Senran Persona: Ninjas of Hearts

by UknownHero

Collab with JGResidentEvil and VividMind17. Fate can be an interesting thing within life. It can bring unexpected changes that no one can truly see. For two girls, those that were destined to be rivals between good and evil, changed under the masks of rebellion to forge their own true paths. Now get up and stand your ground because these sexy ninjas are gonna steal your heart!

61. Burglars of the Bank 2

I finally have a job as a game journalist! I'm not being paid but it is something! UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! Hey, things are getting better. The vaccine is slowly rolling out and until people sneak it into essential oils, COVID should be on the decline! Hooray, this terrible year is almost over.

Onto the reviews! To alaude hibari: You're gonna have to be more specific with where Akira changes eye colour but generally but generally…Red eyes = Obtained Persona, Yellow/Gold = Third Eye, Blue is…I forgot what blue is. I don't even think we used blue yet… To WX-Lazer: Yeah, we definitely revealed who Poochie really is too soon but I sort of thought the red eyes would be a giveaway.

Anyways, that's it! Now let's continue to rob the bank blind!

Load Game…Start!

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Chapter 61: Burglars of the Bank 2

---

(6/23, After School)

(Underground Vault Safe Room)

The Leader let out a satisfied groan once the Vice Leader was done massaging his muscles. He felt good as new, like he got a full night of sleep.

"Yosh, there we go." Yin concluded in satisfaction. "Does anyone have any water I can use to wash my hands?" She soon asked the others.

"Yup!" Skull called out as he threw a bottle of water over to her.

The Vice Leader caught it and used it to wash her hands, rubbing her hands of the excess oils. "Anyone got a towel too?" She then asked.

"May I, Lady Yin?" Mona soon offered his yellow scarf.

"Are you sure?" Yin however asked in concern.

"Of course. It would be rude not to." Mona replied with a gentlemanly smile and bow.

"Aw...~ Thank you, Mona-chan." Yin happily thanked the not cat as she used the scarf to dry her hands before putting her gloves back on.

"You're a miracle worker, Yin." Joker meanwhile praised, coming out from behind the screen fully dressed.

"And that will be...70,980 yen." Yin calculated, causing the Leader to choke.

The Leader immediately facefaulted to hearing that. "D-Do you put gold in that massage oil!?" Joker exclaimed before pulling out his wallet. "I mean, I can pay for it but holy..." He then admitted in a mutter.

"Sorry, but that's the cost." Yin apologized. "Is Yang and Queen awake?" She soon asked.

"Zzz..." Yang mumbled out while shifting her body a little. "Sis...no...it's not...appropriate..." She then got out, although the Thieves somehow knew there was a smile under her mask.

"Why do you keep calling me Sis...?" Queen murmured in her sleep. "It's Makoto Motherfuckin' Niijima you fucking...mumble mumble mumble..." She then added while snuggling her head in the tan skinned girl's breasts.

"Of course I like chocolate on pancakes...but don't...it's everywhere..." The tan skinned girl then got out as she unintentionally pushed the Shujin Council President further into her boobs.

"I'm arresting you...not..." Queen growled as she gritted her teeth. "You're a really sick bastard, you know that...?" She then grumbled out.

"...I think that answers your question." Joker stated. "So Queen has that kind of side to her...noted..." He mentally added as continued watching.

"...Is it weird I'm curious to what they're dreaming about?" Panther awkwardly asked.

"You like that Kaneshiro...wanna cry to your fuckin' momma, bitch...?" Queen grumbled out.

"I think I can take a guess." Widow responded with a sweatdrop. "So, when are we leaving?" She soon asked.

"It depends. Are you guys ready for what may be hell for the next hour or so?" Joker questioned.

"Heh, wouldn't be a Phantom Thieves infiltration if it didn't give us a challenge." Skull replied with a smirk on his face. "Let's go, Joker!" He then declared.

"Yang-nee, Queen, time to wake up." Yin softly called out, walking over and gently slapping their cheeks, causing the two to stir as a result.

"Ngh..." Yang groaned. "Huh, what? Is it school already?" She soon asked in a dazed manner.

"Wha...?" Queen grumbled. "Oh, right. Bank, Kaneshiro, soft boobs." She mumbled out as she tried to get up...by pushing herself up from the tan skinned girl's boobs.

BOING! SQUISH!

"S-Senpai..." Yang mumbled out in embarrassment from the touch.

"Huh?" Queen got out in confusion before seeing what she was doing. "Ah! S-Sorry!" She soon squeaked out.

"Shipping..." Joker mentally remarked before shaking his head frantically. "Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts!" He added in his head to get rid of the developing images between the two.

"WAH!" The two girls yelped out as they struggled to move, however...

THUD!

They ended up tipping over the couch they were lying on and fell onto the floor.

"A-Are you alright Yang-nee!? Queen!?" Yin soon asked in concern.

"Ugh..." Yang and Queen meanwhile groaned out, unaware of the position they were in.

"Ah! Yang, Queen!" Yin squeaked out.

"O-Oh my..." Widow stammered out with a blush on her face.

"Professional thieves, everyone." Mona sighed out while shaking his head, though his nose was bleeding to the sight of the position.

"Holy shit..." Skull got out with widened eyes and a glowing red face.

"Hmm, this might actually make for an interesting piece..." Fox muttered while making a frame with his hands.

"Our lives are becoming more and more like an anime..." Panther bluntly declared before looking at the not cat. "A-Are you sniffing your scarf?" She soon exclaimed.

"Okay! Time to infiltrate Kaneshiro's Palace further!" Joker suddenly declared before leaving the room...not wanting the others to see the nosebleed forming.

"H-Hold on! Wait up!" Yang and Queen got out in perfect unison as they struggled to get up.

Eventually everyone left the safe room to continue their descent into the Palace.

---

(Underground Vault)

"We will never speak of what happened there..." Queen bluntly ordered the others as the door closed behind them.

"Agreed." Yang replied in agreement.

"Y-Yes ma'am." Joker awkwardly responded before facing the vault. "Give us everything you got Kaneshiro. We'll tear it all down before the day is done!" He soon declared as he tugged on his red glove.

"All these lockers..." Queen muttered out as she brushed her hand over the lockers, especially the names. "They surely have to represent each of his victims." She soon assumed.

"Yes, there are surely Shujin students here as well..." Widow stated before looking down. "And Kosei..." She then muttered in saddened concern. Her school was in just as much trouble and she only just discovered this was happening to begin with.

Seeing how sad the Student Council Presidents were, Joker got serious as he approached what seemed to be a terminal with a keypad on it.

[The lock is currently engaged.] The terminal informed. [Please enter the requisite PIN.] It then requested.

"PIN...? So is this gonna open one of the vaults?" Skull got out with a raised eyebrow.

"Hm, there's something written above the number pad on here." Queen noted as she narrowed her eyes. "RICH...This is disgusting. How obsessed can one man be with his money?"

"He humps it in his sleep." Yang couldn't help but mumble under her breath.

"Wait, there might be something more than that..." Widow spoke up. "Do you think this is connected to that journal...?" She then guessed.

"...Where did you come to that conclusion?" Yang had to ask.

"Look at it." The light grey haired girl got out as the Leader pulled it out. "R = C = 0, I = 1, H = 2." She then read out.

"Oh, they're all the letters in RICH!" Yin realised. "So the code would be..." She soon began as the gears began to turn in her head.

"0102." Joker finished as he entered the code on the PIN keypad.

Suddenly, underneath them, a key-like object was inserted into a hole before giving it a shock of power. Soon, the entire vault rotated until there was a gap in front of the Phantom Thieves.

"Well, that seems like a huge waste of resources." Joker muttered out.

"What the hell!? The whole effin' vault moved." Skull got out in awe.

"So my deduction may be correct..." Queen meanwhile muttered, but before anyone could ask...

"Money...I need more money...! I must grow richer!" An all-too-familiar voice echoed around the vault, causing the team to flinch.

"What the-!?" Panther exclaimed while the shinobi pulled out their weapons.

"As long as I'm rich, anything will be possible..." Shadow Kaneshiro stated. However, Joker couldn't help but frown.

"Why did that sound so desperate...?" The Leader thought.

"That voice...It's Kaneshiro! Is he watching us!?" Panther got out in a worried tone.

"No, I think it's more like Madarame's Palace with the paintings." Yang guessed.

"I agree. It sounds more like the voice of his heart..." Mona muttered out. "I guess all he really thinks about is money, after all." he then stated.

"So he blackmails people outta their savings and that's still not enough? What a douche..." Skull grumbled out.

"And that's why his Palace is gluttony." Joker pointed out.

"I can see it now..." Yin admitted in disgust.

"More importantly, the message in the journal was the PIN code!" Panther got out in an excited tone.

"Yes, it seems so...but I doubt it will be that easy from this point forward." Fox got out in a cautionary tone. "The rest of the pages were torn out of the journal. Who knows what clues they may hold..." He soon added.

"Probably the rest of English alphabet." Joker stated in a somewhat joking, but mostly serious tone.

"Well, let's not get pessimistic. We should look around and try to find some other clues." Mona suggested before facing forward. "Time to head further in and find those PINs!" He soon got out in determination as the Thieves went through.

"You know, it kinda reminds me of a lock." Joker admitted. "Or, at least lockpicking. Slowly moving each piece until there's a click, and then the whole world is wide open." He soon explained.

"That's...somehow profound yet dumb..." Yang got out.

"That is your opinion." Joker simply replied.

"Touché Joker, touché." Yang countered.

With that, the Thieves went left and headed through a vault door.

---

(Vault: 1F)

The group followed Yin down the stairs, feeling the grimy atmosphere of the Palace intensify.

"Huh, we really haven't run into increased distortion..." Mona noted.

"Increased distortion?" Queen repeated.

"Where the Treasure twists and, you now, distorts the area around it." Joker answered. "It's grand, sure, but it still adheres to physics and reality." He then explained.

"Yeah...That's a little..." Yin muttered out before her instincts kicked in and stopped everyone just as a dog walked past them.

"Whoa, watch out for the dog..." Skull got out in surprise.

Mona narrowed his eyes before closing them. "I'm detecting some strong Shadows in the area. They're way stronger than the ones in the upper floor." He soon informed the group.

"Well, we better take this slow then. No risks." Widow eventually suggested.

"Alright then, let's go." Panther got out as they hid into the shadows and started making their way around the area.

"Red Shadow up ahead!" Yang informed in a whisper.

"Let's take it out. Gauge the threat level of their best down here." Queen replied and advised.

"I don't see a problem with that." Joker replied before turning to the Vice Leader. "Yin?" He then asked.

"Hai." Yin answered with a nod before dashing up and climbing onto the Shadow's back. "Let me show you the light!" She then declared as she ripped the mask off before leaping away.

"Defeated Avenger!" Mona informed. "It's dangerous! Don't treat it lightly!" He then advised in a serious tone.

"What? It has no effin' arms! What can it do?" Skull pointed out in a cocky tone. "I got this! Captain Kidd, give 'em a Headbutt!" He then called out.

"Damn, was hopin' for a stun." Skull grumbled under his breath.

"You'll pay for that! Mazionaga!" The Defeated Avenger declared, the Thieves feeling the static in the air.

"Oh no!" Mona yelped out before just managing to guard against the lightning raining upon them. "Urgh...Why does that hurt so much while I'm guarding...?" He then groaned out.

"Gotta get better armor for you!" Joker called out as he rolled his shoulders. "Is everyone alright!?" He then asked in concern.

"Fine..." Yin panted out.

"God, how powerful is this guy!?" Yang complained in frustration.

"G-Guh..." Fox however struggled out.

"Dammit! Fox's been paralysed!" Panther announced in a worried tone.

"Assault Dive!" The Defeated Avenger then called out, aiming for the shocked artist.

"Fox!" Widow exclaimed.

WHAM!

"GAAAAHHHHH!" However, it was too late as the artist took a serious blow and was knocked down, barely able to stay conscious.

"Fox, no!" Yin called out before digging into the duffle bag. Damn, she really needed to

"I got it! Diarama!" Queen commanded, healing the boy as the dyed blond helped him back to his feet.

"...Why's the enemy paralzyed now!?" Yang soon asked in confusion, getting the others attentioned at they turned to look at the now shocked enemy as it seemed to be spazzing from the electricity coursing through its body.

Mona however smirked to that. "Fox's paralysis must've transferred to the enemy when it struck him!" He declared.

"Alright, don't touch it!" Joker ordered. "I want ranged attacks only!" He soon ordered.

"Okay," Skull soon started. "I take back that whole arm thing..." He then grunted out.

"Dammit, it's trying to paralyse us and then take us out with an Assault Dive..." Yin realised.

"And that's why you don't mess with the disabled." Joker stated as he switched Personas. "Because it enables them to get real creative. Shiki-Ouji! Psio!" He then added and commanded as he ripped off his mask.

WEEEEP!

"GAH!" The Shadow yelped in pain as it fell to the ground, dizzy.

"Got their weakness!" Yang cheered out.

"All-Out! Now!" Joker ordered before they rushed the Shadow.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! WHAM! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP! WHAM!

The Thieves landed back onto solid ground and looked up to see that Shadow was completely fine.

"Damn, that wasn't even close to enough..." Skull cursed before his eyes widened.

"Oh, I know where this is going..." Joker got out, already pulling out the star from his pocket.

"Fist of the Phantom Star, baby!" Skull declared as he pumped his fist.

"Ugh...I really wish you didn't call it that..." Queen sighed out before rolling her shoulders. "But fine. Just give us the spotlight, Joker!" She then responded and called out.

"Already on it!" Joker responded before he raised the star into the air.

"SHOWTIME!"

Queen and Skull were suddenly posing in front of the sun at sunset.

"You're already de-GAH!" Skull began in a confident manner...

WHAM!

Only to be cut off by Queen, who elbowed him in the stomach. "Focus, Skull." She soon ordered.

