Akane no Mai

by Kanius

A man from the world of Vein drops into a world of Thieves. He meets a pragmatic woman. She greets him with a calm smile. "My name is Togo Hifumi." Following the fateful encounter, a host of monsters arrive, disrupting the peace. The Thieves return to confront these entities outside their realm and ultimately cross paths with the Revenant man.

18. Greater Yokai and Lost Obstacles

Chapter XVII: Greater Yokai and Lost Obstacles

---

Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/August 8, 2020 (2020年8月8日)/12:35 PM (JST)

Today is the day. The event to decide the fate of their world. The Phantom Thieves, Tennyo, Sion, the Spiritual Gamblers, Mina, Kyosuke, and Nekomata assembled in unison outside the National Diet Building.

"There it is, my friends. Our enemy awaits us in that building," Nekomata informed everyone.

"Ready to make it happen and settle the score with Datenshi?" Mina asked the group members.

"Yes, I am," Sion firmly nodded.

"Before we rush forward and barge in the bastard's doors, congrats on your proposal, Ren-ren!" Skull happily grinned at his friend.

"What can I say? I'm proud of you two," Mona genuinely said to both Joker and Panther, and getting over his unrequited love towards Ann.

"Thanks, guys. We're planning on getting married next month" Joker smiled back.

"I know it's short notice, but we want to get it over with. Check it out!" Panther added, showing her teammates her wedding ring.

"Wow, so pretty! Congratulations, you two!" Tamamo generously remarked to the couple.

"We're looking forward to it!" Oracle openly grinned.

"But, I see Joker and Panther aren't the only ones showing beautiful love," Fox remarked, chuckling as he caught Queen and Noir holding hands.

"Oh stop it, Yusuke!" Queen blushed over Fox's playful remark.

"Thank you, but our love can't be complete until we find a third partner. Preferably a man who can share our love," Noir stated.

Turning toward Tennyo, Sion whispered to her about their conversations. "I'm feeling lots of love around here."

"Seems we're not the only ones who've been expressing our true feelings for each other, right?" Tennyo winked to the Revenant, whose face contorted with ferocity as his eyes turned red. "Sion?

"We have company," Sion then warned as he and the others turned toward the Diet Building's front gates amassed with a Yokai gathering.

Materializing outside the Diet Building is a large army of Yokai. Among the Yokai seen: Four Magatsu Warriors, an Onryoki, a Hino-enma, a Joro-Gumo, a Nue, an Enenra, a Mezuki, a Gozuki, a Yatsu-no-Kami, and a Kasha.

"Man, that's a ton of them!" Presto blurted out.

"Oh please. After all we've been through, we can take them," Brave scoffed over her friend's concern.

"Yeah, but what about that?!" Tamamo pointed upward at an ominous dark cloud hanging above the Yokai army.

"I'm sensing a greater Yokai from that," Kyosuke assessed as he, Mina, and the Spiritual Gamblers' Guardian Spirits appeared for battle.

Emerging from the dark cloud is a giant 20-foot tall Yokai skeleton with six arms. Its head was freakishly bulbous with spiky Amrita crystals poking out of its center and right area of the skull area. There's more Amrita inside its ribcage. A huge amount of steam seeped out of the bones, which is a sign of the Amrita's influence.

"That's the Gasha-dokuro," Nekomata identified the large skeleton walking among the Yokai army.

"That thing will be troublesome to deal with, but if we work together, nothing can stop us," Mina stated, giving the others encouraging words.

"I don't care what Datenshi wants to throw at us, I'm ready to run through all of them!" Sion openly declared as his mask formed on his face. He drew out his Queenslayer Blade and Hanemukuro.

"I'm with you, Sion," Tennyo said, activating a matching Revenant mask. She quickly brandished Kunitokotachi and gave a fierce gaze at her Yokai adversaries.

"Alright, Phantom Thieves of Hearts! Let's brutalize them!" Mona declared.

"Ready, you two?" Tamamo asked Brave and Presto, both of whom nodded in response.

"Hey, don't get too greedy, young one! I would like a piece of the action myself, too!" Nekomata happily chimed in.

"Whoa, for real?" Skull balked at Nekomata's sudden urge to fight.

"You mean all this time you could've lent us a hand?!" Mona blurted out. "You lazy, old cat!"

"Hahaha, pardon me, but I needed to know if you were capable of slaying Yokai. And based on our observations, you've all exceeded our expectations. Consider this an honor, only a few have seen my other form!" Nekomata proudly boasted.

"We'd be honored to have you fight alongside us, Nekomata," Joker smirked.

"Pfft, show-off," Mona snorted.

"What can you change into?" Panther asked him.

"A bigger house cat?!" Noir wondered out loud.

"Or, we can just watch and see what he transforms into?" Queen suggested.

"Here I go!" Nekomata declared as a white light enveloped the small cat. He then grew twenty times as large as he was before. When the white light faded, Nekomata transformed into a gigantic version of himself. He gained black feathered wings. His eyepatch unveiled yellow glowing eyes. His entire facial structure became feral and beast-like akin to a big cat predator. As everyone watched in bewilderment, the large Yokai cat bellowed a fierce tiger's roar. "Behold, my other form! Once I take on this appearance, I become the White Tiger!"

The Thieves and their allies were left taken aback by what they've seen. Needless to say, none were disappointed.

"So, much for that big house cat!" Brave exclaimed.

"Whoa! Now, he's gotten very serious!" Oracle exclaimed over Nekomata's transformed state.

"Indeed, never underestimate the spiritual presence of Byakko," Fox complimented the White Tiger.

"Excellent form, Nekomata! Now, we can begin slaying these Yokai!" Declared Mina, who readily pulled out her katana. Standing beside her, Kyosuke has his ōdachi.

"Which one do you want to take first, Mina?" Kyosuke asked his colleague.

"The big skeleton."

The White Tiger quickly jumped in next to Mina and Kyosuke. "Then, I shall join you! You two come!" He beckoned Brave and Presto to join them to fight the Gasha-dokuro.

"Oh geez, us against that big freaky skeleton?!" Presto cried out.

"Relax, Ryōta. We're in this together," Brave reassured him, conjuring her spear as Janomecho floated beside her.

"You two can do it! We're pulling for you!" Tamamo cheered them on from a distance as the Compulsive Gambler went with Panther and Mona.

"Watch and learn how it's done, young ones!" The White Tiger's deep voice bellowed as he charged forward with Mina, Kyosuke, Brave, and Presto following his lead.

"Give them hell and clear this area! Come forth, Maria!" Joker commanded his teammates. Then, he summoned a Persona depicting a white statue of the Virgin Mary. Several beasts are seen surrounding Mary, including an eagle, a bull, and a T. rex.

Wasting no time, the rest of the Thieves, their allies, and their leader rushed the enemy frontlines, and surprise attacked them.

Tamamo, Panther, and Mona quickly attacked Kasha, Hino-enma, and Magatsu Warrior. Panther unleashed Maragidyne on Hino-enma, burning the Yokai maiden, who tried wading through the flames with her umbrella. The flames ultimately burned Hino-enma alive and killed her. Tamamo flung fiery dice toward Kasha, getting the Yokai cat woman's attention.

"Hey, I killed your friend! No hard feelings, ok?" Tamamo said, sneakily grinning as her nine tails lit with fireballs. As she lunged across, Tamamo launched nine fiery blasts at Kasha, who skated around and absorbed the flames with her wheels. When Kasha prepared to skate toward her with a fiery trail, Tamamo summoned Nine Tails.

The nine-tailed Guardian Spirit charged at Kasha, who tossed her fire whip. The fox nimbly bounced around, gracefully evading the Yokai's fiery whip. When Kasha turned, Tamamo quickly sidestepped and dashed around her, confusing Kasha's field vision. As Tamamo got up close, Kasha went for a claw strike, but Tamamo moved out of the way and tossed fiery dice, which detonated like bombs and blew apart her wheels. Beckoning Nine Tails, the fox unleashed flames, surrounding Kasha. With no way out, Kasha was swallowed up by the raging inferno, suffering the same grueling fate that befell the previous Kasha. Her fur burned away. Her skin melted off, revealing her skeleton until the flames reduced that into ashes.

Having summoned Diego to assist him, Mona dueled with the Magatsu Warrior. Mona cast Garula, repelling the Magatsu Warrior with a moderate-powered wind. However, the Yokai warrior managed to withstand it, but Mona didn't stop and executed a Miracle Punch to knock the Magatsu Warrior down. He turned as Panther and Tamamo ran toward him.

"Lady Ann, over here!" Mona called out. "Let's do our thing!"

"Ok!' Panther called out.

Suddenly, Tamamo watched as the area distorted into a spacious meadow covered with grass and flowers. Bewildered, she saw Mona handing a bouquet of red roses to Panther.

Beaming with joy, Mona gave Panther the bouquet. "This is how I really feel!"

"Oh, thanks!" Panther said.

As the Thieves gracefully jumped into the air, a scene became something straight out of a romantic Shoujo. Bubbly hearts appeared. A giant clear white appeared as Panther and Mona jumped high into the air. Then, Shoujo manga-styled caricatures of Panther and Mona materialized in the background.

Then, the dreamy love sequence abruptly ended when Panther ripped out two guns. Then, she danced around while shooting up the scene and posed with Mona briefly. Then, she began shooting downward on the Magatsu Warrior.

"And now this!" Mona then pulled out a bomb and dropped it on the Magastu Warrior. As he and Panther landed and posed together, an explosion followed and the Magatsu Warrior was blown up, sending bloody and armor pieces flying. "Perfect!"

"Wow, that was amazing!" Tamamo clapped her hands. "How did you make those manga faces of you appear like that?"

Panther and Mona exchanged bewildered looks.

"Uh, we can't say? We don't know," Panther remarked.

"It just happens," Mona replied.

"Well, in any case, that was an explosive show!" Tamamo said, ignoring the gory remains of the Magastu Warrior melting into black mist.

---

As Skull and Fox fought off the Yatsu-no-Kami and Magatsu Warrior, Oracle, sitting inside Al Azif, scanned the two Yokai.

"Hey, Skull! The big snake's weak to lightning! Take him down!" Oracle suggested.

"Don't mind if I do!" Skull summoned William. "Now take this, ya scaly bastard!" He commanded William to swiftly strike Yatsu-no-Kami with Assault Dive. After critically injuring the Yokai snake, he cast Ziodyne, inflicting a heavy shock that electrocuted the Yokai snake so much it collapsed as a deep-fried corpse.

