On the other side, Retsu's Shadow Clone was hiding by the roadside leading down from the Demon Slayer Village, waiting for the team of slayers to depart for Hitomi Castle.
Since Sango had already returned, he estimated they would likely set off this evening.
As expected, he hadn't guessed wrong. By dusk—the time commonly known as the Twilight Hour—the Shadow Clone spotted the group of slayers heading toward Hitomi Castle.
"I wonder if they paid any attention to my warning and took precautions?"
The Shadow Clone glanced at the Demon Slayer Village stronghold on the mountaintop, then ignored it, following behind the team of slayers bound for Hitomi Castle.
What happened afterward was much like the original plot.
After the slayers easily defeated the spider demon that appeared, and just as everyone was about to deliver the final blow, Kohaku, standing at the very back, was controlled by Naraku's spider silk and slowly came to a halt.
Then came a slaughter of the defenseless. After only Kohaku and Sango remained, they were shot by the soldiers under the castle lord's command.
However, through the Shadow Clone's Sharingan, it was clear that the areas where Sango was hit by arrows were not fatal; she was merely unconscious from heavy injuries and still alive.
Sure enough, shortly after Hitomi Kagewaki ordered his men to bury the dead slayers, Sango crawled out from the earth and was discovered and saved by Hitomi Kagewaki.
Seeing Sango survive just as in the original plot, the Shadow Clone finally felt at ease.
Glancing at a certain location in Hitomi Castle, he could sense Naraku's demonic aura there, but it wasn't the true body—it should still be a puppet.
In the original plot, Naraku's true body would be at the Demon Slayer Village at this time, devouring all the demons trying to snatch the shikon jewel before taking the shards of the shikon jewel away.
But now, the shards of the shikon jewel had already been taken by Kikyo, so he wasn't sure if Naraku would still appear there.
However, it wasn't yet the time to capture Naraku. Kikyo's soul hadn't recovered, and Naraku's body hadn't grown enough to become a sacrifice; let him be comfortable for a few more days.
The Shadow Clone quietly slipped into Hitomi Castle and reached Sango's room.
By this time, Sango had already received medical treatment and had fallen back into a deep sleep. After confirming she was in no life-threatening danger, the Shadow Clone quietly left the room.
Finally, after confirming Naraku's puppet hadn't noticed anything unusual, he dispelled the Shadow Clone. With a puff of smoke, the Shadow Clone vanished without alerting anyone.
At this moment, inside the house built in the forest using Wood Release, Retsu, who was sitting and dazing, received the message from his Shadow Clone.
He looked up at Kikyo nearby. She was currently turning Kuro Maru into a Shikigami, and Retsu did not speak to disturb her.
Actually, he had originally wanted the Shadow Clone to kill Naraku's puppet, but after some thought, he decided to give up on the idea.
There was no need to kill his puppet, and it would be easy to alert the enemy.
Furthermore, in the plot, this puppet of Naraku's still had to take Sango to meet Inuyasha and the others; killing it might have an impact.
---
Meanwhile, Inuyasha's group was searching for the location of the Demon Slayer Village, wanting to obtain their shard of the shikon jewel.
They had also heard from villagers that the shikon jewel originated from the Demon Slayer Village and wanted to know the reason for its appearance.
Suddenly, a strange wind blew past, and several of them froze in place. Kagome was startled and hurriedly said, "Something is approaching us, and there are many of them!"
Just as she finished speaking, a large number of demons flew across the sky, heading toward the distance.
"It's a whole swarm of demons!" Inuyasha had clearly seen them too and exclaimed.
"What a strange demonic aura. What's going on with these demons?" Kagome froze on the spot as she watched the dense swarm of demons flying in the distance.
"This demonic aura is disturbingly eerie!" Miroku gripped his khakkhara, broken into a cold sweat by the strange demonic aura.
"It's bloodlust; they're going to attack someone!" Inuyasha clearly understood the information contained in that demonic aura and said through gritted teeth.
The group hurriedly gave chase.
---
Early the next morning, Inuyasha's group followed the lingering demonic aura all the way to the Demon Slayer Village stronghold.
However, unlike the scene when Retsu and the others left, the Demon Slayer Village was now covered in traces of battle.
The palisade walls made of wooden piles showed signs of collapse from heavy attacks, the gate lay toppled to the side, and the air carried the stench of blood and the charred smell of burning.
Inuyasha, Kagome, and Miroku walked into the stronghold, only to see demon corpses everywhere, along with collapsed houses. Many fires were still burning, emitting thick plumes of smoke.
The bodies of humans and demons were scattered on the ground, and many broken arrows and weapons were strewn about. Clearly, a cruel battle had taken place within this stronghold.
"This... this is..." Kagome murmured in shock at the tragic scene.
"Were they fighting demons..." Beside her, Miroku was equally shocked as he looked at the human and demon corpses on the ground. He could tell this scene was clearly caused by a slaughter between humans and demons.
"There's no mistake. This stronghold is the Demon Slayer Village we've been looking for."
Inuyasha looked at the weapons scattered on the ground. From the residual scent on them, he could tell these weapons were made from demon parts.
He immediately realized that this stronghold was indeed the Demon Slayer Village they had been searching for.
Hearing Inuyasha's words, Kagome immediately looked around and said strangely, "There's no scent of the shard of the shikon jewel here..."
"They must have all been stolen, right?" Miroku looked at the silent stronghold. It was clear there were no survivors, and the demons had evidently won the battle.
"If we go after them now, we might be able to catch up," Shippō suggested from Miroku's back.
"Let's bury these villagers first. This is just too pitiful," Inuyasha said, scanning the bodies of the villagers tangled with the demons.
"True!" Miroku nodded with a heavy expression.
Just then, a roar echoed out.
Kagome immediately ducked behind Inuyasha, staring in the direction of the sound, and warned, "It seems like something is there!"
Inuyasha and Miroku both quickly stood on guard, staring at that direction, ready to attack at any moment.
At that moment, a yellow-furred figure, as large as a lion, stepped out from behind a house. Its blood-red vertical pupils stared at them fiercely, and its mouth, lined with sharp fangs, held the head of a demon.
The demon had clearly discovered them and was slowly approaching while letting out a low growl.
Inuyasha drew his tessaiga and pointed it at the demon. "Is there still a demon alive?"
"That... that voice is Master Inuyasha!" Just then, a familiar voice rang out, causing the group to freeze in place.
"It can talk?" Kagome, hiding behind Inuyasha, was stunned and couldn't help but ask.
"Calm down, Kirara! These people are not your enemies!" the familiar voice spoke again.
Upon hearing this, Kirara's body instantly burst into flames, enveloping her massive form.
As the flames vanished, a small, cute figure with two tails, looking like a little fox and covered in fluffy fur, appeared before them.
It was a stark contrast to the fierce figure from moments ago.
"So... so cute!" Kirara's adorable appearance left the group stunned.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"