[June 20 2020, Saturday]
[Train To Tokyo, From Hokkaido]
[11:52 AM]

(The bullet train speeds through. Watanabe watches the passing scenery with his arms crossed. Akechi is asleep on the seat next to the right from Watanabe.)

....

....

(Watanabe wakes up Akechi.)

Watanabe: Hey..

Akechi: Hmm?

(Akechi slowly opens his eyes.)

Watanabe: We're almost there.

Akechi: Mm......

(Akechi's eyes are fully open, he nods.)

.....

[Minutes later pass by, As the train speeds through.]

(Akechi is blankly staring at the seat in front of him with a stern look.)

Watanabe: ?

(Watanabe notices him.)

Watanabe: ....Don't worry, We'll do her justice.

Akechi: ..... Still..... to think he is involved.

Watanabe: Who?

Akechi: .....

Watanabe: You mean the leader of the Phantom Thieves?

Akechi: Yeah.....

Watanabe: I'm assuming you had a history with Amamiya?

Akechi: I knew him during my investigation into the Phantom Thieves.

Watanabe: To think he has betrayed them for Kaneshiro.....

(Akechi briefly expresses discomfort.)

Akechi: I still don't get why. I wanted to think something was off but the fact that..... He got Sumire, Ren..... And what Ishida explained..... It's just-

Watanabe: I understand.....

Akechi: .....

(He remains with an upset look, his mind stuck in recalling Ishida's explanation. He clenches his fist. Watanabe notices.)

Watanabe: Akechi, under no circumstance, you will murder Amamiya.

Akechi: But-

Watanabe: We're upholding the law here. Their deaths are decided by the court, not you or me.

Akechi: Tch-.....

(Akechi adjusts his sitting posture and sighs.)

.....

.....

(He looks at Watanabe.)

Akechi: What made you take up the badge?

Watanabe: .....

(Watanabe looks away for a bit.)

.....

Watanabe: I grew up in Ibaraki.... My hometown.... From thereon you'll understand why.

Akechi: Yeah. A small town riddled with murders, intrusions.....

Watanabe: Yes. I grew up remaining vigilant, staying quiet whenever I roam outside. One quiet evening when I was walking back home from a part-time job..... I was held up by two guys, one with a knife. They felt nervous when they were doing it, trying their best to cover it. I wasn't any different other than I was calmer..... Next thing I knew, I felt a sensation within myself..... I had a desire to take an offense. I immediately grabbed for the knife, and I slashed his body. Then I took out the other guy with only my fists. I beat him until I couldn't lift my arm again.....

Akechi: .....

Watanabe (cont'd): Since then, I grew a desire to hunt down any thieves who roam the city. That very moment was somehow my calling to take the badge. I became a detective in the same year the Phantom Thieves came around.

Akechi: So I'm guessing they became the biggest fish for you to hunt ever since?

Watanabe: Yeah. My merits as an officer landed me at Organized Crime. Ever since then, I hunt down any sort of gangs. Yakuzas, triads, mafias, terrorists.

Akechi: Do you believe the Phantom Thieves fall in your category?

Watanabe: If a pact bends a law, it is considered as one in my book. Especially those who can make it past the first year in escaping our clutches. I believe you think the same, Akechi.

Akechi: Yeah you could say that..... I was hell-bent on chasing them.

Watanabe: You disappeared when they were still at their peak. Why?

Akechi: .....

(Akechi blinks his eyes as he looks away.)

Akechi: I wouldn't say..... Maybe they changed my heart.

Watanabe: ..... Could be. But now considering how things have become.

Akechi: I will never forgive Ren..... I don't know if I couldn't with Sumire.

Watanabe: I understand. Upon first glance on Yoshizawa, she doesn't seem the type to commit a terrible act. But being in this line of work? Appearances can be deceiving. Ren the other hand..... *sigh*..... Not my first time hearing a case where one shoots their own girlfriend.

(Akechi briefly shifts his eyes to Watanabe.)

Akechi: Yeah.....

(He shifts them back to the passing scenery.)

.....

Watanabe: We got minutes left before we arrive. You have anything ready?

(Akechi nods in response, Watanabe notices.)

Watanabe: Good. It's about time.

.....

Akechi: (Ren..... I swear I'm coming for you, I'll give you hell for what you've done.)

[Tokyo Station]
[12:30 PM]

(The two have arrived at Tokyo.)

.....

.....

(They exit the station, Akechi looks around the atmosphere.)

Akechi: .....

Watanabe: Doesn't it feel good to be back?

