Ch63 Offer of the Schemer
(Sesshōmaru POV - Hilly Roadway - Midnight)
I could hear them approaching, a group of bandits laughing over their recent haul of a human village.
Normally I wouldn't sully my hands with such a group of opponents that were beneath me unless they were foolish enough to attack me. But there was something I needed to test.
None of them were worthy of staining Nintōjō's blade with their blood, I was saving that for when I finally find him and Inuko...
Twitching my grafted arm, miasma pouring out the fingers as I heard their plans to kill me and steal my armor.
Fools.
It only took me a moment to rush through them and swipe through them all with my grafted arm, reducing the bandits and most of their horses to half melted corpses with their heads rolling off or partially melted as they continued to dissolve.
The horses to the back panicking and running off into the night.
Thought so, it should have killed them all in one stroke.
"I take it the arm is failing already Lady Sesshōmaru?" Jaken asked wearily as her walked out of the brush, flinching from my glance as I grabbed the arm.
"The oni's regeneration only allowed it to last this long without degrading." I said, ripping it off and tossing it back. Jaken squawked and jumped back as it landed in-front of him. "Find me a decent replacement for when Y/N and Inuko show around these lands."
Jaken couldn't reply as I heard him groan, seeing the arm twitch and grab him. With the imp struggling to get out.
Perhaps it was more durable than I gave it credit.
Yet I already felt it starting to rot and melt from my own poison inside out. It should start to dissolve in about a minute.
Either Jaken can pry himself out or it grows weak enough for him to slip out.
Looking up at the moon and tracing my scar, wondering if they would pass through soon.
It has been two days, though I suppose three soon since Jaken has brought word of Ryūma and Y/N. Believing him and my half breed of a sister should pass through these lands on their way back to that accursed village.
So far no signs of them, if I found out his intelligence was wrong I'll make my displeasure known.
With a huff Jaken used the Nintōjō to pry himself out of the oni arm's grip, kicking it aside as it started to finally rot.
"There are only two yokai in this region that could provide you a worthy arm Lady Sesshōmaru, but I'm afraid there might be complications.
One is a massive red oni of massive size, comparable to the last one.
The other is actually a yokai I've heard whispers about that only drifted into this territory but much stronger than the oni.
They might have already left the region.
" Jaken said as I mulled over his words.
So only two yokai whose limbs could possibly serve and withstand as a function replacement.
The oni could serve as a replacement mount, yet this other yokai.
If what he says is true and it is still in the region, might be the first decent challenge since I lost my arm. Wouldn't know for sure unless they are still here, but should at least help resharpen the skills I've allowed to dull over the centuries.
A few more weeks and I'm sure to have regained it all back.
"And any new information on Y/N and Inuko?" I inquired, Jaken shifting a bit under my gaze.
Something was troubling him, what has he heard.
"Lady Sesshōmaru it seems both have caught the attention of Lord Kirinmaru and Lady Zero.
" Jaken said, getting my full attention.
"He stirs, but is still asleep. The test was conducted by Lady Zero using a possible vassal they don't know and Yotsume, it involved a rather unflattering omukade using one of the pearls and shards.
That damned Inuko was away, but the other three managed to defeat omukade.
Y/N and his vassal were able to defeat Yotsume after he used the pearl and subdue him as Inuko arrived back before the vassal spirited them away.
Essentially they passed and will be left alone for now. "
...Interesting.
Jaken flinched as my lips twitched upward.
He was growing stronger still, to have caught Kirinmaru's attention as well. Or he is aware of something I'm not.
Perhaps it was both.
Still Kirinmaru was awakening and if Jaken's words are correct Zero held an interest too...considering her demeanor I've heard since father's death was worrying. At the least Kirinmaru would keep her in line.
Defeating Yotsume was nothing interesting, he was nothing more than a messenger for the Shikyō. But an omukade that was essentially comparable to using two of the Rainbow Pearls if what the Shikon no Tama's shards were of any indication.
Would have at least proven to be a decent use of training, still from the sounds of it he and his vassal essentially passed this 'test'.
And that annoying human too I suppose.
Considering the news, I believe I need to actively pay attention now. These lands were Kirinmaru's territory.
He might not care about Inuko in these lands, but if he found me out after he awakes I'm not certain how it will go. Especially since I now hold my father's title. Aside from making sure that hanyo who fashions himself a daimyō in the north didn't move beyond his place we've rarely interacted.
I'm not certain he will care that I've been in his lands for decades or will actively seek me out to a fight.
At my current strength I would not last long.
But I will not back down, not until I claim the Tessaiga.
Only then I can stand a fighting chance.
"Any other news of what this vassal were involved and any other news I should be aware of?" I asked Jaken.
