The Goodwill Event came to an abrupt, unexpected halt.
A Special Grade Cursed Spirit invasion.
This was a major event, one significant enough to be recorded in the annals of Jujutsu High's history.
But even more than the invasion itself, what people couldn't stop talking about was...
Those two Special Grade Cursed Spirits, who had the entire school on high alert, had actually fled with only half their lives remaining.
And one of them had been critically wounded even before Satoru Gojo made his move.
"What?!"
"You're saying both Hanami and Jogo were cut down by Yoru?"
"And Hanami was cut so badly that even regeneration was impossible?"
This news spread through the jujutsu world as if it had grown wings.
What was supposed to be a standard exchange event had transformed into an execution ground for Special Grade Cursed Spirits.
Although Satoru Gojo's final Hollow Purple was truly terrifying, carving a path through the forest, anyone with eyes could see the truth.
Before that even happened, Hanami was already as good as dead.
That first-year student named Yoru, wielding the Special Grade Cursed Tool Shiranui, had forced the Special Grade Cursed Spirits into a corner.
"He's a real monster..."
In the infirmary, Shoko Ieiri couldn't help but sigh as she treated Megumi Fushiguro's wounds.
She looked at the row of injured students lying on the beds.
Although they looked like a mess, none of them had sustained critical injuries; there weren't even any lost limbs.
This was nothing short of a miracle.
Considering their opponents were Special Grade Cursed Spirits.
In the past, encountering enemies of this caliber would have meant several deaths before anyone could escape.
But this time...
Everyone survived.
Even the students with less experience, like Mai Zenin and Kasumi Miwa, had only suffered minor surface wounds.
Because someone had blocked the most dangerous attacks for them.
"That guy..."
Mai Zenin leaned against her headboard, fiddling with an empty magazine, her expression complicated.
She remembered the back of the figure who had stood before her.
At that moment, she truly thought she was going to die.
But he had stood there like a mountain, shielding everyone. Not only had he saved her, but he had also saved the entire Kyoto School.
That suffocating sense of security.
For someone like her, who had always been looked down upon by her family for lacking talent, it was the first time she had felt what it meant to be protected.
"I really hate to admit it."
Although she said those words, there wasn't much resentment in her tone.
Instead, there was a hint of awe.
It wasn't just Mai.
All the Kyoto School students were currently trapped in an eerie silence.
Those who had been shouting about showing the Tokyo School their place were now acting like wilted plants.
Mechamaru was completely silent.
Although his body was still in its cultivation tank, the footage sent back by his puppets filled him with an unprecedented wariness toward Yoru.
That man's strength...
It had completely surpassed the level of a student; he might even be approaching the level of a Special Grade Sorcerer.
"It seems there's no way for the Goodwill Event to continue."
Principal Gakuganji leaned on his cane, his face as dark as the bottom of a scorched pot.
He had originally planned to use this opportunity to eliminate Yuji Itadori and take Satoru Gojo down a peg.
Instead, things had gone sideways.
Not only was Yuji alive and well, but the variable known as Yoru had become even more of a headache.
And what he found most intolerable was...
In this incident, Tokyo School's performance could be described as perfect.
Not only were there zero casualties, but they had also racked up incredible combat achievements.
Especially Yoru.
He was the undisputed MVP of the field.
He fought a Special Grade Cursed Spirit solo, protected all his teammates, and even found the time to save the Kyoto School group.
How could Gakuganji find fault with that? How could he blame Jujutsu High for poor security?
"Regarding that matter..."
Just as Gakuganji was struggling to find a way to shift the blame, Satoru Gojo walked in with a smile.
Behind him followed an indifferent Yoru, along with Yuji and Todo, who were still arguing about 'asses and souls'.
"Oh, old geezer, you don't look very happy."
Gojo sat down on the conference table, completely ignoring the murderous glares from the surrounding higher-ups.
"Is it because your assassination plot failed?"
"Or perhaps..."
"Because your students had to be saved by mine, making you feel like you've lost face?"
As soon as those words were spoken...
The entire conference room fell deathly silent.
