One more. Hey, UknownHero here for a quick chapter of Senran Persona. We one chapter away from catharsis and then we can stop punching Makoto in the face. Next chapter is gonna be long so…pray for us as we have barely written anything about the Palace.

Anyways to the reviews. To Jacob9594: Uh…what's a func hater? I swear to God, it's been bothering me since I read it. Also, noticed a lot of people are focusing on Yozakura coming…Ah well, it'll be fine. It is a little worrying why there aren't as many reviews as before…I wonder why, I say as I look at the FF app search where they combined base and crossover together…

Anyways, that's it! Let's…punch Makoto in the face one last time. I am so sorry.

Load Game…Start!


Chapter 56: The Path to a Glutton


(6/19, Early Morning)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

In the shinobis' apartment, the two had already gotten up and washed themselves off before they started getting dressed in their summer casual clothes.

Asuka has decided to wear a black top that didn't cover her shoulders, revealing her white bra straps and her bellybutton, a short blue jean skirt with a brown belt around her waist and black heeled open toed sandals.

Homura on the other hand wore a simple white top with blue lining with a green skirt, a blue hoodie wrapped around her waist and white high top shoes.

"Do you think we should have sleeves on our outfits?" Homura asked as she checked herself out in the mirror.

"No, you're cute but sleeves will ruin the outfit. Plus it's pretty warm today." Asuka replied. "Why are you asking though?" She then asked in a curious manner.

"Well, you know, to hide stuff in. Like a knife or...a knife..." Homura mumbled out.

Asuka however giggled to that. "Homu-nee, even back at Hanzō Academy, me and my friends never kept hidden knives on us during the summer as we go home from dorming at school." She revealed in amusement.

"Sorry, that was just my rampant shinobi paranoia talking." Homura sheepishly admitted. "You're lucky though, you get to go back to your home and have a semi-normal life. For the girls at Hebijo, the academy is their home." She then added, though slightly saddened.

"Well...That's only because they don't have a place to belong." Asuka replied, getting the tan skinned girl's attention. "I guess they're not so different from a lot of people we know..." She then stated.

"Yeah, but at least we use our powers to change the world to make things better instead of just fighting against each other." Homura sighed out. "Ah, sorry for dampening the mood Sis." She soon apologized.

"No, it's okay." Asuka replied while shaking her head before looking out the window. "The world isn't all sunshine and roses, but we're doing our best to make things better little by little." She soon declared.

"Yeah..." Homura breathed out with a smile. "Finally." She then muttered in relief.

That in turn caught Asuka's attention. "What's up Homu-nee?" She asked in confusion.

"Just...finally! Finally we have something go our way!" Homura soon declared in satisfaction. "You saw Ryuji's text last night, we actually got a name now!" She then added.

"Oh yeah! Now we're one step closer to getting to the Palace!" Asuka realized in excitement. "Not to mention being able to help out everyone at both Shujin and Kosei!" She then reminded with a smile on her face.

"And all the other schools in the area, Sis." Homura pointed out. "We might not be able to save all of them, but at the very least we can avenge them." She then stated.

"Yeah..." Asuka replied in agreement. "Just like with Shiho-chan and the former pupils...I wonder if Nakanohara-san ever gave Akira-kun a painting..." She then got out in a curious manner.

"I wonder if any of Madarame's former students got back into art?" Homura however asked. "Although, they probably have other responsibilities and stuff now...or can't afford it...or dead..." She then added, soon wincing at the last bit. "Sorry." She awkwardly apologized.

"It's ok Homu-nee...you can be a little harsh to me." Asuka replied. "I...I don't wanna live my whole life in a bubble..." She then added.

Homura however then went and hugged her roommate in a tender manner. " I know, but you have this air around you...like this world is too cruel for you to live in and I have to protect you." She soon confessed.

"And that's fine, but I'm still a big girl. I can take it, I am a shinobi after all." Asuka soon reminded.

"Well, sometimes it's better for people to remain ignorant in some aspects." Homura stated before the two roommates winced, reminding themselves of a certain depressed girl.

"...Do you think we should tell Makoto-senpai/chan?" The two roommates suddenly asked at the same time, only to blink at realizing that they both asked the same question. "Ehehe, it looks like we're in sync." They then admitted with an awkward giggle while rubbing the back of their heads.

"...I don't know..." Homura soon admitted. "I mean...wait, isn't her sister in the police or something?" She then began before suddenly asking the question.

"I think she mentioned it before." Asuka replied, albeit a bit unsure. "...But she'll probably ground Makoto-chan for life if she told her...and we know the others would be mad if we told her...they don't want her rushing into danger and just knowing his name is putting our lives at risk. The mafia wouldn't go to this much effort of secrecy for nothing." She then reminded.

"Yeah, we should know." Homura muttered out. "...We still want to...but we know we can't...not now at least..." She then stated.

"...Why do we keep trying to get Makoto-chan involved though...?" Asuka soon asked. "It's not her problem anymore and we're endangering her life the more we do...This isn't going to help her." She stated, though still depressed about it. "I mean...I know that back with Kamoshida and how we brought Ann-chan in..." She then started to reminded before trailing off at the end.

"She just watched her friend jump off a roof and knew that bastard was to blame. She wanted revenge, and we gave it to her." Homura replied before scratching her head in frustration. "This is more than revenge now. Lives are on the line, including all the people we care for..." She then stated.

"Right...this is to protect everyone...Makoto-chan included..." Asuka soon decided with a nod.

