Somewhere in the Western Country's Hot Zone, scorching underground magma baked the earth black, with traces of red even glowing through the surface.
Flowing magma scorched the ground, sending wisps of smoke drifting slowly upward.
From a distance, an enormous skeleton could be seen at the center of the Hot Zone, converted into a dwelling.
Clang, clang, clang!
Rhythmic hammering rang out from within the enormous skeleton. An old man in blue-green clothes swung an iron hammer, pounding heavily on a piece of iron.
He was Tōtōsai, the Western Country's foremost Swordsmith.
This Hot Zone was his new home and his new forge.
A tiny figure, nearly impossible to spot without a close look, lay leisurely on a nearby table. He, too, was a little old man, holding a miniature teacup with his legs crossed, utterly at ease.
"Say, Miroku, why are you always hanging around here instead of staying by that boy Inuyasha's side?"
Tōtōsai could not help asking. He remembered Tōga instructing Miroku to stay by Inuyasha's side and look after him after his death.
But judging by things now, the old fellow seemed to have forgotten.
"Heh heh, Master Inuyasha and Lady Izayoi are both at Demon Wolf Castle. They're perfectly safe. Why would they need me following them around all the time?"
Miroku chuckled, pretending not to notice Tōtōsai's disdainful look, and continued drinking his tea.
Demon Wolf Castle was now the safest place in the Western Country. Who in the Demon World would dare provoke it?
There was absolutely no need to worry about Inuyasha or Izayoi's safety.
"If you keep staying here, I'm going to charge you!"
Tōtōsai cast Miroku a disdainful glance. His hands never slowed, remaining remarkably steady as every hammer blow landed in precisely the right spot.
His skill at forging