Meanwhile, Retsu's shadow clone lay hidden along the mountain path below the Demon Slayer Village, waiting for the slayers to depart for Hitomi Castle.
Since Sango had already returned, they would likely set out by dusk.
As expected, at twilight—the so-called Hour of Demons—the clone spotted the demon slayer squad heading toward Hitomi Castle.
"I wonder if they took my warning seriously and prepared for the worst…"
The clone glanced at the village atop the mountain, then silently followed the squad.
What happened next unfolded almost exactly as Retsu remembered.
After easily defeating the spider demon that appeared, the slayers moved in for the finishing blow. At that moment, Kohaku—who had been standing at the rear—slowed to a stop.
Naraku's threads had already taken control of him.
Then came a massacre.
Caught completely off guard, the slayers were cut down one by one. When only Kohaku and Sango remained, the castle lord's soldiers fired arrows at them.
Through the Sharingan, the shadow clone clearly saw that Sango's wounds were non-lethal. She was gravely injured and unconscious—but alive.
Sure enough, after Kagewaki ordered the bodies buried, Sango later clawed her way out of the earth. She was discovered and "rescued" by Kagewaki—Naraku's puppet.
Seeing that Sango survived just as in the original timeline, the clone finally relaxed.
His gaze shifted toward a certain section of Hitomi Castle. He could sense Naraku's demonic aura there—but it wasn't the main body. Most likely just another puppet.
In the original story, Naraku's true body had gone to the Demon Slayer Village, devoured the demons that attacked it, and taken the Shikon Jewel shards.
But now, Kikyo had already taken the shards away. Retsu couldn't be certain whether Naraku would still appear there.
Still, now wasn't the time to capture Naraku.
Kikyo's soul had not fully recovered, and Naraku himself had not yet matured into the "perfect sacrifice."
Let him enjoy a few more peaceful days.
The shadow clone slipped quietly into Hitomi Castle and entered Sango's room.
She had already been treated and lay asleep.
After confirming her life was no longer in danger, the clone left silently.
He considered killing Naraku's puppet—but decided against it.
Eliminating it would serve little purpose and might alert Naraku too soon.
Besides, this puppet still needed to lead Sango to meet Inuyasha's group. Interfering might disrupt too much.
With a soft puff of smoke, the shadow clone dispelled itself, vanishing without a trace.
Far away, inside a wooden house Retsu had constructed using Wood Release deep in the forest, he sat quietly as the clone's memories flowed back to him.
He lifted his gaze toward Kikyo.
She was currently turning Kuromaru into a proper shikigami. Retsu chose not to disturb her.
Originally, he had intended to have the clone kill Naraku's puppet.
But after reconsidering, he abandoned the idea.
No need to alert the snake before setting the trap.
At the same time, Inuyasha and his group were searching for the Demon Slayer Village.
They had learned from villagers that the Shikon Jewel originated there and hoped to obtain its shards—and uncover its history.
Suddenly, an eerie wind swept past them.
Kagome stiffened.
"Something's approaching us… a lot of them!"
Before she finished speaking, a massive swarm of demons flew overhead, heading toward the distance.
"That's a huge group!" Inuyasha shouted.
"This demonic aura… it's disgusting," Miroku said grimly, gripping his staff.
"It's killing intent," Inuyasha growled. "They're heading to attack someone!"
Without hesitation, they gave chase.
By the next morning, following the lingering demonic aura, Inuyasha's group reached the Demon Slayer Village.
But what greeted them was not the orderly stronghold Retsu and Kikyo had left behind.
The wooden palisade walls were shattered. The gates lay broken. The air reeked of blood and burnt wood.
Inside the village were collapsed houses, smoldering fires, and thick smoke.
Human and demon corpses lay scattered everywhere. Broken arrows and shattered weapons littered the ground.
It was clear—a brutal battle had taken place.
"This… this is…" Kagome whispered in horror.
"They fought demons…" Miroku muttered, stunned.
"There's no doubt," Inuyasha said, examining a weapon on the ground. "This is the Demon Slayer Village we were looking for."
He could smell it—the weapons were made from demon parts.
Kagome looked around anxiously.
"There's no Shikon Jewel aura here…"
"It must have been taken," Miroku said quietly. "And judging by this silence… the demons won."
"If we hurry, maybe we can still catch them," Shippo suggested from atop Miroku's shoulder.
Inuyasha scanned the corpses tangled with demons.
"Let's bury them first. Leaving them like this is too cruel."
"…You're right," Miroku nodded heavily.
Suddenly, a growl echoed through the ruined village.
Kagome darted behind Inuyasha.
"Something's there!"
Inuyasha and Miroku immediately prepared for battle.
From behind a ruined house emerged a massive yellow beast, lion-sized, with crimson slit pupils and sharp fangs. It held a demon's severed head in its jaws.
It growled as it approached them.
Inuyasha drew Tessaiga.
"There's still a demon alive?"
"That… that voice! It's Lord Inuyasha!"
A familiar voice rang out.
They froze.
"It talks?!" Kagome blinked.
"Calm down, Kirara! They're not your enemies!" the voice called again.
The beast suddenly burst into flames.
As the fire dissipated, a small, fluffy creature with two tails and fox-like features stood before them.
A complete contrast to the fearsome form from moments before.
"So… so cute!" Kagome gasped.
The battlefield fell into stunned silence.
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