E23 - How about a deal with me?

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:03] ---
    Next week already...
[00:06] ---
    And ain't it weird it's on weekdays?
[00:08] ---
    The media won't pay
    as much attention that way, right?
[00:12] ---
    Yeah, I guess.
[00:17] ---
    BALLOT BOX
[00:19] ---
    "Goro Akechi."
[00:21] ---
    "Akechi-kun."
[00:23] ---
    Another one for Akechi.
[00:24] ---
    Most of these are for him, too.
[00:32] ---
    Hey.
[00:33] ---
    I was hoping you could help here, too.
[00:36] ---
    I'm gatherin' info.
[00:39] ---
    Mishima is workin' hard on the Phan-Site.
[00:49] ---
    The totals are in.
[00:52] ---
    And we have a result.
[00:53] ---
    GORO AKECHI
[00:55] ---
    For the culture festival's special guest,
    first place is Goro Akechi.
[00:59] ---
    Normally, it'd be some singer or idol!
[01:02] ---
    "Do something about
    the Phantom Thieves already."
[01:06] ---
    "We can't count on the cops,
    so this is a job for a great detective."
[01:09] ---
    Everyone's been anxious
    since that school-wide interrogation.
[01:13] ---
    But still, Akechi of all people?
    What are we gonna do?
[01:17] ---
    Wouldn't that put us at risk?
[01:20] ---
    What should we do, Mako-chan?
[01:22] ---
    Makoto.
[01:24] ---
    It'd be best to avoid inviting
    such a clear danger upon ourselves.
[01:31] ---
    GORO AKECHI
[03:06] ---
    It's gotten much cooler, hasn't it?
[03:08] ---
    Indeed, it's much more bearable.
[03:12] ---
    By the way, is he a student?
    Such a hard worker.
[03:16] ---
    Yes, he certainly is.
[03:21] ---
    Japanese society may seem prosperous,
    but that's only on the surface.
[03:26] ---
    There are no jobs, security or savings.
[03:30] ---
    The youth that will lead us into the future
    cannot imagine what it holds for them.
[03:38] ---
    I've thought it over, and I've considered
    inviting Akechi-kun to attend.
[03:42] ---
    Seriously?!
[03:43] ---
    Weren't you talkin' about how
    you didn't wanna draw danger to us?
[03:47] ---
    I understand it's dangerous.
[03:49] ---
    But without a powerful source of intel,
    we won't win against the police network.
[03:53] ---
    And I can no longer rely on my sister.
[03:56] ---
    We're going to use Akechi?
[03:58] ---
    That's really bold for you, Makoto.
[04:02] ---
    He's cautious of how we are going to act.
[04:05] ---
    I think we can take advantage of that.
[04:08] ---
    What are our odds?
[04:09] ---
    Less than favorable, unfortunately.
[04:11] ---
    But we can no longer afford to hesitate.
[04:14] ---
    How do we get in touch with him?
    We don't have his contact info, right?
[04:21] ---
    We have all the data from the prosecutor's PC!
    Finding his number should be easy!
[04:27] ---
    You blow me away.
[04:29] ---
    I'll try calling him today.
[04:31] ---
    Let's just hope he responds.
[04:35] ---
    6. Kakeru Someno
    7. Ren Amamiya
    8. Shota Ogura
[04:45] ---
    Now of course, if there is proof of a relationship
    between the charges and the actions,
[04:46] ---
    Did you hear back from Akechi?
[04:48] ---
    No.
[04:49] ---
    The culture festival is tomorrow.
    Will this work out?
[04:51] ---
    then even the Phantom Thieves
    will be publicly prosecuted.
[04:52] ---
    I'll ask him to give us a response by today.
[04:57] ---
    Hey, Amamiya!
[04:59] ---
    What were you looking at just now?
[05:00] ---
    Is that how you act in class?!
[05:10] ---
    What was that divine dodge?
[05:12] ---
    Is he a ninja?
[05:19] ---
    Welcome home.
[05:22] ---
    What are you doing here?
[05:23] ---
    What am I doing?
[05:25] ---
    I just came for some coffee.
[05:27] ---
    Oh, right. Since I'm here,
    how about a rematch?
[05:32] ---
    It doesn't surprise me that people
    say our country is lethargic.
[05:34] ---
    We've let these
    Phantom Thieves run amok.
[05:37] ---
    We'll soon be working out a plan
    at a bipartisan assembly.
[05:42] ---
    What's wrong?
