When Entei finally lowered its head in submission, the killing intent in Tendō Midoriko's eyes faded.
With a flick of her wrist, she dispelled the Summoning Technique. A puff of white smoke burst outward, and the massive Savage Dragon Sword vanished from her grasp.
The once-feral demon horse now stood obediently at her side.
Without hesitation, she leapt lightly onto its back.
Though there was no saddle or reins, she anchored herself firmly with chakra. Entei did not resist in the slightest.
"Let's go," she said, her tone cold as ever. "We're finding your former master, Rengokuki."
Entei let out a low neigh.
Flames surged from its hooves, and in the next instant, it shot skyward,carrying her swiftly toward its former master's sealing site.
Despite outwardly recovering from the battle, Entei's internal injuries were far from healed. Its demonic power had only mended the surface. But it didn't dare hesitate.
Not after what it had just witnessed.
Far behind them, Monk Shinsen watched the departing figures, his expression heavy with worry.
"…I hope this does not bring calamity upon the world once more."
High above the mountains, Midoriko remained silent, watching the landscape blur beneath them.
At the same time, her mind remained vigilant.
She did not trust Entei.
This creature was inherently drawn to evil. It did not follow strength,it followed cruelty.
In the past, it had abandoned its own master the moment it encountered a more malevolent being. Even overwhelming force alone wasn't enough to win its loyalty.
What Entei sought was simple:
A master steeped in slaughter.
That was why, once they returned, she intended to brand it with a curse,ensuring absolute obedience.
If it resisted…
Then she would simply kill it and repurpose the corpse.
Soon, Entei slowed.
Sensing its destination, it descended toward a hidden cliffside.
Midoriko looked ahead.
There, embedded in the rock face, stood another massive sealing stone,bound tightly with sacred ropes.
The same method as before.
This was where Rengokuki had been sealed.
Through the Rinnegan, she could see it clearly,the dense, festering demonic energy leaking from within.
Even the spiritual power in Midoriko's body stirred in response.
The surrounding land was barren. No grass grew here. Only decay.
Her gaze shifted.
Beside the sealing stone, a long-bladed naginata was embedded in the ground, its edge gleaming coldly.
Even after all these years, its aura remained sharp.
Not an ordinary weapon.
She raised her hand.
"Banshō Ten'in."
The naginata trembled,then tore free, flying into her grasp.
She swung it once, twice, testing its balance.
A faint smile appeared.
"Not bad. I'll take it."
Compared to the massive sword, this weapon suited her far better.
Without delay, she infused it with spiritual power and swung.
A brilliant arc of light cut through the air,
And shattered the sealing stone.
The ground burst open.
A grotesque, clawed hand forced its way out.
Then, slowly…
The rest followed.
A hulking figure dragged itself from the earth,green-skinned, muscular, with a single horn protruding from its forehead. Its blood-red eyes gleamed with savage hunger, fangs bared beneath twisted armor.
Rengokuki.
"…Ugly," Midoriko said flatly. "What are you? A goblin?"
The demon froze,then looked up.
Its gaze landed first on Entei.
"Entei…" it grinned cruelly. "You've come to welcome your master? Is that old monk dead?"
Then its eyes shifted to her.
They lingered.
A lecherous smile spread across its face.
"Woman… who are you?" it drawled. "Become my wife. Soon, I will rule the world,"
"Heh."
She cut him off with a cold laugh.
"So it is a goblin."
Before he could react,
"Banshō Ten'in."
The invisible force struck.
Rengokuki was yanked forward violently, completely unprepared.
"Wha,?!"
In panic, it spat out a sphere of demonic energy,
Midoriko raised her hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
The attack was swatted aside instantly, slamming into the cliff wall and exploding.
At the same time,
Her naginata moved.
A flash.
A clean arc.
Silence.
Then,Puchi
Blood sprayed into the air.
The demon's body collapsed at Entei's feet.
Its severed head rolled across the ground, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I… actually…"
It never finished.
Its aura vanished completely.
"Trash."
Midoriko stepped down from Entei's back and pulled out a sealing scroll.
With practiced ease, she sealed both the body and head within it.
Despite how easily it had been killed, Rengokuki had been strong,at least by ordinary standards.
Not every enemy could compare to beings like Inuyasha or Sesshomaru.
Its corpse would serve well as material for the Animal Path.
No waste.
She tucked the scroll away, lifted the naginata, and mounted Entei once more.
"Let's go back."
Entei neighed softly.
Flames surged from its hooves again as it rose into the sky,carrying her back toward the shrine.