Sukuna's Backstory Theory (+ mini Uraume Backstory Theory)
While we wait for jjk ch 265 leaks, I hope you enjoy reading this post of mine in the meantime.
Please note that this is just my theory. Also, Sukuna deserves to die.
Now enjoy your reading.
WARNING: MANGA SPOILERS UP TO CH 264; subject covers the following sensitive topics: sacred s*x, cannibalism, homosexual relationships; mentions or implications of abuse
Beginning:
We know from Sukuna himself in chapter 237 that he was an 忌み子 - a taboo child. In ancient and medieval Japan, a taboo child is a child that is ostracized, unwanted, and discarded.
JJK CHAPTER 237
As mentioned by Sukuna, he himself 'consumed' his twin to survive and had presumed that his 'foolish mother' (愚母 - he wasn't looking down on her, calling her stupid, but instead he was humbly referring to her) must have been starving.
JJK CHAPTER 257
Prominent families during that time were the Fujiwara, Sugawara and Abe clans. For sure, he wasn't born a noble, but rather a commoner, or worst, a slave. He must've been born with weak or below average CE, too, aside from his four arms, four eyes, and the second face.
It was probably only him and his mother in the beginning and she was the only one taking care of him. Given their supposed circumstances, Sukuna must've started working by the time he was around 5 or 6. Plus, if I were to guess where they would've lived, it would be in the agricultural lands of a Buddhist-Shinto temple. In Heian era, Buddhism and Shinto co-existed together (shinbutsu-shuugoo) so it's not strange to find Buddhist temples to have at least one small shrine dedicated to a kami (a Shinto god/goddess) [these are calles jisha (寺社)] and Shinto shrines accompanied by Buddhist temples in mixed complexes [these are called jinguuji (神宮寺)].
In addition, these institutions had these manorial estates called, shooen (荘園), which were "any of the private, tax free, often autonomous estates or manors...... developed from land tracts assigned to officially sanctioned Shintō shrines or Buddhist temples or granted by the emperor as gifts to the Imperial family, friends, or officials." In the case of shrines and temples with shrines in them, they are called mikuri (御厨), which means a god's/goddess' kitchen.
The Chinese characters for mikuri are the same as the first two letters of Sukuna's CT (御厨子). In the beginning, mikuri only referred to the place where shrine offerings/sacred food (fish, vegetables, etc.) were cooked, but it eventually also included the land or property where they get the offerings from and prepare them in the meaning. Plus, the citizens of these lands/properties were called "gods' & goddesses' people" (神人, shinjin), and these mostly consisted of the producers (fishermen, farmers, etc.). We can definitely infer that Sukuna has most likely worked in the cooking area of the mikuri, the 御厨子所 (mizushidokoro, a kitchen for the upper classes and the shrines and temples) Think about it, not only does he use words related to consuming, but he also referenced fish-related words.
JJK CH 224 - "A fish who merely has no name attached to it."
JJK CH 216 - "卸す" - to grate (e.g. vegetables); to cut up fish
"三枚に卸す” - to cut you into three slices (fillet)
JJK CHAPTER 8 - "おろした" - past tense verb of 卸す
"三枚におろした” - cut you into three slices (fillet)
(light blue is just to cover watermarks)
In Heian era, meat was forbidden except for some parts in Japan where hunting was really common (except for aristocrats and monks lowkey - they do eat them at times, especially when they fall sick). Fish was temporarily banned but was eventually lifted. So, majority of the Japanese people during this time period didn't eat meat with the exception of fish and other seafood. Moreover, when cooking the shrine offerings, the only meat they cooked was seafood. Plus, if he and his mom was in one of the shrine and temples in Heian-kyoo (present-day Kyoto), then chances are he had to cook for festivities and rituals in the imperial palace.
