I'm back from Tural! Such a great expansion.

Confidant codenames and Persona:

Sojiro: Boss : Merlin

Tao: Guernica : Banksy

Tae: Medic : Franklin

Ohya: Devil : Diane

Yoshida: Sensei : Abraham

Shinya: King

Iwai: Gecko : Kiryu

Chihaya: Fortune

Kawakami: Teach : Chiron

Isara: Edelweiss

Chapter 20: Rescue Mission!

"What!? Yuki-san was kidnapped!?" Erina shouts as she helps Toshiro to a seat. The alarm in her faced matched with everyone else in the café.

"How did they even find this place!? It's a safe room! They shouldn't be able to find it!" Morgana shouts in alarm as Tae gets to work, looking over Toshiro. While Tsuchiya narrows her eyes.

"You said it was the spy who did this. Do you know who it is?" She asks with a quiet voice, with Toshiro nodding his head with equally narrow eyes.

"I do. It was Kusumoto." He reveals. Tsuchiya growls as she slams an open hand on a table.

"I knew it…" Tsuchiya comments as she begins to pace. "The information he gave always seemed convenient, especially after what we just went through. Damn it, I should have confronted him earlier!"

"We can worry about him later. Right now, we need to know where Yuki-san was taken." Sae speaks up as Yoshida brings out the map. "Toshiro, did you overhear anything before he left?" Toshiro racks his brain, trying to remember anything from that sudden betrayal before a name comes to his mind.

"I believe so. It's not much, but I heard Kusumoto say a name as I was losing consciousness. It was Kobayakawa."

"How am I not surprised?" Ren grumbled, folding his arms as everyone, barring his team, looked at him. "Especially after we learned the Crimson Tyrant's identity."

"You found out who it is?" Akechi asks with intrigue as Ren's team nods at him.

"We did. Marika practically boasted about him. It's Shido." Makoto reveals, with Iwai's team letting out a predictable shout of anger.

"Shido!? That maniac is the Crimson Tyrant!?" Ohya shouts before rubbing her eyes in frustration. "Although it makes perfect sense when you consider who we've been fighting."

"That asshole just can't seem to learn his lesson, does he!?" Tao asks, slamming her hands together as Erina looks around with Toshiro giving out a sigh.

"I suppose I should tell you, Erina. Kobayakawa was the principal of Shujin Academy. The same place where Kamoshida was a teacher. He was aware of Kamoshida's true nature, yet let him run rampant regardless, while showing little concern over the very students he was supposed to watch over. And he was the fourth target of the Thieves. And as you can probably guess, Shido was the grandmaster of all of them. Attempting to steer our country into a dictatorship before aiming to conquer the world. And he was the last public target of the Thieves. I suppose what we are seeing here is what would have happened if he had succeeded."

"Tsuchiya. Where is Kobayakawa based?" Shiho asks as Yoshida and Hifumi look over the map. Tsuchiya glances at it before tapping on the last remaining red box in the western part of the city.

"He's right here. Holed up in a university. If Yuki-san is being brought to him, it would be here." She glares at the box before shaking her head. "But attacking it right now is too risky. According to reports NOT from Kusumoto, that place is barricaded like a fortress. We need to plan our way in."

"Then allow us to do so." Yoshida remarks as Toshiro joins them. "We will design a strategy to get us inside. Everyone else should rest up for now." With that, the three of them head upstairs, leaving the rest to ponder and plan. But one question rested on all of their minds.

Why kidnap Yuki-san?

"So, Marika has fallen as well. The Thieves are still as powerful as ever." Shido growls over the com at Ichiro. Himself fixed with an equal scowl.

"Yes. It would seem we need another strategy against them." Ichiro comments, just as the screen beside them activates. Showing Kusumoto on the screen.

"Lord Commander. I have great news to greet you." Kusumoto begins before dragging into the frame a tied-up Yuki. With a gag over her mouth. "I have managed to capture Yuki." Ichiro forms a dark grin as he stares at the captured Yuki, sending a cold dagger into her heart as her eyes widen at him. She tries to speak, but the gag muffles her voice.

"Excellently done… Where are you now?"

