While Abihime was recuperating in the Western Country.
The three children did not miss a single day of training.
Every morning before dawn, Inuyasha and Sakura appeared at the Training Ground right on time.
Ryuro taught Inuyasha sword techniques, Kyuro taught Sakura swordsmanship, while Saku followed Chiyo and learned perception.
The days passed peacefully and fully.
Just like that, a month slipped by in silence.
That evening, Inuyasha sat alone on the cliff outside the castle, watching the sunset clouds in the distance.
He held that short blade in his hand, its edge giving off a dim gleam beneath the setting sun.
This blade had been with him for a long time.
He had brought it from home.
An ordinary iron blade, ordinary craftsmanship, ordinary...
"What are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice came from behind him.
Inuyasha turned his head and saw the figure of a woman walking out of the sunset.
Long hair as black as ink, gentle eyes, and a faint smile hanging at the corner of her mouth.
"Mother..."
Inuyasha froze for a moment, then stood up.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to see you."
Izayoi walked to her son's side, sat down beside him, and reached out to gently stroke his head.
"You've gotten thinner."
"I haven't."
"You've gotten darker."
"Running around outside, how could I not?"
Izayoi smiled, her gaze falling on the short blade in Inuyasha's hand.
"You're still using this blade?"
Inuyasha lowered his head and glanced at the blade in his hand, then nodded.
"Yeah."
"It's time to change it."
Izayoi's voice was very soft, but very serious.
"The enemies you face now are no longer ordinary little demons."
"This blade can't protect you."
Inuyasha fell silent for a moment.
He knew his mother was right.
Last time, when he