Happy birthday to me! Yesterday. Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. A…slightly special chapter today. Not gonna say what, just read.

No reviews today, just enjoy.

Time to hunt.

Updated! 12/08/2023. Decided to restructure romance scenes.

Load Game…Start!


Chapter 91: The Search


(Fast Forward)

Sae looked on in disbelief as she processed this new information. "Poison?" She repeated in a skeptical tone.

"Yes." Akira responded with a nod.

"And she just...walked it off?" Sae soon questioned

"After a few hours. Yang's a bit of a badass." Akira stated.

"That's...not the word I'd use." The prosecutor admitted. "So, what was your plan here?" Sae soon asked

"We decided to spread out throughout the city and find the assassin, or at least information on them. Of course, since we're talking about shinobi, it wasn't going to be easy." Akira continued explaining. "Nothing ever is..." He then added under his breath.

"And? Did you ever find this...assassin?" Sae questioned in a serious tone.

In response, the Leader nodded as he narrowed his eyes in a serious manner. "Yes." Akira soon responded. "At that time however...it was a very interesting situation that was revealed to us." He then vaguely stated before wincing from phantom pains.

"Akira, do not try to be coy with me." Sae got out in a serious manner. "Say it outright, or else I will ensure that you are punished for your crimes by the full degree of the law." She then threatened.

"Okay, okay. Can't appreciate good storytelling." Akira grumbled before shaking his head. "Anyways, so the next day, we started our hunt for the assassin..." He soon began.


(Rewind)

(8/5, Early Morning)

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

"Ok...time to get up..." Akira groaned as a yawn escaped his lips before sitting up and stretching his limbs.

New day, new problems to solve. He had to get up bright and early or else someone might die soon.

This seriously was not something he expected to be doing over the summer.

"Morning Morgana, Haruka-chan." Akira yawned out before pausing to see the blonde sitting on the couch already dressed and ready to go. "...You snuck in again?" He guessed.

Haruka in response giggled in amusement. "Ufufu~ Not this time, darling~" She replied, causing the boy to blink a couple of times."Boss let me." She then revealed.

"Ugh, I can vouch for that." Morgana groaned before purring in satisfaction to the girl's petting.

"Welp, no time for sleeping in." Akira responded and stretched his limbs. "Let's get down to business." He soon ordered.

"Ah~ I like it when you're serious~" Haruka replied with a smirk.

"Well, can't be a trickster on a day like this." Akira responded. "...Can you turn around so I can get dressed?" He soon requested.

"Hai hai, darling~" Haruka playfully responded, turning around as a result.

"I swear this girl is whipped by Joker." Morgana sighed out.

And with that Akira grabbed his clothes...and headed downstairs to take a shower.

"Aw..." Haruka got out with a pout.

"No wonder the windows are clean..." Morgana couldn't help but remark.

"Well, at least I can continue to pet you, Morgana-kun~" Haruka cooed out as she began petting the not cat. "And you're so fuzzy too." She then added in satisfaction.

"!" The not cat's eyes widened for a moment, but then relaxed at how he was being petted with a dazed smile on his face. "Why does Haruka's petting feel sooooo gooood~" Morgana meowed and purred in satisfaction.

"Ufufu~ Morgana-kun likes me petting him." Haruka giggled in amusement as she continued rubbing him down. "...I wonder if..." She soon started.

Suddenly, the Leader came up the stairs. "I'm back...you're still not ready." Akira informed and stated.

"Hm?" Haruka hummed out, looking up to see the boy already dressed. "You shower awfully fast." She pointed out.

"Making the most of every second." Akira simply replied. "And, you know, regular visits to the bath house." He then added under his breath.

"I should really stop there more..." Haruka muttered as she made the mental note to do so. "Darling, is that the only summer outfit you have?" She then suddenly asked. She swore every time she saw him, he was wearing the same outfit.

"No, I have others." Akira responded as he looked inside his box, seeing at least five pairs of white shirts and jeans.

"...Okay." Haruka responded with a sweatdrop to this reveal.

"Now get out of bed and let's catch an assassin." Akira declared as he grabbed his bag.

Haruka nodded before climbing out of bed, while Morgana rushed over and climbed into the Leader's bag.

"I wonder how things are at Hebijo..." Haruka muttered as she got ready for the day. "I hope Hikage-chan and Mirai-chan aren't having too much trouble." She then added in concern.


(Hebijo Academy, Elite's Room)

"I HAVE A RIGHT TO SHOOT YOU IN THE FACE!" Mirai screamed, aiming a pistol at a lower classman's head. "...Is that convincing enough?" She soon questioned.

The sadistic Ryō twin hummed, studying her senpai's stance. "Yelling can actually be a detriment, be a little more restrained to give more umph to it. Maybe hiss a little. Add a fuck here and there." Ryōbi replied and instructed.

In response, the loli nodded. "Oh. Ahem." She cleared her throat before glaring at the girl with all her hate in one eye. "I have the right to fucking shoot you in the face." She soon declared in a more serious tone while attempting to be menacing.

"Hunch forward...bare the teeth...space your feet apart..." Ryōbi began instructing before nodding in approval. "There you go." She then informed.

"You are as threatening as a tiger." Hikage spoke up from the couch before licking her finger and flipping the page.

"Thank you!" Mirai proudly responded with a smile. Meanwhile, the sadistic Ryō wondered if she meant it or that was sarcasm. There were very few inflections in her voice.

"So uh, why do you keep all the guns under your skirt?" Ryōbi suddenly and awkwardly asked, recalling their fight as she then blushed at how the loli's gun came out.

"I mean, where else would I put them?" Mirai answered with a shrug.

Ryōbi blinked before opening her mouth. "Up-" She then started, however...

"Do not. Finish that." The loli growled.

"Looks like you two are getting along." Hikage noticed, barely looking away from her magazine.

"Hey, we're both flatties, so it was bound to happen." Ryōbi admitted.

"I thought Mirai-" Hikage began with a raised eyebrow.

"Only her Tenshin form." Mirai explained.

Hikqge simply sweatdropped. "Honestly, not surprised." She soon got out as she went back to her magazine.

The brunette meanwhile noticed what the greenette was reading before raising an eyebrow. "...you don't look like the type to be into fashion." Ryōbi confessed.

Hikage in turn rolled her eyes. "And you don't look like the type to be..." She began before stopping herself. "Dammit, if I call you anything insulting I'd just encourage it..." She soon grumbled in annoyance.

Ryōbi's curiosity got the best of her and glanced inside the magazine, seeing an ash blonde with pigtails posing in a bikini that really emphasized the chest. "Fuckin' bimbo..."She mumbled out in an obviously envious tone.

SHINK!

Hikage immediately put her knife out at the brunette's neck. "That's my friend you're insulting." She hissed out while narrowing her eyes.

"Do I look like I give a shit?" Ryōbi deadpanned. "Being friends with a model doesn't make you special." She then stated.

"Take it back." Hikage soon demanded.

"Ooh, I'm so scared." Ryōbi sarcastically responded. "I can't fight someone I've already beaten into the ground like the little bitch she is." She then remarked.

Mirai meanwhile sighed at this. "Why are you like this?" She soon asked.

"It's fun." Ryōbi simply answered.

"Well, let's have some fun then." Hikage growled.

"Bring it! I'll kick your ass all over again, snake bitch!" Ryōbi declared.

"Well, it has been 48 hours and you're already trying to kill each other." Imu spoke up as she entered the room. "Not so easy being the adult, is it?" She then remarked while adjusting her glasses.

"Shove it, Imu." Hikage and Ryōbi however demanded in a blunt manner at the same time.

"Seriously, don't you have anything better to do?" Mirai questioned with a glare.

"I do, I just like checking in on our current generation Elites." Imu responded in a serious tone.

"...So you have nothing better to do." Hikage simplified as the brunette and loli snorted in amusement.

"At least I'm productive." Imu grumbled. "Shouldn't you all be training?" She then questioned.

"I already sent some of the juniors to training." Hikage informed.

"That's not what I mean, dumbass." Imu sighed as the greenette rolled her eyes. "Where is Ryōna anyways?" She soon questioned.

"Oh, I found this dungeon underneath this place with talking dogs so..." Ryōbi casually revealed.

"Okay, this conversation is over." Hikage sighed as she turned the page of her magazine.

"Huh, this girl looks like a bitch." Ryōbi remarked as she looked at the auburn haired girl.

"Get your own damn magazine." Hikage grumbled.

The glasses-wearing girl swiped at the magazine, only for the greenette to move it out of the way without even tearing her eyes off the latest article. It was about pads. "How do you keep getting those?" Imu muttered with a twitching eye.

Hikage however smirked in response. "I got my sources." She vaguely answered.

"Sources, my ass! I subscribed to that magazine!" Imu called out before pausing. "...Have you been stealing my subscriptions!?" She soon accused.

"Since when are you into fashion?" Hikage however countered while flipping the page.

"I have my reasons!" Imu exclaimed, her face being completely scarlet.

"Horny." Ryōbi coughed out.

"SHUT UP!" Imu demanded as she almost prepared to bring out her staff, however...

"Everyone, stand down." A familiar voice ordered in a calm and collected manner.

In the doorway was their sensei, Suzune, decked out in her shinobi attire. However, they noticed the somewhat glazed look in her eyes and a slight slur to her speech. Subtle, but nothing a shinobi couldn't pick out.

"Welcome back, Suzune-sensei." The veteran Elites greeted in unison.

"Arf arf!" Poochie barked out.

"Do not bark too loudly." Suzune ordered, getting a salute in response from the puppy. "How was things while I was away?" She then questioned.

"Well, as you can see, I am in the middle of intimidation training." Mirai proudly answered.

"It was just me calling you a fucking bitch while you tried to find a decent comeback for an hour." Ryobi quietly stated with a sweatdrop.

"Recently finished training the underclassmen." Hikage simply informed.

"What were you teaching your juniors?" Suzune questioned.

"To control their body temperature by putting them in the freezer." Hikage answered.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

"H-Hello? H-Hikage-senpai! We've been here all n-n-n-night! I-Is our training complete yet? I really need to p-p-p-pee!" One of the first years called out.

"Th-The walls are closing in! I can see it! Oh God!" Another first year cried out in a rising panic.

"Um...why is there a dead body here!?" Yet another first year suddenly asked in a panic.

"..." All of the first years soon paled even more than they were thanks to the cold.

"EEEEEEEEEEEK!" They all soon screeched in fear as they rushed at the door.

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

"Is that why we're out of ice?" Ryōbi muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Hm, a classic training exercise." Suzune responded as she nodded in approval.

"I mean we're trained at Hebijo, cold blooded creatures." Hikage reminded.

"Says the snake girl." Ryōbi quipped.

"I will stab you." The snake-like girl threatened in a low tone.

"Wow, Mirai was more intimidating. Maybe you should work on that dead face." Ryōbi soon remarked.

"Enough!" Suzune snapped before turning to the flat-chested girl. "You, you are now a Hebijo shinobi. We will not tolerate such an attitude with your comrades. This is a warning, do not give such lip in front of me again." She then warned.

"Thank you, sensei." Hikage breathed in relief.

"And Hikage, I expected better from you." Suzune however reprimanded with a disappointed look on her face. "You should have better control of your returning emotions. Resorting to violence so quickly is a weakness you cannot have." She then instructed and advised.

"Yes sensei." Hikage responded with a nod. "It will not happen again." She then added.

"Uh, returning emotions?" Ryōbi repeated in confusion with a raised eyebrow.

"Long story." Mirai responded.

"Not really. I turned into a man for a bit, you had balloons for boobs, and now I can actually smile. End of story." Hikage explained with a shrug.

"That's...That doesn't explain-" Ryōbi began only to pause before raising an eyebrow. "...Balloon boobs?" She then repeated while looking at the loli.