"Yeah..." Homura replied. "I'm gonna bring the duffle, just in case." She soon informed.

"Sure, we don't know what to expect this time, so it's best to be prepared." Asuka replied with a nod. "Though I wonder if Akira-kun got us any new guns?" She then asked. "I mean Yumi-chan's gun would probably be a lot to pay for since it's a sniper rifle and I think we're due for new ones." She soon added and admitted.

"And we need updates to our armor and stuff." Homura pointed before groaning. "Ugh...I can feel my waller cry in pain just thinking about all that stuff Akira has to buy for us..."

"Well it is part of the Phantom budget." Asuka giggled out.

"Yeah, I kinda hope the Palace is like a bank or something. I always kinda wanted to do that..." Homura soon admitted, causing her the other girl to look at her roommate with a worried expression. "Y-You know, as training. I wouldn't actually steal anything. I'm not that desperate for money!" She then explained in a panic.

Asuka however just stared blankly as the tan skinned girl.

"I need a jooooooob..." Homura soon complained in despair while dropping her head. "Maybe I could get a job as a hostess or something..." She then suggested in a desperate tone. "Hey Sis, I am cute enough to be one right?" She soon asked in concern.

"...Should I protect you by saying no?" Asuka however questioned

"...Yes?" Homura replied, though unsure about it.

"No." Asuka soon declared. "My Homu-nee doesn't need to be a hostess at one of those kinds of places..." She then added in her head.

"I wanna die." Homura sobbed out as her roommate spent the rest of the morning comforting her roommate.


(Shinjuku, New Moon Apartment Complex)

The light grey haired girl had just finished her morning shower when she went to the fridge and drank a bottle of milk, soon sighing in satisfaction. "Aaaahhh..." Yumi breathed out in a pleased manner. "Nothing like a fresh bottle of milk after a nice shower..." She then added.

It was quite exhausting last night, so she decided to treat herself a little with a few more minutes of sleep and a nice long and hot shower to unwind.

Her affinity as a shinobi may be ice, but she knew not to risk getting herself sick by taking a cold shower. That would have been too foolish.

The girl then noticed that her phone had a message that arrived last night after she fell asleep as she went out and turned on her phone to read the message. "Oh, Yozakura-san plans to visit soon?" Yumi got out in a curious manner while reading the message. "It has been a while..." She then admitted with a smile after thinking about it.

The last time she saw her sisters, they were saying good-bye as she stepped onto the train to Tokyo months ago...and how hard it was not to break down on the way here.

She had been through a lot since moving to Shinjuku and adjusting to the area as well as her new school and becoming the Student Council President of Kosei along with being the head of an information network...

Becoming a Phantom Thief...awakening Fūma...

She couldn't help but bitterly laugh to herself. Only recently she found herself missing her team.

"Hm, maybe it was good for Yozakura-san to visit. It would be a nice way to catch up on what's been happening at Gessen." Yumi soon admitted.

Of course, she would scold her for skipping school just for personal matters but she was going to let her off just this once since it has been a while.

Still, Yumi then began to mentally think up a plan for things the two of them could do together when she arrived.

It was going to be...so...so...

At that moment, Yumi's eyes widened as a single bead of sweat ran down her forehead.

Oh no...

"I can't let her know about what I'm doing...what I've done..." Yumi realised as she then gulped in a nervous manner.

If she ever found out about what happened with Madarame...her inaction...attacking innocents without as much of a question...and now able essentially forcing people into confessing their sins...

What would her sisters think if they found out she was a Phantom Thief?

What would her grandfather think if he found out?

It was way too early to experience dread and fear but here she was...

But she could also be over reacting. It has been a while since she had seen one of her friends. And she could be visiting for any reason.

Yumi soon took in a deep breath to calm herself down. "I mustn't over react." She soon reminded herself. "I must remain calm more than ever now." She then added.

Regardless of her personal problems, she had a job to do today.

It was time to take down Junya Kaneshiro and take his distorted desires.

Although, she wondered why Yozakura wanted to visit now of all times...


(Gessen Academy)

"Eeeeeh? You plan to visit Yumi-chan?" Minori asked. They had just finished breakfast when their acting Leader announced her intentions.

"Yes." Yozakura replied with a nod while taking a sip of her tea. "It's been too long. She's been gone for over seven months and we've only managed to talk to her, what? Three? Four times to make sure she stays safe for her mission." She soon reminded. "I miss her." She then concluded.

"There's more to that isn't there?" Shiki however guessed as she read the latest Vague issue.

The masked girl meanwhile nodded in agreement to that. "Why do you want to visit Yumi now, of all times?" Murakumo had to ask.

"Not really, it's really just a visit to see how she's doing." Yozakura replied while shaking her head.

"Then call her." Shiki deadpanned before pulling out her phone. "I can do that right now. Tokyo is pretty far from here, you can't just spend a Sunday there." She then added.

"I'm going to be taking a couple days off. Wang Pai-sensei said it was alright and I also got approval from grandfather." Yozakura revealed. "Grandfather...also wants to know how she's doing so far." She then added.

"...She's been gone so long..." Minori mumbled out in a sad tone.

"When are you going?" Murakumo eventually asked.

"A couple of days. I already messaged her last night." Yozakura responded. "Hopefully she's doing well and made a few new friends." She then added.

"Besides the information network she told us she constructed?" Murakumo however pointed out.

