I Play Ninjutsu in Jujutsu Kaisen! Chapter 17

Why does it feel like I've lost a billion!

"..."

Forget it, I'll just wash up and sleep. I'm leaving tomorrow, and a half-month-long mission—honestly, I kind of hate it. If they hadn't offered so much, I wouldn't even go.

Isn't training every day way better?

The next day.

The sun hadn't risen yet, the sky faintly glowing white, a cool breeze brushing against Natsu Hiraku's handsome face.

It was 4:30 AM. Natsu Hiraku woke up an hour earlier than usual just to avoid running into them. After all, parting for half a month was always a bit sad.

Stepping out of Jujutsu High, the faint white light fell on his face. He tapped a string of numbers on his phone screen and dialed.

This was the number Mitsuchi Ichitaki had given him yesterday. He knew calling at this hour to wake someone up was a bit of a jerk move, but since he was already up, he figured that secretary would understand.

Understand that it was time to rise, not waste this beautiful youth on sleep.

"Beep... beep... beep..."

The familiar ringtone sounded in her ear. Sasada, sound asleep in bed, instinctively thought it was her boss's call. Groggily, she answered and asked, "Boss, is there something you need?"

"Sorry, I'm not your boss. I'm the bodyguard your boss hired. My name's Natsu Hiraku."

"Natsu... Hiraku?"

Sasada paused in confusion, then recalled what her boss had told her yesterday:

"Tomorrow, a bodyguard named Natsu Hiraku will contact you. Take him to the young lady."

"Mr. Natsu Hiraku, right? Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

"No need to trouble yourself. I already feel bad for calling and waking you up this early. Just give me Mitsuchi Mi's address, and I'll head over now."

"Alright."

Sasada hung up, glanced at the time, and saw it wasn't even five yet...

"..."

Is this guy insane?

Calling at 4:41.

Are bodyguards this dedicated these days?

Despite her speechlessness, she sent the address via text, then dialed another number.

"A bodyguard named Natsu Hiraku will be coming by later. If you can, test his fighting skills—it's best, since the young lady's bodyguard doesn't need some weakling. I'll explain to the boss. That's it, I'm going back to sleep."

An hour later.

After running the whole way, Natsu Hiraku looked at the address on the map, then glanced at the villa in front of him. Confirming it was the right place, he walked toward the two security guards standing at the gate.

He said, "My name's Natsu Hiraku. I'm the bodyguard here to protect Mitsuchi Mi."

"Natsu Hiraku?"

The two exchanged glances, sizing up his lean frame, and sneered. "You're the new personal bodyguard? You're probably not even as strong as us, are you? If someone tries to assassinate the young lady, what are you gonna protect her with? That scrawny body of yours?"

"Don't worry about my strength. I'm definitely stronger than both of you combined."

The moment Natsu Hiraku finished speaking, the guard on the left threw a punch with lightning speed. It was clear he was trained—his movements were sharp and decisive, aimed straight at the gut.

"Slap—"

A crisp sound echoed through the quiet morning. The guard who had attacked Natsu Hiraku was now on the ground, a dazed look in his eyes. He'd only felt a sharp pain in his leg before a powerful force sent him crashing down.

The other guard had seen the whole thing. This kid, who looked barely an adult, had terrifying reflexes. He'd dodged the attack and, in one smooth motion, kicked a man weighing nearly 150 pounds flat on his back. What kind of monstrous strength was that?

"Still want to test me?"

Natsu Hiraku stared straight at the standing guard, since he'd seemed ready to take a swing too. Honestly, bullying ordinary people like this gave him no satisfaction. Even if his body wasn't as strong as theirs, he could always reinforce it with cursed energy.

And besides...

This house wasn't simple. He'd sensed it from the start—there were some nasty things inside, and not weak ones either.

It seemed they'd never called in a jujutsu sorcerer to exorcise the curses, letting all that negative energy form into a fairly powerful curse.

"No, no need. Your strength is more than enough. Please, come in, Mr. Natsu Hiraku."

The wise guard stepped aside, helping his groaning comrade to his feet and clearing the path.

"Alright. I might have hit a bit hard, but an ice pack for a while and he'll be fine."

"Yeah, got it."

The guard watched Natsu Hiraku walk inside, swallowed hard, and mentally added him to the "do not mess with" list—though only at number ten.

And where did this monster come from?

His body hadn't even fully matured, so how was he this strong?

"Oh, right."

Natsu Hiraku seemed to remember something, turned back to the guard at the gate, and said, "Since we're both protectors, how about we train together tomorrow?"

His inner thoughts were: If I don't steal some combat techniques, how can I live in peace? They're about to strip me down to my underwear—if I don't, the next half-month won't be any better!

"Okay, of—of course, it's my honor."

The guard agreed repeatedly, since he too wanted to know what made an underage kid so strong.

If he could pick up even a fraction of it, he'd knock the captain down and take his spot!

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

With that, Natsu Hiraku continued inward. Though the villa was huge, its security was top-notch—someone stood guard every ten meters.