"SHUT UP! I ALMOST FLOATED AWAY!" Mirai screamed.

"Naked." Hikage helpfully added.

"THAT IS NOT PART OF THE-" Mirai started, however.

"I said enough!" Suzune snapped. "Now calm down and update me on the current situation at Hebijo or you can cool off underwater...for 30 hours." She then ordered and warned.

"Okay, okay." Hikage sughed out. "Well...nothing much really. As you can see, we have a few new transfer students and Yomi is currently away. Not much to it." She then revealed.

"I see, Yomi went on her break while I was away." Suzune noted as she looked around.

"Yeah, she still has a few days before she comes back." Hikage replied and informed with a nod.

"And that should be the last of you guys to take a trip to Tokyo." Suzune stated the reminder.

"Save for Haruka since she's working to make sure she doesn't let loose another one of her experiments here in Hebijo." Hikage reminded in a blunt manner.

"You make it sound like Haruka-sama is in exile." Mirai noticed.

"In essence, she is." Suzune admitted.

"Wha?" Mirai got out.

"To be honest, the higher ups had enough of Haruka's insanity destroying the school so they decided to send her away." Suzune explained. "And to have Haruka learn some self-control. Or at least remain useful to us while staying as far away from here as possible." She then added.

"So...she's not coming back?" Mirai mumbled out.

"The term you're looking for is an indefinite mission term." Suzune answered. "She may come back depending on her actions. And from what I've been informed of by the principal, that will not be happening in the foreseeable future." She then revealed.

"...Is she under surveillance?" Hikage eventually questioned.

"We don't have the manpower right now, but she has not shown any reason not to distrust her yet." Suzune explained, causing the veteran Elites to mentally sigh in relief.

Hikage soon placed a hand on the loli's shoulder to keep her calm from her growing anger. "It's okay, this is a good thing." She soon whispered.

"It doesn't feel like it." the loli grumbled.

"I'm back~!" Ryōna happily called out as she entered the room.

"Ugh, you smell like dog food!" Ryobi gagged before stopping to think. "...You didn't eat dog food again, did you?" She soon asked.

"Hehehe~" Ryōna simply and happily giggled out...right before heading to the sink to puke her guts out. "Oh~ The stomach ache is nothing but exquisite~"

"..." Suzune stared blankly at the puking girl, her expression unreadable. There was a 20/30/50 chance she was thinking that the blonde was A) weird even by Hebijo's standards B) that she should probably train her to eat dog food without vomiting or C) nothing at all.

"Meet the second half of the transfer students." Mirai muttered in disgust and in a sarcastic manner.

"And...you two are..." Suzune began before narrowing her eyes at the twins.

"Newbies courtesy of Imu." Hikage simply explained. "Meet the twins, Ryōbi the sadist and Ryōna the masochist." She then introduced.

"We can introduce ourselves, snake fucker!" Ryobi growled.

"...What?" Suzune bluntly responded as she looked at the brunette with a deadpan expression.

"So you're Suzune-sensei." Ryōbi noted.

"And if you're here, that means you're an Elite candidate." Suzune soon stated. "All of you will have to work on your teamwork." She then instructed.

"Why? It's not like Haruka and Homura are being replaced." Hikage pointed out before frowning. "...They're not being replaced, right?" She then questioned.

"They aren't." Suzune responded. "However at any shinobi school, there has to be at least five Elites on campus and you have all been doing nothing but training and arguing. It's high time you all go on a mission together to work better in the field." She then reminded.

"Is it the Okumura Training Test? I've heard about it from the other transfers." Ryōbi questioned.

"We'll see." Suzune responded. "However, from tomorrow on, we will be going through some teamwork drills." She then ordered.

"Without Yomi?" Hikage soon asked.

"She will be caught up to speed when she returns." Suzune assured. "If you cannot work together, you will not make it in the world of shinobi. So learn to trust one another. We cannot afford to choose our allies." She then informed.

"Ugh, trust exercises?" Ryōbi scoffed. "What? Are we going to fall into each other's arms?" She then jokingly asked.

"Yes." Suzune bluntly answered. "...Off a cliff." She then added.

"...You guys really take these training sessions into the stratosphere, huh." The flat chested girl deadpanned with a sweatdrop.

"I suggest an exercise where you all take turns paddling me until my ass is raw and bleeding~" Ryōna soon declared in an overly excited manner.

"Oh good god..." Hikage, Mirai and Ryōbi sighed out in unison while palming their faces while the glasses wearing blonde blushed and adjusted her glasses.

"..." Suzune simply gave the masochist a flat stare. "...You need therapy." She bluntly stated.

"Hah! Good joke! I've been saying that for years!" Ryōbi laughed. "Heeeh...not like shinobi therapists exist anyways." She then grumbled.

"Therapy can't solve everything." Ryōna informed. "And people can only be helped if they want to be helped. And I do not." She then stated.

"..." This meanwhile got everyone else to become speechless as they then looked at the dual colored eyed blonde.

"D-Did she just say something that made sense?" Mirai soon asked in disbelief.

"Yup..." Hikage got out as she blinked a couple of times to process what was said.

"...I see." Suzune simply got out, her eyes widened a little. "Well, if that's all, I have some work to do." She soon got out as she began to leave, only for the greenette to stop her. "What is it now?" She then questioned.

"Suzune-sensei, just to let you know...someone tried to poison Homura-san yesterday." Hikage revealed in a more serious tone. "And the poison was able to affect her." She then added while narrowing her eyes.

Tha in turn got the teacher's attention, but she kept her cool. "...And?" Suzune soon responded.

"Someone is interfering with her mission." Hikage added.

"Then it is in her best interest to not make this happen." Suzune stated. "Now, here is the thing...why didn't Homura tell me this herself?" She then asked.

"The poison knocked her out?" Mirai responded.

"You were away?" Hikage reminded.

"She thought you might've been busy?" Mirai guessed.

"Might not help her?" Hikage soon suggested.

"Or did you not pick up when she called?" The loli then challenged a guess.

"..." Suzune soon blinked, saying nothing.

Hikage sniffed the air and knew what had happened. "Sensei, were you dr-" She then began to question, however...

"50 laps. Training Field 7. 20 minutes. Now." Suzune suddenly ordered.

"Wh-What!? It's not our fault you didn't do your job-" Mirai stammered out, stomping her foot on the wooden floorboards hard enough to cause them to crack.

"One hundred." The teacher quickly corrected, causing the greenette to cover the loli's mouth.

"Hai hai..." Hikage sighed out. "Come on Mirai, let's just get it over with." She then instructed. "And it's obvious she was." She then added before letting out a whistle. "Poochie." She called out.

"Arf!" Poochie barked as she jumped into her owner's cleavage before the two left for the training field.

"How does that cute little pupper like being in there? She's going to get covered in sweat." Ryōbi soon asked in concern with a sweatdrop.

"You two as well." Suzune ordered.

That got the flatter twin pissed. "What!? We didn't-" She began to scream, only to be flicked in the forehead. "Ow!" She yelped out.

"200." The teacher then added with a glare.

"Ooh, make it three hundred~!" Ryōna moaned with stars in her eyes.

"Ryōna!" Her twin sister exclaimed.

"Five hundred. One hour. Go." Suzune then commanded, making no more room for any more talk.

Ryōbi then proceeded to make several angry noises that vaguely sounded like swears before the twins headed off.

Suzune then let out a breath before turning to an amused-looking sandy blonde. "You've been quite quiet. What's the problem?" She soon stated and questioned.

The glasses wearing blonde soon sighed as the attention was focused on her. "Sensei...can I request my own trip to Tokyo in the near future?" Imu suddenly requested.

"Hm?" Suzune hummed with a raised eyebrow. However, she had a feeling she knew why this was brought up. "...You're worried about Miyabi, aren't you?" She assumed.

"I can't help it!" Imu replied, holding onto her chest in concern.

"Then call her. You didn't miss the age of the smartphone." Suzune then pointed out.

"She can just lie and say everything is fine or just ignore me..." Imu sighed. "Or...maybe she can't pick up at all because she's...she's..." She then started before she began to breathe heavily and sweat as way too many scenarios ran through her head.

The teacher sighed to see the girl like this. "Imu, your loyalty to Miyabi is commendable, but she is not a fragile flower in need of constant care." Suzune stated. She then internally winced when she saw the worried look on the girl's face. "However, I will put in that request for you if that makes you feel any better. Maybe on her birthday, that is coming up." She soon added.

"Thank you, sensei." Imu responded in a grateful manner.

"Maybe you should stop by Akihabara, it is a perfect place to pick up a gift." Suzune suggested.

"The otaku place? Miyabi isn't interested in that stuff. Why would I...?" Imu began to ask, only for her eyes to widen for a moment before narrowing them in annoyance. "Tch, she can rot in there for all I care. I bet no one would even know she's gone if she had the guts to leave." She then grumbled out.

"Jealousy and self worth seem to be your biggest flaws, Imu." Suzune soon stated while narrowing her eyes.

"You don't know anything about me." Imu countered while narrowing her eyes.

"...Fine. I am not your mother. Go down whatever path you may choose." Suzune sighed. Goddamn teenagers...

"...Did you actually forget to give Homura your number?" Imu eventually asked.

"No, I've called her before. And she called me. I've had no notifications...or at least I think there weren't any..." Suzune mumbled as she rubbed her forehead.

Imu raised an eyebrow before taking a sniff. "...You smell like alcohol." She noticed.

The purple haired woman however narrowed her eyes in response. "One hundred laps." Suzune immediately ordered.

"Hai, sensei." Imu instantly responded in a defeated tone, jogging over to the nearest training field.

Once alone, Rin sighed as she relaxed herself. "Be safe, Homura." She muttered before going off to release the first years in the freezer.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Sis, can you answer the door?" Homura requested as she was brushing some knots out of her hair, wincing a bit from tugging at some of them.

"They're late." Asuka grumbled as she headed to the door and unlocked it.

"Yo." Miyabi simply greeted.

"Good morning, Asuka-san." Yumi added with a wave.

"Get in." Asuka however ordered as she ushered the two shinobi inside.

This however surprised the two. "You're quite serious today." Miyabi noted with a raised eyebrow. This was a first for her.

"Someone tried to kill my Homu-neechan. They need to pay." Asuka reminded and declared with barely restrained fury. "Miyabi-chan, how exactly were you late? You live right next door?" She then questioned.

"Dry cleaning. What, don't you wash your clothes?" The white haired woman answered as she took a seat on the couch.

"Of course we do." Homura responded with a nod.

"Where's everyone else?" Yumi soon asked.

"They should already be out gathering information, or staying inside for the day. We can't let them be endangered." Asuka explained as she shut the door. "I told them to update either me or Akira-kun if they have anything useful. They just started so I'll give them an hour or so." She then revealed.

"Wow, I think this is the first time you've actually earned that Vice Leader title." Miyabi remarked.

"It is not a good time to be smart with me, Miyabi-chan." Asuka grumbled in a dead serious tone.

"Homura-san!" Yumi exclaimed as soon as she spotted the girl.

"Yumi-senpai?" Homura got out in a confused and surprised manner before being enveloped in a hug. "Sorry." She soon apologized while returning the hug.

"No, do not apologize." Yumi responded with a shake of her head. "I'm just glad you're okay. Why would I reprimand you for almost dying?" She added and questioned.

"Because I let myself get poisoned." Homura stated before sighing. "Some shinobi I am." She then added.

"You are an excellent shinobi, Homura-san." Yumi however praised in reassurance. "But even the best can be caught off guard." She soon informed.

"That doesn't really make me feel better but...thanks, senpai." Homura awkwardly responded before smiling softly

"You're welcome." Yumi breathed out.

Meanwhile, the white haired woman's eye twitched. "You call Yumi senpai, but not me?" Miyabi pointed out and questioned.

"It's because I have more respect for Yumi-senpai." Homura bluntly stated.

