I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

A cloud-like wave of air gathered on the scabbard, coating it with a layer of light white smoke.

After gathering her strength, Tsukuyomi swung her sword in the summer sun, unleashing a ring of fiery energy that rapidly spread outwards from her, striking the assembled members of the Chimei clan.

The girls in the Ninja Research Club displayed their unique talents and abilities in a dazzling display, which was broadcast live from the airship overhead and could only be described as 'stunning'.

Although they didn't directly summon Personas, the 'ninjutsu' effects were so dazzling and spectacular that they couldn't be easily achieved with special effects alone.

...Moreover, this wasn't special effects; it was real 'ninjutsu' presented live to all the viewers.

Although it borrows the power of Persona to achieve it, it is ultimately a ninjutsu that can truly shine.

'Izuna is alright, after all, he hasn't changed much to begin with...'

'As for Xiaoman and Yueyong, after awakening their Personas, they simply stopped acting altogether...'

'One cosplayed as a Naruto character, while the other, claiming to be a ninja, used swordsmanship at the level of a sword saint…'

Even Amamiya, who knew the truth, couldn't help but praise the members of the Ninjutsu Research Club for their speed and talent in developing the Persona ability.

Their 'ninjutsu is actually achieved in a different way' is quite special.

While pondering, Amamiya scanned the area again with his [Third Eye], confirming that the "enemy unit" had lost its combat capability.

'Next, only the Smiling Professor is left...'

Carrying Ibuki, who was filled with curiosity, and Iroha, who couldn't help but take a few more glances, Amamiya accelerated again, swooped down, and finally landed directly on the tank hood.

The moment he landed firmly, Amamiya felt the struggle coming from the giant beast beneath his feet.

The sense of imbalance, like a wild horse that doesn't want to be ridden and tries to throw its rider off.

Amamiya took a breath, relying on the phantom thief's excellent balance to stand firm, and prepared to open the top door for entry and exit.

"Dear~~~"

Just as Amamiya was about to open the top door, the tank suddenly braked sharply—and then, a hole was opened in the wall to the side, and amidst the smoke and dust of the explosion, Wakazama's voice, a mixture of surprise and anxiety, resounded loudly throughout the entire battlefield.

"Wakazama, I'm here to protect you!"

"..."

Noticing the creaking sound of the hatch beneath her feet being opened, Amamiya was about to go and pay attention when she heard the whooshing sound of Wakasa rushing towards her.

Confirming that the tank beneath his feet would not start again, Amamiya had no choice but to temporarily put down Iroha and Ibuki, and 'catch' Wakamo, who was practically lunging at him.

'...'

The blonde girl, who had silently disappeared into the smoke and dust, dodged away as nimbly as a cat, and then watched the scene with great interest.

'As expected, so far, everything is exactly as planned...'

Next...

'Evacuate, and then...'

Thinking this, the smiling professor looked out at the blue sky where the celebratory atmosphere was still very strong, with airships floating in the distance.

Noticing that Iroha and Ibuki had discovered her and rushed over, and realizing she couldn't stay any longer, she maintained Iroha's disguise, pressed down her hat, and turned to leave.

With his vision completely occupied by a large fox that seemed to have nothing but himself in its eyes, Amamiya didn't immediately catch the culprit behind the incident.

However, the phantom thief's actions are never too early or too late.

Watching the smiling professor leave calmly, Amamiya casually rubbed the exquisitely soft fox ears of Wakazamo, who was snuggling against her in her arms, as if checking if she was injured, or simply venting her pent-up emotions.

"Wakazao... I can feel Wakazao's intense feelings and burning love right now, but Wakazao's presence at this academy exchange meeting... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Feeling Wakazama's affectionate rubbing and her 'greedy' clinging to him, Amamiya gave a helpless reminder as the smoke was about to dissipate.

"..."

Wakazam reluctantly released her embrace from Amamiya. Though she was very reluctant, she did not linger for even a second longer.

“My dear is right.”

"To avoid causing my darling too much trouble... having confirmed that my darling is not in any danger, Wakazama must leave now..."

"Afterwards, Ruozao will go to Xialai to find her beloved..."

Seemingly having made a great decision, Wakazao resolutely swung her large fox tail, turned around, and leaped away, disappearing into the smoke.

Amamiya... let out a soft sigh.

This academic exchange meeting should now be considered temporarily concluded...

Let's finish up the last bit first...

Chapter 40 Everyone is My Princess

Lu Yinqi's medical secrets are the performance of "Warakuhime", which started in an unexpected way and ended in an even more unexpected way.

Amamiya stands tall on the devastated battlefield, along with the 'ninjas' of the Ninjutsu Research Club; Ibuki and Iroha return to their vehicle; and Akiko, who has been roaming the outskirts of the battlefield and has already located the departing Professor Laughing...

After a brief moment of silence, the 'actors' on stage successfully garnered a deafening roar of cheers from the surrounding crowd, filled with adoration and other positive emotions.

Due to the trouble caused by Professor Laughing and Wakasa's subsequent breach of the wall and quick departure, the facilities at the Whirlpool Cinema Village still suffered minor damage.

However, compared to the result of 'the entire performance being a mess', this "chasing tanks" performance, which swept through the entire group of demons with unparalleled force, and concluded the show in a highly stylized way...

For a performance that was full of unexpected events from beginning to end, this was perhaps the best possible outcome.

"It surprised me that……"

Nia, who was occasionally relaying the news from the airship, spoke with a more relaxed tone: "After their conspiracy was exposed, the 'mastermind' who switched the princess actually chose to escape by self-destruction..."

"The mastermind seems to have escaped for now... but is it really that simple?"

"As the saying goes, 'When one wave subsides, another rises'... What will the mastermind behind the scenes, who's been eyeing the princess, do next?"