The two then began charging at the enemy with Queen striking through it to open them up.

Skull then whacked them over the head with this mace from above, then swung it like a baseball bat and sent the enemy into the brunette's range. "Go for it!" He called out.

"Go to hell." Queen growled before unleashing a series of rapid punches to finish them.

Afterward, Skull ran up and offered Queen a grape soda, who simply crushed the can with her hands while the dyed blond bowed to her.

"That was a perfectly good can of soda..." Joker muttered out as the Defeated Avenger was...defeated.

"Too much sugar. The rush will just send me crashing later." Queen simply explained as she flicked off the soda on her bodysuit. "Probably should've thrown it away though..." She then admitted.

"Still, the Shadows are getting harder to deal with." Mona stated. "We can't fight every battle down here. It's now a test of endurance and stealth, not our might and speed." He soon advised.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Skull agreed with a nod.

"Yes, we can wait till we get to the Treasure itself to then run wild." Joker responded before the Thieves continued on a little more cautiously this time, avoiding the watchdog wandering around.

"Power box." Queen announced as she glanced up at the cameras. They had gone the long way around rather than carefully stepping around their vision.

"Joker smash." Joker joked with a smirk as he rushed over and destroyed it with a single kick.

SMASH!

"How are you not getting electrocuted doing that?" Panther wondered out loud.

"Rubber bottoms for the shoes?" Yin guessed while tilting her head.

"Personas?" Yang suggested.

"I don't have a Persona with an Electricity resistance." Joker pointed out before frowning. "I will have to resolve that later..." He then muttered to himself. "Let's keep going." He soon ordered, getting nods of agreement in response.

However, just as they were about to move, they noticed that there was something in their way.

"Shutters. Damn." Joker muttered out in slight annoyance.

"Looks like we'll need to find the controls to it." Fox stated.

"Well, I see a door nearby. Maybe that's the security room of the area." Yin guessed.

"There's nowhere else we can go so..." Queen muttered out as they made their way to the door.

Joker pressed a few buttons and opened the door, but quickly signalled everyone to hide.

"There's a guard inside the room..." Fox soon informed.

"I don't want to deal with it." Fox admitted. "So either we fight it or lure it away." He then informed.

"It would be faster just to kill it and move on..." Yang muttered out. "So, what's the call, Joker?" She soon asked.

"..." Joker went silent as he considered the options. "Alright, I have an idea..." He soon responded.

"What is it?" Skull had to ask.

Joker only cleared his throat. "HEY DUDE!" He dramatically called out.

"What?!" The guard shouted out as ran out of the room...unaware that the one who insulted him and his team snuck in before the door closed.

"That was...too easy to joke about..." Panther got out in a flat tone.

"Okay, I was expecting something more elegant but it worked." Queen muttered out with a sweatdrop.

"Yeah, me too but hey, pragmatism is a necessity in the Metaverse." Joker responded with a bow.

"Hey, look! I think these are the controls to the shutters!" Yin got out with a smile as they walked up to the controls.

"Alright, now which button does that..." Joker mumbled to himself before deciding to hit the big red button.

Soon, they saw out the window that the shutters had lifted.

"Yes! Another step closer." Yang got out with a fist pump.

"Attention all guards! Attention all guards!" A guard over the PA system shouted out.

"Ah shoot." Yang soon grumbled out as she palmed her face.

"The rats have made their way through every floor! Tighten security at all levels!" It then frantically ordered. "Protect the golden pig at all costs!" It then added.

The not cat's eyes soon widened as he felt something through the air. "No no no...!" Mona exclaimed as the lights started to go red. "Kaneshiro just raised his Security Level to 75%!" He soon revealed in a panic.

"He's getting desperate." Yin stated with a frown. "But...what was that about a golden pig?" She soon wondered.

"He must truly not want us gaining access to this golden pig..." Fox guessed.

"You mean that?" Widow pointed out as she pointed at the small statue of the golden pigs they saw at the entrance. "Actually, it looks like the nose is a button..." She then noticed before pressing it, causing it to open and reveal its contents.

"A piece of paper...?" Panther got out in confusion as Joker took it out.

"Hold on, look." Widow spoke up as she narrowed her eyes. "The edge is torn." She then pointed out.

"And it has something on it. P = I." Queen added.

"...The hell's that supposed to mean?" Skull asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe it came from Kaneshiro's journal?" Yin guessed. "Wait, yeah! It might be part of it!" She then got out.

"Oh, so it's the continuation of the code we found in there! This should be useful!" Mona got out in a happy tone. "Put it into the journal, Joker. We'll need it for later."

The Leader nodded as he placed the paper in the journal. He blinked when he saw the journal repair itself and stick the page back into it, however he just shrugged and put it back into his pocket before heading out through the shutter.

"Another PIN keypad over here." Widow informed as they approached the machine.

"REAP?" Fox read out with a raised eyebrow.

"That means harvest." Panther informed. "God, why have that as a password...?" She then got out in a concerned tone. She was expecting it to relate to money or something.

"The man sees everyone as an ATM." Mona reminded. "He must think of collecting money from them as a harvest. Like a farm." He then deducted.

"Oh he's gonna reap what he sows in the end..." Yang growled out.

"Indeed..." Queen replied in agreement while narrowing her eyes.

"Kaneshiro is truly rotten to the core..." Fox soon declared in disgust.

"Well, if it's the same thing as the last keypad, it should help us find the code to it right?" Panther assumed.

"Yeah, but here's the thing. We don't have anything for E and A." Joker pointed out as he opened the journal. "We're gonna have to hunt down the next part of the journal if we have any hope of getting the combination right." He then pointed out.

"Well, there's another tried and true method of getting the pass code." Widow suddenly informed as she walked up to the keypad. She then took a deep breath and, with a gleam in her eyes...

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!

...Started hitting buttons faster than the normal eye could see.

"She's just brute forcing the pass code." Everyone thought with a sweatdrop.

"Got it! 0931!" Widow announced once she saw green. It only took a minute or two to get the pass code right.

"You'd think they'd put in a limit on attempts." Panther muttered out.

"Well, it is much better than hunting down the pass code ourselves." Fox admitted before hearing the vault move above them.

"That must've been the vault moving." Queen assumed. "While not exactly the most elegant solution, it got the job done..." She then added.

"All right, let's-" Skull began, however...

"Tch...This isn't anywhere near your quota for this month." The voice of Kaneshiro spat out. "Don't gimme your excuses. I'm gonna reap every last yen you have!" He then declared.

"Kaneshiro again..." Yin growled, clenching her hands into fists.

"I'll make you understand if you don't get it..." Kaneshiro then got out in a sadistic tone. "People who can't earn me money are worthless to me!" The team was almost expecting a cry of pain or a gunshot after that.

"He's totally distorted..." Panther stated with a frown.

"It looks like he values money more than human life..." Queen got out in disgust. "What a pitiful man..." She then added.

"Which only begs the question how many he's ruined...or killed...in this vain pursuit of money." Widow whispered out.

"We gotta finish this quick." Skull got out as he cracked his knuckles. "Come on, let's head back." He then added.

"Hold on." Joker started. "We will need that journal page sooner or later so let's go find it before we move on." He soon advised.

"That's probably the smart move." Mona agreed with a nod before they began searching for the (currently unnecessary) journal page by splitting up.

Though eventually...

"Ah, found the journal page!" Yin called as the gold pig opened and she took it while the others arrived. "E=9, A=3. Huh, that was quite straightforward." She then informed after reading the paper before handing it to her fellow Leader.

"Alright, let's head back to the surface." Joker got out as they started making their way back.

---

(Underground Vault)

Soon enough, the Thieves climbed up the stairs to see that the vault shifted in such a way to allow them into the next part of the area.

"Yep, it's open." Joker muttered out.

"That was only the second one." Queen pointed out. "I wonder how many more there are..." She then wondered out loud.

"I'm sure we'll find out as we go. Let's keep moving to our next one." Mona responded.

"Hai! Follow me everyone!" Yin responded and ordered as she led the group further into the area and down into the next vault when she saw the stairs.

---

(Vault: F2)

The Thieves went down some stairs and found themselves in a new area.

"Whoa, look at all those stacks..." Skull got out in awe. "It looks like you'd need pallets to move all those!" He then added.

"Having so much physical money..." Yin muttered out. "There are many people who prefer only using digital, less likely to get stolen, ease of use and such, so having so much of it is more like a show of wealth rather than a necessity these days." She then deducted.

"So many charities that these could go to as well . ." Widow breathed out as the tan skinned girl nodded in agreement.

"But it leaves very little trails to lead back to you if you go physical." Joker pointed out. "Just another way Kaneshiro can be untraceable." He then concluded.

"I see a ton of those electric grids here..." Mona informed. "We definitely shut them off to keep moving." He then suggested.

"Yeah, but I don't see the power box anywhere." Yin mumbled out.

The tan skinned girl frowned before looking up at the metal shelves that held the money. "...Maybe we have a look at it in a different perspective." Yang suggested before firing her grappling hook up at the top shelf and pulling herself up to it.

"See anything?" Joker called out.

"Yep! Power box just across from me!" Yang replied with a nod as she looked out. "What the hell though, how would anyone get up there...?" She then muttered in confusion.

"Well, may as well meet you up there." Joker replied.

"Better hurry. A guard and a watchdog are coming this way from both sides of us." Yang then warned.

The Thieves nodded to that before firing their grappling hooks up and zipping upwards, just in time to avoid the guards.

"Boy! You spot the intruders yet!?" The Guard Shadow questioned.

The dog Shadow sniffed the air in response. "Bark!" It then barked.

"So they're nearby, eh...?" The guard muttered out before turning around. "Ya hear that! We're onto ya, you pieces of shit!" It then called out in a confident manner.

"You think I can ambush these Shadows from all the way up here?" Yang whispered.

"I'd think it would be more like using them as landing pads than stylishly ripping off their mask..." Queen deadpanned. "Let just focus on the objective, please." She then requested.

"Hai." Yin responded before the Thieves leapt over to the power box.

SMASH!

"Alright, power box done!" Joker declared. "Now let's..." He then began, only to trail off when he spotted a golden door with a golden piggy bank to his right.

"This door looks different." Panther noted as they walked up to the door. "It's all...gold and shiny." She then added.

"Hmm...and there's also this weird gold pig. Maybe we should do some reconnaissance first." Mona soon suggested as they approached the door.

[Good afternoon.] The golden pig terminal suddenly greeted. [This entrance is strictly for Kaneshiro Credit Bank employees. For entry, please display your keycard and deposit 10,000 yen.] It soon revealed.

"..." Queen was just left speechless at this abhorrent display of greed.

"What!? He makes his guards pay for stuff too!?" Yin exclaimed.

"Oh...that's low even for him." Yang growled out. "I mean, the keycard should be fine enough but he has to make his own effing people pay for necessities!" She then complained.

"Yeah, and it ain't cheap too!" Skull added.

"And I bet Kaneshiro doesn't pay his employees that much as well..." Joker then assumed.

"So Kaneshiro sees his subordinates as exploitable resources as well." Fox stated as he shook his head.

"...I'm sure it'll make him a little money, but I doubt it will amount to anything substantial." Queen pointed out.

"If we just pay for entry, we won't have to deal with more enemies and save our energy." Widow pointed out with a frown. "And with all the Shadows we've killed, we can easily pay for it." She then stated.

"Oh, no way! We are not paying a single yen to him! There has to be another way." Yang called out as she glared at the paywall. "So fuck you, Kaneshiro! You can go stuff all that dirty money right up your-" She then growled out, flipping the bird at the golden door, before...

"Yang-nee!" Yin interrupted, ending her roommate's rant.

"A-A-A...Oesophagus?" Yang soon stammered out with a blush.

Widow meanwhile sighed to that display in a disapproving manner. "She still has a long way to go..." She thought to herself, soon planning to double, no triple the amount of training she would give the tan skinned girl now.

"You know, I didn't think we'd encounter a real life paywall today but here it is." Joker mumbled to himself. "Come on, there has to be another way." He soon ordered before looking over the edge to make sure that there were no Shadows at the bottom. "...Why not?" He then got out with a shrug before falling off it...right onto the guard's back, causing it to hit the floor.

"Joker!" Mona called out.

"I'll reveal your true form!" The Leader soon declared as he turned the guard around and ripped off its mask.

"...Ugh, Joker..." Yang sighed before jumping as well to help the Leader, the others soon following her lead.

It was a rather quick fight with Skull and Queen taking care of the Shadows practically by themselves.

"You're quite the fighter, Skull." Queen complimented as the Shadows faded behind them. "It's quite rough but I can see a little bit of finesse in your strikes."

"Yeah, well, I had to learn effin' fast after that training session with Yang." Skull responded before gaining a haunted look on his face. "...You better be prepared when it's your turn Queen..." He then advised.

"I mean, I've trained with her before so I don't think it'll be too bad." Queen stated with words that she'll regret later in the future.

"If you think that, she wasn't working you hard enough." Skull responded in a fear filled manner.

Yang however rolled her eyes to that while crossing her arms over her chest. "Wimps..." She mentally remarked before spotting a door and a chest that was formerly guarded by electric grids. "Hey, the way forward and a chest. Seems like a perfect reward for finding another way around." She then got out before going for the chest.

"What's in there?" Joker soon asked in a curious manner.

"An Alert Capsule." Yang informed before throwing it over to the Vice Leader. "I really hope that we'll get a solid gold bar in one of these..." She then muttered.

"Plenty of small gems though." Yin got out as she put the capsule in the bag.

"All for the Phantom Budget." Joker reminded.

"Hai hai..." Yang sighed out before activating the door. "Let's go- Shoot!" She then swore out before hiding behind the door, the rest of the Thieves peeking their heads in to see what the tan skinned girl saw.

"Guard down the hallway." Widow informed. "We're not getting past it without a fight." She soon stated.

