"Fushiguro-sensei? When did you get here?"
Only after hearing that voice did the three students locked in combat notice Mukuro's presence. They immediately stopped what they were doing and looked toward the doorway in unison.
"With my technique, I should indeed focus on long-range attacks. But if I don't raise my close-combat ability even a little, it would be troublesome once someone gets close."
The crimson in Noritoshi's right eye faded. He returned to his usual narrow-eyed look, gentle and refined like a noble young lord.
"That's true…"
Mukuro nodded in agreement.
After all, who would have guessed that a sorcerer like Suguru would also rank among the best in physical combat?
"The next sister school exchange event is starting soon. Last time, Tokyo won easily because of Yuta Okkotsu. This time, it should be our turn."
Mechamaru's eyes flickered.
He did not care much about such things, but since his companions were full of fighting spirit, he would naturally give it his all.
"How boring. I'm leaving."
This was originally just Noritoshi and Mechamaru, two long-range sorcerers, trying to improve their close-combat skills. Todo had only joined casually while passing by.
Now that his already low interest was interrupted, he picked up the shirt he had thrown aside earlier and prepared to go home to watch Takada's show.
"How about this. Since I'm already here, I'll train with you three."
The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.
All three froze. Including Todo, who had already started putting his shirt back on.
"Please allow me to ask one rude question!" Todo shouted before the other two could react. "Fushiguro-sensei, what kind of girl do you like?!"
In one smooth motion, he tore off the half-worn shirt again, revealing his muscular body.
This was a chance to be guided by the strongest physical fighter among special grade sorcerers. He was not about to miss it.
"You're still young. Don't talk like that second-rate Tsukumo."
Mukuro slowly took his hands out of his pockets, almost like a slow-motion scene.
The next instant, without warning, he had already appeared in front of Todo.
Bang!
Standing at nearly two meters tall, Mukuro's long leg whipped out and smashed into Todo's arms as he guarded his chest, sending him flying into the wall.
"Aren't we training physical combat? If you're not especially gifted, the fastest way to improve is to get beaten."
Mukuro looked at the two stunned students and lightly curled his fingers.
"Flowing Red Scale!"
Noritoshi opened his eyes again. Blood surged through his body like a pump, boosting his speed to the point that he flashed in front of Mukuro and threw a heavy punch.
To Mukuro, it was still a bit slow. He simply raised his palm, intending to catch it.
Clap.
Suddenly, the sound of clapping echoed.
Noritoshi vanished. What replaced him was Todo's massive fist and a triumphant grin.
His technique allowed him to swap the positions of two people or objects within a certain range at the moment of a clap.
Boom!
Unexpectedly, the surprise attack was dodged as Mukuro shifted his body to the side. He flipped in midair and kicked Todo in the stomach, sending him flying.
Right after that, Noritoshi, who had been swapped away, and Mechamaru behind him rushed in together, attacking from the left and right.
"If you're not good at close combat to begin with, don't make your attack intentions so obvious."
Mukuro did not dodge this time. Instead, he calmly raised both hands and easily blocked their four fists. He handled it with ease while pointing out their flaws as he fought.
"Sensei! Please tell me, what kind of girl do you like?!"
Just then, Todo charged again, leaping into the air and smashing down with a shout.
"Beat me first, then we'll talk."
Mukuro switched from defense to offense. He brushed aside the attacks from both sides, grabbed Noritoshi and Mechamaru by the arms, and threw them upward. They collided head-on with the descending Todo.
All three crashed to the ground together.
"Well? Want to keep going? I can still move."
Todo, a third-year who usually looked down on juniors, actually looked to the other two beside him.
"Of course."
With that answer, the three sprang up and attacked once more.
This was their first lesson from the strongest teacher.
* * *
Three minutes later.
"Eh? What happened to you guys?!"
Miwa, who had been on her way to buy something, heard the noise and came over. She found Todo and Noritoshi lying on the ground, faces swollen and bruised.
(Mukuro did not want to destroy Mechamaru's puppet body, so it was still perfectly fine.)
"This is a trial!"
Todo shouted that, then stood up as if nothing had happened and walked away.
"Thank you for the guidance, Fushiguro-sensei."
After standing up and bowing, Noritoshi patted Mechamaru on the shoulder, and limped toward the exit.
"Are you okay, Mechamaru?"
Miwa walked up and looked him over.
"I'm fine. Fushiguro-sensei held back, so don't worry. And this isn't my real body anyway. Even if it breaks, I won't be hurt."
Mechamaru waved his hands, showing her he was unharmed.
"That's good. I'll get back to work then. See you~"
"Okay."
After bowing to Mukuro, Miwa hurried off again.
"That's enough training for today. If I feel like it, I'll drill you again another day."
Those few minutes of fighting were little more than a warm-up to him.
"I really envy Fushiguro-sensei… no, I should say I envy anyone with a healthy body…"
Just as Mukuro was about to leave, he heard Mechamaru's quiet sigh.
Both were bound by Heavenly Restriction. One became the strongest man alive, while the other's real body was so fragile that even moonlight could burn it.
"Don't worry about it. There will be a way."
Mukuro smiled back and walked out of the training room. Behind him, Mechamaru slid down the wall and sat on the floor.
"These kids are all working so hard…"
Outside, Utahime, who had arrived at some point and been secretly watching, walked beside Mukuro.
"They really are a group of very lovable students."
He did not deny it.
* * *
In the blink of an eye, some time passed.
One day.
"What happened?"
When he saw Ijichi's number on his phone, Mukuro picked up and asked directly.
"Well… Gojo-san is away on a business trip. But the higher-ups issued an emergency special grade mission to Itadori and Megumi. I was wondering if you, Fushiguro-senpai…"
On the other end of the line, Ijichi spoke hesitantly. It was clear this call was not approved by the higher-ups.
**
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