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1. The aggressive student Incident
The Tokyo Jujutsu High School was bustling with activity on a typical day. Students rushed through the halls, chatting with one another and making their way to their classrooms. Gojo was walking down the corridor, posture slouched and relaxed, paying attention to nothing in particular, when he heard a commotion coming from one of the classrooms. Curiosity piqued, he made his way towards the sound.
As he turned the corner, he saw Megumi engaged in a heated argument with an unknown student from another class. The other student was visibly upset, his voice rising in anger as he continued to argue with Megumi. He was spouting some nonsense Gojo didn’t hear while he watched from a distance, observing the situation with a sense of apprehension.
Megumi was trying to defuse the situation, using a calm voice and measured words to talk the other student down. However, his efforts were in vain, as the student grew increasingly aggressive. Without warning, the student lunged at Megumi, fists flying.
Megumi was quick to respond, using his cursed energy to defend himself. His attacker was sent sprawling to the floor, the wind knocked out of him. The entire classroom fell silent, with everyone looking at him in shock.
Gojo's heart sank as he watched the scene unfold. It heavily reminded him of something he had seen before. It reminded him of Toji. Now, Gojo’s interactions with the man were rather limited, but he had heard about his reputation. Toji was a curse killer. Most dangerous of his kind, calculative and cold. The fact that he was from the (in)famous Zenin clan, hasn’t helped this. And as far as Gojo is aware, he would say that Megumi was showing signs of the same tendencies. That is not to say that Megumi is going to go on a rampage of any kind, destroying everything in his way. It’s just that maybe, Megumi isn’t so different from his father. But, hey! It is as they say, ‘Like father, like son.’”
After the fight ended, Gojo pulled Megumi aside by the elbow to talk to him. "Megumi, we need to talk about what just happened. You can't keep responding with violence like that. You need to learn to control your emotions."
Megumi looked at him, anger simmering in his eyes. "You don't understand, sensei. That student was out of control. I had to defend myself."
Gojo sighed. "I understand that, Megumi. But you need to be careful. You have the potential to become even stronger, but you can't let that power consume you. You have to learn to use it wisely." Gojo then grinned, trying to defuse the situation with a joke. “For example, look at me, Megumi. I am the strongest being in the world and you don’t see me conspiring to kill anyone. The only people I’m conspiring against are those old geezers.” The white haired man made a distasteful expression.
Megumi looked at him, his expression softening, used to the antics of his (friend? father? what was Gojo to him?) mentor. "I understand, sensei. I'll try to be more careful."
“Good job though.”
As Gojo walked away, his unease lingered in the back of his mind. Maybe Megumi was more like Toji than he had initially thought. It was a troubling thought that wouldn’t give him rest for days to come.
Gojo couldn't shake the feeling that something was not right with Megumi. He had seen the same approach to violence in Toji, and now he saw it in Megumi. It was a worrying thought.
The incident with Megumi weighed heavily in the back of Gojo’s mind for days. He knew that he needed to keep a closer eye on his students, but he also knew that he couldn't be everywhere at once. He resolved to speak with Megumi again, to try and get through to him and help him control his cursed energy.
Days turned into weeks, and the incident with Megumi slowly faded from everyone's minds. However, Gojo knew that it was only a matter of time before something else happened. The students at the Tokyo Jujutsu High School were a unique group, always coming up with something. But Gojo was determined to help all his poor students, no matter the cost.
Man, he’s getting soft. And it’s all because of his kids.
2. The stolen necklace Incident
Megumi, Gojo, and Nanami were on a mission investigating reports of a cursed object in a nearby village. Upon arrival, they discovered that the object was a necklace, imbued with powerful curse energy. Nanami went to investigate the necklace, while Megumi and Gojo stood guard.
As they waited, Megumi began to fidget nervously. His instincts were telling him that something was amiss. Gojo noticed his discomfort and frowned, asking him what was wrong. Megumi hesitated before admitting that he had a bad feeling about the situation.
