The silence in the war room was suffocating.
No one moved. Not even Panda, who normally found a way to lighten the tension. The air was thick—dread, reverence, and inevitability rolled into a single moment as Yuta Okkotsu stood, voice calm but filled with steel.
"We'll all participate in the game. Each of us. That way, no matter what kind of barrier Kenjaku throws, he can't isolate us. But..."
He turned to Utahime.
"You will stay behind. Coordinate everything from the surveillance room with Shoko. You two will be our eyes. Our mapmakers. Our last line of recovery."
Utahime blinked, caught off-guard. "What?"
"We need you both alive," Yuta said. "Someone has to stay behind to guide us. Monitor cursed energy, update us on positions, keep a channel open. You're the only one who can do that."
Shoko's voice crackled faintly through a nearby speaker.
"He's right. Utahime, if we lose you, we lose coordination. That means we're fighting blind."
Utahime bit her lip but gave a small nod.
Then came the real question—the one hanging above everyone's heads.
Who would face Kenjaku directly?
Everyone knew this wasn't about who was the strongest.
It was about who would survive long enough to weaken him.
Itadori clenched his fists. "I'll go."
"No," said Megumi.
"I will," said Yuki.
"I said no," said Yuta.
"I—" Todo tried, but was cut off when a sharp voice echoed across the room.
"Enough."
All heads turned.
Mei Mei had stood from her chair. Her signature raven-black cloak swayed as she walked slowly toward the center, her cursed axe already resting on her shoulder.
Her eyes were firm. Distant. Peaceful.
"I'll go."
Yuta's brows furrowed. "Why you?"
Mei Mei gave a faint smile.
"Because I've lived enough."
The room fell still again.
"I've made my money. I've traveled the world. I've bathed in luxuries and blood both. And during the Shibuya Incident… I saw more death than any of us should've survived. I didn't save enough. Not by a long shot."
She looked around—at Yuji, at Maki, at Nobara, at even little Ui Ui—who now stood beside her, eyes watering.
"If one life buys the others a chance, then I'll pay."
Nobara broke the silence. "You don't have to—"
"I know. That's why I'm choosing to."
Ui Ui sniffed, stepping forward. "If she's going, I'm going too."
"No," Mei Mei said gently.
But Ui Ui stood firmer. "I'm not letting you walk alone, sister. If you die, I'll carry the message back. I'll let them know when to go in. It's my job."
Mei Mei exhaled, then placed a hand on his head.
"Then stay hidden. And when I fall... tell them. Quickly."
Maki asked, her voice nearly cracking:
"Why are you speaking like you've already accepted death?"
Mei Mei's smile turned into something almost soft.
"Because I have. And I'd rather die on my feet, swinging an axe into the skull of the man who's caused all this chaos... than wait for the world to rot."