"Uchiha Retsu, I will never let you go—!!"
Naraku looked down at the pale blue Susanoo below, where a massive bow was firmly aimed at him. The terrifying power contained within that arrow made his pupils shrink violently. His face twisted in fear as he roared and accelerated his escape.
Retsu showed no hesitation.
The Susanoo's right hand suddenly released the bowstring.
BZZZ—!
The air compressed to its limit—then exploded outward.
The arrow, formed from intertwined chakra and sacred spiritual power, became a streak of white light, vanishing in an instant—
And the next moment, it struck Naraku, who was desperately fleeing through the sky.
BOOM—!!!
A massive explosion erupted.
A blinding sphere of light lit up the sky, turning night into day.
The destructive shockwave swept downward, collapsing the castle's buildings instantly. The storm of chakra and spiritual energy roared across the ruins, purifying every trace of lingering evil.
Even the demon remains on the ground were reduced to ash under the dual cleansing force.
"Naraku's aura… has disappeared." Retsu stared at the fading light in the sky, his voice calm.
"…Yes, but the Shikon Jewel's presence is gone as well." Kikyo closed her eyes, sensing carefully before frowning slightly.
"He's probably not dead. Either he escaped with the jewel… or the jewel forcibly saved him."
"W-What?! That guy is still alive?!" Jaken's jaw dropped, eyes bulging in disbelief.
He simply couldn't accept that such a terrifying attack hadn't killed Naraku.
Crack—!
Suddenly, the wooden structure beneath them let out a series of violent creaks as beams began snapping.
The entire building tilted to one side.
Clearly, the immense weight of Susanoo—combined with the recoil from that attack—had completely destroyed its structure. Collapse was imminent.
Retsu immediately dispelled Susanoo, scooped Kikyo into his arms, and leapt into the air.
Almost at the same time—
The wooden dragon that had been battling Kagura surged upward, catching them steadily.
Kagura and Kanna had already broken free the moment Naraku was struck, disappearing swiftly into the night.
"Wait for me!!"
Jaken, hearing the continuous cracking below and feeling the roof tilt further, panicked.
Seeing Retsu and Kikyo land atop the wooden dragon, his eyes lit up. He jumped forward, grabbing onto the dragon's back and clinging tightly as he escaped with them.
CRASH—!
Behind them, the building collapsed completely.
Jaken glanced back, still shaken, and let out a long breath of relief.
"Jaken. We're leaving."
Before the wooden dragon even landed, Sesshomaru's voice echoed from the night sky.
A snow-white tail suddenly swept in, wrapping tightly around Jaken and dragging him away.
"Priestess… thanks."
Even as he left, Sesshomaru's tone remained cold and distant.
Before Kikyo could respond, he had already turned into a streak of white light, following Rin's scent and vanishing into the darkness.
Standing atop the wooden dragon, still held in Retsu's arms, Kikyo glanced in the direction Sesshomaru disappeared and leaned closer, whispering softly:
"That demon… is surprisingly polite."
Retsu chuckled.
"Hearing a 'thank you' from him isn't easy."
"I can tell." Kikyo nodded in agreement.
From Sesshomaru's proud nature alone, it was clear—his gratitude was rare.
The wooden dragon slowly descended.
Retsu jumped down with Kikyo in his arms and gently set her on the ground.
"Kikyo! Did Naraku die?!" Inuyasha rushed over, his face filled with urgency.
"Probably not." Kikyo shook her head.
"The moment the attack hit him, both his presence and the Shikon Jewel disappeared."
"Could they have both been destroyed together?" Inuyasha clenched his fists unwillingly.
Kikyo didn't answer.
She couldn't be certain of Naraku's fate.
"Inuyasha, go check on Monk Miroku," Retsu said at that moment.
"If his Wind Tunnel is still there, then Naraku is alive. If it's gone… then he's probably dead."
"Right!" Inuyasha's eyes lit up immediately.
"Retsu, I want to confirm it too." Kikyo turned to him, her gaze firm.
The hatred from being killed by Naraku fifty years ago had never truly faded.
Retsu paused, understanding her thoughts.
"Alright. I'll take you there."
He continued, "I remember Sango has a wooden kunai I gave her with my Flying Thunder God mark. She's usually with Miroku—we'll go directly."
Without waiting, he placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder.
Sensing the marked location—
He activated Flying Thunder God.
In an instant, the three of them vanished.
"Kohaku!"
Sango shouted anxiously as she watched Kohaku run off with Rin.
But Kohaku didn't hesitate for even a moment, quickly disappearing into the night.
"Out of my way!"
Blocked by a group of demons, Sango shouted angrily, riding atop Kirara as she hurled her Hiraikotsu with full force.
The giant boomerang sliced through the demons and returned—
But just as she reached out to catch it—
Retsu, Kikyo, and Inuyasha suddenly appeared right in front of it.
"Watch out!" Sango cried in alarm.
Retsu reacted instantly.
A kunai appeared in his hand and was thrown in a blur, embedding into the ground.
Grabbing Kikyo, he vanished—and reappeared beside the kunai.
Meanwhile—
Inuyasha hadn't even recovered from the spatial shift.
Still dazed, he looked up—
Just in time to see the Hiraikotsu rushing straight at him.
He tried to dodge—
But having just appeared midair, he had no footing to move.
BAM!
The Hiraikotsu slammed into him, sending him flying.
"Inuyasha!"
Sango cried out, quickly catching the returning weapon and flying after him.
Fortunately, the impact had weakened by then.
Inuyasha wasn't injured—just sent tumbling awkwardly across the ground before climbing back up, covered in dust.
"Damn it! Uchiha Retsu, you bastard!"
He pointed furiously at Retsu.
"Sorry, I forgot to warn you." Retsu apologized with a straight face—though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Kikyo shot him a helpless glance before drawing her bow, immediately starting to clear the surrounding demons.
"You—!"
Inuyasha choked, about to argue—
When his expression suddenly changed.
He dashed toward Kagome.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
His claws tore apart a demon sneaking up behind her.
"Kagome, are you okay?!"
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome smiled brightly in relief.
"I'm fine! But just now—Kohaku passed through here with a little girl!"
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