Kamaitachi’s claws slashed down, and a gale wrapped in blade-like currents swept toward Kikyo.
Kikyo did not look at it.
Her gaze remained locked on the escaping Magatsuhi.
“Did you think I came unprepared?”
Her voice was very soft, soft enough to be nearly swallowed by the wind.
But Kobe Hikaru heard it.
Magatsuhi heard it too.
“What?”
Confusion appeared on those countless faces at the same time.
Kikyo’s lips parted slightly.
A chant left her mouth.
In an instant, countless patterns of light lit up across the ground.
Those patterns spread outward, forming a massive formation beneath Magatsuhi’s feet.
The formation lines were complex and densely woven, every single stroke radiating blinding white light.
“This is…”
For the first time, fear appeared on Magatsuhi’s face.
“The Four Spirits Sealing Formation?!”
“You intend to seal me completely?!”
“Impossible!
When did you—”
Kikyo did not answer.
She only raised her hand, and a ray of spiritual power shot from her fingertip, activating the formation’s core.
Boom—!
White light shot into the sky.
Countless chains of light surged from the formation, twining toward Magatsuhi’s body like vines.
Magatsuhi struggled madly.
All those faces twisted into hideous expressions and let out ear-piercing screams.
“Let go of me!
Let go!”
“I waited five hundred years!
Five hundred years!”
“You despicable human—”
“You too, Midoriko too, all of you, all of you have been deceiving me!”
But those chains of light only tightened.
Every chain was engraved with dense sealing incantations, a binding technique created specifically to restrain Magatsuhi.
Watching this scene, Hikaru suddenly understood.
She had known all along.
She had known from the very beginning.
Magatsuhi would try to escape on the night of the full moon.
Perhaps every time the guardianship of the Shikon Jewel was passed on, Magatsuhi would attempt to flee.
This was its only chance.
But every time, it had been suppressed before that chance truly arrived.
And Kikyo—
She had not tried her utmost to suppress the Shikon Jewel like the previous guardians.
She had been “waiting” for Magatsuhi.
All those earlier suppressive actions had been performed for Magatsuhi to see.
To make it think there was an opportunity.
To make it lower its guard.
To make it jump out on its own.
And then—
Catch it in one net.
Though pure and untainted, Kikyo had always been very intelligent.
But Hikaru had no time to marvel.
Because Kamaitachi’s attack had already arrived.
The gale was like blades.
At this moment, all of Kikyo’s mind was focused on suppressing Magatsuhi.
She had no attention to spare for what was behind her.
Countless images flashed through Hikaru’s mind.
Kikyo from the original story.
That lonely shrine maiden.
She guarded the Shikon Jewel alone.
Faced countless demons alone.
Carried every burden alone.
No one helped her.
No one could stand by her side.
Perhaps this was why she had eventually been taken advantage of in a moment of weakness, and why she had died because of it.
He suddenly understood.
If he had not been here tonight, Kikyo might still have handled it.
No, she definitely would have handled it.
But it would never have been easy, and she would absolutely have been badly injured.
She would realize that she was not absolutely invincible.
She would begin longing for someone she could rely on…
But.
There were no ifs.
Because Kobe Hikaru was here.
Everything else no longer existed.
It could not happen, so naturally, it did not matter.
His body moved.
And of course he had to move, even if it was only for his own benefit.
[Ghost Step] activated.
An afterimage flashed through the air.
The next instant, he appeared behind Kikyo.
Right in Kamaitachi’s attack path.
His blade swept upward, and black sword energy tore through the air, meeting that gale capable of shredding everything.
Clang—!
Metal rang against metal.
Hikaru’s arms went numb again, and his body was pushed backward by tremendous force.
The blue bricks beneath his feet shattered, leaving two deep grooves.
But he blocked it.
He blocked Kamaitachi’s strike.
“You…?”
Kikyo’s voice came from behind him.
She did not turn around, because she could not turn around.
Magatsuhi’s struggle was growing more violent, and those chains of light could snap at any moment.
She had to focus completely.
“Focus on your own job.”
Hikaru’s voice was calm, though the blade in his hand was trembling.
Not from fear.
From how much strength he was using.
Kamaitachi’s power exceeded his imagination.
That strike had only been a test, yet his internal organs had been damaged again.
If it attacked with full force…
He would probably be torn to pieces.
But he did not retreat.
“Leave your back to me.”
He said, “I have a way.”
Kikyo fell silent for a moment.
Her hand seals did not loosen, and spiritual power continued pouring steadily into the formation.
But Hikaru could feel her body relax slightly.
That extreme stiffness from being wound too tightly dispersed.
She trusted him.
Compared to before, she trusted him one step further.
[Shikon Jewel: Naohi Affection +3.]
[Current Affection: 26.]
[It has conveyed a message to you: “…Thank you.”]
Hikaru ignored the panel.
He tightened his grip on the hilt and looked at the three-jō-tall Kamaitachi before him.
The giant beast stared at him with its empty eye sockets.
There was no anger.
No disdain.
Only…
Confusion?
It seemed unable to understand why a mere Body Transformation-level yokai would dare stand in front of a Substance Transformation-level being like itself.
(Note: Don’t worry about the power levels.
It’s author’s own setting.)
It was unreasonable.
It did not match the laws of survival among yokai.
The weak should flee.
The weak should submit.
The weak should not block the road.
“…You are different from ordinary yokai, aren’t you?”
Kamaitachi spoke.
Its voice was like howling wind, carrying the hollow quality of a vortex.
“You carry the scent of humans.
You are no ordinary yokai.”
Hikaru did not answer.
He only adjusted the angle of his blade.
Then—
The demonic energy inside him began to boil.
Blood surged madly through his vessels.
This was the power of [Blood Change].
His Sixth Change.
The completion of Body Transformation.
At the same time, he activated the special ability left behind after Muramasa merged into him.
[Bloodthirst Frenzy].
Strength, speed, and reaction speed all increased by 30%.
It was not enough to close the gap between him and Kamaitachi.
But at the very least—
It was enough to let him block a few more slashes.
“Come on.”
Hikaru spoke.
There was no fear in his eyes.
Only fighting spirit.
At that moment, [Iron Skin Change], [Sharp Eye Change], [Archer Change], [Spear Waist Change], [Shield Bone Change]—
[Blood Change].
Six Changes gathered in one body.
His demonic energy surged—
Oni aura spread!
Then, amid a series of cracking sounds, the armor covering Hikaru swelled as if expanding violently, becoming larger, thicker, and heavier.
That armor was jagged, protruding on all sides.
The crimson oni mask looked eerie and fierce, and his pale hair rose in the wind, making him appear like an asura.
Like a god, yet more like an oni.
This was…
“To think you possess oni aura of such quality—?!”
For the first time, surprise appeared in Kamaitachi’s hollow voice.
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