Kikyo watched Kagura's departing figure, her brows slightly furrowed.
"What kind of yokai is this one called Kamikuya?" she asked seriously.
Uchiha Kasage smiled faintly.
"I know of her."
There was a subtle edge in his tone.
"I have to admit… Naraku made a clever move this time. If he truly manages to devour her, it might actually solve the problems within his body."
"Hm?" Kikyo looked at him in surprise. "You know about her?"
Kasage stood up and walked toward the swing beneath the tree. Sitting down, he gently pulled Kikyo closer, guiding her to sit beside him—then drew her into his arms.
Kikyo didn't resist.
She leaned lightly against his chest as the swing began to sway.
The evening breeze carried the soft scent of grass and trees, wrapping the moment in quiet calm.
"Kikyo…" Kasage spoke softly, his voice low near her ear.
"Have you ever heard that legend?"
"Which one?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"A celestial maiden bathing in a lake… seen by a man who stole her feather robe."
"I know that story," Kikyo replied, looking up at him, a little puzzled.
"Without her robe, she couldn't return to the heavens, so she was forced to stay and marry him. But in the end, she finds it and returns to the celestial realm."
She smiled faintly.
"I've heard the children in the village talk about it."
Kasage nodded.
"That's the common version."
His gaze grew slightly colder.
"But I know another."
He gently held her hand as he continued:
"In that version… the celestial maiden becomes furious."
"To reclaim what was stolen, she begins killing the villagers one by one."
Kikyo's expression shifted slightly.
"Just as she's about to slaughter everyone… a sorcerer appears."
"He defeats her—and seals her away."
Kasage let out a faint, humorless chuckle.
"It's darker."
"But far more realistic."
His voice carried quiet disdain.
"A man spies on her, steals something vital to her… and thinks he can force her into marriage."
"He doesn't consider the difference in power."
"He only sees what he wants."
Kasage's eyes hardened slightly.
"If I were in her place… I would have done the same."
"The villagers' deaths weren't her fault."
"They chose to shelter a thief."
Kikyo remained silent.
She didn't argue.
Though the actions were cruel… she understood.
If she were in that situation—
She would never submit to such coercion.
She might not slaughter them all…
But she would never allow herself to be exploited.
"...Is that celestial maiden Kamikuya?" Kikyo asked softly.
Kasage nodded slightly.
"Yes… and no."
He paused briefly before explaining:
"Like Naraku, she can devour others to steal their power."
"The true celestial maiden…"
"…was already devoured by her."
"What?!" Kikyo straightened abruptly, shock filling her eyes.
"She devoured the celestial maiden herself?"
"Yes."
Kasage's tone remained calm.
"She inherited everything—her power… and her immortality."
He added quietly:
"That's why I said—if Naraku devours her…"
"He may truly stabilize himself."
Kikyo slowly absorbed his words, then nodded.
"I understand…"
At that moment—
A soft, silvery light spread across the ground.
Kikyo instinctively looked up.
A full moon hung high in the sky.
Bright.
Clear.
"…A full moon?" she murmured, frowning. "But today shouldn't be—"
Kasage raised an eyebrow.
"…That was fast."
"It seems her seal is already weakening."
"You mean… Kamikuya did this?" Kikyo asked, her expression tightening.
"If she's that powerful… isn't Naraku risking being devoured instead?"
Kasage nodded slightly.
"That's very possible."
He looked at the moon, his voice calm but steady.
"But even if Naraku dies…"
"As long as the Shikon Jewel exists—"
"There will simply be another 'Naraku.'"
"Perhaps… one named Kamikuya."
Kikyo stepped off the swing immediately, her tone firm.
"We should leave now. This yokai is too dangerous."
"…No need to rush."
Kasage stood and took her hand, guiding her toward the shrine.
"We leave tomorrow morning."
Kikyo hesitated.
Kasage continued calmly:
"According to the legend, the celestial maiden's power depends on her feather robe."
"She won't be at full strength without it."
"In other words…"
"She still needs time."
Seeing his composed expression, Kikyo finally nodded.
"…Alright."
---
### The Next Morning
"Kikyo… wake up."
"There's trouble ahead."
Kasage's voice was soft but firm.
He sat atop Kuromaru, gently shaking Kikyo, who had fallen asleep in his arms.
After hearing about Kamikuya the night before, she hadn't rested well.
Not long after they set off, she had drifted into sleep against him.
"…Mm…"
Kikyo slowly opened her eyes, still drowsy.
"What is it…?"
But the moment she looked ahead—
Her expression changed instantly.
"This…!"
She straightened, fully awake.
A heavy, suffocating yokai aura filled the air.
"…A massacre," she said quietly.
"Yeah," Kasage replied.
Kuromaru moved forward slowly.
The air was thick—
With the stench of blood.
And something darker.
The village ahead was completely silent.
No voices.
No movement.
Only the distant flapping of crows.
*—Caw… caw…*
Kuromaru snorted in irritation, clearly uncomfortable with the smell, its pace slowing.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground.
Men.
Women.
Villagers.
All lifeless.
The two had only passed through this village by chance on their way to the Sea of Honneam.
And yet—
They had arrived too late.
As they moved deeper into the village, Kasage's gaze suddenly sharpened.
"…There."
He focused on a stone staircase nearby.
"There's someone still alive."
Kikyo didn't hesitate.
She leapt down immediately and rushed forward.
At the base of the stairs—
A young girl lay motionless.
Her abdomen was torn open by a deep, brutal wound.
Blood had soaked her pink kimono, turning it a dark crimson.
Her breathing—
Barely existed.
"KASAGE!"
Kikyo carefully lifted the girl into her arms, ignoring the blood staining her hands.
"Save her!"
Her voice, though controlled—
Carried urgency.
Kasage moved beside her instantly.
He crouched down, examining the wound with a focused gaze.
Then—
His hands formed seals rapidly.
A soft green light gathered in his palm.
He placed it gently over the wound.
"This is going to hurt… hang on."
The glow intensified.
The Palm Healing Technique.
A high-level medical ninjutsu.
Back in his world, Kasage had trained seriously in medical techniques—not just to save lives, but for another reason as well.
To ensure precise control—
Even in something as delicate as transplanting a Sharingan.
Without such skill—
Even possessing great power would be meaningless.
Now—
That knowledge was the difference between life and death.
For the small girl in Kikyo's arms.