The sun hung low in the sky, its orange hues casting long shadows across Jujutsu High's training grounds. The air carried a heavy tension, a mix of lingering exhaustion from the last battle and an unspoken determination to prepare for what lay ahead.
Megumi leaned against a wooden pillar, his arms crossed as he watched the others train. Maki and Panda sparred fiercely, their movements fluid yet calculated. Yuta stood nearby, his katana shimmering faintly with cursed energy as he practiced controlled strikes, while Toge observed silently, ready to jump in and assist.
Despite their focus, a sense of unease lingered. The curse leader's recent attack had shaken them, leaving scars both physical and emotional. They had barely managed to survive, and the knowledge that their enemy was only testing them weighed heavily on their minds.
"Still sulking, Fushiguro?" Gojo's voice cut through the silence, lighthearted as always, but with a note of concern.
Megumi didn't bother to look up. "Just thinking."
Gojo crouched beside him, his blindfold hiding his piercing gaze but not the scrutiny behind it. "Thinking won't get you anywhere without action. You're stronger than this, you know."
Megumi frowned. "I'm not strong enough. None of us are."
Gojo stood up, brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "Strength isn't just about power. It's about knowing when to rely on others and when to push beyond your limits. You've got a team for a reason, Megumi. Don't forget that."
As if on cue, Yuta approached, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're all in this together, Megumi. None of us can face the curse leader alone, not even Gojo-sensei."
Gojo smirked. "Careful, Yuta. You're making me sound weak."
The group chuckled, the momentary levity breaking the somber mood. Even Megumi allowed a small smile to creep onto his face before quickly hiding it.
The students gathered in the common room, their tired bodies sprawled across couches and cushions. Gojo stood at the center, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more serious.
"We need to talk about what's coming," he began, his tone firm. "The curse leader isn't just after me or Jujutsu High. They're after the entire system we've built. If we don't stop them, everything we've fought for will crumble."
Maki leaned forward, her expression determined. "So, what's the plan? We can't keep waiting for them to make the next move."
Gojo nodded. "Exactly. That's why we're taking the fight to them."
The room fell silent.
Megumi broke the tension. "How? We don't even know where they're hiding."
Gojo's grin returned, though it didn't reach his usual level of mischief. "Oh, I have my ways. But before we go charging in, you all need to be ready. Truly ready. The kind of ready where you don't hesitate, even if it means risking everything."
Yuta's grip tightened on his katana. "We won't let you down."
Gojo's smile softened. "I know you won't. But this isn't just about me. It's about trusting each other, relying on each other. That's the only way we'll win."
Training intensified. Gojo pushed each student to their limits, tailoring exercises to their strengths and weaknesses. Megumi practiced summoning his most powerful shikigami, facing his fear of losing control. Maki honed her skills with cursed tools, her movements sharper and more precise than ever. Yuta and Rika worked on synchronization, their bond growing stronger with each strike.
Toge, despite his quiet nature, stepped up as a pillar of support, using his Cursed Speech to motivate and protect his teammates. Even Panda, usually the joker of the group, adopted a more serious demeanor, his brute strength a constant reassurance to the others.
During a break, Maki approached Megumi, who was sitting under a tree, catching his breath.
"You know, you don't have to carry all this on your shoulders," she said, tossing him a bottle of water.
Megumi hesitated before replying. "I just… I don't want anyone else to get hurt. Not because of me."
Maki sat beside him, her gaze steady. "That's what makes you a good leader. But don't forget, we're all here for the same reason. We fight together, and we'll win together. You're not alone in this."
Her words resonated with him, and for the first time in days, the weight on his chest felt lighter.
As the moon rose, casting its silver glow over Jujutsu High, Gojo stood alone on the rooftop, gazing at the stars. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—strategies, risks, and the faces of those he was determined to protect.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Yuta.
"Couldn't sleep?" Gojo asked, his tone lighter than his expression.
Yuta shook his head. "I just… wanted to thank you. For believing in us."
Gojo chuckled softly. "You don't need to thank me, Yuta. You've earned it. All of you have."
Yuta hesitated before speaking again. "Do you think we can win?"
Gojo's gaze turned back to the sky. "Winning isn't just about defeating the enemy. It's about making sure everyone you care about gets through it alive. If we can do that, then yeah, I think we'll win."
Yuta nodded, a spark of determination reigniting in his eyes. "We won't let you down."
Gojo smiled, though it was tinged with a sadness only he understood. "I know you won't."