The Divine Descent—Living Blade Style was a swordsmanship lineage passed down through the Yasaka Shrine.
The so-called "Living and Killing" referred to a state where the blade moved so swiftly that even after the enemy was cut down, their consciousness still lingered for a brief moment before realizing death.
Among its techniques, the "Crescent Moon" was a prime example.
To swing a blade thin as moonlight and produce the shape of a crescent with each strike, speed was the key.
The secret art, however, represented the ultimate expression of this phenomenon.
Ordinary swordsmen or swordmasters would choose only one of the three stances—upper, middle, or lower—for attack or defense. Yet, before the shrine maiden of Yasaka, such conventional limits were utterly shattered.
Gathering her sword pressure and spiritual power to the limit, the shrine maiden's arms blurred into afterimages, her blade transforming into boundless light that wove an impenetrable web through the air.
And at the center of that web stood Ruri, within her barrier.
Endless sparks burst outward from all directions, the clashing sounds echoing ceaselessly—like hundreds of blades striking one another at once.
Such swordsmanship had transcended mortal comprehension—it was proof of a swordswoman worthy of being called a master.
Yet, the shrine maiden's heart sank.
"Even an instantaneous all-directional strike still can't pierce it? Is this barrier truly this powerful?"
At that thought, her body danced again with the blade's light. Moving at blinding speed, four identical afterimages formed around her, each mirroring her spirit's draw-cut stance. The swordlight swirling around Ruri's barrier showed no sign of ceasing—the clash between the blades and the barrier rang endlessly.
This was the extreme of speed—the wielder had already completed the strike, yet the physical feedback lagged behind.
This technique pierced the gaps between space itself—overlapping the results of several strikes simultaneously, multiplying the destructive force a hundredfold or more. (Just like Sasaki Kojirō's secret art "Tsubame Gaeshi," this was a multidimensional overlapping slash.)
Yet even this secret art failed to breach the barrier.
Within the web of swordlight, Ruri remained calm throughout, silently watching her opponent.
But the shrine maiden was not ready to give up!
—"Azure Supremacy · Cross Slash!"
With a shout, the four mirrored figures of the shrine maiden roared in unison as the spirit behind her drew its divine blade in a burst of dazzling radiance.
Her body and sword became one. From four directions, four streaks of aurora-like blades shot toward Ruri's barrier.
The four beams of light crossed from different directions, forming a blazing cross of divine swordlight.
Before anyone could react, the attacks were already complete.
Like the instant of sunrise—before one even realized it—the world was already illuminated.
When the radiant swordlight faded, only the shrine maiden remained, standing with her back turned, slowly sheathing her blade.
Clack.
With the sound of her blade returning to its scabbard, the spirit behind her dissolved into faint motes of light.
At that same moment, in Ruri's slightly surprised gaze, the barrier around her began to crack.
Fractures spread outward, crawling toward every corner of the barrier, as though the once indestructible wall was about to collapse.
However—the young Saigū watching nearby noticed the golden-eyed shrine maiden, Satsuki, showed only calm confidence.
The child priestess felt a sudden jolt of unease.
Sure enough, from the sidelines came Satsuki's quiet voice: "Ruri, when a joke goes too far, it ceases to be amusing."
"Ah? Fine, fine."
The surprise on Ruri's face turned into an expression of mild regret. The cracks upon the barrier shimmered faintly—then vanished, mending themselves as though they had never been there.
In an instant, the barrier that had seemed on the brink of collapse returned to its flawless, unbroken state.
"This… what just happened?"
"How's that possible? Even the Sixteen-Night Moonlight couldn't break that barrier?"
"It was clearly so close just now! How—?"
...
No matter how they questioned it, the truth was plain before them.
The shrine maiden of Yasaka turned, staring at the barrier with disbelief written across her face—just like everyone else.
That final strike had clearly broken through her opponent's defense… so how could the result be this?
However, the fact remained—three strikes, and she had failed to break through the shikigami's barrier.
The shrine maiden, her pride yielding to the truth, walked before Satsuki and bowed deeply. "Three strikes and I could not shatter the barrier. I have lost. As agreed, I accept defeat and will unconditionally allow you to join the crusade."
"Joining the crusade isn't my goal," Satsuki replied calmly.
Then she turned her gaze toward the young Saigū, Sakura Blizzard. "There is another matter for which I require Yasaka Shrine's assistance."
At once, the child priestess understood. Stepping forward, she addressed the others, "That will be all for today's training. Everyone, return to your drills. I will handle the rest of this personally."
"Yes, Lady Saigū."
"Understood."