But then, how did he learn to read and write? The only one who were literate were the imperial family, aristocrats, Shinto priests, Buddhist monks, and anyone else related to religious institutions and higher rank than commoners. So the only available ways for him to have access to learning kanji (漢字 - Sino-Japanese characters) and even kana (hiragana and katakana) was to become an apprentice monk or priest. But I believe he became a Buddhist apprentice monk since it is more open than becoming a Shinto priest.
If he had started as a worker in the mikuri, he would have been secretly listening to the lessons between an apprentice and the older monk. Then, if he managed to prove his talent, he could have become an apprentice. If he were an apprentice monk, he would have to learn directly from an older monk. This would not stop him from working as a kitchen worker since he would have to help with preparing offerings and cooking for important occasions and guests.
As an apprentice, he would have learned everything about Buddhism, including how to preach to people. Unfortunately, there was a cost to this. It was the nanshuudou, the homosexual practice between a prepubescent apprentice monk and an older adult monk, which is heavily documented in Edo period but a practice that has been ongoing in the Shinto priest apprenticeships and eventually in Buddhist monk apprenticeship, as well. Mind you, this is not a practice between male lovers, but of loyalty and the first step to 'reaching enlightenment'. I think of it as a pseudo-sacred s*xual relationship. It is something expected at that time, but it may not have been a great experience for Sukuna. He was a taboo child, meaning even those older monks most likely made this harsher than it already was. Not to mention, he might have been as young as 7 or 8 years old when this all happened.
This was also sort of thought of by a JP theorist, according to this twitter user.
Anyways, let's move on from this sensitive topic.
You might be wondering why do I think he had been an apprentice monk and a cook? Well, mizushi (御厨子) also has these meanings.
Zushi (厨子) originally was a word for storage boxes for utensils and ingredients in the kitchen, then extended into becoming a storage for personal stuff and a decoration as well for aristocrats.
Zushi also extended to becoming a storage for Buddhism relics, scrolls or anything important. This includes the Buddhist altars. Thus becoming Mizushi, sacred storage.
Additionally, as an apprentice monk, he would be able to interact with nobility more. Buddhism was intertwined with the court politics in Heian era. This is more prominent when court officials and even the imperial family members, including the Emperor, would retire as Buddhist nuns or monks. Plus, there would also be visits by the officials and probably he was able to see or receive letters and poems from them. It would be inevitable that he learns them to communicate effectively.
This would also makes sense as he knew Tengen, who was an avid supporter of Buddhism.
Career as a Sorcerer:
In an era where the Fujiwara clan ruled supreme, leaving barely any crumbs for other aristocratic clans to take spots in the political arena. So, in order to consolidate their own power, many other clans (including the minor/weak branch families of the Fujiwaras) and Imperial princes went to obtain their own land outside of Heian-kyoo (present-day Kyoto) and even their own army. That's why these clans have armies of their own, especially those full of sorcerers. I won't be surprised if they took in anyone who has curse energy and trained them, just like what the Fujiwaras did with Uro.
So, I believe that someone noticed his cursed energy and his potential, then took him for training. Then obviously he would have met other Heian-era sorcerers. Here are my two cents on this:
I would like to believe that Tengen trained him as she was also an avid supporter of the religion, and he eventually met Kenjaku as they're 'friends' with her. Being a jujutsu sorcerer apprentice meant quitting or being part-time in his apprenticeship from the Buddhist Temple. (But I wonder if this would have stopped the pseudo-sacred s*x stuff.......) However, I'm open to the fact that it might have been another sorcerer who trained him (or there has been another one besides Tengen and Kenjaku who did so or influenced him) due to the name of his extension technique 'Divine Flames, Open'
One of the opposing factions (either the Sugawara, Tachibana or Abe clan) to the Fujiwara hired him in their order to put them in check. I'm leaning more towards the Sugawara clan.
This was probably the time when he probably met Angel from Abe clan, Uro from the Fujiwara, and especially Uraume. I'll explain how Uraume is related to the Sugawaras in a bit.
Sukuna served as part of Sugawara's troops or something like that. This can also be the point where he learned more about Japanese art and culture at the time.
