After ditching the officers she managed to lie to, Mika returned to Zenkichi's hideout. All she could do now was wait for the others to return with Akane. She did feel a little antsy. "Ugh, this is just like when they went to go target that big politician. I wish Hifumi-chan would just text me already..." But alas, no such thing happened. Mika was only waiting about 30 minutes until she heard a frantic set of knocks at the door. She stiffened up. Did the police find this place already?

Mika hurried to the door and didn't open it, but instead spoke. "What was that dumb thing again...um...what pairs well with curry?"

"Coffee...!" Hifumi spoke.

That sounded right. Mika opened the door, only to gasp from surprise as Hifumi, Sumire, and Futaba practically tumbled inside. She made sure to close it after. "Hifumi-chan! And...you two, uh, Sumire and Futaba right?"

"Yes..." Sumire took a breathes. She needed to catch her breath with all the running they were doing.

"What happened? Where's everyone else?" She tilted her head. It was very jarring to only see a few of them compared to the large group they always were.

"Ugh, it was a nightmare..." Futaba said while sitting down, slumped over the table. "That whole thing really was a trap, but not in the way we were expecting! They turned Akane into a Monarch somehow!"

"The ruler of those Jails?" Mika did retain all that information from Okinawa. She was getting better at processing it all. "Wait a minute, that's the cop's kid, right? Geez. I know I'm a bit of a snake, but that's just downright evil."

"I agree with you..." Sumire caught her breath.

"But where's Ann and the others?" Mika asked once again.

"They got captured." Hifumi said with a frown.

"Captured?" Mika's eyes went wide. "Of course Ann would get captured." She grunted in annoyance. But she was aware how dire the situation actually was. The trap that was sprung for the Phantom Thieves was largely sucessful. "So what happens next? You can't just...leave them there, right?"

"No, of course not." Hifumi shook her head. "But admittedly...I am at a loss on what we should do next. With the three of us here, only Sumire and I can fight. It would be a dangerous trek even with Futaba's aid."

"It's pretty risky." Futaba sighed. "But it really might be our only shot..."

"We have to go back in there anyway! We can't leave the others there!" Sumire said.

"But we cannot rush back in either." Hifumi quickly said. "If we did...we could all be captured and that would help no one."

"Duh, let me in there with you. Someone has to pull Ann out of the mess she got herself into." Mika flipped her hair. She was being serious.

"Too dangerous. Really a bad time." Futaba had to shoot that idea down. Mika just let out an annoyed huff. Every time she tried to help them with their actual thieving stuff, she kept getting rejected. It was really started to get on her nerves.

"We just...need a minute to compose ourselves. But I do hope the others are okay." Hifumi took a moment to close her eyes. She couldn't believe they went that far with Akane. It made her so mad. It showed on her face, even if Futaba and Sumire were too distracted to notice.

"...You're really upset about this, aren't you, Hifumi-chan?" Mika could tell. She sat next to Hifumi. Even though she was in front of other people, her sole redeeming quality was that she cared about Hifumi.

"It's frustrating. She's just a child!" Hifumi let out a fustrated sigh. Sumire and Futaba looked over at her. "She's lonely and her father is just about all she has left. They were starting to make some kind of progress, and all this happened! She's not an adult like the other Monarchs, she's a grieving child..." She could relate to Akane. Losing a parent was hard, especially when it was so recent. Hifumi was lucky she had her friends to help her through that tough time, but Akane's situation was much more complicated. "I want to save her. I have to..."

"Hifumi-senpai..." Sumire frowned. Every so often, the sting of Hifumi losing her father would rise up. It was only a few months ago and it was understandable. Losing a family member was hard. Most of the Phantom Thieves could relate to that.

"We're gonna fix this." Futaba was determined. It stung for her too, seeing what they did to Akane. "I won't let them get away with it."

"I love revenge." Mika suddenly smiled and closed her eyes, crossing one leg over the other. "Nobody is immune to it, and it'll always make you feel better in the end. Especially someone as evil enough to bring a kid into the crossfire. Listen..."

.

.

An investigator pushed Zenkichi by the back of his head onto the table in the interrogation room. "Spit it ou, Hasegawa! The Phantom Thieves - where are they!?"

"..." Zenkichi just groaned in response. His position was uncomfortable, but he wasn't going to say anything. Sure, he had an idea as to where they were. But he wasn't going to rat them out, and secondly, it could've been wrong. Regardless, he was invoking his silence.

"Damn traitor!" The investigator grunted. "You cost us all the achievement of a lifetime!"

"Haha..." Zenkichi laughed dryly. "You say that and you call me a traitor?"

