With everyone once again remaining seated thanks to Asahiko's intervention, he transformed some nearby objects into an elegant table and several comfortable chairs, and they finally began trying to talk about what was important.
And the "trying" is not a joke at all, since Inuyasha's fists itch as he watches Kikyo and Asahiko sit together in front of him, Totosai wants to be anywhere but here, while Asahiko already has a headache considering the possible problem with the dog boy.
"Hold on, hold on, hold on... Are you comparing my Sesshōmaru-level problem, let's call it that because he was the one who solved it before, with a simple scorpion infestation?"
Looking at Inuyasha as if he had become even more idiotic than he normally is, Asahiko briefly turns his blue eyes toward Totosai and sighs when the latter does not react negatively.
Apparently there is no hidden catch here, it is simply a scorpion infestation and not some enemy of the albino family, although he has no idea whether Inu no Taisho also has white hair.
"Do you think I would come all the way here if it were only that?! Those damned scorpions seem to be endless, no matter how many of them I kill there are always more, they're almost starting to remind me of Naraku's puppets!"
Striking the table with his fist full of fury as he remembers those disgusting creatures, scorpions almost two meters tall and three meters long, Inuyasha clicks his tongue in annoyance at the situation.
It's just that over the last few days they have only encountered wave after wave of these bugs, normally he could wipe them all out just by using the "Wind Scar" technique, but as everyone will remember Steel Fang is still not under his control after what happened with Goshinki and Totosai reforging it.
"And maybe you're not wrong, you know what Naraku is like, maybe he's just creating those creatures to annoy you."
"No... I don't think it's Naraku, the creatures behave strangely."
"Strangely as in; I'm not a real animal, or as in; I have an evil mission to fulfill?"
"Uh... What's the difference?"
Forgetting how to answer, even though just a few seconds ago he really had the answer on the tip of his tongue, Inuyasha's mind goes blank and he looks toward Asahiko, who raises two fingers.
"The first type is based on physical things that a normal animal doesn't do, such as the scorpion being able to fly or breathe fire from its mouth. While the second option is based more on their behavior, such as them going around in packs or-"
"Capturing humans alive?"
"Yes, yes, exactly that Inu-. Oh, no, why does this seem so familiar to me, Kikyo?!"
"Heh, what do you think, Asahiko?"
Mocking him lightly with that arrogant snort so characteristic of her, Kikyo easily avoids Asahiko's hand as he tries to touch her shoulder to make another ridiculous scene, causing him to almost fall and, on top of that, she gives him a victorious look.
Although that smile does not last long on her face, and not because she regains her mask of chronic indifference, but because Kikyo quickly realizes the real problem here.
Asahiko is somehow going to end up with his head inside the problem, it is absolutely certain that he will. Which means he is going to spend time with Inuyasha's group, he will see Kagome, they will interact with each other... That doesn't look good at all for her.
"God, that look, cough, cough... What you're telling me sounds familiar, Inuyasha. Are you sure there wasn't some cat yokai nearby watching the show?"
"I'm not blind or stupid, Asahiko! They're just scorpions, nothing more."
"Very well, genius. Then how do they take people away? I'm sure their pincers aren't very useful for kidnapping."
"They swallow them completely alive, I've already chopped more than one of them to pieces with my own hands because of that. Ah, yes, Miroku found this in the remains of a scorpion."
Sliding his hand inside his clothing and rummaging around inside for several seconds, Inuyasha finally pulls out a ball of flesh with a talisman stuck to it.
The latter is certainly interesting, but everyone's attention does not remain there for long, instead they quickly notice the mark imprinted on the ball of flesh right at its center.
That mark is a strange and deformed giant moth, no... Some kind of nocturnal butterfly? It could be or perhaps it couldn't, since drawing on flesh is not the best, but it is enough to get a reaction out of Totosai.
"Huh, I think I've seen that symbol somewhere before?"
"Here we go again."
"Where old man, where have you seen it!"
"Tch, stop, stop, I'll tell you already!"
Barely managing to escape from Inuyasha's furious hands shaking his body from side to side, he really seems to be tired of those scorpions, Totosai slowly regains the color in his face and tries to speak.
"Yes... That is without a doubt the symbol of the Hyoga clan."
"And what the hell does it help us that you only say that! x2"
"Ahh, don't hit me, don't hit me, I'll keep talking already. Hyoga was what the leader of the invading yokai from beyond the sea called himself, a very diverse group that traveled behind that human army."
Scratching his bald head in an attempt to stimulate his brain to remember more about those times, Totosai hesitates a little and continues speaking.
"It was, it was like... Uh, a long time ago. The thing is that Master Inu no Taisho confronted the invaders head-on, defeating both that yokai leader and the human army."
"You were never there, were you, Totosai?"
"Of course not, are you crazy! The collateral damage from that battle was so great that even the humans gave it a name, something like... Kamizake, Kimitoro... Uh, I don't remember anymore."
"Kamikaze perhaps?"
"Ah, yes, that's the very name they gave to the storm that was generated as collateral damage from the battle!"
