Episode 170

Meido Zangetsuha is the third episode of InuYasha: The Final Act.

Summary
The blade of healing, Tenseiga, which cannot cut anything belonging to the world of the living, has summoned the swordsmith Tōtōsai; thanks to the growing compassion in Sesshōmaru's heart, Tenseiga has judged him worthy to wield its hidden offensive technique.

Elsewhere, Inuyasha's group stay at the demon inn, not knowing it's the site of the Fox Demon Exam; Shippō might just get a good grade for getting revenge on Inuyasha. They also come across a girl named Mujina, who has a demon blade that can absorb demonic energy, even from Tessaiga.

Plot
Rin and Jaken are amusing themselves while Sesshōmaru sits on a cliff nearby, thinking about Kagura's death; for someone who is supposed to be cold-hearted, this is truly affecting him. Tōtōsai appears, and tells Sesshōmaru he was summoned by Tenseiga, explaining the blade has been agitated for the last few days. Tōtōsai takes notice that Tōkijin is gone, which Sesshōmaru replies to by saying his claws are more than enough to kill him. He requests the blade from Sesshōmaru, stating it is time to reforge Tenseiga into a weapon; Tōtōsai explains now that Sesshōmaru has experienced anger at the death of another, Tenseiga has successfully taught him kindness and compassion. Sesshōmaru is intrigued by Tōtōsai's claim.

Back in Kaede's village. Shippō talks to her, while Sango talks to Miroku. Sango is upset about Kohaku leaving, but Miroku comforts her. She makes sure it's not Shippō after giving him permission to leave; he tried something like this two episodes ago. Shippō arrives with Kaede, and feels insulted that she doesn't trust him. Kaede explains that it's Miroku who Sango doesn't trust. Back in her own time, Kagome and her friends are turning in applications and preparing for exams.

Kagome and Inuyasha return to the Feudal Era where they join up with Shippō, Miroku, and Sango to continue their hunt for Naraku. As they are traveling, Shippō sees Fox Fire; he wonders if some of his kind are around. He is hit and knocked down. Everyone rushes to see what attacked Shippō. Inuyasha, Sango, Kagome and Miroku find a demon inn. The doors open to reveal beautiful women who invite them in. Miroku firmly says they must stay, much to Sango's anger; Kagome inquires if it's to exorcise demons, but Inuyasha assures her that that's not the case. Inside, Miroku enjoys the company of the women, who are amazed by actually getting to meet a monk; Miroku humbly accepts their praise. Pieces of paper float down to each maiden, who turn into foxes and fly away; they thank him for helping them advance in rank. Miroku is left confused, until Sango flatly tells him he was bewitched.

Shippō wakes in the forest to find other young fox demons like himself. They explain that the inn is the exam site for the Fox Demon Promotion Exam. The leaf on Shippō's head is his ticket; apparently they hit any fox demon on the head if they venture close to the exam. When the other demons explain that the have to trick Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku to advance in rank, and race off to scare Kagome, Shippō decides he must save Kagome. Inuyasha steps on Shippō and asks where he is off to. Shippō uses his fox magic to knock Inuyasha down and a note appears and floats into Shippō's hands.

Kagome is not scared by the young fox demons' disguise (as they transformed into rather "lame" demons), and Inuyasha bashes them all on the head; he thinks they're Shippō. Reverting to normal, they each receive a "Fail" grade for the battle and leave, in a huff for the beating and for Kagome being "creepy" for just smiling at them and not being scared. They come across Shippō and are all very excited about his rise of 5 ranks to level 25. Shippō decides that beating up Inuyasha to gain rank sounds like a great idea.

Inside the inn, everyone is less than impressed with the fox demons' attempts at tricking them, earning "Fail" grades endlessly. Humorously, Kagome asks one disguised as a ball of fire to radiate more light so she can study. Shippō spies on them from outside the room; it's payback time for all the times Inuyasha gave him beatings. Kagome wonders where Shippō is until Inuyasha says he must be off playing with his "friends", going on to explain that he smells tons of fox demons around them. Sango then wonders where Miroku has gotten off to, only to find him in the next room with fox demons in the form of beautiful women. They're all receiving passing grades, not even minding Miroku's lecherous groping; Sango chases them off with a scent bead, knocking Inuyasha out (just like when Shippō was possessed by a parasite). Miroku explains the inn is used by the fox demons as their exam hall to advance in rank to perfect their trickery. Sango rhetorically asks that's why he had them transform into women.