"What was that?" The other man grunted.

Though he was pinned down, Zenkichi was facing the investigator. He looked into his eyes and he could see it clear as day. It was the same look that Alice's followers had. Alice, Natsume, and Hyodo's followers all had that same look. "I can see it in your eyes - every one of you. Your heart's been changed. Now you're just a zombie."

"Zombie, my ass! You better cut the crap and give me a straight answer!" The investigator barked, reaching the limit of his patience. "Unless you want your face to run straight through this table!"

Despite his position, Zenkichi scoffed and challenged this. "Be my guest. Did you forget who you're dealing with? I'm PubSec, asshole. We don't bend easy to pissants like you."

"WHY YOU...!" Now the investigator was really going to do it. But before he could...

"Hey, wait!" Someone from outside exclaimed. "You can't just barge in like this!"

"Who is it!?" The main investigator asked.

But she was going to anyway. The door of the room opened and the investigator backed off of Zenkichi. It was none other than Sae Niijima. Despite the objections from those in the station, she approached undaunted and gaze Zenkichi a once over. "Hm..."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Niijima, but we're in the middle of questioning here...!" The second dective in the room panicked.

"...?" Zenkichi sat up straight. He didn't know who Sae was, but the last name caught his attention.

After a moment of silence, Sae smiled at Zenkichi. He was completely bewildered, but she did find his reaction mildly amusing. "I can see why she would trust you."

"Niijima?" Zenkichi repeated. Could this be...

"Nice to meet you, Zenkichi Hasegawa." Sae said curtly and formally. "I'm Sae Niijima, and I've been asked to get you out of here. I heard you've been looking after Makoto for me. You have my thanks." Was she happy about being told all about this at the last second? No, not really. But that didn't mean she wasn't willing to help. This was simply another thing she could do to help repay the group for all they did. She promised the that she'd do her part after the Phantom Thieves disbanded, and this was her way of sticking to that promise. "Now. Let's get you out of here."

.

.

Back in Kyoto Jail, the captured Phantom Thieves were still trapped in the cage. Skull was trying to break them free somehow, but the bars weren't moving. "Ugh, dammit! This shit won't budge!"

"Come on, give it a rest. You're just wasting your energy." Mona said.

"Yeah, but still!" Skull grunted.

"It's not worth the effort." Crow was sitting in the corner of the cage, arms crossed.

"Says the one that went full send on the enemy!" Skull exclaimed.

"I did it for two reasons. One, to buy time for the others to escape. Secondly, to make a statement. Once I was finished, I gave myself over peacefully." Crow replied. "If I had continued, it wouldn't have been wise either. Wasting that much power in that situation? I may have also wounded the girl's shadow."

"Are you alright...?" Noir found it strange she was asking that question. But after having a taste of Crow's power once in the past, there was a fleeting hint of concern in her tone.

"Just fine." Crow replied.

"It's a shame our weapons don't work." Fox attempted to cut through the bars with his sword, but there was no progress made.

"I don't think it's wise to try and use our Personas right now either. If we exhaust too much energy, we may make things difficult for both ourselves and the others should they come to rescue us."

"When they come to rescue us" Panther corrected.

"Yeah. So right now, as much as I dislike it...we gotta stay put." Joker nodded.

"I sure hope Dragon, Oracle and Violet are okay." Sophie commented. "They had time to escape thanks to Crow..."

"Knowing Fumi, I know she won't take this lying down." Panther knew Hifumi was thinking of a plan to retaliate somehow. But whether or not that was going well was a different story. "But...I just...Akane-chan...why are you a Monarch...!?" That was truly the most frustrating thing about this whole situation. Akane was innocent but she was dragged into this.

"Who can say? How did it even come to this?" Queen was heartbroken. She wanted to save Akane, but she never would've expected things to escalate like this.

"The how is my question as well. I believe it actually was Akane herself who contacted us under the guise of being kidnapped." Crow wasn't so attached to Akane like everyone else, so he was looking at this pragmatically. "I can tell at first glance this Jail is similar to Okinawa. Whereas Okinawa was the first, the structure of this one feels rushed. I saw no prison keeps."

As they were talking, Shadow Akane approached them. "Isn't it obvious? I'm here to change your rotten hearts."

"Akane-chan!" Queen exclaimed.

"You Phantom Thieves do nothing but dress up, murder, and glorify mass hysteria. No, you can't be the real Phantom Thieves." Shadow Akane shook her head. "You're fakes hiding behind the masks. I'll make extra sure to personally change your hearts."

"Akane, that's not true! We're not the bad guys here!" Mona objected.

"We're not the ones your after!" Joker said.

