Masamichi Yaga felt that if Tan Man wanted him to accept the money for that reason, and he used it for that same purpose, then accepting it was not entirely out of the question.
Yaga glanced at the amount written on the note attached to the bank card. The string of zeros alone startled him. It certainly was no small sum.
After some internal struggle, Masamichi Yaga finally accepted the card and solemnly promised Tan Man.
"I'll do as you suggested and spend it on more people who need help."
Accepting a favor left you beholden to the giver. As long as Masamichi Yaga accepted the money, Tan Man's goal was already achieved. He no longer cared how Yaga chose to spend it and answered calmly.
"Of course, that's entirely up to you. I trust your judgment."
Just then, the door to Yaga's office swung open. The person who entered was Satoru Gojo.
"Sensei, so what's today's... assignment?"
Satoru Gojo had only come to check whether Masamichi Yaga was in his office because he had failed to show up in the classroom at the agreed time, and Gojo was getting tired of waiting.
When Satoru Gojo saw someone else in the room, he thought he should have waited for Masamichi Yaga's response before opening the door.
But when that person turned to look at him, Satoru Gojo stared at those dazzling Golden Eyes and froze for a moment.
Those eyes... hadn't I...
Tan Man pointed at his own right shoulder and said to Satoru Gojo with a soft chuckle.
"It's been a long time since then, hasn't it? Your hand's all right now, I hope?"
In that instant, memories came flooding back. Tan Man's Golden Eyes overlapped with those of the boy in Satoru Gojo's memories. He was certain of the man's identity now: this was Tan Man Zenin, who had once nearly killed him.
Satoru Gojo's expression changed instantly. His usual easygoing air vanished as he ground out each word through clenched teeth.
"Tan Man Zenin!"
Tan Man merely replied calmly, "That's me."
Sensing the turbulent cursed energy radiating from Satoru Gojo, Masamichi Yaga immediately realized something was wrong.
According to his information, Satoru Gojo and Tan Man should not have had any further contact after their clash nine years ago. He had never expected their animosity to persist to this day.
Masamichi Yaga barked at Satoru Gojo, "Calm down, Satoru Gojo!"
Satoru Gojo had already stepped up to him. Tan Man met his gaze without showing the slightest fear and said evenly.
"Sorry, I didn't come here to fight you today."
"And who was it that attacked me back then without saying a word?" As Satoru Gojo spoke, he reached for Tan Man's collar, only for a thin strand of Black Flame to weave itself into a chain and appear in front of his hand, blocking it.
Tan Man said calmly, "I know I left a lasting impression on you, but keep your hands to yourself."
Satoru Gojo pointed at Tan Man and asked Yaga.
"What's this guy doing here?"
Yaga could not be bothered to take issue with Satoru Gojo's attitude toward him and answered.
"He's here to enroll. Don't you..."
"I remember this guy's younger than me. Why don't you leave his entrance test to me?"
As he spoke, Satoru Gojo used Limitless to force his way through Tan Man's defense and grabbed his collar.
Of course, Tan Man knew what Satoru Gojo meant by an entrance test. Usually, after enrollment was confirmed, Masamichi Yaga would spar with the student and question them about their reasons for enrolling.
"So by entrance test, you mean I have to beat you to enroll?"
"That's right. If you lose, get the hell out."
"Is that so? Do the other Jujutsu High students enroll this way too?"
"Nope. You're the only one who gets my special treatment."
"Then can I take this as you bullying me one-sidedly, upperclassman?"
"You're free to interpret it however you like. And one correction: you're not a Jujutsu High student, so don't call me your upperclassman."
Masamichi Yaga pinched the bridge of his nose. This was hardly his first day dealing with Satoru Gojo, and he knew a fight between them was probably unavoidable.
Masamichi Yaga also tried to convince himself that once Tan Man enrolled at Tokyo Jujutsu High, the two would inevitably run into each other all the time. Settling things now might not be such a bad idea.
Still, Masamichi Yaga was not confident he could stop their fight, just as he had been unable to prevent it from starting. At least Shoko's presence provided something of a safety net.
Masamichi Yaga sighed and said, "Keep it to a spar. Don't take things too far. That goes for both Satoru Gojo and Tan Man Zenin."
Hearing Masamichi Yaga tell even Tan Man to hold back made Satoru Gojo deeply unhappy. That clearly implied the other man might beat him again. He rolled his eyes at Masamichi Yaga.
Yaga had originally intended to take them to Jujutsu High's training room for their match, but Tan Man waved a hand and said.
"We'd better not do this indoors. Against him, I can't guarantee I'll be able to control the power."
Satoru Gojo spoke up at the same time. "If it's him, indoors is out of the question."
As he spoke, Tan Man took out another bank card and tossed it to Masamichi Yaga, leaving him bewildered enough to ask.
"What's this supposed to mean?"
Tan Man calmly explained to Masamichi Yaga.
"Even in an open area, we'll probably still cause considerable damage. I'll cover the compensation for whatever damage I cause. Consider the money in there an advance payment."
"Huh?" Satoru Gojo looked like a startled cat.
Does this brat have too much money?
Who prepares compensation in advance before a fight?
The gesture also left Masamichi Yaga at a loss for words.
Just then, Tan Man knocked Satoru Gojo's hand away, straightened his collar, and said to him contemptuously.
"As a rule, I won't cover your share. Of course, if you're having financial difficulties, I wouldn't mind helping you pay. It won't cost much anyway. Or have you never considered the trouble you'd cause Mr. Yaga?"
Satoru Gojo glared at Tan Man through gritted teeth and, with extreme reluctance, took his own bank card from his wallet and shoved it into Masamichi Yaga's hand.
"Here's mine!"
Tan Man looked at Satoru Gojo with amusement and teased him.
"Actually, there's no need to go to all that trouble. I'll try to finish you off quickly, upperclassman. That way, you won't have to spend anything."
"We'll see if you're still talking so tough in a minute!"
Before you continue