Akechi: I wouldn't say..... Where's our ride?

Watanabe: There. I booked a rental while we were on the way.

(Watanabe pulls out a car key, he presses the unlock button, a grey Subaru Legacy parked with the taxis has its blinkers flashed in response. Its doors unlocked themselves, the two get inside with Watanabe at the driver's seat. They head out from the station.)

.....

.....

[Arakawa Ward]
[1:24 PM]

(The two arrived at the location Ishida gave out, being an abandoned warehouse. They park near to it.)

Akechi: This must be it.

Watanabe: We're not sure, This place is just one of the possibilities.

(They exit the car and walk to the warehouse. Akechi exhales full of determination and cracks his neck. They enter through the door that has its lock broken.)

Akechi: .....

.....

(The warehouse is empty and dark, Watanabe pulls out his phone and turns on its flashlight. But no one seems to be around.)

Akechi: No one's around.

Watanabe: It seems word about Ishida got out, considering he tried to kill us. Damn.....

Akechi: What now?

Watanabe: We're back to square one, come on.

(They head out.)

"Didn't find what you're looking for?"

Akechi and Watanabe: !

(Both the men turn around, hearing a charismatic voice echoing through them. Watanabe quickly puts up his phone's flashlight, revealing a person in red who quickly covers his face from the bright, glaring light with his hand as soon as it flashes at him.)

Watanabe: Hmph...

(He slowly removes his hand, revealing himself.)

.....

(It's Takumi.)

Watanabe: Matsushige....

Akechi: !

(Watanabe shuts off the light. Takumi walks forward, emerging himself from the shadow.)

Takumi: I figured you'd come looking for me but I never thought the Detective Prince would be involved. Was this about the redhead?

Akechi: Cut to the chase, Where's Ren!?

Takumi: .....

(Takumi smugs.)

Watanabe: The Phantom Thieves' Leader, where is he?

Takumi: I really don't know, How would I know the location of a thief like him-

(Akechi quickly grabs for Takumi, pushes him into the wall, and pins him there with his arm against his neck.)

Takumi: Uck-

(Robin Hood is summoned, he aims his arrow at Takumi's head.)

Akechi: We're not FUCKING around here! You manipulated him into killing her, and then getting him to join your side! Know this, the only thing I could do right now is kill him once you answer our question. Because if you don't, I will show you the difference between your men and me.

Takumi: .....

(Takumi looks at his Persona. He smirks, giving a smug expression.)

Akechi: Your call, Matsushige.

Takumi: Fine fine..... I only have one clue since even Amamiya himself is running this show. One of the Thieves will show up on top of a building at 2 PM.

Akechi: One of them!? You've got them too!?

Takumi: Easy there, detective-

(Robin Hood fires his arrow, and it hits the wall, being very close to Takumi's right cheek.)

Takumi: .....

Akechi: You just signed your death. Now, what building is it!?

Takumi: Heard it's gonna be at the Marunochi Building in Chiyoda, you could get your answer there for the least.

Akechi: Tch! And why's that!?

Takumi: Word around you gets fast you know? At least within our circle of us ex-Metaverse peeps. You forgot the fact that Amamiya can plan a step ahead of you know? Isn't that how he got you?

(Akechi's eyes widened by Takumi's statement, he tightens his hold onto him, slowly making him suffocate. But the latter makes a grin in response as if he's enjoying this.)

Watanabe: Akechi, Amamiya is your priority, right?

Akechi: What!?

Watanabe: Get to him, I'll deal with Matsushige. If we don't act for the other, we'll lose him! Now GO!

Akechi: .....

(Akechi sighs and nods, he lets go of Takumi and withdraws his Persona.)

Akechi: Make sure he truly gets what he deserves.

(Watanabe nods in response, he hands Akechi his car keys.)

Akechi: Thanks.

Watanabe: Don't mention it.

(Akechi runs away into the car, he starts it up and drives away to the building.)

.....

.....

Watanabe: About time I'm bringing you in.

Takumi: Heh, are you sure about that, Watanabe-san?

Watanabe: I'll die knowing that I already got you under my fingertips.

(Takumi and Watanabe slowly shift to their fighting stance.)

.....

.....

(Akechi stops before a stop light. He has a serious look on his face as he constantly thinks of Ren.)

Akechi: .....

(He briefly tightens his hold on the steering wheel out of anger.)

.....

(He then lets go of his left hand and looks at it.)

Akechi: ..... ?

