Zenin Days

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

Yoo, chapter 50. 🎉🎉🎉

__________

A Few Days Later: 3rd P.O.V.

After the ass beating that Sakamoto received, he returned to his regular work as an assassin.

Recently, he has become the most active assassin in the world. To protect his happiness, he must ensure nobody can take him down.

Who knew the words of a homeless bum would actually matter?

So he can protect that happiness, he needs to surpass everyone.

Due to his fighting style, he learns most when in various fights since it gives him experience with many opponents.

Every assassin and target has different gimmicks.

It was similar to what Toji had done in the past. Jujutsu sorcerers have strange abilities, making them prime targets for experience.

Training by himself and fighting Toji over and over again isn't his style for improvement.

Unlike Rion, he would complete his work and train at the same time.

Even though she started working on more jobs due to Toji training Akira, she was still known as the bum of the Order.

However, Sakamoto's proficiency and flawless work have given him the title of legendary assassin.

Takamura was under the direct orders of the JAA, making his jobs different from those of other Order members.

To the public eye, Sakamoto was an assassin who didn't know failure and was the ultimate role model for all aspiring assassins.

'The greatest assassin alive.'

Unfortunately for him, this led to much attention, something he hated.

This led to Sakamoto's current predicament.

...

"I'd like to be just like you, Mr. Sakamoto! Please...train me!"

...

Sakamoto raised an eyebrow as he saw a simple blonde-haired kid standing before him.

He puffed his cigarette. 'Who the hell is this kid?'

Sakamoto has run into his type in the past. Another kid who wants to be an assassin, only to get themself killed after idolizing someone he could never reach.

The fan boy, or Shin, smirked. "I'm Shin, a clairvoyant. I'm 13 and want to be crazy strong like you."

Sakamoto's eyes widened slightly as he realized Shin could hear his thoughts.

They both stood there awkwardly as Sakamoto didn't verbally respond.

After being friends with Toji and Rion, he is no longer surprised by much. Toji could tell him that he fought magicians, and he wouldn't be surprised.

It was on-brand for Toji to have random, shocking comments.

Sakamoto looked up and pondered for a moment before thinking his words. 'Follow me, and don't hold me back.'

Three people with weird abilities were already in their friend group, so why not add another?

A clairvoyant might come in handy as a partner.

Shin nodded with a broad smile and stars for eyes. "I won't disappoint you, Mr. Sakamoto!"

Sakamoto sighed. 'Just call me Sakamoto. You're making me sound old.'

Shin nodded and followed Sakamoto as he made his way to his apartment.

Another weird kid had joined their group of assassins.

...

Order Apartments: 1st Gym

Akira wildly swung a knife at Toji's side.

*grab*

Toji held onto her arm as she looked less than happy. She was genuinely trying to kill him.

Her eyes were narrowed as three paths showed themselves.

Toji rubbed the back of his head. 'Looks like she's still pissed at me for beating up Green Hair.'

Turns out that beating up someone's loved one into unconsciousness would piss them off.

Flashback: Just after the Fight

Toji went up the elevator to their apartment, holding Rion, Sakamoto, and Nagumo on his shoulders.

*ding*

The door opened to a smiling Akira. "Hey Auntie, can we go t-"

She froze as she saw the surreal scene of Toji carrying an unconscious Rion with a bruise on her neck in the shape of a hand.

Akira could care less about the other two.

Toji and Akira stood in silence as they stared at each other.

Suddenly, Akira's pupils shrank as her eyes glowed slightly. She saw nothing but a target that needed to die.

*ding*

The elevator door started to close since Toji didn't exit it in time.

*grab*

*creek*

A tiny hand held the door before it shut all the way.

...

"Where the fuck do you think you're going with Auntie?"

...

Toji sighed. 'I hate dealing with kids.'

The door flew open as Akira appeared before him, holding a loaded M1911.

Rion was cautious with Akira, so she gave her a pistol to use only in emergencies.

In her mind, Rion being injured fulfilled those conditions.

She raised the pistol to aim at Toji's face.

Unfortunately for Toji, his arms were preoccupied with three people, and if he kicked Akira, he might break a few of her bones.

Akira knew this and would take advantage of every opportunity she had to kill Toji.

So, Toji did what he could to avoid the current situation.

*bang*

*bang*

Two shots were fired; however, they didn't reach their target.

He disappeared, leaving the three assassins on the floor.

Toji left so she could cool down, and so he wouldn't get an earful from Rion if he accidentally hurt her.

He had done something that worked for him in the past.

...

He abandoned another responsibility.

...

Flashback End

Toji picked his ear with his pinky. "If you stay mad, you'll make mistakes. That can cost you your life."

She scowled. "*tch* I'll get you eventually."

Even if he was Rion's friend, Akira wouldn't forgive him for hurting the only person she cared about.

Toji rolled his eyes. "You know I'm not allowed to fight back, right?"

