"Kikyo, I got the information."
Uchiha Retsu dispelled the illusion and spoke calmly.
"Naraku plans to devour Sesshomaru's demonic power to grow stronger."
Before Kikyo could respond, he added with a serious tone:
"Also—there's Gyuuki's poison mixed into the miasma. Don't breathe it in. This is a trap Naraku specifically set for Sesshomaru."
Kikyo paused, lowering her gaze toward the purple haze blanketing the castle below.
"What should we do?" she asked. "Should we step in and warn Sesshomaru?"
"Yeah," Retsu nodded. "I'll attack that building directly and force both Naraku and Sesshomaru out."
He glanced downward, eyes sharp.
"You stay focused. The moment Naraku shows himself—shoot him with a sacred arrow."
Kikyo immediately drew a purifying arrow from her quiver, pulling back the bowstring and aiming at the structure below.
"Understood."
Retsu raised a brow slightly, amused.
"You're not even going to ask what happens to the Shikon Jewel if Naraku dies?"
Kikyo smiled faintly, eyes still locked on the faint aura of the jewel.
"Naraku is far too cautious. If he's acting this recklessly, he must have a way to survive."
Her expression turned resolute.
"But even if I'm wrong… I want to see whether the Shikon Jewel will actually save him."
Retsu chuckled.
"I didn't think that far. I just know Naraku hates me after everything I've done. If I don't keep him busy, he'll definitely come looking for trouble."
He dropped his smile slightly.
"Alright. Get ready."
The camouflage concealment around them faded, their figures gradually appearing under the night sky.
"No need to hide anymore."
His gaze locked onto the largest building within the castle.
Through his Sharingan, Naraku's demonic aura spread throughout the entire structure—while Sesshomaru's power was trapped at its core.
"So you're trying to swallow Sesshomaru whole…"
Retsu smirked coldly.
His hands flew through seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
He inhaled deeply—then exhaled a torrent of chakra.
A massive river of flames surged forward, crashing into the rooftop.
BOOM—!
A deafening explosion shook the night.
The building collapsed instantly as flames erupted outward, lighting the sky like day.
The purple miasma evaporated under the intense heat, leaving behind the stench of burning corruption.
"Lord Sesshomaru!!"
Jaken screamed in terror, watching the structure consumed by fire.
He rushed forward—but a wave of scorching flames burst toward him.
Startled, he raised his Staff of Two Heads, channeling his demonic energy.
"Gah—!"
The flame sputtered—and died instantly.
Jaken collapsed, eyes wide with disbelief.
"My… my power… it's gone?!"
As the firestorm bore down on him, tears streamed from his eyes.
"Lord Sesshomaru, save me! I can't serve you anymore—!"
Just before the flames engulfed him—
A branch shot out, wrapping around his neck and yanking him backward.
"Cough—! Cough!"
The branch released him. Jaken gasped for air, then shouted angrily—
"Who dares—?! I am the great Jaken, servant of Lord Sesshomaru—!"
He froze mid-sentence.
A pair of crimson Sharingan eyes stared at him.
Uchiha Retsu stood there, smiling faintly.
"…Jaken…" he muttered weakly.
"What kind of yokai are you?" Kikyo asked curiously, studying him.
"A kappa? No… not quite."
"I—I'm Jaken!" he replied instinctively, his voice shrinking.
"I see." Kikyo nodded.
BOOM—!
Another explosion erupted.
From the burning ruins, a figure burst through the flames.
Clad in pristine white, silver hair flowing—Sesshomaru landed gracefully atop a nearby tower.
His expression remained cold as ever, one hand resting on Tokijin planted beneath him.
"Lord Sesshomaru!"
Jaken's eyes lit up with relief.
"You're safe!"
Sesshomaru glanced at him briefly.
When his gaze passed over Retsu and Kikyo, it paused for just a fraction of a second—before shifting away.
His focus returned to the blazing ruins.
"He's not exactly fine," Retsu said lightly.
"He's already been poisoned by Naraku's miasma. Who knows how much power he can still use."
Jaken's face turned pale.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Be careful! There's poison in the miasma!"
Sesshomaru's eyes flicked toward the re-forming haze.
His expression darkened further.
He said nothing—but his grip on Tokijin tightened.
Clearly, he had already sensed something was wrong.
"So that's Sesshomaru…" Kikyo murmured softly.
"Same silver hair as Inuyasha… but completely different presence."
"How dare you compare Lord Sesshomaru to that half-demon!" Jaken snapped—before being interrupted.
RUMBLE—!
The ground beneath the ruins began to writhe like liquid.
The collapsed structure crumbled further—
And then—
Grotesque tendrils burst from below.
Massive demonic limbs tore through the earth as thick, dark-purple miasma erupted like a geyser.
Though flames burned it away—
More and more miasma surged upward—
Until the fire was completely smothered.
Darkness returned.
The castle was once again swallowed by toxic fog.
TWANG—!
A sacred arrow shot through the night.
Radiant spiritual energy streaked forward like a comet—
And struck the center of the eruption.
Light exploded outward.
Miasma and demonic flesh were purified instantly, dissolving into smoke.
As the haze was torn apart—
A figure finally emerged.
Naraku.
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