Chereads / Jujutsu Kaisen: The Rebirth / Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Hidden Vengeance

Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Hidden Vengeance

In the vast and serene corridors of the Gojo clan, the sound of Miyako's footsteps echoed softly as she walked with purpose, her face showing a carefully maintained calm. She was still getting used to the body of Aiko Gojo, which had been strategically chosen for her infiltration. As she moved through the place, her eyes keenly observed the details of the surroundings, searching for anything that might be useful for her mission.

Miyako turned a corner and abruptly stopped when she noticed a familiar figure ahead of her. Satoru Gojo, the most powerful member of the clan, was standing there, seemingly waiting for something. His usually relaxed expression had hardened, and his hand was pressed against his forehead as if trying to suppress some internal pain. Satoru's Six Eyes glowed faintly under his blindfold, a sign that something was wrong.

Miyako felt a slight shiver upon seeing him. It was the first time she had encountered him since taking over Aiko's body, and she knew that her mission depended heavily on not raising any suspicions, especially before someone as perceptive as Satoru.

"Ah, Aiko-chan," Satoru said, his voice sounding more subdued than usual, as if he were dealing with more than just a mere annoyance. "I didn't expect to see you here. Are you… alright?"

Miyako tilted her head slightly in respect, hiding her surprise at the question. "Yes, Satoru-sama. I was… checking some records. And you? Are you alright?"

"I've told you not to call me that," he said, crossing his arms.

Miyako just inclined her head as Aiko typically would. "But you're the head of the clan, it would be disrespectful of me not to."

Satoru simply closed his eyes for a moment, his expression shifting to a grimace of discomfort. "I've had a strange headache for a while now. It's as if the Six Eyes are… oversaturated with information. Everything feels denser, more… confusing." He opened his eyes, and his gaze settled directly on Miyako, as if trying to discern something just out of reach.

Miyako's heart raced, but she remained calm. She knew Satoru's Six Eyes were formidable, but she also trusted her own ability to handle the situation. "Perhaps it's exhaustion, Satoru-sama. You've been under a lot of stress lately, and that could affect your technique."

Satoru let out a sigh, nodding slightly. "Maybe you're right. I should rest, but there's too much to attend to." His gaze shifted as if he were recalling something important, but the pain intensified again, forcing him to press his hand against his forehead once more.

Miyako seized the moment to step a little closer, feigning concern. "If you'd like, I could help with some of your responsibilities. After all, I'm part of the clan and here to serve."

Satoru looked at her again, this time with a softer expression, though still tinged with suspicion. "I appreciate the offer, Aiko-chan. But there are things only I can do. Still, be careful. Something… strange is happening, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is."

Miyako nodded, hiding her relief. "I understand, Satoru-sama. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call on me." She prepared to continue on her way, but Satoru stopped her once more, his voice softer but still probing.

"Have you noticed anything unusual lately? Anything out of the ordinary in the clan?"

The tone of his question was casual enough, but Miyako knew there was more behind those words. "No, nothing that stands out," she replied with a controlled smile. "But I'll keep an eye out for anything unusual."

Satoru observed her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. That's all, then. Make sure you rest too, I don't want you pushing yourself too hard. After all, you came back very injured from your last mission, and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to my only cousin."

Miyako took her leave with a slight bow and continued on her way, feeling Satoru's gaze on her back for a few moments longer. As she walked away, her mind was filled with thoughts. Satoru had sensed something, but he didn't know exactly what. It was a clear sign that Satoru's Six Eyes were picking up on something out of the ordinary.

As she moved further away, Satoru remained still in the corridor, still with his hand on his forehead. Something was wrong, but he couldn't fully grasp it. And that unsettled him more than anything else.

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Kaede advanced through the corridors of the Zenin clan estate, heading toward the room where his "father," Naobito Zenin, had summoned him for a meeting. Although he had spent a few hours adjusting to his new body, every step he took among his kin only intensified his disdain for them.

The Zenin… he thought bitterly. Traitors of the Kazehaya clan, opportunists who would sell out their own for a bit of power. The irony wasn't lost on him; he was using the body of one of their most promising descendants to carry out his revenge.

He arrived at the door of the meeting room, flanked by two Zenin clan guards. Both bowed respectfully to him, a gesture that only fueled his disdain. If they knew who they were really bowing to… He thought with a smirk.

He pushed the door open and entered the room. Around a long table, several of the clan's leaders and important members were seated, all turning to look at him as he entered. Naobito Zenin, his supposed father, sat at the head of the table, his usual expression of severity and authority.

"Naoya," Naobito said, his deep voice resonating in the room. "You took your time getting here."

Kaede bowed slightly, imitating Naoya's arrogant yet respectful demeanor. "My apologies, father. I had to attend to some minor matters before coming."

Naobito nodded, accepting the excuse without further questions. "Very well. We're here to discuss the clan's next moves. The disappearance of Sukuna's fingers and the recent events at the Tokyo Jujutsu school have created much instability."

Kaede approached and took a seat, listening as Naobito and the other clan members spoke about the importance of gaining ground against the curses. To Kaede, the words of these men were insignificant, but he understood that every decision made in that room could influence his own plan.

As the meeting progressed, Kaede noticed how some of those present were watching him closely, as if trying to discern something different about him. I must stay alert, he thought. Though Naoya was a fool, he wasn't someone easily manipulated. I'll need to be careful not to raise suspicions.

Naobito continued speaking, detailing the clan's strategic moves. "Naoya, I want you to personally oversee the next mission. You have the skill and experience to ensure everything goes as planned."

Kaede nodded, knowing he had to act as Naoya would. "It would be an honor, father. I won't fail."

Naobito stared at him for a moment, as if trying to read something in his expression. Finally, he nodded in approval. "I hope so. The future of the Zenin clan depends on us making the right decisions at this crucial moment."

Kaede smiled inwardly. The future of the Zenin clan… he thought with a touch of irony.

The meeting continued with more discussions about the mission details and the clan's overall strategy. Kaede remained engaged, asking questions and suggesting ideas that he knew would align with Naoya's desires. But in his mind, he couldn't help but think about how easy it would be to destroy this clan from within. The Zenin clan's betrayal of the Kazehaya clan will be avenged.

When the meeting finally concluded, Kaede stood and prepared to leave. But before he could do so, Naobito called out to him once more.

"Naoya," he said, his tone softer but still full of authority. "Don't forget what's at stake… Everything depends on what we do now. Don't fail me."

Kaede looked him in the eyes, feeling a mixture of contempt and satisfaction. "I won't, father. I won't."

With those words, Kaede left the meeting room, his mind already plotting the next steps in his revenge. The Zenin clan will be destroyed, and I'll do it in the most painful way possible.