"Make sure to move when it's back is turned." Queen advised.

The others nodded to that as they slowly made their way to the guard, making sure to avoid its eyesight.

Joker nodded over to the light grey haired girl, who nodded back and leapt onto the Shadow's back.

"Let me show you our justice!" Widow declared before ripping off its mask and unleashing the Shadows as a result.

"Another Treasure Demon~" Yang sang out in a delighted manner while readying her blades.

"And some new Shadows! Two Battle Fiends!" Mona informed.

"Let's go for the kill this time!" Joker declared as he cracked his knuckles before ripping off his mask. "Shiki-Ouji! Psio on the Queen's Necklace!" He soon commanded.

WEEEEP!

Immediately, the Queen's Necklace was knocked down as a result.

"Alright, now to figure out the others." Joker got out. "Go for multi-target spells! I want those Battle Fiends down at the same time!" He then ordered.

"Hai, Joker!" Yin replied with a nod as she took hold of her mask. "Mamagna!" She soon commanded.

RUMBLE! CRACK! CRACK!

Spires of earth immediately rose out of the ground and stabbed the Shadows, but did little more but give them light bruises.

"That's not it!" Yin called out. "Try something else!" She then requested.

"I am thou!" Fox coolly began. "Goemon, Mabufu!" He soon commanded.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

Queen suddenly felt her Persona in her heart when the artist casted the spell upon the enemies, watching with wide eyes as they were all encased in blocks of ice.

"Woo! Frozen!" Mona cheered out.

"Shatter them!" Queen soon ordered with a fierce expression on her face.

"Don't use your Persona! Conserve it!" Joker added.

"Right!" Panther responded as she dashed up to one of the frozen enemies with her whip. "Squeal like a pig!" She soon demanded with a mad grin as she lashed her whip out at one of them before stepping on one of them in a haughty manner.

This in turn caused the others to sweatdrop at the display. "She can really act." Queen remarked.

"Y-Yeah...totally." Skull admitted in nervous agreement before rushing in once the ash blonde was done. "GET REKT!" He then shouted out as he swung his weapon, shattering the other Battle Fiend's head. "WOO!" He soon cheered out.

"Going All-Out!" Yang soon declared as they rushed the Shadows.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! WHAM! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP! WHAM!

"Whew! Done!" Joker breathed out before getting the money and spotting the camera. "...I almost stepped into that..." He then muttered.

"Well, there's a power box right there." Yang pointed out as she picked up the cash and items. "I swear, if it's only for this specific camera..." She then grumbled as one of her eyes twitched.

"Well, only one way to find out." Joker got out as he reared back his leg.

SMASH!

And with that, a single camera shut off.

"...I'm just more frustrated by how Kaneshiro's set up his security than actually dealing with it." Yang muttered out with a groan.

"Let's just...stop questioning all logic before we lose sleep over it." Queen advised.

"That is sound advice, Advisor." Widow replied with a nod.

"That is my role here." Queen got out before continuing on.

"Hey..." Skull noticed. "Isn't this the other side of that paywall we found earlier?" He soon asked.

"It has a different pig on it too." Panther got out.

[Good afternoon.] The terminal greeted. [This entrance is strictly for Kaneshiro Credit Bank employees. At this terminal, you may set your price for entry.] It then informed.

"Oh, that's great! We can just set it to free then!" Yin happily got out as she borrowed the keycard from Joker and quickly tried to modify the price.

[Please deposit 100,000 yen before changing the entry fee. Minimum cost for entry is 10,000 yen.] The terminal soon stated, crushing all of the Vice Leader's hopes.

"Aw come on..." Yin groaned out. Never before in her life did she ever want to throttle a machine before.

"...Maybe we don't have to pay if we just smash it a little?" Skull suggested before letting out a toothy smile. "Breakin' shit's always worked for us before! Let's give it a shot!" He then declared as he took out his Gang Star mace.

"Hey, wait, don't you think it will-" The light grey haired girl tried to warn, but...

SMASH!

"...Set something off?" Widow weakly finished before pulling out her fans as soon as she heard the...silence. "...What?" She then deadpanned as the golden door opened for God knows what reason.

"That actually worked...?" Mona got out in disbelief.

"When all you have is a hammer...or a mace in this case." Joker got out as the light haired girl and the not cat just sighed and face palmed.

The Thieves soon turned around and spotted a terminal behind them.

"Hey, it's another one of those input things." Skull got out. "Alright, so the word this time is...HUGS?" He then read out.

"It's HUGE. Get your eyes checked, Skull." Yang sighed out in annoyance.

"Alright, I think we know the drill at this point." Joker stated as he turned to the light grey haired girl. "Widow, do your thing." He then ordered.

"Hey, stop!" Queen however spoke up as she narrowed her eyes. "Look, there are three light bulbs underneath the word. I can only assume we only have a number of inputs before we're either locked out or guards are called in on us." She then deducted.

"Okay, now they're putting a limit on attempts..." Widow sighed out in disappointment.

"Well, looks like we're hunting down more pages of Kaneshiro's journal." Mona got out before turning to see a golden pig near the terminal. "...And it's right there." He then added as the Leader opened the pig and retrieved the torn page.

"U = A." Joker read out.

"And A equals 3." Queen then reminded as the Leader added it to the journal. "We still need a few more parts so let's go find it." She soon stated and instructed before Thieves moved on to find the next part.

"Look over there." Fox whispered out as they snuck down the hallway.

"Another security room." Queen informed.

"Surely another journal page is in there." Mona stated before dashing up to the window to take a sneak peek before rushing back. "And a guard too..." He then added.

"Let's make this quick then." Yin suggested as she dashed in and gripped its mask. "Show me your true form!" She ordered as she ripped it off.

A few spells and an All-Out Attack later...

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! WHAM! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP! WHAM!

"And done!" Yin cheered.

"That was too bad. I was itching for a real challenge." Queen breathed out before doing some stretches, while the Leader opened the golden pig up and retrieved the torn page.

"G = P." Joker read out. "So we're using the same numbers from the previous code."

"So P would equal...2, right?" Yin guessed.

"Correct." Queen responded with a nod. "I think this is enough to figure out the PIN number, so let's hurry back." She then added.

However, before they could exit the room...

"Damn, two d-dog Shadows just spawned!" Mona informed in a nervous and scared manner.

"Careful." Joker warned. "I don't want to fight anymore battles here. Let's stay in the shadows and avoid these guys." He soon ordered.

The others nodded at that as they snuck their way back to the panel.

"Alright, the code should be..." Joker started as he cracked his knuckles.

"2139." Widow answered.

"Thank you." Joker replied as he inputted the code. There was a confirmation beep and a Correct before they heard the vault above them shift.

"Way to go!" Yin cheered out.

"This isn't enough...I need to have a huge presence!" The voice of Kaneshiro suddenly declared.

"What now?" Skull got out in an annoyed tone.

"I'm done having people walk all over me...It's my turn now..." Kaneshiro then promised in a menacing tone.

"Yeah, he is definitely compensating for something." Joker simply stated.

"He is beyond redemption." Fox began in a disgusted tone. "It seems he cares not for the people he tramples over." He then declared.

"Oh, wah wah, people are mean to me. Guess I'll just ruin the livelihoods of children and sell off girls to old men." Yang mocked before growling. "He's nothing but a crybaby throwing a tantrum." She then added.

"Way into adulthood." Queen agreed with a nod. "Every step we take only strengthens my resolve. Let's keep pushing." She then declared and instructed.

"We've gotten pretty far without a break though..." Joker pointed out. "You know what, let's just take a break in the safe room first before we head to the next vault." He soon suggested.

"Alright. You're the Leader, Joker." Mona replied as they made their way back with ease.

---

(Underground Vault Safe Room)

The Thieves soon let out a simultaneous sigh of relief as they all sat down.

"You know, I never really feel how tired I am until we go to places like this..." Yang groaned out.

"Maybe it's because of the more bearable atmosphere..." Queen guessed as she sat down. "It feels like I can breathe here, even though I could perfectly outside." She then added.

"Yeah, that's the deal with safe rooms for the most part." Skull stated as he stretched. "God, I could use a drink..." He then mumbled out, before the Leader threw a soda over to him.

"You guys stay here. I'm gonna head to the Velvet Room real quick." Joker got out before vanishing.

"Huh, so that's what it looks like from the outside..." Panther muttered as she blinked at the spot the Leader was.

"Well, if we're going to be here for a bit, I'll work on sketching my next art piece." Fox got out before framing the scene in front of him with his hands. "Stay right there, all of you! Your poses are an exquisite sight that I must immortalise!" He soon requested in an overly passionate manner.

"Hm?" Queen hummed out in confusion.

"We aren't goin' nude for ya!" Skull however declared.

"...What?" Queen got out in a deadpan tone.

"Long story..." Yang groaned out as her roommate nodded in agreement.

"Don't. Ask." Panther soon growled.

"A story that we'll never live down..." Mona sighed out.

"So, what do you guys want to talk about?" Yin meanwhile asked as a way to change the subject.

"Hmm..." Widow hummed out. "Oh, what do we plan to do this summer? Find another target?" She soon asked and guessed.

"Oh yeah, summer vacation is coming up in what? Soon right?" Panther soon asked.

"Not sure. I mean, we've been doing this thing since April. I kinda think we deserve a break." Yang admitted. "Wait, that also means that finals are coming up soon too..." She then pointed out.

And that caused Skull to slam his head on the table and cry.

"I guess I'll be tutoring Skull for the next few days..." Queen sighed out. "You have plenty of time to study."

"Yeah. At least you have something to focus on once we're done with Kaneshiro." Yin pointed out. "Oh! How about a group study session?" She then happily suggested.

"Despite you being one of the top students?" Queen however asked.

"Eh...I'm not much of a teacher..." Yin sheepishly admitted. "I can tell you the answer, but not how to do it..." She soon revealed. "Though back at Hanzō, I used to fall asleep in classes sometimes. You know, late night training and such." She then revealed before giggling.

"Hehe...it's funny...I never expected for things to turn out like this." Queen suddenly giggled out.

"Really?" Yang asked in a curious manner.

"Originally, I would have just studied more for college entrance exams." Queen confessed. "But now, I wouldn't mind spending a summer stealing hearts. But I will make sure everyone is studying all the while." She then confessed and reminded.

"Thanks senpai." Yang got out in a grateful and relieved manner.

"I agree, your studies come before anything else." Widow replied in agreement. "However, my summer is going to be twice as busy. With more free time, I can focus on my network more. I'm sure there is going to be a flood of info coming." She then stated

"It's all work and no play for you, huh." Panther muttered out.

"Oh I do not mind doing work," Widow however confessed. "I was the leader of my group of Elites at Gessen, so this is nothing new." She then explained.

"Yeah, Elite Leaders are used to doing that kind of work." Yang replied in agreement. "We have to set up training schedules, review candidates to be accepted into our schools...at least at Hebijo, most of the time it's shinobi training, but Sis here has to attend civilian classes as well and keep up her own appearances." She then listed off.

"Damn, you guys actually do all that? Like, every day?" Skull asked.

"More or less." The three shinobi girls replied with nods.

"We do have time to relax and hangout with friends though." Yin pointed out. "It just...not as often as nowadays." She then admitted.

"Because of the missions you were originally on regarding the breakdowns and shutdowns right?" Mona guessed.

"Not really." Yin responded with a shake of her head. "If all of this didn't happen, I would be training right now." She then admitted. "I...always trained a lot back home during free time. I wanted...no, I needed to get better...It sort of became my hobby before coming here." She sheepishly confessed while scratching the back of her head.

"And I'd probably be miserable." Yang added while also scratching the back of her head. "Past me would be itching for a fight almost every day. Training wouldn't be satisfying if I didn't have something alive to focus on." She then explained.

"And now Yang?" Widow soon asked in a curious manner.

"Well, I probably would...just..." Yang started before trailing off to think about it. "...What do I do for fun by myself?" She soon asked in an unsure manner.

"Uh...I sense an existential crisis." Panther muttered, practically seeing the gears in the tan skinned girl's head sputter and grind to a halt.

"...Job searching?" Yin innocently suggested.

Yang immediately dropped her head in depression. "That just makes me sad most of the time." She mumbled out. "And I am no masochist." She then added.

"That would be Ryōna-san..." Widow meanwhile muttered to herself with a sweatdrop.

"Hm?" Fox hummed out.

"O-Oh, just a...a very dear friend." Widow responded, unable to stop herself from remembering the first time she discovered the twins'...quirks.

"Looks like we all know unique people huh?" Yang admitted in amusement. "Some of them fun, others dangerous, and some who are just plain weird." She then listed off.

"I'm back and better than ever!" Joker suddenly declared as he reappeared.

"Like you, for example." Yang deadpanned, earning a look of confusion from the Leader.

"JESUS EFFIN' CHRIST!" Skull screamed before tipping over his chair. "Ow..." He groaned out.

"Gah! Don't scare us like that!" Panther called out.

"Welcome back, Joker." Mona greeted.

"So, how was the Loli Paradise?" Yang however asked in a casual manner.

Joker however groaned to that. "Why do you keep calling it that?" He soon asked with a long-suffering sigh.

"Because it's fun." Yang replied in amusement.

"I'm gonna have to talk with Caroline-chan and Justine-chan again sometime." Yin meanwhile thought to herself.

"You know, they are going to beat you for every time you call them that." Joker pointed out.

"Oh no. Children. My only weakness." Yang got out in a flat tone while rolling her eyes. "Yeah, I'll definitely watch my mouth about that." She soon added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Yang..." Widow sighed out in a chiding manner.

"Oh, what? It's not like they're gonna do anything to me." Yang mumbled out while crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not their prisoner after all." She then muttered. "...Shit, Widow's gonna intensify her training on me now..." She mentally realized.

"Prisoner?" Queen repeated in confusion.

