Chapter Summaries

Hojo Akitoshi examined the conflicting accounts of Kikyo and Inuyasha's sealing and concluded that a third party had orchestrated the tragedy out of unrequited love for Kikyo. The discussion ended in embarrassment when Akechi Mitsuhide found two dogs mating outside the command tent.

• Hojo Akitoshi questioned Inuyasha and Kaede about their conflicting accounts of the events that led to Kikyo sealing Inuyasha.
• Akechi Mitsuhide pointed out that Kikyo and Inuyasha could not both have attacked each other and lost consciousness as their stories suggested.
• Hojo Akitoshi argued that a hidden mastermind had arranged the events, likely out of unrequited love for Kikyo rather than a desire for the Shikon Jewel.
• Kaede objected to the idea that her sister had been romantically involved with anyone besides Inuyasha.
• Akechi Mitsuhide rushed outside after discovering two dogs mating near Hojo Akitoshi's command tent, and Kagome blushed in embarrassment.

Hojo Akitoshi ordered a daylight search for Yura of the Hair and prepared to rally laborers to fight her, despite his retainers’ objections. Akechi Mitsuhide agreed to explain the plan to the samurai while Hojo Akitoshi slipped away.

• Kagome recalled that Yura of the Hair had fled into a dense mountain forest, and the gathered leaders recognized the danger of pursuing her there.
• Inuyasha declared he would go after Yura alone, but Kaede stopped him and indirectly urged Hojo Akitoshi to act.
• Hojo Akitoshi ordered Kagome, Kaede, Inuyasha, and the Ninja Corps to scout the area where Yura was hiding.
• Hojo Akitoshi instructed Akechi Mitsuhide to summon villagers with logging tools and promised them rice porridge, pickles, and two Copper Coins a day.
• The samurai protested Hojo Akitoshi’s plan and accused Kagome of being a dangerous temptress, but Akechi Mitsuhide agreed to explain the situation as Hojo Akitoshi left.

Hojo Akitoshi had the villagers clear a wide firebreak around the forest where Yura of the Hair was hiding, while she watched and prepared to attack anyone who entered her trapped territory. After Kagome asked what they would do next, Akitoshi signaled the ashigaru to bring forward carts.

• Kagome guided Hojo Akitoshi and his forces to the forest where Yura of the Hair hid, and Akitoshi invited Kagome to call him by his given name.
• Inuyasha and Kaede objected to Akitoshi’s attention to Kagome, while Kaede warned about the forest’s traps and dangers.
• Akitoshi reassured the villagers that they only needed to fell trees around the hill, then ordered Akechi Mitsuhide to begin clearing a firebreak.
• Yura of the Hair watched from her ravine and wondered why the humans were cutting down trees, expecting her Hair Blade to kill anyone who triggered her traps.
• After more than a thousand villagers nearly completed the firebreak, Kagome asked what came next, and Akitoshi signaled ashigaru pushing carts forward.

Hojo Akitoshi used counterweight trebuchets to bombard Yura of the Hair’s forest lair with incendiary oil, then ignited the mountainside with flaming arrows. The blaze awed the villagers and samurai, who hailed him as a conqueror, while Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kaede reacted with unease and fear.

• Kagome recognized the Hojo Army’s counterweight trebuchets as Huihui Cannons, and Hojo Akitoshi explained their origins and capabilities.
• Hojo Akitoshi ordered Akechi Mitsuhide to launch ceramic jars of incendiary oil into the forest where Yura of the Hair was hiding.
• Yura of the Hair sensed the oil’s scent and grew uneasy as Hojo Akitoshi switched the trebuchets to special ammunition.
• Hojo Akitoshi sent expert archers to ignite the oil with flaming arrows, starting a massive forest fire.
• The samurai praised Hojo Akitoshi and the conscripted villagers knelt in loyalty, while Kagome remained transfixed, Inuyasha felt dread, and Kaede feared his power.

Yura of the Hair tried to escape the wildfire surrounding her, but Hojo Akitoshi’s enhanced Special Incendiary Bombs overwhelmed her with flames that clung to and burned through her body. As Yura screamed in agony, Hojo Akitoshi considered whether the same weapon could defeat the Great Dog General’s eldest son.

• Yura of the Hair formed a humanoid body around her true body and set out to break through the Hojo Army’s encirclement.
• Hojo Akitoshi reassured Kagome that the enhanced incendiary oil could harm Yura of the Hair, while the army continued dropping Special Incendiary Bombs.
• Yura of the Hair discovered that the wildfire grew hotter as she advanced and burned away her hair faster than she could replace it.
• A Special Incendiary Bomb struck Yura of the Hair’s head, and its yellow flames burned through her hair barrier and spread across her body.
• Yura of the Hair cried out in hatred for Hojo Akitoshi and the Hojo Army as Hojo Akitoshi reflected on using the weapon against the Great Dog General’s eldest son.

