"Young man, what are the conditions for activating that ability of yours that adds other youkai's power to your own?"
Kirinmaru retreated to Rikuo's side, glancing at him as he asked.
Sesshomaru's "Fear" alone wasn't enough to kill the Shikon no Tama.
It could damage the jewel and slow its regeneration, but it lacked the lethality to finish it.
What they needed was a "mysterious" and fatal blow.
In that case, the "Matoi" he had witnessed before was the only thing that might work.
"Matoi?"
Hearing Kirinmaru's question, Rikuo knew what he was referring to.
"If necessary, we can lend you our power."
"That should definitely destroy it."
This wasn't an idle boast, but a judgment made after seeing Rikuo's "Matoi."
Not only could he turn a youkai's power into his own, but he also amplified it several times over.
If he used great youkai like himself, the Great Dog Demon, or Sesshomaru as partners, the power would escalate to a terrifying level.
That was why Kirinmaru needed to know the requirement for using it.
"..."
Rikuo remained silent. He knew what Kirinmaru intended, but truth be told, none of the people here met the criteria.
The activation conditions for Matoi were actually quite "strict."
First, both parties possessed "Fear."
This alone filtered out several strong youkai present.
More importantly, there had to be mutual trust and faith between both parties--
In other words, a "heart-to-heart" connection.
Without that relationship of absolute trust, Matoi couldn't activate.
He and Inuyasha couldn't meet that requirement either.
Though they'd known each other for a few days, they hadn't reached that level of conviction in each other.
So the success rate of using Matoi with Inuyasha was very low.
"From your expression, it's not as simple as I thought."
Getting no response, Kirinmaru realized there must be significant restrictions.
"No, I just think that to reach that level..."
"It's not impossible, but it might take some time."
"If I have to do it, Inuyasha is the only one who can cooperate with me."
Using [Kyoka Suigetsu] to hide his true form, Rikuo spoke slowly.
"Heh, if you say that, we have to try."
"After all, we have no other options, do we?"
Cu Chulainn watched the Shikon no Tama's movements warily, speaking naturally.
He didn't know what "Matoi" required, but it was clear that apart from Rikuo and Inuyasha, no one else's attacks posed a threat.
So what was there to hesitate about?
Risk everything on the possibility of their success.
"He's right. I don't know what will happen, but it's our only method."
Inuyasha looked at his injured father, knowing that stalling would yield no progress.
"Tch. Having to rely on that mutt is annoying... but can't be helped."
"We'll cover you."
Koga punched his palms together, stepping up beside them with a solemn voice. His words drew agreement from the group.
Even Akame, with her injured leg, forced herself up and moved closer.
In the back, Moroha took out the bow she got from Kikyo, ready to help, but was suddenly stopped by Kagome.
"Wait, Moroha. Come here for a second."
"Mom?"
She walked over, and Kagome crouched down, whispering in her ear.
"Is there such a method?"
"Yeah. You and I can definitely do it."
"Understood."
Hearing Kagome's description, Moroha nodded in agreement.
She and Mom would help too.
"Hm?"
Deflecting Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga with a flick of its hand and tanking a strike from the Great Dog Demon's Sounga, the Shikon no Tama noticed the movement ahead.
Rikuo and Inuyasha were regrouping and retreating to the rear.
'Don't think so!'
Although it claimed to despise those two, it didn't dare underestimate their unpredictability.
Others might truly be helpless against its current form, but those two were different.
Inuyasha was manageable--at most dealing non-fatal wounds.
But Rikuo carried the risk of actually killing it.
That mysterious "Matoi"... even the Shikon no Tama could only perceive it as a mode of "fusion."
It had no idea what kind of power or abilities would result from that fusion.
That meant "unknown."
And "unknown" meant it could be hurt or killed.
It could only be arrogant if it wouldn't die.
So the Shikon no Tama absolutely wouldn't let those guys interfere.
Leaping up, it attempted to hurdle over the group's blockade.
"Don't think so!"
Mid-air, Koga and Cu Chulainn were already flanking it left and right.
"HAAAH!"
Claws and demonic spear struck hard at the Shikon no Tama's legs.
"Hmph. In the air, you aren't so agile."
Watching the two blocking it, the Shikon no Tama laughed instead of raging.
Its eyes swiveled in bizarre directions, independent of each other, and crimson light flared.
"What?!"
Seeing the "divergent" eyes targeting them separately, Koga and Cu Chulainn were shocked.
They assumed the Shikon no Tama would attack in one direction like before.
This "split-beam" attack was impossible to guard against.
"Koga!"
"Lancer!"
Beams shot from its eyes. They could only twist their bodies desperately, avoiding a direct hit to their vitals.
SPLAT!!
SPLAT!!
But even so, the beams pierced their chests, blood spraying into the air.
WHOOSH!
Just as the Shikon no Tama intended to sweep its gaze and slice them in half, Akame leaped up with single-legged strength, appearing before its face.
SHING SHING SHING!!
Dazzling blade flashes cut the Shikon no Tama's head into fragments in an instant--except for the glowing eyeballs, which didn't stop.
"Tch!"
"Hah!"
Seizing this chance, Cu Chulainn and Koga ignored the pain of being cut and forcibly yanked their bodies out of the beam's path.
The torn "line" wounds were gruesome, but far better than being bisected.
"Hmph..."
Head already regenerating, the Shikon no Tama turned its gaze forward. Beams from left and right pincered toward the descending Akame.
Surrounded like that, she'd be sliced to ribbons in an instant.
"[Kazaana]!!"
