Chapter 33: Please, Let Us Join Forces and End Him.

Driven by confidence in his own abilities and the arrogance befitting a great demon, Sesshomaru prepared to repeat his previous tactic. He waited for Inuyasha to close the distance, intending to seize him once more and slam him into the ground.

Clearly, however, even in the heat of his fury, Inuyasha had learned from his recent defeat. As he charged toward Sesshomaru’s indifferent and unmoved expression, he suddenly plunged his claws into his own body.

"Self-mutilation?"

The onlookers were baffled by the half-dog’s startling action. But when they saw him raise his blood-stained claws and unleash a technique, they suddenly understood.

"Blades of Blood!"

By channeling his demonic energy into his own blood, he combined the essence of a demon with his own life force. This was currently Inuyasha’s most powerful attack and his only means of long-range combat.

"So that’s it!"

The others realized his intent and turned their expectant gazes back to Sesshomaru.

"Is that all?"

Faced with this sudden shift in tactics, Sesshomaru seemed even less moved than he had been by Hojo Akitoki. He whipped his golden energy lash into motion, and as Inuyasha’s blood-infused attack arrived, he struck it, causing the droplets of blood to scatter into the air.

"Don't look down on me!"

Seeing that his attack hadn't even forced Sesshomaru to move, Inuyasha showed no sign of retreating. "If one isn't enough, then I'll send countless more! I have plenty of blood to spare!"

Shouting his defiance, Inuyasha plunged his hands into his body again and again, unleashing a relentless stream of bloody claws. This wave after wave of dense, rapid-fire attacks immediately bolstered the confidence of those watching.

"Boring."

Sesshomaru didn't even grant him a direct look. He swung his energy lash, creating a wall of defense that no attack could penetrate. Before long, a sense of weary boredom washed over him. Was this it? Was this the extent of his power? Having inherited their father’s bloodline, this was all Inuyasha amounted to. With that thought, Sesshomaru felt that playing games with Inuyasha here was a complete waste of time.

He continued to whip his lash, waiting for a gap in the bloody onslaught. With a light push from his feet, he glided gracefully through the air toward the stationary, attacking Inuyasha.

"What?"

Inuyasha had never expected Sesshomaru to charge him during a momentary lull in his attack. Dizzied from his continuous self-bleeding, he was caught off guard, and his attack frequency dropped even further.

"Disappointing."

Sensing Inuyasha’s panic, Sesshomaru, still in mid-air, felt another wave of disappointment.

"Well done, Inuyasha!"

Just as Sesshomaru was feeling let down, Hojo Akitoki’s praise rang out from the sidelines.

"That man?"

Sesshomaru, still in the air, didn't understand what was worth praising about such a blunder. Could the man he had taken an interest in truly lack such discernment? Had he misjudged him? With this thought, Sesshomaru turned his head slightly.

What greeted his eyes was the iron-gun ashigaru troop, now organized by Hojo Akitoki. More than two hundred dark, hollow muzzles were pointed directly at him, reflecting a cold, metallic glint.

Human firearms?

Having lived longer than Inuyasha and witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets, Sesshomaru had heard of the iron guns currently becoming popular in the human world. Furthermore, with the recent fate of the mountain demon fresh in his memory, he would not forget how it had died.

For the moment, he could not concern himself with his foolish brother. Having never personally experienced the power of these weapons, he would not spare the highest level of vigilance. Arrogance leading to a fall was never the way of Lord Sesshomaru.

Noticing the muzzle flashes from the Hojo army before he even heard the sound of the projectiles, Sesshomaru spun his energy lash into a defensive wall.

"A pity."

Drowned out by the sound of the muskets was Hojo Akitoki’s whisper of disappointment. Watching Sesshomaru’s response from afar, he had to admit the demon possessed the qualities of a strong warrior. As an ancient demon, he actually understood that light travels faster than sound; the moment he saw the flash, he had begun his defense. If he had waited until he heard the sound, they might have been able to inflict some damage. But now, that was impossible.

The result was as Akitoki had expected. The lash moved so fast it formed a wall of light. Although the bullets from the guns were fast, they could not penetrate Sesshomaru’s iron-clad defense. One could only hear the dull *thud-thud* sounds; whether it was the high-temperature heat damage of the lash or pure physical force, the Hojo army’s projectiles vanished without a trace.

"Damn it."

Seeing this, the Hojo samurai continued to pour fire in a three-stage volley, but each man cursed the enemy’s cunning under his breath.

Fortunately, Inuyasha, who had been saved by Hojo Akitoki once more, was not merely watching in a daze. Seizing the moment while Sesshomaru was preoccupied with the gunfire, Inuyasha gritted his teeth and launched more blood claws. Realizing his attacks weren't as effective as he had hoped, he steeled his heart, chose a position shielded from the Hojo muskets, and lunged forward, hoping to disrupt Sesshomaru’s defense with his own body—prepared to drag Sesshomaru down with him even if it meant sustaining grievous wounds.

"Young Master Sesshomaru, please be careful!"

"You humans are truly despicable."

Jaken had been happily watching his master display his might, forcing the humans into submission. Now, noticing Inuyasha’s move and the potential consequences, he immediately began to shriek in anxiety.

"Oh?"

Unruffled, Sesshomaru didn't stop his movements, merely glancing sideways at the lunging Inuyasha. With a few calm leaps, he evaded him. Perhaps feeling that being constantly on the defensive was beneath his dignity, he ignored the relentless Inuyasha, having clearly decided that the Hojo army led by Hojo Akitoki was the greater threat. Sesshomaru charged directly at the formation of the Hojo army.

"Danger! Hojo Akitoki!"

This was the first time Inuyasha had seriously called out Hojo Akitoki’s name, likely signifying his inner acknowledgement of the man. Seeing his brother’s move, Inuyasha was truly panicked. The thought of the Hojo army being slaughtered by Sesshomaru for trying to help him tore at his heart.

"Front row, disperse!"

In the moment of crisis, Hojo Akitoki’s voice remained calm and composed. At that moment, his image seemed to subtly overlap with that of the charging Sesshomaru. At his command, the firing musketeers quickly opened a path. The gunfire did not stop, but it was enough to let the prepared Hojo Akitoki face Sesshomaru directly.

"That is!"

Inuyasha, chasing behind Sesshomaru, felt a jolt of spirit. He saw a scene that was strangely familiar.

"Spiritual power... the Sacred Arrow."

Sesshomaru, knowledgeable as he was, recognized the most powerful force humans possessed against demons.

"Young Master Sesshomaru, watch out!"

Jaken’s heart felt as if it were leaping out of his throat, and he couldn't stop the sweat from pouring down his face. Behind the parting musketeers, Hojo Akitoki and Kagome had combined their efforts. On the bow held steady by Hojo Akitoki, the scent of sacred power was undeniable.

"Please, hit your mark!"

Hojo Akitoki said nothing; it was Kagome, pouring out all of her spiritual power, who spoke. She truly, truly wanted this arrow to end the terrifying enemy before them, just as it had ended the Spider-Head demon, Yura.

The eldest son of the Great Dog Demon—Sesshomaru!

*Twang.*

The bowstring vibrated, and the arrow soared forth. Carried by the hopes of all, the power of the Sacred Arrow crossed the distance and arrived before its target.