The Broken Artist

[Mona] Aufhnajeio

The moment Mona's garbled message popped up in the Thieves' group chat, everyone instantly understood the urgency behind the cryptic text: Madarame had made his move on Yusuke's painting.

Without hesitating for another moment, Ren immediately made his way towards Yusuke's house. His expression became both serious and determined as he approached the shack.

— — —

Yusuke sat in his small studio, holding a brush in his hand and staring blankly at a canvas. For what felt like hours, he stared at the empty canvas, his mind whirling with tumultuous thoughts. He kept reaching for paint, over and over, but no matter what he tried, he was unable to begin. His heart was a void, echoing with the sounds of his shattered dreams.

The news had spread like wildfire, a cruel and twisting flame that licked at the edges of his composure. Ichiryusai Madarame, his mentor and the man he revered as a father, had unveiled 'Humanity' at an illustrious gallery downtown, claiming it as his own creation. The betrayal was more piercing because it was not the first; it echoed an old pattern, a wound never fully healed.

As the minutes ticked by, Yusuke's initial shock gave way to a roiling blend of anger, sadness, and a heart-wrenching disillusionment. The walls of his studio seemed to close in on him, each of Madarame's praising words to the fascinated audience at the gallery replaying in his mind, fueling his sense of injustice.

Finally, the dam broke.

With a strangled cry, Yusuke hurled the paintbrush across the room. It struck a stack of canvases, leaving a stark, angry streak of crimson across the white surfaces. He stood abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. His hands, usually so steady and sure, trembled as he reached for the paintings around him, his other works, the siblings of 'Humanity.'

One by one, he tore them from the walls, his actions frenzied. He flung them to the ground, his chest heaving with every shattered breath. The sound of tearing canvas was like a chorus of his own internal screams, rending through the quiet of the studio. Paint tubes were next, squeezed and hurled against the walls, splattering bright, violent colors that dripped down like the tears he refused to shed.

He paused, his gaze falling on the unfinished replica of 'Humanity' he had started as a practice piece. It was a ghost, a shadow of his masterpiece that now hung in a gallery under another's name. Approaching it, his steps uncertain, Yusuke traced a finger over the contours of the painted figure, over the golden chains that seemed almost prophetic now.

"I tried to capture the essence of our souls," he whispered to the painting, his voice breaking. "And yet, it seems I have captured my own chains instead."

With a sudden, ragged sob, Yusuke's hand moved to the palette knife, and he slashed through the canvas, each tear a release of his pent-up fury and despair. The fabric gave way under the assault, a visual testament to the destruction of his trust and his ideals.

The studio, once a place of creation and solace, now looked more like a battleground—a place where dreams went to die. Yusuke sank to his knees amidst the chaos, his shoulders shaking as he finally allowed himself to grieve not just for his art, but for the mentor he loved like a father.

Ren stood silently in the shadows, his golden eyes unwavering and devoid of any visible emotion as he watched the turmoil unfold before him. Yusuke, crumpled on the ground, clutched his chest with both pain and despair.

In Ren's eyes, Yusuke's current state was like the lightning-struck Tower—broken, yet on the brink of transformation and rebirth. It was Ren's turn to step forward as The Star, to offer hope to the distraught artist.

He quietly pushed open the door, and Yusuke looked up, his blue eyes clouded with confusion and lingering anger. As he wiped his face, his hand left a streak of paint across his cheek, marking him further.

"Amamiya-san… I didn't hear you come in. I…" His voice faltered, the raw pain evident.

"Yusuke." Ren softened his approach, using Yusuke's first name to disarm him further. "I heard about what happened and thought I'd check on you since I was nearby. Your door was open, so I just walked in." he lied; he had lockpicked the front door.

Internally, Ren battled with his conscience. He knew his actions bordered on manipulation, leveraging Yusuke's vulnerability. He was prepared for this moment, yet he couldn't shake off the guilt of exploiting a confidant's lowest point. 

Despite this, he rationalized that he was rescuing Yusuke from a toxic mentorship.