Nodding at an incredible speed at Asahiko's words, since they were true and because Inuyasha was already preparing to hit him, Totosai moves a little farther away from the table.
"Are you that old, Asahiko?"
"Fuck you, idiot dog! It's simply world history, well maybe a little too exact, but the interesting thing is that-"
"Ugh, get to the point."
"Tsk, idiot. It was an important event during the Mongol invasions of Japan, I suppose those are the so-called 'invaders' Totosai is talking about, but in the end everything was unexpectedly 'saved' thanks to a storm called Kamikaze."
Giving an extremely shortened explanation of the whole matter, something almost natural for him by now, Asahiko shrugs when he finishes speaking.
The truth is this conversation was going nowhere, since Totosai unexpectedly does not seem to know much about the matter, Asahiko only knows the human historical fact and Inuyasha simply breathes.
"Well, then what are you going to do now, Inuyasha? Totosai really doesn't seem to know anything else, I have no idea either, so..."
"Hmph, tsk... Where is that dragon, Totosai?"
"Uh, what are you talking about?"
"The one you told me to defeat so I could regain control over Steel Fang, stupid old man!"
Shattering the table with a single blow of his hand, so much damage was done that even Asahiko's transformation came undone and it became a rock again, Inuyasha insults poor Totosai without mercy.
"Ah, Ryukotsusei! Wait, are you crazy, boy?! That was only a joke, it's impossible for you to defeat him or even scratch him if you don't want to take my advice seriously."
"Don't even think about it, old man! I'm not even going to touch a single scale of that dragon while it's still sealed."
"Idiot boy, Ryukotsusei would easily wipe the ground with you if you don't listen to me. His scales are almost invulnerable, he can fly and control storms, while his demonic energy is almost at the level of a Daiyokai!"
Sounding more agitated than he has been during all the previous conversations, Totosai unexpectedly insults Inuyasha for his stupidity and recklessness, drawing the attention of Asahiko and even Kikyo.
By the way, this priestess has spent almost the entire previous conversation in her own world, paying little or no attention to what is being discussed in front of her. Is she really not interested or is she considering something? No one knows for sure.
"I don't care, if my father could do it then I can do it too without any problems! Yes, I'm going to prove once again that I'm worthy of wielding Steel Fang!"
"Crazy, crazy, you're completely crazy, boy! You're only going to die, Ryukotsusei is not someone you can play with!"
"I've already made up my mind, I'm going to prove to Steel Fang that I'm just as powerful as my father, that I'm the one in control!"
Responding to Totosai's shout with one of his own, Inuyasha tries to hit the table again but realizes it no longer exists, so he clenches his fist and simply growls furiously at the empty air.
While all of that was happening, Totosai and Inuyasha immersed in their own world, Asahiko and Kikyo simply stared at them without knowing what else to do.
And the truth is they are not without reason, all of a sudden they started talking about a supposed dragon named Ryukotsusei without even giving any warning, or at least providing the context of the situation.
But even with everything previously mentioned, which makes no sense at all, a small shiver quickly slid down Asahiko's back, the problem is getting closer!
"Well... It seems that we have nothing more to do here, so if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way now."
"Hahaha, good joke, Asahiko."
"Inuyasha? Stay back, stay back, I have a priestess and I'm not afraid to use her to defend myself."
Hiding behind Kikyo as he sees Inuyasha approaching with an unpleasant smile on his face, Asahiko's bad premonition immediately multiplies. Oh, no. Oh, no. The problem is really getting closer!
"You said you're my friend, right? One time you even pretended to be my brother."
"You said it yourself, I only pretended to be Sesshōmaru, none of it was real."
Shaking his head frantically, Asahiko keeps both hands on Kikyo's shoulders and starts backing away together with her, using her as a shield the whole time.
"Enough, stop being idiots already. Asahiko, you're going to help him."
"What, are you-"
"If Inuyasha dies all the problems fall on you, whether it's Naraku or those scorpions and cats. Better help him and let him continue being bait for problems."
"That... That's a good idea, afterward I can even unleash him like an attack dog against the cat yokai."
Opening his eyes at Kikyo's wise words, both literally and metaphorically speaking, Asahiko leaves his very pleasant hiding place and wraps one arm around Inuyasha's neck.
"Come on, Inuyasha! You and I, future generations will call us the dragon hunters!"
"You have no pride."
"My God, can you even eat that?"
Mocking Inuyasha for his "so narrow-minded view," the poor guy still hasn't realized that he is no different from a pig raised to go to the slaughterhouse, Asahiko keeps a smile on his face and leads the dog boy toward the exit.
"Ah, wait, are you coming with us on this adventure, Kikyo?"
"Thank you, but no, enjoy your man time or whatever, I have other things to do."
"It won't be something dangerous or... Meh, actually the ones who are going to feel the danger are whoever runs into you."
"... I won't embarrass you. Here, it's already charged, just shake it and Asuka will guide you to me."
Throwing a talisman toward Asahiko, who had lost his complicit smile a long time ago, Kikyo lets out a mocking snort and calmly walks away ahead.