"I think that's most likely the case." Uchiha Kasage nodded, confirming Kikyo's guess.
He pinched a piece of dried food between his fingers, lightly shaking it as he explained,
"I asked the monk about the timing of that evil aura… it matches perfectly."
As he spoke, he casually tossed another piece into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
A faint spark of surprise flashed in his eyes.
The texture was unexpectedly good—some pieces were crisp like dried mushrooms, while others carried a rich, savory flavor similar to dried fish.
"Now that we're sure it's Naraku… should we go after him immediately?" Kikyo asked, swallowing her food as she looked at him steadily.
"We will," Kasage replied calmly, "but there's no need to rush."
He picked up another piece, studying it briefly before eating it.
"That guy had his body destroyed last time. His first priority will be rebuilding himself—and that takes time."
He tapped lightly over his chest.
"And it's not just him. I also need time… to fully integrate this new power."
Kikyo's gaze softened slightly as she recalled the white horn that had fused into his body.
"…Alright," she said quietly. "Then we wait a few days. Once things here settle down, we'll move."
Kasage nodded, then raised another piece of dried food with curiosity.
"By the way… what exactly is this? It tastes surprisingly good."
Kikyo glanced at it, then calmly picked one up herself and took a bite.
"It's made from the dried mycelium of a Black Tengu mushroom yokai. The taste is… quite good."
"Yokai?" Kasage paused slightly, recalling something from memory.
So that kind of thing really existed…
No wonder it tasted unusual.
He looked at Kikyo, noticing how naturally she ate it, even with a faint hint of enjoyment in her expression.
A small smile formed on his lips.
"What's the deal with this kind of yokai?" he asked. "It's clearly a yokai… but it's edible—and not even dangerous."
Kikyo chewed thoughtfully before answering,
"This type of mushroom yokai is very weak. In fact, it's prey for most other yokai."
She continued calmly,
"They spread their mycelium throughout forests. If exposed to strong sunlight or fire, it can grow into a new yokai. That's why it must be air-dried properly before eating."
She picked up another piece.
"But because of its flavor, it's often used as dried rations—so long as it isn't roasted or boiled. Some villagers risk gathering it for food."
Her tone remained steady, but there was a quiet familiarity in it.
"For miko and monks, even if it transforms, it's easy to deal with. That's why many of us collect it while traveling."
She glanced at the food briefly.
"When I find it in the mountains, I gather it, clean it, and let it dry in the shade. It must never be dried under direct sunlight… otherwise, once it becomes a yokai again, it can't be eaten."
Kasage listened, watching her as she spoke so naturally about something she clearly liked.
The faint smile on his face deepened.
At that moment, Kikyo didn't seem like a distant, untouchable miko—
But simply… a girl sharing something she enjoyed.
---
"Inuyasha! Hurry up!"
Kagome stood outside the Barrier of Kikyo's shrine, calling out impatiently.
"I'm coming!" Inuyasha replied—but instead of speeding up, his steps slowed even more.
"Inuyasha, if you keep dragging your feet, we're leaving you behind!" Shippō shouted from Kagome's shoulder.
Sango sighed, watching him with mild frustration.
"He's the one who suggested coming here to ask Kikyo about Naraku… and now he doesn't even want to go in."
Kagome glanced at him, holding back the urge to shout *"Sit!"*, choosing instead to wait.
Miroku stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"He's probably worried. Since we haven't found any clues about Naraku… he might think coming here will just get him mocked by Kasage."
"There's not much we could do," Sango said quietly. "Naraku disappeared completely. We searched everywhere near his castle… and found nothing."
This time, things were different.
Unlike before, Naraku hadn't left behind fragments or traces.
It was as if he had vanished entirely.
In the end, it was Inuyasha who suggested coming here.
After all, besides Sesshomaru, Kikyo and Kasage were also present during the last battle. If anyone knew something… it would be them.
Still, the closer they got—
The more hesitant Inuyasha became.
"Stop sulking like a kid," Shippō muttered as Inuyasha finally approached.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha snapped, glaring at him before turning away with a huff.
Kagome sighed softly.
"…He really is hopeless sometimes."
She turned her attention to the Barrier, focusing her spiritual power.
Thanks to her previous visits, opening it was no longer difficult.
Slowly—
An entrance formed.
"Inuyasha, Shippō, Kirara—go!"
Without hesitation, Inuyasha stepped through. Shippō and Kirara followed closely behind.
Kagome released her power, allowing the Barrier to close again before she, Sango, and Miroku walked forward.
As humans, they passed through effortlessly.
"So this is where Kikyo and Kasage live…" Sango murmured, looking around the quiet shrine with curiosity.
Just then—
"Who's there?"
A clear, youthful voice rang out.
Everyone turned.
A young girl in red and white miko robes stepped out from the main hall, bow in hand, her eyes filled with caution.
Inuyasha frowned slightly.
"Hey, kid. Who are you? Where's Kikyo?"
The girl's eyes immediately locked onto his ears.
"Yokai!"
She raised her bow, clumsily drawing the string, her hands trembling but determined.
"How did a yokai like you get past the Barrier?!"