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𝐉𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬
By: AnonWriterzzzz
Chapter 3: Angst
(AN: For this flashback sequence, I reccomend listening to this while reading!
/watch?v=ooiSfD2a6pI&t=21s
type "youtube dot com" before pasting the link.)
Tokyo Jujutsu High, Japan
7th of April, 2008
5:15 PM
Cicadas chirp on a warm spring evening in Tokyo. Cameron Shaw, Masamichi Yaga, and Yoshinobu Gakuganji walk down the steps of the building where the higher-ups gather. As they reach the last step, Gakuganji parts ways with them, walking down the street to his left, leaving the pair by themselves. The sound of crunching gravel follows as they begin walking to their right. The two friends speak to each other.
Yaga: "You know, I knew Satoru was somewhat popular with girls, but I thought I did a good job teaching him how to protect himself."
Yaga puts his hand on his face in frustration.
Cameron, chuckling: "Don't be too hard on yourself. That's what Americans will do to you, especially those Miami girls."
Yaga: "Aghh... I should have never sent him on that mission."
Cameron: "In my opinion, it's good that you did. That special-grade curse was good experience. I remember he told me it was about the size of an American football field."
Yaga: "Is that so? Are you saying Threadcraft can't take down large special-grade curses?"
Cameron: "Pshh, I never said that. In fact, if you had sent me instead of Satoru, I would have exorcised that cursed spirit... Hmm... two days earlier, AND left without getting a random woman pregnant."
The two friends laugh together, then there's a brief, condescending pause.
Yaga: "...If I'm being honest, Cameron, I don't think this assignment will be good for you. The child is most likely going to rebel, and if our suspicions are right, and he has a mutated form of Limitless, you're going to get yourself killed. I can ask the higher-ups to take over this mission if you'd like."
Cameron: "It's not like I have a choice, Yaga. If we don't get to him first, someone else will, and you know who I'm talking about. Suguru Geto won't hesitate to brainwash that child if it helps him achieve his goal."
Masamichi doesn't respond. He looks down in guilt, as if he feels responsible for Geto's betrayal.
Cameron: "If it means I have to lay down my life to set some good morals in that child's head, so be it."
Masamichi Yaga and Cameron Shaw continue walking in silence. They both glance to their left and see a younger Satoru Gojo talking to Shoko and Utahime, with Satoru, as always, wearing a big smile. Cameron observes how happy he looks.
OPERATION MANTLE
JUJUTSU HQ'S CONTINGENCY PLAN IN THE EVENT SATORU GOJO IS DEFEATED OR SEALED AWAY PERMANENTLY.
UPON DISCOVERY OF THE CHILD'S MOTHER PASSING AWAY, SPECIAL-GRADE 1 SORCERER CAMERON SHAW IS TO BECOME THE BENEFACTOR OF SHIN GOJO COLLINS, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. ORDERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR CAMERON SHAW TO RELOCATE TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA, WITH TWO GOALS IN MIND: TO PREPARE SHIN GOJO COLLINS TO TAKE UP THE MANTLE OF THE STRONGEST SORCERER AND TO PREVENT SPECIAL-GRADE CURSE USER SUGURU GETO FROM REACHING THE CHILD FIRST. RICHARD L. SCOTT HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR SHIN GOJO COLLINS TO ATTEND, AND CAMERON SHAW WILL BE ASSIGNED AS PRINCIPAL. TO PREVENT SUSPICION, SATORU GOJO AND THE REST OF THE STUDENTS AT TOKYO AND KYOTO JUJUTSU HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT CAMERON SHAW IS RETIRING AS A JUJUTSU SORCERER. THIS WILL BE HIS FINAL ASSIGNMENT.
Orlando, Florida, USA
September 3rd, 2024
The air pressure from Shin's cursed energy is strong—it pushes Principal Shaw back, but he stands firm. He forms a sign with his hands and performs Domain Amplification yet again. As the green aura returns to Principal Shaw, he reaches out and expels cursed threads imbued with the Domain Amplification straight at Shin, who is still charging his Red. The cursed threads launched forward. Too fast for Shin to react, and they pierce through his infinity. Then, the threads meet their mark, grabbing onto the blindfold in one swift motion before Shin could counter, the threads tighten the blindfold around Shin's Six Eyes, and the chains reappear, locking away Shin's cursed energy. The blackish-red mass of his Red Void disappears, and Shin regains his sense of self. His arms felt heavy, weighed down by scars that burned with the aftermath of his unrefined Reversed Cursed Technique. He looks back up and sees the tall figure of Principal Shaw marching toward him. His heart skips a beat—he knows what's coming.
Shin: "Crap... Crap... I'm sorry, Cameron! I didn't mean to! I lost control and just let loose—it's just, you mentioned his name, and it really ticked me off and—"
Before he can finish, Shaw reaches him and stares down. Shin closes his eyes in fear, expecting tough disipline, but instead, he feels the warm embrace of his benefactor. He opens his eyes, and a tear forms. Shin wraps his arms around Cameron and matches the embrace.
