"Hm?"
Sensing no souls absorbed, the Shikon no Tama furrowed its brow.
It shouldn't be...
Even if that shockwave didn't hit directly, the dispersing miasma alone should have swallowed those wretches.
Even beings like Kagome and Archer who used spiritual power shouldn't have stood a chance.
Thump...
But as the dark wind pressure settled, it saw the cause.
Miroku clutched a festering arm, cold sweat sliding down his forehead in agony.
"Did he use the Kazaana to absorb that miasma?"
"Tch."
Not expecting this outcome, the Shikon no Tama grew irritated.
The things Naraku left behind were truly backfiring one by one.
Hard to tell if that guy was helping it or the enemy.
"Master Miroku!"
Sango rushed forward, screaming as she saw Miroku's arm turned completely grey.
"Hey, hey. Absorbing that much miasma... you're really reckless!"
Koga was shaken by Miroku's action.
"Moroha, help me purify him first!"
"Okay!"
Kagome knew they couldn't leave him be, or Miroku would surely die from the miasma corrosion.
His body was already in a dangerous state. Sacrificing himself like this to protect everyone...
Moroha ran over. Both placed their hands on Miroku's blackened skin.
Pink light began to flicker.
"Looks like we have to attack."
Seeing the situation, Cu Chulainn shouldered his spear and stepped forward with Akame.
They couldn't let the enemy launch another attack like that.
They got lucky this time thanks to the monk's noble sacrifice, but there wouldn't be a second chance.
They had no retreat.
"Ugh..."
Jaken trembled, quite panicked.
If Kirinmaru and the Great Dog Demon were pinned down, Sesshomaru alone couldn't stop the Shikon no Tama.
Sweat poured from his head. He prayed the plan Kagome and the others discussed earlier would work.
Otherwise, they were all done for!
'No good... too much miasma. Moroha and I can't do it.'
Watching Miroku's pained expression and fading vitality, Kagome grew anxious.
If it were ordinary miasma, she could purify it easily, but the Shikon no Tama's current miasma was astonishing. Even with Moroha, it wasn't enough.
"Useless effort."
"Do you really think you can save him?"
"Laughable!"
Witnessing Kagome's attempt, the Shikon no Tama scoffed.
If its current miasma were so easily purified, that would be a joke.
Unless Kikyo came back to life and the three combined forces, there might be a chance to save that monk.
SWISH!
SPLAT!!
The sound of a severed neck rang out. The Shikon no Tama turned its head toward the attacking figure.
"Whether it's useful isn't for a creature like you to decide."
Holding Bakusaiga, Sesshomaru scolded coldly.
In Sesshomaru's eyes, a scavenger like the Shikon no Tama, who relied on plundering and devouring, had no right to judge others.
"Hmph. What can you lot accomplish?"
Empty sockets still pitch black, neck reconnected to its head, the Shikon no Tama sneered.
"We can do plenty! Bastard!"
In that instant, Cu Chulainn and Akame were already in its face.
Blade and spear crossed, slashing across its arms.
SPLAT!!
Arms severed, but regenerating instantly. Before it could move, Sesshomaru was already slashing.
"Ngh!!"
Its body sank under the blow, followed by a ceaseless storm of attacks.
BAM!!
Flesh continuously sliced and pierced. Though recovering quickly, the fierce offensive from the three kept it pinned for the moment.
Not far away, Kagome and Moroha were giving everything they had.
"Kagome..."
Shippo, Sango, and the others gathered around, watching their pale faces, worry never leaving their hearts.
Watching Miroku's life force fading, Kagome's pupils trembled violently.
No... absolutely cannot let Miroku die here.
If he died here, even Tenseiga might not be able to bring him back.
Still trying to purify the invading miasma, Kagome had no intention of giving up.
Her efforts might be futile, but letting go wasn't in her nature.
'Mom...'
Feeling Kagome's earnest determination, Moroha pushed her spiritual power output to the limit.
'If only there were one more person...'
'If only I were stronger...'
'If Kikyo were still alive...'
A slight self-blame rose within her. She felt conflicted and unwilling.
Pat...
But just then, she felt a strange hand land on her and Moroha's shoulders.
SIZZLE!!
Their depleted spiritual power began to recover--even exceeding its previous limits.
Moroha looked up and saw a translucent, unfamiliar figure.
Wearing a mix of miko and samurai attire--a human she didn't realize.
But Kagome recognized her instantly.
Midoriko...
The miko whose battle led to the birth of the Shikon no Tama...
'This is inside the Shikon no Tama, so Midoriko...'
Understanding the situation, Kagome knew where the extra spiritual power came from.
It can work.
This will work!
Ignoring why Midoriko appeared, Kagome and Moroha felt Miroku's condition stabilizing and thrilled with excitement.
......
Rustle.
Dark shadows darted through the streets. Inuyasha could see youkai hiding in the darkness, restless.
"This is the city I live in... Ukiyoe Town."
"It's also where the Nura Clan is based."
"And I'm the Third Head, successor to my grandfather and father."
Pointing at the shadows moving in the dark, Rikuo stood on the roof, explaining to Inuyasha.
"Head of a youkai family? Can you handle that as a hanyo?"
Hands tucked in his sleeves, Inuyasha suddenly asked.
It wasn't that he looked down on Rikuo, but he knew very well that "hanyo" were widely despised among youkai.
Let alone becoming a leader--he'd likely faced strange looks and finger-pointing since childhood.
Not just from youkai, but also from humans he contacted.
Hanyo...
Were a group heavily ostracized.
"It's alright. At least my old man made quite a name for himself as a hanyo back then, so I don't face too much prejudice from youkai."
"But, I will eventually lead my newly formed Hyakki Yako to surpass him. And likewise, I want to create a world where humans and youkai can coexist."
Hearing Rikuo's firm, unwavering words, Inuyasha recalled the scene when he first met Rikuo.
'Nura Rikuo! The one who intends to become the Lord of Pandemonium!'
Inuyasha hadn't cared much about it before.
After all, ambition is one thing; saying it and doing it are another.
But seeing him now, this guy was serious.
He truly intended to ascend to the position of Youkai Lord as a "hanyo."
"Then you should know very well that there's an unbridgeable gap between humans and youkai. Some youkai even eat humans for a living..."
"How can peaceful coexistence exist like that?"
"Perhaps contradictions will exist..."
"So... I want to start changing things from my generation."
"As the Third Head of the Nura Clan, I've set rules for my subordinate youkai."
Ears twitching, Inuyasha waited to see what he would say.
"First: No one is allowed to harm humans."
"Second: Those who violate benevolence and righteousness are not allowed to exist. Even if dying in battle, one cannot betray trust."
"Third: Never lose our 'Fear'."
"This is Nura Clan Third Head, Nura Rikuo's Hyakki Yako!"
Hearing Rikuo's declaration and rules, Inuyasha was stunned.
"Although it might not be mature yet... but..."
"Inuyasha."
"Want to try joining?"