Gakuganji's beard practically twisted with rage.
Even though it was the truth, having Gojo say it so bluntly was a slap in the face.
And it was a slap delivered right in front of everyone.
"Satoru Gojo! Mind your tongue!"
Gakuganji slammed his cane down, trying to use his seniority to suppress the man.
"This is a meeting of the higher-ups, not a place for you to run wild!"
"Furthermore, this incident has exposed a severe security breach! Allowing Special Grade Cursed Spirits to invade the campus is an unforgivable failure of duty!"
He tried to pivot to the security issue to divert attention from Yoru's performance.
If he could pin a label of 'poor management' on Gojo, he could salvage some dignity.
However, Gojo didn't fall for it.
"Failure of duty?"
He acted as if he'd heard a joke, exaggeratedly digging into his ear.
"If I recall correctly, those invading Special Grade Cursed Spirits almost wiped out your students, didn't they?"
"If it wasn't for my student stepping in to save them..."
Gojo pointed to Yoru behind him, his face full of mockery.
"You wouldn't be here in a meeting right now; you'd be holding memorial services for your students."
"You—!"
Gakuganji was so choked with rage that he couldn't speak.
It was true.
Without Yoru, the Kyoto School group likely would have been wiped out.
No matter how he tried to argue, he couldn't change that fact.
"So then."
Gojo stood up and walked over to Yoru, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Rather than discussing security breaches, why don't we discuss the MVP first?"
"Repelling a Special Grade Cursed Spirit alone while ensuring zero casualties."
"With a record like that, wouldn't it be a bit unreasonable not to grant him a Special Grade evaluation?"
Gojo's voice was flippant, but his tone carried an undeniable authority.
Special Grade evaluation.
That was his true goal today.
Yoru's performance was spectacular enough. It would be a waste not to seize this chance to get him the status he deserved.
And...
This was also a preparation for the future.
After all, only by becoming a Special Grade could one access core secrets and better protect those they wished to safeguard.
Hearing the words "Special Grade," everyone in the room gasped.
Special Grade Sorcerer.
That was the apex of the jujutsu world.
There were only four Special Grades in the entirety of Japan.
Now...
They were actually going to apply for Special Grade status for a first-year student?
This was madness!
But looking at Yoru's expression, calm as still water, and Gojo's half-smiling gaze...
No one dared to voice an objection.
Because they knew the boy truly possessed that strength.
Whether it was that blade Shiranui that could sever anything, or those eyes that could see through everything, he had already proven he possessed power beyond common sense.
"This matter... needs to be discussed and decided by the General Headquarters."
In the end, Gakuganji could only drop those words and leave in disgrace.
He knew he had lost completely this time.
Not only had he failed to eliminate Yuji, but he had also allowed a monster like Yoru to take the opportunity to rise.
It was a total disaster for him.
Watching Gakuganji walk away, Gojo whistled, his mood excellent.
"Nice work, Yoru."
He patted Yoru's shoulder, his face full of praise.
"It looks like those rotten oranges are going to have a headache for the next few days."
Yoru only gave a helpless smile.
He wasn't actually interested in fame or status; as long as he could protect those close to him, nothing else mattered.
However...
Since his teacher was so happy, he'd just go along with it.
To him, being a Special Grade or not was just a change in title.
While everyone was still marveling at Yoru's achievements...
A letter bearing the Gojo family crest had already been quietly delivered to the desks of the Jujutsu General Headquarters.
It was a letter of recommendation.
A recommendation for Yoru to be promoted to Special Grade Sorcerer.
And in the recommender's column, three names were clearly written.
Satoru Gojo.
Mei Mei.
And...
Aoi Todo.
That's right, even the usually defiant Aoi Todo had proactively added his name this time.
Because in his heart, Yoru was already his best friend.
And if he was his best friend, then he naturally had to give him his full support.
This letter was like a heavy bomb, completely blowing up the high-level circles of the jujutsu world.
Everyone realized it.
A new era might truly be arriving.
The boy named Yoru would eventually become the most brilliant light in this decaying world.