Although the method of selecting targets by the late-night TV criminal was confirmed, the criminal himself was still not found, which was naturally very unpleasant for Ai Li. However, for the No. 12 Artificial Island Police Station, as long as no one else died, the rumors would only be rumors and would not cause much panic or anxiety.
Now all Ellie can do is wait for the next rainy night to come... and then continue to pursue clues.
By the way, during this period of time, Ellie also saw some things... well, it's hard to explain.
Those are the members of the Phantom Thieves.
Airi didn't know what they encountered in Tatsumi Kanji's spiritual world, but after they came out, the boys in it became furious. For example, one day, Airi saw Amamiya Ren and Sakamoto Ryuji walking out of the school arm in arm. Then one day, she saw Amamiya Ren and Kitagawa Yusuke walking to the mall arm in arm. Then one day, she also saw Tatsumi Kanji and Amamiya Ren playing games in the arcade.
Then one day, she saw the two of them walking hand in hand into...the hotel street.
Ellie swore that she absolutely didn't want to know what the two people did in there.
I don't want to know why after these two people went to the hotel street, Amamiya Ren and Sakamoto Ryuji held hands with their fingers intertwined...
Even Takamaki An found Ai Li and started complaining that the atmosphere in the Phantom Thieves was a bit uncomfortable recently. For some reason, after that incident, there seemed to be some kind of subtle tacit understanding between the men, making Takamaki An feel a little redundant.
However, of course, Gao Juan An found Ai Li not just to complain, she also brought someone to Ai Li.
"Nice to meet you. Hello, I'm Shinjima, the vice president of the Gekkoukan Academy Student Union."
"I heard your name from Mitsuru."
Looking at the short-haired girl in front of her, Ai Li nodded slightly. Kirijo Mitsuru is a member of SEES and the student council president, but because she often has to carry out SEES activities, she often entrusts the vice president to assist her in daily work. Ai Li remembered that Mitsuru's evaluation of Shinjima was that he was serious, solemn, and a little rigid, and he was a very good person. Mitsuru also mentioned that she had trained Shinjima as the next student council president.
But...she seems to be an ordinary person, right?
Ai Li looked at Gao Juan Xing in confusion, waiting for her to give her an explanation, but Gao Juan Xing looked embarrassed.
"Actually it's like this..."
According to Anne Takamaki, it was Makoto Niijima who found them at a previous gathering of the Phantom Thieves. The reason why Makoto Niijima was able to confirm the identities of Anne Takamaki and the others as Phantom Thieves was very simple, because she once recorded Ryuji Sakamoto's words, saying things like "Why be a Phantom Thief if you're afraid of the police?" and "Our Phantom Thieves are the best in the world". Well, this is not surprising. The reason why Airy didn't keep in touch with the Phantom Thieves was because she was worried that this idiot would let something slip at any time and anywhere.
After all, he is mentally retarded.
And her request to the Phantom Thieves was...she hoped that the Phantom Thieves could use their abilities to make someone reform, just like they did with Madarame.
However, since the Phantom Thieves have now made three rules with Ai Li and are not allowed to take any action without her permission, Takamaki Anne brings Niijima Shin to find Ai Li.
"So, you want the Phantom Thieves to help you take down someone? That's correct, right?"
"Um."
In response to Ai Li's question, Shinjima was obviously a little uneasy, but she still nodded.
"He is the boss of a criminal organization. This leader is active in the financial district and often extorts money from others. Not only that, but students in our school are also victims. They will look for students wandering around the busy streets, force them to move illegal items in the name of high salaries, and then use this as a threat to make them obey... "
“The police don’t care?”
After hearing this, Ai Li didn't say anything, but Takamaki An asked in surprise. She was also a student of Gekkoukan Academy, but had never heard of such a thing.
"The police won't take care of this kind of shit."
Ellie waved her hand.
"These local tyrants are very annoying. Although they are not in a high position, they are very powerful in their own territory. The police often not only won't touch them, but even need to rely on them for help. In addition, people who are coerced usually won't call the police for help - this is also normal. Students who wander around the busy streets at night are not good kids. It is meaningless for them to call the police. Moreover, the police cannot arrest people without solid evidence. Even if something really happens, the other party can just throw a few men out to take the blame."