"Hai. I also hope she has loosened up a bit." Yozakura sheepishly admitted. "I mean, despite being shinobi that want to achieve our Grandfather's dream, we are still girls...and I would like to have some fun with her..." She then added while poking her finger tips together with an embarrassed blush on her face.

"Oh, maybe you can visit Bootyland together!" Shiki suggested.

"I thought it was going to start production after this year?" Murakumo however pointed out, causing the blonde to wince.

"I kinda wanna go there once it's done..." Minori admitted.

"Rejected." Yozakura immediately responded in disapproval, causing the youngest member of the group to pout.

"And what makes you think you can stop us?" "Don't worry, we'll get you a souvenir once it opens."

"Ugh..." Yozakura groaned out. "Bootyland sounds like something Ryōbi thought up..." She then confessed. "But then again, she did declare how she'll show the world the beauty of booty the week before she left..." She soon muttered to herself.

"In any case, I call dibs to visit next time then!" Shiki soon declared while raising a hand. "I've always wanted to go to Tokyo and go shopping there! I also wanna see if Yumi-chi got some cute clothes now!" She then added.

"I would like to visit Yumi as well sometime." Murakumo meanwhile admitted with a nod.

"Oh, and I hope she knows something about the Phantom Thieves too." Shiki then got out. "Those guys made Madarame confess his sins along with that sicko gym teacher! It was totally awesome!" She soon added.

"Yeah! These Phantom Thieves are also fulfilling Jii-chan's dream!" Minori soon declared with a nod of agreement and stars in her eyes.

"I don't know...I mean, if you can really change someone's heart, it can easily be abused..." Murakumo however stated with a frown under her mask.

"Aw, that's only you have a crush on that Detective Prince..." Shiki however remarked in a teasing manner.

The masked girl immediately snapped her head towards the blonde. "I do not!" Murakumo growled out as the two proceeded to bicker and tease.

Yozakura could only sigh as she watched her sister interact and already began planning their own trips and their interactions, though she couldn't help but smile.

She needed this, a small break from shinobi training and duties.


(6/19, Daytime)

(Shibuya, Station Square)

"Why do we keep drinking this crap?" Homura groaned out as she slurped up more aojiru along with the Thieves apart from Ryuji, who was late.

"Language Homura-san." Yumi meanwhile sighed out. "She'll need some more training..." She meanwhile thought.

"Sorry, this just really isn't good..." Homura apologized and admitted.

"Still Homura-san, there are other words you can use besides swears though." Yumi however pointed out.

"I know, but this sucks! It hurts every time we drink something from that stand." Homura whined out before drinking more. "Ugh...fish should not be in liquid form..." She then grumbled out.

"It's for your own good, Homura." Akira assured before shuddering, feeling his Knowledge increase. "And look, Asuka is taking it pretty well." He then added.

"She is crying." Yusuke simply pointed out.

"At least she's not retching it out like Ann did..." Akira however stated as he turned to see the shivering ash blonde.

"How is fish paste with milk and jelly supposed to make me smarter?" Ann moaned out. "Ugh...if this is supposed to help with finals next month, then it's not worth it." She then added.

"Well...it's certainly better than my breakfast today." Yusuke admitted.

"And what did you have for breakfast?" Homura and Yumi however asked in deadpan unison.

"A digestive biscuit." Yusuke answered.

"One biscuit-" Yumi began before just groaning to herself. "No...Not now...I do not want to waste the energy." She mumbled out as she tried to stop the migraine she was starting to develop.

"I can't blame you Yumi..." Homura groaned in disbelief at what she heard.

It was at that moment that the dyed blond showed up. "Sup." Ryuji greeted everyone as he walked up to the group. "Hey, thanks for the save yesterday Yumi. Almost went into a world I really didn't want anything to do with." He then added.

The light gray haired girl soon calmed herself down and merely smiled at that. "It is not a problem at all Ryuji-san, what those two men were about to do would have been considered assault and possibly attempted rape." She then pointed out.

The group members that didn't go to Shinjuku the night before however became confused about this. "Huh?" Asuka got out in confusion.

"...What in the world happened last night?" Homura soon asked.

"Nothing you want to know." Yumi vaguely answered.

"W-What did you say about attempted rape...?" Asuka however asked in concern.

"I don't think they would've gone that far." Akira awkwardly got out with a frown.

"Anyways, let's get this shit started!" Ryuji called out with a smile. "Let's go find us a Palace!" He soon declared.

Yusuke nodded at this as he pulled out his phone. "Okay, I entered Kaneshiro's name into the Nav. And just like senpai told me, it's a hit." He then informed.

"All we need now are the two other keywords: what he thinks of as his Palace, and where it is." Morgana spoke up. "But we don't have any clues other than people falling victim around here..." He then added.

"Alright, time to play the guessing game again..." Homura then quipped out. "We could be here for a while..." She then added with a sigh.

"Urgh...that's gonna be impossible...How many buildings do you think there are in all of Shibuya?" Ryuji complained.

[Candidate found]

"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion to the sudden announcement.

"Uh...I was about to say roughly 2,712,450 in Tokyo but...you got it on the first try. Good job." Akira congratulated the dyed blonde.

"Wait, why would you know that!?" Ryuji questioned.

"Excuse me, but do you mind if I can do something real quick with your bag?" Homura requested.

"Uh, sure?" Akira replied in an unsure tone as Morgana jumped onto his head and gave it to her.

