"Oh, Detective Mori, please help me take a look! Is there something... following me?"
Inside the Mori Paranormal Detective Agency, a plump woman dripping with jewelry was gazing obsessively at Ditto currently transformed into Kogoro Mori.
Truth be told, a serious-faced Kogoro Mori was indeed quite handsome; his tall, upright stature was particularly effective at winning the hearts of young socialites.
This woman had been referred by Hiyori's father, and it was anyone's guess how Hiyori had managed to convince her.
Ditto was no stranger to this routine. Keeping a straight face, he spoke with measured gravity: "Lately, have you found yourself losing your appetite and suffering from restless nights?"
"Yes, yes! How did you know?!"
"Because I see everything. Indeed, there is a terrifying evil spirit haunting you!"
"Ah! What should I do?! Am I going to be okay?" The woman was frantic. "Money is no object, please, you must perform an exorcism. Beyond that... I can grant any request you have."
By the final sentence, her voice turned soft and coy as she blushed.
Ditto slammed the table, standing up abruptly. "Truly?!"
The woman gave a flirtatious smile and winked. "Truly!"
"Then I shall certainly ensure you are satisfied," Ditto replied, grinning happily.
After pulling the curtains and enduring a session of "ghostly wails and divine howls," he escorted the dazed-looking woman to the door, placing a wooden carving in her hand.
"Rest easy; the evil spirit has been completely purged. When you return home, place this carving, infused with my spiritual power, in your bedroom. Offering regular prayers to it will ward off evil spirits and ensure your safety."
"Oh... oh."
"As for the matter you promised, please see to its completion as soon as possible."
"Mm... mhm."
Sending off the soul-shaken woman, Ditto returned to the room and collapsed onto the sofa, looking exhausted.
"Being human is hard work."
"Hahaha, if you want to live a brilliant life in this world, nothing is ever easy," Aomori said with a laugh, having watched the whole scene from the sidelines.
Ding-ling! The doorbell rang.
"Another job. Off you go," Aomori said, playing the role of the "hands-off boss" with practiced ease.
Ditto sighed, stood up, and opened the door.
Standing outside was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen. He had clean-cut features, wore a school uniform, and carried a bookbag.
After being invited in, he began to explain his request to the Ditto.
"My name is Hojo. It's like this, one of my classmates has been taking a lot of leaves of absence lately. She says she's frequently ill, but from what I've observed before, she's very healthy. She doesn't seem like the type to get sick often. I suspect she's been haunted by something 'unclean,' so I came here specifically for help."
"Being haunted by an evil spirit can indeed lead to illness, but we need to see the actual situation to be sure. Could you provide the target's home address?" Ditto responded professionally.
"I can. But I'm doing this on my own initiative without her consent, so could you keep this confidential?"
"No problem. We will avoid being seen when we investigate. Rest assured, we are professionals."
"Good, then I'm relieved," Hojo sighed. "She's a girl about my age. She lives in the Higurashi Shrine in Nippori."
"Higurashi Shrine?" Ditto had no reaction, but Aomori, overhearing the name, wore an unreadable expression.
"Alright, I'll head there as soon as possible to check it out."
"I'm counting on you."
After seeing Hojo out, Ditto returned and asked, "Aomori, is there something wrong with Higurashi Shrine?"
"It sounds a bit like a place where someone I know lives." Aomori stood up. "I'll handle this matter. You stay here."
It seemed that every time they arrived in a new world, Aomori was already familiar with certain people. The Ditto was long accustomed to this, so he simply nodded. "Understood."
After looking up the location of Higurashi Shrine on his phone and committing it to memory, Aomori pulled open the window and flew outside.
Dusk was approaching, so he didn't waste any time. He accelerated, flying straight toward the destination.
In a few moments, he arrived.
Higurashi Shrine wasn't very large, and the storehouse looked quite old. What first caught Aomori's eye was a towering, lush tree.
He landed on a branch of this massive tree and sensed carefully, feeling a significant level of spirituality within the trunk.
Patting the bark, Aomori said, "Hello there. Care to come out and chat?"
A breeze blew past, rustling the leaves, but there was no other movement.
"Quite shy, aren't you? I'm not a bad guy; I won't eat you."
