"So, that's the whole story."
After careful consideration, Kagome decided to bring Aomori through the Bone Eater's Well to the Warring States period of 500 years ago. There, she met with the members of the Shikon shard-hunting party—Miroku, Sango, and Shippo—along with High Priestess Kaede, and explained Aomori's situation to them.
On one hand, Kagome followed her intuition, believing Aomori to be a benevolent deity. On the other, she simply did not want to see anyone else suffer under Naraku's cruelty.
"A god, you say? At first glance, that is a bit difficult to wrap one's head around." Miroku was a handsome young man with choppy black hair, tied in a small ponytail at the nape of his neck.
As a monk, Miroku had spent years training in temples, but in his heart, gods and buddhas were merely symbols. Having someone suddenly pop up claiming to be a deity was naturally hard to swallow.
"I have heard rumors of gods before," the silver-haired Kaede spoke up. "They dwell in the interstitial spaces between this world and the Netherworld, rarely appearing before mortals."
"Our clan of Demon Slayers has similar legends," Sango added, reminiscing. "It is said that only those with spiritual power can see them."
"Regardless of whether he is a god or not, I believe Kagome-san did the right thing," Miroku said, acting as the group's strategist. "If he harbors ill intent, it is better to have him here where we can help each other than on the other side. If he truly intends to help us, then we have gained a massive advantage."
"Yes, that's what I thought too," Kagome agreed.
"In that case... is it really a good idea to let Inuyasha fight him?" Sango glanced toward the clearing, where Inuyasha and Aomori had been facing off for quite some time.
Immediately after the introductions were made, Inuyasha had challenged Aomori.
"I couldn't stop him. Inuyasha is still frustrated; he thinks he only lost before because he couldn't cut loose and show his full strength," Kagome sighed. Unless he settled this grudge, their journey together would be far from peaceful.
"Actually, this is for the best. It allows us to observe his techniques. It's hard to stay guarded when facing someone like Inuyasha," Miroku explained.
"Is Inuyasha really that strong? When he first met me, I played him like a fiddle!" Shippo, the fox demon mascot, boasted proudly.
To his surprise, Inuyasha bellowed from across the field in the next second, "Hey, Shippo! Are you talking smack about me?!"
"He can hear that? Inuyasha's dog ears are way too sharp!" Shippo scurried behind Kagome, frantically denying it. "I'm not! I didn't! Don't go making things up!"
"You brat, I'll deal with you later."
Inuyasha turned back, refocusing his attention on Aomori. He let out a predatory grin.
"Last time, I wasn't being serious, which is why you caught me off guard. That won't happen again." He drew the broad-bladed Tessaiga from the sheath at his waist, gripping the hilt with both hands and leveling it at Aomori.
With Tessaiga in hand, Inuyasha's confidence and aura reached their peak. Whether it was Naraku or Sesshomaru, he felt certain he could win.
"I'm going all out. If you're really a god, you should be able to beat me easily, right?"
Conversely, if Aomori lost to him, he could no longer shamelessly claim to be a deity.
"It looks like they're done chatting. Let's get started. Don't worry, I'll let you show your full power this time," Aomori said, beckoning with his finger.
"Hmph, you'll regret that!"
Kagome and the others sensed the rising tension and realized the fight was about to begin. They focused their attention, watching closely.
"Do you think Inuyasha can win?"
"It'll be tough. But given Inuyasha's skill, at the very least, it's a 30-70 split. Inuyasha being the thirty."
"30-70? That low?"
As the primary combatant, Inuyasha was the strongest among them. Having traveled together for so long, everyone knew the extent of his power. Even if he often struggled, he usually emerged victorious—he was their greatest insurance against Naraku.
"It's just a spar; winning or losing doesn't matter much."
"It doesn't matter to us, but it matters a lot to Inuyasha. Though, a little setback now and then isn't a bad thing."
Observing the nonchalant Aomori, Inuyasha didn't rush in. He thought to himself: Before, he pinned me before I could even react. Part of that was my carelessness, but his speed is the real deal. If I use the Wind Scar recklessly, he'll just dodge it. I need to close the distance and wait for the right moment.
Having made up his mind, Inuyasha dashed forward, dragging Tessaiga behind him. Once in range, he swung the blade upward toward Aomori's face.
Watching the incoming blade, Aomori flicked his right hand, summoning Ryuko to block his front.
Clang!
A thunderous ring erupted from the collision of blade and sword, accompanied by a powerful shockwave that rippled outward.
