Fate of the Strongest

The sun hung low on the horizon as Gojo and the group made their way back to Jujutsu High. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, but no one seemed to notice. The trip had been unusually quiet, the tension palpable as the team walked through the dense forest trail. Gojo led the way, his demeanor casual yet alert, while Yuta and Megumi kept a watchful eye on Ame.

The young girl clung tightly to Yuta's sleeve, her stuffed toy pressed against her chest like a shield. Every rustle in the underbrush made her flinch, her wide eyes darting around nervously. Yuta slowed his pace to match hers, glancing down with a gentle smile.

"It's okay," he said softly. "We're almost there. You'll be safe."

Ame didn't respond, but her grip on his sleeve tightened.

Megumi, walking a few steps ahead, was lost in thought. His brows were furrowed, his gaze fixed on the ground as he replayed the events of the ruined village in his mind.

"You're unusually quiet," Gojo said, glancing over his shoulder. "Thinking about something?"

Megumi hesitated, then spoke. "That curse… it wasn't normal. It felt deliberate. Like it was sent specifically for you."

"Smart boy," Gojo replied with a grin. "But not surprising, is it? Being the strongest means you make a lot of enemies."

Megumi's frown deepened. "But this felt different. It wasn't just trying to kill you. It said something about balance. Like it believed what it was doing was necessary."

Yuta chimed in, his voice serious. "Do you think it could be related to Sukuna? His domain and cursed energy have been dormant since Yuji..." His voice trailed off, and an uncomfortable silence followed.

Gojo shook his head, his smirk fading slightly. "Unlikely. Sukuna's curses aren't subtle. This is something new or something very old."

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time they reached Jujutsu High. The sight of the school brought a sense of relief, but the unease from earlier lingered. The campus, usually bustling with students and activity, felt strangely quiet.

Principal Yaga was waiting for them at the gates, his arms crossed and his expression stern. "You're late," he said.

"Fashionably so," Gojo replied, his grin back in place. "But we brought back a guest."

Ame peeked out from behind Yuta, her wide eyes taking in the towering figure of the principal. She shrank back, her small frame trembling.

"This is Ame," Gojo explained, his tone softening. "She's the sole survivor of the village we investigated."

Yaga's gaze softened as he knelt to Ame's level. "You're safe now," he said gently. "No one here will hurt you."

Ame hesitated, then nodded, her grip on Yuta's sleeve loosening slightly.

"She needs medical attention," Yuta said. "And a place to rest."

"Shoko's in the infirmary," Yaga replied. "But first, I need to hear what happened."

In the principal's office, Megumi and Yuta recounted the events at the village while Gojo leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

"The curse wasn't just strong," Yuta explained. "It was intelligent. It knew about Gojo-sensei, and it kept saying something about balance."

Yaga's expression darkened. "Go on."

"It said the strongest must fall," Megumi added. "And it wasn't just attacking randomly. It was absorbing cursed energy from the village to grow stronger."

Gojo's grin faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "This isn't the first time I've heard something like that."

Yaga raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"There've been murmurs," Gojo admitted. "Curses talking about restoring balance, about how my existence disrupts the natural order. It's nonsense, of course. But lately, there's been a pattern—stronger curses, coordinated attacks."

"And you didn't think to report this sooner?" Yaga's tone was sharp.

"I handle most of them before they become a problem," Gojo said with a shrug. "But this one felt different. It wasn't just acting on instinct. It had a purpose."

Yaga leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "This could be the start of something bigger. If curses are organizing against you, it's not just your problem, it's ours."

After the meeting, the group headed to the infirmary. Ame sat on one of the beds, her legs swinging nervously as Shoko Ieiri examined her.

"She's physically fine," Shoko said, her tone professional. "But emotionally, she's a mess. She's been through a lot. It'll take time for her to recover."

"Will she be safe here?" Yuta asked.

"As safe as anyone can be," Gojo replied, leaning against the doorframe. "Jujutsu High isn't exactly a fortress, but it's the best place for her right now."

Ame glanced up at him, her small voice breaking the silence. "Are the monsters gone?"

"For now," Gojo said, giving her a reassuring smile. "And if they come back, they'll regret it."

Ame's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded.

That night, the campus was quiet. Most of the students had retired to their dorms, leaving the halls dimly lit and silent. Outside, the cool night air carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms, the stars above glittering like shards of glass.

Gojo found himself alone in the courtyard, leaning against a tree. His blindfold was pushed up, revealing his eyes. They glowed faintly in the moonlight, their usual brilliance dimmed as he gazed at the sky.

"The strongest must fall," he murmured, the curse's words echoing in his mind.

The weight of those words was heavier than he let on. He'd always known his strength came with a price, a target on his back that grew larger with every battle won. But this felt different. It wasn't just about power. It was about purpose.

"You look like you're brooding," a familiar voice interrupted.

Gojo turned to see Yaga approaching, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

"Me? Brooding? Never," Gojo replied, his grin returning.

Yaga stopped a few feet away, his expression serious. "This isn't just about you anymore, Satoru. If curses are organizing, if they see you as a threat to balance, then all of Jujutsu society is at risk."

"I know," Gojo said, his tone unusually subdued. "But isn't that what we're here for? To protect people from threats like this?"

Yaga sighed. "Just… be careful. Even the strongest can fall if they're not careful."

Gojo's grin widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."

As Yaga walked away, Gojo leaned back against the tree, his gaze returning to the stars. The weight of the prophecy lingered, but he pushed it aside.

For now, there was work to be done.