"Thank you." Homura then swiftly shoved her head into her bag and just let out the longest suffering screams they ever heard until she inevitably ran out of breath, returning to reality saner than ever. "Thank you again." She got out as she handed the bag back.

"No problem." Akira replied as the not cat jumped back into the bag.

"Can we get back to the fact that the Nav just reacted?" Ann sighed out.

"So...the where this time is...all of Shibuya?" Yumi asked in disbelief.

"That's...kind of horrifying..." Asuka mumbled out.

"If his Palace really encompasses all of Shibuya, then that's probably going to take some time." Akira stated. "Alright, we have the who and the where, but now we need the what." He soon stated.

"Obviously it must be possibly money related and where he has complete control over..." Homura then pointed out.

"Obviously...It must be...Possibly...You're contradicting yourself, Homura." Akira pointed out.

"Oh shut up..." Homura soon muttered in annoyance, though her roommate giggled to that in amusement.

"Maybe a money bath? I've seen people online with things like that." Ann suggested.

[No candidates found]

"No. Not even close." Yusuke informed as he shook his head.

"Thank God. I don't wanna fight another naked guy..." Asuka sighed out in relief.

"How about it Akira? Can you think of anything?" Yuske asked their Leader.

The Leader in response closed his eyes as he began thinking about it before opening them. "...A bank." Akira soon answered.

[Candidate found]

[Conditions have been met]

"There we go." Akira got out with a smirk.

The light gray haired girl in response narrowed her eyes to this revelation. "So, Kaneshiro thinks of all of Shibuya as his personal bank with all the money he strong arms from everyone..." Yumi stated in disgust.

"That actually makes things easier for us. We can basically enter his Palace anywhere we want." Homura pointed out. "Well, as long as we're in Shibuya." She then added.

"Wait, does this mean the entire district is just one big bank!?" Ryuji exclaimed.

"Well, we won't know until we see it." Asuka replied as she gained a determined look on her face.

"Agreed." Homura replied with a nod as she looked at the others. "You guys ready?" She soon enough asked in a serious tone.

"Wait, is it really okay for us to go into the Palace right out of a crowd like this?" Ann questioned in concern. "Someone might notice or worse, we pull someone into the Palace with us. Again." She then pointed out.

The dyed blond however shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, nobody notices if a piece of trash disappears from a trash can. This ain't any different." Ryuji replied casually.

"Did you just compare us to trash?" Akira deadpanned.

"Just use the MetaNav..." Homura groaned out as she dragged her hand down her face.

And with that, Yusuke nodded and activated the app.

[Beginning navigation...]

[Now entering Kaneshiro's Bank of Gluttony]


(Kaneshiro's Bank of Gluttony)

The group soon arrived in the Metaverse, the world around them shifting into a sickly green color. Joker quickly noticed how windy the place was and frowned.

"This is different..." Fox got out upon seeing the world change around him.

"Bank of Gluttony..." Widow muttered out with a frown.

"Gluttony? Wouldn't this be considered as greed for wanting money?" Yin immediately asked after the announcement was made from the Nav.

"Gluttony is wanting to consume all it desires. Greed is about never having enough." Fox informed.

"Hm..." Yin hummed out as she began imaging the target literally eating money in a comedic manner. Fancy knife, fork and all.

"I don't think it's like that, Sis." Yang pointed out in a blunt manner.

"Eh!? H-How did you know what I was thinking, Yang-nee?" Yin soon asked.

"You're really easy to read." Yang admitted in amusement.

"Wow Homu-nee! Now I got a friend and sister figure both outside and inside my head!" Yin happily declared in amazement and excitement.

"...You know, if it was anyone other than one of us, that sentence would be worrying." Skull pointed out as the light grey haired girl sniffed the air.

"It smells like...ink and metal." Widow muttered out.

"Money fresh off the printers." Mona guessed.

"Wait, what are those...?" Panther got out in shock and surprise.

Everyone turned to where she was looking and saw walking machines, wandering around the place. Many of them seemed...scared despite the lack of faces.

"I believe those are ATM machines..." Widow deducted.

"ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine, Widow." Joker pointed out.

"I know what an ATM is, Joker." Widow however responded.

"He sees the general public as walking ATMs?" Yin got out in horror.

"...Machines to break and take money from..." Yang realized in anger.

"No, to withdraw from. He thinks what he's doing is perfectly normal." Joker corrected.

"So this is what Kaneshiro considers a bank..." Fox muttered out.

"I never thought it would be the entire district." Mona admitted. "Look around us...the distortion is affecting the whole of Shibuya." He then informed.

"And the Treasure could be anywhere in the district." Yang pointed out. "Oh, we are so boned." She then remarked in frustration.

"Not necessarily true." Mona corrected.

"Oh...that's right! Even when we were in the castle and the museum, the city outside looked normal." Panther then reminded.

"Yeah, this place is nowhere near distorted enough. It looks just like Station Square." Joker stated. "We have to find the actual bank, the center of the Palace." He then informed.

"I guess we should start looking then." Yin replied. "Fan out everyone and gather information." She then ordered.

"Right. We need to focus on stealing Kaneshiro's Treasure as soon as possible. Let's meet up at Central Street in say...an hour?" Fox suggested.

"Sounds good, Fox." Skull replied with a nod. "God this is gonna be a pain in the ass...I'll check the subway." He then informed.

"I'll go with Skull." Widow got out as she walked up to the dyed blond.