"Hey, we aren't here to talk like nothing is happening right now." Asuka interrupted in a serious tone. "We need to track down Homu-neechan's assassin and make them pay, so stop joking around and let's do this." She then ordered while holding her sister's arm in between her bust.

"Alright, alright." Homura got out in a comforting tone as they all sat down.

"But it's not like we have anything to go off of." Miyabi reminded. "I mean, do we have anything to go off of?" She then asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Not much." The tan skinned girl answered before putting her hand in her pocket. "But I have a feeling I know who it is." She then added.

"Hm?" The other three girls hummed out at the same time.

Homura then took out her phone and showed the others her screen. "Someone I knew who should be dead sent messages to me." She revealed.

"Komichi." Yumi read out.

"Komichi?" Miyabi repeated. "That name is a little familiar. Didn't he have a baby sister...?" She then muttered to herself while narrowing her eyes.

"Wait, isn't that guy the one who ruined your chance at becoming a Good Shinobi in the first place?" Asuka recalled.

"Yep." Homura replied, glaring at the message. "I got this text a while ago." She then revealed.

"AND YOU DIDN'T TELL US EARLIER!?" Asuka screamed.

"I...I didn't want you to worry..." Homura stammered out.

"Oh, thank you Homu-neechan! Thank you for saving me so much emotional turmoil then so I can be in emotional turmoil now!" Asuka sarcastically got out while slowly clapping before stopping upon seeing the uncomfortable looks her friends were giving her. "...I'm acting like I did in Kamoshida's Palace before Ann-chan got her Persona, isn't it?" She soon guessed, with her sister nodding in response.

"Eh?" Yumi got out in confusion while the white haired woman raised an eyebrow.

"I mean...I wasn't thinking about it then but..." Homura mumbled, looking rather ashamed. "Look, I just...I thought I could do this on my own. I just talked to Akira about it and then it just sort of...got pushed out of my head for a while. I mean, how can a dead person text me?" She then explained and pointed out.

"Should we take it at face value that it was Komichi?" Yumi questioned. "It was simply a text. That can easily be faked." She then pointed out.

"I don't know. The only people who would even know my phone number are you guys, the others, my team, my committee, and sensei." Homura responded, listing off the people she knew.

"Well, it can't be us." Yumi stated. "It would be a very cruel joke then." She then got out with a frown.

"It wouldn't be Suzune-sensei either. She's just...not the type." Homura added.

"Plus she's been away for a while." Miyabi added.

"...She was?" Homura awkwardly asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She never told you?" Miyabi questioned in confusion, only for the tan skinned girl to shake her head in response. "Well, it's not really important why she was away, she was away." She then stated.

Yumi however narrowed her eyes to this information. "When?" She soon questioned.

"Uhh...From the end of last month. She should be back though." Miyabi responded.

"Then we cannot rule out your sensei. The timing is too convenient." Yumi soon stated with a shake of her head.

"Well, that only leaves this committee you mentioned." Miyabi concluded.

"They're my subordinates at Shujin to enforce order." Homura stated with a frown.

"You don't have to explain the entire motive." Miyabi got out in annoyance.

"I mean they're just regular civilians." Homura simplified. "They wouldn't have access to poison that could affect Hebijo shinobis." She then stated.

"What makes you think that?" Miyabi then asked as she narrowed her eyes. "For all we know, one of them could be an undercover shinobi! What was your interview process?"

"...I...Me and Makoto just sort of accepted everyone..." Homura admitted as she rubbed the back of her neck. "But after clearing out the bad apples among the applicants." She then added.

"Bad apples?" Miyabi repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"The pervs and the power hungry." Homura responded.

"So...all they had to do was not screw up the interview and they were in. That's a vulnerability." Miyabi pointed out.

"If they wanted to kill me, they would've done it by now." Homura responded as she got out and went over to the desk drawer and opened it, taking out thirteen files. "Here, these are the files for the committee members." She then revealed

"Isn't that school property?" Asuka got out with a raised eyebrow.

"Makoto told me it was alright to have a copy of them." Homura revealed. "Just look at these and see if you can find a shinobi among them. If Komichi really is dead, it has to be someone from Hebijo then so you'd be able to recognise them." She then stated.

"Shinobi come and go, live or die at Hebijo. I can't recognise or remember every damn face in the school." Miyabi pointed out.

"Can you at least try?" Homura requested.

Miyabi nodded to this as she began looking through the files. "Some of your committee members are males, so we can rule them out as not possible." She soon stated.

"Unless they're a crossdresser." Asuka spoke up, getting the attention of the other girls. "What?" She innocently asked.

"I'm surprised you know that." Miyabi admitted.

"We've gone to school as boys as part of our training at Hanzō." Asuka explained before her eyes drifted down to her chest. "...I didn't do all that well." She then awkwardly revealed.

"Right, Hanzō Academy is a civilian school as well." Miyabi recalled with a nod before looking back to the files. "Alright back to this committee...no, I don't recognise any of them. But that doesn't refute that one of them could be a shinobi." She responded and informed.

"Hmm..." Yumi hummed as she studied everyone's faces. "Ah, I just remembered. I had my info network look into them."

"...I keep forgetting you have that." Homura soon confessed in shame.

The white haired woman's eye twitched to this reveal. "And I wasn't told this before why?" Miyabi questioned.

"This was before I met you all. I wanted to know everything about Shujin after the Kamoshida incident...including the Shujin Disciplinary Committee after it was formed." Yumi revealed.

"Well, what did you find out?" Homura pressed. She kind of wanted to know a little bit more about her committee members, including the ones she hadn't had the chance to hang out with yet.

"...It would be best if you ask them yourself." Yumi soon suggested.

This instantly caused the other to facefault. "YUMI!" The three exclaimed.

"To put it simply, however, they aren't shinobi." Yumi eventually revealed. "They are mostly normal civilians." She then added.

"...Mostly?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"You must ask them yourself." Yumi insisted. "I will not allow you to rely on information they themselves did not divulge if you wish to earn their loyalty." She then advised.

"Of course." Homura responded with a nod. "...But at least tell me their favorite food of at least one of them." She then requested.

"Ichiko Sakura likes caviar." Yumi simply replied.

"Okay, that's not happening any time soon." Homura grumbled.

"Getting off topic..." Asuka began to growl.

"My apologies." Homura and Yumi responded at the same time.

"So, are we ruling out the committee or not?" Asuka asked.

"We are." Homura answered with a nod. "That only leaves Suzune-sensei, but even that's a stretch..." She then mumbled.

"Agreed." Miyabi responded with a nod.

"Besides, I'm her favorite student." Homura and Miyabi then stated at the same time...only to blink and look at one another. "HUH!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE HER FAVORITE!?" They then questioned each other at the same time.

"Both of you, shut up or I'll lock you in the bathroom to work out your issues." Asuka sweetly threatened.

"S-Sis..." Homura awkwardly got out.

"That's a little extreme." Miyabi admitted.

"Well, I have to be. Because the more time we spend not stabbing that bitch in the throat, the more time she gets to kill Homu-nee." Asuka stated before turning to the white haired woman. "And you aren't exactly one to talk since you go to an Evil Shinobi Academy." She then added in a dark tone with an aura to match.

"Oh don't give me that after spouting that Good and Evil are the same shit." Miyabi grumbled, though was starting to get more curious towards the Vice Leader.

"...Should we ask what happened to Asuka-san in Kamoshida's Palace?" Yumi suddenly questioned in concern.

"I was angry and wanted to kill Kamoshida after Shiho-chan's suicide attempt and him trying to expell us, moving on." Asuka quickly answered. She was not having any unnecessary conversations today.

"Sis, it's leaking out." Homura however warned.

"I don't fucking care!" Asuka snapped before letting out a huff. "Now, back onto-" She then started, however...

SLAP!

Homura suddenly slapped her sister across the cheek, causing the other girls to wince at the action. "Calm down!" She soon ordered

"THAT HASN'T CALMED ME DOWN AT ALL! IT JUST HURTS!" Asuka exclaimed as she rubbed her cheek.

"Then stop acting bitchy again!" Homura ordered. "We will get him, but you need to clear your head!" She then declared.

"But we don't...but we..." Asuka panted before growing more and more tired. "I...I think I need coffee..." She soon mumbled out.

Miyabi meanwhile blinked at this interaction. "This is really awkward..." She muttered to herself. She had never seen the usually nice girl act like this. Although, given the situation she couldn't blame her.

Yumi meanwhile placed a hand on the Vice Leader's shoulder. "Asuka-san, take a rest. Did you sleep well last night?" She soon asked in concern.

"N-Not really..." Asuka responded.

"Sis..." Homura sighed out upon learning this.

"Then go to sleep. When we move out, I'll let you know." Yumi suggested as she patted the worried girl's head.

"Y-Yeah...I should sleep." Asuka mumbled with anod. "Only for a few minutes." She then muttered before closing her eyes.

Soon, Asuka laid her head down on her sister's lap before softly snoring.

"Never thought the granddaughter of the Legendary Hanzō would have a bit of a dark side to her." Miyabi confessed in an impressed and interested tone.

"We all have our shadows, Miyabi-san." Yumi muttered.

"Yeah, it's called our Personas. Controlled Shadows, remember?" Homura reminded with a shrug.

This however got the duo's attention as they looked at the tan skinned girl with widened eyes. "What? Th-This is the first I've heard of it!" Miyabi got out in shock.

"A-Agreed!" Yumi exclaimed

The tan skinned girl blinked in confusion to those responses before wincing in realization. "Oh, right. Mona only told us at the castle..." Homura mumbled. "Urgh, not important. Just...okay, I know Sis freaked out for a bit there but...she is right. I have no idea what we're going to do. It was definitely a shinobi from Hebijo, but that's it. I mean, they might have already gone back there!" She then got out with a shrug.

"Then let's go there." Yumi soon suggested. "Check the records, find suspects." She then added.

"Sneak in?" Homura assumed with a frown.

Miyabi however raised a hand to this. "Uh, ahem. Principal's daughter, bitches. No need for phantom thievery." She soon reminded with confidence.

"You seem to be adjusting to the time well, Miyabi-san." Yumi pointed out with a sweatdrop.

"What are you talking about?" The white haired woman got out.

"Nevermind." Yumi responded as she shook her head.

Homura however sighed as she shook her head. "I honestly don't think that would be a good idea." She soon confessed. "If I head back, they're just going to pester us about the shutdowns. If we try to avoid answering..." She then explained.

"Yoke technique." Miyabi groaned as she slapped her forehead. "Which won't work on you anymore, which will just make things worse." She then added. "Father, why allowed Dōgen to use that technique on us, I will never know..." She soon muttered in shame while palming her face.

"Still a disgusting thing to do..." Yumi muttered in anger before turning to the white haired woman. "It seems you're thinking more clearly now if you realize how despicable that technique is." She then stated.

"Well, if you accept everyone, it's likely that there will be a few that will betray the academy." Miyabi pointed out. "Insurance is never a bad thing." She then added.

"So you accept the technique." Yumi assumed.

"Oh hell no." Miyabi bluntly responded. "When I eventually take over Hebijo, I'll find a way to remove it like Homura did and just replace it with a surveillance technique." She then revealed.

"But that's the future. Right now, we cannot risk going to Hebijo." Yumi stated.

"Alright, Hebijo is a bust then." Homura concluded with a sigh. "Maybe I bumped into someone after leaving the forest...?" She soon suggested in a mutter.

"Had anything strange happen yesterday before you were poisoned?" Yumi soon questioned. "Try and recall anything Homura-san." She then instructed.

"I mean, most poisons are slow acting. It could've been anywhere..." Homura muttered as she closed her eyes, brushed her fingers through her sister's hair, and started replaying the day in her mind.