"Even your father's been set up!" Noir shouted.

Shadow Akane, however, was not budging on her stance. "Bullcrap! I won't let anyone fool me again. I can't trust anyone anymore. Not the police, not him, and not you losers." And as she spoke, numerous Shadows spawned behind her.

"Tch." Crow sucked his teeth. "This is one hell of a rebellious stage." And he was fully aware of the irony of that statement coming from him.

"Now." Shadow Akane said with a grin. "Who wants their heart changed first?"

.

.

"Do we have any plans yet?" Mika asked while crossing her arms. She was still sitting next to Hifumi. They were taking the time to sit and just think about their next move.

"We just...have to go back in there." Hifumi said with a heavy sigh. "We can figure out what to do when we're inside. Our first order of business will be to rescue the others."

"We don't really have a choice do we?" Sumire nodded firmly. "I want to help them."

"It'll be tough with only the three of us..." Futaba said. It was then there was a knock at the door. That startled all four of the girls inside. "Ack...!? Who's there!"

"Did I lock the door...?" Mika was hoping she was. There was a brief sense of panic as the door did open. Did the police find them already? Not quite. Instead, it was Zenkichi hurrying into the establishment.

"Sakura, Togo, Yoshizawa! Where are the others? Did they make it!?" Zenkichi hauled ass from the police department. He really didn't have a choice. His eyes then landed on Mika. "Why is she here...!?"

"Zenkichi!" Ignoring his question, Hifumi, Sumire, and Futaba all grinned to see him save and sound.

"You're alright! Thank goodness!" Sumire clasped her hands together happily. Zenkichi being safe and sound was one less thing to worry about.

"We were so worried!" Futaba was about to sob. She didn't think she'd ever feel this way about Zenkichi's wellbeing when they first met, but with the situation escalating the way it has, this was such a relief.

"Y-Yeah, of course I'm alright!" Zenkichi said. "Where are the others? Did they make it? And seriously, why is she here?"

"I'm involved now." Mika stated. "Get used to seeing me around."

"..." Zenkichi really didn't have the time to process that information.

"Unfortunately, the others have been captured." Hifumi relayed the important, terrible news.

And that was precisely what Zenkichi was afraid of. "Caught!? By the police?!"

"Worse." Hifumi shook her head. "Please sit down for this, or brace yourself. Because the others were caught by...Akane."

What? That...didn't make any sense. Zenkichi's bewilderment was clear on his face. "What!? What's my daughter got to do with any of this!? Listen, I need you all to fill me in." Since the girls had plenty of time to calm down, they were able to relay the important information to him. Zenkichi really needed to process all of this. "Akane has a Jail...? She's become a Monarch?!"

"Yes. We don't know how it happened either." Sumire pouted. "We never would have imagined the trap waiting for us involved her."

"They must have preyed upon her after she heard you were placed under arrest. It made the news." Hifumi added.

"That's insane." Zenkichi grunted. "I can hardly believe what I'm hearing..."

"By the way, old man." Mika pointed at Zenkichi. "How did you get here so fast? It's only been a few hours since that news was made public."

"You're not hurt, are you?" Sumire also asked. She had a feeling they treated him roughly, since the police also did the same to Ren last year.

"Oh, right.' Zenkichi would let the old man comment slide. He already knew better than to expect any respect from Mika. "I owe these kids for sending in the cavalry in the form of a kickass lawyer. I'm fine, though. It was nothing I couldn't handle."

"Oh, right! Makoto's sis. Damn, she works fast." Futaba laughed a little. Sae really came in clutch for them.

"That she does." Zenkichi said with a faint smirk. "Next time my own people decide to arrest me, I'm calling her first thing."

"So what is the cavalry doing now?" Hifumi asked.

"Working with her superiors to take some pressure off us, at least for the time being." Zenkichi replied. "That way we can make our move."

"By move, I assume you want to go inside of the Jail?" Hifumi had a feeling Zenkichi would shoot straight for that.

"Damn straight." Zenkich said firmly. "My plan is to walk into that Jail, and walk out with my daughter and your crew."

"Ah! If he's going, I'm going too!" Mika suddenly exclaimed. If they were seriously about to let Zenkichi wander into the Jail while saying she couldn't, she was going to throw a fit.

"No way! That's still too dangerous for both of you!" Futaba shook her head adamantly. "That's no plan -that's a suicide run! There are Shadows all over the place. If you charge in with no Persona, you're toast!"

"Ugh, there goes that Persona talk again." Mika rolled her eyes. "At least you're consistently, annoyingly so."