Nia on the airship slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

This performance, which could be described as full of unexpected changes, and the academy exchange meeting...

With Sensei's support, it ended in a way that was almost perfect.

So... in the closing stages, let's try to retaliate against Sensei's previous 'punishment'...

Thinking this, Nia smiled and narrowed her eyes, changing the subject.

"...Let's leave those distant places aside for now."

"Now, how will Sensei choose her 'princess'?"

"By the way... the special case of 'the princess concealing her identity to accompany you on an adventure' is also possible~"

As the head of the Yin-Yang Department, Nia, who already has a widely recognized reputation as a "smiling strategist," naturally has a high ability to adjust the atmosphere.

But her nature of enjoying 'fun' meant that she wouldn't just 'lighten the mood'.

The moment Nia's voice fell, Amamiya felt that the girls who were originally scattered around the battlefield, who just stood there and had a particularly dignified and elegant air about them, immediately turned their gazes to her.

Nia's 'reminder' made them realize that there was one last part to be done for this [Warakuhime] performance—

To distinguish, or rather... to help the challengers who are trying to find the 'real and fake princesses' identify the true princess.

Amamiya stood still without making any move, but she immediately noticed the hidden thoughts the girls were having when they looked at her.

Izuna swayed her fox tail, her eyes sparkling.

'Izuna is a ninja who accompanies the lord... but he can also...'

'I'll make a cameo appearance as the lord's princess!'

Xiaoman pulled her ninja-style scarf up, trying to cover her lower cheeks, which were slightly flushed from nervousness.

'I'm inexplicably nervous...'

'If only His Highness Sensei could choose me…'

A halo appeared in Tsukuyomi's eyes, and the bangs covering one eye revealed a slight hint of fear.

'If Sensei chooses himself...'

'Waaaaah...'

Iroha, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, checked the situation inside the tank and climbed out with Ibuki. She half-peeked out and leaned against the tank's metal shell with great interest, while Ibuki lay on top of her head, creating a strange "yellow dumpling on top of a red dumpling" shape.

'Senior Iroha, who will Sensei choose?'

'Can Ibuki become a princess?'

'Ibuki is already a princess.'

Akiko, who had discreetly left when Professor Laughing fled, and who had placed a miniature locator on one of Professor Laughing's belongings, quietly returned.

Like Ibuki and Iroha, she wasn't a student of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons)... But now she stood there, her smile bright, her red eyes clear, and her light purple hair tinged with the warm colors of the setting sun.

The meat and bones are evenly balanced, and the aroma is far-reaching and refreshing.

The 'twelve-layered kimono' that Nia specially prepared for her did not add the slightest bit of 'heaviness' or 'luxury' to her body. On the contrary, it perfectly blended with the royal style of the Holy Trinity that the girl herself possessed.

She doesn't need any deliberate attempt to imitate her aura; she already has the most princess-like quality.

It's hard to imagine that among the students of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) present, the one who could wear an outfit of the 'twelve-layered kimono' with the 'nobility' of Princess Kaguya from "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" was actually a student from another academy who had temporarily joined this event.

Unlike the tense girls at the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, and the indifferent "it's none of my business" attitude and eager "pick me, pick me" attitude of the girls from Gehenna, Ajinko was probably the calmest one there.

Her gaze toward Amamiya carried a tangible 'calm healing power'.

'Sensei, will you choose me?'

"It's okay if you don't choose me to ensure the best performance."

'I don't want to be a princess in everyone else's eyes, but I'm willing to be your princess alone.'

Choosing whom is completely obvious.

Amamiya stood still, welcoming the gazes of all the girls who had participated in the "Warakuhime" performance who were gradually gathering around her, but she still did not take any action immediately.

However, this obvious task will inevitably lead to some problems being overlooked because of Nia's 'reminder'.

If not handled properly... it could even lead to a "battlefield after the curtain falls".

Amamiya took a deep breath.

Fortunately... now, facing such a special situation, Amamiya has a special bond skill that can help her cope.

With the combined effects of the dual skills of "Mediator's Balance Technique" (Ichika) and "Princess's Tolerance" (Serika), Amamiya quickly found a perfect balance.

Balance is an art...

Now, I certainly can't choose option one.

Considering her tragic past as a phantom thief in Shibuya, Tokyo, where she "jumped nine ships" and was subsequently "attacked in a general offensive"... she cannot choose "all".

So, what about taking a different approach?

Having considered this, Amamiya spoke calmly: "At this point, there's no point in saying things like 'the treasures gained from the adventure are actually the bonds forged on the journey.'"

After feigning a moment of hesitation, Amamiya continued, "Therefore, I won't offer statements like 'Everyone is my princess,' nor will I choose 'everyone.'"

"Since that's the case... how about we repeat the process of 'choosing one person' dozens of times?"

Removing the mask from her face, Amamiya faced the camera for the first time without glasses or any concealment.

"The princess I have chosen is..."

"A girl like Azuko, who harbors a 'distant dream she longs for,' yet is also innocent and adorable."

When she was mentioned first, Ajinko paused for a moment, then smiled gently.

【~???~】(Ajinko)

"She's like Xiaoman, always showing her most energetic and lively side, a cute ninja with an adorable contrast between her cheerful exterior and her inner desire to be noticed."

【~???~】(Xiaoman)

Xiaoman, upon being mentioned, immediately lost her composure, frozen in place for a moment, desperately wanting to crouch down and cover her head in defense, but in order to maintain her 'ninja' demeanor, she did nothing.

'Your Highness Sensei?!'

'Waaah... I can't take it anymore, I'm so embarrassed...!'

"She is like Tsukuyomi, a 'large' ninja who can muster the 'courage to stand alone' and cherish her comrades."

【~???~】(Yue Yong)