Seeing the tree remained unresponsive, Aomori ignored it and looked toward the shrine grounds. He sensed a trace of demonic energy coming from within.
"Maybe it really is them."
Aomori flashed a smile of interest and flew toward the residential house within the shrine. Before he could enter, a red silhouette leaped from a second-story window, landing right in front of him.
One look was all Aomori needed to identify him.
Waist-length silver hair, a pair of dog ears on top of his head, and a robe of fire-red… who else could it be but Inuyasha?
Inuyasha stared at Aomori with clear hostility, his nose twitching. He barked, "Who are you? What are you doing sneaking around here? You don't have any demonic aura, but you're definitely not human!"
"You're a demon and yet you're the one making accusations? Hiding in a human home, perhaps you intend to cause harm." Knowing Inuyasha was a bit thick-headed, Aomori decided to find an excuse to beat him into submission first to avoid wasting breath.
Without further ado, Aomori struck. He appeared behind Inuyasha like a ghost and delivered a swift kick to his backside.
Inuyasha immediately tumbled forward, face-planting into the dirt.
Having never suffered such a humiliation, he gnashed his teeth to counterattack, only to have Aomori's foot pin him to the ground. He felt as if a mountain were resting on his back. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch.
This guy... not only is he fast, but his strength is terrifying. Damn it, I should have drawn the Tessaiga from the start. I was too careless.
Ninety-nine percent of Inuyasha's prowess relied on the Tessaiga. Aomori didn't know which point in the timeline this was, but as long as the dog-demon hadn't learned the Meido Zangetsuha, he was no threat.
To avoid unnecessary complications or damaging the surrounding greenery, Aomori took him down early. If Inuyasha had drawn his sword, the shrine might have been leveled.
"Let me go! That was a sneak attack, it doesn't count!" Seeing he couldn't break free, Inuyasha began a "noise attack."
Inuyasha really is missing a few gears. Who cares if you accept it or not?
However, it was possible Inuyasha felt no killing intent from Aomori, which gave him the confidence to bluster. As for using this as a warning to those inside to escape? That was unlikely.
Hearing the pitter-patter of footsteps from the house, Aomori spoke up at the right moment: "Demon dog, meeting this god today is just your bad luck. Now, confess. State all your misdeeds. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unkind."
"What are you talking about?! I haven't done anything wrong!"
At that moment, the front door swung open. A young girl ran out, eyes widening at the sight of Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, are you okay?!"
She wore a green sailor-style school uniform, her skirt reaching only her thighs, revealing long, fair legs.
Needless to say, this was Kagome Higurashi.
Wearing that outfit in the feudal era wilderness... aren't you afraid of being eaten alive by mosquitoes? Aomori criticized inwardly while maintaining a serious face.
"You know him?" Aomori asked.
"Kagome, it's dangerous! Stay back!" Inuyasha yelled urgently.
Inuyasha was subdued in such a short time? Judging by his tone, he sounds like a demon slayer, Kagome thought. Seeing that the stranger was handsome and dignified, she didn't take him for a villain.
"Yes, Inuyasha is my companion. He's a good demon. Is there a misunderstanding between you?"
"Oh?" Aomori looked between Kagome and Inuyasha with a knowing glance. "I see. This demon dog must be here out of lust. His purpose for staying in this house is you, isn't it?"
"Ah... well, about that..." Kagome blushed slightly.
"What nonsense are you spouting?! I have absolutely zero interest in this woman!" the tsundere Inuyasha retorted instinctively.
"Oh, is that so?" Kagome rolled her eyes. "Inuyasha... SIT!"
THUD!
Inuyasha's head was instantly buried in the dirt.
"See? I have a way to keep him in check, so there's no need to worry," Kagome huffed.
"It seems I was meddling where I wasn't needed." Aomori retracted his foot.
"Not at all. I'm sure Inuyasha provoked you first. Why don't you come inside for some tea? I'll make Inuyasha apologize to you in a moment." Kagome was genuinely curious about this powerful "warrior of justice."
"Mhm, sounds good." This was exactly what Aomori wanted.
The two entered the house, and Kagome closed the door behind them.
