Once Akira and Mikono rendezvoused with the others, they entered the Metaverse alongside Niijima. She was in complete and utter shock, gasping when she took in her surroundings and didn't recognize the others due to their clothes and masks. She took a step back when her eyes landed on Mona. "A monster car?!"

He hung his head with a drawn out groan. "I'm nooot!"

"That's Morgana, the cat that was in Akira's bag. This is what happens when we come here," Panther explained.

Niijima looked toward the girl adorned in a red leather jumpsuit. "That voice... Takamaki-san."

"Bingo," Sphinx said, poking the tip of her nose.

"And Tsutsui-san?" The crimson-eyed girl looked around with a puzzled expression. "Where are we?"

Panther crosses her arms. "We're inside Kaneshiro's...well, the "world" inside his heart."

This only baffled Niijima more. "What?"

"It's another reality in which Kaneshiro's distorted desires have materialized," Fox said.

"Another reality?"

"Think of it as another plane of existence," Sphinx added. "We travel across a thread that links our world to this one. Along the thread are knots, which represent the similarities between this plane and the one we live on."

Niijima placed a finger on her chin. "I think I understand." Then, she swiveled on her heels and gasped in shock when spotting the hovering bank. "It's floating in the air?! Th-This is reality?! My goodness..."

"Just one of many," Sphinx said. "Thank goodness this isn't our reality. It's too gloomy for me."

"Same here," Joker stated.

The student council president tore her gaze away from the floating bank and placed a finger against her chin as she fell into deep thought. "A reality that one's heart shows... Is it like the application of optical illusions in social cognitive psychology?"

"Quite similar, actually," Sphinx spoke up after listening to Niijima's thoughts. "But unlike optical illusions, this reality is purely assembled from one's cognitive view of the world around them and what social role they occupy. Also, this reality can be-"

"Dude, chill," Skull interrupted.

"Okay, okay..." Sphinx crossed her arms. "We should at least tell her what we're doing here."

"Good point," Joker said.

The group moved from the street to one of the store fronts where they explained in detail what they were doing in the Metaverse and how they would accomplish their goal. Niijima, who'd been leaning against the building, tried to wrap her head around the whole thing. Her eyes widen in shock when Joker mentioned how they steal someone's heart and its effects. "I see, so "stealing one's heart"..." She muttered. "That may be like overwriting their cognition. I think I kind of get the logic behind it."

Skull, who was sitting down next to Mona, smirked at the feline. "Ain't she more amazing than you?"

"W-We're about the same!" The cat shrieked.

Niijima ignored the two and asked, "Then, does that mean there's ATM versions of myself and Tsutsui-san somewhere in this world too?"

"Perhaps. Regardless, we can change Kaneshiro's heart and make him confess if we steal his treasure. If it all goes well, that is," Mona replied.

Skull hopped to his feet. "We'll make it go well. Everyone'll notice us for sure if we take someone like Kaneshiro down!"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Sphinx groaned. "We're here to help our classmates, too. This isn't just so the public will take us seriously."

Fox nodded in agreement. "She is correct. Our justice will also become resolute."

Panther glanced around at her friends with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "Think we'd be able to give courage to those in need if it happens?"

Niijima sighed sorrowfully, gazing up at the ominous sky. "For the sake of those in need, huh... You sound like my father."

The blonde blinked in bewilderment. "Your father...?"

She shook her head. "No, don't mind me." The crimson-eyed girl pushes herself off the building with a determined expression. "You want to go to that bank, right? Let's go then. If I've become a customer of that bank, then they'll have to let me in." She walked out into the street and watched the floating bank closely as it moved toward her. It lowered itself and revealed a pathway leading to the floating platform.

Skull's eyes widen in shock. "It came to us!"

Mona grinned widely. "It's just as I calculated."

Sphinx sauntered towards the walkway. "Shall we?"

Fox nodded. "Yes. Let's."

