Chapter 8: The Path of Strife

"So, what do you think of the Phantom Thieves, Makoto?"

Makoto nearly jumped out of her seat at her sister's question. The days where Sae bothered to come home for dinner were few and far between, and they usually ate in silence with the news on. Today there was an interview with Goro Akechi on, but it happened to be the one where the second year Shujin Academy students had been present. Whether it was by luck or fate, Ren had been picked out of the crowd to answer whether he believed in the Phantom Thieves' justice.

Ren had answered that he believed in the Phantom Thieves with all the conviction she had come to expect from him. In retrospect in was kind of a silly question to ask him.

"I..." Makoto sighed. She had a feeling that she knew what her sister would say about her opinion, but if Ren could stand his ground in the face of Akechi, then she needed to show the same courage, "They stopped Kamoshida. The principal and other teachers that knew about his abuses did nothing at best. At worst, they protected him. The Phantom Thieves did what no one else could, stopped a corrupt individual from preying on those he was supposed to protect!"

"I'm surprised. Didn't you say that Kobayakawa was asking you to investigate them?" Sae put down her chopsticks, "They're criminals, and they need to be dealt with."

"That's absurd, Sis!" Makoto protested. "Since when was it illegal to make criminals confess?"

Sae glared at her and went back to her food. Usually that was a sign that the conversation was over.

Makoto clearly had a death wish.

"Dad would've been on their side."

Sae stared at Makoto like she had just grown a second head. "No, he would not." Her voice was brimming with anger and her teeth were clenched. "Father was a police officer. The Phantom Thieves are criminals."

"Prove it." Makoto said in defiance. "Prove that the Phantom Thieves are criminals."

Sae shook her head. "I don't have time for your infantile theatrics. You need to get over this infatuation with the Phantom Thieves and complete your task for Kobayakawa. You said he gave you names of students that suspected to be involved?"

"I refuse to damn anyone to punishment that would likely ruin their lives forever without being absolutely certain that they're guilty!" Makoto had to hide the truth. She had no doubt that the news that she was actually about to join the Phantom Thieves would not go over well.

"I had no idea you were so disgustingly naive." Sae said, her gaze an imperious condemnation of Makoto. "All that matters is victory. I decide who's innocent or guilty, and so should you."

Makoto was starting to get legitimately angry at her sister. "So, Ren should have his life ruined because he dared to stop a woman from being assaulted?"

"If he committed a crime in the process, then yes." Sae said. "Your judgment is clearly clouded by this Ren, and you should stop wasting your time with him."

Makoto drew a line in the figurative sand. "Over my dead body."

Sae slammed her hands on the table and stood. "Don't you get it, Makoto? Your college recommendation is hanging in the balance. So what if you have to step on a few people?" She shook her head, "And forget about this Ren person! You don't have the luxury of falling in love right now! If you do not do as you are told, you'll be worse than a burden to me! You'll be useless!"

Makoto stood. There was a hitch in her voice, as Sae's words were hitting much too close to home. "Dad would be ashamed of y-"

She never saw it coming. With a twitch of her arm, Sae smacked her across the face. The entire world seemed frozen in that cursed moment. All she could do was flinch away.

"Oh my god, Makoto!" Sae was rightfully horrified at what she had done. Even under these circumstances, she still loved her sister dearly. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

Makoto didn't say a word. She just brushed past her assailant and locked herself in the bathroom.

"Makoto, please trust me! I didn't mean that!" Sae shouted though the door.

In that moment, something in Makoto Niijima broke. She flung the door open and started screaming at her sister. "Oh, so now intent matters? Assault is a crime. You're guilty. That's how it works in your world, right? RIGHT?" She shook her head, "It's funny, really. You're no better than the Phantom Thieves now, by your logic."

"I..." Sae tried to say something, but the words died somewhere between her brain and her lips. "I think... I'm going to see about a hotel room near the courthouse. For... the foreseeable future."

Makoto didn't say anything. She just shut the door in her sister's face. Without preamble she stripped off her clothes and turned the shower on. She got in and cried as the water beat down on her, her cheek still stinging. She wept with the same intensity she had when she had been struggling on whether to turn Ren in or not, but this time was worse. This time the betrayal had already happened.

It wasn't until the water went from scalding to frigid that Makoto realized what had truly made her snap. It wasn't the slap itself. It was knowing that her sister, who had once believed in the same justice as their father, had fallen so far.

Makoto didn't know how long she spent in the shower. When she did get out, Sae was nowhere to be found.

The only signs that she had been there was a sizable pile of money on the kitchen table and a note.

It only had two words.

I'm sorry.

Given the events of the night before, it was no small wonder that Makoto flagrantly abused her authority as Student Council President to call Ren out of class. Officially, it was to question him about the Phantom Thieves.

When Ren walked into the Student Council room, he had no idea that anything was wrong. "Hey, what was so urgent that you had to pull me out... of..." Makoto was sitting at a desk, just staring off into space. "Niijima-san? What's wrong?"

Makoto opened her mouth to tell him everything about her conversation with Sae last night. But it just wouldn't come. Only the worst part did. "My sister, Sae. She... she hit me."

"What?" Ren said.

Makoto could hear the twist of pain in his voice. She sighed. That was just like him, trying to take care of everyone. "She hit me... because I was defending the Phantom Thieves."

She blinked, and then Ren was there. He pulled up a chair next to her and took her hand in his. He didn't know what to say. What did you even say to that? To his surprise, she leaned into him and clung to his arm with her other hand. She thought that she had cried all the tears that she had in her last night, but she found a few more. "Ren... I'm not useless... right?"

With all the gentleness of a single cloud crossing the sky on a sunny day, Ren took his free hand and turned her head until she was looking at him. "You aren't useless, Makoto, and you're not a burden."

She leaned in until their foreheads were resting against each other. "I'm sorry, normally I'm not this greedy. I just..."

She didn't need to explain. Ren knew. "It's okay, Makoto. I know."

Unfortunately, due to the clandestine nature of their meeting, Ren had to go back to class much too soon. On the way back, Ren ducked into the bathroom and took out his phone. With a tap, he accessed the Meta-Nav.

"Sae Niijima."

There was a hit, but also a warning. The Meta-Nav was saying that the Shadows in Sae's Palace were too strong for him and the others.

