The decision to save the Rebel Corps member was worth it, only because Marie's forces were spread thin. Because of this, the Phantom Thieves were easily capable of cleaning up before a real battle began. "Nice! That takes care of every enemy nearby!" Oracle reported. "Now we can actually help the poor guy!"
Erina was already on that as well. She was making sure that the weakened Rebel Corp member was alright. He was to exhausted and disoriented, he was hardly aware that a battle even took place around him. "Hey, are you alright? Erina asked softly.
The weakened Rebel looked up at Erina, surprised that the captain of all people came to save him! "Captain...you...you saved me...?"
Erina shook her head slowly. This was a conversation for when the coast was clear. "Not right now. C'mon, I'll help you along."
"Oracle said the coast was clear. I think that means we're free to hightail it outta here." Wolf said, keeping his head on a swivel, just in case. With these enemies, you never knew where they could come up.
"Wolf's right! Let's get back to the hideout, quickly!" Mona exclaimed. With the escaped Rebel in tow, the Phantom Thieves quickly made their way back to Leblanc. This scouting mission of the prison turned out to be the best idea they had.
.
.
"Great work out there, everyone!" Erina told the others. She was quite happy with how things turned out.
"Don't worry, Captain! I'll take care of our wounded comrade right away!" A Rebel said with an excited voice, happy that a comrade was able to be rescued.
"Yes, thank you." Erina nodded in response.
"Of course! Everyone please rest up and recover your strength!" A veteran rebel told the others. They were going to do just that.
"Great job, everyone! That went really well!" Haru smiled. She was glad things were steadily going there way after such a horrid beginning.
"Still; an escaped prisoner AND an ambush by the Phantom Thieves after ramping up security? I bet Marie's hella pissed right now. I sure wouldn't wanna be in that castle!" Futaba shuddered at the thought.
"I would. I wanna see her ugly face twist in rage." Mika snickered.
"I don't even want to imagine it..." Ann shook her head. Mika may enjoy the suffering of others, but she was far more concerned with the potential consequences of their actions. "Getting put into a cake probably sounds fun compared to what she might have in store for us."
"And there's no guessing what Marie might throw at us next..." Makoto pointed out. They weren't out of the woods yet, far from it. "That in mind, we should probably get some rest. We won't be able to strategize if we're tired."
"...That's a good point. I know we've been taking it easy for a while, but I can't actually recall the last time I closed my eyes since we got here." Hifumi spoke with a sheepish smile. Despite the spots of rest here and there, she did feel like she was running on adrenaline for a while.
"Sounds good to me! I've been cruisin' for a snoozin' for a while now too!" Ryuji wasn't going to object to that.
"Let's take a nap then, Fumi!" Ann happily grabbed Hifumi's arm.
"No fair...!" Mika grabbed Hifumi's other arm. "I need my beauty sleep! And I wanted her to join me!"
"...You two are going to pull my arms apart." Hifumi said with a sweat drop. The fighting over her with these two would somehow never end, despite her being happily with Ann.
"..." Morgana was going to open his mouth, however...
"I already know what you are about to say." Yusuke said, placing a hand on his forehead. "If you are seeking a napping companion, look no further. In fact, your dimension are perfect for the pillow I was searching for."
"H-Hey, wait a minute!" Morgana gasped.
"Have a good nap, kitty!' Futaba snickered.
"Meowgana is in trouble." Sophia remarked.
"Do you want to take a rest with me, Sophia?" Sumire thought it was worth asking. The chance to snuggle Sophia was fairly rare.
"I do not need the rest. But I would like to experience it." Sophia quickly nodded. Akechi just sighed in the background...
As the others started to take the preparations for a break, the only ones who stayed behind were Ren, Akechi, Ichinose, Toshiro, and Zenkichi. Seeing how Ren wasn't tired, Erina approached him. "Hey, Ren? Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Uh, yeah, sure..." Ren thought this to be out of the blue. "What's up?"
