"This Mount Hakurei… it feels incredibly sacred. Could Naraku really be hiding in a place like this?"
Kagome looked up at the mist-covered mountain ahead, her voice filled with disbelief.
"…It's too sacred," Kikyo murmured, her brows slightly furrowed.
She could clearly feel the overwhelming purification power in the air.
And instead of comfort—
it gave her an unsettling feeling.
"Ugh—!"
Suddenly, Kirara—still in her enlarged form—let out a low, pained groan.
Her fur bristled.
Her limbs weakened—
and she collapsed, shrinking rapidly back to her small form.
Nearby, Shippō's face turned pale. His body swayed before he dropped beside her, unconscious.
"Kirara! Shippō!"
Sango rushed forward, gathering both of them into her arms.
"They're not waking up…!"
"Miroku!"
Miroku stepped forward quickly and examined them.
After a moment, he exhaled.
"…They've absorbed too much of the spiritual power leaking from Mount Hakurei."
His expression grew serious.
"As true yokai, the demonic power within them is being forcibly purified. Their bodies couldn't withstand it."
He hesitated, then looked toward Inuyasha.
"Even for a half-yokai like you… I'm afraid—"
"Inuyasha! Are you okay?" Kagome asked immediately.
Inuyasha said nothing.
Instead, he stepped forward toward the mountain.
As if to prove it.
But after only a few steps—
crackling white sparks suddenly erupted across his body.
It was the violent clash between purification power and demonic energy.
His face twisted in pain.
Veins bulged along his temples—
yet he gritted his teeth and kept walking.
Step by step.
The closer he got—
the stronger the light became.
It was as if countless currents were tearing through him.
Then—
a burst of blinding white light exploded.
Inuyasha froze.
He couldn't move forward any longer.
"…Damn it!"
He staggered back, breathing hard.
"This is… a Barrier!"
Miroku stared at the mountain solemnly.
"This must be the Barrier formed by Hakushin Bodhisattva's spiritual power."
"It purifies nearly all demonic aura and evil… making it impossible for yokai to approach."
"…And at the same time," Kikyo added quietly, "it has become Naraku's perfect shield."
Her gaze shifted to Inuyasha.
"If Naraku is inside… you won't be able to cross it."
Miroku frowned.
"The power here is overwhelming. Even as a human, I feel uneasy just standing near it."
"If this continues, it may affect all of us."
"Really?" Sango said, confused. "I don't feel anything strange."
"Me neither," Kagome added, nodding.
Kikyo glanced at Miroku thoughtfully.
Inuyasha smirked.
"…Maybe your heart is just filthy."
Miroku froze.
"…What?"
"Look at you," Inuyasha continued, eyes narrowed. "You're practically sweating."
"…I am not!"
But his stiff expression said otherwise.
Sango and Kagome exchanged knowing looks.
Without a word—
they both stepped closer.
"…Wait. What are you doing?" Miroku asked, suddenly uneasy.
Before he could react—
they each grabbed one of his hands.
"…Eh?!"
They pulled him forward.
Toward the Barrier.
At first—
Miroku blinked in surprise.
The warmth of their hands.
The faint scent around him—
his thoughts began to drift.
But the next instant—
a wave of purification power crashed over him.
Like a tide.
His wandering thoughts were instantly wiped clean.
One moment—
he was filled with distracting impulses.
The next—
his mind was forced into absolute clarity.
The two extremes clashed violently within him.
"Ugh…!"
His face twisted.
"Stop—this is—this is unbearable!"
The closer they got—
the worse it became.
Finally—
"I can't take it anymore!"
He tore his hands free and stumbled backward in panic.
Only after retreating far from the Barrier did he stop, leaning forward as he panted heavily.
"…That was dangerous…"
His face was pale.
"If I stayed any longer… I might've been completely purified…"
He shuddered.
"…I haven't even found someone willing to bear my children yet…"
"Incredible," Inuyasha muttered dryly, holding Shippō and Kirara. "A monk with a corrupted soul."
Miroku had no comeback.
Kikyo watched the scene quietly, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.
"…They're quite interesting."
Kasage chuckled softly beside her.
"Yeah."
He remembered this kind of scene.
But seeing it in person—
was even better.
"Come," Kikyo said gently, reaching out and taking his hand.
"Let's take a closer look at the Barrier."
Kasage followed without hesitation.
The closer they approached—
the heavier the air became.
The purification power intensified with every step.
Kikyo's expression turned serious.
"This isn't just the power of the mummy…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"This Barrier was most likely created by Hakushin Bodhisattva himself."
"…Even I can feel its influence."
She paused, then asked quietly:
"Do you still think Naraku is inside?"
Kasage nodded.
"Yes."
"This Barrier is powerful… but it also creates the safest possible refuge."
He glanced toward the mountain.
"You once said spiritual power reflects the will of the heart."
"This Barrier rejects evil… because that is its purpose."
He paused briefly.
"…So if its source doesn't reject someone—"
"They can pass through," Kikyo finished softly.
Kasage nodded.
"That's likely how Naraku entered."
Kikyo looked at the mountain in silence.
"…That makes sense."
Then—
"Kasage."
He turned.
Before he could react—
Kikyo stepped forward.
A faint breeze brushed past—
and she rose onto her toes.
Her lips met his.
Soft.
Warm.
Unexpected.
Kasage froze for a moment—
then instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.
But just as quickly—
she pulled away.
Taking a step back, she exhaled lightly.
"…I see."
There was a trace of relief on her face.
But also—
a hint of disappointment.
"You're completely unaffected," she said quietly.
"I felt the pressure just now… but you didn't react at all."
Kasage blinked—
then narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…So that's what this was?"
He reached out and lightly pinched her cheeks.
"You were testing me?"
Kikyo frowned slightly, brushing his hand away.
"…Don't. It's uncomfortable this close to the Barrier."
Kasage sighed.
"…You didn't seem uncomfortable when you attacked me just now."
Kikyo paused.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"…That was different."
She turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze.
"…Just answer the question."
Her voice softened.
"…How are you completely unaffected by the Barrier?"