In less than three minutes, Kagome returned with Chouchou in her arms.
But looking ahead, Ray sighed inwardly. Because behind Kagome stood another person.
Robin.
Though she had appeared to be asleep while recovering, Robin had spent her childhood in constant flight from pursuers.
In an entirely unfamiliar environment, she remained vigilant, never slipping into deep sleep.
Hearing the commotion outside the village, she had awakened.
Using her Flower-Flower Fruit abilities, Robin had witnessed everything that transpired.
At first, she had thought Ray had come for them.
But after hearing Inuyasha and Kagome's dialogue, and observing "Ray's" actions and his missing arm, Robin grew suspicious of the newcomer's identity.
This "Sesshomaru" was far colder, more murderous, and noticeably stronger than Ray.
His weapon was also different.
She was almost certain this wasn't Ray.
Whether his intentions toward Chouchou were good or bad, Robin couldn't tell.
Seeing Kagome carry the injured, unconscious Chouchou outside, Robin grew even more worried and followed.
...
Ray was exasperated.
His original plan had been to take Chouchou, then stage a scene where he'd pretend to release it.
Chouchou would inform the Straw Hats that Ray was being "devoured" by Sesshomaru, with only two and a half months left to live.
He wanted them to train hard, defeat Sesshomaru, and rescue him.
Finally, he'd keep Chouchou as a hostage to prevent the loose-lipped pup from spilling the plan.
All this trouble was to maximize the Straw Hats' motivation to train.
Otherwise, given Luffy's personality, they'd likely spend the next three months fooling around.
Moreover, Ray needed to attempt triggering Tenseiga's second-stage trial, preferably while maintaining this world's timeline.
Thus, revealing his true identity was ill-advised.
While the Straw Hats trained, he'd periodically harass them as Sesshomaru, testing their progress.
A perfect training plan.
But now, with Robin's appearance, Ray had an extra task—acting, ensuring she didn't recognize him.
...
Seeing Kagome and Chouchou before him, Ray extended the light whip to retrieve the pup.
Then, suddenly—
"Mil Fleur: Clutch!"
Dozens of Robin's arms and legs sprouted from Ray's body, executing the close-combat techniques he himself had taught her.
Ray knew Robin was likely testing him, so he couldn't respond as he normally would.
A surge of terrifying demonic energy enveloped his body, its malevolent aura instantly corrupting Robin's conjured limbs.
From afar, Robin felt an invasive, icy energy seep into her, paralyzing her entirely.
This combat style was something she had never seen from Ray.
And for good reason—Ray's demonic energy was nowhere near as potent as Sesshomaru's.
With Sesshomaru's flawless demonic power, he could essentially nullify any hax-like Devil Fruit abilities.
Right now, Ray was practically cheating.
After this single exchange, Robin was certain—this wasn't the Ray she knew.
Gathering her resolve, she shouted toward him.
"Who are you?! What do you want with Chouchou?!"
"And—do you know someone named Ray?!"
As she awaited his response, Robin scrutinized his expression with unwavering focus.
Ray was impressed—Robin's espionage skills were top-notch, her tactics was layered and precise.
"Hmph. So you're the one who attacked me? Do you want to die that badly?."
Ray tossed Chouchou onto the ground behind him.
A suffocating wave of killing intent engulfed Robin.
In an instant, he closed the distance, his right hand raised with oozing venom.
Robin felt death's grip tighten—she couldn't move.
Just as she thought she'd die at the hands of this Ray lookalike—
"Wind Tunnel!"
A massive suction force yanked her backward.
The black hole-like technique pulled Robin away rapidly.
Sensing the Wind Tunnel's terrifying power, Ray retreated.
As Robin nearly got sucked in, Miroku sealed the technique with his prayer beads.
Sanji leaped from behind Miroku, catching Robin midair and gently setting her down.
"Robin, what's going on?!"
Sanji's scalp prickled—he barely registered the thrill of holding Robin, his gaze locked on Ray.
Luffy and Nami were equally looking grave.
Neither could comprehend why Ray would attack Robin.
It made no sense.
Luffy bellowed at Ray. "Ray, why would you do this?! If there's a problem, just talk it out!"
But he received no response—only saw Ray walking toward Chouchou.
"Sesshomaru, DIE!"
