Thwack!
The arrow cut cleanly through the air, leaving a faint trail of afterimages before striking the center of the target with perfect accuracy. The fletching trembled slightly in the sunlight, letting out a soft humming sound.
"Well? Pretty impressive, right?" Kagetsu lowered the bow and lifted his chin proudly, glancing at Kikyo beside him.
Perhaps because he had once taught Kikyo swordsmanship, she had suddenly suggested teaching him archery today. It seemed she wanted to experience what it felt like to be the teacher for once.
What she didn't know was that there was something called the Uchiha Throwing Technique.
With the Sharingan's powerful perception, even simple kunai and shuriken could alter their trajectories mid-flight by striking one another, allowing attacks from nearly any angle,even hitting targets behind the user.
Although this was his first time using a bow, the Sharingan combined with his mastery of throwing weapons meant he grasped the fundamentals almost immediately. After only a few attempts, he was already hitting the bullseye with ease.
"Yes. you really are impressive," Kikyo said with a soft smile, her eyes filled with quiet amusement as she nodded in approval.
Hearing her praise, his sense of accomplishment grew even stronger.
"That's only because Teacher Kikyo explained everything so well," he replied with a grin. "Even a student like me could pick it up instantly!"
"You certainly know how to flatter people."
Though Kikyo knew perfectly well he was teasing her, she couldn't help feeling pleased. She rolled her eyes at him with a playful smile.
"Since I learned so well," Kagetsu continued, stepping a little closer, "what reward does Teacher Kikyo plan to give her student?"
Kikyo looked up at him.
Then she rose onto her toes and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, her smile bright and teasing.
"How about that?"
"Not enough!" Kagetsu immediately opened his arms, clearly planning to pull her into a hug.
But Kikyo had already anticipated it.
With a graceful twist, she slipped out of his reach before he could touch her.
"I need to go to Kaede's village to give this bow to Kagome," she said lightly. A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she winked at him.
Turning away, she picked up the newly crafted longbow leaning against a nearby post.
"If any villagers come to the shrine, I'll leave the house to you."
"No problem. Leave it to me," Kagetsu replied readily, though he couldn't hide the faint regret in his voice after his failed sneak attack.
Kikyo vaulted smoothly onto Kuro Maru's back.
"Be careful on the road," Kagetsu said gently. "If anything happens, call for me."
"I know. I'm leaving."
She waved once.
Kuro Maru immediately leapt forward, racing down the shrine's stone steps. In moments, Kikyo and her mount disappeared along the winding path at the base of the mountain.
Kagetsu watched her figure vanish into the distance.
Only then did he walk over to the large tree in the courtyard and sit beneath it, closing his eyes as he quietly began cultivating Sage power.
Ever since Kagome had given Kikyo the amethyst pendant, Kikyo had been thinking about preparing a return gift.
After much consideration, she decided to craft a demon-slaying bow for Kagome herself.
Now that the bow was finished, she had been testing it when she noticed Kagetsu watching nearby. On a whim, she had decided to teach him archery.
Unfortunately, he had learned far too quickly, leaving her little chance to enjoy being the teacher.
After confirming the bow worked perfectly, she couldn't wait to deliver it to Kagome in Kaede's village,leaving Kagetsu behind to guard the shrine.
Meanwhile, Kikyo rode swiftly through the forest on Kuro Maru.
Suddenly, her expression changed.
The spiritual power within her body stirred instantly.
Without hesitation, she pulled the newly crafted bow from her back, drew the string to its full limit, and released an arrow infused with pure spiritual power.
The Demon-Slaying Arrow shot forward.
It struck a tree trunk ahead with unerring precision.
The instant the arrow's spiritual power penetrated the wood, it exploded violently. The entire tree was shredded apart along with the surrounding weeds and stones, sending dust swirling through the air.
A moment later, a figure leapt out of the drifting dust and landed steadily in front of her.
"Naraku," Kikyo said coldly, her eyes calm and sharp. "You actually dare to appear before me."
Naraku looked at the priestess with faint surprise in his voice.
"You sensed me already? Kikyo, your perception remains as sharp as ever."
"That disgusting aura of yours is as obvious as a torch in the dark," Kikyo replied with a cold snort. "I sensed it long before you arrived."
She examined him carefully.
At the moment, Naraku was wearing a purple haori, appearing exactly like Hitomi Kagewaki, the young lord they had encountered at Hitomi Castle.
"You came here in person?" Kikyo said coolly. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
"You're welcome to try."
Before the last word had fully left his mouth, Naraku's figure blurred.
He transformed into a streak of shadow and lunged directly at Kikyo with astonishing speed.
Though surprised by the sudden attack, Kikyo reacted instantly.
She drew the bowstring again to its fullest extent.
Twannng,!
A Demon-Slaying Arrow blazing with brilliant white light shot toward the rapidly approaching Naraku.
Just before the arrow could strike him, countless writhing demon limbs suddenly burst from Naraku's body, surging forward like a tidal wave.
The sacred arrow instantly reduced the demons to ash,but the impact slowed it slightly.
That tiny delay was all Naraku needed.
He twisted his body aside and avoided the arrow entirely, rushing straight up to Kikyo.
His hand shot forward, reaching for her slender throat.
Kikyo had no time to fire another arrow.
A cruel smile spread across Naraku's lips.
But just as his fingers were about to touch her neck,
A flicker of sly amusement appeared in Kikyo's eyes.
Naraku's heart skipped.
Instead of reaching for another arrow, Kikyo's hand moved to her waist.
Clang!
A clear metallic sound rang out as a short katana slid free of its sheath.
At the same time, Kuro Maru lowered his body sharply, avoiding Naraku's grasp.
A flash of cold steel swept through the air.
Mounted on Kuro Maru, Kikyo passed Naraku in a single fluid motion.
She slowly lowered her arm after completing the upward slash. The katana slid back into its sheath with a crisp metallic whisper.
Turning her head slightly, she looked back at him.
"Naraku," she said calmly, a hint of mockery in her voice, "surprised?"
A thin line of blood appeared across Naraku's back.
It ran diagonally from his right shoulder to his lower left abdomen.
The next instant,
Blood erupted.
His body split cleanly in two, the severed halves collapsing heavily onto the ground.
Yet such an injury meant nothing to Naraku.
Thick waves of dark miasma poured from the wound. Countless demon limbs writhed outward, binding the two halves together as his body rapidly regenerated.
Kikyo simply watched.
She remained still, her gaze cold and steady, making no attempt to attack while he healed.
Moments later, Naraku stood whole again,as if being cut in half had never happened.
He turned to face her, his eyes filled with unmistakable caution.
Kikyo's hand still rested lightly on the hilt of her sword.
"Unexpected?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
Her voice carried the calm confidence of someone who had already won.
"It seems this time… I'm the one who came out ahead."