"What's wrong, Kikyo?"
Uchiha Kasage, standing among the crowd, noticed the subtle change in Kikyo's expression. He shifted his gaze away from the sacrificial procession ahead and asked softly.
"It's nothing." Kikyo shook her head, then leaned closer to his ear, her warm breath brushing against him as she whispered, "Naraku's barrier suddenly disappeared. If I couldn't still sense the Shikon Jewel's aura from him… I would have thought he was dead."
At this moment, Kikyo was not wearing her usual shrine maiden attire. Instead, she wore a light pink kimono, which softened her presence and made her appear even more gentle.
The two blended into the surrounding villagers, standing before the shrine as they quietly observed the river god ritual.
In this world, gods truly existed.
Though most were not particularly powerful—and were often replaced by stronger yokai—it was still these gods, along with extraordinary humans, who upheld humanity's survival in a world overrun by yokai.
Because of this, rituals dedicated to the gods were always grand and lively. In an era lacking entertainment, such events naturally drew crowds from all directions.
To everyone else, Uchiha Kasage and Kikyo were merely travelers who had come to watch.
"One of his incarnations already died," Kasage said casually, his tone unconcerned. "Who knows what he's planning now. Don't worry—if anything happens, Kagura will probably come find us."
"Mm." Kikyo nodded gently.
Without hesitation, she took his hand.
Then she returned her attention to the ceremony.
Although she had witnessed rituals like this before, she had never observed one so calmly. In the past, she had always been too busy fighting yokai.
Now, standing beside Kasage, she could finally watch—truly watch.
Kasage, on the other hand, was seeing such a ritual for the first time. His eyes lingered with quiet curiosity.
In this world of gods and yokai, the river god ritual was far more intricate than he had imagined.
The priests and shrine maidens first set up the altar with solemn precision, establishing a protective barrier by the river. Then, working together, they began a purification ritual to exorcise evil spirits.
Kasage could clearly sense the spiritual power within them.
Individually, they were not especially strong.
But together—
Their power became something far more effective.
Regardless of how strong the river god might be, after this ritual, the surrounding villagers would not have to fear wandering yokai for quite some time.
"Can you dance that?" Kasage asked quietly.
His gaze rested on the shrine maidens performing the Kagura dance, bells in hand, their movements graceful and rhythmic.
He leaned slightly closer to Kikyo, his voice low, carrying a faint trace of amusement.
"…Yes."
Kikyo's cheeks flushed instantly.
She understood exactly what he meant.
Her eyes lifted toward him in mild reproach before she quickly turned away, her voice soft.
"When we go back… will you dance for me?"
Kasage's smile deepened as he noticed the faint redness at the tips of her ears.
He spoke even more softly now.
"…Alright."
After a brief pause, Kikyo gave a quiet answer.
The blush on her ears deepened.
Kasage felt a flicker of anticipation, but he restrained himself, turning his attention back to the ritual.
As the purification ended and the procession began, he scanned the crowd again.
Yet he did not sense any particularly powerful individuals.
"…These people aren't very strong," he murmured. "Why didn't they invite you?"
Kikyo answered patiently:
"They are priests from large shrines in the cities, most of them of noble lineage. They preside over ceremonies like this."
She paused slightly.
"A shrine maiden like me, from a small village, would not be invited."
"I see."
Kasage understood immediately.
This kind of ritual valued status more than strength.
Still—
With Kikyo's power, such things were ultimately meaningless.
Rituals in this world were not just symbolic.
The gods themselves would respond.
After all, this was the perfect opportunity for them to gather faith.
Even without activating his Sharingan, Kasage could clearly see the river god seated within the palanquin.
It appeared childlike.
Delicate features.
An androgynous beauty.
Elegant robes adorned its small frame, while faint, fish-like scales decorated its ears.
Clearly—
A yokai that had ascended into godhood through faith.
As Kasage observed it, the river god suddenly turned—
Their gazes met.
The river god's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Kikyo noticed as well.
She offered a gentle smile and bowed her head slightly.
The river god quickly returned the gesture before the palanquin continued forward.
"Is that river god a yokai in disguise?" Kasage asked, watching it disappear into the distance.
"Yes… and no," Kikyo replied, her gaze following it.
"It is likely the purified spirit of a yokai that died… and became a god through human faith and sacrifice."
She added softly:
"To be worshipped as a god after death… it must have been a benevolent yokai that once protected this land."
Having satisfied their curiosity, they continued observing the ceremony.
After the procession ended, the main sacrificial ritual began.
Lords and nobles stepped forward first, offering generous tributes—grain, rice wine, river fish.
Then the villagers followed, one by one, tossing coins into the offering box, praying for blessings.
Kikyo gently pulled Kasage along with her.
Together, they stepped forward—
And each dropped a copper coin into the box.
Afterward, the priests began reciting Shinto prayers, while monks chanted sutras in unison.
Kasage quickly lost interest.
Instead, he lightly tugged Kikyo away.
"Let's look around."
Festivals like this always attracted traveling merchants.
Stalls lined the area—selling trinkets, food, and oddities.
There were acrobatic performances, monkey shows, and even puppet theater.
Though the puppets were far less sophisticated than those of the Sand Village from his world, Kasage still found them strangely entertaining.
The two wandered together until evening—
Only returning once their hands were filled with various purchases.
As soon as they stepped into the shrine—
"Oh? You're finally back."
Kagura's voice drifted toward them.
"I've been waiting for quite a while."
Neither Kasage nor Kikyo seemed surprised.
They had already sensed Kagura entering the barrier earlier, which was why they had ended their outing sooner than planned.
Otherwise—
They might have stayed until nightfall.
Kasage turned his head.
Under a tree, Kagura sat on a swing, her skirt swaying gently as she watched them.
"What is Naraku doing now?" Kasage asked directly.
Kikyo stepped forward as well.
"I felt his barrier disappear. What happened?"
Kagura rose slowly to her feet.
Her pink eyes settled on them, her expression calm but unreadable.
"Ever since Musou died… something has been off about him."
She paused briefly.
"Today, he disappeared completely."
"I don't know where he went."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"But before he vanished…"
"He ordered Kanna to break the seal on a yokai named Kaguya."