With a deep breath to steady himself, Ren met Yusuke's gaze, placing on an expression of unrighteous anger.

"Yusuke, what Madarame has done to you is unforgivable." he began, his tone firm, watching Yusuke's face contort with each word. "I saw firsthand how much work you put into that painting, how much passion and pride you had for it. For Madarame to take your painting as his own…"

Yusuke's features twisted in pain as he struggled with his conflicting emotions.

"Madarame... he's been my guardian since I was a child. He raised me, taught me all I know about art... I owe him everything," Yusuke murmured, his voice heavy with resignation. "It seems only fair that I repay him somehow."

Ren watched silently as Yusuke seemed to collapse inwardly, his resolve crumbling away, leaving him visibly defeated and slumped on the studio floor.

"Yusuke, there's a fundamental difference between repaying a debt and allowing someone to steal your dreams," Ren said, his voice soft but firm as he placed a reassuring hand on Yusuke's shoulder. "This isn't the first time he's done this, is it?" 

Yusuke hesitated, his gaze drifting to the floor, a storm of emotions playing across his face.

 "Before... it seemed different... They were just paintings... But 'Humanity'—"

Ren gently interrupted, steering the conversation to reveal a deeper truth. 

"What I meant was, you're not the only victim, are you? Madarame has done this to others, hasn't he?"

Countless people had passed through, with each of them giving up on art not long after they left. Most of them never accomplished anything after they left the house, no matter how hard they tried, and eventually, they all gave up on art. He had looked up a few of them before, and most ended up with mundane jobs.

Yusuke had thought they were weak and ungrateful, and they couldn't see how much Madarame had given them. But now, he understood. He wasn't sure if he would be able to go through such pain again.

As his eyes wandered across the absolute destruction he had left, he couldn't help but feel guilty. His art, countless paintings he had been proud of, had been destroyed in a moment of anger. Among the wreckage was an early piece that Madarame had once praised genuinely, a stark reminder of better times.

"Yusuke, if there was a way to help your fellow artists, to restore their passion, to ensure Madarame acknowledged their contributions, would you take that chance?" Ren asked, each word carefully chosen to probe Yusuke's desire for justice—or perhaps vengeance.

Yusuke's eyes darkened with renewed determination. 

"Yes," he said firmly, the word laden with resolve.

"And if you had the power," Ren pressed on, his voice dropping to a compelling whisper, "to right these wrongs, to protect others from suffering as you have, would you act?"

A pause filled the room as Yusuke weighed the gravity of his decision. Finally, he nodded, his voice steady but charged with emotion. 

"Yes, I would. Art… it's my life, but it's also truth. And truth should not be obscured by deceit." He answered, letting out all of the emotions he had suppressed throughout the years.

As Yusuke struggled with his emotions, Ren's gaze sharpened, reflecting a mix of resolve and empathy. He leaned in slightly, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"Madarame may have once been a true artist, but his actions now only tarnish his legacy. If you still care for him, then the best way to help him is by putting a stop to it. What if I told you there was a way to help him find redemption?"

Yusuke's expression shifted from confusion to a resigned frown. 

"It's futile. He's set in his ways. There's nothing I can do that will change his course."

Seeing Yusuke's crestfallen look, Ren offered a supportive hand, helping him to his feet. He was about to introduce Yusuke to the Metaverse and propose a plan for awakening his persona when Mona's voice caught his attention.

"Ren, you should bring Yusuke here…" Mona's tone was tinged with both surprise and caution. "There's a door in this house that I've never dared open before, but with you here and Madarame away, it seemed the perfect chance."

Yusuke's eyes wandered to the meowing cat before frowning as he saw him.

"A cat?" he murmured, the animal taking over his attention. His emotions were too much to deal with right now, so he latched onto the distraction.

Ren motioned for Yusuke to follow, and together, they trailed the cat to a distinctly painted door adorned with a vibrant peacock motif.

"This is… Madarame's office," Yusuke noted with a hint of awe as he stepped inside, his attention immediately captured by what lay beyond. His heart sank as he confronted a series of paintings that mirrored his own cherished work. "The Sayuri?"