Meanwhile, Fox and Gorokichi dueled the Magatsu Warrior. As the Yokai warrior attacked with its swords, Fox used Counterstrike to reflect his opponent's blows. Then, he executed Myriad Slashes, delivering quick blows that disarmed and brought the Yokai warrior down.

"Alright, it's Showtime, guys!" Oracle hollered as the area distorted into the outside of a ramen shop.

Confused by the sudden change of location, the Magatsu Warrior faced the ramen restaurant. As it stepped through the doors, the Yokai saw Fox handing Skull a bowl of fresh hot ramen. Facing the Yokai with an irked glare, Skull scowled.

"GET OUT DUMBASS!" Skull roared, pulling out his shotgun. Joining him, Fox has his rifle out.

The Thieves quickly opened fire and unloaded on the Magastu Warrior with heavy rounds. As the barrage of bullets tore through it, the Magastu Warrior's arms were blown off by the shotgun blasts. Its body armor was then broken apart. Half of its head was quickly blown off by another shotgun blast. As its body was torn to pieces by the heavy rounds, Skull threw a grenade.

"Here you go! My treat!" Skull angrily roared as Fox shot the grenade, which exploded and blew up the Magastu Warrior into bloody pieces. "Hell yeah, man!" He and Fox tapped elbows before the skull-faced Thief wolfed down his ramen meal. "Man, this is so good!"

"Hahah, now that's a fatality! Nice work, Skull and Inari!" Oracle cheered them on.

---

As they were cut off from the others, Queen and Noir lured Mezuki and Gozuki away from the National Diet Building vicinity. Summoning their Third-Tier Persona, they engaged the two Yokai beasts. Riding Agnes toward Gozuki, Queen struck the Yokai bull with Vajra Blast.

"You're hungry for some more?!" Queen snarled, slamming Agnes head-on. As Gozuki swung its weapon, it flung rocks at Queen and her Persona. She cast Mafreila and wiped out the rocks. When Gozuki jumped up and went for a powerful strike from above, the Phantom Thief blasted it down with Freidyne. "This will finish you off!"

With that, Queen took down Gozuki with Flash Bomb. She then pivoted toward Noir's battle with Mezuki.

Utilizing Lucy, Noir used Psy Boost to strengthen her psychic attacks. As it opened its mouth, Mezuki expelled three ghosts and sent them to attack Noir.

"Valiant attempt, but not good enough!" Noir cried out, using Triple Down to wipe out the three ghosts. Then, Mezuki rushed forward and performed three consecutive strikes with its weapon. In response, Queen cast Energy Shower to confuse the battle frenzied Yokai. "Thanks, Mako-chan!"

"Now neutralize him!" Queen called out.

With that, Noir blasted the Yokai horse with Psiodyne. After dazing it, Noir then turned toward Queen and smiled. "I'm ready! It's Showtime!"

Suddenly, the area distorted into a sizable wrestling ring with a lively and roaring audience cheering the two Thieves. Sitting across the ring is a dazed Gozuki and a confused Mezuki. Queen hopped over the top rope. Noir went through the ropes.

"Pardon me!" Noir smiled, waving to the cheering audience.

Popping her knuckles, Queen gave Mezuki and Gozuki a menacing scowl. Gritting her teeth, she snarled. "Bring it." She and Noir then posed for their cheering fans.

"Showtime!" Noir chirped as Queen charged toward Mezuki and Gokzuki.

As she flew right into Gozuki, Queen landed a clothesline, knocking the Yokai down. Noir executed a dropkick into the Yokai horse's face. Grabbing a chair from ringside, Queen slid back into the ring and raised it.

"This is going to hurt!" Queen roared, smashing Mezuki and Gozuki headfirst with the steel chair. After brain smashing the two Yokai, the Yokai horse and bull's field visions cracked like broken glass.

As they climbed the top turnbuckles, Makoto nodded and signaled to Noir.

"Leave it to me!" Noir signaled to her lover. "Ready set!" Then, she and Queen jumped off the top ropes, landing and crushing the Yokai duo with a double elbow drop. After landing their tag team finishers, Mezuki and Gozuki exploded into a rain of blood.

"Show's over!" The ladies declared, posing together as if getting ready for a cover shot.

"Maybe we overdid it?" Queen wondered, avoiding the rain of blood pouring near them.

"Did we?" Noir blinked.

"Nevermind, let's regroup with the others."

---

Crow and Violet backed each other up against Nue and Joro-Gumo. When Nue discharged lightning from its body, Crow sidestepped and summoned Hereward. When Nue fired another lightning blast, Crow cast Debilitate to weaken its offense attacks. After depowering the thunder Yokai, Crow crippled it with Laevateinn and finished it off with Riot Gun.

"Now, stay dead!" Crow gritted. He then heard Violet's wails and turned around to see Violet swinging her rapier at Joro-Gumo. He quickly hurried over to assist Violet. "Hey, hold on! I'm coming!"

"Thanks, but I've got this!" Violet called out, summoning Ella to the field. Her Third-Tier Persona guarded her against Joro-Gumo's purple webbing. At one point, the Yokai spider woman tried to use her other arms to grab her.

With one quick attack, Violet performed Sword Dance and ripped Joro-Gumo to shreds.

"Well, well, you didn't need my help after all," Crow remarked.

Smiling back, Violet responded. "Not at all, but thank you, Akechi."

---

Fighting in unison, Mina, Kyosuke, Brave, Presto, and the White Tiger engaged Gasha-dokuro. When the giant skeleton slammed its right hand down, the group spread out and evaded getting crushed under its weight. Everyone, minus the White Tiger, mobilized and manifested their Guardian Spirits.

"This is nothing we can't take down!" Mina declared, imbuing Saoirse's Ki into her katana. Swinging her katana and utilizing her Living Weapon, the muscular woman unleashed a tidal wave, which melted off Gasha-dokuro's entire left hand.

After Mina's Living Weapon dealt the Yokai a damaging blow, Kyosuke struck its left arm with his ōdachi. The skeleton attempted to hand swipe him, but Kyosuke quickly sidestepped it. After seemingly cracking its bony arm with his ōdachi, Kyosuke fused with his Makami spirit and invoked his Yokai Shift form. Bellowing with ferocity, Kyosuke smashed Gasha-dokuro's entire right arm with raw power. Then, he smashed the giant skeleton's left leg, bringing it down to one leg.

The White Tiger then charged and slammed head-on with Gasha-dokuro's chest. Gasha-dokuro retaliated, spewing glowing orbs at the beast. One orb struck White Tiger, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Nekomata!" Presto cried out. As he stood his ground, he invoked Kato's Ki and imbued his weapons with fire. He quickly came to White Tiger's aid and battered the Yokai's left knee. Manifesting more fire, Presto invoked his Living Weapon's full potential and destroyed Gasha-dokuro's left leg.

Brave followed through, smashing Gasha-dokuro's massive right leg with her spear. Inflicting further damage, Brave imbued Janomecho's Ki through her spear. With a mighty swing, Brave invoked her Living Weapon and unleashed a powerful wind blast, which destroyed its entire right leg.

"Ok, we've brought it down!" Brave called out.

"Then, we'll take it from here!" White Tiger roared as he charged toward Gasha-dokuro. Then, Mina and Kyosuke hopped on White Tiger's back. With White Tiger guiding them, the warriors battered Gasha-dokuro with close ranged attacks. With another katana swing, Mina devastated it with a tidal wave. Kyosuke smashed its chest with his raw Yokai power.

The White Tiger then fired a beam from his glowing yellow eyes, which sliced through Gasha-dokuro's body. After splitting the behemoth in two, Mina, Kyosuke, Brave, and Presto finished it off with simultaneous attacks. As Gasha-dokuro collapsed, its body melted down in a giant puddle of putrid blood.

"Alright, we did it!" Presto cheered on.

Taking a deep breath, Brave sighed with relief. "Wow, that was something else."

"Excellent work, you two, but we're still not in the clear yet," Mina commended the Spiritual Gamblers.

"Yeah, let's go and regroup with the others," the White Tiger suggested as Brave and Presto nodded together.

---

Joker, Tennyo, and Sion fought off Onryoki, Enenra, and the last two Magatsu Warriors. Aided by Maria, Joker swiftly attacked Onryoki, evading its blows. He slashed the back of its legs with his dagger. Then, his Persona, Maria, cast Heat Raiser to increase Sion's strength and speed, who was already having to deal with the Magatsu Warriors.

"Time to end you! Come forth, Vohu Manah!" Joker declared as a tall and slender deity figure with a haunting white mask. Its red and blue slender body has limbs and legs being able to unwind and twist themselves like ribbons. A pair of bright blue wings are seen folded over behind its body. A clear halo adorned its waistline.

Heeding Joker's command, Vohu Manah cast Divine Judgement to obliterate Onryoki. He then turned over toward Tennyo, who slashed through Enenra with her ko-naginata. In response to Enenra's presence, Tennyo's green eyes turned gold, indicating she was mentally in battle mode.

As Enenra conjured five small tornados to slow her down, Tennyo evaded the Yokai's attacks and jumped high into the air. Hefting her ko-naginata, Tennyo summoned a lightning bolt and blasted it. After neutralizing it with her Divine Thorn, she used Shogi Shield to stop Enenra's next attack. Then, she effortlessly cut through Enenra's torso as blood spewed from its flesh wound. Enenra collapsed in a bloody heap and dissolved into black mist.

"Sion!" Tennyo called out as she ran over and assisted the Revenant against the Magatsu Warriors. With her Kunitokotachi, Tennyo swiftly countered one of the Magatu Warrior's swords. "Don't worry. You won't have to fight them alone."

"I appreciate it, Hifumi!" Sion replied, hacking off the other Magatsu Warrior's left arm with his Queenslayer Blade. As the Yokai charged at him, Sion cast his Frenzied Fire Gift, which the Yokai was resistant to. Choosing another option, the Revenant utilized Circulating Pulse, unleashing a barrage of strikes with his Hanemukuro on the Magatsu Warrior.

Swinging her ko-naginata upward, Tennyo quickly sliced off the other Magatsu Warrior's left arm.

"Fire and lightning don't work on these Yokai, Sion," Tennyo warned him.

"Thanks, I wish I had known that!" Sion blurted out.

Just then, Joker entered the fray and commanded Vohu Manah to attack the Magatsu Warriors. Using Makougaon, the Persona weakened the Yokai warriors.

"I've drained their strength! Finish them off!" Joker called out.

