As the magical barriers around the duel arena lifted...
Sesshomaru's spotless back slowly disappeared into the dark passageway.
The moment after this earth-shaking clash of magic and demonic power came to an end...
On a Wind Stone Seating Area platform suspended in midair...
Unrestrained cheers instantly erupted.
"That's great!"
"Lord Sesshomaru won!"
Rin raised both hands high, jumping up and down on the platform in excitement.
A radiant smile bloomed across her innocent little face.
Before this, she had been so nervous she had barely dared to breathe loudly.
She had been afraid of disturbing Sesshomaru in the arena.
Now, at last, she could release all her emotions completely.
"Hmph, hmph! Of course!"
Beside her, Jaken was so excited that tears and snot streamed down his face. He waved the Staff of Two Heads in his hand, yet shouted smugly at the top of his lungs.
"Lord Sesshomaru is invincible!"
"That so-called elf magic may have looked flashy!"
"But before Lord Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga, it was simply unable to withstand a single blow!"
"He was smart enough to surrender on his own. Otherwise, he definitely would've suffered horribly!"
"Phew... Sesshomaru really is incredibly strong."
Kagome could not help letting out a long breath as well, sincerely happy for him.
Sango and Miroku exchanged a smile, their taut nerves relaxing.
The young Kohaku, meanwhile, hugged Kirara, his eyes shining with longing for power.
However, amid all this laughter and cheer, Inuyasha seemed somewhat out of place.
He stood alone with his arms folded, leaning against the railing at the edge of the platform.
His golden eyes were fixed on the entrance to the passage where Sesshomaru had vanished.
His feelings were as complicated as they had ever been.
As his half-brother, seeing Sesshomaru shine so brilliantly on a stage watched by all