Chapter 116 – Meidō Zangetsuha, Stepping into Fate!

Chapter 116 – Meidō Zangetsuha, Stepping into Fate! (Author's Note at the End – Please Read)

"What about Abe no Seimei?"

The Sacred Divine Tree was definitely something they needed to investigate, but what Suiko was more concerned about was Abe no Seimei. She had some knowledge of the Shikon Jewel, but never imagined she would become one of its targets.

He had intended to turn everything here into raw material for the Shikon Jewel.

Although in the end, he was consumed by his own plot and became part of the Jewel, he still existed within it—his soul now trapped in endless battle against all the others inside.

"He wasn't the strongest. There's someone behind him."

"I thought you were with Izayoi?"

Hearing a familiar voice, Renji turned his head and saw the Inu no Taishō, Tōtōsai, and Izayoi approaching. A black line appeared across his face. So these guys had just been watching from the sidelines the whole time?

He hadn't sensed them while inside the array. What surprised him most, though, was that this old man had actually shown up.

So'unga?

Renji glanced at the blade in his hand with some doubt. Just as he was about to return it to the Inu no Taishō, the latter raised a hand to stop him.

"You've already passed So'unga's trial. I think this weapon suits you. I don't know if you'll accept it, but I no longer have the time or energy to suppress it."

So basically, this old man was ready for retirement?

Honestly, even if the Inu no Taishō hadn't died, he would have eventually handed these swords down anyway.

In the anime, the Tessaiga was most likely sealed away rather than directly given to Sesshōmaru or Inuyasha. Neither of them were suitable for it. Now, he had chosen Renji—a better solution than sealing it.

"Heh, this blade…"

Renji thought it over, then accepted it. Unlike before, So'unga didn't resist. The sword had a will of its own. In the anime, it had chosen Setsuna Momomaru to avoid being sealed by the Inu no Taishō.

But now, it had chosen Renji—likely because of his overwhelming dominance during the battle with the panther clan.

And since the Inu no Taishō wasn't trying to seal it this time, but to entrust it, the sword responded far more gently.

"What did you mean earlier when you said Seimei has someone behind him?"

Renji gripped So'unga and looked toward the Inu no Taishō, asking about what he'd said earlier.

The Inu no Taishō clearly knew more than he did.

"Seimei was gifted from birth and chosen by certain beings. I don't know exactly who they are, but I know they dwell in the heavens.

Even if he hadn't become part of the Shikon Jewel, you still wouldn't have been able to kill him this time. He would've waited in Yomi to resurrect. When his demonic form appears in the future, he'll be stronger than ever. So honestly, becoming part of the Jewel might have been the better outcome.

Of course, that's assuming those beings don't intervene. If they do, things could get much worse. Just keep it in mind—if you can't find a way to deal with it, come to me or your mother. We'll help you. You've already formed an enmity with Seimei… and with those beings. There's no escaping it now."

"Fate…"

The Inu no Taishō muttered softly. He had tried his best to avoid any entanglement with those beings.

Seimei, in truth, wasn't that powerful—at least in the Inu no Taishō's eyes. He never bothered with him, not because of Seimei himself, but because of the powers backing him.

"The heavens?"

Renji suddenly thought of someone—Kaguya-hime.

The celestial maiden who descended from the heavens and was devoured by yōkai. If beings from the heavens were real, then it all started to make sense.

"He was born with fate woven into him. He was meant to fulfill something. I don't fully understand it either. There are only fragmentary records in our clan regarding the ones from the heavens. You'll need to investigate further yourself. Now that you're involved, escaping will be extremely difficult."

The Inu no Taishō gave this final warning. It was no longer possible to stay out of it.

Seimei had been born into this world carrying a mission, though even he might not have understood it. From the records of the canine yōkai clan, others like him had appeared in history before—those burdened with destiny.

And this chaotic world… might be controlled by something called fate. Or maybe not fate, but an even stronger will or entity. The Inu no Taishō wasn't sure.

Sometimes, even he felt like a puppet, his actions manipulated by invisible hands. He wanted to break free—but no matter what he tried, he couldn't find the puppeteer.

"Also, your abilities… While flashy and strong-looking, I still think you should focus on improving your raw strength. That's the foundation."

He had watched the entire battle. He'd seen that Renji had many strange powers. While he didn't want to pry, he still had to remind Renji.

Abilities are just icing on the cake. To truly bring out their power, one must strengthen themselves.

"I know."

Renji nodded. He understood this well.

Just like Obito and Kakashi—both had Kamui, but how they used it was completely different.

Strength was the true path.

"So this is Suiko, huh? When I first heard about your situation, I was honestly shocked. You actually fell in love with a miko!"

Having finished speaking with Renji, the Inu no Taishō turned his attention to Suiko. His son really had surpassed him.

He was far bolder. Even daring to pursue a miko! As for himself—he would never have dared. Who knew if he'd even survive getting close before being struck down by a purification arrow?

"Um, I…"

Suiko looked nervously at Renji. She really wasn't ready for this kind of meeting.

The Inu no Taishō's sudden arrival had caught her completely off guard. What was she supposed to call him?

"No need to be so stiff. I'll be going now. When you have time, visit your mother. She'll tell you what you need to know."

With that, the Inu no Taishō left with Tōtōsai and the others. Things here were resolved—it wasn't his place to hang around and disturb the young couple.

"Milord, can Young Master Renji really break fate?"

On the road, Izayoi asked with curiosity.

"They're already within fate's grasp. I was supposed to die, but… something changed this time."

The Inu no Taishō murmured. He'd sensed it long ago—his death was certain.

