Chapter 104

"If they weren't father and son, they surely would have clashed."

Objectively, Toji was definitely not the type of person Zoro liked. Yet, Zoro accepted Toji as his father, as family.

Whether it was because they shared blood, or for some other reason, wasn't clear.

So, it was possible that Zoro could also become close with Geto and Gojo. After all, he had accepted Toji.

"…If I tell you not to do something because it's dangerous and I'm worried, will you listen?"

"No."

"I thought so."

Toji couldn't out-stubborn Zoro. So, Toji had to follow. It was a rather strange relationship for a parent and child, but what of it?

Toji placed a large hand on Zoro's head. Zoro's head, displaying a prominent question mark, was slowly patted by Toji.

"Do as you wish."

Zoro could love and care for anyone he chose. He could aim for whatever goals he wanted.

"Just don't get hurt."

That was always Toji's only wish.

"I'm strong, Father."

"I know."

But being strong doesn't mean you can't get hurt.

Listening to the conversation, Gojo's eyes sparkled.

"So Zoro will join us on missions now?"

"Not all, just some."

"Yep, of course! But what if those guys complain like this time?"

Zoro grinned slyly.

"Is there a rule that says a sorcerer or non-sorcerer can't follow another sorcerer's mission?"

Gojo grinned back.

"Nope—there's nothing like that."

"Right?"

In reality, sorcerers busy with their own tasks typically don't have time to follow others on their missions, and non-sorcerers, unaware of sorcerers' existence, rarely necessitate such a regulation. But what of it?

"Hehehehe."

Seeing Satoru laugh cheerfully, Geto started to scold him but ended up chuckling along.

"Geto~ can't you join me on my missions?"

"I might be assigned different tasks than you."

Assigning another sorcerer to a special-class sorcerer's mission was inefficient. That's why special-class sorcerers usually coordinated only with assistant directors and rarely with other sorcerers.

'Being so strong that you don't need others' help makes one a special-class sorcerer.'

…Of course, even if Zoro was as strong as a special-class sorcerer, he would likely still need to cooperate with others.

Geto had to grab Zoro, who was trying to head in a different direction. Three of them were walking the same way, and Zoro alone was veering off; it was a talent in its own right. Geto looked at Zoro and chuckled.

"Zoro, your decision to follow other sorcerers' missions is a good one. So, make sure to refuse solo missions from now on. You'll definitely get lost."

"..."

With a tone that was kind yet strangely cold, sweat started to form on Zoro's head. Geto went on.

"Should I tell the upper echelons that you have no sense of direction? Maybe that will help them accept your strength more than just calling you a pure non-sorcerer."

"Do you think those old guys will believe anything Geto says?"

Gojo muttered seriously.

"...Even those old men might believe that."

"Hey!"

...

The next day, as Zoro was pushing the swing with Tsumiki and Megumi on it, he pondered deeply.

How could he improve the situation for sorcerers?

Technically, he wanted to help Geto, but Geto couldn't smile while his acquaintances were suffering.

To help Geto, he had to help all sorcerers.

Swoosh, the swing, firmly attached to the mature tree of the academy, moved forward. This swing, slightly longer in the seat than others, allowed both Megumi and Tsumiki to sit side by side.

"Ahaha!"

"Whee, so high!"

The clear laughter of Tsumiki and the excited voice of Megumi filled the sky.

Zoro watched the swing reach its height and stopped pushing. Pushing any harder could make the kids fall off. This was just right.

As the tiny siblings screamed joyfully while nearing the sky, Zoro thought,

'Maybe I should cut down on sleep.'

If he followed along on the missions of the academy sorcerers, naturally, the time he could spend with Megumi and Tsumiki would decrease. To make up for that time, he'd have to reduce his sleep.

'If I only sleep from 4 AM to 7 AM like in my past life, and take naps in my spare time...'

...Toji would probably lock Zoro up at home and wrap him up in blankets to make him sleep. Toji was quite sensitive about Zoro's health.

But there was stuff to do, and he couldn't just fall over and sleep.

'There's really only one way.'

To dismantle the upper echelons and establish a new leadership.

No matter how hard sorcerers work, if those leading them don't cherish their efforts and lives, it's all just expended in vain.

And that dedication could, unfortunately, be exploited in the wrong direction.

In his past life, the Navy was mostly on the side of good.

