Persona 4: Golden Part #68 - September 17 Part 2: An Officer in Distress

Part 68: September 17 Part 2: An Officer in Distress

-Studio Backlot-

I'm ready to do this! Max power!

We've got a lot to accomplish. Let's go, Sanzo!

Okay, good luck!

Naoto's Shadow talked about body mod surgery.

Let's see what it makes of this motherfucker.

-Secret Base-

Teddie! The killer's escaped! Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!

Oh, Senpai, you changed. Huh? Do you like hero movies? I hear it's difficult for actors in those roles! They have to make sure to keep their personal lives decent, so they don't ruin the kids' image of their characters. I guess, in that respect, idols are the same...

Wait, is this outfit...Neo Featherman? I'm not really into superhero shows any--Hey, I'm in yellow!?

I'm not the fat one! Am I...?

Oh yeah, you changed too, Sanzo-kun.

Yeah! The red hero! The guy that everyone wants to be like! Although personally, I actually like the "Rider" series better.

I changed into the hero costume, Senpai. I didn't think you'd give me a Neo Featherman outfit...

Well, let's go fight some evil!

Hey, you changed too, Senpai. Red is the leader's color. Perfect for you, Senpai!

...Though, I'm not sure if that outfit's perfect for this place...

This costume's amazing!

I'm a Tidy Endorphin Powered Stranger! Here I come to save the daayyyyy!

...You need to zip up your costume in the back, Mister Hero.

Oh yeah, you changed too, Sensei.

Whoa! When did you change, Sensei? You have to yell out "Transforming!" or something like that!

Defense system: THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW--DEPLOYING GUARDS INSIDE THE FACILITY. WARNING! WARNING! ATTENTION INTRUDERS! LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT: LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY!

Huh? Intruders...That means us, right?

That's a win for Feather Falcon!

Defense system: ATTENTION INTRUDERS! LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT: LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY!

Does this mean...Naoto-kun doesn't want our help? I-I don't really get it, but let's go on for now!

Defense system: ATTENTION INTRUDERS! LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT: LEAVE THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY!

Hey Senpai, when Naoto-kun appeared on the Midnight Channel...He said he was going to undergo a "body-alteration operation." Did that mean Naoto-kun's going to be altered here!? Crap, we need to hurry!

Body alterations...If I wasn't Teddie anymore, that means this body wouldn't be Teddie's, so I'd be...

Now I'm all confused.

A total victory by Feather Owl!

Security system: THREAT LEVEL: ORANGE. MAJOR FACILITY AREAS LOCKED. ELIMINATE THE INTRUDERS!

You know, this is a real surprise. I'd expect something like this from a kid, but it didn't seem like something Naoto would be into...Well, I guess you can't judge people by how they look. This must be how he really is.

Gate check: ENTRY IS FORBIDDEN TO ORDINARY COMBATANTS. PLEASE PRESENT YOUR ID.
The key for this door is on the sixth floor.

Defense system: I REPEAT: INTRUDERS WILL BE ELIMINATED!

There's so many things I need to tell him...So please, Senpai, let's rescue him no matter what it takes. I'll do my part!

I'm glad they left the nipples off of Satan's model. There's something I didn't think I'd say today.

Security system: ELIMINATE THE INTRUDERS!

We finally get to see Kanji's Follow-Up Attack. This one crits two or three random enemies.

I'll send ya to Hell!

Suck it!

The key for that sealed door is in a chest on this floor. I...didn't get a screenshot. That's what I get for not bothering to read any of my loot. There's no big fanfare or cutscenes of Nanako jumping a quad over a bunch of exploding buses or anything, I promise. There's also another sealed door here.

Gate check: ENTRY IS FORBIDDEN FOR ORDINARY COMBATANTS AND RESEARCHERS. PLEASE PRESENT YOUR ID.

> The door won't open with the Research Card...

Dammit! We have to hurry and rescue him...
So it's back to B4F. Guess what's in the research area!

> Used the Research Card to open.