The light gray haired girl then noticed something on the palm of her student of Elegance's hand. "Homura-san, can you explain that band-aid?" Yumi soon questioned.

"There was a small puncture wound in the palm of my hand. The doctor at the clinic found it when she was checking me over. It's how I got poisoned." the tan skinned girl answered.

"Did someone shake your hand?" Miyabi had to ask.

"No. All I had in my hands yesterday was my wallet, my phone, a baseball bat..." Homura listed off.

"Baseball bat?" Yumi repeated in a curious manner.

"Akira and I went to the batting cages after training." Homura explained before blinking a couple of times. "Wait, batting cages..." She then repeated as she mentally rewinded back to that outing.

"Ohhh..." Miyabi got out, getting it.

"...Motherfu- They poisoned the goddamn bat!" Homura suddenly exclaimed as her eyes snapped open. "Why didn't I realize that yesterday!? Goddammit, we're heading to the batting cages in Yongen now!" She then declared.

"Hai." Yumi responded as she and Miyabi stood up. They then noticed that the tan skinned girl wasn't, still petting her roommate's head. "Asuka-san, wake up." She then got out as she shook the girl's shoulder.

"Huh? What's happening?" Asuka groaned and mumbled out.

"We got something." Miyabi revealed in a serious tone.

"!?" Asuka's expression soon darkened as she cracked her knuckles...loudly. "Let's go." She soon ordered as she got to her feet.

Nodding in agreement to this, the other three girls got to their feet as well and left the apartment.


(8/5, Daytime)

(Yongen-Jaya, Backstreets)

Meanwhile, the Leader and third year shinobi were out in the streets and...absolutely getting nowhere.

"Who in the world tried to poison Homura-san!?" Yomi exclaimed in anger over the phone.

"Someone who wants her dead." Haruka answered.

"That's pretty obvious, Haruka-san!" Yomi countered in annoyance.

"Look, that's the best answer any of us can give right now. I'm currently working on very little information here." Haruka explained. "I'm currently scouring the backstreets of Yongen to find any clues they may have left behind with Akira-kun before she arrives to try and find them herself." She then informed.

"Are you sure it's alright to get Akira-kun involved at all?" Yomi however asked in concern.

"I'll be fine, Yomi-chan." Akira assured. "I survived my first encounter with you girls when you kidnapped me." He then reminded.

"That's because we needed you alive. I doubt they'd require such a goal." Haruka then pointed out.

"I'll be fine. I'm never unarmed anyways." Akira revealed as he lifted up his shirt to reveal his knife. "It pays to be paranoid." He then added, cringing a little as he realized how many times he had to use the knife before.

"Hai." Haruka responded, knowing this was not a joking manner. "Now then, give us the details on what you and Homura-chan did yesterday." She soon requested.

"Well, we went to Shinjuku. Then to the forest to train, then headed to the batting center over there, and then she collapsed after we left. That's the gist of it." Akira responded, listing off the events of the day.

"...That's all?" Haruka and Yomi questioned at the same time.

"Yep." Akira confirmed with a nod.

"I'll go check the forest." Yomi got out. "...Wait, which forest? Give me coordinates." She soon asked.

"Latitude 35.6977°, Longitude 139.7725°." Akira informed.

"Got it. I'll go there right now. I'll call if I find anything." Yomi responded as she put on her shoes.

"Roger that. Good luck, Yomi-chan." Akira responded and encouraged. "But also be careful." He then instructed.

"I should be telling you that." Yomi replied before hanging up.

"You think she'll be able to find anything?" Haruka had to ask.

"Nope, but I'm not a shinobi. They could've left behind some evidence I can't even see." Akira answered.

It was right then that the Leader spotted the four shinobis that were also Phantom Thieves storming down the street as if they were marching towards battle which happened to be in their direction.

"Oh, Homura." Akira greeted.

"Hey Akira. Batting cages." Homura grunted out, walking past the two without even looking at them.

"Hi, Akira-kun! Bye, Akira-kun!" Asuka responded, waving at the Leader before heading upstairs to the batting cages.

"Uh, hi." Akira replied, a little too late as she watched the four head off. "Well, so much for finding something before she arrives." He muttered.

"Hm? When did Miyabi start hanging out with Homura-chan?" Haruka hummed out and asked. "And who was the other girl?" She then added.

"Um, civilians." Akira lied. "No need to worry about them."

"...What a cute roommate Homura-chan has." Haruka confessed with a grin.

"Everyone falls in love with Asuka eventually." Akira joked. "But...should we go and check out what they're doing?" He soon asked.

"I don't see why not. Let's go." Haruka agreed before heading towards the building.

The Leader nodded...before remembering the many, many secrets he'd rather not reveal to her. "Can't let Haruka-chan know they're shinobi..." Akira thought before looking at the not cat, who nodded silently.

Morgana soon sighed. "Guess I gotta take one for the team..." He muttered to himself as he approached the blonde.

"Ah, Morgana-kun got out of your bag." Haruka noticed as she crouched down.

"M-Meow~" Morgana awkwardly meowed out while rubbing against the girl's leg

"Aw..." Haruka cooed. "But I cannot let your cuteness distract me. Let me get you back into Akira-kun's bag, okay?" She then stated as she shook her head.

"Okay, violence it is." Morgana soon decided as he tried to pounce, however...

PLOP!

He accidentally landed in between the girl's bust head first, causing his back legs to squirm and his tail to wag like crazy. "REOW!" He mewled out in a panic. "HOW!?" He questioned with a scarlet blush.

"AH!" Haruka yelped as she watched the not cat flail around. "M-Morgana-kun!?" She got out in concern.

"I can't...breathe...!" Morgana exclaimed as he continued flailing. "How the hell did things end up this way!? Ryuji will never let me live this down if he hears about this!" He then questioned and declared while praying for forgiveness from the lovely ladies in his life.

"Moh! My shirt is too tight!" Haruka exclaimed, feeling the material strain as she tried to pull the collar open a little more. "...Maybe I shouldn't have used one of Akira-kun's clothes today. I'll apologize to him later."

"Wait this scent...this is one of Joker's shirts!" Morgana meanwhile realized as he continued flailing about.

Not wanting the cat to die, while not wanting to strip in the middle of the street, she ran to Leblanc for some privacy and to revive her darling's pet...not noticing that the boy himself was long gone.


(Batting Cages)

Asuka, Homura, and Yumi were all around the corner, waiting for Miyabi to finish scouting the place out and taking note of exits. The place was pretty small, so she came back to report in only a few minutes.

"Okay, I don't see a girl at the front desk. Just some middle-aged guy." Miyabi informed.

"That means if she's in, she doesn't have a chance to escape." Asuka got out with a fist pump.

"Remember, don't confront them unless they make the first move." Yumi whispered. "So no Cobra Kai mindset of striking first. We are gathering information." She then ordered the white haired woman.

"Huh?" Miyabi got out in confusion.

"...The American movie Karate Kid, the dojo called Cobra Kai's motto is strike first, strike hard, no mercy." Yumi explained. "Really? You never-" She began.

"My family and Imu's were very secluded." Miyabi responded.

"I haven't watched Karate Kid either." Asuka admitted. "I think Katsu-nee has." She then informed.

"Oh that's-"

"The 2010 version." The Vice Leader quickly added.

"...We'll have a classic movie night sometime after this situation is over." Yumi soon decided.

"No slasher movies please." Asuka eventually requested.

"Aw, but those are hilarious with how cheesy they are." Miyabi remarked in disappointment.

"Can we please get back to hunting down my fucking assassin!?" Homura growled. "We can't have a movie night if one of us is dead." She then reminded.

"Which is why I said after this situation is over." Yumi sighed out.

"Well, this isn't exactly the appropriate time to be discussing old movies." Homura grumbled as she went and approached the receptionist, sighing in relief as she recognized him from yesterday.

"Hm?" The Middle-Age Receptionist hummed as he thought about it. "Oh, the little slugger from last time." He realized. "Yeah, you seemed off last time. Kinda like Casey at the Bat." He then pointed out.

"Huh? Casey?" Homura responded and repeated in confusion.

"Ah, you kids are too young for that story. Anyways, what do you need? Four bats?" The receptionist responded and asked.

"Erm, no." Homura got out with a small wince. "I met someone, a girl around our age that was working here. Is she in?" She soon questioned.

"Uh, they quit." The Middle-Aged Receptionist answered.

SLAM!

"What do you mean they quit!?" Homura exclaimed.

"...Exactly as I said?" The receptionist answered with a raised eyebrow. "She quit this morning, actually. It's a shame, she's been working here for a good few months actually." He then lamented.

The shinobi looked at each other once they heard that. That might be a lead. "...Since when?" Miyabi asked.

"Uh...Around April or May, actually..." The man informed.

"That's around the time I left for Tokyo..." Homura whispered.

"What was her name?" Yumi spoke up as she stepped forward.

"Komichi." The receptionist replied. "Strange name for a girl if you ask me." He then remarked.

"Fucker..." Homura muttered under her breath.

"Why are you asking for her?" The receptionist soon asked.

"We just wanted to know. Thank you for your time." Asuka replied before politely bowing down.

"Alright, well if you wanna hit some balls, you know where to go." The receptionist responded and informed.

"Hai." Homura replied with a nod as the group left.

"Well, that sucks." Miyabi grumbled in frustration.

"She isn't here." Asuka mumbled.

"She probably thought she had you and escaped." Yumi deducted while narrowing her eyes.

"Hmm..." Homura hummed out. "Only I should be in Tokyo given how dangerous the shutdowns are. There are no missions here until everything is resolved." She then added as they happened to arrive near Leblanc

"Except for Haruka who was stealing Dr. Takemi's medicine." Miyabi reminded. "And me."

"She's the exception." Homura corrected.

At that moment...

"REOW!" A familiar not cat mewled out in a panic.

"M-Morgana-kun, calm down and I'll get you out of my bust right away!" Haruka loudly exclaimed, causing the four to hear her and facefault as a result.

"M-Morgana-chan..." Asuka awkwardly got out with a pink blush on her face.

"How loud is she?" Yumi questioned, a blush growing on her face.

"Thin walls, I guess..." Homura mumbled with a sweatdrop. "Anyways, the only ones who should be here are us three." She then stated.

"So you think she came here out of her own volition?" Yumi guessed.

"People have done crazier things for revenge." Miyabi pointed out. "Going renegade is pretty tame in comparison." She then added.

"Hmm..." Homura hummed to herself before pulling out her phone. "Give me a sec." She then requested as she stepped outside.

If there was one person she could trust, it would be...

"Hello? Suzune-sensei?" Homura got out.

"Code."

"The Good accepts few. Evil accepts all." The tan skinned girl recited as she rolled her eyes.

"Go ahead." Suzune replied.

"Hebijo really makes them do that every time?" Asuka and Yumi quietly whispered with sweatdrops.

"There has to be a better way to do this." Homura couldn't help but think. "Hey, Suzune-sensei. Are you back at the academy?" She soon got out.

"Grading some papers right now." The teacher answered, right before taking a swig of...something. "What do you want?"

"Well...I seem to have encountered a traitor to the school." Homura informed, hoping to god that she didn't find out that she was among them. "I don't know who they are though. Can you give me a list of students who have gone AWOL?" She then admitted and requested.

"Homura, that's a lot more paperwork. It will take me a few days for me to get approval." Suzune informed in a serious tone. "If I get approval that is. We cannot let it fall into the hands of renegade shinobi. They could use it to gather allies, and there are quite a few powerful renegades out there." She then stated.

"So that's a no..." Homura sighed.

"That's only for a physical copy." The teacher however pointed out. "I have a digital copy I can send you. It is a little outdated."

"By how much?" Homura however questioned while narrowing her eyes.

"A few months before you were sent on your mission." Suzune answered.

"That's okay. Send it." Homura got out.

"Give me a moment." Suzune responded before the tan skinned girl heard some typing.

