, if there's someone you should thank for patching you all up, send them to Mako's dad."

"Why?"

"Didn't you know! My dad's super infamous in the slums for killing more patients than saving them. In fact, he's a back-alley doctor!" Mako stepped in to put Ryuko up to date. Kinda unnerving when you consider the given context and how she said it with such a happy voice.

"A-a Quack Doctor? Then I'm must really thank god for not getting killed. With how obsessed those Honnouji Nuts are with their order, I'm surprised they haven't managed to throw your dad into the slammer."

"What can I say Ryuko? The one good thing about dead patients is that they can't sue the crap outta ya'. Am I right or am I right? Hahahahahaha!" Bazaro laughed to pass the sour taste that her daughter's comment left. Since that no matter what reality, dad jokes are there to follow.

"That reminds me. Why they call you Ren exactly?" Ryuko told Joker since she felt pity for the boy's name.

"Well, it was a nickname my old friends gave me back in the day." Akira tried to clarify the situation. Though, it was hard for him to hid his sorrow for mentioning his old crew.

"Whaaa!? You had other friends?" Mako's sense of curiosity got the best out of her and wanted to know more about Akira's old troublemaking crew.

Akira was on a pinch. He couldn't tell them that he's from a different dimension. He'll just make him look koo-koo crazy to everyone in this room. He then remembered that since this is an alternative version of Japan, there's a high chance that his and this world are geographically similar. "Before coming to Honno City, I used to live on Tokyo, Yongenyawa to be more precise. Even there, my reputation was really terrible all because of one small, but fatal mistake that got me a criminal record." Akira had to tell them as best as he could, so be began with his humble origins.

"A criminal record? Geez! That explains why you don't give a shit about the rules!" Mataro was caught amused by his friend's confession. No wonder why the 2 became compadres so fast.

"Still, having a Criminal record must stink like much, it's pretty much a kick-me sign strapped into you for all life. Kinda took me off guard that someone as meek as you have one to begin with." Ryuko added in surprised. "So, what did they exactly charged you for? You must have done something really fucked up for everyone else perciev you as the anti-chhrist." Being a criminal punk feared as a 1-woman army, Ryuko was also interested on what Joker did to gain that infamy.

"Assault. Though, it was an accident. I just so happen to be dealt with a bad hand since the whole court was against me just because the supposedly victim was a candidate for prime minster of Japan. The rest is history. Guess I plucked my nose into the wrong restaurant in the wrong time and now I have to pay the bill."

"Geez… that's messed up." Ryuko slumped upon hearing this. How funny… She was stripped from a normal life by the murderer of her father, and the nerd beside him was too. Only that he has no way of getting it back. "By the way, I'm Ryuko Matoi. Sorry for not telling you earlier, also for trying to kill you."

"Akira Kurusu. The pleasure's mine." Kurusu gently smiled back as both troublemakers gave eachother a handshake. Though, they still had a long way for them to form a deep connection of trust and companionship. "So Ryuko, you said yesterday your scissor blade was left by the one who murdered your dad. Care to elaborate?"

"It's everyone's favorite time of the day! Dinner Time!" Akira was then interrupted by Sukujo's shout from the kitchen just when she was in the mood to answer, announcing that It was finally time to stuff their stomachs.

"Oh boy! Dinner time! Coming!" Mako's dad was the first to step on the gas all the way to the living room like a bipedal animal.

"Ha! I'm gonna get my hands on the best snacks first! Winners' keepers, losers weepers! And y'all be weeping soon enough!" Mataro was second to boost himself, not before taunting the 3 teens with a raspberry.

"Come on you, guys! You don't want to miss out mom's special cooking!" Mako then followed her family to enjoy quality dinner time, already having her belly ready to consume anything before her.

"Alright! Dinner time! I can tell her cooking will be just as delicious as her motherly love. I mean, that tea you drank earlier sure slapped your energy back to you for what I see Joker." Morgana jumped over Akira's shoulder in joy knowing that it's now time for a tasty lunchtime.

"Wait! Is that your cat?" Ryuko pointed her finger at the smug black cat in front of her.

"Eyup. He's Mona. He's been my best friend ever since I moved to Tokyo." Akira affirmed Ryuko's question while gently caressing the cat's lower part of her head. "Well, I'm off to eat with the others. Catch you later." Akira said while getting his ass up and head down to the living room.

Ryuko's stomach then made a grouchy roar. She hasn't eaten anything since she got into Honno City. Maybe a tasty lunch would be enough to calm her mind from all the weird bullshit she had to face today.

But they would soon find out that this dinner wonderland would turn into a kitchen nightmare.

"I hope you're all hungry. I know it may not look fancy, but you can bet it's really filling." Suyuko announced to her honor guests while slamming a pot full of a brownish soup of slop to the futon right next to a plate full of croquettes made from all sorts of worms still moving.

"Dig in! My mom's the best cook in the world! Right, there is a plate full of croquettes full of I don't know what and in the pot there's a soup with all sorts of unknown things in it!" Mako pointed out the disgusting food in front of Joker, Ryuko and Morganas eyes, and Mako's description of what was for dinner only made them cringe more. Only a look is enough to turn your insides upside down. At least the only edible thing on the menu was a bowl of rice, but they had their doubts that the rice hasn't expired.

"Daw! Thanks sweetie! Don't worry, I only use non-toxic stuff. I think…" Suyuko told her guests who all had faces of disgust. The toxic ingredients were the least of their problems, they could all die from food poison!

"Hey! They're slimy yet satisfying, so better get em' while they're hot!" Mataro advised both rebel teenagers to claim some for them while stuffing his face full of all that digestible hazard like chipmunks gathering nuts.

Or either the entire family has guts of steel, or the food mutated their bodies form their inside to not throw up when eating. And speaking of guts…

A bulldog wearing a hoodie opened the door on its own to launch himself into the pile of croquettes that took everyone by surprise.

"Down Guts! Bad dog! Your food is out there!" Mako scolded her dog while throwing him at the window, just to return later and land at the plate, starting to gobble up.

"Holy shit! What's the problem with that dog!?" Ryuko exalted after seeing the dog's stunts.

"He eats with a lot of gusto, so that's why his name is Guts. Don't worry, he gets along with cats just fine, so don't worry about both of them fighting themselves all the time." Mataro clarified his friend's question while eating.

Guts approached mona and offered the black cat a friendly handshake. Mona accepted it as his whiskers didn't sensed any danger coming from the canine creature. What Mataro said was true. Guts does get along with cats.

"What's the matter you two? Eat up! You both look pale as paper after everything you went through! Kids your age must eat a lot to grow big and strong! Take this from a medic like me." Bazaro Reclaimed while filling his mouth with croquettes and rice.

"Uhh… Aren't you a quack doctor?" Akira sweat dropped to counter the point of the patriarch of the Mankanshoku's, but was soon cut short once Mako stuffed his throat with those worm-stuffed croquettes.

"Don't sit there you two! Eat!" Mako exclaimed while shoving croquettes to the mouths of Akira, Ryuko and even Morgana. All of them are gonna be sick all night long.

Still, Joker saw the family smiling and laughing. Perhaps having less makes you happier thankful for the things you have, rather than the things you would wish to have. They do say that less is more.

But, not everyone thought the same thing. Especially the Student Council President of Honnouji Academy.


"The masses… what a herd of fools… Pigs in human clothing domesticated by the establishment and the status quo. Their only purpose in their pathetic lives is to be governed by me and Honnouji Academy." This was something that Satsuki Kiryuin would always tells herself every morning, and the very principal that she intoxicates into all of her students.

Upwards in Honnouji Academy, Satsuki Kiryuin was walking through the vast laboratory of the Sewing Club's catwalk, where Goku Uniforms were being mass produced and experimented on, and see if they could improve their main weapons to crush their enemies even further.

"Using the Goku Uniforms as our main weapons, we shall carve the path to humanity's future." Satsuki continued to talk about her master plan for conquest while striding through the halls of this testing area, having Iori behind her, her personal tailor. All the while, she saw Shiro Iori's One-Star servants sewing and stitching endless supplies of One-Star Goku Uniforms to fill the demands of her ever-expanding army, all of them wore special One-Star Goku Uniforms that resemble Anti-Toxic suits to not let the Life Fibers possess them via Mind Stitching, knowing that the procedure of Goku Uniform creation is just as complex as it is dangerous.

"I've always marveled how our school system obligates students to wear uniforms inspired by the military. The boys high-collar uniforms come from the army, while the girl's uniform comes from the navy. In our country, the uniforms the youth wear are for the sole purpose of learning. But here in Honnouji academy, we have designed each and one of our Goku Uniforms with their original purpose in mind, for combat! They will become our symbol of control and domination over the pigs." Satsuki concluded as both her and her lackey stopped in front of a giant machine with the shape of a giant washing machine, watching as hundreds of different One-Star Goku Uniforms in hangers passed in and out to be sanitized and stabilize the Life Fibers within them. "Your members of the Sewing Club are at the heart of our liberation and conquest of humanity, so take care as you work." The ruler of Honno city reminded Iori about his important role on her plans.

"Thank you for your words of encouragement, milady." Iori thanked Lady Satsuki. That's all he could say really. His role within the machinations of the young Kiryuin were so essential, that he couldn't slow down to accept compliments, even if they came from Satsuki.

Satsuki then checked her ultra-expensive phone to check the hour. "Sanageyama and Hakodate should be here within a minute." She sighted before putting her smartphone back on her pocket.

Behind Satsuki and Iori, a teenage girl with blonde hair and long pigtails who wore a tennis uniform bowed down, having the mulish Hanageyama on her side. "Tennis Club President and Emperor of Honnouji Omiko Hakodate, senior class-T, reporting as ordered."

"Punctual as ever, Hakodate. But its no surprise coming from our most lethal Club President of the Sports Division, even with your One-Star Goku Uniform restraining your potential. Now that I think about it, that One-Star Uniform can make you look the more vicious." Satsuki said without even bothering to look behind. "Now I ask, is your team ready to take the Hokkaido region?"

"No need to even ask, ma'am. The Club members are training themselves to death as we speak." Hakodate informed her ruler, and it was true. Each of her One-Stars has been molded into the ultimate killing machines which could be thanks to Hakodate's abusive reign over them and how she won't give them a single break to relax or re-hydrate.

"The REVOCS' legal team had to go through some serious shit and loopholes just to hide the true goals of this match. If the tennis club wins, the Kiryuins will have full control of all northern Japan and their schools will be forced to wear REVOCS' manufactured uniforms. So you better don't screw this up." Sanagayema hissed at his best lackey on his deck, even if his attitude towards her told that he despised her.

"Pfft! Are you insinuating that you doubt my skills? What do I look like to you? Fukuroda? Ha!" The tennis player grimaced, showing her set of sharp shark teeth. "You know every time you sent me to a mission to crush another one of dime a dozen maggot, I always come on top no matter what. Meeting expectations is like a drug to me, I just can't stop from doing it cuz' your praises are so intoxicating. So consider the Hokkaido region already yours, milady."

"I'm content of your enthusiasm." The Kiryuin smiled before fading away. "But, your summon to my presence has a more grandiose reason. In part of the Sewing Club, I'd like to bestow you a gift for your countless efforts for the sake of my name." Satsuki turned to Iori to nod at him, which made the blonde sewer press a button on a remote control of his. "Iori?"

A closet-like vault descended slowly, only to open and reveal a Two-Star Goku Uniform. "A gift from Lady Satsuki. A tennis-spec, athleticism-augmented Two-star Goku Uniform." Iori presented Omiko's new uniform to her. "it was design to enhance the destructive capabilities of your serves and bounce off anything with its Life Fiber Racket. Loaded with a near-endless supply of customly-made tennis balls which can reload itself thanks to the Life Fibers, which can re-supply themselves endlessly. I did get help from Jakuzure on some of the design choices, to be frankly the tennis racket. I hope it satisfy your expectations and most importantly, that it betters your performance in the future."

"I-I'm finally getting my own two-star Goku Uniform? I'm honored!" Omiko yelled in gratitude seeing that she was finally getting her two-star uniform and thus, a luxury life at the 2-star districts. Omiko has been sacrificing her whole life into tennis and giving her soul and youth to the Kiryuin, hoping that one day her hard work would be compensated. Which was now the day seeing that she has finally attained her own Two-Star Goku Uniform.

"But before you do anything stupid with it, you need to know something that you should engrave in your mind first…" Satsuki then showed the tennis club president a photo of Akira out of her other pocket, while also noticing Sanageyama snarling at the photo. "You see this? This is Akira Kurusu. A new student at Honnouji Academy that I myself enrolled personally. You may recall him for engaging and humiliating former Boxing Club President Takaharu Fukuroda, correct?"

"Uhh… Why should I be concerned about a wimpy No-Star?" Omiko asked her superior in confusion.

"This No-Star was the one responsible of freezing the entire courtyard. If this is just a fracture of his power, then it'll be a nightmare if we have him as our enemy, so the least thing I want from all of you is to antagonize him and give us a bad image to him. So if I were you, I wouldn't swear it on my name to even think about annoying him. Just make sure to not tear off my gift before your match. Understand?" Satsuki both warned and advised her minion with a cold voice.

"Understood Milady. Once I'm back, I shall train the tennis club harsher until they collapse and win the match at all costs!" Omiko promised her goddess as Sastuki exits the sewing club and goes back to her chamber.

The student council president sat down while Soroi served her some tea. Perhaps it was time to let off her accumulating stress she harnesses when she has to control her Academy, and what better way than her butler's special tea?

"I've always asked myself milady, why haven't you donned a Goku Uniform yourself after all these years? You're more than worthy to use it." The butler asked his master.

"My skills and my sword are sufficient. I don't need Life Fibers to prove my perfection."

"Good point…" Soroi nodded. "Then perhaps the question lies if the uniform is worthy of being worn by you."

Satsuki then sighted to affirm, yet her eyebrows remained tense by an ongoing question she wanted to adress. "Still, there's one thing that has been keeping me up at night…"

"And what is it, milady?"

She took another sip of her cup before she could continue. "It's about Akira and what regards his future. Not even I can't safely say that he will end up helping my cause. He could turn into an unstoppable yet obedient servant capable of overpowering even the likes of my own mother, or on worst case scenarios, he could ally himself with the naked fools if he finds about our darkest secrets. It's hard to describe him. He's like some sort of…" Sastuki didn't knew how to describe the situation while sinking a tea bag to her tea.

"Like some sort of wild card?"

"I've couldn't put it on better terms." She smirked while handling her cup of tea. "By the way, get me a new cup of tea. Maybe combining your tea with apple wasn't a good idea."

"Everything for you, miss. Today has been a really busy day, it would be of your best interest to find some rest." Soroi shuffled to the exit with the tray of tea set to leave his master alone with her thoughts, and her anxieties.

The student council president then left a sigh of relief. Not even her expected that someone so chaotic as Akira could be the primary reason of her worries. But alas, he's just another pig in clothes in the end. She will just take care of his disobedience like she does with her rest of the herd. "Until then, I have until the cultural-sports festival to domesticate this wild card before the bells of the end toll…"


"Good morning Ryuko! Rise and shine, cuz' it's school time!" Mako woke up her friend who was still sleeping with her roosting voice.

"Mako? The hell are you up so early…? It's like 6 in the morning or so…" Ryuko wasn't happy to be awoken so early in the morning, revealing her pajama with a bunny patron who borrowed from Mako. She was surprised that she managed to get enough Zs for the night despite how horrible yesterday's dinner turned out to be. "H-hey! Where the hell did Fuzzy Hair go?" She turned around finding out that the messy-haired teen was nowhere to be seen.

"Mreow…" Morgana called the tomboy from the outside of her room to point out his owner's location.

"Thanks for telling her, Morgana." Mako waved at the cat which only weirded Ryuko. "Ren's been help mom with breakfast up in the morning. Isn't he the best?"

"Well, I just hope that his cooking is as good as his ability to kick-ass, or I'll barf whathever crap he made on his face." She groaned. Having to suffer with constant stomach-pains through all the night really soured Ryuko's hopes for a decent meal on this household.

Meanwhile with an already dressed Ren and Suyuko, he was showing his barista skills to the mom, surprising her by the delicious smell of curry in the morning came from the stove and frying pan. She had to admit that the boy was quite the sorcerer in the kitchen.

"Thank you for considering helping me at the kitchen. Just like when Mataro was still an innocent and good boy." Sukuyo told the boy with her always-prevalent smile.

Well, he wasn't the best chef in the world that was certain, but his time as a barista in Le blanc taught him the basics of cooking and Sojiro's secret technique that made his dishes so deliciously magical. He in the kitchen was the only thing that could make a Makanshoku's dish edible, and he did this to say thanks to the family for letting him stay in their home for the rest of his stay at Honnouji.

"Morning Ren. Kinda dumb of you to wake up this early and forget your bag and bookcase." Matoi said hi to his kinda-but-not-really-friend while handing him his things.

"Nyaaaah… Had to admit that our first night wasn't that horrible as I expected, if we cut the midnight stomachaches that is…" Morgana told his opinion about the night since those croquettes weren't really nice to their digestive systems. He could swear that he could still hear the pleas of deliverance of his stomach.

"Good news everyone, your lunch is ready to go. Made by Ren's and my love." Suyuko then gave the 3 Honnouji students their lunchboxes all wrapped on cutesy-pootsy cloth bags with an adorable bow that tied them up.

"Well, I had to pay the rent in one way or another, right? Hope my food gives you enough fuel for the day." Akira Joked while Morgana got inside his duffle bag to later grab his stuff and say goodbye to Ms. Makanshoku.

"Safe travel girls, and you too Ren!" Ms. Mankanshoku waved goodbye to the kids from the doorframe of her home. "If you see a mugger, you have my full permission to hill him! I'll take care of hiding the body if something like that were to happen."

"And make sure to check their pockets for something sweet!" Mataro intertwined just to sour the mood, which made him head a good smack in the head by her mother.

The trio picked up the tram that arrived at 6:20 am. For their lucky surprise, they found that their wagon was pretty much empty to the core. Must be that these times of day it wasn't Honnouji Rush hour.

They all pick up a seat to relax and admire the vast water of Tokyo bay. Yet Ryuko couldn't put away her attention from the wealthy condos resting on top of the filth-inducing slums.

"Big gap between the rich and the poor here, huh? Wonder why?" Ryuko sighted in wonder, causing Mako to wake up from her power nap to explain the reason up to detail. This also brought Akira's attention to know more about the social gap in Honno.

"That's because the whole island is ruled by Lady Satsuki and the Kiryuin clan you see." Mako answered with optimism, even tho the subject matter was dark for her bobble-head.

"I know that this whole land is funded by the Kiryuin group, but why did they had to emphasize so much between class disparity?" Asked Akira from the comfort of his seat while Morgana rested on his lap taking a nappy.

"That's easy Ren. You see, not only do Goku Uniforms give you super-duper-dope super-powers, they are also determinate your place in society here in Honno City. The more Stars you have, the more rewards you and your family have. No-Stars like us get the slums, the One-Stars students get to live in the One-Star apartments , which is the industrial area with all of those steel pipes around it, the Two-Stars like the Club Presidents get to live the high life right on top of the Two-Star districts and the Three-Stars get to live like kings and sleep right inside Honnouji Academy alongside Lad Satsuki of all people! Isn't it cool to have Lady Satsuki be your roomie? Cuz me and the small Mako living in my head think so!"

"So your school status determines your place in society? Man! Talk about fucked up…" Ryuko could only feel disgusted by the societal division that's plaguing Honno City. He may be a girl whose least strong part is etiquette and doesn't consider herself selfless, but her hatred for injustices was just as big as her temper.

"So this whole island works under a meritocracy system, huh?" Akira muttered as he looked over the opulent and braggart structures of the mansions of the 2-Star districts. "Wonder that's how they incentivize students to climb the ladder…"

"I don't know what meritocracy means, but I fully know how you can raise ranks Ren!" Mako raised her finger to put Akira on date. "You see, the way to gains stars is to prove the Student Council that you're indeed a top-performing student, and the best method is to form part of one of the many Clubs in the school." She explained, holding still that cheerful demeanor of hers. "I mostly flunk at exams and don't really attend Club activities, so that's why I've been stuck as a No-Star since first year."

"And are you still okay living on a dump? Don't you at wish to live somewhere you know, better?" Akira asked the easygoing teenage girl.

"Nope! I'm pretty happy where I live, because I have my family, mom's yummylicious croquettes and even the friends I made who a pack of rats that've been eating all of our scraps at the backyard! There's barry, henry, oliver, sakami, mikato, alice, tommy-"

While Mako continued to babble out nonsense, Akira was too occupied thinking about a straightforward plan to ascend pyramid as efficient as possible. One thing for certain is that it would be for his best to find a suitable club to join. Only problem was, is to endure whatever asshole of a Club President it has without his face ending up disfigured.


The 3 stooges rolled up to Class-K on time. Aikuro Mikisugi, their homeroom teacher stood in front of the chalkboard with the titular rogue beside his shoulder, all the while the rest of students were all sit on their respective seats.

"Alright class, we've been assigned with a new student, so I wish for y'all to lend me your attention. His name's Akira Kurusu. You might know him better as the stranger that defeated former Boxing Club President Takaharu Fukuroda without the need of a Goku Uniform. As the Student Council informed me, Lady Satsuki has enrolled him into my class in hopes she could be able to improve his potential. All right Mr. Kurusu, could you be kind to present yourself to your future peers?" Mikisugi told his class while Akira greeted everyone.

"It's very nice to meet you all. My name's Akira Kurusu and I come from Yongenjaya, Tokyo. I hope we all can be friends in the near future." Surprisingly, Kurusu addressed everyone in the room with a formal bow and everything. Something pretty out-of-character of him in the grand scheme of things.

Most of the No-Stars said nothing in respect, fearing that any bad word to him could end up with Kurusu lashing Arsene against them. Well, all except for Mako who was waving with energy, but he could hear whispers among the other sstudents with the male ones saying thing that it would be better to not even think about touching him with a seven-foot pole to not enrage him while the girls only cooed with themselves about his good looks. He wished to be received like a normal student, but he couldn't hope so seeing the literal dictadorship happening here in Honnouji Academy. But one thing's for certain and is that it was at least leagues better than his welcome he had at Shuijin Academy.

Though, once the Phantom Thief shook off those thoughts, he quickly noticed something missing in the class. "ummm… Mikisugi-Sensei, and how exactly am I going to sit?" He turned at the middle-age teacher pointing the lack of vacant desks.

"Oh right… I forgot that we don't have any vacant seats left…" Mikisugi nodded while scratching the back of his hair. "Well, things've gotten a bit uncomfortable here."

On that moment, Ira Gamagori opened the gate of class K's classroom with a loud THUD! A Thud strong enough to tremble the entire classroom. Of course, his pretense made all classmates tremble in fear excepting the rebel teens and the teacher.

"Do not fear students, I have no business with any of you, as far as I know." The giant told everyone to ease off their nerves. "As you may know, it is my duty as the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee to aid new students integrate into Honnouji academy without problems, including spunky and rebellious brats who think they're somehow above the law…" Gamagori informed everyone, narrowing at Joker and Ryuko specifically. "Akira Kurusu, the Carpintery Club requested me to give you this desk, seeing that they weren't any vacant seats for you to sit down." Gamagori told Joker while slamming a newly-built desk to the left side of Ryuko's. "Better not screw your reputation too early, Punk. Lady Satsuki has high expectations on you…" Gamagori narrowed at the phantom thief right before tucking himself out of the classroom, leaving most students dumbfounded.

"Well that was hella random." Ryuko sweadropped.

"Anyhow, hope you ain't got all fret over well, that happening." Mikisugi mumbled all while the class focused back at their history lecture. "By the way Kurusu. Just to put you on foot, we're studying the happenings of World War 2. But if you have any question in regards, don't doubt to ask me for help. Alright class, let's all open notebooks on page 35."

The class began without any inconveniences. Like Aikuro stated, it was mostly about how Hitler and the Nazis rose to power, but unlike Ryuko and especially Mako who were just ignoring the teacher, with the prior already snoozing and drooling a river of saliva, Akira was taking notes of the class from the biggest event to the smallest sneeze. But there's was something that's been bothering him. The dates of the events were much earlier than on his world, maybe world war 2 happened way earlier than he anticipated.

"Hey. You aren't seriously paying attention to whatever hot garbage that hobo is spilling out." Ryuko rose an eyebrow in surprised that someone with a caliver as Akira was putting his whole soul and mind on taking notes.