Erina took a quick glance at Ichinose and Zenkichi. While it didn't seem like they were paying attention, she had the feeling they were. "I just want to talk to you about something...without the others overhearing...can we go outside?"
"Sure." Ren shrugged. Erina nodded and went outside with Ren.
"Awww, she doesn't wanna talk with us in the room?" Ichinose pouted.
"Give her some slack. She's probably got a lot on her mind after that last fight." Zenkichi crossed his arms. "She's around the same age as the others, and the same role as Amamiya, in a much harsher setting. She probably just wants to talk to someone she relates to."
"I guess it hasn't been easy for the girl. I have no idea how long she's been fighting, but even I can tell it's all she knows." Ichinose closed her eyes. "I'm still new at this learning about the heart stuff...hers looks heavy, though."
"..." Toshiro said nothing. In fact, he agreed with what they were saying. But he did quietly slip out the café. When they were talking about Erina like that, he couldn't help but worry.
Akechi noticed, but he didn't say anything. "She's reckless for a leader, but she doesn't have the team to back it up. But she tries to do everything on her own anyway. It's quite the headache, if I'm to be honest."
"She's got all the qualities of a leader. Despite her brashness causing problems, it's also what draws the Rebels to her." Zenkichi stated. He also noticed that Toshiro slipped out, but he knew the man wasn't going to go very far. "And now that things are finally looking up for the Rebel Corp, I can imagine that the pressure on her shoulders grows by the second. If we weren't here, it'd probably crush her."
"So we have to do what we can to help her shoulder that burden, right?" Ichinose tilted her head, before smiling. "Well, I'm mostly useless in a fight, and my emotional support isn't the best yet, but I'll do what I can!"
"Really inspiring vote of confidence." Akechi shook his head. "We also have to make sure she doesn't get herself killed in action. Togo's shield can only be in so many places at a time..."
"You almost sound worried for her." Zenkichi glanced over at Akechi with a slightly coy smile. Akechi grunted in response, not appreciative of such a look.
"We aren't getting close to Marie without her and the Rebels. I'd rather not lose that advantage." Akechi replied. "Everyone is being gentle about her missteps, but if she causes another one, she will be hearing from me. And I won't be gentle about it."
"Even I can tell that's the most you're getting out of him." Ichinose snickered. When it came to emotional honesty, she and Akechi were kind of on the same page. When Akechi had that thought, he groaned for a second time. At least he had an advantage over her there. Slightly annoyed, he also walked out of Leblanc for a bit.
.
.
Erina and Ren were just around the corner from Leblanc, still relatively close by so no enemies would dare approach. Erina just needed the space to speak her mind, and if anyone could understand her plight, it would be Ren. "Thanks for your support today. I'm so relieved everything worked out..." Her voice trailed off a little bit. "But, I keep thinking about how I lost my cool earlier. When Toshiro said we couldn't afford to act recklessly back there, deep down, I knew he was right. Despite that, I really tore into him...and now I regret what I said..."
Ren listened to Erina's worries. Despite the rocky conversation at first, he knew where she was coming from. "I see why you wanted to talk to me, but I think this is something you should be telling Toshiro."
"I know, I know..." Erina wasn't disputing that. It was easier for her to talk to Ren first. "I'm just having trouble putting my thoughts into words...I understand where Toshiro is coming from, I really do. If I go down, so does the Rebellion - I know that much, at least. But it feels like my heart is pulling me in another direction. Like it's screaming that I'll regret it if I run away. That's weird, right? Being more agraid of running away, than fighting?"
To that, Ren shook his head. "No, I get where you're coming from. I'm the same way. I can't leave anything alone. Because of that, it's gotten me into a hell of a lot of trouble in the past. But even if it damned me for a while, I never once regretted my decision. Because someone has to be there to fight, when nobody else is..."
Erina blinked in surprise. She knew Ren was the leader of the Phantom Thieves for a reason, but she never would've expected Ren to share a similar mindset to her. "Really? I never would've guessed. You always seem so..." Before she could finish her thought, something made a sound behind them, causing the both of them to whip around. "Who's there!? Show yourself!"
