Naraku's Deception 2

Naraku's feelings toward Kikyo were complex.

The twisted possessiveness of Oden Kozuki had now become Naraku's core. He believed Kikyo had betrayed him, as she had been spending much time with Himura Kenshin recently.

Thus, he wanted to destroy both of them. He couldn't let them be together before being pulled into the Shadow Realm. He aimed to sow hatred between them, whether hatred towards himself or each other.

Disguised as Kenshin, Naraku walked into the village and saw Kikyo distributing herbs to the villagers.

"Did you find him?" Kikyo noticed Kenshin's arrival and asked instinctively.

"Yes, but he escaped," 'Kenshin' said calmly. "He's very cunning."

"Escaped?" Kikyo was surprised. "He managed to escape from you?"

"Yes, he's quite elusive." Kenshin continued walking towards Kikyo. "We can't let a demon roam free. Let's go together. If he attacks the village while we're gone, it'll be a disaster."

"No need. I already know his identity, and he's in this village," Kenshin said, holding Kikyo back as she prepared to leave. Kikyo frowned in confusion. "In the village…?"

"Who is it?"

She felt a sudden unease, quickly becoming a reality as Kenshin drew his sword!

No, it was Naraku who drew the sword. Naraku's former self, Oden Kozuki, had been a swordsman. Now, disguised as Himura Kenshin and copying some of his abilities, his sword-drawing technique was nearly identical to Kenshin's.

Flying Sword Style - Drawn Sword Slash!

The strike was so swift it seemed to slice through light itself, mirroring the strike Kenshin had used earlier, hitting the same spot.

Kikyo, completely unprepared, was struck by the reverse-blade sword and sent flying back several meters, landing heavily on the ground.

"You…"

A look of disbelief appeared in Kikyo's eyes, which always held a touch of sorrow. She stared at Kenshin, and the surrounding villagers were equally shocked. They ran over, shouting at Kenshin, "What are you doing? How could you do this to Miss Kikyo?"

Naraku didn't respond, only flashing a wicked smile. But Kikyo suddenly shouted, "Run!"

It was too late. The next moment, all the villagers froze.

Then, their heads slowly fell from their necks. It was a horrific scene, leaving only Naraku and Kikyo alive.

"You are the demon…" Kikyo said angrily.

"Indeed, the people of Wano are fools. Oden Kozuki? I am the true demon!" 'Himura Kenshin' laughed. "Unlike that lowly demon Oden Kozuki, I am a natural-born demon. I kill for pleasure, so I killed Oden Kozuki without mercy, just because he tried to follow me."

"Then I deliberately let a demon possess him, causing him to destroy all of Wano. Meanwhile, I disguised myself as a righteous person, enjoying justified killings. Brilliant plan, right?" He stepped closer to the fallen Kikyo, the reverse-blade sword drawing a white line on the ground.

"And then, I pretended to repent and acted as an executioner of demons in Wano, allowing me to continue killing. Those I kill will be treated as demon-possessed because of my facade."

"You demon…" Kikyo whispered.

"Yes, I am a demon," Naraku lifted the reverse-blade sword, his eyes cold. "I love that look, the look of disbelief. Take that look with you, take your trust in Himura Kenshin, and regret it in the afterlife."

Whoosh!

The next moment, he stabbed the reverse-blade sword into Kikyo's previous wound. Blood gushed out, and Kikyo's pupils dilated. She didn't speak another word before 'dying.'

Naraku looked at Kikyo, sheathed his sword, and left the village laughing.

Of course, he hadn't killed Kikyo. Earlier, when he disguised himself as Kikyo, he discovered a powerful healing ability within himself. He wasn't sure what this power was, but it assured him that even fatal attacks wouldn't kill Kikyo.

Thus, though it appeared he had killed her, he knew Kikyo would awaken in less than ten minutes.

Afterward, she would be filled with hatred and go after Himura Kenshin!

Leaving the village, Naraku returned to his dark cave, reverting to his bandage-wrapped form of Oden Kozuki. He smiled sadly and lay down.

Everything that needed to be done had been done, and everything was proceeding according to his plan. Now, it was just a matter of waiting.

He waited until he could awaken again, wielding immense power to reclaim what he had lost.

A dark shadow began to cover his body, eventually enveloping him completely like tendrils, pulling him into the darkness.

Naraku did not resist, allowing the power to pull him until he was submerged in a sea of darkness.

His time in the real world he had reached its limit. Next, he would grow stronger in the Shadow Realm until he could conquer everything.

As he completely disappeared from Wano, Genichi appeared before Kikyo, retrieving a glowing Shikon Jewel from her body.

Yes, Genichi had placed the Shikon Jewel within Kikyo, the healing power Naraku had sensed.

Because of the Shikon Jewel, Kikyo had gained power far beyond ordinary superhumans.

Now, her mission was complete.

This era's groundwork was laid. Now...

Let everything develop freely.

Would Oden Kozuki, no, Naraku, break through the world's limits as he wished?

It was a thought-provoking question.

Naraku was an uncertain factor in a world where almost everything was under Genichi's control.

Of course, this uncertainty was only about Naraku's future growth.

Naraku thought he was in control, but everything he did was still within Genichi's grasp!