Chapter 108 – Big Doggy, Let's Have a Child!
"Renji, these are the weapons I forged for you. There were a lot of materials left over, and it felt like a waste to keep them, so I made you an extra, smaller sword. Take a look—if you don't want it, you can leave it here."
Totosai placed one large and one small sword in front of Renji.
One was a long sword about 1.2 meters in length, while the short sword was only sixty centimeters. When Renji held it, it did feel small—actually quite suitable for a woman.
"Totosai, do both weapons have the same abilities?"
Renji remembered giving Totosai quite a lot of materials: his own fang, the corpses of the Four Dou Gods, diamond shards, corpse poison and corpse aura from the zombie world, spiritual energy, and even Sacred Tree wood and other items.
He was genuinely curious what kind of weapon Totosai could craft from all that.
"Renji, the long sword is infused with more demonic power, so it's perfect for your fighting style. When channeling your demon energy, it possesses the traits of the Four Dou Gods, allowing you to control wind, fire, lightning, and the hardness gained from the diamond fragments. You can also manifest diamond shards with your demonic energy to pierce enemies.
I also fused in that dark green material you gave me. After testing, wounds it causes can't heal, and it continually curses the wounded—so be careful, this weapon could hurt you too.
As for the Sacred Tree, you'll have to discover its effect for yourself. I have no idea what it actually does.
Because I blended in spiritual energy, the sword's evil aura is suppressed, and the small amount of spiritual energy won't affect you. But it can block the powers of shrine maidens and onmyoji, forming a kind of sacred barrier."
After hearing Totosai's explanation, Renji picked up the weapon and tried it out.
This weapon was a real mash-up—he recognized the traits: diamond shards similar to Kongōsōha, and the sacred barrier resembled the one Byakuya's beloved had.
Since the sword belonged to him, would the barrier reject him?
"And this one?"
Renji, satisfied, put away the long sword. By any standard, this was a divine weapon.
"The short sword has more spiritual energy, so it's best wielded with spiritual power. A simple slash can unleash a force to destroy tens of thousands of yōkai. It also forms a diamond barrier for defense. If you cut someone with a pure heart, it heals them; if you cut someone evil, it deals greater damage. It's a sword of the heart!
And you can channel demonic power and spiritual power together in either weapon. I don't know the effect, but I felt during forging that it should be possible!"
So after all that, even the smith himself didn't know for sure?
Well, that's how weapons in the Inuyasha world work. The forger often only knows roughly what the weapon does, not all the details of how to use it.
And this "sword of the heart" felt a bit like Tenseiga.
Renji kept feeling that the two swords looked more and more like modified versions of Tessaiga and Tenseiga, just with different abilities.
"You didn't just copy Tessaiga and Tenseiga, did you?"
Renji finally couldn't help but ask.
"Er… I referenced them a little."
A trace of embarrassment crossed Totosai's face. He had, in fact, taken some inspiration, but quickly reassured, "Don't worry, Renji! Even though I referenced them, these two swords are completely different. They're among my greatest works!"
With such great materials, if Totosai couldn't make something amazing, he'd just quit being a smith.
"I get it. You don't know the effect of the Sacred Tree?"
"Legend says it can cross time and space, but in a weapon, it might not work that way. Whether it's demonic power or spiritual power, smiths can only guess so much. You'll have to discover the true effects yourself."
Totosai had heard stories of people experimenting with it, but hardly anyone could actually use Sacred Tree wood.
Once harvested, it became ordinary wood—only legendary shrine maidens could use its true powers, and that took special methods.
This was the first time Totosai had ever forged a weapon from Sacred Tree wood. The sword hilt was made from it, and the flame was forged with both Sacred Tree and the fire from the Roaring Cauldron.
A lot of the materials were only things he'd ever heard about in legends—never actually seen or worked with before. Totosai had never worked with such a treasure trove of resources.
So when Renji brought all those materials, Totosai had some wild ideas—and, by habit, borrowed a bit from Tessaiga and Tenseiga.
But in essence, these were two completely different weapons.
"Oh, by the way, Renji, Sesshomaru has gone to the panther demon battlefield too. Do you want to go as well?"
Totosai asked curiously.
He'd heard that Renji had been traveling around this world with a human shrine maiden.
Honestly, while the old lord was off fighting to the death, here was Renji falling in love.
Even if Inu no Taisho could handle things alone, was this really okay?
Of course, Totosai would never say such things out loud.
"I'll be going tonight."
Renji replied calmly. His journey with Suiko was one thing, but more importantly, he'd been waiting for these weapons. Now that they were ready, he was going to join the battle.
At the very least, he didn't want things to go as they did in the anime, with Inu no Taisho fighting the panther demons, then Ryūkotsusei, and finally facing Setsuna's father under the control of Sō'unga—one event after another, until Inu no Taisho perished.
"Alright then, Renji, be careful. You'll have to figure the weapon out on your own. I need to get back to forging the others."
Totosai didn't ask any more questions. He still had a lot of work to do, and lately, he'd barely had a moment's rest.
"Understood. I'll get going, then."
Renji put away the weapons and left.
Watching his back, Totosai couldn't help but sigh. It looked like Renji had truly found something to protect.
Had he really gotten together with a human?
Was this a tradition for their dog demon clan?
Thinking of Inu no Taisho and now Renji, would there be others in the future? Probably not—Sesshomaru's cold face didn't look like he'd ever want to get close to humans.
Suiko sat bored on a rock waiting for Renji. When she saw him approach, her face lit up and she dusted herself off and hurried over.