"We'll tell you about it at lunch tomorrow." Panther assured. "Just uh...you aren't too squeamish, right?" She then asked.

"..." The Thieves only gave the ash blonde a blank stare, as if reminding him of the newest member's...unique combat moves.

"...Right. Well, let's focus on our objective." Mona replied.

"Well, let's all eat some snacks, restore our energy before moving on." Yin soon suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea." Queen agreed before the Vice Leader gave her some snacks.

It was nice to eat snacks and talk with friends for a while, even if it was inside a bastard's heart.

---

(Underground Vault)

Once they were done eating, the Thieves left the safe room and headed for the next part of the floor.

"Closer and closer." Joker breathed out as they got to the most recent vault they rotated into place.

"This movement...There can be no doubt." Queen suddenly got out, getting everyone's attention.

"Queen?" Yin got out in confusion.

"Did you notice something?" Fox soon asked.

"Remember when Joker made that lock picking analogy?" Queen responded. "Well...it's a lot closer than you think. This entire floor...is the cylinder of a lock." She then informed.

"Yeah, I noticed that too, senpai." Yang replied with a nod.

"What!?" Yin exclaimed before pulling out the map before narrowing her eyes. Now that she looked at it closely...yeah, it did seem like one. Actually, it was a wonder how she didn't recognise it as well.

"Wh-What do you mean...? Can you explain that a little more...?" Panther asked.

"That's why it seemed so familiar." Joker got out as he snapped his fingers. "Mona taught me this a few weeks ago. The cylinder is the mechanism that checks if the key is the proper shape. As long as you use the right key, all the discs align and the lock opens." He soon explained.

"Oh...I see." Widow spoke up. "Although the vault rotates, the path forward remains a straight line." She then deducted.

"An entire floor...in the shape of a lock." Mona muttered out in awe.

"Yep. All the smaller vaults in here aren't important." Queen stated.

"But the one at the center is." Widow added.

"That has to be where the Treasure is!" Yang got out in an excited tone.

"And according to the map...We only have three more cylinders to align before we can access the center." Yin informed before putting the map away.

"Alright, let's go!" Joker ordered...before stumbling back once he saw what was on the other side. "Hold up, hold up!" He then called out, stopping the Thieves from getting seen by the golden guard.

"Tch, another one of those bastards..." Skull grumbled out.

"Why is it here?" Yang wondered as the Advisor narrowed her eyes.

"Ah, look behind it!" Queen soon pointed out.

"It looks like another PIN terminal." Widow muttered out.

"It seems like we'll have to take it down to move on...Are you ready for this, Joker?" Mona responded and asked.

"Ready." Joker replied as they confronted the enemy.

"Hmph, you must be the rats we've been hearing about..." The gold colored guard Shadow remarked.

"Well, you're working for a cockroach so I guess we're even in that regard." Yang countered as the Vice Leader and the Advisor giggled in agreement.

"Well, Mr. Kaneshiro ordered me to absolutely not let anyone past this point." The guard soon declared. "Accept your death!" It then ordered.

---

(Cue Daredevil by Lyn Inaizumi)

The Guard soon exploded as it revealed the Shadows. "Life-Draining Spirit!" Mona informed.

"God, it looks like an undead Orabas..." Joker got out in disgust. "Let's take it out quickly!" He then ordered while preparing his knife.

"Here we go! Gokuentou!" Yang declared while summoning her Persona.

FWOOSH! SLASH!

"Dammit!" Panther remarked in frustration as the attack did nothing to the enemy. "Fire is no help here! It's immune to it!" She then called out.

"Man, does it feel like we've been running into a lot of enemies with Fire resistances...?" Yang grumbled to herself in annoyance and frustration.

"Don't know, just work with what else you have!" Joker replied as he summoned Arsene. "Eiga!" He commanded.

DOOM!

"Guh!" Joker grunted out as he took his own attack. "Reflects Curse. Noted." He groaned in annoyance.

"Let me have a go at it," Widow offered. "Fūma! Bufula!" She commanded.

CRACKLE!

"ARGH!" The Life-Draining Spirit cried out in pain as it fell to the ground.

"It's weak to Ice!" Widow called out.

"Make this quick! ALL-OUT ATTACK!" Joker soon ordered.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! WHAM! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP! WHAM!

"Let go and embrace the cold." Widow coolly requested as she posed.

And with that, the Shadow fell to its knees before Queen stomped its head into the floor while the Leader crouched down in front of it.

(End Music)

---

"You accept yours?" Joker quipped before the Advisor crushed the Shadow's head under her heel.

"And that's the end of that!" Widow breathed out as the Thieves caught their breaths.

"Huh? There's no number pad on this..." Yin noticed as they began to approach the panel.

"Yeah, just two buttons." Skull muttered out.

"I guess that's why the Shadow was protecting it?" Panther guessed.

"It doesn't seem to require any keys, but there are buttons on the left and right of the box..." Fox soon informed.

"There must be a reason that thing was guarding it. Let's try and figure out why." Widow replied.

"Alright." Joker responded before hitting the right button, causing the vault to shift to reveal...

"Ugh, a dead end." Yang groaned out.

"Hit the left button then." Queen stated.

Joker nodded and hit the left button twice, revealing a way forward this time.

"Okay, another panel." Skull began. "Wanna bet it's right this time?" He then suggested in a joking manner.

Joker simply shrugged and hit a button, aligning the opening in the next vault wall with the other vaults.

"Uh...I think it did something good." Yin got out.

"Alright, let's head back." Queen stated as they went back to the first panel.

"Hm...Maybe right isn't a dead end..." Panther guessed as Joker hit the right button once again.

And with that, the way forward was clear.

"There we go!" Mona cheered out.

"Huh, a little puzzle solving was a nice change of pace from all the fighting and sneaking around." Yang casually admitted while placing her hands behind her head.

"And now it's back to fighting and sneaking around." Joker replied. "The next vault awaits!" He then declared as the group made a mad dash.

---

(Vault: F3)

As they went down the stairs, Yang couldn't help but vent her frustrations - a combination of exhaustion and seeing repeating elements wearing her down.

"God, this feels endless..." Yang groaned out. "Guards, cameras, codes, freaking paywalls...I'm starting to lose my mind..." she then admitted. "I mean I know we gotta keep pushing, it's just that not even shinobi training is this repetitive. And this is coming from the girl who went to Hebijo and did the camouflage jutsu training for 30 straight hours!" She then added.

"It's just one more Yang. And then we can come back, steal the Treasure and burn this place down with all its dirty money." Queen reassured before blinking. "And that training sounds ridiculous and impossible." She then added.

"We have to do the impossible on a daily basis, Queen, if we want to survive each and every encounter with an enemy." Yang responded in a more serious tone. "Or enemies..." She then added.

"Shinobi training has to be harsh to make us into who we are today." Widow stated. "Gessen isn't called a Death Cram School for nothing." She then revealed.

"Hai. It's for the best. We uh...We need to beat demons and even then it's not enough most of the time..." Yin added with a nod.

"Demons...that aren't Shadows?" Queen slowly asked with widened eyes to the mere thought.

"Explain later." Joker spoke up. "Not the time right now. Focus on Shadow Kaneshiro and his security." He then reminded.

"Hai!" The girls responded.

"...Oh crap, wait, what's our escape route?" Panther suddenly asked in concern. "We took an elevator down here. The Palace will be falling apart once we finish our heist." She then added.

"Wing it as we go like always." Joker replied. "Plus, there has to be stairs." He then added.

"No way. No effin' way are we gonna take the stairs!" Skull however declared. "We'd die!" He then added.

"Well, going down stairs is easier than climbing up them." Queen pointed out.

"...Grappling hooks." Joker reminded.

"That still requires a ton of effort to use..." Yin stated. "Plus, our hooks don't go that far." She then added

"We could-" Joker started to suggest, however. .

"Stop trying to subvert stairs, Joker." Yang deadpanned, interrupting him as they continued through the area as stealthily as possible until they came across another panel.

Although, there seemed to be a cover over the keypad.

[Good afternoon. This terminal is only for the Bank President's use.] The terminal greeted and informed.

"Urgh..." Yang groaned loudly before the terminal had finished its greeting.

"Wait, not staff? Only Kaneshiro?" Queen questioned in confusion.

[Please provide fingerprints, President Kaneshiro.] The terminal requested.

And that caused everyone's hearts to stop.

"What!? We actually need his fingerprints now!?" Skull exclaimed. "There's no way we can get that!" He then called out.

"Unless we chop off his fingers...in reality..." Yang muttered under her breath.

"Yeah, no." Queen deadpanned. As much as she wanted to beat the shit out of their target, she didn't want any permanent physical damage to the man...yet. "Come on...there has to be some way to trick the scanner..." She then stated.

"Well, since we don't have the full password, let's go search for it first." Joker soon ordered, although the shinobi did notice a slight edge in his tone.

He was worried. They were worried too.

"Hmm..." Yin meanwhile hummed out with a frown. "Come on...maybe that could work..." She then got out.

"Still thinking about how we'll get Kaneshiro's prints?" Mona guessed.

"Yeah...Hey, Leader, could Third Eye see his fingerprints?" Yin soon suggested.

"Maybe, but we have no way to copy it accurately." Joker pointed out. "Unless you shinobi have a fingerprint kit or something on you, we're gonna have to either call Shadow Kaneshiro down here...or we have to leave." He then stated.

"That is a possibility." Fox admitted in an uneasy tone as they continued on before eventually coming across the golden pig they needed.

"L = U + G, D = G." Joker read out. "That's different." He then thought with a sweatdrop.

"We have to do math now!?" Skull exclaimed.

"It's simple arithmetic and substitution, Skull." Queen sighed out. "But it would be easier if we had a pen and paper." She then admitted.

"How about a pencil?" Fox offered as he handed the Advisor one of his many art tools he keeps on his person at all times.

"That will help." Queen replied as she started writing. "Alright, so from the HUGE code, we know that U equals 1 and G equals 3 so...4. And D equals G, so it equals P which equals 1." She then muttered out. "Hmph. Easy enough." She soon concluded with confidence.

"...What?" Skull got out in a dumb tone and a blank look on his face.

"As expected of one of the smartest people at Shujin." Yang meanwhile complimented with a nod of approval and crossing her arms over her chest.

"It's just some simple arithmetic and substitution." Queen however stated while playing it off, though was still smiling with confidence. "Let's go find the next one." She then instructed.

And with that...they did so because there's so many times you can describe that process without losing your will to live.

"Please let this be the last one..." Panther groaned out as the Leader opened the golden pig and retrieved the page.

"O + H = 10." Joker read out before cursing under his breath. "Son of an algebra...Okay, so we don't know what O is, so we have to solve it. Since we did HUGE, so we know H equals 2. So 10 minus H equals 8." He then figured out while mumbling to himself as he wrote out the solution in the journal.

"That sounds about right." Widow stated in an impressed tone.

"Hey...there's a fingerprint on the page. Kaneshiro has some really messy handwriting..." Yin noted the surprisingly clean fingerprint on the page before her eyes widened. "Wait...Do you think it could help trick the scanner?" She soon suggested.

The Thieves blinked before shrugging. "Only one way to find out." Joker simply replied before making their way back to the panel.

[Good afternoon. This terminal is only for the Bank-] The terminal soon began its programmed greeting once again.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shut up. We know!" Yang growled in frustration.

"We have all the parts of the journal, but we still need Kaneshiro's fingerprints to get us to the Treasure." Fox soon reminded.

"Maybe we should try the fingerprint on the paper." Skull suggested.

"Are you sure?" Yang questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"...We're desperate and we are not leaving until we find the Treasure." Joker answered as he pulled out the journal.

"This definitely won't work..." Panther deadpanned.

"Hey, maybe the security system is so advanced that it would overlook such a simple trick." Widow pointed out. "I have encountered such systems before on missions. I once managed to trick a motion sensor just by moving very slowly." She then explained.

Joker carefully cut the fingerprint out of the paper with his knife before putting it on the scanner.

[Scanning...Scanning...] The terminal got out. [Error. Please scan again.] It soon requested.

"Ah, hold on." Joker got out as he tried again.

[Scanning...Scanning...] The terminal repeated before the Thieves heard a happy beep. [Fingerprint accepted. Welcome Junya-sama.] It then got out.

"...That actually worked?" Widow breathed out in disbelief.

"A multi-million yen security system...beaten by paper." Joker stated before letting out a small laugh. "I guess I know what to throw out in rock-paper-scissors now." He then added in amusement.

"Wow, his security seriously sucks." Yang giggled out.

"Agreed." Yin and Queen responded with nods of unison.

"Alright, now input the code." Widow soon stated.

"So that would be...one...eight...four...one!" Joker responded as he went over and typed in the code. "Green light!" He then cheered out as the vault moved above them.

"That...none of that should've worked at all..." Panther got out as she facepalmed.

"Just don't question it." Fox advised with a sigh.

Suddenly, they heard Kaneshiro snicker. "This gold sheen..." He soon began.

"Again?" Fox sighed out.

"This...This is the fruit of all my hard labor!" Kaneshiro declared in a proud manner.

"He thinks robbin' people out of everything is something to celebrate? That guy needs to get his brain checked..." Skull stated with a shake of his head.

"He's not even doing anything. He's just making his lackeys do all the work." Yin grumbled out.

"With this much, I will be invincible! Omnipotent!" Kaneshiro then declared. "I've changed...I'm no longer the person I used to be..." He then mumbled to himself.

"Oh great. Another asshole with a god complex..." Yang deadpanned as she rolled her eyes.

"The person he used to be...? What could have happened to make him so distorted...?" Panther questioned with a frown.

"I don't know, but no matter what kind of past he had, his actions today are unforgivable." Fox stated with a shake of his head.

"Hai. No excuse will ever truly explain his actions." Widow soon stated.

"That's right." Queen agreed. "Now, if my deductions are accurate, that should've been the final mechanism." She then informed.