"I am taking her to Kobayakawa. The Thieves will no doubt come to her rescue. And that is where they will fall."

"Do not assume they shall blindly charge in without a plan, Kusumoto." Shido warns from inside his suit. "They are more cunning and tenacious than you can imagine. Fail to account for that, and you shall fail. Just like how you did the last time." Kusumoto growls on the other end, ending the call.

"Do you really believe they will stop them?" Ichiro asks with scepticism. "I do not believe they have the power to bring them down."

"It doesn't matter, Ichiro. Whether they succeed or fail, I care not." Shido tells him, the eyes glowing menacingly. "I will tear that boy's heart out with my own hands. After slaughtering his companions right before his eyes and desecrating the one he loves without mercy. As I should have done when he stopped me from having my way with her."

"Of course, Lord Shido." Ichiro bows, the call ending soon after as he turns his gaze to the ruined city. "Let's see you escape this, sister."

Tension in the café was at an all-time high as everyone waited for Toshiro, Yoshida and Hifumi to return. But even as they busied themselves, trying to keep their minds focused, a single question continued to fly through the café.

"How the hell did Kusumoto even get in here? Leblanc is a safe room, so the fact that he even managed to see it, let alone enter it, should not be possible." Morgana gripes, walking in a circle on the table.

"It's clear that Kusumoto is a supporter of Shido. The question is, who he represents." Yusuke comments, glancing at Sae and Akechi. "Do you two know?" The two glance at each other, sharing a silent conversation before turning back to the others.

"Honestly, we are not even sure if he is who we are thinking of. It doesn't make any sense." Sae comments, just as Toshiro, Yoshida and Hifumi come down the stairs.

"What doesn't make any sense?" Toshiro asks, tilting his head.

"The identity of Kusumoto." Akechi replies, hand on chin. "The only person we know of that name is Gorou Kusumoto. Otherwise known as… the SIU Director."

"Him!?" The Thieves shout in alarm with eyes wide.

"But he looks nothing like him!" Ann argues. "And even then, how the hell does he even know about this place?! I mean, it's not like he's ever been here, right Ren?" She turns to look at him, only to see Ren, Hifumi and Sojiro looking at the ground with narrow eyes, with Futaba wringing her hands together nervously.

"What's wrong?" Shinya asks, seeing the grim expressions they had. Only for Toshiro to gasp in realisation.

"I just remembered… Gorou actually confronted me inside Leblanc in September." All eyes turn to him in shock as Toshiro sits down with a hand on his head. "I remember how it all went down…"

Flashback, September 27th, 2016.

"Today's been a slow day." Sojiro comments, shaking his head as Ren and Hifumi help clean the café. At the bar, Toshiro was quietly sipping his drink, bathing in the peaceful evening atmosphere. "You two didn't have to help after finishing school, you know."

"We know. But we are doing this because we want to." Ren replies, pushing his fake glasses up. "Besides, this place would go belly up without us." He snarks at Sojiro, earning himself a rag in the face from the chuckling man. Hifumi chuckles at both of them, focusing on cleaning her table.

"If you boys will stop fighting, we have a café to clean up. Or do you want me to join in?" She asks, bouncing the wet rag in her hand as Ren and Sojiro put their hands up in mock surrender before all three burst out into chuckles. A scene that put a smile on Toshiro's face. Until the café door is opened.

"Welcome." Sojiro says instinctively before seeing who it was that entered. A balding man with white hair, slightly shorter than Ren and with a very intensive stare in a deep blue suit. A stare that sent the three of them on edge while Toshiro became stiff as a statue. "Can we get you anything?"

"My apologies, but I am not here for a beverage." The SIU Director, Kusumoto, replies before walking over to Toshiro. "I am here to talk to this man." The atmosphere became tense as Ren and Hifumi moved to Sojiro's side, both of them surrounding Ren. Whoever this was, he was part of the police or investigation team. And neither of them wanted to take a chance in case he knew about Ren's record. While Kusumoto looked at Toshiro with an air of indifference.

"G-Good evening, Director." Toshiro greets wearingly, causing Ren and Hifumi to silently gasp, with Kusumoto sighing in response.

