"I don't know what's been happening lately…"
Kikyo frowned slightly as she spoke.
"But powerful Yokai have been disappearing one after another."
"And without them…"
"These weaker ones have started running wild everywhere."
---
She didn't even bother drawing her bow.
A flash of cold light—
Her katana swept cleanly through the air.
A large lizard-like Yokai, newly transformed, was instantly decapitated.
---
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Beside her, Uchiha Kasage raised a hand.
Nearly invisible blades of wind shot forward—
Slicing through the swarm ahead.
Bodies tore apart instantly.
A foul-smelling mist of blood spread through the air.
Kasage frowned.
"They were probably taken by something."
His tone carried clear disgust.
"These things are everywhere now…"
"And in numbers."
---
Kikyo sheathed her sword and walked over.
"That's natural."
"When stronger Yokai disappear…"
"These weaker ones lose restraint and multiply rapidly."
She paused briefly.
"Give it time."
"They'll start killing each other."
"The numbers will balance out again."
---
At that moment—
The two of them were clearing Yokai near the shrine.
Recently—
Many powerful Yokai in the surrounding mountains had vanished mysteriously.
In their absence—
Newborn, low-level Yokai began swarming unchecked.
Individually—
They were weak.
Even ordinary humans could kill them—
If they overcame their fear.
But in groups—
They became a problem.
That was why Kasage and Kikyo had to periodically clear them out.
Meanwhile…
Deep within a dark, oppressive castle—
"They're all here."
Kagura spoke coldly as she tossed a heavily injured Yokai into the basement.
"All the nearby Yokai with any real strength…"
"Have been captured."
"AAAH—!!"
The moment it hit the ground—
A horrific scream echoed through the chamber.
Wet, twisting sounds followed.
Then—
Silence.
Kagura frowned.
A flash of disgust crossed her eyes.
Below her—
Countless Yokai bodies were fused together into a grotesque mass.
Limbs twisted unnaturally.
Flesh merged and writhed.
Bloodshot eyes—
Of all sizes—
Opened and rolled aimlessly across the surface.
The Yokai she had thrown in—
Was already gone.
Absorbed.
"…Still not enough."
A voice echoed coldly.
At the center of the mass—
A head emerged.
Naraku.
His gaze locked onto Kagura.
"Their power is too weak."
"It's not enough."
Hatred flared in his eyes.
"…Uchiha Kasage."
"I will repay you for this."
Kagura stared at him.
At what he had become.
A monster—
Barely holding itself together.
A dangerous glint flickered in her eyes—
Before quickly disappearing.
She knew.
Even like this—
Naraku still controlled her life.
Her heart—
Was in his hands.
If not for the fact that he still needed her—
And Kanna—
To fend off Inuyasha and the others…
He would have already reabsorbed them without hesitation.
She remembered clearly—
When Naraku appeared before her as nothing but a head—
She had almost killed him.
But Kanna had stopped her.
Silently.
And when Naraku sensed her intent—
He crushed her heart.
Without hesitation.
That pain—
She would never forget.
"There are no suitable targets left nearby."
Kagura spoke calmly.
"If we want stronger Yokai…"
"We'll have to search farther away."
"No."
Naraku's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"There is one."
Kagura froze.
A bad feeling crept up her spine.
---
"…Don't tell me…"
Her eyes widened.
"…Sesshomaru?"
"Exactly."
Naraku's voice darkened.
"His power…"
"Is perfect."
---
Kagura's anger exploded instantly.
"You're insane!"
"You want me to lure Sesshomaru here?!"
"Are you trying to get me killed?!"
---
"Kagura."
Naraku's tone turned cold.
"Ah—!!"
She collapsed instantly.
Clutching her chest.
Her face turned pale as cold sweat poured down.
Her heart—
Was being crushed.
---
She glared up at him—
Hatred burning in her eyes.
---
"…Fine…"
"I'll go."
---
"Good."
Naraku released his grip.
Then added calmly:
"There's a human child beside Sesshomaru."
"She's currently separated from him."
"Bring her back."
---
"…Rin?"
Kagura muttered.
---
"Kohaku."
---
A boy stepped forward from the shadows.
---
Kohaku.
---
He knelt on one knee.
Eyes empty.
Voice hollow.
"Lord Naraku."
---
"Go with Kagura."
"Bring Rin back."
---
"Yes."
---
Kagura clicked her tongue.
"What's this brat going to help with?"
---
"Naraku's voice turned colder.
"Unless you'd rather take her from Sesshomaru directly."
---
"…Tch."
"I get it."
---
She turned and walked out.
---
But the moment her back faced him—
The irritation in her eyes faded.
Replaced by something else.
---
Expectation.
Dangerous.
Unspoken.
---
If Sesshomaru killed Naraku—
She would be free.
---
"…Sesshomaru…"
---
Behind her—
Naraku's body writhed violently.
---
A shriveled corpse was suddenly expelled—
Completely drained of life.
---
Naraku stared at it.
Then smiled coldly.
"…So."
"The life-drain is weakening after reconstruction…"
---
His eyes darkened.
"…Uchiha Kasage."
"I should thank you."
"For helping me escape this curse."
---
### Elsewhere…
---
"Jaken-sama, keep watch for me!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
---
Rin crouched in a melon field—
Carefully picking ripe melons.
---
"Yes, yes…"
Jaken sighed.
Keeping watch reluctantly.
---
Clearly—
They were stealing.
---
Suddenly—
**WHOOSH—!**
---
A powerful gust of wind swept through the field.
Dust filled the air.
Visibility vanished.
---
When the wind settled—
A figure stood before them.
---
Kagura.
Fan in hand.
Eyes calm.
---
Jaken reacted instantly.
Staff raised.
He stepped protectively in front of Rin.
"…You—"
---
Kagura smiled faintly.
"Sesshomaru is careless."
"Leaving you alone like this."
She flicked her fan.
BOOM!
A violent wind blast erupted.
Jaken was sent flying.
Rolling across the ground.
By the time he staggered up—
Dizzy and disoriented—
---
They were gone.
"Rin?!"
"RIN—!!"
Panic filled his voice.
He searched wildly—
Calling her name.
Then—
From afar—
Kagura's voice drifted through the wind:
---
"Tell Sesshomaru—"
"Rin is in Naraku's castle."
"If he wants her back…"
"He can come himself."