"Are you talking about a priestess and a man dressed like a samurai?" Sango's father asked.
"Yes, that's them… they were riding a bear yokai," Sango replied, her voice tense with unease.
"Oh? You encountered them?" The chief paused, surprised, before realization dawned on him. "They were indeed guests of the village. They left not long before you returned, so it's only natural you crossed paths with them."
Noticing the anxiety on his daughter's face, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What's wrong, Sango? Did something happen?"
"During this yokai-slaying mission, I obtained a shard of the Shikon Jewel… but it seems to have been stolen." Sango clenched her fist tightly. "I suspect those two who left earlier. The shard disappeared right after I met them!"
As she spoke, she grabbed the Hiraikotsu from beside her, already turning toward the exit.
"I'll go bring them back."
"Wait, Sango. Don't go." Her father's calm voice stopped her, a faint smile on his face.
"If they truly took it, there's no need to retrieve it. In fact… if your shard were still here, I would have asked you to catch up to them and give it to them personally."
"Why?" Sango asked, confused.
"Because that priestess is Kikyo—the very one entrusted by our predecessors fifty years ago to purify the Shikon Jewel."
"…What? But she died, didn't she? And it's been fifty years… yet she looked so young when I saw her!" Sango exclaimed in disbelief.
"Indeed. The reason is unknown, but it must be her. And her power to purify the Shikon Jewel is real."
Her father's expression grew serious.
"That jewel is far too dangerous to keep in the village. I've already entrusted the shard we possessed to her."
"…I understand, Father." Sango slowly nodded, setting the Hiraikotsu down.
"Get some rest. There will be more work soon," he added, then turned to Kohaku. "Kohaku, you should prepare as well."
Kohaku blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"You're already eleven. It's time you joined real combat." The chief's tone was firm.
"…Yes!" Kohaku answered, determination lighting his eyes.
---
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kasage was unaware of the conversation in the village—but he could already guess how events would unfold.
Sango would soon head to Hitomi Castle with the Demon Slayers. There, Naraku would manipulate everything, forcing a clash between Sango and Inuyasha… and ultimately drawing her into their group.
Kasage's gaze darkened slightly.
Now that Kikyo had taken the shard from the village—and considering the warning he had given them—would the village still meet the same tragic fate?
If the flow of events had changed… would Sango lose her place in the story?
Would Naraku simply discard her?
The thought lingered, heavy and unsettling.
Without hesitation, Kasage raised his hand and formed a seal.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A perfect duplicate of him appeared instantly on Kuro-Maru's back. In the next moment, it vanished into the forest, moving like a fleeting shadow through the trees.
Kikyo turned slightly, her eyes following the direction it disappeared.
"That was your clone… wasn't it? What's wrong?"
"Yes," Kasage replied calmly. "I sensed Naraku's aura nearby. I suspect he may be targeting the Demon Slayer Village for the Shikon shards."
It was a lie—but a convenient one.
"Even though we've already taken them, I'd rather avoid any surprises. I sent my clone to find his puppet… and eliminate it."
"Is Naraku really that close?" Kikyo's expression sharpened, a hint of tension in her voice. "Will your clone be alright?"
"It'll be fine." Kasage shrugged lightly. "The puppets we've seen so far are weak. My Shadow Clone may not be at full strength, but it's more than enough to deal with something like that."
Kikyo's gaze remained steady.
"Where is it? I'll go as well. It's a good opportunity to let Naraku know… that I've returned."
"No need," Kasage said firmly. "It's just a puppet, not his true body. You going wouldn't make a difference."
He paused, his tone lowering slightly.
"And if he learns you've been revived too soon… he might hide himself even more carefully. That would only make things harder for us later."
Kikyo turned to face him fully. As she did, the ends of her dark hair brushed lightly against his cheek, cool and soft.
Her eyes narrowed.
"But I can't hide forever… that's not what we agreed on."
Kasage rubbed his nose lightly, a faint smirk appearing on his lips.
"If you want him to know you've returned…" he said, voice laced with quiet amusement,
"then you'll need to make it unforgettable."
Kikyo studied him carefully, already sensing trouble.
"What are you planning?"
"Heh…" Kasage chuckled, but didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked,
"How is your soul recovery progressing?"
Kikyo blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"It's improving. It should be fully restored soon."
"Do you remember what I told you before?" Kasage continued. "The technique I plan to use for revival… requires a sacrifice."
"I remember." Kikyo nodded slowly, her gaze sharpening as realization dawned. "…You mean?"
Kasage let out a low, almost sinister laugh—but before he could continue, Kikyo elbowed him lightly.
"Stop that. Just say it."
He exhaled, the smirk fading into something more serious.
"It was Naraku who killed you," he said.
"So… I plan to use him as the sacrifice to bring us back."
For a brief moment, Kikyo was silent.
Then, slowly… a faint, cold smile curved her lips.
"That… is a rather fitting idea."
Her eyes glinted with something darker.
"Will he die from it?"
Kasage shook his head slightly.
"I can't say for certain. The technique consumes the caster's life force to revive the target. Normally… the user dies."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"But Naraku isn't normal. He's a fusion of countless yokai. Even if he survives… he won't come out of it unscathed."
A quiet, dangerous confidence settled in his voice.
"Whether he dies or not doesn't matter."
"What matters… is that we return."
Kikyo lowered her gaze for a moment… then gave a soft, resolute nod.
"…Mm."
A flicker of cold satisfaction passed through her eyes.