The group wandered up the pathway towards the bank. As they stood a few yards away from the entrance, the pathway retracted and the platform rose into the air. ATMs passed them, not even sparing a single glance as they trudged to and fro the bank.

"You know how you can use your card to get into banks during after hours?" Niijima asked. "I thought that I'd be able to get in since I have the same identity as such customers. I'm Kaneshiro's source of revenue, after all."

"Very clever," Sphinx comments.

"Ah, that makes sense," Fox said.

Panther spun around and faced the bank in awe. "But wow... This place is huge."

Skull crossed his arms, examining the immense building. "I rarely gotta go to the bank, so...this's makin' me kinda nervous."

Sphinx glances at him in confusion. "You've accompanied me to the bank plenty of times."

"Yeah, but I never went inside with you."

She replayed the memories of all the times he tagged along when she needed to go to the bank. "Oh, right..."

Panther glanced down at her attire. "Being in a bank with costumes like these is so obvious-we're totally robbers."

"You got that right," Skull mumbled.

Mona tapped his paw against the side of his head as he examined the ATMs entering and leaving the bank. In the distance, he could see figures dressed as security guards prowling around. "It seems there will be a lot of Shadows from here on."

"Huh? What's that about?" Niijima questioned.

"Enemies attack us here," Panther responded.

"I see..." She mumbled. "I've trained in aikido. Don't worry, I can defend myself."

"Self-defense won't do much good against Shadows, but then again, it's better than nothing," Mona stated.

"We have to go in from the front, don't we? I'm an honorary customer, so I better act like one." Niijima glanced at her companions. "I will be useful for you guys."

Sphinx nodded. "All right, then. Let's get moving."

Following the ATMs, they entered the bank and walked through the main lobby towards the front desk. They didn't make it far before being stopped by security.

"What business do you have here?" One guard demanded.

Panther shook her head with a groan. "I had a feeling this would happen."

Niijima stepped forward and took a fighting stance. "Come at us!"

Skull immediately stepped in. "No no! Wait!"

"We're not here to fight!" Sphinx added.

Fox calmly replied with, "She's one of Kaneshiro's customers."

The crimson-eyed girl retracted her fighting stance. "I'd like to speak with the bank president."

"Excuse me, but do you have an appointment?" The other guard inquired.

She glared at him. "I need to talk to him. Now let me through!"

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice over the intercom. "Let them pass."

The two security guards stepped aside and allowed the group to proceed forth. Niijima turned to the others after hearing the voice. "That voice... It's Kaneshiro!"

Skull rubbed the back of his head in bewilderment. "You mean a bank has a president?"

"They make good money," Fox commented.

"I never expected to get a meeting with Kaneshiro so easily," Sphinx chimed in.

"I'm just as shocked as you," Joker said. "Let's remain on our toes. Who knows what Kaneshiro has planned..."

Before they could take another step, a security guard gave them directions to reception and warned them about straying off the path. Heeding his warning, the group left the main lobby via a door located behind the front desk. While searching for reception, other security guards were posted around the bank to ensure the group didn't venture off into a restricted area.

Down the hallway, they were stopped by another security guard who told them reception was just through the double doors. Joker opened one of the doors and everyone shuffled into the room. What immediately caught their attention was the stack of cash splayed out on the table. They gathered around the table and analyzed the large amount of yen.

Skull's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he tried to count how much money was present. "How many beef bowls could I eat with this...?"

"You'd be swimming in beef bowls," Sphinx said, her own gaze locked on the pile of yen. "Possibly even be drowning..."

"Unauthorized entry, property damage, and other disturbances. That comes to three million yen in total. You're here regarding that, correct, Miss Beautiful President?" Kaneshiro's voice echoes throughout the room. The group found the screen located on the wall and saw the man himself watching them. "It must be quite tough gathering so much money. I'd be willing to give you a loan or you could simply sucker such a large sum from sweet little Tsutsui-san's mommy and daddy. They're swimming in dough."

