For the Next Victim Naoto, I had modification from game into my imagination, the main key to Naoto's location is Tsubaki himself
This is just fanfiction from Persona series so... Please enjoy it and sorry for short chapter
(Evening 09/12/2011, Nohara Residence)
Tsubaki and his grandma was sitting on sofa and watching the television like always, Tsubaki focus to watched an news on television
"Good evening, and welcome to Niteline's special Nitewacth Report" Announcer said "A suspect in the murders in Inaba was safely arrested recently. But what few people know is that the mastermind who brought him to justice was a high school detective"
"Hm?" Tsubaki response after announcer said 'high school detective'
"Tonight's report will focus on this Detective Prince, Naoto Shirogane, whose handsome looks are sweeping the nation. Thanks for being on the show" the announcer said and the guest of news is Naoto Shirogane
"No, No, the pleasure is all mine" Naoto said
"Naoto?" Tsubaki question
"Why that kid is on TV?" Alastor said confused
"First, congratulations to you and the police for you recent arrest of the culprit, it was well-known that there were a lot of mysteries surrounding this case, and you did great job clearing them up" the announcer said
"I'd hesitate to say that the matter is 'cleared up' as such, it's true that our suspect was behind Mr. Morooka's unfortunate death but when I cast my eye over the case as a whole, I detect a few thing that seem out of place" Naoto said
"Seem out of place…?" Tsubaki thought
"Oh… like what?" the announcer asked
"Unfortunately, I cannot divulge details at this time at this time but this matter claimed the lives of three people. Hence, I believe even the smallest inconsistency must be investigated" Naoto said
"I… I see. I have to say, this is a surprise in light of the police's official statement" The announcer said nervously "N-Now for our segment, 'The Detective Prince's True Identity' where Naoto-kun tells us a little hit about himself"
"Amazingly, the Detective Prince has solved a whopping 24 case, 16 of them were…" the news still continue
"Oh my… so, that young man is detective? He's still young but he has already solved so many case…" his grandma commented
"Yeah…" Tsubaki said "This isn't like him, who showed himself on TV all of sudden... Or… Did he had planning something?" Tsubaki thought suspicious
(Early Morning 09/13/2011, Samegawa Flood Plain)
"Tsubaki"
Tsubaki heard Souji has calling his name from behind, he turned back and saw Souji walked to him along with Izanagi
"Oh, good morning" Tsubaki greeting
"Morning" Souji greeting back "Did you still thinking about the news on yesterday last night?" Souji asked realized
"So, you watched it" Tsubaki said
"That's so weird to Naoto for appeared on TV without a reason?" Alastor said suspicious
"I think a same way" Izanagi said
"…I'd been more worry at Naoto's intention…" Tsubaki crossed arms and said worried
"His's intention?" Izanagi asked confused
"Did you know something about Naoto's intention?" Souji asked curiosity
"Unfortunately…I don't know…" Tsubaki answered worried
"Morning, Souji-senpai, Tsubaki-senpai"
"Izzzy-kun~! Ala-chan~!"
Tsubaki and Souji heard Rise is calling their names and turned back, Rise and Himiko walking along with Yukiko, Chie, Yosuke and their Persona
"Yo" Yosuke said
"Good morning Souji-kun, Tsubaki-kun" Yukiko greeting them
"Morning guys" Souji greeting back
"What are you two talking about? It seems serious" Suzuka asked curiosity
"*whistle why are you want to know other people's business, Suzuka-chan?" Susano-O asked teased
"I just curious" Suzuka said irritated
"We're just talking about Naoto" Izanagi said
"Naoto? Oh yeah, Naoto was shown on TV last night, right?" Chie said remind
"That thing about the Detective Prince solving the case? C'mon, we're the ones who actually caught the killer" Yosuke said
"Even you said like that Yosuke, the police were ones who identified the suspect… is that mean, he was cooperation with them" Tsubaki said
"But, I'm kinda surprised, through" Chie said "I didn't think he was the type to go after the spotlight like that"
"Good morning" Naoto was walking the opposite towards the group
"Morning" Tsubaki greeting
"Oh crap! What should we do!?" Susano-O said panicked
"Shut up, you police-phobia!" Alastor yelled
"I've been waiting for you all. There's something I needed to discuss with you regarding the case" Naoto said
"Discuss about the case?" Tsubaki asked serious
"I don't know if this is a good time" Souji said
"Yeah, we'll be late if we talk to long… Wait, where's your uniform?" Yosuke asked
"Could you please indulge my current theory on the matter?" Naoto said serious
"… Fine" Souji said
"First, as regards commonalities between the victims, all of them were kidnapped before they were murdered" Naoto started "The victims were all locals who had been the focus of recent media attention, becoming suddenly well-known… That is the most likely scenario. I don't believe there's anything intrinsically unique about the victims themselves"
"Haven't you all come to the same conclusion?" Naoto asked
"Yeah, we did" Souji said "That's similar what we've figured"
"What the-!? Are you crazy!? If, you telling him, we'll-"
"SHUT UP, SUSANO-O!"
