Looking at the night sky that had suddenly turned as bright as day, Uchiha Kasage clicked his tongue softly.
"…Just how much Sage Art spiritual power did you put into that arrow?"
He glanced at Kikyo beside him, half-amused, half-stunned.
"This is a bit excessive, even for you…"
Kikyo's cheeks flushed faintly.
She turned her face away, clearly embarrassed.
"…I didn't expect it to be that powerful either…"
Since arriving earlier that evening, she had used the time to merge most of her spiritual power with natural energy—refining it into Sage Art energy.
And just now—
To ensure a decisive strike—
She had poured all of it into a single arrow.
She had expected power.
But not… this.
---
Meanwhile—
Inuyasha's group stood frozen, still trying to process what had just happened.
Kasage had appeared—
Then vanished—
Taking Kaguya with him.
Leaving nothing but confusion behind.
*Crack—!*
As Kaguya's yokai energy faded, the vines binding Inuyasha weakened instantly.
With a sharp pull, he tore free.
Grabbing Tessaiga from the ground, he rolled his shoulders.
"…Keh."
"It looks like Kasage and Kikyo are here too."
He turned toward the direction of the explosion.
"Let's move."
But just as he spoke—
A blinding light erupted in the distant sky.
Everyone looked up instinctively.
"…What is that?" Sango whispered, her voice unsteady.
The glowing sphere illuminated everything like daylight.
Miroku swallowed.
"…That's a priestess's purification power."
He narrowed his eyes.
"…Though… something about it feels different."
Inuyasha stared at it silently.
"…It's Kikyo."
There was no doubt in his voice.
"I know her scent. And… I smelled it on Kasage earlier."
Miroku exhaled slowly.
"…That level of spiritual power… is beyond reason."
---
Back at the lakeshore—
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Kasage formed hand seals, creating another clone.
He turned to Kikyo, his tone more serious now.
"…Kaguya isn't dead."
"I'm going to confirm it."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"…And stay alert. Naraku is nearby."
Kikyo nodded, tightening her grip on her bow.
"…I understand."
Kasage paused for a moment—
Then vanished.
---
A second later—
He reappeared at the spot where the marked kunai had fallen.
Inuyasha's group was still distracted, staring at the fading light in the sky.
Without hesitation, Kasage picked up the kunai—
Then the Hagoromo lying nearby—
And disappeared again.
---
"…Huh?"
Inuyasha suddenly frowned.
"…That scent…"
He turned, scanning the area—
But saw nothing.
He scratched his head, puzzled.
Completely unaware—
The Hagoromo was gone.
---
Back at the lakeshore—
"…You're back."
Kikyo looked at him as he reappeared.
Kasage held out the delicate, pink garment.
"This is the Hagoromo."
"The one Kaguya was after."
Kikyo accepted it carefully.
The fabric was impossibly light—
Almost unreal.
"…So this is… the celestial maiden's robe…"
There was a quiet wonder in her eyes.
Kasage looked toward the fading light in the sky, his expression serious.
"…Keep it safe."
"It's likely the core of her power."
Kikyo nodded firmly.
"…I won't let her take it."
She tucked it securely into her robes.
Kasage gave a small nod—
Then turned toward the lake.
"…I'll check on Kaguya."
---
As he reached the shoreline—
Something glinted faintly.
He looked down.
"…This is…"
A golden, diamond-shaped hairpin.
"…Her weapon."
He picked it up, recalling the moment she had dropped it earlier.
Without hesitation, he stored it away.
Then—
Channeling chakra into his feet—
He stepped onto the water and ran across the lake.
---
Time passed.
The light in the sky faded.
Darkness returned.
But—
There was no sign of Kaguya.
No trace of her yokai aura.
Kasage slowed, frowning slightly.
"…Did she actually die…?"
His gaze shifted toward the castle sinking beneath the lake's surface.
Then—
A faint glimmer caught his eye.
A small fragment drifted down from above—
Landing gently on the water.
"…The Mirror of Life?"
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
Even after that attack—
It remained.
He stepped forward, picking it up.
The surface was cracked—
Yet faint purple light shimmered within.
"…It's repairing itself…?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Not something that breaks easily."
But the moment he examined it—
Black smoke burst out.
Fast.
Too fast to react.
It wrapped around him—
And forced its way into his body.
"Even if my body is destroyed… it doesn't matter!"
Kaguya's voice echoed, distorted and unstable.
"I am an immortal celestial maiden!"
Her tone shifted—
Dark.
Hungry.
"Your power… your body…"
"…will be mine."
Before Kasage could respond—
*Splash—!*
The water exploded.
Countless grotesque limbs surged upward—
A massive, twisted mass of yokai flesh erupted from the lake.
Tentacles lashed out—
Wrapping tightly around Kasage.
"Hahaha—!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Naraku.
His face emerged from the monstrous body, twisted with glee.
"So I've finally caught you both…!"
His eyes gleamed with madness.
"Kaguya… Kasage…"
"Become part of me!"
Kaguya's voice immediately turned cold with disgust.
"…You filthy half-yokai."
She understood instantly—
If she stayed any longer—
She would be devoured.
The black smoke began retreating from Kasage's body—
But it was too deep.
Too slow.
Kasage, bound tightly, remained calm.
Completely calm.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"…Took you long enough."
Naraku froze.
"…What?"
Realization hit him.
Too late.
Kasage's voice dropped—
Cold.
Controlled.
"Inner Four Symbols Sealing Technique."