"Don't give me that again, Toshiro. Why are you in this dump after we had told you not to come here?" Kusumoto callously remarks, bristling the three as Toshiro shrinks under the gaze.

"I feel at peace here. To step away from the crushing weight and regain my bearings." Toshiro meekly replies, with Kusumoto shaking his head.

"And that same level of peace can be obtained back at the Diet building. Where you belong. Not out here amongst the filth of peasants." Kusumoto remarks, turning on his heels and heading for the door. "Don't come here again, Toshiro." He remarks before exiting the café, closing the door hard as the tension filters out.

"Asshole…" Sojiro mutters under his breath with Ren and Hifumi silently nodding in agreement. They now had visual confirmation of their next target, other than Sae.

"I am sorry you had to see that, Sojiro-san." Toshiro replies, slowly standing from the stool and bowing to the trio. "This is probably the last time I will come here. I don't want him to disrupt you or your family's business."

"What are you apologising for? You've done nothing wrong." Sojiro tells him gently, with Toshiro looking back up in confusion.

"Boss is right. You only come in here for peace and quiet. You've done nothing wrong." Hifumi agrees, pushing some hair back with a warm smile on her lips.

"No matter what he says or threatens, you will always be welcomed here." Ren tells Toshiro with a gentle smile, with Sojiro nodding in agreement.

"My kids are right. Don't let them stop you from doing what you love, you hear? It's clear this is something you need, so don't stop coming. I'll even throw in a free cup for you as well every now and then. And that is something I never do." Toshiro looks at the three in awe, stunned at the generosity offered by them. An offer he tearfully accepts.

"…And come November, the Director had his heart changed, and I started returning back to Leblanc for my daily cup of coffee." Toshiro ends, looking around the café before sighing to himself. "In a way, the fact that Kusumoto could even enter this place is possibly my fault. And now he has my mother hostage…" Silence fills the café as everyone lets the information fill their minds.

"Why didn't you guys tell us?" Ryuji asks Ren, who sighs while looking at the floor.

"We didn't think much about it back then." He replies, rubbing the back of his head. "The SIU Director was next on our list, so we didn't think it would have been worth it brining it up. At least until now anyway."

"Besides, if anyone should shoulder blame, it would be us." Sae interjects, motioning to herself and Akechi. "Even if it was only a suspicion, we should have told you regardless. If we did, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." Silence fills the café as the situation falls on them. If only one of them had spoken up, Yuki-san would still be with them.

"C'mon, guys! This is no time for mopping around!" Erina shouts up, drawing all eyes to her. "While it is true, we could have avoided this, what matters now is rescuing Yuki, not playing a blame game. So let's put our heads together and rescue her!"

"Erina is right." Toshiro speaks up. "This is no time to stand around in shock. Let's take the hit, but push on through no matter what!" Tsuchiya looks at him with a wide smile as the rest of the Thieves come out of the gloom. Toshiro smacks his hands together before leaning over the map with narrow eyes. "Now then, as for our strategy we have decided on a distraction and infiltration mission. A team on the outside, along with the Phantom Resistance, will draw Kobayakawa's attention outside while another team led by Ren will infiltrate and eliminate him and rescue Yuki."

"We have yet to decided on who is going where, but we all agree that Isara should be part od the distraction team." Yoshida remarks, glancing to the model tank. "Something tells me she will have no problem getting their attention."

"So long as you keep any Rocketeers off me, I'm down with that." Isara replies, bobbing her turrets up and down. "Besides, I have a lot of pent up anger in me at hearing Shido's name. So let me at them!" While the team shook their heads at her in amusement, Ren spotted the Aeon card gain its eighth star.

"In that case, I will be with the distraction team as well." Hifumi replies, folding her arms. "With Yoshida-sensei and Toshiro joining Ren's team. Futaba, you go with Ren as well to look out for any ambushes."

"Righty-o." Futaba replies with a cheeky salute.

"I will also join Ren's team." Tsuchiya replies, standing up. "I trust my people. They will be fine without me. Besides, I want to save Yuki-san as well. Don't fight me on this." Any objections the team had died on their lips, seeing the determination behind Tsuchiya's eyes.

