A castle above the sea of clouds.
The yokai Jaken, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a green-skinned dwarf, followed closely behind his lord Sesshōmaru as they ascended the steps to meet the castle's mistress.
"How strange, Lord Sesshōmaru," Jaken mused. "For Her Ladyship to suddenly summon you to discuss matters concerning His Lordship... She showed no reaction even when he died."
The last sentence was whispered almost inaudibly, with Jaken sneaking a glance at Sesshōmaru.
Sesshōmaru, his silver-haired lord with a crescent moon on his forehead and red markings on both cheeks, was a naturally born Great Yokai and current leader of the Dog Tribe.
As the son of the Great Dog Demon Tōga and purebred Dog Demon Princess Senhime Rin Getsu, Sesshōmaru had possessed Great Yokai-level strength upon reaching adulthood, making him the Dog Tribe's greatest hope.
In Jaken's mind, the naturally superior Sesshōmaru couldn't possibly be compared to that third-rate half-yokai Inuyasha.
Hearing Jaken's musings, the ever-composed Sesshōmaru replied indifferently:
"Father's tomb appears to have... encountered some issues."
"Some insects seem to have accidentally entered."
"What?!" Jaken exploded with rage. "Someone dares intrude upon His Lordship's tomb and disturb his rest? Utterly... reckless!"
Despite his fury, Jaken remained level-headed. After all, Lord Tōga was already dead – what truly mattered now was Lord Sesshōmaru.
Of course, the most crucial point was that Jaken knew Sesshōmaru cared deeply about the three sacred swords left behind by Lord Tōga. He wished to reclaim his father's swords, surpass him, and become a Great Yokai who commanded awe across the land.
However, apart from Tenseiga, which Tōga had bestowed upon Lord Sesshōmaru, the whereabouts of So'unga and Tessaiga remained unknown.
Based on his years of accompanying Lord Sesshōmaru in various investigations, Jaken strongly suspected Tessaiga was hidden within Tōga's tomb.
And now, with grave robbers breaking into Tōga's resting place, this suspicion was all but confirmed.
The thought made Jaken seethe with indignation:
"That third-rate Small Yokai Myōga—how could he fail so miserably as the tomb's guardian? Letting intruders into our lord's grave is sheer negligence, downright immoral!"
What's worse, Myōga kept dodging Lord Sesshōmaru, repeatedly refusing summons and even avoiding him when he sought him out personally.
Such disrespect naturally earned Myōga even more of Jaken's scorn.
As Jaken ranted, Sesshōmaru glanced toward the top of the staircase and remarked coldly:
"Mother... seems to have known something all along."
That grave robbers had targeted Tōga's tomb—news even he, the Dog Tribe's leader, hadn't received—yet Senhime Rin Getsu had been informed.
Had those old tomb-keeping retainers been secretly reporting to Mother all this time?
Yet despite knowing he sought Tessaiga, she hadn't offered a single word of guidance.
"It seems I must make Mother understand who truly leads the Dog Tribe now."
Beside him, Jaken's ears twitched, but he pretended not to hear, instead quickening his pace to follow Sesshōmaru up the steps until they reached their destination—the throne at the very pinnacle of Cloudtop Castle.
"Later than expected. How slothful, Sesshōmaru. And not even a greeting for your mother?"
From her lofty seat, the dignified silver-haired beauty gazed down at her son, her expression unreadable:
"As expected... You remain an imperfect yokai, Sesshōmaru."
Hearing this near-taunt, Sesshōmaru replied icily:
"Where is Father's tomb?"
"To discuss such matters the moment you return, really..."
Senhime Rin Getsu shook her head before regarding him calmly.
"Your father's tomb lies in the Underworld. The Tessaiga you seek is sealed there as well. However, Sesshōmaru... you alone cannot obtain it."
Because Tessaiga was a Demon Sword, only a half-yokai—or that fool Tōga—could wield. A blade meant solely for those foolish enough to wish to protect humans.
She knew this well, yet chose not to voice it. The boy was still too young, needing further tempering—and the quest for Tessaiga would serve as excellent training.
At her declaration that he alone could not claim Tessaiga, Sesshōmaru responded with frigid resolve:
"Whether I obtain it or not is for me to decide."
'Oi oi oi, what's with this mother and son? They meet and immediately act like they're about to fight! If they really clash, should I help Lord Sesshōmaru by ambushing Her Ladyship? Would she kill me for that?!'
As Jaken fretted nervously, Senhime Rin Getsu sighed.
"The people who infiltrated your tomb claimed to be members of the Onmyou Agency. According to Hōsengki, one of them possessed combat power equivalent to a Great Yokai, and the said individual is called Divine General Suzaku."
"Divine General Suzaku? Isn't that the title of Abe no Seimei's twelve Familiar Spirits? Wait, does that mean that Onmyou Agency has twelve Onmyoji at the Great Yokai level?!"
The well-informed Jaken immediately grasped the implication, his expression changing drastically as he hastily advised Lord Sesshōmaru:
"Lord Sesshōmaru, humans have always been cunning and deceitful. We must be on our guard!"
Jaken considered the worst-case scenario and hesitated before adding, "Perhaps the Onmyoji infiltrating the tomb is just a trap. Their real target might be hunting the strong warriors of our Dog Tribe to seize the Western Country."
"Oh? This Small Yokai shows some insight." Senhime Rin Getsu glanced at Jaken with mild surprise.
"You flatter me. Also, my name is Jaken. I do have a name."
Just as Jaken responded, he noticed Senhime Rin Getsu wasn't even looking at him—her gaze was fixed on Sesshōmaru.
"I have one of the gems leading to Tōga's tomb. Shall we go, Sesshōmaru?"
Hearing Senhime Rin Getsu's words, Jaken was utterly dumbfounded. She had just praised his insight for guessing the tomb might be the Onmyou Agency's trap, yet now she was urging Lord Sesshōmaru to enter. Wasn't this setting him up?
Could this woman actually be trying to get her own son killed? What kind of hellish family had Lord Sesshōmaru grown up in?
Meanwhile, meeting Senhime Rin Getsu's gaze, Sesshōmaru coldly replied:
"Open the passage."
Senhime Rin Getsu casually took out a Black Pearl and tossed it into the air. As the passage opened, she remarked indifferently:
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I last visited him. Sesshōmaru, I suppose I'll accompany you this time... Hm?"
She froze as Sesshōmaru stepped into the passage and disappeared from view.
"Honestly, children become less adorable as they grow up."
Only then did Jaken snap out of his daze. Clutching his staff—taller than himself—he hurried after him:
"Lord Sesshōmaru, please wait for me!"
Watching Jaken chase after Sesshōmaru, Senhime Rin Getsu sighed, rose to her feet, and leisurely walked toward the passage, leaving the Cloudtop Castle completely empty.
The moment Luo Shu opened his eyes, he was greeted by a clear, azure sky.
Yet unlike the real world, the sky here was eerily still, devoid of life.
"So this is the Underworld?" Luo Shu murmured, his eyes glinting.