"They're coming."
On the hillside, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes at Inuyasha's words.
By now, Luo Shu could clearly see the figures on the cloud, including the petite yet coldly elegant silver-haired noblewoman standing beside Sesshōmaru.
If he wasn't mistaken, that noblewoman was likely Tōga's wife, the Great Yokai Senhime Rin Getsu.
Considering that Sesshōmaru had appeared together with Senhime Rin Getsu, Luo Shu, whose target included Tenseiga, couldn't help but frown.
This situation seemed troublesome.
"Hey, you're called Inuyasha, right?" Chisato Nishikigi nudged her chin towards Inuyasha and asked, "Do you know those people flying on the cloud?"
Inuyasha's mouth twitched as he suppressed his disgust: "That male is Sesshōmaru, who... sort of counts as my brother."
Having just heard about the Dog Tribe's circumstances from Kikyo, Chisato immediately understood:
"Oh! So that silver-haired man is the Dog Tribe's eldest son."
As she spoke, Chisato exchanged a glance with Takina Inoue. Both immediately activated the silver metallic devices in their hands, allowing the Skill Demon Gods to lurk within their shadows, ready for potential conflict.
The appearance of Tōga's eldest son undoubtedly meant he was here for the Sacred Sword Tessaiga left behind by the Dog Tribe's leader.
With the SDS unwavering in their mission to collect Abyss Artefacts, conflict between the two sides seemed inevitable.
Just as the two were preparing, the cloud in the sky floated to a spot dozens of metres above the group.
The first to speak was the imperious Senhime Rin Getsu:
"It seems you've grown up healthily, Izayoi's child."
Seeing Senhime Rin Getsu looking at him, Inuyasha froze for a moment, sniffed the air, then said with a strange expression:
"Who the hell are you, old hag? Why are you acting so familiar with me right off the bat?"
"Old hag?" Senhime Rin Getsu froze, seemingly stunned by the words.
Hearing Inuyasha's remark, Jaken gaped in astonishment: "I suddenly feel that although Inuyasha is a bit weak, he's got some serious guts."
Beside them, Sesshōmaru remained silently indifferent, his gaze fixed intently on Luo Shu, completely unfazed by the commotion between his mother and Inuyasha.
Meanwhile, Myōga, who had been petrified by Senhime Rin Getsu's sudden appearance, snapped out of it and bit Inuyasha in panic, scolding:
"Young master Inuyasha, have you lost your mind?"
"That's not just some old hag—that's Lady Rin Getsu, the lawful wife of your father, Lord Tōga!"
"Don't you dare address her so rudely!!"
At Myōga's terrified outburst, Inuyasha's expression shifted as he stared at Senhime Rin Getsu:
"You're my old man's woman?"
Senhime Rin Getsu took a deep breath, finally recovering from her shock. However, the look she now gave Inuyasha was no longer one of curiosity but tinged with faint disdain:
"It seems Izayoi had nothing to offer beyond her looks to seduce men."
At least when it came to raising children, Senhime Rin Getsu believed Izayoi was utterly lacking—even worse than herself.
If Izayoi had any sense at all, she would have taught her child what was appropriate and what wasn't.
"What did you say?!!"
Hearing Senhime Rin Getsu insult his mother, Inuyasha flew into a rage:
"Damn it, come down from that cloud if you dare! I'll cut you down, believe me!"
Senhime Rin Getsu couldn't be bothered to argue with Inuyasha, though inwardly she lamented the future generation.
Sesshōmaru was no longer cute, and Izayoi's child was a reckless, brainless idiot—even dumber than his father, the Great Dog General. What was to become of the Dog Tribe's future?
Would they have to rely on Sesshōmaru finding a purebred Dog Demon to raise the next generation?
Wouldn't that just repeat the same path she and Tōga had taken?
With a sigh, Senhime Rin Getsu turned away and said coolly:
"Sesshōmaru, teach him a lesson. It's better for him to die by your hand than continue like this."
Of course, actually killing him was out of the question—he was still the Dog Tribe's second prince. Senhime Rin Getsu was counting on Sesshōmaru not daring to kill Inuyasha before Tōga's grave, deliberately provoking her son.
After all, nothing was more entertaining than watching two disobedient fools fight each other.
Yet the next moment, Sesshōmaru coldly rebuffed his mother:
"No time. Do it yourself."
"..."
Senhime Rin Getsu hadn't expected her son to outright defy her. Stunned once more, she stamped her foot in frustration. "You brat, are you throwing a tantrum at a time like this?"
Sesshōmaru completely ignored her complaints, his piercing gaze fixed on Luo Shu as he demanded:
"Human warrior, what is your name?"
"Hm?" Hearing Sesshōmaru actually ask someone's name, Senhime Rin Getsu immediately turned her attention toward Luo Shu.
But the moment she looked, her eyes sharpened.
A master!
An absolute master!
Though his stance was loose and slouched, like an ordinary human who'd topple at the slightest touch without any trained skill, when Senhime Rin Getsu truly laid eyes on Luo Shu, the rising danger signals in her mind served as a clear warning.
This was a highly dangerous existence, a predator equal to themselves.
Now, seeing Sesshōmaru's obvious battle lust, Senhime Rin Getsu sighed:
"There should be limits to one's thirst for strength."
Among yokai, there were many who grew stronger through constant battle - Tōga being one such example.
Through the clashing of Demon Power, through life-and-death struggles, the bloodline of a Great Yokai would continuously absorb nourishment, spurring individual growth.
And compared to yokai clashing with yokai, the stimulus was far greater when a human met a yokai.
Demon Power that collided with pure Spiritual Power and achieved victories would become exceptionally mighty.
Beyond this, the soul power of powerful human cultivators served as potent elixirs to enhance a yokai's strength.
It was for these reasons that certain warlike Great Yokai so desired to hunt humans, particularly the strong among them.
And Sesshōmaru was precisely such a Great Yokai.
He disdained consuming the weak or devouring the bones of the defeated, yet harboured boundless craving for battle, for tempering his pure Demon Power.
Now, seeing Sesshōmaru actively seeking him out, Luo Shu felt some surprise:
"Shall I interpret that gaze as your intent to provoke conflict?"
Hearing Luo Shu's words, Sesshōmaru replied coldly:
"The moment you set foot in this place, you agreed to a battle with me."
At this, recalling they stood in Tōga's burial grounds where he'd essentially come to desecrate a grave, Luo Shu understood.
"I see. So it seems there really isn't much room for compromise."
"But that's fine. Since you're the one provoking conflict, it's only reasonable for me to take Tenseiga and spare your life."
"Take Tenseiga?"
Sesshōmaru's gaze sharpened as his right hand formed a claw, his nails instantly elongating into five dark green blades:
"By all means, try to take it if you can!!"
As the words fell, Sesshōmaru swung his right hand, dark green demon light flaring as five massive claw blades tore through the air towards Luo Shu.