Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 98: The Little Disciple

Chapter 98: The Little Disciple

“Fwa… Fwaaam.”

I wake from a fulfilling sleep.

…Current time: 6 a.m.

Whoa, up early.

Usually, the alarm drags me out at 7:30.

Guess new bedding really changes your sleep.

This comforter and pillow are pure bliss.

“Kyuun!”

Oh, Sakura’s awake too.

I pet her head, and she wriggles over, licking my face like crazy.

Stop it, I just woke up…

Hm, no need for a second snooze with this refreshing wake-up.

What to do?

Too early for breakfast.

The Yamanaka siblings are sleeping downstairs—waking them would be bad.

They’re exhausted.

Alright, morning training it is.

I change and head to the yard with Sakura.

She sniffs around while I start with stretches.

After warming up, I fasten my sword to my belt.

I kneel in the yard, eyes closed.

Sakura’s so smart—she never enters my range during training.

Maybe she instinctively knows swords and bokken are dangerous.

I exhale, cut the koiguchi with my left hand, shift to a kneeling stance, and slowly draw the blade.

As I stand fully, the blade slips free, slicing the morning air horizontally.

The piu sound proves a perfect draw.

I swing upward, step forward, and slash down.

After a moment of zanshin, I perform chiburi and sheathe the blade.

I gently press the tsuba, fully returning it to the scabbard.

It’s a technique, sure, but more like a ritual for mental focus.

Most schools’ first iaido move feels like this.

After this, I practice whatever techniques I want.

My school… Nagumo-ryu has a lot of tricky moves, but honestly, they’re super useful in real fights.

Against someone with a bit of kenjutsu or kendo training, these unorthodox moves catch them off guard.

Nagumo-ryu’s practically unknown, after all.

Well, except to folks like Kanzaki-san…

Now, what to try today?

Can’t do Hien—only use that with the ken-nata.

Don’t want to nick Occhan’s wakizashi.

That move’s my last resort against someone way above my level.

Standing, I half-open my eyes and cut the koiguchi.

Drawing while pulling my left hip back, I slash diagonally right.

I pivot, crouch, and slash behind me, then swing horizontally right.

Flipping the blade in my hands, I thrust diagonally upward behind me with a reverse grip.

…Nice, smooth execution.

This is for when you’re surrounded: slash the first guy’s collarbone, cut the knees of the one behind, slice the shins of the one to the side, and stab the gut of the one behind.

Classic Nagumo-ryu—dirty attacks targeting the lower body.

※

I keep practicing, working up a sweat.

Done with the live blade, I’m about to switch to the bokken when—

“Cool~!”

A voice from the balcony.

“Oh, Arata, morning… You’re up early.”

“Morning, Ojisan! Can I come down?”

“Sure, watch the morning dew—don’t slip.”

Arata hops off the balcony, petting Sakura as he walks over.

“I heard byun byun sounds and wondered what it was… That’s amazing, Ojisan! First time I’ve seen a sword up close!”

Yeah, most people would say that.

The sound carried, huh?

Didn’t think I was that loud.

“You’re training, right? …Can I watch?”

“Fine by me… Hang on.”

I head to the tool shed.

Should be here… Yup, found it.

The bokken I used in elementary school.

I’m such a packrat.

I bring it back and hand it to Arata.

“Wanna train together? You want to get strong, right?”

“What? Really!?”

“Better than just watching.”

But first, warm-ups.

Kids are flexible, but there’s a limit.

Alright, stretches done.

…Now, how to teach?

Not like Master—that’d kill Arata.

Only someone with his demonic finesse could pull that off.

…That old geezer.

So, I start with the basics: swings.

“Don’t just flail. Feel your body’s movement, swing deliberately each time, got it?”

“Got it!”

“Step forward with your right foot as you swing up… Pull it back as you swing down. Like this… Like this!!”

Buon! The bokken slices the morning air.

Arata’s eyes sparkle with a “Whoa.”

“When you swing down, focus on your chest muscles, grip tight, and stop sharp. Don’t half-ass it—100 solid swings beat 1,000 lazy ones.”

“Got it!”

“Alright, take it slow, do 50 for now… Begin!”

“Ei! Ei!” Arata swings earnestly, voice ringing out.

Zombies won’t come—yard’s safe.

Plus, no zombies around here anyway.

“…Ei!”

“Good, 50. Swings build the right muscles and skill, so do them daily if you’re not wiped.”

“Got it!”

All stolen from Master and my kendo coach, but it worked for me.

Kid’s got grit.

No complaints, follows instructions perfectly.

His swings are shaky but solid for a first try.

“Good, nice response. Arata, you want to get strong for your sister, right?”

“Yeah! I’ll be a strong man and protect her!”

Great answer.

…Not sure if I can keep training him regularly.

Swings are great, but they take time to build strength.

Normally, a club or dojo would help, but in this mess? No chance.

Hope nothing happens till peace returns, but just in case…

…Maybe teach him one simple technique.

With a warning.

