"For… for me? Thank you!"
Kagome could clearly sense that the bamboo tube contained the shards of the Shikon Jewel that Kikyo had been holding. She had never expected Kikyo to entrust them to her.
"Mmm."
Kikyo gently placed the bamboo tube into Kagome's hands, her expression calm but resolute. "I already learned from Kaede that you were the one who brought the Shikon Jewel into this era. Now, you are the miko who must guard it. I entrust this responsibility to you."
After saying this, she did not linger. She turned and walked back to Uchiha Kasage's side.
"It's done."
Kasage glanced briefly at the bamboo tube now in Kagome's hands, a hint of surprise crossing his eyes. He hadn't expected Kikyo to give away the shards so decisively.
Still, the Shikon Jewel held no real value for him anymore.
And after what had just happened, Naraku's life force would continue to drain due to the effects of the Heretical Path Jutsu. He would likely lie low for quite some time. Leaving the shards with Kagome posed no real risk.
Kasage placed a hand on Kikyo's shoulder, preparing to leave using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Kikyo… can you… come with us?"
Inuyasha's voice suddenly rang out. Seeing her about to leave, he gathered his courage and called out, unable to hold himself back.
But before he could say more, Kikyo interrupted him.
"Inuyasha… protect Kagome well."
Her voice was calm, yet carried a quiet gravity. Her gaze lingered on both Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Do not let her meet the same fate I once did."
"…Yeah."
Inuyasha's expression stiffened. He immediately understood what she meant—the tragedy from fifty years ago.
Naraku's scheme had played a major role, but the lack of trust between him and Kikyo had been just as fatal.
"Inuyasha," Kasage added, his tone more serious than before, "Naraku will likely remain quiet for a while. Use this time wisely—grow stronger. The sword you carry holds far greater power than you realize."
It was clear to him: Tessaiga had immense potential. Its evolution—from the Wind Scar to more advanced forms—proved that its true strength had yet to fully awaken.
"The Tessaiga is already powerful!" Inuyasha said proudly, resting the blade on his shoulder, confidence returning to his voice.
Kasage gave a faint smile. "We're leaving."
"Wait, —Kasage-kun! May I ask you something?"
Sango's voice suddenly called out, urgent and tense.
Kasage paused, already having a sense of what she wanted. "What is it?"
She bit her lip, gathering her courage. "Can you… bring my little brother, Kohaku, back to normal?"
Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were unwavering.
"If it's possible… I'm willing to be the sacrifice for his revival."
"Sango…"
Kagome, Miroku, and Shippō were all stunned, yet none of them tried to stop her. They all knew how much Kohaku meant to her.
Kasage looked at her quietly, then asked, even though he already knew the answer, "Is your brother dead?"
At his words, hope instantly lit up in Sango's eyes.
"He was revived by Naraku using the Shikon Jewel," she said quickly. "But he lost all his memories. He's completely under Naraku's control now… That's not the real Kohaku!"
Kasage fell silent for a moment, recalling the life force he had stored earlier.
"…It's troublesome," he finally said, "but not impossible."
Sango's breath caught.
"But whether it can truly be done depends on seeing him in person," Kasage continued. "When you manage to take Kohaku back from Naraku, bring him to me."
He paused briefly, then added calmly, "And don't worry—I have enough sacrifices prepared. You won't be needed."
As he spoke, he flicked his finger. A wooden kunai shot forward and landed precisely near Sango's feet.
"I've placed a formula on it. If you need to find me, break it—I'll sense it immediately."
Without waiting for a reply, Kasage activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant, both he and Kikyo vanished.
"They disappeared?!"
Shippō's eyes widened in shock.
Inuyasha snorted lightly. "That guy is always appearing and disappearing like that. You'll get used to it."
He sheathed Tessaiga, his tone calmer now.
"Today was… unbelievable," Kagome said, stretching slightly as she looked at the empty space where they had stood. "We met Naraku, and we even witnessed Kikyo and Kasage being revived… It still feels unreal."
"Indeed," Miroku nodded, deeply agreeing.
Sango bent down and picked up the wooden kunai, carefully tucking it into her clothing as if it were something precious.
Then she turned to Miroku, concern returning to her expression. "Let's find somewhere to rest. Your condition needs attention as soon as possible."
She helped him up and guided him onto Kirara's back.
"Thank you, Sango," Miroku said softly.
"It's nothing," she replied, shaking her head gently.
For the first time in a long while, hope filled her heart.
---
Elsewhere, Kasage and Kikyo reappeared instantly inside the temple room where they had stayed before.
"…This place…" Kikyo looked around, recognizing the familiar surroundings. "The temple from before."
"Mmm," Kasage replied casually, walking to the window and pushing it open. The cool night air drifted in. "It's late. I didn't feel like walking, so I came straight back."
Kikyo stepped closer, her gaze settling on him.
"You didn't kill Naraku earlier… There must be another reason," she said quietly. "Even if you had the chance to end him completely… I feel like you still wouldn't have done it."
Kasage raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing. "What is this? A woman's intuition?"
Kikyo rolled her eyes slightly. "So I was right."
"…Mmm."
Kasage didn't deny it. His expression grew more serious.
"Yes. I was concerned that killing Naraku now… might lead to the birth of a second Naraku."
"A second Naraku?" Kikyo frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kasage looked at her and asked calmly, "Then tell me—how was Naraku created?"
Kikyo answered without hesitation. "A bandit named Onigumo, consumed by dark desires, offered his body to countless Yokai. They fused together… and Naraku was born."
"On the surface, that's true," Kasage said, nodding. Then his tone shifted, becoming sharper.
"But Onigumo was just an ordinary bandit. Not a miko, not a monk, not even a powerful Yokai. Just a man you happened to save. So why… was he the one who succeeded?"
Kikyo froze.
She had never questioned it so deeply before.
Kasage continued, his voice steady but heavy with meaning.
"In this world filled with Yokai, people die every day. Slaughtered by bandits, devoured by Yokai, starving, drowning… There are countless people more desperate, more hateful, more corrupted than Onigumo."
His gaze locked onto hers.
"So why was he the only one who became Naraku?"
A faint, almost mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"If it were truly that simple, then by now, there would be countless people offering their bodies to Yokai in exchange for power. The world would be overflowing with beings like Naraku."
His eyes sharpened, his tone turning firm.
"But in fifty years… there has only ever been one Onigumo."
"And only one Naraku."