"What, I need one of those Persona things too? Can't you all take 'em out with yours?" Zenkichi looked to Hifumi, Sumire, and Futaba.

"They can. But I can't." Futaba said. "I'm more of a support role."

"Which means most of the fighting would come down to Sumire and I." Hifumi stated. "If we play our cards right, we could advance forward...but still..."

"That's fine. I'll take whatever support you got." Zenkichi said.

"And again, I'm going if he is. You're not sidelining me but letting him in." Mika was going to take her equality whether they liked it or not.

"You do realize this could kill you, right?" Futaba had to lay it out for the both of them. Clearly, Mika wasn't going to take no for an answer. if Hifumi and Sumire weren't here, it would be a different story.

"Oh please. I trust Hifumi-chan to protect me." Mika said. That was a lot of faith to have, but Hifumi did smile slightly. "Plus, I just HAVE to see how ANN looks right now." But on the flipside, if the situation were reversed...if Hifumi were captured instead of Ann, she would probably fight even harder to go. Luckily for her, that wasn't the case.

"You just want to laugh at her for getting caught, don't you?" Hifumi asked with a sweat drop.

'You know me so well." Mika smiled her venomous smile.

"Follow my orders to the letter." Hifumi said. If Mika was going to put herself at risk to help them, she wanted her to be safe no matter what.

"Maybe so. But I'm Akane's father. I'd do anything for her without a second thought." Zenkichi was resolute in this matter. Nothing was going to stop him. "Besides, if our loved ones are on the line, I'd rather take a stand than sit back and calculate the risk.

"You're right!" Sumire balled her hands into fists. "We're going to save them!"

"It's time for our united front!" Hifumi exclaimed.

"Hell yeah! Let's team up and get everyone back!" Futaba beamed. Their rescue operation was set to begin!

.

.

The return to Kyoto Jail. Dragon, Violet, Oracle, Zenkichi, and Mika infiltrated the Jail. Violet and Oracle were up on a roof, while Dragon and Mika were on the ground. Zenkichi was somewhere in-between, attempting to climb up one of the buildings but he was just hanging off the side a bit. "Hrgh...!"

"Zenkichi-san, please don't strain yourself!" Violet pleaded.

"Yeah. I'm not doing that in these heels." Mika shook her head, watching Zenkichi struggle. It was a little pathetic. She knew better than to try; at least in this outfit. "Hi-er, Dragon...can you get me up there?"

"Without issue." Dragon said while scooping Mika into her arms, take an elegant leap up onto the roof of the building.

"Get down! They're gonna see you!" Oracle whispered to Zenkichi.

"Get down, she says..." Zenkichi grunted and ultimately let go. He landed a bit hard on his feet, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. "Gh..." So he was taking the long way. Fine. He walked along the path for a bit. "Akane's in here...somewhere."

"Holy...!" Oracle's eyes went wide. "Zenkichi, hide, they're right on top of you!"

Zenkichi could see a few security Shadows patrolling nearby. He hid behind the nearest rock and waited for them to pass by. "Whew. Alright..."

"Man...there are so many here..." Oracle said. "It's swarming with Shadows."

"I guess she suspected we would return." Dragon grunted. She could even see how many Shadows were walking about and patrolling. "Getting through this will be difficult."

"How are we going to sneak Zenkichi-san around like this?" Violet wondered.

"We're not here to fight, so that's one less thing to worry about." Dragon was trying to figure something out. It was going to be a tall order...

Mika was also looking over the roof and got an idea. "Oh. Can't you guys just use your Phantom Thief powers to pick off a few of them at a time?"

"Whuh?" Oracle looked at Mika.

"Well...it's pretty obvious if you tried to sneak attack all of these guys, they'd probably notice. I'm gonna assume they're about as intelligent as Ann, and there are a lot. So if you take out just a few and sneak past the others, it should be doable."

"That's...actually a good idea." Oracle was surprised.

"I'm not like Ann, I can think." Mika flipped her hair. "Besides, this is just like when there are too many rival models trying to get a magazine cover. You just have to take out a few and leave an opening so you can get in. I do that all the time."

"Not sure how I feel about a plan being concocted by the ethically dubious one here..." Zenkichi spoke aloud. "But if it's the best one we got, I'm game."

"Hm..." Dragon looked around, searching for a vulnerable Shadow to take advantage of. "Ah, I see one! Zenkichi, be mindful of 1 'o clock!" She then pulled out her sniper rifle, while Violet jumped ahead to try and scout.

"Okay." Zenkichi nodded while staying behind cover. Dragon was using her sniper rifle to help with her aim. If she fired it, it would simply be too loud. She didn't summon Bella, but she used her power to summon and fire a single sword to stab the Shadow and take it down. The moment Zenkichi saw this, he quickly hurried forward to hide behind another cover point, impressed with Dragon's accuracy. "Let's do this..."