"And don't tell me you aren't even paying at least a span of attention Ryuko." Kurusu answered back with snark. "I strive to climb the Goku Uniform ladder. So if I want the Student Council to notice my worth, I must be as good of a student as I am of a fighter, and you should too. Your scissor blade and Kamui won't be enough to save you from flunking, ya' know?"

"Wait! A K-ka-what!?"

"It's not that complicated Ryuko. A Kamui is what I am. That's the name of those that are similar to me. At least, that's what my vague memory has record of. Not that I remember any other Kamui except for me." The talking skirt told his wearer before her question would mutate into frustration.

"And who the hell ask you to open your big mouth, mr. Smartypants? Though you got a bad case of amnesia, or were you lying all this time?"

No matter how much Ryuko tried to persuade the living Sailor Uniform, he only sighted since it was the only think he recalls in his memory before being put to sleep by Isshin Matoi.

"Ryuko? Were you spacing out? I'm just saying as your homeroom teacher that its for your best interest to take notes, this could be coming on this semerster's exams, you know?" Mikisugi popped Ryuko's bubble and snap her back to reality with a sudden gasp.

"What!? O-of course not! I may be a punk from neck to teeth, but I'm certainly not a dumbass!" She pouted, clearly sounding grouchy and not wanting to admit it.

"Really? Then let's put your knowledge to the test." He challenged the tomboyish girl with a quick pop quiz to see if her brain was as sharp as her sword. "Before Adolf Hitler rose to power and become the infamous dictator of the Nazis, who was he before that?"

"I…" Ryuko prodded her forehead to see if her head had something in there about the subject matter. "He was, uhh…" The tap of her fingernails became faster the more she anguished, and her Kamui could feel this by her rising blood pressure.

"That's easy." Before Ryuko could just admit she didn't knew and become the laughing stock of the classroom, Akira swoop to the rescue by raising his hand to answer. "Hitler once aspired to become a world-renowned artist, but his dreams were crushed once he failed the entrance exams of the Acaademy of Fine Arts Viena."

On that moment, the Class-K teacher applaud at Akira's words. "Wow! Absolutely stunning for a freshman. Well done." He cheered for the Phantom Thief as he looked back to his students. "In fact, Hitler tried twice to enter and failed those 2 times. Who knows? They say 3 times the charm, but for him failing the 2nd time was the straw that broke the camel's back."

"Wow! I didn't knew you were super-smart Ren!" Mankanshoku jumped out from her slumber in admiration of her new classmate's skills in remembering facts.

"Don' shake your maraca that loud Mako. All he did was recall a pointless trivia about the dumb mustache man and that's it." Ryko blurted at her friend, not feeling really impressed. Though, that didn't stop her from leaning toward's Kurusu. "By the way Fuzzy Hair, thanks for saving my butt. For a moment I thought I would be left in ridicule…"

The other students also recognized his smarts and started to whisper to one another to praise how good of a normal student Akira was being alongside being practically a force of natures compared to the usual Club President.

"Nice going Joker. You must be putting your brain to answer like that." As tradition, Morgana popped out from the boy's bag to eulogize his partner in crime. Seems that his human friends really meant it when he promised himself to rise on top of the students to save this world.

Giving that correct answer made Joker felt smart, feeling knowledge pumping into his veins.

Akira's Knowledge has improved!


Class was over and it was finally sweet break time. Kurusu and the 2 girls were traversing through the busy hallways to see if they could find a good spot outside to have some lunch, passing through the massive crowd of students, fearing and praising the phantom thief for what he did yesterday like some sort of god amongst men.

And let's not forget about the Club Presidents. Rows of Two-Star kids were standing on their knees before the Trickster to beg him to form part of their respecting Club, promising great rewards and special privileges if he accepts. It was a Tug-o-war between the Presidents to see who could pull the new No-Star big shot to their side.

"Your first day in school and everyone's already starting to lick your boots, or shoes on that matter. Geez! This school has some really bad self-esteem issues!" Ryuko got surprised and concerned about the students' behavior.

"It's not that of a biggie Ryuko. Ren was super-duper-awesome when he beat the crap out of Fukuroda, remember? Heck! The One-Stars even told me that he had a private meeting with Lady Satsuki before joining school! Gosh! You must be a true baddass if you were able to talk with Lady Satsuki in person, Ren! That's why I love you so much!" Mako wrapped herself in Kurusu's torso to show her affection for the bespectacled teen. Though, it wasn't like if it bothered him or anything. They all continued until they finally reached the giant courtyard to relax and fill their tanks with delicacies made by yours truly.

For Joker, at least it was better than his first day at Shuijin academy, with how his criminal record was leaked and soon after he was mistreated as the anti-christ by the students. But this being a whole new world where he was practically a trespasser, those permanent social scars were pretty much non-existant.

Back at the schoolyard, the trio of locos finished stuffing their stomachs with Joker's special curry. They felt replenished to the max with the mix of the few fresh ingredients he found on the Mankanshoku's food stash and his secret cooking techniques. But unfortunately, their time was run short. Recess was about to end and they had to be back to Class-K on time, or it was one ticket to punishment.

Making their way back to the giant building, Mako quickly remembered something she wanted to tell Ryuko that her mom wanted to tell her. "By the way Ryuko, my mom says tha-" Just before Mako could finish her sentence, a barrage of tennis balls coming at fast-speed were about to pummel the poor coconut-headed girl without any previous warning.

"Look out!" Joker pushed the girls out of the way to invoke Arsene and cover themselves behind the gentleman thief's wings.

"What the crap!? Were those t-tennis balls!?" Ryuko exclaimed in sheer shock, not before discovering that Akira has been covered in light bruises around his body. "Even worse! What the hell happened to you?" She shrieked in concern.

Kurusu didn't look that worried, despite the spots in his body. "This? Don't worry, it's normal for me. Whenever my Persona is hurt, that same damage goes to me."

"Well, that's swell to hear. If only fukuroda knew that before getting his ass wrecked. But well, there's no point to cry over disposable wet tissues." A snarky female voice called over the trio.

"GYAH! Aw crap! It's her! Q-quick! Hide me Ryuko!" Mako chicken out on the spot when she recognize that dreadful voice before taking refugee behind Matoi's guitar case.

The 2 punks took a better look at the approaching figure, being of slender woman around her late teens and early twenties with teeth as sharp as a shark and a long and devious tongue similar to that of Venom, lifting a tennis ball up and down to tease her possible prey. Behind her, there was a gang of One-Stars, both male and female, all wearing Goku Uniforms of Pro-Tennis Players.

"Of course it had to be one you Club President douchebags!" Ryuko stomped her foot and crossed her arms before heading down to the malicious enemy she is going to face now. "Let me save ya' the boring villain monologue. Tennis Club, am I right?"

"Bingo-Bongo new girl, or as I like to call freshmen, fresh meat." The girl made herself known, carrying her new Two-Star Goku Uniform to intimidate those in front of her "The name's Omiko Hakodate, President of the Tennis club and 2 highest-ranking member of the 6 emperors of Honnouji, at your service!" She tipped her sports cap to tease the duo and frighten Mankanshoku. "Apologies if I may interrupt you love buds, but unfortunately the No-Star cowering behind you has committed a high crime against my Club, so if you know what's best for you, I'll advise you to hand over Mankanshoku and save us time. Sound about right?"

"Hey! The hell are you talking about?" Ryuko was the first to step in and reclaim at the empress of tennis. "What the hell did Mako do to piss you off?"

"Oh right… I forgot you 2 are new here at Honnouji Academy. I hate to lecture chum buckets like you, but someone here has to teach you how things work around here." Hakodate grunted a bit irritated before looking back at the Phantom Thief and the Kamui wielder. "You see, Mako Makanshoku is a member of my Tennis Club, and for her dismay she hasn't fulfilled her obligations as she should, so I've come to a conclusion that the best course of action is to purge her." Omiko explained why she assaulted Mako while pointing the giant Life Fiber Racket towards the aforementioned girl who was still quaking like a plate of pudding.

"Wait! If you're a member of a club, then why you're still a no-star?" Ryuko asked her friend hiding on her back.

Then, Mako remembered. "OH RIGHT! YESTERDAY WAS THE DAY THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ME MY ONE-STAR GOKU UNIFORM! D'OH, HOW COULD I BE SO CLUMSY!? By the way, nice Goku Uniform Omiko."

Akira quickly blocked Omiko's sight from Ryuko and Mako to furrow at the at the villainess, meaning that he was ready to take her on if she dared to pick on the girls. "Are you psychotic? One small absence is enough reason to kill her? And you better give me enough of a decent reason for having that idea, you sick fucks!"

Omiko then chuckled maliciously. Even if she saw the whole brawl of yesterday, she didn't felt that scared of Akira "Isn't it obvious? Makanshoku already told you so. Now she must be the target practice for my 1000 serve cannonballs. An Emperor of Honnouji as I has a busy schedule, you know? I have an upcoming match with those freshwater twerps of Hokkaido, and who better dummy to practice my new Ultimate Technique than my inept ball boy!"

They weren't serious! Are they really going to murder someone in cold blood just because she missed a session? "Bullshit! Mako didn't had any control over what happened the other day! I was there as proof! Hell! Half the students saw the whole thing! If there's one asshole to blame, it's Fukuroda! Which brings the point, shouldn't you have step in into the situation, knowing fully-well that another Club kidnapped one of your members without your consent!?" Akira exclaimed moderately enraged.

"Heh. Typical newbie." The shark-toothed girl sighted with a smug expression. "Call me a huge butt, but Mako should have signed and submitted her kidnapping permission papers to the Student Council beforehand. She should have seen that coming when the new girl pissed off Fukuroda. And don't even bother with your lame witness excuses. Honnouji Academy only accept ink and paper, not feelings and emotions." Hakodate then brought a paper of kidnapping to make the example. "But I think I'm over-extending myself. Fire at will boy!" Once done, the president snapped her fingers, making the One-star tennis players serve a shower worth of thousand tennis balls against the no-star.

Joker gritted his teeth and was ready to use Arsene to serve all of those balls back at those jerks. But it just so happens that Ryuko was the first to react by stepping in front of her friends and protect them using her guitar case as a shield which managed to absorb every last hit. "Seriously dude! What's with you cowards and picking on others who can't even fight back!? And what the hell is a Honnouji Emperor, dammit!?"

HALLELUJAH!

Mako then got pumped up as a flashlight surrounded her whole being, which somehow materialized an entire black chalkboard beside her wile Ren and Ryuko have been sat on school desks for some inexplicably reason. "Who are the 6 emperors you may ask? They're the strongest, baddest and most influential clubs of all Honnouji Academy ever! These 6 Clubs are known to be the best of the best amongst all Club Presidents, often forming part of the decisions and plans of the Student Council! They're like the sea warlords of One Piece while the elite 4 are like the Yonkos and Lady Satsuki is like the queen of pirates. The emperors consist of the Tennis club, the Gardering club, the Comedy club, the sumo club, the Tabletop RPG club and the Sewing Club! Not even most of the other Club Presidents don't even dare to lay a finger on them. They're like super-strong and super-awesome! Like Ms. Hakodate right here!"

"God! You just don't know when to shut your beak up, now die!" Hakodate grew tired of Mako's long talk and decided to attack with a strong flat shot from her giant racket. The streght of the shot was such, it practically made the tennis ball set on fire, which was even worse news for Mako.

SLICE!

Matoi thought fast and split the incoming fireball into twins with a swift vertical slice of her Scissor Blade. If her enemy was honest, it left Omiko impressed.

"Oh! So that's the infamous Scissor Blade that shredded Fukuroda's Uniform? Nice butter-knife, despite how goofy it looks." The Tennis captain said her compliments with a smug expression and a rub on her chin.

"Eyup! And in a few seconds, It's going to do the same to you!" Ryuko blurted standing ready to fight if necessary. But first, she had to get Mankanshoku out of the bloody kitchen. "Don't you stand there Mako! Bone out while I hold these nutjobs!" She implored her friend as the One-Stars continued to bombard her with tennis balls.

"B-bone out? I don't know how to do that Ryuko!" She babbled ruefully before turning at Akira for clarification. "Hey Re, do you know how to get your skeleton out of yourself? I'm thinking about ways to bone out like Ryuko said."

"Uhh… Mako, I think she means to just run away…" Kurusu responded with an awkward tone. It was definetly obvious that Mako's incompetence was a big weakness of hers when it comes to understanding slangs and buzzwords.

Mankanshoku then gasped and jump from her place. "Gyah! Roger roger Ryuko! Class' about to start in 3 minutes! I don't want to be late and be thrown into the dungeon!" With that, the clumsy girl sprinted behind Ryuko to get back to Class-K, which no-doubtly infuriated Hakodate.

"Hey, come back here, you round-brained bimbo! When I get ya', I'll multiply your punishment by 100! So get that butt back here right no-MPH!" Omiko got her big mouth shut with a tennis ball shoved down her mouth. Courtesy of Ryuko.

"What's the deal with her? Does Honnouji Academy has no shut your mouth class or what?" Ryuko grunted. "Hey nerd, how about you bust off too? I got this bitch in the side pocket! You're only getting in my way." She proclaimed to the thief full of herself.

"Are you sure you can hold them by yourself? Last time I remember, you got practically stomped by Fukuroda. And I doubt she would be a breeze either."

"Hey! I could've beaten that clown all by my own! It's not my fault that you had slam your ass to the scene when no one asked you." Matoi exclaimed with a slight aggression on her voice.

"If I were you, I would take his advice." The talking "Kamui" told Ryuko. "My Life Fibers sense a strong aura coming from that girl. It's so much that it's practically overshadowing Fukuroda's. Don't be so stubborn Ryuko, just let him take care of this."

"Oh! So now you're siding with him? Come on, don't be such a gloom! Let's shut that bitch up for good!" Ryuko hissed at her uniform, which only made Hakodate cringe.

And yet, nothing has happened…

1 whole minute passed between the characters, and the only noise everyone could hear were the akwards crickets.

"Uhh… Hello?! I said, let's do this!" Matoi demanded to know why her Kamui hasn't transformed yet.

"As much as you want me to change, I'm not going to. You're clearly outmatched and engaging in combat will only end horribly for you. And didn't you despise having to wear that "Hooker's getup"?"

"Do I look like I care right now? I won't let this idiot continue to think that she can do whatever she wants like she's the center of the world! So come on, just turn into that slut dress and let me put that tennis freak on her place!" Ryuko grew desperate and tired absolutely everything to get his skirt on, from pulling it like taffy to bitting it like a savage meat. But all the afromentioned ended up with the same conclusion. Nothing.

"Great… Not even a minute passed, and she showed to be more of a screwball than Mankanshoku… Speaking of balls!" Omiko grew tired of seeing Ryuko yell at her clothes and slammed Matoi with a storm of tennis balls that hurl her out from the campus' ground before splashing down the river that connected the sewers of the city, floating like a corpse wo whatever the waters would take her.

"Ryuko!" Akira cried while running to see his friend's body floating away. Dammit! He could have easily stop that attack, yet Hakodate proved to have the faster reflexes.

"Haha! That's it? Guess she was just all bark than bite, I guess she'll do better as a fish in the water." Omiko chimed while reparting high-fives with her fellow One-Star minions. "Anyhow, off to catch that No-Star good for nothing. The faster we kill her, the sooner I can focus on practice." Her crew then walked away without a care in the world, but soon their road would be stopped by a sudden dark blast that pushed a good number of One-Stars off the same river, which caught Omiko's attention.

"Aren't you forgetting someone…?" Kurusu drawled with a bitter mood with Arsene out.

Instead of feeling angered by Akira's transgression, she only looked at the new guy with a soured face. "Oh, right… The Cocky new guy that's the talk of the town… Look, I don't wish to rain on your parade, even if it's really fun to bully No-Stars no matter the hour, but I have some bones to pick with Mankanshoku first. So how about you do like a fly and buzz off?"

The only response the malicious tennists received was a spiteful groan from the Phantom Thief all the while Morgana joined in with a violent hiss.

"Wait? Are you seriously going to fight me?" Hakodate owled trying her best to contain her laughter.

"Not fight you, teach you a lesson in basic humility. I could care less if you're an emperor or whathever. It doesn't elevate you from anyone else. I'm not going to stand here and let you pick on people you know can't fight back!" Uppon declaration, Arsene roared and intensed the blue flames that covered its body.

The remaining Tennis Club unbound a crowd of laughs. Akira grew confused of to why, until Hakodate stopped her jiggling fit and walked closed to the bespectacled boy.

"Look, Akira Kuru- Akira Kurama… Whathever your name! Don't get me wrong, your streght is legit. But as much as I would like you to play with you, I'm afraid I can't give myself the luxury." She snarled while shrugging her arms up.

"What's that I heard? You're scared? Afraid I will mess up your Goku Uniform perhaps?"

"Neh… 2/3." Hakodate stated. "Unlike that arrogant weakling of Fukuroda, I know my place. After all, it was orders of Lady Satsuki to not fight you in any shape or form. Like I said before, I have an appointment with the suckers of Hokaido, and I won't spoil my newly-gifted Goku Uniform that I worked so hard just to get into a stupid bout. Which reminds me, rumor has it that you're trying to climb the societal ladder, am I right…? Heheheahahaha…"

"So?" Joker snarked at the shark-toothed girl since he was a hard cookie to be broken. "If I'm correct, beating someone with a prestigious rank such as a Honnouji Emperor would grant me an assure promotion."

Hakodate let a soft chuckle before turning back Akira. "As much as Honnouji Academy's narutal law is that of the survival of the fittest, I'm afraid that your childish assumption isn't that accurate. Sure, the Student Council could recognize your merits and resolve if you beat a good number of high-ranked students, but what would happen if they find out that a student injured a fellow pier that was about to do something for our academy?"

"By the way you describe it, you don't seem to mind."

"Well, aren't you a smartass? I won't be affected by this, but what would the Disciplinary Committee think about? Just picture me this. Ungrateful No-Star assaults Honnouji Emperor the day before a scheduled match? The most logical conclusion would be getting you expelled from all things." Soon as Omiko stopped her yabbering, something came up on her mind. "But now that I think about it, maybe we could settle this discussion with both of us winning. I'm not a total monster, I can be virtuous on rare occasions. Seeing that you're desperate to gain stars, and seeing that I could use some extra manpower on my Tennis team…"

"You want me to join your Club?"

"Huh… Stripped the words out of my mouth." Hakodate left surprised. "But as you said, you're free to join my Tennis Club is you wish. Applications are always open and amongst the Club President community, everyone has their eyes locked on you."

"Doesn't the rules state that joining a club doesn't automatically promotes you to One-Star status? If I remember correctly, you had to be at least a member for 1 week and have the Club President's approval? That or you just want a new ball boy once you're over with Mako." Joker retorted, crossing his arms.

"Come on. I'm trying to be nice with ya'. You don't need to act that grouchy." Omiko responded. "Don't even get yourself anxious about that part. Since I'm the second best of the Honnouji Emperors, I can easily convince that dumb chimp of Sanageyama to ascend you to One-Star with no problemo."

"As much as you're trying to bribe me in joining, I will still refuse eitherway. Not after what you did to my friends." Akira's values and morals prove to not have changed just like his old friend Yoshida has taught him. He was a hero of justice, and as much as he wanted to get to Three-Star status as fast as he could, he won't let himself use shortcuts that contradicts his beliefs.

Unfortunately, Hakodate wasn't a passenger of the same boat. She's an elite snob of Honnouji Academy, so of course she thought that basic human decency was for chumps. "Derg… Don't tell me you're one of those selfless nerds…" She squinted in annoyance.

"You got a problem with being a decent person?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." She contested before pointing her giant racket onto the Trickster's nose. And still his confidence didn't disappeared with this threat. "Chums like you case me pitty, really. In fact, all of Honnouji Academy thinks that those who think about those dumb things like 'Good or Evil' are but ambitionless wimps who are too chicken to do what it needs to be done."

"Bullying people is your life's purpose and yet you're calling me pathetic?" Instead of Joker approaching the Tennis Club President with his trademark snark, he simply talked with a more cringed tone.

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT, FOUR-EYES!" Hakodate barked furiously. "What I'm trying to say is that what you pigs call "compassion, kindness, heroism and empathy" will just end up making you fall under the deepest part of nature's food chain. So here's my advice for you, No-Star loser! Justice in Honnouji Academy is pointless. In this school, is kill or be killed! Survival of the fittest! Primal Chaos on its rawest concept!" She narrowed down before going back to her own servants. "Let's get the hell out of here boys. It's no use to talk to retards like him."

SCRASH!

Hakodate's men were blasted out of campus by another dark blast from Arsene's part, reducing her followers to 0.

"Don't think you can walk away so easily." Akira called the twin-tailed with Arsene behind. "People who think good and evil like you are a total eyesore. You only say that to validate your abhorrent actions and are too coward to affront the consequences!"

"'Ewww… You BaStards dOn't Want to Face Consequences. CHOKE ON A SOCK, WILL YA!?" Hakodate wasted no time to strike Akira with a violent shout. "Beat it nerd! I won't damage my Goku Uniform for a stupid fit! How about you stop picking on me and kill yourself!?" With that furious babble, Hakodate turned her back on Joker and flounced back to classroom, yet a malicious grin could be seen on the thief's face.

"What? Afraid to admit you aren't up to expectations just cuz' I'm better than you?"

And just like that, Hakodate stopped in her tracks. Something in-between what Akira said irk her bad time.

"What did you say to me…?" Hakodate began to sound more personal with how she turned and narrowed at the eyes of the thief.

"Touched a nerve there? Good." Joker smirked in accomplishment. "If I can give my best guess, something tells me that you're a people pleaser."

Everyone that was still on the courtyard could tell that Omiko was infuriated by that sassy comment by the veins bulging on her head. As much as Hakodate was as arrogant and proud, she was also infamous for having a very short fuse. And most people who have pissed her off have either ended up on the emergency room or buried 6 feet underground. But alas, she flounced with hefty steps that were causing cracks on the floor and even Joker could strangely tell that her teeth have grown sharper not before being caught off guard by the tennist's palm grabbing him by the collar before pulling him right before her.

"Listen up you custaceous cheapstake! I had to break my back for who knows how many times to be where I am now! Do you have any idea the amounts of sacrifices I had to make? The hurles I had to jump over? The pain I had to endure? Unlike those brainless snobs of the other Presidents, I had to start as a No-Star dweeb like you, and now you think you're above me just because you left an impression to Lady Satsuki with your cheap parlor tricks!?"

"If Lady Satsuki saw something in me rather than you, you could put it that way." Either way, Joker mumbled like if it was a normal conversation, which was enough to gain a violent slam to the ground by part of the Tennis captain.

Mona jumped off from the bag only to cover his mouth with his paw in horror over the crater Omiko alone created without even the need of her Tennis Racket. "This is worse than I thought! These Club Presidents are going to be an hard obstacle to get through!" He yielped in shock as Kurusu slowly got himself up. Even after having to throw hands against a divine figure, Joker felt the hit like real hard.

And Hakodate wasn't done with him. Her eyes reflected a predatory red glow. Grimmacing in disguist she snarled. "So mark these words in your brain. Don't get in my way, OR YOU'LL BE TARTAR SAUCE-"

"Skipping classes, aren't we?"

The whole world came to a pause as both Hakodate and Akira flinched by the sound of that bombastic, deep and familiar voice. Both youths turn their heads only to have their view be blocked by the imposing figure of…

"M-M-M-MISTER G-G-GAMAGORI!" The Shark-toother senior stammered and did a 180 degree turn on her personality, now showing herself acting like an agitated chicken over the titanic toad looking down over the 2 fleabags. Akira wasn't as scared as Hakodate per say, but his heart-pulse increased significantly and he felt his whole world freeze up. After all, Ira Gamagori was the ultimate authority over all Honno City being behind Satsuki Kiryuin.

Surprisingly, Gamagori bared a neutral look despite his blonde brows furrowing. "Both of you, shame on you! You dare to call yourselves Students of Honnouji Academy and still have the nerves to behave like uncivilized swines?"

