Zenkichi had everything set up in his own little private hideaway. He was waiting for the group to arrive. It was noon now... "Guess I'm a little early." He told himself. It made sense. He was already in Kyoto, so of course it would take them a little while to reach him if they were just leaving Fukuoka. He gave them the address, so it was just a matter of waiting. "I'll just keep working on the..." And he then heard a loud screeching sound outside, along with what sounded like a violent crash. Zenkichi's eyes widened as the noise startled him. "What the hell!?" Zenkichi walked over to the door, only for Ren and the others to stumble and stagger inside, all of them save for Haru looking worse for wear. "Oh, uh...you guys got here fast." It was an eight hour drive from their location...and they made it before noon.

Ann was hunched over, one eye clenched shut as she was trying to catch her breath and count her blessings. "I...I thought we were gonna die...!"

"I think we already did..." Futaba had to take a seat. "My soul is barely tethered to my body..."

"Urp...gonna puke..." Ryuji was just on the ground.

"..." Sumire couldn't say anything. Her face was pale and the only sign that she was alive was the fact she let out a small exhale.

"O...kay..." Zenkichi had no idea what just happened. Why were they all so ragged!? How'd they get here so quickly?

"My apologies, Haru, but I request you steer clear of the driver's seat from now on. I only have so many lives left." Yusuke was resting against the stairs trying to catch his breath. This was a once in a lifetime experience. Because if he had to experience it again, he was positive he would not make it out alive.

"Ngh...never have I faced something so horrifying in my entire life...our forces crumbled within the span of two hours..." Hifumi was leaning against the wall, trying not to fall over.

"Two hours? Okumura, what happened?" Zenkichi looked over to Haru, who was the only person who looked like she didn't just crawl out of hell.

"Um...I was just driving normally. I think..." Haru said with an innocent tilt of her head. She didn't really understand at all why everyone looked like they just narrowly avoided death.

"Thatwas your normal? I thought you intended to kill us all..." Akechi groaned. Even he couldn't keep his composure after such a harrowing experience. Nothing compared to the terrors of Haru's driving.

"Ugh..." Ren had no words. He was just trying not to die from the shock.

"..." Morgana just let out a weak groan.

"Meowgana is unconscious. Someone please wake him up." Sophia was the only one unbothered by the drive. This was a time being an AI had its perks.

It took a little while, but eventually everyone was able to recover from the drive. Ann let out a huge sigh of relief. "The room's finally stopped spinning..." This was probably the one time she wished Mika was with them, because she wanted to see Mika completely collapse and lose her composure. But because Mika wasn't with them, she was going to be running behind. That was fine.

"You uh...have an interesting way of driving, Haru..." Morgana was putting it as nicely as he could.

"Why thank you, Mona-chan!" Haru smiled innocently.

"She really shouldn't take that as a compliment..." Futaba groaned lowly.

"This is...why I was worried..." Makoto said quietly. Now everyone understood why Makoto was doing everything she could to keep Haru from driving...

"...Is Sumire alive?" Hifumi looked over to Sumire. The color returned to her face, but she still looked frozen.

"My soul is coming back...slowly..." Sumire whimpered. At this rate she was going to get a phobia of cars.

"It sounds like you all had quite a ride. Regardless, I'm glad you made it here in one piece." Zenkichi said.

"That's debatable." Akechi dryly remarked.

"By the way, what is this place? Yusuke asked. "It seems unfit for a typical gathering of law enforcement."

"You could call it my secret base, I guess." Zenkichi said with a coy smile. "Basically a place to hole up if shit ever goes south. A good friend of mine used to run it. But right now, it's just an empty old bar, suitable for investigating and far away from prying eyes."

"The best place to hide is in plain sight." Hifumi nodded in understanding.

"So this is like your hideout?" Sophia asked.

"More like a safe room. No!" Futaba quickly corrected herself. "A safe house!"

Yusuke took a glance at the board Zenkichi had set up. He couldn't help but notice the date on them either. "Those newpaper clips, are they from two years ago?"

