The reason Uchiha Kasage handed over the Shikon Jewel fragment to Kikyo so easily was actually quite simple: he no longer needed it.
He had already accumulated more than enough life energy. During this period, whenever yokai attacked him, he would simply kill them without bothering to absorb their vitality.
But he had no intention of giving it to Kagome either—Naraku would inevitably take it from her.
Entrusting it to Kikyo, a priestess capable of purifying the Shikon Jewel, seemed like the best choice.
After that, Uchiha Kasage formed a hand seal with one hand. With a soft *puff*, white smoke burst around him. When it cleared, he had transformed into a samurai.
"Well? This shouldn't scare the villagers, right?" he asked, resting a hand casually on the katana at his waist as he looked at Kikyo.
He had taken that sword from a bandit leader by chance. Though it wasn't as refined as the one he had previously broken, it was perfectly serviceable.
Kikyo gave him a brief glance as she observed his Transformation Technique. Her tone remained calm and distant.
"As you wish."
With that, she turned and continued toward the village.
"By the way, my name is Uchiha Kasage. You can call me Kasage. I'm a ninja," he said, quickening his pace to walk beside her, introducing himself without hesitation.
"A ninja?" Kikyo's steps faltered slightly, and she looked at him with a hint of curiosity.
In this world, ninja did exist—but most were no different from ordinary warriors. They relied on smoke bombs, hidden weapons, and tricks, lacking any real supernatural power.
"Yes, a ninja from Konohagakure. Of the Uchiha clan," Kasage said, a faint, strange smile appearing on his face despite his serious tone.
"I see." Kikyo didn't fully understand, but she nodded politely and didn't question him further.
They walked on in silence.
Kasage understood why Kikyo didn't try to stop him from following.
She had only recently been resurrected. Most of her soul still resided within Kagome. What sustained her current clay body was merely lingering resentment and hatred from her past life. Her strength was so weak that even maintaining movement required effort.
During this time, she relied on soul collectors to gather the souls of deceased young women to restore herself.
Unable to defeat Kasage, she had no choice but to tolerate his presence.
---
"Lady Kikyo! Thank you so much for curing my illness before!"
As soon as they entered the village, the villagers greeted Kikyo warmly, bowing with deep gratitude.
"Lady Kikyo! Lady Kikyo!"
A small girl in a kimono came running over, lifting her skirt slightly as she stumbled forward.
"Lady Kikyo, look! Are these medicinal herbs?" she asked excitedly, holding up a few green plants.
Kikyo looked at them—and for the first time, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"You've found ground cherries. That's impressive," she said softly. "They reduce swelling and relieve pain. Very useful herbs."
"Lady Kikyo, what about mine?"
"And mine! What is this?"
More children rushed over, surrounding her with bright eyes and eager voices.
Kikyo patiently examined each plant, answering their questions one by one. The coldness in her gaze faded, replaced by warmth.
Not far away, Kasage stood under a tree, arms crossed over his chest, silently watching.
Who would have thought that this priestess—so decisive in killing yokai—would reveal such a gentle side?
The children soon noticed him. Some instinctively hid behind Kikyo, peeking at him curiously. Seeing no hostility, they quickly returned to showing off their findings.
From beginning to end, Kikyo made no effort to introduce Kasage, as if he were nothing more than part of the background.
Kasage didn't mind. He found a clean rock, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes, beginning to cultivate senjutsu.
He had no intention of interacting with the villagers anyway.
After all, he knew Kikyo wouldn't stay here for long.
---
After some time, Kikyo sent the children off to gather common herbs. Their laughter echoed as they ran off.
"You're quite popular with children," Kasage said suddenly.
"Children are pure," Kikyo replied, watching them leave. "They know little of malice or betrayal."
"But how long do you think you can stay here?" Kasage pressed.
"I don't know…" she answered quietly after a pause.
"If they knew you were a wandering spirit bound to this world by resentment, they would drive you out immediately," Kasage said bluntly, tearing apart her fragile illusion.
"…I only want to live in peace," Kikyo said simply, a trace of sadness in her voice.
Kasage looked at her thoughtfully.
As expected of Kikyo. Even now, sustained only by resentment, she can still remain so composed.
Unless provoked, she remained calm—almost detached from the hatred sustaining her.
But Kasage could clearly sense it.
The current Kikyo was, at her core, an embodiment of resentment and hatred. The dark energy surrounding her was no different from that of a yokai.
She was not yet her true self—just a shell shaped by lingering emotions.
At the slightest trigger—especially if she encountered Inuyasha, the one tied to her death—she would lose control, consumed by hatred.
Just like in the original story.
She had once killed a monk who tried to exorcise her. And when she met Inuyasha again, she even tried to drag him into hell with her.
However, as her spiritual power gradually returned, her resentment would eventually be purified by her own energy. Slowly, she would become the gentle and powerful priestess she once was.
---
In the following days, Uchiha Kasage continued to follow Kikyo, staying in the quiet village.
Kikyo spent her time healing villagers, gathering herbs, and purifying wandering yokai that occasionally approached. She lived as a true guardian priestess.
The villagers were curious about the unfamiliar samurai, Kasage. But out of respect for Kikyo, none dared question him or drive him away.
---
That afternoon, Kikyo brought several children to a small river near the village to gather herbs.
Kasage sat beneath a large tree nearby, eyes closed, sensing the natural energy around him.
Silently, he waited.
He knew the story was about to move forward.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
He turned toward the dense forest behind him.
Two figures were approaching quietly, concealed among the trees, observing everything from the shadows.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Looks like tonight… Kikyo will leave this village.
And soon, she'll meet Inuyasha and Kagome.
---
Sure enough, not long after, Kikyo's calm voice rang out:
"The one over there… you've been watching for quite some time, haven't you?"
Hearing this, the man hiding behind the tree realized he had been discovered.
He stepped out, wearing an awkward smile.
"Ah, you found me in the end. Your beauty was simply too captivating—I was momentarily entranced."
"You flatter me," Kikyo replied gently, a faint smile forming.
"It seems my training is still insufficient. Please forgive my rudeness," the man said as he approached her slowly.
Suddenly, he stumbled slightly.
A scroll slipped from his robes, rolling across the grass until it stopped between him and Kikyo.
"Could you pick that up for me?"
His gaze sharpened subtly, his tone carrying a hidden intent.
"That is a spell used to defeat yokai," he added calmly.
"It is said that any yokai who touches it will immediately reveal their true form."