Hakodate put her anxiety straight in order to make her point. "L-look, I'm sorry! It's just that the new kid won't let me alone unless he kicks my ass! He started it-"

"WHAT A MOUND OF DRIBLE! HALF-ASSED EXCUSES ARE NOT EXPECTED FOR SOMEONE WITH A HIGH STANDARD LIKE YOU, OMIKO HAKODATE!" Gamagori roared to interrupt the shark from talking. "You know well that hurting students outside of extra-curricular classes is a grave offense to this school, Justifying it by saying you transgressed Mankanshoku to prove the limits of your Goku Uniform is only going to make you look weak and pathetic! You have to value your own troops, which begs the question. Where is your party now? Also, Lady Satsuki ordered you dierectly to not engage with Akira Kurusu for the moment. You should be focused on the Hokkaido match, miss."

"I-i-i…" Omiko parroted trying to come up with a good reason, yet she knew that Gamagori won't be gobbling up her lies.

And now, it was time for Akira to get his well-deserved scolding. "And you! Reccess has concluded 5 minutes ago. You should have been on class instead of jumping lectures. Even if Lady Satsuki has her divine eye on you, it won't save you from any absences."

"B-but!" Mona's paw perched itself on Joker's arm, interrupting him before he would look at his black cat.

"Don't even try to reason with Gamagori, Joker. His ideals are clearly headstrong. Talking it out will just be talking with a brick wall." Mona tried to reasoned with his friend. Gamagori was committed to maintain the order of Honnouji Academy, so trying to argue with him would be a pointless thing to do.

Joker followed his friend's advice and turned his head down to hear whathever scold Gamagori had in store for you. "Whichever rule I foolishy violated, I take full responsibility for my actions."

Ira got surprised by the sudden repemtment in part of Kurusu. "Nice. A student that accepts the consequences of their actions. However, knowing that Hakodate has a very important match tomorrow and that Akira is a new student thus haven't been accustomed to the school's environment, I shall pardon these transgressions. But don't hope that I will forgive any future violations, understand?"

"Yes sir." Both teens bend over in response.

"Good." Gamagori nodded seeing that the 2 know what's better for them before turning his attention back at Akira. "Now, as for you Akira Kurusu. I am in need of your assistance; you shall come with me to the Student Council's chamber right this instant."

"Oooh… Someone's popular." Omiko smugged behind the Trickster, but Gamagori had some words to say about this lack of respect.

"AND YOU OMIKO HAKODATE! GET BACK TO CLASS OR YOU'LL LEAVE ME NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO CONFISCATE YOUR GOKU UNIFORM!" Gamagori as usual shouted straight to the face of the tennist with the streght of a thousand winds, which was enough for Omiko to run away in fear back to the main building.

"Well, that takes care of one problem for now." Mona sighted with relief seeing that they don't have to worry about the Honnouji Emperor for the time being. But said problem had to be traded with Gamagori's request.

"Ehem… As I was saying, you're now coming with me." Gamagori basically gave no time for Joker to react by holding him by the arms in the same rhythm he did the last time. Something tells him that this will be a running gag from this point forward.

But this scene was still not over. Cutting back to Ryuko's unconscious body that floated all over the canals of Honno City, she reached the sewers levels of the island where her guitar case clinched its strip on a losen pipe, suspending her in the middle of a cascade.

No person would think that anyone would come here to get her, not even Kurusu with him being reserved by Ira. And yet, what it seem like a miraculous work of God, Mr. Mikisugi from Class-K was there and quickly noticed the defeated young adult.

"Ngh… Poor girl. You can't get yourself getting out of trouble." Aikuro rubbed the back of his blue hair while drawling. "Well, someone's gotta lift you up in the meantime, and might as well do it now."


Back to the Academy, both toad and fox hove into the Student Council's chamber, yet the phantom thief noticed that him, his cat and the chair of the disciplinary committee were the only people at the place. The seats that were often occupied by the 5 powers were all empty, to the point it was creeping him out.

"Huh… Wondering where have your buddies go? I was anticipating Lady Satsuki or anyone else. You know, claiming that this is important." Akira turned at the goliath of a man.

Gamagori sighted before dropping Kurusu on the floor. "Lady Satsuki is at the top of the spire of the academy, watching over everything and everyone like the mighty eagle she is and making sure there is not a single hair sticking out. Jakuzure is on her daily marching session with her music club and won't be accepting any interruptions. Innumuta is occupied assessing and managing the financial fees of Honnouji Academy's budget and materials, plus working on some secret projects with Iori of utmost importance. And Sanageyama, sight… I had to pull that unresponsible chimp to watch Hakodate's process. It was hard to convince him seeing that he is still holding that big grudge against you. Meanwhile, I must do my daily patrol over Honno city along with the rest of the disciplinary committee and see If there aren't any moles dwelling on our territory, so that's why I need you to do a favor for me, even if you look like the least suitable candidate for this task."

"Strange… Did they ran out of personal or something?" Mona asked while Akira asked the same question to Gamagori.

"As you may know, regular classes are over, meaning that all one-stars, two-stars and most no-stars are on their club activities, all except for you and Ryuko." Ira confessed. "Originally, I had in mind to ask Matoi if she could do this in hopes this experience could straight her up but knowing how she's been behaving like an ungrateful rat, I had no other choice but to summon you instead. You may have the aura of a regretless little gangster, but my sense of duty tells me that you're more disciplined than you look." He then brought out a sash that had the titular 2-Star symbols on it alongside the words "Hall Monitor." "Here, you're going to need this if you want to cooperate."

"Huh? Barely its been a day and they're giving you a 2-Star Uniform already?" Morgana gasped after looking at the current event, but the cat retracted his words and came to a quick conclusion. "No, wait. It's too soon to affirm our assumptions. I don't think that's even a legit Goku Uniform."

"What you see before you isn't a Normal 2-Star Goku Uniform. This is the Hall Monitor Goku Sash, a special-type of Goku Uniform that grants its wearer skills fit of a 2-Star. But don't think we're giving you a promotion for free, Mr. Kurusu! Unlike all other 2-Star Unifors, the Hall Monitor sash will not grant you the benefits and privileges of those with a 2-Star status. If you can already guess, you're borrowing this Goku Uniform. Once done, you shall return it back to any of the members of the Student Council or a One-Star of our trust. Understood." Gamagori daggered his sight at Akira

"Sir!" Akira sneered by saluting like a soldier of the army, being his typical jokester.

"You could just nod to confirm and not look like a bouffoon, but I'll take that as a yes. NOW PUT IN ON!" Gamagori ordered the wild card as he put on the warden uniform. By doing so he felt an adrenaline rush made by the Life Fibers in the ribbon, but it wasn't as intense as the three-star ones.

"Geesh… Do you have to yell? With saying the magic words would be enough." Joker sighted. "Still, just as a quick question. I know I may sound like suspricious, but… if someone wearing the Hall Monitor were to you know, do a double-cross, what would happen then if said traitor is now armed with a super-exoskeleton suit to flee?"

Impaled by this question, Gamagori turned at the bespectacled teen's way and grimace like a sadistic devil. "That's easy, why don't you ask the last guy who was on duty?" Gamagori then pulled out a pot and then proceed to spill it out on the floor, revealing piles of ash inside. "This is Hakuro, well he was Hakuro. A little rat sent by the idiots of Abekamo Academy of Kansai that thought he could outsmart us by becoming the Hall Monitor for the day. Fortunately, the Hall Monitor Sash has a counter-measure program that if the wearer were to leave the walls that surround all of Honnouji Academy, let's say that the wearer would be met with an explosive surprise! Ahahaha!"

While Ira Gamagori cackled like a maniac, Akira and Morgana still were looking at the ashes in both terror and disguist to the point Kurusu felt almost the need to throw up.

"As I continued." Ira soon after pressed a small red button that was in his pocket that turned the giant green screen on, having the faces of all known Club Presidents either marked as suspicious or with a cross, probably having to do with the afromentioned. "Intel has it that there Is another spy amongst our Club Presidents, he must be good if he was able to blend itself that easily. If we don't find who he or she is, they might get away with its Goku Uniform right under our noses. Your job is self-explinatory; find and neutralize this mole before he gets away. That way you'll be steps closer to ascend to One-Star Status."

Joker nodded since unluckily he didn't have any other choice.

"I expect you to catch the spy before the extra scholar classes are over. I'm sure that you're instincts are enough to detect the traitor among our ranks. Do not disappoint." Gamagori the left the room leaving joker alone.

"Well, the sooner we get this done, the faster we can get to save Mako from those bullies from before. Let's bounce." Mona turned to Akira and he nodded. He then left the chamber to start his sleuth's job as fast as possible.


Turning back to Ryuko, everything around her was unrecognizable and dark. She couldn't be dead, otherwise she could have this very mental conversation. She wondered herself on what kind of place they took her in, though at least were considered enough to provide her with a warm blanket alongside a couch to rest her back on.

One thing in particular is that the room felt kinda cramped with all the random junk eating space. Second, this wasn't the slums as far as she remembers. The view of the window showed a background of steel and steam. This must be the One-Star area. No doubt about it. But, if that were to be true, then who's room is this?

"Man… Hakodate must have hit your head real hard to put you in that long coma. Your ass was hanging over the sewers and thank goodness that you weren't eaten alive by an alligator. Anyhow, welcome back to the land of the living. Your current stop, my condo." A dismembered voice called Matoi, which only expanded her sense of unsureness.

She quickly spotted another person sharing time in this room, looking at the window like some sort of crackpot hermit.

"You! You're that old coot teacher from my classroom, aren't ya?" Ryuko quickly recognized that frizzly blue hair and those butt-ugly glasses from one person.

"Touche. Mr. Akuro Mikisugi in case you've forgotten." Akiro turned to see his student with a chilled smile. "You had to take the cake when it comes to the most dramatic first day at school ever. Well, I could put your boyfriend's day too, if it weren't for the fact he wasn't even a student back then." He snickered and rubbed his messy hair as he got off from the window.

Ryuko winced at the weird man with a dead-panned expression and she hasn't realized that the blanket covering her body was starting to slip down, only to see that there was nothing under those rags. She jumped in horror realizing that she was named to the core and quickly shook her head around until she found Senketsu hanged like everyday's clothes near a closet, sleeping like when he was on stasis. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!? D-DID YOU SERIOUSLY UNDRESSED ME WHILE I WAS ASLEEP!? YOU CREEP! I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!" Saying that Ryuko was furious would be a grand understatement.

"That's a weird way to spell it out. I mean, your body took quite a shower floating down river. Couldn't let you catch a cold with your uniform and britches all wet." Mikisugi said before getting closer personally and Ryuko had already guess where this was going to end. "Now then, how about I give you some lessons about your body, personally…?"

Ryuko clicked her tongue in disguist despite how powerless she was on this situation. "You… FUCKING PERVERT!" She jumped out of the window with a clenched first for Mikisugi's face in need of disfiguring his face.

And yet, Mikisugi flawlessly catched the incoming punch with only one hand. And by the way he was applying force, Ryuko could tell he wasn't your ordinary underpaid teacher.

"That's a weird way to say thanks to the guy that saved your life. How about you stay still for a while?" Mikisugi blurted right before pulling out a trio of needles from his pocket and rappidly shoot them straight at Ryuko on various parts of her body.

The needles resulted to have some sort of effect on her. "What the hell!? I-I can't move! What did you d-d-do to me!?" She basically stood still like a statue and her frozen body tumbled down like a tree going timber. Luckily, Aikuro was again kind to catch her and lay her on the couch. Of couse, being sure to not let her blanket let loose.

"Calm down, Ryuko. It's nothing malicious. I just performed Acupuncture on you. It's a Chinese form of therapy that uses needles. Once we're done, you'll feel fully charge and ready to take the world." Mikisugi saunter to Ryuko and leaned his head forward the resting tomboy. "Now that I recalled. You were making a whole scandal on campus cuz' your Kamui didn't activated like you wished, am I right or wrong? Your blood must be hot-boilin' right now. Mind if I take a small sample?" He grinned like a cocky super-hero before showing an empty syringe.

"WHAAAT!? OH N-NO, YOU WO-WON'T! I-I-I HATE NE-NE-NEEDLES!" Ryuko made a whole 180 degree turn of her personality from rowdy to flunky with how she stuttered and stammered about the needle in her teacher's hand. Despite how much she quipped, Aikuro was done extracting some blood from her faster than a rooster roosting. "Uh… Done already? That didn't hurt at all."

"Seriosly? You got swept over like a mop by Takaharu Fukudora and somehow a simple needle is what breaks your spirit? You're one strange girl." Mikisugi said before turning his attention to the black Kamui on his left. "But now that we're done, I think it's better to give your friend right there a good morning." The teacher squirted just one drop and landed on the sleeping uniform, giving his eye life once again.

"GYAH! BLOOD! THAT WAS BLOOD WHAT I TASTED! I NEED MORE! MORE! I HAVE TO DRINK OR I'LL DIE!" The Kamui stimmered with life, demanding more of that red fluid for no one's surprise.

"Are you seriously going through this again? I thought you were done with that phase already." Ryuko sweat-dropped at her companion's over-reaction.

"Hope that I wasn' fishing on your pond while you 2 were arguing." Aikuro got the attention of both the Kamui and the girl.

"Huh? Can he hear me?" The black sailor uniform was surprised at this, but for the teacher's eyes, he could only see the facial expression of a surprised person which made him snicker for some seconds.

"Does your Kamui think I can hear him?" Mikisugi turned at Ryuko with a relaxed smile, which made the girl grimace.

"The hell? Y-you can hear what that freak of nature says? And how do you know that he's a Kamugaya, or whathever Fuzzy-Hair told me its name was?"

"Oh right, I forgot you're practically a newbie to this stuff." Aikuro responded while rubbing the top of his head. "Unfortunately, I don't really know Kamuinese. I just guesses that's what you Kamui though with how he started to flock all of the sudden. And well, let's just say this isn't the first time I've met a Kamui."

Ryuko was dumbfounded. First his homeroom teacher saves her from the sewers, then he talks big and complicated to pretend to be a pervert, he paralyzes her with some Chinese voodoo mumbo jumbo and now he claims that he knows about Kamuis for some forsaken reason. "Cut the crap already. If you claim you know more about Kamuis, then better start talking or I'll rip the truth out of your throat!" She snarled at the teacher, only to effortlessly try to get herself free from her paralysis. "O-once I -g-get these stupid things out of me, you'll be sorry for being born!"

"Hehehe… Don't worry Ryuko, I'll tell you all the answers your want, no strings attatched." Mikisugi only laughed at this and leaned down. "If you wish so, I can get you out from your paralysis. IF, you promise not to punch me in the face. Then again, I studied a lot of self-defenses and I'm the only source here in Honnouji Academy that isn't trying to skewer your skin or pluck your head to a wooden stick. Do we have a deal?"

Ryuko had her doubts, but she didn't really had a choice. He did salvaged her from drowning, so she owes him. "Sight… Alrighty then Mr. Smarty Pants. Do your magic."

Aikuro snickered before plucking out the needles from the girl's back and give her back mobility.

She wasn't sure how, but she felt all of her energy replenished. "Man, you weren't kidding. My pain like just vanished suddenly, and I though it was a bunch of mumbo jumbo." Ryuko exclaimed in surprise.

"Yeah, but let's not hammer our nails on the wrong bark. You wanted me to tell you more about your Kamui, correct?"

Ryuko could only nodded, but still herd somewhat some distrust at the blue-haired adult. "And I hope you weren't all bark no bite. Are you going to stay still like a stick or are you going to tell me already?"

"Well, how about we start with your Kamui?" Mikisugi then started to teach Ryuko about what a Kamui is, with an explanation similar to the one Satsuki gave Joker.

"Okay… You're sayin' a Kamui is basically like a million times stronger than Honnouji's Clown get-up, oh I meant "Goku Uniforms"". Ryuko blurted while talking about Honnouji's main weapon with a mocking tone. "Is that it? Cuz that half-assed explanation didn't left me satisfied. I just hope you have more stuff to tell me."

"Sorry, but I don't feel like it." Aikuro sneered at Ryuko all the while lying his back on a nearby wall. "After all, I don't think you're ready to know."

This cause to Ryuko to wince and twitch her eye trying to resist the urge to break Mikisugi's legs. "WHAT!?" Matoi rightfully barked. "The hell you mean I ain't ready!? You're the one who asked me if I wanted answers, dipshit! Like, you appear out of thin air and start gabbling around that you know shit about this Kamui or whathever you want to call it! The hell you want me to do then? Trout to the other side to the globe while having my finger suck on my ass to retrieve the holy grail? What the hell do you want!?"

Mikisugi didn't flinch or took a back-step at Ryuko's threats. He just exhailed and cleaned his glasses with his shirt. "I'm not asking much. You have to prove yourself worthy of your Kamui." Aikuro replied before getting his behind out of the wall. "The difference of wearing a Kamui and WEARING a Kamui is as obvious as day and night. But seeing how all you did up there was flailing your Scissor Blade like a piñata bat, I'm beginning to doubt my hopes on you." Mikisugi stated, which had Ryuko point his throat with the point of her giant scissor.

"Then maybe impaling your heart with my Scissor Blade would like to say otherwise. Cuz' if you have a better alternative, then I'm all ears. And I'll make damn sure to cut those off if you're asking for some sick fantasy!"

"Geez… You don't have to yell." Mikisugi didn't seem to flinch at the threat even though he had his arms in the air.

Ryuko calmed her fumes and sit on the couch with arms crossed and face frowned to hear Aikuro's request.

And suddenly, the orange and relaxing ambience of the apartment started to twist without previous warning. The air felt exiting, passionate, and weirdly sensual.

With that, Mikisugi removed his ugly glasses to show his girl-seducing looks. "All I ask is to defeat one of the Honnouji Emperors." Mikisugi's whole demeanor shifted drastically like the whole rooms. The buttons of his shirt de-pinned by themselves one after another to let his well-defined chest breathe, and for some alien reason, he seem to also posses literal glowing nipples.

"Okay, what the hell is with the sudden change?" Ryuko winced in cringe.

"I though changing the mood of the place could better yours, Ryuko Matoi." The sexy teacher answered while posing with a flamboyant passion.

"Look man, if you're wishing that bad for us to be on a relationship, forget it! I don't have a thing for pompous dudes like you. And what does defeating one of those High-Horse idiots have to do with this?"

"Well, I was originally planning to tell you everything from the get-go when Fukudora demanded a rematch, but I didn't expect the boy you hang around so often to steal the show. And not to mention the fact that Omiko Hakodate pretty much shut your lights in one swoop. A Kamui is stronger than a Goku Uniform yes, so taking one of them out won't be a problem for you after all."

"Well, don't blame me on that one. Do I look like someone that can predict the future or-" Ryuko stopped her rambling when she remembered the name Omiko Hakodate. "OH CRAP! The Tennis Club! They're gonna crush Mako if I don't get there!"

"Then if I were you, I'll grab my stuff and shoot myself back to Honnouji Academy. Also, You're going to need this." Aikuro put his clothes again and returned to his boring middle-age teacher alter ego right after handling Matoi her shoes and underwear all fresh and clean. And better yet, they all now smell like lemon.

"Huh, at least I'm glad you aren't as much of a pervert as I thought." Ryuko mumbled as she put on her stuff, only to quickly spot an extra accessory. "Hey, what's with the red glove?" She asked the teacher.

"That my friend, is a Sekki-Tekko. Your dad made it to facilitate the activation of your Kamui's battle mode. It'll distribute your blood to your Kamui by just flipping the pin in its wrist." Mikisugi briefly explained. "Now go out there and cause some mayhem-and she's gone." Mikisugi drawled once he noticed Ryuko already gone from the building.

He sighted and opened the window of the sea view of Tokyo way, resting his head on his hand wondering. "This game has taken a brutal turn for the weird. No doubt Ryuko will be a thorn on Ragyo's side soon." He mumbled. "But, that kid with the glasses and that strange power. Is he an angel sent by the heavens, or a demon that fled from hell…? I wonder…"


Returning back to Honnouji Academy, the courtyard was taken over by rows and rows of tennis courts. The Hokaido tennis match was just around the corner, and Hakodate has already mastered every trick and exploit her Goku Uniform has to offer.

Not everything was fun and sunshine for everyone however. Take for instance Uzu Sanageyama, who clearly looked like he didn't want to be here watching over these braggart dweebs. He could be practicing with his Kendo Club and sharp his techniques so he could give Akira a piece of his mind for humiliating him in front of the whole school. Seems that Sanageyama and Ryuko had similar goals, that were practically beat a certain someone that are practically mirrors of one another.

This could sound strange to you, but the relation between Uzu Sanageyama and Omiko Hakodate was shockingly bitter. Even tho she was the strongest of his Clubs, Sanageyama detested Omiko Hakodate for a lot of reasons. Ones of which being how that sharp-toothed bitch makes him look like a rookie when she shows her results in front of Satsuki Kiryuin to the point she overshadows his status, or how she knows that fact and uses it to nag him whenever she is given the chance. Same thing could be said for Omiko. Even with how much Sanageyama loves to brag about his power and exploits, she just can't stand his snobbish attitude and how most of the time he's more bark than bite, constantly making reckless desitions that harm the Academy more than he would imagine.

"Bout time you're here. What took you so long? Scratching your butt with a banana perhaps?" Hakodate turned at the annoyed Sanageyama with a impish smirk. She took a break from target practice that consisted of crushing human dummies to death with her Goku Uniform capabilities, that she quickly mastered.

"Sigh… You're lucky you're a top emperor Hakodate. That transgression would have win you a one-way trip to the Time Out Dungeon." Blurted the Monkey of the Elite 4. "Let's make this quick so we don't have to withstand one another. What's the progress of your practice?"

"Pfft! You can feel free to be bothered by that. I've practically mastered every move and serve in the Tennis game thanks to Lady Satsuki's Goku Uniform." Omiko blurted with confidence of a upstart snob. "Though, my One-Stars's could use some extra grind-up. Fortunately, I just happen to come up with a solution…" Which she proceeds to guide Uzu's eyes with her giant racket.

We see Mankanshoku being mercilessly pummeled by tennis balls by One-Stars of Hakodate's Club. With the rate of fire their serves had comparable to a machine gun, Sanagayama was genuinely surprised that the No-Star managed to survive this long despite the many bruises that decorated her face like a Christmas tree.

"Well, at least you know how to profit from a No-Star's punishment."

"Oh yeah… Since I had scheduled to kill Mako for her absence last session, I had the spontaneous idea to use her as test dummy for my team's 1000 serves of death." Hakodate told her superior. "I couldn't let this obnoxious runt run free for failing to fulfil my whims. At least she can rest on a tomb knowing she was somehow useful to my plans."

"Then I hope you don't throw a tantrum if I say otherwise!"

"Huh? The hell!?" Both of Honnouji's goons turned by surprise only to see Mako being protected by the same briefcase Ryuko had, which of course meant that Ryuko managed to come back from the bottom sewers.

"Miss me scumbags? If not, then the better for me." Ryuko barked at the sportsmen alwhile Mako's face reconfigured itself back to normal with a cartoony POP! Sound effect.

"Ryuko! I knew you'll come! The Mako inside my brain always knew you were too cool to die!" Mankanshoku beamed in hope while Matoi cutted down her ties to give her back her freedom.

"Well, talk about the worst timing." Sanageyama clicked his tongue in even more irritation. "You're fully aware that disturbing the punishment of students without the permission of an authorithy figure can be punished with immediate death, right?"

"Tch… As if your empty threats could put a single hair of me up." Ryuko spat out at the Elite before walking forward with hands inside her pockets. "listen you shitbags! I came here to rescue my friend and to put you all in your place, and I came back badder than ever!" She then pointed her Scissor Blade at Hakodate's face, which only mirth.

"Still with the fervor high even after defeat? Your newbies are sure entertaining to beat up." Hakodate sneered while meandering forth. "Go home chump. You'll only get yourself hurt both physically and emotionally. But if you're so anxious of getting your face smashed by yours truly, then be my guest."

"EHEM! Could I have your attention please?"

Everyone presents turned their backs to see Akira standing with his hands on his pockets. The higher-ups quickly noticed the sash hanging on his body and were genuinely surprised that he from all people was chosen as this day's Hall Monitor.

"Good grief, care to help me to choke this loud-moth bitch on her own obnoxious words Fuzzy-Hair?" Ryuko grinned at Akira in thoughts that he was there to help her mop the floor with Hakodate, only to have her intuitions ruined by the Phantom Thief shaking his head in denial.

"I must admit it sounds fun, but I was given an important mission against my will." Akira replied, only making the spunky girl furrow in frustration.

"Wow Ren! Didn't knew that they put you as Hall Monitor! You must feel happy, right?" Mankanshoku opemened her mouth being oblivious of the perils around her.

