Kaede arrived at the Zenin estate with firm, controlled steps, but in his mind, he was still adjusting to his new identity. Despite the familiarity of the estate, the weight of Kagekiri hidden beneath his clothes reminded him that he could not let his guard down. The real Naoya did not use weapons, making it necessary to hide the sword in a secure place.
Upon reaching his room, Kaede carefully closed the door and surveyed the space. It was a luxurious place, decorated with the refined taste of an heir to the clan, but devoid of personality. Kaede approached a tatami in a corner of the room and, with precise movements, lifted it, revealing a small recess. Without wasting any time, he slid Kagekiri into the hiding place and replaced the tatami, making sure there were no visible traces of his actions.
As he was rising, he heard footsteps approaching in the hallway. Kaede took a deep breath, recalling Naoya's personality, and adopted a relaxed but superior stance. The door burst open, and Ogi Zenin, one of the most influential members of the clan, appeared in the doorway.
"Naoya," began Ogi with a tone of severity, "you've been sought after. Where the hell have you been?"
Kaede raised an eyebrow, maintaining a look of slight irritation. "Clan matters," he responded disdainfully. "Do I really need to account for every move I make, uncle?"
Ogi frowned, clearly uncomfortable, but unwilling to confront his nephew openly. "I'm just making sure you're fulfilling your responsibilities. You know how important these times are for the clan. We can't afford distractions."
Kaede allowed a barely perceptible smile to cross his face, one that seemed more mocking than friendly. "Don't worry, my priorities are perfectly clear. Maintaining the Zenin clan's position is my main objective." He paused, his eyes assessing Ogi with the same indifference Naoya would have shown to someone he considered inferior. "Although I'm surprised you're so concerned about my whereabouts. After all, if something were to happen to me, I'm sure you already have plans to maintain your position."
Ogi scoffed, unsure whether to interpret Kaede's words as a joke or a threat. "Watch your tongue, Naoya. Remember, even though you're the heir, power is fleeting if not handled carefully."
Kaede simply nodded, as if Ogi's words carried no weight for him. "I'll keep that in mind, uncle." Then, giving the conversation no further importance, he turned to the window, gazing at the garden with an apparent lack of interest in his interlocutor. "If that's all, I have matters to attend to."
Ogi watched him for a moment longer, his gaze filled with suspicion and distrust. Finally, he nodded and turned away, leaving the room without another word.
Once alone, Kaede exhaled slowly. It had not been a difficult conversation, but it required maintaining the facade at all times. He knew the Zenin clan was a nest of vipers, each member waiting for the right moment to strike and seize control. Kaede would have to be careful, calculating, and maintain Naoya's attitude at all times if he wanted to secure his position and achieve his goals.
The luxury and opulence surrounding every corner of the room only fueled his disdain. It wasn't just the arrogance of the Zenin that irritated him, but something much deeper: they were the traitors to the Kazehaya clan, his true home. The Zenin had been the ones to break away from the Kazehaya, in their insatiable thirst for power, they had shattered the trust between clans and betrayed his family, dragging Kaede into a life of conflict and revenge.
Naoya's choice had not been random. The ritual Kaede performed to take over his body required sharing at least a minimal percentage of genes. Naoya was the one who most resembled him in height, build, and physique; it was almost amusing that there was still someone left to perform the ritual many would call it fate.
He reflected on how the Zenin had betrayed the Kazehaya, sacrificing ancestral loyalties for blind ambition. Now, he found himself in the heart of his enemies' stronghold, using the body of one of their own. The Zenin, in their blindness, did not suspect that the man walking among them with Naoya Zenin's face was, in fact, an enemy ready to destroy them from within. For Kaede, this infiltration was more than just a mission; it was the culmination of a long-awaited revenge, and he was determined to make each of them pay for the betrayal they had committed against his clan.
Soon after, as Kaede was about to leave, he heard another voice, this time softer but with a slightly annoyed tone. "Naoya-sama," called a young maid, bowing deeply as she entered the room. "Your presence is requested in the main hall. There is a meeting in progress."
Kaede turned his head slowly, his gaze sweeping over the young woman with coldness. According to this body, women were nothing more than tools or adornments in the machinery of power a thought that was part of Naoya's personality. "Who has called the meeting?" he asked with indifference.
"The head of the clan, Naobito-sama," she replied, keeping her gaze lowered.
Kaede nodded briefly, allowing a hint of disdain to cross his face, but said nothing more. He headed for the door, passing by the maid without giving her a second glance, just as Naoya would have done. As he walked down the hallway, his mind remained focused on his mission. He knew that every movement within the clan was being watched, and he would have to play his cards with precision to achieve his objectives.
