"By the way… tell me what you've been through recently."
Kikyo looked at Kasage with curiosity. The waiting was dull, and she wanted to hear about everything that had happened.
Kasage sat beside her, gently holding her hand.
"After turning Abi into a puppet, I went to Tekkei's lair using her memories. I planned to kill it… but when I arrived, Naraku had already beaten me to it."
She spoke calmly, recounting everything step by step.
"When I tracked Naraku using the Flying Thunder God mark left on the Demon-Slaying Arrow shot by Deva Akane…"
She paused suddenly.
Her eyes lit up.
"Oh right—I almost forgot."
A faint smile appeared.
"I'll show you something interesting."
She quickly formed hand seals and slammed her palm onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
"Bang!"
White smoke burst outward—
And from within it, a massive creature emerged.
A body nearly three meters tall—
Entirely made of diamond.
Its skull-like head gleamed under the sunlight, two sharp diamond horns reflecting dazzling light.
"Click—clack…"
As its body shifted, the sound of crystal grinding echoed softly.
Through the translucent structure, black receivers were clearly visible embedded within it.
And within its eye sockets—
A pair of Rinnegan stared outward.
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly.
"…This is…"
"Is this the Hōsenki you mentioned?"
"The one who carried the Shikon Jewel shard into the graveyard of the Great Dog General?"
"That's right."
Kasage nodded casually.
"It would've been a waste to leave the body there… so I brought it back."
He continued,
"After Hōsenki died, the shard was removed, and Tessaiga absorbed his demonic power before his body fully collapsed."
"I had a Shadow Clone retrieve the remains."
"Then I turned it into an Animal Path summon."
She glanced at the creature.
"Before dying, he transformed his skeleton into diamond to preserve his power."
"That's why it looks like this now."
Kikyo stared at her silently for a moment.
"…You even went to the graveyard to pick that up."
Kasage just smiled faintly.
"Its ability to launch diamond projectiles is quite interesting."
"I'll show you later."
he waved her hand—
And the summon disappeared in a burst of smoke.
"But first…"
Her gaze shifted.
"…let's finish this."
At that moment—
The blue light in White Child's hands slowly faded.
He withdrew his hands and stood quietly to the side.
Kikyo frowned slightly as he looked at him.
"…He looks affected."
"Is that alright?"
"It's nothing."
Kasage waved it off.
"He just lost some life force."
"It's only a puppet. If it breaks, I'll just replace it."
She stepped forward, lifting Kohaku's body from the scroll and placing it gently aside.
Then she placed her hand on the scroll.
"Seal."
The sealing formula flared—
And the overflowing life force was instantly drawn back inside.
Kasage rolled up the scroll and stored it within Kamui space.
"This wasn't easy to collect."
"It might be useful later."
Kikyo knelt beside Kohaku, placing her hand lightly on his chest.
After a moment, she nodded.
"…There's a new spirit inside him now."
Kasage raised her hand again.
The King of Hell appeared.
Its strange mouth opened—
And tendrils extended, gently enveloping Kohaku's body.
"Next…"
Kasage's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Let's return his soul."
"Then we'll see if this works."
Moments later—
The King of Hell opened its mouth again.
Kohaku's body was slowly released.
Kasage stepped forward without hesitation—
"Hey. Wake up."
Smack. Smack.
She slapped his cheek twice.
"…Mm…"
His eyelids trembled.
Slowly—
He opened his eyes.
"…Where…"
His voice was weak, filled with confusion as he stared at the sky.
Kasage's voice rang out calmly beside him.
"Congratulations."
"The operation was a success."
"You're alive again."
Kikyo shot he an exasperated glance, then spoke gently,
"…Welcome back."
Reality returned to Kohaku's eyes.
Memories surfaced.
The shard…
Naraku…
His promise…
"…I…"
"…I'm alive?"
He tried to stand—
But his legs gave out.
He collapsed to his knees.
"Your body is still weak."
Kasage spoke calmly.
"You'll recover after a few days of rest."
"…I'm really alive…"
Kohaku knelt there, gripping the ground tightly.
His voice trembled.
He could feel it—
Warmth.
Life.
Kikyo smiled softly as she watched him.
"You no longer need the Shikon Jewel shard to survive."
"You've truly come back."
Kohaku steadied himself.
Then—
He turned toward Kasage.
And bowed deeply, his forehead hitting the ground.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you for bringing me back!"
Kasage waved her hand dismissively.
"It was nothing."
Kikyo stepped forward and helped him up.
"You should rest here for a few days."
"Once you recover…"
"…go see your sister."
"She's been worried about you."
"Sister…!"
At those words—
Kohaku's eyes widened.
Ignoring his weakness, he staggered toward the exit.
"I need to find her—now!"
Kasage's voice came from behind, calm and flat:
"If you run out like that and get eaten by a yokai…"
"…I'm not reviving you again."
Kohaku froze instantly.
"…I'm sorry."
He turned and bowed again.
"I acted impulsively."
"It's alright."
Kikyo placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I understand how you feel."
"But you need to recover first."
"As for your sister…"
She glanced at Kasage with a small smile.
Kohaku looked at Kasage with hope in his eyes.
Kasage sighed.
"…I'll tell Sango."
A bright smile immediately appeared on Kohaku's face.
"Thank you… Miss Kikyo!"
"Lord Kasage!"
Kasage stood up.
"I'll go now."
She gave Kikyo a brief glance—
Then vanished instantly.
Kikyo turned back to Kohaku.
"Come."
"I'll prepare a room for you."
"You can rest until your sister arrives."
And with that—
She led him quietly into the shrine.