"Get lost four-eyes! Can't you see I'm busy here? Now why don't you take your self-righteous bullshit somewhere else?" Hakodate didn't received Akira's visit fontly and implored him to bust somewhere else.

"Sheesh! Gamagori must be desperate to pick you of all people." Sanageyama also was repugnant by the trickster's visit, but Akira could care about what Sanageyama felt as much as how honnouji sees their No-Star students.

"Not is I care about what you 2 think." Akira just rolled his eyes before discussing over his reason for his brief visit. "It just so happens that intel has confirmed a spy amongst our students, with further clues indicating that she or he is part of a Club, or even a Club President itself. If this mole is not dealt pronto, most likely it will escape with a Goku Uniform in its hands."

"Wow! You're playing detectives Ren! Let me play! Let me play! I-I can be your Watson to your Sherlock Holmes! That gave me the idea if we could have a talking dog and, and and-" Mankanshoku seem to enthusiastic to help Akira, albeit her detective skills are pretty much non-existant.

"Let me guess, and you're insinuating that by some god freaking reason, I'M THE BLACKENED!? Either your intuition is as bad as this airhead's over here, or you're plain stupid!" Hakodate bellowed.

"Hope you are. That way I don't have to hear about you obnoxious ramblings anymore." Sanageyama was delighted by the idea of kicking Omiko off-campus, and perhaps be him to execute her in front of everyone.

"SHUT IT, DONKEY KONG!"

"Can you all shut up!?" Ryuko angrily roared to the whole yard which put everyone on halt. "Thank you at least. Now how about we shelf this Scooby-Doo crap for later and get straight for the point? And by that I mean dicing you all to Swiss cheese!" In that instant, Ryuko flipped the switch of her Sekki-Tenko to nourish her Kamui with her blood, mutating the Sailor Uniform into a grotesque monster that mauled her whole so it could transform into his Battle Form.

"Ewww! That must've felt both embarrassing and most likely painful. Are you seriously going to do that everytime you go apeshit, you masochistic stripper?" The Empress couldn't help but cringe at the transformation sequence of her opponent, but on the bright side her inminent humiliation will become the more delicious to fester on.

"For the last time I'm not a stripper, dammit! Are we going to fight or what?" Ryuko hissed and stomped her foot in frustration. "How about I give you a head start, you shark-toothed freak?"

"If that's what you want, then so be it! Taste the power of the 1000 serves of death! DAAH!" Omiko threw the mentioned number of balls from her dress before blitzing them all at the black and red woman.

Ryuko had a stern look around her, but she formed a confident grin afterwards right before raising her sword.

SLASH!

Matoi landed back on land after slashing every single cannonball with one fell swoop, dwindling every single tennis ball into sliced parts as if they were fruits cut by a professional chef. Her battle bikini blew out some steam afterwards to filter the heat Ryuko was experiencing.

"Impossible! You-you…" Omiko started to stutted after being left shocked in disbelief for what the girl just did.

"Don't feel sad, Ms. President. At least you did a good job there. You know, throwing your little balls around the field." Matoi raised her arm smugly without even bothering to look back. "Now how about you let Mako free for once and go back doing your lame sports and don't ever try to bother us again?"

Unfortunately, Omiko Hakodate's mood for negotiating much less listening waded the moment Ryuko made her hard-practice attack look like an amateur's first tennis serve. She was furious! Possibly pissed off beyond human comprehension. "Yo've just sign your decree for dying, new girl. She clenched her teeth with so pressure, they almost look like they were about to crack.

"L-lady Ha-Hakodate, I beg to you! These commoners a-are not worth it! W-we should focus on training for the Hokaido match." A female One-Star tried to reason with her boss, but the only thing that shee managed to pull out of her was her urges to shut her up.

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, PAWN!" Omiko blasted in rage and chucked the poor One-Star out of the the island with one brutal swing of her giant racket, which promptly collided with a nearby helicopter that caused its engine to malfunction and later sink under the ocean of Tokyo bay.

How could a woman think of doing something so diabolical like this, thought Joker. The One-Star only wanted to help, but Hakodate only killed her without second though, and possibly even put in danger to whoever were on that chopper. He wanted to teach Omiko some basic lectures about humanity in the form of a Persona beat-up, but he knew that this wasn't his battle, it was Ryuko's. He has to find this traitor beforehand if he wanted to be steps closer to become Three-Star.

"NEW GIRL! HOPE YOU'VE WRITTEN YOUR WILL LETTER ALREADY, CUZ YOU CAN CONSIDER YOUSELF A CORPSE!" Omiko charged toward Ryuko Matoi without second though with racket in hand ready to beat her to death with her crimson weapon, and Ryuko was ready to deliver the Empress of Honnouji her well-deserved Just Deserts. But fate had other plans for the 2 hot-blooded girls.

Sanageyama blew a sports-whistle so loud, everyone present had to cover their ears for how atrocious the noise was.

"Halt! Both of you, disqualified!" Sanageyama declared out loud, which brought confusion to both girls that were about to fight.

"E-excuse me!?" Akira was first to reclaim at the Chair of the Sports Division of Honnouji Academy for his bullshit.

"You heard me, these 2 are disqualified!" Uzu just repeated his words before turning at the 2 woman. "Maiming the other player is a major illegal play, you know that?"

"The hell you're talking about?" Ryuko exclaimed rightfully so.

"You all realize that you're standing on a tennis court, right? There forth, you must solve your differences on a clean tennis match. No objections."

"You're making these rules as you go! What kind of made-up bullshit is that? It's not my fault that your annoying lap-dog was the first to attack. What did you expect me to do, huh? Stand still like a bowling pin and wait to be strike down?"

"Ryuko's right. If that's so, why didn't you scold me for that yesterday? Hell! If I had a nickle for every rule infraction from yesterday, I could buy myself a whole house!" Akira stood with Matoi's reclaims and pointed fingers at Uzu who only acted neglectful like some sort of annoying kid refusing to listen to reason.

"Yesterday was yesterday you twerps! And you weren't even a Honnouji Academy student back then! Also, don't you have a rat to catch or so? I don't wish to hear a mini-Gamagori lecture me all day long." Sanageyama strained his view from the bespectacled teen.

"Sheesh! Big talk for someone who can't let go of a pitiful vendetta. And here I though Ryuji was too immature for his age…" Morgana sweatdropped from Akira's bag.

"That's boogers! Ryuko totally won!" Suddendly, Mako swoop in to intervene without no one even predicting it.

HALLELUJAH!

"Ryuko won! She's winner winner chicken dinner and I can prove it!"

Akira, Omiko and Sanageyama all looked at the beaming Mankanshoku dumbfolded, having zero idea on what was she talking about.

"If Ryuko didn't step in and delivered the final blow to Fukuroda yesterday, I would be dead and served in today's lunch. So even though she lost the match, she definitely won cuz' of friendship. And everyone knows that if you win in friendship, you win in life! But if you jerks are going to be pumpkin eaters, then you leave her no choice! Ryuko will win, even in tennis, even in tennis, even in tennis, SHE WILL WIN!"

Both young adults had it hard to process what happened, but not Omiko, who only chortled devishly for the sermon she had to endure.

"Your naivety is amusing; I'll give you that Mankanshoku." Hakodate said. "But if the new girl 's death wish is to fight me on my own hunting grown, then I'm happy to abdie!"

Hakodate's evil grin stretched to the end of her cheeks showing the depravity of a famished shark. The malevolent tennis player snapped her fingers, causing the whole courtyard around the group to tremble.

"GAAH! What the hell is going on now?" Ryuko looked around in utter panick.

"Bellow us! I can feel something rising beneath our mere feet!"

Her Kamui assumptions were correct in that regard. Giant red tendrils made out of Life Fibers rose from the ground practically cornered the main characters all while Omiko laughed maniacally. The Life Fiber tentacles held themselves together and all commenced to take a whole different form. They all changed structure and appearance resembling now that of a hellish tennis stadium.

"Welcome to your last resort, new girl! This is Honnouji Academy's Tennis Court of Torment!" Hakodate welcomed her victim to her death bed by extending her arms to show off better the twisted beauty of her castle.

"W-what were those things?" Akira cluelessly exclaimed in a weird mix of fascination and terror.

"Goku Uniforms aren't the only thing Life Fibers can be used, ya' know?" Sanageyama briefly explained with a grin. "With Life Fibers, the only thing that limits ourselves is our imagination."

"I see… Life Fibers…" Akira muttered. Apparently those were a raw state of a mound of Life Fibers stitching themselves together. It could explain the origin of the boxing arena from the other day. Whathever these Life Fibers can be able to do, Kurusu must grow weary of their power and any dangers they could bring to his mission.

"Here you go Ryuko, knock your socks out." Mako slid to her best friend's side to hand her over a regular ol' tennis racket. She gleamed at Matoi with eyes full of hope that she will set things right.

Ryuko wasn't sure what to say. She didn't wish to fumble Mako's optimism and just awkwardly smiled at her. "Thanks Mako. I promise that I'll beat that bitch to the point her socks will fly out of the earth." She turned at Hakodate with a warrior's scowl. "Game on Hakodate! I'm gonna beat you on your own game if that's what you want! See if that'll stuff some empathy in that tiny, black and rotten heart of yours."

"Big talk, zero bite." Omiko shrugged in snark. "I mean, how are sure that you're as strong as you say you are? You barely done jack-shit to prove your words and that final blow you did to Fukuroda could barely count. That loser was basically on his last rope." Her face changed rapidly into a more evil and psychotic deemed of a bloodthirsty sea-predator. "But enough talk, HAVE AT YA!"

Before the others bystanders would know it, flocks of million students already occupied every seat of the crowd with their butts. All of them were crying and cheering for the upcoming massacre that was about to happen. Some were for Hakodate for their respect they have for her, while others were for Ryuko for, the obviously wrong reasons…

"What in Satan's basement…!? Where did all this people come from?" Ryuko gasped in how quickly the seats of the crowd stuffed themselves within an instant.

"There are better things you should put your attention to Ryuko. I don't think our opponent will show any kind of mercy." Her Kamui said to her, turning their eyes on Omiko who was on the other side of the tennis field, telling them straight up that they're dead meat by the way she traveled her index finger all over her neck.

"So? Neither will i! That bitch had it all coming all the time when she tried to hurt Mako." She barked in return and cracked her fingers to prepare herself. "Although…" She kinda began to sound uncertain. "I don't really know how to play tennis to be honest…"

"Perhaps I could provide some help." Kurusu snuck behind Ryuko which cause her to startle of the shock.

"Fuzzy Hair? The hell did you come from!?" Asked Ryuko in shock.

"I mean you could say that I used my super-secret badass ninja skills, but if I'm honest with you, I took the stairs." He shrugged in a joking mood. "Still though, I can't let you charge agains the enemy with a sword you don't know how to swing."

"Excuse me? What do you mean that I don't know how to swing a sword? My scissor blade is not enough good proof for ya'?"

"I think it's a way to say."

"And who the hell asked your opinion, genius?"

Akira did a series of blunt coughts to gravitate Ryuko's attention back to him. "Anyway, to put it in brief bout' the fundamentals of tennis is with the objective basically returning the ball with your racket to the other side of the field, make it bounce at least twice, with the first bounce at least being inside the field and try to score points until gaining game, set and match. Got it? Uhh… Ryuko?"

The girl's mind looked blank and thoughtless. No thought was going through Ryuko, perhaps it exemplified this by the deadpanned expression in her face.

"Crap, I think I broke her mind…" Kurusu sweatdropped. It may be better to just shuffle back to the seats of the crowd and let Ryuko be.

The battlefield was set and Sanageyama was sitting on top of the referee's seat in the middle of the field.

"Alright you 2. This will be a quick game, so whoever wins this match wins the round. Winner picks the loser's fate. The use of the powers of your Goku Uniforms is all-permitted as long as you don't injure your opponent. If I catch you try to kill your rival, then I'll have no choice but to give your opponent the immediate win by default. is that clear?"

"Yeah, yeah, I think we all get the memo. Winner lives, loser dies. Can you stop acting all high and mighty up there from your fancy couch and let this over with?" Ryuko wasn't here for rodeos and was ready to take the challenge by cracking her sore neck and knuckles.

"Tough words for a girl that barely shown too little, yet too much at the same time." Sanbageyama looked down at the head-strong woman.

"The new girl's right. We don't want to bore our public to death. But since I feel generous, I'll give her the first serve. You know, good sportsmanship." Hakodate shrugged in overconfidence and to also spite Sanageyama.

"You bucha' cunts…" Sanageyama snarled between his gritting teeth. "Then stop standing still like statues and begin already!"

"if you say so, here I come!" Ryuko began her attack by giving a strong serve at Hakodate's side of the field. If not, the speed of the serve was that comparable of a shot bullet it also left Matoi surprised. "Dang! I didn't knew my streght was that big! Heh! This tennis bout's no doubt will be over before-"

"Heads up, chum!" No one saw it, yet Omiko somehow speed-blitz where the ball was and shot the ball twice as fast and with no hopes of anyone to react that quickly.

Ryuko's sixth sense warned her that the tennis ball was coming straight at her and immediately rolled over her right to avoid the proyectile that made a whole-ass cratter upon its impact with the ground.

"15-0!" Sanageyama shouted as the crowd praised Hakodate's first point, and if you haven't guessed by now, Hakodate was wallowing on the compliments like a pig on the mud.

"The hell! What kind of bullshit thing was t-that!?" Ryuko detested in irritation after having to witness one of many of Omiko's secret weapons her Goku Uniform provides.

"That bullshit you talk about is one of my Goku Uniform's special abilities, Ball Blitz! I can practically rush myself to any nearby tennis ball like a homing missile."

"Then how do expect that I beat you then? That's freaking cheating, man!"

Hakodate just shrugged her arms. "I don't know, figure it out yourself. But if you can't that's good for me!" She served the second ball with a quick serve to finish this quickly.

"Oh no, you don't!" Ryuko snarled while a crimson aura coated her arm where she held her racket to deliver back the ball to its owner.

"As if!" Omiko stated before using Ball Blitz again to return the ball to the opposing field.

Ryuko gasped air, but gasping as if the shock has a reasonable furious vibe from it. "Is that bitch gonna be actin' like an old dog and do that everytime? Come on! This stupid hooker gear better has its own set of cheats!" She murmured on her head.

"Perhaps I could provide something Ryuko."

"The fuck?" Ryuko was surprised to hear her Kamui's voice inside her head. "Alright you creepy piece of cloth, what's the deal with you? I didn't asked for your help. And how in god's name did you got inside my head? And why is everyone here standing stiff all of the sudden? Is Chronos on his lunch break or what?" Ryuko had more questions that not even her own mind could list.

"It's because of our synchronization. To put it in perspective, I have become part of you whenever you wish it or not, so I can hear every thought in your head and you can do with mine." The Kamui told his wearer, which only lead to more confusive questions than anything. "And about the sudden time stop, I don't even know. It's a common occurrence whenever someone focus on their inner thoughts."

"Okay, so you're confessing you're a parasite. Are you going to help or to sermon me?"

To answer Ryuko's whims, the sailor uniform began to rev up the ventilation grill attached to her back.

"Is that, smoke?"

ZWOOOSH!

"WOOOOOAAAH! TOO FAST! TOO FAST!" The turbine exploded, rocketing Ryuko Matoi to where the ball was on light speed which left Omiko and the whole crowd open-mouthed. It was no time to freak out! Ryuko swat the tennis ball right back Hakodate now with streght even more menacing than that of the shark girl.

The green orb bounced to the Empress' field before touching ground again off-stage.

"Impossible!" Hakodate exclaimed in disbelief.

"Well not anymore. 15-15, point for the new girl!" Sanageyama stretched his arm to Matoi's side for the public to praise and chant her name.

"Way to go Ryuko! I don't know what you did, or how did you got so fast like a rocket, but you got your first point! Wahoo!" Mako express a hooray for Ryuko, making the afromentioned rowdy girl feel pretty bashful.

"Aw shucks Mako, it really wasn't nothing. It's just a matter of dumb luck I learned this ability." Ryuko responded with red pained on her cheeks. Akira could tell from his seat the lesbian tension between those 2 crackheads was about to flourish like a splendid rose.

Unlike the only thorn in the garden that was pomtply about to rot until the last petal falls. Omiko was grinding her teeth left and right and steam was blowing out of her ears, but she soon remembered that this kind of attitude would not be something her Lady Satsuki would expect from a proud warrior as her, so she was prone to cool her boiler room quickly, but she still showed some anger veins nevertheless. "At least I gotta admire you new girl, you actually managed to make me bleed, even if it is just a small splinter. Howhever!" She gripped out one of her balls of her skirt and got in position, all the while her cybernetic ken changed lens to be more suitable for the situation. "Your devil's luck is about to run out eventually! Time to turn up the heat!" The devious tennis player lifted the ball up in the air. Just then, the tennis ball began to lit itself on fire thanks to Omiko's special abilities.

"Secret move: Dead-Star Serve!" The giant racket of Omiko swatted the ball twice as fast as before, now covered full in fire that would probably go through rows of metal walls.

Ryuko expelled air from her nostrils before dashing like a lightning to where the ball was heading, while leaving behind a crimson afterimage of red sparkly stars.

"Not if I have something to say!" Snarled Matoi when she swatted the blazing death-ball with her racket.

The ball of flames was shot back to its owner, but it wasn't like if Omiko was scared or something. She has mauled on much more bigger seafood that this appetizer. "You bit the hook." Hakodate grimaced while her cybernetic len began to emit a white glow. "Secret technique! Dead Man's Glare!"

From the lens of the tennist, she shot a powerful laser beam at the ball, but a few people could see that this wasn't your average laser beam shot by your average joe on an average Sunday. If you pay close attention, you could see the end of the beam was actually a hand holding a tennis racket which returned the ball back.

The tennis ball bounced and hit a good chunk of the crowd behind Ryuko, blasting all poor bystanders out of the walls of Honnouji Academy. At least it was good as certain that neither Mankanshoku and Joker weren't spanked to kingdom come since they thankfully stood right next to the other side of the impact area.

"30-15! Hakodate has the upperhand!" The One-Stars rewarded the Club President with a round of applause and feed more that parasite inside of her known as arrogance. But this weren't like a hype-type round of applause. These were comparable to a bunch of adults clapping after a performance of an orchestra.

All the while, Ryuko was lifting herself up after being blown out by the blast that left a huge hole right through the bleachers beside her. "I swear to god, Once I beat that smug little gremlin at her own game, I'm gonna rip that giant racket off her hands and start beating it with- OWW! TSSS!" Ryuko suddenly felt an unexpected pain in her body. Her arms and legs were starting to struggle to lift her torse and such and by some work of whathever lunatic deity, her vision was turning foggy and blurry. "Dammit! W-why do I feel to weak and winded all of the sudden?" She grabbed her head in attempts to control her vertigo.

"You're not being careful with the implications that come of using my powers Ryuko." Her Kamui talked. "You have to understand that using my powers will shorten your time limit. Right now you only have 5 minutes left before you collapse."

"Tch! Then that's enough time to defeat this bozo then." Matoi just ignored her uniform's well-intentioned warning once she got herself up.

"Ryuko! You gotta listen! I'm saying this for your own sake!"

"Do your kind call jumping over people and forcing themselves onto them affection? Then I don't wanna know what your definition of marriage is then."

The black and red Kamui really grew concerned. It may be true that he wasn't really controlling his own impulses when he first met Ryuko, which was understandable since he was practically on a coma and haven't eaten anything. But something in his fabric was telling him that he has to protect this girl. Was it his purpose, or perhaps just a sense of selflessness? No matter, Ryuko showed herself too stubborn and headstrong to listen and take advice.

The tennis match continued on. Hakodate was practically overwhelming Ryuko in terms of streght and experience, which only made the aforementioned become more desperate and reckless. This only made the already rigged stack of cards to basically collapse onto Ryuko.

"Crud! What is happening to that girl? Why has her moves got so sloppy and predictable out of the sudden?" Morgana even was weary of Ryuko's situation. Even with how much she was hitting back the ball and forth, it would be a moment of time for her to give up and fall on her chest.

"This, is it!" Feeling sure that this would be the final blow to at least gain some points, Ryuko threw herself to where the ball was going to hit. Only for a twist to occur.

The ball suddenly stopped momentum and stood still right at the top of Ryuko's racket. The tennis ball was starting to act on its own and rolled all the way to Ryuko's shoulder.

"The hell-" Ryuko said in utter confusion moments before getting blasted to the remaining crowd from the ball's blazing uppercut.

"15-45!" Sanageyama once again announced and the public praised Hakodate's name, redundantly or not.

"Haha! What do ya' think new girl? I made sure to put a special spin on that one." Omiko grinned at the beaten Ryuko who was literally backed against the wall upside down, giving all those the booty hidden under her short skin.

Male-gazers were not left awaited. A rain of red emerged from the noses of all those perverts looking at the exposed girl. Even Mankanshoku tried her best to not look but the brunette girl couldn't let such an opportunity go to waste.

"Dammit! Ryuko's getting pummeled! If she goes on like this, no doubt that I'll end in disaster!" Mona gave his worriedsome comment on what was happening, but he quickly noticed the tense look on Joker's eyes.

"Goddammit! I cannot let her be beaten like this and do nothing!" Akira's tone and mannerism really gave off the impression that he was done being a bystander. "That's it! I'm going in!" He was done being a bystander and was heading down to the court to deal with Omiko herself. Just for a bright white light above him to stop his tracks.

"Stay, where, you, are!" The commanding and monarchic voice of Satsuki Kiryuin was enough for everyone except herself to stay quiet. As it was expected, the lady of war was standing proud and tall over the top spire of Honnouji Academy all by herself, her Bakuzan and the bright light behind her.

"Great! Now what's itching your balls Satsuki? Why don't you bring your loud-ass down here and engage on a normal discussion for fucking once-"

"Your opinions are not welcome for now Matoi. I'm addressing myself to our humble Hall Monitor down here." Satsuki shut Ryuko's beak just before narrowing down at Akira from her place. "I see that your motivation and selflessness are not lacking. It is truly admirable." Satsuki paused for a moment to give a big… "HOWHEVER! I'm afraid to break it down to you, but those qualities are in the wrong place."

"How so?" Akira looked up at Satsuki with a pseudo-scowl. The entire court was mortified by the non-formal tone he was addressing at their holy lady.

"Don't you rembereber what you said early? This IS Ryuko's fight, not yours. This doesn't help the fact that you've been slacking off during duty. Now, if you really thrive for that One-Star promotion, I suggest you let Ryuko fix her own mistakes and focus on catching that rodent skulking among our ranks.

"Really so? Knowing that you could have already guessed who's the spy among us, why haven't you done the job yourself?" Akira scoffed right at the dactatress' face, making all of hell freeze.

Satsuki closed her eyes before giving her answer to the Trickster. "It may not come as a surprise, but i have already discovered who is the trying to snatch one of our Goku Uniforms right under our noses. It's just that a lion doesn't have to waste strength on hunting rabbits. I should lend the pursuit to a fox instead and see if he really is worthy to be part of the pack." She clarified, still looking like an alpha woman. "In fact, it was I who tasked Gamagori of giving you this specific mission under the impression that it was his idea. It's a test to see how far your instincts and intuitions goes, and how much loyalty do you really tend to give us to achieve your objectives. Since I feel generous today, I'll just tell you that the traitor is inside the Academy as we speak. The rest is up to you to figure it out, Hall Monitor."

Akira was still for a moment before recuperating his neutral expression.

"As your will says, milady." Kurusu bowed before his superior. This pleased Satsuki.

"Excellent. Now, go back to what you were tasked with and do not disappoint me." Those were the only words Satsuki was left to tell the hero of this story.

"She's right. We've been wasting time here. Let's get that spy and get this over with!" Morgana jumped back down Akira's dufflebag.

The black-haired teen nodded. "We've got ourselves a stake-out to do." He exclaimed before running back inside the main building of Honnouji Academy, leaving Mako and Ryuko to fend themselves.

"Hey ice queen? What's with the dirty look on me? Are you seriously going to tell that you're also some sort of sick pervert?" Ryuko barked at the woman above her status, but Satsuki only looked at the rash teenager with disdain.

"You have guts to compare me from all people to a mere peasant jailed by its own unfiltered lust." Satsuki said. "I'm here to simply see if you really are worthy of your Kamui and hope that you are not just a meat puppet for the god's robe to control."