[05:43] ---
    Lengthy consideration at this stage
    of the game isn't required.
[05:47] ---
    These criminals enacting this "social reform"
    are the ones most deserving of reformation.
[05:52] ---
    Answering to the interest of the people as hastily
    as possible is my natural duty as a politician.
[05:58] ---
    In a law-abiding country,
    there is no room to let rogues run free.
[06:03] ---
    Now this guy makes sense.
[06:06] ---
    He's as straight as an arrow
    and charismatic as they come.
[06:09] ---
    About time someone we can trust stepped up.
[06:12] ---
    Rogues, huh?
    Well, that must be how he sees it.
[06:16] ---
    However, that is ignorant
    of their true nature.
[06:19] ---
    True nature?
[06:20] ---
    The Phantom Thieves and whoever's causing
    the terroristic psychotic breakdown cases...
[06:24] ---
    I don't believe they're one in the same.
[06:28] ---
    For example, what if the Phantom Thieves
    were only trying to change people's hearts?
[06:34] ---
    Even if they aren't innocent, that really
    changes your perception of them, doesn't it?
[06:41] ---
    It seems you've become
    a Phantom Thieves supporter.
[06:46] ---
    Maybe it's hope?
[06:48] ---
    I was thinking,
    if that's really what they are,
[06:50] ---
    then maybe our goals aren't that dissimilar.
[06:56] ---
    Checkmate.
[06:57] ---
    It looks like you've improved a bit.
[07:00] ---
    Maybe you found a good teacher?
[07:02] ---
    A shogi teacher, yes.
[07:06] ---
    You really are interesting.
[07:08] ---
    You're always just a few steps ahead of me.
[07:12] ---
    Thanks for the coffee.
[07:15] ---
    About that offer from your school...
[07:17] ---
    I've decided to accept it, after all.
[07:21] ---
    I'll see you then.
[07:25] ---
    Wait a second,
    what do you mean, Akechi-kun?
[07:30] ---
    In other words, I believe
    the recent series of suspicious deaths
[07:33] ---
    is unrelated to the actions
    of the Phantom Thieves.
[07:37] ---
    But you were the first one
    to caution everyone about them, yes?
[07:43] ---
    This doesn't change the fact that
    they are indeed a dangerous group.
[07:46] ---
    That said, there are still
    many questions to be answered...
[07:50] ---
    I suspect there is more to this.
[08:01] ---
    It's packed.
[08:02] ---
    There's definitely a lot more people
    than last year.
[08:05] ---
    Well, like it or not, this place got famous.
[08:08] ---
    Plus, we got Akechi as a guest.
[08:10] ---
    I wonder if police officers
    in plain clothes are here.
[08:14] ---
    There probably are.
[08:16] ---
    Guys, be careful about what you discuss.
[08:20] ---
    That said, try to act normal
    instead of being anxious.
[08:23] ---
    We won't draw suspicion that way.
[08:25] ---
    Then for today, let's have fun!
    Normal fun.
[08:28] ---
    Wh-What's normal?
[08:31] ---
    Can switching to fun mode be so easy?
[08:33] ---
    Besides, it's hard to have fun
    when you're broke.
[08:36] ---
    Haru.
[08:38] ---
    Wh-What?
[08:39] ---
    Let's have fun.
[08:41] ---
    Right.
[08:43] ---
    All right! Let's hit every booth here!
[08:47] ---
    Welcome!
[08:49] ---
    This'll make you faster!
[08:58] ---
    VR EXPERIENCE
[09:03] ---
    HAUNTED HOUSE
[09:17] ---
    I'll unmask you!
[09:22] ---
    The hell you doin'?
[09:22] ---
    Scary!
[09:26] ---
    It's a habit.
[09:29] ---
    Welcome home!
[09:32] ---
    Welcome to Maid Takoyaki!
[09:36] ---
    It really is good to be young.
[09:38] ---
    Aw, man!
[09:40] ---
    Can you believe we actually
    got maids at the school?
[09:43] ---
    They're like genuine English parlor maids...
[09:46] ---
    Spot on to the details!
[09:48] ---
    And there's lot of stuff on the menu.
[09:50] ---
    Takoyaki, huh?
[09:52] ---
    Sliced bonito flakes, dancing in the steam...
[09:56] ---
    Beautiful.
[09:57] ---
    We heard rumors of the Phantom Thieves
    on our way here.
[10:00] ---
    That can't be helped.
    Just don't let them bother you.
[10:04] ---
    And with surprising synergy,
    there's a sellout crowd for Akechi's guest spot.
