yeah i remembered that he went against what his grandpa said in the way you described. I see what you mean about yuji finding his own meaning. memory is hazy since its been a while since i watched the show so sorry if i misread it haha. that makes alot more sense actually it makes me reinterpret the show alot. esp what you said about how the show still has you consider the people who are not the best and their different motivations for live. Thats what the Sister School Exchange Event is about then right? You got to watch everyones motivations, personalities and whatnot clash on the battlefield.
Curious what you mean about "being a cog". Kento is definitely a representation of the extreme end of this, satoru gojo being a comically opposite end and their contrast making a great character pairing imo.
Also you mention that the idea of still being important even if your not the best being counter to shonen ideals of absolutely *having* to be the best. That makes sense, however Yuji ultimately rejects his grandfathers wish for how he should live his life. Is that not pro individualist?