Forget assassins; even a mosquito could only get in if the night was dark enough.

Did he really need protection here?

"You must be Natsu Hiraku. Younger than I expected, but beating those two at the gate means you pass."

A bold voice came from the side. The speaker was 185 cm tall, wearing a black short-sleeve shirt and shorts. The muscles on his arms alone were thicker than Natsu Hiraku's thighs, and up close, the sight was striking.

His calloused hands and the scars on his arms made it clear he was the strongest among these guards—his position earned through fists.

Strong. Without cursed energy, I'd get wrecked. Not even in the same league.

Natsu Hiraku gave that objective assessment and guessed the man might have been a mercenary before.

The calluses and shoulder scars proved he couldn't be underestimated. If he could steal this man's martial skills, his close-combat ability would jump three tiers.

"Hello. I know it's abrupt since I just got here, but could we spar?"

"Oh~!"

Ido Shuichi looked at the brash kid with interest, recalling how he'd taken down the two gate guards. Maybe he had some skill.

He cracked his joints and said, "You serious? Anyone with eyes can see the gap between us. If I accidentally break a bone, I'm not taking responsibility."

"Of course, injuries happen in sparring. Shall we start now?"

"Haha! You've got guts!"

Ido Shuichi turned to Murata Shoichi and said, "Call the guys over. This kid's got more balls than those cowards—none of them dare challenge me, but he does!"

With a boss built like you, who'd dare...

Murata Shoichi pitied the newcomer. Sure, plenty of people were arrogant, but look at the size difference!

Hope you make it out alive...

"What's going on? The boss is fighting the new kid?"

"Yeah, first time I've seen someone this cocky. Last guy who challenged the boss on day one has grass three meters tall over his grave."

"I heard he took down both gate guards alone. Can't be that weak—he won a two-on-one."

"Wen Xiao and Liushui? They're weak. I could take them both too."

The crowd murmured among themselves. Natsu Hiraku had already set his stance, his backpack on the ground.

Inside was a brand-new Cursed Tool longsword. His previous one was already sharpened and only used for sparring with Maki.

"Kid, I like your nerve. Ten seconds—if you last ten seconds against me, you win. With this size difference, I won't bully you."

Ido Shuichi glanced at the blue backpack and asked curiously, "What's in there?"

"A sword."

Natsu Hiraku didn't brush it off. It was legal for sorcerers to carry Cursed Tools outside.

"Interesting."

Ido Shuichi slowly crouched, leg muscles bulging, and said excitedly, "Then... let's begin!"

"Alright."

Natsu Hiraku took a deep breath, fists clenched. He didn't plan to use cursed energy to strengthen his body—he wanted to see how strong someone besides Maki Zenin could be in pure hand-to-hand.

Murata Shoichi held a stopwatch and shouted:

"Start!"

"Whoosh--!"

Ido Shuichi exploded forward like a human tank, covering five meters in an instant. A fist the size of a sandbag shot out.

Fast!

Natsu Hiraku watched the incoming fist, crossing his arms in front of his chest. One hit was enough to feel the chasm between them.

My arm bones feel like they're breaking.

No good—I can't take it!

Scarlet cursed energy instantly enveloped his body, then vanished. In a single breath, he was sent flying by the immense force.

"Thud!!"

Natsu Hiraku flew five meters back and slammed into a tree. The loud crash startled Mitsuchi Mi, who was sleeping.

She looked out the window at the cheering crowd, confused. It was usually so quiet in the morning—why all the excitement today?

She slowly rose in her red pajamas, peering through the glass at the courtyard. The guards who usually stood watch were now all gathered together, and Captain Ido seemed delighted, his arms raised high.

What happened?

Is that... Natsu Hiraku?

Mitsuchi Mi's pupils contracted as she looked at Natsu Hiraku, whose back was already covered in dust. He was walking toward the battalion commander, his hands poised as if ready to start a fight.

"Hiss, still hurts."

Natsu Hiraku shook his hands and said, "It's not over yet. Only two seconds have passed. There are eight left."

He withstood it?

Murata Shoichi's stopwatch had already stopped, exactly two seconds. He'd pressed it the moment Natsu Hiraku hit the tree—after all, with that frail frame, taking a blow would break his arm, and crashing into a tree would definitely knock him out. It didn't make sense!

"You... your hand's fine?"

Ido Shuichi scratched his head, seemingly unable to grasp the situation either. Those arms were too thin. He could tell the kid had trained, but that was all it was—just training. Did he have bones different from normal people?

"Of course? Want me to get you an X-ray?"

Natsu Hiraku shook his hands, clenched his fists, and continued, "Stop wasting time. Eight seconds left. If I win, I'll add another condition—teach me all your martial arts!"

"Tch!"

Ido Shuichi snorted coldly, squared up, and sneered, "So it's my martial arts you're after. No wonder you had the guts to challenge me. Fine. If you can survive these eight seconds, I'll teach you. What's it to me, you little lunatic?"