"Stop chasing. Naraku has already escaped."
The chakra tachi beneath his feet dissolved into particles of light as Uchiha Kasage landed steadily, still holding Kikyo.
Seeing Inuyasha and the others preparing to pursue, he immediately spoke.
"Damn it… that bastard!" Inuyasha stopped abruptly, clenching his teeth as he stared in the direction Naraku had vanished.
"Naraku is stronger now," Kasage said calmly. "Even if you chase him, you won't defeat him."
"Hmph. That coward only knows how to run," Inuyasha replied, sheathing Tessaiga. "Next time, I'll cut him down."
"…Right." Kasage nodded casually.
"Hey! What was that supposed to mean?!" Inuyasha snapped, glaring at him.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome Higurashi gently grabbed his arm, trying to calm him.
Kikyo suddenly spoke, her voice cutting through the tension.
"Saint Hakushin's soul is still trapped within his mummified body."
Everyone fell silent.
"If we don't resolve it soon… his lingering attachment will cause him to fully fall into a yokai."
"Saint Hakushin?" Inuyasha blinked, snapping back to reality.
Miroku and Sango also froze for a moment, remembering the powerful Barrier from before.
The collapse of Mount Hakurei had made them forget something important.
"…I almost forgot about that monk," Kasage muttered.
"I've already found him."
As Kikyo finished speaking, a glowing Soul Collector drifted toward them, circling gently before flying off in a specific direction.
Kikyo reached out and took Kasage's hand.
"Let's go."
Without hesitation, they followed.
Inuyasha and the others quickly moved after them.
Before long—
they arrived.
Sitting quietly atop a rock, surrounded by rubble—
was a withered figure.
His body was dry and blackened, like a lifeless husk.
His empty eye sockets stared forward.
"Priestess… we meet again."
From the darkness within his eyes—
two dim, orange-yellow lights appeared.
They turned slowly—
locking onto Kikyo.
"…Is that really Saint Hakushin?" Kagome whispered, instinctively hiding behind Inuyasha as she clutched his sleeve. "He's… terrifying…"
Even Sango tensed, unconsciously stepping closer to Miroku.
"He really is just a dried-up monk," Inuyasha said bluntly, examining him. "And he's still alive…"
Bang!
Miroku struck him on the head with his staff.
"Show some respect! Insulting a saint invites divine punishment!"
Saint Hakushin ignored them.
His gaze shifted—
resting on Kasage.
"I did not expect… someone with such power."
His voice was hoarse, but steady.
"To defeat a being like Naraku… no wonder he chose to hide here."
Kikyo stepped forward slightly.
There was a trace of pity in her eyes—
as if she were looking at her past self.
"Naraku has already fled," she said softly. "Will you continue to remain in this world like this?"
"…Are you here to destroy me?"
His tone was calm.
Empty.
"I want you to release your attachment," Kikyo replied gently. "And truly find peace."
A flicker of emotion crossed Saint Hakushin's eyes.
Then—
he laughed bitterly.
"Isn't it ironic?"
"A man who claimed to save others… who preached compassion…"
"…died in fear and confusion."
"And in the end… his soul was 'saved' by a yokai."
Kikyo met his gaze.
"…Is that truly salvation?"
Her voice was quiet—
but carried weight.
"If it is… then why is your soul filled with such sorrow?"
"…Sorrow…"
His eyes trembled.
"I was never confused in life," he murmured. "I saved countless people…"
"And in the end… they buried me alive."
"They prayed for my peaceful death… for my sacrifice…"
His voice grew heavier.
"But I was never a saint."
"Only at the moment of death… did I realize it."
"I feared the darkness."
"I wanted to live."
Silence fell.
"…And so, my soul fell."
Kikyo listened quietly.
"…And Naraku found you in that darkness."
Saint Hakushin said nothing.
"But is that what you truly wanted?" she continued softly. "A being who despises humans… protecting you?"
"Even if you guard this sacred place… your soul won't find peace."
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"No one is free from doubt."
"No heart is perfectly pure."
"You don't need to force yourself to be a flawless saint."
Saint Hakushin lowered his gaze.
"…I had to be."
"There was no other way."
"I chose that path… and I followed it."
Kikyo paused.
Then lowered her eyes.
"…I understand."
Her voice softened.
"I was the same."
"I tried not to falter… not to make mistakes…"
"…but that only made everything heavier."
"In the end… I was still human."
"Inuyasha…" he whispered unconsciously, staring at her back.
For the first time—
he realized something he had never seen before.
Kagome and the others also fell silent.
They could almost see it—
Kikyo, fifty years ago—
fighting alone, carrying the burden of the Shikon Jewel.
Lonely.
Unwavering.
Then—
a warm hand gently held hers.
Kikyo looked up.
Kasage stood beside her—
his expression calm, but reassuring.
The darkness in her eyes faded.
A small, genuine smile appeared.
She turned back toward Saint Hakushin.
Her voice became firm.
"Everyone feels doubt."
"And that is exactly why we strive for something greater."
"There is no shame… in fearing death."
"No shame… in loving life."
Saint Hakushin trembled.
"…You would save me?"
"I was buried alive," he said bitterly. "My soul is filled with resentment."
"Someone like me… cannot be saved."
Kikyo shook her head.
"I cannot save your soul."
"…But you can."
She took a small step forward.
"What are you truly grieving for?"
Saint Hakushin froze.
"…What… am I grieving for…?"
His pupils shrank—
as if struck directly.
Kikyo moved closer—
but suddenly—
her wrist was gently held.
She turned.
Kasage shook his head slightly.
"…Let me."
His voice was calm.
"I have a way."
He stepped forward.
His gaze met Saint Hakushin's.
In the next moment—
his Mangekyō Sharingan appeared.
Power surged.
"Tsukuyomi."