Mingye's gaze settled on the cold, proud Sesshomaru. This was their first formal meeting.
Although he had sensed Sesshomaru's presence during his earlier battle with Tōga, the two had not met then.
"I originally came to kill the fellow beneath your feet..."
Sesshomaru spoke, his voice icy and detached, devoid of even a trace of emotion, keeping everyone at a distance.
"But now that I've seen you, I have something else in mind."
Sesshomaru's eyes flickered, an unmistakable fighting spirit rising within them. Among his generation, Mingye was the only one he considered a worthy opponent.
Now, the time had come to determine who was stronger.
Mingye did not move his feet, still standing on Hyōrinmaru's body, but he moved Slay Gods and Demons away from him.
A trace of puzzlement entered his eyes. What was that fighting spirit in Sesshomaru's gaze?
"Fight me, Demon Wolf Mingye! Let me see just how strong you've become!"
For the first time, Sesshomaru's voice rang with fervor. His excitement rose, and his aura resembled a divine sword about to leave its sheath.
He formally challenged Mingye, whom he had long regarded as his only worthy opponent.
Hearing this, Mingye looked at Sesshomaru's surging fighting spirit and thought he understood. This was the feeling of finding an evenly matched rival.
Since childhood, Sesshomaru had far surpassed ordinary yokai. He was proud, and aside from his father, Tōga, no one had ever deserved his attention.
But after encountering Mingye, he had gained a rival. The pressure of facing a true opponent from his own generation was a feeling Sesshomaru had not experienced in a long time.
He had witnessed Mingye's battle with Tōga, and for the first time, an intense desire to defeat someone had risen within him!
Mingye's subsequent feats had only strengthened that