Kagura didn't question how Kasage knew about Monk Shinsen. Instead, as if recalling something, she narrowed her pink eyes and looked at Uchiha Kasage with clear annoyance.
"Back at Mount Hakurei… if Kanna hadn't stepped in, you would have killed me."
Kasage waved a hand lightly, completely unconcerned.
"But you're perfectly fine, aren't you?" she replied with a faint smile. "I told Kanna beforehand."
"Tch."
Kagura clicked her tongue, knowing it was true, yet still glaring at her.
Kasage studied her for a moment, then shifted the topic.
"You still haven't taken your heart back from Naraku, have you?"
At those words, Kagura's expression immediately darkened.
"…No."
She let out a quiet sigh, her voice carrying frustration.
"Naraku is too cautious. I don't have a chance."
Kasage watched her silently, then spoke as if offering a simple suggestion.
"Then maybe you're being too careful."
Kagura frowned slightly.
Kasage continued calmly.
"You said he often threatens you with your heart, right? Then provoke him. Force him to take it out again… and take it back in that moment."
She placed a hand over her chest with confidence.
"If you succeed, I'll make sure you escape safely."
"I…"
Kagura hesitated.
Freedom was everything she wanted.
But risking her life for it…
That hesitation was real.
Seeing this, Kasage pressed further.
"This is the perfect opportunity. Use White Child."
Kagura looked up.
"Lead him to me. I'll kill him."
Kasage's tone remained calm, but her eyes sharpened slightly.
"After that, Naraku will suspect you. Provoke him again. Make him pull out your heart to control you… and take it back."
Silence fell between them.
Kagura's expression shifted, conflict flashing in her eyes.
Then—
She clenched her fists.
"…Fine."
Her voice was firm.
"I'll do it."
Kasage nodded with a faint smile.
"Good. I'll remain at the shrine. Let me know when the time comes, and I'll be there immediately."
Watching Kagura's determined expression, Kasage felt slightly amused.
She looked bold… but she was still afraid deep down.
Kasage reached into her ninja pouch and pulled out a syringe.
"Come here. Give me some blood."
Kagura frowned.
"…Why?"
"If you die, I can bring you back," Kasage replied casually.
Kagura walked over slowly, still doubtful.
"You can really resurrect me?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "I'm not interested in ending up like the Band of Seven, clinging to life through Shikon Jewel shards."
Kasage grabbed her arm without hesitation.
"Don't worry. A proper resurrection."
She quickly drew a vial of blood.
"Alright," she added lightly while sealing it away. "For freedom, give it everything you've got."
Kagura rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"I'm leaving. That brat is waiting for clothes. If I take too long, he'll get suspicious."
She turned to go.
Kasage's gaze shifted to the light kimono in her hand.
"…That's for him?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me."
Kagura hesitated for a moment, then handed it over.
Kasage quickly placed a Flying Thunder God mark on it before returning it.
"Done."
Kagura's eyes narrowed immediately.
"…What did you do?"
She stepped back slightly, her guard rising.
"Nothing," Kasage replied calmly. "We're allies, aren't we?"
"Yeah, right."
Kagura scoffed, clearly unconvinced.
She quickly checked herself but found nothing unusual.
After a moment, she gave up, summoned her feather, and jumped onto it.
As she rose into the air, she suddenly paused.
"Oh, right. White Child is planning to steal Kagome's Shikon Jewel shard. You might want to warn Inuyasha and the others."
Kasage smiled faintly.
"No need. Let him take it."
Kagura blinked in surprise.
"If he fails," Kasage continued meaningfully, "you should help him succeed and deliver the shard to Naraku."
Kagura immediately understood.
Kagome's shard must already have been tampered with.
She looked at Kasage deeply for a moment, then nodded.
"…I understand."
The wind lifted her, and she disappeared into the distance.
Kasage turned her head slightly.
In the corner, Yuzuki was peeking curiously.
"Keep practicing," Kasage said calmly. "Or I'll tell Kikyo."
Yuzuki stuck out her tongue and quickly returned to her training.
Under Kikyo's guidance, she had improved rapidly and could already handle weaker Yokai on her own.
Elsewhere
High above the sea, Kikyo and Uchiha Kasage rode on Entei, moving swiftly through the sky.
The Kasage who spoke with Kagura earlier had only been a shadow clone.
"Is Hōraijima Island supposed to be here?" Kasage asked, looking over the vast blue sea below. There was no sign of any island.
Kikyo nodded softly, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Hōraijima Island is a legendary place. It only appears once every few decades, hidden within thick mist."
Her expression softened slightly as memories surfaced.
"Fifty years ago… Inuyasha and I came here together."
Kasage glanced at her.
Kikyo continued, her voice quieter.
"We didn't stay long. Yokai attacked us, and before we could understand what was happening… the island disappeared."
She paused briefly.
"There were hanyō children living there. They said the island was ruled by four powerful Yokai—the Four War Gods. One of them attacked us."
Kasage nodded slowly.
"I see."
He already knew of Hōraijima Island, but he listened without interrupting.
Kasage gently tapped Entei's neck.
"Lower the altitude."
Entei immediately descended, flames trailing from its hooves as it moved closer to the sea.
Kikyo looked at him again, curiosity clear in her eyes.
"Why are you suddenly interested in Hōraijima Island? It shouldn't appear yet."
Kasage's Rinnegan activated, scanning the vast ocean carefully.
"From what you described, it sounds like a good place to settle."
Kikyo was visibly surprised.
"You're thinking of moving there?"
Kasage's tone remained calm.
"I plan to take it."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"As for those Four War Gods…" he added lightly, "they're just Yokai calling themselves gods. We'll deal with them."
Kikyo looked at him for a moment, then spoke more seriously.
"If the island appears and we go there, we may not be able to leave for decades."
Kasage didn't look away from the sea.
"We'll take it first," he said. "Then we'll figure out the rest."
His gaze sharpened slightly as he continued scanning for any distortion in the waves.
Somewhere in this vast sea—
Hōraijima Island was waiting to appear.