With that, Sion slashed his Magatsu opponent into pieces with his Queenslayer sword. Swinging her ko-naginata, Tennyo beheaded the other one. As the Magatsu warriors collapsed in a bloody heap, their bodies melted into black mist.

"Well done, Hifumi," Sion said, taking her hand.

"That was simple enough," Tennyo replied.

As the couple recollected themselves, Joker beckoned the duo to follow him.

"Never mind that, Hifumi! Let's go!"

"Oh, sorry. I'm coming!" Tennyo called out as she followed Joker and Sion back toward the National Diet Building front gates.

---

The National Diet Building (国会議事堂)/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

After the Yokai forces were dealt with, the group reassembled outside the gates. Suddenly, the front gates opened up, granting the Thieves and their allies access inside. They entered the national premises.

Once they entered, they slowly scoured the grounds. The atmosphere was both quiet and unsettling. Then, they heard the ringing of bells. The ringing of these wistful bells was then accompanied by a mysterious purple mist, which brimmed with malicious vibes.

"I don't like this where this is going," Fox cautiously observed the mist.

"You and me both, Inari," Oracle frowned.

"Looks like Datenshi managed to bring them to life," the White Tiger snarled toward the direction of the dark purple mist.

"Who are they, Nekomata?" Joker asked the large Yokai beast.

"Who's there?!" Mina exclaimed as she spotted a figure emerge from the mist.

Appearing from a purple mist is a ghastly man in a black monk's garb. His complexion is ghostly and pale with signs and the scent of age and decay. Adorning his head is a rice-straw Kasa hat. In his right hand, the dark monk carried a silver Khakkhara staff, used to ward off spirits. As he raised his head and parted his disheveled gray hair, he has the features of an undead man, but the red eyes of a Yokai. With a menacing scowl, he raised his Khakkahara and slammed it down. The sounds of ringing bells beckoned the evil spirits accompanying him.

"No, it's Otakemaru!" The White Tiger snarled at the dark monk-like figure.

"Otakemaru?! Yes, I've read about him!" Fox determined.

"Who's Otakemaru?" Panther asked the artist.

"Well, to be frank, that's not his true form," Kyosuke replied. "Right now, he's taken on the form of Kashin Koji."

"What's the story behind Kashin Koji?" Noir queried.

"Otakemaru took the form of this monk when he manipulated the events leading to Tokichiro's rise into Hideyoshi," Kyosuke explained. "Hide personally had to deal with him. Now his battle against Otakemaru has passed over to me." As he intensely glared down Otakemaru, a vermillion aura shrouded Kyosuke.

"You won't have to fight him alone, Kyosuke. We'll defeat him together," Mina reminded him.

"I never would've imagined this. Datenshi has the nerve to revive Otakemaru?! But, I see Otakemaru isn't the only one that the Angel of Control revived," the White Tiger narrowed his gaze toward the purple mist as another figurehead walked forward. "Is that you, Shuten Doji?"

A nine-foot-tall brutish Yokai garbed in traditional Japanese warrior's garb. His upper body is half covered by a shirt, revealing his muscular chest and well-built physique. His chest is covered with red embellished markings. Black armor covers his hands & wrists and legs. His hands have sharp black claws. Black samurai armor adorned most of his waist. A giant golden glowing mane, resembling flames, covered most of its upper body and black. A pair of long golden horns protruded from Shuten Doji's head. In his right hand, Shuten carried a giant spiked club. A large bottle containing his special booze is seen hanging off his massive back. With an intense snarl, Shuten Doji faced his opposition.

"Oh shit, that dude looks scary," Skull remarked, taken aback by Shuten Doji's presence.

"Shuten Doji is classified as one of Japan's three greatest Yokai. Two of those three are standing before us," Fox stated.

"Otakemaru, Shuten Doji, and Tamamo-no-Mae," Kyosuke identified the three greatest Yokai.

Chortling, Kashin Koji addressed his adversaries. "Yes, I see Hide and William's successors are among you." He intently gazed toward Mina and Kyosuke before veering toward the Spiritual Gamblers. "And we have other Guardian Spirit wielders. One of you currently wields the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox, but Shuten and I both know better. The true name of the Nine-Tailed Fox is Tamamo-no-Mae."

"I'm still getting over the fact you have one of the Yokai inside you, Yumeko," Brave exclaimed.

"Aren't I lucky?" Tamamo modestly chuckled.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you, young lady," the White Tiger muttered.

Slamming his staff down, Kashin menacingly growled while uncurling his upper lip into a scowl. "Yes, this is no laughing matter."

"We intend to restore Tamamo-no-Mae so the three great Yokai can be reunited!" Shuten Doji openly declared. He faced Tamamo's direction and devilishly grinned. "Yes, I recall when our seals were undone, Otakemaru freed Tamamo-no-Mae and me. However, I recall Tamamo-no-Mae escaped before I fought Hide. Tamamo-no-Mae would later possess and corrupt Lady Chacha!"

Hearing her predecessor's name mentioned, Tamamo furrowed her brows and balled her hands into fists.

"Don't you dare talk badly about Lady Chacha, you monster," Tamamo growled.

"Or, what? After we butcher you, we'll extract Tamamo-no-Mae and restore her status as one of the great Yokai once again!" Shuten vowed while threatening the Compulsive Gambler's life.

"That's not going to happen! You'll have to go through all of us!" Sion interjected, drawing out his Queenslayer and Hanemukuro.

Nodding, Tennyo took a battle stance along with everyone else opposing the Yokai. The Thieves, Sion, the Gamblers, Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger readied themselves for a forthcoming clash.

"The Angel of Control informed me your title name is Tennyo," Kashin addressed the ko-naginata wielder, who responded with a perplexed look. "Yes, how fitting an individual who's name is inspired by the Tennyo legends intends to challenge the Angel of Control. You remind me of that bandit Suzuka, who allied herself with Sakanoue no Tamuramaro." He said while facing Tennyo and Sion. "You two are like them. But, the question is, can you slay the Angel of Control as Tamuramaro and Suzuka did with this man before I took his form?"

Before Tennyo can respond, Sion stopped her.

"Pay him no mind, Hifumi."

"Sion…?"

"If you can get by us, then the Angel of Control is yours. Tennyo, you have my regards. Now, let the slaughter begin," Kashin declared as a dark purple mist shrouded him. Then, he transformed before everyone's eyes, taking on his true Yokai appearance. In place of the dark monk, an eight-foot-tall humanoid Yokai clad in full-bodied black ash armor appeared. Red molten lines are seen running through his black ash armored exterior. Long, wild black hair is seen fluttering behind the back of his head. A pair of long, purple horns adorned the crown of the Yokai's head. A purple halo-shaped ring overlapped Otakemaru's head. The purple ring glowed profusely, filling the Yokai with incredible power. In his right hand, he carried a blue sword. Two other swords, a red one and a black spiked one, floated in rotation along with four extra hands, two of these hands held the blue and spiked swords. Otakemaru's red eyes intently glared toward his enemies.

When Tamamo intently faced the two Yokai, an aura of the Nine-Tailed Fox materialized behind her. Otakemaru and Shuten Doji recognized their third member's presence.

"The three of us shall be reunited and we shall terrorize all of Japan once again!" Shuten openly vowed.

"That shall not come to pass!" The White Tiger rebuked fiercely growled at the two Yokai.

"Yes, sorry, but the Nine-Tailed Fox doesn't plan on leaving me anytime soon," Tamamo fiendishly smiled, crouching on all fours as the Yokai fox's aura formed over her. All nine of her tails became infused with the Nine-Tailed Fox's powerful Ki.

"Don't get too reckless, idiot!" Brave chided her friend as she, Presto, Mina, and Kyosuke mobilized near Tamamo.

"Get ready, Phantom Thieves!" Joker called out.

Letting out a deep sigh, Sion muttered. "It's too bad. If only my friends were here now. They'd help us out here."

Tennyo overheard the Revenant. "I know."

"Well, why don't we show up and help then?" A voice vaguely similar to Louis' whispered loudly for all to hear.

Upon hearing his friend's voice, Sion perked up and scanned around. "No way, I'm hearing things."

Then, a light chuckle and voice belonging to Yakumo chimed in. "Still thinking of us, Sion?"

"You just can't keep us from your mind, huh, Sion?" A young woman's voice that sounded like Mia added with playful sarcasm.

"Sion, you want us? You got us, my friend," Jack's voice stated.

"Look behind you," Eva's voice directly said.

When Sion whipped around behind him, five pillars of light materialized in front of him. The Thieves and their allies also turned toward the source, taken aback by the return of Sion's friends. Louis, Yakumo, Mia, Jack, and Eva reappeared as they had before in their Revenant battle gear and facial masks.

"You guys are really back!" Sion happily called out to them.

"Looks like you mentally willed them here, Sion. You've gotten the hang of conjuring cognitions," Mona noted the Revenants' sudden appearance.

"Them again," Crow muttered, looking wary of the same Revenants who've shown distrust toward him.

"Isn't this great, Ren-senpai?" Violet excitedly asked the Phantom Thief leader.

"Yo, welcome back!" Skull waved to the Revenants.

With a satisfied smirk, Joker added. "We're glad to have you back."

Louis nodded as he approached Sion. "I knew we'd be reunited, Sion. We'll always be in your mind."

"So, are they our opponents?" Mia eyed Otakemaru and Shuten Doji.

"Hn. So, you've summoned more allies? Well, that's fine. We have some back-up of our own," Otakemaru smirked as more dark purple mist shrouded the vicinity. "The Angel of Control already informed me to expect more allies willing to support you. That's why he and I have accommodated you with the mightiest Yokai and Lost!"

"Behold, our Greater Lost and Yokai!" Shuten Doji announced as giant beings emerged from the insidious purple mist.

A total of four Greater Lost and a massive Yokai appeared in assembly.

Of the Lost present, one stood out, which Sion and Tennyo recognized.

The Greater Lost has the physical stature and attributes of the Queen's Knight. However, its body is lighter gray armored skin. The 7'0 foot tall obsidian armored behemoth's head has four massive spikes coming out of the sides of its face. Three smaller spikes protruding the crown of its head. It wielded a massive spiked sword, one side has red spikes and the other has faint bluish gray spikes. It also carried a shield. Additionally, it has a pair of wing-like daggers.

"That's the first Lost we encountered!" Tennyo identified the Queen's Knight.

"No, that's the Queen's Knight Reborn," Sion corrected her.

"Don't look now, but they've managed to bring those horrors here!" Yakumo exclaimed as he and the Revenants recognized the next set of Lost appearing behind a giant Japanese castle.