"Huh, thanks Widow." Skull casually replied with a smile.

"Me and Panther will go and ask around Station Square." Yin decided with the ash blonde nodding in agreement.

"Okay then, then Fox and I will check out the residential area." Yang got out as the dark blue haired boy nodded.

"Guess that leaves Central Street to me and Mona." Joker got out. "Alright, let's do this." He then ordered while adjusting his gloves.

With that, the thieves dispersed in different directions.


(Subway)

Widow and Skull had made their way down into the station. There were wanted posters instead of advertisements apparently for people that still owed Kaneshiro money and the like.

All throughout the place were broken and destroyed ATMs.

"Look at all these broken ATMs..." Skull muttered out, stepping over another machine.

"All these people...These are the ones Kaneshiro no longer has use for." Widow got out, feeling sick to her stomach. "And I can only imagine what he's done to them." She then muttered.

"Hell yeah..." Skull replied. "Kaneshiro's definitely gonna be a target for us..." He then pointed out.

"Come on, there has to be someone...alive here." Widow stated as they continued searching the machines.


(Station Square)

"Please, we're only trying to help!" Yin soon requested.

"There's no help. No one is going to save us. Just give everything you have to Kaneshiro and you'll be safe."

"But this isn't safety! This isn't a way to live!" Panther called out.

"I can't end up like them. I can't! I have a future, I can get out of this, I just need time."

"I don't even think he's even talking to us..." Yin realized. "He's just talking out loud. They all keep saying that." She then added.

"Yeah. Don't anger Kaneshiro." Panther sighed out as another ATM walked past them.

However, they noticed a couple of yen bills being printed out of it and flew away...like it was being guided somewhere.

"Why is money flying around?" Panther then asked in a curious manner as she looked to see a few more ATM humans printing out money.

"It all seems to be going towards somewhere..." Yin noted. "Maybe we should follow it. It might lead us to Kaneshiro's Bank." She then suggested.

"Good idea. Let's go. It looks like it's all going towards Central Street." Panther stated. "We need to tell Joker about this too." She added.

The Vice Leader nodded at that.

And with that, the two female Phantom Thieves went off to follow the trail of money.


(Residential Area)

"God, another one?" Yang got out as she checked the broken machine. "...It's dead." She then informed.

"Just like all the others we've found." Fox replied in disappointment.

"...These all represent someone...real people Kaneshiro has taken everything from..." Yang soon deducted. "And...they're probably all our age too." She then growled out. "Breakable...disposable...replaceable. .. " She soon listed off in disgust.

"Most likely..." Fox got out as he looked around, seeing the ATMs walking around, looking over their shoulder on occasion.

"All these people seem so afraid for their lives too..." Yang muttered out. "How many people does Kaneshiro have under his thumb?" She soon asked.

"Too many. Now it's our job to stop them." Fox replied before looking up to see the shack he was once housed in. It seemed...so normal...

"This is still pretty different from Madarame's Palace." Yang admitted. "Right Fox?" She then asked.

"Yes...but just as vile..." Fox answered as the two then walked away from the place as fast as they could.

They had a target to find.


(Central Street)

"Alright, we're alone here. No Shadows in the area." Mona informed. "Let's see if we can squeeze out the info we need, Joker." He soon suggested.

"Maybe we should check out the shops first. Maybe Kaneshiro might be using one of them as a front for a racket." Mona replied.

Joker nodded to that and began checking the shops. However, they began to see that each and every one was eerily empty.

"Looks like Untouchable is...untouched..." Joker noted, seeing that the shop was safe and sound.

"I don't see Iwai being the type to borrow money from such a shady business. Besides...I think he could take care of himself if push comes to shove." Mona admitted. "Looks like most of the shops aren't affected by Kaneshiro's distortions. But the people..." He then started before trailing off as he looked at all the ATM humans.

"He's only targeting the vulnerable. Gullible kids in need of money fast. Doubt he'd go for adults, it would only attract the police." Joker deducted.

"Yeah, I was thinking that too." Mona replied with a nod. "Let's start talking to the people then. The ATMs." He soon suggested and instructed.

"Right." Joker agreed with a nod before looking around.

"Hey, look over there. That one's trembling..." Mona informed as he pointed at an ATM in an alleyway. It had a broken screen and was sparking. It was obviously not in good shape. "Maybe we can talk to it." He soon suggested.

Joker nodded and they approached the ATM, who flinched in their presence. "A-Ah! Please forgive me!" The cognition whimpered out.

"I wonder how he talks without a mouth..." Joker thought as he made sure his current Persona wasn't Orpheus Picaro before getting closer.. "What happened to you?" He soon asked.

"I-I don't have any more, please! I'm telling you, not even one yen!"

"Calm down. It's going to be okay." Joker reassured as he held onto its arms. "Um...breathe?" He awkwardly instructed.

"Please, I don't want to end up like the others...!" It then whimpered, as if Joker and Mona weren't even there.

"Who did this to you? Was it Kaneshiro?" Joker then asked.

However, the trembling ATM shrieked in response.

"Looks like we're not getting anything from him. Let's find another." Mona sighed out.

Joker nodded and looked around, only to see several broken ATMs at the end of the street, enough of them to block the path to anywhere else.

"Has Kaneshiro...?" Joker began as he turned to the not cat.

"Most likely." Mona answered with a shake of his head. "What a piece of scum...discarding people like they're nothing...he sees people as a resource!" He then declared in disgust.

