Ray had Chouchou return to Jaken and Rin's side while he headed in another direction.
His younger brother was probably about to undergo demon transformation again.
[Inuyasha, let me verify if what Bokusen'o said is true.]
Sensing Sesshomaru's thoughts, Ray gently shook his head.
After this incident, Sesshomaru's obsession with Tessaiga would decrease by another significant level.
Inuyasha's group was currently resting in a village.
They didn't know that a yokai capable of taking human form—Gatenmaru, leader of the Moth Demon bandits—was leading his subordinates toward them.
...
The next day, Ray found Inuyasha's group amidst the wreckage of a battle.
Inuyasha had once again transformed into his crimson-eyed demon form.
Unlike the previous two times, this time he was extremely ferocious, showing no mercy as he killed the bandits attacking the villagers one after another.
With each kill, he felt intense pleasure.
The blood of the Great Dog Demon had overwhelmed Inuyasha's rationality.
Just as he ignored everyone's calls and prepared to strike down the last three bandits with his claws, Inuyasha suddenly trembled all over.
He sensed a threat.
A silver figure stood in an open space fifty meters ahead of him.
Kagome and the others also saw the newcomer.
"Sesshomaru? What are you doing here again?"
Ray was speechless.
'This sister-in-law really has quite the opinion of me.'
'Of course, I'm here following Sesshomaru's thoughts to save my younger brother, right? But on the surface, I still need to maintain the dignity of a generation's killing god, a super great demon.'
Ray calmly watched the demonized Inuyasha and drew Tokijin.
"Let me see how strong you really are in this form."
Inuyasha instinctively felt the threat from Ray and rushed before him as if teleporting, immediately attacking with his claws.
Ray pressed forward with Tokijin, the terrifying sword pressure pinning the demonized Inuyasha mid-air, making it impossible for him to approach even a single step.
If he continued to approach Ray, Inuyasha's body would inevitably be torn apart by the sharp sword pressure.
But contrary to everyone's expectations, Inuyasha actually used his fist to deflect Tokijin.
Even as blood gushed wildly from his left hand, he showed no trace of fear or pain.
[So that's it. You've become a beast that knows no pain, only slaughter. How pitiful, Inuyasha.]
Ray heard these words echoing in his mind, sensing Sesshomaru's emotions.
In this moment, he discovered that this body held no killing intent toward Inuyasha whatsoever.
[If not for Tessaiga's protection, you useless half-demon would certainly die.]
[What a waste!]
[Forget it. After all, I, Sesshomaru, am powerful enough. Tessaiga isn't necessary.]
[For what remains of your half-demon life... let Tessaiga protect you.]
[Worthless little brother.]
Feeling Sesshomaru's thoughts, Ray continuously dodged all of the demonized Inuyasha's attacks.
To outsiders, the two moved with speed akin to teleportation.
If not for Miroku, Sango, and Kagome being extraordinary individuals, they wouldn't have been able to follow the movements before them.
Finally, Ray sent Inuyasha flying with a slash infused with Demonic Power.
Inuyasha, having lost too much blood, finally collapsed at Ray's feet.
Just as it seemed Inuyasha was about to be slain, Kagome frantically ran to his side, shielding him with her own body.
Her eyes showed no fear as she glared at Ray.
"Get away, you bastard!"
Slightly exasperated by Kagome's scolding, Ray slowly halted his steps.
'This woman has remarkable courage.'
But Ray showed not the slightest change in expression.
Instead, he swung Tokijin to clean it and sheathed it at his waist.
"Return Tessaiga to him. Otherwise, when Inuyasha wakes up, he'll become like that again."
Having said this, Ray walked off into the distance.
Kagome watched Ray's departing figure, her lips slightly parted.
"Sesshomaru actually came to stop Inuyasha..."
Sango, Miroku, and Shippo also looked incredulous.
Heavens, the sun must be rising from the west.
Has Sesshomaru changed so much? Or perhaps there's another possibility—this Sesshomaru before them is the Ray that Luffy and the others are searching for?
