"Let's go."
With a quiet command, Uchiha Lie directed the Black Bear Demon beneath them to move forward. The massive creature obeyed instantly, its heavy paws stepping carefully along the winding mountain path that led up toward the gates of the Demon Slayer Village.
Both of them sat on its broad back. Though the bear was enormous, the distance between them was still close. Kikyo sat in front, her back straight, her white and red shrine maiden robes flowing softly in the mountain breeze.
The wind carried the faint scent of forest air—and something else. A delicate fragrance drifted from Kikyo's hair.
Lie's eyes flickered slightly.
Her body, formed from clay and grave soil, was almost indistinguishable from that of a living person. If not for the absence of warmth, no one would guess she had once died. Compared to his own Edo Tensei body, marked with faint cracks and unnatural stillness, hers seemed almost perfectly human.
The only difference was that neither of them truly belonged to the world of the living anymore.
As they approached the village, Lie deliberately slowed the Black Bear Demon's pace. Even under genjutsu control, it was still a demon. Charging toward a village of professional demon slayers at full speed would be foolish.
Minutes later, the towering wooden gates of the Demon Slayer Village stood before them.
"Who goes there?" a voice called from above.
A villager appeared on one of the watchtowers, gripping a spear crafted from polished demon bone. His tone was cautious, but not hostile. Outsiders frequently came to commission demon-slaying services, so strangers were not unusual.
Kikyo lifted her gaze calmly.
"Please inform your leader," she said clearly, "that the priestess entrusted with purifying the Shikon Jewel fifty years ago has come to visit."
The words "Shikon Jewel" stirred immediate tension.
A figure inside the tower hurried away to report the message.
Lie jumped down from the bear first and extended his hand. Kikyo stepped down gracefully, accepting his assistance without hesitation.
He glanced at the Black Bear Demon beside them. Its massive body stood motionless, eyes dull under the Sharingan's illusion.
He frowned slightly.
Kikyo noticed his expression.
"Let it live for now," she said quietly. "Later, I can turn it into a Shikigami. It will serve as useful transportation."
Lie considered it briefly. Originally, he had intended to kill it and discard the corpse into the Kamui space. Low-level demons born from beasts lacked true intelligence. They were little more than instinct-driven creatures.
But if Kikyo could transform it, that would indeed be convenient.
"Fine," he said. "It lives—for now."
After a short wait, the heavy wooden gates creaked open.
"Let's go," Lie said softly.
They stepped inside.
---
The interior of the Demon Slayer Village was unlike ordinary settlements.
Rows of wooden houses lined the narrow paths, but instead of farmers tending fields, villagers here handled weapons, armor, herbs, and demon remains.
Some were drying medicinal plants used to treat poison. Others carefully carved bone fragments from slain demons into blades and spearheads. In one corner, a blacksmith hammered glowing metal into shape, sparks flying into the air.
Everywhere, there were signs of preparation for battle.
This village did not farm the land—it hunted demons.
As news spread, more villagers gathered near the entrance. Their eyes moved between Kikyo, Lie, and the towering Black Bear Demon following behind.
Whispers filled the air.
"A priestess?"
"That man looks like a warrior…"
"And that creature—it's definitely a demon."
Despite their curiosity, none attacked. Discipline held them back.
Ahead stood a group of robust men in uniform attire—clearly trained fighters. At the front was a tall, stern-faced middle-aged man with steady eyes and broad shoulders.
He stepped forward.
"I am the leader of this village," he said firmly. "I was informed that the priestess entrusted with the Shikon Jewel fifty years ago has come. Are you that priestess?"
Kikyo stepped forward calmly.
"I am Kikyo," she replied. "Fifty years ago, I accepted this village's request to purify and guard the Shikon Jewel."
The leader's expression tightened.
His gaze lingered on her youthful appearance.
"I have heard the story," he said slowly. "But it happened half a century ago. The elders who knew the truth have long passed. And… the priestess named Kikyo died protecting the jewel."
His eyes sharpened.
"You look far too young."
Kikyo did not flinch.
"I did die," she answered evenly. "A demon seeking the jewel deceived me. With my final breath, I ordered that the Shikon Jewel be cremated with my body, hoping to take it from this world."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the shard she carried.
"But the jewel returned. And I… was brought back by an unforeseen event."
Murmurs spread among the villagers.
Lie remained silent, observing carefully. He could sense their doubt, their caution.
To them, resurrection was not something easily accepted.
Kikyo continued.
"I have come not to bring trouble, but to learn about the origin of the Shikon Jewel."
The leader hesitated. He clearly did not fully believe her words.
Sensing this, Kikyo added, "There are fragments of the Shikon Jewel within this village. If you allow me to purify them, you will know the truth."
The air shifted slightly.
The leader's brows furrowed.
After a long pause, he nodded.
"Follow me."
---
They walked deeper into the village.
Lie's eyes moved subtly as they passed buildings and weapon racks.
He quickly confirmed one thing—
Sango was not present.
He remembered enough to know that she was likely away on a demon-slaying mission.
His thoughts drifted briefly.
Soon, Sango would return. Soon, events would move toward tragedy. A mission to slay a demon. A castle. A trap set by Naraku. Deception. Massacre.
Kohaku.
The name flickered through his mind.
If he intervened too early, Naraku might change his plans. If he interfered too obviously, Naraku could simply alter his approach.
The Demon Slayer Village survived by hunting demons. Their fate was tied to conflict. Even if he stopped one disaster, another would eventually come.
And Naraku… Naraku was patient.
He would not abandon his schemes easily.
Lie's gaze lowered slightly.
The Shikon Jewel brought ruin to everything connected to it.
This village. Kikyo. Sango.
Even Inuyasha.
The threads of fate were already tightening.
Still—
If Sango herself were in danger, he would act.
As for the rest…
He was not a savior of the world.
He would not exhaust himself trying to save every minor life bound to a cursed jewel.
---
They entered a large wooden building.
Inside, several small fragments of the Shikon Jewel were brought forward, sealed carefully in containers lined with purification talismans.
The moment Kikyo stepped closer, the shards responded faintly—glowing with unstable energy.
The villagers stepped back instinctively.
Kikyo knelt gracefully and placed her hands over the fragments.
She closed her eyes.
Spiritual power began to gather.
A pure white light radiated from her palms, enveloping the jewel shards. The faint purple hue flickered, resisting, twisting—but gradually, the darkness within began to fade.
The air felt lighter.
The oppressive aura weakened.
Sweat formed on Kikyo's brow, but her expression remained composed.
After several tense moments—
The jewel fragments cleared, shining with a soft and pure glow.
The room fell silent.
The leader stared at her.
No ordinary priestess could accomplish such purification so effortlessly.
Slowly, he bowed his head.
"I apologize for doubting you."
Kikyo opened her eyes.
"There is no need," she said gently.
Outside, the wind shifted direction.
Far away, hidden within shadows unseen—
Naraku's presence stirred.
He could feel it.
Kikyo had stepped once more into the heart of the Shikon Jewel's origin.
And fate, once again, had begun to move.
---
To be continued…
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