Opening his right hand aimed at Akame, Miroku released the seal.
A powerful suction instantly pulled her back from mid-air.
"!"
Seeing Akame safe, Miroku quickly resealed his palm.
"That was a close call."
One mistake in that coordination, and all three would have perished.
But even so, they paid a heavy price.
"Lancer, you okay?"
"I'm fine. This scratch won't kill me."
Though a striking wound marked his chest, Cu Chulainn disregarded it.
As a youkai, Koga naturally wouldn't back down from such injury either.
Meanwhile...
"Please, we need you to create an opening for Moroha and me to attack."
" since it's still a type of 'Jewel,' it must be susceptible."
Kagome pleaded with the Great Dog Demon, Kirinmaru, and Sesshomaru.
Only these three could force the Shikon no Tama to reveal a massive opening now.
Direct attacks from her and Moroha would definitely be sensed and evaded, so someone had to draw its attention.
"Understood."
"We'll try."
"..."
The Great Dog Demon and Kirinmaru didn't refuse. Sesshomaru simply turned away without a word.
But seeing him walk off with his sword, he was clearly going to help.
...
"Rikuo, what exactly do we do?"
"First, stabilize your 'Fear'."
Pulling far back into the dense forest, Rikuo and Inuyasha adjusted their states.
Everyone else was stalling the Shikon no Tama, so they had to grasp the technique quickly.
"Listen. The prerequisite for Matoi is your absolute trust in me."
"If you can't do that, it won't work."
No longer the gentle human demeanor--he spoke seriously in his youkai form.
"Tch. How am I supposed to judge that?"
Simple to say, but for Inuyasha, it was confusing.
Trust?
How does that count?
Just saying it with his mouth wouldn't work.
"Simply put..."
"Do you acknowledge me? Do you believe in me? Do you affirm me?"
In the past, performing Matoi with Tsurara and other partners happened when their hearts were connected.
So Rikuo had a clear understanding of it.
"Explaining makes it complicated. Just experience it directly."
Drawing Nenekirimaru, Rikuo released black "Fear" to wrap around his body.
Then, he whispered the liberation of his Servant's signature power.
"Reality Marble: Hyakki Yako!"
Their figures vanished from the spot.
This scene caught the Shikon no Tama's attention not far away.
"Hid inside a Reality Marble?"
"Hmph. Then I'll just kill all these pests first!"
"Let's see if you two can endure watching that."
Their choice left the Shikon no Tama momentarily helpless.
That was Rikuo's "mental world"--it couldn't easily invade it.
So it couldn't stop their actions inside.
Thus, it could only turn its sights on the group before it.
Once it slaughtered them all, whatever Inuyasha and Rider planned would be useless.
Just as it decided this, the Great Dog Demon, Kirinmaru, and Sesshomaru attacked from different directions.
"Die here together!"
......
"Kagome's method might actually work. Let's try it."
"We'll help too."
"Ready your Noble Phantasm, Lancer."
Seeing the three great youkai engage the Shikon no Tama, Kagome discussed the plan with Miroku and the others.
Even Sango, who had stayed in the back, lifted Hiraikotsu.
Her role might be minimal in this battle, but even the slightest help was worth it.
"Hey! You're all acting on your own!! And asking a wounded person to help!!"
"What if it fails?"
Jaken heard the entire exchange and couldn't help but shout excitedly.
He couldn't pretend not to hear. If this operation didn't go as Kagome predicted, it would trigger a counterattack from the Shikon no Tama.
They would be exhausted then. A sudden attack would likely cause casualties.
How could they recklessly implement such a risky move!
"Master Jaken, let's not disturb everyone."
"Rin!!"
Dragged backward by his shoulder, Jaken looked at her in confusion.
"I know Master Jaken is worried about everyone, but now isn't the time to be timid."
Looking at their backs, Rin could only pray for them.
"Yeah, Rin is right. If we don't defeat that guy now, everything is finished."
"Shut up! Don't I know that?"
Bonking Shippo on the head with his Staff of Two Heads, Jaken yelled.
"I just think we should choose a safer method."
"Dying near the Shikon no Tama means even your soul can't escape!"
Jaken simply didn't want to see anyone killed by the Shikon no Tama.
Normal death was nothing to fear with Sesshomaru around.
But clearly, this wasn't a time for such security.
If not for everyone here being strong and coordinating to save each other, the Shikon no Tama would have slaughtered them one by one long ago.
It was a monster transcending youkai standards. Fighting alone meant certain defeat.
"Opportunity comes only once..."
"Then let's make a flashy scene!"
"Yeah."
Hearing Moroha, Cu Chulainn, and Akame, Kagome and Miroku began their preparations.
SIZZLE!!
Beams of light shot continuously from its eye sockets.
The penetrating power sufficient to dissolve any defense would be unbearable for anyone here if hit.
Kirinmaru and the Great Dog Demon flanked it left and right, drawing its attention.
Two beams chased after them.
"!"
"?"
But as they dodged, expanding youki from behind made them look back.
The Shikon no Tama spread its arms, releasing countless streams of miasma.
Demonic winds erupted in all directions.
"What is that?"
"Bad news. It's planning something."
The Shikon no Tama's eyeballs flew out of its sockets, chasing the Great Dog Demon and Kirinmaru on their own.
Chased by the beams, Kirinmaru and the Great Dog Demon couldn't return to help immediately.
"That bastard, trying to finish us all at once?"
The rising youki and the visibly coalescing black sphere indicated what was coming.
"Let's see... how many of you survive this?"