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Yukinoshita Yukino indicated she didn't want to talk, raising her phone to take pictures around the wolf enclosure, preparing to scout for the night's operation.
"Natsuki, come over, come over!"
Kitagawa Marin waved from not far away, her voice bright, "Come take a picture!"
"Coming."
Amamiya Natsuki stepped over to Marin's side, curiously glancing at the shy girl who was closely following Marin, and asked casually:
"Does Shoko want to take pictures today too?"
This shy girl was extremely shy; normally, when it came to photos or group pictures, she would quietly slip away, only agreeing if she absolutely couldn't avoid it. Her current state was quite strange.
"…"
Hearing the question, Komi quickly shook her head in denial.
Amamiya Natsuki raised an eyebrow slightly, noticing a hint of something, and asked curiously:
"Why aren't you following Juju? Why are you always following Marin?"
Komi pursed her pink lips, looked up at him, then blushed and continued to shake her head.
"You won't answer this, you won't answer that, you really want to be taken advantage of, don't you?" Amamiya Natsuki lowered his voice, "Meet me at the Park after school tomorrow afternoon."
"Ugh—!"
The shy girl's pretty face flushed rapidly at a visible speed. She quickly shook her head in refusal, then nervously glanced at Juju next to her for help.
However, Juju, who usually stepped forward to protect her immediately, was preoccupied this time, staring blankly, deep in thought. She glanced over when she heard the commotion, and for some reason, her own face quickly flushed red, before she swiftly turned her head away.
"Natsuki, don't ask so many questions!" Kitagawa Marin raised her phone, found a good selfie angle, "Hurry and take the picture… Shoko, lift your head, let's take it together."
"…"
To be fair, the only person truly filled with worry was Yukinoshita Yukino.
The others were not related to Hino, had never met her, so to say they were so worried they couldn't eat or sleep and sighed constantly was complete nonsense.
So, it was not unreasonable for them to want to take photos and check in at the Zoo now.
Ultimately, there is no true empathy in this world.
"Alright."
Yukinoshita Yukino returned from scouting and said softly.
Chika and the others also finished taking pictures, so everyone proceeded to the next animal exhibit.
As they walked, they successively saw giraffes. These creatures not only had long necks but also incredibly long tongues, which they could stick into their ears to clean them themselves.
Then there were red pandas, squirrel monkeys, gibbons, elk, and so on. The group soon arrived at the Tiger Park.
Tigers, as animals, need a sufficiently large activity space and cannot be kept in cages all day, otherwise they will become depressed. Therefore, the Tiger Park was not small. Following other tourists inside, Amamiya Natsuki found three tigers, one of which was even pure white and quite beautiful.
"There are actually three tigers…"
Yukinoshita Yukino furrowed her delicate brows.
The combat power of three tigers was far greater than that of ten wolves.
Don't be fooled by these three tigers lazily basking in the sun, looking harmless; once they become ferocious, they are incredibly dangerous. There are news reports worldwide of zookeepers being bitten by tigers, let alone ordinary people.
However, dangerous as it was, the challenge had to be carried out.
Only by doing so could she confront the strangeness and rescue her sister!
Yukinoshita Yukino exhaled lightly, raised her phone, and continued to scout and take pictures.
After gathering intelligence, everyone continued walking and arrived at the Ape Park, where several apes were swinging on trees.
"Teacher, why does that ape have no fur?"
An elementary schooler asked curiously.
Bringing students to places like the Zoo for field trips on weekends could be said to be one of Japan's characteristic educational approaches.
Amamiya Natsuki looked towards the corner at the sound, and indeed saw a lonely ape squatting in the corner, almost completely hairless with loose skin, which made people stare.
The female teacher, dressed in a suit on a hot day, smiled and explained:
"That's actually because it's sick. Little animals can also feel inferior and unhappy, so everyone, please don't dislike it."
"Understood, Teacher."
"..."
"That gorilla sitting there all alone, it must have been taken advantage of, right?" Kitagawa Marin put her hand on her hip and said, "Speaking of which, hairless animals really aren't cute."
"Exactly." Fujiwara Chika nodded in agreement, "My friend has a cat, a hairless one. I usually pet cats whenever I see them, but I just couldn't bring myself to touch that hairless cat."
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously:
"Not all hairless animals are disliked. There's one animal that's hairless, but incredibly cute."
