Chapter 32: Do Not Insult My Mother

While others still lamented or perceived Sesshomaru’s praise as a form of humiliation, Hojo Akitoki did not think so. Throughout the history of this world, when had one ever seen Sesshomaru offer praise to anyone? Furthermore, would someone like Sesshomaru need to resort to such methods to humiliate himself?

Therefore, faced with the commendation from Sesshomaru, Hojo Akitoki set Inuyasha down and let out a hearty laugh.

"I am honored by your praise, though it is a pity that despite all my schemes, I remain powerless before such absolute disparity in strength. It is truly like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—an act of overestimating one's own capabilities."

By gracefully accepting the enemy's praise and unexpectedly admitting his own inferiority with such candor, Hojo Akitoki’s words left even Sesshomaru’s cold, stern face showing a flicker of surprise. For Jaken, who heard such an admission of inadequacy, it was a cause for great joy.

Naturally, these words also struck the Hojo troops—who were unwilling to accept defeat and were readying their blades—like a bucket of icy water poured over them in the depths of the coldest winter. The drop in morale was visible to the naked eye; after all, if their lord, who always seemed to handle everything with ease, could speak such words bordering on surrender, what reason was there for his subjects to fight to the death? A sense of disappointment immediately spread through the Hojo ranks.

Watching the expressions of those around her, Kagome shook her head repeatedly. She refused to believe that Hojo Akitoki, whom she had known for only a few days, would truly bow down to a powerful enemy or hand over Inuyasha.

"He is a great hero!"

In the midst of the Hojo formation, even Akechi Mitsuhide was lost in hesitation, but the young girl Kagome shouted aloud, as if to express her trust in Hojo Akitoki and to stir the fighting spirit of everyone in the Hojo army.

"Hm?"

Hearing this cry in the current sea of despondency was like a ray of morning light piercing the darkness. The warriors of the Hojo army were galvanized. Akechi Mitsuhide felt a secret pang of vexation; was he not known as the lord’s most trusted confidant? How could he be outdone by a girl from the countryside?

"Heh."

Hojo Akitoki, standing in a standoff with Sesshomaru, chuckled softly. Truth be told, he had expected Akechi Mitsuhide to be the first to shout such words. He had not expected it to be the heroine of the original storyline. They had only known each other for two or three days, yet she was able to trust him so implicitly. Indeed, those who can become protagonists each have their own unique strengths. The qualities shining within her could never be masked by the simple label of being a "protagonist."

"Hand Inuyasha over to me."

Having heard Kagome’s words and observed the shift in the Hojo ranks, Sesshomaru’s best options would have been: first, to continue using his overwhelming power to simply kill Hojo Akitoki—once the backbone was broken, the remaining Hojo troops would be nothing more than scattered rabble.

Second, he could have turned and killed Kagome instead. As the girl currently rekindling the Hojo army's fighting spirit, killing her in plain sight of everyone would have shattered their morale, causing the army that had just begun to recover to collapse instantly.

However, while both of these strategies were highly advantageous, Sesshomaru chose neither. The cold, aristocratic lord simply reached out his hand, calmly demanding his younger brother, Inuyasha, from Hojo Akitoki. Perhaps he wanted to strike at the Hojo army’s morale through this even more humiliating method? Or perhaps he truly recognized Hojo Akitoki, and out of mercy and a lack of desire to kill, he wanted to give Akitoki—and himself—a chance to avoid that outcome?

"What?"

"Is this demon trying to humiliate us?"

Regardless of Sesshomaru’s true intentions, the bystanders felt only a deep sense of humiliation. The Hojo warriors were itching to charge forward and hack Sesshomaru to pieces.

"Everyone, stand your ground!" Hojo Akitoki immediately barked, stopping his indignant subordinates.

"My Lord, surely you aren't going to..." The morale that had just been restored by Kagome’s words faltered again as the warriors contemplated the worst-case scenario.

Ignoring his men, Hojo Akitoki kicked Inuyasha, who was lying nearby. Inuyasha’s neck had been constricted by Sesshomaru, and even with his half-demon constitution, it would take a while to recover.

"Can you move now?" Hojo Akitoki asked.

"Hmph, just go. I'll deal with that guy myself," Inuyasha grunted, managing to crawl up. He had witnessed everything; he was grateful that Hojo Akitoki had saved him at a critical moment, and he felt no resentment that Akitoki had considered handing him over when faced with defeat. Inuyasha was a person of clear loves and hates—a fellow both lovable and infuriating.

"If you fight Sesshomaru head-on, without distraction, how many rounds can you last before you fall?" Knowing Inuyasha had misunderstood him, Hojo Akitoki did not explain, but instead pressed him further.

"What?" Inuyasha was stunned. *You’re about to run away, yet you’re concerned about how long it will take for Sesshomaru to kill me? Is this some kind of sick joke?*

"What, no confidence in lasting even a few rounds against him?" Hojo Akitoki raised an eyebrow. Seeing that Sesshomaru was patient enough not to mind them discussing how to deal with him, Akitoki did not stand on ceremony.

"He is Sesshomaru, the eldest son of the Great Dog Demon, possessing the blood of a powerful yokai. He is an unrivaled powerhouse in the demon world, standing at the very pinnacle of all demons."

"And you, Inuyasha, you also carry the blood of the Great Dog Demon. Do you truly believe you are destined to lose to him?"

"In other words, are you saying that the other half of your blood—that which comes from the human Lady Izayoi, your mother—is inferior to the blood of Sesshomaru’s mother?"

"My mother Izayoi's blood! My mother Izayoi is not lowly!"

The mounting intensity of Hojo Akitoki’s words, each heavier than the last, successfully fueled Inuyasha’s rage until his eyes turned red.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha growled, subconsciously glancing at the fake Izayoi lying on the ground. Even though he knew she was a fake, that face and the gentle, maternal warmth she exuded reminded him of his mother’s care before she passed away. In the chaotic, warring era of ancient Japan, a single mother raising a half-demon child—regardless of Izayoi's former status or how delicate she had once been—it was a feat that could only be accomplished through immense love.

"I can do it! My mother's blood is not lowly!"

"My mother is the best mother in the world! I will not allow anyone to insult her!"

In the countryside, if someone were to truly insult one's own mother, any man of spirit would fight to the death. For Inuyasha, provoked to the breaking point by Akitoki’s words and haunted by memories of his mother’s hardship, the fear vanished. With a roar, he didn't bother to consult Hojo Akitoki; consumed by fury, he only wanted to tear Sesshomaru apart.

"Foolish."

Having waited patiently for so long, Sesshomaru was even more disappointed as he watched Inuyasha charge. *I even allowed you to discuss your battle plan and didn't bother to listen in, yet this is all you have? You still have no strategy for coordination and are just charging blindly as before.*

"Boring."

Sesshomaru whispered to himself, feeling his expectations for Inuyasha were entirely wasted. *Let us bring this farce to an end. As for that human who caught my eye, since you have rejected my kindness, you shall simply fall into the underworld along with Inuyasha.*