The onlookers—shrine maidens and monks alike—dispersed, though their excited murmurs betrayed the impact of what they had just witnessed. Many surrounded the shrine maiden Miyabi, bombarding her with questions about what had happened during the final exchange between her and Ruri.
Yet even the one who had wielded the sword herself was at a loss. Unable to comprehend the strange turn of events, she could only excuse it by claiming her own swordsmanship was still insufficient.
But she was not the only one puzzled.
Sesshōmaru, walking beside Satsuki and Ruri as they followed the Saigū back to the side hall, was equally unsettled.
The shrine maiden's swordsmanship had been formidable. Even though it was only a spar, from what he had observed, had she unleashed her full power, even he might not have been able to completely deflect her final strike.
And yet—Ruri had withstood all of it with nothing more than her barrier.
The difference in scale was almost absurd.
As they walked through the quiet corridor, Sesshōmaru finally asked in a low voice, "Your barrier—how did it withstand her final strike?"
"Withstand?"
Ruri's lips curved into a faint, mysterious smile. "I didn't block it."
Sesshōmaru frowned slightly. "Didn't block it?"
"I simply deflected the direction of each of her attacks," Ruri said softly. "I redirected the force of every strike, causing her own power to rebound under my barrier. From beginning to end, I didn't exert any extra strength. She was merely fighting against herself."
Sesshōmaru's golden eyes narrowed. "What you used just now… was it the 'Boundless Barrier'?"
"Boundless Barrier?"
"It was a form my father once mentioned," Sesshōmaru said slowly. "A barrier said to deflect all forms of power—yōki, reiryoku, even divine energy. He claimed that even when he unleashed the ultimate technique of Tenseiga, Dragon Fang Rend, he could not breach it from the outside."
"Oh?" Ruri tilted her head, intrigued. "So someone else in this world has used a similar force? Who might that be?"
"A hermit known as the Yokai Saint. My father once sought him out to train, so that he could better tame Tenseiga."
"A Yokai Saint, hmm? This world truly has many fascinating beings."
Ruri chuckled lightly. "Still, I like that name. Though it was merely a small, casual barrier, giving it a name sounds rather nice."
...
Inside the side hall—
This time, only Satsuki and the young Saigū, Sakura Blizzard, remained. It was the Saigū who spoke first.
"Information on Shuten Dōji will arrive shortly. As for joining the Crusade Unit, it's merely a formality. With your strength, Priestess Satsuki, you need not concern yourself with such details."
"Other than that," Satsuki reminded gently, "you haven't forgotten what I mentioned earlier, have you? There is another matter for which I require the assistance of Yasaka Shrine."
"Of course," Sakura Blizzard replied. "But may I know what, exactly, that matter is?"
Satsuki did not hesitate. "I wish to use Yasaka Shrine's influence to implement the Decree of Separation Between Gods and Buddhas."
At those words, the Saigū's expression sharpened instantly. Her golden eyes fixed upon Satsuki, searching.
"The Decree of Separation Between Gods and Buddhas… what is that?" she asked, her voice cautious yet firm. Even without knowing its meaning, instinct told her this was no ordinary proposal.
"It is merely a policy to separate Shinto from Buddhism," Satsuki said calmly, "and to elevate Shinto as the official state religion."
"Separate Shinto and Buddhism? Why?"
(In the world of Inuyasha, Japan's faiths coexist. A single household might enshrine both a miniature Shinto shrine and a Buddhist statue.)
Satsuki explained in an even tone, "As I understand it, the faith of humanity across the various Japanese provinces can be divided into three principal paths: Taoism, represented by the Onmyōji; Shinto, represented by the shrine maidens; and Buddhism, represented by the monks."
"The Onmyōji trace their origins to Taoism, a faith from the continental lands. After merging with the native spiritual traditions, it evolved into its current form. But because it is foreign in origin, its followers remain the minority in Japan. Moreover, most Onmyōji adhere to the doctrine of noninterference. Such a principle might suit times of peace—but in this chaotic age where humans and yokai coexist and wars rage unending, they still choose to remain passive observers."
Her tone grew slightly colder. "If they secluded themselves in the mountains, focusing solely on their own cultivation, that would be fine. But instead, they occupy the highest seats in Kyoto's power structure, making the ruling class obsessed with their own immortality while ignoring the suffering of the rest of the nation. I traveled from Musashi to Ueno and met countless shrine maidens and monks who risk their lives to fight yokai and demons. Even common folk have taken up arms as demon hunters. But I have never once encountered a single Onmyōji."
"The Onmyōji are indeed too fond of preserving their own prestige," Sakura Blizzard admitted softly. "But what connection does that have to this Decree of Separation? It sounds as though your proposal targets Shinto and Buddhism, not Taoism."
