"…Almost all the shards of the Shikon Jewel are now in Naraku's hands."
Kagome lowered her gaze, her voice heavy.
"Not long ago, Mōryōmaru—the one who was protecting Naraku's heart—turned against him."
Kikyo listened in silence, then glanced at Kagome's pale face and Inuyasha's tense expression.
"You tried to take advantage of that moment to kill Naraku," she said calmly. "But you failed… and Kagome's shard was taken instead."
"…Yes."
Kagome nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Now only two shards remain… both with Kōga."
"If Naraku obtains them… the Shikon Jewel will be complete."
Kikyo was not surprised.
From the moment they arrived, she had already sensed that Kagome no longer carried any shard.
"Is Kōga your ally?" she asked.
"He's a wolf demon," Shippo immediately chimed in. "And he doesn't get along with Inuyasha at all!"
He pointed at Kagome.
"He likes her and wants her to be his woman! He's basically Inuyasha's rival!"
As soon as the words left his mouth—
he felt a dangerous glare.
Shippo stiffened, then quickly hid behind Kagome.
Kikyo gave Kagome a slightly surprised look.
She hadn't expected that kind of connection.
Then her expression turned serious again.
"If Kōga isn't strong enough… Naraku will find him soon."
"And when that happens—he'll take the shards."
Inuyasha immediately frowned.
"That won't—"
Then he stopped.
He understood.
Naraku's next target… would definitely be Kōga.
He suddenly stood up—
then glanced at Miroku.
After a moment of hesitation, he clenched his fists and sat back down.
"…Don't die so easily, you stupid wolf," he muttered.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome looked at him worriedly.
"Don't panic," Kikyo said calmly. "Naraku won't act recklessly unless he's certain of success."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Now… tell me."
"Miroku's injury—was it caused by absorbing Naraku's miasma?"
"Yes," Kagome answered.
Her voice carried guilt.
"After devouring Mōryōmaru… and even Akago—his separated heart—Naraku became much stronger."
"I was captured… and used as bait."
"Kōga came to rescue me… and fell into Naraku's trap."
Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And to save him… Miroku opened the Wind Tunnel, despite the risk."
"He absorbed too much miasma… and nearly died because of it."
"…Yes."
Kagome nodded.
"After Naraku escaped, we went back to Kaede's village."
"Lady Kaede said his condition was too severe… and told us to come to you."
Kikyo nodded.
"I see."
Then her expression hardened slightly.
"He is lucky to be alive."
"Don't let him act so recklessly again."
"Miroku was trying to stop Naraku from getting the shards!" Inuyasha argued.
Kikyo said nothing.
In truth—
even if Naraku completed the Shikon Jewel, it wouldn't change her and Kasage's plans.
They already had a way to deal with it.
But she chose not to say anything.
If Inuyasha and the others knew—
they might unintentionally reveal something.
And Naraku would notice.
Instead, she gave a simple warning:
"You should retrieve the shards from Kōga first."
"If Naraku reaches him… he won't survive."
"Yeah!"
Inuyasha clenched his fists.
"That stupid wolf never listens anyway. Next time I see him, I'll beat him up and take the shards back myself!"
"If you feel bad about hitting someone you know…"
A calm voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"…I can do it for you."
Everyone turned.
Kasage stood at the entrance.
Beside him—
Yuzuki, wearing a small miko outfit.
"Kasage!" Inuyasha and Kagome said at the same time.
"Lord Kasage!" Kohaku also stood up respectfully.
Kasage nodded slightly and walked straight toward Kikyo.
"You're back," Kikyo said softly, a faint smile on her lips.
"Everything alright?"
"Nothing serious," Kasage replied casually. "Just a few weak yokai."
Before Kikyo could respond—
"Lady Kikyo!"
Yuzuki ran forward excitedly.
"I defeated two yokai all by myself today!"
Kikyo looked at her, then nodded.
"Well done."
Then her eyes shifted—
to the dark red stains on Yuzuki's clothes.
She frowned slightly.
"…Why are you covered in so much demon blood?"
"With only two enemies… that shouldn't happen."
Yuzuki froze.
Her gaze shifted nervously.
"Uh… I…"
Then—
she turned and ran.
"I'm going to wash up!"
Kasage watched her leave, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He knew the truth.
That blood wasn't from clean kills—
but from fighting too recklessly at close range.
Still inexperienced.
To change the subject, he looked at Inuyasha.
"So? Why are you all here?"
Kikyo immediately answered:
"Miroku is severely injured."
"I've purified the miasma… but the internal damage remains."
She met his gaze.
"You'll need to treat him with ninjutsu."
Kasage nodded and walked over to the bed.
Kohaku quickly stepped aside.
"Please, Lord Kasage."
Kasage placed his hand on Miroku's chest.
Chakra flowed quietly as he examined the damage.
"…Severe," he muttered.
At that moment—
Sango entered, carrying the medicine.
She froze when she saw him.
"Kasage… will he be alright?"
Kasage glanced at her—
then gave a small, confident smile.
"He won't die."
Before she could react—
he formed hand seals.
Then placed both hands on Miroku's chest.
"Healing Palm Technique."
A soft green glow spread from his hands—
as the real treatment began.