I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Mobility is completely restricted..."

Resisting the intense heat, Chun immediately realized Xiaoman's intention.

She tried to back away, but just then, Tsukuyomi's voice came from her side and behind her.

"Tsukuyomi-ryu Ninjutsu...Secret Technique: Flying Whirlpool Cloud!"

A wave of air, like billowing clouds, swept in swiftly. Chun, who was about to retreat, froze in place, immediately raising her shield to block the incoming attack.

'Tsukuyomi, step back and look for an opportunity.'

"Close combat is an essential skill for any ninja, but as a 'trainee ninja,' you can't go toe-to-toe with Tsubaki."

'Prepare to block Tsubaki's counterattack. Izuna, use shuriken to restrain Tsubaki's follow-up attacks. Komachi, prepare for the next round of ninjutsu to 'block the terrain and restrict movement.'

After leaving a fresh and deep slash mark on Tsubaki's shield with a single attack, creating a rather exaggerated effect in the eyes of outsiders, Tsukuyo immediately retreated.

While retreating, this remarkably conspicuous 'giant ninja' inadvertently did something that left most of the students speechless and subsequently ashamed of their own abilities—

With an almost counterintuitive sharpness, she repeatedly parried or slashed with her sword, resisting the barrage of submachine gun fire from Chun.

Although being hit by a submachine gun multiple times might only cause students pain, with little actual damage... the fact that they managed to escape unscathed in such an unbelievable way is still quite astonishing.

"Need to reload..."

Tsubaki abandoned her pursuit and quickly reloaded.

"Izuna-style Ninja Art: Explosive Shuriken! Swish swish—"

"Full-flow Ninja Art - Ultimate Technique - Will of Fire! — 'Where leaves dance, fire burns eternally!'"

The explosive force tore through the air, and flames on the ground began to leap up and rise abnormally, transforming into pieces of seemingly beautiful, withered leaves scorched by fire.

This perfectly coordinated combo made Tsubaki truly feel threatened.

Unlike Tsukuyomi's close-range slashes, which were so sharp and dangerous they almost severed even riot shields, Tsubaki felt the burning pain of the flames rapidly drying out the moisture and heating the air.

Xiaoman's previous ninjutsu was merely a prelude to 'restricting movement on terrain'... so this ninjutsu is a combination of weakening and further restricting.

'Alright, now all we need to do is suppress her with firepower and try to stop Tsubaki so she can't break through.'

If Tsubaki is at risk of breaking through, Izuna should use illusion magic to stop her in time.

The outcome of this battle is no longer in doubt.

The students' aura helps them resist regular gun damage... and also provides significant protection against other direct external damage such as fire and sharp objects.

But if they were placed in a harsh environment where even breathing was a problem, they wouldn't last long.

These fluttering, fiery leaves wouldn't be a problem if they just stuck to your body; at most, they would only ignite a small area of ​​your clothes.

However, if one is in an environment filled with fiery leaves for a long time... one will definitely faint from lack of oxygen.

Chun knew very well what was going on.

From this moment on... I have already fallen into a trap.

If you stay where you are, the only thing waiting for you is to become a "steamer".

And if I try to break through, I will definitely be pulled back and forth by the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club—and this back and forth will definitely consume a lot of oxygen.

If they can block him once or twice and force him back into the ring of fire, he will completely lose his fighting ability due to dehydration and lack of oxygen.

'Da da da—'

After unleashing their ninjutsu, the girls picked up their "scientific ninja tools," which were their sidearms, and began a relentless pursuit.

Barely holding off the attacks with her riot shield, Chun tried to break out.

As expected, Izuna's 'explosive shuriken' and Tsukuyomi, who was in charge of close combat, were already on high alert.

Returning fire with a submachine gun was futile... Visibility was impaired by the ring of fire formed by the leaves, not to mention the issue of accuracy...