"It is very much connected," Satsuki said. "The Onmyōji, representing Taoism, dominate the upper echelons of society. Thus, for Shinto and Buddhism to survive, they must demonstrate their own worth. Over the years, both have built vast followings among the common people. What they now lack is only a catalyst—a moment of opportunity to rise and take the Onmyōji's place. And that, I believe, even the Onmyōji of Kyoto are well aware of."
"To unite with the Buddhists and replace the Onmyōji?" The young Saigū's eyes narrowed, her insight piercing despite her tender age. "That is no simple task. Buddhism teaches acceptance and detachment. Though it commands many followers, most are the elderly, the weak, women, or those who have lost hope in life. Even if they saw the chance to rise, they would likely choose to remain bystanders."
"That," Satsuki replied evenly, "is why we must give them a reason they cannot ignore."
At those words, Sakura Blizzard's eyes widened. She repeated slowly, "The Decree of Separation Between Gods and Buddhas…?"
Satsuki nodded. "Exactly. If we enforce this decree, it will appear that the Onmyōji's Taoist faction gains the most. But that's precisely why the Buddhists will see through it. In truth, such an act will only drive a deeper wedge between Taoism and the native faiths—forcing Shinto and Buddhism to grow closer in secret."
"But—" The young Saigū frowned, thinking deeply. "Surely the Onmyōji aren't blind to such obvious consequences. That's likely why the court in Kyoto has never dared to issue such a decree all these years."
The young Saigū continued, "Moreover, the Shinto factions themselves are not united. Among the Four Great Shrines, Fushimi Inari Shrine is backed by none other than Abe no Seimei—the great Onmyōji himself. He long ago recognized the threat that Shinto posed to the Onmyōji's dominance and thus established a shrine to serve his own interests."
Abe no Seimei, huh?
Satsuki silently noted the name. In implementing the Decree of Separation Between Gods and Buddhas, this man would indeed become an obstacle.
"So," she said, summarizing, "our objective is to make the Onmyōji issue the Decree of Separation themselves." Her golden eyes glimmered faintly. "And that is where Yasaka Shrine's assistance becomes essential. From what I know, Shuten Dōji possesses the ability to take on other human forms."
At that implication, the Saigū's eyes widened in shock. "Priestess Satsuki, are you suggesting… Shuten Dōji?"
"More precisely," Satsuki replied softly, "I need Shuten Dōji's ability. Whether the demon himself lives or dies is irrelevant to me."
To use Shuten Dōji as a shikigami...?
So that was her true intent.
...
When Satsuki returned to the quarters arranged for her, Ruri could no longer contain her curiosity.
Her floating orb-like form appeared beside Satsuki's head. "Lady Satsuki, how can you be so certain Yasaka Shrine will agree to your plan?"
"If it were any other shrine maiden, I wouldn't be sure," Satsuki replied evenly. "But have you forgotten? Yasaka Shrine was born from divine unions. It is a temple where gods themselves manifest in the mortal world. And no god would refuse the chance to become the dominant focus of faith—especially if it means establishing Shinto as the state religion."
The Sakura lineage was not purely human—they were demigods. That distinction was crucial.
For them, the supremacy of Shinto was of vital importance. In truth, Yasaka Shrine was the one place in the world that most desired for Shinto to reign supreme.
For the more faith they received, the stronger the gods would become—and as the gods grew stronger, so too would Yasaka Shrine.
"But what does that have to do with you, my lady?" Ruri asked. "Even if the decree is enforced, it doesn't bring you any benefit."
"No benefit?" Satsuki's tone was calm, yet beneath it lay a quiet edge. "Everything I said just now was from the perspective of the upper echelons. But when the decree is enforced from top to bottom, it will inevitably be twisted among the people—excessively so."
Her gaze turned distant, her voice carrying a chilling certainty. "In time, the decree will spark mass hysteria among the populace, leading to movements of Haibutsu Kishaku—the destruction of Buddhism. Temples will be razed, statues shattered, and monks slaughtered in the name of purification. When that time comes, I will expose Shuten Dōji's existence, revealing that the Buddhists and Onmyōji were both deceived by the Shinto factions led by Yasaka Shrine. Then the three faiths will turn upon each other—utterly and irreversibly."
As she spoke, a faint dark light shimmered in her hand. Within it, the miniature form of the Black Domain Buddhakṣetra pulsed faintly, radiating ominous power.
"In the end," Satsuki whispered, her expression serene, "this world will fall under the dominion of me—Māra, the Demon Buddha."