Chapter 61: Chapter 60

Hearing Yaga's words, Toji let out a dry laugh. He could vividly imagine how the old folks of the Zenin would react.

'I don't know how much that assistant supervisor knows or what he blabbered about.'

If the fact that Zoro is a non-sorcerer hasn't been disclosed and only the name Zenin Zoro was reported to the Headquarters, they would be perplexed yet curious about the sudden appearance of a new Zenin name.

Whether he's really a Zenin, whose child he is, if he was born with any inherited techniques, dreaming if he could be a sorcerer comparable to Gojo Satoru.

'If he really was a sorcerer with inherited techniques, they'd probably be plotting to quietly take him in as their adopted son.'

And if it was reported that Zoro is a non-sorcerer, well...

'Would they call him a monster?'

Like they did with Toji.

As these thoughts filled his mind, a sickening rage twisted in his stomach.

His hands tingled. He wanted to burst out and slaughter everyone who had hurt Zoro, those who carelessly reported him to the Headquarters, and everyone who spoke thoughtlessly about Zoro.

Toji clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles might bleed, then slowly relaxed them.

Killing was easy. On the day he went to end everything with the Zenin family, Toji could have killed them all.

He refrained, recalling the promise he made to Chie that evening, not wanting to meet her drenched in blood.

Now, with his mastery of Haki, it would be even easier. Could the old men of the Jujutsu Headquarters, even with their sorcery, stand against him armored with Haki? It would be difficult.

'Later.'

Such matters could wait.

What's important now is Zoro's safe recovery.

Dealing with the old men for what they've already done and what they're about to do.

Finding out why Zoro encountered a special grade curse in the middle of a department store in broad daylight.

Investigating why Sukuna's finger was inside Zoro's belt.

All of that can be done later.

After thoroughly interrogating those involved, scouring both the sorcerer and non-sorcerer worlds to find out who's behind this, then killing those who need to be killed and punishing those who deserve it.

After Zoro has safely recovered.

Until then, he needed to be by Zoro's side.

Because the current Zoro doesn't have the strength to deal with a second threat.

"..."

If, though it's unlikely.

If Zoro doesn't wake up, or if he leaves his side forever, like Chie did.

Well.

Whatever I do then, it wouldn't matter.

Whether Toji does good or evil, there would be no one left to acknowledge or reprimand him.

'If that happens, guilty or not...'

I might really kill them all.

But that won't happen. Because Zoro is strong. Because he loves Toji. Knowing how much Toji would be hurt by the death of a family member, he would cling to the reaper's neck if necessary to survive.

That's what had to be believed.

Toji broke the silence and spoke.

"As long as my son is alive, I won't cause trouble here."

Meaning, don't provoke me needlessly, just go away. Whether Yaga understood this or not, he quietly disappeared with a backward step.

Tsumiki, with big brown eyes brimming with tears, clutched Toji's arm and shook it.

"Mister, Zoro will be okay, right? My brother will be okay, right?"

"...Yeah."

Toji hugged the sobbing Tsumiki and Megumi tightly. The sweat seeping into his palm felt cool. Zoro would be okay. He had to be.

Otherwise, everything would become meaningless.

...

And then, 5 days passed.

...

Creak, creak.

The sound of metal clashing was heard. Something seemed off, as if it was losing its balance.

Creeeak, crack!

Something, broke.

Even in his groggy state of consciousness, Zoro was acutely aware of that fact.

...

"..."

Zoro slowly opened his eyes in the ward of the Metropolitan Curse Technical College.

In front of him was Toji. He was so close that Zoro could feel his breath, leaning in with his green eyes darting around, scrutinizing Zoro's every movement. He looked both incredulous and ecstatic.

As Zoro tried to sit up immediately, Toji's hands quickly moved behind Zoro's back, helping him to sit up slowly. Zoro felt like he could have gotten up on his own, but Toji looked too serious.

His physical condition was... surprisingly good. There was no pain, and unlike in his past life, where he would usually be wrapped in suffocating bandages, there were none.

Looking around, the place seemed like a hospital. Zoro noticed Megumi and Tsumiki, lying side by side on the bed opposite him, making soft snoring sounds as they slept.

"Those two—"

"They're not hurt. Just sleeping."

That was a relief. They hadn't been injured the last time he saw them, and hearing Toji's voice now, he had thought they would be okay.

"And you."

"...I'm not hurt either."

"That's good."

Zoro was the only one among his family who had been injured, and now he was up and about.

"..."

Toji said nothing. Zoro glanced around.

"Where are we?"

"...We're at the school."

"The school? Why are we here?"

There was no response. Instead, Toji lowered his head and rubbed it against the side of Zoro's leg. It was an odd gesture, like a beaten animal submitting to the leader of the pack, seeming to seek forgiveness or perhaps expressing regret. It looked anxious, scared, and in some ways, resigned.

Zoro watched Toji's actions for a moment and then shook his head.

"...Really."

When Toji flinched, Zoro quickly pulled his head into his embrace and gently stroked his dark hair. It seemed he needed to calm him down first before they could talk about what happened.

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