The realization hit Yusuke like a wave, the repeated betrayals by his mentor crumbling the last of his defenses. Around him, the studio held countless replicas, each a mocking echo of his original masterpiece.

Clutching his chest, Yusuke's confusion spiraled into despair as his gaze darted frantically, trying to make sense of the deception housed within these walls. Meanwhile, Ren focused on a particular piece covered by a purple blanket. With deliberate movements, he revealed the painting beneath, the genuine 'Sayuri.'

"That's… the real Sayuri… Why? It had been reported stolen…" Yusuke gasped, the revelation slicing through him with acute betrayal.

Ren's voice was steady, grounded in the harsh reality of their surroundings.

"All these replicas, kept hidden away… You understand why, Yusuke. You're an artist."

The implications of Madarame's actions, stealing not just physical artworks but also the aspirations and integrity of his pupils, deeply wounded Yusuke. It was one thing to grapple with his mentor's ethical failings; it was another to witness the desecration of the painting that had sparked his artistic passion.

For Yusuke, the deception was not just a theft of art; it was a personal violation, a violation of the very soul of his artistic inspiration.

Yusuke staggered slightly, his mind overwhelmed as he tried to grasp the depth of deception surrounding him. Ren steadied him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"There's one more thing you need to see—to truly understand," Ren murmured, his voice steady but compassionate. "We need to look at Madarame's heart."

He guided the disoriented Yusuke out of the office, carefully replacing the cover over the painting and ensuring the door was securely closed behind them. Ren then activated the MetaNav in their usual infiltration spot, initiating their journey into the Metaverse with Yusuke and Morgana in tow.

The transition was disorienting for Yusuke; the fabric of reality seemed to melt away, replaced by the grandiose and flashy entrance of a golden structure. He gaped at the pretentious display, his eyes wide as they adjusted to the glaring lavishness of the building emblazoned with the bold inscription: "Madarame's Museum."

"What… the…" Yusuke's voice trailed off in disbelief, his senses bombarded by the extravagant visuals.

It was like there was a ringing in his ears; the world seemed to be blurring, yet the next moment, he saw Ren, wearing a different outfit, call out to him.

"This," Ren declared, gesturing to the museum, "is the true nature of Madarame's heart."

Something in the sincerity of Ren's words cut through Yusuke's shock, grounding him momentarily. However, the weight of his emotional exhaustion soon pulled him down, and his knees buckled, sending him crumpling to the ground.

"Sensei..." Yusuke's whisper was laden with a mix of disbelief and sorrow, his voice barely audible over the din of his shattered illusions. "How could you let yourself become this?"

As he sat on the cold, hard ground of the Metaverse, the golden facade of the museum mocking him with its glittering surfaces, Yusuke felt the last barriers within him crumble. It was not just his trust in Madarame that had been betrayed, but his entire belief system about art, mentorship, and integrity had been challenged to its core.

Yusuke's distress intensified as a piercing voice echoed in his mind, challenging his denial and forcing him to confront the painful truth.

"Are you really going to continue denying the truth in front of you?" 

"Who...?" Yusuke murmured, confusion contorting his features just before a sharp pain sliced through his mind like a blade.

The young artist's scream tore through the air as he clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood. Ren and Morgana, witnessing his agony, stepped closer, with concern as they noticed the ethereal blue flames flickering around him, an unmistakable sign of an awakening.

This awakening was particularly violent, the physical manifestation of Yusuke's internal conflict. His persona, long suppressed by his loyalty and admiration for Madarame, now clawed its way out, fueled by the day's revelations and betrayals.

"You fool, how long will you avert your eyes from the truth?" The voice boomed louder, each word amplifying Yusuke's agony. "Open your eyes and see your mentor for what he truly is."

Suddenly, a fox mask materialized in the flames and adhered to Yusuke's face. He reached up frantically, trying to tear it away, but it clung stubbornly as if fused to his skin.

"I am thou... thou art I..." the voice declared resolute and commanding.

Yusuke began to pull away at his mask, yet no matter how hard he tried, the mask wouldn't budge. It was even getting to the point where Ren and Mona were getting concerned. 