Sphinx glared at him. "There's no way I'm going to trick my parents into forking over three million yen!"

"Then a loan it is," Kaneshiro chortled. "The interest rate is ten percent a day."

Panther crossed her arms as she attempted to do the math in her head. "Ten percent interest a day... Um... Uhhh... That means... One day is..."

"It's three hundred thousand yen," Niijima clarified.

"There's no need to be alarmed. I have a more manageable option for people like you," Kaneshiro spoke up.

"That was your plan from the beginning, wasn't it?" The short-haired girl hissed.

The mauve-skinned man grinned. "Quite the impressive insight, Niijima-san. Or should I say, the younger sister of the beautiful prosecutor Sae Niijima?"

Her eyes widen in horror. "How do you know that?!"

"Please don't underestimate our intelligence network." He then gestures to the three girls. "My, what wonderful goods have come falling into my lap."

Panther scowled at him. "Don't be ridiculous!"

"What a pig..." Sphinx groaned under her breath.

"Young women are so useful. They lack physical strength and are dumb. It's as if they only exist to be devoured by the strong. That just might be the rule since the dawn of history," Kaneshiro said.

"You truly are despicable," Fox spat.

Skull jabbed a finger toward the screen. "You better be ready, Kaneshiro! We're gonna snatch your treasure from you!"

"Don't make me laugh, you petty thieves," said man growled.

"Oh, that's rich coming from you," Sphinx scoffed. "If we're petty thieves, you must be the dirt under our feet."

"YOU are the dirt under MY feet," he growled. "That little mouth of yours will be the death of you, Tsutsui-san. You along with your useless friends will never escape this place. My citadel has the highest security installed in it."

All of a sudden, security guards materialized out of thin air. Kaneshiro grinned when seeing the group taken aback at the sudden threat. "Anyone will do anything for money. I'll rob you of your lives as easily as I breath air." He looked at the guards and jabbed a finger at the group. "Get them."

The security guards revealed their true forms and stalked towards the group. Two of the red onis swung their swords at them, but everyone was able to dodge the sharp blades. Skull and Fox were the first to react quickly and use their personas to attack the two enemies. It wasn't enough to annihilate the Shadows, but it did stun them.

Sphinx and Panther summoned their personas, providing support whenever Joker, Skull, Mona, or Fox needed it. The inky-haired girl noticed one of the Shadows targeting Niijima and immediately summoned Sekhmet.

From the corner of his eye, Mona noticed Sphinx had summoned two personas at once and became concerned when seeing her face slowly turning pale. "H-Hey, Sphinx, don't do anything reckless!"

She placed a hand over her chest when a surge of pain courses through her body. "S-Sorry, Mona..." Anubis vanished, leaving only Sekhmet to protect Niijima. "I got ahead of myself."

"Leave the Shadows to us," the feline replied. "Can you protect Makoto?"

She nodded. "Leave it to me."

Sphinx places herself in front of Niijima with Sekhmet close behind. She grabbed her dual khopeshes and held her ground when one of the Shadows tried to get to Niijima. Joker and Mona, with their melee weapons, eliminated the oni attacking her before destroying the second one.

Their battle wasn't over as reinforcements arrived. Two more Shadows arrived and set their sights on the group. Continuing to remain on guard duty, Sphinx watched as her friends fought against the two onis. Seeing the Shadows were swarming toward Panther in a combined attack, she commanded Sekhmet to use Flaming Serpent. A snake made of pure flames was created from the persona's golden khopesh. It slithered forward and wrapped around the two onis, squeezing them tightly and burning their skin.

Joker and Fox leapt at the opportunity and used their firearms to unload a few rounds into the Shadows' bodies, successfully knocking them down. With an all-out attack, the onis were defeated.

The group was ready to celebrate their victory, but they all gasped in shock when three more Shadows manifested. Exhaustion was quickly catching up with them and they couldn't keep up the fight for much longer.

