"Master Shinsen, look here!" the disciple suddenly called out.
Monk Shinsen quickly walked over and saw a clear hoofprint on the ground, surrounded by scorched marks.
"These are Blazing Hoof's tracks… Entei's tracks," Shinsen said immediately, recognizing the familiar yokai aura. His expression stiffened. "Could it be that the miko who took Entei returned… and broke the seal of Purgatory Ghost as well?"
Not far away, he noticed another dark red stain.
The land around the seal had long been polluted by ghostly energy, causing the blood to seep into the dark soil, making it difficult to notice. But guided by the hoofprints, he quickly spotted it.
Even though it had sunk into the ground, the blood still emitted a strong, sinister aura. It was clearly not human.
Shinsen crouched down, scooped up some of the blood-soaked soil, and brought it close to his nose.
The pungent smell and lingering ghostly energy made his expression darken.
"This is… the blood of Purgatory Ghost."
Looking at the wide area stained with blood, he understood at once.
"It wasn't released… it was killed. And its body was taken."
"…!"
Shinsen's expression suddenly changed.
He turned sharply toward the dense forest ahead, his grip tightening around his prayer beads.
"Master Shinsen, what is it?" the disciple asked nervously.
"Didn't you feel it?" Shinsen said in a low voice. "A powerful evil presence is approaching. Quickly—hide behind that rock!"
"Yes!"
The disciple didn't hesitate and immediately ran behind a large boulder.
"Who's there?!" Shinsen shouted toward the forest, his spiritual power beginning to surge.
"Oh? You're a bit more perceptive than the others."
A clear yet cold female voice echoed through the trees.
Moments later, Kagura slowly stepped out from behind a tree.
In her arms, she held a white-haired baby.
The child looked innocent at first glance, but his eyes were cold and unsettling—completely out of place.
"Are you the one who's been killing monks and priests?" Shinsen asked, staring at her with a serious expression. "I've heard rumors… a woman carrying a child. I didn't expect you to come to me."
"Heh… this old monk really can see the boundary between life and death," the baby suddenly spoke. His voice was childish, yet filled with a chilling malice.
"Kagura," the baby said coldly, "finish it. Don't waste time."
Kagura frowned, clearly irritated, and glanced down at him.
"Yeah, yeah… I know."
Before she finished speaking, she snapped open her folding fan and waved it casually.
"Dance of the Wind Blades."
Countless sharp wind blades rained down instantly.
"Run! Don't look back!" Shinsen shouted to his disciple.
At the same time, he poured all his spiritual power into his prayer beads. A translucent barrier formed around him, blocking the incoming attack.
"Master Shinsen!" the disciple cried out from behind the rock.
"Go!" Shinsen roared, veins bulging on his forehead.
He could clearly feel it—the baby in her arms was far more dangerous than the attack itself. Caught off guard, he stood no chance against both of them.
"Yes!"
The disciple wiped his tears, clenched his teeth, and ran.
Kagura glanced briefly at the fleeing figure but made no move to chase.
Her target was Shinsen.
Nothing else mattered.
Seeing this, Shinsen let out a quiet breath of relief and focused entirely on maintaining the barrier.
"Haa… haa…" he breathed heavily once the attack subsided, staring at Kagura. "What do you want?"
He already knew.
He would likely die here.
And yet, strangely, a sense of relief filled his heart.
At least… Entei and Purgatory Ghost had already been taken. If they had still been sealed, his death might have led to disaster.
Still… before dying, he wanted answers.
"You're not bad," Kagura said casually, ignoring his question.
The baby in her arms cast her a cold glance.
Kagura clicked her tongue in annoyance, immediately understanding.
"Tch… fine."
Her aura surged.
This time, she swung her fan with force.
"Dragon Snake Dance!"
Four massive tornadoes formed instantly, roaring as they tore through the forest, lifting debris and howling with terrifying force.
Shinsen's eyes hardened.
He abandoned any thought of counterattacking.
All his power went into defense.
The barrier around him flared brightly as he pushed it to its limit.
The tornadoes struck.
"Ha—!" Shinsen roared, forcing out every last bit of strength.
But—
Crack.
A sharp sound echoed.
The prayer beads in his hand shattered.
The barrier broke like glass, dissolving into fragments of light.
"Ah—!"
The tornadoes crashed into him.
Wind blades tore through his body mercilessly. Blood sprayed as his robes were shredded.
With a pained cry, Shinsen collapsed to the ground, his body mangled and barely alive.
Kagura smirked faintly and flicked her fan, dispersing the winds.
She did not kill him immediately.
Instead, she slowly walked toward him, the baby still in her arms.
On the ground, Shinsen's breathing grew faint.
But his right hand moved slightly… slipping into his robes.
He gripped a hidden golden vajra tightly.
The last of his spiritual power gathered in his palm.
Kagura may have noticed.
Or perhaps she simply didn't care.
"Let me see your heart," the baby said coldly.
Kagura bent down and placed him on Shinsen's chest.
The baby lay there quietly, as if listening.
Kagura stood nearby, arms crossed, waiting impatiently.
Then—
A blinding flash of spiritual light erupted.
"Pfft—!"
In an instant—
The baby was split cleanly in half.
Before it could react, its body fell to either side.
Silence.
Kagura froze.
Her pink eyes widened as she stared at the severed body on the ground, shock written across her face.
She hadn't expected this.
Not at all.