-----------
Miyako, now inhabiting the body of a young member of her clan, moved gracefully and carefully through the halls of the imposing Gojo estate. Although her position as a member of a secondary branch kept her away from the attention of the leaders, it did not mean she was completely overlooked.
The young woman's name was Aiko Gojo. She had been a quiet girl with few ambitions but had a great admiration for the main members of the clan, especially Satoru Gojo. Known for her loyalty and willingness to help as needed, her death was swift and almost unnoticed in the clan's history. Now, with Miyako in her body, there was a new purpose to her existence.
As she headed towards the clan's library, one of the places where Aiko used to spend time, she was intercepted by a couple of young sorcerers from the Gojo clan. They were Satoshi and Ayaka Gojo, two promising young members of the clan known for their strong connection to tradition and their desire to maintain the clan's power.
Satoshi, a young man with a serious expression and rigid posture, looked at her with some suspicion. "Aiko, I haven't seen you much lately. Is everything alright?" His tone was polite, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Ayaka, a young woman with bright eyes and short hair, moved closer, smiling warmly. "Yes, Aiko, you've been quite reserved. Are you working on any new projects?"
Miyako, adopting Aiko's personality, smiled gently and nodded. "I've been focusing on some personal studies. You know, there's always something new to learn about the clan's techniques. And you? Any interesting news?"
Satoshi nodded slowly, as if evaluating each word. "Well, Satoru-sama has been busy, as always. But there are rumors of something big coming. I suppose we're all on alert."
Ayaka added in a lighter tone, "Yes, even secondary branches like ours need to be prepared. But with Satoru-sama in charge, there's not much to worry about, right?"
Miyako kept Aiko's smile, but her thoughts were cold and calculating. The Gojo had maintained their power for centuries, but even they could be blinded by their own arrogance. "That's right," she responded aloud. "With Satoru-sama, we're in good hands."
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, with Miyako asking questions and showing interest, but it was all a facade. She knew she couldn't afford to raise suspicion, but she also understood that her mission required staying close to these members. They, like everyone in the clan, could be both allies and obstacles on her path.
After a polite farewell, Miyako continued to the library, where she planned to search for any information that could be useful to Kaede.
Sitting in the quiet Gojo clan library, Miyako pretended to read an ancient scroll while her mind traveled back to the moment Kaede revealed how he had obtained Aiko's body. Her hands trembled slightly as she remembered the details, though she kept them steady on the scroll to avoid arousing suspicion if anyone was watching.
Aiko Gojo had been a young member of the clan, sent on what was supposed to be a simple mission to exorcise a low-level curse. Her skill, though not extraordinary, was sufficient for routine tasks, and no one in the clan thought twice before assigning her that mission. Everything seemed normal... until Kaede came into the picture.
Miyako had heard from Kaede how, during that mission, Aiko came face to face with him. It was an unexpected encounter for Aiko, but he had acted without hesitation. Kaede had killed her mercilessly, quickly and efficiently. It was an act he deemed unavoidable; he needed a suitable body for his plan, and Aiko had been the ideal choice due to her discreet position within the Gojo clan.
However, for Miyako, the story was devastating. Although she knew Kaede had done what he believed necessary, she couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Was it really necessary to kill her? She wondered repeatedly. The idea that someone as innocent as Aiko, who hadn't had the slightest chance to defend herself, had been sacrificed for the sake of their mission was deeply unsettling.
How can you be so calm after what you did? Miyako wondered, recalling the cold calm with which Kaede had narrated the story. She knew he was ruthless when the situation required it, but this time something inside her resisted accepting that coldness as necessary.
Miyako tried to process what had happened, to rationalize it as part of the greater plan they had devised, but she couldn't avoid her mind returning to the look Kaede described of Aiko, the moment she realized her life was about to end. What if there had been another way? She wondered repeatedly, even though she knew it was a question without an answer.
The weight of what they were doing, of what they had done, began to settle on her conscience. But Miyako knew she couldn't afford to doubt. The mission was clear, and any hesitation could mean failure and ruin. Yet, the memory of Aiko's death clung to her mind, a persistent shadow within.
Somehow, she knew she would have to confront those feelings later. But for now, all she could do was move forward, maintain the facade, and fulfill her role in the plan. Aiko was dead, and she lived in her place, carrying with her a much darker purpose than the young Gojo had ever imagined.
---
This chapter was more tedious to write, not only because it was long, but also because there is very little information about the Gojo clan, so I had to make do with the little that exists.