"Good… then I'm relieved."
Hearing Kikyo's confirmation, Uchiha Kasage finally let go of his concerns. Without hesitation, he began channeling chakra into her more fully.
His Edo Tensei body possessed an almost limitless supply of chakra. Sustaining this level of output meant nothing to him.
With his restraint gone, chakra surged forward like a powerful current—flowing steadily through their clasped hands and into Kikyo's body.
As the transfer continued, the changes became visible.
The pale, lifeless tone of Kikyo's skin slowly regained color. The faint aura of resentment that once clung to her began to dissipate, replaced by something softer… calmer.
At the same time—
The souls gathered within her body began to stir.
One by one, the dead souls carried by the Soul Collectors drifted out from her form, turning into faint specks of white light as they rose into the night sky and vanished into the forest.
Kasage's expression shifted slightly.
"…Is this okay?"
He instinctively slowed the flow of chakra, watching carefully.
"It's fine."
Kikyo's voice was noticeably gentler now.
"This body no longer needs the support of those souls. They are simply returning to where they belong."
"…I see."
Kasage exhaled softly, reassured. He resumed the transfer without hesitation.
More and more souls drifted away.
Until finally—
The last flicker of light vanished.
Through the Sharingan, Kasage could now clearly see the state of her body.
What had once been filled with borrowed soul energy was now completely saturated with his chakra.
At the center—
A small, faint cluster of white light.
Her true soul.
Wrapped gently within his chakra.
He continued for a moment longer—
Then suddenly—
A soft white glow began to radiate from Kikyo's body.
It grew stronger, purer… carrying a sacred, tranquil presence.
Kasage recognized it immediately.
*Miko spiritual power.*
"That's enough."
Kikyo's voice came, calm—but carrying unmistakable joy.
Kasage immediately stopped and released her hand.
"How do you feel?"
Kikyo slowly opened her eyes.
A smile appeared on her face.
A real smile.
For a moment—
Kasage was stunned.
This was different from the gentle kindness she showed others.
This smile was genuine… free of sorrow.
Like ice melting under sunlight.
"My body no longer feels weak," she said softly. "My spiritual power has recovered by more than half… and my soul…"
She raised her hand slightly, as if feeling something within herself.
"…It's recovering."
Kasage snapped out of his daze and activated his Sharingan again to observe.
The resentment clinging to her soul had already faded by more than half.
The rest was slowly dissolving under the influence of her restored spiritual power.
At the same time, her soul was steadily absorbing his chakra, growing stronger.
But what surprised him most—
The chakra wasn't leaking.
It remained perfectly contained within her body.
"…Makes sense," he muttered.
If her body could hold a soul, holding chakra wasn't strange at all.
Then he spoke again:
"There's just one problem."
Kikyo looked at him.
"The chakra won't last forever. If you fight, it'll be consumed even faster."
He paused briefly.
Then smiled with quiet confidence.
"But since chakra works for you… that problem is easy to fix."
He stepped back slightly and raised his hands.
"Copy me."
Kikyo blinked, confused—but still obeyed.
She raised her hands in the same posture.
"…Like this?"
Kasage almost laughed.
Seeing the usually composed miko in such an awkward stance was unexpectedly amusing.
But he held it in.
"…Good. Don't move."
His expression turned serious.
His hands began forming seals at high speed.
"Ram… Boar… Goat… Rabbit… Dog… Rat… Rooster… Horse… Ram!"
The sequence completed in an instant.
Then—
His chakra exploded outward.
A visible surge of pale blue energy erupted from his body, swirling violently. The air around them distorted, forming a powerful gust that sent Kikyo's long hair whipping behind her.
The pressure was immense.
Yet Kikyo didn't move.
She remained still, watching him calmly.
Golden sealing formulas began to appear around him, glowing faintly in the air.
"Four Symbols Sealing Technique!"
Before the last word faded—
He thrust his palm forward.
*Thump.*
His hand pressed firmly against Kikyo's abdomen.
The golden scripts spread instantly, forming a complex sealing pattern as chakra flowed into her continuously.
Seconds passed—
Then—
It was done.
Kasage pulled his hand back and dropped to the ground, breathing heavily.
"…Tch… that took more out of me than expected…"
The Four Symbols Seal was a high-level technique. Sealing his own chakra required even greater control and energy.
Even with Edo Tensei restoring his reserves, the strain was undeniable.
Kikyo stepped closer, concern flickering across her face.
"…Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
He waved a hand lightly.
"Just a bit drained."
He looked up at her—and paused.
She was still standing there…
Hands raised.
He couldn't help it.
A small laugh escaped him.
"You can put your hands down now."
Kikyo blinked.
Then quickly lowered them, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
"…I see."
Even for her, that posture had been… embarrassing.
Kasage smirked slightly, then gestured toward the outside.
"Try using your spiritual power. Let's see if the seal works."
Kikyo nodded.
She walked to the side, picked up her bow and arrow, and stepped toward the entrance of the treehouse.
Drawing the bow—
Her spiritual power surged.
The arrow glowed with a pure white light.
She released.
*Thud!*
The arrow shot downward like a streak of light, striking the ground below and scattering dust into the air.
But Kikyo didn't look at the impact.
She closed her eyes instead.
Focusing inward.
Her spiritual power, drawn from her soul, had been consumed.
But this time—
She felt it.
The chakra within her body responded immediately.
It was absorbed, transformed—
Becoming spiritual power.
At the same time, the seal on her abdomen released more chakra, replenishing what had been used.
A perfect cycle.
She opened her eyes.
"…It works."
Her voice carried clear joy.
"The chakra is being replenished continuously through the seal."
Kasage exhaled in relief.
"Good. Looks like I didn't mess it up."
He leaned back slightly, resting.
"I sealed enough chakra inside you to last until your soul fully recovers. Once that happens…"
He glanced at her.
"We can proceed with your resurrection."
Kikyo lowered her bow.
Then walked back and knelt beside him.
Her expression returned to its usual calm—
But now, there was something more.
Warmth.
Hope.
She looked at him directly.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was steady.
Sincere.
Kasage met her gaze.
The sorrow that once defined her was gone.
In its place—
A quiet determination.
A future.
He smiled faintly.
"…Save it."
"You can thank me after we both come back to life."