"Violet, to your right!" Oracle communicated.

"I see it..." Violet waited for the Shadow to pass under her. The moment it did, she dropped down on top of it, stabbing her sword into its chest. She was mimicking Joker's method of taking out an enemy with a surprise attack. She then quickly leapt back up before anyone noticed. It was just as Mika said; since there were so many patrolmen around, they didn't really notice one or two going missing.

"I knew it would work." Mika said with a confident grin. "...Where are we even going?"

"I can pick up the others' all the way to the east..." Oracle said. "We've got a long path ahead of us."

"Just keep up the pace." Dragon picked up Mika, hopping atop another roof so they could scout together. Mika pointed to one at the southwest, and Dragon took it out with another stealthy sword. Whenever they took out a Shadow, Zenkichi moved quickly and quietly.

Violet was up once again, following Oracle's instruction on the most vulnerable Shadow. Once again, she dropped down with her rapier, slicing the Shadow before it had a chance to react. She jumped back up and looked around carefully. "So far so good..."

"Ah, shit..." Zenkichi was at a crossroads, but there was an unmoving Shadow standing in the way. With where it was positioned, anyone would notice if it went missing. "Got a problem here. Stonewalled. He's not moving."

"That's a problem." Dragon said. "This must be a key position."

Violet had an idea. "Dragon-senpai. Can you take out the one to the right? Make it just a little loud...it's a little risky, but if we're fast, we'll make it."

"I suppose I don't have a choice. Very well." Dragon dropped down from her location and approached the Shadow in question from behind . She raised her staff and slammed into the Shadow's skull, taking it out instantly. There was a dull noise from the impact.

"What was that?" The Shadow blocking Zenkichi's path got curious from the noise and moved to investigate. The moment it left, Zenkichi scurried past its location. By the time it reached where the noise came from, it looked around. "...Wasn't there someone here. H-!" It was about to shout for someone, but it was silenced when Violet pulled out a long ribbon and silenced the Shadow by wrapping around its head. "Mmmf!?"

Dragon quickly followed up by taking it out with another sword strike from Bella. Once that Shadow was dead, the two of them hopped back onto the roof. "Threat neutralized."

"Wow, you two are like...crazy effective..." Mika was impressed. "Does it always go like this?"

"This is a very extreme case of a stealth mission." Dragon said.

"How are you holding up, Zenkichi?" Oracle asked.

"Fine. A little stressed, but we're hanging in there." Zenkichi replied. Somehow, through this unconventional teamup, the five of them were able to slip past security.

"Did we make it? Huh. That was kind of fun..." Mika said with a smile.

"Well, well! Look at you two. Getting thievier by the minute!" Oracle also smiled. they had the situation under control, but it could've easily gone pretty touch and go at any moment.

"Not even sure that's a compliment, a word, or if I like it." Zenkichi shook his head. But he was glad they made it through.

"I think it's a compliment. Which I'll gladly take." Mika said.

"More importantly, look ahead!" Violet pointed forward. "They're in that cell!"

"Let's hurry!" Dragon said.

"Hang tight, kids!" Zenkichi exclaimed.

.

"Now choose." Shadow Akane spoke to the Phantom Thieves. "Who wants their heart changed first?"

"I highly doubt you understand what that means." Crow spat. "The only one who's had their heart changed is you."

"Why are you poking the angry child?" Panther asked.

"She needs to understand that the truth will always come to light. She just needs to consider which side she wants to be on." Crow replied.

"I agree, but we're not exactly in the position to say that." Joker said.

"It still has to be said." Crow said.

"So I guess you volunteer, is that it?" Shadow Akane glared at Crow. How dare he try and lecture her!?

"You're welcome to do your worst, but I assure you, I am not in this cage because you caught me." Crow said while standing up.

"Crow, don't...!" Mona said.

Before the situation could escalate any further, Zenkichi came running in. "Don't do it, Akane!"

"GRAMPS!?" Skull's eyes went wide.

"He escaped from the police after all!" Noir said with a wide smile. That was such a relief.

"Guys!" Oracle ran over with Dragon, Violet, and Mika. "We came to help!"

"You brought MIKA IN HERE?!" Panther's jaw dropped.

"If he was coming, so was I!" Mika pointed at Zenkichi. "Also, I just couldn't miss the chance to see you like this. If only my phone was working, but I have to settle for committing it to memory."

"She's been helpful, I swear." Dragon quickly said.