Toshiro quickly put his hands up. He accidently kicked something and it made a lot more noise than he would've liked. This is why he hung back when the group went out on missions; he was not a stealthy person. "I-It's just me! Please don't attack me!"
"Good grief..." Ren sighed.
"Toshiro!?" Erina was surprised to see him.
"First, let me just say: I absolutely did not come here with the intention of eavesdropping." Toshiro quickly clarified this point. "When I found the two of you, you were already deep in discussion and I missed my chance to join in. All that about your feeling bad and wanting to apologize - I swear, it was merely a coincidence that I heard it!"
Erina's expression turned into a deadpan. Somehow, this didn't surprise her at all. "That's classic Toshiro right there."
"Uh-huh." Ren just nodded.
"And what's that supposed to mean!? And why are you agreeing!?" Toshiro grunted in annoyance. "At any rate, I was looking for you with this fellow, because he wanted to speak with you."
The Rebel that they rescued appeared. "So sorry for interrupting. I just wanted a moment of your time so I could express my gratitude for your bravery! Thank you so very much for saving my life!"
"Aw, don't sweat it!" Erina replied with a wide grin. "All I did was obviously the right thing." And gratitude like that, reminded Erina that her actions did carry positive weight behind them. It reminded her why she fought so hard in the first place.
Toshiro turned, watching as the Rebel soon left after. A quiet sigh escaped him. "But, I do finally understand why the Rebel Corp follow you so strongly." He then turned around to face Erina. "I envy your courage. Although, there are some times you can be as stubborn as a mule."
Erina, of course, didn't take that one too kindly. "Ah, that makes sense - and you remind me of a sloth. Or a turtle. Or maybe a snail?" Ren had to keep from making a noise.
"Okay, enough examples! You're getting cruel!" Toshiro groaned. "I'm well aware that I lack any combat skills, and that my legs are always trembling when I'm on the battlefield. However, that doesn't mean I'm completely useless. Not to brag, but I'm confident hat I possess the wits to survive adversities far better than many other people!"
"Not to brag, huh." Ren quirked a brow. Classic Toshiro.
Toshiro quickly clarified himself. "I-I meant that it's certainly not the coolest-sounding role, but I can confidently hold my own as a strategist. I know I can help Togo, Niijima, and Sakura. It's a role that allows me to contribute to your cause and fight alongside you in my own way."
"Toshiro..." Erina was a bit shocked at his words.
"You have your convictions, and I have mine." Toshiro said firmly. "I refuse to elt anyone die under my watch - and that applies to you, too."
Erina gasped softly. It was in this moment that she realized, she was truly underestimating Toshiro. "...I understand what you're saying. Thank you. From here on out, I'll treat you as a comrade and not a liability."
"Thank you." Toshiro said quietly. "I'll be sure to treat you similarly as well. From now on, we're in this together."
"You said it! We're in this together!" Erina beamed.
"We're all in this together." Ren nodded. It was nice having everyone on the same page for once. It really did make it feel like they had a fighting chance if they moved like a united front.
"I also came here for a different reason. I bear good news." Toshiro said. "I asked the fellow we rescued for information about the prison he was in. Based on the details he gave me on the terrain and the guards' post, I believe we can come up with a strategy for infiltration." Hifumi, Futaba, and Makoto were going to aid him in this. Four heads were better than one!
"Really?!" Erian's eyes widened.
"Yes. I'll share the details with everyone once we've reconvened as a group." Toshiro replied. "Until then, though, I suggest we join them in getting some rest. I'm sure you two are downright bushed."
"Yeah." Ren nodded. He was pretty tired. "We should..."
"Thanks for hearing me out, Ren." Erina said with a slight smile. She felt a lot better after this conversation.
Akechi was lingering around the corner, arms crossed while eavesdropping on them; something he wasn't above doing. While he did intend to give Erina a piece of his mind, depending on her words, it was clear he didn't need to do that. "I suppose we are all in this together." He mumbled to himself, before walking back to Leblanc.
.