BZZT!

Only a second later, Homura received a PDF on her phone. "Got it. Thank you, sensei." She soon informed and added.

"No problem. Call me whenever you need help. I'll do anything to ensure your safety." Suzune assured.

"I'll keep that in mind. Bye." Homura replied before hanging up.

"...She seems nice." Asuka soon admitted.

"GAH!" Homura yelped out as she jumped away a bit from her sister and the others. "Don't sneak up on me like that Sis!" She exclaimed.

"We're ninjas." Her step sister reminded.

"Okay, what did you get from Suzune-sensei?" Miyabi soon asked, getting straight to the point.

"A list of traitors of the academy." Homura revealed.

"Ah...let's see..." Miyabi muttered as the tan skinned girl opened the file. "Confirmed dead, confirmed dead, confirmed dead, still missing...ooh, currently in prison..." She began muttering.

"You really shouldn't be reading this in public..." Yumi pointed out with a sweatdrop.

"Erm, right...uh..." Homura got out as she looked around for a place to hide.

"No one uses the laundromat at this time." Asuka suggested.

"Good idea. It's right by the bath house, right?" Homura responded.

"Yep. Let's go." Her roommate replied with a nod before the group headed off, not noticing their Leader following right behind them.


(Yongen-Jaya, Laundromat)

"Dead, dead, drawn and quartered, still missing, dead, missing, missing, comatose, dead, missing, currently a dog..." Homura read out as she scrolled through the list.

"Wait what?" Asuka got out in confusion to that last one.

"Is there any more?" Yumi pressed while sitting down on one of the inactive machines.

"Nope. That was the last one." Homura answered. "Poor Danuja..."

"It's too outdated. We need something more recent..." Miyabi sighed.

"Well, that was a bust." Homura groaned out. "Damn, we aren't any closer to finding her." She then added in frustration.

"Any word from anyone else?" Asuka soon asked.

"Let's see..." Yumi responded as they all took out their phones.

[Negative8Degrees: Has anyone found information on our assassin?]

[TheWildJ0ker: Nothing for me so far.]

[Road2Queen: No. Sorry. I've been working with Ann on this and so far no luck.]

[Shut7heFUp: It's not like we had anything to start with.]

[All4Painting: Do you have a description?]

[FireGirl20: ...Hold on...]

That got the shinobi to turn to the tan skinned girl, who was both smiling and facepalming for not thinking of this earlier. Maybe that poison was affecting her brain. "Hm, what do you-" Miyabu began, however...

Homura then blurred, suddenly having a photo in her hand. "Hah! ID photo! You forgot to get rid of it, huh Komichi-teme!" She cheered with a vengeful fire in her eyes. "Huh, she looks...kinda familiar but I think she's wearing a wig." She then informed.

"Send it to the group chat." Yumi instructed as the tan skinned girl nodded before taking a photo and uploading it to the chat. "There, that should make things easier. I'll send this photo to my info network as well." She then added.

"Alright, we finally have a lead!" Asuka got out with a fist pump.

"Let's wait a few hours and then let's meet back up at the old hideout." Miyabi suggested, with everyone nodding in agreement as they left the laundromat.

"Good work." Akira spoke up as he put away his phone.

"Thank you, Akira-kun." Asuka happily replied...right before it hit everyone. "...Akira-kun!?" She got out in shock.

"Wait, you were here the whole time!?" Homura exclaimed.

"You literally just said hi to me about three minutes ago." Akira deadpanned.

"Well, it was more like a grunt." Yumi muttered.

"Sorry for not making myself known." Akira soon apologized. "Let me make it up to you guys. Where do you want to go to eat?" He then offered and asked.

"You're going to pay for all our meals?" Yumi got out with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean, I'm still good until the next trip to Mementos." The Leader answered with a shrug.

"You still haven't explained what that is yet." Miyabi reminded.

"Later. For now, I want ice-cream." Asuka breathed out as they headed for the train station.

"Salad for me." Homura sighed out, getting the others to look at her in a surprised manner. "...What?" She soon asked.

"Homura, please enjoy yourself." Yumi requested.

Homura however just pouted to that as the group as a whole headed out.

(8/5, Afternoon)

(Shibuya, Central Street)

"Mochi, mochi, mochi, mochi ice cream~" Asuka happily sang as she licked her frozen treat.

"Huh, that sounds like that one dango song." Akira remarked as he took a bite of his chocolate ice cream. "And you don't look like you're-" He then started.

"Shut it, Akira." Homura deadpanned as she walked up to the two with the info broker at her side.

"Homura-san, there is no need for that." Yumi however chided as she licked her vanilla cone. "I have seen Asuka lick ice cream before. He would not be lying." She then added.

"Moh..." Asuka moaned in sadness, drooping down a little.

"Meat with a salad." Yumi noted in approval of the tan skinned girl's meal. "Where did you get that?" She soon asked in a curious tone.

"Vending machine." Homura casually answered before shaking the tupperware container. "How's your ice cream?" She then asked.

"Wonderfuuu..." Yumi began, only to trail off as she spotted the white haired woman and her...mountain. "...What is that?"

"Everything." Miyabi answered with a happy smile. "I haven't had ice cream in years, so I may as well live a little." She then revealed and explained.

"And that would be..." Asuka pressed.

"Three years old." Miyabi answered.

"Ah." Yumi got out in understanding. "...You poor girl." She then added in a sympathetic tone.

"It's not that big of a deal." Miyabi responded with a shrug. "But if father isn't here..." She then started before smirking and taking a lick, causing her to sigh in satisfaction. "Oooh~ That's the good stuff." She soon confessed.

"You're not worried about getting a brain freeze?" Homura asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Only if I take a huge chunk out of it in one bite." Miyabi answered with a shrug. "Did you actually get a salad just because you're weak to ice?" She then asked.

"Nah, I just wanted a salad this time." Homura replied as she shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, right, here's the change." She then remembered as she handed some money to the glasses-wearing boy.

The Leader blinked at the five notes he was left with. "Hey, remember when I said I should be good until our next trip to Mementos?" Akira spoke up as he rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "...Yeah, that needs to be pushed up a little..." He then informed.

"Are you sure we shouldn't wait till Futaba-san wakes up so we can get her used to it as well?" Yumi however pointed out.

"I am planning on it." Akira replied. "Just need to budget a little more in the coming days." He then added.

"Well, we aren't going into another Palace anytime soon." Yumi reminded. "What good is improving society when there's no society left?" She then pointed out.

"Why are you expecting a total riot and anarchy?" Miyabi however questioned.

"I am not. I am just being cautious." Yumi responded. "We do not truly know the extent of Medjed's power." She then reminded in a more serious tone.

"Meh. It's probably just some guy who thinks they're better than us. Nothing more." Miyabi got out with a shrug. "I mean, a coordinated attack like that would be a nightmare to organize." She then added.

"What about the Lost Decade? Practically everyone in Japan was filthy rich until the BOJ hiked up interest rates." Yumi soon pointed out and reminded.

"You're talking about a corporate screw-up. Medjed is a bunch of assholes from all over the world who only call each other by names ending in 69." Miyabi responded before sighing. "Honestly, I don't want to talk more about this." She then admitted.

"It's not like our current situation is any better..." Akira spoke up, eating the last of his ice cream. "What is some possible good news to look forward to?" He then asked.

"Uh..." Homura got out, her eyes drifting to the side.

"Other than my birthday? Nope, nothing." Miyabi muttered, holding her chin in thought.

"Oh? When is that?" Asuka soon asked.

"The 15th." The white haired woman casually informed.

"The fif...that's only ten days away!" Asuka exclaimed.

"Your birthday is coming soon Miyabi-san?" Yumi got out in a curious manner.

"You're turning 22?" Akira spoke up.

"Can you not remind me of the age part? And I'm turning 21." Miyabi sighed out, cringing at the reminder. "Besides, I barely care about my birthday. Just some cake, an extra hour on my break and it's back to training." She then revealed.

"Well that sucks." Akira admitted.

"A birthday is not a break, Akira." Miyabi stated with a frown.

Asuka however became motionless to hearing that...before a gleam came to her eyes.

"You are not planning a surprise party." Miyabi deadpanned.

Immediately, the Vice Leader blushed. "I-I was not thinking that!" Asuka responded.

"I will punch the first person I see in the throat if I even hear one of those...blowy things." Miyabi warned before slowly gaining a confused look on her face. "The-The thing you blow into...what the hell are they called again?" She then mumbled.

"At least let me get you a gift!" Asuka offered.

"What do you think I'd like?" The white haired woman questioned.

It took the Vice Leader exactly 15 seconds to find her answer. "...Wine?" Asuka guessed. The unamused stare from the white haired woman told her that maybe she got that wrong.

"Man, you're a party pooper, Miyabi." Homura bluntly remarked.

"I just don't care about it anymore. There's nothing all that poopy about it." Miyabi muttered with a shrug.

"Anymore?" Akira repeated with a raised eyebrow. "...Oh..." He then realized.

"See, Leader gets it." Miyabi responded.

"This conversation isn't over, Miyabi-chan. Yumi-chan, back me up." Asuka responded and requested.

"Well...if not a surprise party, why don't we use the opportunity to all hang out in a group?" Yumi soon suggested. "You haven't participated in an outing yet, is that correct?" She then questioned.

"Guys, if anything I'd like to spend my birthday quietly." Miyabi confessed with a sigh. "...But I wouldn't mind if you'd bring food. It'd be an excuse to clean my place up a bit." She then added.

"Great! What's your favorite food?" Asuka soon asked.

"...Egg and Chicken Rice Bowl." Miyabi answered, looking a little excited.

"That's easy to make!" Asuka happily got out. "Hm, maybe I should go grocery shopping..." She then mumbled.

"Oh! Do you mind if I come with? I really need to do that." Yumi spoke up and requested.

"Sure." Asuka replied with a nod. "Miyabi-chan?"

"...Well, if I'm gonna stay here for a while, I need to stop eating food from the convenience store..." Miyabi sighed out, though seemed to be oddly hesitant. "Let's go." She then decided.

"Woo!" Asuka happily cheered. "Homu-neechan? Akira-kun? Are you coming too?" She then asked.

"Uh...I think we have something important to discuss. We put it off for a bit too long." Akira replied as he turned to the tan skinned girl.

"Yeah. I'll meet you at home, Sis." Homura added and informed.

"Hai." Asuka replied with a nod before taking the other girl's hands. "Come on Yumi-chan, Miyabi-chan!" She then got out before dragging the two off.

"W-Whoa! Hey!" Miyabi got out in a surprised manner.

"Ok ok, we're coming, Asuka-san." Yumi giggled as she followed behind them.

The two remaining soon nodded to one another as the tan skinned girl made a hand sign. "Shinobi Kekkai!" Homura declared, the two vanishing in an instant.

(Homura's Shinobi Kekkai)

"Okay, back to business." Homura breathed out.

"So, what evidence do we have?" Akira asked.

"Well, they're a Hebijo shinobi who left the academy for revenge after I left for my mission. They got a job at the batting cages in Yongen to support themselves. Since then they've been planning to take me down, first by impersonating Komichi and then just poisoning me directly." Homura informed, crossing her arms under her breasts.

"How would they know about Komichi?" Akira soon questioned with a frown.

"...Yeah, that's a good point." Homura muttered. "I don't think I've ever mentioned it to anyone until I came here..." She then added.

"So it has to be someone close to you." Akira guessed.

"...Or someone who already knows what happened..." Homura added. However she then shook her head. "But...there was no one there! We were alone!" She then reminded in frustration.

"...But how did they know you killed Komichi in the first place?" Akira then questioned.

WHOOSH!

And that was when the enemy decided to reveal themselves by landing behind the Leader and holding him hostage.

"Ack!" Akira choked as his back pressed against their chest. "Yep, definitely a shinobi." He thought.