"I knew you'd come back, Violet." Sophie smiled at Violet.

"Nice work, you all." Fox was happy to see them.

Now that Zenkichi was getting a good look at Akane, he was having a hard time believing this was his daughter. She looked so different, he could hardly believe it. "You...are Akane, right...?"

"..." Shadow Akane said nothing, but she did glance off to the side.

"Just stop this." Zenkichi pleaded. "None of them did anything wrong. If you're willing, we can talk this out."

"Talk it out? With you?" Shadow Akane scoffed before laughing. The idea was so ludicrous to her she couldn't help but laugh at it. "No matter how many times I told you what happened, you didn't do a damn thing! So don't try acting like a father to me! Go to hell!"

Yeah. Zenkichi expected that and deserved that. "You're right. I couldn't catch the person who took your mother's life. I understand why you'd want nothing to do with a father who kept his head down and took it. But if you don't snap out of it, they're gonna take you too! Now wake up!"

"You say you couldn't catch him? More like you didn't WANT to catch him!" Shadow Akane scoffed. "That monster who killed Mom. You knew it was Owada!"

Now that was a shock to all listening. "Owada!?" Mona gasped.

"As in Owada the legislator, one of the masterminds we seek!?" Fox asked.

"But that's...!" Queen began.

Shadow Akane nodded. her expression and voice torn from the pain of recollection. "It happened right in FRONT of me! Owada ran Mom over wtihout a hint of regret! I told you the police, and everyone I could think! But even then, he wasn't arrested! Why is that? Why doe she get to take an innocent life! Aren't the police supposed to do what's right!?"

"...W-Well...I..." Zenkichi couldn't find his response. The words were caught in his throat.

"...Well, I can understand exactly what's happened here." Crow crossed his arms.

"Zenkichi-san, tell her!" Queen shouted.

'Niijima..." Zenkichi turned around, looking at Queen.

"Akane-chan isn't just angry in the moment. She's been consumed with frustration ever since she lost her mother!" Queen exclaimed. "Until you tell her the truth, she's going to keep playing this over and over in her heart! And if you do nothing, she'll never move past it."

"You have to tell her, Zenkichi. It's the only way. You want to save your daughter? You have to tell her the truth, no matter how unpleasant it is." Joker said calmly. If there was one thing Crow was right about, it was the truth. If Akane was going to heal, she needed that.

"The truth may be painful for her to hear and feel...but I know more than anyone that she needs to hear it." Dragon added. The truth could be ugly at times, but that did not mean you could turn away from it. She learned that first hand last year. "But as long as she's not alone, I'm certain she can face it." Mika and Panther looked at Hifumi, both of them aware of how far she'd come.

Zenkichi sighed. He knew he had no choice. He had to tell Shadow Akane everything. "When your Mom died, they took me off the case. They reasoned that a family member couldn't judge impartially. Soon after, that secretary ended his own life, leaving behind a note saying he was the one responsible. No one else spoke up to contradict that. To the police, that seemed like solid proof. Eventually, they concluded the secretary was at fault and left it at that. To them, the case was as good as closed. Akane, when you told me what really happened, I knew that note was fact. Without missing a beat, I opened up my own investigation. But no matter what I found as proof, it'd get wiped away one way or another before I could bring it to light."

"Shido was the same..." Crow mumbled. No wonder Shido and Owada got along so well. They were two peas in a rotten pod.

"So you just gave up?" Shadow Akane's eyes were full of hurt and anger. "Your sense of justice didn't get you very far!"

Zenkichi damn near recoiled from that. She was angry, and she had every right to be. "Akane, I made a promise to Aoi...that I'd protect you, no matter what the case."

"W-What...?" Shadow Akane didn't know about this.

"At that point, you were my only reason to live. I didn't want to lose more family." Zenkichi said while looking at the Shadow of his daughter. "So I promised Aoi I'd never let anything happen to you, even if it killed me."

"Saying that doesn't change anything." Shadow Akane shot back.

"One day I received a letter in the mail. They told me to stop the investigation...or my daughter dies." Zenkichi's tone was heavy when he said that. Everyone was surprised by this.

"W-Wha...?!" Shadow Akane took a step back.

"That's...so messed up..." Mika said with a soft gasp.

"How could they..." Queen whispered.

"Gramps..." Skull was speechless.

"That's horrible..." Violet's hands covered her mouth.

"...Is it so surprising?" Crow was unfazed by this. He worked for Shido. He carried out heinous deeds for Shido. "Anyone that is a threat to people in power...must silenced one way or another."

