While Zoro's dream is to grow through fighting others, not everyone shares that same dream.
"Some might reach their dreams faster by doing other things instead of fighting."
Zoro believed there was no need to force those people to fight.
Whether he's a pirate or not, he adheres to his own principles, or maybe it's because he's a stubborn owner of a Conqueror's Haki, Zoro hated being oppressed. He also despised the oppression of others' freedom.
As Zoro ate the Wagyu, he told Nanami and Haibara,
"Let me know if you ever want to leave the sorcery world."
There should be the freedom to become a sorcerer, and the freedom not to.
Zoro thought to himself,
"If there's no freedom, you can't hold anyone accountable."
If someone knew enough about the sorcerer world, had prepared in advance, and had chosen to enter it on their own, Zoro would listen to their complaints with equanimity. It was their responsibility.
But if they never had a choice in the first place, it's hard to discuss responsibility. You can't blame someone for taking a path when no other paths were available.
"I'll find a way."
"Is a six-year-old senior going to find it?"
"There are some circumstances."
Physically he's six, but mentally, he's almost thirty.
Toji gently tapped Zoro's cheek.
"Even the rookies say that. You need to take care of yourself."
"Heh, if Zoro doesn't do it, who will?"
"Quiet, young master. You're not treating him like a son, that's why you say that."
Toji was always anxious every time Zoro went on a mission. Was he injured? Did he lose his way and encounter the wrong opponents?
"You should be with Megumi. Your sea urchin of a brother gets soaked in tears."
"You're his father, aren't you?"
"Megumi likes you more than me."
Look, when Toji lifted Megumi onto his lap, Megumi's expression instantly sulked. Gojo said with a wry face, too similar to Toji's,
"Every time I see it, I can't believe how similar they look. Teacher, did you use cloning to have him?"
"Megumi resembles his mother a lot too."
Of course, Gojo has never met Chie, nor will he ever, so he will never really know. Zoro thought bitterly.
Tsumiki curiously asked,
"Where does Megumi resemble mom the most?"
"Their hair."
"Ah."
Tsumiki understood immediately. Megumi's spiky hair was indeed unique; she had tried to thread beads into it a few times.
Toji carefully handed Megumi to Zoro. Megumi looked at Zoro, his green eyes sparkling.
"Hey, where are you going again?"
"...No."
Zoro realized he hadn't spent much time with Megumi and Tsumiki lately due to his missions.
'Maybe I'll stay in the sorcery world for a while.'
He also had to train the new recruits. Of course, that's if they stay in the sorcery world.
As Haibara stuffed his face with food, he choked and pounded his chest. When Nanami handed him water, Haibara gulped it down and said,
"I'm not thinking about leaving the sorcery world yet. It'd be stupid to leave when I know nothing."
Even if the time to leave came, Haibara wouldn't tell Zoro.
A child isn't someone to rely on.
Of course, he didn't say this out loud. Being young doesn't mean you know nothing. That's why a child can feel bad if they are treated like a child.
Haibara clenched his fists and shouted,
"We'll become stronger than our senior and protect you!"
Gojo burst into open laughter at this. Ieiri and Geto's expressions turned awkward, and Toji crossed his legs dismissively.
"Hmm, stronger than my marimo?"
What an ambitious kid. Zoro seemed quite interested.
Gojo teasingly said,
"Teacher Toji, he's going to be stronger than Zoro. Shouldn't you help him?"
"Satoru!"
Geto exclaimed in horror at Gojo's suggestion to directly expose the junior to hellish training. Toji nodded.
"Of course."
He intended to train them hard. After all, hadn't they said they wanted to be as strong as Zoro?
He wasn't sure yet what their sorcery techniques were, but as a teacher, he planned to train them thoroughly, at least in physical combat.
'I need to stock up on medical supplies.'
Shoko thought this, seeing Toji's burning ambition. These two would probably frequent the infirmary.
