With a smirk and a smug aura, Ren Amamiya walked to school.
Straightening his coat, Ren passed the gates as usual, climbed the steps, and slipped into the main building.
"Psst. Hey!" A hoarse whisper came from his left, followed by a nudge. Ren turned to face who so desperately needed his attention.
"Did you get the calling card in? Ann pressed. "I thought you'd arrive early to do it."
"I did." Ren replied. "I'd expect some feathers to be ruffled soon." He added with a dangerous smile.
"...I hope you know what you're doing." Ann frowned. "It's you… or Ryuji."
"Have a little faith, everything's worked so far, hasn't it?" Ren assured. He then lowered his voice to a whisper. "The bastard will get the surprise of his life. I guarantee."
Soon enough, they encountered a large gathering of students, surrounding the bulletin board at the front and center of the school. Fighting through the crowd, they reached the epicenter, and the calling cards.
"A calling card?" One student asked.
"-I heard it was already up here before everyone got here this morning!" Another said.
Ann walked up, and examined the handiwork. The cards were a vibrant red, to stand out from the other papers on the board. They possessed a sort of professional, machined quality, not really handmade at all. A big, fat QR code was attached to the top of each card, impossible to miss.
"An open letter to the perverted bastard, Suguru Kamoshida." Ann read out. "We know of your crimes, and your true colours. We know how you put your perverted, twisted and disgusting desires on the vulnerable. Attached above, is evidence of your actions."
"If you do not confess your sins by tonight, we will steal away your sick desires and make you confess. You have until tomorrow,"
"With Regards, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts."
"Evidence?" Ann perked her eyebrow, filled with concern. She produced her phone, and scanned the code, which linked her to a video.
With curiosity, Ann pressed play.
The video opened to the scene of what appeared to be Kamoshida's office, dimly lit, and appearing to be after hours. 'Kamoshida' was sitting in a swivel chair, with a young girl face blurred, dressed in the Shujin uniform, and half undressed.
"...Take it all off." The unmistakable, gravelly voice of Kamoshida began.
"...Do.. Do I have to?" A meek feminine voice replied.
Ann was starting to grow uncomfortable, as the footage continued, with an increasingly demanding and aggressive Kamoshida, and a more anguished, pained, and desperate feminine voice. Fortunately, there was heavy blurring, and nothing too graphic was shown, in fact, some parts were completely blacked out, bar the words 'AUDIO ONLY' on the screen.
But still, it was enough for Ann. She knew the hell whoever in the film suffered, as one of the countless victims, Ann herself included. The blonde turned the phone off and shoved it back into her pockets. Enough phone use for today.
Turning to Ren, she found him whispering to Ryuji further back in the crowd. Once he turned back to Ann, she shot Ren a look.
" You have some fucking explaining to do."
Ren nodded. "I know, I know, I will."
"Uhh! What the fuck!" A voice came from a student who just finished watching.
"Who the hell are these.. Phantom people!?" Another asked.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" A loud, booming voice demanded, causing a path to be cleared in the crowd. It was Kamoshida.
"WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!?" The teacher roared. However, behind his rage, there was just the ever so perceptible tinge of fear.
"WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS!?" Kamoshida barked at the crowd, causing many to back away in fear.
He grabbed one of the cards, and ripped it off the board, sending a thumbtack sailing. As the calling card came off, another slipped out from behind, and towards the ground, apparently unnoticed by him.
It was an ace of spades playing card, with a skull and crossbones adorning the center.
The teacher took a close look at the calling card.
"GET OUT OF HERE! ALL OF YOU!". He spat, face turning red. The crowd complied in the face of his fury, and diminished in size, but the damage to Kamoshida's pride had already been done.
Ann turned to Ren again, with a smirk, he only gestured, " follow me."
She wasted no time in vanishing from the scene, and disappeared into the crowd, using Ryuji's hair as a guide to find her way.
Darting past several classrooms, and rounding a corner, they only stopped when they were sure Kamoshida was out of sight and earshot.
"... You've got some explaining to do, mister!" Ann pointed at Ren.
"And I will." Ren raised his arms in surrender.
"And you, what do you know about this?". Ann switched her attention to Ryuji.
"...Hey, cut me some slack! I just found out too!" Ryuji protested. "I don't think I could've pulled off what he did." He pointed at Ren.
"Yeah, yeah, just calm down, allow me to explain." Ren spoke. "It started a few days ago…."
BANG
BANG
"GOOD SHOOTING! FLASHBANG THROUGH THE DOOR!"
BANG
BANG
"HIT THE TARGET!"
Ren slid down the staircase, planting a clean headshot through the wooden mock up of a Soviet soldier.
"POSITION THREE! GO!"
Ren tossed another flashbang.
BANG
BANG
Two more wooden targets went down.