"All right then. Let's head back and check out the vault!" Mona declared before turning to the Leader. "We know where it is, so going back should be easy. What do you think, Joker?" He then added.

"Let's go." Joker answered before making their way back upstairs.

---

(Underground Vault)

After dashing to the center, the Phantom Thieves soon took a step back as something rose up from the center.

"So unnecessarily elaborate." Widow whispered to herself as she shook her head.

"H-Hey, this is an elevator, yeah?" Skull got out. "So a way down really did show up." He then added.

"You're like some kinda prophet, Queen..." Yang complimented. "You were a huge help throughout this whole stupid thing." She then added.

"I was just following logic and used what I learned at school. It's mostly thanks to that notebook though. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for that." Queen however stated. "More importantly, did you hear all those things Shadow Kaneshiro was saying?" She then asked.

"Oh yeah, I was wondering about that!" Panther spoke up. "Didn't he seem kinda...insecure or something?" She then asked.

"Exactly. He kept bringing up how rich and powerful he wants to be." Mona responded while narrowing his eyes.

"But he already has all of that." Yin sighed out. "And he only wants more! He's so desperate to stay at the top!" She then declared.

"So if he's insecure about that shit...he thinks he's really just some poor weakling, huh?" Skull remarked.

"Maybe by thinking he was going to be a strong, wealthy man, he convinced himself it was true." Queen guessed.

"I wonder..." Fox muttered to himself before shaking his head. "Well, we will discover the truth for ourselves when we change his heart. Let us hurry, Joker." He soon added.

The Leader nodded as they started making their way towards the elevator. However, as the Thieves stepped forward, a golden guard spawned right in front of them. "Oh come on!" Yang growled in frustration.

"From Mr. Kaneshiro personally, he never expected you to make it this far." The Shadow soon confessed. "But that ends here. I am the last line of defense against you thieves! Another step forward and you will die like the rest!" It then declared and threatened.

"Yeah, don't give a shit! Get the hell out of our way!" Skull shouted out.

"Or do we have to make you move?" Queen challenged as she summoned Johanna.

"I'm serious! This is your last warning!" The Shadow then shouted out. "I wish for this to end peacefully so either leave or suffer!" It soon threatened once more.

"I'm sorry, but peace was never an option." Yin stated as she placed a hand on her mask.

"This Shadow is way stronger than any we've faced in this Palace." Mona warned. "I know it's capable of destroying our outfits. Are you ready, Joker?" He soon asked.

The Leader just placed his hand on his mask, letting it burn away in blue flames. "Heh. Bring it." Joker replied with a cocky smile as Arsene appeared behind him.

---

(Cue Tatakai by Takeharu Ishimoto)

"If that's how you want to die, I shall gladly grant your wish!" The Shadow declared as it transformed into its true self.

The Shadow revealed itself to be a naked woman with pinkish skin, roses wrapping itself around her body to provide some sort of modesty. It instantly caused several of the Thieves to blush.

"Oh my God..." Queen whispered to herself.

"What the...I don't recognise this Shadow!" Mona exclaimed in a panic.

"Dude, she's effin' naked..." Skull got out with widened eyes.

"I-I can see that." Fox squeaked out.

"Don't let her looks distract you!" Widow called out as she aimed her fans at the Shadow. "It's still a threat we must eliminate at all costs!" She then reminded.

"Alright, you're all under my Direct Command!" Joker ordered as he narrowed his eyes at the Shadow. "Do not act dumb here, alright!?" He then instructed.

"I hear you loud and clear, Joker!" Mona responded. "What's the plan?" He then asked.

"Just take it slow. Let's figure out her weakness and then go from there." Queen instructed. "But I want status effects out there now to slow her down!" She then ordered.

"Y-Yes Queen!" Skull yelped out in a nervous manner as he summoned his Persona. "Come on, Captain Kidd! Shock 'em!" He then called out.

ZAP!

"Nope! Didn't work!" Skull got out in annoyance before his eyes widened as he saw the naked Shadow starting to glow a purple aura.

"What, it's countering already!?" Yin exclaimed.

"Oh no! It knows Tentarafoo!?" Mona got out in a panic. "Watch it everyone or you'll get confused and start attacking each other!" He then advised.

"Brace yourselves!" Queen commanded as the Thieves raised their guards just in time as a wave of disrupting energy filled the battlefield.

"Is everyone fine!?" Joker soon asked in concern as he lowered his guard.

"I think so..." Panther replied. "God, Kaneshiro's really pulling out all the stops, huh?" She then asked.

"Come on, we can do this!" Yang called out in an encouraging manner.

"Her main element is Wind!" Joker meanwhile informed. "Maybe some thunder can do some damage." He then deducted as he tore off his mask. "Ame-no-Uzume! Mazio!" He soon commanded as the Persona unleashed the electric spell.

ZAP!

However it barely did anything...

"That's not it..." Joker grumbled under his breath.

"She's retaliating again!" Yin warned, catching Joker, Skull and Widow off guard.

"MAGARULA!" The Shadow soon declared as Widow managed to raise her arms before being blasted by the spell.

RIP! TEAR!

"GAH!" Skull and Joker cried in pain as the wind tore through their clothes.

"YAH!" Widow screamed as well, guard not being enough to counter the power of the attack.

"Ngh! Her wind attacks are so strong!" Yin struggled and groaned out, trying to keep her guard up against the spell.

"Is everyone alright?" Joker panted out, wiping the blood off his chin.

"Sultry Adultery 3: The Key to Love (Trademark) is a great family-friendly film...!" Widow got out in a daze before...

THUD!

"Widow's down!" Panther informed. "Heal her quick!" She then ordered.

"I've got it!" Mona called out as he called upon his Persona. "Persona! RECARM!" He soon commanded as a green glow engulfed the girl.

"We're running low on health here!" Fox informed. "We need to rest and heal for a moment..." He then stated.

Joker and Skull only let out smirks despite the damage to their clothes, slightly revealing their (rather sturdy-looking) chests.

They had some energy to spare.

"Ready, Partner?" Skull asked as he hefted his weapon onto his shoulder.

"Heh, ready." Joker replied with a chuckle. "Arsene!" He called out.

"Captain Kidd!" Skull also called out.

"LET'S ROCK!" The boys declared as they charged at the Shadow, drawing her attention from their allies by firing darkness and lightning everywhere.

"Alright, we better do this quickly. We don't know how long the guys can hold their own." Yin order as she began passing out medicine and other helpful items.

"P-Panther, are you okay?" Mona questioned, wondering if she caught a fever because of that last attack.

"W-What!?" Panther exclaimed before checking her nose. "I-It's just the atmosphere! PERSONA!" She then stammered out as she summoned her Persona as she used one of her few healing spells to help her friend.

"Hell yeah! I'm effin' feeling it now!" Skull shouted out with a toothy grin. "Captain Kidd! RAMMING SPEED!" He then commanded as he leapt onto the bow of his Persona's boat, his other self already rushing towards the Shadow.

WHAM!

"GACK!" The naked woman Shadow hacked out as Captain Kidd jammed his boat right in her chest.

"WOO!" Skull cheered out as he leapt off the boat and smashed his mace into the naked woman's face.

SMASH!

"How'd ya like them apples!?" Skull laughed out as he landed back on the ground.

"It's futile, you welp!" The Shadow declared as she lashed out some vines.

WRAP! GRIP!

"GAH!" Skull got out through gritted teeth as the vines tore through the leather and started to tear through his arm. "JOKER!" He cried.

SLICE!

And with that, Joker sliced the vine, freeing the dyed blond and causing the Shadow great pain. "That's your one." The Leader quipped before leaping away, his clothes being the only thing damaged by the thorns of the vines lashing out at him.

"God-effin'-dammit, that hurts..." Skull groaned out through gritted teeth as he pulled the vines off his arm.

RIP!

"Gah! My jacket!" Skull exclaimed before growling as he ripped off the sleeve and charging in with an angered look on his face.

However, Joker seemed to be having the time of his life as he was practically dancing around the Shadow, ignoring the fact his shirt had been sliced up, revealing a budding six pack.

Between every step was a swipe of his dagger.

With every swipe of his dagger, Arsene clawed and kicked the enemy.

And with every kick, Joker's smirk widened.

"Wow..." Yin got out in awe.

"Hehe...I totally taught him that." Yang admitted.

"They're really good fighters together..." Queen noticed.

"Maybe they're just having a good day." Widow guessed.

"Embarrassing when it happens to girls...yet tasteful when it happens to men..." Mona soon stated as he glanced at the blushing ash blonde. "Dammit, I gotta get back to being a human..." He then muttered with determination.

"Guys! We need you to jump back in!" Skull called out as he jumped back, panting and sweating.

"R-Roger that." Panther stammered out as they jumped back in.

Queen meanwhile was standing still on her Persona and was blushing as she watched the Leader's slightly (and tastefully) ripped clothes ripple around his slight defined muscles. "Yummy~!" She mentally squealed in excitement while rapidly and unnecessarily revving the engine.

"QUEEN! ON YOUR RIGHT!" Yang screamed out.

"Huh?" Queen got out before...

WOOSH!

"AAAHHH!" Queen screamed in pain as she was blown off Johanna, slamming her back into the vaults. The brunette tried to get up, but several of the lockboxes opened up and spilled money and other valuables over her weakened form.

WHAM!

...Including a golden toaster. Which finished her off.

DING!

Oh, and slightly burnt toast popping out of it.

"SENPAI!" Yang called out in a panic as she went to help the unconscious girl.

Joker would've cursed under his breath, but he saw that the Shadow was beginning to glow once again. "Watch it! It's about to use Tentarafoo!" He soon warned before forcing his body to leap out of the way of the wave of confusion.

"H-Huh!?" Skull muttered out, only managing to see the Shadow cast the spell before his vision started to blur. "What the..." He then got out in a dazed manner.

"Dammit, I think Skull got hit with it!" Panther called out...right before receiving a punch to the gut.

WHAM!

"OMPH!" Panther grunted out as she fell to her knees.

"There! I got her knocked down!" Yin called out, eyes showing to have swirls in them before proceeding to beat the poor girl into the ground. "Wow, this thing is a lot smaller than before..." She then admitted before...

SLAP!

Suddenly, her vision cleared as her cheek grew red from pain. "W-What the-" Yin mumbled out as she shook her head.

"That was close." Yang called out as she put away the paper fan before rushing off to help the Advisor.

"What?" Yin got out in confusion, looking around for a moment before seeing the downed ash blonde. "Wah! Sorry, Panther! Mediarama!" She soon called out in a panic.

While Panther did feel better after being healed, as she could do in response was whimper.

"Fudge! Futomaki! Fuck!" Yang meanwhile swore out as she got the stuff covering the unconscious girl off of her. "Senpai, tell me you're alive!" She called out in concern.

"Sis...it's not a phase...it's just who I am now..." Queen mumbled out. "...Yeah, that's a good excuse to use someday..." She then muttered.

"...At least you're alive." Yang muttered under her breath. "Joker! I need a revive for Queen!" She then called out.

"A little busy here! Also, DODGE!" Joker called out as he dove out of the way of an attack.

"Whoa!" Yang yelped out as she guarded against the attack. "Dammit...This is starting to get annoying..." She then panted out.

"Can't believe we're getting our ass kicked by a naked lady out of all Shadows..." Skull grumbled out. "It could've been some awesome abomination or a god or somethin', but it just had to be this!" He then called out.

"Stop complaining and focus!" Widow ordered as she summoned Fūma. "Aqua!" She commanded.

SPLASH!

"Soaked her!" Widow declared as she looked at the downed Shadow. "Fox, now freeze her!" She then called out.

"Hai! Bufu!" Fox responded as he unleashed the spell of ice.

CRACKLE!

"MPH!?" The Shadow exclaimed, its voice muffled by the ice encasing her body.

"Made an opening! Heal Queen, now!" Fox called out.

"RECARM!" Joker called out before groaning as he felt the energy drain start to affect him. "Damn...I need some coffee..." He then mumbled to himself as he watched the Advisor regain consciousness. "Note to self, buy some revival items next time." He soon thought.

"Ngh...why was there a toaster in one of them?" Queen groaned out while rubbing her head.

"More importantly, why is it gold? And powered?" Yang pointed out as she picked up the toaster...before promptly throwing it at the Shadow. "EAT TOASTER YOU SHAMELESS NUDIST!" She then roared.

SMASH!

"MPH!" The naked Shadow lady yelped out, before tipping over and shattering the ice block she was encased in. "Urgh..." She groaned out.

"Yes, she's down!" Yin cheered out before blinking. "Wait...didn't Panther say that Skull-" She began to ask, however...

GRIP!

"Aw, what the hell!?" The confused Skull exclaimed. "Let go dammit!" He then demanded.

Yin only winced before disarming the boy by twisting his arm around his before...

SLAP!

Smacking him hard across the face. "SNAP OUT OF IT!" Yin soon called out.

"..." Skull, however, remained silent as he laid on the ground...unconscious.

"...Oops..." Yin awkwardly got out. "M-Mediarama!" She called out, healing the group as a result saved for the downed dyed blond.

"Recarm." Joker then groaned out as he revived the dyed blond. "Let's take this time to heal and power up!" He soon ordered before slumping down to catch his breath. He had only one attack in him before he was out.

"Got it!" Panther replied as the Thieves began using every buff spell they knew.

"U-Uh...It's getting up!" Skull announced as the Shadow started to recover.

"Heh, not for long! Garula!" Mona declared and called out.

"A-Ahhh!" The Shadow screamed out in a panic as she dived out of the way on the spell.

This however got the group's attention. "She seemed...way too scared to take Mona's spell." Yang pointed out.

Queen's eye suddenly widened as she realised what that meant. "You...You gotta be kidding me..." The Advisor muttered out. "She's weak to her own element!" She soon declared, causing the Shadow to noticeably flinch in response.