"What?" Ryuko shouted with anger. "So you know what a Kamui is!" Fueled by nothing but her red temper, Ryuko plucked herself out of the spiked wall and back to the fray. "Congratulations Satsuki Kiryuin! You just confessed that you are the idiot I've been looking for! And now you're in for a treat! I'm gonna beat your little pet shark right here in front of your eyes!"

"Your determination is quite admirable, Matoi. Which is a goal of itself if you made me admit it." This was only one of the few times that Satsuki smiled, although still with her thick eyebrows frowned. "Let's hope that it doesn't cloud your judgement whatsoever."

Back to the main action, Ryuko gave herself some soft slaps to ginger up. "And that reminds me, I've realized that this racked won't do for me." She calmy stated before slamming her racket down to the ground into a million pieces.

"WHAT?" Sanageyama got up from his seat. He instantly began to blow his whistle out loud for the dismay of everyone's eardrums. "What you did was a foul play new girl! Breaking your racket is the same thing as to admitting defeat!"

"Hey, let me finish!" Ryuko interrupted the green monkey's malding as she brought out her scissor blade and janked up a long and thick life fiber threat out of Senketsu to wrap it up where she holds her weapon. "There! Now I think the field's even."

"Oh, you gotta be freaking kidding me!" Uzu then hissed again in distaste. "Using your Scissor Blade as a racket mid-game is another foul move! That's does it! Disqua-"

"Pfft! Don't be such buzzkill sir." Hakodate stopped the chair of the Sports Division from giving her the victory by default. "Remember where we are? A tennis court. To be more precise, MY tennis court, so my word here tops even the likes of the Elite 4. If the girl wants to use that giant chopsticks as a replacement, then its fine by me. Maybe that way I won't fall down asleep with how disappointing my opponent has been."

"But i…" Sanagayema was going to complain, but the menacing precense of Lady Satsuki was telling him from far away that even she will permit it if it means more data to collect for her intel team, so he abruptly sat down with a frown. "Alright… Then go on…" He blurted sourly.

"Alright!" Matoi smirked before daggering at Omiko. "Listen here shark-bait! You're going down for good!"


Leaving Ryuko for her luck, Akira shuffled all the way to scavenge every hallway and classroom inside. Of course, he made sure to not sprint or run as it was one of the violations to Honnouji Academy's conduct rule.

Yet his search appeared to not take him anywhere useful. He asked every student he bumped in, every teacher, even the poor janitor, but they all shook in denial of seeing any sketchy activity among the students.

Kurusu had to relax his mind for a while. He sat on a bench and opened the zip of his bag to let Morgana out to enjoy some fresh air.

"We've been chasing our tails for who know how long. Yet, we haven't found any clues to who the mole is." The teen held his head to ease off his strain and better focus on his mission. "We already asked all Club Presidents on the Academy. It's like, like…"

The boy and the black cat look at eachother in surprise now that they have finally found the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

"The mole isn't a Club President!" Ren an Morgana explained in unison.

"Hey weird kid! Why don't you talk with your cat outside? You're irritating us, see?" One of the bypassing No-Stars called Akira for his odd behavior with his cat, which was understandable considering that no one but him were able to understand Morgana.

Akira apologized for his disturbance and moved somewhere else not so crowded to have a better discussion with Morgana and not bother anyone.

"But now bring us to a more complex issue. Searching for the One-Star spy will put us on the old predicament of the neddle on a hay." Joker commented to Mona. "So we first need to sort off what group of No-Stars would be the most that stench like fish."

"So then we can be sure that no one of the Disciplinary Committee would be a potential suspect. They're too loyal to Gamagori to go against his rules." Mona added.

"Neither the One-Stars of the Tennis Club. I know the face of a humbug by experience." The Wild Card told Morgana, referring about already knowing Akechi's true and malevolent self-hidden by his pretty boy detective mask.

The duo continued to ponder and scratch off any One-Star batch like a game of Guess Who. But soon they had their train of thought stopped by the call of a distressed Male One-Star from the Airsoft Club that was hopping left and right over his urges to dispatch his fountain.

"Ey ya' palooka! Talkin' to ya'!" The One-Star prod Kurusu's shoulder and talked with a hard-mobster accent.

The bespectacled teen looked at the student that had a favor to ask him. "You seem stressed. Need something? But it better be quick cuz' I'm on duty."

"Of course, dat's quick man! So quick that I came jogging down the hallway tryin' to hold off the urge to pee! D'ya have a clue where da' boy's bathroom is?"

Akira pointed to his left and the One-Star jet himself to do his knees and leave a cloud of dust for the Hall Monitor to swallow.

"CUGH! COUGH! Not even a thanks or anything? Man, these kids need to learn some ettiquete." Morgana furrowed at the boy's gesture of gratide. He turned at Joker to see If they can resume their investigation, but he detected that his leader's intuitions have hit the spot.

"Under no circumstance, no student is allowed to run among the hallways unless they have the jurisdiction of the Student Council…" Akira rubbed his chin when he recited one of the rules off Honnouji's Iron Rules. "We've got ourselves a winner Mona." They have finally found their target once he foolishly exposed himself by breaking such a simple law.

The Hall Monitor immediately headed to the boy's restroom of this floor with a confident walk that brought the attention of some of the students passing by. Maybe it had to do with his high charisma points, but let's not pivot ourselves from the plot.

Kurusu eavesdrop the rat talking to his contractor or boss behind the entrance of the bathroom, ready to perform an all-out stakeout.

"Let's not jump into the fray without proper planning first, Joker. Once we're in, there's no doubt that we will force to fight the mole while he tries to avoid us. Be sure to change any Personas that could prove useful." Morgana being the wise cat he is, gave some important advice to his friend before engaging with the One-Star.

Akira took this recommendation and realized that it was the perfect time to show off his new Persona he got from befriending Mataro.

Cutting to the One-Star who'se known as Takeshi Matsumoto, he was inside one of the bathroom stalls and made sure to lock the door well.

"Yo' G, ya' won't believe it but I snatched myself a Goku Uniform right undah' their big bozo noses." Matsumoto informed his superior about the good news. "All dat's left is get my gg-ass outta dis' rock and-"

"FREEEZE!" Akira intervened Matsumoto's talk by breaking the door with a straight kick. "Takeshi Matsumoto, as Hall Monitor I put you under arrest for conspiracy against Lady Satsuki! If you come quietly with your hands in the open, the Student Council will consider lightening your sentence. Resist any further and you I'll apply more violent measures!"

"Have those high n' mighty fuckers or getting an ass whoop by yo'? No hay bruh! I'm bustin' out!" Matsumoto quipped in desperation right before pulling a smoke bomb from his pocket and slamming it down. Yet, nothing happened…

"Damn it! Dis' thing's broken! I'm gonna sue da' wise guy who sold me this!"

"Are you done with your circus act? I don't have all day." Joker scowled at the spy with arms crossed and with his foot tapping with a rhythmic pace.

"Da' only thing I'm done is yo' attitude buster!" Takeshi spat. "I'll have ya' known that I know the most secret of technique to get mah' ass outta every pickle!" He grimaced in malice as he was about to pull out his most secret of secret ace cards. "LOOK! IS DAT' LADY SATSUKI OVER THERE!?"

The Hall Monitor still looked at the thug scowfully. Was he really expecting him to fall for such an obvious trick? Unfortunately, he soon discovered that this wasn't Matsumoto's true escape mechanism. While he was briefly stunned in the disappointment of the trick, it was enough for the runaway spy to shuffle back to the exit and run for it.

"Darn it! How could we fall for such an obvious trick?" Morgana declared. "What am I saying? This is the worst time to complain! After him before he gets away!"

Akira quickly left the restroom with a good sprint to pursue Matsumoto, or he would do that if it wasn't for some mysterious force pulling his feet from running.

"Gnh! Now what?" Akira gritted in frustration. By some mysterious reason, something as simple as running was starting to feel like an irritating chore. He was feeling as if he had heavy sacks of sand wrapped in each foot.

It took Mona to de-cipher what was going on with his friend once he pit 1 and 1 together. "The Hall Monitor Sash! It must be forbidding you from running in the hallways since it's one of the school rules!"

Who's nimroid's idea was to add such a feature to the uniform that is created to pursue criminals? Either Honnouji Academy was so infectious with their rules that they would undoubtedly marry them if they were to be a person or really… Now that Joker thought it better, maybe they don't have to break the rules at all…

The young Thief looked at his right and saw an open window, which inserted a genious plan for Akira to perform.

The mole though that he lost them while continuing to jog over the halls, pushing students to the sides that obstructed his path to the exit. "Ha! Dat Suckah's too slow, he may look turtles look like Sonic in comparison!" Matsumoto exclaimed with a mirth. "Now, to yet mah' ass outta-"

"Here? Not today!" Takeshi was hit with a cloud of confusion and looked around the hallways. He swore that he heard that meddling kid's voice taunting his escape, or maybe he was too slow that he spit out his ghost just to give chase.

"Huh? Where yo' rats hidin'? Once I find ya', I'll scrub yo' stinkin' bodies down the halls and paint them in red!" Matsumoto cursed in desperation, only to feel his shoulder being tipped by a sneaky finger which startled him.

"Then I hope your shoes can walk through the ceiling, cuz I'm above ya'!" Akira called his opponent, which the One-Star poser responded by gasping out a fat cloud of shock. Did the nerd covered his shoes on glue, or is he really running though the mere ceiling of the Academy. "Impressed? Praise the Sewing Club for the Anti Gravity function in the sash."

"You cheatin' wimp! That's not fair!"

"You wanna talk about fair?" Akira grinned while taking out his Hall Monitor Sash and spinning it up his head like a cowboy lasso. "Then let me even the field for ya'! Get over here!" He hurled the ribbon right at the fugitive which the piece of cloth automativcally wrapped itself onto his prey and leave him like a christmas present.

"NGH! Why you little!" Matsumoto cursed with grinding teeth. The chance of reaching his airsoft weapon in his waist were diminished to a mere myth with all possible limbs rendered useless. "But don't act all cock n shit! Cuz' I'm always armed to the teeth!" Matsumoto suddenly showed a gigantic grimace on his face to expose his white teeth. But Joker could foretell this wasn't just some weird manouver to deceive him. Within each of the teeth, it opened holed where mini machine-guns sprouted from its inside.

"Crap!" Joker pushed the Airsoft mole away by unraveling his sash from his target and performed a set of backflips, avoiding the rain of bullets pointed at his directions. Yet fate wasn't kind for the Trickster with one of the loosen bullets hitting straight to his left shoulder, making him shout in pain and hold his would with his right hand.

Takeshi couldn't contain his fit of arrogant cackles and walked towards the wounded Phantom Thief to mock him for his weakness. "GYAHAHAHAHA! Is dat' your best shot? Also can't believe those suckas from the Airsoft Club would be too dum' to offer me dis' cyber-enchantments. Da' G's gonna pay me extra cash once I show em' my new babies. While you will stink' with Honnouji Shame."

"Grhhh… I'll be honest with you. You-you, really got me good…" Kurusu furrowed at the over-confident kid while trying to brave his supposed injury, but Matsumoto could notice something, that didn't fit with the situation, like he could swear he saw the bespectacled teen smirking like if he had she upperhand. "Or I would say that if it weren't for the fact Goku Uniforms are absolutely Bulletproof!" He revealed the weasel in front of him that he was bamboozled. They would the rebel faked was just a distraction. "But can the same thing be said coming to cats?"

"Da fudge?"

The signal was on! Mona pounced behind Takeshi Matsumoto's back and quickly crawled to his head to overwhelm him with a cat-scratch frenzy.

"GYAAAH! GAAAHH! OH JESUS! JESUS CHRIST!" Takeshi lost control of his balance and tumbled left and right with Morgana decorating his blank face with scratch marks uglier than the last. "GODDAMM! WHERE DA' VARMIN' STERMINATOR IN DIS' DAMN SCHOOL! GET THIS FURBALL OUT OF MUH' EYES! MY BEAUTIFUL EYES!"

"Joker, while he's distracted!" Morgana looked at Akira to execute his plan now because Matsumoto was already showing signals of fighting back.

Joker nodded to reply. His meek glassed morphed into his Phantom Thief mask to unbound the Holy Egyptian God of the Sun, bearing golden wings whose luster and light bright just as pure and intense as the Sun. "Horus, Attack!" Joker commanded his avian Persona as the divine eagle roared with raw purity to summon a group of light-forged spears that instantaneously pierced through Matsumoto's Goku Uniform to nail him back against a wall now with zero hopes of pulling a Houdini.

"GOD DAMMIT!" The mole spat in frustration and defeat now that he was at the mercy of Akira Kurusu. "Ey wise guy, dat' ain't fair, see? What's the deal with pulling dat' giant chicken out da' ass? Damn you and yo' plot-convinent anime powers!" Much like a salmon reeled to the surface after fishing, Takehsi was flailing his whole body and see if the movement could at least tear the fabric of his uniform and attempt an escape, but then stopped half-track that he was just self-saboteur Ing his own plans.

Akira just squinted at Matsumoto with pitty. All that gloating and he's just as much of a loser as Palace Ruler upon defeat, desperately trying to resort to anything just to retain some sort of semblance of their vanishing pride.

"Hey man, yo' look you could use some gg easy greens. Got' sum' here in my pocket. Now, why don't yo' let me free, and I'll pay ya' with a fat stack of cash?" Akira looked at Matsumoto that tried to bribe him, but he instead brought his smartphone to inform Gamagori of his success.

"Sorry, my will is not that fragile." Akira muttered at the spy while his phone got in line with the goliath of a Student. "This is Akira Kurusu to Ira Gamagori. I captured the mole red-handed just as you ordered, it was Takeshi Matsumoto of the Airsoft Club. What's next?"

"Well done Kurusu. I'm almost done with my patrol shift at the 2-Star districts." Gamagori talked with the Phantom Thief from the phone-line. "In the meantime, make sure to keep an eye on the mole until I come back. Then Lady Satsuki will address your reward for your services." After that, the human titan hung up the line to leave the Trickster to keep a close look at the spy.

"Well, we're at least one step closer to a promotion, so don't feel so bad Joker." Morgana talked with Akira to rise his mood. "Well, although it's going to be hard to digest the fact that they'll proooooobably kill him in public and most likely in a very humiliating way…" Akira felt really bad for himself for what his cat confessed. Even Mona was mortified that his assumptions were not that far from reality. I mean, he has the whole Fukuroda incident as a good example.

"Grrr! Yo' may have flushed down Plan A, but thanks to yo', Plan B and C are runnin' faster than the likes of Speedy Gonzales man!"

Matsumoto statement forced both cat and teen to turn at him. Something about the way he said it shoot down any hopeful doubts that he was bluffing. No, they can see a liar when they see and hear one, and for their dismay their enemy before them didn't come from that neighborhood.

That's when Matsumoto revealed the ace he was hiding under his literal sleeve, being the shape of a control remote that only had one comically big red button you often see in cartoons to the point it also has that chick skull with crossed bones behind it.

"See dis' baby ya' Kiryuin Dick-suckahs'? Well, this ain't the only stressing bout' your mind should only stressed out!" Matsumoto cackled maniacly despite being apprehended to toe to wrist. "While I fool ya butts, I've made sure to perk up sum' things on yo' school. So don't even sprout a sweat in dat' empty head of yours, or all of yo' fellow Honnouji dogs in da yard' gonna go Boom Boom bye bye!" He bragged on and on, just having his thumb floating over the red button to reduce all of Honnouji Academy to dust.

SNATCH!

Kurusu wasn't going to have more of the mole shenanins signified by swiftly snatching the remote control out of Matsumoto's grasp. This of course enraged the already defeated villain, but Joker couldn't let this asshole blow-up a courtyard full of kids, more when Ryuko and Mako were still there.

"You country-size asshole! Give it back!" He demanded, but his grimace of anger would quickly twist into one of malice. "If that was the REAL detonator."

"What the-" Winced Joker. Turning his head at the remote control in his hands, he saw that the red button opened and shoot a heavy net that wrapped all of himself alongside Morgana, now switching the papers of this bizarre stage since Joker now was the one wrapped at the mercy of the enemy before falling down to the floor.

"You gotta be kidding me! That was a fake?" Mona gasped in unfortunate shock.

"GYAHAHAHA! Say bustah', where did dat smug grin of yours went? Back to yo' ass? AHAHAHA!" Matsumoto laughed his ass off still in disbelief a trick so stupidly stupid like that actually worked. In fact, things were sailing on his desired direction by the fact the light spears that kept him prisoner wore off after Joker lost his focus after that unexpected ambush.

"Ngh… As much as I hate you for pulling that stunt, I gotta handled it to ya'. You got me real good there." Akira grunted now that Matsumoto's foot was pressing over his head. This was truly an undesirable situation. Kurusu wasn't able to reach neither his mask or knife, but even then he really doubt that that piece of rusted metal would work to cut off his constrains.

But alas, Takeshi was getting overboard of himself at his victory. "Oh, and I know what you're askin' yourself right now bub, where is da' real detonator? HERE!" He shouted with delight now holding a more sophisticated remote control in his hands. "So listen here 4 eyes, don't ya' ever move a muscle, or yo' friends outside will be blown to kingdom come, if you had any that is."

This was a crucial point for Joker, and the Phantom Thief could see that. The enemy before him clearly was one of those that have more ego than grey matter in their brains, so if he pick his words right, he may stall the idiot long enough until Gamagori returns. But what? He ain't no shadow so his methods of negotiationg will be totally different.

"You're b-bluffing…" Joker coughed. "Besides, knowing how we Honnouji Students have an abnormal resistance to everything, it won't matter if your bombs make a Megidolaon look like a second-hand firecracker, it will only leave a small scratch in worst case scenario." The gambit was risky and could potentially fail with Joker's half-baked scoff. But surely must stall Matsumoto long enough.

This would prove to be fruitless because Takeshi wasn't that gullible as Joker thought. He could taste first class the ironic desperation of the Phantom Thief and could only watch in distorted amusement. "Oh really? Sumthin' bout those grinding teeth of yours oozes out dat' you want a small demo. Here, how bout' a sneak-peek?"

How could Akira be so stupid? He took the enemy for granted and he seen through his words. The lives of a lot of people are now at the mercy of this pompous mafioso wanna-be. Was there really anything in his power to stop him from taking the futures of so many people?

Or was there?

"Code Omega! I repeat, this is a code Omega! We have ourselves a runaway test-subject running amock unrestrained! Run for your ennin' lives!" Both parties never expected to see an anxious Sewing Club-Member sunning and yapping like a anxious chicken, but Matsumoto had a ton of clues on what the faceless mook was talking about.

"Wait! Dat' hoober ain't read-"

CRASH!

A large and heavy object impacted over Matsumoto with an impact wave that covered the whole hallway on a strong mist of dust.

Whathever god or satan-sent being that was, one thing was certain on the Phantom Thief's mind and that is that Matsumoto was now flattened like a stamp, which freed him from his hold up. He had no time to waste and rolled back to get up. Though, Mona and him were uncertain on what was the thread before him about.

"Man, talk about a miracle falling from their skies." Akira scoffed while swipping off some blood from his lip.

"I don't think it's much of a miracle Joker, but don't lower your guard down just yet!" Mona warned his friend while the afromention Phantom Thief held his glasses if anything where to happen.

The teen watched closely to see what kind of threat was he up against now. Like a dramatic curtain, the clouds of smoke disperse revealing to be a humongous student whose savage expression could tell you he is on a rampant mindset. Akira thought Gamagori was ginormous, but this 'thing' would make the Toad look like a fly in comparison! That guy has HUGE and HUMONGOUSLY RIPPED!"

"GROOOAH!" The berserked student unleashed a mighty roar that shook the entire school and even broke some nearby windows.

"ATTENTION ALL PRESENT STUDENTS OF HONNOUJI ACADEMY! WE DETECTED A CODE OMEGA! I REPEAT! WE DETECTED A CODE OMEGA! A TEST SUBJECT FROM THE SEWING CLUB HAS LOST ALL REASONING AND HE'S GOING TO DEMOLISH THE WHOLE INSTITUTE! TAKE COVER OR BE KILLED!" An anonymous disembodied voice alarmed all present students inside the academy and followed by red alarms painting the walls.

All students were instantly sent on a huge stampede out of panic. Both One-Stars and No-Stars were running aimlessly due to their fear blinding their senses and such. It was practically a Black Friday.

"You're saying that even in these circumstances, not even a single person tries to help everyone else? Jeez, this school really is a cesspool." Morgana purred in annoyance by the apparent apathy of the Honnouji higher-ups not even attempting to calm the anxiety of their piers.

"Either way Mona, there has been a change to our plans." Joker brought his knife out and quickly summoned Arsene to the fight. "He gotta figure out how to neutralize that monster before they wreck the entire school, or worse if he manages to rampage all the way to the shore of ths world's Tokyo!"

"RAAAGH!" The monstrous teen chaged toward Akira since he couldn't differentiate from friend or foe and decides to just smash anything in his path. He slammed both of his fist down to produce a mighty shockwave with the Trickster's name on it.

Akira quickly shoot his grappling hook to one of the ceiling's lamps and avoided the attack with style. Even so, a considerable amount of property damage was done, completely showing the power this muscled-up kid has.

The berserked student was looking over where he did his prey went. Just because you have huge muscles doesn't mean that you also have an equally remarkable mind, which is why Kurusu often holds the advantage over meat-headed opponents.

Kurussu whistled the monster to grab his attention. He blew his cover to show him that he was clinging over the ceiling's lamp, bearing a snarky smile of someone that knows he's over his opponent.

"Hey beef-brain! They really need to shut off your lights." Joker said to the beast while holding a black ball of darkness in part of Arsene's power. "Here! I'll helpy you with that!" he wasted no time into chucking his darkness misile at the monster's back, filling the hallways with a strong dark burst.

Afterwards, he grappled himself off from his hiding spot and back on land. "Did we beat him?"

Mona came out from the bag to confirm Akira's assumptions. His feline senses activated, feeling an imminent danger from the impact area. "No, I can feel his aura from the smoke."

Once the cloud from the impact cleared itself, it only revealed the berserked student still not suffering from even a single scratch. The musclebound freak only laugh with a deep and strong tone over the thief's fruitless effort.

"Damn!" Kurusu cursed. "Those muscles really aren't just for show it seems."

But he really wasn't allowed to even make comments right now. The monster boy took advantage of this and grabbed Akira by the leg. If you have seen the first Avengers movie, you may know what comes next. The hulking abomination was beating up the Wild card by slamming him on the ground left and right without any sort of remorse right before finishing it with a game of throw the wimp to the other side of the hallway.

Kurusu was buried deep within the wall of the end of this floor's hall. He was covered from to nail with bruises, but fortunately no bones were broken at least.

"Joker! Are you alright?" Morgana howled in warry of his Partner.

"COUGH! COUGH! Couldn't really say that for my injuries…" Akira was coughing all the cement particles he unintentionally swallowed, but other than that, he still had his spirit left unbroken. "But not is like that's going to stop me! If we beat Shido, why should we be scared about another nimrod who's all brawns and no brains." Kurusu was still eager to continue fighting and pulled himself out of the wall and jump back to the mix.

Even so, his opponent just had the right ingredient for Kurusu's cake of pain in the form of the titan himself ramming at him with his head. He was coming at the speed of an angry locomotive to flatten the messy-haired rogue for good.

"Cool it!" Akira called Jack Frost who froze the animal on block of ice with a strong ice-blow. "That should hold that slab of meat in the meantime. Enough time to get past it!" Kurusu then slid under the goliath's frozen legs and quickly snatched the controller dropped by Matsumoto. Well, what is left of that mushed pile of flesh and blood.

"We have the detonator for now, so that's one headace kicked out from our heads." Mona sighted while still staring at the giant steadly breaking free from his icing tomb.

"Still, that doesn't solve the question of how that protein megalomania got like that. I bet my 2 cents and the Devil fruit in my pocket that our guest here has something to do with it." Kurusu tried to search inside his mind any explicable reason for this to happen.

Mona too also tried his best to come up with something aat least, even tho he was the last guy in school with enough gathered clues to come up with a logical explanation. But one thing that mad ehim crack the case was when he noticed something in particular on their enemies vestment. "I don't think you'll like what I found out, but you have to see this."