Gojo nodded in understanding. "It's always good to trust your instincts, Megumi," he said. "But don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
Suddenly, they heard a blood-curdling scream coming from inside the building. Megumi's eyes widened with fear, and he drew his sword. "We have to go in, sensei. Nanami could be in trouble."
They really shouldn’t have split up. But no! ‘I am a grown man, Gojo. I don’t need your help.’ And ‘We will cover more ground this way, Gojo.’ After all, such a powerful cursed object is rarely accompanied by an equally powerful curse user or somebody like that. And okay, maybe he is being a bit paranoid, but good friends are hard to come by these days. And as was previously mentioned, Nanami is a grown man, and a talented jujutsu sorcerer on top of that, so this really shouldn’t have happened. It would be such a hassle if Nanami went and got himself killed without telling Gojo his famous lasagna recipe.
Gojo quickly agreed and followed Megumi, who was unaware of his inner turmoil, into the building. They found Nanami lying on the floor, clutching his chest in agony. The cursed necklace was nowhere to be seen.
Gojo knelt down beside Nanami and began to examine him. "He's been cursed," he said. "We need to get him back to the school right away."
Megumi looked around, his eyes scanning the room. "But what about the necklace? We can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Gojo nodded in agreement. "You're right. We need to find it." Together, because Gojo is not making the same mistake twice, they searched the room, but it was nowhere to be found.
As they were about to leave, Megumi noticed a strange symbol etched into the wall. It was supposed to represent a rose. He thinks. It had a lot of swirls, that made the bigger picture rather unclear. He recognized it as the symbol of a powerful curse user, one who had been active in the area recently.
"Sensei, I think I know who took the necklace," Megumi said, his voice determined. "We have to go after them."
Gojo hesitated. He didn't want Megumi to rush headlong into danger. Also, the curse user wasn’t that much of a problem, his criminal record was rather pathetic. Although, him injuring Nanami did anger Gojo quite a bit. And normally he would let it go, but he knew that Megumi was strong-willed and had a sense of responsibility that Gojo didn’t want to ruin. "Alright, Megumi. Let's go." Gojo swiftly called Ijichi to tell him about the situation and Nanami’s condition.
As they chased after the culprit, Gojo couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Which was ridiculous. He was Gojo Satoru, the strongest being on Earth, he simply didn’t feel uneasy or scared.
After a moment, it was obvious what had ticked him off. Megumi was showing a level of single-minded determination that he rarely did. In fact, the level of determination was similar to the one of Toji, when they were battling each other. But he pushed the thought aside, reminding himself that Megumi was different. It was just an intrusive thought, characteristic like that isn’t just specific for one person only. It wouldn’t do to poison his mind in such a small matter. Most importantly, Megumi would never abandon the people he loved, his friends and his family.
Gojo’s eyes zeroed on the culprit in the same moment as Megumi’s did and they started chasing after him. They followed the curse user through the village, leaping over fences and dodging obstacles. Megumi was determined to catch the culprit and recover the cursed necklace, and Gojo was right beside him, supporting him every step of the way.
Finally, they caught up to the curse user. He was a young man, barely out of his teens, with a wild look in his eyes. He menacingly held the cursed necklace in his hand, his fingers wrapped tightly around it.
Megumi drew his sword and stepped forward. "Hand over the necklace," he said. "It doesn't belong to you."
The curse user laughed, a high-pitched, maniacal sound. "You'll have to fight me for it," he said.
Without hesitation, Megumi charged forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. The curse user was fast, dodging Megumi's attacks with ease. But Megumi was relentless, his determination driving him forward. Finally, he landed a blow on the curse user's arm, causing him to drop the necklace. Megumi scooped it up and held it aloft triumphantly.
As they made their way back to the school, and although Gojo kept poking fun at Megumi, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had faced danger head-on, and he had emerged victorious.
