Sango collapsed to the ground in disarray.
Crack—!
The Hiraikotsu slammed heavily into the tree behind her, snapping the trunk and embedding itself deep within the fractured wood.
"…Th-thank you, Miroku."
Still lying on the ground, Sango stared at the massive weapon lodged in the tree, her voice trembling faintly.
If that strike had hit her directly—even with her strength as a Yokai Slayer—she would have been severely injured.
"…You monk. You're truly troublesome."
Kaguya's gaze shifted to Sango, her expression darkening.
Then, without warning—
Her sleeve flicked.
Several crimson thorns shot out like venomous serpents, tearing through the air toward Miroku.
"Not good—!"
Startled, Miroku threw himself aside. But the thorns were too fast—
He could only raise his arm instinctively to block.
"Kaguya!"
Kagome's voice rang out sharply.
*Whoosh—!*
A sacred arrow streaked through the darkness, glowing faintly with pure spiritual light.
It cut straight toward Kaguya's arm.
"…Hmph. Clever."
Kaguya raised her sleeve casually, intending to deflect it—
But the moment the arrow touched the fabric—
It tore through.
Effortlessly.
Like piercing paper.
"…!"
For the first time, surprise flickered across her face.
She shifted slightly, avoiding a direct hit—
The thorns lost their aim, grazing Miroku's shoulder before embedding themselves into the ground.
"…A sacred arrow."
Kaguya glanced at her torn sleeve, then slowly turned her gaze toward Kagome.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"…Interesting. I find the spiritual power within you… quite appealing."
She began walking forward.
Slow.
Measured.
Yet each step carried an overwhelming pressure.
"Let Inuyasha go—now!"
Kagome raised her bow again, her hands trembling slightly—but her voice remained firm.
"You fool—move!"
Bound tightly to the tree, Inuyasha struggled against the vines, shouting in frustration.
Kagome didn't move.
Her eyes stayed locked on Kaguya.
"…Go ahead," Kaguya said softly, almost mockingly. "Shoot."
Step by step—
She drew closer.
"…Then don't blame me."
Kagome tightened her grip, drawing the bowstring back fully.
This was her only chance.
But just as she was about to fire—
Kaguya stopped.
Her gaze dropped.
"…Oh?"
Part of a soft, pink, translucent robe peeked out from a fallen bundle on the ground.
"…So this is it. The true Hagoromo."
Her attention shifted instantly.
This had fallen earlier when Hojo was blown away.
"I'll be taking it now."
With a cold smile, she raised her hand.
The Hagoromo began to stir—
Floating gently toward her.
*Whoosh—!*
A sharp sound cut through the air.
A kunai shot straight toward her head.
"…Pathetic."
Kaguya raised her golden sword without hesitation.
Clang!
Sparks flew as steel collided.
The kunai bounced back—
But before it could fall—
A figure appeared.
Instantly.
As if tearing through space itself.
Crimson **Sharingan** eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Without pause, he caught the kunai—
Lightning erupted in his palm.
A piercing, bird-like cry echoed.
And in the next instant—
His hand drove straight through Kaguya's chest.
Chidori.
Yet—
Kaguya did not scream.
Did not falter.
Her expression remained cold as she swung her golden blade down.
Clang!
The strike was blocked.
"Who are you?" she asked, frowning slightly as numbness spread through her chest.
The man grinned.
"Strange way to greet someone… I bare my heart to you the moment we meet, and this is the response I get?"
Even now, his tone was light.
But his eyes were sharp.
Kagome stared in shock.
"…Uchiha Kasage?!"
Kaguya's eyes narrowed.
"…Kasage."
A glimmer of greed surfaced in her gaze.
"That technique… space-time movement."
Her smile deepened, turning colder.
"If I devour you… that power will become mine."
A pulling force suddenly erupted from her body—
Trying to drag him in.
But the Shadow Clone resisted, chakra surging.
And he smiled.
"…No."
"You're the one I've caught."
He released the kunai.
In the next instant—
Both of them vanished.
The Hagoromo, freed from her control, drifted down—
Landing softly near the fallen kunai.
---
### Lake Motosu – Shoreline
Far away—
Uchiha Kasage opened his eyes.
"…They're here."
Beside him, Kikyo stood ready.
She had been preparing since evening—
Gathering Sage-enhanced spiritual power.
Now—
She drew her bow.
The arrow formed in her grasp glowed brilliantly, as if woven from starlight itself.
The air trembled.
Kaguya and the Shadow Clone appeared—
Right beside the marked kunai.
"Kaguya!"
Kikyo released the string.
The arrow shot forward—
Like a falling star.
"Move—!"
Kaguya's composure shattered.
For the first time—
Fear.
She struggled to break free.
But the Shadow Clone held firm.
His arm transformed—
Wood erupted from it, piercing through her body, locking them together.
"…You're insane!"
Kaguya's voice rose, sharp with anger—and something deeper.
"Do you intend to die with me?!"
She released her sword, raising the Mirror of Life desperately, beginning a spell—
But she was too late.
The arrow had already arrived.
It struck the Shadow Clone first—
And he vanished in a burst of smoke.
Kaguya's eyes widened—
And then—
The arrow hit.
Light exploded.
Pure, overwhelming spiritual power surged through her body—
Tearing apart her Yokai energy.
Destroying everything in its path.
She was driven backward—
Across the lake—
Trees and stone disintegrating in the radiant wake.
The arrow carried her upward—
Then—
BOOM—!
It detonated in the sky above the water.
A sphere of brilliant light bloomed—
Like a miniature sun.
The night turned to day.
And below—
The lake shimmered, bathed in sacred, silvery radiance.