The 'ninjas' only need to unleash their firepower to temporarily suppress themselves and prevent themselves from escaping.

But he also had to consider using limited firepower...

Invincible.

Having reached this conclusion, Chun held up her riot shield to defend herself against another round of gunfire that was extremely inaccurate but had exceptionally wide coverage.

"I... admit defeat."

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The "Mind Reader" and the "Mind Thief"

"Hehe~ As expected of 'ninjas'!"

"Under Sensei's command, they defeated the guardian of the 'Sleeping Beauty' trial with a stunning teamwork, becoming the first team to pass the second stage... So what special obstacles will stand in their way next?"

Will the "phantom thief's" decisive, royal-style command and the "ninja's" dazzling battles be staged once again?

According to Nia's broadcast from the airship, Amamiya, along with the ninjas from the Ninjutsu Research Club and Ibuki, walked through streets where there were hardly any people around.

"Sleeping Beauty"... that is, the stage that Tsubaki is in charge of, has already defeated all other teams except for Amamiya's group.

Therefore, there are no Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) or Gehenna's students in the third stage.

...Even if there are any, they should be the gatekeepers responsible for guarding this checkpoint, and the "essential elements for passing the checkpoint" that have been set up here in advance.

Riding on Amamiya's shoulders, the little blonde girl, whose sleeves were large and long to her, was already looking forward to the 'level' she was about to face.

Ibuki's 'position' is unique, but in the eyes of the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club, there is nothing wrong with Ibuki riding directly on Amamiya's shoulders.

Far from being inappropriate, it actually has a wonderfully... unique... effect.

How do I describe that feeling?

Oh, right... the contrast!

Ibuki, who was already adorable, became even cuter next to Sensei... and Sensei also seemed to have a more caring and friendly feel to her...

Noticing this, Xiaoman swayed her tanuki tail and walked to Amamiya's side, tilting her head to look at Ibuki, and said with concern, "Ibuki seems to be in good condition."

"Mmm... Thank you to the older sisters in the Ninjutsu Research Club for taking care of me! Ibuki had a lot of fun!"

When Xiaoman, Tsukuyomi, and Izuna were called "big sister" by the petite and adorable blonde girl, they all felt a strange sensation of "their hearts melting."

Although they didn't say anything, their joy was clearly reflected in their 'features'.

Surrounded by the girls, Amamiya could see clearly that Izuna's fox tail and Xiaoman's tanuki tail were swaying much more vigorously and at a faster pace.

Tsukuyomi, whose rabbit ears had been drooping, slightly perked them up in joy.

Noticing the change in the angle of the airship overhead and its subsequent 'sudden stop', Amamiya knew that he was probably about to face this 'third challenge'.

As the girls from the Ninjutsu Research Club walked a little further, Amamiya spotted a striking figure in the empty street: a 'cherry-pink Yamato Nadeshiko'.

"I see, it's you guys."

"Unexpectedly, Sensei was the first to pass the second level, and..."

"Everyone in the Ninjutsu Research Club."

The pink-haired girl, who had been looking down, slowly raised her head, opened her light blue eyes, and instantly displayed a sternness that was not in keeping with her appearance. She then uttered lines that she had probably been preparing for a long time and had rehearsed in her mind several times.

"This is the 'Third Stage'... I, Mizuha Mimori, the 'Mind Reader,' will be your opponent!"

"A mind reader?!"

Before the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club could even express their surprise, Ibuki, who had been placed on the ground by Amamiya, was already showing bright, curious eyes.

As Mimori's increasingly obvious behavior of suppressing her shame while still playing her role became more and more obvious, Ibuki, who had been 'influenced' by the Ninjutsu Research Club, began to learn the tone of the Ninjutsu Research Club.

"Is Mimori-neechan... our enemy this time?"

"Ah... how should I put it..."

Mimori became increasingly uncomfortable under Ibuki's pure gaze.

"In short... the third level is very difficult!"

