"When I empty my mind and body and try to merge with nature, I can faintly sense something flowing around me… but it's still very weak," Kikyo replied softly.
Hearing her words, Uchiha Kasage didn't dwell on the recent disturbance in Natural Energy. Instead, he focused on the sensation she described during meditation.
"Really? Then it should happen soon," Kasage said, a hint of surprise in his voice.
In this world, Natural Energy was indeed easier to perceive compared to the world of Naruto. Still, Kikyo being able to touch it so quickly—and without guidance—exceeded his expectations.
Her talent for Senjutsu was undoubtedly greater than his.
But recalling the powerful spiritual energy flowing within her, he found it only natural. The spiritual power of a Miko was, at its core, a manifestation of a strong soul. And a strong spiritual presence often meant a purer, more resilient soul.
Kasage didn't feel envious.
Kikyo possessed innate strength. As for him, his soul grew stronger over time, reinforced by the accumulation of chakra.
In the world of Naruto, the stronger a shinobi became, the more resilient their soul. Some powerful individuals could even break free from the bindings of the Edo Tensei through sheer force of will.
"The hardest step in sensing Natural Energy is perceiving it in the first place. You've already crossed that threshold," Kasage said, gently pulling himself from his thoughts. "With a bit more practice, you'll be able to clearly grasp the Natural Energy around you."
"Mhm… I'll do my best," Kikyo nodded, her voice calm but determined, as she closed her eyes once more.
Her training as a Miko already included meditation and quiet contemplation. For her, emptying the mind and becoming one with nature came naturally.
Seeing her return to her practice, Kasage also closed his eyes, slipping once more into Sage Mode.
Silence fell over the surroundings.
Then—
A slender figure appeared silently atop a large tree not far away, watching the wooden house and the two figures meditating on the second-floor balcony.
Suddenly, before her eyes, the man seated across from the Miko vanished.
Her body tensed.
She prepared to retreat immediately—
—but a figure appeared in front of her like a ghost.
A hand shot forward and seized her by the throat.
"Who are you?" Kasage asked calmly, raising an eyebrow as he held the small white-haired girl. His gaze shifted to the mirror she clutched tightly.
That appearance…
If he remembered correctly, she was one of Naraku's incarnations—the emotionless child…
Kanna.
"Kanna," the girl answered plainly, her expression utterly blank despite being restrained.
"She actually answered…" Kasage murmured, slightly surprised. "A truly emotionless child."
From what he remembered, Naraku had only been able to create Kanna and Kagura after obtaining a shard of the Shikon Jewel—specifically the fragment Kikyo had once received from Kagome. Combined with his own, it had formed a nearly complete jewel, granting him that ability.
But now… things didn't add up.
He hadn't allowed Naraku to obtain Kagome's fragment.
So how had this happened?
Still… that wasn't important right now.
"Kanna, is it? Why were you spying on us?" he asked.
"Orders," Kanna replied, her voice empty.
Kasage smiled faintly.
Without another word, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished—reappearing instantly inside the wooden house.
"Who is this?" Kikyo asked, startled as she looked at the white-haired girl he had brought back.
"I'm not entirely sure. She says her name is Kanna," Kasage replied, shaking his head as if unaware.
He set Kanna down and released his grip.
Freed, she didn't move.
She simply stood there, silent and still.
It wasn't obedience.
Nor fear.
The moment Kasage had grabbed her, he had already placed a seal on her.
Kanna's ability was "Nothingness"—no trace of Yōkai energy, no scent, no emotion. But that didn't mean she lacked power. It only meant her presence couldn't be perceived.
"This is strange…" Kikyo murmured, stepping closer and examining her carefully. "There's no Yōkai energy at all. Not even the faintest aura…"
"She was likely sent by Naraku," Kasage said, turning back to Kanna. "Did Naraku order you to monitor us?"
Kanna looked at him.
"Cannot say."
Kasage didn't react to her refusal.
"Then what are you to Naraku?"
There was a brief pause.
"…Tool."
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly at the answer.
She hadn't expected such a direct response.
And certainly not one so… hollow.
Her gaze softened, just a little.
Then she noticed the mirror in Kanna's hands.
Slowly, she reached out.
Kanna resisted, tightening her grip.
"May I take a look?" Kikyo asked gently. "I promise I'll return it right away."
No response.
Kikyo applied a bit more force—
—and unexpectedly, the mirror came free.
Kanna didn't react.
She only lowered her hands slowly, her gaze locked onto the mirror now in Kikyo's grasp.
"…Thank you," Kikyo said quietly, surprised.
For a moment, she reached out and gently placed her hand on Kanna's head.
Kanna didn't move.
Didn't react.
Her eyes never left the mirror.
"I'll just take a quick look," Kikyo reassured her softly, withdrawing her hand.
She examined the mirror carefully.
"This likely contains part of a Mirror Yōkai's power," she said after a moment, turning to Kasage. "It can absorb souls."
She handed it back.
The moment it left her hands, Kanna reached out, took it, and hugged it tightly to her chest again.
"Mirror Yōkai…" Kasage murmured, nodding slightly.
He had read about such beings before. Their primary abilities were absorbing souls and replicating techniques.
Kanna's power aligned perfectly.
Naraku himself was a fusion of countless Yōkai. It wasn't strange that Kanna, as one of his incarnations, carried traits of a Mirror Yōkai.
Just like Kagura likely possessed traits from wind-based Yōkai.
Kasage extended his hand and lightly touched the mirror, lowering his head to observe his reflection.
It looked ordinary.
Just a simple glass mirror—rare for this era.
In that brief moment of contact, he quietly left a Flying Thunder God mark on its back.
Then he looked at Kanna.
Still expressionless.
Still silent.
Kasage's eyes narrowed slightly.
For a brief moment, he found himself uncertain—
how exactly should he deal with this… uninvited observer?
---