"Huh?" The Senpai asked curiously, "What is it?"
Amamiya Natsuki didn't answer immediately, but instead turned to look at Juju.
Juju's little face instantly flushed red. She covered her skirt with both hands, glaring over with a mix of shame and anger.
Stupid Natsuki!
Why are you looking at me?!
If you dare to say anything weird, I'll kill you first, then myself!
Amamiya Natsuki withdrew his gaze and said:
"For example, human infants are also super cute when they're little."
After finishing their scouting at the tiger enclosure, everyone continued forward to the elephant house.
As the largest land mammals, these African elephants were exceptionally huge, appearing full of oppressive presence.
"Huh, elephants really do have hair on their tails." Sayu's eyes widened as she asked curiously, "I always thought elephant tails were bald."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at Sayu: "You've never been to a Zoo before?"
"No." Sayu shook her head, raised her right hand, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "By the time I could remember things, my brother was already a high school student, busy with his studies every day, and Mom… let's not talk about her."
After a pause, Sayu's face suddenly broke into a cunning smile. With her hands behind her back, she said:
"But I still have to thank Mom for not taking me to the Zoo."
"Hmm?"
"Because this way, I can give my first time to Master."
"..."
Hey, hey, shut up! It's just the first time coming to the Zoo to play, don't deliberately make people misunderstand!
"Teacher, why does the elephant have a leg under its belly?"
The elementary school students from before also walked over, and a tender, curious voice suddenly asked.
"Cough, cough…"
The female teacher coughed twice, an awkward expression on her face.
Of course, an elephant wouldn't have a leg under its belly… but she couldn't explain it.
If she said even one wrong word, she might invite complaints from the elementary school student's parents.
No wonder the rhinos on the African savannah were tormented and severely injured; it was truly terrifying.
"Teacher doesn't know either. Go back and ask your mom and dad." The female teacher quickly said, "Let's go, let's go see other small animals."
Amamiya Natsuki withdrew his gaze and followed, saying:
"Let's go too."
Hayasaka Ai leaned closer, raising a hand to cover her mouth, and whispered, "Senpai couldn't possibly be… that, could he?"
That's enough! How arrogant and ignorant must one be to even think of comparing themselves to an elephant?!
Scouting complete.
Next were the lion and leopard enclosures. Probably to prevent these animals from being too lonely, there were at least two of each. The lion enclosure also had two white lions—albino animals in nature are probably around one in ten thousand. The white tigers and white lions now are actually artificially bred animals.
All five required fierce beasts for the challenge had been scouted. There was no need to discuss the remaining animals.
Everyone left the Zoo, aggregated all the collected information, and then formulated a battle plan.
The plan itself wasn't much to discuss; the difficulties were simply two:
First, how to approach those animals. Fierce beasts would surely be extra vigilant when strangers suddenly approached them.
Second, how to successfully escape after plucking their fur. People get angry even if a single hair is pulled, let alone a fierce beast.
"Approaching those animals is actually very simple." Shinomiya Kaguya said softly, her hands crossed over her chest, "The Zoo closes at 6 PM. As long as we get the zookeeper's key, we can go in."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said:
"Leave the key to me. I'll go to the Zoo again this afternoon."
With Time Stop, there's no need to steal; he can take it openly.
Get the key, copy it, and then return the original key. There would be no risk whatsoever.
Hayasaka Ai then spoke:
"Approaching is also convenient… The disguise skill can actually transform you into the zookeeper's appearance, even the scent is identical. You can have Senpai Copy and Paste the skill to Yukino."
"Excellent, the problem of approaching is solved." Fujiwara Chika finally remembered the Secretary's main duty, took out her notebook, and recorded the meeting, "Next, we need to discuss how to make a clean escape."
The Senpai mused:
"Making a clean escape is even more difficult. Even if it's a zookeeper, suddenly pulling an animal's tail fur would make them angry, right?"
Juju raised her hand and said:
"What about Shinomiya Kaguya's Dark Shadow skill?"
Transforming into a Dark Shadow grants immunity to all physical attacks, ensuring 100% safety.
Amamiya Natsuki reminded her:
"If you choose Dark Shadow, you won't be able to Copy and Paste the Mystique's skill."
"Tch."
Juju snorted lightly and turned away in disdain.
"I've got it." Kitagawa Marin pushed up her glasses, suddenly saying, "Didn't we get the Leg Attachment item before?"
