"Because my feelings for you are pure."
Uchiha Kasage spoke with complete seriousness, his eyes steady and sincere as he looked at Kikyo.
Kikyo rolled her eyes, though a faint blush still appeared on her cheeks.
"I appreciate you saying that," she replied, her tone calm but slightly embarrassed, "but don't treat me like a child. Just tell me properly."
Seeing that she wasn't fooled, Kasage let out a small laugh.
"Alright. It's actually very simple."
His expression softened slightly as he continued,
"I'm constantly maintaining Sage Mode. My mind stays clear, and I become one with nature."
He looked ahead at the Barrier.
"No matter how strong this purification power is, it can't affect all things that exist within nature."
Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
"…Is it really that simple?"
Curiosity flickered across her face. She slowly closed her eyes, trying to sense the natural energy around them.
A moment passed.
Then she opened her eyes again, frowning.
"…No. I can't feel it."
Her voice became more serious.
"The purification energy inside this Barrier is interfering. All I can sense is the spiritual power around us. There's no trace of natural energy at all."
Kasage sighed and reached out, lightly pinching her cheek.
"…Why did you suddenly become this slow?"
Kikyo immediately grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand away as she glared at him.
"We're still inside the Barrier's range," he continued calmly. "The interference here is too strong. Try again once you're outside."
He paused slightly before adding,
"When you successfully merge natural energy with your own spiritual power and form Sage Art spirit power, this kind of purification energy won't affect you anymore."
"I just didn't think of it for a moment," Kikyo replied, her tone slightly annoyed, though her voice softened at the end. "This Barrier… it's uncomfortable."
Kasage raised his hands slightly in surrender.
"Alright, alright."
Kikyo took a small breath, regaining her composure, then looked deeper into Mount Hakurei.
"…Are we going in now?"
"Of course."
Kasage nodded without hesitation.
"You promised to bring Kansuke's hair into Mount Hakurei. Even if this place isn't as perfect as the legends say, we should still keep that promise."
Kikyo gave a quiet nod.
"…Then let's go."
She turned back toward the others.
"We'll go in first and check the situation. The rest of you stay outside the Barrier."
"Sango and I can come with you," Miroku said immediately.
"No need."
Kasage didn't even hesitate. His voice was calm, but firm.
He drove a kunai into the ground beside him.
"You'd only slow us down."
The blunt response left everyone speechless.
Kagome sighed softly.
"…Just be careful."
Without another word, Kasage and Kikyo stepped forward and crossed into the Barrier.
"There's still no sign of any yokai aura…" Kikyo said quietly, scanning the mist-covered forest.
"That's only on the surface," Kasage replied.
He lifted his gaze toward the mountain.
"The inside of Mount Hakurei has been hollowed out."
"…and it's filled with yokai."
Kikyo's eyes widened in surprise.
"You mean Naraku is hiding inside the mountain itself?"
"Yes."
Kasage nodded.
He could clearly sense it. The dense concentration of yokai aura hidden within the mountain, along with the Flying Thunder God marks he had left on Kagura and Kanna. They were both inside.
"…Are you still affected by the Barrier?" he asked.
Kikyo shook her head gently, a faint smile appearing.
"No. After merging natural energy with my spiritual power, the surrounding purification power no longer interferes with me."
Kasage smirked slightly.
"…Is that so? I'm not convinced."
He reached a hand toward her, mimicking a very familiar gesture.
Kikyo immediately noticed and stepped back, her cheeks flushing.
"Don't imitate that perverted monk!"
Kasage suddenly stepped forward instead and lifted her by the waist.
"What are you thinking?" he said calmly.
"I'm just taking you up faster."
Kikyo paused for a moment, then let out a soft huff. Without resisting, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"…Hmph."
Kasage focused, gathering chakra at his feet, and began rapidly ascending the steep cliff toward the summit.
"Are you going to Hakushin Bodhisattva?" Kikyo asked softly as the wind brushed past them.
"Yes."
Kasage nodded.
"Business first. Naraku can wait."
"…Alright."
Kikyo's voice softened.
"I'll follow your lead."
Soon, a temple built into the mountainside appeared before them, shrouded in mist and silence.
Kasage leaped forward and landed steadily in the courtyard, gently setting Kikyo down.
"…So this is the temple," Kikyo murmured as she looked around.
"It should be."
Kasage nodded.
A swirling vortex appeared, and he retrieved Kansuke's hair from the Kamui space, handing it to her.
"Even if the request was only to bring it here, placing it near the Bodhisattva feels more appropriate."
Kikyo accepted it quietly.
At that moment, another vortex opened.
Boom!
A massive blade fell from the distortion and slammed into the ground, cracking the stone beneath it.
Sparks burst across its surface as its yokai energy clashed violently with the surrounding purification power.
Kikyo's gaze sharpened.
"…It's become a yokai blade."
"Yes."
Kasage stepped forward and gripped the hilt. Chakra flowed steadily into the blade, stabilizing it against the overwhelming purification energy.
"I want to see…"
"…if this place can purge its corruption."
He lifted the blade onto his shoulder and walked forward.
Not far ahead, a vermilion altar came into view.
On top of it, seated upon a lotus pedestal, was a mummified figure.
Dressed in a purple kasaya.
Wearing a golden hood.
Silent and unmoving.
Hakushin Bodhisattva's fleshly mummy.