"Akira!" Homura exclaimed, quickly changing into her militaristic-like Shinobi Tenshin and summoning her katanas. "Let him go, you bastard!" She growled as she went into a battle stance.

The shadowy figure instantly stopped her by placing a kunai against the boy's neck. "Move, and he dies." A distorted voice threatened.

"A voice modifier." Akira noted while narrowing his eyes. "Easy there. No one has to get hurt." The Leader then got out, trying to deescalate the situation.

"Shut up. You don't get to speak." The assassin growled.

"How the hell did you get in here? No one can enter a Kekkai without dying!" Homura called out.

"My hatred for you is more powerful than a simple barrier." The intruder simply replied, attempting to hide the pain underneath her mask.

"So you're the one that poisoned me." Homura got out.

"Maybe once or twice. I am nothing but a proxy. A tool." The assassin explained before glaring at the tan skinned girl. "A ghost from your past." She then vaguely added.

"...Komichi..." Homura shivered, memories of that man beginning to resurface. However, it allowed to realize something about her assassin. "No...you're not him. You're too short." She soon stated before narrowing her eyes. "Are you posing at that bastard just to fuck with me?" She then accused.

"You finally figured it out. Good for you, have a cyanide pill." The assassin responded in amusement. "You have betrayed everything Hebijo stands for, Homura. Dōgen-sama is very much aware of that."

"Dōgen?" Akira quietly repeated. "The Hebijo investor?" He thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes.

"If he knows, why haven't you killed me yet? Actually, why hasn't he killed me yet?" Homura pressed as the two began to circle around each other, with Akira assembling a plan between them.

"Because that is my reward." The assassin answered. "Dōgen-sama has promised me your head. I just need to bring you in dead or alive." She then explained.

"For what reason!?" Homura called out.

"Do not question your superiors." The assassin responded while pushing the kunai closer to the Leader's neck.

"No one is my superior." Homura growled. "Now let him go. It's me you're after." She then demanded.

"Why would I?" The assassin questioned, hiding a sick smirk under her mask. "It's obvious you care a lot about him. Maybe you'll give up if I..." She then began.

"Don't. You dare. Hurt him." Homura soon threatened as wisps of flames began to form around her.

"Both of you, calm down. Maybe we can work something out." Akira offered.

"I said shut up!" The intruder shouted out.

Akira took a deep breath.

It was now or never.

The Leader swiftly took out the dagger from under his shirt and stabbed the imposter in the thigh. "AAAHHH! YOU BASTARD!" She screamed in pain.

Akira didn't let up as he twisted the knife before pulling it out, then spinning around to backhand the assassin away. "HOMURA!" He called out.

"DIE!" The tan skinned girl screamed as she appeared in front of the assassin while the Leader rolled out of the way.

"FREEZE!" The assassin cried out, attempting to stop the tan skinned girl in her tracks. However, she dodged without much effort. "Dammit. SHINOBI TENSHIN!" With that, the imposter transformed; wearing a blue scarf with flowers on it, a white top that barely covered anything with long baggy sleeves, black short shorts, a brown belt with a pouch and finally a mask of a rabbit covering the upper half of her face.

"An Anointed Shinobi..." Homura muttered. "Rabbit." She then added.

"Appropriate, don't you think?" The Rabbit got out, smirking. "A snake like you preying on such innocent creatures." She then added.

"You're the one attacking me." Homura deadpanned.

"Well, it's about time the prey becomes the predator." The assassin declared as she summoned two large kukri into her hands.

"With no underwear apparently." Akira couldn't help but remark.

"Tch. Are you really willing to have a fight like this? I've mowed down hundreds like you before." Homura stated.

"I've been training with Dōgen-sama. I'm no ordinary Anointed Shinobi." the Rabbit replied.

"That's what they all say before they're stripped down to their birthday suit." Homura got out as she rolled her eyes. "You could've been a Goat, you know. They're actually a bitch to take down." She then remarked.

"You're a bitch." The Rabbit soon insulted.

"Wow, great comeback." Homura countered while rolling her eyes.

"Why are you telling us who sent you?" Akira soon questioned while narrowing his eyes.

"Because I know you'll do everything in your power to find him." The Rabbit answered. "Anger will lead to desperation, desperation will lead to mistakes, and mistakes will lead to death." She soon stated.

"...Then why tell us that?" Akira then questioned once more.

The imposter blinked. "...Oh. Shit. Well, whatever Dōgen-sama doesn't know..." She grumbled, losing all sense of being a threat. "SMOKE BOMB!" She suddenly declared.

POOF!

*cough cough* "Getting smoke bombed two days in a row. That isn't good for my lungs." Akira coughed as he waved the smoke away, only to see that the imposter was missing.

"Dammit, that fucking Komichi imposter got away!" Homura growled in frustration as she stabbed her katanas into the ground. "Dōgen...Dōgen...Fucking piece of shit doesn't even have the balls to kill me himself..." She then added in frustration.

"Homura, remember what she stupidly said." Akira warned as he watched the girl fall deeper and deeper into darkness.

"Kill...Kill...Kill...Kill...!" Homura chanted, gritting her teeth and growling like an animal.

"Homura!" Akira shouted out, getting the girl's attention.

"This asshole is mine!" Homura snapped, her eyes flashing a dark crimson. "Get out of my way, Akira." She then demanded.

"I'm not letting you do this alone." Akira asserted as he stood his ground.

"Why!?" Homura yelled out.

"Because you're an important friend to me." Akira revealed. "And I'm not going to let you do this alone. I won't stand by to watch you die and that's final!" He soon demanded.

Homura in turn groaned at this demand. "Akira..." She got out. "Fine. But I got the last blow." She then stated.

Akira merely nodded in agreement. "By all means, rip his balls off and show it to him. Now where can we find this jerk?" He soon asked.

"I...I don't know..." Homura sighed. "Urgh, why didn't I tie them up and make 'em tell me where the location is?" She then grumbled.

"Hey, remember what they said." Akira got out. "They're probably reporting to the bastard physically, or at least have a secure line of communication." He then deducted.

"...You're thinking he's in Tokyo." Homura deducted.

"If he's not, we'll make him come." Akira responded.

"...Okay. That sounds like a plan." Homura eventually responded with a nod. "Whoever this assassin is doesn't matter anymore. Dōgen is our target now. She is simply a means to an end." She then stated.

"Are you still going to try and kill her?" Akira soon asked.

"It depends on how she cooperates." Homura answered, not wanting to divulge her plans for her. "Either way, Dōgen is a dead man." She then declared.

Akira frowned. While the idea of killing someone didn't sit well in his mind, he knew there were just some people that would be better off dead. No matter what happens, he would support the tan skinned girl all the way.

But maybe he could reduce the amount of blood spilled on the way...

SHATTER!

RANK UP!

Unlocked Protect!

Chance to shield Joker from an otherwise fatal attack.

"I'm getting the feeling I'm gonna have to fight shinobi the next time we see each other..." Akira thought as he closed his eyes. "I better make sure I'm prepared before we start our hunt." He then decided.

"While we're here...wanna get some training in?" Homura soon offered.

"I thought you'd never ask." Akira got out, cracking his knuckles before going into a battle stance.

Meanwhile, Homura held out her hand. "Akira..." She started in a serious tone.

"...Damn, fine." Akira grumbled as he handed her the rest of the money he used for lunch today.

Although it didn't end in painful screams of agony, Akira felt his stamina and mental capacity to increase.

Homura meanwhile felt as though her Understanding greatly improved as a result.

After a rest, Homura brought down the Kekkai before the two went their separate ways.


(Fast Forward)

"I see. So this assassin has been working under this Dōgen character." Sae muttered. "But why does he want to kill your teammate?" She then asked.

"I'm getting to that." Akira assured as he continued his story.

However...maybe he hadn't been entirely honest with his retelling...

(Rewind)


"This asshole is mine!" Homura growled out. "Get out of my way, Akira." She then demanded.

"I'm not letting you do this alone." Akira asserted as he stood his ground.

"Why!?" Homura yelled out.

"Because...I love you..." Akira confessed before trailing off as he realised just how stupid his answer was.

Oh, that was gonna earn him a punch to the gut.

WHAM!

Homura's immediate response was a punch to the gut. "Liar." She bluntly responded.

Akira meanwhile winced in slight pain, but still shook his head. "I'm telling...the truth..." He confessed once more.

This however caused the tan skinned girl to glare at the boy. "LIAR!" Homura shouted out, tears running down her face. "You're just saying that to stop me, aren't you!?" She soon accused.

Akira knew this was his only chance to back down. To stop and let her believe he was lying.

But he wasn't backing down. Not by a long shot.

Getting back to his feet, he then placed both hands on the girl's shoulders. "Beat me! Hurt me! I don't care! If that is what it takes to convince you that I love you, bring it on Homura!" Akira declared in a completely serious tone.

"Why me then out of all the other girls!? Why did you choose me out of all the people!?" Homura demanded. "What? Do you feel sorry for me or something!?" She then accused.

"No! I would never!" Akira got out, sounding almost offended by the idea. "I would never say something like that if I didn't back it up." He then added.

"Then put your money where your mouth is." Homura responded, inching her face so close their noses were touching. "Why. The fuck. Do you love me?" She soon growled in a demanding tone.

Akira knew he had to choose his next few words right, or the next few seconds were going to be very painful. And not just emotionally.

"...You're stubborn. You're overprotective. You can be the hardest person to talk to on any given day because there's always something you find wrong." Akira confessed, enduring the hardening glare of his soon-to-be ex-friend/girlfriend. "But...you're also so passionate. You push yourself to do things no one asks of you to do. And despite everything you've been through, despite all the mistakes you've made...here you are...with me, with the Phantom Thieves...you haven't given up on making this world better." He then declared and explained.

"Heh...that sounds like you're describing yourself." Homura dryly remarked in a joking manner.

"Hm?" Akira hummed out in confusion.

"You are...an idiot. You can't keep your mouth shut when you don't need it. You're so...brash and arrogant in the Metaverse, that I'm surprised you haven't been killed yet." Homura stated before closing her eyes and letting out a breath. "But...you're also a great Leader, a great friend who would even...even follow me into Hell just because I was heading there. Most people would've given up...even I gave up and look where it got me before all this shit. Dammit, don't you even care if you live?" She then questioned in a worried tone.

"...I don't exactly have a bright future ahead." Akira mumbled.

"And you think dating a shinobi will make it better?" The tan skinned girl guessed, sounding somewhat...amused.

"No..." Akira answered in a quiet tone. "But...I'd at least enjoy the ride a little more..." He then added.

"...You know that last time I fell in love, the fucker killed himself and destroyed everything I had." Homura mumbled, leaning against a tree and crossing her arms.

"I know...but..." Akira tried to reason before sighing and shaking his head. "Forget it. Let's just act like this didn't happen." He decided as he began to leave.

Homura looked down at the ground for a second before running up to him and grabbing his hand. "...No, wait." She began. "I...I'm not saying...I overreacted, so...ah, dammit, why can't I speak...?" She then got out, stumbling over her words.

"Homura, take your time." Akira advised in a gentle manner.

"This is just...This is a lot to take in..." Homura admitted. "And why, out of all moments, decide this would be the best time?" She then had to ask.

"I say stupid stuff when I'm around attractive and pretty girls." Akira admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"B-Baka..." Homura meekly mumbled out. "Let's...Let's just take care of Dōgen and that Komichi imposter before I decide anything, okay? We can't let them get away with this and I don't want this to distract you." She soon requested.

"Way ahead of you." Akira let out a soft chuckle. "But regardless of what you say afterwards...you'll always be my friend." He then reassured.

"...Thanks. You are too." Homura quietly got out with a smile, which the Leader returned. And that was everything they needed to say to each other.

SHATTER!

RANK UP!

Unlocked Protect!