"GOTTA BE FASTER THAN THAT!" The spy called.
"POSITION FOUR! GO!"
BANG
BANG
"POSITION FIVE!"
A final flashbang, before Ren darted out of the building mockup.
"FINAL POSITION!...AND TIME!"
Ren slowed, then stopped with a pant, he'd just cleared the CQB course.
"That'll be enough, kid." Kaplan reported over the loudspeaker. "A new record, thirty seconds, not bad for someone this new."
"Take a breath and a seat, you've earned it. We have some coffee over in the back."
Ren shoved the gun back into the holster as he removed his mask, and sat down for a drink, wiping sweat off his brow.
It was yet another day of training in the metaverse. Ren was not the most physically fit individual, but he was no slouch either, with the time he already spent in the metaverse and Ryuji having improved his physicality.
Perhaps the most incredible physical attribute of Ren was his ability to take multiple beatings and still stand, demonstrated by his time with the police, which the spy had remarked upon.
Despite the absolute thrashing by Kasumi in their little sparring session the other day, Ren had repeatedly held up and continued pushing, until he could match his kouhai.
On the menu today was close quarters battle training. It demanded quick movements, quick reactions, and good aim. Kaplan had based the exercise after ones by military forces, and if Ren had to assume, likely ones he partook in himself.
"Alright, you're up Kasumi!" The spy soon called over the loudspeaker. "Let's see what that persona can do!"
Ren looked over to the start of the CQB course, a cloaked and masked figure climbed up the starting ladder, with the only identifiable trait from this distance being her red hair.
The figure gave a small wave towards Ren as she climbed, to which Ren responded in kind.
"Grab the rope when you're ready." The spy instructed.
"Understood." Kasumi simply replied, and put both hands on the rope.
"GO! GO! GO!".
With speed, agility and grace only a gymnast could possess, Kasumi slid down the rope and whipped out her sidearm.
"HIT THE TARGETS!"
BANG
BANG
BANG
"POSITION TWO! GO!"
The redhead did not slow for a second, charging down the stairs and planting a shot in record time. It seemed almost inhuman.
"FLASHBANG THROUGH THE DOOR! HIT THE TARGETS!"
A burst of light ripped from inside the course.
"POSITION FOUR GO! HIT THE TARGETS!"
Another barrage of gunfire sounded.
"FINAL POSITION!... AND TIME!". The spy announced. "Twenty-two point eight seconds, better than your last!"
A panting Kasumi strolled out, successful in breaking her own record.
"Good job, both of you." The spy descended from the overlooking platform, straightening his tie as he walked down. "How's your new persona working for you?"
"Huff…Working well sir." Kasumi reported. "Feels a bit funny, though."
"Huh." Ren scanned Kasumi head to toe. "Gotta say, I dig the look."
"Thanks, senpai." The redhead replied.
"So, how did you.." Ren began to ask.
"Ah, thanks to that camera footage you got.." The spy explained. "They were able to work stuff out for her."
"Yep that would be right." Kasumi took off her mask and smiled.
"Anyways, let's see what else you got with your persona." The spy took the cigarette out of his mouth. "Let's see that sword of yours."
"Of course." Kasumi took out her rapier, holding it out on both hands.
It was a stainless cruciform hilted blade, sleek, sharp and nimble.
"Nice, an elegant weapon for a more civilized age." Kaplan remarked, "But, ancient weapons are not really a match for a good handgun at your side."
The spy handed the sword back. "You do any fencing?"
"I had some practice," Kasumi spoke. "I was on a trip to Paris a while back, I was introduced to a guy named Adrian Agreste."
"Wait, you dueled with the fashion designer's kid?" The spy whistled. "How's Paris these days? Haven't been there since '89."
"..Pretty nice," Kasumi reflected, "But there's been occurrences of things called 'akumatizations'?" She struggled a bit sounding out the French
"Basically people suddenly turning into evil super villains."
"...Umm… does that have anything to do with the mental shutdowns?" Ren began sounding concerned.
"...To be honest.. I don't know." Kasumi admitted. "They do have people solving it though.."
"You know what.." The spy spoke up. "That's not our problem, we have enough Russian superweapons to tangle with anyways. Let's focus on the task at hand."
"Anyways, I'd advise going for quick strikes to the back and neck, you'll need to kill silently and quickly with this." The spy told Kasumi. "You'll mostly be using your rifle to do the work, but still, get your practice in with this."
"Personally, I find a good balisong to be what I need." The spy took out his butterfly knife disguised as a pair of pens, rapidly unlocking the latch and opening the knife with a basic vertical, before flipping it back into a closed position.
"Oh, you interested?" The spy smirked, turning to Ren, who was staring quite intently at the spy's knife tricks.
