Episode 22 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Stolen Seal is the twenty-second episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis
Zero disguises herself and approaches Miroku, whom she traps and undoes the sacred seal he himself had placed on Setsuna to render her demonic blood dormant. This predicament causes Setsuna to turn full demon with red eyes and butterfly wings and to go utterly berserk. She recognizes Zero as the one who had entered her mind while she was dreaming a decade ago. How will Towa and Moroha stop Setsuna from destroying them and everything else?

Summary
Around 500 years ago in the, at the manor of Sesshōmaru's mother's where she and Zero were waiting as Tōga and Kirinmaru were waiting for the Grim Comet. Tōga and Kirinmaru jumped forward and destroyed the Grim Comet with Blasting Barrage and Meidō Zangetsuha then looked at each other. Tōga watches Kirinmaru sleep on the ground until Zero appears. Zero tells Tōga that the Grim Comet is receding and this is thanks to him and Kirinmaru. Tōga explains to Zero that it's mostly thanks to Kirinmaru as he really didn't do much. Zero tells Tōga that he's being too modest and Kirinmaru sleeps so carelessly. Tōga tells Zero that it's because she's here to look after Kirinmaru. Zero laughs and tells Tōga that flattery will get him nowhere. Tōga tells Zero that he shall return to the Western domain and bids her 'farewell' as he prepares to leave. Zero tells Tōga that sometimes she asks herself how long they must continue this. Tōga tells Zero that he wonders as they are fated to journey an endless path and who knows where it will take them. Zero asks Tōga does he thinks they will have to welcome the end one day. Tōga tells Zero that no matter where this leads them or what sort of end greets them she was who she was and he would like for her to remain that way. And with those final words, Tōga makes his departure to the West. Zero questions Tōga's advice before she hears Kirinmaru sneeze in his sleep then decides to herself that she will honor his advice. Back in the present day, Miroku is still undergoing his 1,000 day training. Zero makes a visit to Miroku in the middle of his training but disguises herself in different clothing and tells him that it's admirable of him to brave the 1000 day training. Miroku asks Zero who she might be. Zero takes off her hat and addresses herself as ‘Otsuyu’. Zero tells Miroku that she wanted to ask him for directions toward the right path. Miroku questions Zero about the right path. Zero tells Miroku the chants the spell of 'On meeting an arhat, slay the arhat; on meeting your parents, slay your parents. Know that the light to your path lies there ends'. Miroku is suspicious of Zero and prepares to fight her. Miroku asks Zero who was she as she doesn't seem to be human. Zero smiles. Miroku tells Zero that she doesn't seem to have demon powers so she's not an apparition either. Zero tells Miroku that it may be suitable to call her a devilish woman. Miroku tells Zero 'no' as he already knows what would happen if he called her that in front of Sango. Miroku asks Zero what was her true purpose for being here. Zero tells Miroku that she'll be straightforward then as she'd like for him to release the hanyō girl's seal. Miroku asks Zero was she talking about Setsuna and if he were to said 'no'. Zero tells Miroku by force then. Miroku tells Zero that she says frightful things. Zero tells Miroku that she can so easily understand his heart and training is only in name. Miroku becomes surprised. Zero pulls out her staff and tells Miroku that he still cannot seem to give up his Wind Tunnel. Zero uses a spell “Azusa no Yumihari” and traps Miroku with silk of tsuchigumo. Miroku is left on the ground unable to move and realizes it's tsuchigumo's silk. Zero walks over to Miroku. Miroku tells Zero that he thought she doesn't have demon power. Zero places her hand on top of Miroku's hand. Zero tells Miroku that he's going to lend her the fruits of his training the power of the seal. Zero steals Miroku's power of the seal he had on Setsuna to contain her demon blood. Miroku says curse his weak-minded self. Zero tells Miroku to not worry himself about such things as whatever choices they make find themselves making in life they will never know whether they end up in or  as the monks love to say. Miroku continues to try to get up.

