After a bit of time had passed, when Zenin Toji and Zenin Zoro emerged with slightly reddened eyes, Geto Suguru did not point it out. He had some sense.
"You guys… were you crying?"
Of course, there were beings who lacked such sense. Geto looked at Satoru with disdain, but Zoro, unusually, admitted it readily.
"Yeah."
"...."
"But it's okay."
Now, everything had been completely let go.
Satoru looked at Zoro's refreshed face for a moment. "That's good," he said briefly.
Gojo and Geto explained that the person who had created this storage unit and the bodies was a curse user who switched bodies and techniques by replacing his brain, and that he had likely used Chie's body to disturb Zoro and Toji.
"This might not be the end."
This was the only attempt with Chie's body, but Chie wasn't the only one precious to Zoro and Toji.
"He might have done the same with other people important to you."
Exploiting the moment of confusion by taking the body of a loved one. Toji twisted his scarred lips at Gojo's words.
"I should have made him suffer more."
At least breaking that bastard's body into 108 pieces might have been satisfying, but he killed him too quickly.
Of course, if he had to choose between killing that guy painfully and saving Zoro's life, Toji would choose the latter again, even if time was turned back.
"What should we do? Now."
"…We need to let her go."
This time, making sure no one could use her.
They drew a curtain to block the view of any non-sorcerers and brought oil cans, spreading the oil all around the storage unit. Then, they used Geto's curse to set it on fire.
Whoosh!
Blue flames spewed from the curse's mouth, engulfing the entire storage unit.
"...."
The four of them watched silently as the pillars melted and the roof caved in. Everything was consumed by the blue flames, leaving no trace behind.
When the fire finally died down, Zoro and Toji collected every bit of the remaining ashes. Geto divided the ashes into small pouches and handed them to several curses capable of flight, sending them into the sky.
The curses flew as high as possible and scattered the ashes across Tokyo over a long period, ensuring no one could gather them and misuse them.
It was a complete farewell.
...
That day, Toji took Megumi and Tsumiki and returned home for the first time in a long while. Zoro played with his siblings, sat on Toji's lap watching TV, and eventually fell asleep on his knee, just like an ordinary child would.
The next day, while eating white rice with stir-fried intestines, Zoro casually mentioned,
"I saw a red thread in my dream."
"...?"
"I wondered where it came from, and it turned out it came from the unraveling string of a straw hat."
"Whose straw hat was it?"
"There is this one guy. The world's greatest fool."
Even though he had seen it so many times, he couldn't understand why he hadn't realized it. The red string around Luffy's straw hat. It looked just like that.
It was a signpost, created by a certain captain, imbued with his soul, for his crewmate who was bound to get lost even after death. A bond that couldn't be severed by death or the world's changes. The materialization of that bond.
…So, Zoro had a chance to return to his original world.
'Even if I had followed the thread, I wouldn't have returned alive; I probably would have gone to the afterlife.'
But if he had gone back, he could have seen everyone again. Luffy, Kuina, and the others.
In typical Luffy fashion, instead of using the thread to forcibly pull Zoro back, he placed it in Zoro's hand.
'Life, death, returning, moving forward.'
All for Zoro to choose on his own.
'In the end, I let go of the thread.'
If he hadn't, his heart would have stopped. It wasn't a symbol; it was actually someone's heart.
'I thought it was my heart, of course.'
It wasn't. It was… Chie's heart.
Even though she inherited the blood of the Heavenly Restriction, bearing a child that housed a soul and body from another world placed an enormous burden on the mother. Kannon didn't meticulously craft a body for Zoro without reason. Most ordinary resurrection bodies would collapse before they could contain all that power.
'If I hadn't let go of the thread… Chie would have died.'
For both Zoro and Chie to live fully, a price had to be paid. And between the two, Zoro had more to offer.
So Zoro let go of the only connection and the only way back to his world, by his own hand.
'At the time, I didn't know it was Chie's heart, or that Chie was my mother.'
But he still wanted to save her.
If you ask why… well.
'I felt she wanted me to live.'
The pumping blood, the pulsation that seemed to be trying to keep going, felt like it was trying to save Zoro more than itself.
He didn't know who it was, but he didn't want to kill someone who was trying to save him. That's how he felt.
'The fact that the damn brain guy couldn't recreate Chie's heart…'
It was because the price Zoro paid for its revival was too great for mere necromancy to bring it back. It was a heart revived with a tremendous price, serving as a symbol of a very persistent bond and a connection between worlds.