"how so……"
For Ai Li, this kind of criminal organization's routine is very familiar to her, but for Takamaki An, it was the first time she heard it, and her face turned pale. And Shinjima also clenched his teeth and lowered his head.
"That's right, just as Ms. Ellie said, that's why I hope to use the power of the Phantom Thieves..."
“It doesn’t make sense.”
Ellie shook her head again.
"I've already told Xing and the others that this kind of repentance is not a punishment at all, so I asked them to stop engaging in Phantom Thief activities."
“…”
Hearing Ai Li's answer, Shinjima lowered his head in disappointment, while Ai Li stood up.
"But it's perfect. Anyway, I've been free lately, so I might as well treat it as training... Let's get ready, and then we'll start. Xing, go get everyone else."
"Ah, yes!!!"
Ai Li's method is actually very simple, that is, fishing enforcement - find two people to go to the street as bait, let the members of the other gang take the bait, and then go directly into the tiger's den. It would be best if there is evidence to catch the leader of the other gang in person, and then attack directly.
As for the bait targets chosen by Ai Li, they were Takamaki An and Yue Yukari.
"Why us?"
Yue Yujiali, who was confused, didn't react until this time and asked hurriedly. Although as a member of SEES, she was used to fighting shadows, but facing those gangsters face to face was an experience that Yujiali had never had before.
"You and Xing are both very sensitive to fashion, right? I need you to dress up in a more fancy way, so that it will be easier for the other party to take the bait."
"But……"
"I'll pay for the shopping expenses."
"make a deal!!!"
Just like that, Takamaki An and Yue Yu Yukari, dressed as popular hot girls, went shopping in the busy street, while the others conducted remote control command and observation in the command vehicle disguised as a van in the rear.
"If you need bait, I can do that."
Although Shin Shinjima volunteered, Ai Li directly refused.
"No, you don't have that feeling. The other party won't take the bait."
"Why?"
“It’s very simple.”
Ai Li looked at the girls around her and decided to teach them a lesson as well.
"Listen carefully, these guys try to get hold of the other party's handles, and then force them to submit and then serve their gang. So naturally they have to find someone who is easy to manipulate. Girls like An and Yukari who seem to be chasing fashion are generally easier to bribe. But girls like Makoto, Yukiko, and Chie give people the impression of being the kind of 'good kids' who are very serious. For criminals, girls like you are not easy to get. After getting the upper hand, you are likely to choose to call the police or tell your parents for various reasons. It requires too much investment and is not safe enough. Besides, there are not only girls like you in the world, so they would rather find someone else than to deal with 'troublesome types' like you."
"So, An and Yukari..."
"Girls who pursue fashion and material things always give men the feeling that they can be obtained with money, so they are more likely to attract targets. Besides, men always think that women with big breasts are brainless, so they will be less vigilant towards them."
“Haha…”
Hearing this, the girls in the car couldn't help but sigh with complicated expressions. Ai Li stared at the screen and then pressed the call button.
"Kyo, Yukari, now go look for something you normally want to buy but can't afford."
"Eh? Is it that cruel?! Miss Ellie?!"
Yukari screamed immediately. Forcing them to see things they liked but couldn't afford, what kind of torture was this!
"Stop talking nonsense and go."
At Ellie's urging, the two walked into the center of the busy street and then walked around the shops.
At first, the two girls seemed a little stiff, but gradually they naturally blended into the atmosphere. Yue Yukari was very popular in the class and was very good at dealing with interpersonal relationships, and Takamaki An was also very lively. Both of them were interested in fashion and trends, so it didn't take them long to put their tasks behind their minds and start to really enjoy the fun of shopping.
"Ah, look at this beautiful earring..."
"That necklace is a new popular item this season. I've wanted it for a long time, but I couldn't afford it..."
The two were happily chatting while shopping, but just as they walked out of the store and onto the street again, two men in suits who looked frivolous appeared in front of them.
"Hey, young lady, I have a very lucrative job here, would you like to try it?"
Then, looking at the two people in front of him, the man smiled and made an invitation.
Looking at the two men in front of her, Gao Juan An subconsciously raised her eyebrows and wanted to refuse, but at this moment, Ai Li's instructions came from her headphones.
"Promise them!"