"Not much, but a ringing sound and they spied on Ryūma too. They were also given a beni, at least to Inuko. Supposedly the last thing Lord Hōsenki made or in this case repaired." Jaken said, getting me to frown. "Otherwise Myōga has separated from them again to spread the word Lady Sesshōmaru."
So Riku was involved.
No wonder they couldn't identify him...
As for the beni, I thought it to be smashed 50 years ago. I only knew about this to confirm Inuko's fate. Seeing her strung up in that tree had proven some measure of amusement, but I had been more than content to see her sealed up there before resuming the search for father's tomb.
Looking back it was a mistake not to have brought Jaken along, would have saved me another 50 years of dead ends and searching.
It was a gift from father to Inuko's mother. Practically only worth the value of father's possession, but if Kirinmaru had Hōsenki restore it then it's value...
No, it will be dishonorable to take it from her.
Best to bury or destroy it with her alongside the Robe of the Fire Rat...
I only started to walk forward, clearing my heads of those thoughts.
Y/N and her could have gotten a differnt way by now, but if information is recent they could still pass through this region.
One more day.
One more day, and then I'll head for that village claim what was mine when they arrive.
"Jaken, lead the way to this oni. It should provide useful. And as for this yokai, your information better prove to be accurate." I said, looking back to see him nod nervously. "This arm will be unusable after awhile, but if you are right should last long enough."
"Perhaps I can offer you a proper replacement, one that could be the optimal solution to your issue."
...A barrier, I couldn't detect their presence until now.
Jaken stiffened before hiding behind me as I turned to face who just uttered those words, seeing an individual wearing an all concealing pelt of some kind of macaque yokai, perhaps a white furred satori or hihi.
There very presence seemed to be about concealing their being. Their voice wasn't male nor female and the pelt covered their entire being minus their chin and neck.
And their scent was certainly unique. A mishmash of insects, musty and earthly orders, slight decay, silk, and human. I would have mistaken them for some kind of spider hanyo, but the scent of human was muted compared to the rest.
Whoever they are, they were certainly bold enough to sneak up on me without a tinge of fear.
Unless they were already prepared a way to escape or this wasn't their real body delivering the message.
"Pardon my rudeness, but are you Inuko's elder sister Sesshōmaru?" The yokai asked.
"Indeed, but you already knew that. Now who are you? You wouldn't have revealed yourself without some kind of proposition." I said, seeing the yokai smirk.
"Straight to the point then, my name is Naraku. And like you, I despise Inuko and would prefer to see her dead. So I would like to propose an offer that will benefit us both." Naraku said, pulling out a severed arm underneath their pelt. "Please make use of this arm, a fitting replacement."
Looking over the arm it seemed to be a proper size, even the part where it was cut off was right below the shoulder. Would have to remove a small portion to graft it onto the stump properly.
If nothing else a decent replacement.
Yet this Naraku had the gaul to present me with such a lowly replacement.
"What kind of con are you trying to pull on Lady Sesshōmaru, that is a human arm!" Jaken shouted, mirroring my thoughts.
Naraku only smirked before turning the arm, presenting a gleam of violet in the severed part.
"Exactly, one embedded with a shard of the Shikon no Tama.
" Naraku said, shocking Jaken and getting my attention.
"Preciously what you need for the Tessaiga, it is renowned as Tōga using it to protect humans.
Yokai like us can't touch the blade, but by having this arm will grant you the human factor needed to wield it. "
At the very least this Naraku was well informed.
Wielding Tessaiga at this point could very well only cause myself pain, whatever protections father placed on the blade could injure me her would be worth it to claim it as my own.
This human arm would eliminate the risk, the jewel shard should be able to make it withstand my own strength and miasma once grafted. Of course this Naraku could me trying to kill me as well.
No one has been this brazen as well...but their intent was quite clear.
"You hate Inuko that much, believing to make use of me to kill her." I said, sounding amused to Jaken's surprise. "What else do you get out of this, their shards too."
"That would be a benefit, rather I want to see her dead as my foremost desire." Naraku said honestly, at least that is what I can perceive was their intentions.
Normally I wouldn't lower myself to use any of the shards...but how can I refuse such a tribute. The shards was only a small part of it after all.
"How dare! You have the nerve to think Lady Sesshōmaru will go along with this!" Jaken shouted.
"Interesting, I'll accept the offer and arm." I said, leaning forward to take the arm as Naraku handed it to me.
Jaken opened his beak in surprise, a glance from me silencing me retainer as he nodded and straightened himself out. Naraku reaching into their pelt before pulling something out and presenting it.
A Samiyōshō hive.
