Looking at the girl standing before her, Tsubaki suppressed the killing intent in her eyes.
Her right eye suddenly lit up, overflowing with dense Yokai energy.
A dark vortex burst forth from it, spiraling downward before condensing upon the ground.
From that mass of writhing energy—
a fox Yokai emerged.
It had gray and white fur, sharp fangs, and three large, swaying tails.
"…There."
Tsubaki's lips curled slightly as she stared at Kagome.
"I've released the Yokai inside me."
A cold glint flashed in her eyes.
She wanted to kill Kagome right then and there—but with Inuyasha watching her closely and Kikyo standing calmly nearby, she could only restrain herself.
Still…
*Severely injuring her should be enough.*
With a thought, she commanded the fox Yokai forward.
The creature lunged.
Its jaws opened wide, fangs gleaming as it charged straight toward Kagome.
Kagome's breath hitched.
She raised her bow quickly, her fingers trembling slightly as she fought down her nerves.
Focus…
Kikyo's teachings surfaced clearly in her mind.
She steadied her breathing.
Waited.
Watched.
Then—
as the fox Yokai leapt into the air—
"Now!"
Whoosh!
The arrow shot forward, wrapped in bright spiritual energy, streaking like light toward its target.
Crack!
Just before impact, the fox reacted instantly.
Its claws lashed out—
and struck the arrow aside.
The burst of spiritual power still sent it flying backward, its claws shattered from the impact.
But the moment it landed—
its wounds began to heal, nourished by its Yokai energy.
Kagome froze.
Her attack… hadn't finished it.
"Kagome," Kikyo's voice rang out, calm yet firm, "do not hesitate."
"Focus your mind. Hold firm to your resolve."
Her gaze was steady.
"You are a priestess. Your spiritual power is strong… but you must believe that you can destroy a Yokai."
Kagome tightened her grip.
"…Focus… conviction…"
She repeated the words silently, her eyes locking onto the fox Yokai.
It lunged again.
She fired.
Again.
And again.
Each arrow forced it back.
Each clash chipped away at its power.
Slowly—
her movements grew steadier.
Her breathing calmer.
The spiritual energy within her arrows began to surge more consistently.
The fox Yokai's aura weakened with every exchange.
Kikyo watched quietly.
A faint sigh escaped her lips.
Kagome was improving—
but it still wasn't enough.
*That power…*
Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly.
When Kagome broke the barrier earlier, her arrow had been overwhelming—more than enough to obliterate this Yokai instantly.
And yet now…
her strength fluctuated.
Sometimes powerful.
Sometimes weak.
Unstable.
Kikyo already had her suspicions.
The Shikon Jewel.
It had once resided within Kagome's body.
Perhaps—
during that time—
it had sealed part of her spiritual power.
After all, if the Jewel feared her strength…
it would make sense.
But suppression was not the same as erasure.
Under enough pressure—
that power would break free.
That was why Kikyo allowed this.
Why she pushed Kagome into real combat.
She wanted her to awaken it.
To master it.
To become strong enough to destroy the Shikon Jewel once and for all.
"…Again!"
Kagome released another arrow.
This time—
faster.
Stronger.
The fox Yokai, now weakened, failed to dodge.
The arrow struck its head directly.
"ROAR!!"
The creature shrieked, unleashing all its remaining Yokai energy in desperation.
But—
the next instant—
a brilliant light erupted from the arrow.
It shattered the Yokai energy instantly.
**Boom!**
The arrow pierced through its head.
The body collapsed, lifeless, crashing heavily to the ground.
Silence followed.
Then—
"I… I did it!" Kagome gasped, dropping to her knees.
Relief flooded her body.
A smile spread across her face as she turned—
wanting to share the moment.
"Inuyasha—!"
"Watch out, Kagome!"
His shout cut through the air.
Kagome's heart skipped.
She turned sharply.
Shh—!
Grass rustled violently.
A white snake shikigami shot toward her like lightning.
Its body coiled low before striking—
fangs gleaming as it lunged straight for her throat.
"Kagome!" Sango cried, throwing her Hiraikotsu.
Inuyasha rushed forward, gripping Tessaiga tightly—
but he hesitated.
Too close.
He couldn't risk hitting her.
Tsubaki's laughter echoed wildly.
"Hahaha! Die, Kagome!"
At the same time—
more Yokai burst forth from her eye.
Some surged forward, blocking Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku.
Others gathered beneath Tsubaki, lifting her into the air.
"Kikyo!" she shouted, glaring down venomously. "You care about her so much, don't you? I'll kill her first—then you!"
In contrast to the chaos—
Kikyo stood completely still.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"…I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," she said softly, her gaze fixed on Kagome.
At that moment—
Kagome stared at the snake rushing toward her.
No arrows.
Her hand grasped empty air.
*No… arrows?!*
Realization struck instantly.
The fangs were already inches away.
Then—
Kikyo's voice echoed in her mind.
*Focus.*
Kagome's grip tightened around her bow.
Her eyes sharpened.
"…Die!"
A surge of spiritual power erupted from her body, flooding into the bow.
In a split-second decision—
she swung it.
CRASH!
The bow struck the snake's head directly.
A piercing shriek rang out—
and in the next instant—
the shikigami disintegrated into ashes under the overwhelming purification power.
Gone.
Silenced.
Kagome stood there, breathing heavily, her bow still raised.
The air around her trembled faintly—
as if her power had finally begun to awaken.