Chapter 417

"Strong Bonds" is the 417th chapter of the InuYasha manga.

Synopsis
Inuyasha and group go to Kinka and Ginka's lair. Mōryōmaru arrives, and is told by Kanna to absorb Kinka and Ginka to improve his armored shell.

Summary
Saimyōshō have appeared around Kinka and Ginka, so Inuyasha demands to know the brothers' relationship to Naraku. They ignore the question, and Kinka says he hates bugs, and flames the insects to death, and Ginka takes that as an attack, so the two begin fighting again. The two fly off into the horizon, still battling each other. The villagers appear, relieved the demons have left. Miroku asks if they're always like that, and the villagers reply they've gone with many monks and Samurai to slay the duo, to try and find their lair while they slept. Sango and Miroku are surprised the villagers lived to tell the tale. The villagers note that Kinka and Ginka both fall asleep and awake at the exact same time, probably because they're so afraid the other will kill them in their sleep. The villagers say whenever they brought Samurai or Monks to the duo's lair, the demons woke up, and then immediately started battling each other again, ignoring the humans. Kagome is surprised that the demonic pair do not kill any humans and are focused only on each other. Inuyasha asks the villagers where the lair is, agreeing to slay the demons for them. As they head for Kinka and Ginka's lair, the group wonders why the Saimyōshō appeared, and wonder if Naraku could be trying to use the brothers somehow. Inuyasha says "This sibling rivalry is causing trouble for too many people! They should keep their problems in the family!" which makes the whole group stare at Inuyasha. Miroku says he never expected such a sentiment from Inuyasha, considering how much he and his brother have put them through. Inuyasha comically barks that Sesshōmaru started it and there's no comparison. Miroku sarcastically says "Ah yes, 'he started it', no sibling has ever said that before." and Sango wonders what Sesshōmaru would think about their conversation.

Jaken sneezes and Rin wonders if he has a cold. Jaken says he was just sneezing for lord Sesshōmaru, as he could tell he was about to do it himself, and praises himself for being such a good servant. Sesshōmaru hits Jaken for gloating.

Inuyasha and group wait outside Kinka and Ginka's lair. Kagome wonders if exterminating them is really their only option, explaining how the villagers said this kind of demon isn't usually so violent. Not when they have only one head, anyway. Inuyasha says it doesn't matter if they didn't mean to hurt anyone, their battles are causing too much damage. Miroku asks if there might be a way to separate the two, since they're just intertwined, not really joined. Kagome then says she senses a Shikon jewel shard, not as big as Naraku's, so it must be Mōryōmaru.

Kanna has led Mōryōmaru to the cave where the demon duo resides. Mōryōmaru asks what makes it so the two are tied together. Kanna says Kinka and Ginka's family bonds are strong, and their blood keeps them tied together. She says that same blood could bind Mōryōmaru even closer to his armored shell. Inuyasha and group appear on the scene, shocked to find Kanna there too, wondering if she also betrayed Naraku. Kanna tells Mōryōmaru to hurry up and devour the demons, and then his armor will be complete. Kagome confusedly wonders what's going on: first Naraku helps Inuyasha strengthen Tessaiga, and now Kanna is helping Mōryōmaru? Mōryōmaru begins to try and absorb Kinka and Ginka but Inuyasha uses his Wind Scar to try and stop him.