Retsu handed over the Shikon Jewel shards to Kikyo so easily for a very simple reason.
They were no longer useful to him.
He had already collected more than enough life force. Recently, whenever demons attacked him, he simply killed them outright, without bothering to absorb anything further.
At the same time, he had no intention of giving the shards to Kagome. If he did, Naraku would inevitably steal them sooner or later.
Handing them to Kikyo—another priestess capable of purifying the Jewel—was the best option.
It was a far better choice.
After that, Retsu formed a seal with one hand.
"Poof."
A soft sound rang out as white smoke burst around him.
When the smoke dispersed, a warrior-dressed Retsu appeared before Kikyo.
"How about this? I won't scare the villagers now, right?"
He rested a hand on the sword at his waist and looked at her with a grin.
The blade was something he had casually taken from a bandit leader. It wasn't as fine as the one that had broken earlier, but it was usable.
Kikyo glanced at him indifferently.
"Do as you like."
She said nothing more and continued walking toward the village.
"By the way, my name is Uchiha Retsu. You can call me Retsu. I'm a ninja."
He hurried after her and introduced himself naturally, following behind without the slightest hesitation.
"Ninja?"
Kikyo paused and glanced back at him in mild curiosity.
In this world, ninja did exist, but most were little different from samurai. They relied on smoke bombs and hidden weapons and had no real supernatural power.
"Yes. A ninja from Konoha. Of the Uchiha clan."
Retsu smiled strangely, yet his tone was unusually solemn.
"I see."
Though she didn't understand why he spoke so seriously, Kikyo nodded politely and asked no further questions.
Retsu also fell silent and walked behind her.
He knew very well why she hadn't objected to his presence.
She had only recently been revived. Most of her soul still resided within Kagome.
What supported this clay body now was nothing more than lingering resentment and hatred.
Her strength was so weak that even maintaining movement was difficult.
These days, she relied on soul collectors to gather spirits from dead girls to replenish herself.
She couldn't defeat Retsu.
So she had no choice but to tolerate him.
"Kikyo-sama! Thank you so much for treating my illness before!"
As soon as they entered the village, villagers stopped along the road and bowed to her warmly, their eyes filled with gratitude and respect.
"Kikyo-sama! Kikyo-sama!"
Before long, a cute little girl in a kimono came running over, lifting her skirt as she stumbled forward.
"Kikyo-sama, look! Is this a medicinal herb?"
She held up several green plants proudly, her eyes shining.
"You found ground cherries. That's impressive."
Kikyo smiled gently, completely different from her usual cold demeanor. Her voice softened.
"These reduce swelling and ease pain. They're very useful."
"What about mine?"
"And mine? What is this?"
More children came running over, surrounding her excitedly and chattering nonstop.
"Let me see… This is plantain."
Kikyo patiently examined each plant and answered their questions. Her gaze was warm and tender.
Retsu stood several meters away in the shade of a tree, holding his sword and watching quietly.
Who would have thought?
This priestess, ruthless against demons and sustained by resentment, could show such gentleness toward children.
Soon, the children noticed Retsu.
They shyly hid behind Kikyo, peeking at him curiously. Seeing that he meant no harm, they soon returned to showing off their "treasures."
From start to finish, Kikyo never introduced him.
He was treated like part of the scenery.
Retsu didn't care.
He found a clean rock, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating senjutsu.
He had no intention of getting close to the villagers anyway.
He knew Kikyo wouldn't stay here long.
After some time, Kikyo sent the children off to gather more herbs.
Laughing and playing, they scattered.
"You're popular with kids," Retsu said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Children are pure," Kikyo replied softly as she watched them leave.
"They don't understand betrayal or malice."
There was a trace of faint melancholy in her voice.
"But how long do you think you can stay here?" Retsu asked.
"I don't know…" she answered after a pause.
"If they find out you're an undead sustained by resentment, they'll drive you out immediately," he said bluntly.
"I only want to live quietly," Kikyo replied without arguing, sadness lingering in her tone.
Retsu glanced at her inwardly.
As expected of Kikyo.
Even with her soul incomplete and her body fueled by resentment, she still maintained this calmness.
Unless strongly provoked, she was rarely affected by her own malice.
Yet Retsu could sense it clearly.
At her core, she was now a manifestation of hatred and grievance.
The evil aura around her was no weaker than that of a demon.
She was not the real Kikyo anymore.
She was only a shell corroded by resentment.
With enough stimulation—especially if she met Inuyasha—she would lose control and become a monster of hatred.
Just like in the original story.
But as her spiritual power gradually recovered, her resentment would eventually be purified.
And she would slowly return to the gentle, powerful priestess she once was.
Over the next few days, Retsu stayed beside Kikyo in the quiet village.
She treated villagers, gathered herbs, and purified the occasional demon.
She lived like a true guardian priestess.
The villagers were curious about the strange warrior, but out of respect for Kikyo, no one questioned or chased him away.
One afternoon, Kikyo took several children to the nearby river to gather herbs.
Retsu sat beneath a large tree, eyes closed, sensing natural energy.
He waited calmly.
He knew the moment of her departure was approaching.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
He turned toward the forest behind him.
Two figures were approaching quietly, hiding behind trees and watching.
A faint, knowing smile appeared on his lips.
Looks like tonight, Kikyo would leave this village.
And soon, she would meet Inuyasha and Kagome.
Sure enough, after observing for a while, Kikyo spoke calmly:
"Master, you seem to have been watching us for quite some time."
The man hiding behind the tree knew he had been discovered.
He stepped out awkwardly, smiling.
"Ah… I couldn't hide it after all. Your beauty was so captivating that I lost myself for a moment."
"You flatter me," Kikyo replied gently.
"My cultivation is still lacking," the monk said, walking slowly toward her.
"Forgive my rudeness."
Suddenly, he stumbled.
A scroll slipped from his robes, rolled across the grass, and stopped between them.
"Could you help me pick that up?"
His gaze sharpened.
His voice carried a probing edge.
"That is a purification sutra. It is said that any demon who touches it will immediately reveal their true form."
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