On a slightly darker note, Gojo also knew that this was only the beginning. Megumi had a long road ahead of him, and he would need to stay vigilant if he wanted to avoid following in his father's footsteps.
As they walked, Gojo put a hand on Megumi's shoulder. "You did well today, Megumi," he said.
Megumi made a repulsed expression. "Where’s all this coming from?"
This only made Gojo laugh, while Megumi screamed at him, demanding explanations. No need to ruin the moment with just a hunch.
3. The cursed spirits Incident a.k.a. Megumi’s first ever existential crises
Megumi was tasked with a solo mission to investigate reports of cursed spirits in a nearby forest. Gojo had cautioned him to be careful, but Megumi was confident in his abilities. Gojo was probably only mocking him anyway, he knew Megumi’s skills better than anyone and this was like a walk in a garden. He had trained hard to become a skilled jujutsu sorcerer, and he was determined to prove himself.
As he made his way through the forest, Megumi's senses heightened, and he detected a powerful cursed energy nearby. He followed it until he came upon a clearing, where he saw a group of cursed spirits surrounding a young girl. Without hesitation, Megumi drew his sword and charged at the spirits. He fought with all his strength, using his cursed energy to defeat them.
When the last cursed spirit fell, Megumi turned to the girl, who was trembling with fear. He gently asked her if she was alright. The girl nodded, her eyes filled with tears and gratitude, and she thanked Megumi for saving her life. Megumi smiled, feeling satisfied that he was able to help someone in need. It was moments like these that reaffirmed his purpose as a jujutsu sorcerer.
However, as he walked away from the clearing, Megumi began to feel a sense of unease. He was starting to question his own motives for being a jujutsu sorcerer. Was he using his strength to protect others no matter the cost, no matter who he hurt, just like his father, Toji? Megumi didn’t often think about the man who abandoned him and knew that he didn't want to be like his father, who had discarded his family to pursue his own interests. Hell, he didn’t even remember what the man looked like, even if it hasn’t been that long. But it was in these dark moments when he doubted himself. He wanted to be his own person, but the fear of becoming like his father still lingered in his mind.
Megumi was conflicted. He knew that his duty as a jujutsu sorcerer was to protect the weak and vanquish the cursed spirits that plagued society. But at what cost? Was he willing to sacrifice everything, including his own happiness, to fulfill his duty? These were questions that he couldn't answer, but he knew that he had to find a balance between his duty and his own wishes.
In the end, Megumi resolved to continue his duties as a jujutsu sorcerer, but he would do so on his own terms. He would not let his duty define him, nor would he let it consume him. Megumi knew that he was different from his father, and he would prove it by forging his own path as a jujutsu sorcerer.
4. The dojo Incident
Megumi had been practicing his combat skills with another student (Asahi? Aoki? Something like that), but he had been holding back, not wanting to hurt his opponent. He was a lower grade sorcerer than Megumi. However, the other student was not as careful, and suddenly lunged at Megumi with a powerful strike.
Megumi instinctively countered with a blast of cursed energy, knocking the other student down. The student lay on the ground, groaning and clutching his chest in pain. Megumi felt a wave of guilt wash over him. This is why he didn’t want to go all out. He knew that something like this was bound to happen and he wanted to spare himself the trouble. However, he had hurt someone, and it was entirely his fault even if it was just an accident.
Gojo rushed over to the injured student, checking on him to make sure he was okay. He then turned to Megumi with a concerned look on his face. "What happened, Megumi? Why did you use that much force?"
Megumi hung his head in shame. "I don't know, sensei. I just reacted. I didn't mean to hurt him."
Gojo put a comforting hand on Megumi's shoulder. "I know you didn't mean to hurt him, Megumi. But you have to learn to control your power. You're strong, and you have the potential to become even stronger. But you can't let that power consume you. You have to learn to use it wisely."
