While Inuyasha and his companions struggled against Naraku's new incarnations, Jūrōmaru and Kagerōmaru, Sesshomaru and Han had reached the deep forest they had not visited in so long. This was also Jaken's first visit to Hakuōju's forest.
"Welcome," an aged, resonant voice came from every direction. "I have been waiting for you."
"Huh? I don't see anyone." Jaken and Rabbit, beside him, looked around in surprise.
"I was just thinking it was time you came, Sesshomaru," the voice continued.
"You knew I would come, Hakuōju?" Sesshomaru walked straight to the tallest, thickest tree and stopped before it.
"Your coming here must mean something has happened to that sword." Hakuōju's peculiar face emerged from the trunk, his voice deep. "You wish to know about Tessaiga, the memento your father left behind, don't you?"
"Lord Sesshomaru, what exactly is this...?" Jaken interrupted, staring at the enormous tree in astonishment.
"This is Hakuōju. He is two thousand years old, and the scabbards of Tessaiga and Tenseiga were made from his branches," Han explained quietly. Then she glanced at the sword at her waist and continued, "Clear Torrent's, too. Its scabbard was also a gift from Hakuōju."
"I see," Jaken said cautiously. After seeing this wondrous tree, he seemed to understand something of where the incredible power in Tessaiga's and Tenseiga's scabbards came from.
"Hakuōju, you probably know the connection between Inuyasha and Tessaiga." Ignoring the whispers behind him, Sesshomaru put his question to Hakuōju directly. Among the retainers and close friends the Dog General had left behind, Hakuōju undoubtedly favored Sesshomaru, unlike staunch Inuyasha supporters such as Myoga. That was also why, after the Dog General died in his battle against Setsuna no Takemaru, Totosai and Myoga, afraid to face Sesshomaru themselves, had decided to have Hakuōju deliver Tenseiga to him.
"Inuyasha, your