"Then, allow me to state my point. Will you admit that a number of you fit these identical circumstances?" Naoto asked and the group was surprised
"There was a long interval between the second and third deaths in this case but after, I applied the aforementioned criteria, I discovered several similar disappearances had taken place. Yukiko Amagi, Tsubaki Nohara, Kanji Tastumi and, Rise Kujikawa. All of you disappeared shortly after being shown on TV. Either you escaped death somehow, or you faked your own disappearances in order to divert attention from yourselves…Since some of you had ties to the victims, there came a point where I suspected one of you must be the culprit" Naoto said
"What-!? We did not do-"
"That was just your theory, yes?"
Tsubaki suddenly said before Chie want to complain at Naoto
"Yes, this was a prior theory, since discarded" Naoto nod and said "Putting together everything I've learned until this moment, I believe exactly the opposite"
"You aren't the culprit. In fact, be the only ones with the means to pursue the true perpetrator…Seen as a joining of forces between the rescued, everything falls into place… Of course, this is all speculation"
"Damn… he has already gathering an information at once, huh?" Alastor commented
"How about Mr. Morooka's death? You said something about him on TV, right?" Souji asked
"For, Mr. Morooka's murder… there is in fact a flaw in the theory. He has never been broadcast on television, and neither did he ever disappear. We must also consider the condition of his corpse"
"But, this is true… Mr. Morooka not appeared on TV from start" Izanagi said
"The first two victims are still listed with an unknown cause of death…" Naoto said
"So… what is the cause of Mr. Morooka's death?" Tsubaki asked
"Mr. Morooka died of an easily identifiable blunt force trauma to the occipital cranium" Naoto answered Tsubaki's question
"What?" Yosuke asked confused
"He hit him really hard on the head" Souji told Yosuke
"The police have not satisfactorily resolved this discrepancy, yet they are desperate to close the case" Naoto said "Further action will be necessary to obtain some sort of decisive evidence"
"Further action…? What do you mean?" Chie asked confused
"Well, whatever the outcome… the evidence should come to light, you said something interesting to me not long ago" Naoto said and begin to walked past the group
"Wait…" Tsubaki suddenly stopped him "Where are you going, Naoto?" Tsubaki asked suspicious
"… This is not a game for me either" Naoto said
"Naoto-kun?" Yukiko said, Naoto leaving the group
(Evening 09/14/2011, Nohara's Residence)
(Tsubaki's Room)
Today is raining, Tsubaki was sitting on the bed for waiting the Midnight Channel just in case, the screen on television has turn on and the silhouette is show up. The image is still hazy and can't tell who it is but, Tsubaki has realizing who it is
"… Naoto" Tsubaki's face turn darker after he saw Naoto on Midnight Channel
(After school 09/15/2011, Yasogami High School)
The group was already in the classroom for conversation about the Midnight Channel last night but, Tsubaki seemed worried and just remain silent
"So… about the Midnight Channel last night… you saw it, right?" Chie asked
"Yeah, I think it was Naoto" Yukiko said
"Well, he's okay, right?" Kanji asked
"Yeah, Teddie said no one's entered the other side" Yosuke said
"Yeah, the killer's been caught" Rise said
"Yeah" Yosuke said agreed "Hey, Tsubaki what's wrong? You looked pale" Yosuke asked on Tsubaki
"… Nothing" Tsubaki said quietly "… I must go back home now, my grandma need my help for today… So please excuse me" Tsubaki bring his backpack and walked to outside class
"What's up with him?" Susano-O asked
"I don't know but… he looked depress" Suzuka said
"… Guys, I will get back soon!" Rise said and ran for chasing Tsubaki
"W-Wait for me, Rise-chan!" Himiko said and quickly following her
"Should we following them?" Chie asked curiosity
"What? You want disturbing other people's business?" Yosuke asked annoyed
"N-No! I just get curious!" Chie yelled
"Let's just leave them be" Souji said
"We can do now, just give them some time for talking and not eavesdrop" Izanagi said
"Hmhm…" Amaterasu nod cheerfully
"I agree, well let's go back to the our topic" Yukiko said
(Hallway)
"Tsubaki-senpai! Wait!"