Megumi nodded, still feeling guilty about what had happened. Discomfort was coursing through him, making the whole experience even more unpleasant. He hoped the guy was okay. Maybe he should check on him afterwards, make sure he was alright, apologize too while he was at it. "I'll try to be more careful next time, sensei."
Gojo smiled at Megumi. "That's all I can ask. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility." Pretty neat, huh? Gojo got that line from that one American movie.
As Megumi left the dojo, he couldn't shake the bad feeling. He didn't want to be consumed by his power, but at the same time, he didn't want to be weak and powerless either. He needed to find a balance, to learn how to use his strength wisely without becoming like his father. It seems that he was learning all kinds of new things about himself lately.
Megumi knew he had a long way to go, but he was determined to master his cursed energy and become the best jujutsu sorcerer he could be. And with Gojo's guidance and support, he knew he could do it. Well, that is if Gojo got his shit together and started acting like a real teacher. Which is probably not happening anytime soon.
5. The ‘Holy shit, Megumi actually lost it (named by Itadori Yuiji)’ Incident
Megumi had always been a disciplined and measured fighter. He vaguely remember a man with a scar on his lips teaching him some moves when he must’ve been like five years old, but he always pushes that particular memory to the back of his mind. From what he can remember, Gojo actually taught him how to fight. The two of them would always spend long evenings together at some local park. Therefore, he knew the power of his cursed energy and made sure to use it carefully, efficiently, never wanting to cause unnecessary harm. But as he battled the cursed spirit in the cave, he felt something inside him snap.
The spirit had been relentless, attacking him without mercy. Megumi had tried to hold back, but the more he fought, the more he felt his restraint slipping away. Suddenly, he found himself unleashing all of his cursed energy, striking the spirit with a ferocity he had never felt before.
When it was over, Megumi was left gasping for breath, his clothes torn and his body covered in bruises and scratches. He looked at the spirit lying motionless on the ground and felt a sense of satisfaction. He had won.
As he sat there, catching his breath, utterly exhausted from the fight, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Gojo standing in the entrance of the cave, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him.
"What happened, Megumi?" Gojo asked, his voice nor his expression giving anything away.
Megumi hesitated. He didn't want to tell Gojo what he had done, but he knew he couldn't lie to him. "I...I lost control," he admitted. "I couldn't hold back anymore."
Gojo's didn’t change, he just continued to stare at the boy in front of him. Megumi was growing increasingly uncomfortable, feeling Gojo’s stare, even though his eyes were covered as per usual, boring holes into him. Then his expression softened. "I understand, Megumi. It's not easy to control your power, especially in the heat of battle."
Megumi nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had been afraid that Gojo would be disappointed in him, but instead, he had shown understanding and compassion.
Together, they examined the body of the cursed spirit, looking for any clues that might lead them to its source. Megumi felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had protected innocent people from harm.
As they made their way back to the Jujutsu Tech headquarters, Megumi couldn't help but reflect on his battle. He had never felt such a rush of power before, and he knew he had to be careful not to let it consume him.
When they arrived, Gojo pulled Megumi aside and spoke to him in a low voice. "Megumi, I want you to remember something. Your power is a tool, not a weapon. You have to learn to use it wisely, and never let it control you."
Megumi nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude toward his sensei. He knew that Gojo had his best interests at heart, even if he didn’t always act like it, because that man was a bastard, and that he would always be there to guide him.
As he made his way back to his room, Megumi couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a line, that he had done something that he couldn't take back. But he also knew that he had to keep moving forward, that he couldn't let this moment define him.
In the end, Megumi knew that he had to strike a balance between his power and his compassion. He had to be strong enough to protect the innocent, but also wise enough to know when to hold back. Maybe the task of finding balance will be easy or maybe it won’t be, but the things that are actually worth something in our miserable lives, are always the ones that are hard to achieve. So, he will try. And he will succeed.