Sango gasped, "He blocked it head-on!"
Miroku's expression turned grave. "And he didn't budge an inch. In terms of raw strength, he is no weaker than Inuyasha."
"Inuyasha, go for it!" Kagome suddenly cheered.
Hearing her encouragement, Inuyasha felt a surge of adrenaline. With a fierce expression, he swung his blade again and again.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of impact were incessant. Every one of Inuyasha's heavy strikes was parried by Aomori. Finally, Inuyasha leaped into the air, bringing the blade down with all his might, only for Aomori to block it with a single hand.
"Tch!" Inuyasha used the recoil to leap back, opening the distance and returning to his starting position.
"Inuyasha, you really are strong. I almost couldn't hold on," Aomori said, bringing Ryuko up to inspect it. Several fine cracks had appeared on the blade.
Compared to the Tessaiga, forged from a Great Demon's fang, a sword forged by mortals was severely lacking. Even with Aomori protecting it with his own energy, he could only delay its eventual destruction.
The Blue-quality Ryuko can no longer keep up with me. I need to find a famous swordsmith in this era and have a new one made.
As for materials, he would have to "ask" some of the powerful demons around here to contribute a few teeth or claws.
"Hmph, you liar!" Inuyasha wasn't a fool; he didn't believe a word of it.
Aomori wasn't even breathing hard; he clearly had plenty of strength left.
Dammit, this guy's defense is airtight. I can't find an opening. I'll have to force one!
He raised Tessaiga, letting demonic energy swirl around the blade, and slammed it vertically into the ground.
"Wind Scar!"
Several massive yellow tracks of demonic energy erupted, tearing deep furrows into the earth as they surged toward Aomori.
Aomori sheathed the nearly broken Ryuko, raised a palm, and condensed his energy, firing a beam of holy light directly.
The massive holy light blast, as tall as a man, easily crushed the Wind Scar and roared toward Inuyasha.
Instead of being alarmed, Inuyasha looked delighted.
"It might not be demonic energy, but I can still send this back to you!" Following the "rift" in the air with his eyes, he swung Tessaiga, unleashing a swirling, hurricane-like vortex of air.
"Take this! Backlash Wave!"
The vortex swallowed the incoming holy light blast and hurled it back toward Aomori with added force.
Aomori seemed caught off guard, watching the attack close in.
Boom!
The two energies collided and exploded, creating a blast of unprecedented proportions. Even Kagome and the others in the distance were nearly blown off their feet by the resulting gale.
"Cough, cough... Inuyasha's Backlash Wave is truly subtle. Anyone without prior knowledge of the technique would easily fall for it, even a god, it seems." Amidst the thick dust, Miroku covered his mouth and coughed.
"With that kind of impact, I suppose the match is decided." Sango was perhaps in the best shape; she had put on her mask beforehand and used Hiraikotsu to shield herself from the shockwave.
"Did Inuyasha win?" Kagome felt a mix of relief and pride. Holding Shippo, she had taken cover behind a transformed Kirara along with Kaede and was unhurt.
"Likely," Miroku replied. He couldn't imagine anyone walking away unscathed from such an attack.
Inuyasha used Tessaiga to fan away the surrounding dust, his heart leaping with joy. He, too, felt the victory was his.
However, as the dust settled, the sight of a figure standing tall, his clothes perfectly clean and untouched, left everyone speechless.
"That... that's impossible!"
"Cough... that was close. Just a little more and you would have broken my defense," Aomori said, sounding genuinely shaken.
He had anticipated the Backlash Wave, but the power of his own reflected attack had exceeded his expectations. He had almost "tripped in a gutter," so his lingering fear was real.
He knows Backlash Wave, but does he know Adamant Barrage yet?
To find out, Aomori intentionally let the traces of his Psychokinesis barrier flicker. "Just now, my barrier almost shattered."
"I see... a barrier specifically for self-defense? It seems this round goes to Aomori," Miroku sighed.
Since the Backlash Wave had already been used, the opponent would never give Inuyasha the chance to set it up again. And since the Wind Scar lacked the power to cut through that barrier, the outcome was clear.
"Yeah." Kagome looked at Inuyasha worriedly. She knew how proud he was; he wouldn't admit defeat easily.
Sure enough, Inuyasha clicked his tongue and charged forward again with his blade raised.
"Perfect! I haven't had enough yet! Again!"