Despite his desperate attempts, the mask was stuck to Yusuke's face. Ren and Mona exchanged concerned glances as Yusuke's screams began to attract the attention of the onlookers and the approaching guards.

"The world is filled with both beauty and vice." the voice intoned with increasing fervor. "You profess that art embodies truth, which must not be obscured by deception. Will you now renounce your own declarations?"

At these words, Yusuke halted, his pain momentarily subsiding as enlightenment dawned upon him.

"You are correct..."

With renewed determination, Yusuke grasped his mask firmly.

"To honor my mentor, to dignify my art, to vindicate my peers... I shall stand for the art that has bestowed me life. Awaken, Goemon!" With a forceful pull, he removed the mask, the action trailed by a spurt of blood that erupted into blue flames. 

Along with the flames, the imposing figure of Goemon materialized beside him.

Goemon was a majestic fusion of a samurai and a kabuki actor, clad in vibrant blue and white attire reminiscent of feudal armor, ornately decorated. His face bore kabuki-style makeup, stark white with bold accents of red and blue, enhancing his fierce demeanor. He wielded a large, decorative pipe, lending him an air of nobility and threat.

"Hmm… it is good that you finally have awoken from the fog that clouded your mind. Together, let us bring forth the change we seek."

"Beneath the veiled moon's silvery sight, I'll unveil the shadows of your blight. Honor restored by truth's pure light." Yusuke intoned, his words forming a quiet verse as he fixed his gaze on the guards rushing in their direction.

Stepping forward, Goemon drew deeply on his pipe, exhaling a chilling mist that froze the approaching guards in their tracks. They shattered into fragments, revealing their true forms as shadows.

"Madarame, I still believe there is goodness within you," Yusuke called out, his voice thick with emotion. "Yet if it is buried too deep, I shall unearth it myself. However I must, to repay the kindness once shown to me."

As Goemon's pipe cleaved through the air, striking down the shadows with a blend of grace and ferocity, Yusuke felt the weight of his new reality pressing down upon him. His heart ached with the revelation of Madarame's betrayal, yet a newfound clarity fortified his resolve.

Amidst the chaos, Ren and Morgana swiftly summoned their personas, lending their strength to Yusuke's efforts. 

Once the guards had been defeated, Yusuke, overwhelmed by the ordeal, sank to his knees, exhaustion gripping his body.

"The pain in my heart persists... yet now I see the path I must walk. Thank you, Ren, for illuminating the way," Yusuke said, his voice a mixture of gratitude and determination. 

Before Yusuke could get carried away, Mona's ears perked up as he shouted.

"We've got a swarm of shadows heading our way. It might be wise to retreat and regroup."

Ren nodded, signaling the withdrawal. As they phased back into the reality of Tokyo, Yusuke's expression was etched with conflict and confusion.

"I will explain everything soon." Ren reassured him.

Yusuke hesitated, his gaze lingering on the studio that had been his sanctuary.

"Ren, I find myself unable to return to what was once my home, not until I've rectified the wrongs of my teacher. Might I impose upon you for a place to stay?"

Ren thought for a moment before nodding his head.

"Sojiro might not be fully into the idea of adding another person, but I'm sure he will agree in the end. You can sleep on the couch in my room. It is surprisingly comfortable."

"Thank you, Ren. Your generosity is truly a soothing warmth for my troubled spirit."

~Confidants~

Yusuke Kitagawa (The Emperor) Rank 3

(I wanted to have the chapter before this one be a wholesome chapter to show a bit of contrast between wholesome, happy Ren and "Do what I need to" Ren. I like my contrasts, what can I say.

If you think about it, this whole Yusuke recruitment is pretty manipulative, even though, in theory, it is the best thing that could happen to Yusuke at the time. His plan intentionally hinged on Yusuke being at his lowest point. Still, as his confidant, Ren genuinely wants to help him.

Like I said a long time ago, on the morality scale, Ren is in the middle, leaning towards good, but that doesn't mean he won't do some questionable stuff.)