Chance to shield Joker from an otherwise fatal attack.

"I'm getting the feeling I'm gonna have to fight shinobi the next time we see each other..." Akira thought as he closed his eyes. "I better make sure I'm prepared before we start our hunt. I can't let that imposter hurt her again." He then decided.

"Hey...while we're here...wanna get some training in?" Homura soon offered.

"I thought you'd never ask." Akira got out, cracking his knuckles before going into a battle stance.

Although it didn't end in painful screams of agony, Akira felt his stamina and mental capacity to increase.

Homura meanwhile felt as though her Understanding greatly improved as a result.

After a rest, Homura brought down the Kekkai and, after some awkwardly fumbling, said goodbye before the two went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, in the real world, the assassin limped into a nearby alleyway and took off her mask just as her voice modifier ran out of power. "D-Dammit...not again...why do I keep failing...?" She panted out as she transformed back into her civilian clothes.

She knew entering Homura's Shinobi Kekkai was a risky move, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. She knew she could survive entering the Kekkai, but she wasn't quite sure about exiting. Still, she had done something not many shinobi could claim.

But then that civilian asshole managed to get a lucky hit on her, and it was all downhill from there.

"Damn that bastard, I can't believe he stabbed me..." She then growled out before grabbing her medkit to treat the wound.

She was in no state to fight, she'd need to rest her body before she tried again.

It was going to be a long way home, and she'd need to pool all her resources, but in the end it was going to be worth it.

She'd get her revenge soon.

No matter the cost.


(8/5, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Homura let out a breath as she arrived back at the apartment. Today had been a rollercoaster and she had just gotten off it, somewhat dazed yet determined to ride again if it meant achieving her goals.

...Yeah, let's go with that.

"I'm back." Homura groaned out as she unlocked the door and headed inside.

"Hi, Homu-neechan!" Asuka called out. "Dinner will be ready soon." She then informed.

"Thanks." Homura responded. "You guys are still here?" She soon asked.

"Just a little rest before I head home." Yumi responded as she sipped on some tea.

"You were gone longer than expected though." Miyabi pointed out. "Did something happen?" She then asked.

"...I ran into the assassin." Homura hesitantly revealed.

Instantly, Asuka stopped cooking and rushed over to her step-sister. "What happened?" She soon questioned.

"Well..." Homura began as she then explained everything that had happened after they had left to go grocery shopping...including who had wanted to kill her.

"Dōgen!? You're saying Dōgen is the one that wanted you dead!?" Miyabi got out with widened eyes.

"Why would he try to kill you?" Yumi soon questioned in a serious tone. "I don't see any benefit in eliminating you now. After all, you are investigating the shutdowns." She then stated and reminded.

"Yeah, that's what I'm stuck on..." Homura admitted, glaring at the floor. "But fuck the motivation. If he wants me dead, he's got another thing coming." She soon declared.

"I knew to never trust him..." Miyabi confessed as she narrowed her eyes, getting the attention of the others. "I'll contact my father and tell him that Dōgen has betrayed the academy. He'll have a few words for him." She then informed as she got her phone out.

"Hold on, he's Hebijo's biggest investor." Homura however reminded. "He has all the power. He can just fire your old man." She then added.

"Then what do you propose we do?" Yumi asked with a frown.

"...Change his heart?" Asuka suggested.

"No, he's a shinobi. We can't risk that." Miyabi pointed out. "No...he has to die. No other way about it." She then concluded.

"One flaw though; we don't know where he is." Yumi spoke up.

"Yet." Miyabi corrected. "I have a feeling I know someone who might be willing to divulge the information to me. Especially when they're so weak."

"That's exactly what I had in mind." Homura responded.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? What if he's out of the country? What if you can't find him?" Yumi soon questioned.

"Then...I simply wait." Homura answered with a shrug. "He has to visit Hebijo at some point, right?" She then assumed.

"Wait...you're not going to Hanzō?" Asuka got out in disbelief with widened eyes.

"Only if he isn't in Tokyo." Homura stated. "I do not want this bastard getting away with this. I'll burn him alive once I find him." She then explained.

"Would you mind if I freeze him as well?" Yumi soon requested.

"If you're willing to freeze a pile of ash, go ahead." The tan skinned girl replied. "But he is my kill, no one else's." Homura concluded.

"I still want to kill him myself for trying to hurt my Homu-neechan..." Asuka darkly got out while narrowing her eyes.

"Sis, you stay out of this." Homura however ordered.

"Huh!? But Homu-" Asuka started.

"No." Homura interrupted, her voice icy cold. "I am not letting you become like me. I know you want to help, and you've done a lot already, but from here...Dōgen is mine alone. He made it personal." She then stated and declared.

"...Okay. But you better not die." Asuka responded.

"Come on, the only person who even has a remote chance of defeating me is you." Homura stated with a kind smile.

"Hey!" Yumi and Miyabi got out in indignant tones.

"I mean that despite being my sister, Sis is also my biggest rival ever since meeting her." Homura explained. "No one else is allowed to defeat her." She then added.

"What about-" Miyabi began.

"Shadows don't count." Asuka and Homura quickly stated.

"That was quite the quick response." Yumi pointed out with a sweatdrop. "You two really are sisters in all but blood." She then stated.

"Half expecting a blood transfusion some day to fix that." Homura got out, causing everyone to stare at her weirdly. "...That was a joke." She bluntly stated.

"Still, forcefully entering your Kekkai like that," Miyabi started as she thought about it. "I didn't think that was possible. I have to admit, that's impressive." She then added.

"I doubt she'll be able to do it again." Yumi stated with a shake of her head. "Entering is already a risk, exiting...shouldn't have been possible. At least alive." She then got out in a cautious manner.

"Well, there was nobody there when we left." Homura mumbled. "At the very least, people weren't freaking out by a corpse suddenly appearing out of nowhere, so it's safe to say she's alive." She then concluded in disappointment.

"She was also able to find you in the first place." Miyabi reminded. "Could it be that she's been following you?"

That got the tan skinned girl to sweat. "Wait, shit, does she know about the Phantom Thieves? Does Dōgen know?" Homura began asking before shaking her head. "No wait, she didn't say." She then recalled before sighing. "Just another reason to find her." She then concluded.

"It's getting late guys. Yumi-chan, you should head home." Asuka reminded and instructed.

"Hai." Yumi responded with a nod. "Thank you for your hospitality. And I hope we face Dōgen together." She then confessed.

"We will. I promise." Homura replied with a nod.

Yumi then hugged the tan skinned girl once more. "See you soon for training?" She whispered for only her student of Elegance to hear.

"Of course." Homura quietly responded with a nod. "Until then senpai." She then added.

"Well, I'm gonna go back to my apartment." Miyabi meanwhile informed. "When you find him, call me. I'll be there before you know it." She then requested before leaving.

"...You're still planning something for Miyabi's birthday, aren't you Sis?" Homura guessed in a whisper.

"Hai." Asuka responded with a nod. "Miyabi-chan deserves it, even if she doesn't realize it." She then added.

"If you say so." Homura responded. "Now...what happened to dinner?" She soon asked.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"AH! THE CHICKEN!" Asuka screamed as she rushed into the kitchen while Homura causally opened a window and grabbed the fire extinguisher.

Meanwhile with the white haired woman, she sighed as she entered her own apartment and locked the door behind her as she walked further into the room while thinking back to how the Vice Leader had acted that day.

Maybe she should try talking to her alone tomorrow...and examine her own abilities as a shinobi.


(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

Soon, the Leader and the third year blonde had returned and were in his room with their phones out, their screens showing the other Crimson Squad girls for a video chat.

"I'm surprised we never had thought of doing this before." Haruka confessed as her phone screen showed the other blonde of their group.

"It does make things easier." Akira admitted, his screen showing the greenette and the loli. "You two away from anyone that could listen in?" He then asked.

"I'm in my room." Hikage informed.

"I am in the hideout." Yomi replied.

"Good." Mirai responded.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find anything in the forest, Akira-kun." Yomi meanwhile apologized in a saddened and ashamed tone

"It's fine. We found what we were looking for eventually." Akira assured as he rubbed his neck.

"You did!?" The three exclaimed at the same time over the phone.

"Well, it was more like it found us and tried to kill Homura by holding me hostage." Akira responded and revealed. "Fun time, got to stab someone." He then revealed.

"Are you okay?" Haruka asked. "Do you need me to look at any wounds?" She then offered.

"Yeah. Didn't even get a scratch on me." Akira assured. "Hey...do you know anything about Anointed Shinobi?" He soon asked.

"Onmitsu." Haruka responded. "They're better than jonin, but they aren't anywhere close to the power of an Elite Shinobi." She then revealed.

"So Homura-chan shouldn't worry about losing to her." Yomi responded.

"I wouldn't say that..." Hikage responded. "We call ourselves Elites, but we are not the rank of Elite, or Gokujōnin." She then reminded.

"Huh?" Mirai got out in confusion.

"Each school has an Elite Squad. It means we represent the best of the best the school has to offer in certain events." Haruka soon explained. "Have you not taken a Promotion Exam, Mirai?" She then asked.

"...That's a thing?" Mirai got out in disbelief.

"Wasn't that in the orientation?" Yomi questioned.

"Don't worry, you can jump straight to the higher ranks if you take the appropriate exam." Haruka informed. "Hm...maybe I should take one before we leave to see my upper limit..." She then added.

"That's...not possible for you right now." Hikage hesitantly responded.

This however got the two in the Leblanc attic's attention. "Meaning?" Akira questioned with a raised eyebrow.

The greenette sighed while the loli scowled. "Officially, Haruka's mission has an undetermined goal as of now. Unofficially...you've been kicked out of the school until they need you. An indefinite suspension." Hikage soon informed and revealed.

"An indefinite suspension?" Haruka repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"The school hasn't sent any shinobi to observe you yet, but I suggest you don't do anything that makes them question your loyalty." Hikage responded. "You know how that turned out..." She then added.

"Is that a good thing?" Akira eventually asked.

"Well, my rent is still getting paid by the school, so all I have to worry about is all my other expenses, and I'm not being watched. I'd say this is a blessing." Haruka responded.

"But we're still dealing with stuff at Hebijo." Hikage sighed out. "Imu, the transfers, the Yoke technique, our plans to escape..." She then added while listing off each issue.

"Transfers...you mentioned them before." Akira repeated and stated.

"The biggest masochist and sadist we've ever met..." Mirai sighed out with a sweatdrop.

Meanwhile, in another part of Tokyo, Haru Okumura sneezed.

"SOMEONE DUCT TAPE HER MOUTH!" The thousandth kidnapper shouted out...only to receive no response. "...Hello?" He then called out...before paling white as a sheet. "OH GOD DAMMI-" He soon began to swear, however...

WHAM! SMACK! POW! CRASH!

"Do they like bean sprouts?" Yomi had to ask.

"Yomi..." Hikage groaned.

"It's an important question!" Yomi declared.

"Well, I don't know about beansprouts, but one of them would gladly eat garbage if it caused a stomachache." Mirai answered.

"...That is an acceptable preference." Yomi responded with a nod of approval.

"Yomi-chan..." Akira sighed out in disapproval.

"It was only to measure our compatibility!" The bean sprout-loving girl stated.

"I'm only concerned for your health." Akira confessed. "How you are as attractive as you are is a mystery I might never understand." He then bluntly stated.

Immediately, the beansprout loving blonde blushed as she instinctively covered her cheeks with her hands. "A-Akira-san!" She stammered out.

"Just saying." Akira replied while shrugging his shoulders.

"Can we go back to your encounter with the assassin?" Haruka meanwhile questioned, holding back her envy to her fellow blonde being complimented. "What did you learn?" She soon asked.

"In any case, it turns out that the one who wants Homura dead is Hebijo's biggest investor." Akira soon revealed.