"Eep!" The Shadow yelped out to their blunder as she tried to scramble up to her feet, but a sudden rush of weakness stopped her from doing so.

"Well, that makes things way easier." Joker panted out with a smirk before switching Personas. "I have just the Persona for you. SYLPH!" He then revealed and commanded as a Pixie but with blonde long hair and a green leotard appeared in front of him.

"Hehehe...you're a pretty lady you know that?" Sylph giggled out. "Too bad you have to die! GARULA!" She then declared.

WOOSH!

"AHHHHHHHH!" The enemy Shadow screamed in pain before falling to the ground.

"DOWN!" Yang shouted out, already baring her teeth in an animalistic manner.

"GO GO GO!" Joker shouted out. "All-Out Attack!" He soon ordered.

"This is the end!" Queen declared as they rushed the Shadow.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! WHAM! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP! WHAM!

The Thieves all landed behind the Shadow and posed.

"We're done here." Joker smoothly got out, already making his way to the elevator as the Shadow burst behind him.

(End Music)

---

"Well that...that was a thing..." Yang panted out before getting closer to the advisor. "Queen...why did you get distracted?" She whispered in concern.

"N-No reason!" Queen squeaked out, the blush still being on her face. "Focus Queen! Now is not the time to be ogling the hot and attractive men every time their clothes are- GAH STOP THINKING THAT!" She mentally began telling herself before her imagination started to become more...vivid as her head became a glowing pink and was steaming.

"What's with her?" Skull asked, his clothes now repaired and clean after using a Sewing Kit.

"Just..." Yang began before glancing at the Advisor, who couldn't meet the Leader and dyed blond in the eye right now. "...A little embarrassed she got taken out by a toaster." She then lied.

"...Why was there a toaster here?" Joker soon asked.

"And why the hell was it gold?" Skull then asked.

"And powered?" Fox questioned as well.

"That's what we said." Yang sighed out while giving her friend a subtle thumbs-up while she regained her composure.

"W-Well, that was quite a difficult battle, but we were able to defeat it. Nice work everyone." Queen soon stated while regaining her calm demeanor.

"I am so sorry about what happened earlier, Panther." Yin meanwhile apologized while bowing to the ash blonde. "I was just Confused and-" She then began to explain.

"It's fine. You weren't in control." Panther replied before wincing as she held her stomach. "But I think I'll need an ice pa-" She soon began before the light grey haired girl placed a hand to her stomach and immediately felt cold as a result, soon getting rid of the pain. "...Thank you Widow." She sighed out.

"You are welcome." Widow replied with a bow. "Now let's head down. If what that guard said was true, she was truly Kaneshiro's last line of defense." She soon stated.

"Indeed. We cannot handle another fight like that..." Fox responded before calling the elevator.

---

(Vault of Kaneshiro)

"Okay, I have to admit you were right, Kaneshiro really knows his music." Yang admitted. "Maybe he can use that talent in prison."

"I would pay to see Kaneshiro leading a marching band." Panther spoke up. "As long as he isn't scamming anyone." She then added in an awkward tone.

"After we're done with him, he'll cry at the mention of that word." Queen growled before feeling the elevator coming to a stop. "Ah, we're here." She then announced before the Thieves stepped out of the elevator.

"Yosh! We made it!" Yin cheered out letting out a breath. "Now where's the Treasure?" She then asked as she looked around.

"I assume it is that cloudy object in the middle of the room." Queen assumed as she pointed at the mysterious glowing haze.

"Yep. That's it!" Mona got out as they approached the formless Treasure.

"Hm, so how do we take it?" Queen soon asked as she tried to grab it, only for it to pass through her fingers.

"We don't. Not today anyways." Joker answered. "Now, we have to leave and prepare for the next part." He then stated.

"Yeah, we gotta prepare the calling card as soon as we get back." Skull added as he cracked his knuckles.

"And some new paint and spray cans." Yang added with a devious smile.

"A calling card..." Queen whispered out as she stared at the Treasure. "I see. Making the target believe that the Treasure is in danger will cause it to materialize. That's quite a bold trick." She then deducted and complimented.

"Huh? She understood?" Panther got out in surprise.

"You're...way too smart." Yin muttered out in an impressed manner.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Queen responded with a smile. "Though I don't understand the meaning for the graffiti." She then confessed.

"It's part of the Phantom Thieves signature." Yang simply answered with a smile. "...Please don't tell me you want to remove it from Shujin..." She then awkwardly pleaded.

"Of course not, the school could use some color." Queen however replied in amusement. "Plus, the school can't afford to paint it over." She then added with a giggle.

"Oh thank goodness..." Yang breathed out in relief.

"Well Joker, we'll defer to you regarding its timing." Fox stated.

"OK guys, let's get ready for the heist!" Mona declared as they headed back into the elevator.

---

(Underground Vault)

The Thieves soon returned to the underground vault. They all let out a breath at the same time. This Palace had finally been successfully infiltrated.

"The next time we enter that Treasure Room, it's to take the Treasure itself." Joker declared as he pulled on his red gloves.

"And in the end, that Kaneshiro only showed his stupid face once..." Skull grumbled out.

"He's afraid of us." Yang simply stated. "He's going to throw everything he has at us when we send the card." She then added.

"That doesn't matter. As long as we steal the Treasure, we'll change his heart." Mona stated.

"Then let's act as the Phantom Thieves should and send the calling card. As with Kamoshida and Madarame, it's on you, Joker." Widow responded.

"If you wish to train or explore further before sending it, that decision is purely yours." Fox stated.

"Well...we have some SP to burn..." Joker got out with a smirk. "Wanna go on a rampage? Treasure Demons spawn more at higher security levels~" He then suggested and explained to the newest member.

"Y-You h-have t-to s-stop t-talking d-dirty, J-Joker." Queen giggled out...before it turned into full-blown laughter...then unhinged cackling to the idea.

"I like the sound of that." Yang confessed with a crimson gleam in her eyes.

"Let's go loot and kill every Shadow in sight!" The Leader declared as he summoned Arsene.

"BANZAI!" The Phantom Thieves (Minus Fox) cheered while pumping a fist into the air.

And thus, Kaneshiro went to sleep that night wondering why he was hearing faint alarm bells and explosions for over two hours that day.

---

(6/23, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Asuka let out a yawn as she, her roommate and her fellow Leader made their way back to the apartment/hideout.

"You didn't have to buy me a drink, Asuka." Akira pointed out after taking a swig of soda. "I'm pretty flush with cash after all that today." He then reminded.

"And you didn't have to escort us back home, Akira-kun." Asuka replied. "I think we can handle ourselves." She then giggled out.

"I know," Akira replied. "I just wanted to. Plus, Homura here is a little..." He then explained before their eyes drifted towards the tan skinned girl.

"20,000...30,000...40,000..." Homura got out, counting the money she obtained from the Palace. Particularly, the money she stuffed into her outfit.

"...Distracted." Akira finished as they deadpanned. "I know she doesn't have a job, but this is a little..." He then muttered out as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Overkill?" Morgana guessed.

"Yeah." Akira replied.

"In any case, we finally secured our route to the Treasure! All we need to do now is send the calling card." Asuka cheered out.

That in turn got the tan skinned girl's attention as she looked up from the money she was counting. "Indeed...We have finished the prearrangements, and now we shall face the true test. But this is no time to panic, Akira." Homura soon stated in a formal and well-mannered tone. "Let us ensure we succeed after having come so far." She soon added.

The two Leaders and the not cat soon looked at the tan skinned girl when they heard her say that.

"So cool Homu-nee..." Asuka thought in amazement with stars in her eyes.

"Haha! You sound like Yusuke, Homura." Akira meanwhile chuckled out.

Homura however groaned to that in annoyance. "I will not let you get to me this time..." She soon stated in the same well-mannered tone. "Ugh...I know fully well that Yumi-senpai would approve..." She thought to herself.

Asuka unlocked the apartment door and let the two inside. "Do you wanna stay for dinner, Akira-kun?" She then offered.

"Nah, I'll pick something up from Central Street on my way home." Akira waved off, not wanting to burden the shinobi.

"Okay then. Hey, Homu-nee, what do you-" Asuka began to ask as she turned to her roommate.

"Eeeee!" Homura happily and excitedly got out like a gleeful child, throwing money into the air.

"And we've lost her..." Akira got out with a sweatdrop as they stared at the tanned skin girl rolling around in it.

"Give it a minute." Morgana got out in a flat tone. "Hey, do you have more snacks?" He soon asked.

"Oh, yes you can Morgana-chan. We still have plenty more." Asuka replied...before noticing that the table was still covered in said snacks. "We didn't even put them away." She then awkwardly stated, right before she grabbed a packaged salmon onigiri and ate it after unwrapping it.

"Oh yeah Asuka, do you think you can prepare some sushi for me?" Akira soon asked while handing the Vice Leader some money.

"Sure." Asuka replied with a nod. "I'll do it first thing in the morning." She then added.

"Have we actually eaten the sushi in Palaces?" Morgana wondered out loud.

"When no one is looking." Akira replied as the Vice Leader nodded in agreement.

"What!? I want some too!" Morgana exclaimed. "I want Asuka Sushi dammit!" He then added in frustration.

But before anyone else could say anything...

"WAIT WHAT!?" Homura suddenly exclaimed, causing the two leaders and the not cat to jump. "Fuck me!" She swore in frustration. "Ack! Gurble, flakmarble, meningitis... " She then got out as she tried to correct herself from swearing.

"I tried to warn you, Homu-nee..." Asuka sighed out.

"What is it?" Akira asked.

"Kaneshiro's stupid face is on all of them!" Homura soon declared before throwing it down. "Goddammit, why does the universe conspire to keep me poor!?" She then questioned in despair while falling to her hands and knees.

"There, there." Akira got out in a comforting tone as the two patted her back. They all silently decided not to mention that they already knew for quite a while. "Hey, I heard a KFP opened up in Shibuya. Maybe you can get a job there." He then informed and suggested.

"Do not pity me!" Homura growled before blinking. "And what in the world is KFP!?" She then asked.

"Kentucky Fried Phoenix." Akira answered in a flat tone. "...They serve fried phoenix chickens." He then added.

"That is the most ridiculous name I ever heard of..." Homura grumbled out.

"What? Phoenix chickens are a real breed!" Akira pointed out. "Plus, a job's a job. You can't complain." He then added.

Homura in turn sighed to that. "Fine, I'll try to apply after hanging out with one of my committee members tomorrow..." She soon decided.

"So what do we do with all this fake money?" Asuka eventually asked as she looked at the counterfeit money.

"...Wanna roast marshmallows for dinner tonight?" Homura suggested.

"Er...maybe we should save it." Akira spoke up. "Could come in handy someday. Plus, fake or not, burning money would not look good and I'm sure those marshmallows would suck." He then added.

"Darn...I kinda want marshmallows now..." Homura lamented. "Sis, do you mind helping me clean this up?" She soon asked.

"Sure, then we can take a bath." Asuka replied with a nod.

"Okay, I'll be leaving then." Akira announced before he headed for the door. However, he stopped when he realised something. "...What day is it tomorrow?" He soon asked.

"Friday the 24th." Homura answered.

"Alright. See you two at school then." Akira responded with a nod.

"Bye Akira-kun!" Asuka replied as the Leader left.

When the two roommates were alone, they went straight to work.

"Why are you stacking it like real money?" Homura questioned as she swept the fake money under the couch.

"I dunno, I just felt like it." Asuka mumbled out before tilting her head while she studied the money. "I mean, apart from Kaneshiro's ugly-ass mug, it looks real..." She then admitted.

"Well, it is not." Homura sighed out as she sat down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. "As much as I wanted to believe, I collected 30,000,000 yen worth of nothing in a futile attempt to not get a job." She then grumbled out.

"30,000,000 yen..." Asuka repeated as she frowned while the gears turned in her head.

DING!

And then...a lightbulb!

"Wow, we get so much sun and moonlight I sort of forgot we have a light." Homura noted after flipping the lightswitch.

"...I just thought of a way we could use all this fake money." Asuka suddenly got out as she looked at the silver briefcase.

"Hm?" Homura hummed out with a raised eyebrow.

"You returned all the money in there, right?" Asuka soon asked.

"...I'm getting to it..." Homura muttered out. "I'll ask Yumi-senpai to help spend a Sunday to anonymously redistribute it back to the victims then get rid of the case." She soon revealed.

"But why don't we return it to him?" Asuka soon suggested in a vague tone.

"...Huh?" Homura responde in confusion as they picked up the fake money

Asuka only let out a devious and rebellious smile in response.

She had plenty of ideas for the calling card.

---

(Hebijo Hideout)

RATTLE! RATTLE! RATTLE!

"Grrr...! Why...is...it...so rusted...!?" Mirai struggled out as she tried to push the door open...before noticing the Pull sign, causing her to blush.

Thank God no one was here to see it.

"S-Stupid door..." Mirai mumbled out.

So, once she pulled the door open, she went down the stairs. "There we go!" She happily got out before blindly feeling the wall. "Now where's that light switch...Oh! Here it is!" She began to ask before flipping it.

FLASH!

"YEOW! MY EYE!" Mirai wailed as she covered her exposed eye. "Why put a light there...!?" She then complained in frustration.

Once she was able to see again, she dusted herself off before she stared out at the abandoned train station.

"Whew, made it back here." Mirai breathed out as she set her bag down on one of the nearby beds. "You know, it's kinda nice to have this place to myself." She then admitted.

Sure, she'll possibly be declared a renegade once people find out she's missing despite the note she left for the greenette saying she'd be gone for a few days (although it probably would've been smarter to tell the staff before leaving for Tokyo in hindsight), but one of her friends was in trouble and she had an obligation to help.

Guess a bit of her old heritage from being from a Good Shinobi clan was still within her.