Perhaps because of the great price, Chie's soul remained somewhat attached to the heart even after death, cursing Zoro. Normally, curses wouldn't affect Zoro, but because it was from Chie, Zoro naturally left it there.
Ironically, that curse stabilized Zoro's unstable soul and body within the framework of this world.
'Being curse and being cursed upon is the fate of existence.'
Being cursed is the greatest proof of existence in this world.
When Chie cursed Zoro and he accepted and overcame that curse, the world recognized Zoro as part of its framework. It stopped trying to limit or reject his power and existence. As a result, Zoro could use his past life's powers without any penalties.
Just as Zoro saved Chie, Chie also saved Zoro.
Even knowing everything he had given up, Zoro had no regrets. Although Chie didn't live very long, she illuminated Zoro's life brightly during that short time.
In the empty spot next to the chair where Toji sat, Zoro could see Chie sitting. She looked at Zoro with a sad smile.
Chie's soul had already left this place and entered the cycle of reincarnation. So, what Zoro saw was likely a vision created by his longing.
Even so, Zoro spoke inwardly.
'Thank you, Mother.'
And I,
'I love you.'
I love you too.
'Even if we die and are born again many times following the cycle of reincarnation, and even if a day comes when we forget the memories of this day.'
...
'If by any chance we meet again, let's stay together a little longer then.'
…Yes, let's do that.
'Goodbye, Mother.'
Goodbye, Zoro.
Play with Dad and Megumi, and take your time coming back.
...
A few days later, Zoro went back to Jujutsu High.
Seeing a head of white hair bounding towards him with long strides, Zoro couldn't help but smile a little. As he got out of the car, Gojo grinned and called out, "Hey, Zoro."
"What were you doing all cooped up at home?"
"What else would I be doing at home? Just spending time with my siblings and dad."
Gojo smiled meaningfully.
"Hmm. So, coming back means you're ready to raise hell again?"
"Of course."
When Zoro smiled back, Gojo burst into laughter.
"Good, good. Let's have some fun."
"Satoru, if you raise more hell here, you might actually get expelled," Geto said, walking towards them. Gojo snorted.
"Who could possibly expel the great Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu High?"
"Yaga-sensei seemed seriously considering it," Geto thought. Not to mention, he seemed on edge lately, possibly because of issues with his wife.
Geto and Zoro's eyes met. Geto crouched down to meet Zoro at eye level.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"…And your heart?"
"That too."
"Alright. If you ever feel troubled, just let me know."
"Got it."
From Zoro's calm agreement, Geto could tell he was genuinely okay. Turning around, Geto looked at Toji, who was unbuckling Megumi from the car seat and letting him out.
"…And you, sensei? Are you okay?"
"More than enough. Thank you, Geto."
Geto blinked. It was a simple thank you, so ordinary that it was hard to believe it came from Toji.
"Zoroooooo!"
"Suguru brooo!"
The voices of two girls came from somewhere. As Zoro turned his head, two girls were running towards him.
"Whoa."
Catching the two girls charging like bulls, Zoro held them as they looked up at him.
"Don't you remember us? I'm Mimiko."
"And I'm Nanako!"
Zoro's face, momentarily frozen in surprise, relaxed. "I remember," he said. He had heard that they were adopted by families of sorcerers who couldn't have children and were doing well.
'I didn't expect to see them again.'
"Why are you here?"
"Our mom came here."
"And our dad!"
It seemed their adoptive parents had some business at Jujutsu High. They must have come along with them.
"Zoroooooo!"
Toji's eyebrows furrowed deeply. Naoya, who hadn't been seen for a while, was running towards them, waving his arms and sleeves.
"I heard it! Zoro-kun destroyed a domain expansion! Tell me how— whoa! Toji-kun!"
Toji, as usual, was about to grab Naoya but stopped short, just enough to prevent him from rushing at Zoro.
"What are you doing here? Haven't seen you for a while."
"I had a showdown with my father. Told him to either disown me or let me enroll in Jujutsu High, one or the other."
Naobito grabbed the back of his neck but eventually gave in. What else could he do? Among his children, or rather, among the younger members of the Zenin family, Naoya was the only one showing promise as a sorcerer.
"Zoro, long time no see... Oh."
Choso, who was approaching, noticed Nanako and Mimiko clinging to Zoro.
"You have more younger siblings? I'm jealous."
"No, I don't."
He thinks everyone younger than me is my sibling. Zoro grumbled.
Eso and Kechizu stuck close to Choso.
"We're enough as your younger siblings, aren't we, brother?"
Seeing Kechizu, with his almost black-green hair, nuzzling him, Choso smiled.