Tsubaki seems not heard Rise's voice and just keep moving to the entrance. Rise keep chased on him and want to smack his back
"Tsubaki-senpai…!"
*smack
"Ouch…!"
Tsubaki suddenly felt on his back in pain when he's turned back, Tsubaki saw Rise, the one who smacked his back, Rise's expression looks angrily but she actually worry to him
"R-Rise? Why are you here?" Tsubaki asked shocked
"I'm here because, I've been worried on you" Rise said angrily
"Oh my" Alastor said cheerfully "Hey Himiko, let's go back to Souji for a moment" Alastor suggestion
"Oh, okay!" Himiko said excitedly "Have fun you two~" Alastor and Himiko floating back to the class
"You don't need to worried about me, I just… not in good mood now" Tsubaki said and forcefully to smile "You should go back to everyone. I'll be okay"
"No, you're not okay" Rise said worried "I know, you must be thinking of something else"
"…." Tsubaki remain silent
"Could you telling me, what are you thinking of?" Rise said softly "Or maybe, this is about Naoto-kun?"
"… Not, this's nothing" Tsubaki said "I'd better hurry back home, see you tomorrow" Tsubaki turned back and leaving her
"Senpai….." Rise thought worried
(Evening, Dojima's Residence)
(Souji's Room)
*ring *ring
Souji's cell phone suddenly ring up when he was sitting on sofa and reading the historical book, he quickly picking up and answered
"Hello" Souji said
"Oh, hello it's me…" Tsubaki said with anxious tone
"Oh, it's you, Tsubaki. What's up?" Souji asked
"Well… I'd just want ask you something, regarding the serial murder case" Tsubaki said "Did you realize this case seems odd?" Tsubaki question seriously
"Yeah, I've realized…" Souji said anxious "There's must be something we're missing"
"I know that but, I glad, you've realized it…" Tsubaki said relieved
"Why are you ask me for, Tsubaki?" Souji asked
"No, this is nothing. Sorry for bother you when, you relaxing before the Midnight Channel" Tsubaki said "See you later…" Tsubaki hung up his called
"From Tsubaki?" Izanagi asked
"Yeah, that's from him and he had realized too, about the murder case is seems odd" Souji said
"I see" Izanagi said
"This's almost the Midnight Channel… let's watch it, just in case" Souji said "I hope, not someone would be shown up on TV" Souji thought hopefully
(Nohara's Residence, Tsubaki's Room)
When the Midnight Channel has been started it
"Good evening everyone. I am the Detective Prince, Naoto Shirogane" Naoto said on television, the place on television seemed like the Frankenstein lab so many of machine over there
"Welcome to 'Experiment of the Century: The Genome Project, I will be experimentor and experimentee both, in a forbidden yet wonderful bodily alteration process!"
"You shall witness my departure into a new realm… The moment of new birth! From the chosen day forth, I shall walk a completely different path in life…!"
"And I will share this glorious occasion, this memorable day, with all of you! Do stay tuned!"
Naoto has disappeared from the screen on television, Tsubaki just stand still and staring on screen in deeply worried
"Naoto… That's your plan from the start, isn't?" Tsubaki said worried
"Tsubaki…" Alastor said worried
"I'll save him… and I won't let 'that incident' happened again…!" Tsubaki said angrily
"You mean… Tsukasa's death?" Alastor asked carefully
"Yes… I don't want repeated a same mistake again… I'll save him…" Tsubaki said determination
"Of course…!" Alastor said determination
(After School 09/16/2011, Junes Food Court)
After school, the group make of meeting at Junes Food Court for discussion about Naoto's kidnapped, Tsubaki just remain silent, as for Kanji, he seems annoyed
"Did you smell someone inside the other side?" Souji asked
"Yup, I do smell someone in there" Teddie said
"Ugh great" Yosuke complained "Nothing's changed at all, it's same"
"Yeah…" Yukiko said sadly
"But how?" Konohana asked worried
"He's got kidnapped on purpose" Tsubaki finally spoke
"Purpose?" Susano-O asked confused
"... Damnit! So, that's why Naoto was appeared on TV all of sudden" Souji said cursed on himself
"What's wrong?" Yosuke asked
"Naoto said, that something strange about the case and he said, the people who are kidnapped appear on TV. That's why he was there for testing his theory" Souji explain
"Wait, He's using himself as bait!?" Yosuke said shocked
"That was crazy!" Susano-O said
"RAGH!" *SLAM Kanji suddenly got angry and slammed his palms down on the table
"RAGH!" Rokuten want to slam on the table just like Kanji did
"ROKUTEN! NO!" Suzuka and Susano-O stopping him
"That Idiot!" Kanji yelled and not paying attention at Rokuten "Why the hell didn't he just tell us!?"
