"I wonder how the Village Head is doing… He's been on the Holy Island for half a month now."
"Could it be that he angered the Venerable One? What if we get dragged into it…"
The villagers' worried conversation drifted into Kasage's ears.
He paused slightly and turned his head.
Not far away by the lake, several villagers were crouched near the shore, organizing fishing nets as they spoke with uneasy expressions.
Even from a distance, one phrase stood out clearly—
Holy Island.
Kasage lifted his gaze toward the lake.
At the center of the calm, green waters, a small island could be seen, faintly shrouded in mist.
He understood immediately.
That island… should be where the fleshly mummy of Hakushin Bodhisattva had once been enshrined.
But now—
it should already be gone.
Naraku had likely taken it.
"Kasage, is something wrong with that island?"
Kikyo stepped closer, her voice soft but attentive. She followed his gaze toward the mist-covered island.
"I heard something interesting," Kasage replied calmly, pulling his eyes away.
He turned toward Miroku.
"Monk. The villagers mentioned something unusual happening on that island half a month ago. Go ask them."
"No problem."
Miroku nodded at once.
In an instant, he straightened his posture, adjusted his robes, picked up his staff, and put on a perfectly solemn expression as he walked toward the villagers.
Kagome watched him go and couldn't help but sigh.
"…Miroku's serious face is really misleading."
"Yeah."
"Totally."
Inuyasha, Sango, and Shippō all agreed without hesitation.
A short while later, Miroku returned.
His expression had returned to its serious, composed state.
"There is indeed something going on."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The island in the middle of the lake is called Holy Island. According to the villagers, only the men of the Village Head's family are allowed to set foot there to serve the Hakushin Bodhisattva."
"Hakushin Bodhisattva…?" Kagome repeated, surprised.
Miroku nodded.
"The same one we've heard about—he built the temple on Mount Hakurei."
He continued,
"They say he was a highly respected monk from a hundred years ago. He became a Living Buddha, and his body was enshrined on that island."
"A Living Buddha?" Inuyasha frowned.
Miroku glanced at him and explained patiently.
"It refers to attaining Buddhahood in one's own body. Some monks fast before death, allowing their bodies to mummify while still alive."
"…So basically, a dried-up monk," Inuyasha said bluntly.
Miroku's expression stiffened instantly.
He pressed his palms together.
"Be careful of divine punishment."
"What actually happened?" Sango asked, cutting them off.
Miroku's tone turned heavier.
"Half a month ago, strange lights appeared on the island. Worried about the Bodhisattva, the Village Head went to investigate…"
"…and never came back."
"Strange lights…" Kikyo murmured, her gaze lowering slightly. "…Naraku?"
"Whoever it is," Kasage said calmly, already turning toward the lakeside, "we'll find out once we see it ourselves."
He already knew the truth.
But seeing it with his own eyes—
that was different.
"Wait," Kagome said, hesitating as she looked across the wide lake. "Don't we need a boat?"
Kasage waved a hand dismissively, not slowing down.
"With me here, why bother looking for one? Just follow."
Soon, they reached the water's edge.
Everyone's attention fell on him.
Kasage didn't explain.
His hands formed seals swiftly.
"Wood Release."
The moment the words left his mouth—
wood surged from his palms.
With a rapid crackling sound, countless wooden strands intertwined and expanded, assembling themselves in midair.
In just seconds—
a sturdy wooden boat formed and settled onto the water.
"…Done. Let's go."
Before anyone could react, Kasage bent down, lifted Kikyo effortlessly, and leaped onto the boat.
Inuyasha followed, carrying Kagome.
Sango and Miroku boarded as well, holding Kirara and Shippō.
Kagome steadied herself, then looked around in amazement, touching the wooden planks.
"Kasage… your Wood Release is incredible. You can build houses… and even boats."
Kasage gave her a thumbs-up with a faint grin.
"Good eye."
He paused—
then added casually,
"It's also very efficient at killing people."
"…Eh?"
Kagome froze.
"…Don't say things like that," Kikyo said softly, though she lightly tapped his chest in quiet reproach.
Kasage chuckled.
"Relax. Just a joke."
Seeing Kagome still stunned, he decided not to push further.
He picked up a long pole and pushed the boat away from the shore.
The water rippled gently as they began drifting toward the island.
"Wait! Please—wait!"
A child's voice suddenly called out from behind.
Everyone turned.
A young boy was running toward them, waving his arms, his face full of urgency.
Kasage stopped the boat and looked at him.
He recognized him.
That boy—
should be the Village Head's son.
The boy reached the shore, bending over as he tried to catch his breath.
"Are you… going to the Holy Island?" he asked anxiously.
"That's right," Kasage replied calmly. "Why?"
"Please… take me with you!"
Kikyo stepped forward slightly, her gaze gentle.
"…Why do you want to go?"
"My name is Shintaro," the boy said, lifting his head.
"My father is the Village Head. He went to the island half a month ago… and hasn't come back."
His voice trembled slightly.
"I'm worried about him. But the villagers are afraid of divine punishment… no one will go."
He clenched his fists.
"I can guide you. The island is always covered in mist—it's dangerous."
Kikyo looked at him quietly for a moment.
"…Kasage," she said softly, "let him come."
Kasage didn't hesitate.
"Alright. Grab on."
He extended the pole toward the boy.
"Hold tight."
"Thank you!"
Shintaro grabbed it immediately.
With a simple pull, Kasage lifted him onto the boat as if he weighed nothing.
"Thank you… really!"
Shintaro bowed his head repeatedly.
"No need," Shippō said, patting his shoulder. "Of course you'd be worried about your dad!"
Shintaro nodded, a small, grateful smile appearing.
Kasage pushed the boat further into the lake, then casually tossed the pole aside.
He turned to everyone.
"Hold on."
His tone shifted slightly.
"We're speeding up."
Everyone instinctively grabbed the sides of the boat.
"…What do you mean—"
Before Kagome could finish—
Kasage raised his hand.
A spinning sphere of pale blue chakra formed instantly in his palm, humming with power.
"Rasengan."
He drove it into the water behind them.
The moment it made contact—
a powerful force erupted.
The boat lurched forward violently, the bow lifting as it shot ahead like an arrow released from a bow.
Water split apart behind them, leaving a long, white trail—
as they sped straight toward the mist-covered island.