"That's the Hellfire Knight!" Louis quickly identified the Greater Lost, a giant robust beast, roughly 14-feet tall and 20 feet long, has black scaled armor covering the entirety of its body. Appearing draconic from a glance, it has a short-snouted face and a long neck. Its back is covered with long, sharp armored black spikes and layers of wing-like flaps that covered most of its backside. Its clawed front & back feet, underbelly, and spikes are imbued with bright ember-like lights, which is used as an intimidation display against its enemies.

"No, it's the Frozen Empress!" Mia cried out, identifying a large, slender-bodied Greater Lost, that is roughly the same size as the Hellfire Knight, has light steel white skin, resembling a metal-like texture. Its body is covered with clear crystallized armor. The beast's head is flat, looking almost alien-like with light purple eyes, black slender lips, a thin-framed effeminate face, and a rhombus-shaped embellishment on its forehead. Protruding from its legs are red ribbon-like feathers. Gusts of frozen air wisped over the Frozen Empress, enabling the creature to invoke its power to attack her enemies.

"The Lord of Thunder," Sion growled, glaring down the next Greater Lost. This massive beast, roughly the same size as the Hellfire Knight and Frozen Empress, has a mostly golden-furred body and a bushy tail. Its head is covered with a bushy golden mane like a lion's. Large, black claws made up its front and back feet. Protruding behind the back of its head are black crystallized spikes. Its face has a long narrow mouth lined with sharp teeth and saber-like fangs. Covering the upper area of its face as multiple, tiny green eyes. A pair of dark golden wings opened up behind its back. Letting out a mighty bellow, the Lord of Thunder's body charged with bolts of electricity as it lived up to its elemental name.

"And that's Lady Osakabe!" The White Tiger intently glared at the giant Japanese palace appearing behind the four Greater Lost. Obstructing their path is a large Japanese palace trimmed with red, gold, and black. It is Himeji Castle, which has been possessed by a powerful Yokai spirit. A large single demon's red eye opens up at the top center of the palace, scanning her victims. Four massive, elongated limbs. Each limb has red glowing eyes, allowing her to scope her surroundings and locate her victims.

"Great. Four Lost and three Yokai, this should be a blast," Skull muttered.

"It'll be fine, Skull. Now that Sion's friends are here, I think I like our odds better," Mona simply put. "I suggest we split into smaller groups. What do you think, Joker?"

"I'm all for that," Joker nodded.

"Wait, some of us should go after that bastard Datenshi. We didn't come all the way here just so we can let him slip away," Sion added, grinding his teeth vehemently. "And I sure as hell want a piece of him!"

"Go then! We'll take care of things here!" The White Tiger encouraged his cohorts, as he, Queen, and Noir rushed head-on with Lady Osakabe.

"Go on, Joker! We'll take it from here!" Panther called out to their leader.

"Take Sion where he needs to be and stop Datenshi!" Mona cried out.

"Hifumi, let's go!" Sion beckoned Tennyo to follow him and Joker.

"Wait for us, senpai!" Violet called out as she followed Joker, Sion, and Tennyo.

"There! The National Diet Building is just up ahead!" Joker called out to his teammates in pointing in the right direction.

"I suppose I'll join you as well, Joker," muttered Crow, chasing Violet and Joker's group toward Datenshi's location.

"Be careful, Sion!" Louis shouted, invoking his Ogre-Type Blood Veil.

As Joker's group vanished into the National Diet Building, the remaining Thieves, the Spiritual Gamblers, the Revenants, Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger were divided into smaller groups and fought off the remaining Yokai and Lost entities.

As Queen, Noir, and the White Tiger charged at Lady Osakabe, the living demonic palace sprouted her four limbs and attacked the trio. Queen jumped high into the air and executed a flying kick on a limb. Suddenly, another limb grabbed Queen and knocked her away. As the other limbs slithered over to grab Queen, Noir swooped up and slashed at the limbs with her ax. White Tiger also intervened on Queen's behalf and clawed at the Yokai's limbs.

"Thanks, you two," Queen nodded, standing up on her free power. Then, she summoned Agnes and drove straight at the demonic palace. In response to Queen's attack, Lady Osakabe's limbs spewed orbs toward her. Summoning Lucy to the field, Noir conjured Tetrakarn, shielding her ally from Lady Osakabe's attack.

"Thanks, Noir!" Queen called out, firing and blasting Lady Osakabe with Freidyne.

After Queen critically damaged the demonic palace, the White Tiger targeted the limbs and fired beams from its yellow eyes, cutting off all four of her limbs.

"Time to finish you off!" Noir declared, firing her One-Shot Kill, blowing a giant hole through the palace's center eye as it exploded with blood and pus. As she took out its last remaining eye, Queen obliterated the demonic palace with Atomic Flare.

"Yes, we did it, Queen!" Noir cheered her.

"Well done, young ladies.," the White Tiger nodded.

Spinning Agnes around, Queen responded with a fiercely determined look.

---

Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

Attacking Queen's Knight Reborn with coordinated strikes, Jack and Eva took the fight to the Greater Lost. Queen's Knight Reborn performed a dash attack, enabling Jack and Eva to dodge roll away from the Greater Lost. As Jack lunged and attacked the Greater Lost with his Executioner sword, Queen's Knight Reborn countered and knocked him away with its shield.

"So, is that how you want it?!" Jack growled, manifesting his Hound-Type Blood Veil, which he used to slam into the Greater Lost's shield. Queen's Knight Reborn retaliated, swinging its sword twice at Jack's ferocious hounds.

Taking a swing at Queen's Knight Reborn, Eva attacked it with her Libertador bayonet. Then, aiming with her bayonet, she fired multiple shots into the Greater Lost. When it stopped her shots with its shield, Queen's Knight Reborn executed a spinning attack. Eva quickly dove out of the way and manifested spiky thorns from the ground. With spikes poking through its body, Eva's Ivy-Type Blood Veil shattered through the Lost's defenses.

"I've got it, Jack! We can finish it off!" Eva beckoned, as she conjured blades of sand out of thin air. She targeted and launched her Volatile Storm, dealing more damage to the Lost's shield.

Jumping high into the air, Jack executed Severing Abyss and swiftly beheaded Queen's Knight Reborn with his Executioner sword. As its head slid off, dark red blood spewed from the space where its head used to be. However, the Greater Lost didn't stop there as its body willfully produced a green aura.

"Get away from Jack!" Eva called out to him.

As Jack distanced himself from the headless Greater Lost, Queen's Knight Reborn's glowing green form walked toward the Revenant. Jack didn't stop there and used his hound heads to tear the Lost apart After ripping apart and crunching the Lost, the hounds dropped its bloody remains as they fizzled into black mist.

"There, that should take care of that," Jack calmly muttered while Eva tended him.

"Let's try and regroup with the others, Jack."

"I was going to suggest that."

---

As Panther and Yakumo entered the Hellfire Knight's location, the Greater Lost met them with fierce resistance. Initially attacking them with a two-strike combo with its front claws, Hellfire Knight narrowly missed Panther and Yakumo. After rolling away from its tail swipe, Yakumo cut into the monster with his two-handed Oni Bane sword. After delivering consecutive slashes with his sword, Hellfire Knight reared back and released a cloak of flames, which repelled Yakumo and Panther.

"Time to fight fire with fire!" Panther declared, summoning Celestine as her Persona cast Agidyne to stave off the Greater Lost's fiery cloak. Then, she used Burn Boost to increase Celestine's attack power. After using Matarunda, the Greater Lost's attack strength significantly diminished, allowing Yakumo to leap forward and strike the monster with two consecutive strikes.

After dazing the Hellfire Knight with his Tormenting Blast Gift, Hellfire Knight unleashed another fiery wave, but the Revenant forged a Foulblood Barrier, protecting him and Panther from the scorching inferno blast. However, the flames were less potent than they were before.

"Thanks! Now, take this!" Panther called out as she used Fire Amp to increase Celestine's firepower. Then, she unleashed Blazing Hell on the Hellfire Knight, seemingly filling the beast with more fire to feed on, but its body started to expand as molten lines formed across its body. "I see, you can't handle more than your body can take!"

"It's about to burst! But, I'll finish it off in grand style!" Yakumo rushed in, delivering two consecutive strikes with his Oni Blade. Utilizing his Impact Wave, he incorporated a shockwave effect to his strikes that dealt further damage to the Greater Lost. He then finished off the Hellfire Knight with his Tormenting Blast, causing the beast to collapse and implode with fire.

"Imagine that. Being killed by your own gluttony," Yakumo remarked.

"I sure gave him a bad case of indigestion. Thanks for coming through, Yakumo."

"It's my pleasure, Panther."

---

In another city section, Mona and Mia finally stumbled upon the Frozen Empress. They walked right into its ice-covered makeshift den, which used to be a spacious office building complex. Greeting them with a feral roar, the Greater Lost conjured two floating ice crystals. Upon summoning Diego, Mona rushed Frozen Empress and targeted one of its floating crystals. After taking out the crystal, the Greater Lost attempted to crush Mona under its front feet, but Diego pushed it back with a Miracle Punch.

"Hang on, Mona!" Mia called out, diving in and stopping the Frozen Empress' front right leg with her Brodiaea bayonet. Then, utilizing her Fusillade Rondo, she fired multiple shots into the Greater Lost's underbelly, causing it to screech painfully and recoil.

"I appreciate the help, Lady Mia! Let's stay on it!" Mona beckoned, using Wind Boost to increase his Persona's wind power. He then blasted the Frozen Empress with Magarudyne, knocking it away and taking out its other floating crystal.

Then, the Greater Lost's entire right leg became imbued with ice. As it raised its leg, it delivered a quick claw swipe and launched an ice sheet at the duo. As Mona and Mia quickly dodged in opposite ways, the Greater Lost quickly targeted Mona and sought to freeze him with its ice aura.

Quickly coming to Mona's rescue, the Revenant's Stinger-Type Blood Veil stabbed the Frozen Empress' left side. After sticking the frozen beast with her metal tail, Mia cast Ice Armor, forging barriers over Mona and herself. Then, she passively increased her power with Bayonet Mastery.

"You know when to come through for a handsome guy like me!" Mona smirked, using Masukunda to diminish the Frozen Empress' agility.

As she cast her Guard of Honor Gift, Mia generated a barrage of ice pillars and unrelentingly bombarded the beast with them.