"Dōgen." Hikage and Yomi stated at the same time.

"Who?" Mirai got out with a raised eyebrow.

Haruka meanwhile narrowed her eyes to this information. "Like Akira-kun said, he's Hebijo's biggest investor, making it so that anything he says goes." She soon explained. "He would even take over the principal position when Miyabi's father is away." She then revealed.

"That's the first I've ever heard of that." Mirai admitted.

"Because the current principal hasn't left the school grounds in three years." Yomi informed.

"I heard he released a bot on the internet solely to harass any girl that's on there." Haruka then informed. "...If they're of legal age." She quickly added.

"That's...petty..." Akira remarked. "So, you know his goals?" He soon asked.

"No...not really. All I can say is that he's quite ambitious. He's rarely at the school after all." Haruka answered. "But that doesn't explain why he would put out a hit on Homura-chan. And why go through all this trouble." She then stated with narrowed eyes.

"True. Why in the world would he?" Yomi meanwhile questioned.

"Because he wants her dead." Hikage suggested.

"Yeah, that's pretty obvious Hikage!" Mirai sarcastically responded with an eye roll.

"I meant he has a motive that none of us know about." Hikage corrected.

"Also very obvious." Yomi added. "Homura-chan is going to want to kill him for this." She then got out.

"Yep, she told me as much." Akira muttered, cringing a little. "Getting some time to cool off...I don't know about this." He then admitted.

"Akira-kun?" Yomi got out in confusion.

"I don't want anyone to die. Period. No matter how much of a scumbag they are, they don't deserve death." Akira admitted. "There are much worse fates." He then added.

"You're...surprisingly dark, Akira-nii." Mirai awkwardly confessed.

"I got my moments." Akira responded with a sigh. "You should've seen my first week here in Tokyo. Thank you, Kamoshita." He then added, mumbling that last part under his breath.

"Oh shit that's right, you had to deal with that asshole." Mirai got out as she then winced.

"Got to enjoy a nut shot before the Phantom Thieves got him." Akira got out with a small smile. "I still have the video." He then revealed.

"Oh now this I gotta see." Hikage admitted with a smirk.

"Akira-kun can send it to us later. We still have a serious discussion to get through here." Haruka reminded.

"Are you calling all of us to get us to Tokyo?" Hikage assumed. "Because we aren't exactly allowed to leave Hebijo unless it's on a mission. And despite informing sensei of the situation, we haven't gotten permission." She then explained.

"It's fine, we've got things under control here. We just wanted to give you an update on what happened." Akira replied.

"I can help!" Yomi soon offered. "My week is far from over. I can help Homura-chan take out Dōgen!" She then added.

"Not sure I want to risk it, Yomi-chan." Akira responded. "You four still have that Yoke technique on you, right?" He then reminded.

"...Oh, goddammit, he can trigger it. Stupid..." Mirai remembered before melting into a series of frustrated noises.

"Do you know who got rid of Homura's?" Hikage meanwhile asked.

"Sorry. I don't know myself." Akira answered with a shake of his head.

"Also...is Miyabi alright with-" Yomi began.

"She is." Akira responded with a nod of confirmation, causing the four to sigh in relief.

"How in the world you can convince someone like her is beyond me..." Haruka confessed as she then cuddled up to the Leader. "You just keep becoming more interesting, darling~" She then added.

"I thought he rejected you Haruka-sama." Mirai got out with a sweatdrop.

"We're just friends." Akira replied while sheepishly smiling and scratching his cheek.

"Shouldn't we tell the principal? Ooh, maybe Suzune-sensei, she's helped out before!" Mirai suggested.

"Remember. He's Hebijo's biggest investor. They would be fired. Or killed. Or killed and then fired in that order." Haruka however pointed out with a shake of her head. "We cannot rely on anyone but ourselves." She then concluded.

"So business as usual." Akira mentally sighed.

"So, what do we do?" Haruka questioned.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll see Homura again, get some training in to prepare for the fight." Akira responded as he twirled his knife around.

"You're willing to face a shinobi head-on!?" The four Crimson Squad girls exclaimed at once.

"Do you even know a jutsu?" Haruka had to ask.

"Hey, I have a few aces up my sleeve." Akira reassured. "I won't let Homura face this bastard alone. Even if it kills me." He then added.

"Akira-kun, you don't have to do this." Haruka however stated. "Homura-chan is my leader. I'll gladly sacrifice myself for the good of the team." She then declared in a serious tone.

"No. I will not sacrifice any of my friends." Akira insisted in a dead serious tone. "No one dies on my watch." He then concluded.

"Except yourself." Hikage quietly added, sounding a little bitter.

"Hey, I'm not a slouch when it comes to fighting thanks to Homura." Akira reassured. "Fought her to a tie last time." He then revealed.

"WHAT!?" Three of the Crimson Squad girls exclaimed at once.

"In a fair fight?" Hikage however questioned with narrowed eyes.

"...Well, she did hold back a little." Akira awkwardly admitted.

"You're going to die." Mirai deadpanned. "Dammit, I don't wanna lose you Akira-nii..." She then confessed in a concerned manner.

"I won't die Mirai. Trust me." Akira assured.

"Akira, do not be a-" Hikage began, however...

"Trust. Me." Akira once more reassured, removing his glasses and giving the serious expression he gave as Joker.

"Still..." Mirai responded in concern and worry.

"Mirai, Homura-chan can make sure darling is just fine." Haruka reminded. "And I'll be here to make sure he's healed up just fine." She then added.

"...Has Haruka done any experiments on you Akira?" Hikage however asked.

"No." Akira and Haruka instantly lied.

The greenette however didn't believe that for a second. "Harukaaaaa..." Hikage droned out.

"I will admit to this, I have not done anything to harm darling mentally or physically." Haruka responded as she pouted while still hugging the boy's arm.

"Sorry for the skepticism." Hikage countered in an uneasy tone filled with obvious distrust.

"It's okay. Looking back, I may have gone too far in some places." Haruka then admitted.

"Some?" Hikage sarcastically repeated while rolling her eyes. "The shampoo that turned me into a guy?" She then reminded.

"You got your emotions as a result." Haruka countered.

"I shouldn't have to rely on side effects and accidents to become a better person." Hikage soon stated.

"Plus, wasn't the uh...last thing supposed to be an energy booster?" Akira soon reminded in a quiet manner.

"That is a totally different thing." Haruka responded with a pout.

"What?" The three other Crimson Squad girls got out in confusion.

"Nothing!" Akira and Haruka quickly responded.

"Hmmm..." Hikage simply squinted at the screen.

"Look, I may have left some unfinished experiments hidden at Hebijo, though I can't recall where." Haruka sheepishly confessed. "Hopefully no one would be dumb enough to accidently release anything if they happen to find any of them." She then added.

"..." Hikage and Mirai immediately went silent in response as they blinked a couple of times.

"What? Is something wrong?" Haruka innocently asked in confusion.

"Ooh, what's this pink liquid~!" An unfamiliar voice questioned in a curious manner.

The two at Hebijo then rushed off without saying a word, leaving their phones behind.

"CRAP!" The two soon exclaimed.

"RYŌNA! STOP DRINKING WHATEVER SHIT YOU FIND!" Hikage demanded.

"...I'm gonna stop the video chat now." Haruka soon decided.

"Good idea." Yomi replied. "Have a good night Akira-kun, Haruka-chan. Keep us updated." She then added and requested with a pleasant smile.

"We will." Akira responded as he ended the video chat. "Are you gonna stay here for the night, Haruka-chan?" He soon asked in a curious manner.

"Oh~ Do you want me to~?" Haruka seductively asked while leaning in close, causing the boy to blush. However, she then suddenly let out a sad sigh. "Unfortunately, I still have work to do. That cute little girl is relying on me!" She then informed and stated with a fire in her eyes.

"She's only two years younger." Akira however reminded.

"Cute. Little. Girl." Haruka repeated with a starry gleam in her eyes. "Expect me in the morning though." She then playfully informed as she winked to the boy and kissed his cheek...

WHOOSH!

Before vanishing in an instant.

"...Again, really awkward..." Akira mumbled as he rubbed his cheek.

"Jeez, things just keep getting more difficult." Morgana sighed out.

"Like the situation you were in?" Akira jokingly asked, causing the not cat to blush scarlet. "Oh yeah, I had the feeling something like that happened." He then remarked in amusement.

"W-Well, I'm still worried." Morgana got out as he coughed into his paw. "We are dealing with a killer right now, and we can't rely on the Metaverse and our Personas to help." He then reminded and stated in a serious tone.

"I know, and to be honest if it wasn't for my Personas, I'd be freaking out." Akira responded and confessed. "But we can do this. We've faced impossible odds before, we can do it again." He then declared.

"...Alright...I trust you, Leader, but remember to not be a hero all the time." Morgana warned. "Now get ready for bed. You can't fight tired, after all."

"Okay." Akira nodded before changing into pajamas and laying on his bed. "Huh, I wonder how Minori-chan's doing." He then mumbled to himself as he stared up at the ceiling.


(Gessen Girls' Academy, Elite's Room)

"ACHOO!" Minori sneezed out as she sat in seiza position. "Ooooow..." She whined out.

"Have you learned your lesson Minori?" Murakumo questioned.

"Don't leave without telling everyone. Don't leave grandfather when he needs help. Remember to bring my phone when going out. Remember to check the weather and bring an umbrella. Do not buy medicine from the back alley." Minori mumbled out.

"And...?" Yozakura pressed.

"...Apology candy isn't a real apology, at least buy us clothes." Minori then recited.

"There we- wait." Yozakura started in approval before realizing what the first year said. "SHIKI!" She called out.

"What?" Shiki responded as she poked her head out from Kurokage's room, distinctly chewing on some chocolate.

"You know what you did! Cleaning duty for a week!" Yozakura countered and ordered.

"What!? But I have-" Shiki exclaimed.

"Plus extra training drills!" Yozakura interrupted.

"Aw come on..." Shiki whined as she went back into their guardian's room.

Murakumo meanwhile sighed to this banter before turning to the first year. "Minori, whatever advice Shiki gives you...do not follow it. Please." She then instructed her request.

"Hai..." Minori responded as she slumped a bit. "Is Jii-chan okay?" She soon asked.

"He is fine. We arrived only a few minutes after you left." Yozakura sighed. "...How was Tokyo by the way?" She then asked in a more kinder tone.

"Oh, it was fun!" Minori soon replied with a grin. "I met Akira-nii and he really helped me out!" She then revealed.

This however got their attention. "Akira-nii?" Yozakura and Murakumo repeated in curious manners.

It was right then that Shiki ran into the room, looking rather panicked. "Guys, he's not waking up!" She called out in a frantic manner.

"Eh?" Yozakura gasped while the first year brunette silently paled.

"Have you given him the medicine!?" Murakumo questioned, trying to remain calm.

"Yes, but I don't think it's the cause!" Shiki responded.

"Is he breathing!?" Yozakura finally had the mind to question.

"H-He is..." Shiki stammered, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

"I'll call for an ambulance! Homecare is not enough anymore!" Murakumo declared as she got her phone out.

"Hurry!" Yozakura ordered.

Things were only going to get more difficult now...for some more than others...


Save Game…Quit!


Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Dependable (Level 3)

Knowledge- Expert (Level 3)

Proficiency- Skilled (Level 3)

Diligence- Thorough (Level 4)

Courage- Daring (Level 4)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Managed (Level 3)

Knowledge- Expert (Level 3)

Femininity- Natural (Level 4)

Elegance- Disciplined (Level 3)

Understanding- Generous (Level 3) → Motherly (Level 4)


So this is how we're doing romance. How did we do? What's canon? It's up for you to decide! Akira could be dating Asuka, Homura, Yumi and Miyabi all at the same time with all the horrible consequences on Valentine's Day.

Thank god for the sealless contraception jutsu.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!