Shippō and the trio of fox demons he met, disguised as butterflies, drop a statue on Inuyasha, waking him up. Inuyasha chases Shippō outside, where some well-disguised foxes appear as vicious demons. He clobbers them, as Kagome comments on their skill. The fox demons that were with Miroku return, but Sango gives them dumplings laced with a paralyzing poison. Miroku asks Sango if she truly lacks trust in him, hugging her. Sango is happy to receive affection another another three Mirokus hug her; they're all fox demons. Miroku can only find the situation humorous; he intentionally let himself be tricked, while she was genuinely tricked.

Shippō, in balloon form, confronts Inuyasha; he tricks him into pulling a rope that releases several statues on top his head. The three fox demons cheer for Shippō's genius; Kagome, however, is surprised by their lack of imagination. Inuyasha hits them in response, making them cry. Kagome yells Sit! The three fox demons get passing grades for their acting. Shippō tries attacking Inuyasha, but all his tricks fail. Shippō pretends to want to leave the group for committing so many tricks on his friends just to advance in rank. Inuyasha feels sorry for him, only to get hit by another object; Shippō gets to 24th rank. Angered, Inuyasha kicks Shippō off into the forest.

Dawn, Inuyasha and Kagome are walking through the forest when Inuyasha stops and calls out a challenge, wanting to see what Shippō has planned for him now. When no one responds, Inuyasha attacks with the Wind Scar, only to get no result except for broken trees. Shippō is hiding behind a tree stump, scared that Inuysha would actually use the Wind Scar on him! A young girl named Mujina arrives and speaks to him.

Inuyasha uses his Wind Scar on the woods again, but the demonic energy is diverted and absorbed. Mujina holds out her sword, which is absorbing the energy of the Wind Scar. Shippō and she escape, and she thanks him. Inside her home, Shippō catches the scent of an old man; she explains the scent belonged to her father; she's powering up her sword so she can avenge his death.

Once outside again, Shippō taunts Inuyasha into using his Wind Scar again so that Mujina can absorb the demonic energy with her sword. When Inuyasha tries to use his Wind Scar again, there is no energy released. Miroku and Sango arrive, surprised by Shippō siding with an enemy; he wonders if she seduced the little fox demon into helping him, but Shippō says he's trying to help Mujina avange her father. Mujina uses a Wind Scar on Inuyasha. Mujina laughs and says she is going to take over the world, but Inuyasha shows up and criticizes her use of the Wind Scar. He blocks her next attempt to attack.

She surrenders, asking for death, and Shippō defends her. She grabs him, demanding Tessaiga from Inuyasha in exchange for Shippō's life. Inuyasha punches Mujina and she releases Shippō. In a puff of smoke it's revealed Mujina is actually an old badger demon; it was his scent Shippō picked up. Angered, Shippō leaves the badger demon to Inuyasha, who shatters the demon's blade and kicks the demon to the hills. Tessaiga absorbs back its energy from the broken blade. Inuyasha considers the broken Dakki and its strong ability to absorb demonic energy.

Elsewhere, Tōtōsai hands Tenseiga to Sesshōmaru. An ogre emerges from the ground, prompting Sesshōmaru to try out his reforged weapon. He slashes the ogre, but finds it unharmed. However, Tōtōsai says to look behind the demon; behind it is a crescent-shaped portal, which sucks a portion of the ogre's body in that shape inside it. The ogre's remains collapse to the ground as Tōtōsai explains that instead of wounding, Tenseiga cuts open a Path to the Underworld, which sends its opponents there; the technique is known as Meidō Zangetsuha. A wind blows across the field, making Sesshōmaru decide Kagura's death wasn't wasted.

Trivia

 * This is the only episode that features Kitsune demons that are almost the same age as Shippō; they also display similar personality traits.
 * This episode shows that Sesshōmaru has developed a caring heart, thus Tenseiga became a true weapon, and now able to use the Meidō Zangetsuha.