"In that case, I'll join Isara on the distraction." Erina replies, walking up to her. "I know how to command in battle. I'll make sure they come out unscathed."

"I'll join as well." Iwai replies, tilting his hat down. "Help give out on-field advice." Yoshida, Hifumi, and Toshiro nod at each other.

"Alright, in that case, here are our teams." Toshiro stats, drawing all eyes. "The infiltration team will comprise of Ren, Makoto, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Haru, Morgana, Futaba, Shinya, me, Tsuchiya, and Yoshida-san."

"Leaving everyone else in charge of the distraction." Yoshida adds, folding his arms. "We need to have as many of us attacking as possible to distract Kobayakawa. While it means our infiltration team will be small, it will allow them to move around easier."

"And in this case, speed is everything. We cannot run the risk of Kobayakawa fleeing with Yuki-san. We have to take him out during the fight." Hifumi adds, folding her arms. "If we don't, we run the risk of losing Yuki-san forever." Ren nods at her, turning his eyes to the map. He glares at the university.

"In that case, let's not waste any more time."

True to the scout's reports, what was once a university had been transformed into a fortress. Sandbags pile the steps, and machine gun emplacements block doors and windows. Barbed wire stretches between the bags, leaving small corridors of movement. Several tanks were dug in, their gun turrets pointing down the roads.

And all the while, troopers and drummers patrol the area, keeping watch for any signs of movement. While in the ruins of buildings across the road, the Thieves and Resistance watch on. Waiting for the moment to strike.

"See any rockets?" Teach asks Shadow. The two of them lie prone on the few remaining top levels around the area.

"No. Then again, they could be waiting inside. But those tanks will be a problem." Shadow replies, glancing at the three tanks guarding the entrance.

"Good thing I'm up here with you." Teach remarks, patting her rocket launcher. Shadow grins before movement from a hole above the entrance caught her eye. It was a Rocketeer standing guard above the entrance.

"I've got a Rocketeer. I'll take him out first before Isara reveals herself." Shadow tells Teach, aiming her scope over the Rocketeer. Teach nods silently, shouldering her RPG just as the comms crackle to life.

"This is Oracle. We are ready to infiltrate. Ready to go once you kick things off."

"Understood. Shadow, any problems?"

"Got a single rocker wielder in my sights, Gecko." Shadow replies, finger on the trigger. "I'll take him out and any others that show up. Once I fire, let Isara loose."

"Copy that. On your mark." At that moment, Shadow zeros in on the Rocketeer, slowing her breathing down as she gently squeezes the trigger. Before quickly pressing down and firing her sniper rifle right at the foe, blasting right through its head and dissolving it into darkness.

The moment she fired her shot, Teach from her side launched a rocket at one of the tanks, smashing right through its turret and destroying it in a single blast. The troopers and lookout rush around to get into cover as the two remaining tanks turn to aim at Teach and Shadow. Only for Edelweiss to make her presence known, smashing through a crumbling wall and firing on one of the other tanks. Wiping it out in a single volley.

With the Thieves and the Resistance opening fire all at once, pinning them down as all available forces focus on the attack. With more of them piling outside to reinforce the guards as Edelweiss blasts the remaining tank before rolling back into cover. Just as a trio of rockets smash into where she was just previously.

But while Kobayakawa's forces focused on the assault, none of them realised that a second team was infiltrating via the roof. At least, the Rocketeers who were hiding on the upper level did before they were quickly taken out by Fox and Sensei.

"All right. We're in. Which way now?" Skull asks as the team hunkers down behind some crates. A couple of brutes and drummers rush past, missing them, as they head for the entrance.

"Okay… Looks like it's built like a square with a giant garden in the centre." Oracle replies, her map showing the schematics of the place. "As for where Kobayakawa would be hiding…" Her eyes drift over to a large area at the back of the building. "This seems the most likely spot."

"What would that be? A gym?" Fox asks, cupping his chin.

"Dunno. Could be." Oracle replies, shrugging her shoulders.

