Chapter 112

"...Are you saying you have captured curses before?"

"No, I mean he's going on a mission."

Nanami's common sense, which had tried to interpret the young sorcerer's comment about catching one or two curses, was shattered once again by Geto's calm statement.

Geto, having glanced at Shoko as she flopped down into a chair, continued.

"He's not officially assigned missions. He mostly just follows other sorcerers on their assignments."

It's unclear whether Geto was reluctant to discuss it further or simply chose to ignore it, but after the mission in the village of Gukoku, no specific tasks had been assigned to Zoro.

"Of course, he hasn't been assigned a rank either."

Thus, Zoro had been accompanying other classic sorcerers on their missions as a support over the past few months.

Nanami opened his mouth to speak several times but ended up closing it each time.

"If I heard correctly, you said... the senior... is... six years old?"

"Yes."

"Does the world of sorcery employ six-year-olds?"

Nanami's voice was as cold as ice.

He thought it was abnormal when he heard that even high school students were assigned missions. But as corrupt as the industry might be, shouldn't there be some lines that humans just don't cross? Assigning such dangerous duties to a child who has just started school?

Satoru widened his eyes then burst into laughter.

"Haha, hahaha! Wow, it's the first time since Suguru I've seen someone get seriously angry about Zoro working as a sorcerer."

"It's the usual here."

Geto muttered.

Logically, how could a six-year-old accompany others on missions and fight when necessary? Yet, despite being a non-sorcerer who can't see curses, Zoro was able to work as a sorcerer because he possessed strength acknowledged even by the top figures in the sorcery world.

"Even if he has the abilities, it's not something that should be happening."

Six years old is no age to bear any kind of responsibility. It's well below the age of 15, which is the legal working age in Japan, and even below 14, the age at which criminal charges and youth detention become possible.

"It's only possible because this is the sorcery world."

Outside the law, with chronic manpower shortages because only those aware of and able to see curses can enter the industry.

"It's also why Toji, once known as the sorcerer killer, can operate as a sorcerer, and why Zoro, still a non-sorcerer at six, needs to keep active."

Ultimately, it's due to a lack of personnel.

Because of the past, because of his age, because he's a non-sorcerer. Reasons like these naturally shift tasks that should be handled by lower-ranked sorcerers to people like Toji and Zoro. There aren't enough high-class or first-class sorcerers.

"The more challenging missions keep coming their way."

While some sorcerers grow through these missions, most are either physically or mentally hurt, or even die, leaving the sorcery world.

As the number of sorcerers decreases, the manpower crisis worsens, and the remaining sorcerers face increasingly burdensome tasks... It's a vicious cycle. Essentially, the manpower shortage is the root of all problems in the sorcery world.

"...Ah, maybe it's not the root of all problems."

There are higher-ups after all.

Someday, they'll need to be dealt with. Geto made a chilling vow. He'd do it now if he could, but doing so would likely lead to sorcerers dying from curses or overwork. Not yet possible.

"Do as you wish."

That's what Zoro told Geto in the stalactite cave.

For the first time since becoming a sorcerer, Geto Suguru thought about what kind of society he 'wanted,' not just a 'right' society.

A society where he could laugh with friends, even if some things were not perfect.

It was still vague, often shifting its definition and appearance. In essence, Geto was deep in thought about what he truly wanted.

...One clear thing was that the society Geto Suguru envisioned included Gojo Satoru and Zenin Zoro, along with their loved ones.

Haibara Yu stared blankly at the pensive Geto, blinking his large, calf-like eyes.

"What's the matter?"

Yu couldn't grasp the current situation at all. In his mind, the idea of a six-year-old taking on missions was unfathomable.

Zoro scratched his head as he stared at Haibara's face.

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

Where had he seen him? Zoro tilted his head, almost remembering.

"Do you not consider labor laws at all?"

Nanami's question made Shoko chuckle before she removed a cigarette from her mouth and exhaled smoke.

"Sorry, junior. This is the sorcery world."

Where illegality and injustice are commonplace. She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Haibara's face turned pale as he digested the words of Nanami and Shoko.

"So... you're saying a six-year-old goes on missions?!"

"Yes."

"...My little sister is six years old?!"

Haibara Yu mumbled in dismay. His sister, Haibara Yume, was also six. She loved watching Pretty Cure on TV, playing with robot toys, and eating popped rice at home with her brother.

His sister, the same age as a child who takes on missions? And a senior who has been active as a sorcerer? Haibara couldn't believe it.

A frightened Haibara asked.

"Does my little sister have to work in the sorcery world too? She's six as well."

"No. It's rare for someone to start working in the sorcery world at six."

Only a few, like Satoru and Zoro, started at that age. Even Satoru had other sorcerers from the Gojo family with him at that age.

"Well, Zoro doesn't go on missions alone either."

"So why him..."

"Zoro is strong."

Gojo stated matter-of-factly.

"Very strong."

Zoro himself wanted to be active as a sorcerer, but more importantly, he was able because he's strong.

Strong enough to handle unexpected situations during missions and return safely.

If Zoro had been only moderately strong—around the level of a second-class sorcerer—regardless of what the upper echelons said or whether Zoro wanted it, he wouldn't have been allowed to work as a sorcerer. No one other than his father, Toji, would have enforced it.

