Chapter 47 – Crash Course
The next morning, the first-year squad was already assembled at Jujutsu High's training grounds.
Maki, Toge, and Yuta were running laps around the track to warm up, while Panda sat cross-legged on the grass, cheering them on.
As Principal Yaga's creation, physical training meant nothing to him—he could only wait for their instructor to arrive.
"Looks like everyone's early."
Before long, Zen'in Shinsuke appeared.
He and Gojo had divided responsibilities: mornings for his taijutsu classes, afternoons for Gojo's jujutsu instruction.
If Shinsuke had to take on more work, then Gojo sure as hell wasn't getting away scot-free either.
"Zen'in-sensei, you're here."
Panda lumbered over. Shinsuke studied the bear's nearly human height, stroking his chin.
"You must be Yaga's masterpiece."
"Yeah. Principal Yaga created me—he's basically my dad," Panda said, scratching his head.
"Impressive work," Shinsuke mused.
Creating a cursed corpse that could generate its own cursed energy, act with independent will, and even experience emotions… that was basically the power to create an army of sorcerers.
He wondered: if you swapped out Suguru Geto and put Yaga in his place, would the dream of eradicating all non-sorcerers actually be possible?
Hard to say. But if those two ever teamed up, even Gojo might not be able to stop them.
Clap, clap, clap.
"All right, enough jogging. Gather up—we're getting to the point."
At his call, the first-years stopped running and hurried over.
"Sensei, what are we doing today?"
Maki's eyes shone.
Shinsuke often corrected her techniques, but he had never held a formal class for her before.
He swept his gaze across the group: Toge, the lone heir of the Inumaki clan; Panda, the principal's child; Yuta, Gojo's relative; and Maki, his own disciple.
Not a bad lineup.
"There's about a month left before Geto's Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. Your job is simple: get stronger.
From today on, every morning's lesson will be sparring against me.
Only taijutsu. Though I'll be generous—you can use cursed energy and weapons if you like."
Pairing taijutsu with cursed energy would help them attune to their bodies. Maybe, just maybe, someone might even grasp Black Flash.
The students nodded. They'd known all along Zen'in Shinsuke was here to teach them physical combat.
Only Maki pouted—she couldn't use cursed energy at all.
"Here's the deal," Shinsuke continued. "If any of you can land one hit on me, class ends early."
He raised one hand and crooked a finger, the other hand tucked behind his back.
The message was clear: I'll only be using one arm.
"Sensei, don't underestimate us!"
Maki lunged first, her long naginata thrusting straight for his chest.
She'd never actually fought her master before, but she remembered watching him dismantle other sorcerers when she was younger.
Sure, he was strong—but fighting one-handed? That felt insulting.
Her blade thrust forward. Shinsuke only tilted his head slightly, raised two fingers, and flicked the steel.
Clang!
The strike rang out like a bell.
Shockwaves jolted through Maki's hands—the force rattled her entire body, and her blade nearly flew from her grip.
She staggered, fumbling to switch the weapon into her other hand, the first already numb.
Pushing up her glasses, she steadied herself. Her face was grim but her eyes burned with something close to madness.
This is my master's strength… Will I ever reach this level?
"Stay sharp and work together!" she shouted, charging in again.
"I'm in too!"
Panda barreled forward, his massive frame blurring with surprising agility. He had no special technique—his strongest asset had always been raw physicality.
If anyone should test himself against Jujutsu High's so-called taijutsu master, it was him.
Yuta and Toge exchanged a look, then rushed in to flank.
But in Shinsuke's eyes, their movements were no different than schoolchildren play-fighting.
Hell, even Gojo—if it was only hand-to-hand combat—wasn't much better than a grade-schooler to him.
Clang! Bam!
An hour passed. The students were exhausted, drenched in sweat, but not a single blow had landed.
"Don't just flail around," Shinsuke chided. "Use the fight to find your weaknesses. Be faster, sharper, deadlier. Don't hesitate. Aim for vital points. What, afraid of hurting me?"
"Maki—you eat breakfast? Where's your strength? Yuta—you're supposed to be a special-grade sorcerer! And yet your taijutsu is this pathetic? Planning to let Rika fight all your battles?"
He glanced at Panda and Toge. "And you two… ah, forget it. I'm probably expecting too much."
Honestly, their flaws were endless. Numbers low, technique sloppy. He was going to be busy in the coming weeks.
"RAAAH! How dare you insult Yuta!?"
A roar exploded behind Yuta, followed by a tidal wave of cursed energy.
Rika materialized, thrashing with fury. Shinsuke's words had cut deep.
How dare he suggest Yuta shouldn't rely on her? She would make sure Yuta depended on her strength!
"Rika, no! Calm down! Sensei only means well!" Yuta pleaded.
Yuta hurried to calm Rika, terrified she might actually start fighting their teacher.
"Yo… so she's a real yandere, huh?"
Zen'in Shinsuke arched a brow at the raging curse, his fingers itching with anticipation.
The sheer density of cursed energy pouring from her… if he killed her, how much blood-essence could he harvest?
"…Forget it. I am your teacher after all. I'll let it slide this time. But don't try that again."
His gaze lingered on Rika, sharp and appraising. She might be a cursed form of a little girl, but to him she was nothing more than a walking treasure chest of experience points.
Rika glared back. For a moment, the vertical eye embedded in her forehead remained open, trembling with murderous intent. Then, slowly, it closed, and her form melted back into Yuta's body.
If not for Yuta's sake, she would have happily torn this smug bastard apart.
How dare he look at her like that.
"Class ends here for today," Shinsuke finally announced. "Rest up, reflect on your mistakes, and tomorrow we'll continue."
"Yes, sensei…"
The students collapsed onto the grass in exhaustion. After being toyed with for over an hour, both their bodies and their spirits were battered.
Clap, clap, clap.
Gojo appeared beside Shinsuke, applauding with his usual grin.
"One hour from now, I'll be running your jujutsu training. Make good use of the break."
The students groaned in despair.
Since when had Jujutsu High become so… serious?
Wasn't this school supposed to be all about freedom and easygoing teaching?
Where was the "happy education" Gojo had promised them?
Of course, the truth was simple: Gojo had only gotten serious because Shinsuke had.
Both teachers had the same philosophy in the end—so long as their students grew stronger, nothing else mattered.
But for Maki and the others, that "growth" came at their expense.