"Those newspapers are irrelevant." Zenkichi replied. They weren't here to discuss it and he had no intentions of doing so either. "We have other business to discuss here."

"Then let's hear it, Zenkichi." Morgana said.

"Okay, let me break it down for you bit by bit." Zenkichi began. "I cross-referenced every name on the list we found in Okinawa. Based on our assumption that the mastermind would stand to benefit from changing hearts en masse...this is who we ended up with." He pulled up a picture of an old politician.

"Looks like a schemy bastard." Ryuji said.

"Don't I know it?" Zenkichi grumbled. "To think he'd show up now of all times."

"Do you know him?" Ren asked.

"No, not in particular..." Zenkichi shook his head. Hifumi quirked a brow, but she wasn't going to press it. "Anyway, his name is Jun Owada. At 69 years old, he's on his tenth term as a legislator."

"...I know that name." Akechi said quietly.

"He worked his way up to Chief Cabinet Secretary of the ruling party. In short, he's not someone to mess with." Zenkichi said. "They say he was a Masayoshi Shido supporter last year." And when he said that, everyone's eyes widened.

"Shido..." Akechi knew it now.

"To think his name would come up now." Yusuke was shocked.

"Do you know him?" Sophia asked.

"He was our former enemy...and a powerful one at that." Ren said. He wouldn't go into the full story right now, but Shido was someone he would never forget.

"Yeah, and one hell of an asshole too." Ryui said bitterly.

"Oh...I didn't know." Sophia felt really out of the loop.

"Sounds like you had quite a history with Shido, but we're not here for him." Zenkichi said. "That list contained a handful of political opponents - people he'd rather not have around. So it's clear he's behind all this."

"That tracks." Akechi crossed his arms. "Owada was someone who offered Shido support in exchange for abusing the Metaverse in some way. I had a feeling someone related to Shido in some way would be involved in this, and now I know. If only he slipped up..." Because if Shido wanted Owada gone, Akechi would've taken care of it. Perhaps then they wouldn't be dealing with this situation, but there was no point in pondering 'what ifs'.

"That lines up with what I know. However, I highly doubt he's doing his own dirty work." Zenkichi added. "He'd have a heck of a time getting his political opponents to friend him on EMMA. After checking his inner circle for sympathizers, I found out he's been meeting with a certain entrepreneur. Quite often, too."

"Who is it?" Makoto asked. "Could it be...the CEO of Maddice?" They did have some suspicions about Akira Konoe before, but they literally had nothing to go off of. That was weeks ago. This was today.

"Good guess, because that's the right one." Zenkichi nodded. "Akira Konoe."

"Isn't he the guy we heard speak back in Sendai?" Ann asked. She barely remembered that.

"I knew it." Akechi felt vindicated in his suspicions. "It was obvious from the start, but it feels nice knowing for certain."

"You're gonna like this then." Zenkichi piggybacked off Akechi's suspicions. "I came across communication records between him and the director at Okinawa, and it showed they kept in contact."

"Then everything fits." Hifumi said.

"Yeah." Zenkichi nodded. "Whenever Owada wants someone out of his way, he calls on Konoe to take action...and the director at Okinawa was probably the one who arranged this. Now, it's too late to tell."

"But...why would the CEO of Maddice do something like this?" Sumire frowned. She couldn't even begin to understand what kind of motive Akira had for going into this.

"And on top of that, if he's the one changing hearts, does that make him a Monarch, too?" Futaba added to Sumire's question.

"But he's the CEO of Maddice? Wouldn't he get one of his subordinates to do that?" Haru tilted her head. That was the natural assumption, especially in her position.

"That's the natural assumption." Zekichi understood Haru's point. "But as you all know, in order to change someone's heart, you need to be their friend on EMMA. Everyone Oawda associates with is a big time elite. And Konoe's the only one in their league."

"Besides, he's the head of a huge company. If anything, I think he'd want to be a Monarch as well." Morgana said. "He wouldn't want to risk his heart being changed by someone else. Being a Monarch makes that nearly impossible for anyone except us."

"And everyone who their hearts changed probably had it happen in Osaka." Zenkichi continued.