[10:08] ---
    Ironically, that's too close for comfort
    for me to even smile about.
[10:15] ---
    Thank you for the wait.
    Russian takoyaki, hot off the griddle!
[10:19] ---
    I could totally hear the microwave.
[10:21] ---
    Here's the Russian!
[10:24] ---
    Russian?
[10:25] ---
    Well, one of these has
    a "special something" inside.
[10:29] ---
    It's obviously the bright red one.
[10:32] ---
    Oh, everyone's all here.
[10:35] ---
    Akechi!
[10:37] ---
    The panel isn't until tomorrow...
[10:39] ---
    I came to check out the venue.
[10:41] ---
    I can't make any mistakes
    since a lot of people will be present.
[10:46] ---
    But I'm hungry and
    can't decide what to get.
[10:50] ---
    That looks good.
[10:51] ---
    Mind if I have one of these?
[10:53] ---
    Go ahead.
[10:57] ---
    Yeah, it's quite deli—
[11:01] ---
    Jeez, in one bite...
[11:03] ---
    My throat... This is...
[11:06] ---
    My stomach... It burns!
[11:08] ---
    A-Are you okay?
[11:10] ---
    I-I-I'm fine!
[11:13] ---
    I just... love spicy food.
    I... I love it.
[11:17] ---
    Hey, I think this guy broke.
[11:20] ---
    Think I'll... head home now...
    S-See you... t-tomorrow.
[11:27] ---
    What was that?
[11:29] ---
    The popular detective, right?
[11:31] ---
    He may be surprisingly ditzy...
[11:34] ---
    He's cunning.
[11:36] ---
    Yeah.
[11:43] ---
    Oh, excuse me.
[11:46] ---
    The politician...
[11:48] ---
    I'm not a politician anymore.
    Strictly speaking.
[11:52] ---
    I make speeches in front of the station,
    so come and listen if you feel inclined.
[11:58] ---
    See you.
[12:03] ---
    I can't wait!
[12:04] ---
    Our guest today is Goro Akechi.
[12:05] ---
    Shujin Academy Culture Festival Special Guest
    "Closing in on the Phantom Thieves' Identities!"
    Speaker: Goro Akechi
[12:11] ---
    I'm Akechi.
    Thank you for coming today.
[12:15] ---
    I thought we'd start with a brief overview
    of what you do as a detective—
[12:18] ---
    Over here! I have a question!
[12:21] ---
    So did the Phantom Thieves
    off our school principal or not?
[12:25] ---
    I hear you came to investigate that.
[12:28] ---
    That may be none of our business,
[12:31] ---
    but are you able to answer that question?
[12:35] ---
    If you don't mind my hypothesis...
[12:38] ---
    Just this once.
[12:40] ---
    First, the reason I came here.
[12:43] ---
    It was merely because I accepted
    an invitation to be a guest.
[12:45] ---
    It was not because of an investigation,
    so sorry to disappoint.
[12:48] ---
    Besides...
[12:49] ---
    I never believed the Phantom Thieves
    murdered anyone in the first place.
[12:55] ---
    But...
[12:59] ---
    But until now, you've accused
    the Phantom Thieves of committing crimes.
[13:05] ---
    So why?
[13:06] ---
    How are you so positive
    that they haven't committed murder?
[13:09] ---
    Are you used to interrogating people?
    It's as if you're a prosecutor.
[13:14] ---
    Pardon me. This is something
    I've personally been interested in.
[13:19] ---
    Every person whose heart they changed
    have truly been criminals, including Okumura.
[13:26] ---
    So why was he the only one
    who needed to be killed?
[13:31] ---
    Why is that?
[13:33] ---
    I must admit, I couldn't deduce a reason.
[13:38] ---
    That's why I believe the Phantom Thieves
    are not responsible for that case.
[13:44] ---
    And if, hypothetically,
[13:46] ---
    the Phantom Thieves are the ones I know of,
    I can't possibly imagine they would kill anyone.
[13:51] ---
    Know of?
[13:53] ---
    Yes. I have my own conclusions...
[13:58] ---
    ...to the identities of the Phantom Thieves.
[14:04] ---
    You're not going to ask me who they are?
[14:08] ---
    May I ask you that?
[14:10] ---
    It's only my personal opinion,
    so I don't mind.
[14:13] ---
    Then I'll ask you.
[14:15] ---
    Who do you think
    the Phantom Thieves are, Akechi-san?
[14:18] ---
    They're people you all know quite well.
