One Piece

"And you said you gotta dull (duel) a bird every morning to see who gets breakfast."

Toji nodded in faux agreement with the exasperated child.

“Your right, Big Bird and I duel every morning... Maybe Big Bird and his buddy Oscar the Grouch can look after Gumi.”

"The one that lives in the trash?!"

"That very same one. A nice fella."

The man shrugged nonchalantly, fighting the urge to laugh as the child turned red.

“You know what? You have no rememeable (redeemable) qualities. I feel bad for Megumi.”

Satoru neared the baby, who had ceased his babbling, staring at the white-haired boy with owl-like eyes. The young boy clicked his tongue as he took in the makeshift kangaroo Toji had made of duck tape and a blanket.

"It must suck knowing you got him as a father. But it's okay,"

Toji watched in amusement as Satoru awkwardly patted Megumi's head, "I'll take care of you."

Everything was quiet until Toji snorted and let out a hyena-like laugh, which caused the Gojo heir to glare.

"Kid, can you even read?"

Satoru turned red at the accusation, "Of course, I can read! I'm six!"

"Sure you can, kid.”

Toji rolled his eyes as the Gojo child kept ranting about how he could read 5-grade levels ahead and was a gifted student. Even going as far as being his academic reports.

“For someone who’s so talented, it must be super easy to spell iCup.”

Satoru smirked smugly, shaking his head at Toji, “Of course it is.”

Toji raised an eyebrow, trying his best to school his face.

“I-C-U-P.”

Before the boy could berate the adult, Toji burst out laughing.

“I— g-give me a sec—”

Satoru glared daggers at the adult, who had his hands on his knees, howling in laughter.

“You— I can’t— believe you fell for that, kid.”

The Gojo heir willed for the man to explode right then and there when he finally got the joke.

"I feel sorry for you."

The owner smiled as she recognized the blond child.

"Yes, may I know how you know of me?"

"Tomo-chan came by 2 days ago and told me if little Katsuki stopped by to put it on her tab. She also said to feel free to get anything you'd like. I make excellent fabrics, and my husband's stitching is one of the best!"

Aizawa didn't doubt her. From the little, he had seen, the clothes looked so neat and simple, yet elegant.

"Thank you."

The young hero decided to take the offer, especially when he caught sight of the long coat section.

On the other side of the boutique, Katsuki found a suede dark red jacket and couldn't help but stare at it in awe.

"You like this one?"

The owner of the boutique asked the child. Chuckling at the child's peeved expression, the owner handed Katsuki the suede jacket.

"Ya'know, a little boy took one just like it a couple days ago. Except his jacket was indigo. It almost matched his hair but the jacket is way darker."

Katsuki knew the older man was referring to Shinsou, so he skipped trying on the jacket, already deciding on taking it.

As Katsuki waited for Aizawa to finish, he talked to the older woman, who told her another story. The couple entertained Katsuki at the front counter, recounting tales from the past.

"She was really good with blades. She had a dagger that was so beautiful. The hilt was like a dragon."

"She had daggers?!?!?"

Katsuki seethed as he remembered how the silver-haired woman had yet to keep her promise about his knives.

"Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

"I found the picture!"

Her husband returned to the counter with an old picture of the golden-eyed child. He eagerly showed it to the blond child.

"Who's that?"

"Daisuke-kun. And this one is Ame-chan. In the middle is Ryu-chan."

"Tomoko, dear."

"Sorry, I meant Tomo-chan."

Katsuki tried reading the kanji that captioned the polaroid picture, but he didn't recognize Tomoko's set.

The boy tried to push his suspicions down, but he knew none of those names belonged to Tomoko.

'He can read.'

Katsuki snatched the picture and ran to Aizawa, who was in the dressing room.

"What does this say!"

Katsuki demanded startling Aizawa, who was barely trying on a turtle neck.

"Ya'know, it's impolite to barge in a changing room."

Aizawa sighed as Katsuki said nothing but presented the photo to him.

"Takasu Daisuke. Kaneko Ryumi. Kobayashi Ame. Age 10."

Aizawa blinked, Tomoko's younger self was in the middle, yet none of the names written on the bottom belonged to her.

"But mom's name is Minami Tomoko."

"…I know."

________________________________

The sound of heels clashing with the traditional wooden floors made Tomoko smile.

She hated conventions.

Although she had little to no recollection of this place, Tomoko's body seemed to remember it, as she felt immense loathing with every step she took.

The dim lights, and the gold accents on the walls, made Tomoko click her tongue in distaste.

'Perhaps, the apple really doesn't fall that far from the tree...'

The atmosphere of the estate was very much like hers before Shinsou moved in. Ever since her kids moved in, her house was brighter, with light infiltrating the house. Though one thing stayed in its natural form. Her hidden realm.

From the dark ambiance to the accents of gold to reflect the minimal light resembled the Døløs headquarters. Tomoko almost wanted to laugh at how similar she had built her company to her old confinement. Minus the bloodstains.

'How befitting.'

So lost in thought, Tomoko missed how her body had led her to double doors.

Pushing through, Tomoko entered the training area, which was permanently stained red.

Golden eyes scanned the room as vague memories of self-defense training came to mind though she refused to immerse in them.

As Tomoko headed towards a golden cabinet, she heard a low whistle.

"Never thought I'd find you here, Ryu. Came back home for the holidays?"

A raspy voice teased as they took steps closer to the silver-haired woman who paid the visitor no mind.

Tomoko unveiled the source of her return.

Unwanted memories returned to Tomoko as she held the cursed item.

The shadowed figure neared the unsuspecting Tomoko only to be greeted by a kiss of a blade against her neck.

"I thought I told you my name is Tomoko now, Artemis."

A cackle escaped the shadowed figure, "Right, my bad, Tomo-chan. "

Tomoko rolled her eyes as she returned the blade to its confinement.

"I found his base."

Pale blue eyes noticed how Tomoko's body froze, for a fraction of a second, before continuing with her task.

"He's waiting."

Tomoko turned around with a metal rectangular box in hand, "I guess this means we have to lure the weasel out, don't we?"

The cloaked woman gave Tomoko a wicked grin, "I think we just might have the perfect opportunity."

"Oh? Do tell."

Tomoko smirked devilishly, already aware of what her dear friend would say.

"The Spring's Eternal Gala."

_________________________________________

If you enjoyed reading this, please reblog/comment, I’m a struggling writer! Feedback is always welcomed!

Next on Control >>

CONTROL (BNHA) M.L.

Having trouble visualizing the Minami Estate? Click here.