Tokyo Psychic

Page 285

[As of Chapter 263, the Personas currently held by Toyokawa Shoko]:

[Currently available information]:

Persona One: "Ninjaku"

"Build them a tower that reaches to the heavens, and a great city of freedom, for there God will confuse their language and scatter them over the whole face of the earth."

Arcana: Demons

Destructive power: F~A (the effect varies depending on the scenario in which the ability is activated);

Speed: C (The ability must be demonstrated through performance).

Range: D~A;

Durable: C;

Precision: A;

Growth potential: A;

Noah's descendant, King of Shinar, the legendary ruler of all under heaven, hailed as the foremost hero of the world. By God's will, he built the Tower of Babel, spreading chaos and the free will of rebellion throughout the world as the King of Kings.

By playing "chaotic" music, the concept of "reversal" can be forcibly imposed on the target.

By playing the "Rebellion" theme, companions can gain a significant boost in combat power.

By playing the music of "freedom," one can unleash the demons within.

Persona Two: Ninurta

"The Slate of Fate may never have been lost; it returned to its master's hands at the end of time. Just as omnipotent divine power flows backward, it helps you once again defeat the destined Anzu bird."

Arcana: Demons

Destructive power: A;

Speed: A;

Range: D~A;

Durable: B;

Precision: A;

Growth potential: Fully realized;

A war god who crushes armies, an evil god who fights for destiny, a representative of Jupiter symbolizing the cycle of time, and the most valiant embodiment of Sumer.

"How many times have you gone through despair to finally witness this salvation? All the pain and sorrow that were forgotten have returned to you at the end of time, and they will help you defeat your destined enemy."

264. "Kurasu Akatsuki", "Akatsumi Homura", "Kaname Madoka"

The evil god who represented "wrath" is dead.

But He did not die unjustly.

Akira Kurusu and Kotone Shiomi both saw it thanks to their privileges as contractors—

In that very instant, Ferremon arrived, Madoka Kaname arrived, and Homura Akemi arrived.

All three deities have given Toyokawa Shoko the cheat code.

They did this so openly, as if they were afraid others wouldn't know they had come.

Taking advantage of Toyokawa Shoko's rapidly escalating emotions, Homura Akemi seized the opportunity to extract cognitive power from tens of thousands of desperate cycles outside of time, helping her complete the second awakening of her Persona.

Ferremont gave her the green light throughout, not only letting this witch run wild in the Sea of ​​Hearts, but also carefully selecting several "lenses" for her to directly transform Toyokawa Shoko's cognitive power into a new personality mask.

Madoka Kaname's arrow, fired the moment she completed the "Theory of Cycles," helped Shoko Toyokawa repair her shattered mind.

The truth is gradually being revealed, and the date of the inevitable final battle is drawing ever closer. Even the gods hiding outside the timeline are no longer concealing their whereabouts.

Even if Toyokawa Shoko doesn't get a second awakening here that's almost like "cheating," she'll still have the chance to awaken in other battles.

Similarly, even without Toyokawa Shoko's help, in the original timeline, Kurusu Akira and Shiomi Kotone could have defeated "Izanagi Okami" using the "Infinite Sin Armor-Piercing Bullet" attack, which combines their Personas.

All the subtle changes seemed to point to the big battle at the end of the second semester, aiming to present an outcome that would be different from countless previous cycles.

After leaving the Impression Space, Cong Yu rushed over and circled around Lai Xixiao, looking left and right as if complaining that he hadn't brought Cong Yuwan into the Impression Space as well.

Akira Kurusu patted her hair. "The current Murasame is not able to exert its original power, so we can't bring it with us for the time being."

Shiomi Kotone also thought that Murasame was very cute because it was so small, and she came over to ruffle its hair together. "Everyone has been arranging to promote Murasame recently. I guess in a little while, Hoori Town will remember the story about it again."

How could a god who had protected Suiori countless times become a "demon sword" in just a few years? ...After this encounter in the Impression Space, both Kurusu Akira and Shiomi Kotone had a definite answer in their hearts.

