"Uh..."
Although the other party's attitude was friendly and his words polite, every hair on Byakuya's body stood on end.
Without exaggeration, before this one, whether it was the Shikon no Tama, Naraku, or any of those great youkai—all had to show proper respect.
From how the Shikon no Tama had schemed to entrap Kirinmaru from the start without any intention of provoking the Great Dog Demon, one could gauge just how dangerous this being was.
'What a terrible situation... But how did he approach? I didn't sense any presence at all.'
Though appearing calm on the surface, Byakuya was deeply concerned about something else.
He had clearly deployed several hundred youkai around the perimeter. How could someone approach so silently without stirring a single one?
"Not going to answer?"
"Wait... I have no intention of provoking you. Encountering you here can only be called bad luck."
Seeing signs that the other party might draw his sword, Byakuya hurriedly waved his hands.
He had no confidence in confronting this one...
Rather, simply surviving without dying would be considered a success. Injuries and such were a minor concern.
"That miko called Kikyo is Inuyasha's... mm, woman, I suppose."
"Ho?"
Spreading his hands in explanation, Byakuya caught the Great Dog Demon's slightly surprised tone. He seized this opportunity to immediately flee into the distance.
"That doesn't sound like a lie... But Myoga clearly said the name was 'Higurashi Kagome.' What's going on?"
Stroking his chin, not bothering with the escaping Byakuya, even the Great Dog Demon found himself momentarily puzzled.
He had sensed Tessaiga's resonance and traces of youkai power belonging to himself, so he had tracked it here. Yet now he was hearing even more confusing information.
Though both were mikos, one was called Kagome and one was called Kikyo. The Great Dog Demon could tell them apart.
"Don't tell me he's copying me in this regard too?"
Recalling that he himself had two wives, the Great Dog Demon's expression grew somewhat peculiar.
He at least had one youkai wife and one human wife.
Inuyasha didn't even vary—they were all human mikos?
"Who would've thought Inuyasha would be interested in this type of woman?"
Even from this distance, he could sense the other's astonishing spiritual power. The Great Dog Demon couldn't deny it.
Even with his rich experience, this remarkable woman called Kikyo was a rare and powerful miko.
"Furthermore, the girl who just wielded my youkai power... The surrounding scents have been muddled by that youkai. She's also a Servant..."
The Great Dog Demon observed for a while. Unable to fully discern the opponent's identity, he reached back and drew Tessaiga.
"I'll deal with this first then..."
...
"This is bad. It's trying to envelop the entire barrier!"
Moroha watched the flesh creeping over them like a bowl lid and immediately grew anxious.
"Moroha, calm down. Don't let yourself fall into disarray."
Summoning a Soul Collector to hold Kohaku, Kikyo surveyed the dire situation and spoke.
The Shikon no Tama's earlier words had indeed put her in a difficult position.
If the rescue shikigami had truly been intercepted, then Inuyasha definitely couldn't make it in time.
She had finally wanted to rely on him just once, but it seemed that wasn't going to work out.
'No matter what, I'll keep Moroha safe.'
With that resolve, Kikyo steeled herself for what might come.
She... would absolutely not let Moroha come to harm.
In a sense, that was also her child.
"Mom, you're right. I shouldn't be panicking. Dad will definitely come save us! Even without a distress call, I know it'll reach him!"
No longer anxious, Moroha spoke with unwavering confidence.
She believed that completely.
Even though the Shikon no Tama had spoken words of despair, this child still believed in her father. Kikyo watched her, momentarily lost in thought.
Even though Inuyasha shouldn't be particularly familiar to Moroha, she trusted him without hesitation.
'If only... he and I could have had something like this back then...'
Crouching down, reaching out to touch Moroha's face, Kikyo felt a wave of sadness.
Then she spoke with renewed hope...
"Yes... if it's him, he'll definitely come this time."
...
"What's wrong? Stopping suddenly?"
Cu Chulainn looked at Inuyasha, who had halted on the ground, with immediate confusion.
"Hm?"
Even Kagura, flying above, was puzzled—uncertain what Inuyasha was doing.
Suddenly stopping while running, his expression grave.
"It's nothing. Let's continue."
His paused footsteps resumed, but Inuyasha chose to trust.
'Tessaiga... I believe in you.'
The constant resonance from his waist calmed Inuyasha's agitated feelings.
He vaguely sensed something must have happened to Kikyo. He had originally wanted to rush over, but Tessaiga stopped him.
No need to go...
That was the message Tessaiga conveyed.
Though he didn't understand the exact situation, Tessaiga would never steer him wrong.
Having such a reaction meant Kikyo was definitely safe.
Now, he and she were no longer alone as before.
...
"Tessaiga?"
Having drawn closer, the Great Dog Demon could feel the trembling of the blade in his hand.
"I see. So those are people important to Inuyasha? Then I must rescue those three even more."
His mouth curved slightly upward. Knowing those three should all have significant connections to Inuyasha, the Great Dog Demon swung his blade through the air.
"[Wind Scar]!!"
The impact crushing down from high altitude reached the ground in an instant.
In the Shikon no Tama's dumbfounded expression, the massive mountain of flesh was instantly sliced into scattered droplets.
"[Wind Scar]... It's Tessaiga... It's Inuyasha-sama!"
Kohaku, just awakening, witnessed this scene outside the barrier and immediately cried out in surprise.
"Dad actually came?!!"
Moroha had the urge to leap out of the barrier, her tone bursting with joy.
"!"
But Kikyo wore an astonished expression. Though it was indeed the [Wind Scar] unleashed by Tessaiga, she noticed subtle differences.
That violent youkai power and wind pressure had perfectly annihilated all the nearby flesh.
This level of precise control... was not something Inuyasha could achieve.
And when the three of them clearly saw the figure descending from the sky, they all froze.
"Sessho... maru-sama?"
"Huh?"
"..."
That overly familiar silhouette made Kohaku unconsciously call out that name.
But Moroha tilted her head, blinking repeatedly, sensing something was off.
Her dad didn't seem this handsome and refined.
Kikyo, rarely so shaken, lost her composure. Her eyes trembled slightly, sensing an aura similar to Moroha's...
This was a Servant...
Even only seeing his back and the sword he held, with a moment's thought, the newcomer's identity became obvious.
And the Shikon no Tama's terrified, anxious words confirmed Kikyo's suspicion.
"Why are you here?!!"
"Great Dog Demon!!!"