The loi of Hebijo (cue said girl having an eye twitch in response) soon got herself comfortable as she got into her pajamas, opened her laptop and turned it on as the screen glowed. "Akira Kurusu, you're gonna answer for your crimes..." Mirai soon declared while typing on her laptop, in the mood for writing fan fictions.

She was going to get to the bottom of things involving what happened to her friend.

---

(Hotel Kusotori)

The girl let out a breath as she carried her duffle bag into the lobby. It was quite bothersome day with all the public transport delays and admittingly getting lost, but she made it before midnight so it will be fine once she gets a good night's rest.

She soon approached the front desk, where a well-dressed man noticed her. "Hello, I am sorry for coming in so late. I have a reservation." She greeted, apologized and informed.

"Ah, not a problem." The receptionist politely replied before he began typing on his computer. "Name?" He soon questioned.

"Yozakura." The Gessen student answered as she hefted her bag. "Yozakura Amida." She then informed once more.

The man stopped typing for a second before he continued doing so. "...What do you wish to have for breakfast?" He soon questioned.

"Sushi with a side of earl grey tea along with a fried egg." Yozakura answered in a pleasant tone.

"Hmph." The man hummed out before looking around. "Very well. You know where your room is." He instructed while placing the keycard out.

"Thank you." The Gessen shinobi replied with a smile before taking the keycard and heading for the elevator, entering it as the door closed.

Once she was alone, she took in a deep breath as she pulled out a hidden panel and inserted her keycard into it.

[Card Accepted. Transferring now. G Shinobi Suite.]

With that, the elevator moved down. Way past any floor the hotel legally had.

The girl soon sighed as she knew she would settle in once she arrived. Maybe a bubble bath to relax from the trip before heading to bed. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow, Yumi." Yozakura thought with a smile.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

Akira blinked as he sat down on his bed while Morgana climbed onto his lap.

"...Why do I feel like I should be watching my back even more than usual?" Akira suddenly asked before taking out his phone. "Nothing from Haruka-chan..." He then added in relief.

BZZT! BZZT!

"And just in time too." Akira got out as he checked the IM.

[Shut7heFUp: When're we gonna send the calling card? We should hurry it up!]

[Sweetkat06: I have to agree. The earlier the better in my book.]

[All4Painting: There is no assurance he will keep his promise, after all. What are your thoughts on the matter, Makoto-san?]

[Road2Queen: Honestly, I can't wait to send it.]

[Road2Queen: I want to put an end to his pathetic crimes as soon as possible and make him suffer.]

[TheWildJ0ker: We will. The day after tomorrow.]

[TheWildJ0ker: But take the time to rest. We did a lot today. I'm actually surprised everyone hasn't fallen asleep yet.]

[SushiRoll23: Hai. Kaneshiro's Shadow is going to throw everything at us. We have to prepare for the absolute worst.]

[Negative8Degrees: As it should be for every heist we pull off.]

[FireGirl20: As soon as you call us to the hideout, we'll know it's go time. So don't keep us waiting, okay?]

[TheWildJ0ker: I won't. Just be in your apartment first next time.]

"Better get some sleep. You look like you need it." Morgana advised.

"I can't agree with you-" Akira admitted in agreement, however...

BZZT! BZZT!

Akira let out a sigh before checking his phone.

"Yumi? Why is she sending a private message?" Akira thought as he opened the message.

[Negative8Degrees: An informant just came back with a potential target.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Hit me.]

[Negative8Degrees: Jirou Asagiri. An abusive father.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Wait, that name's familiar...]

[Negative8Degrees: Really?]

At that moment, the not cat came over and began reading the discussion. "Right, one of our first requests was Kaname Asagiri, this must be about the father." Morgana deducted while narrowing his eyes.

[TheWildJ0ker: Say no more. We know who that is. Ask Ryuji, Ann, Asuka or Homura if you want more details.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Get in contact with the Phan-site admin. He'll take care of the rest.]

[Negative8Degrees: Hai, Akira-kun. I await our next trip to Mementos.]

"So we'll finally be going after him." Mona got out. "About time." He then added with a smirk.

"Yep. Been waiting for this ever since hearing about it." Akira admitted with a nod of agreement as he laid himself down, but before he was able to sleep...

BZZT! BZZT!

"Why do people keep calling me!?" Akira grumbled out as he checked his phone to see who it was this time, gulping as a result. Haruka. "Ugh...If it's another dirty picture..." He groaned out. He appreciated them but he was slowly starting to be desensitized by the sheer frequency of them. "Oh...she's calling this time..." He awkwardly realized.

"Careful with her..." Morgana meanwhile advised while narrowing his eyes. "And put your speaker on..." He then instructed.

Nodding to that, the Leader answered the call and did as instructed. "Good evening Haruka-chan." Akira greeted over the phone in a polite manner.

"To you as well Akira-kun." Haruka replied, sounding a little more muted than usual. "I'm just calling to see how you're doing. Sorry if I'm disturbing you."

"Huh, she's apologizing?" Morgana remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"Been doing that a bit recently." Akira whispered before focusing on his phone again. "I was just about to go to sleep. Um...Look, I'm sorry if I wasn't considerate of your feelings last time. I'm just not used to having someone so...forceful around me." He soon admitted. "Especially a beauty like you." He then had to add.

"It's ok..." Haruka replied. "I understand if I was being too forward and aren't too comfortable about it." She then added.

"That's good. We understand each other." Akira breathed out. "By the way, how's Tae?" He soon asked, getting the not cat's attention.

"She's just been spending most of the day in the consultation room in a depressed state. I've been taking care of all of her patients all day." Haruka answered in a depressed manner. "Are you sure I can't help?" She soon asked and offered once more.

"Yeah." Akira assured as he tightened his grip on his phone. "You only just got here. I've known about Tae and her problems for much longer so don't worry about it okay? Just take care of her. She needs someone there for her and...unfortunately...I can't be there for her all the time like you can." He then requested and confessed.

"Hmm..." Haruka hummed out in response.

"And afterwards, we can hang out again as friends." Akira soon offered. "I know just the place to take you." He then revealed, mentally slapping himself in the face because he had no idea where to take the blonde after this mess was over.

"Ufufufu~ I would like that." Haruka giggled out before catching herself. "Not as a date though right?"

"Hehe, you're learning," Akira chuckled in amusement. "Good girl." He then joked out.

"Woof woof~" Haruka barked in a playful manner before groaning. "Aw, that only made me miss Poochie..." She then got out in a sad tone.

"Well she is a cute puppy." Akira admitted in amusement.

"Traitor..." Morgana meanwhile mumbled out in envy.

"Aw, you're just as cute, Morgana." Akira replied with a chuckle.

"Is your cat getting jealous~? How adorable~" Haruka cooed out with a giggle. "Oh, I should apologize to her for the last time as well." She then remembered. "Morgana-chan right?" She soon asked for confirmation.

"That is his name." Akira replied.

"...Your cat is male?" Haruka soon asked.

"HEY!" Morgana got out in an offended tone.

"Well, I think he is." Akira answered before narrowing his eyes. "I never really checked-" He then started, however...

"Don't you dare!" Morgana soon demanded.

"Ufufu~ He is so cute when he meows angrily, Akira-kun." Haruka soon confessed in amusement.

"That he does." Akira chuckled out in a joking manner.

"Alright, enough fun at my expense please." Mona groaned out.

"Sorry." Akira replied before focusing on his phone. "Also Haruka, try and moderate the sexy pics though, you wouldn't want me to get bored of them right?" He joked out.

"I will. I can promise you that." Haruka giggled out. "But I bet you like them though right~?" She then teasingly asked.

"...I can't deny it..." Akira awkwardly admitted with a pink blush as the not cat's jaw dropped to that confession.

"Then I'll just have to dial up the sexiness with each one~" Haruka responded.

"I'll be waiting then." Akira replied with a smirk.

"Have a good night Akira-kun." Haruka got out before taking a deep breath. "...I love you." She then suddenly confessed in a more love filled tone.

Akira in turn blushed to that while the not cat's eyes widened to the sudden confession. "...Haruka..." He muttered to himself before taking a deep breath. "Good night." He eventually replied before hanging up.

"...No chan that time?" Morgana however asked.

"Morgana, I don't really like using honorifics for friends and close allies." Akira stated. "Feels impersonal to me. I'd rather just call them by their given name." He then added with a shrug.

Soon the two had a moment of silence before...

"So...how are you going to respond?" Morgana suddenly asked in a hesitant tone.

"What?" Akira got out in confusion.

"She just confessed her love for you." Morgana reminded in a serious tone while narrowing his eyes. "And while I personally would stay as far away from her as humanly possible, I know you wouldn't do that." He then added.

This in turn caused the Leader to scratch the back of his head. "Honestly, I'm not sure." Akira admitted with a sigh. "I already said we're better off friends, right? I won't lie to her saying that I'm interested romantically in her despite her being a beauty." He soon stated

That however confused the not cat and caused him to raise an eyebrow to hearing that, only for them to widen. "...Ooooh, she's one of those types...she's never been rejected before..." Morgana mentally realized. "Maybe, but I suggest trying to settle things with her as quickly as possible." He soon advised.

"I will. Even if I have to set her down hard." Akira replied in agreement as he laid down on his bed. "Oh yeah, I should go to her about the Shadow Blood we got in the Palace." He then admitted. "And maybe I can get those Jack Frost plushies I promised all the way back at the castle." He soon added.

"Hold on, not too hard, she's still a girl and they can be sensitive despite how she acts." Morgana countered.

"I mean, like, blunt. If she pushes too hard, I'll push back. I care about her feelings, but if she won't stop she will lose people." Akira soon explained. "...Just got to do it in a way so she doesn't become a yandere..." He then concluded, shivering to the thought.

"Don't even think that." Morgana however sighed out.

"Right." Akira replied as he laid down. "Well, we better get to sleep. Tomorrow is a break day, but then the day after, we're sending the calling card." He soon informed.

"Yeah." Morgana replied with a nod as he laid down on the Leader's stomach. "Night." He then got out while closing his eyes.

Akira simply smiled as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

---

(Shinjuku, New Moon Apartment Complex)

"Ugh…" The two Student Council Presidents groaned out in unison as soon as they got to the apartment.

"That...Was…" Makoto panted out as she stumbled her way inside.

"Difficult..." Yumi concluded as she locked the door behind her. "I thought after Madarame's Palace things would be easier but no...it only got harder…" She then confessed.

"And then we have to go back and steal the Treasure." Makoto soon reminded. "Hopefully, things will go smoothly then." She then added.

"We've fought every Shadow for their Treasure, from those down in Mementos to Palace rulers. I very much doubt Kaneshiro will be going down without a fight." Yumi pointed out as she walked to the kitchen.

"True." Makoto responded as she nodded in agreement before narrowing her eyes. "But even though, we'll crush him all the same..." She then declared.

"Well, let me prepare a quick dinner and then can wash off this sweat and head to sleep." Yumi soon offered.

"Ugh, am I sweaty?" Makoto asked in disgust, but before she could check herself...

BZZT! BZZT!

Makoto pulled out her phone to check who it was, mentally hoping it wasn't her sister, only to smile at who it was on the caller ID before answering it. "Ah, good evening Homura-san." She greeted over the phone.

"To you as well Senpai." Homura politely responded. So, how does it feel to make it to the end of a Palace?" She soon asked.

"It's a good feeling...but I'm so tired I don't have the energy to smile." Makoto admitted, despite actually having a smile on her face.

"Yeah, Akira's been pushing for those one day infiltrations..." Homura admitted. "I mean, we can do it but I'm so wiped. I'm probably gonna save the bath for tomorrow...at least, until Sis stops her uh...thing." She then added.

"Thing?" Makoto repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a surprise. Don't worry about it too much." Homura replied in a reassuring tone. "I should actually help her so...good night, senpai." She then added.

"Please, it's just Makoto." Makoto however responded and requested.

"Nope, gonna keep calling you senpai, senpai." Homura however declared. "Though if that perverted side of you starts growing more, I might have to treat you like one of my acquaintances from Hebijo." She then informed.

Makoto's blush soon became scarlet as a result. "W-What!?" She squeaked out. "I-I don't have a perverted side!" She then whispered. "Moh, don't get me flustered like that Homura-san..." She soon mumbled out her order with a flushed expression.

"Hehe, your reaction says otherwise senpai." Homura remarked in amusement.

Makoto in response puffed up one of cheeks in a way unlike she usually is. "Moh, Homura-san..." She got out in a chiding manner.

"Hehehe...you sound just like Asuka..." Homura giggled out. "At least your loosening up now." She then added.

Makoto's eyes soon widened to hearing that before relaxing herself with a smile in realization. "I guess so." She replied as she tucked some hair behind her ear. "Thank you Homura-san. Have a good night." She then added.

"You too senpai. Say hi and good night to Yumi for me." Homura replied and requested before hanging up.

"Ah...!" Yumi got out as she placed some food consisting of a pork roast and a large bowl of salad on the table before sitting herself down. "Who was that?" She soon asked.

"That was Homura-san checking in on me. She says hi and good night." Makoto replied and informed while sitting down to eat.

"Ah, how considerate of her." Yumi replied with a smile as she sliced the pork and placed a plate in front of the other girl. "Although, a greeting doesn't make sense if we already spent the day together." She then added in amusement while preparing a salad.

"I think it's just her tiredness talking then." Makoto assumed. "It's actually taking a bit of effort from me to...to..." She began before trailing off.

"Hm?" Yumi innocently hummed out with a tilt of her head.

"...What was I about to say?" Makoto soon asked before looking down. "Oh, food." She then got out before happily eating.

"Makoto-san, what were you trying to say?" Yumi however asked as she began eating.

"I...I just forgot..." Makoto answered as she shook her head. "I guess the Metaverse got me too..." She then stated.

