Future Yuji Itadori Joins the Chat Group

Why was the Greed Factor inside him instead of the Sloth Factor?

In theory, Natsuki Subaru should have encountered the Sin Archbishop of Sloth not long ago and used his ability to Return by Death to successfully overcome the crisis.

This was the future Echidna had deduced.

Yet although Natsuki Subaru had appeared before her as planned, why did he possess the Greed Factor?

What exactly was going on?

Echidna frowned and carefully observed Natsuki Subaru.

After someone entered the Castle of Dreams, Echidna could peer into their memories and learn what had happened in the past.

However, after seeing Natsuki Subaru's memories, Echidna's eyes widened in utter astonishment.

The memories she saw had completely exceeded her imagination.

Yuji Itadori... Who was he?

Why had he suddenly appeared before Natsuki Subaru?

The White Whale was killed by Yuji Itadori?

The Sin Archbishop of Greed and the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony were defeated by Yuji Itadori?

That must have been why Natsuki Subaru possessed the Greed Factor.

From beginning to end, Natsuki Subaru had never encountered Petelgeuse, the Sin Archbishop of Sloth—

Petelgeuse had turned back into Geuse?

Natsuki Subaru's memories were completely different from the future Echidna had seen.

Not only that, but there were also many things in Natsuki Subaru's memories that simply made no sense.

It was as though the existence of a higher dimension had concealed part of them.

Echidna was initially shocked, but after a few seconds, that shock transformed into wild delight.

Her Greed was a terrifying thirst for knowledge about the unknown.

Echidna was unwilling to use her Authority too frequently because she believed that knowing how the future would unfold would make things far too boring.

But at this very moment, the changes to the world line had completely exceeded Echidna's expectations.

Th-This is wonderful!

And what concerned Echidna the most was the existence of Yuji Itadori.

Through Natsuki Subaru's memories, it seemed as though Yuji Itadori had appeared out of nowhere, yet Natsuki Subaru also seemed to know him.

Was this connected to the memories that had been concealed?

Echidna grew increasingly curious.

And the concealed portion was precisely everything related to the Chat Group.

"How much do you know about Yuji Itadori?"

Echidna leaned forward, her eyes filled with excitement as her tone grew increasingly urgent.

"How did you meet Yuji Itadori? What method did he use to come to this world? What exactly is his purpose? What is he trying to do?"

Echidna fired off her questions like a barrage.

"I'm not telling you!"

Natsuki Subaru immediately replied.

"Actually, Itadori-senpai has something he wants to discuss with you."

"Discuss with me? That man is beside you right now, isn't he?"

Echidna narrowed her eyes slightly as something suddenly occurred to her.

The Sloth Factor was not inside Natsuki Subaru, but inside Yuji Itadori.

In that case, the moment they entered the Trial Grounds together, Yuji Itadori should also have been transported into the Castle of Dreams.

But why hadn't Yuji Itadori entered the Castle of Dreams?

Could he have actively rejected her invitation to enter the Castle of Dreams?

How could that be possible?

Just as Echidna was puzzled, Natsuki Subaru suddenly spoke.

"Um, Itadori-senpai just told me that he'll speak with you face-to-face in a moment."

Echidna froze, attempting to understand Natsuki Subaru's words.

What did he mean, Yuji Itadori had just told him?

Did they possess some method of communicating with each other?

Even if they did, it should have been impossible for it to work inside the Castle of Dreams.

But Natsuki Subaru didn't look like he was bluffing.

However, no matter how powerful or special Yuji Itadori was, the Castle of Dreams wasn't somewhere he could simply enter and leave as he pleased.

Without Echidna's invitation, it was impossible for anyone else to force their way into this place—

"Subaru, I'm here."

Upon hearing an unfamiliar voice, Echidna's eyes abruptly widened, and she turned toward the source of the voice behind her.

The hooded Yuji Itadori stood before her.

While Echidna was still confused, Natsuki Subaru had already hurried over to Yuji Itadori.