Towa and Setsuna are walking together towards Shikabaneya. Towa remembers Riku hugging her and wonders what it is that she's feeling as she doesn't feel this way when Sōta hugs her. Setsuna sees Towa being deep in thought and asks her was she okay. Towa simply tells Setsuna that she's fine. Moroha then comes along carrying a bucket and asks Towa and Setsuna what's wrong. Towa calls out to Moroha. Moroha questions Towa and Setsuna didn't she already give them the share from Tōtetsu's bounty. Setsuna tells Moroha that it's not that as Jyūbei said he would introduce her to a good blade sharpener. Moroha stops and asks Setsuna what does she need with a good sharpener. Setsuna tells Moroha that she feels like her Kanemitsu no Tomoe has lost its edge lately. Moroha examines Setsuna's Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Moroha tells Setsuna that she sees as that's how it is. Setsuna becomes annoyed and tells Moroha to not touch her Kanemitsu no Tomoe as she tries to slice her with it. Moroha dodges Setsuna's attack. Moroha tells Setsuna that if she's getting her Kanemitsu no Tomoe inspected she's going to show her properly. Setsuna asks Moroha what does she mean. Jyūbei would introduce her to a blade sharpener to soon find out that Moroha is the blade sharpener that she's looking for. Moroha tells Setsuna that the blade sharpener that Jyūbei was going to introduce her is hers truly. Towa and Setsuna become shocked. Towa questions Moroha that she can sharpen blades too. Moroha confirms this with Towa as she can leave anything to this jack-of-all-trades. At a ship, Kirinmaru is in the office reading a book as he touches the scar Towa had inflicted on him when Zero entered the room. Zero sees that Kirinmaru has a wound on his face and asks him where did he get it. Kirinmaru calls out to Zero. Zero asks Kirinmaru to not her that Sesshōmaru's daughters gave that to him. Kirinmaru tells Zero just so but Towa and Setsuna are still pups who haven't even fully grown their fangs as could barely entertain him let alone fulfilling the prophecy. Zero questions Kirinmaru this before she starts to leave. Kirinmaru calls out to Zero. Zero tells Kirinmaru to not stop her as she's only going for a walk. Kirinmaru tells Zero to not get too carried away. Zero questions Kirinmaru if he has no regard for her safety. Kirinmaru tells Zero that they should wait for Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha to grow a little more. Zero questions Kirinmaru if he doesn't know anything as the girls' powers have been sealed. Kirinmaru tells Zero that does know about that and wonders if Moroha has inherited Tōga's blood as she was still being around led around by his blood and has yet to master it. Zero tells Kirinmaru that's the shihanyō girl as she's talking about the hanyōs. Kirinmaru becomes amused. Zero tells Kirinmaru if the seal is released then even he can’t get away with just a scratch and she shall go find out during her walk before she exits the room. Kirinmaru stares at Zero. Moroha sharpens Setsuna's Kanemitsu no Tomoe before she examines it before she tells her that it's not doing so well. Setsuna tells Moroha to hand her Kanemitsu no Tomoe back as she asked the wrong person. Moroha tells Setsuna that this her professional opinion as no one around here can sharpen a blade better than her. Setsuna asks Moroha why isn't it going well. Moroha asks Setsuna how should she as the reason might be her as her demon blood has become stronger so the seal poison is affecting the Kanemitsu no Tomoe's sharpness. Setsuna wonders if she needs to speak with Miroku again. Moroha tells Setsuna maybe and to not go and blame everything on her. Setsuna tells Moroha 'no' as there's no mistaken that her skills are still not enough. Moroha becomes annoyed with Setsuna and tells her that the only thing cute about her is her face. Towa watches as Setsuna and Moroha continued to argue. Towa says good grief. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha are passing through a village assumingly to seek out Miroku for Setsuna's Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Moroha says unbelievable as there's no better sharpener than her in this town. Zero appears behind Towa and taps on her shoulder. Towa stops and looks at Zero. Zero asks Towa would she like to buy an apple. Towa asks Zero who was she. Zero introduces herself to Towa as 'Otsuyu' and she sells apples. Setsuna and Moroha stop walking. Moroha calls out to Towa and asks her what was she doing and let's go already. Zero drops her basket of apples and tells Towa that she's dried her voice out so she's selling apples before her eyes glows purple. Zero brews up a snowstorm that only her and Towa can see, even making Towa feel the chills of a snowstorm. Zero takes off her hat and tells Towa that they're in the same world and to let's make a pinky promise. Towa complies with Zero. In the midst of their ‘pinky promise’ Zero places her Azusa no Yumihari on Towa. Zero thinks to herself that Riku did well as without the Silver Rainbow Pearl protecting Towa she will easily fall into her trap. Towa's pupils blur out indicating that she is now under Zero's control. Moroha tells Towa to come on and let's go. Moroha asks Setsuna what was Towa doing. Setsuna tells Moroha that something's not right. Setsuna asks Towa what's wrong. Towa looks at Setsuna and tells her that she's sorry. Setsuna becomes surprised. Moroha tells Zero to get away from Towa. Setsuna notices Zero’s eyes and recalls that she's seen those eyes somewhere before. Zero pushes Towa forward. Moroha calls out to Towa as she goes toward her. Towa walks past Moroha towards Setsuna. Setsuna wonders when was the last time she saw Zero's eyes. Setsuna calls out to Towa before she runs towards her and catches her. Setsuna asks Towa was she okay. Towa tells Setsuna 'no' as she's not okay. Setsuna becomes surprised when Towa soon took hold of her Kanemitsu no Tomoe to keep her from using it. Setsuna asks Towa what was she doing as she struggles. Towa tells Setsuna that she doesn't know and wonders what was she doing. Zero tells Towa that's it and to keep holding Setsuna down as she walks towards them. Setsuna tells Towa to let go. Moroha notices Zero coming forward and asks her what did she do to Towa as she prepares to draw out her Kurikaramaru. Zero tells Moroha to go ahead and draw her Kurikaramaru but if she kills her then she will also kill Towa who is linked to her. Moroha stops herself from drawing her Kurikaramaru. Zero walks past Moroha and closer to Towa and Setsuna. Towa thinks to herself that Towa is not the only one who is tied to her. A visual of Rin asleep in the Sacred Tree of Ages is seen. Zero wonders just how many people would die with her before thinking of Towa currently being linked to her. Moroha asks Zero who was she. Setsuna questions Zero that could it be as she sees the hand sign. Zero confirms this with Setsuna. Setsuna tells Towa to let go of her. Zero chants the spells which releases the seal on Setsuna. Setsuna screams in agony. Moroha calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna drops her Kanemitsu no Tomoe as she screams in agony and immediately starts transforming into a full-demon as a green demonic aura surrounds her. Zero says the seal has been released.

