The boy, now simply called Yoshiro Fujiwara, had been stuck in the Heian Era for almost a year. Well, at least he believed it was nearing a year since his birth.
There weren't many calendars around in the Heian Era. And living conditions with his mother told him that his birthday wasn't gonna be celebrated for some time.
The system gave the time period he was in. But it referred to no exact date. Just the year. Speaking of the system, he learned to regret his wish for Toji's Heavenly Restriction even more.
Because not only did his cursed energy get sealed because of it, but it seemed to be nothing like what Toji displayed. His stats looked pitiful to what he imaged his would be.
At the same time, Fujiwara doubted Toji came out the womb swinging. His Heavenly Restriction probably needed time to develop. And although he didn't need all the strength of the restriction now, it would've been better to have it now than wait for it to suddenly finish developing.
Other than his impatience with his Heavenly Restriction, life was pretty good. Both Fujiwara and his mother lived in a wooden shack that was fairly well put together. The rest of the village could say the same for themselves. The village mainly consisted of traders, but there many people who were farmers or lumbers providing for everyone else.
It didn't make it fun to be in the body of a child, but it made it much better. It'd help more if he wasn't in the Golden Age of Jujutsu, but it was ok. As long as he kept a low profile and Sukuna wasn't around, he'd be alright.
Now, about where Fujiwara was as he thought all this, he was watching his mother helping her neighbor out by farming with him. It wasn't exciting, sure. But it was at least something. He had watched her help out so many times it had actually become a bit interesting to him. Right now, she was helping plant some tomatoes.
It was about midday. The smell of the farm was a tad bit rancid from manure, but the liveliness of the village helped ease it. The sounds of children playing and wind chimes chimed as light breezes brushed past them. It was soothing. He sat on a rocking chair by the front porch of another shack-like house.
The only thought that Fujiwara had was farming based. He'd surprisingly developed interest over it.
I kinda want to do that…
The familiar ringing of a bell sounded in his mind.
[You have unlocked the {Proficiencies} function!]
[{Proficiencies will gain strength the more you witness something Proficiency-worthy!]
[This process of strengthening or gaining proficiencies will speed up if done by oneself!]
[You have gained the Proficiency {Green Thumb LV. 1}!]
A sudden cool washed down over Fujiwara, along with a small amount of knowledge that flowed into his head. Ideas like ways to grow vegetables, tilling methods, harvesting times all entered his mind in a snap. The feeling was almost euphoric.
Ah… Another gift from the system.
Another godsend of the system. It could provide almost everything for doing anything. Just more proof to show he had all the potential in the world.
Hmm… So just watching someone is enough. I've been watching this for about a week, so a week's worth of watching would earn me a proficiency.
But I've seen so much other stuff that feels Proficiency-Worthy… why just that?
What could it have been that earned him {Green Thumb}?
Was it because it's more job-like than anything else?
It'd make sense. He didn't see any fights or job-based things as much as he did this. This was the first thing like that to make him take actual interest in to watch enough.
It led him to wonder what other proficiency he could cultivate?
Fishing, Cooking, Maybe even fighting.
All things he could probably gain more knowledge of through proficiency.
If he was born while the main story was happening, perhaps he could've broken this feature just by watching videos of people displaying these kinds of talents.
I wish I just got put in 2018…
Fujiwara's face soured. Hundreds of proficiencies that could've been gained had flashed before him. Only achievable had he simply been born in a different time.
At the same time, he'd lose a lot if he left this time. The main thing he'd lose was right in front of him, helping her neighbor with some tomatoes.
The biggest possible loss was his mother.
And yes, did understand that his mother in his world was still alive. Knowing her, Fujiwara figured she's probably still mourning his death. But it had been almost a year since he had been raised by this woman he also learned to call his mother.
She was kind, friendly, and cared for others much more than he ever did in his previous life. She was a great person who wanted to fill the role of his mother. He could at least do the favor of filling in the role as her son.
In the midst of thinking about her, his mother, albeit covered in small amounts of soil, grabbed Fujiwara. He was so deep in thought about what cause the proficiency to pop up that he hadn't notice his mother was already finished. "Alright. It's time to go home." His mother said, holding Fujiwara over her shoulder.
Eh, it was about time anyway.
While Fujiwara and his mother walked backed home, his mother asked a question.
"Hey." his mother said. Fujiwara looked at her, still somewhat focused on the proficiency he just gained. "Would you like me to teach you how to farm when you get older?" His mother asked kindly, with a warm smile spreading upon her face.
Fujiwara's eyes lit up right then, preparing to answer his mother's question.
"Yes!"
His mother immediately drew a look of shock. Fujiwara didn't realize it. He meant to think that yes and instead nod. But it just… came out.
His first word just came out.
"Yoshiro! Your first word!" his mother hugged her possibly one year old son with glee. Fujiwara was still also in shock.
He tried speaking to his mother dozens of times, yet all that came out was babble. He wanted to tell her lots of things.
To give thanks for feeding him
To communicate how much he appreciated her for giving him this kind of a life.
To say he loved her for taking care of him.
All things he tried time and time again to do, but failed. He cared about this woman more than anything. He couldn't wait to grow up to repay the debt.
He was happy he could get his first words out now. It meant he could say the next words that she needed to hear from him.
"I… Wub Jou." Fujiwara had to mentally face palm himself for that. It was close enough, he wished he enunciated it better.
His mother on the other hand, had stars in her eyes. She hugged her son even tighter, which any other child would probably feel a lot of pressure from. But this was Fujiwara, who's Heavenly Restriction made it feel more like a light push.
"I love you too! I'm so proud of you!" His mother squealed with glee.
At least she's happy with it.
The family of two both walked back home with smiles on their faces.