Seeing how the others were breathing heavily, Mona decided to issue a command. "We're in trouble at this rate! Let's run!"

The Phantom Thieves agreed and made a quick retreat. They dashed out of reception and weaved through the hallways to reach the main lobby. They heard the sound of security guards chasing after them as they emerged from behind the front desk and dashed toward the entrance.

Before they could make it out of the bank, more Shadows appeared and blocked their way. Panther took a few steps back, wincing. "There's no end to them!"

Niijima turned around at the sound of footsteps and gasped when seeing who it was. "Guys!"

Everyone turned around and faced Kaneshiro as he stalked towards them with a sinister grin. "You seem to be in quite a pickle."

"How dare you sneak around, Kaneshiro!" Mona growled.

The man's grin vanished. "Those would be my words. However, I do thank you for providing me with such wonderful goods. It's time you disappear." He clapped his hands together, summoning more security guards. "Managing a bank is tough. That's why I make it a case to kill troublesome customers. Having one impertinent brat disappear is enough to set an example in that other world."

"Please, stop!" Niijima bellowed.

"I'll eliminate others besides my goods. You've no need to worry. Your sister is quite a beauty though. I'll make sure to make her my personal slave. Once I get bored, I'll just sell her off. Oh, poor sis... She could've been successful if only her younger sister wasn't so dumb."

The crimson-eyed girl glared daggers at him. "My sister has nothing to do with this!"

"Then you better start taking customers tomorrow," Kaneshiro retorts. "All you gotta do is endure it and do as you're told."

She hung her head with a frustrated sigh. "Endure it... Do as I'm told..."

"You'll earn three million yen in no time. Although, your life and everything along with it will be a complete wreck by then!" He chortled menacingly.

Niijima gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tightly. "I've been listening to you go on and on..." Lifting her head, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Shut your damn mouth, you money-grubbing asshole!"

The man was taken aback at her sudden yelling. "Huh?"

"Yes..." The girl lifted her head with a fiery glare. "Come to me." She suddenly grabbed the side of her head and started groaning in pain. Stomping her foot, the floor beneath her cracked as her body lurched forward. A mask manifested on her face and she reached up to yank it off. Her fingers curled around the edges of the mask and she tugged as hard as she could. Ripping off the mask, Niijima screamed at the top of her lungs as her body was consumed by a torrent of azure flames.

Kaneshiro covered his eyes with his arm, taking a few steps back alongside his security guards. "What the hell?!"

The flames subsided, revealing Niijima in new attire and mounting a motorcycle. The engine revved with life, azure flames emitting from the vehicle's frame and tires.

Fox analyzed the bike with curiosity. "A persona...?"

Skull shook his head, staring at the vehicle in awe. "No, dude. That's a bike..."

Niijima gripped the handles of her persona tightly. "I can feel it... My "self"... Me!" Lifting her head, she casted her fiery glare towards Kaneshiro and his guards. "Gun it!" The bike sped forward, knocking over the Shadows.

"Wow, nice!" Panther gaped in amazement.

"Wh-What is that?!" Mona shrieked. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It is quite impressive," Sphinx commented.

Kaneshiro straightened his suit before gesturing to the two guards beside him. "You better earn your keep or else I'll kill you!"

Niijima settles herself atop her persona, readying to strike again. "I will not lose heart again, ever. I will go full speed, non-stop! Right, Johanna?!"

Kaneshiro retreated as the guards transformed. The Phantom Thieves stood their ground and prepared for another battle.

Standing her ground, Niijima revved the bike's engine. "Don't get all cocky just because I normally behave myself! I am DONE playing nice! Let's go, Johanna! Full throttle!"

Facing off against the three powerful Shadows, the group didn't hesitate to attack. Joker, Mona, and Skull used their weapons while Sphinx, Niijima, Fox, and Panther utilize their personas. Switching between dagger and pistol, the messy-haired teen destroyed one of the weaker onis. The artist followed suit by annihilating the second red demon.

