At this time, Kagetsu had no interest whatsoever in Inuyasha's group.
Ever since leaving the Demon Slayer Village, he and Kikyo had been moving through the surrounding regions. Kikyo focused on gathering scattered shards of the Shikon Jewel while quietly tracing any sign of Naraku's presence.
As for Kagetsu, he wasn't particularly eager to hunt Naraku down.
If he truly wished to find him, he could simply create Shadow Clones, enter Sage Mode, and sweep the land inch by inch. Naraku wouldn't be able to hide.
After all, in this world, aside from Naraku himself, there were no apocalyptic threats. No godlike beings descending from the heavens. No alien clan trying to hang humanity from a divine tree.
So most days, Kagetsu simply remained by Kikyo's side, watching her pursue her purpose.
Occasionally, he would step in when necessary,driving off wandering rōnin who mistook Kikyo's beauty for vulnerability, or scattering bandits foolish enough to block their path.
At the moment, he was deep in the forest gathering medicinal herbs at Kikyo's request.
Back in Konoha, as a transmigrator fascinated by extraordinary abilities, he had dabbled in medical ninjutsu during his spare time. But in the Naruto world, herbs themselves weren't particularly emphasized. Ordinary injuries could be healed with the Mystical Palm Technique. Specialized medicines were typically chakra-infused compounds with unique properties.
To be honest, he wasn't a true medical ninja.
And now, in this entirely different world, the herbs were unfamiliar in both form and name.
He felt utterly lost.
Still, Kikyo wished to interact with nearby villages under her identity as a miko,exorcising evil spirits, healing the sick, and gathering information about Naraku and the Shikon Jewel.
Treating illness was part of a shrine maiden's duty.
Thus, the task of gathering herbs fell squarely onto him.
"Let's see…" Kagetsu unfolded the list Kikyo had written. " Flowers for wound healing… Grass to dispel miasma…"
None of it resembled anything from his previous life,or from the shinobi world.
Fortunately, Kikyo had included simple sketches and notes about where each herb typically grew. Without that, he would've returned empty-handed.
"Alright. Let's get started."
He formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
With soft puffs of smoke, three identical figures appeared beside him.
"Split up."
In an instant, they scattered into the forest.
An hour later, Kagetsu returned to their temporary lodging with a basket full of freshly gathered herbs.
He walked straight to Kikyo.
"Kikyo, take a look. Are these correct?"
"Thank you for your efforts," she replied gently.
She was seated on the wooden veranda, grinding dried herbs into powder. Setting her tools aside, she inspected the contents of the basket carefully.
Kagetsu sat cross-legged nearby, unconcerned about the dirt. Chakra made cleaning oneself trivial.
Their current residence was a small temple just outside a nearby town. Recently, a rise in malevolent aura had unsettled the area. Suspecting Naraku's involvement, Kikyo had decided to remain temporarily, offering healing and purification to the locals.
The temple itself was modest,little more than a wooden hall and living quarters. Only an elderly monk resided there.
Convincing him to allow their stay had been simple.
A heavy pouch of copper coins spoke persuasively.
"These are correct," Kikyo said after a moment. "Once I finish processing them, help me place them out to dry."
"No problem," Kagetsu replied . He had done this several times already.
He had once considered assisting with the preparation itself, but Kikyo had explained that certain herbs required spiritual power to properly activate their properties.
Curious, he had asked whether spiritual power could be cultivated.
Her answer had extinguished that idea.
A miko's spiritual power was innate. If a girl possessed the potential to become a shrine maiden, her soul carried spiritual energy from birth. It would strengthen as she matured.
Those with exceptional talent,like Kikyo,possessed overwhelming spiritual power even in youth.
Others, like Kaede, might not be as strong, but were still capable of protecting a village.
As for men, those born with spiritual power became monks.
It was entirely inborn.
There was no training method. No development path.
It differed greatly from the shrine maidens of Kagetsu's past-life understanding. Kikyo did not serve a deity. Her power did not come from worship or prayer.
It was simply hers.
A natural endowment.
After hearing that, Kagetsu abandoned the thought.
It fit this era's logic perfectly.
"All right. Take these to dry," Kikyo said, interrupting his thoughts as she handed him a smaller bamboo tray of processed herbs.
"Got it."
He carried them to the drying rack set against the temple wall. Other medicinal plants from previous days hung neatly in rows.
He spread the fresh herbs carefully.
Then, with practiced efficiency, he gathered the fully dried ones and stored them inside his Kamui dimension.
Since arriving in this world, the Mangekyō Sharingan's Kamui had been reduced to little more than portable storage. The demons he'd encountered so far were too weak to warrant its use in battle.
"Lady Miko, please save us!"
"Miss Miko,please, I beg you! I don't want to die!"
Suddenly, desperate shouts erupted outside the temple gates, mixed with pained groans.
A strong scent of blood drifted in with the wind.
Kagetsu's eyes sharpened instantly.
He stepped outside.
A group of wounded, ragged ashigaru crowded the temple entrance, surrounding Kikyo with pleading expressions.
He moved without hesitation, subtly positioning himself between them and Kikyo. His gaze swept over the crowd.
They wore torn dō-maru armor, thin and ill-fitting. Most clutched farming tools,hoes, woodcutting blades, crude spears.
Conscripted peasants.
Not true samurai.
Judging by their battered state and numerous injuries, they were likely survivors fleeing a lost battle.
Individually, they posed little threat.
But desperation could turn peasants into bandits overnight.
"Who are you?" Kagetsu asked coldly. "State your business."
Seeing his refined attire and the tachi at his waist, the ashigaru instinctively shrank back.
To them, he resembled a noble,or at least someone bold enough to impersonate one.
Either way, not someone they could afford to offend.
"Kagetsu, it's fine," Kikyo said calmly, stepping out from behind him. "They're only seeking treatment. Leave this to me."
Kagetsu nodded but did not step away entirely.
His eyes remained sharp and watchful.
Even if Kikyo's strength far surpassed these men,even if they were no more threatening than low-level demons,he would not relax.
Fear and hunger could drive men to madness.
And he had no intention of letting desperation touch her.