"Regardless, we need to keep moving. Kobayakawa won't stay still for long." Joker replies, peering around the cover and glancing at the empty halls. Explosions and gunfire, joined by the sounds of magic, echoed outside. He didn't know how long they would be able to hold out, but they wouldn't risk it. "Let's move. Stay in the shadows and avoid combat at all costs."

"Agreed. The sooner we rescue Yuki and deal with Kobayakawa, the sooner we can leave before reinforcements arrive." Toshiro replies with Tsuchiya frowning severely.

Like mice, the Thieves, Toshiro, and Tsuchiya move through the shadows towards their goal. Starting from the top floor, they move their way forward, dropping down to lower levels through ruined classrooms or walls when their way forward is blocked. More than once, they had to double back and climb the previous floor to move forward, all the while avoiding any fights with Kobayakawa's men.

It was surprising how little remained inside after the distraction started. But all that did was raise their worry that Kobayakawa was planning to make a run for it. Eventually, they made it to the ground floor near the entrance to the giant room. Surprisingly, it was guarded by two brutes. Standing watch over the empty corridor.

"Okay, we just need to smash through these two and…"

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"You ever wonder why we are here?"

The Thieves peered around the corner in confusion as the two brutes started to chat with each other.

"You mean why we are here as guards or why we are guarding an empty corridor?"

"The empty corridor. I mean, a fight is happening, and we are standing here, guarding an empty corridor. I want to go out there and beat up some punny rebels."

"You fool. Don't you know that the general and his guest are here? We are the last line of defence if they break through. Who will guard him if we are gone?"

"Why don't we find out?" Joker suddenly says, grabbing their attention before they find Queen and Noir slamming their weapons into them. Sending them flying into the walls. Dazed, they were easy targets for Joker and Skull to finish off with their guns while Panther and Mona rushed up to the doors.

The two of them open it slowly, glancing inside to find the room was, in fact a giant library. With a second floor. While standing in the middle, next to an armoured car, was Kobayakawa, several troopers, and a few umbrella shielders. And Yuki, still roped up and with a gag around her mouth.

"All right. Kobayakawa is just inside, along with his guards. And Yuki-san is right with him." Mona tells the team. "But it looks like he's getting ready to move. He has an armoured car in the waiting to leave."

"Then, let's not waste any time." Tsuchiya replies, walking up to the doors. For a moment, the team thought she would kick them down. But instead, she gently opened up Mona's and slipped inside, ducking behind one of the bookstands. Following her, the team slinked into the giant room, hiding behind the bookstands and cases as they moved closer to Kobayakawa while Toshiro stood near the door.

"Are the defences holding?" Kobayakawa asks one of his guards, arms crossed.

"Yes, general. They are still attempting to blast their way through." One of the troopers replies while others glance around the room. Kobayakawa huffs as he turns away, walking to the armoured car.

"Good. Keep them like that. The moment they break through, we are leaving. I won't make the same mistake the others made." He turns to look at Yuki, a cruel smirk growing on his lips. "I must admit, it is such a boon that you are in our midst. With you here, Yuki-san, Tsuchiya will have no choice but to surrender. And when she does, you can watch her die right in front of your eyes." Yuki struggles to break out of the restraints as Kobayakawa laughs to the sky.

Before, a blast of fire rips through the front of his armoured car, wrecking the engine and leaving it inoperable.

"What the-!?"

"The games up, Kobayakawa!" Joker shouts as the Thieves reveal themselves from the shadows. All guns aimed right at him.

"You!? How did you rats get in here!?" Kobayakawa asks in a rage as his guard quickly moves to surround him while Yuki glances at them with relief in her eyes. Before tightening his hands into balls. "The attack outside is a distraction!?"

"Would it be anything else?" Queen asks coldly, revolver aimed at him. "Let Yuki-san go, Kobayakawa."

"You really think I'll listen to you, Nijima?" Kobayakawa asks through gritted teeth. "After you betrayed me and joined them!? And let Black Mask kill me!?"

"It's your own fault for joining Shido in the first place." Sensei remarks with a glare. A glare that Kobayakawa returns.

"And what would you know, No-Good Tora!? Shido gave me power! And I would have held onto that power if you Thieves stayed out of my business. But no, you had to do so twice! But none of that matters now! Not when I return to my shadow and real self and reclaim what is mine! With the power of the Metaverse, nothing will be impossible!"