"Huh? Why's that?" Ann asked.

"Everyone on that list who went crazy all traveled to Osaka at some point. That's also where Maddicce's main office is." Zenkichi said. "Meaning there's a good chance we'll find a Jail in Osaka, with Konoe as its Monarch. Though the only way to know for sure is it Sophia senses it."

"I did sense a Jail." Sophia spoke up.

"Huh?" Ryuji blinked.

"Oh, right! I did take a wrong turn into Osaka..." Haru said innocently.

"Turning directly into hell would've been safer." Akechi remarked. Haru made a wrong turn into Osaka and still somehow managed to get them into Kyoto in record time. Demon Driver.

"Sophia! You shoulda spoken up!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"I did speak up. But you guys were too busy to listen." Sophia stated calmly.

"Oh...I do remember hearing something about a Jail..." Sumire's soul returned to her body.

"If it was when Haru was driving..." Ann began to sweat.

"Then we were likely screaming for our lives." Yusuke sighed.

"That sounds about right." Ren nodded in agreement. That entire trip was just one long horrible blur.

"Hm?" Haru didn't get it. She just tilted her head.

"Well, that certainly makes things easier. So it's confirmed there's a Jail in Osaka." Zenkichi knew that at least made their lives easier. "Now we just need to determine whether Konoe's the Monarch or not."

"And before you ask..." Akechi knew Ryuji was about to say something. "This isn't official evidence, as you should know."

"Yeah." Zenkichi was glad someone caught on. "Another thing I noticed is how many high ranking officers are on the list." He couldn't tell friend from foe...

"They always like keeping the police in their back pocket." Akechi scoffed.

"And from the look of it, it's not the rank and file either." Zenkichi let out a small huff of annoyance. Now that they were getting closer to the truth, he was acutely aware of how easily it was for them to be stopped. He knew that too, too well. "The most I can do without being traced is some light investigation. And even then, that might be impossible. If it's the top brass we're dealing with, they might just leak the info and take action before I can lift a finger."

"So in other words, the police are not our allies..." Yusuke stated.

Ryuji nearly snorted. "Heh. What else is new?"

"You do realize I'm a man in uniform?" Zenkichi rolled his eyes. "Anyway, it's obvious that going about this the normal way is out of the question. What we need something a bit more uncanny. Something only you guys are capable of."

"If he's the one in charge of all of this, then it only stands to reason that we change his heart." Ren spoke firmly. Everything was finally coming together.

"If our hunch is right, and he really is the Monarch, we can grab a confession out of him!" Zenkichi said.

"Assuming we can even get into his Jail." Akechi said. "We lack a keyword."

"Ah, right...we won't be getting anywhere without that." Hifumi furrowed her brows.

"Which is precisely why I had you guys rush over here." Now, Zenkichi was going to reveal his ace in the whole. "I happen to have a direct meeting with Konoe at Maddicce's public HQ today."

"Really? How'd you manage that!?" Ann's eyes were wide.

"By going about it like a cop." Zenkichi said causally. "Told 'em we had intel about a possible security leak involving their software. 'We recieved information about a possible party attempting to hack EMMA', and so on and so forth."

"Oooh! Does someone need a hacker?" Futaba said excitedly.

"Please don't actually attempt to hack it..." Sumire said with a sweat drop.

"Not even, I just said that to score an appointment." Zenkichi waved a hand dismissively. "At the end of it, I'll suggest he add me on EMMA so I can answer further questions, and we'll have ourselves a keyword. In his mind, I'll just be another pawn for the taking. When I get the keyword - if I get the keyword - I'll send it right over. That's what I've been meaning to tell you. Hope it was worth the drive."

"Marginally." Akechi said. "It's a decent plan, assuming he doesn't feel like throwing a wrench in it somehow." Someone had to be the skeptic and it would be him.

"Some of it is left to luck. But it's better than anyone we would be able to do on our own." Hifumi could concede to that. This was the best plan of action they could work with.

"If you're going to Osaka, why don't we come with?" Ryuji asked.

"The sooner we enter the Jail, the sooner we can finish this operation." Yusuke added.