One of the curses he must've fought was Yamata no Orochi.
Sukuna betrayed the Sugawaras and destroyed its army of sorcerers, with a few survivors left. Uraume decided to dedicate their whole life to him and followed him from then on.
He officially became a curse user and wrecked havoc in Japan, especially Heian-kyoo
Angel got enraged from his acts and with the permission of the Abe clan and the remnants of Sugawara clan, they jumped on Sukuna but lost.
Later on, he defeated the Fujiwara army led by Uro.
How is Uraume related to the Sugawaras?
There's this video from JP channel that was theorizing about Uraume when they first appeared in Shibuya arc a couple years ago that they used to be trapped in the prison realm before being freed so that Kenjaku can use it for Gojo Satoru and it was time for Sukuna's resurrection but this was obviously debunked, but there was something interesting that the creator brought up - the Tobiume.
Have you heard about The Legend of the Flying Plum (飛梅伝説)? So basically, when Sugawara no Michizane was demoted in ranking because of the Fujiwaras and was exiled, he wrote a poem expressing his sorrow of not seeing his precious plum tree in his residence in Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto) ever again. Then from this, a romantic legend came about, where the plum tree was so fond of its master and cannot bear to be apart from him that it finally flew to Dazaifu, where he was exiled to, and that tree became known as tobi-ume (飛梅, 'the flying plum').
Michizane loves plum trees and plum blossoms, so it won't be strange if there were people in the clan named after plum blossoms or plum. In my case, I believe that Uraume is related to the Sugawara clan, but their status in the clan itself wasn't great. We can assume from their name in kanji, 裏梅.
裏 means the following:
opposite side; bottom; other side; side hidden from view; undersurface; reverse side
rear; back; behind
in the shadows; behind the scenes; offstage; behind (someone's) back
梅 means plum
Though they may have been born from a noble, prestigious clan, they remained in the shadows. My theory is that, for whatever reason it may be, Uraume's life wasn't as good as before Sukuna allowed them to serve him. They might have been an illegitimate child or they might have some deformity we don't know of, or whatever. Then they met Sukuna and the rest was history.
Do you not believe that Uraume is not related to the Sugawaras?
Let me show you a picture of the Sugawara clan crest.
They call this umebachi. A plum blossom crest.
And what's in Uraume's name? Ume (梅) - plum.
Another thing here that fulfill its name is the fact that Uraume is Sukuna's servant. Just like the tobiume, they follow their master from behind and cannot bear to be apart from him.
'Divine Flames, Open':
Here's something that caught my attention.
Kamino (カミノ) has the kanji 竈, that is originally pronounced as kamado. It means traditional Japanese wood or charcoal-fueled cook stove. Fuuga (フーガ) has the kanji 開, originally pronounced as kai, meaning open. Now everything else is purely Japanese except these two.
Kamino and fuuga originated from Latin and Ancient Greek, and both exist in the Romance languages. How tf is he using these words? Around Heian era, only the Eastern Roman Empire is standing and the main language there was Greek....... but that's around present-day Turkey and its surroundings. The furthest they reached in trade was China...... oh wait, Heian era Japan still traded with China........
Seems like that theory of Chinese sorcerer isn't far-fetched, eh?
(But fr tho, do you think he met someone from Byzantine? There's no confirmation time travel is a thing so that's the only possible explanation)
Cannibalism:
Cannibalism, believe it or not, was practiced in China from Tang Dynasty and onwards. Remarkably, Heian era's last major Chinese contact was with Tang Dynasty. Records of cannibalism must have been brought from Tang Dynasty China along with Buddhism and other things by monks who were sent to China by the government.
It was said that human flesh of a young person was a great medical treatment for illnesses. So there would be young people, especially females, sacrificing some of their flesh for the sake of their parents or parent-in-laws recovery. Furthermore, Emperors, e.g. Wuzong of Tang, supposedly ordered provincial officials to send them "the hearts and livers of fifteen-year-old boys and girls" when they had become seriously ill, hoping in vain this medicine would cure him. Later on, private individuals sometimes followed their example, paying soldiers who kidnapped preteen children for their kitchen.