Miroku continues to struggle of escaping from tsuchigumo's silk. Kin'u appears and tells Miroku about the delivery items. Miroku questions Kin'u. Kin'u sees Miroku stuck on the ground and tells him that he sure was coming up with strange new ways to train. Miroku tells Kin'u that he knows she knows what's going on. Kin'u tells Miroku of course before she laughs. Miroku tells Kin'u to quit laughing and help him get out of the silk. Kin'u stops laughing. Miroku tells Kin'u that he doesn't have much time as Setsuna's in danger. With Setsuna transformed into a demon, she looks at Zero and remembers when she was a child as her eyes were. In a flashback, Zero uses the Dream Gazing spell to find Towa and Setsuna. Zero says to herself look at Towa and Setsuna dream as thanks to the Dream Gazing spell that she's finally found them as she watches them sleep in the forest. Setsuna says that Zero's eyes were staring at her while she dreamt. Setsuna is angered at Zero and says that everything is all her fault. Moroha confronts Zero that she's no ordinary human. Zero confirms this with Moroha as she's no ordinary human while making hand gestures which Towa’s body mimics as she does them. Zero tells Moroha that Otsuyu is a fake name and her name is before she changes her outfit. Moroha jumps back. Zero introduces herself to Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha and she is Kirinmaru's older sister. Moroha questions Zero about being Kirinmaru's sister. Towa becomes shocked. Setsuna tells Zero that she won't forgive her. Moroha calls out to Setsuna. Zero looks at Setsuna and tells her it looks like she can still differentiate between enemy and ally but it's only a matter of time before the seething of blood will invite demonic frenzy. Zero releases Towa from her spell. Moroha calls out to Towa. Moroha pulls out her Kurikaramaru and attempts to attack Zero but she levitates in the sky. Moroha tells Zero that she's revealed her true form. The villagers run away. Moroha tells Zero that's what she's been waiting for and eat this before she attempts to attack Zero in the sky with her Crimson Dragon Wave. Zero tells Moroha that her attack lacks spirit before she easily fended it off with her staff. Moroha says oh no. Zero tells Moroha that Crimson Dragons favor white clouds and it will not obey the will of a novice like her. Takechiyo calls out to everyone as he lands near Setsuna. Takechiyo asks Setsuna what's up with her. Setsuna tells Takechiyo to not come near her. Takechiyo runs away. Moroha asks Zero how's this before she tries to use her Heavenly Arrow Barrage on her. Zero tells Moroha that her spirit power is scattered before she blocks her attack with tsuchigumo's silk. Moroha becomes surprised. Zero tells Kirinmaru won't be able to use his true strength and she needs to redo her training before she makes a departure. Moroha curses as Zero got away. Moroha asks Towa was she okay. Towa confirms this with Moroha as she's sorry and wonders where's Setsuna. Takechiyo transforms and attempts to fly away with Setsuna hunting him down. Takechiyo calls out for someone to help him. Setsuna tries to attack Takechiyo with her claws but Moroha blocks her attack with her Kurikaramaru. Setsuna's demon grows more. Moroha lands on Takechiyo and asks him was he all right. Takechiyo says thank goodness. Setsuna lands but is unable to control herself with her hair breaking open from her ponytail, her sleeves ripping and destroying the village houses while screaming uncontrollably as her venom melts away the houses. Moroha says that Setsuna's just like her when she's turned into Beniyasha. Towa tells Setsuna to calm down. Setsuna waves her arm in the air, continuing to scream uncontrollably due to the intensity of her demon powers as her arm pulsates. Sesshōmaru senses that the flow of wind has changed and has already taken notice that Setsuna still can't suppress her blood. At his house, Tōtōsai is working and suddenly senses that the training of the Blood Blade has begun. Towa tells Setsuna that she's sorry and to bear with her as she takes out her Energy Blade. Moroha asks Towa was she going to cut Setsuna. Towa tells Moroha 'no' as she's going to see if she can absorb Setsuna's demon powers. Moroha tells Towa that she's got it as she'll back her up as she prepares to fire an arrow. Towa tells Moroha thanks before she charges toward Setsuna. Moroha fires an arrow at Setsuna, who was able to fend it off. Setsuna tries to attack again but Towa blocks her with her Energy Blade. Towa attempts to absorb Setsuna's demon powers upon contact as it begin to be absorbed. Towa realizes that there's so much demon power and for Setsuna to just let her absorb her demon power. A streak of blood spreads down on Setsuna's arm and mystical purple butterfly wings break out behind Setsuna. Towa wonders what are those. Moroha tells Towa to get back. Towa moves away as she places her Kikujūmonji back in its holster. Towa becomes surprised. and wonders if it's the demon energy. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna flies off. Towa tells Setsuna to wait. Moroha says she's got no choice and if she's going to stop Setsuna then she needs to go all out too as she takes out her Beni and applies some of it. A red aura covers Moroha as her appearance charges. Moroha goes after Setsuna. Towa calls out to Moroha. In a rocky area, Moroha continues to chase down Setsuna. Moroha tells Setsuna to get back here. Setsuna looks at Moroha. Moroha jumps toward Setsuna. Setsuna tries to attack Moroha but Moroha blocks it with her Kurikaramaru. Setsuna and Moroha battle each other. Towa rides on Takechiyo as she holds Setsuna's Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Towa says it's the demon energy as it's just like the Dream Butterfly. Hisui and Kin'u meets up with Towa on Kirara's back. Hisui calls out to Towa. Towa confuses Kin'u for Gyokuto. Kinu introduces herself to Towa and she's Gyokuto's older sister. Hisui asks Towa where's Setsuna. Towa tells Hisui that Setsuna's over there fighting Moroha but she thinks Moroha's almost at her limit. Hisui tells Towa that Miroku's predicted has become true. Hisui asks Kin'u can she really do it. Kin'u questions Hisui that she has to and besides she's pretty confident in her sealing powers as the problem is she doesn't think she can stop Setsuna from moving around. Towa questions Kin'u about stopping Setsuna from moving. Kin'u says this is what she heard from Miroku that the last time this happened someone named Shiori held Setsuna down and managed to calm her. A flashback of Shiori holding Setsuna is shown. Towa tells Kin'u that she's heard about that too and she'll be the one to help calm Setsuna down and to focus on her seal. Kin'u asks Towa was she sure. Towa confirms this with Kin'u as she is Setsuna's older sister after all. Towa tells Takechiyo to let's go. Takechiyo tells Towa 'fine' as he flies forward. Hisui says that's some bravery and unlike this one older sister he knows. Kin'u becomes angry and tells Hisui to shut up and how dare he.

