Chapter 25

The day Sukuna left for Hollywood…

He found it odd.

Out of everyone in the domain, all others to choose from. The five new siblings, have found themselves following Rook like little baby ducks. He didn't know how or why this was happening, but he never refused them. 'Perhaps this is how Oji feels when we followed him around as kids?' Rook thought.

He wouldn't be doing much. Whether he was having a meal, working out or merely just lingering about and having a lazy day. They would follow him without a word. At first, they kept their distance, then, slowly. They started to approach. The four held back and allowed Saitama to make the first move. If he was comfortable and deemed it safe, the others would follow. It's strange that he dictates the rules for everyone, but, it appears no one seemed to mind.

Just last week, he was resting under a tree, when he woke. Saitama and the four were resting on his chest and leaning up against him for comfort.

He refused to move until they woke, and when they did. They paused and appeared a little embarrassed. "Hey, if you guys are comfortable around me, I welcome you." He said gently.

"Really?" they asked.

"Of course, you're my brothers and sisters!" he protested. Since then, they have been helping him train.

Yet, that day. Rook was doing push up with Saitama on his back. He never said it aloud but his little brother was a lot heavier than he appeared to be!

"I got to ask… are you guys going to forgive mom?" he asked as he took on a plank position.

"No," Saitama said defiantly. "Mom didn't stop dad!" he protested.

"She tried to," Rook said. "I know you guys are upset, you have full right to be… I just wish you didn't take it out on mom… she was doing everything she could to get dad to eat right. Only when she threatened to leave him did he take it seriously!"

Saitama didn't deny that, everyone heard that roar. He felt it despite not being born yet! But he went silent. "She should have done more." Saitama muttered.

Rook sighed aloud. He just noticed his mother gathering at the entrance with Oji and Suiryu's family. "You think she didn't do enough, then come with me. But keep quite…"

Rook gathered his siblings as they began to approach. Keeping out of sight, they sat in wait until the confrontation happened with his mother and father. Mom let him have it without holding back, it broke Rook's heart to see her in tears for how dad is reacting. He has seen him approach the five, but they flat out refuse to even let him utter a word.

But now, they are seeing how seriously their mother is taking it. She bellowed at him for his lack of attention, despite every warning to him, despite her telling him to eat properly. He never took any fault until now, saying that it was all his doing.

She didn't sugar coat it when mom yelled of course it was!

It startled dad, since mom is not this blunt with him. She would try to convey it softly so no feelings are harmed. But this time around, she could give a shit about his feelings. He doesn't blame her the least bit either!

When dad walked away, his mother sighed. Rook took the siblings away and got some distance before he peered at them. "That's what mom goes through every single day" he said gently. "Every day, she is reminded of what should have been done, every day she holds dad accountable… but he walks away from it rather than confront it."

They appeared conflicted.

"But mom was to monitor…"

Rook nodded. "Okay then, how about this. A challenge. Tomorrow, we are going to monitor dad. I won't help you, but I will watch on and see how well you keep tabs on him."

Saitama paused. "You want us… to track father?"

"Why?" asked one of his sisters.

Rook smiled. "Better still. One day each week. ONE of you is going to track dad. Let's see how well you keep up with him, but, he can't know you are tracking him."

They didn't understand this, yet Saitama nodded. "Okay, then what?" he asked.

"Let's wait until everyone has had a turn first, after everyone has a day in keeping an eye on him. We will talk about it, agreed?"

The five agreed, tomorrow Saitama would get things rolling. He vowed to keep an eye on father and without fail.

Rook hopes this will show them the error of their ways…