(He slowly begins to reflect on something. A blue fire briefly appears around his hand before dissipating, revealing his hand to be the glove-like armor from his darker Metaverse attire.)

Akechi: (If I'm able to summon a Persona in the real world and turn into that without the Metaverse..... then..... there could be just one thing.)

(His hand then reverts back to its normal form. He then grabs for his phone and goes to a search engine app.)

.....

"high quality sword replicas."

.....

.....

(Results popped up from what he inputted. Akechi reads them over.)

.....

(He sees one result that caught his eye, it has a picture of Iwai's shop. He reads the details.)

"Military Ship: Untouchable - Central Street, Shibuya
We also sell replica swords!"

Akechi: An airsoft store that sells those? Gotta try.

(A car behind Akechi honks at him, catching his attention. Akechi quickly drives away.)

[Central Street, Shibuya]
[1:30 PM]

(Akechi, concealing his mouth with a face mask, walks his way that leads to Untouchable, focusing on both where he is walking at and reading the GPS's pathway from his phone.)

.....

.....

(He takes a left into an alley. He sees an opening to a right, and walks there, seeing the airsoft store before him. He glances at the sign and then looks at the door, having an "OPEN" sign. Akechi ties up the end of his hair.)

[Untouchable]

(The door opens, Iwai, reading a magazine by the counter, takes notice.)

Iwai: Hm?

(He sees a disguised Akechi, entering in.)

Iwai: Welcome, you must be new here.

(Akechi clears his throat, and speaks with his voice deepened down.)

Akechi: Y-yeah.....

(Iwai closes the magazine and stands up while facing at Akechi.)

Iwai: So? What could I get you?

Akechi: I heard this store sells replica swords. You still have one of those lying around?

Iwai: Yes. We range in different types of swords.

Akechi: Oh good, uhm..... Have you ever seen Star Wars?

Iwai: .....

(Iwai blankly stares at Akechi in response to his question..... He then realizes and understands it.)

Iwai: Ahhh, a sci-fi type of guy. Give me a sec-

(He heads into the store's back room, grabbing something from an array of swords. He heads out, revealing a saber-styled sword. The handle is made out of alloy and coated in gold while the blade, is polycarbonate and colored grey. Iwai hands it to Akechi, as the latter is taken by surprise.)

Akechi: .....

(He inspects it with awe.)

Akechi: (It looks like..... The exact same sword I used to wield.)

Iwai: That thing isn't easy to come by. Do you mind checking if the light still works?

Akechi: Uh- yeah- sure!

(Akechi checks around the hilt, and he sees a red button. He presses it, activating the array of bright, light blue LED lights from inside the blade. The two briefly looked away from its sheer brightness.)

Akechi: Woah-

(He presses the button again, shutting the lights off.)

Akechi: I'll take it!

Iwai: That'll be ¥29,999.

Akechi: Uh-

(Akechi places the sword at the glass counter and pulls out his wallet. He inspects how much money he has left.)

Akechi: .....

(He only has ¥65,000 left. He pulls out the bills that sum up to the price of the sword and hands it to Iwai.)

Akechi: H-here.

Iwai: You don't sound good there. You okay?

Akechi: Yeah, don't worry.

(Iwai keeps the money in the cash register.)

Iwai: Pleasure doing business with you.

(Akechi bows.)

Akechi: Thank you.

(He grabs the sword, and heads out from the store.)

[Central Street, Shibuya]

(Akechi inspects the sword again.)

Akechi: .....

..... ?

(He notices something from his hand. A blue fire appears from it and trails its way to the sword, engulfing it. He is taken by surprise.)

Akechi: !?

(The flames dissipate, revealing the blade to have disappeared as the hilt remains on his hand.)

Akechi: What the-

(Akechi quickly presses the button from the hilt, and the hilt summons a light blue photon in the shape of the blade. It makes a resonating hum.)

Akechi: I knew it! If I still retain the Metaverse's properties then so are the weapons too! The sword is realistic enough for the public to believe it, which transfigures into being a real thing.....

(Akechi then looks to his left, seeing a chain-link fence. He walks towards it.)

Akechi: .....

(He grips his sword with both his hands, readying it for a strike. He raises his arms.)

Akechi: HmmPH!

(He makes an overhead slash, the photon blade easily burns through the steel of the fence, making a clean cut. It continues all the way to the end, completely slicing the fence into two with such a clean incandescent line. Akechi is taken both by surprise again and yet with contentment. He smirks.)

Akechi: Good.....

(He walks away from the fence and exits the alley.....)

.....