Joker owled and looked where his cat wanted to see, and Morgana was right that he didn't want to imagine what he saw. It was in the Uniform this whole time, explain ing why that guy has gotten drunk on power. "Is that, a 5-Star Goku Uniform!?" His jaw dropped to the deepest circle of hell upon seeing this. As far as Satsuki taught him, the known limit the average human could stand to a Life-Fiber Uniform were those of 3-stars. He always wondered why they stopped on 3 and haven't tried to pursue Uniforms with higher stars, but his theory would have it that Life Fibers as powerful as they may be, they could also be unstable and even harmful for the human use. And this would be one of those instances where she hoped his theory would come off as false. It appears that wearing a Goku Uniform with too many Life Fibers you can resist may cause its wearer to go full primal Ape-Shit. Not that different from Akechi's Psychotic Breakdowns from his world. "No wonder this fella's tough as nuts. Critics must love his tantrums by that amount of stars in his shirt."

The titan broke free from his frozen predicament and resumed to ram against his victim now with a rampant shoulder bash.

"Get ready for the storm!" Morgana said to Joker as he summoned Horus now fully prepare to fight what's in front of him, even with the lack of teammates or Personas. Seems that this would a really tough battle for the Phantom Thief all by himself.

But not for long.

"You seem to run off to the Joseph and Goliath predicament it seems." A disembodied voice adlled Akira, which in turn made the thief feel puzzled on who might be. "I was planning to just let you clean this mess, but I figure out that Ladt Satsuki would cut down my laptop if I don't make me responsible of my own failures, so consider yourself lucky."

SNAP!

The sound of snapped fingers was heard and made the monster man turn around and witness a set of ligh blue arrows made out of digital cubes, all locked on him.

"By the way, I owed you my gratitude for volunteering to be this loosen dog's chew-toy for the time being. I was able to strip him off from his data and develop some countermeasure protocols." The owner of the voice showed himself being the chairman of the Analytics division of the Student Council and member of the Elite 4 Houka Innumuta who was camouflaged thanks to one of the powers of his Probe Regalia. His battlesuit in question consisted of a navy-blue skin-tight suit that covered him from toes to neck, armed to the teeth with keyboards galore in both arms and legs and even on his buns, being complemented by a technological head-set that concealed his eyes. "Analysis 100 % completed! Weak Spots adquired! Success rate, neh… It will work either way! Secret Technique! Weak Spot Confirmed!" Houka cherished and fired his javelins in spades at the monsters back, managing to pierce through his uniform and force him to bent over for the time being.

Akira sweat off a drop of relief knowing that some cavalry has arrives, but Fido wasn't the only knight sent to the rescue.

"Be fast and take cover!" The voice of Iori passed over Akira's head long before the thief would be covered by a long black mantle. One could argue that this was some strategy made by an enemy, but Joker? He already knew first hand.

It was Shiro IIori, donning his 3-Star Goku Uniform, worthy suit for the highest-ranking Emperor of Honnouji, and the fact that he is the sole responsible for their creation only multiplies its points. But enough chit-chat, it is time for action. Jus like Doctor Octopus, SIori had a quartet of tentacles with giant tweezers in their ends. "Thank you for incapacitating the test subject Innumuta, now find cover. This is going to be ugly, even for you."

"Is there any possibility to object? As a researcher, I live and breathe for data. Watching the results of this animal first hand will nourish me with knowledge." Teased Innumutaa, but the sewer's scowl was all he needed to give him the message. "Alright, commoners tend to say better be a living fool than a dead wise man." Houka left in defeat from Iori's radius.

"I hope you remember who are your masters with this, you mutt!" Innumuta snarled at the monster student while his 2 tentacles attached themselves into the being's limbs. Sparks surged from within the tendrils as they rev themselves to release a painful shock.

KRAKAKA!

"SECRET TECHNIQUE! STORM OF SEAM!" Iori shouted as his Goku Uniform delivered a huge electric shock that breached through the muscles of the bersresked boy, causing him to roar for all the pain he was enduring. "There. That should buy us some time to regroup and think for a solution." Iori sighted with eyes closed while his tendrils shrunk back to their original leght. "And don't pretend that I was unaware of you Inumuta. I knew you would disobey me by going invisible."

"You caught me right in the act Iori." Innumuta confessed while his camouflage option wore off. "Couldn't help myself but to encroach and gather any important data I could find."

"Well, at least the important fact is that you aren't dead. Though, it would be idiotif cor me to think you could get hurt or anything. There's a reason why Lady Satsuki chose you to form part of the Elite 4." Shiro blurted either way. Afterwards, he pulled Akira out from his black mantle. "Now, about you Hall Monitor. It so happens that you have crossed with an undesirable issue. Even if it hurts our pride as high ranking officers of Lady Sasuk''s court, we apologize from me and Innumuta's part." He bent over Akira to beg his apologies.

"Excuse me…?"

"To put it in a way your simpleton brain could understand, me and Iori were researching if it could be possible to manufacture uniforms that surpass even the likes of a 3-Star, inspired by the so-called superiority of Ryuko Matoi's Kamui. Turns out that the mush of flesh that is now Takeshi Matsumoto knoew about our secret project and purpousefully sabotaged the 5-Star Goku Uniform by giving it an overdose of Life Fibers to the point they became unstable."

"In all honesty Innumuta, I doubt that the spy's meddling would make any difference on our results. Not all people bear high Life Fiber resistance like the Student Council nor Akira Kurusu. The Life Fibers seized the opportunity to possess our guinnea pig and they took like a bunch of landlords."

Hearing this fact brought Morgana's interest. "Interesting. So it happens that the more Life Fibers a Goku Uniform posseses, the more likely its Life Fibers will make its wearer go psychotic." The cat furrowed with intrigue.

"Seems that it takes the concept of fashion disaster to the next level Mona." Joker remarked with crossed arms. "Is there any way we can stop that thing before it wrecks the whole school?"

"Unfortunately, our chances of pacifying our runaway student are 1%." Houka clarified since it told him his computer. "And still, destroying a Goku Uniform will be a hard task on itself. Lady Satsuki made sure that the battle armors of her troops would be indestructible. And don't even hope of using firepower. Goku Uniforms are bullet-proof by nature."

"Hey! Didn't Lady Satsuki told us that Ryuko's Scissor Blade has the power to cut any object made of Life Fibers?"

"Good observation Akira. However, I doubt that your confidant will agree to help us taking in consideration her brash and hot-tempered nature. And even so, we don't have the privilege to wait until her feud with Hakodate transpires."

Things appeared to be bleak for the team, and the beast was already showing signs of recuperating his energies. That's until a bulb flashed over Iori's head.

"Do I need to remind you that Ryuko isn't the only person here to have an anti-Life Fiber weapon Innumuta?" The tailor wanted the computer nerd to recall something important, and luckily the blue-haired elite quickly remembered.

"Lady Satsuki's Bakuzan! That's it!"

"Let me guess, her sword can cut through Life Fibers too?"

"Indeed Akira." Innumuta turned to confirm. "Lady Satsuki has been bestowed with the Secret Weapon Bakuzan. A one-of-a-kind sword that can cut through anything like a hot knife to a butter, including Life Fibers."

"Humph… She must have it if a rose in her garden starts to turn white."

"Can you be done with your snarky metaphors?" Iori looked at the thief with an annoyed scowl. "If you're going to say something, it better be worth it."

Kurusu grinned, already with something that might help them for round 2. "Indeed I have." His glasses turn once again into a mask for that mask to be later transformed into the divine Egyptian avian Horus.

"Amazing! It appears that our new students also has in possession an astral representation of the Egyptian Sky God!" Innumuta was in awe and intrigue.

"Horus! Grant us the blessing of speed! Masukukaja!" The light god cried to bathe Joker's allies in a holy light, with each one of them feeling the speed of 100 stars blessing their feet and reflexes.

"By the theory of Newton! I feel lighter than feather!" Innumuta had no words how to describe this sensation. His whole life was in turn of science and logistic, and this buff he received had no scientific explanation of how it works.

"We can discuss our Hall Monitor's powers for another occasion. The enemy is almost recovered." Iori told his lab partner so he couldn't do anything stupid. But he quickly remembered to do with Akira. "Which reminds me, It may be wise to lift those drawbacks from your Goku Uniform."

It took Shiro a snap from his fingers to do his magic, and skiddle skoodle, Akira was now free from his own Goku Uniform's restrictions to break the rules. Now he can finally run and not get trampled by that berserked student.

"I'll save the chit-chat. I made the damn thing, so I know the ins and outs of it. Don't worry for Gamagori, he will understand eitherway." Iori quickly explained to the thief as everyone was now in battle position. "New objective, lure the beast to the courtyard." Everyone else nodded in agreement. "Be careful everyone, the monster is about to strike!"

"GRAAAAAH!" The monster lunged against the 3 teens fully enraged, but the 3 were able to easily avoid the fist slam in time.

The goliath was hit with confusion and wondere where did his prey went, perfect timing for a counterattack.

Kurusu threw his sash at one of the giant's hands to bind them right before changing Personas to Arsene. "Arsene, Attack!" His main Persona quickly charged at the berserked beast with a nifty dive-kick in the face and throw him on the ground.

The monster recovered quickly and snarled with a fist slam to the floor. The first thing he saw was the Trickster and his irksome cocky smirk. He was just begging to be crushed by his arms, which was the plan.

"Hey there wimp, were those muscles of yours really real? Or did all your fat simply ran out of space to the point it had to disperse all over your body? Cuz' man! You're making it seem like it!" Akira insulted the beast with a cackle before getting out of there with a sprint.

The monster wasn't gonna let a newbie break his already glass-like ego, so he wasn't going to rest until he squeezes that smugness out of him until he pops like a grape. He roared and beat his chest like a bona-fied gorilla and gave chase to the black-haired young adult down the hallways.

The bait was set off, and now it was Innumuta's turn to strike. "I must thank you for all the data you gave me No-Star that I'll probably forget it even existed. In fact, wouldn't you like to test your limits of your power… AGAINST YOURSELF!?"

POW!

"Secret Technique! Copy and Paste!" A digital copy of the giant bashed the real one against a wall thanks to Innumuta's collected data. His specialty was the use of sneaky tactics to analyze his enemies before bombarding them with a taste of their own medicine.

"Tch… Show-off." Iori rolled his eyes. Behind him were his own men, all carrying fire extinguishers and all pointing at the wild man. "Steady…" He muttered seeing the brute stick himself out of the wall-hole and quickly turned at the tailor with both fists in air. "FIRE!" All One-Stars sprayed the giant with streams of white stuff that pushed him away. He tried to take vengeance, but in a cruel turn of fate, he saw his muscles deflating like depressed balloons before him. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was now surrounded by One-Stars and the 3 main powerhouses.

HOLD UP!

"Wonder why the fire extinguishers? Guess he was practically too hot for us to handle." Akira came out from his hiding place with both arms shrugged, although not even a cricket laughed.

"Right… I forgot you're still new to Honnouji Academy." Iori sighted and implore the Trickster to lend him his ears. "That before you is in fact frothied bleach. You are aware that Life Fibers are living organisms, but I'm sure that you don't realize that they tend to have a bad reaction to anything that practically tarnishes clothing. Ink, coffee, sauce, mud, and of course run off the mill bleach."

"So I guess you use it to weaken Life Fibers, correct?"

Iori nodded. "Though, it isn't the answer to all Life Fiber problems we face. Otherwise, we could spray all that stuff to Matoi to put her in her place. The 5-Star Uniform is unstable, so the negative effects of Fiber Stain will result on having its Life Fibers falter to a strength level we can at least manage. But its effects wont last for very long."

"Indeed." The Elite 4's dog re-appeared beside Kurusu which made him jump out from the quick shock. "We have to throw all of our available resources against our weakened foe, and we have to do it on a synchronized pattern to overwhelm it. Or in other words, we have to hit that idiot with…"

"With an All-Out Attack? You got it!" Akira grinned while stripping the tech genius' words out of his throat. "Luckily for you, I'm a full expert on that field." He exclaimed as his persona bursted out from his soul. "Alright everyone, time for a boodbath!"

ALL-OUT ATTACK!

The 3 teens then lashed out against the knocked-down enemy with all of their streght and with an amazing speed that their opponent had little to no time to react to the ruthless rain of hits and kicks.

The monster lost its balance and finally gave up, or so its seemed at first glance. The musclebound giant began to shrink and deflate back into a plain ol' teenager collapsed on the floor.

"Well I didn't thought it would be that fast." Said Innumuta in surprise.

"And quite strange. Perhaps the test subject's Life Fibers must have winded and had to de-transform to prevent self-destruction." Deduced Iori.

"Uhhh… Is it over? Y-you promised me a One-Star Promiton if I offer myself to your freaky experiments…" The student in question still felt too numb to remember the rampage that he cause.

"Right… we almost forgot about him…" Houka sighted before turning at Iori's men. "Make sure to transfer this man to a nearby medical installation nearby Honnouji Academy, and inform the Student Council about his promotion from my part."

"Sir!" The One-Stars saluted, but Akira was the first one to step in to help.

Uppon closer inspection, the Trickster noticed something that didn't made sense. Something was lacking on that boy's clothes. "Guys, something is wrong!" Joker called the 2 researches and came to see what shook him,

"What the? His 5-Stars! They're gone!" Iori gasped in shock. Noone of the 5-Stars were present in the kid's experimental Goku Uniform, and his uniform was basically a plain No-Star one at this point.

"Well that's something you don't see everyday." Houka mused. "Which begs the question, what caused this strange event from happening?"

Mona too was also keen to this, and he was the first one to discover the source of this paradox. "Joker, look!" He prodded the Wild Card's shoulder to beg him to turn around and find out something horrifying.

Behind the trio's backs was a spider-like being out of Life Fibers the size of a couch with 5 stars in its face that worked as eyes, twitching like some sort of horrendous freak of nature and skreetching at the teens out of spite.

"W-what is that thing…?" Iori looked at the horrendous fiend in dread and repugnation. Nothing in the archives of the Kiryuin had any info about what kind of thing was thar.

The hideous thing wouldn't stand those 3 anymore and retreated by crawling through the halls of the academy.

"It wouldn't surprise me if that's one of Matsumoto's tricks. He may have planted that type of parasite into our experimental Goku Uniform in order to put it out of control." Innumuta theorized while making sure to take notes in his Goku Uniform.

"No, doubt that Takeshi must had something to do with that thing." Joker rose his voice.

"Care to elaborate?"

"It's not that I'm a genius or anything, but what if that bug was the will of the Goku Uniform's Banshi taken psysical form?" Joker pondered. "You said that Life Fibers posses some sort of consciousness, right? What if we pushed that savage will out of the Goku Uniform to the point its forced to find a… new host…?" Akira came to the horrendous realization of what was the parasite's aim. "Crap! It's trying to go outside to find a new host to possess! He might go for Ryuko!"

"Alright, I gotta stop you there for a second." Innumuta meanwhile had no time for that as he wanted to affirm something first. "Are you implying that thing is the result of supernatural forces? Preposterous."

"Fantastical or not, we're only losing time here." Iori snapped at Houka to put his mind on the mission. "That 'Jacket-Jacker' must be searching for a host strong enough to witstand its 5-star power, but with a lacking will power to submit easily. Ryuko may happen to fulfill those roles."

"Jacket-Jacker? I guess that name fit." Houka shrugged as he categorized that strange new parasite as that, a Jacket-Jacker.

"Then we have no time to waste here! Follow that monster!" Kurusu lead the other 2 to the doors of the courtyard, hopping that he's fast enough to reach Ryuko before she transforms into a musclebound monster herself.


"Bitch!" Ryuko shouted before slapping the speric bullet with her Scissor Blade-made-racket back at her opponent Hakodate.

"Lousy shit!" Omiko returned the insult and the ball as she too was starting to grow desperately from the constant barrage of insults both of them were firing at eachother. And even her enchance stamina was dwindling, drops of sweat falling from her face for the constant action she has gone through, but Ryuko was in no better position.

"Wow! Ryuko and Omiko have been sending the ball for like five minutes, I've basically lost the count!" Mankanshoku stood in awe in the crowd and her eyes were basically hooked on the tennis ball this whole match. Not even once she gave herself the privilege to wink.

"Mako, you can't even count to five without spacing out…" One of Mako's classmates who was standing beside her remarked.

We cut back to Ryuko, who she was trying to resist as much as she can. There were light remarks on her body that shown her bones pointing out that she's going all out if it means winning this tennis match even if it she is left dried out of blood.

"Ryuko! Your blood is running low! You have to stop already!" Although the Sailor Uniform was the one given a feast, he sounded anxious and worried about his host's well-being.

"You're the one insisting of having it, and now you're begging me to stop? Man! Just decide already!"

"I'm saying this because I'm worried about you!" The Kamui explained. "Pumping more blood to me may have extended the transformation's time, but you're almost about to run dry!"

"It's not my fault this damn bitch still doesn't drop dead! How the hell do you want me to do then?"

"I don't really have a solution, but you have to think out of the box. It won't be long until you pass out!"

Think outside the box? Holy shit! He was right! Ryuko's been too focused on this match that she almost forgot that it only made this feud the more tedious.

The tennis ball was coming right at Matoi, but Ryuko had something in mind to put an end to this.

"Hey Tennis-freak!" She called Omiko. "Catch this!" She then slingshotted the ball into the air to the point it sent her out of the stratosphere.

"The hell you think, New girl? That play is freaking invalid I say!" Sanageyama malded from his seat.

"She hasn't Uzu." Lady Satsuki responded from the top of the school. "The ball is still on the field's radius. As long as it bounces once on it, it isn't a foul play."

She was right. Omiko could see the ball from far away thanks to her eye-lens. She then saw the tennis ball falling back on land and she was ready to strike it with all of her might, putting all of her sheer focus on this one swing.

Problem is, she muted any other outside dangers, which would prove to be her downfall.

"Now you're open!" Ryuko ambushed Omiko as she raised her Scissor Blade to deal the finishing blow.

Finishing Move: SEN-I-SO-

CLASH!

Ryuko was stopped by none other than Omiko Hakodate with her giant Racket. Worse, the girl felt tense once she saw her enemy's grin slump into an angered frown.

"You really thought you were clever by using my own specialty just to hit me with such a dirty trick? Congratulations. You just blew my expectations of how pathetic you are, New girl." Omiko snarled right before catching the falling tennis ball with her unoccupied hand.

"T-that's rich coming from you. I doubt that you had the balls to beat me in a legit fight."

"Oh really? Are those the last words you'll say before death?" Then, the Empress' expression twisted into that of a bona-fied psychopath, which made Ryuko gasp. "A POOR CHOICE!"

SLAM!

Omiko showed how much she eclipsed Ryuko by smashing her against the wall of the stadium with her giant tennis racket. "If you're bringin them fighting words, fine by me. I'll pummel you into the ground and make you swallow your pride, if I don't break it beforehand! AHAHAHA!" She cackled like a maniac while cracking her knuckles at the face of the beaten Ryuko.

Sanageyama blew his obnoxious whistle to torture everyone's ears, but neither Omiko nor Ryuko were affected now. "Alright, that's it you 2! I stated that you 2 will be setting this with a tennis match! But if you're going to act like a bunch of idiots then…"

"Enough." Satsuki stopped Uzu from activating his 3-Star Uniform with just her look. "If Ryuko wants to prove herself on a field that suits her the most, I'll allow it."

"But-"

"My word is absolute, Sanageyama." Satsuki interrupted the green-haired athlete from saying another word. "I forbid you from interfering their fight until a victor is decided. Do you understand?"

Uzu wanted to digress, but he just couldn't oppose her lady's words, even if he really wanted to. "Fine…" He scowled in frustration before vanishing from the act to not get into these 2' catfight.

"Huh! The Empress Omiko Hakodate is about to fight? Oh Shit! We have to get the hell out!" The yelling crowds changed context from excitement to terror as every one of them chicken out and were heading to the exits to not get themselves hit in the crossfire.

Well, all by the exception of Mako who stayed to support her new friend. "Come on Ryuko! Time to get up! You can't let that bully get her way! Fight up and kick butt!" She came to the aid of the weakened Matoi and gave her a lift.

"M-mako? What are you doin' here? You're gonna die if you stay here…" Ryuko asked the air-head with faint words as she tried to make her legs work.

"Nuh uh!" Mako shook her head to prove she was going to stay on her side. "The Mako inside my head says that friends never turn eachother's back when on a pickle, and that little Mako inside of me always knows best!"

"How cute, you really are committed to help your friend Mankanshoku, now I can kill 2 birds with one shot, or better yet, with a million!" Omiko bellowed while an infernal rain of balls was about to fall under the 2 girls.

"Mako! Look out!" Ryuko plucked herself off the wall and blitzed her body to slice all the tennis balls. "Woah… W-what just happened? I swear that my body acted on its own." She stood in surprise for what triggered her sudden movement.

"I know! Your friendship senses must have tingled and came to rescue my butt!" Mako slid with ecsay. "You're so focused of protecting me your eyes must have widened to see everything around-"

SLANSH!

"Duck!" Warned Ryuko while forcing Mako and herself to duck their heads over an incoming barrage of tennis balls coming from afar. "Dammit! Where did that crazy girl go this time?" She looked around to see if she could find even tiny evidence of her hiding spot, but it only made her only vulnerable by a fullet-speed flat shot in the stomach that made her fall into the ground.

"Ryuko!" Mako squealed as she pulled her friend back on her 2 feet.

"Thanks Mako." She thanked before giving her some light slaps to her cheeks to focus. "Hey Racket-head? Quit hiding and camping like a freaking coward and come face me like a true woman, you hear me?"

"That's funny for you to say." Omiko's voice murmured behind the spunky girl's shoulder, making Ryuko turn around and startle at the sillouette of the grimacing empress behind her.

"There you are!" Ryuko took the opportunity and tried to slice her opponent in pairs, but she underestimated the furtive skills of Omiko and only hit an after-image of Hakodate. "What? You little.. ARGH!" Ryuko howled when another bullet hit her in the head.

"Ryuko, over there!" Mankanshoku pointed at something standing above the walls of Honnouji Academy. Ryuko quickly recognized that it was Omiko, still bearing that irritating smile in her face and that hideous pointy tongue twisting to savor her desesperation.

"D'aw… Did I forgot to mention another factor why Lady Satsuki has chosen me as one of the top dogs among the Honnouji Emperors?" Hakodate narrowed down at her victims with a predator's stare all while pressing over a tennis ball on her other hand. "To put it in simple terms for your plankton-size brains, I just so happen to have the deadliest marksmanship of all the 2-Star kids. In fact, some worms fear me by the name of the great white one! If the Kiryuins ever need someone to shoot off from a far distance…" She stopped to lift her tennis ball to serve a deadly shot. "I'M THEIR FAVORITE HITWOMAN FOR THEIR JOB!" She cackled as she hit the ball so hard that it catched on fire.

BROOOM!

The impact provoqued a grand explosion among campus but Ryuko's enhanced agility allowed her to step her and Mako away from certain doom. Matoi's patience for the tennist's loud-mouth was about to run out of stock by thee way she snarled at the smug sniper from up. "I don't give a fuck if you're queen of assholes of this school! Emperor, Elite, Student President! I'm gonna tear you all apart if you dare stay on my way!" She snapped before boosting herself up with a strong jet-stream of red that gave her enough momentum to run through the walls to persecute Omiko.

"Woah! Look at you Ryuko! I didn't knew you were also a super cool sexy ninja!" Mako's innocence kicked in again, only being able to marvel at the teenage girl's feats.

"Pfft… What an Idiot! Haven't you heard? Never bring a sword a gunfight!" Omiko could only cackle as she saw Ryuko get closer and closer. The tennis balls under her skirt began to act on their own and they all fling up in the air and be then pulled back by gravity.

It didn't took that long for Ryuko's Kamui to put the math problem together and gasp. "Ryuko! Look out!"

Hakodate's giant Life Fiber racked grew in size to be able to hit all the tennis balls with its power. "Secret Technique! 1000 serve cannonballs!" Hakodate wailed with the tone of a deranged woman when she smack all those tennis balls down like a rain of fire over Ryuko.

"OH SHIIIIIIT!" Ryuko screamed once again as she undoubtly was pummelled by every single cannonball. Omiko thought that the girl's goose is cooked, but she really took the goose's stubbornness for granted.

"Are you kidding?" Omiko dropped her jaw in disbelief once she saw her target cutting through the tennis balls coming to her direction by lashing her weapon like a batshit insane madman, even with the severe bruises adorated on her body like a messed-up Christmas tree. "Neh, it's not like it matters anyway, new girl!"

