Tsubaki's words left everyone stunned.
Their gazes instinctively shifted toward Kikyo, confusion evident in their eyes.
Why had she spared her?
Inuyasha lowered Tessaiga and was about to question her—
when Kagome suddenly cried out:
"The Shikon Jewel… it's gone!"
"What?!" Inuyasha's attention snapped back instantly. He turned sharply toward Tsubaki. "Tsubaki! Where is the Shikon Jewel?!"
At the mention of it, Tsubaki's expression twisted with anger.
"That bastard Naraku took it!" she spat, clenching her fists. "He deceived me… I won't let him get away with this!"
"Naraku…" Inuyasha growled, his fist tightening. "Damn it! He stole it again…"
Miroku sighed deeply, shaking his head.
"We worked all night… only to be toyed with and gain nothing."
"Hmph." Tsubaki sneered, her eyes flashing with calculation. "Did he really think I, a cursed priestess, would leave myself unguarded?"
Miroku's expression changed instantly. He stepped forward respectfully, his tone turning almost flattering.
"Lady Tsubaki, may I ask… what are you planning?"
Tsubaki raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down with amusement.
"Monk, I quite like your attitude."
On Kagome's shoulder, Shippo muttered quietly—
though not quietly enough:
"…Is Miroku trying to ask her to bear his child?"
The night fell silent.
"…Oh?" Tsubaki's lips curled into a teasing smile as she glanced at Miroku. "Does the monk wish for me to bear his child?"
Her gaze lingered playfully.
"With such a handsome monk… I wouldn't refuse~"
Miroku froze, then waved his hands awkwardly.
"Ah—no need to trouble yourself!"
Even for him—
this was too much.
"What a pity," Tsubaki said lightly, though her tone lacked sincerity.
But the moment she felt Kikyo's cold gaze, she stopped joking.
With a faint snort, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a paper doll.
"This," she said, her voice turning sharper, "is a curse token I secretly created using Naraku's Yokai energy when he came to me."
She held it up.
"With this… I can curse Naraku."
"You're not strong enough," Kikyo said calmly.
"…Kikyo!"
Tsubaki's face flushed with anger, but she didn't dare lash out.
She could only turn away with a cold snort.
Ignoring her, Kikyo stepped forward and took the paper doll.
Her fingers moved lightly as she began modifying it.
Kagome leaned closer, curiosity evident.
"You were cooperating with Naraku… so why curse him?"
"Hmph." Tsubaki didn't even look at her.
"Anyone who deals with a cursed priestess like me is no good."
Her tone turned matter-of-fact.
"Whenever I cooperate with someone, I secretly take something tied to them and create a curse token. That way… if they betray me, I can kill them."
Inuyasha blinked, surprised.
"…At least you're self-aware."
Tsubaki gave no reply.
"Done."
Kikyo suddenly stopped and tossed something toward Kagome.
It was a small wooden doll, only a few inches tall.
"I modified the technique and placed it into this puppet," Kikyo explained.
"If Naraku is nearby, it will react. Infuse it with your spiritual power… and it will point in his direction."
She paused briefly.
"But if he is too far away… it won't respond."
This doll had been crafted by Uchiha Kasage at Kikyo's request.
Such tools were often used in priestess techniques, but they were time-consuming to create.
After discovering Kasage's ability to shape wood effortlessly, Kikyo had asked him to make several, keeping them ready for situations like this.
"I can track Naraku?!" Kagome's eyes lit up.
She immediately infused it with her spiritual power.
The doll stood upright in her palm—
wobbled slightly—
then slowly fell, finding nothing.
"Wow… that's amazing!"
She smiled brightly, clearly delighted.
Tsubaki clicked her tongue in disdain.
"It's just a spirit-seeking puppet. You really don't know anything."
Though a dark priestess, Tsubaki came from a more formal lineage than Kikyo.
Naturally—
she recognized the technique instantly.
"But it's impressive that Lady Kikyo completed it so quickly," Miroku added sincerely.
"Tch." Tsubaki turned her head away, unwilling to admit it.
Kikyo then shifted her gaze back to Tsubaki.
Her expression turned serious.
"The Shikon Jewel and Naraku… we'll leave that to Inuyasha and the others."
A brief pause.
"Now… it's time to deal with you."
Tsubaki's body tensed under her gaze.
"Do as you wish," she said coldly, lifting her chin. "Kill me or torture me."
"To prevent you from escaping," Kikyo said calmly, observing her, "it's best to seal both your spiritual and Yokai power."
"I won't run!" Tsubaki snapped instinctively—though she had every intention of doing exactly that.
Kikyo ignored her.
From beneath her sleeve, she took out a wooden kunai.
With a sharp **crack**, she snapped it in half.
A faint seal glowed.
The next moment—
a figure appeared beside her out of thin air.
"Kikyo, are you in danger?"
It was Uchiha Kasage.
"No," Kikyo replied, a faint smile appearing as she looked at him.
She gestured toward Tsubaki.
"Her name is Tsubaki. She fought me fifty years ago."
Her tone was calm, but firm.
"To prevent her from escaping… seal the spiritual and Yokai power within her."
Kasage's gaze shifted to Tsubaki.
Despite her disheveled state—
her beauty was undeniable.
If he hadn't known the truth, he would never have guessed she was nearly seventy.
Compared to Kikyo—
she felt completely different.
If Kikyo was light—
then Tsubaki was darkness.
Even their appearances reflected it.
For a moment, Kasage thought she would have died like in the original story.
Instead—
she had been captured.
"…Alright," he said simply, nodding.
Whatever Kikyo intended—
he would support her.