Hojo Akitoshi and his army watched the hill become a sea of lava, but Yura of the Hair survived the inferno and charged toward them. With Kagome’s spiritual power infused into an arrow, Hojo Akitoshi destroyed Yura’s true form and declared victory.

• Hojo Akitoshi cautioned Akechi Mitsuhide that Yura of the Hair might have survived the incendiaries as the hill erupted into a volcano.
• Yura of the Hair emerged from the flames in a ruined state and charged at Hojo Akitoshi’s army.
• Akechi Mitsuhide led warriors to intercept Yura while Hojo Akitoshi asked Kagome to imbue an arrow with spiritual power.
• Kagome infused the arrow with spiritual power, and Hojo Akitoshi shot Yura in the chest.
• Yura’s comb crumbled to ash, and Hojo Akitoshi proclaimed victory as the army cheered.

After the Hojo Army celebrated its victory over Yura of the Hair, Hojo Akitoshi learned that Sesshomaru had destroyed the Imagawa Army at the Battle of Kawagoe. Akitoshi prepared to intervene in the battle, where he expected to face Takeda Shingen and ultimately measure his forces against Sesshomaru.

• Hojo Akitoshi held a victory banquet and honored Kagome for her decisive contribution, while Inuyasha and Kaede sat apart from the other guests.
• Hojo Akitoshi resolved to bring Kagome, the Shikon Jewel, Kikyo, and others into the Hojo fold to advance his ambitions.
• Akechi Mitsuhide privately gave Hojo Akitoshi a report confirming that Sesshomaru had wiped out the Imagawa Army at Kawagoe.
• Akechi Mitsuhide warned that the Battle of Kawagoe could harm the Hojo whether they won or lost, as victory would strengthen Hojo Ujiyasu's claim to leadership.
• Hojo Akitoshi ordered his men to rest overnight and prepare to join the battle, expecting Ujiyasu to hold Takeda Shingen until the Hojo delivered the decisive strike.

After Kagome returned from the modern world, Inuyasha sulked over her interest in Hojo Akitoshi, then learned that Sesshomaru was coming to kill him while searching for their father's tomb. Hojo Akitoshi prepared his forces and considered using Inuyasha to lure Sesshomaru into a trap, just as a thunderous rumble shook the camp.

• Kagome returned through the Bone-Eater's Well with supplies, but Inuyasha grew angry when she asked whether Hojo Akitoshi had visited.
• Myōga appeared and warned Inuyasha that Sesshomaru was hunting for their father's tomb and would soon come to kill him.
• Hojo Akitoshi heard that Sesshomaru was targeting Inuyasha, while Kagome used the Beads of Subjugation to stop Inuyasha from storming off alone.
• Hojo Akitoshi ordered Akechi Mitsuhide to prepare the Kunikuzushi cannon and Matchlock Ashigaru, then considered using Inuyasha to lure Sesshomaru into white phosphorus fire.
• Inuyasha accused Hojo Akitoshi of plotting against him, Kagome scolded him, and a thunderous rumble shook the camp.

Sesshomaru brought Mountain Ogre and a young woman resembling Inuyasha’s mother, Izayoi, to the Hojo camp as a supposed gift. Hojo Akitoshi stopped Inuyasha from rushing to her and questioned the story, leaving Inuyasha suspecting she was a fake and Jaken exposed.

• Mountain Ogre approached the Hojo camp with Sesshomaru, frightening the samurai until Akechi Mitsuhide and Hojo Akitoshi restored order.
• Sesshomaru rebuked Inuyasha for associating with humans, while Jaken presented Izayoi as a gift brought from the underworld.
• Inuyasha recognized the woman’s resemblance to his mother and moved to rescue her after Jaken yanked her chain and she called his name.
• Hojo Akitoshi restrained Inuyasha and questioned why Sesshomaru had not asked the Great Dog General for Izayoi, or whether she had reincarnated.
• Inuyasha realized he was over two hundred years old and began to suspect the young woman was not truly his mother, while Jaken’s expression darkened.

Sesshomaru led a Mountain Ogre against the Hojo Army, but Hojo Akitoshi’s cannons and matchlocks brought it down. Sesshomaru then defeated Inuyasha and demanded to know where their father’s tomb was.

• Hojo Akitoshi mocked Sesshomaru’s pursuit of his father’s legacy, and Inuyasha taunted his older brother until Sesshomaru attacked.
• Sesshomaru drove the Mountain Ogre toward the Hojo Army’s camp, where Hojo Akitoshi ordered the cannons and matchlock ashigaru to fire.
• The Hojo Army’s barrage killed the Mountain Ogre, forcing Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Fake Princess Izayoi to dismount.
• Sesshomaru stepped on Jaken and asked Hojo Akitoshi his name, then ignored Inuyasha’s protests.
• Inuyasha lunged at Sesshomaru, who dodged, slammed him into the ground, and demanded the location of their father’s tomb.

