Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 348: Women’s Self-Defense

"Now, go in."

In the state of "ANSUZ" resonance, Sakura had completely emptied her mind and spirit.

She forgot her fear, her nervousness, and even where she was. The only thing she remembered was the wonderful feeling spreading from her forehead throughout her entire body.

Driven by this sensation, Sakura stepped into the battlefield of Rin and Luvia with a gait entirely different from martial arts or wrestling.

She chose a very perfect moment to intervene—right after Rin had finished a round of fierce attacks and was retreating to gather her strength, while Luvia was just beginning to launch her counterattack. At this point, Rin, having just unleashed an attack, was somewhat relaxed in both power and momentum, and Luvia had also loosened her previously immovable defensive stance to prepare for her counterattack.

Their focus was entirely on each other, completely unprepared for a third party to intervene, giving Sakura an excellent opportunity.

Sakura first approached Rin from behind and struck her back with a palm. Although this palm contained significant force, it was dispersed and not concentrated, causing Rin no harm but making her stagger and lose her footing.

Seeing Rin's vulnerability, Luvia naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity. She took a deep breath, spread her arms, and lunged like a beast towards its prey. If she succeeded, Rin would undoubtedly face a powerful bear hug throw.

Unfortunately for Luvia, her bear hug was missed. Before she could grab Rin, another figure darted from Rin's side, intercepting Luvia's advance with both palms fully extended. Caught off guard, Luvia was pushed back, wobbling just like Rin, nearly toppling to the ground.

When the red and blue-clad girls regained their balance, they finally saw clearly who had intervened in their battle.

"Sakura!" they both exclaimed.

Their calls brought Sakura out of the mystical resonance state. She stared blankly at her hands, then looked at Luvia and Rin in front and behind her, her face showing even more astonishment than her sisters'.

I... I separated my sisters so easily, just like that?

"Just like that," Shinji's voice echoed in Sakura's mind.

"Brother?"

Sakura turned her head to see the young man smiling at her.

Although he didn't open his mouth, Sakura could still hear his voice.

"Keep working hard, and one day you'll be able to do this without my help."

"Yes, Brother." Sakura felt a surge of energy.

Her sisters noticed her change in expression and, following her gaze, saw someone in their backyard they hadn't noticed before.

This person was now speaking to them: "Don't stop, keep attacking Sakura."

The two girls looked at each other in confusion, not understanding the young man's words.

He continued to shout, "Don't just stand there, hurry up and attack. It's for Sakura's own good."

They were even more puzzled—how could attacking Sakura be for her own good?

However, Tokiomi seemed to understand and shouted, "Listen to the master, Rin, Miss Luvia, attack her. Only use martial arts, no magecraft allowed."

Rin had always idolized her father, so if he said so, she wouldn't doubt it. She launched a punch, reminding Sakura, "Be careful, Sakura."

Meanwhile, a voice echoed in Sakura's mind: "Hold your breath, focus, and follow your instincts."

Immediately, the rune on her forehead flashed with a bright light, and Sakura's body moved naturally. Her hands crossed, lightly intercepting Rin's punch.

The punch, known for its overwhelming power and sudden explosiveness, is the most lethal attack form in this martial art. Though Rin had not yet mastered its essence and couldn't fully concentrate her strength at one point, the force behind her punch was still formidable. Even Luvia, known as the Forklift Lady, wouldn't dare to face it head-on without moving an inch.

Yet Sakura did it. Though she used both hands, she didn't take a single step back, standing firmly on the ground.

"Hey~ not bad," Rin said, intrigued by Sakura's impressive performance. "Try blocking another punch."

"Let's see how much you've learned of that block, Sakura," Shinji's voice instructed.

"Yes, Brother!" Sakura tried to recall the sensation from before, following Shinji's guidance to block Rin's punch.

This time, Sakura didn't fully block Rin's punch and was forced to step back a few steps. Even so, she received high praise from Shinji.

"Very good, you've grasped the basics of blocking. Now it's a matter of practice—be careful, Miss Luvia is attacking too."

Indeed, Luvia had made her move. Living with Sakura for six years, she could instantly tell that Sakura was using a technique neither from English wrestling nor Rin martial arts, but something entirely new to her. This piqued Luvia's curiosity, as it seemed something unknown was happening with her sister.

Facing Luvia's close-quarters grappling technique, Sakura displayed agility on par with Rin's. Her movements in the tight space were even more delicate than Rin's. To Luvia, Sakura was like a slippery eel, impossible to catch.

Seeing that both Luvia and Rin were having trouble with Sakura, Shinji chuckled, "Attack together."

From Tokiomi's reaction earlier, both girls knew the young man was not simple. Without further ado, they launched a combined attack on Sakura.

With Martial arts and English wrestling complementing each other, Sakura quickly found herself at a disadvantage. This was precisely what Shinji wanted—the best time to teach "Women's Self-Defense." Though he hadn't practiced this self-defense art himself, he had been its training partner. In some ways, he knew better than its practitioners how to push the technique to its limits.

Calling "Women's Self-Defense" the most suitable martial art for Sakura was no exaggeration. It was a body art crafted by the world's strongest warrior, Scáthach, tailored to Sakura's physique, attributes, and personality. While many martial arts might be stronger, none were better suited for Sakura.

Even Martial Arts for Rin and English wrestling for Luvia couldn't match the compatibility Sakura had with "Women's Self-Defense." This is why Shinji was confident that Sakura could slightly suppress the other two.

But only slightly. Sakura's personality meant that "Women's Self-Defense," true to its name, was a self-protection art, not an art of killing. It sufficed for defense but lacked in offense.

For Sakura, this was enough. She was not like Rin or Luvia, and her family did not wish for her hands to be stained with blood.

Under the fierce onslaught of Rin and Luvia, Sakura was like a storm-tossed petrel. Though she faced numerous crises and dangers, she continued to fight through the storm, never falling, until the storm passed and the clouds dispersed.