"Whoa! Itadori-senpai, you're here already!"

Yuji Itadori had only just said in the group that he would be coming soon. Natsuki Subaru hadn't expected him to arrive this quickly.

"Yeah. I came over to take a quick look."

Yuji Itadori replied.

"W-Wait a moment! I'm still standing right here!"

Echidna rose from her chair and slammed both hands onto the table with a crisp bang.

"You must be Echidna. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Yuji Itadori politely nodded to Echidna.

"A pleasure to meet me... Wait, this isn't the time for pleasantries! How did you get in here?!"

Echidna couldn't understand how Yuji Itadori had forced his way into the Castle of Dreams.

She had just attempted to access Yuji Itadori's memories—

But Echidna discovered that she couldn't do it. It was as though a Barrier had isolated Yuji Itadori's memories.

Memories were an important component of the soul.

The reason Echidna could learn other people's memories was essentially because she was reading their souls within the Castle of Dreams.

But Yuji Itadori constantly protected his soul with Cursed Energy.

Ever since encountering Mahito, Yuji Itadori had gained an understanding of the soul and learned to protect his own soul with Cursed Energy.

With the current Yuji Itadori, the Barrier protecting his soul was not something anyone else could break. Thus, Echidna was completely incapable of viewing Yuji Itadori's memories—and Yuji Itadori couldn't be forcibly dragged into the Castle of Dreams by Echidna either.

"I sensed where the soul was and came over."

Yuji Itadori replied.

Although sending one's consciousness into the world of souls sounded abstract, Yuji Itadori was truly capable of doing it.

During his final battle against Sukuna, Yuji Itadori had entered the world of souls and rescued Fushiguro Megumi's soul after it had been submerged in the depths.

That was precisely why Yuji Itadori could actively force his way into the Castle of Dreams.

"How is that possible?"

Echidna stared at Yuji Itadori in disbelief.

It had taken Echidna an extraordinarily long time to gradually master knowledge related to the soul. She had conducted countless experiments and studies before finally reaching her current level.

Yet Yuji Itadori appeared capable of doing it with ease.

Who exactly was this man?

The curiosity within Echidna's heart grew increasingly intense.

In her eyes, Yuji Itadori was the perfect existence to satisfy her overwhelming curiosity.

"Well then~ Yuji Itadori, why exactly have you come to the Castle of Dreams to find me?"

A meaningful smile appeared on Echidna's face as her black eyes stared fixedly at Yuji Itadori.

She wanted to understand everything about Yuji Itadori, from his past to his future, from head to toe, inside and out.

"I want to ask about creating a body for a soul."

Yuji Itadori said.

Echidna narrowed her eyes slightly.

Yuji Itadori's words piqued her interest.

After all, this was also a project Echidna had once devoted enormous amounts of effort to researching.

"Why did you come to me~?"

"Because you created Beatrice and Puck, Echidna. You should know something about it. I also want to prepare suitable bodies for the important beings by my side."

"My, my! As expected of me!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Echidna's face.

But in the next instant, Echidna's tone suddenly became low—

"Why should I help you?"

Natsuki Subaru couldn't help swallowing. He was somewhat curious how Yuji Itadori would answer.

After all, Echidna was once a Witch. If his answer failed to satisfy her, there was no telling what might happen.

"Oh. Then what kind of compensation do you want?"

Yuji Itadori didn't think much about it and simply asked her directly.

"Let's form a Contract~"

At that moment, Echidna raised her head.

There seemed to be some hidden emotion within the upward curve of her lips.

My, I'm getting a little too excited~

Something like this should be approached one step at a time.

Still, Yuji Itadori is a special existence!

His entire being is filled with the unknown, and nothing about him can be predicted!

I want to understand everything about Yuji Itadori!

I want to know, I want to know, I want to know!