"Yeah..." Joker got out with a scowl on his face. "Now where is he keeping all the money?" He then muttered.

The two Thieves continued looking around Central Street and found another trembling ATM human. It looked like it was in worse condition than the one they last talked to.

"Another victim..." Mona soon stated. "This one looks bad, Joker." He then admitted.

"It's no use...It's all over...I'll end up just like them..." The ATM mumbled out as it began to tip over.

"Whoa, whoa. Stay with me." Joker called out in a worried tone as he kept the cognition from falling over. "What happened? What did Kaneshiro do to you?" He soon asked.

"Can't you tell...? I've fallen...fallen so far...From a place where Kaneshiro leaves no tracks..." It then revealed.

"Fallen?" Joker muttered to himself with a frown before seeing the ATM being to spark more and more. "Hey hey hey, stay with me! We need-!" He then got out in concern.

"I'm...too tired...Please...let me rest..."

CRACK! THUD!

And with that, the ATM fell to the ground as smoke rose from it with no signs of life coming from it.

"...Dammit...!" Joker swore under his breath.

"...I don't think he can speak any more." Mona got out in an uncomfortable manner before narrowing his eyes. "Kaneshiro leaves no tracks...? Does he mean that literally, or could it be figurative?" He then repeated and questioned.

"We should regroup. Our time's up anyways." Joker got out as turned away from the dead machine.

Mona in response nodded and followed the Leader to Big Bang Burger.

All the thieves eventually had regrouped in front of the cognitive Big Bang Burger shop to report their findings, and they were all sporting quite angered and sad faces when they arrived.

"So, did anyone get anything?" Joker soon asked.

"Well, we officially determined that Kaneshiro is a horrible person." Yang answered in a blunt manner.

"Yeah, we had the same conclusion." Panther mumbled out.

"Us as well." Widow got out in agreement.

"God...this guy has actually gotten people killed, didn't he..." Skull whispered out.

"Despicable..." Fox growled out. "But we are dealing with the mafia. I doubt they'd make it to where they are without bloodshed." He then added.

"But we did manage to figure out something. Look at all the money flying around." Yin informed as they looked around. "Do you see a pattern here?" She soon asked.

"Yeah...it looks like it's all goin' somewhere." Skull answered.

"So you're suggesting we follow the money..." Widow muttered out. "That makes sense." She then admitted.

"Yeah, but here's the interesting thing. An ATM mentioned a place...where they've fallen very far and leaves no trail behind..." Mona got out. "What do you guys think that means?" He then asked.

"Fallen?" Widow repeated as she started to think about it.

"Were they pushed off a building!?" Skull exclaimed before taking a second to think about it. "But, wait, there aren't any skyscrapers 'round here..." He then pointed out.

"...No..." Joker got out as realization hit him. "It's somewhere higher..." He soon declared.

"What's higher than a skyscraper?" Fox asked in confusion as the Leader then looked up.

"...The actual sky." Joker answered as the rest of the thieves followed his gaze.

Above them was a giant slab of land, flying over the district with billions, no, trillions of yen being sucked up by some sort of vacuum on the bottom. And on the top of that...was a large bank.

"W-Wait...what is that!?" Panther exclaimed in confusion.

"Is that it?" Skull asked. "It's like a freakin' UFO!" He then exclaimed

"Up in the air...no wonder we couldn't find it..." Fox got out.

"...Ok you have got to be kidding me..." Yang got out, her mouth agape underneath her mask to the hovering slab of land that was sucking in money.

"That's the Palace!?" Yin got out in horror and awe.

"My word..." Widow breathed out in shock and disbelief.

"Well, I'd say we're thoroughly boned." Joker bluntly stated. "Unless..." He then started as he and the rest of the group looked at the not cat.

"I can't turn into a helicopter Joker!" Mona shouted out before crossing his arms over his chest. "But God I wish I could right now..." He then admitted in frustration.

"Yeah, but no one here will know how to fly one." Widow pointed out. "But still...to not see such a large object until now..." She awkwardly got out in slight embarrassment.

"Hey, you'd be surprised how many people don't look up." Joker casually stated. "Damn, no way our grappling hooks can reach that..." He meanwhile thought.

"Kaneshiro doesn't leave any tracks. In hindsight, of course it would be floating." Mona got out, somewhat impressed.

"We finally have the keywords, but now we can't get to the Palace itself..." Yin pointed out. "What do we do now...?" She then asked in concern.

Joker then looked towards the shinobi girls. "None of you can't jump that high, can you?" He guessed.

"Of course not! We may be shinobi but that's way out of our range." Yang sighed.

"This is quite the predicament..." Widow then mumbled out.

"This may be the limit of what we can do today." Fox stated.

"I agree." Widow replied with a nod. "Until we can find a way to get up there, our infiltration stops here." She then declared in a slightly ashamed tone.

"No..." Yin whispered out in sadness. "We can't do anything...All of those victims..." She then muttered in concern.

"Sis..." Yang got out in concern as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry Yin, we'll find a way. Eventually." She soon assured as she comforted the black masked girl.

"Let's sleep on it. Hopefully we can figure something out." Joker suggested as he pulled out his phone. "Take us home." He soon ordered.

[Now exiting Kaneshiro's Bank of Gluttony...]


(Shibuya, Station Square)

The group soon arrived back where they started in the real world, sporting frustrated expressions on their faces to the recent development.

"So close, yet so far." Akira got out as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Hai..." Asuka responded in a sad tone.