"I, Mimori, the mind reader, will be your opponent!"

Amamiya stepped forward, unable to suppress a laugh, and covered the lower half of her face with one hand: "Mimori, when you don't know what to say, you don't have to repeat your lines so awkwardly... that will only make things more embarrassing."

Noticing the pleading in the girl's sparkling eyes, which seemed to say, "I would be happy if you would cooperate," Amamiya did not suppress his smile, but maintained a perfectly gentle one.

"So... how do we, the gentle and lovely 'Mind Reader' with the temperament of a Yamato Nadeshiko, dignified and elegant, who is actually very serious but stubbornly pretends to be unserious, manage to get through you?"

【~???~】(Sansen)

"Well……?!"

As it turns out, the "mind reader's" fragile defenses are no match for the "mind thief's" silent and gentle theft.

Completely stunned by Amamiya's words, Mimori stood frozen in place and made a gesture similar to Amamiya's earlier attempt to conceal a smile—she covered her cheek with one hand.

However, she wasn't trying to hide her smile, but rather to conceal her "rosy cheeks".

Not to mention Mimori, Amamiya's aura changed faster than a face-changing act, yet his behavior was natural and unpretentious, and his extraordinary charm instantly blossomed, causing the girls from the Ninjutsu Research Club walking beside him to blush and their hearts to race.

'Gulu...'

Xiaoman swallowed hard.

'oh oh……'

As Izuna wagged its tail, it vaguely sensed an emotion that was making it restless.

'Sensei...'

Tsukuyomi had already begun to imagine: how she would react if Sensei said that to her.

"Well……"

Mimori stood there for a moment, her light blue eyes welling up with small circles, and the lingering blush on her cheeks seemed to have faded, but she finally seemed to have come to her senses.

"In short... it's impossible to get through here with sweet talk!"

Amamiya: ...Mimori, you don't have to use such a soft tone when you say that.

You could have been a little more assertive.

Also, don't let your eyes wander; you can look directly at me as you say this.

Considering that Mimori was about to blush and run away, Amamiya did not provoke her further, but instead tapped Ibuki's military cap on her head.

The little blonde girl immediately understood, and swayed forward with her large sleeves, stopping at just the right distance from Mimori. Then, she looked up at Mimori without saying a word, her eyes filled with pure innocence.

Unlike Amamiya, who wins over others with her "charm as the leader of the Phantom Thieves," Ibuki, who can be almost universally loved even in a chaotic school like Ghena, relies on her naturally overflowing cuteness.

"Uh……"

Mimori could no longer hold on.

Unable to meet Ibuki's gaze, and fearing that she might do something strange because of Ibuki's cuteness, Mimori's thoughts were in a state of confusion.

"It seems..."

Amamiya smiled confidently: "Even 'mind readers' have their moments of confusion... At this time, let me use my 'mind-stealing' skills to read Mimori's inner world..."

As she spoke, Amamiya activated the bond skill she had acquired from Mimori when they deepened their bond: [Mind Reading...?].

The girl, blushing and partially covering her face, her pupils trembling, sent forth fragmented, chaotic images that left him speechless.

She invited him to experience the bridal training she had been preparing for, using the opportunity to get closer to him;

Invite yourself to verify the results of your spiritual practice, and carefully prepare a dish in the style of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons for yourself;

Use your keen insight and meticulous nature to explore every little detail of your life together;

Finally, they confessed their love to each other under the sacred tree where cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and then got married;

I want to have several children, and their names will all be...

Amamiya only glanced at her briefly, but found that the cherry-haired girl, who dared not look directly at him or meet Ibuki's gaze, was preoccupied with him.

As for the reason... it's not entirely incomprehensible.

After all, Mimori, who enjoys reading romance manga, has always aspired to become a Yamato Nadeshiko, an excellent wife.

Having been provoked twice by herself and Ibuki, it's only natural that she would be moved by the scene and think about these very distant "future lives".