"Besides the dense evil energy, I can also sense Naraku's aura from the previous castle. This must be his doing," Kikyo said calmly, focusing on the surroundings without paying attention to Kagome's embarrassment.
"Mhm. He's already here… waiting nearby. Once his body fully recovers, we'll make our move," Uchiha Kasage replied, nodding slightly.
Their conversation left Kagome and Sango confused, unable to grasp their plan. Just as they were about to ask, a fierce roar echoed from deeper within the cavern—mixed with Inuyasha's furious shouts.
Kagome and Sango immediately looked up.
At the cave opening near the cliff's edge, deep inside the cavern, Miroku was slumped against the wall, his face pale as death. The surrounding evil energy had clearly weakened him.
"Master Miroku!" Kagome and Sango cried out at once.
Startled, Miroku turned toward them. The moment he saw Kagome, Sango, and Shippō, his expression changed drastically.
"Why are you here?!" he shouted urgently. "The evil energy is too strong—leave now!"
"Master Miroku, are you alright? Where's Inuyasha?" Kagome rushed to his side, completely unaffected by the aura, her voice filled with worry.
"Kagome?! Why are you here? It's dangerous—get out!" Inuyasha's voice suddenly rang out.
He turned—and the instant he saw Kagome standing there, his focus faltered.
The Yokai he was fighting seized the opening.
With a brutal slash of its claw—
BOOM!
Inuyasha was struck hard and sent crashing to the ground.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried.
Growling, Inuyasha forced himself back up, gripping Tessaiga tightly. His eyes burned with determination as he charged again. Steel met claw in a violent clash, sparks and blood scattering with every impact.
At that moment, Kikyo and Uchiha Kasage arrived with Sango, Shippō, and Kirara.
Looking down, they realized the cavern opened into a massive hollow space—like a volcanic crater deep within the mountain.
Moonlight poured through the circular opening above, illuminating a horrifying scene.
At the center lay a massive pool of blood—formed from countless Yokai limbs and fresh flesh—glowing with an eerie crimson light.
Within it, Inuyasha battled a towering Yokai radiating foul, suffocating energy. Each collision sent waves of blood splashing violently into the air.
"Master Miroku, are you alright?" Sango asked, supporting him carefully.
"I'll manage…" Miroku panted. His gaze swept across the group before stopping on Kikyo, shock flashing in his eyes.
Suddenly—
Shippō and Kirara were pulled forward by an unseen force, leaping toward the blood pool.
"Shippō! Kirara, no!" Sango and Miroku reacted instantly, grabbing them just in time.
"Be careful," Miroku warned, handing Shippō to Kagome. "This cave has been altered by Witchcraft. The Yokai are drawn to the blood pool—they fight, devour… and merge."
His eyes turned to Inuyasha.
"We have to stop him. If this continues, he'll be consumed by the evil energy and become part of them!"
"Merge…?" Kagome's face paled as she looked at Inuyasha. "Kikyo said this is Naraku's trap!"
"That would make sense…" Miroku nodded—then suddenly froze.
The oppressive evil energy… was disappearing.
He looked up.
Kikyo stood still, her body glowing with vast, pale spiritual power. It spread outward like an invisible barrier, steadily purifying the entire cavern.
"Lady Kikyo… thank you," Miroku said, deeply shaken. He could tell how much power this required.
Kikyo didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha!" she called out sharply, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Snap out of it! Stop acting like a fool and get out of there!"
"Kikyo…!" Inuyasha froze for a split second, instinctively turning toward her.
That moment was all the Yokai needed.
**BOOM!**
Its claw slammed into his back, sending him flying into the rock wall. Stone shattered on impact as he embedded into it.
Uchiha Kasage sighed internally.
*This guy… no matter who calls him, the result's the same.*
*Kagome calls—he gets slammed down.*
*Kikyo calls—he gets launched into a cliff.*
*Not the strongest… but definitely durable.*
Kikyo didn't even glance at him.
Now that he was away from the blood pool, she moved instantly.
Drawing her bow, she nocked an arrow and pulled the string taut. Her voice, calm but firm, reached Kasage.
"Kasage. Be ready. Don't let it escape… I'm breaking the seal."
Kasage's eyes sharpened.
"Understood."
Chakra flared beneath his feet—pale blue energy bursting outward as he launched himself forward like a streak of lightning.
The Yokai, focused on Inuyasha, didn't notice.
Mid-air, Kasage gathered chakra into his leg—
**CRACK!**
His kick struck the Yokai's head with explosive force.
A deafening roar echoed as foul blood sprayed outward. The massive creature crashed into the blood pool, sending violent waves in all directions.
Using the momentum, Kasage flipped upward, landing against the cliff wall. With chakra anchoring his feet, he ran along the vertical surface with ease.
In seconds, he reached Inuyasha.
Grabbing him by the collar like dead weight, he leapt back and returned to the cave's edge, tossing him aside.
"Done," he said simply.
Kikyo nodded once.
Then—
She released the arrow.
A beam of pure, pale spiritual energy shot upward, striking the invisible barrier sealing the cavern.
**BOOM!**
The seal shattered instantly.
The compressed evil energy exploded outward, forming a towering pillar that surged violently into the sky.
Wind roared through the cavern, whipping clothes and hair wildly—but the group remained unharmed.
Then—
A louder, more violent eruption followed.
The opening above burst apart completely.
All the evil energy, the blood pool, and even the Yokai—now regenerated—were dragged into the rising pillar and blasted into the night sky, vanishing into darkness.
"Kikyo! What are you doing?!" Inuyasha, now fully conscious, rushed forward as the last traces of evil energy faded.
Kikyo didn't even look at him.
"There's no time to explain," she said coldly.
Her gaze shifted to Kasage—sharp, focused.
"Kasage… it's your turn."
Kasage stepped forward without hesitation.
"Got it. Let's go."
In one swift motion, he lifted Kikyo into his arms.
Chakra erupted beneath his feet—
And like a flash of lightning, he shot up along the rock wall, heading straight for the opening above.