CHAPTER 28: PROMOTION

[Jujutsu High – Classroom 1st YEARS]

Itadori Yuji sat stiffly in the second row. Behind him, Nobara Kugisaki kept fidgeting, arms crossed, her legs bouncing with anxious energy. At the front, Megumi Fushiguro leaned against the wall, his expression unreadable, though he looked like he was preparing for anything—even death.

Then the door swung open.

Gojo Satoru stepped in.

But something was off.

His usual playful smirk? Absent.

His sunglasses? Still on.

His energy? Completely still. No jokes. No mischief.

Pure silence filled the room.

Itadori blinked and leaned toward Nobara. "You think… we're in trouble?"

Nobara whispered, "I knew we shouldn't have let that subway explode last week."

Megumi just sighed. "He's probably going to mess with us."

Gojo stepped to the front of the class, hands folded. "I've called you all here… for something very serious."

Itadori immediately sat straighter.

Nobara raised her hand slowly. "Wait, are we getting expelled?"

"No," Gojo said flatly, his voice carrying real weight. "Worse."

All three froze.

Gojo stared at them for a long, painful moment.

Then—

"YOU'RE ALL PROMOTED TO GRADE 1!!"

He threw his arms in the air, a glitter cannon exploded out of nowhere behind him, and party streamers shot across the ceiling.

Itadori nearly fell out of his chair.

"What—WHAT?!"

Nobara stood up with her fist clenched. "I swear, I thought I was about to die!"

Gojo laughed like a maniac, dancing behind his desk. "I got you guys SO BAD!"

Megumi didn't even look surprised. "Called it."

Gojo pulled off his blindfold dramatically. "As of this morning, the council agreed. Your field experience, exorcism records, survival stats—everything. You're all officially Grade 1 sorcerers now. Congratulations!"

Itadori blinked. "Wait… seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. And with great power comes great… death threats from curses. But hey! Status!"

Nobara pointed her hammer at Gojo. "You better hope I don't find a real nail right now."

Gojo dramatically collapsed behind the desk. "Abuse! They always attack the pretty ones…"

Megumi chuckled under his breath, and for the first time, all three students smiled in unison.

The war wasn't over.

But they were stronger now.

Ready for whatever came next.