"Well, uh-"
"Say no more, kid." The spy slapped the teen's back and chuckled. "I think I have a practice knife here somewhere."
The dull blade twirled through the air, before swinging downwards as Ren practiced with opening and closing the knife.
"Oww." The hinge of the knife accidentally pinched a bit of his skin.
"You know, you'll poke your eye out with that." Morgana told Ren from atop the table.
"Oh relax, would you? they'll need to go through the glasses first." Ren retorted.
"Whatever." The feline dismissed. "I'll be getting my tuna." He then hopped off, walking to elsewhere.
All of a sudden, the door burst open as Kaplan walked in. appearing to be holding what appeared to be a stack of folded clothes.
"Our little film studio here is all set up." The spy explained. "We just need the actors in costume."
"...What am I gonna be wearing?" Ren was concerned, well aware of the King's attire in the metaverse.
"Oh, nothing worth your panties tangled up for." The spy assured. "Just track pants, a white shirt, and the mask."
The spy produced a hollow, full head coverage latex mask resembling Kamoshida, before approaching and placing the items in front of Ren on the desk.
"I'll be working on the lighting." The spy pointed to a door in the corner of the safehouse. "Get there in ten minutes."
And so, the spy disappeared, leaving Ren in the relative cold of the garage.
Ren sighed as he stood up, placing the knife down, and then began to change into costume. The pants and shirt were nothing out of the ordinary, with Ren quickly slipping into them, leaving only the mask. He smoothed out his hair as much as he could, before lifting the mask to his head, and then stretching the opening as wide as he could.
Ren pulled down on the latex, slowly but steadily as the mask covered him. Darkness reigned for a brief moment before fading when the eye-holes came into view. It was a tight fit, but it worked out.
"Hey, Mona." Ren croaked through the mask. "How do I look?"
"Hmmh?" The cat turned over, before he suddenly jumped up, back arched and hissing. "Jesus Christ! What are you wearing!?"
"The winner for ugliest Halloween costume." Ren muttered. "Anyways, I need to be going, they're waiting for me"
"Could've fooled me." Morgana remarked. "Looks really convincing, unless you get into direct face-to-face range."
Ren took his phone and used it to take a good look at himself.
"Hmh, so it is."
"So let me get this straight." Ann facepalmed. "You not only managed to create fake evidence of Kamoshida's crimes, but also made fake audio of him."
"Effectively." Was all Ren replied with.
"How do you even find the time for this!?" Ann burst out. It was too much.
"I… cashed in some favours," Ren explained. "I got some help."
"Of course, Sojiro's got some experience with media, so that's fine."
"Y-You didn't tell anyone else about our little secret, right?" Ryuji questioned.
"Of course not!" Ren denied, "I gave excuses and lies so no one would actually know what we're doing."
"I can confirm." Morgana popped out from the bag. "Lips sealed."
"Actually.." Ann began. "You know, it seems like you would be the guy to blab everything." She pointed at Ryuji.
"Hey!" Ryuji protested. A slight reddish tone filled his cheeks. "I wouldn't!"
"Oh, I know you too well." Ann teased. "Of course you would."
"Yeah, you would be the guy." Ren agreed. "ESPECIALLY IF WE KEEP TALKING THIS LOUDLY!"
"Okay, okay." Ann rubbed her temples. "Let's just get on with the plan. We can get the treasure today, right?" She asked the cat.
"Today and only today," The cat explained. "The impact of a calling card is hard to replicate again…"
Suddenly, his ears perked up. "I hear footsteps coming towards us."
"...Shit, must be teachers." Ryuji snapped. "We need to go."
"To the roof?" Ren suggested.
"Where else, cafe's too far." Ryuji answered. "Also, do you mind telling us how you even got the cards in?"
"Yeah, I almost forgot!" Ann added.
"Well…." Ren began as he walked.
"Alright, here we are." The spy spoke to the teens in the back. "Y'all ready?"
In the back of the Toyota, Ren and Kasumi sat dressed in black, with gloves and balaclavas.
It was the dead of night, and they were parked just on the outskirts of Shujin academy.
"I guess we are." Ren replied.
"We are." Kasumi confirmed, pulling on her glove.
"Okay then, security systems should be taken care of." The spy explained. "In and out, quick as you can. You just need to place the calling cards and the death card."
"I'll be looking out if anything goes wrong. If that's the case, we'll be in touch." He tapped the earpiece.
The car door opened with a click, and the two teens slipped out into the dark.
Scaling the gate and walls, they crawled into the school grounds and approached the doors to the inside of the building itself. Pressing along the frame, lockpicks were produced, and quickly worked into the doors.
After entry was gained, the two entered and began placing and pinning cards across the school, onto bulletin boards, white boards, and just taping them to the walls.
As the operation commenced, a worn Toyota circled the school grounds.