"And why should you? You show no care for the students of Shujin. And your return would do more harm than good." King asks back, unamused at the man's ambition, with Kobayakawa drawing his eyes.

"You want to know why? Very well, I'll tell you why. Before sending you to Shido in chains." Kobayakawa replies. "Children are easily malleable. Tell them the right things, and they will believe that to their heart's content. No matter how much evidence is thrown their way, blind loyalty will forever guide their path."

"And that's what you think we are? Nothing but pawns for your own games? We are our own people!" King shouts back, with Kobayakawa scoffing at him unamused.

"And who decided that? You? Children need only listen to the adults above them to learn their path. Finding your own? What utter nonsense. You are nothing without us. Nothing but helpless lambs waiting for a guide. That is what you are and always will be." Kobayakawa ends with a smug grin, glaring down at King. His cap covers his face ins shadows.

"At one point of my life… you would have been right. I was nothing but a tool for my mother. And I went along with it, thinking I had no other choice." King glares back up to Kobayakawa, a fire behind his eyes. "But Joker, he showed me that wasn't the case! That I was my own person, with my own thoughts and ideas! That I could forge my own other without my mother breathing down my neck! And if you think I am going to just stand here and let you do whatever you want to kids like me…" He spins both guns around in his hands, standing defiantly at Kobayakawa. "The you can make like a tree and leave you walking asshole!"

You've kept me waiting, young man.

A pulse rips through King's head as he stumbles forward, startling the Thieves and Kobayakawa.

People say humans can only feel shame.

That we have certain obligations to fulfil.

Tell me, what is your obligation?

To fail as a human being?

"No… It's to write the wrongs of adults who should know better." King replies to himself, his eyes glowing gold as he stares at Kobayakawa.

There it is, that vow of resolution.

I am thou, thou art I.

The old generation can't build a new era without the new.

Show them the strength that we can bring and burn with the fury of a comet across space!

At that, a white metallic mask forms on his face. With golden lenses over his eyes and rend lines under the lenses. Without a moment of hesitation, King drops his two laser guns and rips the mask off his face. Enveloping him is a pillar of azure flame as he cries out to the skies.

"What is happening!?" Kobayakawa screams as the fire reaches the top of the room. Before vanishing away as quickly as it came. Leaving behind King in a new outfit.

Silver metal shoes protect his feet, while similarly covered armour encases his legs as a black bodysuit runs underneath. Silver armour covers his waist like a skirt, while his chest is encased in black armoured with golden highlights around his neck and chest. Silver shoulder armour protects the top of his arms, while similar armour covers his arms and hands with yellow gloves covering his hands. He still had his cap, but the front had been trimmed off by around half. Silver armour covered it while a yellow V-fin was emblazoned on top, and a beam axe, similar to Crow's weapon, hung on the back of his hip.

And hovering behind him in an azure glow was a man encased in red armour with black and pink highlights, with pipes running from his legs and around his waist. Holding a machine gun in his right hand. While his left shoulder has a spiked pauldron, his right was protected by a rectangular shield, with an emblem of a bird gasping onto a capital A emblazoned in gold. A black shawl covered his shoulders, emblazoned in gold with a small cape flowing behind him, while his head was encased with a silver helmet. Sorting a similar V-shaped crest with an additional spike coming from the centre while his eyes glowed a calming silver behind a grave mask. With his lower face covered by a red face guard.

"King awakened to a Persona!" Mona calls out in surprise as King grasps the two laser guns in his hands.

"And a really kickass-looking one as well!" Oracle shouts in glee while Kobayakawa starts to sweat.

"So… this is my other self, huh? Who would have thought?" King asks himself, glancing at his Persona before turning back to Kobayakawa. "You think you can still boss me around? Well, how about I show you what happens when people try and force me to do things against my will! Let's show them, Char! Zionga!" Aiming his gun at one of the troopers, King's persona unleashes the electrical attack on the exposed troopers, striking it down in one go.

