"I'm going to kill them." Zoro's grip on his katanas tightened and loosened incessantly. "I'm going to kill every last one of them."
Flashback
Zoro was running with all his might, following Nobuaki so closely that he nearly overtook him several times.
To avoid being left behind, Nobuaki had to reinforce himself with cursed energy. They ran until they had completely cleared the estate.
At Zoro's waist, Shusui and Wado Ichimonji swayed frantically. The two massive swords hindered his pace because of his short legs.
But Zoro didn't care. In that moment, his mind held only two thoughts:
"Go faster" and "Save him."
After a while, they stopped in front of a building about five kilometers from the main estate.
The structure was dilapidated and in ruins. The windows were shattered and boarded up with wooden planks; the paint had almost entirely vanished, and several sections had already collapsed.
A true caricature of an abandoned building.
"It's here," Nobuaki said, breathless.
Zoro didn't answer. He swiftly drew his blades—Shusui in his right hand, Wado Ichimonji in his left—and headed toward the entrance.
Nobuaki followed him hurriedly, speaking frantically as if trying to clear his conscience.
"According to what the guys told me, members of the Akashi took him." He moved quickly to slide the rusted door open with difficulty.
"They've always thought they were superior to us, but they never had the chance to intimidate us directly. But when they learned there were Kukuru members without cursed energy, they probably figured there wouldn't be any repercussions if they 'had a little fun' with them."
Zoro's grip on his blades tightened further as he grit his teeth.
They continued forward, moving discreetly to avoid being caught. Yet, it soon became apparent that the building was empty.
They searched the surroundings with sharp attention.
Nobuaki scanned every corner in a panic, dreading Zoro's reaction.
"I swear it's here! The guys assured me this was the Akashi's unofficial meeting spot." He was defending himself so desperately, head whipping left and right, that he didn't even notice Zoro had stopped.
Then, he felt an immense bloodlust radiating from Zoro. This murderous intent made him freeze and look at the boy.
He saw only a cold face and eyes focused with absurd intensity toward the ceiling. He followed Zoro's gaze, and what he saw turned his blood to ice. Not because of the violence of the scene itself, but because he feared what Zoro might do after seeing it.
Back to the present
Zoro
"I'm going to kill them."The grip on my katanas tightened and loosened repeatedly."I'm going to kill every last one of them."
I had never wanted to kill something so badly in my life. And the reason was simple.
Toji's body was suspended in the air by his arms with chains. His skin was marred by bruises and lash marks.
Dried blood covered his body, and his face was so swollen that recognizing him was difficult. In fact, without the context and the scar on his lips, I'm sure I wouldn't have.
"Get him down." My voice was cold as I spoke to Nobuaki. But he was frozen, unable to look away from Toji.
My patience snapped.
"GET HIM DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
My roar snapped him back to his senses, and he rushed to the crank controlling the chains.
My gaze must have played a part, but he lowered Toji with extreme gentleness.
When Toji's body finally reached the ground, I began to walk toward him.
Each step I took felt heavy. Every movement toward him carried a pain deeper than any my own bruised body was feeling.
Because I knew. I knew that no matter what I had endured, Toji had surely suffered worse.
I unchained his arms and lifted him.
I leaned close to his ear and whispered softly:
"Don't worry, Toji. They'll pay. I'll make sure of it. Even if it's the last thing I do on this earth."
In that moment, I didn't give a damn about the future or the "plot." I had only one desire.
"I will exterminate them down to the very last one."
Two days later
I was in a sterile room, stationed by a bed.
It was an infirmary. Not the one where we had been treated before.
This infirmary was the exclusive property of the Kukuru head. Nobuaki, as the successor, had access and had brought us here to treat Toji—without the head's permission, of course.
The room was filled with high-tech medical equipment. The difference between this and the standard infirmary was immense.
Toji was cared for by a sorcerer with a healing technique. It wasn't the Reverse Cursed Technique, but it was still quite effective.
Nobuaki had silenced the sorcerer regarding our presence through a Binding Vow.
I stayed by Toji's side throughout the entire process. I ordered a massive amount of meat from Nobuaki, which meant my own wounds were healing excellently.
However, even after being healed, Toji didn't wake up. At least, not until now.
Creak.
Hearing the sound, I immediately looked up and saw Toji's body slowly sitting up.
"TOJI!"
I rushed to him and helped him up. He finally opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings carefully.
Then, without warning, his expression crumpled. He leaned over and began to vomit on the floor.
I didn't know what to do, so I settled for rubbing his back.
After several minutes, he finally stopped and regained a calm face—too calm. In fact, it was colder than it was calm.
It made me even more worried.
"Toji, are you okay?" I asked softly.
"Yes, Zoro. I'm fine."
I raised my eyebrows slightly at that.
'Something is wrong.' That's what I told myself, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Yet, that feeling was quickly pushed out of my mind, replaced by the joy of seeing my brother awake.
"That's good, Toji," I said, stroking his head. "Don't hesitate to tell me if you're hurting anywhere."
One mouth later
"Toji, I'm your brother. You can answer me honestly, you know? Are you really okay?"
Toji looked at me with the detached expression he'd had for nearly two months.
"Like I already told you, big brother. I'm fine. I don't have any injuries left. I don't even have a scar."
My face hardened. "STOP JERKING ME AROUND!" My fist slammed onto the table.
Toji flinched and slightly turned his gaze away.
Seeing that felt like a dagger to the heart, but I had to push.
"Toji, you are NOT okay." My fists were clenched as I spoke.
"I'm not talking about your body; I'm talking about your head. Since the kidnapping, you haven't been the same. You wake up every night screaming. I asked the other members to watch you when I'm not around, and they told me you're always looking around like you're expecting an attack. And you always find lame excuses to skip training with me."
He bit his lip, doing everything he could to avoid eye contact. I couldn't help but sigh as I stopped playing the "bad cop."
I stood up and approached him. He turned his head in the opposite direction.
"Toji, look at me."
No reaction.
"Toji."
Still nothing.
I took his cheeks in both hands and forced his face toward mine.
He flinched and tensed up. I saw it. It was impossible not to see it. But I had to ignore it for now.
With the softest, most understanding voice I could muster, I spoke to him. "Toji, I know I'm repeating myself. But I'm your brother. You can tell me anything."
He relaxed slightly, but I could see he still wasn't ready to answer.
'Honestly, I expected as much.'
But I had to try. I abandoned that plan and decided to act differently.
"Fine, Toji. I give up. I won't bother you with this anymore, but..." I paused before pulling him into a sudden, tight hug. "Even if you don't say anything, just know that I'll always be here for you."
We stayed in that position for a few moments before I felt dampness on my shoulder.
"Sniff... Okay, big brother. Sniff!"
My heart filled with relief.
'Okay, now I see what was wrong lately.'
Author's note
I know I said I'd modify the chapter, but that wasn't really it.
Actually, it's more that I'm going to change the pacing; expect a time skip in the next 3 or 4 chapters, but I think it will be done better than the first time.
Don't forget to send the power stones