SLAM!
The swinging fist forced Rikuo to keep retreating.
That violent force cut like blades—merely grazing him left scratches on his skin.
"That sword can drain a youkai's power when it cuts them. But how will you manage to cut me?"
The movements were swifter than expected. Rikuo could only maintain [Kyouka Suigetsu] while dodging.
Putting distance between them, Rikuo looked at that robust physique and furrowed his brow.
In that close combat, let alone counterattacking with his sword—just dodging was difficult. After all, his previous injuries still hadn't healed, limiting his mobility.
"For fellow Nurarihyon, you're rather weak."
Cracking his knuckles, the Shikon no Tama kept closing in.
"I don't know what kind of Nurarihyon you are... but I have no intention of losing to you."
Standing with blade in hand, Rikuo took a deep breath and spoke seriously.
As the Third Head of the Nura Clan, he had no plans to lose to the youkai before him.
"Plus, you carry both a Servant's aura and a Master's aura. Have you possessed this Nurarihyon? What exactly are you?"
"Nurarihyon..."
"What?"
"That's this Nurarihyon's name."
THUD!
Hearing a familiar name mid-conversation, Rikuo froze on the spot.
The Shikon no Tama seized the moment, instantly closing the distance between them.
That sandbag-sized fist was already at his face.
SQUELCH!
But at that very instant, countless weapons sprouted from his body and pierced the approaching fist, stopping it in its tracks.
"?"
Gazing at this spectacle in surprise, the Shikon no Tama witnessed this power for the first time.
Though Naraku had warned it, the actual experience was stranger than imagined.
"Really now..."
"I never thought I'd encounter this even here..."
Using [Matoi], Rikuo murmured softly at the corner of his lips.
Nurarihyon.
That was the name of the Nura Clan's First Generation—his grandfather.
The mischievous short old man in his memories was impossible to equate with the muscular man before him.
"This makes it even more important that I don't lose!"
Originally determined to surpass the previous generation, Rikuo suddenly felt fired up.
"Ho? So this is what they call a Reality Marble? An alternate dimension encroaching on reality."
The changing environment drew the Shikon no Tama's attention.
Unfamiliar streets, an unfamiliar era, unfamiliar youkai energy...
And the opponent's eager voice reached it.
"Berserker!"
"I will defeat you!"
...
"Muzan-sama! The information you requested has been collected."
"..."
Even without speaking, Muzan could read the thoughts of these Demon Youkai.
"A poisoned blade?"
"Assassin."
Eliminating Classes one by one, Muzan arrived at the answer he wanted.
Agile movement and a one-hit-kill weapon...
Truly befitting the Assassin class.
Both Hakudoshi and Moryomaru had died to such a fate.
'But ultimately, there are limits.'
'If it can't wound, it can't kill.'
Among the demons he'd deployed, some possessed excellent abilities. At least Muzan hadn't let them die meaninglessly.
He now understood that Servant's fighting and killing methods.
As long as he could defend against that blade, nothing would be a problem.
Though he didn't know exactly how that cursed poison killed its victims, Muzan had no desire to experience it firsthand.
"Muzan-sama, it's done! It's complete!"
"Oh?"
Hearing that jubilant voice from behind, Muzan immediately turned and walked over.
"This is the finished product. As expected, the Shikon no Tama fragment was perfect."
"It even developed a certain ferocity, yet possesses no intelligence."
"If it's you, you'll surely make it the ultimate weapon and shield!"
Toshu was thrilled, proud of personally forging such an excellent creation.
"Is that so?"
Reaching out to touch it, Muzan could feel that vigorous life force and pulsing flesh.
"Well done..."
Offering rare praise, Muzan's lips curved upward.
With this...
He would become a true youkai.
The frail demon body of before would cease to exist.
His arm transformed into massive roots and inserted into the object before him.
"So even I need some time?"
"No matter..."
"Once this is complete, I will be reborn."
There was no rush. At this moment, Muzan was extraordinarily calm.
He'd endured over a thousand years—he wouldn't fail to wait another day or two.
Imagining himself conquering sunlight and standing on the earth in an even mightier form—that vision had been pursued for so long.
"Just wait... I won't be pathetically chased around anymore!"
"Whether it's Naraku or those youkai—"
"I, Kibutsuji Muzan, am the one who stands at the pinnacle!"
...
"Tch! Has it come to this already?"
Kagura furrowed her brow, looking ahead. She was struggling unexpectedly.
"Youkai... blood, flesh!"
The lunging elongated Demon Youkai forced Kagura to evade. The wind blades from her fan couldn't inflict any damage.
"Dragonkin scales..."
"They can absorb my youkai power."
The surrounding Demon Youkai all possessed this ability.
SWISH SWISH!!
"Ugh!"
"Ahh!"
But in an instant, these Demon Youkai all let out anguished cries, then dissipated into the air.
"Seems I'm holding you back."
Folding her fan, Kagura addressed Akame and Sesshomaru, who stood at different positions.
"The attacking demons are getting stronger and stronger. And why do they all have dragonkin scales?"
Jaken looked at the vanishing Demon Youkai with a shiver.
At first, the demons were weak enough that Kagura could kill groups with one swing of her fan. Yet now the enemies had gradually escalated to the point where even she couldn't handle them.
"It must be Naraku's Servant's doing. Giving these things such abilities... that's not something an ordinary youkai could accomplish."
Undoubtedly, the one who'd been chased around everywhere had now undergone a tremendous upgrade.
Kagura suspected this unfamiliar change came from Naraku's assistance and guidance.
"This just proves we're getting closer."
Even Rin could feel the tense atmosphere. Just being near here was starting to make her uncomfortable.
'Not far now.'
'But still no trace of Naraku's scent...'
Sesshomaru gazed into the distance, sensing the massive number of Demon Youkai ahead.
This shield Naraku had thrown out...
Seemed to be getting restless.
...
"Tch, no doubt about it—that was definitely the Shikon no Tama's aura just now. I couldn't be wrong!"
Koga ran along with Cu Chulainn, eventually stopping at an unfamiliar road.
"Mm, there are indeed signs of Servants fighting... Who could it be?"
Cu Chulainn looked around but couldn't find anyone.
But suddenly, the shadow falling on the ground made him freeze.
Looking up, he immediately spotted a familiar figure plummeting from the sky...
"Huh?"
CRASH!