Episode 157 - Pierce Through Naraku! Kongosoha!
The demon graveyard turns battlefield in the clash between Sesshomaru and Naraku. However, the powerful demon lord is no match for his nefarious opponent: the power of Tokijin bounces off Naraku’s barrier and he mocks Sesshomaru’s attack. Inside the cavernous remains of the Dog General, Hosenski invites Inuyasha to “cut” him and gain the power necessary for shattering Naraku’s barrier. Kagome recalls how Tetsusaiga gained intensity when Inuyasha conquered the powerful demons, Ryuukossei and Taigokumaru. Inuyasha thinks the same thing and asks Hosenki what would happen to him if he succeeds. Hosenski chides him, and encourages Inuyasha to try. One small catch: if Inuyasha is not worthy of the power, he may lose his life. With Kagome and the others safely out of the way, Inuyasha slams Tetsusaiga down on Hosenki’s head, the resulting blow pelting him with razor sharp diamond shrapnel. While Inuyasha suffers at his attempt to ‘cut’ Hosenki, outside Sesshomaru endures Naraku’s onslaught. The archfiend strikes at Sesshomaru with vicious, dragon-headed tentacles. Sesshomaru deftly decapitates the beasts, but miasma spews from the headless bodies engulfing everything. Meanwhile, Inuyasha relentlessly hacks at Hosenski despite his increasing wounds from the diamond fragments. The cloud of approaching miasma forces a change of plan for the team. While Inuyasha is busy with Hosenki, Kagome attempts to purify the encroaching poison, quickly running out of arrows. The only remaining arrow is Kikyo’s arrow, which rejected her. Outside, Naraku threatens to poison every living thing. Sesshomaru replies the lives of Inuyasha and the others mean nothing to him. He’s out to destroy Naraku at all cost. The menacing miasma draws closer and Inuyasha is forced to abandon attempts on Hosenki to save his friends from danger. Hosenki provokes Inuyasha, telling him he couldn’t use his power even if he received it! Inuyasha replies he doesn’t need Housenki’s power if it means sacrificing his friends. To punctuate his point, Inuyasha slams Tetsusaiga down releasing Kaze no Kizu attempting to push back the poison vapors. Naraku watches the approaching Kaze no Kizu; confident the attack is futile. Suddenly, Naraku’s barrier is shredded by dozens of diamond spears, and Naraku’s smirk is replaced by fear. Below the stunned monstrosity, Inuyasha watches in amazement as Tetsusaiga’s blade transforms into diamond. Inuyasha turns towards Hosenki and watches the old demon’s skull crack. Hosenki tells the boy because he cared more for his friends than for gaining power, Inuyasha earned his special power - Kongosoha. Inuyasha attacks with renewed determination, strength, and a sword radiating with new power. The mighty Kongosoha attack pierces Naraku with lethal diamond spears. As the stunned villain hangs in mid-air, Sessho-maru deals the final blow with Tokijin and Naraku is shredded to bits. In the wreckage of Naraku’s shattered body, Kagome spots the final shard. Kikyo’s arrow beckons her, finally allowing her to use it. Kagome takes aim and fires into the cloud of Naraku’s body parts, purifying the fragment, but opening up a hole into which Naraku vanishes. Back in the real world, Kagura secretly hopes for Naraku’s destruction as she travels back to Hakudoshi’s hide out. Recovering inside his barrier, Hakudoshi greets Kagura with a cross-examination but is rudely interrupted by the untimely arrival of Naraku’s remains inside his own protective barrier. Taking shape inside the barrier, Naraku sees Hakudoshi - Kikyo’s arrow struck him in his heart In the boundary world, Inuyasha takes possession of the Shikon fragment with Housenki’s approval. Inuyasha is more determined than ever to fight those who would seek the jewel and finish Naraku once and for all. The gang leaves, following Sesshomaru, but their victory is somber. Inuyasha seems distracted and Sango suffers renewed worries about Kohaku’s fate. The end of the Shikon Jewel means certain death for her younger brother.