"How's the situation on the security going?" The spy asked through the phone.
"Stable, I've got it under control." A young feminine voice came from the other end.
"Good, by the way, how's the new software workin out for you?" The spy asked.
"Excellent, actually, I can finally play Minecraft on RTX without my computer exploding!" The voice replied.
"Ha-ha-ha. Hilarious." The spy dryly replied. "I had to pull some strings to get you that stuff, you better appreciate it. Also, I'm not quite senile enough yet to not know the difference between software and hardware."
"Okay fine, you got me." The voice replied. "Seriously, though, it's making things that were challenging when I was Medjed trivial."
"Glad to hear." The spy answered. "I think I'll need to end this here, you know, let you get back to your streaming or whatever the hell you kids are up to these days. Send Sojiro my regards, would ya?"
"I will, uncle Kap." The voice replied, before hanging up.
And with that, the spy looped back to the school gates, where the two teens were waiting.
Without a second to lose, they hopped into the back, and the spy drove off.
"I stayed a bit longer after school yesterday, under the guise of a study session." Ren explained. "Looks good if the delinquent is actively trying to improve."
"That simple, huh…" Ann mumbled.
"Occam's razor." Ren reasoned. "Best solutions are often the easiest ones."
"Oh, so you didn't break in after school?" Ryuji spoke sarcastically.
"I have a curfew." Was all Ren said in response.
As they reached the roof, the group began preparations for the coup de grace against Kamoshida. However, Ren had additional things he needed to do.
"I stashed some of the equipment in my locker, I'm gonna go get it." Ren explained.
And with that excuse, Ren slipped away to meet Kasumi and rapidly descended downstairs, making his way towards the gym. The Gymnasium was bustling per usual, with students and teachers were busy playing various games.
Ren headed towards one of the equipment storage rooms, where Kasumi had told him earlier they would meet up.
Just as Ren stood looking at the blue doors where the room was, he couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes were on him.
"Well, what do we have here?"
The faux warm voice of Kamoshida greeted Ren's ears.
Ren turned around.
"I'm just picking up stuff for a friend." Ren replied, calmly with his best poker face.
"Really? For those friends, with whom you are as thick as thieves?" The pervert answered. "I saw your little group back there, don't think I didn't notice, delinquent."
"I bet it was you and your ilk who got the cards."
"You have no proof." Ren replied, maintaining his demeanor.
"Perhaps." The teacher agreed. "But, I doubt they will take the word of a delinquent and his goons over the words of an esteemed teacher."
"I'll be reporting you and your friends at the next board meeting."
Ren searched for a response.
"In that case," Ren began. "My judgement may begin within a week. But your judgement ends tomorrow, if the Phantom Thieves are anything to go by."
"Tch, we'll see," Kamoshida spat, before turning and walking away.
Ren was unfazed, he turned the knob of the door and entered.
"Hi Senpai!" The genuinely warm voice of Kasumi was a relief from Kamoshida. "I heard what you said outside."
Kasumi was standing over a small table, with assorted equipment scattered over, including her WA 2000 sniper rifle. Ren surmised she smuggled the thing in with her gym bag. The entire scene was reminiscent of the first sanctioned metaverse infiltration with Kaplan.
"Well, we got a deadline." Ren replied. "We're going in within an hour or less."
"I see," Kasumi replied. "I'll be overwatch."
She then handed Ren an earpiece.
"Also, he wants this filmed as well."
She handed Ren a bodycam, like the last one.
"Gotcha." Ren spoke. "You can get in, right?"
"Yep." The redhead pulled up her phone, showing the app.
"I'll tell you when we're going in." Ren stuck the earpiece in, and began to head back upstairs.
"Okay dragon's breath… Incendiaries.."
Ann, Ryuji, and Morgana were hunched over an array of medical supplies, weaponry, and ammunition.
"I'm back." Ren announced as he darted towards the group.
"What's the hold up?" Morgana questioned.
"Had a run in with the bastard." Ren explained. "We need to do this fast, he's making expulsion threats."
"What!?" Ann asked.
"He's gonna report us in the next board meeting, get us all kicked." Ren continued.
"He can't do that!" Ann grumbled. "That son of a bitch!" She shouted in English.
"He sure as hell can't do that if we get him first!" Ryuji smiled with a vengeful look.
"Well, what are we waiting for then?" Ren asked.
"It's go time."
The equipment was rapidly packed up, and thus, reality distorted, and the Phantom thieves prepared to strike.
Hi! It's been awhile, and no, I'm not dead, (yet)
I had to delay this chapter a bit because of personal life, but I think the delay helped me get more creative for this chapter.
So I decided to basically go over how the entire operation to dig up dirt on Kamoshida and take him down, as well as other espionage methods used in a short, more concise method rather than dragging it over another chapter.
-Joesephi