"So you mean… Naraku's birth wasn't an accident, and it wasn't something that could be caused by a bandit's evil thoughts alone?"
Kikyo finally seemed to grasp the key point. Her gaze grew distant as she looked at him.
"That's right," Retsu nodded seriously.
"It was the Shikon Jewel, wasn't it?" Kikyo's expression instantly turned solemn. She fully understood what he was implying.
For all these years, the condition of "offering one's body to demons" seemed simple.
Yet only Onigumo had succeeded in becoming Naraku.
The only special factor was that she, as the priestess responsible for purifying the Shikon Jewel, had been connected to it at the time. Onigumo's obsession must have resonated with the Jewel in some way.
Retsu nodded in confirmation.
"Exactly. Only the Shikon Jewel can amplify evil desires and make so many impossible things happen."
After sharing his guess, he explained more carefully.
"I didn't kill Naraku because I'm afraid that after he dies, the Shikon Jewel might create another 'Naraku.'
"There are plenty of people in this world who are far more evil than that bandit. The Jewel could easily make a replacement."
Kikyo finally understood his true intention.
"So killing Naraku isn't the key. Only by destroying the Shikon Jewel at the same time can we truly solve the problem."
"Right," Retsu agreed. "You once said Naraku is the Jewel's puppet. That's not wrong at all."
Kikyo smiled helplessly.
"To think that I, a priestess meant to purify the Shikon Jewel, ended up dying because of it."
"You've been revived," Retsu said gently. "Let the past stay in the past."
"Yes." Kikyo nodded.
"I'm truly alive again. My time has started flowing once more."
She gathered her thoughts and smiled again.
"Enough of this. Let Kagome and Inuyasha worry about Naraku and the Shikon Jewel."
Seeing that she had let go of the past, Retsu changed the subject with a relaxed tone.
"Tomorrow, I'm planning to visit a nearby town. It's been a long time since I've properly enjoyed food. My old body wasn't suited for that."
"I'm coming too!" Kikyo's eyes immediately lit up.
Her clay body had never been able to eat. Now that she had a real body again, she was eager to taste the dishes she had missed.
"No problem. It's settled," Retsu replied cheerfully.
Early the next morning, Retsu and Kikyo headed to a nearby town.
Although this was the Sengoku era and resources were limited, the town still had many unique foods.
Crispy tempura, soft and chewy dango, fragrant wild mushrooms, and freshly caught seafood and river fish.
They spent the entire day wandering the streets. Under Kikyo's guidance as a "local," they sampled many flavors unique to this era.
Retsu also bought plenty of fresh ingredients, seasonings, and full sets of utensils.
Back when he was an Edo Tensei body, eating had been meaningless, so he had never prepared any of this.
Now that he was alive again, daily necessities were indispensable.
Over the next few days, the two of them occasionally cooked together.
Retsu specially made several dishes from the ninja world for Kikyo—Ichiraku ramen that Naruto loved, and the three-colored dango that Itachi favored.
As a transmigrator, he had tasted countless foods in that world and even recorded their recipes with his Sharingan.
Though his versions were slightly different from the originals, the difference was subtle, and Kikyo praised them sincerely.
In return, Retsu had the chance to taste Kikyo's homemade cooking.
To his surprise, just like her powerful spiritual abilities, her cooking skills were outstanding.
Even ordinary ingredients became delicious in her hands.
The only amusing thing was that her cooking method was exactly the same as when she brewed medicinal herbs.
Retsu guessed that, as a priestess, she had simply merged her cooking skills with her medicine-making techniques.
That noon, Retsu and Kikyo were grilling food on a grassy riverside.
Some ingredients were bought from nearby towns and villages, while others were wild game Retsu had hunted himself.
As for seasonings, he had specially gone to Kaede's village and asked Kagome to bring some from the modern era.
She had even brought him a portable grill.
With modern seasonings, the grilled meat was incredibly fragrant and delicious.
Just as Retsu picked up a sizzling slice of meat with his chopsticks and was about to eat, his expression suddenly changed.
He swiftly formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
A clone identical to him appeared.
At the same time, white smoke burst from his real body.
When it cleared, he was gone.
Only the clone calmly walked over, sat down, picked up the chopsticks, and put the meat into his mouth.
"What happened?" Kikyo asked in confusion after swallowing her food.
"I was summoned by a cat demon using summoning jutsu," the clone replied calmly while cutting the meat into neat slices.
"I'm not sure what she wants."
"A cat demon?" Kikyo's eyes showed curiosity. "And what is summoning jutsu?"
"It's a cat demon named Xia Lan. I'll introduce you someday," the clone explained.
"As for summoning jutsu, it's basically forming a contract with a creature. After that, you can summon each other for assistance.
"I happened to meet her before and made a contract."
While the clone explained, Retsu's real body had already appeared in a strange valley.
In front of him stood three demons—two women and one man.
At the front was a woman with icy blue long hair, wearing a pale purple kimono. Her expression was cold, and she naturally radiated authority.
Beside her stood a young-looking girl with light brown hair. A pink flower adorned her head. She wore a yellow-green short kimono that revealed her slender white legs.
Behind them stood the only male demon.
He was tall and muscular, wearing a green coat, with his chest and abs exposed, showing solid muscles.
Retsu recognized them instantly.
They were three of the Panther Demon Four Heavenly Kings: the eldest, Dong Lan; the second sister, Chun Lan; and the youngest brother, Qiu Lan.
As for the fourth—Xia Lan, who had summoned him—
Retsu looked down.
At his feet lay a cat demon with bright red, frizzy hair, sprawled on the ground and panting heavily.
It was obvious that using summoning jutsu again had completely drained her demonic power.
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