"We've finally dealt with Kaguya."
As Kaguya's body was devoured by the King of Hell, Kikyo raised her hand and dispelled the spiritual barrier. It dissolved into countless particles of light and vanished into the air.
"Her immortality came from devouring celestial maidens, but her soul remained that of a demon," Kasage said calmly, flexing his wrist. "Once the soul is removed, even an immortal body becomes meaningless."
Ever since awakening the Rinnegan, he had intended to eliminate Kaguya sealed within him. Only now had he found the time to do it.
"Are you planning to turn her into a puppet as well?" Kikyo asked.
"Yes. She'll be used for the Preta Path," Kasage replied without hesitation.
Kikyo glanced at him, her tone turning slightly dangerous.
"Deva Akane, Animal Path Abhiji… and now Preta Path Kaguya. Aside from the White Child, all your puppets are… women."
She paused, then added softly,
"And Suikotsu in your Kamui dimension, too."
Kasage coughed lightly, clearly caught off guard.
"Well… it's not intentional," he said quickly. "It's just that the most suitable candidates happen to be female yokai."
In truth, most male yokai either had their own paths, like Sesshomaru or Koga, or were unsuitable. The rest were either too weak, too short-lived, or too monstrous in form.
By contrast, female yokai like Abhiji and Kaguya possessed both powerful abilities and stable bodies, making them ideal vessels.
Kasage paused for a moment, then added inwardly with a hint of honesty—
Compared to grotesque monsters, refined forms were simply more practical.
Still, under Kikyo's gaze, that explanation didn't sound very convincing.
In the end, he reached out, took her hand, and patiently reassured her, promising that he wouldn't create any more female puppets.
Kikyo snorted softly.
"Hmph. I hope you mean that."
Only then did she let the matter drop.
Kasage secretly let out a breath of relief.
Unlike Nagato, he didn't need to rely entirely on Six Paths puppets. Even without completing all of them, his own power was more than sufficient.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Kasage's expression shifted.
He turned toward the shrine entrance.
Kikyo followed his gaze, surprise flickering in her eyes.
"…Kanna?"
Beneath the torii gate, a small white figure slowly appeared.
Kanna.
Dressed in her usual plain white kimono, she held her mirror quietly in her arms. Her dark eyes looked at them without emotion.
She stepped closer.
"Kagura… is she dead?"
Her voice was soft, calm—
yet carried an unusual weight.
"Kagura?" Kasage raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Kanna to come here for her.
"Don't worry. She's alive," he replied. "She's just not here right now. She tends to wander nearby."
Kagura, having finally gained her freedom, didn't dare stray too far for fear of Naraku—but she often roamed around aimlessly, enjoying the open sky.
Kasage looked at Kanna.
"She's not far. Do you want me to take you to her?"
Kanna fell silent for a moment.
Then, without hesitation:
"…Take me to her."
"Alright."
"I'll come too," Kikyo added, stepping closer and taking Kasage's hand.
Kasage gave a small nod. He placed his other hand gently on Kanna's head.
"Get ready."
In the next instant—
The three of them vanished.
Not far from the shrine, at the edge of a cliff, Kagura lay stretched out on a field of wildflowers.
Her fan rested loosely in her hand as she enjoyed the quiet breeze, her expression relaxed and content.
The wind carried the scent of grass and flowers.
For once—
There was peace.
Then—
Her eyes snapped open.
She sat up abruptly, gripping her fan as she looked toward the sky, alert.
Only after recognizing Kasage and Kikyo did she relax slightly.
"What brings you here?" she asked. "Do you need something?"
Kasage looked at her, slightly speechless.
"You come out here every day just to lie in the grass?"
The cliff offered a breathtaking view—blue sky above, vast fields below, and the quiet rhythm of village life in the distance.
Kikyo sat down nearby, smiling faintly.
"The villagers have been talking about a spirit in the forest. They say those who see her are blessed with good fortune."
She glanced at Kagura.
"A beautiful woman carried by the wind… I wonder who that could be."
Kagura let out a lazy sigh and stretched.
"I nearly died at Naraku's hands. Now that I'm free, I'll do whatever I want."
She lay back down again.
"As for some forest spirit… that has nothing to do with me."
"Kagura."
A voice called out.
Kagura froze.
Slowly—
She turned her head.
Behind Kasage stood Kanna, holding her mirror, watching her quietly.
"Kanna…?"
Kagura's eyes widened in shock as she sat up immediately.
"What are you doing here?"
Of all people—
Kanna had come looking for her.
"Naraku said you were taken by Kasage."
Kanna's voice remained calm.
But her gaze didn't waver.
It was steady—
and, for once, carried a faint trace of intent.