While Mia slowed down the Frozen Empress, Mona delivered a Miracle Rush, inflicting critical damage to the Greater Lost. Then, the Revenant finished Frozen Empress off with a headshot with her bayonet, causing the Greater Lost's head to explode. Then, its entire body collapsed and shattered into icy fragments. With the Greater Lost removed, its icy environment vanished.

"You were incredible, Lady Mia!"

Mia replied modestly. "Thanks, but you really like calling me lady do you?"

"I only call one other person 'lady', but your beauty equally matches Lady Ann's."

"Thanks, I guess," Mia smiled, accepting Mona's compliment.

"Now, let's go and regroup with the others!"

---

Upon entering an empty and spacious vicinity, Louis, Fox, and Oracle confronted the Lord of Thunder. Meeting them with a ferocious bellow, the Greater Lost rushed at its victims and delivered a vicious claw swipe. The trio narrowly dodged the Lord of Thunder's melee attack, prompting Fox to summon Gorokichi. Gorokichi performed Giant Slice and knocked the beast away. Oracle summoned Al Azif and slipped inside the spaceship.

Louis then charged with his Enduring Crimson sword and slashed the Lord of Thunder's face. After delivering consecutive slashes to the Greater Lost's face, Lord of Thunder expelled purple lightning bolts from its body and blasted the Revenant away. When the Greater Lost went for another melee attack, Gorokichi stood in its way.

"Louis! I've got this!" Fox yelled out, activating Counter as Gorokichi parried the beast's claw swipes. Then, Fox used Bufudyne to freeze Lord of Thunder's legs.

When Lord of Thunder flapped its wings to fly up, its legs were still bound by the ice. Gorokichi quickly delivered his Vicious Strike on the beast.

Oracle, still inside Al Azif, floated over Louis. "You're gonna need a fix-me-up. Here!" She cast a beam and healed Louis.

Feeling rejuvenated, Louis stood ready to fight again. "Thank you. Now, let's end this." With Oracle's boost, he used Strength/Dexterity Up to increase his strength and fitness levels. Then, he cast Hasten on himself, further enhancing his physical attributes. He demonstrated this as he charged at Lord of Thunder. When the beast fired lighting bolts at him, Louis dodged them with his newly enhanced reflexes.

When the Lord of Thunder broke loose from its ice confines, it flew up and rained lightning bolts all over the field. Louis and Fox quickly dodged, taking cover from the beast's attacks. Louis unleashed his Fire Storm, bringing down a barrage of flaming projectiles that stunned and swiftly brought the Greater Lost down.

Targeting the Lord of Thunder's head, Louis ran his sword through the Greater Lord's forehead. Fox then delivered the finishing blow with Brave Blade, slicing down and cutting Lord of Thunder's head in two. The Greater Lost let out a dying roar and collapsed in a heap, having been slain by its adversaries. Its body then dissipated into ember dust.

"Excellent form, Fox," Louis complimented the Phantom Thief's swordsman skills.

"Thank you," Fox kindly replied.

"That was a totally awesome finish, Inari! By the way, I've located the others. They're heading for the Imperial Palace!"

"Shall we?" Louis asked Fox.

"Yes, there's no time to lose."

---

The National Diet Building (国会議事堂)/Chambers of the House of Councilors/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

As he heard the doors kick open inside the political chamber, Datenshi opened his eyes and turned his chair around to greet his guests. From his plain view, he saw Joker, Sion, Tennyo, Crow, and Violet intently facing him.

"How fortunate you've made it this far. So sorry if those Yokai and Lost caused collateral damage to your city. However, I needed them to do so to bring you here to me," Datenshi opened up with a half-hearted apologetic statement. As he rose from his chair, the Angel of Control floated high in the center of the spacious room. "Ah, Sion. I'm glad you're here, but I didn't appreciate the disparaging words about me during your rant."

"Cut the bullshit, Kanashī Seishin! We're not in the mood for your philosophical garbage!" Sion angrily retorted toward his 'creator'. "You might've created me, but you don't decide my fate! My existence isn't counterfeit!" Hearing these words put a smile on Tennyo's face.

"So, you've gone past the stage of acceptance. Very good, Sion. Of course, I take it from that tone you don't wish to set aside our differences?"

"Never."

Joker readily brandished his pistol and fired Datenshi with it. The Angel of Control casually caught the two bullets Joker fired and discarded them.

"So, you really wish to settle this with a fight to the finish?" Datenshi queried, shrugging his shoulders. "Of course, we have two unexpected players here." He briefly shifted his eyes to Crow and Violet. "Welcome, Akechi Goro and Yoshizawa Sumire. I know you especially, Akechi, want to redeem yourself to the Phantom Thieves for your past actions. How well has that been for you?" Noticing he might've touched a nerve, he noticed Crow giving him an irked glare.

"That's none of your concern," Crow growled.

"And Sumire, I know all about your tragic story and your connections with Maruki in the past," Datenshi noted Violet's distant look. "I see you're still affected by his actions."

"That was the past. I consented with Maruki's experiment. I don't harbor any grudges against him now," Violet rebuked.

"But, he did help you to become Kasumi and live your late sister's life, am I right?"

Violet stayed silent.

"Ren, Akechi, and Sumire, you've all been affected by Yaldabaoth and Maruki one way or another. Directly and indirectly. It's as his actions that enabled Maruki to initiate his ultimate plans," Datenshi firmly reminded them. "And now, you three are here to stop the entity I've incorporated into myself. The very same God of Control that used the Thieves as his tools in my reality. When it came down to it, after I absorbed him, I rid the world of the Thieves as well as you two, Akechi and Sumire. You were Maruki's tools to stop me, but in the end, I lived to tell my story now."

"Enough, Datenshi!" Joker quickly summoned Metatron to the field. "We're going to settle this here and now!"

"This is where I'm going to end your existence!" Sion declared, his red glowing eyes matching his unbridled fury.

"Let's be careful, Sion," Tennyo quietly advised her Revenant lover.

"Yes, you should listen to your woman, Sion. Fighting me with blind fury won't beat me," Datenshi smirked with utter confidence. As he spread his arms out, Yaldabaoth's shadow formed in place of Datenshi's.

"I'll take you alive if I have to," fiercely scowled Sion.

"That's if you can!" Datenshi yelled, manifesting shining arrows of light around him, which he launched straight directly at Joker, Sion, Tennyo, Crow, and Violet.

As the group evaded his Arrows of Light, Joker sent Metatron to attack Datenshi.

The white-winged, pale-skinned angel hastily attacked Datenshi with Sword Dance. Datenshi casually dodged Metatron's projectiles. As the Persona dueled the Angel of Control, Crow summoned Hereward to the field. Using Hereward, Crow fired Datenshi with Riot Gun. Swiftly dodging Hereward's shot, Datenshi flew around and slammed into Hereward. Then, he blasted Metatron away.

Violet summoned Ella and clashed with Datenshi. Ella conjured Vorpal Blade and slashed Datenshi. However, Datenshi materialized wings, guarding him against Violet's attacks. Then, Tennyo unleashed Divine Thorn, striking Datenshi's back. Sion lunged at Datenshi, delivering consecutive slashes with his Queenslayer and Hanemukuro. The Revenant then followed up and unleashed Frenzied Fire on Datenshi.

"Ready to do this, Joker?!"

"I'm ready!"

With that, Joker and Crow distorted the room into the grim, gritty scenic rooftop with rain downpouring. Confused by the scenery change, Datenshi heard the unhinged laughter from Crow.

"Heheheh, come get you some, you angelic bastard!" Crow cackled maniacally.

"Do your worst," Datenshi beckoned him.

As he gripped his head, Crow's eye flashes red. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" He roared with fury. While Crow rushed toward Datenshi, Joker swung across after firing his grappling hook and followed Crow. As Datenshi went for his Arrows of Light, Sion intercepted and materialized his Stinger-Type Blood Veil. As he swung his metal tail in Datenshi's direction, the Angel of Control flew out of the way but was slashed by Joker's Paradise Lost Dagger.

"Now, Crow!" Joker called out, moving away as Crow frantically slashed Datenshi with his serrated sword.

"Hehehehe! Take this and take that!" Crow, with an unhinged look on his face and psychotic grin to match his demeanor, went to town on the Angel of Control.

Suddenly, the Angel of Control phased away and reappeared behind them. Joker and Crow quickly turned as Datenshi repelled them with a golden divine aura.

"Ren-senpai! Crow!" Violet hurried over, tending to her two friends as they recovered from Datenshi's powerful wave.

Sion and Tennyo stood their ground against Datenshi, who had his sights set on them.

"Yes, let us settle it like how it was meant to be, Sion," Datenshi calmly chuckled, descending toward Sion and Tennyo. Then, he saw Joker, Violet, and Crow standing up still willing to fight. Shaking his head, the Angel of Control sighed. "You just don't know when to quit. Fine. Indulge me some more." He flew ahead and attacked the group again.

---

Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

Skull, Brave, and Presto were caught in the middle of a heated battle against Shuten Doji. After knocking the trio away with his spiked club, the Yokai chugged the alcohol from his bottle. He then spewed multiple fireballs at the trio. As they evaded Shuten's fiery blasts, Skull summoned William.

"Take him down, William!" Skull yelled as the Persona delivered a powerful Headbutt, knocking Shuten Doji back.

However, Shuten grinned and laughed him off. "Is that all your spirit can do, boy?!" He retaliated with a club swing, which Skull countered with a Swift Strike.

While William and Shuten collided head-on, Brave imbued her spear with Janomecho's Ki. She quickly jumped toward Shuten and unleashed a wind slash. After Brave delivered her Living Weapon attack, Shuten rebounded and manipulated his long golden mane, ensnaring Brave and entangled her with it.

"Ugh, let go!" Brave cried out as Shuten's mane started to ignite with flames.

"Hang on, Mary!" Presto summoned Genbu, imbuing the turtle's Ki with his tonfas. As he dove in and swiped through Shuten's hair with his tofas, his Living Weapon conjured water that cut through his mane and put out the flames before they could immolate Brave. Brave quickly rolled away and recovered.

"Thanks, Ryōta!" Brave graciously yelled before grabbing her spear.

"Hey, asshole!" Skull shouted from above Shuten. When the Yokai looked up, Skull unleashed Ziodyne on the Yokai, electrocuting him with a shocking blast. "And I ain't stopping there!" He beckoned William to slam into him with Assault Dive.

The more physical blows and electricity he took, the angrier Shuten became.

"You're becoming a nuisance, boy!" Shuten bellowed, quickly downing more alcohol from his bottle and spewing fire covering a wide arc of the area. As Skull and the others moved away, he stomped his foot and knocked Skull away with a fiery kick.