He clenched his fist. "It'll be fine." He muttered. "We'll get stronger, together. And we'll save your sister, Makoto. That's a promise."

When he got back to class, it was basically over, and everyone was socializing. "Hey, Ann?"

"Yeah, Ren?"

"Makoto's having a rough time right now, I know you don't see eye to eye but could you... uh..."

Ann nodded. Her personal issues with Makoto aside, if she was going to join the team then they needed to co-exist. "Grab her for some girl time, got it."

Ren looked out the window dramatically before Morgana popped out of his desk. "Hey, don't forget that we have to have Makoto officially meet the team and explain the Metaverse to her."

Ren nodded. He took the time to ponder the mystery of Akechi. How had he understood Morgana? The only way to do that was to have been in the Metaverse.

Something stunk here, but he wasn't sure what yet. He'd find out though, by walking right into the lion's den.

Sojiro's life was the best it had been in a while. Which meant he was instantly suspicious. It wasn't until he was relaxing with Kawakami in Leblanc watching an evening news piece on the Phantom Thieves that he finally realized it.

The only way that the Phantom Thieves could steal hearts was if they were using cognitive psience.

He nearly swore upon figuring this out. He would've been perfectly happy living out his life without ever hearing those words again. Sojiro remembered with frightening clarity the changes that had come upon Wakaba before she had thrown herself into traffic, right in front of her daughter. The daughter that Sojiro now raised on his own.

She refused to leave the house, leaving her room only for food and the bathroom. Sojiro had done everything in his power to get her the help she clearly needed. He'd read books, called help lines, but nothing had worked.

He knew that Futaba had the café bugged. It was her way of showing she still cared, with how she'd hack a few dozen glowing reviews for Leblanc into Yelp and similar sites. She'd be able to check his wild theory far better than he ever would.

"Sadayo?"

"Yeah, Sojiro?"

"I think Ren is a Phantom Thief."

Kawakami thought about it seriously. Sojiro wasn't the kind of person that would make claims like that carelessly. "What are you going to do about it?"

Sojiro raised an eyebrow at the woman he was cuddling with. "You don't seem overly concerned."

Kawakami shrugged. "The way I see it, if he is a Phantom Thief and you're fine with it, that's good enough for me." She shuddered, "Besides, it means he took down Kamoshida. I'll give anyone involved in that man's downfall top marks, no questions asked."

Sojiro said nothing more, as he was more focused on his far-fetched hope.

His hope that the Phantom Thieves could help Futaba.

When Ann ambushed her after school and told her they were going shopping, Makoto thought that she was hazing her. After all, Ann had made no secret of how she felt about her.

It wasn't until they had got tea before doing said shopping that Makoto finally voiced her concerns. "Why are we doing this? Don't you think I'm Kobayakawa's faithful little robot?"

Ann shrugged. "Ren trusts you. That's good enough for me."

Makoto frowned. There was more to it than that, but they couldn't exactly talk openly about Phantom Thief business in public. "You'll forgive me for being skeptical?"

Ann cocked her head as if she was listening to some unseen person, then smiled brightly at her. "Of course!"

Makoto still didn't quite believe her. Was she counting her joining the Thieves as an all is forgotten moment? That was a possible explanation. Especially since she would be forsaking any chance at college recommendation. "So, what are we going to do today?"

Ann took a sip of her tea. "What do you want to do?"

Makoto blinked in surprise. "Well... I think I need to update my casual wear a little. I... oh, this is embarrassing..."

"Girl, lay it on me. I've got you."

Makoto brushed her hair back to stall. "Okay, so now that I'm joining the team, I'd like to have a couple outfits that show that I've become more of a..."

Ann picked up where Makoto trailed off. "A bad girl?" She said teasingly.

Makoto blushed, "You make it sound so... naughty."

Ann snorted. "I mean, come on. It's not like I don't know you're trying knock Ren on his ass, in the best way possible I might add. Stand up for me and spin around slowly." Makoto followed her instructions. "Hmm... how do you feel about leather jackets?"

"Yes."

"Exposed midriff?"

"I... don't know? I mean, I have abs. As long as it's tasteful and not trashy, I suppose."

"Hmm... how about chokers?"

Makoto stopped and pondered what she'd look like with all of those elements combined. With the proper makeup and accessories, she would look nothing like the prim and proper student council president. Sae would hate it.

Right now, that meant that Makoto was all in. "I'm not opposed."

Ann nodded. "Okay okay. Don't worry, we'll get you a bunch of stuff you can mix and match. This'll be great! Come on!" She grabbed Makoto's wrist and pulled her along.

Makoto let it happen. Because for the first time, it felt like she'd found a place that accepted her for who she really was.

Ren was slightly annoyed. Both Ann and Makoto were running late to the meeting. Usually, Ryuji was the last to get Leblanc, especially when they met on Sunday,

"What do you think's taking them so long?" Yusuke asked.

"Who knows?" Ryuji said, "Could be anything."

They heard voices below, Ann and Makoto. They'd certainly taken their sweet time getting here, at least it sounded like they were getting along. That was progress.

Ann came up first. "Sorry we're late! Makoto needed a little help with her outfit." She directed a smug smile at Ren that confused him. What was going on here?

Then Makoto ascended the stairs.

She was wearing a black leather bolero style jacket. Underneath she wore a dark blue shirt that didn't quite make it to her pants, giving Ren a teasing look at her abs. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear -drawing his attention to the fingerless gloves and simple black choker she wore- and focused her eyes on him.

Ren was aware of only two things in that moment. The first was that he was the luckiest man in the world. The second was that he fervently hoped that Rebel Yell was playing somewhere.

She walked towards where he sat with all the authority of a queen. No one dared speak, she brought her hand to his chin and lifted it so that he could only see her face. "Like what you see, my darling thief?"

"Oh my god, that's so cringe." Ryuji said.

"Be silent, lest you break the spell." Yusuke admonished.

Brought back to reality by the peanut gallery, Ren managed to find his voice. "Yes."

"I should hope so..." Makoto leaned down to whisper in his ear. "After all, you made me worse."

Ren grinned. "Admitting I've corrupted you? Rather bold of you, my dear detective."

Makoto's unpracticed seductive facade shattered. She blushed and drew back from him before taking a seat next to him. "How do you always do that?"

