"Let's go."
Uchiha Kasage focused his mind, controlling the Black Bear Yokai beneath him as it slowly moved along the winding mountain path toward the summit.
The two sat on the bear's back. Although the creature was large enough to carry both of them comfortably, they were still seated quite close.
A gentle breeze passed through, brushing against Kikyo's hair as she sat in front. Kasage caught a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance from her.
He sighed inwardly.
Kikyo's body, formed from clay, was nearly indistinguishable from that of a living person—except for the absence of warmth.
In contrast, his Edo Tensei body, covered in faint cracks, made it obvious at a glance that he was not alive. Still, the immortality granted by the technique made such imperfections meaningless.
Since the creature beneath them was a yokai, Kasage didn't want to cause unnecessary alarm in the Demon Slayer Village. He deliberately slowed the bear's pace.
A few minutes later, they finally arrived at the fortified gate.
"Who are you? What business do you have at the Demon Slayer Village?"
Strangers often came here to request yokai extermination, so it didn't take long before a villager appeared on the watchtower above the gate.
His tone carried vigilance, but not hostility—this was clearly a common occurrence.
"Please inform your chief," Kikyo replied calmly, raising her head, "that the miko entrusted fifty years ago with purifying the Shikon Jewel has come to visit."
The moment the words *Shikon Jewel* were spoken, someone inside the village quickly turned and rushed off to report it.
Kasage jumped down from the Black Bear Yokai and casually asked:
"After all these years… does anyone even remember that?"
"They should," Kikyo replied softly as she accepted his hand and stepped down.
She adjusted her robes lightly.
"I can sense the presence of the Shikon Jewel within the village."
Kasage glanced at the obedient Black Bear Yokai standing nearby under his genjutsu control. He frowned slightly, debating whether to kill it.
Kikyo noticed his gaze and understood immediately.
"Let's keep it for now," she suggested.
"Later, I can turn it into a shikigami. It would be useful as a mount."
"…Alright," Kasage nodded.
"I'll let it live for now."
Originally, he had planned to kill it and store the corpse in his Kamui dimension. But since Kikyo had a better use for it, he didn't object.
Low-level yokai like this—born from wild beasts—lacked intelligence and acted purely on instinct. They couldn't be tamed or contracted.
Controlling them with genjutsu worked, but it was inconvenient.
If Kikyo could convert it into a shikigami, it would be far more practical.
---
After waiting for a while, the heavy wooden gate slowly lifted, revealing the entrance.
"Let's go," Kasage said, taking the lead.
Inside, rows of wooden houses came into view. Villagers were busy with their daily tasks.
However, unlike ordinary settlements focused on farming, the tools in their hands were crafted from the remains of various yokai.
Some were drying medicinal herbs.
Others processed materials taken from yokai corpses or forged weapons and armor.
Given the name *Demon Slayer Village*, it was obvious—this place served as logistical support for yokai slayers on the front lines.
By now, many villagers had gathered near the entrance, curiously observing the newcomers—and especially the massive Black Bear Yokai following behind them.
Ahead, a group of strong, well-dressed men stood in formation, watching Kikyo and Kasage closely.
"These two… one looks like a warrior, the other a miko."
"That giant creature behind them—it's definitely a yokai, right?"
The surrounding villagers whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity.
At that moment, a tall, stern-looking middle-aged man stepped forward.
"I am the chief of this village," he said, his gaze settling on Kikyo.
"I've been informed that the priestess who purified the Shikon Jewel fifty years ago has arrived. Would that be you?"
"I am Kikyo," she replied, stepping forward calmly.
"The priestess who accepted the duty of purifying and guarding the Shikon Jewel fifty years ago."
This man… was Sango's father.
He looked at Kikyo, who appeared far too young, hesitation evident in his expression.
"I apologize," he said.
"The elders who handled that matter have long passed away. I only know of it through their accounts."
He paused.
"And I also heard… that Priestess Kikyo died protecting the Shikon Jewel."
"Priestess… you…"
Kikyo understood his doubts and answered calmly:
"I did die—killed by the yokai who sought the Shikon Jewel."
"Before my death, I had the jewel cremated with my body, hoping to take it with me to the Pure Land."
She paused slightly.
"But I failed. The Shikon Jewel reappeared… and I was resurrected not long ago."
"This time, I came here to learn the origin of the Shikon Jewel."
"…I see…"
The chief hesitated, clearly unconvinced.
"I can sense a shard of the Shikon Jewel within the village," Kikyo added.
"If you allow me, I can purify it."
Her intention was clear—she would prove her identity through her spiritual power.
The chief hesitated for a moment longer… then nodded.
"Very well. Please follow me."
He turned and began walking deeper into the village.
Kikyo followed without hesitation, signaling Kasage with a glance.
Kasage walked just behind her, quietly observing the surroundings.
---
As he scanned the village, he noticed something.
Sango was nowhere to be seen.
Most likely, she was out on a yokai extermination mission.
He remembered clearly—according to the original events, Sango would soon return and later be led, along with the demon slayers, into Naraku's trap.
They would be nearly wiped out.
Only Sango would survive.
Kohaku… barely alive.
Kasage's eyes narrowed slightly.
This situation… was complicated.
The Demon Slayer Village survived by hunting yokai. Even if he saved them once, Naraku would simply manipulate events again.
Worse, if he interfered too much, Naraku might abandon his original plan and kill them all outright—including Sango and Kohaku.
And even if they survived this time…
Naraku would come again.
This village was too special.
It was the birthplace of the Shikon Jewel.
Anyone tied to it… was destined for misfortune.
There were even connections to the priestess Midoriko.
Kirara, Sango's companion, had once belonged to her.
Kasage exhaled quietly.
In the end… he didn't care about all of them.
As long as Sango lived, that was enough.
As for the others—
If he happened to save them, so be it.
If not…
Then it was simply their fate.