"Take this hive as well, it should provide useful for a monk traveling with your sister. She had a rather troublesome curse and might interfere." Naraku said, as I gestured for Jaken to retrieve the hive.
"I will be sure to remember you, Naraku." I said, turning to leave as Naraku did the same with a nod. Disappearing into the brush and any noise vanished as well.
Their scent however persisted albeit faintly, growing fainter as we grew further apart.
"Lady Sesshōmaru?" Jaken asked as I extended a claw and cut off part of the arm.
Creating a perfect fit for my stump as I pulled it out from my kimono and armor. Attaching the arm and grafting it onto my stump, flexing the fingers as I got used to it. Feeling a faint feeling spreading out from the arm.
Before promptly squashing it back down and making sure it stayed that way.
It had to be the power from the shard, I had no use of it beyond making sure this new arm could survive beyond being a replacement. Flooding it withpoison, flexing my new fingers to see some miasma leaking out before stopping.
Without any claws this arm wouldn't be as effective minus bypassing father's defenses, but it was still working without any decay.
Or triggering any traps or spells Naraku had in place in this arm, unless it was more well hidden.
"Leave Naraku alone unless this is truly a trap or they interfere even further. The moment they go after the Tessaiga or Y/N I'll remove their head myself." I said, getting Jaken to nod. "Your belief was correct, they should pass through these lands soon."
The only reason I could think of for Naraku to seek me out and provide both the shard and Samiyōshō was for me to do their dirty work.
Naraku couldn't be trusted, but their desire for Inuko's death was honest.
As long as they don't interfere or double cross I won't kill them and simply leave once I claim the Tessaiga.
"What should I do to prepare for their arrival Lady Sesshōmaru?" Jaken asked eagerly.
"Gather as many yokai into a horde and have them prepared for sunset, the prospect of jewel shards will lure those eager enough out of the woodwork. For now lead me to this oni." I said, getting Jaken to nod as I kept watch incase Naraku decided to follow.
Time to finally claim what is rightfully mine.
(Naraku POV)
Coming here in my real body was a calculated risk, one I wouldn't normally take unless the circumstances demanded it.
Took two days to scavenger enough parts to fully repair the damages, and in that time so many extreanious variables had occurred.
Ryūma had an army of shibito and bisected yet another kugutsu I sent to observe them. Kirinmaru and his servants were stirring with an interest with Y/N, that particular variable was the most concerning for myself.
He was not interested in the shards, but his displeasure for hanyo and by extension composite yokai was known. If I was caught by one of his servants in his territory at this point I was as good as dead.
While also greatly increasing the chances of claiming one of the Rainbow Pearls was a tempting prospect and would become more feasible, I was still no match for their holders in my current state. Especially when I suspect one or more are seeking the shards against his wishes.
Yet the worst would be Miroku joining the others.
Unlike her father who was as big a threat as the average monk without the Kazaana, she possessed a modicum of Miyatsu's talent. Factoring in the inherit deadliness of the curse still nowhere near close, but still a dangerous but manageable variable.
Doubly so if I hypothesize they now know my identity, possibly suspecting my origins if Kaede wasn't investigating already.
Sesshōmaru was the best way to simply get rid of Inuko and Miroku, it wasn't that hard to play the her obsession with her father's balde. She could keep it as long as it isn't turned on me.
If she somehow fails then I have very much to worry about if she trigger the arms's failsafe, I've calculated that her chances of victory was quite certain.
But on the off chance she failed, I doubt the failsafe would so much as scratch her compared to other's even with the shard enhancing the backlash.
An erroneous miscalculation on my part mixed in with habit, but I had only a brief amount of preparation to put this plan into place.
I could spare more resources in my fallback plan and actively hiding if Sesshōmaru failed...perhaps I've been spreading myself far too thin lately in seeking resources...
With close to half the shards in my possession stored and scattered around Honshū it would be best to step back from gathering them and focusing on eliminating a few of the more unpredictable variables.
Best to let Sango believe she was truly the last of her village while proxies eliminate the remaining dozen scattered around Honshū far out of her reach. Alongside some of the more troublesome monks, priests, and miko.
Not all will succeed, but I'd settle for crippling them or taking them out for a while.
Much more easier to tempt than with Sesshōmaru, and easier to dispose off...
I smirked as an idea came to mind, an experiment to tamper with the shards. Already had a few ideas for the ideal subject, one to also wipe out Kaede and that damned village too. With some work it could be improved upon...
Shifting through my body and seeing it was still there I smirked.
Was going to dispose of it soon, but it be a shame to waste this resource when it still had a better use.
A pair of kugutsu should more than suffice to observe this battle and safely away from Sesshōmaru's potential wrath as I finally eliminated the last physical traces of Kikyō's memory and legacy.
(Chapter 63 end)