There was also something called war cannibalism, in which victors in a battle, war, or conflict would eat the dead enemy's flesh as "official punishments and private vengeance", as well as "celebrating victory over them."
Therefore, I propose that Sukuna started cannibalism as a way to treat an illness or disease - in private obviously since in Heian era, meat other than seafood was banned and meat that becomes available for special occassions or circumstances like falling sick are reserved for the upper class, plus if he ever was an apprentice monk, he would not have been allowed to consume meat. Since Heian era had outbreaks, such as smallpox, and also common diseases, anyone can get it, including him. So, not wanting to die, he resorted to this. But then it eventually became a habit that also extended to eating people he defeated in battles and young people and women for medicinal and nutritional purposes later on. This is the most likely the reason why in the first chapter, he was looking for children and women.
But if he had contracted some sort of illness or disease at some point in his youth and cannibalism (obviously) wasn't a cure for it, how would he have survived it and lived longer? Perhaps it might have to do with Tengen - who knows if she could have an extension technique of her Immortality CE, where she could have extended his lifespan. It could have had to do with Kenjaku; with their vast knowledge, it's possible he offered a solution to him. However, I'm leaning more towards Tengen helping him in this regard. It was also probably the reason why she ended up having four eyes and all because of this. But, of course, he couldn't escape death, so he agreed to Kenjaku's terms and became cursed objects to reincarnate later on.
My second proposition is that Sukuna was maltreated and the people didn't bother sharing meager amount of food available to him. We know that because of the Fujiwara family's political monopoly in the capital as well as the distribution of the land to nobility made it possible for them to abuse their power. For instance, these lords imposed taxes in an unreasonable amount to fund their lavish lifestyle, which obviously made life hard for the peasants and slaves since goods such as silk, grains and food became a common medium of exchange when the currency fell. So you can imagine how much they had to give up just to pay their taxes. This definitely made their food supply low. I can also imagine Sukuna was blamed for misfortunes and misery they have experienced because of his status as a taboo child. I don't think they would provide him food and so he would have to rely on dead people to survive.
And assuming that we're going off with this proposition instead of the other one, I think the reason why Sukuna was seeking women and children because in the past, it was more common for children and women to die. Children are naturally more vulnerable and women die easily, especially during childbirth. I'm certain that the most common corpses or bodies he must've found were those of children and women. But, of course, eventually he began to crave humans because he got so used to it that normal food didn't satisfy his hunger any longer - not that cannibalism fully resolved it, though.
The Fallen:
(I'm not gonna lie, majority of what I would say here are more assumptions based on Geto's and a bit of Yuji's acts)
Everyone has been comparing Sukuna and Gojo, seeing them as foils and parallels. I acknowledge that they are similar to each other and whatnot. But what if I tell you that he could've gone through an experience or two similar to Geto?
Think about it. Wouldn't you consider Geto as a 'Fallen One'? He was a righteous man, whose goal is to protect the weak as a strong person. But after the Toji incident, his moral convictions and purpose has been questioned by himself, and eventually, he fell from grace - being stripped of his status as a jujutsu sorcerer and thus becoming a curse user. He had the same values but they were reinterpreted and twisted.
If my theory on Sukuna being educated at a Buddhist Temple is true, then he must have believed in the salvation of those who are suffering (like Yuji to some extent), but was corrupted along the way. He had the same ideals, but it became reinterpreted and twisted. I think the reason why he hates Yuji because he is seeing all those he threw away to gain freedom and absolute strength in jujutsu in him. Both of them are inverses of each other, and it's not a surprise if Yuji is the representation of the old Sukuna.
