"What's wrong, Kikyo?"
Standing among the crowd, Uchiha Retsu noticed the subtle change in Kikyo's expression. She had just withdrawn her gaze from the ritual procession ahead. He asked softly.
"Nothing."
Kikyo shook her head and leaned closer to his ear, lowering her voice. Her warm breath brushed against him.
"It's just that the barrier around Naraku's castle suddenly disappeared. If I couldn't still sense the Shikon Jewel's aura on him, I might have thought he died."
At the moment, Kikyo was not wearing her usual shrine maiden robes. Instead, she had changed into a pale pink kimono, making her appearance look softer and more gentle.
The two of them blended into the nearby villagers, standing in front of the shrine and watching the ongoing River God Festival with great interest.
In this world, gods truly existed.
Most of them were not particularly powerful, and sometimes strong demons would even replace them. However, it was these gods, along with extraordinary humans, that allowed humanity to survive in a world filled with demons.
Therefore, rituals dedicated to the gods were always grand and lively. In an era with little entertainment, they attracted crowds from every direction.
Retsu and Kikyo were simply "travelers" who had come to enjoy the spectacle.
"After losing a reincarnation earlier, Naraku is probably stirring up something again," Retsu said calmly. He didn't seem particularly concerned.
"Don't worry. If something really happens, Kagura will probably come find us."
"Mm."
Kikyo nodded and held his hand as she continued watching the ceremony with interest.
Although she had seen such rituals before, she had always been too busy fighting demons to observe them properly.
Now she finally had the leisure to enjoy it.
As for Retsu, this was his first time seeing such a festival, and he found it fascinating.
In a world where gods and demons truly existed, a River God ritual was far more interesting than he had imagined.
The priests and shrine maidens first set up a solemn altar by the river and erected a spiritual barrier. Then they began a joint purification ritual.
Retsu could sense that every priest and shrine maiden present possessed spiritual power. While none of them were particularly strong individually, their combined effort produced an impressive exorcism effect.
Regardless of how powerful the River God actually was, this purification alone would protect the surrounding villagers from demonic disturbances for quite some time.
"Do you know how to perform that dance?"
Retsu stared at the shrine maidens ahead performing a kagura dance while holding sacred bells. He leaned close to Kikyo again, his voice low and amused.
"…I do."
Kikyo instantly understood what he meant. Her cheeks flushed red as she glared at him before quickly turning her face away.
"Will you dance for me when we get home?" Retsu asked softly, smiling as he noticed the redness spreading across her ears.
"…Alright."
After a long pause, Kikyo quietly agreed. Her ears turned even redder.
Retsu felt a surge of anticipation but forced himself to focus back on the ritual.
However, even after the purification ended and the divine palanquin began its procession, he didn't see anyone particularly powerful among the priests.
He frowned slightly.
"These people aren't that strong. Why didn't they invite you?"
"They're priests from the main shrine in the city," Kikyo explained patiently. "Most of them are from noble families and are responsible for large-scale ceremonies like this.
A shrine maiden from a small village shrine like me wouldn't be invited."
"I see."
Retsu suddenly understood.
For ceremonies tied to political authority, background mattered more than strength.
Of course, with Kikyo's abilities now, she had no need to care about such things anyway.
The rituals in this world were both complex and solemn, and the gods themselves would cooperate—after all, it was the best opportunity to gather faith from humans.
Even without using his Sharingan, Retsu could clearly see the River God sitting inside the palanquin.
It looked like a child.
Its delicate features were androgynous, dressed in gorgeous clothing, with a few fish-scale-like decorations near its ears.
Clearly, it was a demon that had ascended to godhood through faith.
Just as Retsu was observing it, the River God seemed to notice his gaze and turned to look back.
When it saw Retsu and Kikyo, its eyes widened in surprise.
Kikyo smiled gently and bowed slightly in greeting.
The River God quickly nodded in return before the palanquin bearers carried it onward.
"Was that River God originally a demon?" Retsu asked curiously as the procession moved away.
"Yes—and no."
Kikyo watched the palanquin disappear into the distance before answering.
"It was probably a benevolent demon in life. After death, its pure spirit was worshipped by humans and eventually became a god through accumulated faith.
But for people to worship it like this after its death… it must have protected this land when it was alive."
Satisfied with their curiosity, the two continued watching the festival.
After the procession ended, the main offering ceremony began.
The local lord and nobles presented offerings first—grains, rice wine, river fish, and other rich tributes.
Then the villagers lined up to toss coins into the offering box and pray for blessings.
Kikyo also pulled Retsu into the line, and they each dropped two copper coins into the box.
After the offerings, the priests began chanting Shinto prayers while monks recited sutras.
Retsu quickly lost interest in that part and instead dragged Kikyo around the nearby stalls.
Large festivals always attracted traveling merchants.
There were all kinds of goods, along with street performances—acrobats, monkey shows, and even puppet theater.
Although the puppetry was nowhere near as refined as the puppet techniques used by the Sand ninja in the shinobi world, Retsu still found it refreshing and entertaining.
They wandered around until evening before finally returning to the shrine, carrying a large bundle of things they had bought.
"Oh, you're back. I've been waiting for quite a while."
The moment they stepped into the shrine, Kagura's voice came from nearby.
Neither Retsu nor Kikyo seemed surprised.
They had sensed Kagura entering the shrine's barrier earlier, which was why they had ended their outing early. Otherwise, they might have stayed out until nightfall.
Retsu turned his head.
Kagura was sitting on the swing beneath the tree, her skirt swaying gently as she watched them quietly.
He spoke first.
"Kagura. What's Naraku up to this time?"
"I already sensed that his barrier disappeared," Kikyo added as she walked toward Kagura. "Did something happen?"
"Since Musō died, his condition has become stranger and stranger," Kagura said calmly, her pink eyes fixed on the two of them.
"Today, he simply disappeared entirely. I don't know where he went.
All I know is that before he vanished, he ordered Kanna to break the seal of a demon named Kaguya."
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