Kikyo crouched down and lightly touched the demonic aura lingering on the ground with her fingertips.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she slowly shook her head.
"No. That one escaped."
"I figured as much."
Inuyasha didn't seem surprised when he heard this. He simply frowned deeper, his tone turning heavier.
"Wait!" Kagome suddenly remembered something. A look of surprise flashed across her face.
"When Musō disappeared just now, I think I heard him shout your name, Kikyo! Does he know you?"
"Know me…"
Kikyo paused slightly at the question. Her gaze drifted into the distance as she murmured thoughtfully.
"If that's the case," Miroku suddenly said as realization struck him, "the reason he was so obsessed with Miss Kagome must be because Miss Kagome and Miss Kikyo look exactly the same!"
"I see."
Kikyo stood up slowly, understanding dawning on her face.
"No wonder I ran into Naraku on my way here to Kaede's village. That incarnation of his… must have something to do with Onigumo."
"Kikyo, you saw Naraku? Where is he?"
Inuyasha stepped forward immediately, his voice urgent.
"Yes," Kikyo nodded calmly. "He suddenly appeared on my way here and attacked me."
"I was puzzled by his actions at first," she continued. "But after seeing this incarnation, I think I understand why."
"He attacked you?!"
Inuyasha's expression instantly tightened with worry. He walked up to her quickly, carefully examining her from head to toe as if checking for injuries.
"I'm fine," Kikyo replied lightly, shaking her head.
"I cut him once with my blade, and he ran away. He's probably hiding somewhere recovering now."
"You cut him?"
Everyone present froze in shock.
Only now did Kagome notice that Kikyo looked slightly different from the last time she saw her.
A katana rested at Kikyo's waist, sheathed neatly at her side.
"Kikyo… when did you learn how to use a sword?" Inuyasha asked, his face full of disbelief.
"When I had some free time, I learned from Retsu," Kikyo replied casually, as if it were nothing special.
"It seemed useful, so I've been carrying one with me."
Seeing how casually she said it made Kagome feel a little awkward.
Kikyo was already incredibly strong, yet she still spent time learning swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, Kagome realized she had been relying too much on Inuyasha. Even though she had learned archery, she rarely practiced unless they were actually in battle.
Still, she couldn't help imagining how cool Kikyo must look fighting with a katana.
"Miss Kikyo," Miroku said, breaking Kagome out of her thoughts. "Earlier you said Naraku's incarnation is connected to Onigumo. What exactly do you mean?"
Kagome looked over curiously as well.
Kikyo explained calmly:
"Naraku was born from Onigumo's greed and malice.
Although he ultimately became Naraku, Onigumo's obsession and desire continue to influence him—especially his greed for the Shikon Jewel and… his desire for me.
As long as Onigumo's heart remains within him, Naraku cannot truly attack me.
And he will never gain true freedom. He will always be bound by that obsession."
Miroku immediately understood.
"So Naraku separated Onigumo's obsession from himself and created the incarnation called Musō," he said in realization.
"That explains why Musō reacted so strongly to Miss Kagome and Miss Kikyo.
And Naraku's earlier attack on you must have been a test—to see whether removing Onigumo's obsession freed him from that influence."
"Yes." Kikyo nodded slightly.
"So Musō is basically trash Naraku discarded on purpose," Kagome said after thinking it through.
"He wanted to use us to eliminate Musō for him!"
Inuyasha crossed his arms, his voice filled with anger.
"That bastard Naraku… using us like this!"
"Whether we're being used or not," Sango sighed, "Inuyasha, we still have to destroy Musō no matter what."
"Damn it!"
Even though he knew Sango was right, Inuyasha still felt irritated at the thought of being manipulated by Naraku.
"Inuyasha—!"
At that moment, Kaede's voice called out from the distance.
Everyone turned to see her hurrying toward them from the village.
"Lady Kaede!" Kagome waved immediately.
"What happened here?" Kaede asked as she approached, worry written all over her face. She had clearly sensed the disturbance from the battle.
When she saw Kikyo, her face lit up with surprise.
"Sister Kikyo! When did you arrive?"
"Kaede, you're here." Kikyo nodded, her tone softening slightly.
"I came to bring something to Kagome. I happened to run into Inuyasha fighting one of Naraku's incarnations, so I helped out."
"Naraku's incarnation?"
The smile instantly disappeared from Kaede's face.
"Yes," Kikyo said simply. "But he escaped."
She then looked toward a certain direction outside the village.
"However… I think I know where he went."
Kaede followed her gaze and suddenly turned pale.
"Sister Kikyo… you mean that cave?"
"Yes," Kikyo replied.
"The place where Naraku was born. The cave where I once sheltered Onigumo."
Just as she finished speaking, Kikyo suddenly turned her head toward a nearby tree and spoke calmly:
"Isn't that right, Kagura?"
"Kagura?!"
Everyone immediately tensed and looked toward the tree.
A figure wearing a pink-purple kimono slowly stepped out from behind it.
It was Kagura.
She unfolded the fan in her hand and held it before her face as she spoke calmly.
"That's right. Musō is in the cave where you once sheltered Onigumo."
"Kagura, why are you here?"
Inuyasha gripped Tessaiga tightly, his eyes sharp with suspicion.
"I'm not here to fight," Kagura replied calmly, secretly tightening her grip on her fan just in case.
"I'm simply following Naraku's orders to monitor Musō's movements."
She paused, then looked at Kikyo.
"Be careful. Musō isn't like me."
"I understand. Thank you."
Kikyo nodded slightly. She knew Kagura was passing along information indirectly—likely worried that Naraku might be watching nearby.
"Goodbye."
Kagura gave a small nod.
A sudden gust of wind swirled around her, and when it dissipated, she had vanished without a trace.
"Kagura discovered Inuyasha's secret earlier… Naraku might already know," Miroku said worriedly while looking in the direction she disappeared.
"Secret? What secret?" Kikyo asked, surprised. She turned toward Inuyasha.
"It's about the night of the new moon," Kagome whispered quickly as she leaned close to Kikyo's ear.
"When we caught up to Kagura, Inuyasha lost his demon power while saving Koga, and Kagura saw him in his human form."
"Don't worry," Kikyo said with a reassuring smile after hearing the explanation.
"She probably won't tell Naraku."
"Why not?" Shippō asked curiously, poking his head out from Kagome's back.
"Isn't she Naraku's incarnation?"
Kikyo looked at the childlike Shippō with affection and gently rubbed his head.
"The relationship between her and Naraku is complicated. She isn't willingly under his control.
After all…"
Kikyo smiled softly.
"She is the wind's messenger.
And how could the wind ever willingly surrender its freedom and allow itself to be bound?"
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