“Strong man, huh… Can you make a man-to-man promise with me?”

I lock eyes with him.

“…Y-Yeah.”

He senses my shift in tone, nodding nervously.

“I can teach you a technique.”

“…Really?”

“But it’s dangerous. Even with a kid’s bokken, a good hit could kill an adult.”

“…Got it.”

“So, only use it when your life—or someone precious—is in danger. Never otherwise.”

I stare into his eyes.

“Use it in a kid’s fight… and I’ll end you. Got it?”

“…”

“Well?”

“…Got it. Please, teach me!”

His gaze is strong, clear.

…Alright.

He’ll be fine.

“Then, watch closely.”

I step to the yard’s center.

※

I hold the bokken loosely in my right hand, breathing in.

“Start with seigan stance… Like this.”

I take seigan, stepping forward.

“Swing up like this… Same as your swings.”

I swing up slowly.

“The enemy expects a downward swing like practice… If you follow through, they’ll block.”

“But right before you swing down… Do this!”

I rest the blade’s spine on my right shoulder, twisting my body to switch to a kesa-giri slash.

Byuou! The sound echoes.

Nagumo-ryu, Kuuten.

A technique that shifts the blade’s path at the last second.

Normally, it branches from any stance, but this’ll do.

Lower stance versions could strain his young body.

“When you do this, aim here… Neck, collarbone, or ear. With my strength, any hit kills, but even a kid’s swing is a threat.”

“Key is: slow on the upswing, quick on the switch. And when you swing, use your whole body, not just arms.”

I approach Arata, who’s staring, mouth agape.

“This isn’t kendo—it’s kenjutsu. A technique honed over ages to kill. Got it?”

I place a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t use it lightly… Understood?”

Arata swallows hard.

“…Got it. I’ll keep the promise!”

…Good eyes.

He’s trustworthy.

“Alright. And practice this alone, nowhere near others.”

Can’t let a surprise move lose its edge.

“Now, let’s learn something practical. I’ll take stance—hit me however you want.”

I raise my bokken with a bright tone.

This time, effective strike points.

Not a technique, but Nagumo-ryu’s strike zones are nasty.

“Okay?”

“Don’t hold back. I’ve swung a bokken for two of your lifetimes.”

“Got it! …Ei!”

Kakon—I parry.

Aiming for the torso, huh?

“Yah!”

Same again.

“Ei!”

And again.

“Stop… That won’t do. Too easy to block. Stand still, don’t move.”

“Got it!”

Arata stands rigid.

“Hit where it hurts. First, hands. Then thighs, and…”

I demonstrate with slow, controlled stops.

Fingers, thighs, shins, elbows, inner thighs.

All spots where even a kid’s strength packs a punch.

…Yeah, our school’s vicious.

“Alright, hit any of those spots as much as you want! For a kid like you, lower body’s most effective.”

“Got it! Ei!!”

※

Whoops, got too into it this morning.

Sweating buckets.

Arata’s pushing too hard—he’s beat.

“Kyu~n! Kyu~n!”

Sakura’s sulking—she hasn’t gotten attention!

That’s the real crisis!!

“Sorry, sorry~!”

“Wafu! Waon!”

After heartfelt petting and brushing, she’s back to normal in about five minutes.

…So cute!!

I wipe sweat with a lukewarm towel and spritz deodorant.

Heading to Yurei today—gotta stay presentable.

Now, breakfast.

Today’s menu: alpha rice, instant miso soup, and SDF canned meat!

Desperately low on veggies, so we’ll down 100% pure tomato juice.

“Sorry, we slept so long…”

Shiho-chan’s been apologetic since waking up.

“Don’t worry, you were tired.”

“Ojisan, this canned meat’s awesome! First time eating it!!”

“Yup, thank the SDF. Tons of rice refills, so eat up, Shiho-chan too.”

“Yeah!”

“Y-Yes!”

Good, kids need to eat hearty.

“Wauf… Hafun.”

You too, Sakura.

※

After a post-meal rest, we head to Yurei.

Three of us, so I take Dad’s sedan.

Need to bring the wheelchair too.

Arata’s in the passenger seat, Shiho-chan in the back.

Arata clutches the bokken like it’s treasure.

No use to me, so I gave it to him.

It’s cheap, but he’s so attached, it must be thrilled.

We arrive at Yurei safely, driving carefully.

Zombies? No issue if the road’s clear.

On sunny days, they chase maybe 50 meters.

Rain makes them follow forever—kinda creepy.

“Morning, Tanakano-san, Sakura-chaaan! …Huh? Your relatives?”

Moriyama-kun’s face gets weird only for Sakura.

It’s a different weird with Kanzaki-san.

“Yup, they’re from the missing persons list. Found and sheltered them yesterday.”

“Awesome! You’re safe now, kids!”

He’s all cop in moments like this.

If only he were stronger, he’d be truly reliable…

I park, and Kanzaki-san steps out from the entrance.

I get out to greet her.

“Kanzaki-san, morning.”

“Morning, Tanakano-san… Different car today?”