Ray's hair stood on end—damn it, he'd been so focused on acting he'd forgotten Inuyasha's rapid recovery.
Inuyasha had seized the moment of distraction to unleash the Wind Scar.
A massive, razor-sharp golden shockwave surged toward Ray.
"Tch."
Ray raised Tenseiga before him, activating its barrier.
As the barrier deflected the Wind Scar, Ray transformed into a sphere of demonic light, scooping up Chouchou and vanishing from the place.
"Damn it! Sesshomaru still took the little white dog!" Inuyasha clicked his tongue in frustration.
Kagome sighed and hurried to Luffy and Robin to apologize.
After learning the truth, Luffy and the others assured her they held no grudge.
Without their help, Robin, Zoro, and Chouchou would've died.
Sanji even knelt before Kagome, taking her hand as if to kiss it in gratitude.
Shippo could only muttered from the side, "Is he a long-lost member of Miroku's family?"
...
Soon after, Kagome led Luffy and the others to where Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro were recuperating.
With that, the Straw Hat Pirates and Inuyasha's group were fully assembled.
"Dog-kun, could you tell me who that Sesshomaru is?" Robin posed the question to Inuyasha.
"Hey, woman—who are you calling a dog?!" Inuyasha roared.
"EHHHHHHHH? You're Usopp?!" Hearing Inuyasha's voice, Luffy immediately jumped to conclusions.
"I'm not that long-nosed liar! You guys are unbelievable!" Inuyasha clenched his fists, exasperated.
"No way. You've gotta be Usopp in disguise. My grandpa said no two people in the world sound exactly alike. That guy lying on the ground is totally a fake you made, right?!"
Luffy stretched his arm while grabbing Inuyasha's nose.
"Time to reveal your true form, Usopp!"
Inuyasha (??Huh??╬): "You bastard, I'll kill you! Sankon Tessō—!"
"Inuyasha, SIT!!" Kagome commanded.
THUD!
Inuyasha faceplanted, crushing Luffy beneath him.
Amid the chaos, both groups realized the other wasn't hostile.
They even shared similarities—both teams revolved around a reckless idiot, with the others constantly cleaning up his messes.
The Straw Hats and Inuyasha's group gradually warmed up to each other.
Through conversation, Luffy and the others finally grasped this world's nature—and formed an impression of the great demon Sesshomaru.
He didn't seem like the same person as Ray.
"Both are cool, aloof types, but Sesshomaru's way more ruthless. Ray's much gentler," Nami said, her eyes sparkling nostalgically.
...
Some time later, the two groups ventured into the mountains outside the village.
Along the way, Kagome and Inuyasha analyzed the situation for Luffy and the others.
Sesshomaru likely wouldn't kill the little white dog, Chouchou.
From Inuyasha's perspective, Chouchou's aura resembled that of their extinct dog demon clan.
Given Sesshomaru's habits, he'd probably raise Chouchou—or at least abandon him.
Inuyasha had never heard of Sesshomaru harming a fellow dog demon.
Unless the other party held a higher status—like challenging his father for supremacy.
As for Sesshomaru always trying to kill Inuyasha, that was because Inuyasha had taken something Sesshomaru wanted—a half-breed defying his superior.
"I think Sesshomaru came for your little white dog because he wants to keep the dog demon clan close," Inuyasha deduced. "He doesn't trust a half-demon like me to protect our weak kin. After all, our clan seems to have gone extinct. He undoubtedly retains the dog demons' pack mentality—he just prefers solitude."
"Even I—" Before Inuyasha could finish, Luffy cut in.
"So you're saying Chouchou's safe, right?"
"Yep, yep."
Nami sighed—their captain only processed conclusions.
'Ignorance is bliss.'
The rest of the Straw Hats, however, kept pondering the connection between Ray and Sesshomaru.
None were in high spirits.
But to Luffy, since they couldn't find Chouchou or Ray now, they might as well eat.
"Since we're on this weird island and met cool people like Dog-yasha, let's throw a bonfire feast!"
"Bonfire feast? What's that?" Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango were baffled.
"Hey, hat-guy! Who are you calling Dog-yasha?!" Inuyasha immediately squared up.
Meanwhile, Kagome grew increasingly certain—these people weren't just dressed like her era's; their habits were similar too.
'How did they end up in the Sengoku period?'