"Get lost!"
Seeing Jakotsu about to be split in two by Inuyasha's blade, Bankotsu roared. His body shot forward, instantly intercepting the attack as Banryū slammed into Tessaiga.
Clang!
The deafening crash of metal rang out as sparks exploded in all directions. The sheer force of the collision made the air tremble.
"Move!" Bankotsu gritted his teeth, forcing his strength forward. He pushed Inuyasha back and reached out at the same time, steadying Jakotsu's body.
"Jakotsu, are you alright?"
"Yeah, thanks, Big Brother." Jakotsu rubbed his aching abdomen, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His brow tightened, but his tone remained light. "We're already dead anyway. This kind of injury doesn't matter."
"Suikotsu!"
Renkotsu's startled shout came from behind them, instantly making Bankotsu and Jakotsu's expressions darken as they turned.
At the same moment Kasage had kicked Jakotsu away, Suikotsu had already rushed forward, iron claws stabbing straight for Kasage's throat.
But even enhanced by a Shikon shard, Suikotsu's movements were painfully slow under the gaze of the Sharingan.
Kasage tilted his head slightly.
The claws brushed past the edge of his mask, slicing through empty air.
Suikotsu's eyes widened.
Before he could recover, his second strike came, faster, more desperate.
It still missed.
"Too slow."
Kasage's voice slipped out from beneath the mask, cold and filled with quiet contempt.
"You—!"
Enraged, Suikotsu launched into a frenzy, his claws lashing out like a storm.
Kasage stepped aside from the final strike, then suddenly reached out and caught Suikotsu's wrist.
A sharp twist—
Crack.
The sound of bone snapping echoed clearly.
Suikotsu's arm bent at an unnatural angle, jagged bone tearing through flesh as blood burst out.
"Agh—!"
His scream tore through the battlefield.
But Kasage didn't pause.
Still gripping the broken arm, he drove it upward with brutal force.
The iron claws pierced straight through Suikotsu's neck, bursting out from behind.
"The second one."
Kasage caught the Shikon shard as it flew free, his movements precise and effortless. He let Suikotsu's body drop. It crumbled into dry bones almost instantly.
His crimson Sharingan swept across the remaining enemies, emotionless.
"Suikotsu!"
Renkotsu's voice shook with shock.
Bankotsu and Jakotsu turned just in time to see Suikotsu's remains scatter. Their expressions hardened.
Kasage flexed his wrist slightly.
"So this is the Band of Seven?" His tone was flat, almost bored. "Pathetic. Just a group of bandits who prey on the weak."
"Big Brother, go help the others. I'll handle this!" Jakotsu stepped forward, placing himself in front of Inuyasha. This time, the playfulness in his eyes was gone.
He understood it clearly.
If they didn't take this seriously, they would all die here.
"…Fine."
Bankotsu didn't hesitate. He gave Inuyasha one last glance, then turned and charged toward Kasage.
"Don't run!" Inuyasha immediately moved to pursue.
"Your opponent is me, Inuyasha!"
Jakotsu's voice rang out as his Jakotsutō snapped forward, transforming into a chain blade that wrapped tightly around Tessaiga, locking it in place.
Inuyasha clicked his tongue and was forced to engage him.
"Should we help?" Miroku asked, stepping forward instinctively.
"No."
Kikyo's voice stopped him.
Her gaze remained fixed on the battlefield.
"Kasage isn't serious yet. You'll only get in the way."
There was quiet certainty in her tone.
"Brothers, together! Kill him!" Bankotsu roared.
"Die!"
Mukotsu stepped forward, releasing a thick, blood-red toxic mist.
"Whether you're a human or a yokai, this poison will drag you to hell!"
"Take this!"
Renkotsu unleashed a torrent of flames from his gourd. The fire merged with the poison, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno.
Boom!
Ginkotsu's cannon roared. A shell slammed directly into the flames where Kasage stood.
Then another.
And another.
Explosions chained together, shaking the earth as fire and smoke swallowed everything.
"Haha! Burn to nothing!" Ginkotsu laughed wildly.
"Susanoo."
A deep voice echoed through the flames.
Suddenly, a massive pale-blue skeletal arm burst from the smoke, grabbing Mukotsu before he could react.
The flames were forced apart.
A towering figure emerged.
The skeletal form rapidly grew, muscle and armor forming over it. The Susanoo stood tall, radiating overwhelming pressure that weighed down on everyone present.
"…What are you?" Bankotsu stared up, his voice low.
The Susanoo's grip tightened.
Squelch.
Blood burst from between its fingers.
Mukotsu didn't even have time to scream before he was crushed completely. His remains turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
Inside the Susanoo, Kasage caught the Shikon shard effortlessly.
"The third one."
His Mangekyō Sharingan glowed faintly behind the mask.
"Bastard!"
Enraged, Bankotsu leapt into the air, pouring all his strength into Banryū as he brought it down against the Susanoo.
The Susanoo formed a massive blade of chakra in its hand and met the strike head-on.
Clang!
The impact exploded outward.
Bankotsu was thrown back instantly, his body sent flying before crashing to the ground. He dragged Banryū through the earth to stop himself, leaving a deep trench behind.
Blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
"…Damn it…"
Before he could recover—
Ginkotsu attacked again.
Rotating saw blades launched from his back, slamming into the Susanoo.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Sparks flew, but the armor remained untouched.
"Die! Die!"
Driven mad, Ginkotsu fired his cannons repeatedly. Explosions engulfed the Susanoo once more.
But it didn't move.
Not even a step.
"You're noisy."
Kasage's voice cut through the chaos.
His gaze locked onto Ginkotsu.
"You're the fourth."
In the Susanoo's palm, chakra gathered rapidly.
Brilliant magatama formed, spinning faster and faster, their light intensifying as a sharp hum filled the air.
"Yasaka no Magatama."