"Controlled by evil at the top of the world, actions loyal to the Navy according to justice have only served to sustain a great evil power.

'It's still possible to smash the top echelon.'

The problem is what follows. Establishing new leadership.

One might say—'Just promote another sorcerer, right?'—but it's not that easy. There's bound to be backlash asking, 'Who are you to sit above me?'

The new leadership will need authority and force to suppress that backlash, but most importantly…

'Justification.'

It is the justification that it should have been us, not them, sitting in these positions.

Zoro scratched the back of his head.

'This is going to be annoying.'

Justification only has meaning when many people sympathize with it. In other words, a group needs to be formed.

Zoro was not incapable of leading others and forming a group. He just hadn't done it because it was bothersome.

'I'm not free right now.'

He had two younger siblings to look after and a father who needed his support.

But if the only way to help Suguru was to bring down the upper echelon and establish a new leadership, what choice did he have?

'I'll have to do it.'

Zoro, who had once declared war on the World Government composed of more than 170 member countries to save a single comrade, simply decided he would someday overthrow the upper echelon.

If the upper echelon knew it would eventually fall, they would be flabbergasted to the point of foaming at the mouth.

The swing stopped. Tsumiki's cheeks turned red as she said,

'Push me again! Eek.'

'No.'

It's January, and the wind is cold. Too much outdoor activity is not good for the children in this weather. Tsumiki's nose is already running even from a short time out.

Zoro took a handkerchief from his belt and wrapped it around Tsumiki's nose. Tsumiki blew her nose loudly.

Gojo and Geto came toward Zoro with their long limbs flailing. Zoro, who had just seen Nanako and Mimiko clinging to Geto, asked,

'Where are Nanako and Mimiko?'

'Shoko is treating them.'

Since they had obtained a medical certificate proving child abuse, there was no need to recover slowly at a non-sorcerer hospital. So, he brought the two children to Shoko for treatment.

Gojo looked down at Megumi.

'Wow, every time I see this kid, his hair sticks out more and more.'

Ding, ding. Gojo playfully poked at Megumi's spiky hair with his fingers.

Megumi looked up at Gojo with a sullen expression, and Gojo stuck out his tongue with a retch.

'The more I look, the more he really looks like a clone. Could Mr. Toji have given birth through self-cloning?'

'Could be?'

Megumi also resembled Chie a lot. Zoro looked down at Megumi in his arms with a slightly bitter feeling.

…But only Zoro and Toji might realize that.

"Zoro~"

"What."

"Teach me about that black power you wield!"

Zoro looked at Gojo.

"You deliberately didn't ask me and just followed dad around."

"Um, consider it a nice guy's consideration? You're still too young."

"It doesn't matter."

"Ha! I knew you'd say that!"

Up till now, it didn't make sense to discuss age since Zoro was going on missions with them, right? Gojo said with a beaming smile.

"As equals in partnership."

Zoro looked back and forth between Gojo, who was openly expectant, and Geto, who was subtly hopeful.

"Alright, I'll teach you."

"Really?!"

"Is that okay, Zoro?"

"Yeah."

If they were to work together on missions, they needed to have at least some understanding of Zoro's powers. Otherwise, the battles would get messed up.

Above all, driving out the upper echelon wasn't something Zoro could do just by getting stronger on his own.

'These guys becoming strong and clearing out the trash to take their place wouldn't be too bad.'

…Of course, Gojo and Geto becoming the leaders of the sorcerers could mean the sorcerers suffer in a different way, but Zoro hadn't thought that far.

However,

"Learning it won't be that simple."

"Heh. I've been good at everything since I was young."

"I've never been behind when learning something new either."

Hmm. Would that be the case even when learning Haki? Zoro recalled the painful memory of having to give up alcohol until he had trained his Haki under Mihawk, and shrugged.

Even though he had strong motivation and had grasped the basics of Haki, it took Zoro quite a long time to freely use Observation and Armament Haki.

"Tsumiki, it's cold, take Megumi inside—"

"I don't want to. I want to watch!"

"Me too."

"…Alright."

Wonder who they take after being so sharp. Zoro took out a hand warmer from his belt, shook it, and handed it to Tsumiki, then bundled her up well. After doing the same for Megumi, Zoro turned to Geto.

"Suguru, just bring out one curse that doesn't mind dying."

He wanted to see how well a sorcerer could master Haki.

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