"The terms of the Contract are very simple. Let me see what you see, let me hear what you hear, and let me know everything you know! In return, I can give you all of me, absolutely everything~ Whether it is my mind or my body, as long as you desire it, I can satisfy you! Creating a vessel for a soul would be no problem either! And whenever you encounter any problems in the future, I can offer you advice. I am extremely confident in that regard! As long as you let me know everything about you—"

A trace of madness seemed to permeate Echidna's voice.

To satisfy her thirst for knowledge, Echidna was capable of doing anything!

Natsuki Subaru couldn't help taking a step backward.

Only at that moment did he sense how terrifying Echidna truly was. The woman before him now was completely different from the one he had seen earlier.

What exactly was she trying to do?

At that moment, Yuji Itadori slowly spoke.

"If you were the Echidna Beatrice told me about, then agreeing to the Contract wouldn't be impossible."

"That's wonderful! Let's hurry and form the Contract!"

Echidna impatiently stepped forward and extended her hand—

"All you have to do is take my hand, and the Contract will be established!"

Beneath her white eyelashes, her obsidian-like eyes perfectly reflected Yuji Itadori's face.

Things are going surprisingly smoothly!

Echidna had originally expected him to refuse immediately, though she wasn't in any hurry.

After all, in this world, she was the only one capable of fulfilling Yuji Itadori's request.

This attempt had primarily been a test meant to let him know that this option existed.

But even Echidna hadn't expected Yuji Itadori to agree immediately.

That was enough to show that the person Yuji Itadori wanted to prepare a body for was extremely important to him.

But none of that mattered.

As long as she could obtain knowledge from Yuji Itadori that she had never known before, everything would be worth it!

"Let's form the Contract right now—"

But at that moment, Yuji Itadori spoke in an extraordinarily calm tone.

"Huh? Didn't you just say you wanted to form a Contract with me? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"Because I just said that if you were 'the Echidna Beatrice spoke of,' I could consider agreeing to the Contract."

Yuji Itadori's gaze fell upon Echidna.

"But you aren't."

The look in his eyes seemed capable of peeling apart the layers of Echidna's heart.

"Oh? I am Echidna, without the slightest doubt~"

A puzzled expression appeared on Echidna's face as she spread her hands, seemingly waiting for Yuji Itadori to verify it.

"Beatrice told me that her Mother was an extremely gentle person who cared about everyone around her."

"Am I not gentle? Saying something like that to a beautiful young maiden will make me very sad!"

"But from beginning to end, you never asked a single thing about Beatrice—"

Yuji Itadori continued staring at Echidna.

Beatrice had said that her Mother was an extraordinarily gentle person.

If that were true, how could Echidna have failed to ask even a single question about Beatrice?

"My, my. So that's the reason? Let me think about how I should explain this."

At that moment, the innocent expression that had been on Echidna's face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling smile that made one's skin crawl.

Natsuki Subaru felt a shiver run down his spine.

From beginning to end, he had never even considered this possibility—

"You aren't Echidna."

Yuji Itadori paused briefly.

"At the very least, you aren't the complete Echidna. You aren't the Echidna Beatrice told me about."

Yuji Itadori could see the shape of souls.

And at this very moment, the soul of the Witch standing before him was incomplete. She seemed more like a twisted monster wearing human skin.

It wasn't caused by damage. Rather, it was as though a portion of her soul had been stripped away.

This wasn't something that could be repaired by Healing the soul.

"Honestly, I really am Echidna. There's no mistake about that~ As for whether I'm complete or not—how exactly did you discover it?"

Echidna looked at Yuji Itadori with great interest, even anticipating his answer.

Suddenly, her eyes widened, and a smile blossomed across her face.

"Could it be..."

Countless possibilities flashed through Echidna's mind.

In less than a second, only one answer remained in Echidna's heart.

An answer that even she found somewhat unbelievable.

"Yuji Itadori, can you see souls?"

"That's right."

Yuji Itadori didn't deny it.

At the same time, he cast his gaze farther away—

"And I can see that we aren't the only ones here."

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T/N: If you spot mistranslation, do tell me.

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