Fate of the Strongest

The days that followed the breach were tense. The students of Jujutsu High trained harder than ever, aware that their recent victory was only a prelude to the real battle. Every sparring match, every cursed energy exercise, and every moment of rest carried the weight of impending conflict.

In the faculty quarters, Gojo gathered with Principal Yaga, Shoko Ieiri, and a newcomer—Kaito Hoshino, a former jujutsu sorcerer who had been recruited to aid in their defense.

Kaito leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His presence was commanding, his long coat trailing behind him. His face bore a scar over one eye, a reminder of his encounters with powerful curses.

"So, you're saying this wasn't just a random attack?" Kaito asked, his voice gruff.

Gojo shook his head. "Far from it. Whoever's behind this knows what they're doing. They're testing us—probing our defenses and looking for weaknesses."

Yaga leaned forward, his hands steepled. "And do you think the students are ready for what's coming?"

"They're getting there," Gojo said, his tone unusually serious. "But we need more time. And more allies."

Kaito smirked. "That's why I'm here, isn't it? To babysit your rookies?"

Gojo grinned. "Something like that. But don't underestimate them. They're tougher than they look."

Shoko, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "The injuries they've sustained recently are manageable, but they're pushing themselves too hard. If they keep this up, they'll burn out before the real fight begins."

"That's why we need to balance their training with preparation," Gojo said. "They need to be strong, but they also need to be smart."

Kaito nodded. "Alright. Let's see what these kids are made of."

Meanwhile, the students gathered in the training hall. Megumi, Yuta, Panda, and Maki were sparring under Toge's watchful gaze. Despite the grueling sessions, their teamwork was improving.

Megumi summoned his divine dogs to spar with Maki, who skillfully dodged their attacks and countered with her cursed tools.

"Faster, Fushiguro," Maki said, sidestepping one of the dogs. "If I can predict your moves, so can the enemy."

Megumi gritted his teeth, pushing his shikigami to attack in unpredictable patterns.

Yuta, observing from the side, turned to Panda. "They're both improving, but we still have a long way to go."

Panda nodded. "Yeah, but we don't have much time. Whoever attacked us won't wait for us to catch up."

Toge, who had been silent, nodded in agreement and muttered, "Salmon."

Later that evening, Gojo introduced Kaito to the students.

"This is Kaito Hoshino," Gojo announced. "He's here to whip you into shape."

Kaito scanned the group, his gaze sharp. "You've got potential, but potential won't save you. Strength without discipline is useless."

Maki crossed her arms. "We've been training nonstop. What more do you want from us?"

Kaito smirked. "I want you to think. Curses aren't just mindless monsters. The ones we're facing are intelligent, organized. If you don't outsmart them, you're dead."

Yuta stepped forward. "Then teach us. Show us how to fight smarter."

Kaito's expression softened slightly. "Alright, but don't expect me to go easy on you."

Over the next week, Kaito pushed the students to their limits, emphasizing strategy and adaptability.

During one session, he paired Megumi and Maki against Panda and Yuta in a mock battle. The goal was simple: take control of the center field without being "eliminated."

Megumi and Maki worked well together, using Maki's close combat skills and Megumi's shikigami to control the battlefield. However, Yuta and Panda countered with Yuta's ranged attacks and Panda's brute strength.

"Focus on the objective, not just the fight," Kaito called from the sidelines. "Winning a battle doesn't mean winning the war."

Maki gritted her teeth. "Easier said than done!"

"Then make it easier," Kaito replied.

In the end, the exercise ended in a stalemate, but the students learned valuable lessons about coordination and decision-making.

As the students improved, the enemy continued to move.

In a hidden lair, the leader of the curses convened with their subordinates. A map of Jujutsu High lay before them, marked with strategic points of interest.

"Our initial attack was successful," the leader said, their tone cold and calculating. "The defenses are weaker than we expected, but the students are improving faster than anticipated."

One of the curses growled. "Let me crush them now!"

"Patience," the leader replied. "We don't strike until the time is right. For now, we continue to gather our forces and sow chaos. When we do attack, they won't stand a chance."

Back at Jujutsu High, Gojo stood in the principal's office, looking over a report from Kaito.

"They're progressing well," Kaito said. "But they're not ready for a full-scale assault."

Gojo nodded. "Then we keep pushing them. The stronger they are, the better chance we have."

"And what about you?" Kaito asked. "You can't take everything on yourself, no matter how strong you are."

Gojo smirked, but there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Don't worry about me. I'll be ready."

That night, as the students rested, Megumi sat alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars.

"You're brooding again," Maki said, approaching him.

"I'm just thinking," Megumi replied.

"About the attack?"

"About everything. This fight—it's bigger than us. And if we're not strong enough…"

Maki placed a hand on his shoulder. "We will be. We have to be."

Megumi nodded, but the weight of responsibility lingered in his mind.

In the shadows beyond Jujutsu High, the enemy watched, their presence cloaked in cursed energy.

"Soon," the leader whispered. "The storm will break. Let's see how the strongest handles it."