The rising sun cast a pale light over Jujutsu High, but the campus felt heavier than it had the night before. Despite their victory, the scars of the battle lingered—both physical and emotional.
The students sat together in the infirmary, their exhaustion apparent. Yaga stood at the doorway, silently observing them. For all their progress, the weight of their mission was beginning to show in their eyes.
Gojo entered the room with his usual swagger, but his energy felt subdued. "You're all alive," he said, his tone lighter than the mood in the room. "That's a good start."
Maki glared at him. "Barely. That attack last night wasn't just a test—it was a warning."
Gojo nodded, his usual smirk fading. "You're not wrong. That wasn't even their full force."
The room fell silent.
Megumi broke the silence. "The leader… they weren't like any curse I've faced before. They were calculated, almost human."
"They were human once," Gojo said. "A sorcerer who gave up their humanity to become a curse. They're rare, but not unheard of. And they're always dangerous."
Panda crossed his arms. "So, what's their goal? Why attack us now?"
Gojo's expression darkened. "To break us. Divide us. Make us doubt our strength and each other. Last night was just the beginning."
Yuta, still bandaging his arm, frowned. "If that's the case, how do we prepare for what's next?"
Gojo leaned against the wall, his tone serious. "You don't. Not entirely. You'll never be fully ready for something like this. All you can do is keep pushing forward, even when it feels impossible."
Later that day, the students gathered in the courtyard for a debriefing. The aftermath of the battle was evident—the training grounds were scorched, and several buildings bore the marks of cursed energy.
Yaga addressed them, his voice firm. "You all fought well last night. But this was just a skirmish. The real war is still ahead. I need each of you to reflect on your performance and identify where you need to improve."
Toge, who rarely spoke, signed to the group: "We're not strong enough yet."
Maki nodded. "He's right. We barely survived, and that was with Gojo handling the leader. If we're left on our own…"
"We won't be," Yaga interrupted. "But you must prepare as if you will. Your survival depends on it."
After the meeting, Gojo called the students together.
"Starting tomorrow, we're ramping up your training," he said.
Maki raised an eyebrow. "Ramping up? Wasn't last night proof we're already at our limit?"
Gojo's grin returned, though it lacked its usual brightness. "You think that was your limit? I'm about to show you just how much further you can go."
The students groaned, but there was a spark of determination in their eyes.
That evening, Megumi found Gojo sitting on the roof, staring at the horizon.
"Something on your mind?" Megumi asked, sitting beside him.
Gojo chuckled. "You're getting too good at reading me."
"It's not that hard. You've been quieter than usual since the fight."
Gojo sighed, his expression uncharacteristically somber. "I'm worried about you all. You're strong, but this isn't just about strength. It's about what's coming—the decisions you'll have to make, the lines you'll have to cross."
Megumi frowned. "You don't think we're ready?"
"I think you'll never feel ready," Gojo admitted. "But that doesn't mean you won't rise to the occasion."
The two sat in silence for a moment before Megumi spoke again. "What about you? Do you ever doubt yourself?"
Gojo's gaze didn't waver. "All the time. But I don't let it stop me. Neither should you."
Far from Jujutsu High, the curse leader stood before their followers, their injuries fully healed.
"We've tested their strength," the leader said. "Now, we target their weaknesses. Sorcerers are strong, yes, but they're human. And humans break."
A low growl came from one of the larger curses. "When do we strike again?"
The leader smirked. "Soon. But first, we prepare. The next attack will be their breaking point."
The curses roared in agreement, their anticipation palpable.
Back at Jujutsu High, the students gathered around a small fire in the courtyard. Despite their exhaustion, there was a sense of unity among them.
Panda passed around cups of tea, a rare moment of camaraderie after the chaos.
"We survived," Yuta said, his voice steady. "That means we can survive the next fight too."
Maki smirked. "If we don't, it won't be for lack of trying."
Megumi nodded. "We'll keep pushing forward. Together."
Gojo watched from a distance, his heart heavy but hopeful. For all their inexperience, the students had something their enemies didn't: the ability to trust and grow stronger together.
As the fire crackled and their laughter filled the air, Gojo allowed himself a small smile.
The cost of power was high, but the bonds they forged along the way might just be their saving grace.