Power Charged Herculean Strikes are literally all this boss does. Just Guard when he Charges, or use Tetrakarn if you've got it.

Once his health is critical, he'll Stand By for a couple of turns and then blow himself up just like Dice do.

Feather Horned Owl saves the day!

Then back down to B6F.

Defense system: THREAT LEVEL: RED. DEPLOYING INCREASED GUARDS WITHIN THE FACILITY. THE INTRUDERS MUST BE ELIMINATED!

Man...It's seriously rejecting us...We'll just have to get ourselves fired up and bust on through!

Something else besides Bike Date unlocks after the beach trip:

The kids can now use their Follow-Ups even when they're not in the party.

Defense system: STOP THE INTRUDERS!

Okay! I can sense Naoto-kun nearby! Just a little more to go...Hang in there!

-Border of Insanity-

Dealing with this child has been quite a pain...

It's useless speaking with you. I need to go back now...

Why? Why're you leaving me here!? Why am I always left alone!? It's so lonely...I don't wanna be alone!

Naoto-kun...

You wear the same face as me...It's as if you're implying we're one and the same. But the difference between me and you is...

These childish gestures are no mere affectation...They're the truth. The fools all say it, don't they...? "You're only a child," "Keep out of our business, kid," and so forth. No matter how many cases you spend hours cogitating over, no matter how many crimes you solve, you're a child in their eyes. It's your brain they're interested in. The grey matter locked up in that skull. As long as they need it, you're an ace detective! But once you're done, it's back to the playpen with you. You haven't the means to deal with society's two-faced nature...You're just a lonely child.

I wanna be a grown-up...I wanna be a big boy right now...Then they'll see who I am...I...I want a reason for me to stay...

Hah...I'm telling you that's impossible.

You are but a child. How can you change that essential truth?

S-Stop it...!

At your core, you admire the sort of "strong" and "cool" men who populate detective fiction. But in trying to emulate them, you must know that in truth, you're nothing of the sort--you're a child. There's no avoiding first principles...Admit that you're a child, and admit that there's nothing you can do about it. Now then! Our analysis is complete. Let us begin the body alteration procedure. You have no objections, do you..."Naoto" Shirogane?

Stop it!

"Naoto"...Such a cool, manly name! But a name doesn't change the truth. It doesn't let you cross the barrier between the sexes. How could you become an ideal man when you were never male to begin with...?

H-He's not a guy!?

*chuckle* Hahahaha! How often I've heard those words from the adults.

"Throwing a tantrum won't solve anything, Naoto-kun," and other such bilge! They made you cry, didn't they? Yet here you are, mimicking those same men. What exactly are you trying to justify?

What...?

It's all right. You needn't suffer anymore. That's why you're undergoing this bodily alteration procedure to begin with. You throw a tantrum, but it fails to change the situation a single bit...I can quite understand the feeling. After all...I am you.

That's not true!!

It's okay...Let the kid spill the whole thing. If not, Naoto's just gonna keep hurting...We'll just do our job and kick the Shadow's ass. Yeah?

You'll kick my ass, huh? Fine...Go ahead and try, you lizard-brained imbecile!!

-PML2012: Beauty of Destiny-

Here it comes!

Bring it on, man...I'll pull you through this!

O-Operation!? I hate ouchies!

Shadow Naoto is resistant to fire. She uses Brave Blade, Dynes, Ma-dynes, and a silencing attack called Mute Ray.

I think Kanji's a little on edge for some reason.

At 75% health, Shadow Naoto starts using Element Zero to strip your resistances. If you're really worried about elemental damage, bring some Wall Paprika or resistance/evasion accessories--those aren't affected.

She'll also use Galgalim Eyes, which reduces the target to 1 HP and Enervates them.

-I'll Face Myself-

Ngh...

Are you awake!?

I remember you all arriving, and...That's right...You saw everything...

I was inept at making friends...so I spent my time reading detective novels in my grandfather's study.

When I grow up...I'm gonna be an awesome, hard-boiled detective...!

