The two instances of Heretical Path – Art of Samsara Rebirth, born from the same Mangekyō Sharingan, merged into a single, complete technique at the peak of their resonance.
At that moment, the chakra and ocular power within Uchiha Kasage were being consumed at a terrifying rate. Veins bulged across his forehead, his expression strained under the immense burden.
On the other side—
Naraku's condition was far worse.
The vitality within his body was being drained continuously. His long black hair faded into ashen gray at a visible speed, his once robust form withering like a dying tree. Deep wrinkles spread across his face as his body rapidly aged.
"Tch… even a Yokai's vitality isn't enough to withstand a Six Paths-level forbidden technique…" Kasage muttered, clicking his tongue as he watched Naraku's condition deteriorate.
Unlike humans, Yokai often possessed lifespans of hundreds—even thousands—of years. Though lifespan didn't directly equal vitality, their life force was undeniably far greater.
And yet—
Even Naraku had been reduced to this state.
That alone spoke volumes about the terrifying cost of this technique.
"Agh—!!"
The unbearable pain of his life force being torn away, combined with Kasage's fading ocular control, caused Naraku to break free from the genjutsu.
At the same time, Kasage's dwindling chakra could no longer maintain the sealing restraints. The black curse markings receded from Naraku's body like a retreating tide.
Freed—but utterly weakened—
Naraku collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately.
Still, the technique had already been activated.
Kasage paid him no further attention, focusing entirely on sustaining the jutsu.
"You… what did you do to me?!" Naraku rasped, his voice hoarse with pain and fear.
He tried to gather his demonic power, his miasma—
But to his horror—
Everything was being converted into pure life energy, forcibly drained away without resistance.
There was no escape.
---
At that moment—
A soft white glow began to envelop both Kasage and Kikyo.
A miraculous transformation had begun.
Kasage's Edo Tensei body—once formed of ash and dust—started to break apart.
In its place—
A living body took form.
His skin regained warmth and vitality. Blood flowed once more through his veins. The cold, hollow aura of death vanished completely, replaced by the presence of true life.
Kikyo's transformation followed.
Fine cracks spread across her clay body with sharp, brittle sounds—until, suddenly—
It shattered.
Fragments dissolved into countless points of light, drifting away into the night.
And from within—
A living form emerged.
Her skin was soft and radiant, carrying the warmth and life she had long lost. No trace of the lifeless clay remained.
Her miko robes stayed intact, now resting upon a truly living body.
As for Kasage—
His new form was clothed as well. The energy of the technique reshaped a deep blue robe around him, identical in style to before, the Uchiha fan crest resting clearly on his back.
---
With Kikyo's resurrection complete, the barrier she had maintained lost its support.
It dissolved into faint particles of light.
But no one moved.
Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and the others stood frozen, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Th-they really… came back…" Shippō stammered, eyes wide.
"…Kikyo…" Inuyasha whispered.
His voice trembled.
He stared at her, unable to look away.
His senses told him the truth.
Her scent—
The same as it had been fifty years ago.
"She's… truly alive…"
"H-how is this possible…?" Miroku murmured, stunned. "The dead… returning to life…"
Kagome stood in silence, her entire understanding of the world shaken.
Sango, however—
Her eyes lit with a different emotion.
Hope.
Her gaze locked onto Kasage.
*If he can do this… then maybe… Kohaku…*
---
No one paid attention to Naraku anymore.
Kasage slowly clenched his fist.
The sensation—
Real.
Warm.
Alive.
An unfamiliar yet deeply satisfying feeling filled him.
He took a slow breath.
The cool night air entered his lungs—
And for the first time in a long while, he truly *felt* it.
He activated his Sharingan instinctively.
Crimson Mangekyō patterns appeared instantly.
He paused.
"…My chakra… my ocular power…"
Not only had they recovered—
They had surpassed their previous state.
Earlier, forcing the technique had completely drained him, even pushing his Mangekyō back to its basic form.
Yet now—
Everything had been restored.
Even enhanced.
Kasage's gaze shifted slowly toward Naraku.
A thought formed.
*…So that's it.*
The excess life force taken from Naraku—
Had been transferred.
That was the price.
---
"You're persistent… still alive after all that."
Kasage stepped forward, looking down at Naraku with a faint, mocking smile.
Naraku, now barely conscious, could only glare at him with hatred-filled eyes.
Footsteps approached.
Kikyo walked to Kasage's side.
She looked down at her hands, feeling the flow of her spiritual power—true, living power.
A soft, relieved smile appeared on her face.
"Kikyo," Kasage said lightly, glancing at her. "How does it feel… to live again?"
She lifted her head.
Her gaze was calm—yet filled with sincerity.
"…It feels real," she said softly. "Thank you."
Kasage chuckled faintly.
"No need to thank me."
He gestured toward Naraku.
"He paid the price. We simply took what was given."
---
"Kikyo…"
Inuyasha finally stepped forward.
Slowly.
Cautiously.
His voice trembled.
His eyes were filled with conflicting emotions—joy, guilt, uncertainty.
"…Inuyasha."
Kikyo turned to face him.
Her gaze softened for just a moment—
Then shifted past him to Kagome.
She gave a small nod to both of them.
A quiet acknowledgment.
Then—
Her expression cooled.
Her eyes returned to Naraku.
A faint, cold satisfaction flickered within them.