"Skull!" Brave and Presto yelled as Shuten targeted them next. As Shuten went for a fiery kick, the Gamblers dodged and activated their Living Weapons.

Combining their water and wind attacks, Brave and Presto conjured a giant tidal wave that poured over the vicinity. Shuten quickly got swept back by their tidal wave. After being slammed into a wall, Shuten fell in a heap. As Brave and Presto recollected themselves, Shuten raised his head, laughing excitedly.

"Yeah, now that was fun! Let's have some more fun! Let's drink some more!" Shuten roared, preparing to drink more from his bottle, but an electric blast shattered his bottle into pieces. As he whipped around behind him, Skull was back on his feet and readying his mace.

"You want fun, how's this for fun?!" Skull rushed Shuten. When the Yokai spat fireballs, Skull smacked them away with his mace. As he lunged and got in close range, he smacked Shuten's face twice with his mace. Then, he cracked Shuten's lower jaw with his mace. "Hey, I think I just knocked some teeth out of ya!"

Shaking his head, Shuten spat a few teeth out.

"Heh, I think your new look suits ya! Ok, William, let's finish him off!" Skull roared as the Persona blasted Shuten with Maziodyne. When water and electricity mixed, Shuten's body was further electrocuted. Following that, Skull executed God's Hand on the Yokai, delivering the finishing blow to Shuten. "And that's all she wrote!"

Letting out subdued laughter, Shuten collapsed to a knee. "Well done, boy. You and those two showed your worth to me… now, let's have a drink together…" He fell and dissolved into embers.

"I'll drink for myself, thanks," Skull snorted.

"Skull, we're heading out to find Yumeko!" Presto called out to him.

"Come one, we might find the others with her, too!" Brave said as she and Presto headed off.

Nodding, Skull followed them. "Hang on! I'm coming!"

---

The National Diet Building (国会議事堂)/Central Hall/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

Taking their brawl inside the central hall of the Diet Building, Tamamo, Mina, and Kyosuke isolated Otakemaru from the others. As they fought off the Yokai, Kyosuke unleashed his Yokai Shift and used his raw power to slam Otakemaru through a wall. While Kyosuke and Otakemaru crashed through a wall, Tamamo lunged at Otakemaru and tossed fireballs from her nine tails. Otakemaru swiftly sidestepped, shifting away to the right side. Then, with his red Fire Sword, he swung and conjured a fiery explosion that knocked Tamamo back.

"Yumeko!" Mina called out as she dove into Otakemaru. However, the Yokai quickly sidestepped and swiftly came up behind her. Readying his Ice Sword, he manifested an ice pool, which exploded under Mina's feet. Mina was tossed far back.

As Tamamo recovered, she readily prepared to lunge at Otakemaru, but the Yokai face grabbed her and slammed the nine-tailed Compulsive Gambler into a wall. Applying a one-handed chokehold, he slammed her hard several times into the wall. Then, he tossed her and smashed her face-first into another wall.

"Now, you die human! And once I've slain you, Tamamo-no-Mae will return to the fold!" Otakemaru squeezed Yumeko's neck tight.

As she kicked and gasped for air, Tamamo was at Otakemaru's mercy. Before he could crush her larynx, Kyosuke tackled Otakemaru and consecutively slashed him with powerful ōdachi strikes. Each strike did more damage than the last, but Otakemaru used his Lightning Sword, striking the ground and conjuring lightning strikes that covered the area. Kyosuke was caught in the lightning field and paralyzed. Otakemaru then struck him back with a lightning strike.

"Hey, Otakemaru!" Tamamo shouted as she rose on her feet. When the Yokai turned and faced her, the Compulsive Gambler's face contorted with an insidious and maniacal grin. Her usually red eyes widened with an evil and gleeful expression coupled with sharp teeth forming in her mouth. "Why don't we play a game?! The first one that gets hit has their limbs removed?"

Scowling, Otakemaru blasted her back with a lightning strike with his Lightning Sword.

"I'm in no mood for your games, human!"

"Oh, but this is Tamamo-no-Mae's idea. You see, she and I have formed a bond. She's taken a liking to me. If you were to kill me, she would never forgive you, Otakemaru!" Tamamo smirked as she methodically stalked toward Otakemaru.

"Enough!" Otakemaru roared, striking the ground with his Fire Sword, conjuring a fiery explosion that pushed Tamamo back.

However, Tamamo got down on all fours and giggled evilly. "Ouch, that hurt, Otakemaru! Well, have it your way, but Tamamo-no-Mae isn't interested in rejoining your cause. So, why don't we tell you how we really feel about you?!" With that, a fiery cloak formed over the Compulsive Gambler, transforming her into the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Upon witnessing the Nine-Tailed Fox manifest, Mina and Kyosuke watched Otakemaru fighting off the beast. As Otakemaru conjured an energy disc, he tossed and knocked the Nine-Tailed Fox back with his Phantom Disc. Then, he hastily performed a forward burst attack and slashed her with his sword. After being struck down by Otakemaru's swords, the Nine-Tailed Fox flung three of her nine tails at Otakemaru and slammed him into a wall. Flinging herself at Otakemaru, the Nine-Tailed Fox claw swiped at the Yokai, but Otakemaru moved away and manifested a second sword, which he used to perform a double slash on her.

Leaving himself occupied with the Nine-Tailed Fox, Mina manifested Saoirse and imbued her katana with its Ki. Swinging her katana, Mina conjured her Living Weapon and sent a tidal wave toward Otakemaru. After being swept back by Mina's attack, Kyosuke dashed over and vertically slashed Otakemaru's chest with his glowing ōdachi. Otakemaru quickly conjured ice projectiles from his head and fired Kyosuke with them. Slashing through Otakemaru's ice projectiles, Kyosuke ran into and picked up Otakemaru for a slam. Before he could pick the Yokai up for a slam, Otakemaru blasted the Shiftling down with a lightning strike.

Upon recovering from Kyosuke's attack, Otakemaru growled. "You thought you could defeat me like Hide?! I've grown much stronger since then!" He raised his dual swords to deliver the killing blow.

Suddenly, Mina quickly folded her arms around Otakemaru's waist and effortlessly picked him up. Using all her physical upper body strength, she hoisted Otakemaru and dropped him with a back body slam. As Otakemaru stood, Mina rushed at him and unleashed a barrage of Ki-imbued fists, hitting him with fast punches. After knocking him down with an uppercut, Mina mounted Otakemaru and prepared to drive her katana into his chest. However, Otakemaru seized her blade with both hands and turned her blade around toward her head.

"And you, William's successor! Not even you are a match for me!" Otakemaru snarled, pushing the blade toward her head.

Try as she might, Mina couldn't match Otakemaru's strength. As the blade was mere inches from piercing through her forehead, the Nine-Tailed Fox dove into Otakemaru and pushed him away. As Otakemaru recovered to his feet, the Nine-Tailed Fox charged into him and bite his left shoulder. Otakemaru stabbed the Nine-Tailed Fox's face and neck with his swords.

"Kyosuke, we need to finish him while Yumeko has him occupied!" Mina called out, picking up her katana.

Hearing his colleague's plea, Kyosuke rushed toward Otakemaru and the Nine-Tailed Fox. In an instant, Otakemaru conjured a barrage of elemental swords, which tore through the ceiling and pierced into the Nine-Tailed Fox. Kyosuke hastily ran toward Otakemaru and drove his ōdachi through Otakemaru's torso. Then, Mina ran her katana through Otakemaru. Both then charged their Ki through their blades and unleashed their power into Otakemaru.

Roaring in pain, Otakemaru watched his body starting to break apart from their Ki dissolving him from the inside. As more of his body dissolved, Otakemaru resigned to his fate.

"How fitting to be defeated by Hide and William's successors… well done…" Otakemaru muttered, slowly turning toward the Nine-Tailed Fox as she turned back into Tamamo. "And Tamamo-no-Mae… you've settled for a human rather than your fellow elite Yokai. What a shame…" Looking up, his head started to dissolve as he let out his final breath before his presence was erased.

Collapsing together, Mina and Kyosuke sat side by side. Kyosuke turned back to normal. As she helped him up, they walked over and tended to Tamamo.

"Did we win?" Tamamo asked.

"Yes, Otakemaru is gone, but the fight is not over yet," Mina answered.

---

The Imperial Palace (皇居)/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

After they finished slaying the Lost and Yokai, the Phantom Thieves, the Spiritual Gamblers, the Revenants, Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger reconvened near the famous Imperial Palace. While recollecting themselves after some hard fought battles, they heard and felt a rumble beneath the ground.

"Great, now what?!" Panther grumbled in an irritated tone.

"An earthquake?!" Presto exclaimed.

"No, this has to be something else causing this!" Fox shouted.

"Over there!" Louis pointed toward eight whirlpools materializing in the lake surrounding the Imperial Palace.

"Stand your ground, everyone!" The White Tiger warned his compatriots.

Bursting out of the whirlpools, a large body, roughly 20-foot high and with a thick black scaly hide and gray underbellies, formed, extending at a length of 30 feet long. Then, six glowing spheres of light emerged from the snake's body, initially forming into six snakeheads. After the first six heads formed, two more snakeheads appeared to complete a full set of sight for the summoned the eight-headed abomination. Each head has distinguishing colors, single forehead horns, small yellow Amrita facial spikes, and different head protrusions. Each one has red eyes that scanned over their opposition.

The first and second heads, lacking elemental powers, each have distinguishing horn shapes. The first head has a long, curved white unicorn horn and the second has two white horns. The third head has red horns to determine its fire abilities. The fourth head has light blue horns, granting it water-based abilities. The fifth head has light green horns, giving it wind powers. A sixth head has bright yellow horns with lightning flashing over them. A seventh head has purple horns covered with rocks. The eighth and final head, acting as the main one, has dark red curved horns. With the power of discord, the main head communicated with the other seven heads while acting as the leader.

The main head with dark red horns opened its mouth, exposing its long sharp red fangs.

"No! It's the Yamata-no-Orochi!" Fox yelled with fearful eyes.

"I recall William fought one at Azuchi Castle," the White Tiger recalled one of William's many life and death battles.

"How fitting I'm here to fight one myself," Mina remarked, reminding herself of being William's Saoirse successor.

"You won't be fighting it alone, Mina," Kyosuke reminded her of their collective allies.

"This reminds me of that Shadow variation we fought in Shido's Palace! Only we're now about to fight the real one!" Queen recalled as she intently faced down the Yokai.