"Yeah, we thought you were bullshitting us when you said you have game." Ryuji said.

Ren shrugged. "My sister was hellbent on making sure I didn't go into high school with negative rizz, as she put it."

Morgana's facedesked. "Can we please stay focused?"

"Right! Anyways-" Ren began.

Makoto did a double take. "Did you just talk to your cat?"

"We'll get to that." Ren pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, Makoto. Welcome to the Phantom Thieves. You are literally the one brain cell we have."

Makoto leaned forward, becoming a living version of the Concern meme. "Am I to assume that the command structure up to this point was Ren and then everyone else?"

"Yepppp." Ann said.

"Not to mention that our plans either boil down to only twelve percent of a plan or spring the trap." Yusuke said.

Makoto blinked several times. "How... what is the modus operandi for changing someone's heart?"

"Oh boy." Ryuji muttered.

"To preface this, I swear that none of us are on drugs or insane." Ren said. "We delve into the collective consciousness of humanity to steal the distorted desires of the corrupt."

"Does it have anything to do with this odd eyeball app on my phone? I noticed it yesterday."

Ren went on to explain the Metaverse, Personas, and Morgana. Makoto was surprisingly accepting of it all, but that was probably down to how much she trusted Ren. "So, if I'm not mistaken, we need a target. I may have a lead."

Ryuji rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Now we're talking! What ya got for us Miss Prez?"

"There is a criminal organization targeting high school students in Shibuya." Makoto explained, "Most of the details are unknown, but we have received several reports from parents who believe that their kids are caught up in this. I can set up interviews with them if you like?"

Ren nodded, further plans for the investigation beginning to take form in his head. Check-ins with Takemi and Iwai wouldn't go amiss. Iwai always kept his finger on the pulse of organized crime, more to stay away from it than anything else. And if any of the victims had been on the receiving end of a beating from the Yakuza or other mafias in the area, Takemi's clinic would be their first stop if they needed medical attention due to her keeping less than legal incidents or testing off the books. "Yeah, go ahead and set those up. In the meantime, there are some things I can check today."

"What about the rest of us?" Yusuke asked, "We could go to Shibuya and see how these thugs operate."

Ren shook his head, "No. We need to stay compartmentalized for this one. Since we're going up against a criminal organization, the less of our faces they know, the better."

Makoto tilted her head. "Are you sure I'm the only brain cell?"

Ren smirked at her, "Maybe you're just an inspiration to me."

Ryuji slapped his knee. "And that's all the diabetes I can take. Hey, Yusuke, wanna get some food?"

"I am afraid that I am rather short on funds." Yusuke said.

"I'll pay then, it's no big deal."

Ann swiftly made her excuses and left as well. "Is that how quick these meetings usually are?" Makoto wondered.

"For pre-investigation planning? Usually they're shorter." Ren admitted.

Once again, Makoto was flabbergasted at the sloppy way that the Phantom Thieves had been doing things. "How have you all survived doing this twice? With this little planning?"

Ren shrugged. "Luck, probably? Oh, and Ann's Persona taught her how to manipulate people."

Makoto groaned. "You're lucky that you're cute." She paused. "Wait, what was that last part?"

With Ren and Makoto heading up the investigation, Ryuji was free to do whatever he wanted. That just happened to be helping Haru with the flowerbeds at school.

He knew what it looked like to everyone else. Just another case of a delinquent trying to get in the sweet girl's pants. They didn't get it. She was... floofy. He felt ridiculous for using that word to describe her, but he didn't know what else to call it. She was so kind and caring, to the point of bringing him a knee brace after his leg had acted up once. He tried to play it off after the fact, but she had outright demanded that he accept it.

He was so used to people outside of his small social circle ignoring him or treating him like crap that he accepted with a hurried "Yes, ma'am!"

Her little smile and giggle afterwards had made his heart soar. Suddenly he understood why Ren was such a dork around Makoto.

Ever since Kamoshida had confessed, Haru would be lingering longer to talk with him. She hadn't revealed much of herself, but Ryuji didn't mind. He told her about his mom and how they struggled to make ends meet, about how he wished that he could get back into running... he even considered talking about his father, but decided against it. He didn't want to scare her off with how angry that abusive asshole made him.

He noticed other things too. She'd bring him snacks. Lingering touches when they needed to pass tools to one another.

After they finished for the day, Haru smiled that little smile. "Oh, I have something for you." She reached into her bag and produced a pair of running shoes.

Ryuji's eyes nearly bugged out of his skull. He recognized the brand immediately. Those were the running shoes that he'd been eyeing for months. Being able to afford them... that had been a pipe dream, and they were absurdly expensive for a high schooler to go out and buy on a whim. "Haru, those cost fifty thousand yen!"

"I know." She said, as if that amount meant nothing to her, not if it was to help a friend, "But you mentioned how you wanted to get back into running, and I wanted you to have the best possible chances of success."

He took the shoes from her and cradled them as if they were a baby. They even had a lightning bolt design on the sides. He could dimly feel Captain Kidd's amusement at that little coincidence. He shook his head. "Haru, I'm not sure if I deserve this..."

"You do." She stepped towards him. "You deserve good things, Ryuji. You deserve to have good things happen to you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially yourself." She darted forward -grabbing onto his shoulders for balance- and pecked him on the cheek. She smiled and giggled again at his stunned expression. "Get home safe, okay? I'll call you later."

"Okay." He said automatically. After she left, he reached up to touch the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. "I..." He looked back at the shoes.

"Shit, how am I going to explain this to mom?"

The investigation was going well. On Ren's end, Iwai had said that he would call in some favors and get the name of the ringleader. He had a high school aged son, so he had a stake in getting rid of the group targeting kids. While Takemi could not give names of their parents, she did reveal that she had seen a couple of Shujin students for Yakuza or mafia style thrashings.

The interviews with the suspected victims went well enough. While they hadn't uncovered a name for the boss, they did discover the methods the gang was using, and the exact crime. They would approach high school students and ask if they wanted a part-time job. They would then be given an envelope that they had to deposit. The pay for this task would be exorbitant, but it was too good to be true. Afterwards, the threats would begin. Blackmail, to be specific.