Meanwhile, Setsuna and Moroha continued to battle each other. Setsuna grabs Moroha's head and violently throws her against a large rocky wall. Moroha's Beniyasha form wears off. Moroha looks to see Setsuna coming towards her and thinks to herself that she's way too strong before she passes out. Setsuna is still uncontrollable and seeks to fight even more and she begins to run towards Moroha. Towa holds Setsuna back from going any further. Towa consistently tells Setsuna to calm down. In the process, Setsuna injures Towa using Light Whips. Towa tells Setsuna that it's her and to get it together. Towa’s yelling at Setsuna to calm down awakens the ‘normal’ Setsuna whom is trapped within her demon form. Setsuna internally hears Towa’s voice calling out to her and reaches for a silver light she sees within the darkness. Towa tells Setsuna to hear her as she's right here as her older sister is right here as she grabs onto her. Setsuna witnesses a gold and silver light coming together upon Towa’s consistent calling out to her. Setsuna finally begins to calm down with her eyes turning back to normal and the purple mystical butterfly wings disappear. With Setsuna settled down as Towa still holds her before she passes out. Hisui and Takechiyo rushes over to Towa and Setsuna's side. Hisui calls out to Towa and Setsuna. Hisui calls out to Kin'u. Kin'u and Kirara rushes forward. At Sunset, Setsuna lays down holding her Kanemitsu no Tomoe. Kin'u says a chant of 'On meeting an arhat, slay the arhat; on meeting your parents, slay your parents. Know that the light to your path lies there ends'. Setsuna's face and arms return back to normal but the cluster of blood on her arm hasn’t disappeared. Hisui tells Kin'u that the cluster of blood hasn't disappeared. Kin'u says that's strange. Hisui becomes annoyed. Setsuna wakes up. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna looks at Towa and calls out to her. Towa tells Setsuna that she's so glad she's back to normal. Setsuna sits up and tells Towa 'no' as she doesn't think she is unfortunately and she can still feel the blood seething as she looks at the cluster of blood on her arm. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna says she owes Zero a large debt and she’ll have to pay her back a hundredfold. At night, Riku and Zero are at Izayoi's burned mansion. Zero picks up the soil/ashes on the ground and essentially speaking to Tōga as she says this is who she was after all and wonders that's fine and all that remains are the finishing touches for Towa as she pours the soil/ashes back to the ground. Riku appears near Zero. Meanwhile in the modern era at, Osamu Kirin observes the Grim Comet. Osamu says the Grim Comet come awfully close now as it does appear even in this era. Osamu walks away and sees Sōta and Mei waiting for Moe and walks over to them. Osamu questions Sōta if that's him. Sōta and Mei notice Osamu.