Niijima, with Fox's aid, took down the final Shadow. With the enemies no longer an issue, the way was clear. Mona sheathed his blade and shouted, "Now! Let's get outta here!" More security guards charged towards them in an attempt to surround the group. Seeing them approaching, the cat took a few steps back. "We know how to get in now. Our objective's been accomplished!"

"But how are we getting out?" Panther asked as the enemy surrounded them.

"There's only one exit, right?" Niijima questioned calmly.

Skull grinned. "'Sup, Miss Post-Apocalyptic Raider."

"Do you want to get smacked?"

"Leave that to me. That's my job," Sphinx snickered.

Niijima let a small smirk show before her serious expression took over again. "I'm going on ahead so follow me!" She took off on Johanna, knocking down any enemies in the way as she escaped the bank.

"Daaamn," Skull whistled.

"Okay, we have a path!" Mona trotted a few feet away and hopped into the air, transforming into a car. "Get in!"

The group quickly climbed inside the car. Once everyone was inside, Mona took off.

Sphinx turned around in the seat and gazed out the rear window at Kaneshiro. She wondered if the man knew where Horus was hiding or if he was clueless. Ridding herself of the thought, she turned back around just as they returned to the real world.

<--------------<<<<<

Back at the hideout, Niijima squatted down and tried to catch her breath. Ryuji stared at her, eyes wide in astonishment. "Man, talk about wild... That was no aikido-that was some hardcore ass whoopin'!"

Ann placed a hand on the top of her head. "I am SO not pissing her off. I feel like she'll rip off my arm."

Yusuke was kneeling next to Niijima as he replied, "She does exude that aura."

"Oh, stop it!" Niijima whined. She stood up with a wince. "This is the most exhausted I've ever gotten these past few years. But...it feels pretty great. I never thought I'd become part of the Phantom Thieves I was after. Sis might faint if she found out."

Yusuke also stood up. "You mentioned her earlier."

"She's a prosecutor for the district and she's investigating the Phantom Thieves."

Ryuji gasped at the revelation. "Wait, ain't that bad?!"

"No need to worry," Niijima reassured the boy. "A normal investigation would never lead them to a world like that. Then again, it must've been fate for this to happen..."

"What do you mean?" Ann inquired.

"I can't be like my sister. I had a feeling that there'd come a time when we wouldn't see eye to eye anymore. I'm thankful to have a sister who works hard, but there are times I feel sorry for her too. And after hearing my persona's voice, I clearly understand how I feel now."

"It appears you're not as reserved as you make yourself seem," Yusuke said.

"I was just doing whatever the adults told me to."

The artist met Akira's gaze. "Won't she be perfect as our advisor? She's fearless and has a sharp mind like Mikono."

"Then why isn't Mikono our advisor?" Ann asked.

"There is no way I could be our advisor. I don't have the strong confidence that Niijima-san has and I doubt I can give sound advice," Mikono answered.

"Mikky's more like our source of information," Ryuji added.

"A pantomath, to be more precise," Yusuke stated.

"I wouldn't go that far, Yusuke..." Mikono muttered.

Morgana wasn't familiar with the term. "A pantomath?"

"It's someone who wants to know or knows everything," she clarified. "Just because I know a lot about some things doesn't make me all-knowing... Anyway, let's get back on topic. Niijima-san would be the perfect person to appoint as our advisor."

Ryuji nodded. "Sounds good to me! We've needed someone like that for a while now!"

Niijima combed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd be honored if I can help out."

The pigtailed girl smiled from ear to ear. "Thank goodness Mikono and I aren't the only girls now. We had way too much testosterone anyway, so we feel much better having-"

Ann was silenced by the sound of Niijima's phone. The crimson-eyed girl grabbed her phone and wondered who was contacting her. She grimaced when seeing who it was. "It's from Kaneshiro. He's reminding us of our debt." She scrolled through the pictures the man sent. "So the Kaneshiro over here doesn't know what happened inside the palace."

