"You're saying… Naraku's birth wasn't a coincidence? That it wasn't simply the result of one bandit's twisted desires?"
Kikyo stared at him, as though the final piece of a puzzle had just fallen into place.
"Exactly." Kagetsu nodded.
"It was the Shikon jewel… wasn't it?"
Her expression sharpened instantly.
Over the years, the idea of "offering one's body to demons" had seemed simple enough. Yet in all that time, only Onigumo had succeeded. The sole anomaly had been the Shikon Jewel itself,purified daily by her spiritual power. Onigumo's festering obsession must have resonated with it, forming some unseen link.
Kagetsu inclined his head in confirmation.
"The Shikon no Tama amplifies malice. It twists desire. It makes the impossible possible."
He continued calmly, laying out his reasoning.
"I didn't kill Naraku because I'm concerned that if he dies outright, the Shikon Jewel may simply create another 'Naraku.'"
This era was full of men more wicked than Onigumo. If the Jewel required only darkness and desperation, replacements would not be difficult to find.
Kikyo absorbed his words fully.
"So Naraku himself is not the root of the problem," she said softly. "To end this cycle, we must destroy the source,the Shikon no Tama,while eliminating him at the same time."
"Exactly." Kagetsu nodded. "You once said Naraku is a puppet of the Jewel. That wasn't wrong."
A faint, rueful smile touched Kikyo's lips.
"How ironic… that I, a priestess sworn to purify the Shikon no Tama, ultimately died because of it."
Kagetsu's tone softened.
"You've been resurrected. The past has already passed."
"Yes…" Kikyo exhaled gently. "I am alive now. My time moves forward once more."
Her gaze steadied. The weight she had carried for decades seemed lighter.
"Then let Kagome and Inuyasha worry about Naraku and the Jewel," Kagetsu said, deliberately shifting the mood. "Tomorrow, I'm visiting the nearby castle town. It's been far too long since I've enjoyed real food. My Edo Tensei body made eating rather pointless."
Kikyo's eyes brightened immediately.
"I'll go with you."
Her former clay vessel had never been able to taste or swallow. Now that she possessed a living body again, the world itself felt different.
"Then it's settled," Kagetsu replied with a grin.
The Next Morning
They traveled together to the nearby castle town.
Though it was the Sengoku era,an age of scarcity,the town bustled with modest prosperity. Vendors called out their wares; smoke curled from cooking stalls; the scent of fried batter drifted through the air.
They sampled crisp tempura, soft skewers of dango, fragrant mountain mushrooms, and freshly grilled river fish. Guided by Kikyo's familiarity with the region, Kagetsu experienced flavors unique to the era.
He also purchased fresh ingredients, seasonings, and a complete set of utensils.
Back when he'd been reanimated, meals had been unnecessary. Now, daily life requires preparation.
Over the following days, the two occasionally cooked for themselves.
Kagetsu even recreated several dishes from the Naruto world,Ichiraku-style ramen, inspired by Naruto's favorite, and three-color dango reminiscent of Uchiha Itachi's preference.
As a transmigrator, he had not only tasted countless dishes but had also recorded their preparation methods with his Sharingan. Though his results weren't perfect replicas, they were close enough.
Kikyo approved with quiet delight.
In return, Kagetsu had the rare opportunity to taste Kikyo's cooking.
To his mild surprise, her culinary skill rivaled her strength as a priestess. Simple ingredients became refined in her hands.
The only thing he found amusing was that her cooking method closely resembled the careful precision with which she brewed medicinal herbs.
Perhaps, he mused, years of preparing remedies had shaped her sense of balance and proportion.
Several Days Later
By a quiet riverside meadow, the two were preparing a barbecue.
Some ingredients had been purchased in town. Others were game Kagetsu had hunted himself. As for the seasonings,those had come from the modern era. He had shamelessly asked Kagome to bring them from her time, along with a portable grill.
With modern spices, the aroma was irresistible.
Kagetsu picked up a slice of sizzling meat,
,and his expression changed.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
A perfect duplicate appeared beside him just as a puff of white smoke erupted from his original body.
When the smoke cleared, Kagetsu himself had vanished.
The Shadow Clone calmly resumed his seat, picked up the chopsticks, and finished the piece of meat its original had been about to eat.
Kikyo blinked.
"What happened?"
"I've been summoned," the clone replied evenly, flipping the meat on the grill. "A cat yōkai used the Summoning Technique. I'm not sure what she wants."
"A cat yōkai?" Kikyo tilted her head. "And the Summoning Technique?"
The clone sliced the grilled meat neatly while explaining.
"It's a contract-based ninjutsu. After forming a summoning contract with a creature, either party can call upon the other."
"I once encountered this particular cat yōkai,Natsume,and signed a contract with her."
"I'll introduce you properly another time."
Elsewhere…
The original Kagetsu materialized within an unfamiliar valley.
Before him stood three powerful yōkai,two women and one man.
At the front stood a woman with long, icy-blue hair cascading over a pale lavender kimono. Her expression was cool and authoritative, her presence commanding.
Beside her stood a youthful beauty with long brown hair, a pink flower tucked into it, and a short yellow-green kimono that revealed slender legs.
Behind them loomed a tall, muscular male yōkai wearing a green coat that left his broad chest exposed.
Kagetsu recognized them immediately.
Three of the Four Kings of the Panther Clan,
Fuyuarashi, the eldest sister.
Shunran, the second.
And Akiarashi, the youngest and only male.
As for the fourth…
Kagetsu lowered his gaze.
At his feet lay a cat yōkai with a bright red afro,Natsume,panting heavily.
Clearly, summoning him had once again drained nearly all of her demonic energy.
Kagetsu glanced between the exhausted Natsume and the three formidable figures before him.
It seemed… this wouldn't be a casual visit.