"So, is your weapon ready?"
"It is. But there's an extra sword—I only need one. You can have this one."
Renji handed her the short sword. He'd always planned to use only one, and this short sword's attributes were perfectly suited for Suiko.
A sword meant for spiritual power was rare in this world.
It was definitely stronger than Suiko's old weapon. Her big sword was just a regular blade—usually she'd protect it with spiritual energy to keep it from breaking, but now with this better weapon, her combat strength would improve greatly.
"This sword?"
The short sword radiated with spiritual energy, stirring a strange impulse in Suiko's heart.
She really wanted it, but since it was Renji's sword, she was too shy to ask.
"Yeah, I already have one. These two—one runs on demonic power, one on spiritual power. I don't have spiritual power, so it's perfect for you."
Honestly, if it weren't for that thing Renji got from the zombie world, this sword probably wouldn't even exist.
In this world, forging a weapon powered purely by spiritual energy is nearly impossible.
"Is it really okay?"
"Of course."
With that, Renji handed the weapon to Suiko. "This sword doesn't have a name yet—why don't you name it?"
"Big Doggy, what's your sword called?"
"Blade Shadow."
As for those 'fang' names, Renji didn't really like them.
"Then I'll call mine Blade Dance!"
Blade Shadow and Blade Dance, huh?
As Renji gripped the hilt, the blade seemed to give a faint, ringing sound.
"Looks like they really like their names!"
Suiko giggled and carefully sheathed Blade Dance, thinking to herself that this probably counted as their token of affection.
But while Renji gave her a weapon, she hadn't prepared anything in return. She didn't really have anything to give him.
"Big Doggy, is there any gift you want?"
"You don't just ask people directly what they want as a present."
Renji rubbed his forehead, a bit helpless as he glanced at Suiko. This girl really was straightforward—there's no one who asks like that.
Besides, he didn't even know what he wanted.
"Then I'll save it for now. When you think of something, let me know!"
Suiko gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. The way her black hair drifted on the breeze, and her light fragrance—when Renji looked at her, he suddenly realized what it was he wanted.
"Big Doggy, do I look good?"
"You look good."
"Let's go home, then. Don't you have things to deal with? We're heading back today—we can't just keep traveling like before."
A blush rose on Suiko's face. Facing Renji's intense gaze, she seemed to understand something too.
On the way back, Suiko's mind was full of thoughts.
When they finally returned to the Exorcist Village, to the home she hadn't seen in so long, the house was covered in dust. Suiko gave it a quick cleaning, then took a bath. After coming out, she looked at Renji and said, "Big Doggy, you should bathe too. We just cleaned, so you must be stinky."
"Mm."
Stinky?
Renji twitched his nose but didn't smell anything.
She was probably overthinking it again.
After his bath, Renji and Suiko leaned together, gazing at the moon and cherishing the rare moment.
They both knew it would be a long time before they could meet again.
"Big Doggy, would you like a half-yōkai?"
"A child?"
Renji turned to look at Suiko. Did she mean did he like half-yōkai, or did she mean their child would be a half-yōkai?
"Yeah, a child! Any child we have could only be half-yōkai, you know."
"Of course I'd like it."
Renji stroked Suiko's head. Then, as he looked into her eyes, his heart stirred. Just as he was about to speak, Suiko closed the window and pressed her lips to his ear, whispering, "Let's have a child."
Outside.
Kirara glanced curiously at the house, then at the full moon in the sky. She scratched her paw, feeling a bit melancholy. In the past, Big Doggy would guard outside, or at least the three of them would rest in the same room.
But today, she'd actually been sent out.
Sure enough, Big Doggy was stealing her master's affection.
The more she thought, the more upset Kirara became. Why hadn't she kept an eye on Big Doggy from the beginning?
Their first meeting had been under a full moon like this, hadn't it?
Inside, Suiko gazed at Renji with gentle eyes and asked, "When are you heading out tonight?"
She'd heard Renji mention that the war between the panther demons and dog demons had reached its peak. As the young chief of the dog demons, Renji couldn't just stay away.
Suiko had thought about following Renji, but in the end, decided against it.
The yōkai alliance might include relatives of yōkai she had exorcised. If she went, what would Renji and the other yōkai do?
Plus, a shrine maiden helping yōkai would never be accepted—not by Renji, not by Inu no Taisho. They'd be mocked by other yōkai for a lifetime.
She also knew Renji and his clan would surely win. So not going wasn't a big deal, but they would be apart for a while, and she already missed him.
If the war lasted long, it might be a very long time before she saw Renji again.
She didn't want that to happen. After all, her own lifespan wasn't even a hundred years.
"I'll go tomorrow."
Sorry, this really is the last time.
Renji thought silently. Whether he went today or tomorrow didn't make much difference, and Inu no Taisho should be able to handle things, right?
"Huh? Really?"
Suiko was moved. Though reason told her she should let Renji go,
Emotionally, she wanted to be with him just a little longer.
"Of course. He can hold the line. Besides, Sesshomaru went too—the panther demons are no match for us, so it's fine if I go a bit later."
Renji pulled Suiko into his arms and stroked her hair, signaling that she didn't need to worry.
They were sure to win, and it wasn't the final battle yet. When the time came, he'd hurry over with all his strength.
"Mm."
Suiko nodded, not saying anything else. Then she looked up, eyes shining as she gazed at Renji. Clearly, her emotions were running high.
Women—even the rational ones—have moments where love is all that matters.
(End of chapter)
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