Without delay, they headed to the airsoft shop after school let out. Ren had Morgana go home, the last thing they needed was for some mafia goon to try to wring his neck. There were no other customers. Iwai looked up from his computer. "Hey, kid. You here to shop? I don't have any work for you right now."

Makoto decided to let Ren take the lead. Iwai was his contact, after all.

Ren glanced around to make sure that they were the only ones in the shop. "I'm here for that info."

"Drop it, kid. Shit's toxic." Iwai said, "I don't want anything to happen to my favorite customer." He glanced at Makoto, "Or your lady friend. Especially her."

Ren and Makoto looked at each other. They had both read between the lines. It wasn't just blackmail. Sex trafficking was also involved. "We can't just ignore this. We just need a name." Makoto said.

Iwai shook his head and sighed. "My contacts could only get a last name. Kaneshiro."

Makoto could sense the frustration coming off of Ren like steam. "Thank you for your time and effort on our behalf." After they left, she said what they were both thinking. "It's not enough, is it?"

Ren shook his head, "No, we need his full name." He ground his teeth together for a solid ten seconds. "Okay. We can either do this safe and smart or bold and stupid."

"What's safe and smart entail?"

"We find the mafia members recruiting students and eavesdrop on them. I have an ability that I can use in the real world that enhances my awareness." Ren explained, "But this comes with risks. If they spot us, they might just kill us. Also, if the boss has gone undetected for so long..."

"His men would be smart enough not use his name." Makoto said. "What's the bold and stupid plan?"

"We find the recruiters and demand to be taken to Kaneshiro."

Makoto violently shook her head. "Ren! That's far too dangerous! We should go with the eavesdropping." She paused. "No... we just determined that they'd be too smart to slip up. Is this really our only choice?"

Ren frowned. Arsene?

"Yes, it is your only choice. Typically these sorts of criminals will respect bold action and a rapier wit, but you can't depend on that. Be ready to adapt quickly and to take some punishment to protect Makoto if it comes to that. I'll keep watch and steer you away from any pitfalls."

"Yeah, it's the only way." Despite the danger, he grinned. "Shall we, my dear detective?"

Makoto rolled her eyes. A small part of her wondered if she had misplaced the Phantom Thieves' Braincell somewhere. "Lead the way, my darling thief."

Thanks to Third Eye, Ren quickly found their targets. They were in the alley next to the gym. He looked at Makoto, and she nodded.

"It's showtime."

Ren smiled. He appreciated Arsene providing his catchphrase so he didn't have to and risk discovery a moment too early. He started down the alley. From her footsteps he could tell that Makoto was right behind him.

The two thugs noticed them. "What do you two want?"

"Take us to Kaneshiro." Ren demanded.

The thugs looked at each other. One of the pair -a man wearing a track suit- got in Ren's face. "Don't know who you're talking about. Get lost, kid."

"Please, don't insult our intelligence." Makoto said. "We know he's blackmailing Shujin Academy students. If you don't want us to bring the police down on your head, you'll take us to Kaneshiro. Now."

The second thug advanced on her, getting much too close for comfort. "You got a death wish, bitch?"

Ren was about to respond with a comeback before he was stopped by Arsene. "No! Do NOT reveal your affection for Makoto unless you must! They WILL use that against you if you let it slip now!"

"You know my terms. Which is it going to be? How long do you think you'll live when Kaneshiro learns that you led the cops to his doorstep?" Makoto said. Ren couldn't help but admire her courage under fire.

The first thug made a hand signal that Ren didn't quite catch. A car pulled in from the other side of the alley. "Get in." He said.

Ren and Makoto obeyed before taking the backseat. They sat on opposite sides, not wanting to betray their relationship. Since the thugs hadn't bothered to blindfold them, they could tell exactly where they were. Ren decided to memorize the directions, just in case. The thugs called Kaneshiro and told them of their impending arrival.

After a twenty minute drive, they came to a stop next to a seemingly abandoned building. As they got out, more thugs appeared out of the shadows and grabbed them by the arms and forced them to move into the building.

Ren's mouth decided to have a mind of its own. "I'm flattered boys, but you're really not my type." He earned a punch to the ribs for his trouble, making him double over as the thugs dragged him along.

Inside his head, Arsene sighed. "It's a damn good thing you know a doctor that won't ask questions."

They were taken down a flight of stairs and emerged into a room that wouldn't have looked out of place in a club's VIP section. There was a table in the middle of the room with various liquor and other drug paraphernalia. On the near side there were two chairs, which both Ren and Makoto were forced to sit in and were promptly handcuffed to. Sitting on the couch across from them was Kaneshiro and a young woman who was undoubtedly a veteran of the oldest profession. "I've never tried handcuffs before. First time for everything I guess." Ren quipped.

Makoto knew what he was doing. He was trying to direct Kaneshiro's attention to him.

"You're funny, kid." Kaneshiro said, "A regular joker." He jerked his head at one of his men. "Who are they?"

Thugs stepped forward and relieved Ren and Makoto of their wallets. After a moment, their findings were announced. "Ren Amamiya and Makoto... Niijima. They're Shujin Academy students."

The emphasis that they put on Makoto's name set Ren on edge.

The thug spoke again. "Holy shit! This kid has Kirijo Group protection! He's got one of their credit cards!"

Kaneshiro turned his eyes on Ren. "Explain."

"I have a relative that works for them." Ren said. It was a half-truth, as he was pretty sure Yukari wasn't officially on any Kirijo Group payroll.

"Aw, come on! Why are you wasting your time with this?" The woman complained, "Just waste them so we can have some fun, Junya!"

Jackpot. Ren and Arsene thought simultaneously.

Their celebration was short-lived. Kaneshiro sighed before wordlessly pulling out a pistol and shooting the woman in the head. Ren tensed and strained against his bonds. Makoto screamed.

"Damn shame." Kaneshiro said, "She was a fun plaything. Too bad she was too stupid to follow simple instructions." He put the gun down on the table. "Now let me guess, you two thought that you could Scooby-Doo this shit, and somehow save the shitheels I'm squeezing dry, right?"

"Something like that." Ren said. He chanced a look over at Makoto. She was trembling, but whether it was from fear or anger, he couldn't tell.

"What about you, Niijima-chan?" Kaneshiro said, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"You'll pay for that." She hissed.

"What was that? Couldn't quite hear you."

