Episode 173

The End of Mōryōmaru is the 6th episode of InuYasha: The Final Act.

Plot
InuYasha and company arrive at a special tree that has recently started absorbing people again, and they find that it has a Shikon shard. What's more, it's guarded by Naraku who proceeds to absorb the tree and escape. Meanwhile, Kōga is trying to track down Mōryōmaru but instead runs into Kikyō and Kohaku. Kikyō wants Kōga to give up his shards so that she can go through with her plan, and she points out how the shards in his leg haven't been obeying him lately. Kōga, however, refuses to give them up and continues after Mōryōmaru. At around this same time, Mōryōmaru has run into Naraku, and he appears to win the ensuing battle and consumes him. With most of the Shikon Jewel now in his possession, Mōryōmaru's next goal is to go after the remaining shards, and, watching from nearby, Kagome realizes that this means the ones possessed by Kohaku and Kōga.

Kohaku and Kōga are both nearby, and Kōga is the one that Mōryōmaru targets first. Kōga and InuYasha try to work together against Mōryōmaru, but they're not able to accomplish much, Mōryōmaru still manages to capture Kōga. The problem for Mōryōmaru and Akago is that Naraku starts to take over Mōryōmaru's body, he uses the tree's special ability to break through Akago's barrier. Akago tries to escape Moryomaru, knowing full well thathis barrier will be pieced by diamond spears, killing him and Naraku. However, Naraku prevents this, surprised his heart would choose death at Inuyasha's hands than be re-absorbed into him.

Naraku eventually succeeds, destroying Moryomaru's outter appearnace, revealing himself, holding Akago in place with barrier-piercing vines with Koga still trapped in Moryomaru's diamonds. In order to free Kōga, Kagome fires an arrow at him. As a result, Kōga is able to break free; however, Naraku obtains Koga's jewel shards. Miroku opens up his Wind Tunnel to suck Naraku in. Unfortunately, this means that Miroku also sucks up tons of Naraku's miasma, putting his own life in danger; he begins to bleed from his eyes and mouth due to how much more powerful Naraku's poison is. Miroku is able to suck in the Fuyōheki (allowing them to find Naraku with ease now), but because of the danger, InuYasha closes the Wind Tunnel before Naraku himself can get sucked in, thereby allowing him to escape. In the aftermath, Miroku is barely still alive and Kikyō tries to treat him.

Trivia

 * This episode also marks the death of the Infant; reabsorbtion into Naraku eliminates his individuality.