“Yeah, brought some missing persons.”

Arata gets out, freezes at the sight of Kanzaki-san.

A cool, beautiful SDF officer—no wonder he’s stunned.

“M-Morning!”

“Morning. Glad you made it.”

Kanzaki-san smiles, and Arata blushes.

Yup, he’s a boy.

“Okay? Shiho-chan, can you stand? …Arata, grab the wheelchair.”

“Yeah!”

The back seat’s soft, making it hard for Shiho-chan’s prosthetic to lift her.

Hm, pushing to stand and hurting herself would suck.

Especially before reuniting with her aunt.

“Alright, hold onto me…”

“Y-Yes…”

Shiho-chan grabs my shoulder.

I help her stand slowly and step out.

“Good. Wheelchair or walk?”

“N-No, I can walk…”

I support her back as she stands, then turn to see Kanzaki-san’s stone-cold face way too close.

Her eyes are scary!

“Uwa!?”

Almost bumped into her!

“She’s… got a prosthetic? I’ll help. Better woman-to-woman.”

Kanzaki-san swiftly lends Shiho-chan a shoulder.

“S-Sorry.”

“No worries.”

Wow, Kanzaki-san’s quick on the uptake.

She’s a pro.

Sorry, but I’ll leave it to her.

I hand Sakura to Moriyama-kun, who’s hovering as usual, and push the wheelchair with our stuff into the school.

Gotta tell Miyata-san at the staff room.

“Welcome, you two. It’s safe here, so don’t worry.”

Miyata-san greets the siblings warmly in the staff room.

Arata, spooked by his size at first, relaxes at his kind voice.

Yeah, he’s intimidating at first glance.

“I’m Yamanaka Shiho. Please take care of us.”

“I’m Yamanaka Arata! Thanks for having us!”

“Good, great responses. I’ll call your aunt, so wait here.”

Miyata-san gives a nearby officer instructions.

“Ojisan, that guy’s huge.”

“Big, strong, kind—that’s the ideal man, Arata. No, the final form.”

“Wow… I’ll work hard!”

“Yup, aim for two meters.”

Be a strong man, kid.

Soon, hurried footsteps echo down the hall.

“Arata! Shiho!”

The door flies open, and a bespectacled woman bursts in.

Wait, I know her.

Oh! She was reading picture books to Miku-chan and the kids!

I think she’s a schoolteacher… So she’s the aunt.

“Tomoko-neechan!” “Tomoko-neesan!!”

Tomoko-san runs straight to them, hugging them tight.

“I’m so glad… You’re both safe…”

Big tears stream down as she clutches their heads.

The siblings’ tension snaps—Arata cries first, then Shiho-chan.

It’s a beautiful sight…

“Another job well done, Tanakano-sa… Need a tissue?”

“I’m fine, Inspector Miyata. Here, Tanakano-san, use this…”

“Th… Thag you, Kagzagi-sag…”

Ugh, my eyes are sweating like crazy.

Morning workout, maybe?

You’re safe, you two.

Really, I’m so glad.

“Ojisan, you’re crying~”

“Stop it! It’s heart-sweat!!”

Arata’s laugh-crying at my face.

Hey! Cops, don’t look at me!!

I’ll crush your eyes!!

“Thank you so much, Tanakano-san!!”

Tomoko-san, eyes red, grabs my hands and shakes them wildly.

…My eyes must look just as bad. Embarrassing.

“No, Arata and Shiho-chan toughed it out. If they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have found them. Praise them.”

“Yes… Yes! I never thought Shiho was in Shiiya too… Until their mom returns, I’ll take full responsibility!”

Tomoko-san clenches a fist, resolute.

Great to have such a solid guardian…

If only every case went this well…

“I’ll get strong, Ojisan. Train me again!”

“Yup, protect your sister and aunt, Arata.”

“Tanakano-san, I don’t know how to thank you… Come back, okay?”

“Yeah, take care of yourself, Shiho-chan.”

I hug them both tight.

…Feels like gaining a little brother and sister at once… or nephew and niece.

Stay healthy, you two.

I wave as the three head deeper into the school, waving back.

They’ve got lots to catch up on—let’s give them space.

Now, what to do today… Gya!?

It’s… Gyaruko!!

She’s striding toward me from where the three went!!

“Kanzaki-san, let’s go scouting!!!”

“Yes! W-Wait, what!?”

I grab Kanzaki-san’s hand and bolt out of the school.

Oh crap, that’s sexual harassment!!

I let go as soon as we’re outside.

“Moriyama-kun, thanks!!” “Hyaun!”

“Tch… Good work…?”

I scoop up Sakura and jump in the car.

“Hey! Wai—”

I hear something as we leave the gate, but it’s probably spirits whispering.

Gotta be!!

“That was Ooki-san’s… I see, that’s how it is…”

“…She’s mad, isn’t she, Kanzaki-san?”

“…I wouldn’t know!”

“W-What!?”

In the car, with no destination set, I desperately try to calm Kanzaki-san.