Makoto however winced as she hesitated for a moment."...I...I do have a great respect for my sister but...I don't think our relationship will be the same once I go home..." She soon confessed. "She didn't exactly approve of my...actions after trying to confront Homura-san and the others like skipping school..." She then added.

"You were in a depressed state and your sister couldn't accept that fact." Yumi stated in a serious tone. "Your sister should have been more supportive of you as an older sister should have been, no matter the reason." She then declared while narrowing her eyes.

"But it's not like I did anything to really help myself." Makoto however admitted. "Sis doesn't have the luxury to be with friends and talk like this. She's trying to give me a good life and...I almost wasted that by letting myself go crazy over that." She then admitted in shame. "And please don't try and say it's not my fault, some of it is and I accept that." She soon added.

"Homura-san thinks that as well." Yumi replied with a nod. "There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves. We must take action if we wish to grow. We all make mistakes, so all we can do is make sure it never happens again." She then stated.

"It's an important lesson." Makoto responded with a nod of agreement. "One I learned too late to realize." She then admitted.

"But that is what good friends are for. To push you back in the right direction." Yumi stated. "...Of course that direction involves brutal fights and stealing, but at least it's for the good of everyone." She awkwardly added.

"It's funny...I didn't take Homura-san to be so graceful yet wild out there..." Makoto admitted. "It surprises me just how into it she gets." She then added.

"She is getting better about that though." Yumi however revealed. "You Makoto-san are obviously one of her reasons for her changes since you two are so close." She then added.

"Yeah," Makoto admitted before pause. "Wait...close?" She then repeated in confusion and with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, we are friends." She soon pointed out.

"Yes, but I have the feeling that Asuka-san will start getting jealous if you're too close, if you know what I mean." Yumi soon stated with a giggle.

That in turn confused the Shujin Student Council President even more...only to blush scarlet in realization after remembering one of their blunders in a safe room. "I-I didn't mean like that Yumi-san!" Makoto stammered out in a panic. "W-We are just friends!" She then added.

"Well, it didn't seem like that in the safe room...~" Yumi playfully pointed out with a giggle escaping her lips.

Makoto's head soon started steaming as a result. "Please stop..." She mumbled out.

"You know I'm just teasing." Yumi however responded with a giggle. "But you would be perfect together. She does like the color red." She then added.

"J-Just...I'm gonna go take a shower now!" Makoto stammered out before heading for the bathroom. "...Is embarrassing others your only source of amusement!?"

Yumi however giggled in response. "I apologize. Having a roommate like you reminds me of my friends back at Gessen." She soon apologized and explained.

"Oh right, one of them is coming soon." Makoto muttered as she remembered that fact while getting undressed. "...Are you going to tell them?" She suddenly asked as she then turned the water on and waited for the right temperature.

"Hm?" Yumi hummed out in confusion.

"You know...about the Phantom Thieves?" Makoro hesitantly responded. "You mentioned your friends are like your sisters so..." She then added before trailing off.

Yumi's eyes in turn widened in response. "I...I never thought about that actually..." She soon confessed. "Maybe it depends on their standing on the Phantom Thieves. I mean, at this point we're merely a bunch of vandals. People acknowledge our existence. And now it's time to prove our justice." She then stated in a more serious tone.

"Yeah, we know we are doing the right thing." Makoto replied with a nod while stepping into the shower. "Now we need to prove it to everyone else." She soon added. "And Kaneshiro is the perfect example." She then concluded.

"Still...I wonder if my grandfather would approve of what I'm doing..." Yumi soon asked herself. "Or...would he disown me...?" She then added in a fear filled manner.

Makoto in response shook her head. "Don't think like that." She responded."He loves you like any good grandfather should. You are worrying about nothing." She then reassured.

"But the perfect world he envisioned...one without evil..." Yumi muttered. "The elimination of all evil..." She then added.

"That's...not entirely possible, Yumi-san." Makoto replied in an uneasy tone. "We all wish for that world but humanity is just..." She then started.

"Too grey to truly separate into black and white." Yumi concluded with a sigh. "I know but I will continue to work for that world. It's the least I can do for him since he raised us since all our parents died at the hands of Evil Shinobis." She soon added.

Makoto remained quiet, not wanting to look at the grey haired girl with a sorry look. Her grandfather had essentially given her an impossible task, one that would more than likely get her killed if she wasn't careful.

Did he truly believe in his own dream?

As Makoto thought of this, hot steam came out of the shower as the two then entered it and began washing one another.

"So...you and your sisters, all of your parents were killed at the hands of Evil Shinobis..." Makoto stated to make sure the information was correct while her head was being scrubbed.

"It's a very tragic coincidence..." Yumi admitted in a saddened tone. "But it's been a long time since then. We not dedicate ourselves to our training and our oath."

"So in a sense, your grandfather took care of all five of you..." Makoto responded as she imagined a single elderly man taking care of five children. ". . That must have been a task..." She then stated in an impressed tone.

"We all did our best to take care of each other." Yumi soon revealed in a nostalgic manner. "Plus, he's a shinobi. He's a lot healthier than those his age. He still has a...a...few...years left...in him..." She soon stated before trailing off at the end while the soap suds came off the other girl's head.

"Hm?" Makoto hummed out as she scrubbed the other girl's hair of shampoo.

"N-Nothing." Yumi stammered out. "Just missing my grandfather, n-nothing more." She then added.

"Well, you can always visit over the summer next month." Makoto assured. "I'm sure he's waiting for you." She then added.

"He probably is." Yumi replied. "However he would have also wanted me to continue my mission to try and find the source of both the mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns, and I am the closest anyone has ever gotten to figuring them out. I can't stop now." She then added in a more serious tone.

"...It must be quite the feeling...to think you have the weight of the world on your shoulders." Makoto breathed out, shocked to hear that.

"It is something I will bear until I die." Yumi stated. "And I accept it as a shinobi." She then informed.

"Despite being a high school like us?" Makoto questioned in concern.

"Why would age matter?" Yumi however asked. "If you have the power to change the world, it's your responsibility to use it. Or have you already forgotten what happened to you?" She then stated and reminded.

"I guess..." Makoto admitted as she shut off the water.

"The adults have already failed to better this world...so it's up to a new generation to fix it to the way it's supposed to be." Yumi got out. "Our generation. Which is now the duty of the Phantom Thieves." She soon concluded as they exited the shower and offered a towel.

The Shujin Student Council President in turn took the towel and began drying herself off. "We do have a lot of work ahead of us. I'm sure we can make the world better eventually." Makoto replied. "But right now, we can only better the world by sleeping because I am about to collapse." She then added as a yawn escaped her lips.

"Hai. Let's head for bed for now. We still have school in the morning." Yumi replied in agreement and reminded.

With that, the two girls got into their pajamas, crawled into their futons and almost immediately fell asleep, dreaming of the days of the days to come.

---

Save Game…Quit!

---

(Persona Tracking)

Joker

Level: 29

Personas: Arsene (Resist: Curse) (Weak: Ice, Bless), Jack Frost (Null: Ice) (Weak: Fire), Orpheus Picaro (Resists: Bless) (Weak: Electric, Curse), Ame-no-Uzume (Absorb: Fire) (Weak: Psy), Shiki-Ouji (Null: Physical, Gun, Bless, Curse) (Weak: Nuclear), Orthrus (Absorb: Fire) (Resist: Nuclear) (Weak: Ice), Black Ooze (Resist: Physical, Gun, Ice) (Null: Ice) (Weak: Elec, Psy, Bless), Sylph (Resist: Wind) (Weak: Electricity, Earth)

Treasure Demon: Queen's Necklace - Tarukaja, Rakukaja, Sukukaja, Recarm, Media, Tarunda, Rakunda, Sukunda

Persona Trait: Arsene- Last Stand (Allows use of ambush-only skills after Baton Pass), Jack Frost- Ice Lineage (Chance to halve costs of Ice skills), Kin-Ki- Avenger (Doubles damage from Counter Skills), Orpheus Picaro - Circle of Sorrow (Activates Endure up to 4 times), Ame-no-Uzume- Elec Bloodline (Resists: Wind) (Weak: Electricity, Earth), Shiki-Ouji- Psy Lineage (Chance to halve the cost of Psy skills.), Orthrus- Burning Touch (Increases chance of inflicting Burn after Baton Pass.) Black Ooze- Odd Immunity (Reduces susceptibility to ailments.), Sylph - Wind Bloodline (Reduce cost of Wind skills by 50%.)

Skills: Eiga, Maeiga, Snap, Speed Master, Tarukaja (X2), Bufula (X2), Mabufula, Ice Break, Baisudi, Rakunda, Freeze Boost, Recarm, Freila, Diorama, Mazio, Tentarafoo, Divine Grace, Shock Boost, Cadenza, Maragion, Matarunda (X2), Endure, Agidyne, Matarukaja (X2), Fire Boost, Taunt, Double Shot, Mapsi, Dekaja, Psio, Oni Kagura, Agilao, Double Fangs, Dodge Ice, Burn Boost, Cornered Fang, Evil Touch, Stagnant Air, Ambient Aid, Headbutt, Brainjack, Flash Bomb, Garula, Magarula, Sukukaja, Regenerate 1, Me Patra.

Accessory: SP Adhesive 2 (Skill: Invigorate 2)

Yin

Level: 29

Persona: Kaeru (Resist: Earth, Fire) (Weak: Wind, Gun)

Persona Trait: Path of Light (Gain some HP when using support/healing skills)

Skills: Magnara, Media, Sukukaja, Lucky Punch, Mamagna, Masukakaja

Confidant Rank: Rank 5

Accessory: Skanda Belt (Speed Master)

Yang

Level: 29

Persona: Wolverine (Resist: Physical, Gun, Fire, Wind) (Weak: Water, Earth, Bless, Psychokinesis)

Persona Trait: Path of Crimson (Gain some HP when using Physical/Magic skills)

Skills: Agi, Cleave, Gokuentou, Regenerate 1, Terror Claw, Triple Down, Swift Strike

Confidant Rank: Rank 5

Accessory: Tough Belt (Defense Master)

Mona

Level: 28

Persona: Zorro (Resist: Wind) (Weak: Elec)

Persona Trait: Proud Presence (Increases effect of allies' healing skills)

Skills: Garula, Diarama, Patra, Media, Lucky Punch, Magaru, Me Patra

Confidant Rank: Rank 4

Accessory: Attachment Pearl (Null Forget)

Skull

Level: 28

Persona: Captain Kidd (Resist: Elec) (Weak: Wind, Earth)

Persona Trait: Raging Temper (Might increase allies' physical attacks by 40%)

Skills: Lunge, Zio, Tarukaja, Headbutt, Adverse Resolve, Rampage, Mazio, Bad Beat, Assault Dive

Confidant Rank: Rank 6

Accessory: Rakshasa Belt (Attack Master)

Panther

Level: 28

Persona: Carmen (Resist: Fire) (Weak: Ice, Water)

Persona Trait: Mastery of Magic (May decrease SP cost of allies' magic skills)

Skills: Agilao, Dia, Dormina, Tarunda, Maragi, Dekaja, Fire Break

Confidant Rank: Rank 4

Accessory: Crimson Necklace (Fire Amp)

Fox

Level: 28

Persona: Goemon (Resists: Ice) (Weak: Fire)

Persona Trait: Scoundrel Eyes (High chance to evade Phys attacks for all allies.)

Skills: Bufu, Giant Slice, Sukukaja, Vicious Strike, Mabufu, Counter, Rising Slash, Dormin Rush

Confidant Rank: Rank 2

Accessory: Bold Eyepatch (Effect: +Evade Physical (Low))

Widow

Level: 28

Persona: Fūma (Resists: Ice, Water) (Weak: Fire, Curse)

Persona Trait: Dance of Justice (Chance to trigger a Baton Pass for the next ally when hitting a resistance.)

Skills: Bufula, Aqua, Ice Boost, Water Boost, Dazzler, Makajama, Malaqua

Confidant Rank: Rank 3

Accessory: Engraved Dog Tag (Gun Boost)

Queen

Level: 27

Persona: Johanna

Persona Trait: Gaia Pact (Increase allies' chance of inflicting Burn/Freeze/Shock/Soak by 25%.)

Skills: Freila, Mafrei, Vajra Blast, Diarama, Rakukaja, Makajama, Energy Shower

Accessory: White Headband R (Life Surge / Endurance +8)

---

(Persona Analysis)

Sylph (Wandering Wind Spirit)

Arcana: Adjustment

Origins: Liber de Nymphis (Date: Late in the author's life, before 1541)

Stat Spread: High Magic and Agility, low Endurance

Resists: Wind

Weak: Electricity, Earth

Description: Slyph is an air elemental and mythological being first appearing in the alchemical works of Paracelsus. He describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air. It's commonly depicted as a woman. They are often referred to by the female name Sylpheed. As air spirits, they can disappear and cause gentle breezes with their voices

Alraune (Semen of Man)

Arcana: Lust

Origins: European Mythology (Date: Unknown, but their names was coined in 19110

Stat Spread: High Magic, good Agility and Luck, decent everywhere else

Resists: Fire, Water

Null: Curse

Weak: Wind

Description: The basis of the story of Alraune dates to the Middles Ages in Germany. The humanoid-shaped Mandrake root or Mandragora officinarum was widely believed to be produced by the semen of hanged men under the gallows. Alchemists claimed that hanged men ejaculated after their necks were broken and that the earth absorbed their final "strengths." In some versions, it is blood instead of semen to be somewhat more family-friendly (which will not be the case here given the name before it is obtained as a Persona). The root itself was used in love philters and potions while its fruit was supposed to facilitate pregnancy. Witches who "made love" to the Mandrake root were said to produce offspring which had no feelings of real love and had no soul.

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Whew! Done. Now for some cooldown chapters before we have Makoto kick Kaneshiro in his balls.

Merry Christmas from the UknownHero and stay safe out there. We're in the endgame, make it count.