Countless black, branch-like tendrils pierced through the air with shrill whistles, effortlessly impaling Luo Shu's body.
Yet despite the successful strike, no joy appeared on the Tree of Ages' face—only deepening gloom.
Though the sensation felt real, as if it had truly pierced human flesh, the Tree of Ages didn't believe Luo Shu could be defeated so easily.
If it were that simple, why would it and So'unga have schemed to send Luo Shu and Kikyo back to reality in the first place?
Isn't it because these two are too strong for them to handle?
"Thinking you can kill such enemies with a casual move? Don't make me laugh."
"Illusion? Hit again... but when?"
"'When'? That's an excellent question."
Luo Shu's voice rang out beside the Tree of Ages.
The tree's face tensed visibly, not daring to turn its head to look at Luo Shu, who had appeared on its right.
"The answer is: from the very beginning."
"The moment you entered my field of vision, you were already under the influence of illusion."
"What nonsense is this?!"
The Tree of Ages roared angrily as countless roots surged like a black octopus lashing out its tentacles, grasping towards Luo Shu beside it.
Even as it attacked, it bellowed:
"Now's our chance!!"
So'unga seemed tempted upon hearing this, but before it could issue any command, the green-haired Menōmaru sneered: "Our chance?"
"Take a proper look around us before saying that."
As the words fell...
So'unga felt as if a mist had cleared before its eyes.
"What is this?!"
When the scene before it became clear, So'unga's expression changed drastically.
Unbeknownst to them, their surroundings were now completely surrounded.
Kuesu Jingūji stood barely two metres away, stepping on Menōmaru's shadow, her hands holding strands of silver-white hair whose ends completely ensnared the Leopard Cat Lord.
Opposite the Leopard Cat Lord, Fumonshichi, casually chewing on a blade of grass, showed no martial honour as he prepared to strike a fatal blow.
On another flank, Yukari Oikawa stood beside Shishinki, having already frozen its feet solid with ice.
Facing the enormous Ryūkotsusei, Sun Seto watched the dragon corpse with grave seriousness, her tense young face ready to act at any moment.
Meanwhile, beside Kirinmaru, Sesshōmaru - appearing from nowhere - coldly assessed his father's old rival.
Not just them - even the Tree of Ages and So'unga weren't left unwatched.
Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue's Skill Demon Gods had already surrounded the Tree of Ages from both sides.
So'unga's position was most precarious, with Senhime Rin Getsu and Luo Shu watching it from either side.
In the blink of an eye, all the Great Yokai summoned by So'unga had been individually targeted, with many even outnumbered two to one.
This sudden turn of events shocked So'unga to its core, forcing out the words:
"How is this possible?"
"Even if you knew of my existence, aware I was hiding in the shadows, you couldn't have arranged your forces so perfectly."
"I believe I mentioned," Luo Shu said with a calm smile, "that we have a rather accomplished diviner on our side."
Hearing this, Kuesu Jingūji, nearby, proudly lifted her chin.
Luo Shu didn't deny this, silently having the Mysticism Encyclopaedia, having completed one task, continue observing Kuesu Jingūji to uncover her secrets.
At the same time, Luo Shu glanced up at the shaved-headed samurai before turning to Senhime Rin Getsu:
"Shall I leave him to you?"
After a rare moment of silence, Senhime Rin Getsu sighed:
"Very well."
Seeing this, Luo Shu nodded slightly before narrowing his eyes at So'unga gripped in the samurai's hand:
"Still refusing to leave his body? You should know that, facing the combined forces of myself and Rin Getsu, you might not perfectly suppress his consciousness."
"You bastard..." So'unga ground its teeth in fury at these words.
Yet it had to admit that if it truly fought by manipulating the samurai's body, it stood no chance against Luo Shu and Senhime Rin Getsu.
Having this truth pointed out by its enemies infuriated So'unga beyond measure.
Despite its rage, So'unga rationally chose to release control over the samurai.
The samurai casually swung his blade, cleaving open a crescent-shaped portal to the Underworld before hurling So'unga away...
From within the Underworld, a hand reached out to seize So'unga.
It belonged to Setsuna no Takemaru—the very warrior whom So'unga had once controlled to murder Izayoi, Inuyasha's mother.
As So'unga left his grasp, the samurai with a shaved head regained some focus in his eyes. Then, his common appearance began cracking apart like a shell, revealing his true form beneath.
Silver-grey hair billowed in the wind, his dark skin and imposing stature testifying to his martial prowess.
The distinctive dark canine markings on his cheeks confirmed his identity beyond doubt.
This was none other than Tōga - former leader of the Dog Tribe, ruler of the Western Country, the Great Dog General!
Witnessing this scene, Sesshōmaru's expression darkened as he growled:
"So it's true what that person said, summoning my father's soul from the Underworld to manipulate him?"
Meanwhile, Senhime Rin Getsu gazed at the figure before her with complex emotions:
"Though I'd been warned beforehand, I never imagined it would truly be you... Tōga."
Both wife and son regarded their former husband and father with mixed feelings.
In contrast, Tōga, who had just been freed from mind control and regained consciousness, seemed bewildered:
"This is... So'unga's evil influence? Has it been pushed to the point where it had no choice but to summon even me?"
"Hmph!!"
Upon hearing Tōga's words, So'unga, which controlled Setsuna no Takemaru, snorted coldly.
Were it not for the critical situation at Kikyo Shrine, it wouldn't have summoned Tōga - someone it couldn't fully control.
Though formidable in battle, his very strength made him resistant to complete domination by So'unga's evil energy, posing a constant risk of backlash.
Thus, So'unga had always suppressed Tōga's consciousness, manipulating only his bodily instincts in combat.
But these were exceptional circumstances. Without releasing Tōga, So'unga couldn't simultaneously restrain him while battling Luo Shu and Senhime Rin Getsu.
After all, it was merely a sword, not some protagonist capable of taking on three opponents at once.
At that moment, Tōga looked up and saw Luo Shu and Senhime Rin Getsu standing side by side:
"...What's going on here?"