Shohin Trident, keep it or cut it?

[Scrogdor]

Wondering if I should keep that nub on the S curve and make a more naturalistic piece, or if I should cut it. Other option is make the nub the new leader. This is a pretty small tree about 8” tall.

 

[Shibui]

I'd take that stump off. Naturalistic is not an excuse for ugly and that stump really jars the senses.
I'd cut at more of an angle than the red line you've proposed. I can see you are trying to keep a branch on the outside of the curve but keeping that branch still leaves substantial reverse taper which is likely to get worse as the chop heals and that branch thickens. Cutting lower will give much better trunk line and there's a good chance you'll get new buds around the cut from old nodes. There's already a couple of small shots close by. One of those may even be suitable for a side branch if the trunk is turned a few deg.

I hope the height is a bit under 8" rather than over 8" at this stage doesn't leave much space to develop the apex branching and still stay under shohin size.

 

[Scrogdor]

I'd take that stump off. Naturalistic is not an excuse for ugly and that stump really jars the senses.
I'd cut at more of an angle than the red line you've proposed. I can see you are trying to keep a branch on the outside of the curve but keeping that branch still leaves substantial reverse taper which is likely to get worse as the chop heals and that branch thickens. Cutting lower will give much better trunk line and there's a good chance you'll get new buds around the cut from old nodes. There's already a couple of small shots close by. One of those may even be suitable for a side branch if the trunk is turned a few deg.

I hope the height is a bit under 8" rather than over 8" at this stage doesn't leave much space to develop the apex branching and still stay under shohin size.

The response I expected haha. I'll measure it tomorrow, was just a rough estimate. It is pretty small though.