Uchiha Kasage reached out and placed the immobilized Momiji and Botan onto Kuromaru's back, making sure the two defenseless girls wouldn't be harmed. Then he turned to Tsubaki and said calmly,
"Let's go. Take us to the place where the yōkai are sealed."
Under the steady gazes of both Kasage and Kikyo, Tsubaki hesitated. Though she clearly didn't want to die, she had no choice but to comply. Reluctantly, she muttered as she began to lead the way,
"You want to throw your lives away… and you insist on dragging me down with you."
After some delay, the three finally arrived at the rear mountain of the temple. There, standing alone in eerie silence, was a two-story brick-and-stone pagoda.
"We're here," Tsubaki said, her tone complicated as she looked up. "This is the forbidden tower that seals the yōkai—the Pagoda of Many Treasures."
Her gaze shifted to the tightly shut wooden door.
"The entrance is protected by a barrier. You'll have to break it to get inside. And the yōkai itself is sealed within a sealing stone… protected by an even stronger spell."
Then she turned toward Kasage, a calculating glint flashing in her eyes.
"I know how to break it. But my spiritual power is sealed. Release me first, and I'll remove the barrier."
Kasage saw through her intentions instantly and ignored her. Instead, he turned to Kikyo.
"Can you break the seal on this tower?"
Kikyo stepped forward, placing a hand on the wooden door. She pushed lightly—nothing happened. A faint spiritual barrier shimmered around the structure, repelling her.
She frowned, studying it carefully before speaking.
"This seal was reinforced by many priestesses over time. It's strong… very strong."
After a brief pause, her tone softened slightly.
"To undo it properly, I'd need to return to the temple, gather ritual tools, and prepare an altar. It will take time."
She turned as if to leave—but Kasage stopped her, gripping her wrist firmly.
"There's no need for that," he said. "It's a waste of time. We'll break it by force."
Kikyo met his eyes for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"…Alright. If the yōkai are released, this tower won't survive anyway."
"Hmph! Empty arrogance!" Tsubaki sneered. "This barrier has stood for a hundred years! Even if you *could* break it, it would take far longer than a proper ritual!"
Kikyo ignored her, glancing at Kasage.
"Should we step back?"
Kasage shook his head slightly, eyes fixed on the door.
"No. Stay here. This will be over quickly."
In the next instant, his crimson Sharingan flared to life. The Mangekyō pattern in his left eye spun violently, power surging outward.
"Kamui."
Space itself began to distort.
A dark vortex twisted into existence before the wooden door, warping everything around it. The barrier flared brilliantly, resisting with all its might—but it was useless.
Against a force that bent space itself, the seal stood no chance.
The light flickered… then shattered.
The wooden door was torn apart, devoured by the swirling void.
Moments later, the vortex vanished.
Kasage lowered his hand.
"That's done. Let's go."
He stepped forward without hesitation.
The doorway was gone, replaced by warped, spiral-like fractures in the surrounding stone. Kikyo followed him inside.
Behind them, Tsubaki stood frozen in shock.
Kikyo glanced back.
"What are you waiting for? Come in."
Tsubaki snapped out of it, pointing shakily at the ruined entrance.
"W-What… what was that?!"
Kikyo smiled faintly, her tone light but edged with meaning.
"Just one of Kasage's little tricks."
Her eyes flicked to Tsubaki's throat.
"If you don't come in, he might use it on you next."
Tsubaki paled instantly and hurried after them, keeping a cautious distance from Kasage.
Noticing Kikyo's expression, Kasage glanced at her—only to see amusement in her eyes. She was clearly getting back at Tsubaki.
Inside, the tower was nearly empty. At the center of the floor lay a wooden hatch, covered in damaged talismans.
"There's another seal here," Tsubaki said, kneeling to open it. "But it's linked to the outer one. It should already be broken."
She lifted the hatch with ease.
Below was a descending stone staircase, swallowed by darkness.
"My master said the sealing stone lies below," she added, stepping forward.
"Let's go," Kasage said simply.
They descended together.
After passing through a narrow, dark corridor, they entered a hidden chamber. The moment they stepped inside, a mechanism activated—candles along the walls ignited one by one, illuminating the space.
At the far end stood a massive black stone, over two meters tall. It radiated dense, suffocating yōkai energy and was bound tightly with thick shimenawa ropes.
Kasage's eyes narrowed.
So this was it.
"This is the sealing stone," Tsubaki confirmed. "Break the seal… and the yōkai will be released."
Kikyo stepped forward, her fingers brushing lightly against the ropes.
"What's the incantation?"
This time, Tsubaki didn't hesitate. She quickly recited the spell.
Kasage rested a hand on his sword.
"Wouldn't it be faster to just cut it in half?"
Kikyo shook her head immediately, her expression turning serious.
"No. Forcing it would make the sealed yōkai energy erupt uncontrollably. This entire place would collapse… and we'd be buried alive."
She met his gaze.
"This way is safer—and just as fast."
Kasage exhaled softly, then nodded.
"…Alright. Tell me when you're done. I'll get us out immediately."
Kikyo stepped before the stone, bringing her hands together. Her voice rang clearly through the chamber as she recited the incantation.
"Open."
A sharp crack echoed.
The shimenawa snapped.
Cracks spread across the black stone like a web, and thick, dark yōkai energy poured out, staining the air itself.
"Kasage—now!" Kikyo called.
Already prepared, he moved instantly—grabbing Kikyo's wrist with one hand and Tsubaki's collar with the other.
"Flying Thunder God Technique."
In a flash—
They vanished.
The next moment, they reappeared outside the Pagoda of Many Treasures.
Tsubaki stumbled forward, barely keeping her balance. As she recognized their surroundings—and Kuromaru nearby—realization struck.
That was Kasage's power…
She instinctively stepped away from him, unease filling her chest.
Slowly, she looked back at the pagoda.
Something was coming.