6. The ‘Megumi our savior’ Incident
The day was hot, the sun blazing high in the sky. Megumi stood with his back to the wall, the cool bricks providing some relief from the heat. The black uniform of the Jujutsu High certainly wasn’t helping. He was absentmindedly observing a group of students sparring in the courtyard, their movements fluid and precise.
Megumi was lost in thought, pondering his own combat abilities. He had been training hard, honing his skills, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still holding back. He had seen the dark side of cursed energy, and he didn't want to lose control again. Because this time the victim may not be a cursed spirit.
As he watched the sparring students, Megumi's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden commotion. He turned towards the noise where he saw a bunch of cursed spirits attacking a group of middle school kids. The kids were terrified, their backs pressed against a wall, and the cursed spirits were closing in on them.
Megumi's heart sank as he realized that he might be too late. That he may fail to protect these children, just like his father had failed to protect him and his sister.
But then something inside Megumi clicked. It dragged him out of the spiral of hopelessness. He remembered his promise to protect the innocent, and he knew he had to act.
With a fierce battle cry, Megumi charged at the cursed spirits. He fought with all his might, his cursed energy flowing freely as he cut down the cursed spirits one by one.
The kids watched in awe as Megumi single-handedly defeated the cursed spirits. When the last one fell, he turned to them."Are you all okay?" he asked them, his voice filled with concern.
A girl from the group nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears but wide with amazement. "Thank you," she said. “Thank you for protecting me and my friends.”
Megumi smiled, a feeling of pride swelling up inside him. He had fulfilled his duty as a jujutsu sorcerer, and he had protected someone who couldn't protect themselves. “You are welcome.”
Days later, Gojo received a report about the incident in the courtyard. Usually, the higher ups received reports from minor missions and incidents, but considering that Megumi was his student, he had to deal with it personally. Although nothing was, something felt different. He was just getting a nagging feeling, an instinct. And his hunches are never wrong.
He decided to visit Megumi at the Tokyo Jujutsu High School to see for himself what was different.
When he arrived, he found Megumi in the training hall, practicing his swordsmanship. Gojo watched, unspotted, as Megumi moved with grace and precision, his movements fluid and controlled.
But then something caught Gojo's eye. A faint flicker of cursed energy, barely perceptible, but enough to raise his suspicions.
"Hey, Megumi," Gojo said, approaching him, uncharacteristically serious. "Can we talk for a moment?"
Megumi stopped his practice and turned to face Gojo. "Sure. What's up?"
Gojo looked at Megumi intently, trying to read his thoughts. He sensed a powerful energy within Megumi, one that was growing stronger by the day.
"I wanted to ask you about the last incident," Gojo said. "What happened there?"
Megumi shrugged, nonchalant but not meeting Gojo’s eyes. “I just saved some middle schoolers from a group of cursed spirits. Low grade.”
Gojo nodded slowly. Underneath Megumi’s indifferent voice he could sense a newfound determination that wasn’t there before.
"I see," he said. "Well, it's good that you were there to protect them."
“Also, I’m proud of you Megumi.”
That sentence filled the boy in question with warmth. Nobody had ever spoken those words to him. Gojo laughed at Megumi’s burning cheeks and a quirk of his lips upward, and ruffled his hair, effectively messing it up.
When Gojo walked away from the dojo later, he felt calmer than he had in a while. Megumi, even as a little kid bore uncanny resemblance to Toji. Back then, it wasn’t a stretch of imagination to imagine Megumi growing up to be exactly like him. This particular concept has been the subject of his nightmares, ever since the idea has wormed its way inside his brain. Now though, he knew that Megumi was different from his father, that he had the potential to become a great jujutsu sorcerer.
But more than that, he sensed a strength of character within Megumi, a resilience that had been forged through years of pain and hardship.
Gojo felt a sense of pride and hope. He really was proud of his student. But he also knew that Megumi's journey was far from over, it was damn well that he was in good hands.