Wasuke Itadori

It had been raining in Sendai over the past few days, leaving a lingering dampness in the early mornings.

Mashiro stood by the apartment window, looking at the map on her phone, her attention fixed on two locations.

Sugisawa Third High School and Miyagi Prefectural General Hospital.

Her gaze lingered on the hospital for a long time.

Wasuke Itadori-the man whose dying wish, "Die surrounded by others," had shaped the course of Yuji Itadori's entire life.

She wanted to meet him, to see this legendary old man with her own eyes. It was a small wish of hers as a fan of the series.

At the same time, this was an opportunity. If she could gain Wasuke Itadori's trust, she could naturally establish a connection with Yuji Itadori.

That would let her get involved in the plot during the events to come. She needed an identity that would give her a connection to Yuji Itadori, and having his grandfather vouch for her was undoubtedly the most effective approach.

"I'll have to tell him a little about Kenjaku and Jin Itadori," Mashiro murmured, unconsciously tracing circles on the window frame with her fingertips. "That should earn his trust."

She changed into a more mature-looking outfit and tied her silver hair into a high ponytail, looking presentable without losing her cuteness.

She put Murasame into an instrument case, slung it over her back, and left the apartment.

Miyagi Prefectural General Hospital was an old building, its air thick with the overpowering smell of disinfectant.

Mashiro wrinkled her nose, struggling a little to adjust.

Instead of going straight to the ward, she stayed where she was, gradually spreading cursed energy out from her body.

Places like hospitals, with so many negative emotions, could easily nurture high-level cursed spirits. She had to check first.

"There aren't any particularly strong traces of cursed spirits. Just some weak fly heads wriggling in the corners. They're no threat."

That should do.

She straightened up, entered the inpatient building, and took the elevator to the fourth floor, where the internal medicine wards were located.

The corridor was quiet, save for the occasional nurse pushing a medication cart past. Her footsteps were light as her gaze swept over the nameplates on the ward doors.

She stopped outside Room 409. The door was ajar, and muffled coughing came from inside.

Standing in the doorway, Mashiro took a deep breath and lightly patted her cheeks with both hands. "Now for the main event, Mashiro."

She raised a hand and gently knocked on the door with her knuckles.

"Come in," a hoarse voice called.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

It was a small private room. The window was open, and a breeze gently stirred the pale blue curtains.

A white-haired old man sat propped up in the hospital bed. He was very thin, but his sunken eyes were remarkably clear as he stared straight at her.

"Hello," Mashiro said from the doorway, her tone polite and respectful. "Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Itadori."

The old man narrowed his eyes, looking her up and down. "I don't know you. Wrong room?"

"No. I came specifically to see you." Mashiro entered the room, leaving the door slightly open. She didn't want to put him on his guard.

She stood a short distance from the foot of the bed, keeping an appropriate distance from him.

"My name is Kujo Mashiro. There are some things about your son, Jin Itadori, and your grandson, Yuji Itadori, that I believe you should know."

At the mention of his son and grandson, Wasuke Itadori's gaze suddenly sharpened. Even confined to a hospital bed, the perceptive old man had lost none of his edge.

"What do you mean?"

"Your daughter-in-law, Kaori Itadori, died before your grandson Yuji was born." Her voice was calm as she looked Wasuke Itadori straight in the eyes. "The one who later lived as Kaori Itadori was a jujutsu sorcerer named Kenjaku, who had taken over your daughter-in-law's body."

A deathly silence fell over the room, broken only by the steady beeping of the equipment and the old man's labored breathing.

"...Proof." After a long moment, Wasuke Itadori forced the word through clenched teeth, his fingers tightening around the bedsheet.

"I don't have proof, but I know why Kenjaku did it," Mashiro continued, her voice earnest and her gaze frank. She hoped Wasuke Itadori would believe her.

"Your son Jin Itadori having a child with Kenjaku wasn't a coincidence. Yuji Itadori's birth was part of Kenjaku's plan. Yuji is a vessel deliberately created for a particular purpose."

The old man's pupils contracted sharply. "A vessel... what kind of vessel?!" Wasuke Itadori's voice shook with agitation. He struggled to sit upright, triggering a violent coughing fit.

Mashiro stepped forward and gently helped him sit up. "A vessel to house Sukuna, the King of Curses. Yuji's future is destined to be anything but peaceful. He'll attract danger and experience things ordinary people can't even imagine."

She paused, watching his reaction.

Wasuke Itadori's face had turned ashen, but alongside the shock and pain in his eyes was a trace of regret. He believed her.

Deep down, he had long sensed that something was wrong with his son and daughter-in-law. If only he had stood his ground back then...

"Why are you... telling me this?" the old man asked between breaths, his gaze fixed on Mashiro. "What are you after?"

"I want you to know the truth." Mashiro met his eyes. "You have the right to know the truth about your family's fate before you pass away. As for what I want..."

"Yuji Itadori. I'm going to make him Sukuna's vessel."

"What?!" Wasuke Itadori's eyes widened, but Mashiro cut him off before he could say anything more.

"It's the only way to eliminate Sukuna. In exchange, I'll guarantee Yuji Itadori's safety," she told him frankly. "I need someone he trusts to vouch for me. You, Mr. Itadori, are the only person Yuji Itadori trusts completely."

"You expect me to agree just like that?" There was mockery in the old man's probing gaze. "Based on those few absurd things you've said?"

"Things follow their course, regardless of any individual's wishes." Mashiro sighed. "Yuji Itadori is destined to become Sukuna's vessel. That's his fate. There's only a small part of it we can change."

Silence settled over the room again, with only the wind outside the window to break it.

Wasuke Itadori stared hard at her, trying to discern her true intentions.

This silver-haired girl was so young, yet she carried herself with such composure. He didn't know whether he should believe a girl whose words were no different from sending his grandson down a road to certain death.

After a long while, the old man let out a long, weary breath and closed his eyes.

"...Yuji is a kind boy. Too kind." His voice was hoarse, heavy with exhaustion and love for his grandson. "He's always thinking about other people, never himself. But I do want him to help others, even if they never thank him."

He opened his eyes and looked at Mashiro, his gaze complicated. "Will he survive?"

Don't make Emperor Itadori laugh. Once he's had time to hone himself, he'll be invincible.

"No matter what happens," Mashiro said with a small smile, her cute expression dispelling the stern, cold atmosphere from moments earlier, "I'll make sure he lives."