"These remains need to be dealt with properly… otherwise, they could easily give rise to new evil creatures."
As the last trace of corruption faded, Kikyo withdrew her spiritual power.
Her gaze settled on the mound of severed Yokai limbs in front of them. She lightly touched her chin, her brows knitting together.
"Even though the evil energy has been purified… Demonic Aura still lingers."
Her tone grew more serious.
"To completely purify this much at once would consume far too much spiritual power."
She paused, thinking.
"We need a more efficient method."
"…Can't we just throw them away?"
Uchiha Kasage looked genuinely puzzled.
In the past, when he needed life force, he would drain Yokai corpses dry using sealing scrolls.
After that—
He simply discarded them.
He had never considered that they could cause problems afterward.
Kikyo shook her head immediately.
"No."
Her voice was firm.
"Most Yokai possess both Demonic Power and residual evil energy."
"After death, those energies gather within the corpse."
Her eyes hardened slightly.
"If left unchecked… they can mutate."
"And give birth to new Yokai."
Kasage blinked.
"…It works like that?"
He glanced again at the pile of remains, now seeing them in a completely different light.
By Kikyo's explanation—
His past behavior was no different from dumping hazardous waste everywhere.
Suddenly—
A memory surfaced.
Ryūkotsusei.
A powerful Yokai born from the mutation of a dragon's corpse.
"…That explains it."
Kasage let out a quiet breath.
Then looked back at Kikyo.
"How do you usually handle them?"
"For weaker Yokai, a sacred arrow is enough."
Kikyo answered calmly.
"They are purified completely—reduced to ash."
"No further handling is needed."
She glanced at the remains again.
"But stronger ones… are more troublesome."
"They must be buried."
"With talismans placed over them to suppress the Demonic Aura."
"Over time, as the aura dissipates and the body decays into bone… they become harmless."
She paused briefly, then added:
"Alternatively, they can be disposed of in special locations."
"Like the Bone-Eater's Well near Kaede's village."
Her gaze drifted slightly.
"Fifty years ago… I often used it to dispose of Yokai remains."
"I see…"
Kasage nodded slowly.
"So basically—seal them underground and suppress the aura until it fades."
"Exactly."
Kikyo turned, preparing to retrieve talismans.
But—
Kasage reached out and gently caught her hand.
"No need to go through all that trouble."
Kikyo paused, looking back at him.
"…You have another way?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I do."
His eyes shifted—
The Mangekyō Sharingan emerging, its pattern slowly spinning.
"But we should change locations."
"This isn't the right place."
---
"Kamui."
A spatial vortex twisted into existence.
In an instant—
All the Yokai remains were pulled inside.
"Come on."
Kasage released her hand and began walking.
"There's a rocky clearing behind the shrine. Perfect for this."
Kikyo followed silently.
---
Soon—
They arrived at a quiet clearing deep within the forest.
Rocks and wild grass covered the ground.
The air was still.
Kikyo glanced around, curious.
"…What are you planning to do?"
Kasage activated Kamui again.
The remains poured out—
Landing heavily across the rocks in a grotesque pile.
He turned slightly toward her.
"…We burn them."
Kikyo frowned faintly.
"Ordinary fire won't be enough."
She stepped closer, examining the remains.
"Yokai bodies don't burn easily."
Then she looked at him.
"…Though your ninjutsu flames might be different."
Kasage smirked slightly.
"Don't worry."
"These flames will work."
He gently guided her back a few steps.
"Stay here."
---
His gaze sharpened.
The Mangekyō pattern spun.
Power surged.
"…Amaterasu."
---
Black flames ignited.
Without warning—
They erupted across the pile of remains.
Spreading instantly.
Devouring everything.
The air warped from the heat.
The eerie black fire flickered violently—
Relentless.
"…Black flames?!"
Kikyo's eyes widened in shock.
She stared at the unnatural fire dancing before her.
"What is this…?"
Kasage's voice remained calm.
"This is an ocular jutsu of the Sharingan."
"Amaterasu."
He watched the flames quietly.
"Inextinguishable black fire."
"As long as the target exists…"
"It will continue to burn."
"Until nothing remains."
Kikyo's expression shifted.
"…Incredible."
There was genuine awe in her voice.
Then—
Kasage chuckled.
"…Though it has another name."
Kikyo glanced at him.
"…Another name?"
He smiled faintly.
"'The Amaterasu That Can't Burn Anyone to Death.'"
"…What?"
She blinked in confusion.
Her gaze shifted back to the burning remains.
"But… that doesn't make sense."
"This power is clearly overwhelming."
"Ordinary flames couldn't compare."
Kasage exhaled lightly.
"It's simple."
"As long as someone understands how it works…"
"It's actually hard for it to kill a strong opponent."
He gestured slightly.
"For example—if it catches your clothes…"
"You just take them off before it spreads."
"…And you're fine."
Kikyo froze.
"…That's your solution?"
"If it touches the body—"
Kasage continued calmly—
"As long as it's not a vital area…"
"You can survive by cutting off the burning part."
Kikyo stared at him.
"…That's… actually logical."
She paused.
Then shook her head slightly, still processing it.
"In battle… no one would be careless enough to be unprepared."
Kasage laughed softly.
"Exactly."
"Unless…"
He smirked faintly.
"They're not wearing anything."
Kikyo immediately shot him a look.
"…Who would fight like that?"
Her tone carried clear disbelief.
Kasage shrugged.
"…You'd be surprised."
He recalled certain incarnations of Naraku—
Some of whom had no concept of clothing at all.
"…Anyway."
His gaze returned to the flames.
The pile of remains was already collapsing—
Turning to ash under the relentless black fire.
"For something like this…"
"…it's more than enough."