It is obvious that this must be the work of Dioscuri, the evil god who can manipulate the memories of others.

Just as He could easily dismantle the Kiritsubo Group and reduce the Shadow Patrol's organization to a state of utter chaos...

In a manner tantamount to a joke, the residents of Suizhi Town changed their impression of Murasame, thereby weakening the divine sword's power in the Impression Space to the lowest level.

But since "Dioscuri" has already left the stage.

Then, with just a little bit of simple promotion and operation, Congyu Maru can regain its former power.

There's no need to worry about Dioscuri making a comeback—

Rather than weakening the power of a divine sword, He clearly needs to defend the final battle line of Mitakihara City.

"The next period of time will be quite leisurely." Akira Kurusu seemed to sense something and turned her head to look at the railing of the shrine next to her.

A pale white pigeon stood there, tilting its head and looking at him with its bright red eyes.

Noticing Akira's gaze, it vanished without a trace in an instant.

Wakaba Mutsu helped the unconscious Toyokawa Shoko over. "The weather forecast says the rainy season won't stop for another week... Are we going to Kumamoto next?"

Akira Kurusu looked at the spot where the white dove had disappeared and replied meaningfully, "Of course."

Then he stepped over the rain and took Toyokawa Shoko from Wakaba Mutsu's hands, "Mutsu, is there anything you want to say?"

Wakaba Mutsu tilted her head, looking at the phantom thief in front of her with some confusion. "Isn't it Ren who has something to tell us?"

The child is becoming increasingly perceptive in this regard—a sign that she is mastering unbridled power.

Akira Kurusu carried Shoko Toyokawa towards the bedroom. "Thinking about it carefully, it really is time to tell everyone what happened."

"What? What?" Izana asked curiously, peeking out from one side of the corridor.

Her appearance coincided perfectly with the timing of "Judas's" arrival. This series of coincidences made Akira Kurusu wonder to herself, "Could that remorseful evil god really be preparing to 'sacrifice himself' and become this child's persona?"

After all, the tarot card in the Velvet Room, belonging to Izuru Izumi, symbolizes "sacrifice"—the Hanged Man.

But the future can only be dealt with in the future.

Because "Judas" stole the power of time reversal from Homura Akemi, every decision he made that defied comprehension opened up countless unpredictable possibilities.

Akira Kurusu no longer intends to hide it.

After all, even "Judas" committed an unbelievable betrayal, and there are only three weeks left until the end of summer vacation.

With the second semester fast approaching, it's time to tell the Phantom Thieves about my origins and that of Shiomi Kotone.

However, we need to keep it a secret from our bandmates in Tokyo for a while longer, so as not to frighten them too much.

But upon closer reflection, we could actually use the excuse that "Kurasu Akira is a stage name" to help them gradually accept this change.

It was raining in the courtyard.

The rain was falling rapidly.

The rootless water falls from the endless sky, bending the lush green leaves of the elm tree time and time again.

But no matter how many times they repeated it, the enemy in front of them returned to its original position with incredible resilience, never allowing them to be shot down.

......

"Yan, what's wrong?"

On the bridge in Mitakihara City, Kaname Madoka, holding an umbrella, stopped abruptly on her way to cram school, nearly bumping into Akemi Homura in front of her.

Homura Akemi has been here for a semester now.

Kyubey, witches, magical girls... one unimaginable thing after another unfolds, keeping Madoka Kaname on edge with a suffocating sense of urgency.

Until the summer vacation arrived, all the "witches" seemed to have quieted down.

Qubi also gave a nonsensical reason, "I have to go on a business trip, so everyone should try to relax and rest during this time," and then disappeared without a trace.

Because of Madoka Kaname's movement, the sandals covering her delicate white feet kicked up the puddles on the road, and the water splashed onto Homura Akemi's black pantyhose, leaving dark water streaks.

This girl, who started showing off her beauty without restraint at the age of fourteen, seemed to have forgotten to hold up an umbrella.