"Do you two have a preferred weapon?"
"I mainly fight with physical combat! I have techniques, but there aren't many suitable situations to use them."
"Blonde, you?"
"I usually use a sword…"
Zoro's eyes sparkled. Nanami felt a foreboding sensation. He might have said something wrong.
"A swordsman?"
"Not exactly... A sword is just the weapon I find most comfortable to activate my techniques."
"Really…"
Zoro propped his chin.
"Then, want to train with me instead of my father? I am a swordsman, after all."
Maybe he should spend more time in the sorcery world, especially because of Megumi and Tsumiki. Zoro thought.
Gojo and Toji's faces turned solemn at the thought of Zoro training Nanami. Sure, his skills would improve quickly under Zoro's tutelage, but...
Toji, with a serious look, placed a hand on Zoro's shoulder.
"Let's just watch him, my son."
"Why, can't I teach?"
"It's not that, just let it go."
"What do you mean?"
Zoro was not incapable of teaching. In fact, he was quite good at it. However, the learning process could be... quite harsh. Of course, Toji had learned not his swordsmanship but his haki from Zoro.
Would Zoro really go easy teaching swordsmanship? …Probably not.
If the blonde ran away from the sorcery world, it might be because he couldn't endure Zoro's hellish training, Toji thought.
That's tough. Geto moved to stand behind Nanami and Haibara, comforting them by patting their shoulders.
"Hang in there. Both of you."
"…?"
"Yes! We'll do our best!"
Haibara responded without knowing what he was agreeing to. Gojo looked at the two newcomers with a pitying expression, then picked the meat off Geto's plate as he said,
"I'll buy your meal today."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah. You won't have to worry about that, will you?"
Nanami and Haibara looked puzzled, not understanding. Gojo didn't bother to explain. They would find out soon enough.
Gojo stood up briskly.
"I've eaten well. Let's go now. Shoko, how about ice cream for dessert?"
"Sure."
"I want strawberry flavor!"
Shoko smiled faintly as she watched Tsumiki call out brightly, then patted her head.
"Okay. I also want strawberry. Geto, you're buying this time."
"Me?"
"You lost the bet last time."
"Right, I did. I'll buy the dessert."
"Dad, what flavor will you have?"
"Well, if there's marimo flavor, I'll have that."
"…Stop teasing me!"
Zoro lunged at Toji as if to headbutt him. Of course, Toji easily dodged Zoro's playful attack.
Whack! Toji leisurely blocked Zoro's hand strike. Tsumiki, not particularly surprised, held Megumi's hand, who was looking at Toji with a disapproving expression.
"Let's go, Megumi."
"Papa, if the marimo hurts, it's because you hit him."
"Got it."
"Really, you're only fast…"
"You're still far from surpassing me, my marimo child."
"Stop calling me marimo!"
Nanami blankly watched the fiery father-son altercation. Zoro's attacks were unusually heavy for a child. Surprisingly, Toji's blocks were barely visible. They were too fast.
Gojo tapped Nanami's shoulder.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
"…Shouldn't we stop them?"
"Yeah. He hasn't drawn his sword, has he?"
If Zoro really wanted to fight Toji, he would have drawn his sword. Zoro avoids using his sword against loved ones unless it's a formal spar.
"Senior! I'll buy the ice cream—"
"No, it's okay. You don't have to pay this time."
Geto cut off Haibara's words. As a senior, he couldn't take money from juniors who were about to face hardships.
"Speak up if you want to leave."
"…Is it that tough?"
"Yes. Especially for you."
Geto had only trained with Toji, but Nanami would likely train with both Zoro and Toji. Moreover, since Haibara had declared he would become stronger than Zoro in front of Toji, it was frightening to think how Toji might teach him.
With compassion, Geto smiled as kindly as he could. Witnessing his smile, Nanami and Haibara shivered with an ominous feeling. Something foreboding was looming.
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