King's attack was the signal the rest of the Thieves needed as they launched their attack on Kobayakawa's guards while Tsuchiya and Toshiro moved around to flank from behind. Even with King's awakening, there was still a chance Kobayakawa would do something desperate. And they were not going to risk it.

"Try all you want! You'll never get through my guard!" Kobayakawa shouts as rounds and magic ping of the umbrellas. Until one of them is struck by a Psio attack from Noir and starts to wonder off. Easily getting gunned down by the Thieves as it breaks formation, much to Kobayakawa's anger and dismay. "You brats!" He shouts in annoyance, watching as another one is taken down, leaving him with only one left alongside five troopers.

Deciding enough was enough, Kobayakawa pulled out his gun. But instead of aiming at the Thieves, he grabs hold of Yuki and holds her at gun point. "Cease your attack now! Our I'll put a bullet into her head right now!"

"You coward!" Panther shouts in disgust. "Let Yuki-san go right now!"

"Not until you lower your guns and surrender!" Kobayakawa shouts back, pressing the barrel of the gun right on her head. As the Thieves stop firing in response, Kobayakawa grins in triumph before quickly realising something was off. "Wait… two of you are missing!"

"Too late!" Toshiro shouts as he jumps from above the wrecked car, landing on top of Kobayakawa and knocking the gun out of his hand. He helps Yuki up and usher her to safety, just as Kobayakawa looks up in anger.

"Kill them!" He screams as two of his troopers turn to aim at them, rifles pointed directly at them. Toshiro stands between them and Yuki, willing to take the shots as the Thieves rush forward to stop them. But it seemed they would not make it in time as the troopers squeezed the triggers.

"TOSHIRO! MOM!" Tsuchiya shouts, leaping over the wrecked car and firing her Sten gun at the troopers. Her shots rip through the troopers, taking them out as she lands before drawing her sword. Plunging it into the shielder's back before unloading the rest of her rounds into the remaining troopers. With the last of them taken out, she turns around to Toshiro and Yuki, just as the rest of the Thieves join them and surround Kobayakawa. "Are you all right?"

"Y-Yes. We're fine." Toshiro replies, a little stunned, as Skull and Fox get to work removing Yuki's restraints and gag. There was a lot on his mind right now, but at the moment what mattered most was getting Yuki out of here. And…

"Do you think you rats have won? No matter what you do, Shido will win!" Kobayakawa gloats, even as he is surrounded on all sides by the Thieves. Toshiro, Yuki and Tsuchiya walk up to them, as Joker glances at them. Yuki's eyes meet his, and she gives a silent nod to him. But before Joker could take the shot, Tsuchiya walked up and plunged her sword into Kobayakawa's chest, frowning all the while.

"That was for trying to kill my family." She says bitterly, watching as Kobayakawa vanishes into dark mist. She takes a long sigh before turning to look at the others, who stare at her with confusion. "I think it's best we talk about this back at the hideout."

"No complaints here…" King remarks as he stumbles a little, with Mona and Queen steadying him. "I feel like I'm about to fall over…"

"Them's the breaks… But hey, an awesome job there, King." Skull remarks as the team starts to leave. "Now you're one of us!"

King grins at him tiredly as Queen and Mona help him outside, with Oracle connecting the team outside about their situation. But as they made their way back, Joker took another glance back at Tsuchiya as a memory from before came to his mind. Something he wanted to forget for a long time.

Wait… is she…?

"Joker! The team outside have managed to clear the area out! We took some losses, but nothing severe. Everyone is waiting for us so we can head back to the hideout!" Oracle calls out to him, snapping him out of his reverie. Shaking his head, Joker nods to her before rushing up to join the others.

Leaving behind another general removed, Yuki was rescued, and a loud of questions needed to be answered.

And now Shinya has a persona! I'll admit, when i was brainstorming to come up with an idea for him, Char was the first one to come to my mind. I did try and find other ideas, but it seems that Shinya isn't really turned into a Thief as much as the others, if even at all. So, he we are. Even if it may be stretching it a bit.

Also: Confidant Ranks

Toshiro/Erina : Eclipse (Rank 3)

Tao : Art (Rank 10/ Max)

Isara : Aeon (Rank 8)