The black umbrella slipped from her hand, and the rain pelted down on her, soaking her long hair and short sleeves. The sudden chill made her shiver.

Even so, Homura Akemi stared intently at the elm tree in front of her, as if she were seeing the same scene as someone far away in Kyoto.

While apologizing anxiously, Kaname Madoka handed over her umbrella to Homura Akemi to shield her from the rain.

Hearing her friend calling from behind, Homura Akemi snapped out of her daze and raised her umbrella.

The black umbrella and the pink umbrella collided, then repelled each other and separated with that force.

Kaname Madoka subconsciously took two steps back due to the swaying of the umbrella.

Homura Akemi seemed to be in a good mood. She turned around and took Madoka Kaname's hand, making sure her friend kept up with her. "Madoka, we're best friends, right?"

"Yes...yes."

Kaname Madoka answered, somewhat bewildered.

"The best friends are those who will never be apart."

"Hmm... why is Flame suddenly saying something like that?"

"I'm wondering what would happen if Xiaoyuan started dating one day, and it just so happens that I fell in love with the same guy."

"Eh?! That kind of thing..." Kaname Madoka blushed instantly. This ordinary middle school girl, who longed for youth, was particularly sensitive to the topic of love.

She hesitated for a moment before stammering, "Then I probably have no chance of beating Yan, right? After all, Yan is so beautiful, has excellent grades, and a slim and pretty figure... No, wait, if Yan has a boy she likes, she has to tell me first!!!"

She raised her voice slightly, "Yama is so cute, there must be a lot of bad people who want to kidnap you."

Before she could finish speaking, Homura Akemi reached out and tapped her forehead. "Idiot, we're magical girls."

Then Homura Akemi said meaningfully, "In exchange, if Madoka has a boy she likes, she must tell me first. After all, Madoka seems like she's very easily fooled."

"Homura, your expression... looks so familiar?" Madoka Kaname blinked, feeling as if her friend was gradually merging with a phantom so illusory that even memories of it couldn't be preserved.

Homura Akemi then realized that she was habitually imitating Akira Kurusu.

After all, when it comes to deceiving Madoka Kaname, that guy is a habitual offender among habitual offenders.

Even Madoka, after mastering the Law of Cycles, believed the phantom thief's lies more than once... knowing full well they were lies, she willingly accepted them.

That guy really stole the goddess's heart.

Homura Akemi stretched and suddenly felt a little reluctant to let Madoka Kaname meet Akira Kurusu ahead of time.

If they were to meet, Madoka Kaname would surely fall hopelessly in love, following the traces accumulated over countless reincarnations.

Although the cause and effect of reincarnation are constantly being reset by "Judas" using the same power, traces will always remain.

With limited time to begin with, Homura Akemi naturally wanted to possess more of the boy she liked.

I just felt a little guilty.

I'm sorry, Xiaoyuan, but I've always been a very selfish person.

(Next up is the summer vacation Kumamoto episode, Nina, it's coming soon!)

265. Kumamoto, girl, cat

The rainy season, which lasted for a week, has finally stopped.

Without the influence of the evil god who roamed the dark side of the world and manipulated the memories and perceptions of others, the residents of Suizhi Town quickly regained their faith in Congyu.

However, Akira Kurusu, as the new master of the Hoori Shrine, has publicly stated that "after purifying demons and evil spirits, Murasame was taken away by a passing Onmyoji to travel the world." Therefore, although some people wanted to use him to worship the divine sword that had protected Hoori for hundreds of years, they had no choice but to give up after learning the truth.

I did consider linking the fame of "Divine Sword Murasame" with that of "Mental Thieves," but the two legends are from different eras, and forcing them together would have the opposite effect.

It would be more convincing to first spread the story of "Muramasa and the Wandering Onmyoji" and then add the twist that "the Phantom Thief stole Muramasa from the Onmyoji who had abandoned his lineage and became the guardian of trust in the city's dark side."