"Not bad… not bad."
Uchiha Kasage sensed the contents of the sealing space within his body and let out a silent remark.
"Compared to sealing a pile of rubble last time… at least this time I've sealed a Yokai."
Inside the sealing space—
Alongside Kaguya, there was a large mass of lake water… and a scattered pile of Naraku's severed Yokai limbs drifting aimlessly.
After the completion of the Four Symbols Sealing Technique, an independent sealing space formed within the caster's body.
It was similar to the seal used by Minato Namikaze for the Nine-Tails—the **Eight Trigrams Seal**, which was essentially a layered application of two Four Symbols Seals.
Just like the sealed space where the Nine-Tails resided inside Naruto Uzumaki, this technique also created a sealed inner domain.
Interestingly—
This was Kasage's second time using the Inner Four Symbols Sealing Technique.
Originally, he had assumed that whatever he sealed this time would be compressed into the same space as the rubble he had sealed during the Fourth Shinobi War.
But unexpectedly—
Perhaps due to his body being reconstructed after resurrection—
This time, the technique created an entirely new, separate sealing space.
At the moment, the two spaces overlapped in position…
But were not connected.
The sealing space itself wasn't a physical location—
But a spiritual domain formed through sealing techniques.
It could only be entered through consciousness.
And everything inside it—
Was influenced by his will.
---
Kasage slowly closed his eyes.
His consciousness sank inward.
The space was dim.
At its center lay a pool of still lake water.
Floating across its surface were countless severed Yokai limbs.
And rising from the center—
Was a large, thriving tree.
This tree represented the sealing technique itself.
Much like the cage that confined the Nine-Tails, this was the core structure of the seal.
Kasage's spiritual projection stood atop the water beneath the tree.
He lifted his gaze.
There—
Kaguya's mist-like body was tightly bound around the trunk, restrained by countless twisting branches.
She didn't move.
She had clearly lost consciousness.
Kasage observed her in silence for a few seconds.
Then—
His projection vanished.
---
He opened his eyes.
The Mirror of Life in his hand remained shattered, unchanged.
He glanced around.
Naraku was gone—without a trace.
The Dream Castle that had floated above the lake had also vanished.
And the full moon—
Had already dimmed into a waning crescent.
At that moment, a message reached him from his Shadow Clone.
Kikyo had been worried and had asked the clone to release the jutsu to check on him.
Kasage exhaled softly.
Then turned—
And walked back toward the shore.
---
"Kasage!"
The moment he stepped onto land, Kikyo approached quickly, her eyes filled with concern.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Kasage smiled lightly.
To reassure her, he spread his arms and turned once in place.
"See? Not a scratch."
His tone softened slightly.
"I just sealed Kaguya."
Kikyo studied him carefully for a moment…
Then finally let out a quiet breath.
"…Good."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"What about Naraku? I felt his aura earlier."
Kasage couldn't help but let out a faint chuckle.
"That one ran."
He shook his head, amused.
"He tried to take advantage of the situation—probably planning to devour both me and Kaguya."
"But he got caught in the sealing range."
Kasage's eyes narrowed slightly.
"To escape, he detonated his own Yokai body… and fled with just his head."
Kikyo's expression grew serious.
"…He's still alive, then."
"For now."
Kasage didn't seem particularly concerned.
---
He walked over to Kuro-Maru and gently placed a hand on Yuzuki's head.
"It's alright now."
His voice was calm, reassuring.
"The Yokai has been dealt with."
"Mm!"
Yuzuki nodded quickly, her small face brightening.
"Lord Kasage, thank you for your hard work!"
Kasage smiled faintly.
Then stood up.
"It's over. Let's go."
"…Alright."
Kikyo nodded.
But then—
She seemed to remember something.
She reached into her robe and took out a delicate hagoromo.
"What about this?"
Kasage glanced at it.
The fabric shimmered faintly, as thin as a cicada's wing.
"You keep it."
His tone was casual.
"It originally belonged to the celestial maiden Kaguya devoured."
"We helped her get revenge."
"So… consider it our reward."
Kikyo lowered her gaze slightly, studying the garment.
"…I see."
"And these."
Kasage reached into his pouch and took out two more items.
A diamond-shaped hairpin.
And the shattered Mirror of Life.
"I took these from Kaguya as well."
He handed them to Kikyo.
"This mirror is called the Mirror of Life."
"And this hairpin—"
"It can transform into a golden longsword."
Kikyo examined them briefly.
Then, without hesitation, she returned everything to him—including the hagoromo.
"You keep them for now."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
"We'll decide later."
Kasage blinked—
Then shrugged lightly.
"Alright."
With a casual motion, he stored the items inside his Kamui dimension.
Kikyo mounted Kuro-Maru smoothly.
Kasage turned toward the forest.
"…Let's go."
And without another word—
He began walking.
---
### Shortly After
Not long after Kasage and Kikyo left—
Inuyasha and his group arrived at the lakeshore.
But—
It was already empty.
"They're gone…"
Inuyasha scanned the quiet surroundings.
The lake was calm.
Only the sound of insects filled the night.
"Ah! The full moon is gone!"
Shippō suddenly pointed upward.
Everyone looked.
The full moon had faded—
Now replaced by a waning crescent.
"…Is Kaguya dead?"
Sango asked softly.
"…Most likely."
Miroku gazed at the lake.
"That immense spiritual pressure earlier… it must have been aimed at her."
"I doubt she could survive that."
He paused—
Then winced.
"…That woman… was truly terrifying."
Clutching his chest, he staggered toward a broken tree and sat down.
"Monk!"
Sango quickly supported him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll manage…"
Miroku frowned slightly.
"But I'll need time to recover."
Then—
His hand… slowly, quietly…
Moved.
*Smack!*
A sharp slap echoed.
Veins popped on Sango's forehead.
"…Unbelievable."
She turned away, furious.
Miroku clutched his cheek, a bright red mark forming.
"Ah—my hand must still be injured… it moved on its own…"
Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged a helpless glance.
Some things—
Never changed.
"Stay strong, Miroku!"
Shippō cheered loudly beside him.
---
At that moment—
Small red lights began drifting from the lake.
They gathered around Inuyasha's sleeve.
Slowly—
The torn section of his Fire Rat Robe restored itself.
"It's back!"
Kagome Higurashi exclaimed in surprise.
"The robe repaired itself!"
---
### Elsewhere
"…Kasage?"
Kikyo looked ahead at the lake before them.
"…Why did we come here?"
"This is Lake Kawaguchi…"
"To retrieve something."
Kasage formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
A clone appeared—
And immediately vanished into the water.
Kikyo watched, slightly puzzled.
Moments later—
The clone returned, soaked, holding something familiar.
It handed the item to Kasage—
Then dispersed in a puff of smoke.
Kikyo's expression softened.
"…I see."
Kasage walked over to Yuzuki.
With a small smile—
He held out the object.
"Here."
"The Buddhist stone bowl… back where it belongs."
Yuzuki froze.
Her eyes widened.
"…Th-this…"
Tears welled up instantly.
She wiped them quickly with her sleeve, trying to steady herself.
Then carefully accepted the bowl.
"…Thank you… Lord Kasage…"
Her voice trembled.
But her gratitude was clear.
Kasage gently patted her head.
"…Alright."
His voice was quiet.
"Let's go home."
He turned—
And walked into the forest.
Kikyo followed on Kuro-Maru.
And slowly—
Their figures disappeared into the darkness.