"Holy shit, the readings from this thing are off the charts!" Oracle assessed Yamata-no-Orochi's power.

"It's no surprise. This is the legendary monster and not a Shadow version!" Mona added.

"Then, why don't we show this snake bastard what us Persona users are made of?!" Panther declared.

"Now, you're talkin', Panther!" Skull readied himself, tightly gripping his mace.

"Yes, we must slay this monster above all else!" Noir concurred.

"The spirit of Kamu Susano-o burns within Gorokichi and he's ready to slay Yamata-no-Orochi. The legendary battle shall be enacted one way or another!" Fox yelled out, brandishing his katana.

"You can also rest easy knowing we're here to help, too," Louis stated on the Revenants' behalf.

"And us as well!" Tamamo chimed in as she, Brave, and Presto stood poised for battle.

"After we defeated Otakemaru, nothing should stop us now," Kyosuke added as he and Mina readied their weapons against the Yokai threat.

"Alright, team! Let's give him hell!" Queen rallied the troops, using Marakukaja to increase herself and her entire party's defenses as they charged and attacked Yamata-no-Orochi.

In response to its adversaries, Orochi's eight heads hissed and screeched while the Thieves and their allies spread out to attack each head.

Aided by Yakumo and Tamamo, Panther somersaulted into the air while evading the Fire Orochi Head's fire breath. Likewise, Yakumo and Tamamo avoided the Fire Orochi Head's scorching flames, which spread and burned down some trees. Summoning his Hound-Type Blood Veil from his coat, Yakumo's hounds fought off the Fire Orochi Head. Then, he ran his Oni Blade through the fire snake's torso. As Fire Orochi Head constantly tried to bite down on Panther, the red-clad Phantom Thief hopped around and struck the serpent's head with her whip. After hitting the Fire Orochi Head with fire dice, Tamamo summoned Nine Tails and distracted the fire snake, allowing Panther and Yakumo to strike the snake's vital points.

Running and jumping away from the Ice Orochi Head's ice breath, Fox leaped across the Imperial walls. The serpent's head then lunged at its Phantom Thief prey, but Fox dodged and stabbed the Ice Orochi's eye in blinded one side. Louis quickly jumped high into the air and landed on the serpent's back. As the ice serpent tried shaking the Revenant off, Louis used his Ogre-Type Blood Veil to grab on and stabbed it with his Enduring Crimson sword. Swinging his katana with sheer ferocity, Fox cut off one of the snake's horns with his Brave Blade.

Aided by Brave and Presto, Skull evaded the Lightning Orochi Head's bolt strikes. Conjuring his turtle shell shield, Presto stopped some bolts from electrocuting him and Brave. However, one bypassed Presto's defenses and struck Skull. However, Skull shrugged off the snake's lightning blast and jumped up, cracking the Lightning Orochi Head's chin with his mace. Imbuing her spear with Janomecho's Ki, Brave unleashed her Living Weapon and knocked the Lightning Orochi Head away with a wind blast, almost causing its head to snap back with a whiplash effect.

Both Mona and the Wind Orochi Head flung wind attacks at one another. The result of their clashing wind affected the surrounding areas and damaged the Imperial Palace's structures. Suddenly, a barrage of shots blasted the Wind Orochi's Head from a distance. Mia provided Mona time to slash upward, cutting through the Wind Orochi Head's body. However, the snake countered with a headbutt, knocking Mona back. Conjuring ice pillars, Mia flung them at the Wind Orochi Head. As Mia battered the serpent with her Guard of Honor, Mona healed himself. Picking up his slingshot, he fired a shot, which exploded in the snake's head. As smoke blinded the serpent, Mona blasted and knocked it around with Garudyne.

Aided by the White Tiger, Mina, and Kyosuke, Noir cast Makarakarn and conjured a magic shield for herself and her cohorts. The Earth Orochi Head fired a purple breath at Noir, but the reflective shield deflected the beam toward the serpent. After getting hit by its own attack, the Earth Orochi Head collapsed forward, giving Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger opportunities to attack. As Mina and Kyosuke cut through the serpent, the White Tiger fired an eye beam into the monster. Readying her ax, Noir cracked the side of the serpent's head with it.

Queen, Jack, and Eva were tasked with contending against the three main Orochi heads. Jack and Eva dodged the two normal Orochi heads' bite attacks. In retaliation, attacking with his Executioner blade, Jack slashed one head and defended himself from the serpent's bites with his Hound-Type Blood Veil. Using her Volatile Storm, Eva conjured and blasted blades of sand at the other head. While the two Revenants held off the two heads, Queen targeted the Discord Orochi Head.

The Discord Orochi Head manifested icicles out of thin air and fired them at Queen while also spewing his chaos breath. Queen sprang high into the air and unleashed Mafreidyne on the three heads. With the attack powered by heavy nuclear energy, it was enough to damage them. Then, as the two normal heads lunged forward and seized Queen's arms, they lifted her upward. As Queen cried out struggling to break loose, the Discord Orochi Head hissed and hovered over its prey.

"LET ME GO!" Queen screamed at Orochi.

Before it opened up to devour her whole, Jack jumped up and plunged his sword into the Discord Orochi Head's neck. As the Revenant drew blood from the main serpent head, Eva fired bayonet shots at the Discord Orochi Head's neck. As Jack and Eva's efforts freed Queen, the Phantom Thief used her full strength to swing the two normal Orochi heads around while they still bound her arms. As a result, their necks got slammed around. Queen then blasted them with Mafreidyne, causing the two normal Orochi heads to explode. One head was completely gone with blood profusely pouring out of its neck. The other one with the unicorn curved horn had its horn torn apart and half of its upper face melted off with its remaining eye falling out, slender veins are visibly seen, and its tongue was torn apart following the nuclear blast.

Roaring with sheer outrage, Yamata-no-Orochi's remaining six heads attacked the Phantom Thieves and their allies. Gusts of sonic wind from the serpent's mouths blew toward the fearless vigilantes and their allies, as the sheer force of its winds shook the nearest city buildings and skyscrapers. The six heads then fired their energy elemental breaths, blasting away the Thieves and their allies toward the Imperial Palace grounds.

Despite their dramatic fall, the Phantom Thieves, the Spiritual Gamblers, the Revenants, Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger rose and defiantly faced down Orochi. In response against their defiance, the divine serpent hissed and screeched at its enemies.

"He's not going to give up without a fight!" Mina gritted, tightening her grip on her katana.

Skull taunted Yamata-no-Orochi. "We're not gonna give up that easily, you goddamn snake!"

Yamata-no-Orochi heard that response and let out a loud screech.

"Oh, you pissed him off, monkey!" Mona scoffed.

"Not the kind of response that Orochi is looking for," Fox nodded his head in disbelief.

"I can't believe you could understand what it was saying, Mona. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised?" Brave was taken aback.

"Then we're going to finish this battle!" Queen declared.

"And finish we will!" Louis added as he and the Revenants' eyes turned red.

Renewing their vigor for battle, the Phantom Thieves' Personas briefly materialized. Oracle and Al Azif powered up their teammates. Mina, Brave, and Presto powered themselves up and activated their Living Weapon states. Tamamo transformed into her Nine-Tailed Fox state. Kyosuke increased his Yokai Shift state. The Revenants healed themselves up and readied their weapons.

Without delay, the Phantom Thieves and their allies charged at Orochi once again.

Panther called forth Celestine and unleashed Blazing Hell on the Fire Orochi Head. Spewing fire breath, the Fire Orochi Head's attack collided with and matched Panther's fiery attack. However, Panther screamed and pushed the flames towards the serpent's head, knocking it out. Striking the fire serpent head twice, Yakumo viciously slashed it with his Oni Blade. After Yakumo delivered his Two-Handed Sword Mastery Gift, Panther ensnared the Fire Orochi Head's tooth with her whip and swung its head around, brutally ripping out its tooth by the rope of her whip. Letting out a pained scream, blood profusely dripped out of the serpent head's gum hole. Before it could retaliate, Panther blasted it back with her Agidyne.

Mina, Kyosuke, and Fox actively engaged the Ice Orochi Head. With a swing of her katana, Mina swept away a barrage of ice shards. Swinging his ōdachi, Kyosuke crushed the numerous ice shards heading his way. Fox summoned Gorokichi and slashed parts of the Ice Orochi Head's scales, revealing bits of its muscular skin veins. The Ice Orochi Head attempted to fire an ice beam, but Fox used Deadly Fury from his Persona and seamlessly cut through the beam. Mina and Kyosuke took turns relentlessly slashing the Ice Orochi Head with their blades.

"Fox! C'mon, it's Showtime!" Panther called out from afar as Fox immediately and eloquently answered her call.

"Panther, I will assist anything you wish to visit upon them!"

Suddenly, the area distorted around the Fire and Ice Orochi Heads' surroundings. Befuddled, the heads faced the front doors of a traditional Japanese home. As the doors slid open, Panther and Fox walked into view posturing. Panther is seen posing with a red umbrella and Fox is seen preparing to draw out his katana at the first sign of danger.

"You stand before our princess!" Fox sharply chastised the snakeheads.

After performing an elegant dance with her umbrella, Panther turned around and conjured her whip.

"Not for long!" Panther delivered powerful whip strikes, flinging across the numerous floor tiles and sheets at the two serpent heads.

Then, Fox performed a quick slash of his katana, splitting all of the sheets and tiles in half, including delivering cutting strikes into the serpent heads' skin. Fox and Panther then posed together as the two heads screeched and collapsed with blood spewing.

"You're unworthy of my blade!" Fox declared.

"Very beautiful," Oracle chimed in, watching from inside her Persona.

While Brave and Presto distracted the Lightning Orochi Head, Skull mounted William's ship while coasting through the air. When the Lightning Orochi Head launched lightning bolts, Skull and his Persona gracefully evaded its devastating blasts. William fired his laser gun and blasted the Lightning Orochi Head. Then, taking advantage of the dazed serpent, Skull activated his God's Hand and consecutively punched its head. Each powerful blow crushed the serpent as the weight of its neck collapsed and caused collateral structure damages.

The Wind Orochi Head expelled green wind beams and tornado bursts at Mona, Mia, and the White Tiger. The White Tiger sprinted ahead and evaded the wind attacks. As the beast jumped up, he lunged and claw slashed the Wind Orochi's head. Assisting and riding on the transformed Nekomata, Mona and Mia jumped off. Activating her Fusillade Rondo, Mia targeted its head and fired a barrage of homing bullets. Following Mia's bayonet attack, Mona shot it with slingshot strikes. Then, the Phantom Thief mascot called forth Diego and fired Garudyne at the Wind Orochi Head.