"You'll pay for what you did to that woman, Kaneshiro! And for every other crime! I'll make sure of it!" Makoto declared.

Kaneshiro paused. "New rule for this conversation. Every time you say something that pisses me off, your boyfriend gets smacked around."

Without warning, a thug standing behind Ren clubbed the back of his head. "Oh come on..." He said groggily, "My gym teacher hits harder than that."

Kaneshiro laughed. "I love this kid! He's like a squeaky toy! You smack him, and a smartass comment comes out!" He leaned forward. "Now, before you think I'm trying to lure into making a mistake, I'm not. I really do like you, Amamiya. You've got balls of solid brass. But your girl here?" He whistled. "She's gotta pay me back for my losses today, if you catch my drift." He took out a phone and snapped a few pictures. "Oh no, I got pics of both of you with all this booze and drugs!" He smiled sleazily. "Let's see, what's a nice round number... three million. That's a good one."

"That's absurd!" Makoto said, "Where are we supposed to get three million yen?"

Kaneshiro raised a finger. "No, that's where are you going to get three million yen. Your boyfriend can't use his Kirijo connections to bail you out. If he does, you're dead. At least... after my boys are done with you."

"Ren! Keep your anger in check! It will only endanger you both!"

Easy for you to say!

"Now, since I really want you to fail, you have one week. But I'm going to tell you why." He grinned, "What I really want is your sister on a leash. You see, she's been leading the investigation into me and my activities, and I really want her to stop. So, what do you think seeing you all drugged up and cockdrunk will make her do? Anything to rescue her precious little sister?" He licked his lips. "Well, she'll get what's left of you."

"IF YOU LAY ONE HAND ON HER, I'LL KILL YOU!" Ren roared.

Kaneshiro gestured to one of his guards. "Shut him up." Ren was forced into submission as a gag was roughly shoved into his mouth. Makoto looked over at Ren in a panic. She knew that Kaneshiro had unknowingly hit Ren right in his greatest fear, but she hadn't expected the sudden outpouring of murderous fury.

"One week. Three million yen." Kaneshiro said. He roughly grabbed Makoto's face. "Or you're my next toy to play with."

"Go to hell." Makoto spat.

"See there? That's spirit, boys. I love when I get to break it." He signalled to his men. "Get them out of here and give them their wallets, don't take anything. Let her have some false hope. Give them a ride back even. I'm nothing if not generous."

They rode back to Central Street in silence, forced on Ren's part, as they hadn't removed the gag. When they got there, the thugs roughly removed it then left them there.

"Ren, what are we going to do?" Makoto said, her voice wavering with terror. "I can't get that much money..."

"You won't need to. We're going to change his heart before then." Ren said. There was an edge to his voice that Makoto had never heard before.

"Wait, how? Did we get everything we need?"

Ren nodded. "Yeah. His full name. I have a pretty good idea of what his Palace is and where it is. We should be good to go. We'll start tomorrow. Come on, let's get you home."

He put his arm around her and they began to walk. Makoto leaned into him. Could anyone blame her? After what they'd gone through, she needed to feel safe. She needed to feel loved. She needed...

Him.

"Ren, I don't think I'll be able to sleep alone tonight."

Ren kept his eyes forward. "It'll be fine, Makoto. We'll beat him. Just like we did Kamoshida and Madarame."

"But what if we don't?" Makoto sobbed, "Please, Ren. I need... I need you to hold me close... to love me. Before my life is over..."

Ren stopped and turned her to face him. "That won't happen, Makoto. I will not allow it. And I will not allow fear to rule my life. I will not allow Kaneshiro to push us into making what should be an act of love into an act of desperation or fear."

Makoto wiped at her eyes with her sleeve. "Ren..."

He held her close. "We're going to make it through this. I promise. I want to experience all those firsts with you, Makoto. Our first kiss, our first time, our first time getting stuck in traffic-" He managed to get a laugh out of her with that one, "We'll be fine. You'll see."

After he had seen her safely home, Ren added her to the group chat and sent a tersely worded message.

"Palace tomorrow. High stakes. Time limit: one week. Meet at Shibuya Station Square after school."

He dug around in his bag until he found one of Takemi's pills. It wouldn't be as potent in the real world as it was in the Metaverse, but it would hopefully help with any lasting pain from his injuries.

As far as Ren was concerned, Junya Kaneshiro had made a declaration of war.

And he would not rest until Makoto was safe.

"What in the world?"

True to Ren's word, the Phantom Thieves had gone into Kaneshiro's Palace immediately after school. The others had explained the basics of cognition to her, but she certainly hadn't expected the walking ATMs or the floating bank.

"That must be how he sees people. Sources of money he can just squeeze dry."

Makoto turned to look at the speaker, as she didn't recognize the voice. Then she freaked out. "Ah, monster cat!"

"I'm not a cat! I am Morgana!"

Makoto blinked. Wasn't that the name of... Ren's cat? That didn't seem important at the moment. "Wait, what are you all wearing?"

"Our Phantom Thief attire!" Ann said. "Long story short, it basically shows what our cognition of a rebel is."

Makoto nodded, then looked at Ren. "Wait..."

Ren sighed. He would have to explain this every time, wouldn't he? "Yes, my cognition of a rebel is a Featherman."

Makoto laughed. "I'm sorry, it just... that brings back memories. Happy ones."

The floating bank soon landed, having recognized Makoto as a VIP customer. They ascended the ramp and went inside, as there was nowhere else to go. The interior looked like the kind of fancy bank you would see in heist movies. Marble floors, high ceilings, security guards that looked more like they belonged to a PMC than a bank.

As soon as they walked in, they were approached by a purple skinned man wearing a suit. "Well, well! I didn't expect my new favorite customer to give up so soon and deliver herself to me!"

"Kaneshiro." Ren growled.

Makoto glanced at him worriedly. Did the Metaverse have some effect on personality? Or was Ren really planning on following through on his threat? Or was he venting the anger now so he could act correctly when the time came?

"Nice try, you idiot!" Ryuji said. "We're here to kick your ass and make you confess your crimes!"

Kaneshiro laughed as more guards appeared in bursts of cognitive energy, surrounding the Phantom Thieves. "And what crimes would those be? I'm just taking what's mine. The smart and strong succeed, while the weak forfeit all to them. For men, that's just money. For women... they have other uses."

