"Ah—!"
The boat suddenly surged forward at terrifying speed. Caught completely off guard, Kagome screamed as everyone on board lost their balance, nearly being thrown straight into the lake.
At that critical moment—
thick vines suddenly burst from beneath the deck.
They twisted and coiled like living things, wrapping firmly around everyone's waists and securing them in place.
In what should have been a long journey—
they reached the island in just a few short minutes.
The shoreline was already right in front of them, jagged reefs clearly visible beneath the water.
"Watch out! There are hidden reefs all around the island—if the boat hits them—!"
Shintaro's warning had barely left his mouth—
BANG!!
A heavy impact shook the entire boat.
The violent jolt made everyone's faces turn pale, instinctively thinking the hull would shatter apart.
But the next second—
they realized something strange.
The boat… was completely intact.
Instead—
the sound of cracking stone echoed from below.
The reefs had shattered.
Kasage showed no surprise.
The wood created by Wood Release was far stronger than ordinary timber—durable enough to withstand ninjutsu itself. Mere rocks posed no threat.
Still, the impact launched the boat slightly into the air before it came crashing down onto the muddy shore, sliding forward before finally stopping.
"Alright. Safe landing."
Kasage clapped his hands lightly from the stern.
Inuyasha was the first to jump off.
He turned back—
and froze.
Kagome, Sango, and Miroku were still clinging to the boat, pale-faced and trembling.
"…What's wrong with you guys?"
"…My legs are a bit weak…" Miroku muttered, rubbing his head. "I'll recover in a moment…"
He glanced helplessly at Kasage and Inuyasha—both completely unaffected.
Kasage casually lifted Shintaro and set him down on the ground before turning back.
He picked up Kikyo and leaped off the boat.
But the moment her feet touched the ground—
her legs gave out.
She fell straight into his arms.
Kikyo looked up at him, her eyes filled with quiet reproach.
Without hesitation, she pinched his waist hard.
"You—!"
Kasage stiffened slightly.
He clearly hadn't expected that reaction.
Glancing around and seeing everyone else still recovering, he wisely chose not to argue.
Instead, he quietly supported her, letting her steady herself.
The island was small, with only sparse shrubs scattered around.
At its center stood a simple wooden Buddhist hall.
"That's the Venerable One's hall," Shintaro said, leading the way once he regained himself.
As they walked—
something came into view.
A skeleton.
The clothing was intact.
But the body had long since turned to bone.
"…Those are Dad's clothes…"
Shintaro's pupils shrank.
He dropped to the ground, his voice trembling.
"…Dad…"
Kagome quickly stepped forward, pulling him into her arms and covering his eyes.
"It's okay… we're here."
Miroku moved closer, examining the remains carefully.
His expression darkened.
"He arrived only half a month ago… yet the body has decomposed this far. That's far too fast."
Kikyo knelt beside the skeleton, studying the marks calmly.
"…These wounds," she said quietly, "were caused by a yokai."
She paused slightly.
"But because of Mount Hakurei's barrier… no demonic aura remains."
"Then it must be Naraku's yokai," Inuyasha said, gripping Tessaiga as his eyes scanned the surroundings.
"But why would Naraku send yokai here?" Kagome asked softly, still comforting Shintaro.
Kasage looked toward the distant hall.
"What else could it be?"
His voice was calm.
"There was only one thing on this island worth taking."
"Hakushin Bodhisattva's mummy."
The realization hit everyone at once.
They immediately quickened their pace.
Shintaro clenched his teeth and followed.
For generations, his family had served the Bodhisattva.
If it had been stolen—
it was an unforgivable loss.
As they approached, the hall's condition became clear.
The door had been destroyed, hanging crookedly.
Someone had broken in by force.
Inside—
it was exactly as they feared.
The offering table was overturned.
Debris lay scattered.
And at the center—
the pedestal was empty.
"Hakushin Bodhisattva… is gone!"
Shintaro cried out, panic filling his voice as he pointed.
"He was right there!"
Then—
his eyes fell on something else.
A shakujō.
It was embedded deeply in the wooden floor beneath the table.
He rushed forward, trembling.
"This… this is my father's…"
His voice broke.
"It was also once used by Hakushin Bodhisattva…"
Miroku stepped forward, his expression heavy.
"With the strange lights… and the condition of this place…"
"…there's no doubt. Naraku took it."
Inuyasha frowned.
"…Why would Naraku want a dried-up monk?"
"Watch your words," Miroku shot back, clearly irritated.
Kikyo stood quietly, observing the traces left behind.
Then she spoke.
"It's for the purification power surrounding Mount Hakurei."
Her voice was calm—but firm.
"Naraku intends to use Hakushin Bodhisattva's spiritual power… to conceal himself within the mountain."
She looked toward the empty pedestal.
"That is why he came here."
"To take it."
Shintaro clenched his fists tightly.
"…Naraku… is the one who did this?"
"Yes," Miroku answered gently.
He pulled the shakujō free and handed it to him.
"Your father fought to protect the Bodhisattva."
"He died… resisting Naraku's subordinates."
Shintaro held the staff tightly.
A quiet light appeared in his eyes.
"…Then… Father fulfilled his duty."
His voice steadied.
"He wasn't punished by the gods… right?"
"…That's right."
Miroku, Sango, and Kagome all nodded firmly.
After searching the island further and finding no additional clues, they regrouped outside the hall.
"In that case, we shouldn't waste time," Inuyasha said, looking toward Mount Hakurei. "If Naraku is there, we're going."
Miroku nodded.
Then he turned to Shintaro.
"I'll help you gather your father's remains."
"I will too," Sango added immediately.
Meanwhile, Kasage, Kikyo, Inuyasha, and Kagome returned to the shore.
"Let's get the boat back in."
"Got it!"
Inuyasha stepped forward and shoved the boat back into the water with a splash.
Soon after, Miroku and Sango returned with Shintaro.
He held a white bundle in his arms.
His father's remains.
Everyone boarded the boat again.
Kasage moved toward the stern—
but suddenly—
two hands pressed firmly onto his shoulders.
He froze.
Kikyo stood on one side.
Kagome on the other.
"…I—"
"You're staying right here," Kikyo said calmly, gripping his arm.
Her tone left no room for argument.
Kagome turned to Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, you and Miroku handle the boat."
"Yeah."
The two grabbed the poles and pushed the boat away from shore.
As it began moving—
everyone visibly relaxed.
No one said it out loud—
but they all felt it.
This was much safer.
Kasage sighed quietly.
Under the firm watch of Kikyo and Kagome—
he had no chance to "speed things up" this time.
The return trip was slow.
Much slower.
But no one complained.
In fact—
it felt reassuring.
Once they reached the shore, they said their farewells to Shintaro and left the wooden boat for him.
Then—
without delay—
they turned toward their next destination.
Mount Hakurei.