Sesshomaru effortlessly defeated Mountain Ogre and overwhelmed Inuyasha, but Hojo Akitoshi exploited Sesshomaru’s grief to launch a surprise attack. Sesshomaru turned Inuyasha into a shield and sent Hojo flying, though he acknowledged that Hojo had managed to cut his sleeve.

• Sesshomaru killed Mountain Ogre and seized Inuyasha, leaving Kagome and the others shocked by his strength.
• Sesshomaru grew furious at Inuyasha, blaming him for their father’s legacy and for the losses in the battle against Beastmaster.
• Hojo Akitoshi approached Sesshomaru and used words about his sorrow to distract him before unleashing Draw-Sword Slash.
• Sesshomaru blocked Hojo Akitoshi’s first strike with Inuyasha, then hurled Inuyasha into Hojo to knock him away from a second attack.
• Jaken celebrated Sesshomaru’s victory, and Sesshomaru rebuked him before praising Hojo Akitoshi for cutting his sleeve.

Hojo Akitoshi restored the Hojo Army’s resolve and provoked Inuyasha into fighting Sesshomaru by invoking his mother, Princess Izayoi. Inuyasha charged at Sesshomaru in a rage, and Sesshomaru prepared to end the fight.

• Hojo Akitoshi accepted Sesshomaru’s praise and admitted he was outmatched, causing the Hojo Army’s morale to falter.
• Kagome declared that Hojo Akitoshi was a great hero, rallying the warriors and prompting Akechi Mitsuhide to regret his silence.
• Sesshomaru demanded that Hojo Akitoshi hand over Inuyasha, but Hojo Akitoshi stopped his enraged subordinates and asked Inuyasha how long he could last against Sesshomaru.
• Hojo Akitoshi challenged Inuyasha’s faith in his own strength and defended the worth of his mother, Princess Izayoi, until Inuyasha vowed not to let anyone insult her.
• Inuyasha charged at Sesshomaru, who judged him foolish and prepared to end the fight, intending to send Hojo Akitoshi to the Underworld as well.

Inuyasha attacked Sesshomaru with blood-red flying claws, but Sesshomaru repelled them and turned his attention to the Hojo Army. Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome fired a purifying arrow at Sesshomaru, leaving its impact unresolved.

• Inuyasha wounded himself to unleash Flying Blade Blood Claws, but Sesshomaru shattered the attacks with his demonic whip.
• Sesshomaru charged Inuyasha, but the Hojo Army fired a volley of matchlocks that Sesshomaru blocked with his whip.
• Inuyasha tried to disrupt Sesshomaru's defense, but Sesshomaru evaded him and charged toward the Hojo Army.
• Hojo Akitoshi ordered the front rank to part while the Matchlock Ashigaru continued firing, creating an opening for him and Kagome.
• Kagome lent her spiritual power as Hojo Akitoshi drew his bow, and they sent a purifying arrow toward Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru nearly died when Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome fired a Purifying Arrow, but he caught it in his teeth and survived with his strength greatly reduced. Hojo Akitoshi’s samurai rallied to protect him, while he relied on Sesshomaru’s desire to reach his father’s tomb as his next advantage.

• Sesshomaru charged the Hojo Army, but Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome struck him with a Purifying Arrow.
• Sesshomaru caught the arrow in his teeth and destroyed it, though Kagome’s purifying power greatly weakened him.
• Sesshomaru asked whether Hojo Akitoshi had any more trump cards, and Hojo Akitoshi admitted they had exhausted them.
• Hojo Akitoshi asked his samurai if they were afraid, and Kagome, Akechi Mitsuhide, and the soldiers stepped forward to stand with him.
• The samurai urged Hojo Akitoshi to retreat, but he refused to escape at the cost of their lives.
• Hojo Akitoshi counted on Sesshomaru prioritizing his father’s tomb and secretly considered their chances of killing him.

Sesshomaru spared Hojo Akitoshi and his army after hearing why they were willing to die for their lord, but he then took the Black Pearl from Inuyasha and opened the path to the Great Dog General’s Tomb. Sesshomaru and the wounded Inuyasha entered the vortex, leaving Hojo Akitoshi to ask Kagome whether she wanted to follow.

• Sesshomaru questioned Hojo Akitoshi about leading his loyal warriors into a battle where they expected to die, and Hojo Akitoshi said his duty was to bring them home as best he could.
• Hojo Army warriors praised Hojo Akitoshi’s generosity and responsibility, strengthening their resolve and reminding Sesshomaru of his former subordinates.
• Sesshomaru turned away as if to leave, but suddenly seized Inuyasha and drew a black pearl from his eye.
• Sesshomaru opened the Black Pearl’s seal, revealed the path to the Great Dog General’s Tomb, and told Hojo Akitoshi he would spare Inuyasha before entering the vortex.
• Inuyasha followed Sesshomaru into the vortex, and Hojo Akitoshi asked Kagome whether she wanted to go.

Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome entered the boundary between life and death and reached the Great Dog General’s remains, where Sesshomaru and Inuyasha faced off over Tessaiga. Hojo Akitoshi secretly collected bone fragments and watched as Sesshomaru reached for the sword, believing the Great Dog General had left safeguards for Inuyasha.

• Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome rode a skeletal pterosaur through the vortex toward the Great Dog General’s enormous remains.
• Hojo Akitoshi searched for an unusual light, found none, and secretly pocketed fragments of the Great Dog General’s bones.
• Hojo Akitoshi wondered where he could recruit an Orochimaru and told Kagome the name came from a traveling peddler.
• Kagome ran ahead and found Inuyasha facing Sesshomaru, who explained that Tessaiga was their father’s mighty demon blade.
• Kagome clung to Hojo Akitoshi and urged him to stop Sesshomaru, but Hojo Akitoshi suggested they wait for the Great Dog General’s safeguards to take effect.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both failed to draw Tessaiga because its barrier blasted them with lightning. Hojo Akitoshi approached the sword and asked Sesshomaru what kind of demon their father had been, leaving Sesshomaru lost in thought.

• Sesshomaru tried to take Tessaiga, but its barrier struck him with powerful lightning and forced him to withdraw.
• Inuyasha mocked Sesshomaru, then approached the sword at Hojo Akitoshi's urging and was hurled away by the barrier.
• Sesshomaru showed a brief smile at Inuyasha's failure, while Inuyasha angrily confronted Hojo Akitoshi.
• Hojo Akitoshi climbed onto the platform and asked Sesshomaru what kind of demon his father had been.
• Sesshomaru turned inward, wondering what kind of demon his father had been.

Hojo Akitoshi accidentally drew Tessaiga, enraging Sesshomaru and deepening his resentment toward their father. As Sesshomaru attacked, Hojo Akitoshi explained that the Great Dog General had left the sword as a trial of love and protection, prompting Inuyasha to reflect on whom he should protect.

• Hojo Akitoshi noticed Sesshomaru's anger and changed the subject by touching Tessaiga.
• Tessaiga came free in Hojo Akitoshi's hand, shocking Inuyasha, Kagome, and Sesshomaru.
• Sesshomaru concluded that his father had favored a human outsider, transformed into a giant white dog, and attacked Hojo Akitoshi.
• Hojo Akitoshi tossed Tessaiga toward Inuyasha and evaded Sesshomaru's strike with his Muramasa Blade Sirius.
• Hojo Akitoshi told Inuyasha and Sesshomaru that their father had died protecting Inuyasha's mother and that Tessaiga tested their capacity for love and protection.
• Inuyasha considered Kikyo, Kagome, the tragedy from fifty years earlier, and Hojo Akitoshi as he reflected on whom he should protect.

Inuyasha picked up Tessaiga, but the sword remained rusty and failed to protect him from Sesshomaru’s attack. Hojo Akitoshi awakened purifying power in his own blade and charged Sesshomaru.

• Inuyasha grasped Tessaiga, and Sesshomaru grew furious as Hojo Akitoshi’s words about the Great Dog General’s intentions seemed to be confirmed.
• Sesshomaru damaged his father’s remains while attacking Hojo Akitoshi, then spat a corrosive glob at Inuyasha.
• Kagome purified much of the attack with an arrow, while Inuyasha dodged the rest and complained that Tessaiga was useless.
• Hojo Akitoshi urged Inuyasha to trust the sword, then revealed purifying power glowing around his own blade.
• Hojo Akitoshi drove off the ground and struck at Sesshomaru with all his strength.

Hojo Akitoshi and Kagome fought to keep Sesshomaru occupied until Inuyasha awakened Tessaiga’s true form. After Sesshomaru was defeated, Hojo secretly collected flesh, blood, and bone fragments from his severed arm, leaving with the materials he needed for his plans.

• Hojo Akitoshi attacked Sesshomaru directly, then fought alongside Kagome while Inuyasha struggled to understand Tessaiga.
• Sesshomaru badly injured Hojo and sent Kagome flying, prompting Inuyasha to awaken Tessaiga’s true form as he instinctively tried to protect them.
• Inuyasha used Tessaiga against Sesshomaru while Hojo rested in Kagome’s arms, and Kagome focused on Hojo instead of noticing Inuyasha’s success.
• Kagome ordered Inuyasha to sit when he complained, while Hojo secretly cut Sesshomaru’s severed arm and collected flesh, blood, and bone fragments.