Once everyone was rested, they gathered on the first floor once again. Toshiro was going to explain what he learned to everyone. "All right, everyone, gather 'round - let me fill you in on what we've learned about Marie's current security setup. After the hullaballo at the plaza, Marie is even more desperate to capture us."
"Who says hullaballo..." Mika commented, with a judging stare.
"It's not that old a world..." Zenkicho grumbled.
"Considering her pride, I'll bet she's hoping to make examples out of us." Makoto surmised. Not exactly something she was looking forward to her either.
Ryuji slumped over. Great news to hear first thing. "So we're the hottest gang in town - doesn't that make it tougher for us to strike?"
"Actually, I think can be a good thing." Hifumi commented.
"Correct, Hifumi." Toshiro nodded. "You see, Marie has been redirecting her troops all over in her efforts to find us. A fair portion of the Legionnaires have been moved deep into the city, which means..."
"Security around the prison must be stretched rather thin at the moment. " Yusuke caught on.
"Between guarding a prison and making us her prisoners, I believe Marie's much more invested in the latter." Toshiro said.
"I believe that." Sumire spoke with a sweat drop. "So how do we proceed if that's the case? We know she wants to catch us..."
"That means, we should use this to lure the enemy away! I got it." Sophia spoke with a smile.
"That's right, Sophia!" Toshiro gave Sophia a smile. "As expected of an AI! We'll designate a decoy unit to gain as much attention from Marie's army as possible. Eventually, the guards at the prison will be ordered to give chase as well - and that's when we'll strike."
"When the cat's away, the mice will play." Yusuke said, profoundly. "...Is anyone else getting a sudden craving for cheese?"
"Oh, no. We're not doing that again." Ann shook her head. She did not want to relieve those memories.
"So, am I to assume this plays requires us to split into groups, yes?" Akechi was going to get the topic back on track. "One to pull the enemy away, and the other to break into the prison."
"Hold on, hold on..." Morgana had to object to this. "Doesn't this plan seem too risky for the decoy? Once enough of Marie's soldiers catch up to them, they'll get caught..."
"Worry not, Morgana!" Hifumi spoke up, proudly. The talk of plans like this brought out her Shogi Mode. "With the correct plan, we will ensure that no one will be captured on this day! In fact, it will be the enemy walking straight into a deadly trap! Our decoy will not only escape, but their pursuers will fall to their own demise!"
"What the..." Toshiro was briefly caught by surprise. This was not something one got used to in a day. Plus, he wanted to say it... "And then..."
"And then they can rejoin the main group to aid with the prison break, right?" Ichinose asked, unintentionally stealing Toshiro's thunder yet again.
"Yeah, she does that, if you haven't already seen it." Ann had a fond smile on her face.
"A plan putting a gamble on our weak spot? A bit risky, but that might be the only card we have." Zenkichi knew the risks, but he was for it. "We don't have much choice, so I'm all in."
"Yeah, me too!" Ryuji pumped a fist into the air.
"That's all well and good, but who is this decoy?" Mika asked, looking around at everyone. "It's not gonna be me, I can tell you that much."
"Erina." Ren turned to Erina. "I think she's our best bet."
Erina was listening to the plan, and she had no complaints right now. When attention shifted to her, she pointed at herself curiously. "Eh? Me?"
"It makes the most sense." Toshiro brought a hand to his chin. "You know the terrain better than anyone else here, and your Rebel Corp will be instrumental to the plan as well. Lastly, you already have the one thing a decoy needs for success: the courage to face an overwhelming enemy without fear."
Erina's expression lit up at his words. "Heh, well, thanks, Toshiro. You can count on me!"
"Then it's settled - the decoy group will be Erina and the Rebel Corps. Regarding our escape route and trap setup, we'll hammer out the rest of the details." Toshiro looked to Hifumi, Futaba, Makoto, and Ichinose. Since they were the smartest ones here, he was going to be looking to them for their tactical mindset. "Sound good to everyone?"
"Yes! I'm sure this will succeed. If we work together, Marie's army will be no match for us!" Erina beamed.
