Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

"REN-KUNNN!!!"

Before anyone could react, a tall man with white hair, a blindfold, and a dark blue high-collared jacket lunged straight at Ren.

Ren barely twisted aside, grunting as the man's arms whiffed past. "Don't scream like a little girl."

But Gojo Satoru only grinned, trying to hug him anyway while Ren kept trying to kick him away.

After a few seconds of scuffling, Ren sighed heavily. "Ugh, enough of this nonsense. Take me back to Jujutsu High, ok? I'm hurt…"

Gojo froze for a moment, then leaned closer, tugging his blindfold down.

Two piercing, crystalline blue eyes locked onto Ren. For the briefest moment, a chill ran down Ren's spine.

Ugh. Six Eyes… he must be seeing my soul right now, seeing how warped it is. I wonder how I look through his eyes…

Gojo blinked once. Twice. Then he smiled faintly, sliding the blindfold back up.

"Ah, Ren. You were gone for a few months, but look at you—already a mess. This must be her fault…"

His gaze swung toward Mei Mei like she was the ultimate problem in the world.

Ren cut in quickly, blunt as ever: "She's coming with me. And no, the way I am isn't her fault. There are other reasons. Just take me to Japan."

Gojo tilted his head back, staring at the sky. Then, without warning, he spun around for no reason at all, hands in his pockets.

"Well, what do you mean 'just take you to Japan'? It's not that easy, you know? And who do you think I am, hmm? Right now you're not my student, so I don't have any reason to help you!" He folded his arms and smirked, smugness radiating.

Ren blinked once. Ugh. He's more annoying than I expected. But whatever—I know how to make him do what I want…

Closing his eyes, Ren smiled and spoke in the most exaggerated baby voice imaginable: "Sensei! I huwt. Take me to Jujutsu High, pwease!"

For three full seconds, silence dominated the air. Mei Mei froze like she'd been stabbed, her jaw dropping. Gojo's mouth hung open, his blindfold sliding slightly askew.

Then Gojo burst out, "Ren-kun! Don't worry, I'll take you to Jujutsu High right now!"

He squatted instantly, scribbling glowing kanji into the ground with cursed energy, his speed frantic.

Mei Mei slowly turned to stare at Ren. Ren coughed and sent her a glare sharp enough to carve stone. The glare said everything: We will never speak about this.

Mei Mei quickly turned away, biting her lip to keep from laughing. Ptff… ahahaha! He can make that voice?! Kinda cute, actually… But damn, effective. Who would've guessed? He called Gojo of all people… and then made him his puppet with one whiny plea. Way too hilarious…

On the other hand, Gojo's thoughts churned differently. He would never act like that normally. That means he's more damaged than he looks. His cursed energy's fizzing out—classic burnout signs. Did he just have a life-or-death battle? That's the only way he'd push himself this far… His soul, too—it looks like a broken mirror. But it's mending. Hah. Strong soul… way too strong for someone his age. The older the person, the stronger the soul, usually. But maybe he's the exception. A genius, huh? Wouldn't be shocking if his soul was just abnormally tough…

Within seconds, Gojo was done. He had drawn a complex web of kanji, forming a glowing circle around Ren and Mei Mei.

He stood, dusting off his hands. "You'll appear in the sky. Be careful. And once you're inside Jujutsu High again—you'll officially be my student. Remember that, Ren."

Ren narrowed his eyes. Ugh. The bastard's trying to scam me right now. Whatever… once I recover, I'll figure things out.

He nodded once, annoyance glinting faintly.

Gojo clapped his hands, and in a blink both Ren and Mei Mei vanished inside the circle.

Left alone, Gojo broke into laughter, nearly bouncing on his feet. "Hahaha! I got my student back! Hehe. Ah, but he didn't even argue. He must be desperate! Too bad, kid, I'll exploit that desperation and stick you back in school! Hehe… this time you'll have a normal childhood. No mistakes this time!"

He hopped up and down like a child on a sugar rush.

But then a voice barked from behind him.

"Oh, it was you!"

Gojo spun lazily.

Miguel Oduol stormed forward, eyes wide. "Gojo Satoru—you were the one creating those cursed energy spikes!"

Gojo blinked. "Huh?"

Miguel jabbed a finger at him. "Don't you dare play dumb! Do you even know how much damage you did to the Congo jungle?! It's a war zone out there! Is this a declaration of war?!"

Gojo tilted his head. "Eh?"

Miguel's voice rose. "I know I was holding you back during the Night Parade of a Thousand Demons, but there was no reason to destroy my country!"

Gojo blinked again, slow as ever. Then: "Uh, I have no clue what you're talking about. I just came here for a walk."

"Liar!" Miguel snapped, fury written all over his face.

But before he could continue, Gojo waved lazily, his form vanishing in an instant.

That day, the jujutsu higher-ups received a report:

Gojo Satoru has taken revenge on Miguel Oduol. He destroyed more than half the Congo jungle. It was a war zone.