"Locked up at home, or created reasons he couldn't go on missions."

It would probably be the latter. Even Toji would avoid using force against family as much as possible.

"Maybe even used himself as a hostage."

Pretending to be hurt by a curse and bleeding profusely at home. Zoro, despite appearances, was deeply caring and would treat even such a gorilla with the utmost respect.

In any case, all possible means would have been employed to prevent Zoro from being active in the sorcery world. Better to restrict his actions than to lose him.

The reason it hadn't come to that was because Zoro was strong enough to take care of himself in most situations.

...More specifically, strong enough that even Toji would find it difficult to restrain him.

Nanami and Haibara looked at the others in the classroom incredulously. The female senior with a cigarette, the male senior with bangs, the two muscular teachers, and the white-haired senior didn't respond to their words.

As if they had just been told the night sky is dark. Everyone here had no doubts about the little green-haired boy's strength.

Feeling like a two-eyed person who had fallen into a land of cyclops, Nanami finally managed to say,

"...A six-year-old is strong?"

"He could probably beat the two of you with a box cutter."

"Really?!"

"Hold on. ...Yes, definitely."

Gojo lowered his sunglasses to confirm the new students' powers before declaring decisively.

"Not bad, and it seems both have some techniques."

Neither was at the exceptional level of sorcerers like himself or Suguru. Not even close to a first-class sorcerer like Mei Mei. Nor did they seem to have unique abilities like Shoko's reverse techniques. Perhaps ordinary third-class or almost second-class sorcerers?

"To Zoro, that's a piece of cake."

"—Maybe even beat my father?"

Gojo's casual remark made Zoro and Toji turn their heads towards him simultaneously. The atmosphere tensed slightly, and Gojo chuckled.

"Why? No? Of course, it wouldn't be easy, but in a one-on-one fight, Zoro could definitely— Ow!"

Bang! Yaga delivered a huge blow to Gojo's head, causing him to hiss.

"Shut it, Satoru."

"Ow..."

As Gojo held his head and groaned, the new students didn't know what to do. Nanami's eyes were glazed over. He was halfway out of his mind already.

"...Toji-sensei is Zoro's father. The children in Zoro's arms, they're all Toji-sensei's kids."

The girl was Tsumiki, four years old. The boy was Megumi, three years old. Geto kindly explained for the uninformed new students.

Due to a series of shocking revelations, Nanami, unprepared to absorb any more information, simply nodded. Meanwhile, Haibara turned to inspect the faces of the two children clinging to Zoro like cicadas on a tree.

The boy called Megumi indeed bore a strong resemblance to Toji. ...The girl called Tsumiki, however, did not resemble Toji at all.

Catching Haibara's gaze towards Megumi, Gojo excitedly rambled.

"Megumi is a spitting image of the teacher, right? Even though he's his own son, Zoro doesn't look much like Toji-sensei. It's peculiar."

Listening to Gojo's endless chatter, Geto smiled warmly. It was clear they had failed to make a good impression on the new students.

"They prepared a welcome party for the new students in the classroom."

Caps, sashes, a giant paper on the blackboard, and flowers cut from paper—all planned by Geto.

Apparently, the new students were too shocked by what they had heard to even notice the classroom decorations. Only Megumi and Tsumiki, who had busily blown whistles and cut paper for decorations, benefited.

Unable to stand it any longer, Geto covered Gojo's mouth with his palm. Then he said,

"Satoru, can you stop with the inappropriate comments? You're frightening the new students."

"Mmph! Mmph!"

"Haven't we even heard the new students' names yet? Maybe we should let them introduce themselves?"

Forcing Gojo's head to nod, Geto smiled kindly at the two new students.

"Now, would you two like to introduce yourselves in turn?"

"This doesn't seem like the right time for introductions... No, I'll tell you. Nice to meet you. I am Nanami Kento."

Feeling as if the conversation would never end, Nanami introduced himself and bowed slightly. Clap, clap, clap. Gojo and Geto smiled, while Shoko and Zoro appeared somewhat indifferent.

Following that, Haibara Yu straightened his torso and spoke in a cheerful voice.

"I am Haibara Yu! Nice to meet you!"

Upon hearing the name Haibara Yu, something clicked in Zoro's head. Haibara Yu's face, with his dark brown bowl-cut hair and large eyes, overlapped with that of Haibara Yume, who had similar brown hair and big eyes.

Unlike Yume, Yu did not wear glasses, was much taller, and obviously differed in age and gender, but the overall impression was strikingly similar to that of Haibara Yume.

Zoro murmured.

"Haibara Yume."

Haibara Yu's eyes widened.

"...Do you know my sister?!"

"I met her at school today."

It was indeed a family connection. Zoro found the coincidence intriguing and stroked his chin.

Until now, except for scolding Gojo, Yaga Masamichi had only been listening. Now, he spoke up.

"I have a question for you two."

"Yes! Ask anything!"

While Haibara responded immediately, Nanami pressed his fingertips against his forehead. The information he had heard so far was overwhelmingly burdensome. Yet, he eventually sighed and said, "Please ask."

With an unusually stern expression, Yaga asked seriously.

"Why did you come to the school of sorcery?"

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