"Probably thought we will stopped him and he left us clues so we could figure it out" Yosuke said
"That's very stupid to him" Susano-O commented
"B-But… What about the killer the police are holding now?" Chie asked confused
"And, how about Mitsuo? He did kill King Moron, right?" Suzuka asked
"Yeah, only him" Alastor said
"Wait, what?" Amaterasu asked confused
"Yes, Mitsuo did kill Mr. Morooka but, that's all he did" Izanagi said
"Bingo" Alastor said
"The police were able identified the cause of King Moron's death but, the first and second victim's death…. is still unknown" Tsubaki started "In other words, Mitsuo Kubo wasn't a real killer in fact, he's a copy-cat killer"
"So that'd explain why there were no signs of King Moron being thrown into the TV" Yosuke said
"Yeah, the killer didn't change his method's at all" Susano-O said
"Then, whoever kidnapped Naoto-kun was…" Rise trailer off
"The real killer" Souji said
"Wait a sec…! Didn't Mitsuo say he was the one behind it all? Why would he take the blame for someone else's crime?" Chie asked confused
"Yeah, that's so weird" Suzuka said
"And they said on the news that the culprit confessed to the other murders, too" Chie said
*SLAM "To hell with someone who's behind bars!" Kanji was slammed again on the table and yelled "If we don't get off our asses, that stupid Naoto's gonna die in there! We gotta go find him!" Everyone nod and decide go to inside the TV World
(TV World)
"How is it, Rise?" Souji asked when Rise and Himiko tried for searching Naoto
"Yeah, someone's definitely in here" Rise said
"This world seems to have grown larger than before, too" Himiko said
"Wow! You two so amazing!" Teddie said excitedly "Shall I give you a massage?"
"Hey Ted, don't bother her!" Yosuke said annoyed
"It's not use" Rise said, as Himiko shut down and removed her satellite from her face "We need some clues for find Naoto's location"
"Yeah, that's the only choice we can do now for find him" Himiko said worried
"That'll take too long!" Kanji said annoyed "Dammit! We don't know about that kid… if we not do something, he'll…!"
"We need quickly save him!" Rokuten said annoyed
"Hey, snap out of this!" Chie said angrily at Kanji
"I knew about him, Naoto still has obsession about the murder case, he also treated like a child by whole police department" Tsubaki finally spoke about Naoto
"Wait a sec, how did you know about him?" Yosuke asked shocked
"Are you stalker!?" Susano-O asked shocked
"Of course not, stupid sunglasses" Alastor said annoyed
"I've ask a question to policeman about Naoto at Inaba Police Department, yesterday..." Tsubaki said
"That's why you go back home earlier" Yosuke said shocked "Wait, Dojima-san is over there too, right?" Yosuke asked remind
"Yes but, I not meet him" Tsubaki said
"Lucky" Susano-O said arrogant
"Well... I've told you about Naoto so, please searching on him" Tsubaki said
"Wait a sec..." Rise said and replaced her visor on her eyes
"….." Tsubaki crossed arms and remain silent, Tsubaki's expression still anxious
"I've worried on him" Izanagi said worried
"Same here…" Souji said agreed
"We've found it!" Himiko announce
"Seriously!?" Kanji asked relieved
"Yup, we can go there now" Rise said
"All right, let's go" Souji said, everyone nod it
(The Secret Base)
"W-What is this place?" Kanji asked when they see the location looked like the secret base in middle of forest
"You think this place is part of that kid's memory?" Susano-O asked
"I guess..." Amaterasu said unsure "This place is came from part of him, right?"
"You absolute right, Amaterasu" Izanagi said
"It looks like a secret base" Souji said
"Hey you right, it's like those hideouts in live action shows?" Yosuke said
"You mean, Featherman? Yeah, I used to watch Featherman all the time when, I was a kid" Kanji said
"Featherman?" Rokuten asked confused
"TV shows for a kids" Alastor said
"Since we know where he is, let's begin to rescuing Naoto" Souji said, everyone nod
Sorry for short chapter! This is just fanfiction... Well I hope everyone enjoy it
For Next chapter is... Tsubaki's Arc
Please stay reading!