I mean if you look at nobility back in Heian era, they kept indulging themselves in leisure and pleasure to the point that they neglected the economy. Literally the currency fell and all those bureaucratic and admin work fell mostly to lower classes working in each ministry. Basically back then, the higher you were in the hierarchy, the more pleasure you could attain and keep chasing for. How else did you think Japanese art, literature and culture came to be during this era? This was where he probably learned about hedonism or what influenced him to be one.
Not to mention, people who would've taken advantage of him for their pleasure, curiosity, greed and personal gains, power and control, and many more reasons. He could have been like Geto and Yuji, who exorcise curses and help the weak. There was a turning point where he decided to let go of everything and walk the path that he has been in for the last 1000 years.
I am not surprised if he decided to be who he is today as a revenge to the world, a response to the trauma and suffering he went through just like Geto.
If I am right about Sukuna going through a similar experience as Geto did, then this page below brings a whole new meaning to the Gojo vs Sukuna fight on December 24, 2018 - the death anniversary of Geto:
JJK CH 223
But despite all of these, there's one thing we can agree on - that is, he became the monster the world sees him as in the end.
That will be it. I hope y'all like it to some extent. Until then.
References:
Heian Era, Buddhism, 御厨子 -related Topics:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Den/
https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1%E5%8E%A8
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_temples_in_Japan
https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan/The-Heian-period-794-1185
https://www.colorado.edu/ptea-curriculum/imaging-japanese-history-1
https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8E%A8%E5%AD%90
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugawara_no_Michizane
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_period
https://www.colorado.edu/ptea-curriculum/imaging-japanese-history-1
Homosexuality in Medieval Japan:
https://www.tofugu.com/japan/gay-samurai/
https://ida.mtholyoke.edu/items/19c86409-c129-46a1-927b-11cfe0ffb1c3
Cannibalism & Sacred S*x-related Topics:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_cannibalism
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Medical_cannibalism&diffonly=true
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibalism_in_Asia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_ritual
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_prostitution
Ancient Greek, Latin, & Roman Empire Topics:
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/fuga
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/caminus
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/camino
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Roman_relations
YouTube Videos I Referenced:
https://youtu.be/5n24Ulc8u84?si=Nngbg4xEqyNu82x8
https://youtu.be/WhBN29CIuAQ?si=5bNryoT-GzleIGq9
Reddit Posts I Referenced:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Jujutsushi/comments/1bngk9x/i_solved_one_of_the_great_mysteries_of_the_heian/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/ztay5e/what_foreign_countries_did_japan_have_trade/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/zs4k9p/what_was_life_like_for_the_average_people_heian/
Twitter Posts I Referenced:
https://x.com/eldammonite/status/1571157320570380295
https://x.com/lightningclare/status/1807467771913269374
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Azran Legacy Guidebook: Page 101
Previous Page: Page 100
Mystery 03: On page 91, Nagano-san mentioned that Sycamore’s glasses are fake – I want to hear more about it!
Nagano-san told us about the fake glasses. They may look like simple glasses, but there may be more to it than that.
This is my own interpretation, but I think that Sycamore is showing his true self when he reverts back to his original name. Still, it isn’t easy for him, he can’t do that anymore, and even if you were to ask him his true feelings, I don’t think he intends to take back his old name, or take off his glasses.
Back when Sycamore was a child, after he had been separated from young Layton, he read every book that his parents owned, packed up his necessary belongings, and then, one bright afternoon as he watched the floating clouds, he left, thinking “I’m going to buy a pair of glasses”.
Mystery 04: If the Professor Layton series were to continue, what kinds of characters would you like to create?
I’d like to draw comical characters. Currently, I’m into the “Otoko wa Tusrai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)” series, and I find myself laughing along with Tora-san, as he gets angry, always falling in love with the heroine, then getting his heart broken, and sometimes getting annoyed… But off screen, for everyone watching, he is very entertaining. It is good to have a character like that who can make people laugh.
In “Professor Layton”, when I draw a laughing expression, there are no characters that fit a big open-mouthed laughter. For Layton or Luke, they end up with “Haha” or something tidy like that.