"That's when I realized there was definitely evil in this world. And in the end, one man is nothing compared to the forces of darkness." Zenkichi clenched his hand into a fist. "I will NEVER forgive Owada, even though I can't lay a finger on him! If it weren't for my current boss, I'd still be wallowing in despair. I decided I'd do whatever it took to help her reach the top. All the while thinking it was the only way to protect Akane and honor Aoi's memory. And I was even prepared to use all of you to see that through..."

"Zenkichi..." Oracle frowned.

"I see. So that's why..." Crow understood now. He did place some level of trust in Zenkichi. He was already aware that this might be the case, but things were different now. But also, as much as he didn't want to admit it...he completely understood how Akane felt. The circumstances were different, but the situation was too similar for his liking.

And yet, even after hearing Zenkichi's true feelings, Shadow Akane did one thing. She laughed. "...Ah...ahahahaha! See!? you hear that just now?! He's nothing but a scheming manipulator! As long as he gets his way, he'll leave you all out to dry!"

"I'm a scheming manipulator." Mika said. "That's just circumstance. Even I can tell this is messed up."

"How can you say that!?" Panther grabbed at the cell bars.

"Didn't you hear any of that!? He was tryin' to protect you!" Skull shouted.

"I know what he was trying to do!" Shadow Akane said. "But to do it, he sacrificed his values as an officer!"

"Akane..." Zenkichi was getting a little frustrated that he wasn't getting through to her. It felt like nothing he was saying or doing was working...

"If it was only us, I'd get it. We're family. Mom would think so too." Shadow Akane was hearing what Zenkichi was saying, but there was one very important thing he wasn't understanding. Something she was certain never crossed his mind for even a single second. "But what about the secretary who died? Did you EVER stop to think what his family was going through!?" And as she said this, her voice broken. Zenkichi gasped when she said this, which confirmed her suspicions. "Not only did they lose a loved one, they have Mom's death hanging over their heads. Did you forget that?! Or did you choose to forget on PURPOSE!?"

"I...I..." Zenkichi was completely lost. "I had...no idea you were thinking of them." And when Shadow AKane brought them up, he suddenly felt ashamed. He was so intent on going after Owada, he didn't even stop for a second to check on the family of the secretary. Akane was completely right. He ignored something so vital. He was so shortsighted...he lost track of something very important.

"You're just like the trash who killed Mom. Pretending nothing ever happened." Shadow Akane's words twisted the knife in Zenkichi's heart.

"I'm...like Owada...?" Zenkichi felt his strength leave him at those words.

"You just sit on your asses all day and let the bad guys get away. You people can't save anyone." Shadow Akane spat. "But I can. I'm the only one who cares! I'll change that evil bastard's heart so Mom can rest in peace! I'LL BEAT DOWN EVERY LAST VILLIAN IN THIS WORLD!"

"Akane-chan..." Queen frowned. Was it truly too late to save Akane's wounded heart?

"...I get it." Crow said with a quiet scoff. When his mother died, he wanted nothing more than revenge on Shido. Akane was not so different from him. But Akane was luckier than he was. She had someone who cared in her life. She didn't have a higher power play with her life. Was there hope for her? ...More than there was for him.

"Is this...why you became a Monarch...?" Zenkichi stared at Shadow Akane with heartbroken eyes. "Because I sacrificed everything to keep what little family I have left? Was I wrong...this whole time? And this...is all my doing. You're like this because of me..." Zenkichi hunched over, placing a hand on his forehead. "It's true. I used whoever I could. As long as my daughter was safe, it didn't matter what anyone else suffered. What else was I suppose to do? I was TRYING to protect my family! It's what anyone would've done! ANYONE!"

"Anyone but a man of justice." A strange voice spoke out to Zenkichi. A voice he didn't recognize.

Zenkichi saw nothing but darkness. But that was where the voice was coming from. "Who's there?!"

"Are you sure you weren't at fault?"

"Who's talking to me?!" Zenkichi panicked, yet demanded to know at the same time.

"You knew what it would cost to give up the chase. Yet you fled from the truth. Convinced yourself it was right and just, with your daughter's name hollow upon your lips. You are as guilty as those you hate - a foul villain, rotten to the core!"

"That's...no...I..." Zenkichi tried to refute this, but in his core, he knew he couldn't. Whoever this voice was, it knew him too well.

"You traded away the justice you'd built. You bought your own comfort, bribed your guilt! Hehehehe...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Zenkichi then collapsed to his knees. The weight of it all too much for him to bear.

"Hey, uh...is he alright?" Mika pointed at Zenkichi. This did not look good.

"Zenkichi...?" Sophie called out to him.

"Zenkichi, are you alright!?" Dragon asked. "Please, you must rise!"

