At this moment, Uchiha Kasage paid no attention to Inuyasha and his group.
It had already been some time since they left the Demon Slayer Village. During this period, they had been moving through the surrounding areas.
Most of this was due to Kikyo.
She was carefully tracking Naraku's presence while also searching for shards of the Shikon Jewel.
As for Kasage, he wasn't particularly eager to find Naraku.
If he truly wanted to, he could simply create multiple Shadow Clones, enter Sage Mode, and sweep the entire region. Finding Naraku would only be a matter of time.
After all, in this world, aside from Naraku, there were no overwhelming threats—no beings capable of destroying everything, no absurd enemies like those in his previous life.
So instead, he chose to remain at Kikyo's side.
Quietly observing.
Occasionally helping.
---
Sometimes, that meant dealing with nuisances—
Like wandering samurai whose eyes darkened with greed upon seeing Kikyo's beauty.
Or bandits who blocked the road, hoping for easy prey.
Those encounters were brief.
Decisive.
And ended without mercy.
---
At the moment, Kasage was deep within the forest, gathering medicinal herbs at Kikyo's request.
Back in Konoha, as someone who had been reincarnated into that world, he had been curious about many things—including medical ninjutsu. He had studied some of it in his spare time.
However, herbs had never played a major role there.
With chakra-based techniques like the Healing Jutsu or Mystical Palm, most injuries could be treated instantly. When medicine was used, it was usually specialized and infused with chakra.
So now—
In this world—
He felt completely out of his depth.
"I really don't recognize any of these…" he muttered.
---
Kikyo, however, had her own plans.
Using her role as a priestess, she intended to interact with nearby villagers—gathering information about both the Shikon Jewel and Naraku.
And naturally, part of a priestess's duty was healing the sick and injured.
That responsibility extended to Kasage as well.
---
"Let's see…"
He pulled out the list Kikyo had given him.
"Spirit Healing Flower… for treatment. Soul-Purifying Grass… for cleansing evil energy…"
All unfamiliar.
Fortunately, Kikyo had added notes—descriptions, locations, even small sketches.
Otherwise, he would have returned empty-handed.
---
"Alright… let's get to work."
Forming hand seals, he spoke quietly:
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
*Poof!*
Three identical clones appeared behind him.
"Spread out."
In an instant, all four figures vanished into the forest.
---
An hour later—
Kasage returned to their temporary residence with a basket full of herbs.
He walked straight up to Kikyo.
"Kikyo. Are these correct?"
She was kneeling on the ground, grinding previously dried herbs.
At his voice, she paused and gently took the basket from his hands.
"…Let me see."
She examined each herb carefully, her expression focused.
Kasage sat down nearby without concern for the dirt, simply watching her work.
With chakra, cleaning himself later would be effortless.
---
Their current residence was a small temple just outside a nearby town.
Recently, the presence of evil energy in the area had increased sharply.
Kikyo suspected Naraku's involvement.
So they had chosen to stay here temporarily—helping the villagers with healing and purification while quietly investigating.
The temple itself was modest.
Only an elderly monk lived there.
Kasage had secured their stay easily—
With a single heavy pouch of coins.
---
"These are correct," Kikyo said after a moment. "Once I finish preparing them, help me place them out to dry."
"No problem," Kasage replied.
He was already used to this routine.
At first, he had tried to help with processing the herbs.
But Kikyo had stopped him.
---
"These herbs require spiritual power to be effective."
That was what she had told him.
---
Curious, Kasage had asked her about it.
Could spiritual power be cultivated?
Could he learn it?
Kikyo's answer had been simple.
"No."
Spiritual power was innate.
Those born with the talent—priestesses or monks—possessed it from birth. It would grow naturally over time.
Some, like Kikyo, were exceptionally gifted.
Others, like Kaede, had less—but still enough to protect others.
There was no method to train it.
No shortcut.
---
That answer had ended his curiosity.
"…So it's just another bloodline system," he had muttered at the time.
---
"Kasa—"
Kikyo's voice pulled him back to the present.
"…You can take these now."
She handed him a small bamboo basket filled with prepared herbs.
"…You were thinking about something again," she added quietly.
Kasage took the basket, pausing for a brief moment.
"…Just comparing worlds."
Kikyo looked at him for a second—studying him, as if trying to understand something deeper.
"…And?"
"…This one is simpler," he replied calmly. "But not necessarily kinder."
Kikyo lowered her gaze slightly.
"…No. It isn't."
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
---
Kasage stood and walked toward the drying rack near the temple wall.
He carefully spread the herbs out evenly, then collected the ones that had already dried.
With a casual motion, they disappeared into his Kamui space.
Since arriving in this world, Kamui had mostly served as storage.
The yokai here were far too weak to require its true power.
---
"Priestess-sama! Please—save us!"
"Please, I don't want to die—!"
Suddenly, desperate voices rang out from outside the temple.
The air filled with the smell of blood.
Kasage's expression sharpened instantly.
He stepped outside.
---
At the entrance stood a group of wounded ashigaru.
Their armor was broken.
Their bodies covered in injuries.
Their weapons—nothing more than farming tools.
Fear and desperation filled their faces as they surrounded Kikyo.
---
Kasage moved without hesitation.
Positioning himself slightly in front of her, he scanned them coldly.
Peasants.
Conscripted.
Broken.
Not a real threat—
But desperation could turn anyone dangerous.
---
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice low and firm. "What do you want?"
The ashigaru instinctively stepped back.
His clothing.
His presence.
The sword at his waist—
To them, he looked like someone far above their station.
Someone they could not afford to offend.
---
"Kasage… it's fine."
Kikyo stepped forward from behind him, her voice calm and steady.
"They are only seeking help."
She looked at the wounded soldiers, her expression soft but resolute.
"Leave this to me. Just stay nearby."
Kasage glanced at her for a moment… then nodded.
"…Understood."
He stepped aside—but did not relax.
His eyes remained fixed on the group.
Sharp.
Watchful.
Because he knew—
Even broken men could become bandits when pushed far enough.
And if they crossed the line—
He wouldn't hesitate.