"Fair, but there's a chance I might not get the keyword. Tagging along for nothing would be a wasted effort." Zenkichi said. He was aware that part of his plan relied on luck. "Besides, don't Niijima and Togo need a breather? In fact, you all look like you could use the rest."

"Can't really argue with that." Makoto said with an exasperated sigh.

"I'm afraid I cannot object either. And I do not think we would survive another fast travel in our condition." Hifumi was afraid of Haru's driving.

"Bottom line is, if you guys go down, so does everything I've worked for. So I need you fighting at your best." Zenkichi was showing concern for them in a way.

"..." And then, Akechi said nothing.

"Got it. So our job is to sit and wait." Morgana was fine with that.

Ryuji, however, was not. "What the hell!? We gotta wait even more!?"

"Oh?" Zenkichi's lips then curled up into a knowing grin. "You really wanna complain, right when I'm about to tell you the big surprise I have in store for you?"

"What big surprise?" Haru asked. To that, Zenkichi grinned. These kids worked hard, especially in Okinawa, so he was more than happy to show them his gratitude for them.

.

.

What was Zenkichi's surprise for the group? He told them to head over to a hotel, and it was extremely fancy just from the look outside the gate. "What the...THIS is where we're staying!?" Ryuji couldn't believe it.

"No way...we really get to stay here?!" Ann's eyes were wide.

"It looks like it costs a fortune!" Futaba's jaw dropped.

"This one of of Kyoto's fanciest hot spring hotels. A single night averages 40,000 yen per person." Sophia reported.

Sumire nearly dropped her phone when Sophia said how expensive this place was. "W-W-W-Wha...!?"

"40,000 yen!?" Makoto stuttered.

"To be met with such extravagance after our harrowing journey. I am unsure how to process this." Yusuke had so many conflicting emotions.

"I'm at a loss for words." Hifumi was just staring at the hotel.

"He did say he could expense it, but is he sure about that...?" Haru was looking around at their numbers. That was a lot of 40,000s to add up.

"Don't think about it! Hot springs time!" Ren said.

"You said it!" Ann tugged Hifumi along inside. "Time for a nice, hot soak! C'mon, Fumi!"

"We really owe Zenkichi a great big thank you!" Morgana grinned.

"..." Akechi glanced off to the side. This was far more than he deserved.

"O-Okay. Let's get in there!" Ryuji was a little apprehensive. But everyone was ready to charge in.

.

.

When they stepped inside of the hotel, there was already someone there waiting for them. "Wow. You all look terrible." It was Mika.

"You're already here!?" Ann's jaw dropped. So much for relaxing without Mika involved.

"Why are you so surprised? What the hell went on in that RV? You passed me twice, and I was speeding a little bit too." Mika placed her hands on her hips. She was also certain she saw the RV do a flip somewhere, but that was just her imagination running wild.

"...You...you don't want to know." Ren shook his head.

"I was just driving normally." Haru responded with a shrug. Mika immediately understood that this woman was a freak of nature on the road.

"Right..." Mika moved on. "This hotel was the prime place for me to stay during my own little trip! The expenses have already been paid. I was going to invite Hifumi-chan to stay with me for the night, but that doesn't explain why all of you are in here? This is way out of your price ranges." With the exception of Haru, but Haru wasn't going to brag about that.

"Zenkichi paid for it." Morgana answered. Mika blinked and did a headcount.

"...Seriously?" Mika didn't believe it.

"I know it's hard to believe, but he surprised us with this." Hifumi said with a soft smile. "And we really have to thank him. It looks very beautiful inside."

"No kidding!" Ann was looking around. "I've never been somewhere so nice..."

"I...I don't wanna break anything." Ryuji's movements were stiff and awkward. He feared if he relaxed he might destroy something unintentionally.

"..." Yusuke said nothing. But there were tears rolling down his face.

"First time I've seen Inari cry over something that isn't food." Futaba pointed out.

"He's very in touch with his emotions. That said. I am with Ryuji-senpai." Sumire also feared accidentally breaking something with her excitement. She was containing herself for that very reason.

