Inside the monitoring room, several screens on the wall had been steadily showing the battles throughout the forest.
Moments later, however, the screens showing Yuji Itadori's area suddenly went black at the same time, without warning.
Satoru Gojo straightened slightly from his lazy slouch against the back of his chair, staring at the dark screens with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Oh? Did something happen? Signal trouble? Or perhaps..."
His gaze shifted to Mei Mei, who sat beside him.
Mei Mei held a cup of black tea and gently blew on the steam. At his words, she looked up with an impeccable smile.
"Perhaps the crows got lost?" Her voice was calm, revealing nothing unusual.
"The forest is so big, after all, and the trees are so tall and dense. Little animals can easily lose their way.
"Besides, this technique takes quite a lot of concentration. Controlling so many crows at once and maintaining clear images from so many viewpoints-one or two are bound to drop out occasionally."
Her explanation was perfectly reasonable and airtight, but Satoru Gojo smiled.
"Really?" He tilted his head, staring at Mei Mei. "Whose side... are you on, exactly?"
Mei Mei set down her teacup and leaned forward slightly, folding her hands on the table. Her smile deepened, but her gaze never wavered.
"Whose side?" she repeated, then gently shook her head.
"Naturally, I'm on the side of money. Things that can be turned into money have value. Things that can't-"
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the screens on the wall, over Satoru Gojo, and over everyone present.
"-have no value whatsoever."
Satoru Gojo stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, leaning back in his chair again with both hands behind his head.
"I see~" He drew out the