Toge 12: Chapter 12: Maki vs.
Toge Under the expectant gazes of Inumaki Toge, Zen’in Maki, and Panda, Taira no Minamoto swallowed hard and asked his question in a trembling voice.
“Gojo-cc…
is it possible to opt out of the signed pin-ups?” “There are alternative prizes, of course.
Do you really want to know what they are, Minamoto-kun?” Looking into Gojo Satoru’s less-than-friendly eyes, even someone as bold as Minamoto had to fold under the man’s overwhelming “tyranny.” He mumbled a quick “no thanks.” Minamoto was privately fuming.
This was supposed to be a one-on-one special training session; why did he have to turn it into a tournament?
Unable to hold back any longer, he blurted out the question he had been sitting on for a while.
“Gojo-sensei, why does this feel so much like Dragon Ball?
This is plagiarism, isn’t it?
And why did you have to name it the ‘Jujutsu High Tenkaichi Budokai’ anyway?” Gojo replied with mock righteousness, “A scholar’s work can’t be called stealing!
It’s a homage, you see?
And since I’m the one hosting this martial arts tournament, why shouldn’t it be called the Tenkaichi Budokai?
I am number one under heaven.
I am the strongest, after all.” I can’t stand that ‘I’m the king of the world’ face of his, Minamoto thought sourly, mostly because I can’t even argue with him.
Gojo clapped his hands.
“Q&A time is over!
I’ve asked Shoko Ieiri to keep an eye on things from the sidelines.
Everyone!
Please, go forth and bask in the radiance of your youth!” Minamoto looked toward the edge of the field.
Shoko Ieiri was standing there in her white lab coat.
She was a true rarity—as far as Minamoto knew, the only people in the world capable of using Reverse Cursed Technique to heal others were Shoko, Okkotsu Yuta, and Ryomen Sukuna.
Gojo produced a box out of nowhere.
“Time to draw lots!
First up is Maki vs.
Toge.
Which leaves Minamoto vs.
Panda for the second round.” The group shared a singular thought: Gojo-sensei is having way too much fun with this.
He was trying to turn a four-person bracket into a grand spectacle.
Gojo stepped into the role of the referee, standing in the center of the ring with a folding fan in hand.
He announced with sudden, practiced formality: “Will the first pair of contestants please step into the center of the arena?
The match is about to begin.” Maki tossed her naginata to Panda.
Surprisingly, the two were quite in sync; Panda acted as her temporary equipment manager.
She cracked her wrists and shot a provocative look at Toge.
“I’m not going to go easy on you, Toge.
Don’t go crying when I beat you.” Toge replied calmly, “Salmon.” (I won’t.) As soon as Gojo saw them fall into their stances, he began his commentary, his voice already having “teleported” over to Shoko’s side.
“In a duel between masters, the first move is often the deciding factor!
The strong usually strike first, seeking to crush their opponent with a thunderous blow.
The weak, however, wait for the second move, intentionally showing openings to lure the enemy in for a counter-attack.
But when two masters of the same caliber meet, the real challenge lies in finding a crack in a perfect defense!
Their battle shall be like a clash between dragon and tiger, a struggle so intense that—” Minamoto looked over at Gojo, exasperated.
They hadn’t even started fighting yet!
Commentator Gojo, where did you find these third-rate wuxia novel lines?
Not only are you the referee, you’re the play-by-play announcer too?
You’re really expanding your portfolio, aren’t you!
Suddenly, Toge and Maki blurred.
They charged at each other with explosive speed.
Maki led with a Piquazhang (Chop-Hanging Palm) aimed straight for Toge.
Toge parried with his left hand, instantly attempting to seize Maki’s wrist while his right hand reached for her joint to lock her down.
Maki didn’t panic.
Using offense as defense, she stepped forward into a bow stance and delivered a Bengquan (Crushing Fist) to Toge’s chest.
Toge was forced to release her wrist and cross his arms over his chest to tank the heavy blow.
Minamoto watched, deeply impressed.
He hadn’t realized Maki practiced Bajiquan just like him.
Taiji for peace, Baji for power.
Maki’s Piquazhang was incredibly fluid.
Minamoto had seen traces of Chinese martial arts in her movements before, but he hadn’t realized she was this proficient.
Maki and Toge fell back into a standoff.
Maki had a faint smile playing on her lips, while Toge looked grim.
Maki clearly had the upper hand; Toge’s hands were trembling slightly from the force of that last punch.
Toge had estimated Maki’s physical prowess, thinking he might be slightly behind but not outclassed.
After taking that hit, he realized he had been an idiot.
Trying to match this monster in raw strength was a fool’s errand.
Maki spoke up, noticing Toge shifting into an Aikido stance, waiting for her to move.
“Ready, Toge?
Here I come.” “Salmon.” (Ready.) Toge employed a circular movement technique—Sabaki.
He bladed his body, refusing to give Maki a clear opening, trying to avoid her direct line of attack and slip into her blind spot.
Maki lunged.
Her body snapped forward like a released bowstring.
Her previous words hadn’t just been a check-in; they were a way to build momentum.
She was in Toge’s face in an instant, her speed transcending human limits.
She delivered an Yingfeng Chaotian Zhang (Upward Palm against the Wind) aimed squarely at his face.
Gojo watched with a grin, recalling the old martial arts adage: “Move like a drawn bow, strike like a thunderclap.” Maki’s Bajiquan was reaching a truly professional level.
Toge didn’t panick.
He caught the palm with both hands and slid his feet back, using a “yield and redirect” technique to compensate for his lack of raw power.
Having neutralized the force, he gripped Maki’s wrist and hooked his foot behind hers, preparing a grappling takedown to floor her.
Minamoto watched with rapt attention.
Panda commented that it was Aikido, but to Minamoto, it looked remarkably similar to the Taiji, chin na, and wrestling techniques of traditional Chinese martial arts.
Maki dropped into a deep horse stance and flexed her arms, tearing her hand free from the lock.
Toge performed a tactical roll across the ground, trying to regroup and wait for the next opening.
Maki didn’t let him breathe.
She pressed the advantage, closing the distance for a flurry of close-range strikes.
Toge, caught off guard, could only reinforce his body with Cursed Energy to tank the hits.
As he tried to stand, Maki was already inside his guard.
She planted her feet firmly and unleashed one of the “Eight Great Strikes”—the Lidi Tongtian Pao (Ground-shattering Cannon).
The punch shattered Toge’s defensive stance.
Maki showed no mercy.
She stepped forward with her left foot, tucked her left fist to her shoulder, and drove her right elbow forward.
Leading with her body, she delivered a Tieshankao (Iron Mountain Lean) that sent Toge spiraling through the air.
Gojo moved in a blur, catching Toge before he hit the ground and placing him gently beside Shoko.
Maki didn’t even stop to celebrate.
She rushed to Gojo’s side, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw Toge hadn’t lost consciousness.
Before she could say a word, Toge spoke up.
“Mustard leaf.” (I’m okay.) Seeing that Toge was relatively unharmed, Gojo officially declared Maki the winner.
The cold wind whistled as dust settled over the maple leaves.
The atmospheric pressure seemed to drop as two figures stepped forward into the center of the field.
“The world’s greatest swordsman faces off against the Dragon Warrior at the peak of Mount Fuji!
Shall the blade be faster, or the fist stronger?
Let us wait and see!” “Hey, Gojo-cc, stop being a dork!
What ‘greatest swordsman’ and ‘Dragon Warrior’?” Minamoto snapped impatiently.
“You’ve watched Kung Fu Panda too many times.
Just call the start already!
I’ve got an anime I want to watch this afternoon.”