Aomori condensed a sword of light in his hand and resumed the duel with Inuyasha.
An hour later.
Looking at the still-unruffled Aomori, Inuyasha leaned on Tessaiga, gasping for air. "Dammit... don't you... get tired?"
"Mmm, almost. I'm just about to get tired. Keep going."
"Like hell I'll believe you! You've been saying that for the last half hour!" Inuyasha stopped listening to his nonsense. Feeling the void of energy in his body, he simply flopped backward onto the grass.
"I'm done. I'm not fighting anymore. You win this time. Next time... next time, I'm definitely gonna beat you."
"Sure, you're welcome anytime." Seeing that Inuyasha was truly exhausted, Aomori stopped using provocations.
It looks like he doesn't know Adamant Barrage yet.
From this, he could deduce the story was likely in its mid-stage. He would have to wait until they set out again to pinpoint the exact timeline.
"Inuyasha!" Seeing the battle conclude, Kagome and the others gathered around to offer comfort.
The general consensus was that he performed excellently; it wasn't that he was weak, but that the opponent was simply too monstrous.
"Shut up! I'm fine! I don't need your pity!"
Inuyasha casually bopped Shippo on the head as if they were being too noisy. Mustering his last bit of strength, he flipped up and leaped into the woods using both hands and feet.
"Kagome! Inuyasha is hitting people for no reason!" Shippo complained tearfully, rubbing the growing bump on his head.
"Shippo, Inuyasha is just in a bad mood. I'll apologize on his behalf." Kagome then turned to Aomori. "Aosora-sama, please head back with Miroku and the others. I'm going to check on Inuyasha."
"It's fine, go ahead," Aomori said with a smile.
"Yes, we'll take good care of Aosora-sama," Miroku added with a grin.
"I'm counting on you." Kagome gave a slight bow and ran off in the direction Inuyasha had vanished.
As Miroku looked at the spot where Aomori had been standing, his pupils suddenly shrunken. He realized that throughout the entire fight, Aomori hadn't moved a single step from his original position.
It seems his true power is far more terrifying than what he showed.
"Miroku-sama, is something the matter?" Aomori asked pleasantly.
"No, no. I was just worried about Inuyasha and got lost in thought. My apologies," Miroku said, squinting his eyes with a smile. "This way, please. Let us wait for Inuyasha and Kagome-san at High Priestess Kaede's hut."
"Alright."
…
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome searched for a while before finally spotting Inuyasha reclining on a branch of the Sacred Tree. He looked despondent, staring up at the sky, lost in thought.
"Inuyasha, are you okay?" Kagome smoothed her hair, which had been ruffled from running, and looked up at him.
Inuyasha didn't answer.
"This isn't like you. Are you really taking one little setback this hard?"
"Sigh." Inuyasha let out a long breath and looked down at Kagome. "It's not because of the fight that I'm in a bad mood."
"Then what is it?"
"For so long, I've been the one to handle the dangerous enemies on our journey. But if someone much stronger than me joins us... the one protecting you won't be me anymore. it'll be him."
Inuyasha spoke softly, "I won't be the one you all rely on. I know that to defeat Naraku, the more powerful allies we have, the better. But... I can't stop myself from thinking that maybe, from now on, the one by your side won't be me."
"Inuyasha, SIT!"
"Wha—?!" Lost in his self-pity, Inuyasha was completely caught off guard. He plummeted straight out of the tree.
"What was that for, Kagome?! That hurt— oof."
Inuyasha felt his head land against something soft and immediately lost his voice.
Kagome had stepped forward to pull him into her embrace. She whispered, "You dummy, what are you overthinking for? The one standing by my side to protect me has always been you, and it can only be you."
"Besides, you aren't the only one fighting. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, they've all been fighting hard. We are all companions; we've made it this far because we rely on each other. It was never just about relying on you alone. You're completely wrong, Inuyasha."
"Oh." Inuyasha's ears turned bright red. His mind was a muddled mess, and he couldn't process much of what she said. He could only manage a simple grunt in response.
Kagome let go of him, her own face flushing slightly. She turned around and said, "If you know you're wrong, then come back with me. We have to set out again soon, and we need to discuss where to find Naraku. With Aosora-sama joining us, we'll definitely destroy Naraku and get the Shikon Jewel back!"
"Yeah!" Inuyasha heard that part clearly.
Compared to Aomori, Naraku was far more deserving of his hatred.
Pride could be swallowed, but Naraku had to die!