Inuyasha pulled his head out of the ground, spitting out dirt and fuming. "Stupid woman! Why'd you suddenly flip out? I'm done with you!"
Despite his words, his body was honest. He leaped to the second floor, slipped in through the window, and crept down to the first floor like a thief to eavesdrop on their conversation from a corner.
In the living room, Kagome introduced him to her grandfather, mother, and younger brother, Sota, only to realize that she was the only one who could see him.
"Why is that?" Kagome asked, puzzled.
"My apologies, I haven't introduced myself." Aomori smiled slightly. "I am Aosora, and I am a God."
"A God?!" Kagome's eyes went wide.
"A God?!" Inuyasha was flabbergasted.
"What is it? What happened?" Grandpa asked anxiously. "What god? Kagome, do you see a god?"
"If he isn't lying..." Kagome nodded slowly.
"How could there be a god?" Inuyasha popped his head out, the first to voice his doubt.
"Demons exist, so why shouldn't gods?" Aomori waved his hand, scattering a shimmering field of holy light.
"Such pure energy..." Kagome whispered.
Under the shroud of holy light, Grandpa and the others finally saw Aomori. They felt an incredible sense of relaxation and joy.
"A god! This is definitely a god!" Grandpa was so moved that he fell to his knees before Aomori.
"Grandpa, isn't that a bit much?"
"What do you know?! I've served the gods for years; how is it an exaggeration to see the real thing? Come on, you all have to bow!"
"Grandpa!"
...
After some chaos, Grandpa passed out from overexcitement and was taken to rest.
Her mother went to cook, leaving Kagome, Inuyasha, and Sota.
"Aosora-sama, are you truly a god?" Kagome still found it hard to believe.
"Hmph, I don't buy it," Inuyasha said, crossing his arms and acting dismissive.
"If you mean the kind that is enshrined and receives faith, then yes, I am," Aomori replied with a polite smile.
"So cool," Sota muttered. He had met a god and talked to one; he could brag about this for ten years.
Once her heart settled, Kagome asked, "So, Aosora-sama, did you come here because you sensed Inuyasha's demonic aura and worried for our safety?"
"No." To her surprise, Aomori shook his head. "As I was passing by, I sensed an unprecedented evil hidden within your home."
"To be precise, it is on your person." Aomori looked toward Kagome's waist.
"Hey! Where are you looking?!"
"Inuyasha, shut up."
Kagome pulled a glass bottle containing several crystalline shards from her pocket. "Do you mean these?"
"Yes, exactly." Aomori nodded. "I sense a massive evil presence within those shards. If possible, please let me handle them."
"Evil hidden inside? But I've already purified these shards," Kagome said, confused.
"Don't listen to his nonsense! He clearly just wants the Shikon Jewel shards for himself and came here to trick us," Inuyasha said with an "I've seen through you" look.
"If that were the case, I wouldn't need to trick you. I could just take them. In terms of strength, no one here is my match."
"I was just careless earlier! Let's go again!" Inuyasha reached for the Tessaiga.
"Inuyasha... SIT!"
"Eh?!"
THUD!
The room was finally quiet again.
"I believe Aosora-sama." Kagome handed all the Shikon Jewel shards to Aomori.
Aomori thanked her. As soon as the shards touched his hand, they began to glow brilliantly.
"What's happening...?" Kagome didn't know what was going on.
When the light faded, the several shards had fused into one larger piece.
"They fused?"
"Yes." Aomori's expression grew grave. "Kagome, do you know the origin of the Shikon Jewel?"
"I think... it was created by a priestess named Midoriko," Kagome recalled the stories Kaede had told her.
"If my deduction is correct, the priestess Midoriko fused her soul with those of demons to create this jewel."
"That sounds right."
"Inside, there is not only the pure soul of the priestess but also the defiled souls of the demons. If it falls into the hands of someone with an impure heart, the consequences would be catastrophic."
"Yes, exactly. That's why Inuyasha and I are working hard to collect all the shards," Kagome said.
"This Shikon Jewel should not remain in this world. As a god, I have a duty to eliminate it. If it is convenient, please allow me to join your group." Aomori said with righteous conviction.
"Well... about that..." Kagome felt a bit conflicted.