Layton shows a bit of a comical side in this picture.
Some of Nagano-san’s charming characters. This book is full of them, so please take a look!
The “Professor Layton” team animate Nagano-san’s illustrations in 3D, overseen by Suzuki-san. This golden duo create some charming characters.
The Azran Civilisation’s Hidden Door
If you read this book carefully to the end, the Azran civilisation’s hidden door will open, and you will be able to enjoy Nagano-san’s newly-drawn illustrations. Read until the end for details.
ナゾ03
P91 で長野さん仰っている「サ ー 八イマンの伊達メガネ」の工ピソードについてもっと聞きたい!
長野さんが語ってくれた伊達メカネのエピソ ー ド。単なるメカネのように見えて、実は彼のいろんな思いがこめられているのかもしれません
これはあくまでも僕の想像なのですが、サーイマンが完全に素顔になるときって「本来の名前」を取り戻すときだと思うんです。
でも、簡単にそうできないし、できなくなってるし、本心を問いただしても、名前を取り戻そうとも、メガネを外そうとも考えていないと思います。
サーイマンが子供のころ、子供のレイトンと別れたとき、家にあった両親の本を全部読んで、必要な荷物を誌めて、外に出たある晴れた午後、流れる震を見ながら「メガネ買おう】と思ったんです。そして家を出たんです。
ナゾ04
今後、『レイトン教授』シリ ー スが続くとしたら、 どんなキャラクターを描きたいですか?
三枚目キャラが描いてみたいです。今、「男はつらいよ」シリーズにはまっているので、寅さんみたいな大笑いしたり、怒ったり、いつもヒロインに恋して、失恋しちゃったり、時には周りにすごく迷惑かける・・・だけれど画面の外で見ている人を、その分本当に楽しませてくれる。ああいう笑ってもらえる三枚目キャラクターが良いなと思っています。「レイトン教授」では楽しそうな絵を描こうとするときに、大きく口開けて目いっぱい大笑いさせられるキャラがいないなあ。と思いました。レイトンやルークにそうさせようとしても、につこりと、「あははは」くらいでいつも上品になっちゃうんですよね。
本作ではちょっぴり三枚目な一面を見せたレイトン
長野さんが描いた魅力的なキャラクターたち。本書にもたっぷり載っているので、じっくり読んでくださいね
長野さんのイラストを、レイトン教授』チームが3D で動かし、鈴木さんが監修する。この黄金コンビにより、キャラが魅力的に描かれているんです
超文明 A のアトリエかくし扉
この本を最後までじっくり読むと、超文明 A のアトリエのかくし扉が開き、長野さんの描き下ろしイラストが楽しめます。詳しくは最後までお読みください。
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スマホを解析されて、薬物売買のログを見せられたときのレポ
―逮捕から7日目。この日は2回目の検事調べが予定されており、今回はワゴン車による単独の護送ではなく、護送車での複数人共同の護送になるとのことで、僕は初めて護送車に乗れることを少し楽しみにしていた。
朝8時30分頃、点呼とともに居室から出され、留置場の出入り口扉の前に連れていかれると、扉の前には既に2人の収容者が縦一列に並ばされており、僕はその2人の後尾に立つよう指示をされる。そして例によって身体検査をされると、いつもよりキツく手錠をかけられる。