Aided by her Persona, Lucy, and Louis, Noir fought off the Earth Orochi Head again. The Earth Orochi Head conjured earthquakes with purple-lined energy. Sprinting into an imperial building, Noir and Louis took cover to avoid the earthquakes. Taking advantage of this, the Earth Orochi Head prepared to lunge at its prey with its jaws, but Noir's Lucy performed Tetrakarn, manifesting a reflective shield that pushed back the serpent's head. Then, Louis rushed and stabbed the Earth Orochi Head's face with his sword. Quickly activating his Ogre-Type Blood Veil, the Revenant ripped into the serpent's head and tore out one of its eyeballs. As the serpent let out a pained screech, it fiercely headbutted Louis back, but Noir lunged forward and cracked its head with her ax. The serpent roared and tried shaking off the ax stuck to its forehead.

"Mona-chan, it's showtime!" Noir beckoned to the mascot.

Then, two spotlights beamed over the two players, Noir and Mona, who immediately distorted the field as their performance stage.

"We're on!" Noir announced as they hopped into the air. As Mona somersaulted, smoke exploded over him, turning him into his black van form again.

When the van landed, Mona's headlight eyes targeted their targets: the Wind and Earth Orochi Heads. Noir gracefully landed on the roof of the van as the Mona van headed straight for the snakeheads.

Readying her rocket launcher, Noir aimed for the heads. "You've been bad!" With that, she fired four consecutive missiles, two blasting the ground around the Orochi heads. One blasted the Earth Orochi Head. The fourth missile collided against the Wind Orochi Head. The blasts dealt enough damage to knock them down in a bloody heap.

Meanwhile, Queen & Agnes, Jack, Eva, and the Nine-Tailed Fox held down the main skirmish against the Discord Orochi Head. As she jumped high into the air, the Nine-Tailed Fox scored a few fiery blasts and claw strikes on the Discord Orochi Head's face. Jack's hound heads grappled with and bit into the Discord Orochi Head's sides. As the serpent shook off Jack's hounds, the Revenant jumped up and slashed its face with his sword. Activating her Sand Edge Gift, Eva assisted by conjuring sand from the ground, which had enough force to push back the serpent's main head.

With all this going on, Queen rode Agnes toward the Discord Orochi Head. Fighting back against its adversaries, it tossed darkness columns and ice shards toward the Phantom Thief's way, who swiftly evaded the incoming attacks. As it fired its chaos breath at the group, everyone spread out, but Queen jumped off her Persona and somersaulted high into the air. As she reached the serpent's height, she unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, delivering punishing and skin breaking blows to the Discord Orochi Head. As the serpent reeled from her powerful blows, Queen landed an uppercut into its lower jaw, knocking its reptilian brains around.

"Skull, we're up!" Queen beckoned the skull-masked Thief, who bolted over to her.

"Ready whenever you are!" Skull answered the call.

Just then, the Discord Orochi Head's surroundings distorted to the old American western scene with the sunset in the backdrop. The serpent head faced the opposite direction where Queen and Skull stood.

"Time to get a little crazy!" Skull said, receiving an elbow to the side from Queen.

"Stay focused!"

As the duo rushed the Discord Orochi head, the serpent tried to bite them, but the Thieves quickly evaded its reach. Queen jumped up and landed a flying kick in the serpent's face. Skull soared high in the air and cracked his mace over the Discord Orochi Head's crown and then smashed its face.

"Go for it!" yelled Skull.

Executing a hand seal, Queen rapidly unleashed a barrage of punches all over the Discord Orochi Head. After battering him with crushing blows, she passionately roared 'Atatatata!' before delivering the final punch and sliding passed the serpent head.

Skull then handed her a grape soda. "Thanks, ma'am!"

Once Queen crushed the can, the Discord Orochi Head's body erupted with blood spewing from its body. However, it didn't stop there for the Yokai serpent.

"Oh no! You guys aren't leaving me out of this!" Oracle shouted from inside her Persona. After pushing a button, a slot underneath Al Azif opened up, dropping a large green bomb in front of the Discord Orochi Head. Dropping out of her Persona, Oracle landed several meters from her bomb. As the lit fuse stopped, she ran over and checked it. "What gives?" After a few taps, the bomb exploded, blowing away Oracle but critically injuring the serpent head.

Letting out a pained screech, the Discord Orochi Head became enraged and lunged directly for Oracle. However, Queen swiftly stepped in Oracle's way and took the blow for her.

"Queen!" Oracle cried out.

"Mako-chan!" Noir shouted as she and Louis stormed toward her.

Having captured its prey, the Discord Orochi Head opened its mouth. Taking the initiative, Queen jumped through and entered its body as the mouth closed.

"MAKOTO!" The Phantom Thieves and their allies, except Noir, shouted.

"MAKO-CHAN!" Noir shouted for her newfound lover.

---

Inside Yamata-no-Orochi

As Queen slid down through Orochi's neck, she heard a loud pulsating sound nearby. Quickly scouring the innards of the beast, she noticed a large beating heart. She noticed veins of the serpent attached to the organic heart.

"I have you now!" Queen cried out, taking her chance and summoning Agnes behind her. Drawing power from her Third-Tier Persona, she unleashed her Atomic Flare and obliterated the serpent's living core, causing it to explode.

---

The Imperial Palace (皇居)/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)

Suddenly, Yamata-no-Orochi stopped the assault on its opponents. All six of his remaining necks flailed around and shook violently. Having realized this, the Thieves and their allies concluded this was Queen's doing.

Suddenly, flashes of light burst out of the ancient Yokai's body. Letting out its final screen, Yamata-no-Orochi's body violently exploded. A rain of blood poured all over the area. Bloody intestines and scattered pieces of Yamata-no-Orochi splattered over the Imperial Palace and the local vicinity. Everyone was covered by the bloody filth, causing some to nearly throw up. Then, the essences of the divine Yokai vanished along with the putrid smell that covered and stained the area.

"No, Mako-chan!" Noir screamed as the Thieves and their allies initially feared the loss of their secondary team leader.

"Wait! Look!" Mina pointed toward pieces of rubble and Orochi's remains moving on their own.

The group saw Queen coming out of Orochi's mouth alive and well.

"MAKOTO!" Queen's friends called out to her. Noir ran through and ran over to embrace Queen.

"Mako-chan!" Noir tearfully cried out. "I'm so glad you are okay!"

"Hey, take it easy, Haru!" Queen smiled and hugged her lover back.

"Hey, you had us scared there," Louis added, stepping in to pat Queen's shoulder.

"Sorry about that, but I took care of it."

"Please don't do that to us again," Mona sighed with relief, taking a few deep breaths.

"My, you two have certainly gotten close," Fox said, making hand motions as if he were taking snapshot photos of Queen and Noir.

Both Queen and Noir released each other while turning around and holding each other's hands.

"Oh god, I'm glad that's gone!" Panther shrieked, noticing the blood and remains that covered her and the others faded away.

"Lucky us this is a distorted world," remarked Brave.

"That was quite the intense battle with the legendary monster. This will forever be ingrained in my mind," Fox dramatically said.

"Yeah, I'd rather forget I was covered in its blood and shit," scoffed Skull.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled near them. Then, a black mist materialized, summoning a Yokai army. The army consisted of various Yokai mooks, including some Yoki and Magatsu Warriors.

"Oh geez, more of these pushovers?!" Oracle scoffed.

"Datenshi is certainly keeping us busy!" Presto exclaimed.

Shaking his head, the White Tiger addressed the Thieves and Revenants. "You go then. I'll stay here with the Guardian Spirit wielders."

"You want us to stay?" Tamamo asked the transformed Nekomata.

"Don't you worry! We'll take care of these freaks for you!" Brave solemnly vowed, brandishing her spear for another round.

"Go help Joker, Sion, Tennyo, and the others while you're still able!" Mina said.

"Thank you all so much. I am getting worried about Joker," Panther nodded.

"You heard them, guys! Let's get going!" Mona declared.

As she faced the Revenants, Queen addressed them. "And after what you've all shown us, we can depend on you."

"Yes, we want to save Sion as much as you do," Louis replied.

With a smile, Queen replied earnestly. "Then, let's do it and stop Datenshi."

As the Thieves and Revenants headed for the National Diet Building, the Spiritual Gamblers, Mina, Kyosuke, and the White Tiger fought off the Yokai forces.

---

Chapter Soundtrack

Nioh 2 OST - Tokichiro II - Battles against Yokai in Distorted Tokyo.
Nioh 2 OST - Kashin Koji II- Encountering Otakemaru and Shuten Doji.
Code Vein OST - Towards the Eternal Glory -Fury- - The reappearances of cognitions of Sion's friends. Lady Osakabe and four greater Lost are summoned. Yokai Joker's group head inside the National Diet Building, while the rest stay behind and about to fight their enemies.
Shin Megami Tensei IV OST - End Credits - - Confronting Datenshi inside the National Diet Building with conversations before the battle against him.
Shin Megami Tensei IV OST - Battle B2 - (Boss Battle Theme) - vs. Datenshi.
Bellum (Beyond Fear) - DLC Instrumental Alt. Version - Code Vein - vs. greater Lost.
Nioh 2 OST - Shuten Doji - Fighting and defeating Shuten Doji.
Nioh 2 OST - Lady Osakabe - Fighting and defeating Lady Osakabe.
Nioh 2 OST - Otakemaru - vs. and defeating Otakemaru.
Nioh OST - Yamata-no-Orochi- vs. Yamata-no-Orochi.
Sawano Hiroyuki - Dragon Rises- Second half of vs. Yamata-no-Orochi and defeating the legendary serpent.

---

A/N: It was inevitable the story would return to some action-heavy content. Hopefully, this didn't disappoint with the return of the Revenant cognitions and all of the Showtimes on full display.

This chapter is essentially the mini-boss chapter. Beyond Otakemaru and Shuten Doji from Nioh 2, this chapter features Code Vein's DLC bosses (Hellfire Knight, Frozen Empress, & Lord of Thunder) and more Nioh bosses (such as Lady Osakabe). And if that wasn't enough, our heroes end up encountering Yamata-no-Orochi.

And with these bosses beaten, Datenshi is all who remains. Sadly, the Kakegurui trio, Nekomata, Mina, and Kyosuke will miss out. The final battle against Datenshi will establish the Persona 5/Code Vein crossover as intended.

That's all for this chapter commentary. Leave a comment and review!