"That's right, but his palace will be affected if the real Kaneshiro's cognition changes. We can't be lax," Morgana explained.

"It seems it'd be best to avoid unnecessary contact with him until then."

Ryuji glanced down at the ground. "Three weeks left, huh..."

"There's that security system too," Yusuke sighed.

"But if we pull this off, it'll definitely be great!" Ann optimistically replied.

"We can do this," Mikono smiled.

Niijima nodded in agreement with a determined expression. "We'll crush him like a fly. I'll make him regret making me angry."

A wide smile appeared on Ryuji's face. "Anyways, let's begin our operation tomorrow!"

"First, we need to secure a route to the treasure like always," Ann said.

Morgana glanced around at the teens with a faint smile on his face. "You guys are finally starting to get used to this."

"This is our third target," Akira stated. "Of course, we're getting a hang of being phantom thieves."

Niijima put her phone away. "I'll be waiting for the call to meet up."

Mikono grabbed her bag. "I'll see you all tomorrow." She left the hideout and headed to the museum to rendezvous with her parents. She wandered through the streets of Shibuya until arriving at her destination. She walked through the entrance and greeted Amano before shuffling up to the second floor.

Inside Isaac's office, Mikono waited patiently for her parents. While sitting in one of the comfy chairs in front of her father's desk, she felt her phone buzz inside her school bag. She promptly took it out and accessed the group chat.

Ryuji: Damn, motorcycles are cool...

Ryuji: I wish my Persona was like that.

Mikono: My dad used to ride a motorcycle.

Ryuji: For real?!

Mikono: Just kidding~!

Ryuji: You suck...

Yusuke: Yours is on a ship though.

Ryuji: Dude, you kidding?! Motorcycles are way cooler than dumb boats!

Ryuji: It'll be just like the song! "I'm a phantom, on a steal horse I ride..."

Mikono: "I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive!"

Ryuji: "Wanted (wanted) dead or alive!"

Makoto: Hold on a second! Don't say such things. And for the record, I am most certainly not "wanted."

Mikono: Technically you are since you're now a part of the Phantom Thieves.

Mikono: It could be your theme song!

Makoto: Tsutsui-san...

Ann: Honestly, I'm mostly just surprised you know how to ride a motorcycle at all, Niijima-senpai.

Ryuji: Do you got a license?

Makoto: A regular one, yes.

Ryuji: Niceee... I can't wait to get my hands on one too.

Makoto: That aside, mind if I change the topic for a moment?

Yusuke: What is the matter?

Makoto: I'm sorry, everyone.

Makoto: I know I'm not in any position to be saying that. I truly do...

Makoto: However, I must apologize.

Makoto: It was my actions that dragged all of you into this mess.

Makoto: On top of that, I misunderstood your true intentions in this.

Makoto: If only I could have realized what was happening to Suzui-san too...

Ann: Come on, we don't need to talk about that now.

Yusuke: It seems there are still lingering issues on everyone's minds.

Ryuji: Now's not the time to be talking about that shit though!

Ryuji: Don't we gotta be doing something about Kaneshiro?

Ann: He's right.

Makoto: Very well, I understand.

Makoto: Anyway, I will do my best to make sure I don't slow you all down.

The conversation ended and Mikono put her phone away. She sat patiently for a few minutes until her mother walked in. Turning around, she greeted her. "Hey, Mom."

"Oh, hi, sweetheart!" Ichika greeted. "I didn't realize you were here."

"Sorry for not texting you beforehand." She stood up and walked toward the woman. "I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"You're more familiar with cooking than I am. Do you think you could teach me a few dishes that'll be good for a picnic?"

Ichika grinned at the question. "Oh? Are you going on another date with Kurusu-kun?"

She nodded. "Yeah. We're going to Inokashira Park this coming Sunday for a picnic."

"I'll gladly teach you some good recipes for a picnic!"

Mikono smiled at her mother's enthusiasm. "Thanks, Mom."