I'm using ninjutsu in Jujutsu Kaisen!

Chapter 15 – One Move and a Half

"Hey. You. Come fight me."

Hearing Maki Zenin's shout, Tatsuro froze with the naginata still in his hands. He glanced around in confusion and then pointed at himself.

"Me?"

"Yeah. I'm in a bad mood today. I want to beat you up."

Maki didn't hide her intentions at all. She grabbed her three-section staff, grinning from ear to ear.

"…Gulp."

Tatsuro swallowed hard as he watched her prepare to attack. Images of getting bruised all over flashed in his mind. Panic started creeping in.

"Wait, we're classmates! Shouldn't we be, uh, supportive of each other? I'll just head back now…"

"Don't run—fight me!"

With no warning, Maki lunged and slashed. The attack was so fast it left an afterimage. Her staff sliced open a gash on Tatsuro's cheek.

Crimson blood trickled to the ground.

Tatsuro grimaced. He knew then—she was pissed because he had copied her too quickly. If he backed down now, she'd definitely look down on him. That, he couldn't accept.

Only one option remained:

Fight.

"Alright… Fine. Let's take this to the training field."

Tatsuro gripped the naginata and stepped into the center of the field. His Sharingan spun rapidly.

If he wanted her acknowledgment, he'd have to go all out. If he chickened out halfway through, he might as well quit school.

Besides…

The best way to test what he had learned?

Real combat.

"If you don't give it your all, I'll beat you until you do."

Maki narrowed her eyes. Ten meters apart, Tatsuro didn't flinch. His eyes were locked onto hers—no hesitation, no fear.

Compared to the timid Yuta, she much preferred someone who looked challenges in the eye.

"I get it. If I die, dying to you would be an honor. But I'd rather not die, so I'll fight like hell."

He raised the naginata and took a stance.

"Not bad."

Maki smiled and charged. Her three-section staff whipped through the air with speed and precision.

CLANG!

Their weapons clashed. The echo rang across the training field.

From just that first hit, Tatsuro's hands went numb. If not for cursed energy reinforcement, the impact would've sent him flying.

His Sharingan was at max focus, buying him precious seconds.

Maki didn't stop. She pressed forward and struck again, her staff like an extension of her limbs.

Every move was telegraphed by the Sharingan, but his body couldn't keep up. Each block felt like a car crash. His cursed energy drained rapidly.

This won't do! I'm getting trashed!

He couldn't keep taking hits. He had to strike back—even if he lost, he wanted to go down swinging.

Time to go all in!

He dumped all his remaining cursed energy into physical reinforcement.

His muscles tensed. His grip tightened. The naginata no longer felt like borrowed steel—it felt like his own.

His attacks turned fierce and bold, trading defense for offense. He slashed with everything he had, like a desperate beast refusing to fall quietly.

This is it—one shot to win it all!

"Well, now we're getting somewhere."

Maki smiled as she watched Tatsuro finally unleash his stolen moves.

She hadn't challenged him just to vent. She had wanted to see how far he'd gotten.

And clearly, he'd learned a lot.

If he could use these techniques in a real exorcism and protect himself—that would genuinely make her happy.

"But… you're still missing something."

As the move reached its climax, Maki spotted an opening. With practiced ease, she twisted her staff, wrapping the chain around his naginata, locking it in place.

Then she flipped and kicked him square in the chest.

"So fast—!"

Tatsuro's pupils shrank. He tried to dodge, but there was no time. He let go of the naginata and raised both arms to shield himself.

Meanwhile…

In another part of the training grounds, Yuta Okkotsu had just woken up. Still half-asleep, he muttered, "Why's it so loud this morning…?"

Right then, something flew past him.

BANG!

Tatsuro crashed into a wall.

"Ugh—ow, ow, ow…"

He slowly pushed himself up, rubbing his back and staring at the crater he'd just made.

"Okay… ouch. Pretty sure something cracked… I thought I was winning…"

"Beat me? Just because you copied a few moves, you think you're my equal?"

Maki approached, staff over her shoulder and his naginata in hand.

Then she spotted Yuta.

She waved and asked, "Hey, want to spar?"

"Uh…"

Yuta turned and looked at the wall dent. Then he looked at Tatsuro, still wincing on the ground.

He gulped.

"Umm… Can we use wooden sticks? Light taps only?"

"Sure, I'm feeling generous today. I'll teach you a few things."

She slung an arm around his shoulders and dragged him to the training area.

Tatsuro groaned from his spot. "Ow… ow… She broke me…"

Still, he got up, muttering, "Can't let this beating go to waste. Time to spy on them and copy more techniques."

He shuffled over and lay down on a stone bench, watching the two train. Unlike before, Maki wasn't going full-force. She was guiding Yuta, clearly helping him find his footing.

To Tatsuro, who had only recently learned these moves himself, it felt like he could teach Yuta.

Well… not really.

But it was entertaining.

"Yuta! Sweep her legs! Avenge me!!"

From the sidelines, he slipped into full tactician mode.

"Now! Hit her in the leg with the stick!"

"Come on, Yuta! That was wide open!"

"YES! KICK HER!"

"…"

Yuta glanced nervously at Maki, who was now radiating murderous intent.

Her temple twitched. Without even meaning to, she snapped the wooden training stick in half.

CRACK.

The three of them froze in silence.

Tatsuro's smile vanished.

Ah… crap. I went too far.

"Uh, I should… I'll just go now. No need to see me out!"

He turned to run—only to feel a white hand wrap around his neck from behind.

Maki's voice whispered chillingly:

"Leaving so soon? Let me help you stretch out those joints."

"NO! WAIT! NOOOO!!!"

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