Kill her?
Uchiha Kasage hesitated.
He found it difficult to strike. Letting this small white-haired girl die just like that felt… wasteful.
More importantly—
Kanna was not an evil Yōkai.
From what he remembered, she only developed emotions after Kagura's death. And the moment she began to feel, Naraku had sent her to fight the main group—sending her to her death without hesitation.
Before dying, she had given Kagome the crucial clue needed to defeat Naraku.
Before that… Kanna had always remained quietly at Naraku's side, carrying out his orders like a lifeless doll.
Unlike her sister Kagura, who longed for freedom and struggled against her chains, Kanna had no such desire.
No good.
No evil.
No hatred.
No kindness.
Just as she had said—
She was nothing.
"…What should we do with her?" Kasage asked, turning his gaze toward Kikyo.
Kikyo paused, clearly troubled. She studied Kanna for a moment before answering softly, "She doesn't seem like a threat… perhaps we could keep her with us for now?"
There was a gentle note in her voice.
It seemed Kikyo had taken a liking to her.
Kasage glanced at her thoughtfully. Thinking back to the first time he met Kikyo—surrounded by children—it didn't feel surprising.
Did she really have a soft spot for children?
"…No," Kasage said after a moment, shaking his head. His tone grew more serious. "Her ability is too strange. There's no Yōkai aura, no scent… and even—"
His eyes lingered on Kanna's pale, colorless appearance, those empty black pupils.
"…she lacks 'color' itself. That kind of 'nothingness' isn't normal. The seal I placed on her won't hold for long."
He exhaled quietly.
"Unless I reinforce it constantly… or use something like the Four Symbols Sealing Technique to completely lock her away."
Kanna's existence was unsettling.
The seal he had casually placed earlier was already weakening.
It wasn't a weak seal—but she was the first being he had encountered who could erode a seal simply by existing.
"And there's more," Kasage continued. "Since Naraku sent her, he must have a way to control her. The moment he realizes she's been captured… he'll likely kill her himself to erase any risk."
Kikyo's expression tightened slightly.
"…Then…" she hesitated, her voice soft but conflicted, "…should we just kill her?"
Even as she said it, there was reluctance in her eyes.
Kasage frowned, his gaze falling back on Kanna.
Meanwhile, the girl in question stood silently.
Even after hearing the words "kill her," there wasn't the slightest ripple in her eyes.
It was as if they were discussing someone else entirely.
"…I have an idea."
Suddenly, Kasage's eyes lit up.
A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips.
With Kanna's empty nature, she wouldn't volunteer information unless directly asked.
That made things… convenient.
If he prepared something in advance—
Naraku might never notice.
His gaze toward Kanna shifted, becoming more calculating… more intent.
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"What are you planning?" Kikyo immediately stepped forward, pulling Kanna behind her protectively. Her eyes narrowed at him. "She's still a child."
Kasage froze for a second.
Then his expression twisted in irritation.
"…What exactly are you imagining?" he shot back. "I'm setting a trap for Naraku, not doing anything strange!"
"…Is that so?" Kikyo eyed him suspiciously for a few seconds.
Then, realizing her misunderstanding, she quietly released Kanna and straightened, returning to her usual calm composure as if nothing had happened.
Kasage clicked his tongue.
"Hmph."
Kikyo, clearly aware she was in the wrong, simply looked away—watching him instead with quiet curiosity.
Kasage's expression grew serious.
He quickly formed a series of hand seals, then took Kanna's cold right hand into his own. Placing his palm over hers, he turned to Kikyo.
"Kikyo. Place your hand over mine—and channel your spiritual power into me. I'm going to seal it into her palm."
Kikyo blinked in surprise.
Then, almost instantly, she understood.
Without hesitation, she stepped closer and placed her hand over his. Pure spiritual power began to flow steadily from her.
Kasage felt the surge immediately.
His chakra responded.
"Four Symbols Sealing Technique!" he called out in a low, focused voice.
Kikyo's spiritual power flowed into Kanna's palm, rapidly condensing.
A complex sealing formula flickered across her skin—bright for a single moment—
Then vanished.
Kasage exhaled slowly, releasing the technique.
Throughout the entire process, Kanna had not moved.
Not even slightly.
Like a perfectly crafted doll—empty, silent, and obedient.
Kasage crouched down to meet her gaze.
"Kanna," he said quietly, but firmly. "I've sealed Kikyo's spiritual power into your palm. It can purify evil energy and miasma—and it can deal fatal damage to Naraku."
Her eyes remained still.
"If… one day, you desire freedom," he continued, "all you need to do is strike the seal with your Yōkai power. That will release the spiritual power inside."
His tone softened, just slightly.
"It's simple. I've embedded the formula—you only need to trigger it."
Then—
He raised a finger and gently tapped her forehead.
His Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life.
Crimson power surged outward.
"Transfer Seal."
A sickle-shaped Mangekyō mark flashed across Kanna's left eye—
—and disappeared just as quickly.
Still, she did not react.
Kasage studied her carefully.
"I know your heart belongs to Naraku."
For the first time—
A faint ripple passed through her eyes.
So subtle it could have been missed.
But Kasage saw it.
His smile deepened.
"I've sealed a dōjutsu in your left eye," he continued. "It can create a space vortex within your line of sight—pulling objects into another dimension."
He held her gaze.
"You can use it… to take your heart back from Naraku."
Silence returned.
Kanna's expression became still again.
"When you truly want freedom," Kasage said quietly, "use what I've given you."
He paused, then added:
"Don't worry. With your nature, Naraku won't notice any of this."
After a moment, he gently placed his hand on her head, lightly patting her soft, cold hair.
"…You can go now. I've already released the seal."
Kanna turned without a word.
Step by step, she walked forward.
Then—
Her figure began to fade.
Until she vanished completely from the wooden house.
Silence lingered.
"…Do you think she'll betray Naraku?" Kikyo asked softly from beside him, a trace of curiosity in her voice.
Kasage turned to her, a faint, knowing smile forming.
"She will."
His tone was calm—but certain.
"Someone like Naraku, who toys with others and treats them like tools… will always be betrayed in the end."
Kikyo nodded slowly.
Then, after a pause, she tilted her head slightly.
"…Then how did you know her heart belonged to Naraku?"
Kasage froze for just a fraction of a second.
"…That?" he let out an awkward chuckle. "A secret."
Kikyo rolled her eyes lightly.
"…Mm."
She didn't press further.
After all this time, she already knew—
Uchiha Kasage carried many secrets.
And if he didn't wish to share them…
She wouldn't force him.