"You sick bastard!" Ann yelled, "What did you threaten Makoto with?"

"Oh, you know... the usual." Kaneshiro grinned. "Just that I'll force her into the only profession that women should be allowed to participate in. Look on the bright side, you'll work off your debt eventually. But your sister... oooh, I'm afraid there's no way to keep her from becoming my personal slave." Kaneshiro pointed a grubby finger at her. "Get it, Mako-chan? The only hope you have of escaping my clutches and hoping the guy you've got wrapped around your finger wants the used-up husk you'll become is to endure it and do what you're told!"

Yesterday, all Makoto could feel was an all-encompassing, oppressive fear. But now that she was in the Metaverse, possibilities that did not exist in reality were open to her. She had already committed to walking the path of strife, like her father before her. She was already rebelling against the adults who pushed their problems and responsibilities onto her.

Now it was time to commit. Once and for all.

"Endure? Do as I'm told?" Makoto seethed. "No. I will not. I am the daughter of Masaru Niijima, and as such, I will not succumb to evil or submit to the unjust! I will hold my justice high and condemn the wicked! And if they dare to retaliate against me and my loved ones, I WILL SHOW NO MERCY!" She took a breath. "In short, SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU MONEY GRUBBING ASSHOLE!"

"Oh, you've made this decision long ago, haven't you? Let me ask again, for my curiosity. Have you decided to tread the path of strife?"

Finally. "Yes! Come to me!" She shouted triumphantly.

"Very well, then let us proceed with our contract at once."

In an instant, it felt like Makoto's head was trapped in a vise. Her entire body spasmed in pain that threatened to force her to her knees.

"I am thou, thou art I. You have finally found your own justice. Please, never lose sight of it again."

By a supreme act of willpower, Makoto stayed standing. She would not fall to her knees before a man like Kaneshiro! To punctuate her victory she let out a yell and stomped the ground, cracking the marble floor. A metal mask appeared on her face, and she began to tear it off.

"This memorable day marks your graduation from your false self..."

Makoto ripped off the mask, and amid a pillar of fire and fury she screamed out. "JOHANNA!"

When the fire faded, she was astride a motorcycle shaped Persona, looking like a character that had walked right out of a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

"Is that her Persona?" Yusuke asked.

"Nah, that's a bike!" Ryuji said.

"I can feel it..." Makoto said in wonder. "My self. Me! GUN IT!" She shot forward and turned sharply, taking out a wave of Shadows.

"Nice!" Ann said.

Kaneshiro ordered more Shadows to rush in, but it was for naught. "I will not lose heart again, ever! I'll go full speed, non-stop! Right, Johanna?" The engine of her bike Persona roared, and blasts of energy shot towards the Shadows and exploded.

Some Shadows tried to sneak up on her from behind, but Ren had other ideas. "Hell Biker, burn them to cinders!" A skull-headed biker riding a flaming motorcycle appeared and blasted all the Shadows surrounding them with flame.

Ann and Ryuji joined in soon after. "Dance, Carmen!" She blasted the Shadows with the same attack that Ren had, leaving them wide open for Ryuji.

"Smack them around, Captain! Rampage!" Captain Kidd darted around, hitting every enemy in turn with a combo strike.

There was one enemy left. Makoto leapt off of Johanna and hit the Shadow with a flying kick. She transitioned into a blistering barrage of punches before rolling backwards, pulling out a revolver, and shooting it right between the eyes.

Kaneshiro ran for it. More Shadows were appearing, but not from their rear. "Come on, we won't make any progress like this!" Ren said. "We need to fall back for now!"

"I'll clear the way. Johanna!" Makoto blew by them and crashed through the bank's front doors.

As the rest of the Thieves ran towards their escape route, Ren couldn't help but grin. Even with the impending doom hanging over them, he was undoubtedly the luckiest man alive.

Makoto had expected a sense of urgency from how they infiltrated the Palace. She hadn't expected them to blow through it in one day. She learned about their tactics, All-Out Attacks, Baton Pass, and Technical strikes. She learned about the general mechanics of the Metaverse, about how their intent and how they saw themselves mattered just as much as how their enemies did.

It was how Ren, who was certainly confident in real life, became Joker. All dramatic flourishes, feats of acrobatics that rivaled Olympic athletes, and cruel efficiency in combat.

Cruel wasn't a word she had ever expected to associate with Ren, but she didn't have any other way to describe it. However, she found great joy in how she could do various tricks with her gun that only worked in movies. Fanning the hammer and having all six shots connect? That produced a level of euphoria that should be illegal.

Then there was the matter of her codename. Ryuji had suggested the overly verbose Fist of the Phantom Star. While she appreciated the reference, it would be impossible to say under pressure. Ren had suggested Queen, and it just stuck.

She may have been more satisfied than she should've been to hear the boys say "Yes, Queen" as they scrambled to follow her orders.

She also settled in to her role as second in command and strategist. She quickly learned all of the interactions that would result in what they called a Technical hit, and didn't hesitate to call them out. For whatever reason, they escaped Morgana's notice. Maybe he was just leaving that section of battle tactics to her?

Regardless, the infiltration route was secure. Work began on the calling card. As it turned out, that was a necessary step. The calling card was a way to force Kaneshiro into having the cognition that someone could steal his Treasure, thereby making it possible to steal it.

Writing it fell to her, after it was finished, she also devised a way to deliver it. Thanks to their wisdom in only allowing Kaneshiro to see herself and Ren, the others were able to distribute the calling card without issue. According to them, she would know when he had received it.

Kaneshiro looked up from his ledger. "What is it?"

The thug that had walked in was shaking in his boots. "Someone posted this everywhere in Shibuya... it's addressed to you."

"Give it here." He reached out and took it from him, and began to read it aloud. "To Sir Junya Kaneshiro, the money-devouring sinner or gluttony, you indulge in scamming others with horrendous methods that plunge the victims into debauchery and despair. Prepare yourself, for we will steal your distorted desires without fail. For every dream and future you have crushed under your heel, we will make you confess your crimes with your own mouth. From the Phantom Thieves." He looked at it for a second. "Tch. This is nothing but a joke. These Phantom Thieves are nothing but an urban legend."

His henchmen left, leaving Kaneshiro alone to think. "Wait... that brat. Is this him? Trying to scare me into canceling Niijima's debt? Kid really does have balls."