"If Natsuki becomes the Leg Attachment, wouldn't Yukino-chan be able to use all his skills?"
Everyone looked towards Amamiya Natsuki.
If all skills could be shared, then Amamiya Natsuki would absolutely be the strongest Leg Attachment, bar none.
"I've really never tried that." Amamiya Natsuki interlaced his fingers, "We can try to see how it works."
All this time, it had been Chika cooperating to become the Leg Attachment. They could completely do the opposite and let Amamiya Natsuki become the strongest attachment.
"The item is here."
Fujiwara Chika quickly took out the item.
[Special Item: Leg Attachment]
[Equip Slot: Leg]
[Effect: After activating this item, you will transform into a Leg Attachment. You can deactivate the attachment state at any time.]
[During this period, your abilities will be shared with the attachment wearer. You will be considered a single unit. Your HP and senses will be shared. Please note that exclusive skills cannot be shared.]
Amamiya Natsuki took the attachment. This thing was currently only the size of a phone charm. Once activated, its volume would increase, and it could be used by wearing it on the thigh.
Kitagawa Marin said as a matter of course:
"Yukino-chan is acting alone tonight, so naturally, we'll let Yukino-chan try it."
"That's right."
"Makes sense."
Everyone expressed their agreement.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't refuse, nodding gently and agreeing.
"Then I'll transform."
Amamiya Natsuki activated the item, and his entire being suddenly vanished, leaving only his shirt and pants on the ground.
"Oh, oh, oh." Fujiwara Chika exclaimed softly, "I forgot that clothes fall off when you turn into an attachment."
"Don't mind it." Kitagawa Marin waved her hand, "It's not like everyone hasn't seen it before."
"..."
The air was slightly awkward for a few seconds.
The Senpai coughed twice, handed over the attachment, and changed the subject:
"Yukino, you try it."
"Okay."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded gently, equipped the Leg Attachment on her leg, and her eyes lit up. She quickly said:
"Copy and Paste is an exclusive skill, so it can't be used… Also Time Stop, it exceeds the item's sharing level, so it also can't be used… All other skills can be used."
Shinomiya Kaguya asked curiously:
"What about the skills the President copied?"
"They can be used." Yukinoshita Yukino nodded gently, "They're still consumable skills, only usable once… But that's already enough."
Equipping the Natsuki-brand Leg Attachment, using Hayasaka's disguise skill to transform into a zookeeper, approaching the animals, suppressing them with Seize and Eliminate Evil, and after plucking the fur, using the Dark Shadow skill to directly escape. With the skills combined, what seemed like a near-impossible extreme challenge instantly became easy… Yukinoshita Yukino's confidence surged.
I shall call it the strongest Leg Attachment!
The operation meeting concluded successfully.
Next was to wait for nightfall, which would be a good time to infiltrate the Zoo.
During this time, Amamiya Natsuki went to the Zoo again in the afternoon, took the zookeeper's key, copied it, and then returned it, completing all preparatory work.
In a blink of an eye, it was 9 PM.
In the darkness, a piece of chewing gum quietly floated into the air, then smacked onto the surveillance camera.
"Done."
Mrs. Shimizu made a peace sign.
At this moment, Amamiya Natsuki and his group emerged from the darkness.
Everyone arrived at the spot they scouted during the day, directly scaled the wall, and entered the Zoo.
The Zoo at this hour was completely dark and deserted, with only a few distant buildings still lit up.
"Those are the Zoo's night shift personnel." Mrs. Shimizu put her hands on her hips, "All surveillance cameras that could possibly record us have been temporarily blocked by me. Everyone can move freely."
"Natsuki-kun?"
Yukinoshita Yukino looked up.
Amamiya Natsuki was helpless. He never thought that one day, he would become a pure tool.
Well, he was a tool, not even a person.
The Leg Attachment activated successfully.
The fallen clothes were carried by Fujiwara Chika.
Everyone's first stop was the wolf enclosure. Yukinoshita Yukino equipped the Leg Attachment, silently activated the disguise skill, a faint light flashed around her, and she quickly transformed into a female zookeeper. Then she took out the key and opened the gate.
"Be careful."
Hayasaka Ai took out her magic gun, ready to provide support at any time.
"Phew… I'm going in."
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath and stepped into the enclosure.