"Alright, Ren. We'll commence this operation on your order!" Morgana said. That was something everyone could agree with.
"Got it." Ren told the others. "Oh, and Erina. From someone who's been a decoy before...the more you taunt them, the fiercer they come at you. If you can do it right, you'll catch them in a blind rage."
Erina stroked her chin curiously. Something she hadn't thought about before. "Is that true? Well, I'll keep that in mind!"
.
Time passed, everyone was rested, and it was time to get to work. Hifumi, Makoto, Futaba, Toshiro, and Ichinose were gathered around a table. There a map on the table of the Kingdom, and they were all plotting various methods for...something. "If we can lure them in this direction, it might be better..." Hifumi used her finger to draw a line for the path she was thinking about.
"Considering the terrain, it may be better to place traps around here instead, too." Toshiro added.
"Oh, and that way, Erina can escape using this route instead of the long way!" Futaba nodded.
"We do have the numbers." Makoto tilted her head, staring at the map. "We have a few of us scattered about along the route to intercept as well. Just in case something goes awry."
"Sending Erina in alone is pretty dangerous." Ichinose stroked her chin. "It definitely wouldn't hurt to have an extra hand on two nearby. Perhaps...at these points?" She pointed at the map. "Two others should do nicely for backup."
"I agree!" Hifumi said firmly. "They are more likely to act if they believe she is alone and worth capturing. This will make it easier to corner them..."
Ann and Ren got curious, so they approached. "How's it going, you guys?" Ann asked.
"Pretty well!" Hifumi said with a smile. "I had almost forgotten what fun it is collaborating with plans like this..."
"This is pretty enjoyable, I agree!" Ichinose hummed.
"Glad you two are enjoying yourselves..." Ren rubbed the back of his neck.
"I must say, it's been quite a while since I've racked my brain this much." Toshiro's usually smug expression appeared once again. "I think i might be close to burning out, though. Would you mind fixing me a cup, Amamiya?"
"Oh, hook me up, too!" Futaba exclaimed. "And I wouldn't mind some curry while we're at it. A large, too!"
"Um..." Ren opened his mouth to speak.
"I'll take some coffee as well, if you don't mind." Hifumi went back to looking at the map.
"I wouldn't mind either." Makoto said absentmindedly.
"I could go for a cup as well." Ichinose also said. Ren was being turned into a delivery boy.
"Did you write all that down?" Ann snickered.
"I heard it. I don't mind lending a hand." Haru spoke with a soft smile. Ren let out a sigh of relief.
"I gotta say, though! This old timer is pretty impressive." Futaba admitted. "He's already familiar with everyone's strengths and weaknesses."
"I may be an old-timer, but I'm the youngest of the Diet members!" Toshiro corrected. "By the way, that was you who hijacked that broadcast last year, wasn't it? And the blimp incident earlier this year as well?"
"Those are top secret, mwhehehe..." Futaba snickered deviously. "All I'm saying is, you better not underestimate the original Medjed! Think you can keep up with me, old timer?"
"Don't underestimate me!" Toshiro said coolly. "My greatest strength is to slip away from any conflict, entirely unnoticeable."
"Weird flex, but you got it." Ren shrugged.
"Those two are getting along well..." Morgana commented from the side. Futaba had been getting a lot better at talking to people, and she bounced off Toshiro surprisingly well.
"Now, let's wrap up this ultimate ambush!" Futaba grinned.
"Oh, and don't forget our orders, please." Toshiro looked to Ren. "I would like a side of cake as well."
"Ooooooh, cake! I want some too, I wanna split it with Fumi before we get started!" Ann looked to Ren with sparkly eyes.
Ren let out a heavy sigh. There was no escaping his fate as the errand boy. "Okay, okay. I guess I can do this before we get started. But after everyone's fed, we're moving out, got it?"
"Yeah!" Ann cheered.
Ren shook his head, but there was a grin on his face all the same. It was nice to have everyone in such high spirits. "Time to strike back. I hope you're ready, Marie..."