"Zenkichi, what happened?! Snap out of it!" Mona shouted.

"He's right. It's all true." Zenkichi said with a tone of resignation. He couldn't deny anything. "I let Aoi's murderer run free, and used the Phantom Thieves solely for my benefit. I'm just as rotten as those criminals. I don't have the right to lecture Akane. I never did to begin with."

"A poor time for this kind of self reflection." Crow spat.

"Hey! Don't lose sight of yourself!" Joker exclaimed. "You need to save Akane! She's right there in front of you! Stand up in fight!"

"Do you wish to be a father to your daughter?" Dragon pointed at Shadow Akane. "Then you must act!"

'Fight...?" Zenkichi repeated weakly.

"That's right, Zenkichi! Wake up!" Oracle shouted. "Maybe you did stuff your emotions away, but it was for your family's sake! You did it to protect Akane, the daughter you love. My mom was the same! She worked hard every day doing what she believed was right! So stop blaming yourself!" When Oracle said this, Crow looked at her. "If you want to blame someone, blame those MONSTERS that hurt your family!"

"Yeah, don't lose sight of your target!" Skull shouted in support.

"You can do this, Zenkichi! Remember why you came in here!" Panther said.

"And you're not alone!" Violet said with a nod.

"Your devotion to your daughter is what matters! Torturing yourself over that would be a waste!" Fox yelled. "Now look within yourself, and push forward!"

"You can do it, Zenkichi!" Sophie cheered.

"Please, get back up! Getting through to Akane-chan is something only you can do!" Noir added.

"The real enemies are still out there! Bring them down for Akane-chan's sake!" Queen said.

"Do not make me regret putting my trust in you." Crow said while narrowing his eyes.

"Guys..." Zenkichi could hardly believe these damned kids. "You're right. The real threat is still out there. Those who ruin lives and tear families apart without a second thought. How stupid have I been?" And as he said this, he made his way to his feet again. "My own daughter tells me how to do my job, and then these kids start lecturing me? I may not be a hero, and I sure as hell don't deserve any awards. But at least I know what makes a person evil. Evil only cares about itself. It's the mark of a man who would bring another to ruin and dare not show remorse. I will never like people like that go free. And I'll give everything I have...TO BRING THEM DOWN!"

"Do you finally see the truth?"

The voice called out to Zenkichi once more. A pulse went through his body and his head felt like it was going to split apart. "GAAAH!" Zenkichi wailed out from the sudden pain, gripping his head as he fell to his knees once more.

"Do you know the true face of the guilty? They condemn the good to slavery. Pretend they do not see their agony." The voice was coming from Zenkichi's own shadow. It looked over at the man who was beginning to fight back against the evil that destroyed his life. "...Just as you once did. But another story must begin." As Zenkichi was struggling with the pain, he looked down, locking gazes with his own shadow. "Now, show your gaolers that you will wear a different chain. I am thou...thou art I...if you yet see true justice, we will see it done!" The shadow spoke, its hand reaching out.

"RAAAAAAH!" Zenkichi slammed his fist on the ground a single time, before slowly standing back up. "Fine...seal the contract!" When those words left his lips, a mask appeared on his face in a wisp of blue flames. Shadow Akane gasped from this sudden appearance. Zenkichi gripped the mask and began to wrestle with it for a few seconds. But with one final yank, it tore apart, blood spurting from his face as a brilliant blue pillar of light exploded from him. "VALJEAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" And right behind Zenkichi...was his very own Persona, coupled with his own Metaverse attire.

"...whoa..." Shadow Akane mouthed the words while taking a careful step backwards.

The Phantom Thieves could only stare in shock at what they were seeing. Zenkichi Hasegawa...had a Persona. "For real...?" Skull's jaw dropped. "Gramps has a Persona...?"

"No way...!" Violet's eyes were wide.

"..." Even Mika was stunned into silence. This was the first time she was actually seeing a Persona.

Valjean swung his gigantic arm forward, using his long chains to knock down the Shadows that were around Shadow Akane. He took them down in one swipe. Dragon and Violet were in awe at the sight. Shadow Akane glanced back at the Shadows as they faded away, then back to her father, mouth still agape from the surprise from these events. "I know what I have to do." Zenkichi said calmly while slowly stepping forward. There were a number of Shadows spawning between him and Shadow Akane, but he wasn't going to let that deter him from protecting her. From saving her. Not this time. Not again. Dragon and Violet were right behind him, ready to help out. With his resolve burning strong, and Valjean by his side, Zenkichi was finally ready to do what he was afraid to for all these years:

"Condemn the evil, AND HUNT THEM DOWN!"