"…So this is Hakushin Bodhisattva's fleshly mummy—the one sheltering Naraku?"
Uchiha Kasage stared at the dried corpse seated on the lotus throne, one brow slightly raised.
The shriveled, charred skin clung tightly to the bones. Deep, hollow eye sockets formed two dark pits, staring blankly ahead. Its appearance was unsettling—almost unnatural.
He couldn't help but mutter,
"…Inuyasha wasn't wrong. It really is just a dried corpse."
To be honest, the sight brought back an old discomfort.
Normally, fleshly mummies were covered in gold leaf, forming a serene golden body.
But this—
this looked nothing like that.
If anything, it resembled something far closer to a yokai than a holy figure.
"Who goes there?!"
A hoarse roar suddenly echoed through the hall.
Within those empty eye sockets—
a pair of orange-yellow eyes appeared.
Bloodshot.
Distorted.
The pupils shrank sharply as they locked onto Kasage and Kikyo, adding a chilling presence to the already grotesque figure.
Kasage's eyes narrowed slightly.
For a brief moment, he had the urge to burn it away with Amaterasu.
"…No matter how you look at it," he muttered under his breath, "this doesn't feel holy at all."
"Watch your words," Kikyo said quietly, stepping in front of him.
She bowed respectfully toward the altar.
"You are Hakushin Bodhisattva, correct?"
"…That is correct."
The voice was flat.
Emotionless.
"I am Hakushin."
Its gaze shifted slowly toward Kikyo.
"Miko… why have you come?"
Kikyo met its eyes calmly.
"This Barrier… was created by you, wasn't it?"
"You were once a respected monk."
Her voice remained steady, but firm.
"…Why are you helping Naraku?"
"Why allow him to hide within your sacred ground?"
"You must already know what he is."
"I know," Hakushin replied without hesitation.
"But whether Naraku is evil… has nothing to do with me."
His tone did not change.
"I act according to my own will."
Kikyo's expression tightened slightly.
She took a step forward, about to speak again—
but Kasage gently stopped her.
"That's enough."
She looked back at him, clearly wanting to continue.
"…But—"
"Trust me," he said softly, holding her hand.
"There's no point forcing it."
His voice was calm, but certain.
"He has already chosen his path."
Kikyo hesitated for a moment—
then slowly nodded.
"…Alright."
Kasage exhaled quietly.
He knew very well—
in another time, Kikyo could have saved him.
But not now.
For now—
this Barrier was still necessary.
Hakushin's gaze shifted back to Kasage.
"…And you?"
"What is your purpose here?"
Kasage glanced at Kikyo, then spoke calmly.
"Nothing complicated."
"We came on behalf of someone."
"A man burdened with heavy sins… who, before dying, asked us to bring his hair here."
"He hoped his soul could find peace in this sacred place."
Kikyo stepped forward and gently placed Kansuke's white hair on the offering altar.
"…Salvation…"
Hakushin lowered his gaze.
Something flickered in those distorted eyes.
Confusion.
Pain.
Fear.
And finally—
sorrow.
He slowly closed his eyes.
A moment later—
the strand of white hair began to glow.
It transformed into a soft sphere of light, rising gently into the air.
Kasage watched quietly.
He understood.
That was Kansuke's soul.
At the same time—
the purification power within the hall intensified.
The Banryu in Kasage's hand suddenly trembled.
Light burst from its surface.
The yokai energy within the blade—
along with the resentment of those it had slain—
was drawn out, rising alongside the glowing soul.
Everything was purified.
Everything was released.
Kasage looked at the blade in his hand.
The dark, oppressive aura was gone.
"…Not bad."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
This kind of purification—
wasn't something he could replicate.
Hakushin may not have been powerful in battle—
but in saving souls…
he was unmatched.
Even so—
Banryu had now truly become a yokai blade.
Its power would return in time.
Kasage had already realized long ago—
yokai blades in this world possessed their own power.
Like living beings.
Just like Tessaiga.
Even without its wielder's strength, it still held its own energy.
For humans, this meant danger.
If the blade was too weak, its power was limited.
If it was too strong—
it would consume its wielder.
That was the nature of such weapons.
Kasage lifted Banryu onto his shoulder.
"…Since you've chosen to shelter Naraku…"
His voice was calm.
"…then we'll stand against you."
He turned, pulling Kikyo gently with him as they began to leave.
But before they exited—
he glanced back one last time.
"Be careful."
Kikyo leaned slightly closer to him as they walked.
"…Kasage," she whispered, "what are you planning?"
"I'll tell you outside," he replied quietly.
"…First, we're going to meet someone."
Kikyo looked at him, curiosity in her eyes.
After a few more steps—
a figure appeared ahead.
A small girl with white hair.
Holding a mirror.
Standing silently in the corridor.
Kanna.
"Kanna… you're here too?" Kikyo asked, surprised.
"Did Naraku send you?"
"…To stop you."
Her voice was flat.
Emotionless.
The mirror in her hands began to glow with a pale white light.
Kasage felt it immediately—
a force trying to pull at his soul.
But it was weak.
He glanced at Kikyo.
She was completely unaffected.
Kanna continued, expression unchanged.
She made no effort to increase her power.
Kasage understood instantly.
"…So that's how it is."
Just like Kagura—
she was only pretending.
Putting on a show for Naraku.
He chuckled softly.
"Tell Kagura to be careful."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Both of you. Don't die."
Before Kanna could respond—
Kasage activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant—
he and Kikyo vanished.
Kanna stood alone in the corridor.
The mirror dimmed.
Her expression remained empty as her figure slowly faded into the surrounding mist—
and disappeared.