Under the intimidating presence of Uchiha Kasage, the injured men obediently lined up, waiting for Kikyo to treat them.
In this era, it was already a rare blessing for common folk like them to encounter someone capable of healing—whether a physician, a monk, or a shrine maiden like Kikyo. Most of the time, injuries meant enduring pain and hoping to survive. If they lived, they lived. If not… fate decided the rest.
Because of that, even with Kasage standing nearby—his hand resting on his sword, his sharp gaze silently pressuring them—not a single person dared to leave. Their desire to live outweighed their fear.
At that moment, the elderly monk from the temple, disturbed by the noise, stepped outside wearing his kasaya. Without hesitation, he joined in to help, handing over medicine and assisting with bandages.
Those capable of healing were few in this world. Aside from trained physicians, only monks and shrine maidens possessed such knowledge.
"I thought I was finished… Now I can go back to the village alive."
"Thank you, Priestess-sama!"
One by one, the injured ashigaru were treated. Gathering in small groups afterward, they spoke quietly among themselves, their voices filled with relief and gratitude as they bowed toward Kikyo.
They settled in the open area before the temple, setting up simple shelters and fires, intending to recover before returning home.
While treating them, Kikyo also learned the reason behind the recent conflict.
Their farmlands had suddenly withered—large portions of crops dying without explanation. The local lord had sent samurai to investigate, then summoned priests and shrine maidens. The conclusion was clear: the land had been polluted by a powerful surge of evil energy.
Faced with inevitable losses in harvest and tribute, the lord had made a ruthless decision—he conscripted peasants and launched attacks on neighboring territories to seize resources.
Listening to their conversations, Kasage stood quietly nearby, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He remembered.
This matched the point in the story when Naraku had been struck by Kagome's sacred arrow—his body destroyed, leaving only his head. To rebuild himself, Naraku had forced countless yokai to slaughter one another, and the resulting overflow of dark energy had tainted the land.
Kasage's gaze shifted toward Kikyo, who was carefully wrapping a wound.
If events continued unchanged, Kikyo would soon be taken to Hitomi Castle—where Naraku, disguised as the lord, would encounter her again.
And this time… he would realize she was still alive.
Kasage's expression softened into a faint, indifferent smile.
Would Kikyo still choose the same path?
…It didn't matter.
Even if Naraku obtained the Shikon Jewel, it meant little. The moment someone desired its power, they had already become weak. And anyone entangled with that jewel was destined for ruin.
Two days passed quickly.
The wounded had stabilized under Kikyo's care. As she was changing bandages that morning, Kasage suddenly sensed something approaching.
He stepped closer to her and spoke quietly, his tone low but certain.
"Kikyo… someone's coming. They're likely here for you."
Kikyo paused, lifting her gaze. She studied him briefly before turning toward the distant road.
A group of samurai and ashigaru came into view, their armor uniform and movements disciplined—clearly the private soldiers of a lord.
"Is the shrine maiden Kikyo residing here?"
The man leading them called out before even reaching the temple grounds. His voice carried an unmistakable arrogance.
The resting soldiers instinctively looked toward Kikyo.
The retainer's eyes soon found her as well, lingering on her red and white robes.
"You are Kikyo?" he asked directly.
"Yes," she replied calmly.
"I've heard you've treated many injured soldiers… even saved those on the brink of death with miraculous techniques."
Kikyo's expression remained composed.
"They are not miracles. I simply know how to treat wounds."
The man waved her off impatiently.
"Save your explanations. You'll come with us to the castle."
A slight frown touched Kikyo's lips. Instinctively, she turned her eyes toward Kasage.
He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
Understanding passed between them.
"I understand," she said quietly.
From the moment the group arrived, both of them had sensed it—the heavy, unnatural aura clinging to them. Even without knowing anything else, it was clear something was wrong.
The retainer gestured behind him. A palanquin had been prepared.
Without hesitation, Kikyo stepped forward and entered.
Kasage moved to follow.
"Wait—"
The retainer began to block him, but the moment his eyes met Kasage's—
He froze.
The crimson three-tomoe Sharingan spun silently.
The man's expression dulled, his resistance vanishing instantly.
"…He may come as well," he said blankly.
The surrounding samurai, who had been ready to intervene, hesitated before stepping aside, confused by the sudden change.
Inside the palanquin, Kikyo had been about to speak in Kasage's defense—but stopped.
As he walked beside her, calm and unbothered, she leaned slightly toward the curtain and asked in a quiet voice:
"…How did you do that?"
Kasage's voice came just as softly, steady and close.
"Genjutsu."
A flicker of realization passed through Kikyo's eyes.
"I see… So that's how."
For a brief moment, her gaze lingered toward him—thoughtful, almost curious.
The procession soon set off.
The retainer walked as if nothing had happened, completely ignoring Kasage's presence.
After a while, he spoke toward the palanquin:
"Our lord of the Hitomi clan—Lord Kagewashi—has always been frail. Since inheriting the castle after the previous lord's death, his condition has worsened."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Recently… he refuses to let anyone approach him. Not even physicians."
Kasage's eyes narrowed faintly.
The air around them felt heavier with each step.
The closer they got to the castle… the stronger the presence of yokai became.