My parents were proud of their job. I had no qualms about following in their footsteps...An inherited occupation can feel stifling to many, but I welcomed it. I yearned for the day I could be a detective myself...Perhaps I inherited that desire from them as well. I was always alone...Seeing that, my grandfather must have believed it was his duty to help me realize my dream. I secretly aided my grandfather with his clients...And before I knew it, people started calling me Junior Detective. At first, I was delighted. But not everything went so smoothly...

What was that you said about "You're only a child...?"

Not everyone welcomes my collaboration when it comes to solving cases...My status as a "child" was sufficient to offend many of those whom I worked with. Were that the only issue, then it would have resolved itself with time...But though I will one day change from a child to an adult, I will never change from a woman to a man...

Do you not like being a girl...? Is that why you always dress like a boy?

My sex doesn't fit my ideal image of a detective...Besides, the police department is a male-oriented society. If they had the slightest "concrete" reason to look down on me, no one would need me anymore...

You don't know that.

Hey...You must know already that what you yearn for isn't to become an adult or become a boy...

You're absolutely right.

But you are me...and I am you. You've always been inside me. What I should yearn for...No, what I must strive for isn't to become a man. It's to accept myself for who I really am...

> The strength of heart required to face oneself has been made manifest...Naoto has faced her other self. She has obtained the facade used to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Sukuna-Hikona!

Sukuna-Hikona, the tiny god.

Haha...No wonder the perpetrator has eluded the police...

But it's apparent now...This case is far from over.

That's right...And you proved it, Naoto. Anyways, we can talk more later. We need to get you out of here.

-Junes Theme-

> Naoto is breathing heavily...

Sheesh...She really put her life on the line for this...

But without her efforts, we'd never have realized that the culprit is still at large.

You're too frickin' reckless, dammit...

I never doubted that you'd all come for me...Although the reality turned out to be far beyond what I'd imagined.

Tch...What a dumbass. You're no genius at all.

We were tearing our hair out over you...

So you did worry about her, Kanji! Awww...

Shuddup! M-Mind your own damn business!

I'll take her home. I don't think she can go back by herself.

It's all right...I can--

No way, missy! Don't think that doing everything on your own is the "adult" thing to do! C'mon, let's go. Grab on!

> You were able to rescue Naoto safely. And...it seems the case is not over yet...

Sorry, we got off early today...

C'mon, take a seat. They found Naoto-kun! Oh, uh, do you know who Naoto-kun is? He just up and vanished without a word, but it looks like he's back now. Way to put a scare into everyone...Yeesh!

I'm relieved.

...You don't seem surprised. You didn't already know he was found, did you?

Awww, you really oughta do somethin' about that habit of yours, Dojima-san. They go to the same school. Rumors spread fast out here, y'know. But man, why'd Naoto-kun disappear? I guess he can be a little difficult...Maybe he got sulky after being given the boot and ran away from home? But I tell you, I was shocked to hear that he up and vanished like that.

If there'd been a fourth kidnapping and murder, we'd be back to square one again...

Adachi...

You know what sucks? We still don't have proof that the Kubo kid murdered anyone besides Mr. Morooka. How're we gonna make a case like this? I wonder if Dojima-san's instinct is right...Maybe there really is another perp out there. The real one...

Adachi! How many times I gotta say it!? Quit running your mouth like that!

Whoa! S-Sorry!

Alright, see here! Don't worry about the case. Just go study like a normal student. If you don't...

*sigh* I'm going to bed.

But yeah, I can totally understand why Dojima-san's worried. Just leave the case to us police. You know the problems it could cause if something happened, right? Like, if it happened you were mixed up in it, we'd be real worried...

Are more scary things going to happen?

N-No way, Nanako-chan! Everything's all right now!

We caught the bad man, so no more scary things will happen. Right? Everything's fine.

Okay...

A-Anyways, your dad's just a worrywart. Leave it to me! You might not know to look at me, but I got the most brains in the whole police department! Oh...Was that too hard to understand...? Did you get it...? W-Well, now that Dojima-san's gone, I should get going too...G'nite!

> Adachi went back home.