Chereads / Jujutsu Kaisen: The Rebirth / Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Fate Intertwined

Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Fate Intertwined

We can see a young boy around 14 years old with black hair and eyes of the same color, dressed in a white yukata, sitting on a rock and gazing at the landscape on the outskirts of his clan. Today was an important day, as a rival clan was visiting to meet the future leaders of both clans, but they had arrived a few minutes ago, and he was not present.

From a distance, a girl approached him. She was 12 years old, with white hair and eyes of an intense blue color. She was about a head shorter than the boy sitting on the rock. As she reached behind him, she spoke.

"You're Kazehaya Kaede, right? You're the current heir of your clan," she revealed, confirming that the boy in front of her was Kaede.

"And you're Gojo Miyako, the current possessor of Limitless and the Six Eyes, and possibly the heir of the Gojo clan," replied Kaede, revealing who the girl was.

Both of them stared at each other for a long second, intense blue against empty black, until the girl decided to break the silence.

"You were supposed to receive us. We've been waiting for hours and you didn't show up. What kind of education is this for someone who will lead their clan? With this attitude, you'll lead them to their extinction..." criticized the girl. "Your clan has always been the same. We came here to sign a treaty to improve the future of ours, and only a few people welcomed us. It seems like they don't care about what happens to them."

"Are you done? If so, then leave me alone," said Kaede after hearing the girl's complaints.

Miyako, clearly offended, took a step forward, her aura of challenge intensifying.

"Is that your answer? How disappointing. I thought the heir of the Kazehaya clan would have more honor," Miyako replied, her intense blue eyes shining with determination.

Kaede slowly turned to look at her, his expression remaining indifferent.

"And what do you hope to achieve with your words? I'm not interested in what you think of me."

"Then prove your worth in a duel!" Miyako exclaimed, clenching her fists. "I want to see if the heir of the Kazehaya clan is as strong as they say."

Kaede sighed and turned his gaze back to the landscape.

"I'm not interested in fighting you."

"What's the matter, afraid of losing to a girl?" Miyako taunted, her voice full of challenge.

"It's not that," Kaede responded, his tone calm but firm. "I just don't see the need to fight you. We won't gain anything from it."

"I insist we fight!" Miyako said vehemently. "I need to know if you're worthy of leading your clan!"

Kaede closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"No."

With those words, Kaede walked away, leaving the girl behind, shouting alone.

Days later, Miyako continued to insist. Every time she saw Kaede, she challenged him to a duel, trying to provoke a reaction. Kaede remained firm in his refusal, frustrating Miyako.

"You're a coward!" Miyako shouted one day, her patience exhausted.

Kaede looked at her, his black eyes calm.

"I'm not a coward. I just don't fight without a good reason."

"Do you want a reason? Fine, I'll give you a reason," with that, she stormed out of the room Kaede was using to have tea.

Finally, after days of insistence, Miyako challenged Kaede in front of other members of both clans. Kaede knew he couldn't continue to ignore her without his honor and that of his clan being called into question.

"Ah, very well, Miyako," said Kaede with a sigh. "I accept your challenge. But I hope this teaches you that violence is not always necessary to solve problems."

We see Kaede and Miyako in a clearing, under the gaze of the leaders of their respective clans and other members.

The duel began, and Miyako used her Limitless with all her strength and skill, although she could only use the Blue and barely maintain her Six Eyes and Infinity activated. Kaede, although reluctant, showed his skill and control, using only his hands and occasionally his Divine Space technique to dodge Miyako's attacks and push her without harming her.

"Don't underestimate me!" Miyako shouted, launching herself with renewed fury.

"I don't," Kaede replied, dodging another attack with his Divine Space technique. "But you must learn that there are more ways to demonstrate your strength."

At the end of the duel, Kaede emerged victorious, but not without effort. Miyako, despite her defeat, gained a new respect for Kaede.

"Perhaps... you're right," Miyako admitted, breathing heavily.

Kaede extended a hand to help her up.

"You're strong, Miyako. You don't need to prove it by fighting. But I'm willing to teach you what I know, if you want."

Miyako took Kaede's hand and got up.

"Maybe... we can learn from each other."

From that moment on, Kaede and Miyako began to spend more time together, training and sharing knowledge. Although their relationship started with tensions, they eventually became close friends, albeit always with an air of rivalry. As they grew, Miyako developed feelings for Kaede, although she knew that their destinies and duties to their clans would make any relationship complicated.

"Perhaps, in another life," Miyako murmured to herself, watching Kaede as he trained.

Kaede, sensing her gaze, turned and smiled.

"Did you say something, Miyako?"

She shook her head, blushing slightly.

"Nothing. Let's continue training."

Suddenly, the scene abruptly changes to a completely destroyed area. Miyako is covered in wounds, blood streaming from her eyes and mouth. She's stabbed in the heart by Kagekiri, wielded by a Kaede with nearly identical injuries and tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry..." Kaede whispers, his voice broken by pain and guilt.

Miyako, barely conscious, smiles weakly.

"It's okay..." she says, before collapsing onto Kaede, drenching him in her blood.

The tragedy of their shared fate is etched in that moment, with Kaede holding Miyako's body, the weight of their joint history and the consequences of their actions resonating in the devastated silence around them.

...

We return to reality with Kaede waking up, tears in his eyes.

"You're finally awake... what's wrong?" Sukuna asks, seeing his old friend crying.

"Miyako..." Kaede simply says her name, and Sukuna understands everything.

"Oh... I see," he says nothing more, knowing how sensitive that topic is.