Sitting at her desk, Makoto saw Shadow Kaneshiro in a flash of cognition. "You think you can intimidate me like this? I'll squeeze you until you pop!"

When her perception came back to reality, Makoto smiled.

"It's showtime."

The air in the Palace was oppressive, and it felt like they were being watched form every angle, however with a single application of what Ryuji called Safe Room Hopscotch, they quickly arrived at the massive vault. For whatever reason, the path was still open. When Makoto voiced that concern, the others just shrugged at her.

She was going to go insane, she knew it.

They descended to the lowest floor to find a massive vault protecting the Treasure, Kaneshiro, and cognitive versions of his goons. "Damn it, we should've known!" Morgana said.

Kaneshiro laughed at them. "How stupid are you idiots? This is my bank! I call the shots!"

Ryuji shrugged. "Well, Queen's our one braincell and I'm a certified himbo, so the jury's still out."

"You parasites think you're so clever, don't you?" Kaneshiro said.

"Objectively, yes." Ren said.

"Do you know how much shit I had to crawl through before I got to where I am? Now it's my turn to profit off of everyone else!" Cognitive energy began to swirl around him. "The strong and the smart deserve to be on top, and lord over all you wretches! That should be the natural order!"

The cognitive energy exploded, but instead of turning him into a grotesque form like Kamoshida, he grew insect wings and his eyes became the compound eyes you'd see on bugs. The cognitive goons ran away screaming. "Whatever, I'll handle this myself!" He flew up to the vault door and went inside.

"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Morgana said.

The vault doors unfolded to reveal a giant metal pig. "Say hello to my Palace's swine-model defensive mechanoid! PIGGYTRON!"

"Is it too late to check if Gundam models become actual Gundams in the Metaverse?" Ren quipped.

There was no time to respond, because the battle was already on. Kaneshiro fired off a barrage of missiles that sent the Thieves sprawling. Ren and Makoto were the first to return to their feet. "Come, Thunderbird! ZIODYNE!" After Piggytron was struck by lightning, electricity began to course across its surface. Ren grinned. "I'll set him up..."

"And I'll knock him down!" Makoto cried, "Charge, Johanna!" A blast of nuclear energy hit the giant pig dead center. "Ha! Take that, you pig!"

"Did you just call my Piggytron a pig? I'll make you regret rhat!" Piggytron's eyes transformed and became turrets that opened fire on Makoto. Unprepared for the sudden assault, she fell off of Johanna and hit the ground.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Ren shouted as scarlet flames began to surge around him. "ARSENE, DROWN THEM IN SHADOW! ABYSSAL WINGS!"

Makoto looked up just in time to see Ren swing a giant scythe of solid darkness at Kaneshiro's mech. Morgana scampered over to her. "I've got you, Diarama!" The others were unleashing attacks of their own, but the armor on Piggytron was thick.

"Looks like I'll have to take this to the next level! Piggytron: SUPER VIP MODE!"

The mech folded its face and legs into its body and began to spin. "That thing's going to roll into us!" Morgana called out.

Makoto had a flash of inspiration. "Joker! Throw a valuable item! He won't be able to resist it!"

The good thing about the Metaverse when it came to items was that as long as the item was in his possession, retrieval functioned exactly like the famed magic satchel animation technique. Ren produced the Bean Chain item that he had found at an earlier point in the Palace and threw it on the ground.

"What's THAT?" Kaneshiro said, "It's shiny so it has to be expensive! Piggytron! Retrieve Mode!"

The mech abandoned the rolling attack and sucked up the Bead Chain with a vacuum. Yusuke and Ryuji took the opportunity to unleash their strongest attacks.

"Assault Dive!"

"Rising Slash!"

"My turn." Makoto ripped off her mask and became enveloped in scarlet fire. She began revving Johanna to the breaking point. "You are in the presence of a Queen. Bow." With a screech of tires, Johanna began to hurtle towards Piggytron. Makoto leapt off, doing a backflip. She drew her revolver and sighted in on Johanna. "REDLINE FURY!" She fired, and her Persona ignited a massive nuclear explosion.

Piggytron keeled forward and the hatch opened, depositing Kaneshiro on the ground. "You think you've won? I've still got money! Take 'em down!" Two henchmen with the same fly motif as Kaneshiro appeared. One small guy hovering, and one giant one wielding massive tower shields. "These guys will take care of you for me! I don't gotta lift a finger!"

Ann laughed, "Sure, whatever you say. Too bad I'm a real knockout. Let's go, Carmen! Dormina!" Carmen materialzed and put all of their foes to sleep. "Alright, batter up!"

"Flauros, expose them! Marakunda!" Ren cried out.

"Skull, go straight for Kaneshiro!" Makoto called out, "Don't bother with the goons!"

Ryuji grinned, "I hear ya loud and clear, Queen! But I'm REALLY HUNGRY!"

"Ah!" Yusuke said, "The signal!"

Through Ryuji's desire to have some ramen right now and Yusuke's desire for some much-needed bro time, a facsimile of Leblanc actualized around the pair. Yusuke artfully prepared a bowl of ramen for Ryuji as only he could. Just as Ryuji was about to eat the egg, Kaneshiro burst in -while somehow still asleep- and made him drop it.

"I'm trying to eat here!" Ryuji snapped. The pair pulled out their guns and subjected the offending Palace ruler to a withering hail of fire not seen outside of eighties action movies. Ryuji threw a grenade, which Yusuke hit with a precision burst, causing it to explode early. Their created cognition shattered, and all was as it was a moment ago.

Makoto blinked. What did she just watch?

Ren didn't miss a beat. He pulled out his gun and unloaded into Kaneshiro. Ryuji, Yusuke, and Morgana joined him. Ann followed it up by putting Kaneshiro to sleep. Again. They were just bullying him at this point. Knowing what Kaneshiro was threatening to do to Makoto made none of the Phantom Thieves care. "Come, Hell Biker! Power Slash!" The totally not Ghost Rider appeared and drove straight at Kaneshiro before doing a wheelie and bringing its front wheel on top of him. He activated Third Eye and grinned. "Queen! Finish it!"