    The identities of the Phantom Thieves are...
[14:27] ---
    Oh, that's mine. My apologies.
[14:30] ---
    I'm sorry, I have to take this.
[14:32] ---
    Would you mind if we continue
    in about ten minutes or so?
[14:35] ---
    Th-Then we'll take a short break.
[14:38] ---
    Is there a room I may use?
[14:40] ---
    There's the PE faculty office.
[14:42] ---
    I want you to come, too.
    There's a matter I wish to discuss.
[14:46] ---
    Your friends will come too, right?
[14:49] ---
    You set this up?
[14:52] ---
    We only have ten minutes.
[14:54] ---
    PE FACULTY OFFICE
[14:59] ---
    That's from Okumura Foods...
[15:02] ---
    I-It's a hoax!
[15:04] ---
    I have video footage as well.
[15:05] ---
    Please, let's not feign ignorance.
[15:08] ---
    I've had my eye on all of you
    ever since this.
[15:12] ---
    And eventually, I got involved and set foot...
[15:16] ---
    ...into that world.
[15:19] ---
    I've only been able to enter it
    at will just recently.
[15:22] ---
    Thanks to that, I can say with certainty
    that you guys don't murder people.
[15:27] ---
    What do you mean?
[15:29] ---
    Someone else was targeting his life.
[15:32] ---
    Who was it?
[15:34] ---
    I couldn't identify his face.
    He had on a black mask, after all.
[15:39] ---
    He shot at me the moment he noticed me.
[15:42] ---
    Naturally, I fought back desperately.
[15:45] ---
    "I can't die in a place like this.
    I just have to survive!"
[15:49] ---
    When those thoughts overcame me,
    I awakened to that power.
[15:53] ---
    Persona...
[15:54] ---
    That's right. That's what you guys
    call the power.
[15:58] ---
    So there really is a man in a black mask...
[16:02] ---
    Yes. And he's committed other murders.
[16:04] ---
    However, the police have decided that
    the Phantom Thieves did it.
[16:08] ---
    They're arrest you at this rate.
[16:09] ---
    To hell with that!
    No way I'm goin' along with it!
[16:13] ---
    So then, what are we supposed to do?
[16:15] ---
    The other side is thoroughly prepared.
[16:17] ---
    Everything has been built up, one thing after another.
[16:19] ---
    We can't easily disprove their case.
[16:22] ---
    I would like us to strike a deal.
    I may be able to save you from this situation.
[16:27] ---
    A deal?
[16:28] ---
    Yes. I would like you to help me
    investigate the truth.
[16:32] ---
    And if we decline?
[16:33] ---
    Then I think I'll inform the police about you,
    along with the photos I showed you.
[16:37] ---
    You're blackmailing us—
[16:38] ---
    You can think of it that way if you like.
[16:40] ---
    But myself or even all of you
    can't stop what's coming.
[16:44] ---
    So you want our help?
[16:46] ---
    Yes. In return, I'll turn a blind eye
    to what you've done.
[16:49] ---
    Those are the conditions.
[16:51] ---
    Well, I'm sure it's difficult
    to answer right away.
[16:54] ---
    I'm not telling you to decide at the moment.
    Take your time to think it over.
[16:58] ---
    It was definitely worth coming today.
[17:01] ---
    About that, sorry. Would it be
    acceptable to end the panel here?
[17:04] ---
    Your reason for inviting me
    was because you wanted intel, correct?
[17:08] ---
    You saw right through it...
[17:10] ---
    Well, I am a detective.
[17:17] ---
    My apologies. An emergency
    at work came up.
[17:20] ---
    Unfortunately,
    I must end my presentation here.
[17:24] ---
    Dammit!
    He had complete control over us!
[17:28] ---
    What's done is done.
    All we can do now is make up our minds.
[17:32] ---
    To think it would come to this...
[17:41] ---
    How's the investigation progressing?
[17:44] ---
    Nothing leading to a firm conviction yet...
[17:47] ---
    This is troublesome.
[17:49] ---
    Without any results,
    my superiors won't be satisfied.
[17:53] ---
    Three more months...
    No, just one more month.
[17:57] ---
    Very well, one month...
[17:59] ---
    Any longer than that,
    I won't be able to cover for you.
[18:03] ---
    Understood.
[18:07] ---
    What the hell is this?!
[18:08] ---
    Wanted with 30 million yen reward?!
    What is this, a comic book?
[18:13] ---
    We're finally being treated
    as actual criminals...