The skill's effect was quite good. These gray wolves couldn't discern Yukino's fake identity. One wolf even approached, its tail actually wagging.
Yukinoshita Yukino made an immediate decision, decisively extended her hand, and fiercely pulled out a wolf hair from the tail of the approaching gray wolf.
The gray wolf shivered in pain, instinctively baring its ferocious fangs and biting fiercely.
Click!
A loud biting sound rang out.
Yukinoshita Yukino directly used Dark Shadow, disappearing into thin air, causing the gray wolf to bite nothing but air.
"I got a wolf hair."
Yukinoshita Yukino's pretty face couldn't hide her excitement.
"Yukino-chan, your clothes are gone," Fujiwara Chika reminded her from the side.
Transforming into Dark Shadow meant she couldn't bring her clothes with her; in fact, the Hulk's shorts were completely illogical.
Yukinoshita Yukino naturally had a change of clothes ready, so she turned away from everyone, bent down, and put on her panties.
The next second.
Nekonoshita's pretty face instantly flushed red.
Wait—
When using Leg Attachment, her vision would be shared with the other party. In other words, did Natsuki-kun also see what she just saw?
"Yukino-chan, why did your face suddenly turn red?" Kitagawa Marin asked curiously.
"I'm fine." Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath and quickly calmed down.
If he saw it, he saw it… Rescuing her sister was the most important thing now!
After she was dressed, Hayasaka had already used a grappling hook to retrieve the clothes from the Zoo.
"President, you can end the attachment state now."
Shinomiya Kaguya said.
A faint light flashed on the Leg Attachment, and Amamiya Natsuki appeared out of thin air.
Several girls looked over curiously, and then…
"Ptooey!"
"Lewd!"
"Pervert!"
"He's just a Leg Attachment, what is that perverted senpai even thinking?!"
Amamiya Natsuki cleared his throat twice, a little embarrassed, and turned his back to the girls: "I don't know what happened… Maybe it's an after-effect of the attachment."
Only Nekonoshita bit her lower lip, both shy and angry.
It wasn't an after-effect at all; it was clearly when their vision was shared just now… She absolutely had to be careful in the future!
The attachment state ended because Amamiya Natsuki wanted to use the Copy and Paste skill.
One was Hayasaka's disguise skill, and the other was Kaguya's Dark Shadow.
Amamiya Natsuki held Hayasaka's hand with one hand and Kaguya's hand with the other, and began to Copy and Paste.
Ten minutes later.
Everyone arrived outside the tiger enclosure.
Yukinoshita Yukino used her shapeshifting skill to transform into a zookeeper, approached the tiger, and after succeeding, decisively used Dark Shadow to escape back.
One trick, rule the world.
The method was simple, but super practical.
The tiger tail challenge was successfully completed.
Next, they followed suit, successfully completing the ultimate challenge at the lion enclosure, elephant house, and leopard enclosure.
"It's finally over."
The group quietly left the Zoo, not forgetting to have Mrs. Shimizu remove the chewing gum from the surveillance cameras before they left.
There was no conversation along the way.
Everyone quickly returned to the hotel.
"…Thank you."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Amamiya Natsuki and silently thanked him in her heart.
Alone, she would never have succeeded so easily; it would most likely have ended in failure. There was no need to say thanks; she would remember it and repay him with actions.
Amamiya Natsuki drank his beverage in one gulp, took out his phone, and said:
"Tomorrow is monday, and we have to go back to school… Should we start the ultimate challenge now?"
After obtaining the ultimate challenge, only three people were qualified to face the anomaly: Amamiya Natsuki, Kaguya, and Yukino.
Unlike yesterday, when everyone was exhausted from a day of activity, today they hadn't done much, so they were in excellent condition.
Shinomiya Kaguya nodded gently and said:
"Shall we start now?"
Yukinoshita Yukino naturally wouldn't refuse, her expression serious: "Start the challenge."
Amamiya Natsuki looked at his phone, and a new text message popped up.
"It's actually hide-and-seek…"
The next moment.
A sudden dizziness struck.
When Amamiya Natsuki regained consciousness, he found himself sitting in a classroom, seemingly having just woken up. Outside the window, cherry blossoms fluttered down, and the spring sunlight was bright.
In front of him sat a petite, fair-skinned JK girl with brilliant blonde hair and twin pigtails, her back to him.
For some reason, a sentence slipped out:
"I will always love Eri…"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr