"Uchiha Kasage, I will never let you go—!"
Naraku looked up in terror at the massive bow drawn within the pale blue Susanoo. The arrow radiated a power so overwhelming that his pupils shrank sharply. Panic twisted his expression as he roared and accelerated his escape.
Kasage showed no hesitation.
The Susanoo's right hand released the bowstring.
"Voom—!"
The air compressed violently—then exploded.
The arrow, forged from chakra and miko spiritual power, became a brilliant streak of white light that tore across the sky. In the next instant, it struck Naraku, who was fleeing desperately through the air.
"BOOM—!!"
A massive explosion erupted, illuminating the night like day. A blinding sphere of light expanded outward, swallowing everything in its path.
Moments later, a devastating shockwave crashed downward.
The castle buildings collapsed instantly under the force. A fierce gale, infused with both chakra and spiritual power, swept across the ruins, purifying the lingering evil energy.
The remains of the yokai scattered across the ground were reduced to nothing—completely erased by the overwhelming surge of power.
"Naraku's demonic aura… it's gone," Kasage said calmly, his gaze fixed on the fading light in the sky.
Kikyo closed her eyes, sensing carefully. After a brief moment, her brows drew together slightly.
"…Yes. But the aura of the Shikon Jewel has disappeared as well," she said softly. "He shouldn't be dead. Either he escaped with the jewel… or it saved him at the last moment."
"W-What?! He's still alive after that?!" Jaken shouted, eyes wide in disbelief.
He simply couldn't comprehend how Naraku could survive such a devastating attack.
"Crack—! Crack—!"
Suddenly, the wooden structure beneath them groaned violently. The entire building began to tilt as beams snapped under the strain.
The sheer weight of the Susanoo—and the recoil from the attack—had completely destabilized it.
"It's collapsing," Kasage said quietly.
Without wasting a second, he dispelled the Susanoo, wrapped an arm around Kikyo's waist, and leaped into the air.
At the same moment, the wooden dragon rose beneath them, catching them smoothly as it ascended.
Kagura and Kanna, having seized the moment when Naraku was struck, had already broken free from the dragon's restraints and vanished into the night.
"W-Wait for me!!"
Jaken, trembling as the roof tilted further, leapt desperately forward. Grabbing onto the wooden dragon's spine, he clung tightly as it carried him away from the collapsing structure.
"BOOM! BOOM—!"
Behind them, the building finally gave way, crashing into ruins.
Jaken glanced back, pale-faced, before letting out a long breath of relief.
"Jaken. I'm leaving."
Sesshomaru's voice drifted down from above before the dragon had even landed.
A long, snow-white tail suddenly swept down, coiling tightly around Jaken and pulling him away.
"L-Lord Sesshomaru!"
"Miko… thank you."
His cold voice carried faintly through the air—brief, but unmistakably sincere.
Before Kikyo could respond, his figure blurred into a white streak, vanishing into the night as he followed Rin's scent.
Kikyo watched him go, standing beside Kasage atop the wooden dragon. She leaned slightly closer, her voice soft.
"…He's surprisingly polite."
Kasage smiled faintly.
"Hearing 'thank you' from him is rare."
"I can tell," Kikyo replied, nodding gently.
From Sesshomaru's usual arrogance, such words were clearly not given lightly.
The wooden dragon descended slowly.
Kasage jumped down first, still holding Kikyo, and set her gently on the ground.
"Kikyo! Is Naraku dead?!"
Inuyasha rushed forward, his voice tense with urgency.
"…Probably not," Kikyo answered, shaking her head. "At the moment we struck him, both his aura and the Shikon Jewel's aura vanished."
Inuyasha clenched his fist tightly.
"Could they have been destroyed together?"
Kikyo didn't answer. Even she couldn't confirm Naraku's fate.
"Inuyasha," Kasage said, stepping forward, "go find Miroku. If his Wind Tunnel is still there, Naraku is alive. If it's gone… then Naraku is likely dead."
Inuyasha's eyes lit up immediately.
"Right!"
"Kikyo," Kasage added, glancing at her, "you want to confirm it yourself, don't you?"
She met his gaze, her eyes steady.
"…Yes."
The hatred from fifty years ago had never truly faded.
Kasage nodded.
"Alright. I'll take both of you."
He continued calmly, "I left a marked kunai with Sango. She's usually with Miroku. We can use the Flying Thunder God Technique to go straight to them."
Before Inuyasha could respond, Kasage placed a hand on his shoulder.
In the next instant—
They vanished.
---
"Kohaku!"
Sango's voice rang out in panic as she watched Kohaku retreat into the distance, carrying Rin.
But Kohaku didn't hesitate. He disappeared into the darkness without looking back.
"Get out of my way!"
Fury surged in Sango's eyes as a group of yokai blocked her path. Riding Kirara, she hurled her Hiraikotsu with all her strength.
The massive weapon spun through the air, tearing through the yokai before curving back toward her.
Just as she reached out to catch it—
Kasage, Kikyo, and Inuyasha suddenly appeared in its path.
"Be careful!" Sango shouted in alarm.
Kasage reacted instantly.
A kunai flashed into his hand and shot forward, embedding itself into the ground. In the same instant, he grabbed Kikyo and vanished—reappearing safely beside the kunai.
Inuyasha, however, was not so lucky.
Still disoriented from the sudden teleportation, he stared blankly at the incoming Hiraikotsu.
"…Huh?"
"THUD!"
The weapon slammed straight into him, sending him flying backward.
"Inuyasha!"
Sango rushed forward on Kirara, catching the returning Hiraikotsu before chasing after him.
Fortunately, the impact wasn't too strong.
Inuyasha hit the ground, rolled several times, then scrambled back to his feet, covered in dust.
"Damn it, Uchiha Kasage!" he shouted, pointing angrily. "Give me a warning next time!"
"Sorry," Kasage replied calmly, though a trace of amusement flickered in his eyes. "I forgot."
Kikyo sighed softly, shaking her head.
Without another word, she drew her bow and began firing arrows, her spiritual power cutting down the surrounding yokai with precise, effortless movements.
Inuyasha clicked his tongue, about to argue—
But suddenly, his expression changed.
He spun and dashed toward Kagome.
"Scatter Soul Claws!"
His attack tore apart a yokai that had been sneaking up behind her.
"Kagome! Are you alright?"
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome smiled with relief.
"I'm fine! But… Kohaku just left—he took a little girl with him!"