Trivia

 * In Secret of the Divine Jewel, it took place in 1000 AD, a cat hanyō Gorai the Lord of the Northern Lands, who forced Datara to wear the demon mask and drove Tsugumi to seal Datara and kill her child.
 * The Grim Comet has entered the Earth's atmosphere in 1005 AD.
 * Tōga's statement to Zero about her being who she is acts as a callback to what Towa said to Riku in the previous episode.
 * This is the first time that Tōga, in his humanoid form, makes an appearance other than of the third movie via a flashback. Plus, he is seen to have wielded the mighty demon sword Sō'unga. The only difference is that its immense destructive power was not used to destroy the Grim Comet.
 * This marks Kin'u's first appearance in the present timeline as a teenager, whom Towa naturally mistakes her for Gyokuto, as they are identical twins.
 * Moroha uses Heavenly Arrow Barrage for the first time since Double-Edged Moroha.
 * This is the first time when Setsuna turns into a full demon, a crescent moon appears on her forehead.
 * The demon's skeleton of which Tōtōsai's house is made of is shown to be in perfect condition despite the fact that Sesshōmaru sent part of it to the netherworld in Episode 181.
 * The verse used by Zero to unseal Setsuna's demon blood is the same as the one Tsukiyomi used to seal Hoshiyomi.
 * The airplane landing onto Haneda Airport says "All Mippon Airways (AMA)" representing the real-life airline.

Errors

 * Tōga was wielding both Tessaiga and Tenseiga and casted a complete Meidō Zangetsuha with Tessaiga despite the fact that Tenseiga was sheared from Tessaiga to contain Meidō Zangetsuha and was entrusted to Sesshōmaru to perfect it since it was implied Tōga was unable to master it, and Tessaiga was created as a means to protect his human bride Izayoi, therefore as the flashback took place 500 years before the series, which would mean it happened nearly 300 years before Inuyasha and even Izayoi were born, Tessaiga and by extension, Tenseiga should not have existed yet.
 * During the preview, Setsuna's eyes were shown to have highlights when telling Takechiyo to stay away from her. In the actual episode, her eyes didn't have any highlights.
 * As the airplane starts to land, the top light didn't blink as the next the shot the top light is blinking before it gets the shot of the Grim Comet.

Episodi 22 (Hanyo no Yashahime)