"Ugh." Akechi felt uncomfortable here. This was too much for him. He was already adverse to relaxing in normal circumstances. But something as grand as this? It only served to make him tense.

"What do you think, Mako-chan? Doesn't this seem like a great place to relax?" Haru asked.

"It sure does." Makoto smiled softly. "I saw a pamphlet mentioning how the hot springs here have a variety of natural health benefits as well."

"It's a hot spring. What did you think you'd get out of it?" Mika rolled her eyes at Makoto's lengthy explanation. Makoto felt a little embarrassed when Mika pointed it out like that.

"Then let's jump in already!" Futaba said excitedly.

"I'd like to go in the water this time." Sophia said eagerly. "Hey, Sumire. can you guide me through the water like you did in Okinawa?"

"I would love to, but I can't. There was a sign that said no phones allowed in the bath." Sumire shook her head with a pout. "I'm sorry, Sophia."

"No fair." Sophia pouted. "But, rules are rules. I guess I'll wait here." She would abide by the rules, but she wouldn't like it.

"There's always the bath in our room, Sophia. Once we're done I'd be happy to take you." It wasn't quite the sane thing, but Haru was hoping it would suffice.

"Yay. Thank you, Haru!" Sophia smiled from that. "Why don't you go with them, Meowgana? There's a shower for pets, too."

"I'm not a pet!" Morgana had to correct Sophia. A cat? Sure. A pet? Not quite. That felt more demeaning than being branded as a cat against his will! "But...I won't let that stop me."

"...This is a very annoying and arrogant cat." Mika pointed at Morgana with a groan.

"You have no idea, dude." Ryuji wasn't going to argue with Mika on that.

"When we're done bathing, let's enjoy as much food from Kyoto as we can!" Sumire's stomach could handle it. Despite eating several bowls of ramen earlier in the day, it burned through her fast. Haru's joyride from hell also burned calories.

"According to the website, dinner is as follows." Yusuke began. "Crab, shabu-shabu, heirloom vegetables, and rice soup. A veritable feast." As he spoke, one could see the drool on his lips as he thought about the food. Classic Yusuke.

"First he cries, then he drools. You're a leaky guy, Inari." Futaba shook her head.

.

.

While the group was off relaxing, Zenkichi made his way over to Osaka and Maddicce HQ. It was time to enact his place. He approached the receptionist behind the front desk. "Hey there. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm here with an appointment with Mr. Konoe."

"I'm do apologize, but Mr. Konoe is currently on urgent business." The woman replied.

Zenkichi quirked a brow. The first step of his plan and he was already hitting a hurdle? This wasn't right. "Urgent business?"

"Unfortunately, I don't have any more details. Please come back another day." The receptionist said politely.

"Excuse me, but I was specifically told I could meet him here at this time." Zenkichi pressed just a little bit.

"I'm sure, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience. But you'll have to come back again." The receptionist replied.

"What's going on here...?" This wasn't right. Zenkichi knew something was wrong. How could things be falling apart before they even got started...? Stonewalled at the first step? Something didn't add up.

.

.

At the police station in Tokyo, Kaburagi was called in by the Commissioner General. "You called, sir?" She stepped forward, curious as to why she was summoned.

"Ah, Commissioner, right on time." The CG said with a pleased smile. "Right on time. There's a favor I'd like to ask you."

Kaburagi didn't respond at first. She just saw someone standing in the corner of the room, staring out the window. "And he is?" She asked bluntly.

Owada said nothing, but turned around with a low noise. "Why, this is Mr. Owada. I'm sure you've heard much about him." The GC introduced Owada with a smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Owada." Kaburagi said with a curt, respectful bow.

"Pleasure's all mine, Commissioner Kaburagi. I've heard much about you myself." Owada said with a nod. "He tells me you do a marvelous job." Kaburagi could sense the pointless flattery and opted not to respond to it. Regardless, Owada continued and stepped into the room a bit more. "Now, I hear you're after the Phantom Thieves? Apparently they're the culprits behind the Change of Heart epidemic we keep hearing so much about."