Ryuko was hit by reality in the form of of Hakodate's shoe kicking her in the chin, lifting her up in the open.

"Eat dirt, chump!" Omiko hissed at the outmatched Ryuko right before making her experience how it is to be the ball and be hit by the Honnouji Empress, shooting her all the way down to the other size of the academy's wall and make a painful impact with a loud thud.

How could Ryuko let this self-absorbed witch bad-mouth her all the time? No! She wasn't going to give up now, now that she's really close to finding the truth behind her dad's murder. Only if her brittle arms and legs were still be able to move. I mean, they weren't broken of badly injure, it was just that that beatdown made it an absolute pain to continue fighting.

"Don't try to push yourself this far, Ryuko." And if thing's were already looking annoying enough, her talking dress just had to open his mouth. "You're absolutely outmatched and she holds the high-ground advantage over us. We need to pull out before this gets worse!"

"NNgh… and w-who the hell asked your opinion Obi Wan?" Ryuko grunted with the very little energy she still has. "If you're so fixated on helping m-me, why don't you sew your mouth with your own L-life fibers, huh? Your sermons only makes it hard to focus."

"I'm not trying to make you lose focus, and I'm sorry if I did." The Kamui responded in wary. "I understand your desire to prove yourself to Mikisugi, but I don't think he'll like if you overexpose yourself to near death. We have to retreat!"

All while that was happening, Omiko watched from a distance with a mirth over the little fishies. "Haha! How's that, new girl? I just beaten you in my and your play-tuft, so better stop running from the unchangeable facts of this world. Life has always been about the strong devouring the weak, it's called natural selection after all. If you don't have the guts to kill, someone else will likely strip them out for you! And me? I am the apex-predator of tennis! The higjest-ranking Club President of the Sports division and second highest ranking member of Honnouji Academy's Emperors! My name is Omiko Hakodate, Megalodon of tennis and you're nothing but a mere rock getting on my way! Now why don't you give up, accept your designated place on the food-chain and-"

CLICK!

On that moment, Omiko felt strange. Like if everything around her just stopped tipe. Worse, every inch of her being seem to suffer from some strange paralyzis freezing her up into a human statue. What was this anomaly? And why does it feel, so good?

The roads of Akira Kurusu and Ryuko Matoi intertwined once again as the Trickster, the Dog and the Tailor managed to reach the beaten woman.

"Man! Didn't knew tennis would be this violent. Here, I'll help ya'." Akira quickly went to lift Matoi up from her wounds from his golden heart.

"Fuzzy Hair…? The hell are you doing here…? And, is that a giant chicken behind you…?"

"It appears that Matoi is suffering from a light drunk-punch state. The blows of Ms. Hakodate must have been too much for her." Iori read his analysis while his own Uniform.

"bout time you 2 egg-heads shown up. Why it took you so long?" Sanageyama walked into the conversation to complain, but his interruption wasn't taken in a positive light by the 2 brains of Honnouji Academy.

"Why don't you leave the monkey business once classes are dismissed. We're currently facing a U.L.C. protocol here." Innumuta turned at Uzu who the green-haired teen only frowned one of his brows to demonstrate his irritation over Innumuta's high-mighty demeanor."

"U.L.C? Oh, oh! I know! It must be an acronym for unbelievable lemon cakes! Oh gosh! Is the Baking Club hosting a cake eating contest! I wanna go, I wanna go! I've been training my tummy to someday win one of those food rainbow roads! Like one time I ate a full bag of family-size chips in 1 minute that I asked myself where did all the chips go once the bag went empty, also that time when-" Mako continued her air-headed babbling about all the times she ate enormous quantities of food that made Kurusu wondered how she hasn't been turned into a giant boulder at this point.

"Hall Monitor, you should put your focus on our current dilemma. We've lost track of the Unidentified Life Fiber Creature and we must track it down before it finds a host to wreck the whole school again." After ordering Akira what to do, Iori turned at his One-Stars troops and said "Evacuate any bystander you could find from this area. We'll keep an eye on Mankanshoku and Matoi."

"Sir, yes sir!" The faceless mooks saluted before getting to work and guide any frightened kid somewhere more safe.

"Now that the ants have been washed off from the yard, it's time to find out who ate the worm." Inumuta stated.

"Can you speak Japanese four-eyes? We're not that high on our horses to know what the hell your metaphors mean." Ryuko swept in just to sweatdrop.

Akura quiclly approached the girl and asked her. "Ryuko, tell me if you aren't feeling anything off about yourself. Any stars you've seen in your uniform? Any muscle growth? Feeling like you're gonna kill everyone near radius?"

What the hell was the nerd babbling about? Ryuko asked herself. Did those 2 Honnouji Dweebs infected Fuzzy hair with the loser cooties or something? Well, or so she thought those 2 funny-dressing guys alongside Kurusu were also affiliated with the Academy. Oh wait, she did remember seeing that blue-haired mutt on Satsuki's side yesterday, and the blonde Spawn wannabe must be some sidekick to him or something.

"By the look of your gleam I guess this must be our first meet-up. I was really hoping we could have met on better term." The tailor looked at Matoi. "If I were to summarize, I am Shirou Iori, Club President of the Sewing Club of the Cultural Division, creator of every Goku Uniform you've seem and faced thus far and highest-raking of the Emperors of Honnouji." He explained to her. Being the highest of the Emperors means that his streght is at par to the Elite 4, although he rather not engage in combat and rather provide assistance from affar. His hands were made to create tools of war, not wreck windows.

"Well, then that means you got yourself a spot on my personal To-Kick butt list." Ryuko pointed at the blue haired Elite that he better watch his butt for she will come to shred his Uniform sooner or later. "Speaking of which, why the tense faces?"

Joker explained the short version of his trouble, which only made Ryuko burst a chuckle over his and the 2 egghead's incompetence.

"Wait, are you serious? So there was this ripped-as-hell kid that shit out a weird butt when you beat him and it's now looking someone else to to leech off? Sheesh! First Ultra-Powerful battle suits, then sentient clothes and now this? If what follow is the invasion of the killer trousers from outer space, man! That'll be the cherry on top of your shit parfait."

Joker sighted a bit annoyed. Ryuko wasn't taking this situation seriously despite not denying the facts. He had a terrible feeling that carelessness will bite her in the ass in the worst way possible sooner or later. "Anyhow, we need to find that Jacket Jacker and fast!"

"Oh! You mean that big ugly bug made of noodles?" Mako rose her voice. "I saw it jump over Hakodate. Look!"

They all turned where the No-Star's finger was pointing at, and they all took back a step in horror seeing the dead-like state of the Empress over the walls. It was too late for them!

And speaking off Hakodate, she was on some sort of frozen state. The pupils of her eyes were absent and veins were rising all over her being.

"W-what is happening? M-my arms! M-my legs! I can't move anything!" Omiko thought in horror at her current situation "B-but… what is this surging power coursing through me? And why it feels so… GOOD!?" She then roared as the effects of the Jacket Jacker inside her Uniform were already intoxicating her mind. But that wasn't all! The group of heroes then spotted 3 more stars materializing on her Uniform, thus commencing her power overload. Her whole body grew monstrously as her athletic figure fit for a sportswoman was now overhauled into that of a hulkish body that would make Gamagori's physique look like a stickman in comparison. Yet despite her sudden turning into an absolute unit, her Goku Uniform didn't suffered from any tearing whatsoever. "GROAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! FUCK ME! I FEEL SO GOOD, THAT I CAN CRUSH THE WHOLE MOON LIKE A NUT WITH MY BARE HANDS!" Hakodate roared in pure excitement while flexing her huge biceps. And if we know something about pieces of shit tyrants like her, is that they go drunk on power the second it is served to them on their plate.

"The fricking hell!? H-how am I now suppouse to beat her like that!?" Ryuko bulged her eyes comboed with her jaw dropping down by how freaking absurd her enemy was now.

"Tha''s weird. The creature so happen to chose Omiko Hakodate as a new host instead of the new girl. But why her when the better meal was right there for the taking?" Innumuta wrote this down on his keyboards due to the weird choice for the parasite to not go for someone that possessed way more power output that Hakodate.

"It must be cuz' Omiko was an easier prey." Iori and Innumuta turned at Joker in surprise over his hinch. "Don't you remember? Life Fibers will take the golden chance to control their wearer if it shows to be weak of Willpower. Ryuko may have been the stronger option, but with how head-strong and reckless she is, she would have easily resisted and kick the Jacker out of her. Even if Hakodate may have the tennis balls to insult the likes of Sanageyama in his face, doubt that she wouldn't have rejected such a temptation of power with how devoted all of Honnouji Academy is to the Kiryuins."

At the face of this guess, the duo of brilliant minds gave the theory some deep thought and snapped that it must be true. Because otherwise the Jacket Jacker would have lunged into each of the 3 the moment it was expelled of its former victim.

"Hey you eggheads! That doesn't solve our problem yet! What's your plan eh? Pop all those tumors she calls muscles with a needle or something?" Ryuko blurted seemingly desperate to already come up with a solution cuz' this battle has been dragged so much it basically took like ¾ of this chapter.

"Hey, look at the bright side of things Ryuko. Omiko is so fixated in her muscles, she most likely forgot about us. So we have all the time in the world to cook up a spicy plan! Oh wait, nevermind. I don't have that much time cuz' I gotta head home and go to bed before midnight. I don't wanna worry mom and dad, and also cuz' today is mystery soup Wednesday! Gosh, I hope that this week's soup is yummy!"

Unfortunately, Mako's big mouth really got through Omiko's already grimey brain. That primal emotion of irkness really snaped her out from her meathead trance, but not from her Broly state. Turning to her back with a animalistic growl she snarled. "IS THAT MAKO THE SCRAWNY SMALLFRY I HEAR!?" She grinned and drooled over her newest prey to test her muscles and smash.

"Aw shit, the jig is up! FUCKING RUN!" Ryuko screamed in panic as she and everyone else scattered like a provoked flock of poultry.

BOOM!

They all flew through different directions by the heavy impact Hakodate left once she smashed the ground with her new stregh that left a giant crater all around her.

"GOOD LORD! LOOK AT THE WRECK I LEFT! HAHA! WITH THIS NEW POWER, I FEEL LIKE TAKING OVER THE WORLD!" Omiko was drowned in bliss by the raw power the Jacket Jacker poisoned her with, she couldn't resist but to admire herself. "SPEAKING OFF WHICH, IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SOME LOOSE NAILS THAT NEEDS A HAMMERING! DIE!" She then roared with malice while lunging herself at the girls with the speed of a bullet train and the weight of one, yet Joker was not gonna let this pass through and pushed the monster out of the wayby a mighy wing flap by part of Horus.

"Is true what they say, too big, too predictable." Akira snarked before looking behind at Ryuko. "Ryuko, I know how much you want to prove yourself, but you have days to spare to do so. Take refuge somewhere safe and i'll-"

"Forget it nerd! This is still my fight!" Ryuko recklessly rushed against her enemy despite Akira's wishes. "I'm ending this now! FINISHING MOVE! Seni-I-"

GRASP!

Omiko grabbed her enemy from the torso and stopped her attack.

"HOW ABOUT YOU SHUT UP!" Omiko was about to fusiously throw Ryuko at the other idiots in her way.

"Arsene!" Joker's persona assaulted the hulking monstrosity with a drop kick that pushed her back and let Ryuko off.

"WHAT!? YOU!?" Omiko turned at Kurusu in wrath, but it pnñu left her open to have her arm wrapped by the Hall Monitor sash to immobilize her.

"Ain't you forgetting? I'm here to make you spit that worm inside of you." Akira responded right before slamming the giant woman to the ground with the ribbon. Sure, it may be look incredible that someone like him with an average build could be able to suplex such a muscle mountain, but it did cost a lot of his stamina to do so, which would explain why was her now panting havily so suddenly and being on one kne. "Damn… i-I swear my back was about to spit for a moment."

"Ren! That was AWESOME! I knew you would come to save us!" Mankanshoku ambushed Akira with a bear hug and tackled him into the ground. "You should have seen Ryuko swinging her giant Scissor Blade when this whole fight was still a tennis match!"

"Mako! I-I'm glad to see you too, b-but this is like the worst moment for h-hugs!" Kurusu plead Mako to get herself off from him, and she quickly did so and helped his friend to stand up again. "Wait, why are you still doing here? This is way too dangerous for you! You should hide somewhere else, or else Hakodate will-"

"Give it a rest Fuzzy Hair. I'm teeling ya' from experience." Ryuko blurted. "Seems that devotion runs strong through the Mankanshoku family it seems."

"That's right! Because a Mankanshoku never turns back on their friends! Never!" Mako exclaimed with enthusiasm, seeming that any kind of convincion would be useless for Joker, so he has to suck it up and accept it.

"Well, as much as the No-Star is much of a Liability, she is infamous for sticking with anyone like a pesky leech." Innumuta shrugged.

"Alright, less talk more action! Move it!" Ryuko was about to bash again at the monster, but quickly was stopped by Akira holding her shoulder. "Hey! What gives!? If you're expecting me to stand still like a bowling pin just because you wear that fancy toilet paper around you, then you're dreaming."

"Sight… Ryuko, if you weren't able to beat Hakodate in a tennis match, there's no way in hell that you'll be able to overcome her in her current state. That is, if you do this alone." Joker looked at Ryuko now with the wish to help her.

But Matoi only looked back with a scowl. "Wait! Set your mind straight won't you? I recalled that the bitch of Satsuki told you to not interfere. Now you're trying to help? Come on! I can prove myself."

"Gyah! Put a sock in it! Don't try to act so stubborn! You're only going to literally kill yourself!" Akira protested in fury. "Listen, we don't have much time. Just let us help for once."

Ryuko thought it for a bit and came to a sour confusion. "Fine… But mess anything up and I'll kick your ass, got it wise guy?"

Hearing this made the Trickster feel positive. "Trust me, you can give your legs a rest for that." He turned back at everyone already having in mind their assignated roles. "Houka, Iori, make sure to evacuate any bystanders present. Once done, make sure to provide assistance."

"Well, never except to take orders from a No-Star from all people, but your confidence does give me hope that you know what to do. Just don't tell Jakuzure about this, alright?" Innumuta vanished in a trail of pixels.

"The future of Honnouji Academy rests on your shoulders, Hall Monitor. If Gamagori elected you for that role, then I too should trust your words." Iori was next to leave the scene and assist any injure students.

"But what about me?" Mako drew Akira's attention, giving him puppy eyes. "I too can be useful beside cheer for you guys."

Joker took some moment of thougt and his bulb flashed. "Hey Mankanshoku, how fast can you run?"

"Well, I do eat a lot and I tend to gain a lot of fat, but you should see me burn streets! That's why I can eat all that I want and keep myself happy and healthy!"

"In that case, you'll provide for the diversion!"

Mako sparked her eyes with joy and saluted. "Okey Dokey! Liutenant Mankanshou is on the job!" She vanished in a speedy cloud like a typical cartoon character towards the unconscious monster Omiko that was already recovering.

"GRR! THOSE CHUMPS… I SWEAR WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THEM!" Hakodate groaned like an angry beast before being lured by Mako's indistinguishable voice.

"Hey you muscle butt! I'm sure that your butt is bigger as your biceps, and I said that as an insult cuz' we all know Ryuko has the best buns in school, well now that I think about it, not that much. I mean, Ryuko's peach is plump but I don't think that much as Lady Satsuki." Mako pondered in distraction.

Omiko was clearly nagged by her comments so she picked up her giant racket and stomped the ground to burst a giant boulder up in the air and then strike Mankanshoku with it like a giant tennis ball.

And now that was the signal.

"Arsene! Terror Claw!" Akira summoned Arsene quickly as he lunged into the boulder for his main Persona to split it with 2 with a swift and powerful claw swipe of darkness. "Now Horus! Flash Bomb!" He changed now to Horus and the divine sun god blinded the behemoth girl with a tremendous flash of light.

"GYAHH! IT HURTS! TURN OFF THAT LIGHT OFF!" Omiko gorveled in pain as her eyes hurt like hell and made herself vulnerable for Ryuko to attack.

"Fucking payback time!" Ryuko jumped over Hakodate's back and slashed her with a aerial buzzaw sword spin and majestically land back on the ground.

The Jacket Jacker wailed in pure pain once it leaked out from the torn seam of the Uniform before possessing Omiko back. The monster wasn't happy with it and was about to rampage her way where Ryuko was, but the spunky girl then jumped over her like a matador and stroke with a sword beam from her Scissor Blade followed right after a dive kick at her head to force her to fall down.

"Hehehehe! IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO PIPSQUEAK!?" Omiko grinned with arrogance as she slowly got up, yet Ryuko had her own annoying smirk on her face too.

"Nope, but I'm sure that your situation isn't cool either." Matoi replied and pointed at Hakodate's feet and hands. For the beasts' surprise, she witnessed her joints be imprisoned into the ground on solid ice. "And yes, the pun was intentional."

"HA! AS IF MERE ICE CREAM IS GONNA STOP ME! HGN! HGGGGH!" No matter how much streght she emphazised to get her feet and arms off her frozen state, the ice cuff didn't shown signs of cracking or breaking. "I-IMPOSSIBLE! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY STREGHT!?"

"Fufufufu… Let's say, I sprinkled you with a curse I like to call Tarunda." Kurusu came towards the Two-Star President with a snicker and with Jack Frost behind him who was mocking her before he turned back into the Trickster's Glasses. "Ryuko! It's Time!"

"God! Don't tell what to do!" Ryuko gruffed before she began to switch to a mode of her Scissor Blade, having it extend into an extra edge to make it longer. "SCISSOR BLADE: DECAPITATION MODE!" She shouted in unison of her uniform before pursuing the immobile monster to finally finish this up. She jumped over Omiko with a warcry and Akira summoned Horus to prepare a Kougaon to strike the woman in conjunction with Ryuko.

"You're Finished!" The cried as they were at the brink of releasing the descisive blow!

But the Empress of the School had grown impatient…

SLASH!

A quick, elegant and yet tremendously powerful slash provoked the 2 teens to be blown back by the impact of the attack and cancelled their final strike. Kurusu was first to see that the one who made this move was none other than Satsuki Kiryuin herself that had her sword Bakuzan out to bare in a pose of already cutting something, standing in front of Omiko's back.

"I've seen enough, yet I remain a little unsatisfied." She muttered before slowly putting her secret sword on her case. Once the blade touched the case completely, a huge burst of stars occurred where Omiko was since her Goku Uniform was completely destroyed to a non-existent state by the one person she admired and worshipped the most. The Jacket Jacker also was torn in half and produced an unholy scream before being evaporated like a vampire on sunlight.

The whole courtyard was on a perpetual silence for some minutes for what happened. Not even a cricket cried when the mighty white eagle took her time to descend over the filthy realm of the common pleb. That's how menacing such a woman was.

"L-lady Satsuki… W-we-" Innumuta was about to apologize for what happened, yet he was received by her mistress palm that ordered him to stop talking, for she had something to say to him and Iori.

"You have nothing to apologise for Innumuta." The Kiryuin asserted. "This incident was beyond our control. Not even my near flawless predictions could foresee that the spy among us would do something like this. Howhever, be aware that the Kiryuin's funding that go to your research will be met with drastic cuts if another breach like this were to happen again. Understand?"

"Milady…" Both scientists bow their appliances to their supreme lady and demon queen, and Satsuki was pleased by their obedience.

But speaking of obedience, she approached the near-unconscious Hakodate who was defeated and naked from feet to head all except for her telescope eye.

"I am disappointed, Omiko Hakodate…" The Lady of War narrowed down at the defeated soldier with disdain and pity. "You were one of my most valued Goku Uniform Presidents at my disposal and your devotion to Honnouji Academy and its cause are a following example amongst your inferior peers. Regardless, you proved yourself to lack will-power and self-control."

"L-lady Sa-satsuki…? W-what happened?" It seemed that Omiko Hakodate had her memory a bit blank for what she went through. Sure, she kinda remembered what she did and that she was aware of her actions, but were more in the sense of hitting rock bottom drunk person.

"I haven't have you the authorization to interrupt! Now silence and listened!" Satsuki reclaimed with brass and some spots of anger. "I had high hopes that a top-performing student like you would be able to resists the temptations of such a dubious demon, let alone control and make all that powers yours to use, yet you let your impulses and Sins of Pride control you like a feeble wood-puppet! I do not need soldiers that can be swooned easily by the enemy forces that easily! I require ruthless and loyal followers if I wish for my ambitions to come by fruition! Bare in your memory that you brought this to yourself, for as Student Council President of Honnouji Academy demote you to No-Star Status. Which means all privileges you previously have shall be immediately revoked! Begone from my sight you failure of a human being!"

"N-no, p-p-please… D-don't take this f-from me! I c-can s-still p-p-p-prove… myself… Don't take… my, life…" Omiko whimpered bleakly to plead her one and only god to pardon her acts, but her last act before passing out would result futile as Satsuki's mind was already settled, and nothing in the world can make her change perspective.

"Aw geez… I was about to take the glory just for Satsuki to swoop in and steal the kill." Matoi mumbled a bit annoyed and rubbed the back of her hair. "But what the hell… Now I can finally give that wrench on her high horse a good piece of my mind." She was flouncing towards the School Council President, but her road would be met by an undesirable roadblock.

A blockade worth of legions of One-Stars both normal and the ones from Omiko's club stood in front of Ryuko to oppose her, and to top it all off the Chair of the Sports Division Uzu Sanageyama was standing in front of this commanded platoon with arms crossed and brows furrowed.

"Not so fast, you cocky little bitch…" The green-haired teen snarled with gritted teeth and with intentions to kill Ryuko if she dares to approach his Lady. No one had the right to face and defeat Satsuki in the future, except for him.

"Give it a rest." Satsuki intervened by raising her hand. This only meant that Sanageyama had to call out his order to attack Ryuko. "The new girl won her right to speak with me. For once, if that Life Fiber insect didn't posses her, it means that she had more self-control than Hakodate. In fact, you seem to be in need for some needed self-control with how often you want to lash out to any new soldier we admit to our school."

Sanageyama was a bit pissed off by her mistress descicion, but what right he has to oposse Satsuki Kiryuin? He's just a humble servant, and his purpose like everyone else is to follow her whims to the very word. "Fine…" He blurted in defeat.

Coming back to Akira, he really was left with no words at the face of Lady Satsuki's first impression of streght, other than admiration and some feeling of fright. "S-she… She just destroyed her with a single swoop…"

"I know right? Lady Satsuki is so super-duper strong and super duper sexy! And I say it as a someone who swing both ways!" Mako confessed with optimism, but now it was Ryuko's time to squark.

"Hey prez! Now with that dumb brute out of the way, I have some complains I would like you to hear!" Ryuko opened her mouth in anger which made her thrusters expel steam of anger.

"Yes, Matoi?" The Kiryuin replied while still giving the girl with the red dash the back. She was too insignificant for her attention, which only provoked the afromentioned teen to point out her Scissor Blade to the back of her head.

"Quit acting like a cold cunt and lend me your ears for once, or I'll cut them out from you!" Ryuko barked wrathfully before she could continue. "I want to ask you once again if you're the son of a bitch who killed my dad." She demanded answers, but the only answer she got from the tyrant was a quick swing from Bakuzan she barely was able to avoid. "W-what the…? I-I didn't even felt that!"

As expected, Satsuki Kiryuin was left unsatisfied with Ryuko's amateur fighting capabilities that she couldn't predict a basic sword swing. "If you're so eager to know, then fight me." She exclaimed while getting in position to fight, being that of a high-class Samurai, which was fitting since so far her fighting style is generally that of one. "What it barely killed you was my Secret Sword Bakuzan. Forged by the hands of my father and bestowed to me as his last gift, its rare metal can cut through anything with one fell swoop, even mere concepts. Not even the likes of a Kamui and the Goku Uniforms of my creation can survive being cut to nothingness when it faces this sacred weapon." She was done explaining as all of her loyal followers were admiring the luster of her sword. She instantly made the first move with another horizontal slash but this time Ryuko parried it on time with her scissor. The same sense of safety couldn't been said for the bystanders that were blown away by a tremendous wind gust of the impact of the 2 women, with one of those unfortunate bystanders being Akira, but he managed to cling his grappling hook to not be blasted away far from Honno city. Despite surviving, he still felt miserable for not being able to save the others.

"I know you don't like it when I sermon you Ryuko, but we have to forfeit this fight right now. In your current status and in the brink of being almost drained, you will die!" Her Kamui spoke again in anguish for Ryuko's annoyance.