Cameron: "Let's get you home, Shin. That's enough for today."
Shin nods, and they head back to the office. Shin grabs his now slightly burnt Jansport backpack, and they leave the building. Why did he do that? is all Shin can think about. For the first time in what feels like forever, Principal Shaw showed him affection. They approach Shaw's black 2022 BMW i4, and Shin gets in the passenger seat. They drive off school grounds. Throughout the ride, Shin rests his elbow on the armrest, his palm on his chin, lost in thought about their sparring match. He feels like he really needed that hug, especially since his regular childhood was stripped away the moment he was born—his mother's mysterious death, his father returning to Tokyo. He thinks about his place in the world and what it means to be chosen by fate.
The sun begins to set as they reach the orphanage. Shin opens the door and grabs his backpack, but just before closing it, Principal Shaw speaks up.
Principal Shaw: "Get plenty of rest tonight, Shin. Things are going to change tomorrow."
Shin doesn't respond but gives him a nod. He closes the door, and Principal Shaw drives away. Before entering the orphanage, Shin takes a look at the sunset and admires its beauty. He then notices a winged cursed spirit in the sky, screeching as it flies over the city. A disgusted look appears on Shin's face as he turns around and glances at the metal placard beside the entrance: "GENESIS CHILDREN'S HOME: DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE YOUTH." Once inside, he is greeted by Miss Slater, the desk lady of the orphanage. She is a Hispanic woman in her mid-20s, wearing a white polo shirt with the orphanage's crest, blue skinny jeans, and black loafers. She has curly brown hair and brown eyes. Shin waves to her and approaches the desk.
Shin: "Good evening, Miss Slater. Sorry I'm home late, I was out with Principal Shaw again."
Miss Slater: "No problem, Shin! Oh... Speaking of Principal Shaw... You gave him my number like I asked, right?"
Shin: "Oh... I must have forgotten. Sorry, Miss Slater, I promise I'll give it to him tomorrow."
Miss Slater, flustered: "Uhmm... Actually, I don't want you to give him my number... Wait, I do... Wait, I DON'T!"
Shin: "Oookay then... By the way, has the water returned yet?"
Miss Slater: "The water? Oh yes, it should be working now. Let me know if it's not."
Shin smiles and nods. He leaves the desk and begins heading upstairs to the top floor. The orphanage has five floors, each corresponding to an age group. The fifth floor is where Shin lives, mostly populated by high schoolers. As he climbs each flight of stairs, he watches the younger children playing happily. The boys throw things at each other, while the girls play with pink plastic teacups and Barbie dolls generously donated by the town's residents. Shin reaches the fifth floor and heads down the hallway. He arrives at his room, unlocks the door, and steps inside. The room has remained unchanged—a single bed, a window facing the street, and a desk littered with study materials and school supplies. Posters of Elton John and George Michael adorn the walls. He drops his black Jansport backpack on the floor, unzips his now slightly torn hoodie, and throws it aside. Kicking his feet forward, his shoes fly off. He enters the bathroom and turns the shower handle. Water shoots out of the showerhead, and Shin exclaims in joy.
After getting ready for bed, he puts on his black pajama pants and white tank top. He climbs into bed and instantly falls asleep.
Orlando, Florida, USA
September 4th, 2024
6:00 AM
Shin wakes to the growing sound of his alarm. BEEP BEEP BEEP. It's the sound he hates most in the world, second only to Principal Shaw's nagging. He crawls out of bed and adjusts his blindfold. Looking around, he takes a deep breath, stretches, and considers what to wear. He settles on a simple white T-shirt, gray Adidas sweatpants, white Nike socks, and the same rugged Converse shoes from yesterday. He never had many options for shoes—he's had those Converse since he started high school, and they're his only pair. Shin enters the bathroom, washes his hands, and runs water through his white hair.
Once ready, he picks up his Jansport backpack and exits his room, locking the door behind him. He makes his way to the first floor where breakfast is served, and the glorious smell of crispy bacon fills his nose. Shin smiles as he approaches the serving station. He grabs a tray, plastic utensils, a plate, and serves himself two pieces of bacon, a portion of scrambled eggs topped with a dash of salt, and his favorite—chocolate milk. He tries to relax as he eats, but the gnawing thought of his sparring match with Principal Shaw keeps him tense. Why... why did he do that? The thought nags at him as he eats.
After finishing, Shin throws away his paper plate and utensils, puts away his tray, and heads to the entrance of the orphanage. As he steps outside, he spots Principal Shaw leaning against his BMW, wearing the same expensive black suit from yesterday. Shaw looks up and locks eyes with Shin.
Principal Shaw: "Good morning, Shin. I've excused you from classes today because we're going on a trip."
Shin: "A trip? To where?"
End of Chapter 3
Update Log:
9/15/24: Removed vulgar language