Chereads / Jujutsu Kaisen: The Rebirth / Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: The Rebirth

Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: The Rebirth

Night hung heavily over the ancient shrine, a place forgotten by time, where only the densest darkness and cursed energy reigned. In the center of the main hall, illuminated solely by the dim light of candles arranged in a ritual pattern, lay the unconscious body of Yuji Itadori. Nearby, Naoya Zenin's lifeless body rested within a second ritual circle.

Miyako stood between the two bodies, her expression calm, holding the katana Kagekiri in her hands. The blade emitted a faint purple glow, a reflection of the cursed energy beginning to gather within it.

Her eyes, the Six Eyes, shone brightly as they analyzed every aspect of the situation. Before her, the three souls in conflict within Itadori's body were perceived as storms of energy in constant struggle: Sukuna's strong and dominant essence, Itadori's defiant presence, and the more composed but unmistakable cursed signature of Kaede.

"Time is running out," Miyako thought, her eyes piercing through the layers of cursed energy to find Kaede's essence. "I must extract his soul before Sukuna realizes the situation."

With renewed determination, Miyako lifted Kagekiri and, after taking a deep breath, gently placed it on Itadori's chest. The katana vibrated upon contact, as if recognizing the task at hand. Miyako, chanting an ancient incantation that Kaede taught him a few days ago in a low voice, he began to channel his cursed energy through Kagekiri.

"By the bond of blood and the eternal flame, separate the soul torn from its home. Let the blade be the bridge, and let the warrior's will prevail."

As the words left her lips, a dark aura enveloped Itadori's body, and the katana began to glow with increasing intensity. The symbols in the ritual circle surrounding Itadori lit up, connecting with those around Naoya's body. The air in the room grew thick, heavy with the presence of ancient and powerful cursed energies.

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Within the dark void where the three souls coexisted, Sukuna sat casually on his throne. Suddenly, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through him, a tug on his consciousness that alerted him to something different outside. His eyes narrowed as he extended his perception toward the real world.

He sensed the beginning of the ritual, a flow of cursed energy resonating with a particular intensity. Then he recognized it: Miyako's unmistakable signature, so familiar and yet irritating for what it represented. A twisted smile formed on his face, followed by a dry chuckle.

"Ha, ha, ha… So this is what you had planned, Kaede," Sukuna said, his voice dripping with mockery. "What a bastard you turned out to be… Killing her and then reviving her to help you. And to think they call me the monster."

Kaede, who stood with his hand on Kagekiri's hilt, showed no visible reaction to Sukuna's words. His face remained impassive, concentration etched into his features as he mentally prepared for the impending exchange.

"Everything I do is for a purpose," Kaede replied in a low, firm tone, without looking up. "If that makes me a monster, so be it."

Sukuna observed him with a gleam of amusement in his eyes, relishing the situation. "Don't think I'll make it easy for you. Let's see if your dear Miyako is as useful as you hope… and if you survive what comes next."

Kaede didn't respond, but his grip on Kagekiri tightened slightly, his thoughts focused on the ritual about to begin. He knew the decisive moment was near, and any distraction could be costly.

Sukuna, however, remained relaxed, his mocking smile unchanged. Even though he knew the ritual meant the possible end of his cellmate's presence in Itadori's body, he didn't seem concerned. To him, this was just another game, and he was ready to savor every moment.

Silence settled between them again, heavy with tension and anticipation, as both prepared for the impending outcome.

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Within Itadori's body, the spiritual battle began. Kaede, sensing Kagekiri's call, struggled to respond, but Sukuna's presence and Itadori's singularity intervened, resisting fiercely. Sukuna's darker, more dangerous cursed energy lashed out against Kaede's, attempting to suppress it.

"I won't let you, Sukuna," Miyako murmured, intensifying the flow of energy through Kagekiri. "This time, I'll decide the outcome."

In the spiritual plane, the two souls clashed with force. Sukuna, wrapped in cruel laughter, tried to dominate the situation. Kaede, though weaker, found a powerful ally in Kagekiri. The blade, resonating with Kaede's essence, enveloped him in its power, giving him the strength needed to resist and overcome Sukuna's presence.

"It's time to return," Kaede thought as he felt the katana guiding him out of Itadori's body. "Good luck with your plan, my friend… I'll see you on the other side."

Outside, Miyako watched with the Six Eyes as Kaede's cursed energy began to detach from Itadori's body, taking shape through Kagekiri. The katana acted as a conduit, carefully extracting Kaede's soul while avoiding any impact on the other two presences.

"Not so fast!" Sukuna shouted, his dark energy trying to cling to Kaede's soul. But Kagekiri, responding to Miyako's control, repelled Sukuna, temporarily pushing back his influence.

Itadori's body convulsed violently as Kaede was extracted, but Miyako maintained control, her gaze fixed on the process. With a final effort, the katana completed the separation, and Kaede's soul was absorbed into the blade, ready to be transferred to Naoya's body.

With a fluid motion, Miyako directed Kagekiri toward Naoya's body, placing the blade on his chest. The two ritual circles, now connected by Kagekiri's cursed energy, began to glow with intense light. Miyako recited the final incantation, guiding Kaede's soul to its new home.

"By the eternal bond, let the warrior reclaim what is his. Awaken, Kazehaya Kaede, in the body prepared for you."

The energy flowed through the blade, and Naoya's body began to react. Slowly, the eyes of the body opened, revealing an intense and familiar gaze. Kaede had returned, reborn in a new body.

Miyako stepped back, observing the ritual's outcome with a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion. She had accomplished what she set out to do, but the battle had only just begun. Sukuna remained a threat within Itadori, and the future was uncertain.

Kaede, now in control of Naoya's body, rose with a serious and powerful expression. "Thank you, Miyako," he said, his voice firm and determined. "Our time together has begun anew. This time, I won't fail."

Miyako nodded, sheathing Kagekiri and handing it back to its bearer. "I know, Kaede. We're in this together, even in death."

As the light of the ritual circles faded and the room returned to darkness, the two prepared for what was to come. The war between curses and sorcerers was just beginning, and with Kaede's return, no one knew which side had the upper hand.