"How about you start by not drinking all of my blood, asshole?" She hissed at her Kamui, but he was in all the right to tell her this. She felt the streght of her opponent almost make her very soul get expelled from her body, and her vision was beginning to turn blurry with how less blood she had on herself that she could experience hypothermia if she continues to stay transformed. In a last ditch effort of a sore loser, she covered the entire courtyard on a thick layer of fog from her thrusters to distract everyone and giving her time to finally de-transform. "Next time I see you, we're gonna finish this off! We're done Mako! Let's get out!" She swore off in pure anger right before running away with Mako being dragged off back home to plot to take down Satsuki once and for all.

"Gyah! Ryuko, wait! I-I think I forgot my lunch back at the classroom!" Mako panicked right before she and Matoi vanished from plain sight, now leaving the whole scene without a single noise interrupting.

"That girl won't rest until she finds out what truly happened to her father, don't we?" Satsuki Kiryuin soft spoken and ruminated. "She will undoubtly become a problem if we don't do something quick…"

Right behind her, Sanageyama walked to her having some questions he would like to have answered, not before being sure to kneel before her to show respect. "Milady, with the Tennis Club disbanded. How do you plant to continue on your plan to take over Kansai?"

"We'll dispatch the Sumo Club in their place. They may not be as strong as the Tennis Club, but its one of our top-performing Sports Club at our disposal." She answered briefly while still having her sight fixed at the gate, letting the tender wind make her long hair flutter. "All I ask you is to inform our Medical Team to take care of Omiko Hakodate in the meantime, I'll e sure to contact our intelligencia to keep an eye on her once she recovered. The last thing we wish is for someone as strong as her develop a resentment towards us and worst-case scenario join forces with those stupid apes of Nudist Beach. Once done, tell the other Elites to gather at my chamber."

"Milady." Uzu left to do what he was told to do, now having Innumuta the turn to talk.

"Now with our hands free, wish for the bomb-Defusing Club to deactivate the bombs over our campus? It didn't take me long to spot their locations, so all that is left is for you to give the order."

"It won't be necessary." The Kiryuin answered. "In fact, they could come in useful for my 'secret' scheme if the Cultural and Sports Festival doesn't go as planned." She was then handed the bomb detonator for future use. Still, Matoi was far from the only person that felt mad over her bullshit. Case and point, Joker.

"What kind of choice was that!?" The Wild card stomped his foot in protest, and really trying to fight his urges to slap the loaded woman in the face. "I know Hakodate was far from a good person, but you had no right to demote her from something that she had no control over!"

"That's rich coming from you." The young Kiryuin turned at the Trickster. "Why do you care for a mere peasant that doesn't threathened your status? You're lucky that I hold you in high regard, or that mouth of yours might win you an expulsion."

"She admired you and forfeit everything for your sake, and you just discard her like a box of tissu-"

"Have this clear, Akira Kurusu. I have not need for Half-efforted soldiers within my ranks. If she was worthy of her prestige she would have tamed her instincts and not succumb to whatherver filthy animal was controlling her." She exclaimed off. "Recall one of the Golden Rules, you hold no right to question my actions. So you either you accept them, or drop off my school and march off. But, we both know that you're too fixated into getting the truth out of me. It does concern the sake of our world, right?" Kurusu snarled at the arrogant grin of Satsuki cuz' he knew he had no social power to oppose her view. All he did was just hand over his Hall Monitor sash with anger before turning her back on the Student Council President. "I am proud you handed over your Goku Uniform once your duties were done. I'll make sure to contact Gamagori and I'll take into high consideration of a promotion. That is, if you continue to play your cards right and not transgress this game's rules."

"Yeah, yeah… I heard you alright… I'll go back home with Mako and see if Ryuko doesn't cause any mess." Akira didn't even bother to look at her. He was too mad at her for him to show her respect. "Although, I hope you mark what I am about to say on your ego-plagued mind." He halted for a moment before slightly turning his head to his back to look at Satsuki with a cold glare. "Sooner or later, i'll make you realize that you aren't as invincible as you think you are. Good evening, Lady Satsuki..." He swore off with hatred before leaving the Academy. Class was dismissed like 3 minutes ago and the moon was showing signs to rise off.

As the rest of Students returned to the Academy, something in Satsuki made her somewhat paranoic. Why did she felt threatened by Joker's words? He's a mere No-Star for the Big Game he spat out. And yet, she couldn't help herself but to grow careful on to what the trickster may plan in the near future.

"And then I got strapped on a pole like a sausage on a bonfire and then shot by 1000 balls or so, but then Ryuko swooped in to save me, and then ren stepped in and he told us that he was hunting some spy in school, and when Hakodate turned into a big scary monster, Ren summoned a giant chicken and gave her the old one two together with Ryuko!" It was clear that Mako was too enthusiastic to tell her family her fantastic day during dinner, and all of them were amused the same.

"Wow! I knew yesterday slop was too potent for human consumption, but I didn't knew it could make you see such weird allusinations." Mako's mom said flattered, you know despite admitting that the mystery food from the other way was practically a harzard by itself.

"Geez, you don't need to exaggerate Mako. It's not like Fuzzy Hair was that much of a big deal or anything. He just did the same trick only with a bird." Ryuko in the meantime still wasn't looking positive. She already promised Satsuki that tomorrow she will make her taste the dirt, so she has been too tense ever since then. "Hey, and where did that creepy nerd went through?" She then realized Akira was not sitting with the Mankanshokus in the table. He better not be spying on her like a creep.

"About Ren? He told me he wanted some time alone right over our rooftop." Barazo contested even with his mouth full. "I don't know what kind of bug bit him, but he's been acting all grumpy and bleak ever since he came back from Honnouji Academy. Why don't you go up there to cheer him up?"

Ryuko really didn't want to do this since she doesn't think he was worth the effort, but a feeling that ached her heart and a stern look from her Kamui was enough to convince her that she must do what must be done. "Guess he could use a hug right now. Mind if I stop eating for a moment? I'll see what's keeping that guy all depressed." She thanked the family for the food before leaving to catch up with Kurusu.

"Hey Ryuko, mind if you send Ren my regards?" Mako asked her and Ryuko turned and softly smiled, conforming that she will do.

Outside the Mankanshoku's residence on their roof, we saw Akira Kurusu looking up at the shining starts with Morgana sitting right next to him. Both of them seemingly melancholic for what happened.

"Guess our first day at school wasn't as pleasant as we thought." Mona sighted bleakly before pouncing over his friend's lap. "Seems that we're dealing with an altruistic tyrant even more dangerous than Shido. Seems that we have no choice but to follow her instructions, but…" The cat paused for a moment to look at Akira with a cheerful smile. "I'm sure we'll be able to turn things around these places."

Joker nodded to what Morgana said. "This may not be our world, but that won't be an excuse to turn a blind eye for all these injustices. Me and the others didn't become Phantom Thieves for mere pleasure."

Joker sighted bleakly as this is one of those rare cases that he doubted himself. Was he really doing the right thing by acting all apathic towards the injustices on plain sight? But the sake of his own world to be saved from the Holy Grail is at stake if he doesn't get the information from Satsuki pronto, but even then he felt that he was betraying his own ideals and beliefs.

"Man, I wasn't expecting someone like you to get all down. Like seriously man, what kind of bug bit you?" The train of thoughts of Akira met with an immediate brake once his ears caught Ryuko's voice. He turned and saw the girl deciding to give him company.

"heh… Look who's talking. Thought you were the kind that didn't like to help other people's problems." Kurusu sofly spoken as Matoi sat right next to him.

"Hey, could you quit it with the remarks? I'm wasting my time over here to see what the hell has gotten you so, ehh… not you to put it simply."

Akira took a deep breath to answer Ryuko. "Well, seems that you're not the only one that's beginning to grow a spine at Satsuki."

"That pretentious cunt? Took you long enough." The young adult woman rolled her eyes, reminding Satsuki's face brought her a small sense of annoyance. "Thinkin' she had any good reason to hide the identity of the bastard murderer of my dad… I'm sure that she and that asshole must be buddy biddies or something!" She gritted her teeth in pure spite as she continues to curse the name of the island's dictator. "I swear I'm gonna beat the truth out of her, even if it means sinking this whole damn island down the ocean if sp! But I swear, I'm gonna pull her down from her high horse tomorrow!"

"Well, someone's confident today." Akira had to admit that she had spirit to spare for whole years. "You must had a good moral figure to keep you on the right path."

"Yeah, I can bet 1000 yens that yours is that cat you smuggle all over the school." Ryuko sneered while laying down her back. "I've seen you talk to it that I won't be surprised if you legit know how to speak cat."

"Ehh… You're kinda right." Kurusu rearranged her glassed. "It may weird you, but I actually can understand what my cat says. And speaking of which, I could say the same thing by the way how you seem to talk to your clothes. Well, Life Fibers are somewhat sentient, so a living piece of clothing is not that out of the question."

"Huh? Y-you can hear me?" On that moment, Ryuko's Kamui startled in utter surprise once he discovered that another human had also the ability to know what he says.

"Well blow me out, I stand correct." Kurusu smirked at the affirmation.

"The hell? Since when did you were-"

"Since the day you showed up with your Kamui." He affirmed.

"Hey! Don't try to interrupt me!" Ryuko exclaimed, so Akira just zip his mouth for the moment to not blow a fuse on her. "Okay, now that we're settled, I just wanted to ask you how in Satan's house are able to talk with this thing. A-and d-do you know anything about my dad?"

Kurusu really was left kinda deadpanned by this question. "If I'm honest, I don't know." He shrugged off, which kinda made the teenage girl slump. "My best guess is that it has to do with my power, and I sorry that I don't really know much about Isshin Matoi. All I know is probably things you already know. Well, what Satsuki tried to tell me, but my senses are telling me that she's clearly hiding more in-depth details behind her big bushy eyebrows for her own benefit."

"Knowing Satsuki Kiryuin for what I have saw thus far, Its safe to say that is the case." The Kamui ruminated. "Anyhow, now that we're finally on non-violent terms with one another, I think it's best to introduce myself. I'm Kamui Senketsu, a Kamui created by Ryuko's father."

Senketsu and Ryuko saw a small smile developing on the bespectled twink's mouth, maybe he's finally recovering that spirit of his. "Senketsu, it means Fresh Blood. Nice to meet ya' Senketsu. I'm Akira Kurusu." He gave the Kamui a Handshake, or at least a sleeve shake to be more precise. "Dr Matoi must really put some good thought on baptizing you."

"That name? Not really. That's the name I gave him when I found him on my old house's creepy basement." Ryuko interrupted. "Hell, Senketsu doesn't remember shit when I found him."

This intrigued Akira and Mona. Perhaps they don't really have to rely that much on Satsuki's and her manipulations just to get a brittle clue on the imminent danger that this world might face.

"Yeah. I cannot remember the process or my creation, nor my true purpose for why I was created. I was safekept on piles of clothes that my starvation must have fog my memories."

"I see… That must really suck…" Kurusu murmured, not long before turning his attention back to Ryuko. "But speaking of your dad, you said that giant half-scissor you carry belonged to his very own murderer. I-I know that it doesn't fall to me to know this, I may know if you still doubt to trust me. If we're sincere, I do work for Satsuki, but… I was told that your dad neglected you many times that he ditched you to boarding school to focus on his work. I don't really see the point on trying to avenge someone like him, but…"

"You don't understand!" Ryuko barked out in anger that Akira didn't knew the full details of her vendetta. "It's not that I just want to avenge that decrepit fossil, h-he was the only one I had for a family." He toned cooled down, but cracks showed that the less angry she sounded, that anger was replaced by utter sorrow.

"The only one? What happened to you mother then…?"

The edgy girl swallowed her embarrassment. Meddling aside, Akira truly was one of the few people she could talk about these issues. Plus, she did save her ass from those psychopaths of Honnouji Academy 2 times. "My mom died when I was still a baby. Well, that's what pops used to tell me. But between me and him… well, we mostly would place like on -10th place on best father and son competition. He told me that he would leave me on boarding school all on my own so he could focus more of his research, so I was pretty much all of my own through my whole childhood… Most kids picked on me for this, not even the adults around me did anything about it over all of this bullying and just told me to suck it up, so I took it on myself to beat them with my fists until they get the memo. That's when I realized that I couldn't count on anyone but myself, and I continued until my infamy reached every place of Kanto, giving me the title of the toughest woman in the region. But one day, I received a letter from my dad, he wanted to tell me something important on my house, only for life to punch me in the gut with the image of him stabbed with this mere Scissor. So that's why I have to find whoever has the other half and avenge my dad for taking the only people I had left in this goddamn world that is trying to fuck me! Seriously! So many weird shits happened to me in like 2 days! First this batshit crazy school with Mrs. Kiryuin group, then this sentient uniform that my dad created for some weird reason and then… then… You from all people! Like, you plant more questions than answers dammit!" Ryuko blurted in anger as her short temper once again was taking the wheel, but she quickly realized that and quell herself. "Dammit… I let my anger get me again… Look, sorry if I may make you feel uncomfortable to be around dude…"

"No harm done in all honesty." Kurusu replied for her relief. "I can see why you're so devoted on trying to get revenge on the person who kill your dad. But…" He paused for a moment as he wanted to help her to not get consumed by revenge. One Goro Akechi in his life was enough. "Have you ever considered what you'll get or even what will you do after once you eventually kill that person?"

That question hit Ryuko as hard as a truck running over an Isekai protagonist. "Now that you say this, I have no idea…" She sat back and really started to question if her revenge plot is really worth it. "I was to caught up on taking revenge on someone I don't even know yet that I basically forgot what to do next…"

"I understand, but I'm just concerned that you should consider better what to do in life cuz´ its everchanging, otherwise you'll be aimlessly wandering on a road with no direction and much less no end." Kurusu stated while looking at the stars in the sky. "I'm telling you because I don't want you to turn into someone, I know who let his hatred and obsession for vengeance consume him, that it practically killed him… I was too late to save him, so I don't want to commit something similar."

His words were seasoned with pure honesty. Ryuko was really thinking that her plans were really not that worth it, but why should they? She is so close to know and she couldn't just throw the towel in front of Satsuki. "Neh, I promise you that you won't have to worry about that. Tomorrow is the day I get to be face to face with Satsuki and put her in garbage can once and for all. Recalling it better, I'm surprised she took my challenge so soon."

"No… There is no I'll here, but a We'll."

Ryuko raised a brow on what Akira meant. "Hold on, are you insisting that…"

He nodded. "You said it yourself, we both hate Satsuki equally. It may be true that I'm committed into becoming a Three-Star as fast as I can, but I won't exchange my own moral values for some vain title that only exists to flaunt all over campus. I'm sure that if we defeat her together, she'll have no choice but to spill every last bean from her mouth. After all, what are friends for?" He referred to her and Senketsu, wich took him by surprise.

"You really mean it? I-I really don't know how to thank you."

"No need to turn back the favor. We all want to see her fall from grace, so that makes us 3 people bound by a contract of brotherhood." Akira exclaimed with a confident smirk. "What you say? I'll help you find Senketsu's lost memories and the murdered of your dad, and you'll help me with figuring out something that Satsuki is trying to hide from me."

After thinking it for a while, Ryuko Matoi finally concluded. "Heh, I guess that makes us against the world, eh? You Fuzzy Hair." She tittered as she and him signed their deal with a fist bump.

Akira felt that his bond with Ryuko and Senketsu was about to flourish into a mighty oak of hope that this world desperately needs…

I am thou, thou art it…

Thou have adquired new bows

They shall become the wings of rebellion that shall breaketh thy clothing of captivity

With the rebirth of the Fool and Devil Persona

Thou have rretrieved a power dormant withing the soul

That shall lead to salvation, and a new power…

A new pair of Confidants have been given birth, this meant that the Tarot cards of both the Fool and the Devil Persona fell from the heavens and awaken Beelzebub and Decarabia from within the Phantom Thief's heart. Having 2 of his most flexible Personas so early will be the much needed edge if he wished to deliver holy penance to the Kiryuin.

Although, this moment of empowerment was cut shortly. Akira's stomach roared like a famished lion, which made the thief's cheeks turn red for the embarrassment.

"S-sorry… I haven't eaten anything during my way back home." He apologized for his sudden peckish needs that broke the serene scenery of their chit-chat.

"Man, Mako's appetite must rub into you." Ryuko in her part sweat dropped, unaware that such a young man like Akira with look that could swoon any girl has the appetite of 5 elephants. If she only knew that he has completed the Big Bang Burger's galaxy challenge, 5 times!

But alas, the 2 knew it was getting late, they must have enough repose for tomorrow for it will be a big day for them all. Still, the Trickster's mind wasn't able to relax just yet. Even with how is by far the only person in the Academy that can match Satsuki's power without the need of Life Fibers, he knew that his equal will try to pull a dirty trick under her sleeve if it meant to impose her fragile sense of authority over them… But what?


"And to resume, the rampage that the Jacket Jacker caused a high amount worth of yens for all the property damage. Fortunately, no important material was destroyed." Satsuki concluded the status of what happened today toward her elites. It was that same night and everyone was gathered to have an audience over the unexpected catastrophe that was luckily neutralized.

"Understood. I shall contact our personal construction team to begin immediate repairs." Innumuta nodded and turn back to his laptop to send their construction builders his request. Of course they would answer the call of the Kiryuin ASAP. She may be a despicable dictator, but she makes sure to pay well those who serve.

"Tch! For once I'm glad Hakodate will no longer nag me. But why didn't you allow me to get rid of her?" Sanageyama complained to her mistress since he was abdenied to attack the monstrous tennis player.

"Control Sanageyama. Lady Satsuki specifically stated that this sudden turn of events was to measure how dangerous Ryuko Matoi is to our plans." Gamagori turned to his fellow Deva with disappointment.

"Yeah beat it chimp. I could have easily taken care of that spider thing by performing a sweet lullaby and he would be snoozing zs all evening." Jakuzure just had to intervene with her butt for Sanageyama's annoyance, which only made her the more bitter.

"All that aside, are you sure we shouldn't be concerned about the apparition of the Jacket-Jacker milady?" Iori was next to ask. He may not be an official member of the Elite 4, but the fact that he's the most powerful of all of the Emperors and Satsuki's personal tailor has positioned him amongst her round table of knights.

"Just because I say we shouldn't grow concerned of any future attacks of those monsters doesn't mean that we shouldn't prepare counter-measures if a similar threat were to harm the stability of Honnouji Academy." Satsuki replied. "Once we're done, order your men to start research of the Jacket Jacker's recordings."

"Milday."

"And now comes our last topic." The lady of war pressed a button on her chair, changing the image on the wide screen into that of… "Ryuko Matoi… As you may or not know, the new girl has challenged me on a fight tomorrow. Knowing her, she won't stop pestering us until I proclaim her pitiful whim."

"Let me guess, want me to represent you-"

"Incorrect Sanageyama." Satsuki busted the Kendo President's enthusiasm. "I myself shall duel this insolent child and break her spirit once and for all. Therefore, she will have no other choice but to yield to our will."

"Fascinating. Rather than waiting for her to walk straight to the lion's maw, you're moving the lion's jaw at her. Innumuta pointed out as he was impressed.

"I'm proud you could describe my plan for Ryuko better than I would Innumuta. For something you're Honnouji Academy's leading genius." The Kiryuin softly spoken before taking a small dose of her tea.

HEEL CLICK!

"Now that everything is settled, I order you to retire to your rooms and rest well. Tomorrow in the morning shall be a busy hour. I need all of you and your forces to make the required preparations for my fight against Ryuko Matoi. If we wish to subjugate a potential threat to our plans if she is not handled, we have to show her than no effort of her shall collapse everything I have built up to this point!" She stood mighty and godly, looking bellow her 5 most trusted officers as that ominous white light shined behind her to enforce that invincible aura she makes everyone see. "You're all dismissed for the day."

"Milady!" The 5 hailed their supreme leader, and then vanished in a cloud of dust. Such was the obedience of her highest-ranked minions.

A few minutes after, we could see the ruthless war mistress walk through the dark and empty halls of her castle. An anguished sensation has bogged her recently, although she did a phenomenal job to hide her anxieties from her fellow pieers. She was a woman of power, she was no permitted to show signs of weakness whatsoever. Rather than heading to her room at the very top of Honnouji Academy, she instead opted to let the elevator to take her instead to the top of the spire. But as the elevator slowly took her up to her desired destination, she began to think to herself…

"I cannot overlook Akira Kurusu's words. So many fools have tried to topple down my family's legacy and all have failed and wiped out from the face of the earth. Yet, his threat against me didn't felt hollow. Something tells me that the seeds of his resentment towards me will bloom into a horrendous tree if I don't cut it down…" For the first time since her childhood, Satsuki Kiryuin a woman the whole world was invincible felt pressured for Akira's potential threat to her plans. She had power and she never doubted herself that she could slice a mountain like butter if she so propones into doing so, but those Personas of his were entities beyond even her comprehension. If only there was another dangerous force she could exploit to be on par to his skills.

And there was… Reserved for the Kiryuin women to wield its malevolent power. Thinking about that think brought some memories she rather prefers to stay buried beneath her subconscious, but if she wished to prove Ryuko that she was but a poodle on a alley of bulldogs, she needs to prove her what the true power of a Kamui is.

"That wretched outfit was the most beautiful thing my eyes ever have the bliss of gazing upon. My brilliant father once shared the same sentiment as I did all those years ago, and I can still remember his wise words in regards of such a magnificent gown. 'This, shall be your wedding dress…' I gave no importance whatsoever to those word, I was a naïve child back then, so naïve in fact I didn't even know what a wedding dress was, or its purpose. But the name of the Wedding Dress would forever haunt me ever since… Kamui Junketsu, a Kamui sewn by the hands of the Kiryuin dating all the way back to the dark ages using the highest-quality Life Fibers they could have at their disposal and whose baptized name meant purity, purity from the blasphemous filth of human desires."

Doing her ever-so famous Heel Click, Satsuki Kiryuin stood over the the top of the academy, looking down at the empty campus with melancholy. She was nervous if she has to sign her blood pact to such a forbidden power just to correct a mere criminal. Her butler Soroi also shared this dreadful feeling, and speaking off…

"Milady, the helicopter is ready for takeoff, just as you requested." The butler talked to his master. "That being said, are you certain that releasing such a dangerous creature is necessary? Your mother must have a good reason to seal it deep down the mansion."

"I am, Soroi." The butler's superior affirmed him with a cold look of her part. "No warlord has ever been immortalized in history by not making sacrifices that could lead to their demise. If suppousely "risking my own life" is what I need to subjugate Matoi and Akira, then don't even considered such a possibility. As you may know, as long as I'm a child of Covers, the world is my ally." Soroi could feell more calm once her lady recited those words. Confidence like that can only be achieved by artist of wars that dare to use so-called war crimes as pain can only be perceived as people who you should kneel before.

The elder man told Satsuki that he would go on ahead to the chopper and they would take liftoff once she arrives. Now alone, she had one last thing to say before sealing her deal with the devil.

"Junketsu, I'm coming for you…"


CONFIDANT SUMMARY:

MATARO MANKANSHOKU – THE SUN: The youngest child of the Mankanshoku household that dwells at the slums of Honnouji Acaademy, often times found trying to impress someone that he's some big shot baller. If I push all of that aside, I can safely say that this kid possess a heart of gold and would even put himself in danger if it meant pulling a friend of familiar of his out of any danger, no matter how impossible It may see.

PERSONA OBTAINED: Horus

RYUKO MATOI – THE FOOL: A mysterious brash girl around my age that I first met at the slums' railcar station. She carries even more mysterious half of a giant pair of scissor, proclaiming that she jogged all over Japan with the sole mission of finding the possessor of the other half who killed her father in cold blood. All her current clues have pointed to Honnouji Academy where she now attends as she suspects that Satsuki Kiryuin bears all the questions she desires. Oh! And let's not forget the fact that she insisted of calling me Fuzzy Hair from now on, but I can't really blame her. Mona used to call me Frizzy Hair all the way back before the Phantom Thieves were even formed.

PERSONA OBTAINED: Decarabia

KAMUI SENKETSU – The Devil: No previous memory of his creation could be found inside this sentient Life Fiber uniform's mind. His only memory he can recall is the identity of his creator that being Ryuko's dad. For some unknown reason, only I and Ryuko are able to hear and understand what he says.

PERSONA OBTAINED: Beelzebub