Naraku's Deception

Kenpachi was outside the village, slowly sensing the malevolent aura he had felt earlier. Suddenly, Kikyo approached from the opposite direction.

"Kikyo, did you find anything?"

Kenpachi immediately asked upon seeing her.

Kikyo shook her head. "No, are you sure you sensed a demon?"

"Yes, although it was faint, the killing intent felt very familiar," Kenpachi replied softly. "It could be that not all of Oden Kozuki's followers were dealt with."

Kenpachi sighed, then walked past Kikyo, seeming to pursue further clues.

But in an instant, his pupils contracted!

An arrow suddenly pierced his chest!

It wasn't just an ordinary wooden arrow but imbued with a special spiritual energy that spread through Kenpachi's body, wreaking havoc on his organs.

Kenpachi's face contorted in pain, and he fell to one knee, one hand on the ground, the other gripping his sword hilt. His pupils contracted, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

"Kikyo, you…!"

"Did you really think we would forgive you?" Kikyo's cold voice came from behind him. She still held the bow, clearly the one who had shot him.

Kikyo walked closer, moving from behind him to face him. She looked at Kenpachi's twisted and incredulous face with a hint of satisfaction. She laughed coldly, "Himura Kenshin, you are the real demon. It was your sword that made Oden Kozuki a vessel for a demon, causing such calamity in Wano Country. Did you think you could just walk away?"

"Or did you think pretending to repent for a few days could ease our pain? Do you hear the cries of those burning in the Flower Capital, suffering because of your sword?"

Kenpachi painfully lifted his head, staring at Kikyo, who continued coldly, "Someone like you has no right to live. Did you think that sheathing your sword would end everything? As a priestess, I conclude that your nature is dark and fallen."

She drew her bow again, an arrow ready to pierce Kenpachi's head.

Kenpachi's eyes met Kikyo's. With a final sigh, he closed his eyes, seemingly resigned to his fate.

But just as he closed his eyes, Kikyo's face twisted into a malicious smile. Her shadow seemed to merge with Kenpachi's.

The next moment...

Kenpachi sprang into action!

In a flash, he drew his reverse-blade sword. Though it was a reverse blade, it unleashed tremendous power in Kenpachi's skilled hands. His strike, "Drawn Sword Slash," was swift and deadly.

The blade struck Kikyo before she could release her arrow, slicing her chest and leaving a deep, bloody wound.

Had it been a regular sword, Kikyo's life would have ended. But because it was a reverse blade, it merely incapacitated her, sparing her life.

"See, Himura Kenshin!" Kikyo taunted from the ground, bleeding profusely. "Killing is in your nature. Your repentance is just a facade. Faced with danger, you immediately resort to violence, just like when you killed Oden Kozuki!"

Kenpachi remained in his strike stance, eyes closed, only opening them when he felt the blade make contact and heard Kikyo's words. Seeing her bleeding on the ground, his face twisted in agony. Without a word, he vanished.

Kikyo watched Kenpachi disappear, slowly rising as her deep wound healed, even the spilt blood fading away.

Her form changed, reverting to Naraku's true appearance.

"Not enough..."

Naraku murmured, devoid of the earlier emotional display, his body shifting again to become Kenpachi.

His bow transformed into the reverse-blade sword.

Deceiving one person is easily seen through. But deceiving everyone leaves no gaps.

Assuming Kenpachi's appearance, Naraku mimicked his expressions and headed towards the village. As he moved, he reflected on the outside world's view: though Wano's people were strong in Armament Haki, they neglected Observation Haki.

Even a master like Himura Kenshin had developed his Observation Haki primarily for combat, using it to read moves rather than to detect individuals precisely.

Naraku, aiming to become a lord, had honed all three types of Haki since his time as Oden Kozuki, reaching formidable levels with the aid of dark powers.

Himura Kenshin must be fleeing from the harsh reality. If he heads towards the village, he might encounter the real Kikyo. What a pity.

Naraku smiled, then resumed Kenpachi's stern demeanour, hastening towards the village. Not only did he have plans for Himura Kenshin, but he also intended to give Kikyo a searing experience.