(Iwai walks out of the store, he looks to his left, seeing the clean-cut fence.)

Iwai: What the?.....

[Shin-Marunouchi Building, Chiyoda City, Tokyo]
[1:55 PM]

(Akechi arrives at the building, he parks the car near the sidewalk. He shuts it off and steps off from the car then takes his sight all the way to the top of the building.)

Akechi: .....

(He looks at his wristwatch, it's now 1:56.)

Akechi: Need to get up there quick, it's about time.....

(He rushes into the building.)

.....

.....

[Helipad]

(Akechi exits out the door leading to the helipad. He looks around, seeing no one. Alone at the helipad, he checks the time on his watch.)

Akechi: Tch, guess I have to wait.

(He walks near the end of the helipad.)

Akechi: .....

(Akechi switches into his dark Metaverse form.)

Dark Akechi: ..... *determined exhale*

(He pulls out his red serrated sword, he holds it by his left. He then grabs the golden cylindrical hilt and activates the light blue photon blade with the push of a button. He then looks at his serrated sword.)

Dark Akechi: .....

(The past briefly creeps up on Akechi again as he continues looking at his sword. He recalls Shido's words years ago.)

Shido: Remember this..... you're a Shido. What life throws at us, we exact revenge by any means necessary, no matter how big or small.

(Akechi then looks away from his sword and takes a deep breath.)

Dark Akechi: *sigh*.....

(Someone enters out the door.)

Dark Akechi: .....

(It happens to be Yusuke. Who recently came from a battle against Kyosuke last night.)

Yusuke: Hey! You were looking for me?

Dark Akechi: .....

(Akechi slowly turns to his back, facing in front of Yusuke.)

Yusuke: !?

(Yusuke is taken in disbelief, seeing a dark Akechi standing before him. Taken in for a surprise on how a person he thought who died years ago, stands before him.)

Yusuke: No-..... How!?

(Akechi cracks his neck.)

Yusuke: Impossible!

(Akechi points the tip of his blade towards Yusuke.)

Dark Akechi: You, Kitagawa was it? Where's Ren!?

Yusuke: Tsk!

(Yusuke quickly draws out his katana as he enters his stance, he switches into his Metaverse form.)

Fox: You..... So you're the one who sent Minami to do all of these murders just to call out and eliminate us!? I'll make you pay for everything you've done!

Dark Akechi: Huh?..... Minami?..... Have they been lying to you? Or did Ren purposely do that to provoke me!?

Fox: A.... lie?

(Fox briefly looks away, as he deduces Akechi's words.)

Fox: (What did he mean by that? Is he saying Minami's words were a lie!?)

Dark Akechi: The hell are you standing there for? You won't tell me where he is!?

Fox: ..... (No.... He must've been manipulated to bring him here! Someone alongside Minami did this-)

Dark Akechi: MY PATIENCE RUNS THIN!

(Akechi dashes to Fox.)

Dark Akechi: KITAGAWAAAAA!

Fox: !

(Fox quickly exits from his thoughts as soon as Akechi makes a first slash with his right hand, He blocks it with his sword.)

Dark Akechi: Hmmmph!

(Akechi slashes for Fox's open spot with his left, but Goemon kicks him away. He is skidding backward, Fox sheathes back his katana, dashes, and makes an oncoming slash.)

Dark Akechi: !

Fox: Hyuuup!

(Fox removes his katana for a backhand slash. Akechi summons Loki, He blocks the katana.)

Akechi: Robin Hood!

(Robin Hood is summoned, and he punches Fox away.)

Fox: GYAAAH!-

(Fox then recovers on landing.)

Fox: *huff*....*huff*

(He spits out blood.)

Fox: Bufudyne!

(Goemon sends out spikes of ice reaching fast to Akechi, but he dodges.)

Dark Akechi: Eigaon...

(Loki casts out a cursed projectile onto Fox, but he jumps away. Akechi dashes to Fox and makes a forehand slash with his left. Goemon blocks it. Akechi's serrated sword from his left is retracted by the bounce it created on impact, leaving his body open, Fox takes the advantage and goes for a thrust.)

Loki: Hmph!

(Loki deflects the oncoming thrust away, the force outputted to it made Fox be pushed to his left.)

Fox: Uguh!-.......*pant*..*pant*

Dark Akechi: HMMMPH!

(Akechi makes a thrust with his right.)

Fox: !!

(Fox quickly jumps over Akechi, He lands by rolling. Then quickly faces back to him as he returns to his stance.)