"With pleasure." Makoto waited for Kaneshiro to regain his footing, then beckoned him to attack her. He drew a switchblade and charged. "Fool." Makoto's hand lashed out and grabbed his knife hand by the wrist. Then she grabbed his other hand and twisted Kaneshiro around so that his torso was parallel to the ground. Since he wasn't trying to use his wings to maintain his balance -perhaps he was to beat up too do so- he toppled to the ground. "Tenchinage!" Normally she wouldn't announce her technique names while practicing Akido, but this was the Metaverse, and the intimidation factor could not be denied at this stage of the fight. Kaneshiro scrambled back to his feet and took up his knife again. Makoto crooked one finger at him. "Come on, you piece of crap." He let loose with a clumsy swipe, which she easily ducked under. She used the opening to slip behind him and grab him around the belly. She lifted him up and dropped him. "Ura-nage!"

Kaneshiro scrambled away from her. "Get away from me, you crazy bitch!" He tried calling out for his guards, but they were still fast asleep. "I still have Piggytron!"

Makoto smiled, but it was all teeth. "Do you?" She drew her revolver and unloaded the rest of the bullets into Piggytron's cockpit. Powered by the general cognition of the public being accepting of movie logic, they ricocheted around until they all hit vital components and the interior of the giant pig mech caught on fire. 'NO! MY MONEY!"

Whether by luck or fate, his hired muscle woke up just in time to hear him say that he had lost all of his money. They left without a word to their former employer. Gold bars toppled out of the destroyed Piggytron, and Kaneshiro clung to them like a child. "No! You can't take this from me! Without my money, I'm just a poor, ugly, idiot!"

"Your money?" Ryuji snapped, "What are you on about? You stole all of it!"

"We don't have time for this." Ren said. He walked over to Kaneshiro and pressed the barrel of his pistol against the back of his head.

"Ren, what are you doing?" Makoto asked.

He looked back at her, "This is the only language people like him understand."

She understood. She had been there with him in the real world when they had met with Kaneshiro. She was fairly certain he wouldn't kill him, but... She nodded, then strode forward to join him. If Ren was determined to be the bad cop in this, then she would make sure that he didn't go too far. She knelt down beside Kaneshiro. "Here's what's going to happen, Kaneshiro. You will cancel all current debts to you, including myself. You will turn yourself in to the police, you will confess the entirety of your crimes, and you will plead guilty. You will spend the rest of your life in a tiny cell with no power, no freedom, and no money. And you will tell every criminal you know that this is what happens when you cross a Niijima."

Kaneshiro turned to look at her, "You're really... that prick's daughter?"

She looked at Ren in confusion. He shrugged. "Yes." She said, "Did you think I was lying?"

"Nah, I just don't give a shit about fate. You make your own fate, that's what I always say." Kaneshiro struggled against Ren. "Could you get your damn boyfriend to lay off?" Makoto waved him off, and he pulled his pistol away, although he still left it out. "I was the one who ordered the hit on your father."

Makoto recoiled. "What?"

"Yep. Bastard made my operations in Shinjuku impossible to maintain. Too many damn cameras. It wasn't personal. Just business." Kaneshiro confessed. "I still don't get it, all you guys... why are you doing this for some petty justice?"

"We're not like you, Kaneshiro." Ren said, "We know who we want to be. Me, I just want to shit in the bed of corrupt assholes like you. Keeps me warm and fuzzy at night."

"I'll give you a warning then, since you and your friends seem tight and all." He turned over and looked at Ren. "There's a criminal going around these Palaces and doing whatever they want. Psychotic breakdowns, mental shutdowns, the works. They don't care about consequences."

"Who is he?" Makoto asked.

"Never saw his face, never got a name. All I know is that he's hella powerful." Kaneshiro said. "Good luck. You'll need it."

He began to disappear, and Ren started barking orders. "Mona, car! Everyone else, start loading these gold bars up!"

"What?" Makoto asked. "Oh, the Treasure!"

They were able to load the giant gold bars before the Palace began to deteriorate, and Morgana was able to get them to the entrance ramp before the whole thing came down. As soon as they were clear of the Palace, Makoto began to cry.

"Queen? What's wrong?" Ren asked.

"Nothing." She said, "Something's... very right." I brought your killer to justice, father. You can rest easy. I might not exactly be on the right side of the law, but I am on the side of justice. Just as you taught me.

She nearly jumped out of her seat when she heard a very annoyed voice in her head. "Do not blow me up again, Priestess."

Right. Personas talked to their users. Uh... sorry about that. That technique was improvised.

"You don't say." Johanna drawled.

Makoto groaned. It looked like she would need to come up with a new Checkmate move, as the others called their personal super moves. It was fine. That could wait for another day. Today... today was a day of victory.

A/N: Well, that was a wild ride. Pun intended. Cause... you know. Johanna. Yeah, okay.

Yeah. Sae... did that. Let me just say that I would never include something like that in a work lightly. There is a purpose to it. Yes, she is clearly distorted. (Ren does confirm she has a Palace later, after all) But the point is to show that Sae is not as far gone as the likes of Kamoshida or Kaneshiro. She hasn't reached the unrepentant phase yet. There's still time to save her.

Yeah, Sojiro ain't an idiot. He can put two and two together. He also knows enough about cognitive psience to know that it's probably the only way to help Futaba. Fortunately, Kawakami's on board too. And yes, those two are doing quite well. I'll need to do some more scenes with them during summer vacation.

Ann and Makoto reconcile... sort of. They never said what specifically was wrong between them, but they've traded words enough times that they know each other's problems. Now it's just water under the bridge.

Yes, Ren. Rebel Yell was playing somewhere.

Makoto is the braincell. Sometimes she loses it.

Yes, Ren and Makoto were incredibly stupid and incredibly lucky. Yes, Kaneshiro is a bastard. What else did you expect?

Oh, right. Ryuji and Haru. Full steam ahead! Ryuji's just been served one shit sandwich after another, so he just doesn't know how to react to someone like Haru. Our boy is locked in.

It would be a shame if someone's father started drafting a marriage contact with someone else, wouldn't it?

That sure was a fight. I had Makoto use some Akido moves as part of her finisher. It just seemed right. If they seemed inaccurate, I apologize.

And in the eleventh hour, Kaneshiro reveals that Makoto just brought her father's killer to justice. Ain't that a shot in the arm!

Until next time.