その後、留置官が先頭の収容者の手錠の間の輪に、通常より長い腰縄を通してから腰に巻き付け、同じ要領で、その長い腰縄を中間の収容者、そして後尾の僕に巻き付け、見事に3人を数珠繋ぎにすると、その長い腰縄を自分の腰につけているフックに括りつけ、後尾に立つ僕の後ろについた。
それから、3人の前後に警官が3人ずつついた体制で、地下の駐車場まで連行され、しばし駐車場で待機をしていると、白色と灰青色のツートーンカラーで、黒色のスモークガラス窓のマイクロバスがやってきて、3人の手前に停車した。
僕はその時まで、護送車とは、青地に白のラインが入っている、窓に金網のついたバス型の車だと思っていたので、実際の護送車がひどく凡庸なことにがっかりした。
上が護送車、下は人員輸送車(警察官を輸送する車)
そうして、3人は連結されたまま護送車に乗せられる。護送車の車内は、右側2座席に左側1座席の3列配置で並んでおり、窓には鉄格子が嵌められていて、運転席との間には壁があって全く見えないようになっていた。
また、護送車は周辺地域の警察署を順繰りにまわり、地検に移送する被疑者らを拾っていくシステムのようで、すでに15人ほどの先客が座っていた。
彼ら15人は、非常に長いロープで数珠つなぎにさせられており、全員が上下グレーのスウェットに茶色の便所サンダルの恰好で、手錠をかけられ、姿勢よく無言で着座しているので、捕虜の集団のようだった。
車内にいた警官らによって、3人は各自指定された座席に座ると、3人を連結していた長い腰縄が外され、今度は15人を連結している非常に長いロープに括り付けられる。
18人の被疑者と1本のロープによる数珠が完成すると、1人の警官が、「車内では会話や目配せはもちろん、足を組むのも禁止する」などという護送車内の規則を、大声かつ歯切りのよい口調で説明していた。
車内に5人ほどいる警官らも、これだけの逮捕者を移送するというだけあってか、非常に緊張感を持った面持ちで、ちょっとでも無駄に声を発したら怒鳴られそうな緊迫感がある。
僕は幸い、右側2座席の窓側の席であったので、外の景色でも見て気を紛らわせていようと思った。なんだったら、前回の単独移送では、両隣に警官が座っていて、窓はほぼ塞がれている状態だったので、久しぶりに外の景色を見られることは楽しみだった。
そうして、護送車が出発する。捕虜同然の惨めな状態というのもあってか、留置場では見ることのない格好や表情をした道行く人々を見ると、外の世界は自分とはもう関係がないように思えてきて、非常にセンチメンタルな気持ちになる。梅雨時で曇天模様だったのがまだ救いであった。
出発からおよそ1時間が経過し、護送車が地検に到着する。護送車のドアが開くと、地検で待機していた警官がドア横に立ち、日本陸軍の点呼のような厳格さを感じる大声で「第三系統! 総員十八名!」と号令をする。車内の被疑者らが数珠つなぎにされたまま、1人ずつ車内から降りていくと、その警官はやはり日本陸軍のように「一!二!三!…」と点呼をとっていた。
数珠つなぎのまま連行され、待合室のある広間に出ると、そこには前回よりもはるかに多い、100人弱の被疑者らがおり、見るからに力士のような者からヤクザのような者まで、前回より威圧感のある男が多く集結していて、全体的に迫力があった。
また今回は人数が多いためか、警官の人数が多く、警官らはみな厳格な号令と点呼を行い、鋭い眼光で被疑者らを監視しているので、今までに味わったことのない張り詰めた空気が漂っている。
それから例によって、待合室という名の牢屋で、座る者の事など考えていない直角の硬い椅子にすし詰め状態で座らされ、時間もわからないままひたすら待ち、昼食時にコッペパンを食べ、いつ自分が呼ばれるか分からないまま、またひたすら待つ。相変わらず地獄。
おそらく3時くらいになってようやくお呼びがかかり、僕は一人の警官に連れられて、検事のいる部屋に入室した。あくまで検事が起訴か不起訴かを決めるので、入室の際、僕は少しでも検事の心証を良くしようと、礼節を重んじている風の挨拶を決め込む。
前回同様、義務的な質問などがされ、黙秘権について告知がされるので、僕はここぞとばかりに、昨日弁護士にアドバイスされた通りに、「担当の弁護士さんから抗議書が送られていると思いますが、昨日、留置担当官の方に「ブチ殺す」などの脅迫を受けて、警察や検察の方を信用できなくなったので、取り調べには協力できません」などと、あくまで被害者ぶった深刻な表情で言う。
