Chapter 33: In Full Swing
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"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
On the training grounds of Sunagakure's Ninja Academy, hundreds of children were practicing taijutsu in perfect unison. Leading the group were none other than Hidan, a disciple of the Kazekage, and the "exchange student" from Konoha, Might Guy. Their punches were executed with precision and vigor, each strike brimming with energy and determination.
The taijutsu instructor for Sunagakure's Ninja Academy was none other than the "foreign teacher," Might Duy. Thanks to his outstanding performance in two recent battles, this seemingly wiry, bearded ninja had won the respect of both parents and students alike. Even the Kazekage himself had personally appointed Might Duy to the Academy's curriculum development team as an editor for the taijutsu training materials.
Jinghang, the Kazekage, placed great emphasis on taijutsu. He was keenly aware that taijutsu was the fundamental measure of a ninja's basic abilities. The strength of one's taijutsu was often a critical factor in determining survival on the battlefield. This perspective was shared by senior ninjas like Ebizō and Chiyo, who wholeheartedly supported Jinghang's views. After all, ninjas lived by the blade, surviving amidst death and carnage. Without solid, straightforward combat skills, a ninja wouldn't last long. Bloodline limits and secret family techniques were privileges of the few, and relying solely on flashy tactics and strategies was futile without real, hard-earned martial prowess. After all, those tactics could eventually be learned by others over time. Just look at the legendary shinobi of the First Shinobi World War—Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, A, Retsudo, Gengetsu Hōzuki, and Mū—every one of them was a master of taijutsu, capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards with their bare hands or crushing boulders underfoot.
The foundation of taijutsu, however, was laid during the formative years at the ninja academy. In his Education Reform Plan, Jinghang elevated the importance of taijutsu and physical conditioning to a new level. He even made taijutsu a mandatory component of the graduation exam. To this end, the standard six-year academy program was extended to seven years, providing an additional year to solidify the students' taijutsu foundation. Jinghang's dedication didn't stop there—he also ordered Ebizō to establish a dedicated Taijutsu Research Department and a Taijutsu Curriculum Editing Office. These teams were tasked with collecting and compiling taijutsu techniques and unique moves from various clans. In a remarkably short period, they developed a series of taijutsu techniques tailored to Sunagakure, designed for students of all ages to progressively master.
Under Jinghang's guidance, this new taijutsu curriculum focused on practicality over aesthetics. Extraneous movements were eliminated, and every technique was designed with real combat in mind—simple, efficient, and deadly. The philosophy was clear: if one move could incapacitate an enemy, there was no need for a second. If a move could kill, there was no reason to leave the opponent alive. These techniques were pure killing arts. Jinghang even gave this taijutsu style a commanding name: Maga Arts.
"Stop! That's enough for today's technique practice," Might Duy announced, addressing the students. "My teaching methods might differ from what you're used to, but I want you to remember one thing: every technique is static, but people are dynamic. You'll never know where your opponent's next punch will land. The speed of thought is often slower than the speed of reaction. That's why I believe the most important thing is to train your muscles and body to develop memory. In different situations, your body should instinctively choose the best response. For example—"
Before he could finish, Might Duy suddenly lashed out with a whip kick aimed at Hidan. Without thinking, Hidan instinctively ducked low and countered with a sweeping leg kick.
"Excellent!" Might Duy praised as he easily leaped over the counterattack. "Everyone, take note—Hidan's response was spot-on. He chose to duck and evade the attack instead of blocking it with his elbow. A whip kick generates immense force, and if I had used my full strength just now, blocking with an elbow would likely have resulted in a broken arm, reducing his combat effectiveness by at least half. Ducking not only minimizes movement but is also highly effective, allowing for a swift and efficient counterattack. Let's give Hidan a round of applause!"