Time passed quietly. After Uchiha Kasage and Kikyo returned from the modern era, they resumed their calm and peaceful life at the shrine.
The only difference now was that Kikyo had a small shadow constantly following her—Yuzuki, whom she had officially accepted as a disciple and had begun training as a miko.
Kasage leaned casually against a pillar in the corridor before the shrine's main hall, his gaze fixed on the tree in the courtyard where a swing hung gently.
Under the tree, Kikyo sat at a wooden table, holding a brush as she patiently guided Yuzuki through reading and writing.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting soft, shifting patterns of light and shadow over them, making the scene feel warm and tranquil.
Kasage watched quietly for a moment before withdrawing his gaze. He straightened and walked down the mountain path.
A miko's training was not limited to combat techniques like archery or barrier arts used to eliminate yokai. It also required a strong foundation in knowledge—reading, writing, and discipline.
At that moment, Kikyo noticed his movement and looked up.
"Kasage, are you going out?" she asked softly, her eyes calm but questioning.
"I'm going to see Enju for a bit. There's something I want to ask her." He paused, turning back with a faint smile. "I'll be back soon."
Kikyo watched his departing figure. Though curiosity flickered in her eyes, she didn't ask further. Instead, she gently patted Yuzuki's head and continued teaching.
Kasage soon arrived at the village at the foot of the mountain.
In a quiet corner, he found Enju busy tending to her kiln, shaping clay with focused attention.
After settling into village life, Enju had asked Kasage to help her build a kiln and had returned to her craft of pottery, living peacefully.
Occasionally, when her chakra ran low, she would visit the shrine and ask him to replenish it.
"Lord Kasage? What brings you here?" Enju immediately stood up, surprise evident on her face. "Do you need my help with something?"
"Nothing urgent." Kasage smiled gently. "I just wanted to ask—if the Midoriko clay body you made gets damaged, can it be repaired?"
"Damaged?" Enju frowned slightly. "How serious is it? Was it shattered?"
"If it's completely destroyed, it would be difficult. But if it's only cracked or partially damaged, it can be repaired."
Kasage thought briefly before asking, "If there's a hole about the size of a finger, would that still be repairable?"
Enju nodded without hesitation. "That level of damage is easy to fix. As long as the body isn't completely destroyed and the soul inside hasn't dissipated, there's no problem."
She raised her hand, still covered in damp clay.
"Our bodies are made of clay after all. Damage is unavoidable. My hand was smashed not long ago, but I've already repaired it."
"Good… that's reassuring." Kasage nodded.
He recalled how Kikyo's clay body had once been pierced, later repaired with grave soil, but eventually cracked again due to lingering miasma.
After confirming what he needed, Kasage thanked Enju and returned to the shrine.
Back in the courtyard, he chose an open space.
His crimson Mangekyo Sharingan appeared instantly.
"Kamui."
A distorted vortex twisted the space before him as Midoriko's clay body slowly emerged from the Kamui dimension, settling gently onto the ground.
"Kasage, why did you take out Midoriko's body?" Kikyo approached, her voice calm but curious. "What are you planning?"
Kasage looked down at the clay figure dressed in miko robes, then turned to Kikyo. A faint, teasing smile crossed his face.
"Midoriko's soul is still sealed inside the Shikon Jewel. Until it's complete, there's no way to retrieve it."
He paused, his tone turning slightly playful.
"This body is just lying unused… it feels like a waste. Why not use it for a while?"
"Use it?" Kikyo repeated, her gaze narrowing slightly.
Before she could react further, Kasage reached toward the ties of the miko robes as if to loosen them.
"Hiss—!"
A sharp pain shot through his waist.
Kasage stiffened instantly.
Turning his head, he saw Kikyo glaring at him, her fingers firmly pinching his side, her eyes carrying a dangerous warning.
"I—I was joking!" he said quickly.
He had no doubt that if he didn't explain himself, Kikyo might genuinely draw an arrow and purify him on the spot.
"Hmph." Kikyo let go, though her eyes remained narrowed, clearly demanding a proper explanation.
Kasage gently held her hand and pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her to stop her from retaliating again.
"Alright… I really do need to use this body."
Feeling her gradually relax against him, he continued more seriously,
"My eyes have recently evolved… I've awakened new abilities. I want to test them using Midoriko's body."
His gaze returned to the clay figure, now filled with focus.
"Leaving it unused in the Kamui dimension is a waste. Midoriko's body, as a high-level miko vessel, is perfect for creating one of the Six Paths puppets."
Kikyo leaned lightly against him, looking up with curiosity.
"Six Paths puppet?"
Kasage didn't elaborate further.
Instead, he released her gently and walked toward the clay body.
He crouched down, carefully turning it over, pulling aside the back of the miko robes to reveal smooth, flawless skin like polished jade.
Kikyo understood now that his intentions were serious, so she remained silent, watching quietly.
"Now… let's test the power of the Rinnegan."
Kasage took a slow breath, channeling chakra into his eyes.
"Rinnegan… activate."
In the next instant, the Mangekyo patterns faded.
They were replaced by deep, pale purple eyes.
Ripple-like circles spread outward from his pupils, filling his gaze with an overwhelming sense of power and mystery.
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.