Annkoto - P5

Annkoto - Chapter 14: Would He Really Do That?

On Wednesday, the 20th, Ren contacts the Phantom Thieves to set up an emergency meeting at the hideout.
Once the team arrives in a rush, he shows them the mysterious messages he received from this so-called "Alibaba".

Yusuke: "How does Alibaba know that Ren is the leader of the Phantom Thieves?"

Ryuji: "And he says he can take down Medjed? Who is this guy?"

Ren: "They must be a hacker."

Makoto: "I was thinking the same, they must have hacked into our chat log."

Ann: "Hey, is it that easy to look at someone's private messages?"

Makoto: "I don't know much about it myself, but... it's probably not impossible, I think?"

Ann and Makoto were thinking about the same thing. Not only were the Phantom Thieves' secret identities under threat, but their private chats might be under surveillance too. Alibaba may know about their relationship.

Morgana: "What's with this error? Why can't Ren reply anymore?"

Makoto: "Perhaps the receiving end doesn't exist."

Ryuji: "That's possible?"

Makoto: "Don't ask me everything. I told you that I don't know much about it."

The team decides to head to Leblanc so they won't be overheard.

...

The TV is turned on to a Japanese news station. The Phantom Thieves turn their heads at the mention of Medjed.

News Guy: "This just in, Medjed has announced their victory over the Phantom Thieves. Their disappointment in the lack of a response from The Phantoms has led them to make further threats to not just them but the Japanese Populous. Quote, 'If the Phantom Thieves don't reveal themselves by our deadline, the 21st of August, there will be severe damages to the Japanese economy. We name this event 'The Cleanse', those who support the Phantom Thieves will be the most affected.'"

Ryuji: "That's Bullshit!"

Ren: "There may only be one way to combat this."

Ann: "Do you mean Alibaba?"

Yusuke: "On top of Medjed, we're also under threat by Alibaba currently, I don't believe it wise to trust him."

Makoto: "I do agree, but it doesn't seem like there are any other options."

Ryuji: "So if we perform the change of heart that he was askin' about, he can take care of Medjed for us, right Ren?"

Ren: "That was the deal we made."

Morgana: "And what's that letter the Chief said you got?"

Ren opens the unmarked envelope, and takes out a stylish red paper.

Morgana: "A calling card?"

Ann: "Is there anything else in there. Who's this from?"

Makoto: "There's no stamp on it. Someone must have directly dropped it into the mailbox here..."

Yusuke: "Could it have been Alibaba?"

Ren gets a buzz from his phone. It's Alibaba.

(SMS)
Alibaba: "So you have received it?"
Ren: "Who should we give it to?"
Alibaba: "What are you talking about, isn't the calling card all you need?"
Ren: "We need a name."
Alibaba: "What?!"
Alibaba: "I guess all of the past calling cards included a name..."
Alibaba: "The name is..."
Alibaba: "Futaba Sakura."
Alibaba: "Good luck."
Ren: "Wait."
/The recipient cannot receive direct messages at this time/