She smirked, keeping her hostility. "I'm counting on that."

Toji huffed a laugh. 'She's really taking after the woman. Since living with us, she's changed her timid personality. It seems to show more when she activates those path things. She's usually not this bad. If this were still a year ago, she would've been terrified at the thought of killing. Although I doubt the woman is happy, her niece is developing a killer's mindset.'

He let go of her wrist and stood up. "Let's call it here for today. If you want to get stronger, I'll need to talk to the woman about serious sparring."

Toji has tried before, but it gets shut down every time.

All Rion is doing is holding Akira back at this point. There is only so far someone can go without fighting real opponents.

Akira sat down with narrowed eyes. "When are you going to call her Rion?"

Toji cracked his neck. "Who knows?"

With that comment, Toji started walking out of the gym with Akira lying on her back to catch her breath.

*phew*

Toji reached out behind him and caught a dagger thrown at his neck.

He glanced behind him to see Akira with a smirk. "Shoot, thought I could get you that time."

*cough*

Toji threw up the inventory curse and put Akira's knife inside it.

*gulp*

Before Akira could react, the inventory curse left after eating her knife.

Her eyes widened. "HEY! That was Rions!"

Toji gave her a deadpan expression. "Then don't throw it at me when we are done training."

She kept silent, crossed her arms, and mumbled. "Ass. Now I can't get it back since Wormy ate it."

The nickname Akira gave it piqued his interest.

He raised an eyebrow. "Wormy? You gave it a nickname?"

It was the inventory curse, so Toji found no need to name it anything else.

She tilted her head to the side. "I think it's cute. What else do you want me to call it?"

When Akira saw Toji scratching the Inventory curse's chin after clearing his room of weapons, she started liking it.

It was attached to Toji and treated him like its father even though it called him 'mommy.'

The curse had a grotesque appearance, but Akira found it cute.

Toji shook his head. "Call it whatever you want. Anyways, I'm heading back upstairs."

As he put his hand on the door, he sighed when he sensed two people behind the door.

One familiar and one unfamiliar.

*click*

Toji stepped back as the door opened to reveal Sakamoto and Shin Asakura.

Sakamoto waved. "Yo."

However, Shin blinked as he saw Toji.

Toji crossed his arms. "Who's the kid?"

...

Shin recoiled in shock and pointed at Toji. "IT'S YOU!"

...

Sakamoto looked at the two. "Do you two know each other?"

Toji instantly replied. "Never seen 'em."

To Toji, he wasn't important enough to remember, after all.

Shin narrowed his eyes. "You're the weirdo who stole my dad's clothes and left him in a dark basement!"

Sakamoto sweatdropped. 'Sounds like something he'd do.'

Toji pondered for a moment. 'I probably would've remembered a kid this annoying.'

Shin's eyes narrowed. "I'm not annoying you asshole!"

It was Toji's turn to blink at Shin.

At this moment, Toji finally remembered. "You're the mind-reading kid."

Shin pointed his thumb at himself. "I'm Shin the Clairvoyant."

He was already a small-time assassin and had a few titles due to his interesting abilities. 

Toji gave a disgusted expression. "Eugh, you gave yourself a shit nickname."

A tick mark appeared on his head. "You wanna go!?"

Sakamoto kept silent but had a small smile as he crossed his arms.

Toji shook his head. "Nah, I don't feel like beating up a kid today."

*pat*

Suddenly, Nagumo appeared out of nowhere and pat Shin on the head. "Trust me, kid, you don't want to do that. Hmm, is it just me, or do you have beef with a lot of children, Toji?"

Shin spun around, shocked that someone had gotten behind him without his knowledge.

He wasn't fast, but his 'clairvoyance' should've allowed him to notice someone sneaking up behind him.

Nagumo's statement finally registered. 'What did I expect? Of course, all the assassins around Mr. Sakamoto are also strong. Then does that mean...the weirdo is crazy strong, too?'

Toji yawned and scratched his head.

Shin gave a deadpan stare. 'No way in hell. He looks like a lazy bum.'

Toji narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Why did you bring him here? It's not like I'm going to train him."

Sakamoto shook his head. "Nah, I just thought I'd introduce you two, but it seems unnecessary."

Toji suddenly had an idea. 'If this kid is here, maybe...Hah, perfect timing.'

Shin raised an eyebrow since he could hear Toji's thoughts.

Toji shrugged. "Well, I have places to be. Yo, blue hair, introduce yourself. Who knows if you two might be training partners."

If Toji couldn't spar with Akira, maybe Rion would be willing to let the two kids spar with one another.

A malicious smile made its way onto Toji's face. 'Maybe I should start hunting those Monarch guys now. I've gotten bored of this.'

Toji left without another word, leaving a baffled Shin and Akira.

...

Shin's eye twitched. "I hate him already."

Akira patted his shoulder. "First time?"