"Retsu, I don't know what's been going on lately, but powerful demons seem to be disappearing for no reason. Without them keeping things in check, these weaker ones are running wild everywhere."
Kikyo didn't even bother to take the bow off her back.
A flash of cold light streaked from her blade as she casually beheaded a large lizard that had only just turned into a demon. She frowned slightly as she spoke.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"
Nearly invisible wind chakra burst forward from Uchiha Retsu, splitting into several sharp blades that shredded the swarm of lesser demons ahead of him. Blood mist filled the air with a foul stench.
"Probably got taken by something," he muttered with a look of disgust.
"But seriously… these things are revolting. They come out in swarms."
"These demons are multiplying because the strong ones are gone," Kikyo said softly as she sheathed her sword and walked over to him.
"Give it some time—they'll start killing and devouring each other. Eventually, their numbers will balance out."
At that moment, the two of them were clearing out demons around the shrine.
With many powerful creatures in the nearby mountains mysteriously vanishing, countless weak newborn demons had begun roaming freely.
Even the shrine, close to the forest, was now frequently harassed by these creatures.
They were pitifully weak—ordinary humans could kill them with sticks if they overcame their fear.
But their sheer numbers made them troublesome.
So every so often, the two had to clear them out.
"Here. That's all of them."
Kagura tossed a heavily wounded demon into the castle's underground chamber, her tone indifferent.
"All the stronger ones nearby have already been captured."
"AAAGH—!"
The moment the demon hit the ground, a shrill scream echoed through the chamber.
Then came a grotesque squelching sound.
The scream quickly weakened… and disappeared.
Kagura frowned as she looked down, barely hiding her disgust.
In the dim underground chamber, countless demon bodies had fused together into a writhing mass of flesh.
It moved like a living organism.
Limbs twisted unnaturally, and some parts were covered in bloodshot eyes of various sizes, rolling aimlessly—creating an indescribably eerie sight.
The demon she had just thrown in was already absorbed into the mass, becoming part of it.
"Not enough."
Naraku's head emerged from the center of the fused body, his cold gaze fixed on Kagura.
"These demons are too weak. Their power is insufficient."
At that, hatred flared in his eyes.
"Uchiha Retsu… I will have my revenge!"
Kagura watched the grotesque form he had become, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes—quickly hidden.
She knew very well:
Even though Naraku was weakened, her heart was still in his possession.
As long as he controlled it, she could never truly rebel.
If not for the fact that Naraku still needed her and Kanna to deal with Inuyasha's pursuit…
He would have already devoured them to restore his strength.
She remembered clearly—
When Naraku appeared before her as nothing more than a head, she had almost attacked him.
Only for Kanna to silently stop her.
Otherwise…
She would already be part of that writhing mass below.
What shocked her even more was that Naraku had hidden both her and Kanna's hearts in advance.
The moment he sensed her rebellious intent, he tightened his grip on her heart—
That crushing helplessness…
She would never forget it.
"There are no more suitable targets nearby," Kagura said calmly, pushing those thoughts aside.
"If you want more demons, you'll have to search farther away."
Naraku forbade her from straying too far when acting alone—clearly wary of her escaping.
"No… there is one perfect target."
Naraku stared at her, a cruel smile forming.
"His power is flawless. Enough to make me stronger."
Kagura froze—then her eyes widened in shock.
"You… don't tell me you mean Sesshomaru?!"
"Correct."
Naraku's gaze darkened.
"Kagura. Lure Sesshomaru to the castle."
"I—"
Rage surged within her.
"Naraku, are you trying to send me to my death?!"
"Kagura."
His voice turned icy.
"AAAH—!"
She collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest, face pale and drenched in cold sweat.
Glaring at him through the pain, she gritted her teeth.
"…I'll go."
"Hmph."
Naraku released his grip on her heart.
"Don't worry. You won't be facing him directly.
There's a human child traveling with Sesshomaru—Rin. She's currently separated from him. Bring her here."
"Kohaku."
At Naraku's call, the boy standing silently in the corner stepped forward and knelt.
"Lord Naraku."
His voice was empty, devoid of emotion.
"Go with Kagura. Bring Rin back."
"Yes."
Kohaku responded without hesitation.
"Tch. What's this kid even good for?" Kagura muttered irritably, glancing at him.
"Kagura," Naraku said coldly,
"if you don't want to die, leave now.
Unless you'd prefer to take her from Sesshomaru directly."
"…Fine."
She turned and walked away, clearly annoyed.
But the moment she turned her back—
The irritation in her eyes faded, replaced by a dangerous anticipation.
She couldn't understand why Naraku, weakened as he was, dared provoke Sesshomaru.
But if this reckless move got him killed…
Then she would finally be free.
"Sesshomaru…"
After Kagura and Kohaku left, madness flickered in Naraku's eyes.
"Mm—!"
His expression darkened as his grotesque body writhed violently.
Then—
A shriveled, lifeless demon corpse was expelled from the mass, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
Looking at it, Naraku smiled coldly.
"So after reconstructing my body, the life-drain effect has weakened…
Uchiha Retsu… I should thank you for helping me find a way to escape this curse."
"Grandpa Jaken, keep watch for me!"
Rin crouched in a melon field, carefully picking ripe fruits, whispering as she turned to Jaken.
Clearly… the two were stealing melons.
Jaken sighed helplessly, scanning the surroundings nervously.
"Whoosh—!"
Suddenly, a violent gust of wind swept through, kicking up dust and forcing them to shut their eyes.
When the wind subsided—
Kagura stood before them, folding fan in hand, her gaze fixed on the two.
"You are…"
Jaken immediately raised his staff, stepping protectively toward Rin.
"Sesshomaru really is careless," Kagura said with a faint smile.
"Leaving his followers alone like this."
With a flick of her fan—
BOOM!
A powerful gust blasted Jaken away, sending him tumbling across the ground.
By the time he staggered back to his feet—
Kagura and Rin were gone.
"Rin! RIN—!!"
Jaken shouted frantically, looking around in panic.
Then—
Kagura's voice drifted from afar:
"Tell Sesshomaru… Rin is in Naraku's castle.
If he wants to save her—
He can come himself."
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