That's why he'd prepared to pass the three swords down to his sons.

"But now, it's strange. Was the prophecy real? Or has our fate already been broken?"

The Inu no Taishō began to question whether he'd exited the stage too early. Things were getting interesting.

But then he remembered all the responsibilities he still had—debts to Lady Seirei, to Izayoi. Perhaps leaving was still the better path.

And besides, it was all resolved thanks to Renji.

In the end, maybe this had nothing to do with him anymore.

"He can break fate. I believe in that child."

The Inu no Taishō truly believed it—Renji could do it.

"I think so too. Young Master Renji is a rare genius of the canine yōkai clan. His talent even surpasses yours, milord."

Izayoi nodded in agreement, sneaking in a small bit of flattery.

"The key to breaking fate might be the Sacred Divine Tree. That thing's nature is still unclear, but the combined attack Renji and Suiko used just now seems to have come from it."

As the blacksmith who forged the blades, Tōtōsai naturally realized the two had awakened the power of the Sacred Divine Tree.

"That tree's power has been studied for ages, but no one has truly understood it. Yet that girl Suiko managed it. She created the Bone-Eater's Well and preserved the tree's power outside its body."

Many had studied the Sacred Divine Tree's power, but none had been able to preserve it, let alone retain its effects. But Suiko had done it. That girl really was a good match for Renji.

The Inu no Taishō couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"But she's human. If they don't resolve this in their era… and considering how deeply in love those two seem to be… if a miko like her were to die harboring regret…"

Izayoi looked worried. If they reached a point where one of them was dying and neither could bear to part, the entire world might fall into even greater chaos.

They couldn't just turn Suiko into a half-yōkai, could they? Neither of them would agree to that. And would Suiko still be Suiko after becoming a half-yōkai?

Seeing that the Inu no Taishō said nothing, Izayoi decided to let those thoughts go. Perhaps the Inu no Taishō meant to let them figure it out on their own.

"Seimei's really dead, huh? That's surprising."

"He called himself the master of fate, yet in the end he was manipulated by it. Still, our plan failed too."

"We'll try again. That human girl will die eventually, and when she does, we'll make sure everything is in place again."

The beings from the heavens sensed Seimei's death. They mocked him—someone who had tried to control fate—only to be controlled by it himself.

Still, the plan had only deviated slightly. It was manageable.

[Ding! Fate of the Inu no Taishō altered. You've received one lottery chance!]

The Inu no Taishō?

It seemed even his destined death had been averted. With Suiko's previous lottery chance included—

Lottery draw.

[Ding! Two lottery chances used successfully. Congratulations! You have obtained: Meidō Zangetsuha and the Hound King Physique.]

[Ding! Meidō Zangetsuha has been integrated into Blade Shadow.]

With Tessaiga's previous barrier-breaking ability, and now Meidō—Renji was on his way to collecting all of Tessaiga's powers.

And Meidō was one of the most overpowered abilities in this world.

With the Hound King Physique added, Renji felt his defenses surge.

Just like the Demon Bone Physique, this new trait could be toggled on or off—an invisible armor tougher than diamond would wrap around him when activated.

"Big Dog, what are you thinking about?"

Suiko walked up to him curiously, waving her hand in front of his eyes as Renji stood deep in thought.

Why did he suddenly stop and draw Blade Shadow?

"Nothing. Just had something on my mind. Let's go. We should check out the Sacred Divine Tree—it feels like there's more to uncover there."

Renji shook his head and sheathed his blade. It was time to investigate the world's deeper secrets.

The heavens, huh…

"Wait, Big Dog! Let's clean up around here first before we leave. After everything today, you've got to deliver!"

"Deliver what?"

"A baby, of course!"

Suiko replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. After what they'd been through, her desire to have a child with Renji had only grown stronger.

Last time didn't work—this time, it had to!

"I understand. I'll do my best!"

"Mm! You better! Let's rest here for a bit then. I've got a secret herbal recipe from the old woman in the village I want to try."

Medicine... was that really necessary?

Renji didn't think he needed it. Was drinking some old recipe really going to boost their chances?

He wasn't convinced. But seeing the anticipation in Suiko's eyes, he gave in.

[Hokage Renji]: "Bro, I can't use Meidō!"

[Yōkai Renji]: "You need to use Blade Shadow—Meidō Zangetsuha is fused into it. It's like how Tessaiga works. In Inuyasha's world, it's all about weapon-based powers."

He had just tested Meidō—it felt strong, but could only be used with the weapon.

[One Piece Renji]: "Wait, isn't that a technique, not Shinigami Oni's full power?"

[Yōkai Renji]: "Exactly. If I got Shinigami Oni's full powers, we'd all be able to use Meidō. But I think there'll be more lottery draws later. There's still a lot unresolved in this world, and it looks like the heavens are involved. We'll all probably get our chance."

Inuyasha's world was actually quite high-tier in terms of power. Later on, Sesshōmaru's Bakusaiga was nearly unstoppable.

[Daily Life Renji]: "So Seimei's really dead? Does turning into the Jewel mean he's now its evil will?"

[Yōkai Renji]: "Dead, but not gone. Looks like he's tied to those celestial beings. I think it's connected to Kaguya's plotline—I'm still investigating."

Seimei was basically dead. Unless he had a miraculous event, as a twisted soul within the Shikon Jewel, he wouldn't return.

[Shinigami Renji]: "Shikon Jewel… Hōgyoku… At this rate, I won't be able to hide much longer. My strength's been rising, but my Zanpakutō still hasn't awakened. And lately, Captain Aizen's been giving me weird looks!"

(End of Chapter)