Chapter 39: Intrusion

The atmosphere in the room was thick with uncertainty. All the professors present were quickly discussing, trying to understand what had happened with the talismans and the inexplicable disappearance of the protective barrier. Kaede, in the body of Naoya Zenin, sat observing, seemingly unconcerned, though he couldn't deny that something unusual was happening.

Satoru Gojo, in his usual relaxed tone, was the first to speak.

"Well, it seems we have an intruder," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Talismans don't fail just like that. As much as I'd love to praise my students, this goes beyond their abilities. Someone unregistered is toying with us."

Kaede, leaning against a wall, watched the scene without moving a muscle, showing no visible reaction on his face. Still, his calculating mind quickly processed the information. "An intruder, huh... interesting," he thought, not letting any emotion slip through his demeanor. Even so, he couldn't resist a small jab.

"Well, Satoru," Kaede remarked in a neutral tone, barely raising an eyebrow, "you love sounding like you're always in control of everything. But if things are failing, maybe you're not as perfect as you like to believe, are you?"

Gojo glanced at him, smiling calmly, clearly used to such comments.

"Not everyone can be me, Naoya," Gojo replied, his tone playful. "Some of us are just blessed with being the best."

Kaede didn't bother responding. He knew Gojo was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he remained silent, letting the conversation continue. Observing and analyzing was far more useful.

Mei Mei intervened, her tone always composed.

"My crows didn't detect anything," she said, clearly intrigued. "And the barrier shouldn't have failed like this. There's something more than just a direct attack here."

Kaede, as usual, kept his expression neutral, though inwardly, he was processing the information. "An intruder capable of breaking the barrier without leaving a trace... whoever it is, they're not here to play."

"If no one has detected this intruder, they must be using an advanced technique to hide themselves," Kaede commented softly, not addressing anyone in particular. It was more of a thought spoken aloud, but it served to contribute to the conversation without drawing too much attention.

Gojo shot him a brief look, evaluating him for a moment, then turned his attention back to Principal Gakuganji, who struck his cane against the floor to command everyone's attention.

"We cannot let this situation go unchecked," Gakuganji said, his tone authoritative. "Yaga, go speak with Tengen. Mei Mei, stay here and keep monitoring the situation. Gojo, you and Utahime head to the battlefield. Ensure the students are safe."

Gojo gave a small nod, but before leaving, he couldn't resist throwing one last remark at Kaede.

"Naoya, don't strain yourself trying to understand what's happening," Gojo said with an evident smirk. "Sometimes, things are beyond some people's comprehension."

Kaede glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his expression unchanged, and shrugged.

"Don't worry about me, Satoru. Some things don't need explaining to those who really know how to observe," he replied calmly, unaffected by the comment. "Though, of course, not everyone has that ability."

Gojo chuckled softly, but didn't add anything further. He turned and left the room, accompanied by Utahime, while Kaede watched them go. In his mind, he was analyzing every detail, every word. He wasn't truly concerned; situations like these were part of life in the world of sorcerers, and Kaede knew that keeping calm was essential.

Kaede remained still as the sound of Gojo and Utahime's footsteps faded down the hallway. The room fell silent for a moment, broken only by the soft creaking of Gakuganji's cane as he stood in contemplation. Mei Mei, with her sharp gaze, silently assessed the situation. Kaede sensed that everyone, in one way or another, was on the verge of something much larger.

"This intruder..." Kaede thought, narrowing his eyes briefly. Though he appeared indifferent, Kaede was acutely aware of everything happening around him. He knew there was more behind the collapse of the barrier. Whoever it was, they had to be planning something meticulous. Something even Gojo hadn't fully detected yet.

Mei Mei broke the silence.

"We must be cautious," she said. "If this intruder can disable a barrier of this magnitude, they could be watching from the shadows. It wouldn't be wise to underestimate them."

Kaede couldn't help but smile internally. Mei Mei always saw beyond the obvious. She was one of the few people in the room who truly grasped the depth of situations without needing much explanation. Even so, it wasn't in his interest to draw too much attention right now. He knew the intrusion wasn't a coincidence and might be tied to his own plans.

"How strange," Kaede reflected, recalling the chaos he'd left among the Zenin clan and the rumors circulating through the sorcerer world.

After a brief pause, Gakuganji lifted his stern gaze to everyone in the room.

"Naoya," he called, "you'll stay here and help Mei Mei keep an eye on any abnormal activity. We can't allow more surprises to slip through our hands."

Kaede gave a brief nod, suppressing his irritation at taking orders. Though he didn't like following someone else's commands, he knew this wasn't the time to argue. Maintaining his role as Naoya Zenin was crucial for his objectives.

"For now, I'll play the game," he thought, adjusting his posture and casting one last glance at the exit where Gojo had left.

As everyone began dispersing to carry out their respective tasks, Mei Mei approached Kaede, who still stood in place. Her calm yet calculating eyes settled on him, searching for any sign of uncertainty, but Kaede, as always, maintained his unflinching façade.

"You're not nervous, are you, Naoya?" Mei Mei asked with a slight smirk, though Kaede detected the challenge in her tone.

Kaede glanced at her from the corner of his eye, smiling faintly.

"Nervousness doesn't suit me," he replied smoothly. "But if anyone should be nervous, it's whoever's on the other side of that broken barrier. Once we find them, I'll make sure they feel it."

Mei Mei chuckled softly, her gaze never leaving him.

"We'll see, Naoya, we'll see," she murmured as she walked away to continue her task.

Kaede watched as the room emptied completely, leaving him alone for a moment. In that instant, he allowed a slight smile to cross his face. This chaos was merely the prelude to what was to come. It was clear that something big was on the horizon, and when everything exploded, Kaede knew he would be in the perfect position to make his move.

"The board is almost set... just a few more moves left," he thought as he headed toward his next task.