Uchiha Kasage held a struggling rabbit in his hand, carefully controlling the flow of chakra at his fingertips as he slowly channeled it into the animal's body.
At the moment, he was researching how the Sage of the Six Paths once distributed chakra to others.
"Is it really true that only by mastering the power of the Six Paths can one succeed?" Kasage muttered irritably. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the rabbit aside.
The moment it hit the ground and tried to escape in panic, several thin branches suddenly shot up from the earth, tightly binding its limbs and preventing it from moving.
"I gave you a chance, but you were useless. I'll roast you and eat you later," Kasage said coldly, staring at the struggling rabbit, his frustration from yet another failed experiment evident in his voice.
"Failed again?"
At that moment, Kikyo's voice came from the side.
As she approached, her gaze fell on the rabbit bound by branches. It was still writhing helplessly.
"Hmm." Kasage sighed, a trace of helplessness in his tone. "After injecting chakra into its body, its strength only increases temporarily. That's all. There's no sign of it generating chakra on its own. Once the injected chakra runs out, it returns to normal."
He turned to look at Kikyo, his eyes briefly resting on the bow and arrows on her back. Raising an eyebrow, he asked casually, "Did someone ask you to exorcise a yokai?"
"Mm." Kikyo nodded softly, meeting his gaze. "Come with me this time."
Kasage blinked, slightly surprised. "What is it? Is this one strong?"
Ever since they had settled near the shrine, villagers from the surrounding areas had gradually begun seeking Kikyo out—asking her to exorcise yokai or heal illnesses.
At first, Kasage had followed her out of curiosity. But he soon realized that most of these so-called "monsters" were nothing more than minor yokai—creatures transformed from animals like rats, lizards, or toads.
Each time, he would ride behind Kikyo on her black steed, only to watch as she effortlessly eliminated the yokai with a single arrow.
There was nothing for him to do.
Eventually, Kikyo handled such matters alone.
So he hadn't expected her to specifically ask him to come along today.
"Some villagers nearby said that none of the men who went into the mountain have returned," Kikyo explained. As she spoke, she raised her hand, summoning her shikigami, Kuromaru, gently stroking its head. "They suspect they were taken by a yokai."
Kasage watched as Kikyo mounted Kuromaru before climbing on as well. As the wind rushed past them, he frowned slightly.
"All the men who went up the mountain disappeared? Only men?"
"Mm." Carried swiftly along the path, Kikyo spoke over the wind. "I suspect this yokai targets men specifically. That's why I asked you to come. If you went alone, you might not even find it."
Kasage's eyes lit up slightly, a hint of excitement flashing through them. "This yokai… could it be a fox spirit?"
"Hmph." Kikyo shot him a sidelong glance, a faint trace of mockery in her eyes. "Perhaps. What—should I become your maid if we capture it?"
"Uh… no, that's not necessary! I was just curious!" Kasage waved his hand quickly, clearly flustered by her ambiguous smile.
"Oh? So you *did* consider it?" Kikyo pressed, her gaze sharpening.
"…"
Kasage immediately shut his mouth.
He knew better than to continue. One more word and things would only get worse. So he straightened his posture and remained silent.
Kuromaru moved with incredible speed, bringing them near a village at the foot of the mountain in no time.
To avoid frightening the villagers, the two dismounted at the entrance. Kikyo raised her hand, recalling Kuromaru, which instantly transformed into a small wooden figure that she slipped into her sleeve.
Side by side, they walked into the village.
Kasage quietly observed their surroundings. As expected, there were very few men—especially young and able-bodied ones. Even in the fields, most of the workers were women.
Before long, they found the woman who had requested Kikyo's help.
Her husband, like the others, had gone into the mountains and never returned.
Normally, Kikyo would have come sooner. But since the yokai hadn't attacked the village directly and only targeted men who entered the mountains, the situation hadn't been considered urgent.
So after finishing her other duties, she had only arrived today—with Kasage.
When the villagers heard that a priestess and a samurai had come to help, those who had lost loved ones quickly gathered around them, their eyes filled with hope.
"Lady Kikyo, this is the path! Everyone who goes into the mountain uses this route."
"Since then… no one who entered has come back…" one villager said, pointing toward a winding trail leading deep into the forest.
The path was well-worn—clearly the only route up the mountain.
"Do not worry," Kikyo said gently, turning to face them. Her voice was calm, yet firm and reassuring. "If we find the missing men, we will bring them back safely."
"Please! You must save them!" The villagers bowed in unison, their voices filled with desperation and gratitude.
Just as Kikyo and Kasage turned to enter the forest, a voice suddenly called out:
"They say the yokai in the mountains— the one that lures men—is unbelievably beautiful!"
Kikyo paused.
Slowly, she turned her head and glanced at Kasage.
"…Hey, what kind of look is that?" Kasage immediately noticed, irritation creeping into his voice as he followed her into the forest. "Do I look like some pervert who can't resist a pretty face?"
Kikyo didn't hesitate to respond.
"I recall someone once complaining that none of the yokai we encountered were attractive," she said calmly. "Something about wanting a cute girl with animal ears."
She glanced at him again, her tone faintly teasing.
"Perhaps this time, you'll finally get what you wished for."