PTOO PTOO...
The impact from the explosion in such an enclosed space sent Cu Chulainn flying against the flesh wall.
The violent rumbling destroyed everything around. That conspicuous explosion was more than this interior could withstand.
And precisely at that moment, before suffering greater aftershock damage, Cu Chulainn's figure vanished.
...
"Come to my side, Lancer!"
Koga used a Command Spell at just the right time, summoning Cu Chulainn back.
"Ugh!"
"Are you okay?"
Seeing Cu Chulainn roll several times on the ground, covered in dust and looking quite disheveled, Kagome immediately ran over and crouched down with concern.
"What a gentle lady. Don't worry, it's just some impact. I'm fine."
Hearing her soft words, Cu Chulainn's previously terrible mood improved considerably. Then with one flip, he jumped to his feet.
"How was it? Did that guy take the hit?"
Koga crossed his arms, looking at Cu Chulainn as he asked.
With Lancer's confident expression, it definitely wasn't some weak move.
"Hm? If it were an ordinary Master, there'd be nothing left of them. But I can't guarantee anything with that guy. Also, there was a pitch-black orb next to him. That orb was really ominous—it had the aura of a Master."
Cu Chulainn's answer startled everyone, including Miroku and the others.
"An orb?"
"The Shikon no Tama?"
"Could it be..."
Their expressions changed. Kagome, Rikuo, Miroku, and Sango all thought of that possibility.
"This ritual doesn't only select humans and youkai? The Shikon no Tama can become a Master too?"
Koga froze, then looked confused. He'd thought of the same thing as Kagome and the others.
"Kagome, Koga, Rin, Naraku, the Shikon no Tama... That makes five now... Who could the other two be?"
Shippo counted on his fingers, curious about the information they'd gathered.
'The confirmed enemies are the Shikon no Tama and Naraku. The identities of the remaining two are unknown.'
Rikuo was also quite concerned about the two groups they'd heard nothing from.
If they were people Kagome knew, that would be fine. But if they were enemies, they'd need to consider forming alliances.
Fortunately, the Masters named Koga and Rin were quite familiar with everyone here. There shouldn't be any trouble between them.
That said, Rikuo found it quite remarkable. Faced with Dragon Balls that could grant any wish, these Masters didn't seem to be tempted at all.
He didn't know what the Servants were thinking, but since they'd answered the summoning, they must have wishes they wanted fulfilled. They wouldn't be enemies for now, but later was uncertain.
This was also what Cu Chulainn and Rikuo had originally planned—not revealing their trump cards until absolutely necessary.
But things rarely went as planned. Facing sudden situations, they couldn't keep hiding.
"If the Shikon no Tama is a Master, what would its Servant be?"
Knowing Cu Chulainn's power and having heard about Rikuo forcing Naraku to retreat, Koga hadn't underestimated Heroic Spirits at all.
If he and Kagome could summon such formidable figures, surely the Shikon no Tama couldn't have summoned someone weak?
"We probably won't know until the opponent shows themselves before us. Let's talk about it then. For now, Kagura has been saved—that's worth celebrating."
"Yes."
Without worrying about who the Shikon no Tama had summoned, Kagome was just happy.
"Without her heart, Kagura won't be controlled by Naraku anymore. She won't have to obey him either. In a way, we've eliminated an enemy that should have existed."
Miroku also felt this was something worth being glad about.
The fewer people on Naraku's side, the easier it would be to deal with him later.
"This counts as our victory..."
...
"Looks like there's nothing to worry about. Kagura, now that you've broken free from Naraku, what do you plan to do?"
Too far away to pursue alone, Inuyasha instead looked at Kagura and spoke.
"What else is there to do? Of course I'll live as I please."
Without hesitation or doubt, Kagura answered naturally.
"Heh, then do as you like."
Without any warnings or admonishments, Inuyasha believed Kagura wouldn't do anything unconscionable.
"However, before that, Sesshomaru—can I temporarily follow you all?"
"What did you say?! Don't push your luck!!"
Hearing Kagura's subsequent words, Jaken suddenly got agitated and tried to stop her.
No way! Rin and that very strong girl were already enough. Having Kagura follow too—what was this about?
"You..."
"Inuyasha, sorry—while staying with you guys isn't bad, honestly the sense of security is too low."
"Huh?"
"Naraku will definitely come after me later. He's that kind of twisted bastard. If I'm with Sesshomaru, he won't dare act rashly."
Kagura's explanation left Inuyasha speechless.
Indeed, if she stayed here, given how wary Naraku was of Sesshomaru's strength, Kagura would be quite safe.
Considering her situation, this was currently the easiest choice for survival.
After all, if Kagura dared go off alone and Naraku got wind of it, she probably wouldn't survive another day.
And following Inuyasha and the others wasn't very secure either.
"Besides, I have something I must do. Following Sesshomaru should make it easier to accomplish."
Her tone became subdued. Kagura looked at Sesshomaru's back and spoke honestly.
She wouldn't forget Kanna, who was still controlled by Naraku...
She had to rescue Kanna too.
That was her only attachment.
Moreover, as long as Naraku lived, she couldn't truly live in peace.
So the best approach was to follow Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's groups to kill Naraku first.
Launch a magnificent rebellion against dear father!
"Hmph, just don't get in the way."
Glancing at her, Sesshomaru didn't pay much more attention.
"Ah..."
"Hehe, there's another person now."
"..."
Compared to Jaken's shock, Rin was quite happy. Akame watched observantly.
"Looks like there's nothing left for me here."
Inuyasha turned right around, glanced at Akame, then left.
...
"What an unexpected loss..."
Naraku couldn't describe what he was feeling now.
Anger? Helplessness? Sadness?
None of those... or rather, numb was more accurate.
At most, his recently reformed body needed some reassembly...
But the Shikon no Tama was a different story.
"I'm very angry right now... Naraku."
"Yes, dying once for nothing—I'd be surprised if you were calm."
Looking at the transforming flesh mass beside him, Naraku understood the severity of the situation.
It was also his fault for having such cramped internal space. That Noble Phantasm had exploded right in front of them, and the Shikon no Tama at close range naturally had nowhere to hide.
The power concentrated right there essentially made the Shikon no Tama waste a revival.
"Already died four times... Your remaining lives are running low. Shikon no Tama..."