Fox: *pant*....*pant*

(Akechi turns around and glares at Fox.)

Fox: Sukakaja!

(A green light flashes under Fox, Increasing his overall speed, reflexes and accuracy.)

Fox: Again...

(The green light briefly flashes again, Doubling the effect.)

Dark Akechi: Tch....

(He slowly moves around Fox.)

Fox: ......Hmph!

(Fox phases out and disappears.)

Dark Akechi: !?

(Akechi quickly checks his surroundings, seeing no signs of Fox anywhere within his sights.)

Dark Akechi: ..... GAH!-

(He gets his body slashed, then he tries to look around again.)

Dark Akechi: ..... UNH-

(He is slashed again, he slowly gets thrown off as he continues trying to find Fox from all around the helipad.)

Fox: *pant* *pant* *pant* Hmph!

(Fox slashes him as he quickly runs back and forth on Akechi.)

Dark Akechi: AGH- GaAGH- ACK- GHH!..... Debilitate!

(Loki casts a spell on Fox that weakens him entirely.)

Fox: !

(Fox notices he is slower as he runs onto Akechi, but he still proceeds to make a slash at him.)

Fox: HUP!

Dark Akechi: Gotcha!

(Loki quickly parries it. Fox is left staggered, making him open and vulnerable.)

Fox: GUH!

(Akechi makes a series of connecting slashes with his two swords onto Fox, he then kicks him away.)

Fox: UGAAAAH-

(Fox hits the ground and tumbles through before gradually stopping.)

Fox: Gah-.....*huff* *huff*

(With Fox having several slashes around his body, he weakly stands back up.)

Dark Akechi: Hmmmmph!

(Akechi dashes to Fox, he jumps to make a finishing blow with his serrated sword onto him.)

Fox: !

(Fox dodges away, Akechi lands and glares back to him.)

Dark Akechi: Hmph!

(He dashes to Fox, and makes a slash with his right. Fox notices the incoming attack, he summons Goemon and hits Akechi's right arm.)

Dark Akechi: !!

(He drops his photon sword out from the force Goemon has made, He kicks it away.)

Dark AKechi: !?

(Fox dashes to Akechi and makes an oncoming slash.)

Fox: Hmmmph!

(Akechi quickly blocks Fox's Katana, he pushes him away. Fox makes a few more slanted and side slashes but Akechi deflects all of it. The two make one more slash with full force, their blades collide hard, enough for them to be pushed away from each other. Their shoes skid through the ground before they stopped, seeing themselves distanced from and other. They glare at each other as they ready their swords again.)

Fox: *pant*.... *pant*

Dark Akechi: *pant*..... Come on.... COME AT ME!

Fox: TCH-

(Fox charges in to Akechi, the latter does the same. They let out a clash again as soon as they neared. Both tightly grip to their hilts. The men then proceed again to deflect each other's attacks. Putting themselves in an unyielding clash, sparks igniting all around themselves. Each movement was a calculated symphony of precision and power, a testament to their honed skills and unwavering determination as time goes on.)

Dark Akechi: HYAAAA!

(Akechi's body radiates a dark purple glow. He firmly grips to his sword as he raises his sword. He goes for an overhead blow into Fox at full force. The latter notices.)

Fox: !

(Alarmed, he quickly lets out all his strength to defend against the oncoming attack. His body radiates in an aqua-blue glow. Their swords collide once again, The two fight each other's forces.)

Fox: Ugh-.... uh- uh ugH!

Dark Akechi: Hrrrnngg!

.....

(Loki appears alongside Akechi. The two use all their remaining strength to force their swords down into Fox.)

Fox: !?

(His katana shatters by the sheer force of Akechi's blade. His sword goes through. Goemon appears and protects Fox as the serrated blade pierces through both their bodies.)

Fox: GAAAAAAACK!-.....ACK...

(Despite Goemon preventing any major damage on Fox, it wasn't enough to keep him safe. He drops to the ground, heavily bleeding out.)

Dark Akechi: *pant*....*pant*

(They both revert back to their normal forms as Loki is withdrawn.)

.....

[2:13 PM]

(Akechi is tired from the fight. He catches his breath.)

Akechi: *pant* *pant* *pant*.....

(He clears his throat and walks to the downed Yusuke, his blood slowly forming a puddle around himself. He grabs the collar of his shirt and nears him to himself.)

Akechi: Now tell me where is Ren!?

Yusuke: Ngh-.....

(Yusuke tries to stay conscious, as he focuses on Akechi.)

Akechi: WHERE!?