While it was true she was looking at the Phantom Thieves, there was no real concrete evidence they were behind it. They were scapegoats if things took too long, but Zenkichi was handling things well enough. "We still lack concrete proof of that." They couldn't officially point the finger at the Phantom Thieves.

"Well, I'm sure you do." Owada replied casually. That response didn't surprise him. "But my source just provided me with some info that could turn this case on its head. Recently, these Phantom Thieves tried hacking one of the biggest virtual assistant programs this nation has ever produced"

"They tried hacking EMMA?" Kaburagi asked.

"That's the one." Owada confirmed. "They're looking to steal people's information, and not for conventional reasons. First they get all the dirt on you. Then the make you 'confess' whatever they feel is convenient for them. That is what this epidemic is."

"..." Kaburagi said nothing. She had a hard time believing it was just that.

Owada could sense her doubt. "I'll have you know I take my position very seriously. The future of our great country is at stake. And I'll be damned if I let some two-bit terrorist run around thinking they're in control. They must be arrested immediately, for my own peace of mind and for that of the people."

Kaburagi wasn't buying any of this. She knew what this was. The case was being rushed and she wasn't going to sit and let these two beat around the bush. "Commissioner General. What is this really about?"

"Our legislators have decided that the Phantom Thieves can no longer run around unchecked." The GC replied. "And we, as protectors of the law, simply wish to do what's right and assist them. There's also the matter of the next election which I do hope to take part in. I'm sure you catch my drift."

Kaburagi was unable to fight her scowl. "And you'd like some achievements under your belt."

The CG laughed in response. "That's being very blunt about it. But yes. As a matter of fact, I would."

"So am I to understand, you want the Phantom Thieves arrested, and the epidemic ended, without any proof?" Kaburagi wished to confirm.

"You should also understand that it is your job to come up with proof." Owada said bluntly. Kaburagi said nothing, but she didn't look happy. "I've already discussed this with Mr. Konoe, the CEO of Maddicce. If anyone has the right to help us in the matter, it's him."

"You may not like to hear this, but it's too soon." Kaburagi voiced her objections. "What we call a 'Change of Heart epidemic', the public calls justice. They believe the Phantom Thieves are exposing society's evils. Suddenly apprehending them would only cause backlash. We should at least investigate whether or not they are really blackmailing-"

"They'll be charged with murder." The CG said calmly, as if he was anticipating this response. Kaburagi stopped short and gasped. "A body was found in Okinawa, a research center for artificial intelligence. The victim was leading EMMA's development. Once the Phantom Thieves discovered how to enter the system, they murdered the poor man."

So that was the card they were going to play. Of course it was. It made sense they would cover all their bases. Kaburagi could do nothing but sigh. "..."

"Now do you understand?" Owada asked. "Our country is in the midst of a burgeoning crisis."

"There's something in it for you, too." The CG chuckled. "How'd you like to call yourself Senior Commissioner?"

"I...I'm sorry?" Kaburagi was taken aback by this.

"You'll be on top of the entire force. I'm sure you won't be found left wanting." The CG found this as an enticing offer. How could she refuse?

"The offer's on the table because we know you'd be right for the job." Owada smiled.

"..." There was a moment of consideration. She knew what her choice was. "Then I'll make it happen. If you two are giving the orders, then there's nothing more to question." She didn't really have a choice in the end. They made an offer she couldn't refuse.

"Ah. I knew you'd make the wiser choice." The CG smiled.

Owada was also pleased. "The rumors were true. You really do show discretion. Perhaps you could reach Commissioner General someday, and on your merit at that. I'm sure you'd do just fine."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Kaburagi stated flatly, but managed to mask her tone. It helped that she always sounded like this. "If that is all, please let me assure you: the task is in capable hands." With that, she bowed once more, and the two men left the room. Once she was certain they were gone, she sighed heavily to herself. She was frustrated with herself, but she had no choice. This was the only way things could have gone the moment they made the offer. "In the end, we're nothing but obedient dogs. Barking only at those we've been ordered."

Things really were about to kick into high gear. But not in the way anyone was expecting...