While Uchiha Retsu was lost in thought, the two followed the demon slayer and arrived at a heavily guarded chamber.
At the center of the room stood a shrine. On it rested a box, tightly wrapped with layers of sacred ropes.
It was clearly meant to suppress the corrupted aura of the Shikon Jewel fragments.
But even Retsu, who knew nothing about such spiritual matters, could tell at a glance that these measures were completely useless.
Thick, oppressive miasma was practically overflowing from the box.
"This is where we store the Shikon Jewel fragments," the village leader explained, pointing at the shrine.
"Ever since the jewel shattered, many demons have gained immense power from the fragments and begun attacking nearby villages.
After defeating them, we collect the fragments and place them here under heavy guard, to prevent other demons from stealing them."
"So much evil energy…" Kikyo frowned slightly as she looked at the fragments.
"They've already been heavily corrupted."
As she spoke, she walked forward.
The demon slayers who had followed them tensed immediately, gripping their weapons tightly.
Their eyes never left her hands.
They didn't know whether she truly meant to purify the fragments—or seize them.
Kikyo ignored their vigilance.
She stepped up to the shrine and reached into the box, gently lifting the fragments in her hand.
In the next moment, pure and sacred spiritual power radiated from her body, glowing with soft white light.
The fragments, which had been dyed pitch-black by corruption, melted like ice under sunlight.
In an instant, they returned to their original translucent, pale-pink brilliance.
"All done."
She placed the purified fragments back into the box, her tone calm, as if she had just finished a trivial task.
Then she returned to Retsu's side.
"As long as these fragments aren't touched by demons or humans with impure hearts, they won't be corrupted again."
The surrounding demon slayers stood frozen in shock.
"So… so powerful…"
"She purified all that evil energy instantly…"
"Incredible…"
They whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with awe and admiration.
The village leader hurried forward and bowed deeply.
"Y-You truly are the shrine maiden Kikyo from fifty years ago?"
"Yes," Kikyo replied calmly. "I am Kikyo."
Watching her stand there with the air of a legendary figure, Retsu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
She really pulled it off.
He straightened his posture at once and stood beside her like a proper bodyguard.
Combined with the silent, towering black bear outside, Kikyo now looked even more mysterious and untouchable.
"Thank you so much for purifying the fragments, my lady," the leader said respectfully.
Then he turned and ordered, "Prepare a feast at once! We must properly welcome Lady Kikyo!"
"No need to trouble yourselves, Chief," Kikyo replied, gently stopping him.
Neither she nor Retsu needed food, and she had no desire to cause inconvenience.
Then she continued,
"I hope you can tell me about the origin of the Shikon Jewel.
Back then, I accepted your village's request to purify and guard it, but I was never told where it came from.
Could you explain it to me?"
"The origin of the Shikon Jewel…" The leader thought for a moment, then stood up.
"Please, follow me."
He turned and walked toward the exit.
As Kikyo and Retsu followed him through the village, a small creature suddenly darted out and blocked their path.
It looked like a mix between a fox and a cat.
Its fur was yellow with black stripes, fluffy all over, and most notably, it had two large, bushy tails trailing behind it.
It was incredibly cute.
Retsu recognized it instantly.
It was Kirara—the companion who would later follow Sango, and once the familiar of Midoriko, the priestess who created the Shikon Jewel.
Seeing Kirara, Retsu suddenly wondered—
Was Myoga on her back right now?
In the original story, Myoga had come here early to investigate the Shikon Jewel and had met Sango before Inuyasha arrived.
Retsu tried to sense Myoga's aura, but found nothing.
Still, he suspected Myoga was indeed hiding on Kirara.
As a flea demon, Myoga was tiny and skilled at concealing himself.
More importantly, his aura was likely covered by Kirara's, making him hard to detect without Sage Mode.
Retsu and Myoga had only met twice and weren't close.
But Kikyo…
As Inuyasha's retainer, Myoga should have known her fifty years ago.
The only question was whether that cowardly old flea dared to approach her.
Just as they were about to leave the village, a voice suddenly came from Kirara's back.
"Miss Kikyo! Miss Kikyo!"
Retsu smiled slightly.
Sure enough, Myoga couldn't hold back any longer.
He must have overheard their conversation and couldn't resist jumping in.
"Myoga?" Kikyo turned to Kirara in surprise.
"You're here too?"
Myoga leapt from Kirara onto Kikyo's shoulder.
"Miss Kikyo," he said respectfully,
"I was curious about the Shikon Jewel and followed the rumors all the way here.
I never expected to meet you again!"
"And this gentleman is…?" the village leader asked curiously, looking at the sudden appearance of the flea demon.
He clearly didn't recognize Myoga.
"A friend of mine," Kikyo explained calmly.
"I didn't expect to meet him here either."
"Sorry for disturbing you these past days," Myoga said politely, bowing from Kikyo's shoulder.
"Oh, it's fine," the leader replied quickly.
"Since you're Lady Kikyo's friend, you must not be dangerous."
"Retsu, I didn't expect to see you here too," Myoga said cheerfully.
"And traveling with Miss Kikyo, no less."
"I'm surprised as well," Retsu chuckled.
"Kikyo is collecting the jewel fragments. I'm in charge of protecting her."
The group chatted casually as they followed the leader.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of a cave.
"This is where the Shikon Jewel was born," the leader said, gesturing toward it.
"Our weapons and armor are made from demon bones and hides.
The useless remains are discarded here."
He paused, then continued,
"This cave was already filled with demon remains long ago.
So we kept dumping them inside."
"Here…?" Kikyo gazed at the unremarkable cave in silence.
She never imagined that the Shikon Jewel—source of endless tragedy and conflict—
Had been born in such an ordinary, forgotten place.
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