"Yes, you're enough."
More than enough.
Megumi, who had just gotten out of the car, saw Zoro hugging the other children and widened his eyes. Then he ran over.
"He's my big brother! Get away from him!"
"Megumi, don't be mean."
"Hug me too!"
After handing Nanako and Mimiko over to Geto, Zoro picked up Megumi. A faint scent of the milk he had drunk for breakfast lingered around his small body.
"Really, when will you grow up?"
"Tomorrow! I'll grow really big and help you, big brother."
You can count on me! Megumi assured, and Zoro chuckled.
"Yeah, that'll be great."
"Zoro-sen—pai—!"
In the distance, Haibara's voice could be heard. Nanami and Haibara were walking towards Zoro. Haibara spoke in his usual cheerful tone.
"Both of you haven't been seen for a few days. Are you back now?"
"Yeah. Just took a little break."
Toji looked up and down at the two of them and then made a crooked face.
"Haven't you been training? Your posture is a bit off."
"...."
"You haven't been training. Prepare yourselves for today."
"Toji-kun, I want to train with you too. I've enrolled now."
"You especially will get a tough session, so be ready."
"Really?!"
Naoya smiled broadly, as if he genuinely enjoyed the news, while Nanami looked at him with pity, like watching a lamb walk into a slaughterhouse. How did he lose his mind at such a young age?
Shoko, who had come outside to smoke, turned her head upon seeing Zoro.
"Oh, Zoro."
"Shoko."
"Nothing happened?"
"I'm fine now."
It wasn't a perfect answer to the question, but Shoko didn't probe further and nodded.
"If you get hurt on today's mission, make sure you come to me. Don't try to hide it."
"Mission?"
"Gojo said he had a mission he wanted to do with you—"
"An exorcism mission for a special-grade curse! It's supposed to be quite docile for a special grade, so there's some doubt about its classification. It's reported to use six swords."
Gojo cut in, causing Shoko to frown. Zoro touched his chin. A curse that uses six swords.
"Where is it?"
"Shinjuku."
Interesting, right? Gojo said with a grin.
"You could handle it alone."
"Hah, of course, this great student Gojo Satoru could handle it alone. But then you might have to spend all day in your dad's sling again. That was really funny."
Seeing a grown man acting like a real kid was amusing.
A fleeting whisper reached Zoro's ear. When Zoro looked up at Gojo, the blue eyes that had been piercing him softened into a smile.
"Surprised? You didn't hide it at all."
That you're older than you appear.
As Zoro thought about Gojo's behavior, he realized why Gojo had treated him not as a child to be protected but as an equal companion.
"You knew?"
"Of course. Even I wouldn't use Red on a real 6-year-old just because they seemed strong."
"..."
"Or… maybe I would?"
Watching Gojo stutter and avoid eye contact, Zoro chuckled. He didn't know exactly when Gojo had realized, but it didn't matter.
"Alright, let's go."
"Great. Oh, Suguru, you coming too?"
Geto, who was barely supporting Nanako hanging around his neck, groaned.
"…With the kids, it might be difficult."
"Aw, come on. Bring them along. They can play together."
When Geto looked down, he saw Tsumiki's eyes sparkling with excitement. She was probably looking forward to playing with other girls her age. Geto had no choice. He set Nanako and Mimiko down next to Tsumiki.
Zoro looked at Toji. He nodded in approval and ruffled Zoro's green hair.
"Have a good time. Don't get lost."
"…I won't."
Zoro, who had already promised Toji to always follow others for directions, looked a bit annoyed.
Shoko waved her hand half-heartedly.
"Take care. Don't get hurt and bother me."
"Yeah, Shoko~"
The three stood together. Zoro, holding both of their hands, made a grumpy face. No matter how many times he experienced it, he couldn't get used to this "prevent Zoro from getting lost" stance.
"Suguru, are you holding Zoro's hand?"
"Of course."
"Then let's go!"
They stepped forward energetically. The hot summer sun continued to shine on their blue youthful days ahead.
- END (Volume I) -
Thoughts:
Here ends what would be the first part of this novel. I believe a good foundation has been laid for the future progression of the story.
The next chapters will continue the GAIDEN chapters, and then we will return to the 'official' chapters. To be honest, some may not like the GAIDEN and some of the side stories, but I believe they are important for us to learn more about the characters, especially since I have people reading this fanfic who have never watched Jujutsu Kaisen.
Please continue to support this novel with your power stones and comments. And for the more engaged readers, support my Patréon.
Thank you!