[18:16] ---
    They're obviously acting rashly.
[18:20] ---
    Mako-chan...
[18:24] ---
    Here come the police again.
[18:26] ---
    We're up a creek here.
[18:28] ---
    What should we do?!
[18:34] ---
    Akechi-kun!
[18:36] ---
    Hello. Thank you for yesterday.
[18:38] ---
    So I'd like to get your answer.
[18:41] ---
    About the deal, right?
[18:44] ---
    Fine. We want to hear more details.
[18:48] ---
    All right, tonight.
[18:53] ---
    A bounty for information,
    as well as an arrest warrant...
[18:56] ---
    I don't think Sae-san
    made sound judgment there.
[19:00] ---
    She seems really flustered.
[19:02] ---
    The cops have nothing on us.
    No way they can make an arrest.
[19:07] ---
    But their preparations are moving right along.
[19:10] ---
    Enough self-gratification.
    Get on with it.
[19:14] ---
    I'll get to the point.
[19:16] ---
    I want to trigger
    a change of heart in Sae-san
[19:19] ---
    I've already discovered
    that she has a Palace.
[19:23] ---
    You already suspected that before, right?
[19:25] ---
    Hence why you approached us.
[19:28] ---
    Given Sae-san's current state,
    I wouldn't put it past her to fabricate evidence.
[19:32] ---
    It's possible that someone unrelated
    will be set up as the culprit.
[19:38] ---
    The only solution to this
    is for my sister to come to her senses.
[19:41] ---
    If she's in her right mind,
    she can stop this situation.
[19:45] ---
    And changing Sae-san's heart
    will be to protect her as well.
[19:49] ---
    How's that?
[19:50] ---
    If Okumura's murderer finds out that
    she's responsible for the investigation,
[19:54] ---
    what do you think would happen?
[19:56] ---
    I'm certain they'll aim for her life.
[19:59] ---
    She's the perfect target to
    place blame on the Phantom Thieves.
[20:03] ---
    There is also one more merit
    in changing Sae-san's heart.
[20:07] ---
    It'll be a warning to not mess with us.
[20:09] ---
    They can't go public if someone in the
    investigation has a change of heart.
[20:13] ---
    It would show their corruption.
[20:16] ---
    There's a good chance they'd
    hold off on pursuing you further.
[20:20] ---
    All that's left after that is for me
    to discover who the true culprit is.
[20:23] ---
    Then that would clear us of suspicion?
[20:26] ---
    You're going to tell us to announce our
    disbandment once the real culprit is arrested?
[20:30] ---
    Certainly, there'd be no more suspicions then.
[20:33] ---
    What do you say?
    Not a bad deal for either of us.
[20:38] ---
    It's a well-made plan.
[20:40] ---
    It even takes putting an end
    to our team into consideration.
[20:44] ---
    I'm flattered to hear that.
[20:45] ---
    Why are you willing to do all this?
    Akechi-kun, why do you seek justice?
[20:50] ---
    Good question.
[20:51] ---
    A sickening adult...
[20:53] ---
    My contempt for him
    drives my sense of justice.
[20:57] ---
    It isn't some grand reason like
    society's sake or some lofty ideal.
[21:02] ---
    It's simply an absurd grudge...
    and extremely personal.
[21:06] ---
    That kind of reminds me of us.
[21:09] ---
    Maybe that's why I thought that
    I could ask this of you...
[21:14] ---
    Will you help me?
[21:17] ---
    We will.
[21:19] ---
    I look forward to it.
    The Phantom Thieves' final mission.
[21:23] ---
    Mako-chan...
[21:24] ---
    I'm fine.
[21:26] ---
    I bet part of the reason I joined
    the Phantom Thieves is for this moment.
[21:30] ---
    Now that it's settled, let's kick some ass!
[21:33] ---
    Good thinking.
    I'm sick of being a punching bag lately.
[21:37] ---
    Yeah! There's plenty of asses for us to kick.
[21:39] ---
    So you guys better stay focused!
[21:41] ---
    A talking cat?!
[21:43] ---
    Well, the Metaverse does exist,
[21:46] ---
    so maybe I shouldn't argue it.
[21:48] ---
    Right.
[23:25] ---
    It seems the time has come
    to determine your fate.
[23:29] ---
    You're about to reach the end
    of your rehabilitation, Inmate.
[23:38] ---
    The situation is changing
    with each passing moment.
[23:45] ---
    What kind of conclusion
    awaits you in the end?
[23:52] ---
    I look forward to finding out.