Thud!
The arrow sliced through the air and struck the bullseye with perfect precision. The shaft trembled slightly in the sunlight, producing a soft ringing sound.
"Well? Pretty impressive, right?"
Uchiha Retsu lowered the bow and raised his chin proudly, looking toward Kikyo beside him.
Perhaps because he had previously taught Kikyo swordsmanship, Kikyo had suddenly suggested teaching him archery today. It was obvious she wanted to experience what it felt like to be the teacher for once.
What she didn't know was that something called the Uchiha throwing technique existed.
With the powerful perception of the Sharingan, even simple weapons like kunai and shuriken could have their trajectories altered through mid-air collisions, creating attacks from nearly impossible angles—even striking targets from behind.
Although the bow was new to Retsu, the Sharingan's assistance and his mastery of throwing techniques meant he grasped the basics after only a few attempts. Hitting the center of the target was effortless.
"Yes, you're very talented, Retsu."
Kikyo looked at his proud expression and smiled warmly, nodding seriously without hesitation in her praise.
Hearing her compliment filled Retsu with satisfaction. He immediately grinned and said,
"That's because Teacher Kikyo taught me so well. Naturally your student picked it up right away!"
"You and that smooth tongue of yours."
Kikyo knew he was flattering her, yet she still felt pleased. She rolled her eyes at him with a smile.
"Since I learned so well, what reward will Teacher Kikyo give me?"
Retsu stepped closer with a playful grin.
Kikyo glanced up at him, stood on her toes, and lightly pecked his cheek. Her smile was bright.
"How about that?"
"Not enough."
Retsu immediately spread his arms, trying to pull her into a hug.
But Kikyo had already anticipated his move. She turned gracefully and slipped out of his reach.
"I need to go to Kaede's village and give this bow to Kagome," she said, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. She blinked at him before picking up the newly crafted bow leaning nearby.
"If any villagers come to the shrine, I'll leave the place in your care."
"No problem. Leave it to me!"
Though disappointed that his sneak attack had failed, Retsu nodded cheerfully.
He watched Kikyo swing onto the back of Blackmaru.
"Be careful on the road," he reminded softly. "Call me if anything happens."
"I know," Kikyo replied, waving casually.
Blackmaru immediately dashed down the stone steps of the shrine and soon disappeared along the path below the mountain.
Only after her figure vanished did Retsu sit beneath the large tree in the courtyard, closing his eyes as he quietly cultivated his sage energy.
Ever since Kikyo had received the purple crystal pendant Kagome gave her, she had been thinking of preparing a gift in return.
After much thought, she decided to personally craft a sacred bow for Kagome.
Once the bow was finished, she tested it—and seeing Retsu watching nearby, she suddenly decided to teach him archery.
She hadn't expected him to learn so quickly.
Her brief experience as a teacher ended almost immediately.
Now that she had confirmed the bow worked perfectly, she couldn't wait to deliver it to Kaede's village, leaving Retsu behind to guard the shrine.
Meanwhile, Kikyo rode swiftly through the forest on Blackmaru.
Suddenly, her expression darkened.
The spiritual power within her body surged instantly.
Without hesitation, she took the newly made sacred bow from her back and pulled the string fully taut.
A pure arrow of spiritual power shot forward with a sharp whistle.
The arrow struck a tree trunk ahead with perfect accuracy.
The instant its spiritual power burst forth, the entire tree—along with surrounding grass and stones—was shredded apart. Dust filled the air.
The next moment, a figure leapt out of the smoke and landed firmly in front of her.
"Naraku. You dare show yourself before me?"
Kikyo stared coldly at the newcomer, her expression showing no surprise at all.
Naraku looked at the shrine maiden before him with mild surprise.
"So you noticed me? Your senses are as sharp as ever, Kikyo."
"The foul aura surrounding you is as obvious to me as fire in the night," Kikyo scoffed mockingly. "I detected you from far away."
She examined him carefully.
He wore a purple robe and appeared exactly like Hitomi Kagewaki, the form she had seen before at Hitomi Castle.
"You came here with your real body?" she said coldly. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
"Feel free to try."
Before his sentence even finished, Naraku's figure blurred into a black shadow rushing toward her with terrifying speed.
Though surprised by his sudden attack, Kikyo reacted without hesitation and drew her bow again.
Twannng!
The bowstring sang as a sacred arrow streaked toward the charging Naraku in brilliant white light.
Just as the arrow was about to strike, countless writhing demon limbs burst from Naraku's body and surged forward like a tidal wave.
The sacred arrow instantly reduced them to ash, but its speed slowed slightly as a result.
Seizing that fleeting moment, Naraku twisted aside and avoided the arrow.
In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Kikyo.
His hand shot forward, aiming directly for her slender white throat.
At this distance, Kikyo had no time to fire another arrow.
A cruel smile spread across Naraku's face.
But the instant his hand was about to touch her—
Kikyo's eyes flashed with a cunning smile.
Naraku's heart skipped in alarm.
Instead of reaching for another arrow, Kikyo's right hand moved to her waist.
Shing!
A crisp metallic sound rang out as a slightly shorter katana was drawn.
At the same moment, Blackmaru crouched instinctively, avoiding Naraku's grasp.
A flash of cold steel streaked through the air.
Kikyo, riding Blackmaru, passed Naraku in a single swift motion.
She slowly lowered her raised arm and sheathed the blade, the metal sliding back into its scabbard with a soft, elegant sound.
Turning her head, she looked calmly at Naraku behind her.
"Well, Naraku… surprised?"
A thin line of blood appeared across Naraku's back, running diagonally from his right shoulder to the left side of his abdomen.
The next moment—
Blood erupted outward.
His body had been sliced cleanly in two by Kikyo's single strike, collapsing heavily to the ground.
But a wound fatal to any normal human meant nothing to Naraku.
From the severed halves of his body surged dense waves of demonic energy.
Countless writhing demon limbs extended and intertwined, reconnecting the two halves and rapidly healing the wound.
Kikyo watched him coldly without moving.
She made no attempt to attack while he regenerated.
Moments later, Naraku's body was completely restored—as if the earlier dismemberment had never happened.
He turned to face her again, his eyes filled with caution.
His gaze locked onto Kikyo's hand, which still rested calmly on the hilt of her sword.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" Kikyo said with a raised brow. Her tone carried the composure of a victor.
"It seems… I win."
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