Yusuke: ......

(He fails to respond, as he slowly closes his eyes. He has lost consciousness. Akechi is suddenly taking into an agonizing regret, he looks at his hands, being covered with Yusuke's blood as he is suddenly reminded of his past as a hitman.)

Akechi: ..... Damn it!

(Akechi lets go of Yusuke and stands back up, he grinds his teeth in anger and regret as he clenches his fist..... He then walks away and heads back down to the street.)

[2:15 PM]

(Makoto rushes upstairs and heads out the door, she sees Yusuke who's unconscious and bleeding out.)

Makoto: YUSUKE!

(She runs to him and places her index and middle finger near his Adam's apple. She feels a pulse.)

Makoto: Oh god-

Yusuke: Uh......

(Yusuke's eyes slowly open, his vision being blurred out.)

Yusuke: Ma-..... Ma-..... ko....

Makoto: H-hey.....Stay with me! I'm calling for help!

Yusuke: A.... ke-..... chi.

Makoto: !?

(Makoto is taken in disbelief as soon as Yusuke utters his name. She briefly becomes frozen as she tries to process her thoughts.)

Makoto: A-Akechi..... !?

[Chiyoda City]

(Akechi heads out of the building, his hands washed from Yusuke's blood. He walks his way to the car filled with frustration and a slight tinge of regret.)

Akechi: Tch-

(He unlocks the car, gets in, and slams the door shut. He closes his hand as his frustration continues and lays it on his forehead.)

Akechi: ..... DAMN!

(He then slams it onto the steering wheel, and the car blares its horn for a brief moment.)

Akechi: *huff*..... *huff*.....

.....

(Akechi's phone rings.)

Akechi: ?

(He pulls his phone out from his pocket, he is getting a call from an unknown person. Filled with suspicion, he picks up the call.)

Akechi: .....

.....

.....

"Akechi? ..... Is that..... really you?"

Akechi: !?

(Akechi instantly recognizes that deep and calm voice, it's none other than Ren. He is instantly filled with surprise and then anger.)

Akechi: Ren!

Ren: "N-no..... So you've gone far to kill Yusuke after what you've heard-"

Akechi: SAVE YOUR LIES- YOU'VE GONE FAR TO KILL SUMIRE AND SIDE WITH KANESHIRO!

Ren: "YOU-..... need to understand why."

Akechi: UNDERSTAND WHAT!?

Ren: "Scramble Square, Be there."

Akechi: Tch-

(He ends the call and quickly puts down his phone before starting the car. He drives away full of anger and vengeance.)

[Shibuya Scramble Square Tower, Shibuya Station.]
[2:20 PM]

(Akechi exits the elevator and takes the stairs leading up to the observation view of the tower.)

Akechi: ......

(He sees no one around.)

Akechi: .....

(He walks to the observation view he pulls out a box of cigarettes and a lighter. He sighs as he lights up the cigarette and smokes, then he rests his arms by the holding rail.)

Akechi: .....

(He slowly expresses contemplation, his mind begins to rush, flooding with memories from years ago. He recalls Sumire and Ren's words, echoing around him. He then remembers his murders in the Metaverse.)

Akechi: .....

(As he smokes, he remains expressing an agitated look to himself, as he clenches his left fist and jaw..... He then looks down.....)

.....

.....

.....

[5:35 PM]

(As Akechi exits out from remembering the past, he notices the sun setting, he checks the time on his digital watch.)

Akechi: .....

(He lets out a sigh out of dejection.)

.....

.....

(He hears footsteps coming from behind.)

Akechi: ..... ?

(Akechi turns around to his back..... seeing Ren standing before him. Alongside are Morgana and Futaba.)

Akechi: !

(His eyes widened, seeing his old companion after disappearing to Hokkaido for years. He instantly switched into anger.)

Ren: !?

Morgana: W-What?.....

Futaba: N-no..... way.....

(He sees Ren's eyes dilating, before it goes darting around. Akechi watches him with both contempt and hesitation.)

Ren: N-no.....

(Akechi transitions into his dark Metaverse form. He tilts his head as he sighs out of reluctance. Ren notices.)

Ren: .....

(He walks ahead of Morgana and Futaba as he switches into his Metaverse form, approaching Akechi.)

Dark Akechi: .....

Joker: .....

(Joker stops, being a few steps away from Akechi while expressing shock and caution. The latter shuts his eyes as he grits his teeth briefly, he pulls out his red serrated sword and grips to it.)

Akechi: I don't want to do this..... but I have to.