すると検察官は、こちらの会心の一撃をまるで意に介さないような表情と口調で「わかりました。その件についてはこちらでも事実確認と調査を行ってまいります」などと流暢に返事をし、「ただ、本日は見ていただきたい資料があるので、応えられるものに関しては応えていただけませんか?」と尋ねてきた。
僕はその見せたい資料とやらが気になったので、「資料は見せていただきたいですが、黙秘はします」と応えると、検察官はそれを了承し、A4サイズの紙が200枚ほど綴じられている分厚いバインダーを取り出して、付箋の貼ってあるページを開き、僕に見せてきた。
そのページには、僕がプッシャーから薬物を買おうとやり取りしていた、Telegramのログ画面の写真が貼り付けてあった。
僕はまず、そもそもスマホの解析承諾をしていなかったので、無断で解析をされていたことに度肝を抜かれたし、露骨な薬物売買の証拠を見せられて、少し動揺が出てしまった。
ただ幸い、今回一緒に逮捕されたプッシャーとのやり取りのログは完全に消去していたし、見せられたログは、僕が「在庫はいかがですか?」と尋ね、プッシャーが「こちらになります」と隠語で書かれた薬物のメニュー表を画像で添付して送り、僕がそれを既読無視しているという、購入の意思を見せていない内容ではあった。
メニュー表のイメージ
ちなみにTelegramにはパスコードロックをかけていなかった。
検察官は僕が動揺している隙に、「これは、あなたが薬物を購入しようとして、売人にコンタクトをとったものじゃないですか?」と単刀直入に質問をしてくる。
僕は、このログについてはどうとでも取り繕って否定できそうだったので、つい否定をしたくなったが、下手に喋ってボロを出しては検察の思う壺なので、「黙秘します」と応える。
それに対し、検察官は無言で頷き、プッシャーが提示していたメニュー表の画像を指さして、「この“罰”っていうのは、コカインのことですよね?」と尋ねてくる。
僕は反射的に、「いえ、罰はMDMAの隠語です」と本当に危うく口走りそうになったが、一呼吸置いて「黙秘します」と応えると、検察官はやはり無言で頷き、再び付箋の貼ってある別のページを開いて、僕に見せてくる。
そのページには、一緒に捕まった友人の吉岡とのLINEでのやり取りの写真が貼ってあり、どう見ても薬物を言い表した代名詞でのやり取りや、それに付随して、「悟ってる時の顔」などと言って、僕がLSDのピーク中に目を瞑って微笑んでいる顔写真を吉岡に送りつけている赤面不可避のログも載っていた。
当然、これらに関する質問にも黙秘を貫いたが、検察官は少し呆れた表情で、「…うん。でもね、小林さん(一緒に捕まったプッシャーの本名)のTwitterアカウントのリンクが、吉岡さんからあなたに送られているんですね」などと言って、今度はそのログの写真を見せてきた。
僕は吉岡とは完全にクロな証拠のやり取りをしていなかったつもりでいたので、これにはさすがに焦りを感じたが、そのメッセージの前後に脈絡はなく、リンクだけが送られているという内容のログではあったので、これだけでは証拠として不十分であろうとは思った。
検察官は続けて、「この小林さんのアカウントにコンタクトを取って、小林さんから大麻を購入したんじゃないですか?」と名推理をしてきたが、僕はなんとか無表情をキープしたまま、「黙秘します」とだけ言っておいた。
検察官は表情を変えず、「わかりました。それでは本日はこれで以上です」などと言って、この日の取り調べは終わることになり、僕は当然、調書への署名・押印を拒否して、部屋を後にした。
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つづく
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この物語はフィクションです。また、あらゆる薬物犯罪の防止・軽減を目的としています( ΦωΦ )
#フィクション#エッセイ#大麻#大麻取り締まられレポ
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