What a truly unexpected development...
It had originally assumed that attacking Kikyo with this special body would be a sure thing.
Especially after scouting that her Servant was merely some little brat—this made the Shikon no Tama even more dismissive.
A mere half-demon born only a dozen years ago was, in its eyes, little more than an infant.
So what if she possessed peculiar Noble Phantasms and power? Could she possibly kill it even once?
HISS...
That was indeed what it had thought, but unexpectedly, both it and Naraku had suffered defeats in different places.
Earlier, it had even mocked Naraku—"Inuyasha wasn't even home, and you still got beaten into fleeing?"
Well, this was just wonderful. It had personally gone after Kikyo, and actually got killed once.
And the one who did it wasn't even Kikyo...
But rather that inconspicuous half-demon Servant it had been ignoring this whole time.
Even the Shikon no Tama's composure was starting to crack.
Its resurrections were limited. Each death meant one fewer remaining.
Previously, just to restrain Kirinmaru, it had been killed twice by him. But that was because Kirinmaru's power was overwhelming—the Shikon no Tama could accept such losses.
But this half-demon brat standing before it, merely Inuyasha's daughter—what gave her the right to claim its third life?
What humiliation!
"Today, I'll kill every last one of you!"
Shame ignited into fury. Tentacles shot forth in a swarming mass.
"Hmph! You just have a few extra limbs. Watch me cut you down again!!"
The massive youkai phantom materialized behind her. Moroha showed no intention of retreating, swinging her blade in a sweeping horizontal arc.
BANG!!
Every approaching tentacle was annihilated. Even the distant mountain peak was cleaved in half from afar—quite the spectacular sight.
"Heh, you're nothing special in the end."
Surveying the terrain nearly transformed around her, Moroha sneered.
"To wield such youkai power so proficiently..."
Though still unaware of Moroha's origins, Kohaku could clearly see her extraordinary potential.
WHOOSH!
But at that moment, an arrow whizzed past Moroha's face, striking an approaching black shadow with precision.
SIZZLE!!
Pink spiritual power flickered, purifying the ominous thing.
"What?"
Moroha stared blankly at the scene, unable to believe it.
That thing... still wasn't dead?!
"It's useless. You can't kill me again!"
A mountain of tentacle-flesh had rapidly coalesced, blocking the path ahead.
"What's going on? It should've been completely destroyed by my slash."
Unconsciously stepping back, Moroha found this sight incomprehensible.
She was certain that strike should have reduced it to ashes. So what was happening now?
'Moroha's first strike did kill it... But the second time, her slash couldn't completely destroy it—only dealt heavy damage. That even more massive youkai aura and faster regeneration than before...'
Kikyo nocked another arrow in vigilance while analyzing the Shikon no Tama's changes.
"Damn it!!"
CLANG!
"?"
Kohaku swung his sickle attempting to sever the incoming tentacles, but the blade chipped upon contact.
'This hardness?!'
Shocked by this development, his limbs became entangled. Simultaneously, a tentacle reached for the fragment at the back of his neck.
"Kohaku!"
A Sacred Arrow shot over, but only penetrated the tentacle's surface slightly. The forceful purification power dealt the greater damage.
"This is bad!"
Moroha whirled around and saw the fragment being extracted, immediately grasping the opponent's intent.
She promptly commanded the youkai phantom to slash and sever the connected tentacles before rushing over.
Although the restraints binding Kohaku were cut, the Shikon no Tama remained unfazed. Fresh tendrils extended from the severed stumps, snatching the fragment mid-air and immediately drawing it into its body.
"Hmph, your judgment was correct, Kikyo. That bit of light couldn't possibly destroy both me and Naraku. But it was more than enough to preserve this little brat's life."
Sensing that the light stored in the fragment had been withdrawn, the Shikon no Tama spoke coldly.
The moment it extracted the fragment, Kikyo hadn't let the light remain inside. Instead, she used that energy to maintain Kohaku's life force.
"Bastard!"
Rescuing Kohaku from the entanglement, Moroha glared with burning hostility.
The swelling youkai phantom prepared to strike again.
"Heh, slash all you want. No matter how many times you continue, it's just wasted effort."
No longer panicked like before, the Shikon no Tama spoke with renewed composure after absorbing the newly obtained fragment.
BOOM!!
A slash capable of piercing mountains descended. The hardened body split open, but instantly reformed.
'As expected... its body's durability has increased compared to before. It evolved hardened defenses and regeneration specifically to counter Moroha's slashes?'
Without further changes in form, still maintaining that mountain of tentacles, Kikyo perceived the nature of its ability.
The strangely minimal effect of her Sacred Arrows on the Shikon no Tama earlier had been suspicious from the start.
Now, observing the damage from Kohaku's resistance and Moroha's attacks, she understood.
The youkai Servant possessed by the Shikon no Tama... had a unique transformation mechanism!
There was no other explanation for that increasingly massive youkai power and sturdier flesh compared to its previous body.
The situation had become quite dire...
Even if the Shikon no Tama did nothing, it could outlast them through sheer attrition.
"Mom!!"
Grabbing Kohaku and returning to Kikyo's side, Moroha anxiously watched the tentacles attacking from all directions.
"Stay calm, Moroha."
Erecting a barrier on the spot, Kikyo spoke soothingly.
SIZZLE!!
The tentacles were blocked outside, unable to approach. But the Shikon no Tama showed no concern.
Maintaining a barrier against its current form wasn't easy.
Even with Kikyo's outstanding spiritual power, she likely couldn't hold out for long.
'I hope they make it in time...'
Kikyo glanced at Kohaku, who had only temporarily lost consciousness, thinking to herself.
Anticipating such a situation might arise, she had made preparations.
'No matter where you are, I'll definitely rush over!'
Looking at Moroha, Kikyo made a choice she would never have made before...
That was... choosing to let Inuyasha come save her.
The Shikon no Tama before her was indeed beyond what she and Moroha could handle alone.
"Hmph... how degraded, Kikyo. Even you can only resort to seeking Inuyasha's rescue? But unfortunately, your shikigami will never reach Inuyasha. Naraku's incarnations are still monitoring the surroundings for me. Your little tricks... can't fool us."
But the Shikon no Tama saw through her intentions and spoke with cold amusement.
...
RIP!
"Yare yare... This should be enough."
Byakuya stood on a paper crane, examining the shikigami he had just cut down.
"Whether it's Naraku or the Shikon no Tama... their guard against Kikyo is absurdly high. Really, just how afraid of her are those two?"
Byakuya observed the surging tentacle mountain in the distance and mused aloud.
"Well, Kikyo's done for now. Inuyasha will definitely lose his mind when he finds out. I'll take my leave here."
Having finished his commentary, Byakuya prepared to depart—when suddenly a voice from behind sent chills racing down his spine.
"Pardon me... could you perhaps tell me... That one called Kikyo... What relationship does that human miko have with my son?"
Wearing an outer coat of armor over a white-based kimono, with three swords at his back, possessing a handsome face and imposing physique—a figure appeared before him.
Just facing him, that domineering aura crashed over like a wave.
Hearing the other party's gentle voice, Byakuya's mouth twitched.
He seemed to have... said too much and ruined everything.
How could he have encountered this great Buddha here...