Chapter Fourteen: Inuyasha's Series of Mishaps

“Hmph, talking about rushing at the demon—can you even pull it off?”

Finally growing restless over Gohi’s repeated siding with Akiho Hōjō, Inuyasha, jealous and prickly, couldn’t hold back any longer. He stepped forward before Gohi could, speaking up boldly.

“So, you’re Akiho Hōjō, huh? I think you’d better stay in the back. Look at those puny arms and legs of yours.”

“Don’t end up getting yourself eaten by demons because you can’t even fight them.”

Inuyasha’s sharp words left Gohi and Mitsuhide Akechi glaring daggers at him. Even Grandma Kaede, caught between worry and frustration, felt a deep resentment toward Inuyasha’s inability to read the mood.

After all, Hōjō was no slouch. He had contributed effort, if not glory, and his strategy was aimed at further rescuing the villagers, even at personal risk.

And what about you, Inuyasha?

From start to finish, you didn’t lift a finger but kept sneering and mocking!

Grandma Kaede noticed the subtle change in Inuyasha’s gaze, especially how it flickered between Gohi and Hōjō.

She understood.

Wearing an expression that said, “There can only be one truth,” she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“You!”

Gohi and Akechi were about to scold Inuyasha, but Hōjō stopped them, his gaze narrowing as he stared into the darkening night.

“It’s coming.”

“What?”

Before anyone could ask what he meant, the villagers of Maple Village—who had been fiercely fighting alongside Hōjō’s samurai—suddenly dropped their weapons.

Just as Hōjō had predicted, they charged headlong at the walls of fire on either side, recklessly throwing themselves upon the flames.

If not for Hōjō’s early warning, every remaining villager on the scene would have ended up like half-cooked roast turkeys!

Fortunately, the numerous samurai under Hōjō’s command were prepared for such an emergency, thanks to their lord’s arrangements.

Though the scene looked chaotic and rushed, the samurai managed to hold back those unfortunate villagers controlled by the demons’ hair magic.

“Hmph.”

From the shadows, the dark-haired Ketsuro, seeing her plan only half successful, took a deep breath to suppress her fury.

“No anger. My scheme is still working!”

Cold murderous intent flickered in her eyes as her graceful form advanced, the invisible hair waves rolling with her movement.

This time, Ketsuro was ready to fight in person.

Following the path cleared by the samurai rescuing the villagers, she was determined to kill Akiho Hōjō—the one who had repeatedly spoiled her plans today—and seize the Shikon Jewel for herself!

“Lord Hōjō, be careful!”

Mitsuhide Akechi, staring into the pitch-black night ahead, was no fool.

Their lord had already declared caution, and the stabbing pain from his samurai instincts struck his heart anew.

He stepped forward to shield Akiho Hōjō, ready to uphold his samurai code.

“Step aside!”

But Hōjō, understanding Akechi’s good intentions, did not intend to cower behind others or let his men take the blows for him.

“Throw the dye bombs!”

With a shout, Hōjō swung his blade guided by his instinctive sense, issuing orders without pause.

“Got it!”

The sharp feedback from his sword confirmed it had cut through something.

At the same time, the samurai nearby hurled dye bombs, revealing the true form of the newly attacking invisible hair waves.

“Amazing!”

Gohi’s bright eyes shone with admiration—she had never expected Hōjō to be so sharp and skilled.

She glanced at the scattered demon hair on the ground, then looked up to where Hōjō stood at the forefront, leading the samurai steadily forward.

The young girl was entranced for a moment before hastily picking up her bow and arrow, eager to join the fight.

“Hmph, I’m way stronger than him!”

Inuyasha’s patience snapped. No longer willing to hold back, despite constantly calling Gohi the ugliest girl in the world and still harboring the fifty-year-old sealing grudge, he couldn’t stand seeing Gohi fawn over Hōjō.

Driven by wounded pride and masculine instinct, he spat out a spiteful remark and, without hesitation, lunged forward, claws flashing like the wind.

His speed was lightning-fast—before Hōjō and the others at the front could react, the demon-controlled hair waves surged forward, only to be shredded into tatters by Inuyasha’s claws in an instant.

Standing amidst the shredded strands around his ankles, his crimson fire-rat cloak billowing in the cold night wind, Inuyasha gave everyone a cool side profile and a crooked grin he believed would infinitely enhance his charm.

“Impressive, huh?”

Imagining the praise sure to follow, Inuyasha was fully prepared to continue playing the part of the unexpectedly refined hero.

“Lord Akiho Hōjō, I see it! I see it!”

“There’s one strand among these hairs that’s different—I think that’s the one connecting to the demon’s true body.”

But Inuyasha’s hopeful thoughts were far from reality, which sometimes had a cruel, unyielding beauty to it.

Gohi ignored Inuyasha’s attempt to show off and hurried to Hōjō’s side, speaking urgently.

“That ugly woman!”

With a sultry glance that seemed wasted on the blind, she glanced sideways at Gohi, who was chattering by Hōjō’s side.

Inuyasha’s face flushed with anger.

“Me!”

Just as Inuyasha was about to snap back, the even more furious Ketsuro launched herself forward.

A chilling, seductive female voice pierced the night sky.

“Demon Fire Hair!”

With the cry came a towering wall of blazing flames!

“Retreat!”

Decisively, Akiho Hōjō scooped up Gohi and retreated swiftly, followed by the battle-hardened samurai and Mitsuhide Akechi.

“Eh?”

Looking around, Grandma Kaede, seemingly forgotten, noticed none of the retreating warriors paid her any mind.

Sighing in disappointment, she hurried after the main group on her old legs.

Yet Grandma Kaede was far from the only one left behind.

From the flames conjured by Ketsuro, a figure emerged, face hidden beneath clothing.

Upon closer look, it was none other than Inuyasha, who had been engulfed by the fire moments before.

“You bunch of fools!”

Stamping his foot, Inuyasha glared at the group standing safely behind.

If not for this fire-resistant treasured robe, he’d be toast!

And what were Hōjō and the others doing?

Not one of them had thought to look out for him.

Anger and sorrow swelled within Inuyasha, but before he could curse again,

“As expected, a half-demon is still a half-demon, siding with humans.”

Ketsuro struck anew, wielding her sharp tachi blade, Red Mist, targeting Inuyasha’s neck.

“Damn it!”

Distracted earlier by Hōjō’s side, Inuyasha had no chance to react.

By the time he realized his peril,

It was already too late.