"This...This just sucks..." Ann sighed out.

"Okay, I swear if the principal's Palace is just as bullshit as Kaneshiro's, I'm gonna lose it!" Homura got out in frustration.

"I think you're already losing it..." Ryuji stated.

"LOSE IT EVEN MORE!" Homura then corrected herself.

"Homura-san, please calm down." Yumi ordered while placing a hand on the tan skinned girl's shoulder. "Remember your training..." She then quietly whispered.

Hearing those instructions, Homura took them to heart as she then took a deep breath and relaxed herself. "Hai..." She whispered back in a calmer tone before looking towards the others. "I apologize for reacting as such..." She soon apologized to the group. "It is just that frustrating that we are this close now only to hit a snag now." She soon explained in a more prim and proper tone while adjusting her stance to one similar to the light grey haired girl's.

"It's fine to feel frustrated. I am too." Akira admitted. "But we can figure something out. Not now, but soon."

"Let's all meet at the accessway tomorrow and bring in any ideas how we can get to the Palace. No idea is too foolish right now." Yusuke suggested. "We cannot fail here." He then stated.

"Right! We won't let a road bump like this stop us!" Ann got out in determination.

"Alright then, let's go home." Akira got out, hoping his friends could think of something because honestly, he was coming up blank.


(Central Street)

The three shinobi girls soon began walking the regular streets after separating from the others, deciding to walk around and try and find something to eat for dinner.

"You handled yourself nicely in the end there Homura-san." Yumi praised with a smile.

"Ugh, I should have been calm to begin with..." Homura responded in shame. "It is the issue with the principal all over again, except it's closer which makes things so much worse!" She then explained.

"Homu-nee..." Asuka started before sighing. "Well...I can't exactly blame you..." She then admitted.

"Neither can I." Yumi replied in agreement. "But even so Homura-san, we will find a way to make it into the Palace. We just need to push forward and not give up on our justice" She then reassured and reminded.

To hear that, the tan skinned girl felt reenergized as she smiled at her friend. "Of course, Yumi-senpai." Homura respectfully replied with a nod.

The light grey haired girl nodded back with a smile of her own, only for her eyes to widen at her friend's blunder. "H-Homura-san, Asuka-san is-!" Yumi got out in a panic.

"Oh don't worry Yumi-chan, I know you've been teaching Homu-nee and she calls you senpai." Asuka happily informed with a giggle.

To that, the light grey haired girl blinked a couple of times before blushing in embarrassment. "O-Oh. I-I see." Yumi awkwardly responded.

"Yeah, thanks for helping Homu-nee out Yumi-chan! You're making her even cooler than before!" Asuka soon got out in admiration. "I also love your kimono Shinobi Tenshin appearances too!" She then confessed with stars in her eyes.

"Y-You're welcome, Asuka-san." Yumi stammered out with a blush before looking at the tan skinned girl. "She really is adorable Homura-san." She soon whispered.

"You just realize that now?" Homura giggled to the light grey haired girl.

"Aw~ You think I'm adorable?" Asuka meanwhile asked in a teasing manner and with a smile on her face.

This caused the two girls to look at one another for a moment and nodded before turning back to the Vice Leader. "Yes." Homura and Yumi replied in perfect unison and without hesitation.

"It is though...you have this aura about you Asuka-san." Yumi soon revealed. "As though you need to be protected at all cost." She then added.

"Right?" Homura meanwhile asked in agreement.

"Moh! But I'm a big girl Homu-nee, Yumi-chan!" Asuka however declared. "And not to mention the Vice Leader of our group." She then reminded with a pout.

"Oh, we didn't mean it that way Asuka-san." Yumi however informed. "I mean since you are the Vice Leader, you are one of our main assets in battle." She then explained.

This caused said girl to blink to learning that. "Oh...really?" Asuka soon asked while tilting her head.

"Hai You are usually the one keeping us fighting after all." Yumi replied in reassurance. "But you are still cute." She then confessed.

"Ain't that the truth, Sis." Homura responded with a nod of agreement.

"Moh!" Asuka whined out, but then the three started giggling in amusement until...

BZZT! BZZT!

"What the? Akira-kun?" Asuka got out in confusion as she took out her phone and allowed the others to look at the message as well.

[TheWildJ0ker: Hey, I bought 20 boxes of Mental Floss and sent it to your place. I hope you don't mind.]

"...20 boxes of Mental Floss!?" The three girls exclaimed in unison.

"...Well...I guess we won't have to buy floss for a while..." Asuka eventually giggled out. "We should distribute it among the three of us." She then suggested.

Yumi in response nodded in agreement. "That is a good idea Asuka-san." She replied.

"Wait, Akira wouldn't send us just floss..." Homura muttered out as she quickly looked up the brand. "Remember the good times with a nice floss-This is for the Metaverse, isn't it?" She read out before realizing.

"It probably is. And given how the Metaverse works, I'm going to assume it helps us with forgetting." Yumi replied. "Have we been inflicted with that status before?" She soon asked.

"...I forget." Homura replied with a witty grin on her face, causing the other girls to snort and giggle.

"W-Was that a pun Homura-san?" Yumi giggled out in amusement.

"Didn't plan on it, but yeah." Homura replied. "...From tomorrow on, it's gonna be a hassle, isn't it?" She soon guessed.

"Hai..." Asuka mumbled out. "If we can't get there...if we have to give up..." She then added in a nervous manner.

