PROLOGUE: SILVER FLOWERS ARE FOR WARRIORS

The early morning light filtered softly through the white curtains of the makeshift recovery room. The quiet beeping of a heart monitor was the only sound lingering in the stillness.

But then—

A voice broke through.

"…She's fine. Fully healed now."

Shoko Ieiri pulled the blanket gently over Mei Mei's legs as she turned to Utahime and Gojo. The usual bags under her eyes were a little heavier, but her voice was calm.

"Reverse Cursed Technique has done its work. Her vitals are stable. No internal bleeding. Bones restored. She'll be sore for a bit, but she's back."

On the hospital bed, Mei Mei blinked open her eyes. Her long silver hair was tied back, her body still covered in fresh bandages and a pale robe, but her eyes held the same cold fire from before.

Utahime stepped forward quickly. "You're awake."

Mei Mei gave a slow smirk. "Of course I am. You think I'd die before seeing the wedding of you and Gojo?"

Gojo, sitting casually with his blindfold slightly lowered, suddenly burst out laughing. "Pfft—What?! Utahime, when were you going to tell me we were getting married?"

Utahime turned sharply to Mei Mei, fist clenched. "You want to be knocked back into a coma?"

Mei Mei's laugh was breathy but genuine. "Just saying… It'd be a shame if I missed that dress you've probably had picked out for years."

Gojo chuckled, throwing his arm around Utahime's shoulder. "You hear that, Utahime? You're practically a bride-to-be."

She smacked his hand off her shoulder. "Keep dreaming, Satoru."

Shoko exhaled quietly. For the first time in weeks, something felt… human again. Real. Familiar.

Mei Mei stared at the ceiling a moment. "Did I do enough?"

Utahime didn't hesitate. "You did more than enough. You stalled Kenjaku for six hours. And that gave time for Yuta to arrive."

"Mm," Mei Mei murmured. "He arrived in time, huh… That brat has potential."

Gojo sat at the edge of the bed. "Mei Mei, you bought us hope. If you hadn't survived… we wouldn't have had this moment. You didn't just fight. You reminded us what it means to endure."

Mei Mei's gaze softened.

"I endured… because I wasn't done living."

She looked toward the window, the sunlight catching on the edge of her hair.

"…Silver flowers bloom only in the blood of war. Guess I still have petals left."

Utahime crossed her arms, suppressing a smile. "Then stay alive. You'll need to teach Ui Ui more than that stupid teleportation technique."

Gojo leaned back, arms behind his head. "I wouldn't mind seeing her mop the floor with Sukuna, actually."

"Don't tempt me," Mei Mei muttered. "Just get me out of this bed. We've still got demons to bury."

And outside the ward, standing quietly in the hallway, Ui Ui listened. His eyes were red, but he smiled quietly and placed a hand to his chest.

His sister was still alive.

And the war was far from over.