70 Chapter 69

Toji's family was walking hand in hand.

Megumi was holding Tsumiki's hand, Tsumiki was holding Zoro's hand, and Zoro was holding Toji's hand as they walked.

Although the surveillance ordered by the sorcery school was for Zoro and Toji, they couldn't just leave Megumi and Tsumiki at home, so the four of them ended up going to the school together.

Zoro looked at Tsumiki.

"By the way, Tsumiki, did you tell mom we're going here?"

"No!"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes!"

"...Alright. Let me know if anything happens."

"Okay."

After the department store incident, Tsumiki ended up not going back home and stayed at Zoro's house. Tsumiki's mother didn't look for her either.

"Ah, a dragonfly!"

"Catch it!"

"No, Megumi. We should let the dragonfly fly."

"Eh…"

At least Tsumiki continued to laugh with Megumi, and there was no falsehood in their laughter.

'Then that's enough, I guess.'

Since the department store incident, Tsumiki and Megumi have been somewhat inseparable from Zoro's side...

'But it's more serious on our end.'

Zoro looked up at Toji. Toji kept glancing over, checking if Zoro was still by his side, making sure he was holding hands.

'In a few weeks, I'll be 6 years old in this life.'

6 years old is the age to start school in this world. Of course, that doesn't mean they're all grown up, but still, the overprotection was excessive.

If he had done the same with Megumi or Tsumiki, Zoro would have considered it natural.

'But I'm different.'

After the battle at the department store, Zoro's body became lighter and grew much faster. It was as if a wall blocking his growth had been shattered. In other words, he became stronger.

'Perhaps it's because he's my father.'

Is it natural for a parent to protect their child?

…I don't know. I would have to have been someone's parent or child to know.

Just because I didn't have parents in my previous life doesn't mean there were no adults who protected young Zoro. Koushiro passed on his teachings to Zoro, and the people of Shimotsuki Village gave quite a lot to Zoro, an orphan without parents, for nothing in return. A spare room, clothes that children had outgrown, a bowl of leftover rice.

Thanks to that, Zoro never starved, shivered without clothes, or slept without a roof over his head. For an orphan in harsh times, Zoro thought he was pretty lucky.

Yet, in Shimotsuki Village, Zoro was more of a protector than a protected. After Kuina's death, at the age of ten, Zoro became the strongest person in Shimotsuki Village and protected it from pirates and bandits.

No one asked him to. It just seemed natural. So, Toji's anxious gaze, worrying about where Zoro might go or if he might get hurt, still felt a bit awkward.

It was the first time someone saw Zoro as a complete object of protection.

Even Luffy, who naturally took protecting his crew for granted, never hesitated to entrust Zoro with battles. He always readily believed in Zoro and entrusted him with them, saying Zoro wouldn't lose to anyone.

Battles with the leaders of opposing organizations were always Luffy's responsibility, but that was about fulfilling the captain's duties, not because Luffy doubted Zoro's strength.

Toji didn't seem to think Zoro was weak either. It was just an unconditional protection.

...That felt a bit strange.

Unable to overlook Toji's persistent gaze any longer, Zoro asked.

"What are you looking at?"

"I'm worried you might get lost."

"We're holding hands."

"...Still feels like you could get lost."

"Hey!"

It wasn't a joke; Toji was seriously concerned. Everything else might be growing rapidly, but why not a sense of direction? Not at all, not even a little bit.

'Is he really a treasure with absolutely no sense of direction?'

That was a pretty serious issue. If he happened to encounter a spirit and experienced a distortion in space, ending up somewhere completely off, he might never be able to return. Suddenly feeling anxious, Toji cautioned him.

"After going somewhere, make sure not to go alone. If you end up on an unfamiliar road, call me right away."

"Got it."

"Maybe I should put a child locator necklace on you..."

"...💢"

Unable to kick Toji, Zoro just sighed.

In the distance, Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru could be seen. Gojo was lazily waving his hand to signal his location.

"Marimo—! Gorilla—!"

Oh boy. The veins on Zoro's already furrowed forehead bulged even more.

Toji tapped Zoro's head gently. It was a signal to calm down for now; he would take revenge later.

Geto bowed politely towards Toji.

"Hello. And hello to you too, Zoro."

"Ah."

Gojo Satoru looked over the four of them and commented.

"You brought everyone along."

"You can't leave the kids alone."

"Hmm, so what? You plan to slack off here for three hours and then go home?"

It seemed Gojo Satoru was somewhat indifferent, having heard about the arrangement from Yaga.

Oh well, indifference might have been better. Toji pondered.

"I was planning to do just that... but I've changed my mind."

"Ha?"

"Shouldn't we do something worth the pay we receive? Call your teacher over. I have something to discuss."

Toji's smiling face sent shivers down the spines of both Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru.

Geto mumbled.

"What are you planning to do..."

"You guys rely too much on jujutsu techniques. Especially you, young master."

Given the overpowered nature of his Limitless technique, that was to be expected.

But Gojo Satoru can't always be wrapped in his Limitless technique.

'Even if he has Limitless, if someone who can nullify or break through Limitless shows up, he's as good as dead.'

For example, someone like Toji with Heavenly Restriction.

For a typical jujutsu sorcerer, even if they possess Heavenly Restriction, getting close to Gojo Satoru wouldn't be easy.

His Six Eyes, which miss nothing of jujutsu nature, would detect a sorcerer or the nature of Heavenly Restriction from afar and naturally be on guard.

But if Toji were to confront Gojo Satoru, it's a different story. With no cursed energy at all, even the Six Eyes would find it hard to detect him. And with his speed and extensive combat experience, the current Gojo is no match. Perhaps when he grows up to reach the peak of his powers as a sorcerer, it might be a different story.

'If it weren't for me and Heavenly Restriction, maybe there would never be a natural enemy for that young master.'

Life isn't that easy. Especially after witnessing Zoro's birth and growth, Toji's thoughts have significantly changed.

'With a child who can defeat a Special Grade cursed spirit at the age of five, despite being a non-sorcerer.'

It's possible that in the not-too-distant future, a cursed spirit or cursed user that can counter his Limitless technique might appear. Or another individual like Toji, without cursed energy, might be born to kill Gojo Satoru.

It would be troublesome if Gojo dies so easily in such a scenario. His continuous work is necessary for Zoro and Megumi's ease.

'The same goes for that sorcerer.'

Relying too much on the cursed spirits he controls will lead to his quick demise. This is a good opportunity to thoroughly correct his behavior.

Toji stretched with a grin on his face.

"I'll teach you both hand-to-hand combat. Oh, no using jujutsu techniques, okay? This is a 'physical' training session."

Gojo and Geto shivered, sensing an ominous chill.

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