"Hey, stop thinking about that. We will access the Palace or die trying." Yumi declared and reminded in a whisper. "And we will bring this man to justice." She then added in a more determined manner.

"Right...preferably without dying but we will." Homura got out. "...I just hope we can resolve the Makoto-senpai situation as well." She then added. "...I hope she's alright. She was feeling better after the lunch I made for her, but..." She soon started, but trailed off at the end.

"It'll be alright." Asuka assured. "I mean, things are getting better already. How can it get worse?" She then stated and asked.

"Yeah..." Homura replied, though still a bit concerned. "Come on Sis, Yumi-senpai, let's get something to eat." She then got out.

"Hai." Yumi replied as they went off to do as such since they were all hungry.

Hopefully things will go well after today.


(Niijima Residence)

Meanwhile, the Niijima sisters were...well, enjoying isn't the right word - it was more like...tolerating dinner. Things had become quite tense between the two due to the recent events. The elder sibling had come home quite frustrated, nearly slamming the door shut while the younger sibling made dinner. She didn't even turn on the TV, probably tired of all the news about the Thieves and Akechi.

Despite her frustrations with her, Makoto couldn't stand the suffocating silence.

Plus, with everything going on...she couldn't help but think of her father...and how he would deal with the problems in her life.

"...I've been thinking lately. About those Phantom Thieves, I mean. If Dad were still alive..." Makoto began before seeing the annoyed look on her sister's face. "Sorry, I...I shouldn't bring this up while we're eating." She then apologized.

Sae however sighed as she tried to calm herself down. "It's OK. Keep going." She soon got out.

"I just wonder if he would've been on their side...That's all..." Makoto muttered out in a quiet tone.

"The only reason you have time to think about that is because you rely on other people." Sae stated in a harsh tone.

Makoto almost choked on her food as soon as she heard that response. "That's not-" She began, wondering where this was coming from. "What the!? Why is she so against relying on others!?" She meanwhile thought in disbelief.

"You don't have to do a single thing, and you're provided with food, clothes, a home and yet you break down once you let one person affect you so heavily." "I don't have that luxury. I've had no time to think about such ridiculous thoughts. Would Dad have been happy with them? I don't care. He died upholding some lofty sense of righteousness, leaving all his responsibilities on us. On me."

"All I was trying to say was-" Makoto tried to interject but her sister wasn't having any of it today.

"Isn't it about time you grew up and acknowledged our situation!? Right now you're useless to me!" Sae eventually declared in a frustrated manner. "All you do is eat away at my life, and yet you continue to act like a petulant child with no clue about the consequences of your actions. Skipping school, throwing tantrums, spending all day in your room crying and drowning yourself in junk food. How pathetic are you!?" She then snapped.

In response, Makoto's eyes widened and dilated in shock. "Useless...?" She slowly repeated.

Suddenly, Sae's eyes widened as she realised what she just said. "M-Makoto...I...I'm sorry but...this case I'm working on is..." She tried to explain but it was too late.

Makoto didn't say anything else, only getting up and going to her room.

SLAM! CLICK!

"M-Makoto!" Sae called out, though her sister ignored her as she closed and locked the door behind her. "No wait, I...I'm sorry! I'm just...Makoto! Please answer me!" She pleaded, but her chance was long gone.

Makoto however didn't hear her call her.

She couldn't hear her bang her fist on the door.

She didn't scream or cry or...anything as she fell to her knees in a lifeless manner...eyes dull and hazy...

Nothing else existed anymore. Not her worries, not her home, not even the world around her...

Nothing...nothing at all...

All she could think about was that single word.

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

"You're going to be an adult soon so act like it. "

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

"Why did it have to be you to be my last hope...Why did it have to be you?"

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

"So go to school or you are not welcomed back here."

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

...It was all true...she was that...Nothing more than a burden...a waste of space...to everyone...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...

Useless...


(Fast Forward)

"Dick move Sae." Akira bluntly declared while narrowing his eyes.

"Stop-" Sae began.

"Dick. Move." Akira stated once more, interrupting the woman in a dead serious tone. "Stress doesn't give you the right to say something like that. Especially to family." He then added.

"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?" Sae snapped, looking ready to attack the boy before taking a deep breath. "Know your place. I could walk out of here and let those men come and get your confession. You do not have the right to talk to me that way. So either keep telling your story or I will personally escort you to juvie." She soon threatened.

"..." Akira shut his mouth and looked away from the woman.

"...Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Sae soon asked.

"Hey, they already injected truth serum into me and beat me half to death." Akira countered, although it came out quite weak.

"Given your words, I've begun to care less about that." Sae stated as she narrowed her eyes, causing the boy to flinch.

"...I'm sorry." Akira apologized before wincing in pain, like he was whacked in the back of his head.

"Just...continue telling me everything." Sae sighed out her order.

The Leader in response just nodded to that. "Come on, keep it together. Don't antagonise her, dumbass..." Akira thought as he continued his story.

(Rewind)


Save Game…Quit!


Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Outspoken (Level 2)

Knowledge- Informed (Level 2)

Proficiency- Decent (Level 2)

Diligence- Persistent (Level 2)

Courage- Brave (Level 3)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Adolescence (Level 2)

Knowledge- Learned (Level 2)

Femininity- Effeminate (Level 2)

Elegance- Disciplined (Level 3)

Understanding- Generous (Level 3)


Whew! Done. That is enough, time for Makoto's life to get much better.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!