But they currently lacked the energy to ponder Luffy's situation, mainly because Inuyasha's injuries were truly severe.
"Ah, if only little Chopper were here. His medical skills are so excellent."
...
"Hey, Luffy, stop fighting! You still need to rest!" Chopper yelled at Luffy, who was covered in bandages.
Luffy insisted he had no time to rest, that he must quickly master the use of Ryuo.
Zoro and Sanji felt the same.
The three main combatants were the most dedicated to their philosophy: 'As long as the training doesn't kill you, train until you're nearly dead.'
The Straw Hat crew had moved to a new cave.
After all, all the powerful yokai within ten kilometers of their previous cave had been wiped out.
Now, they began their campaign against the deeper Monster Mountain Range.
In Sanji and Robin's plan, the entire crew needed to reach the level where they could steadily defeat overlord-class yokai before they'd stand a chance against Sesshomaru.
So, everyone continued to immerse themselves in their rigorous training regimen. Time passed quickly. Only half a month remained until Ray would be "devoured" by Sesshomaru.
The Straw Hat Pirates had been battling in the Demon Beast Mountains for two full months.
...
"Hyah! Take this~ you bastard~"
Chopper had transformed into a 1.7-meter-tall form—his "Kung Fu Point."
Through the Rumble Ball and Ray's demonic power, he had now developed an entirely new combat style.
His moves were executed with masterful skill, though his mouth was a bit foul.
At this moment, Chopper was engaged in combat with a giant leopard.
This was the yokai leader within a three-kilometer radius, slightly weaker than the Tiger Demon who was still serving as a subordinate of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Guard Point: Fur Enhancement!"
The moment the leopard yokai tried to swallow Chopper, he transformed into a massive black fur ball over six meters in diameter, forcibly stretching the leopard demon's jaw until it completely dislocated.
The pained leopard demon howled miserably, swiping its paw at the black fur ball.
However, its right paw became trapped by Chopper's Armament Haki-enhanced fur.
...
Meanwhile, from a hill two kilometers away.
"Take this! Special Attack: Salamander Star!"
Usopp fired a salamander grass seed at the leopard demon leader.
When the seed came within dozens of meters of the target, it transformed into a massive, dark green salamander yokai with black demon patterns covering its body.
With one powerful charge, it sent the leopard demon flying through the air.
"Hehe, my turn now! Thunderbolt Tempo!"
Nami gently waved her split Clima-Tact, holding one piece in each hand, guiding lightning to strike the leopard demon from both front and back simultaneously.
Two violent bolts of lightning entered the leopard demon's body through its mouth and rear.
Since its external defense was strong, she would electrocute it from within its vulnerable interior.
The effect was excellent—the dignified leader was electrocuted until black smoke poured from both ends.
Of course, Chopper, who was still stuck to the leopard demon's paw, also suffered greatly.
...
That evening, the Straw Hat Pirates ate leopard demon meat while holding their second-month review meeting.
"Tomorrow, we'll challenge the local overlord to a duel. This time we'll face the enemy head-on to test our strength. I hope Moss Head here will be honorable enough and not resort to sneak attacks."
Zoro looked disdainfully at Sanji, who was presiding over the meeting.
'Me? Sneak attack? That's blatant slander, okay?'
As everyone shared their growth over the past two months, just as the meeting was about to end, Robin suddenly stood up.
"What's wrong, Robin?" Nami asked with concern.
Robin smiled and shook her head.
"Nothing, I'm just going out for a walk."
With that, she left the cave.
Once out of sight, she used her Hana Hana no Mi clone ability to appear under a large tree one kilometer away.
Robin looked at the person and dog resting under the tree.
She sighed, crossed her arms, and pouted slightly.
"Ray! I'm angry~"
Chouchou suddenly became agitated. "Robin, don't talk nonsense! My master isn't called Ray, it's that big bastard Sesshomaru, okay?"
"Pfft~"
This directly made Robin burst into laughter.