Chapter 397

Byakuya of the Dreams is the 397th chapter of the InuYasha manga.

Synopsis

 * Naraku's latest incarnation Byakuya uses his powers to create illusions of Mizuchi.
 * Byakuya tells Inuyasha he must use the Dragon-scaled Tessaiga to destroy Mizuchi.

Summary

 * Mizuchi remarks that the Tessaiga is interesting for absorbing his venom's power, but it makes no difference, as he has an endless supply of venom. Inuyasha changes tactics and reverts Tessaiga to the Kongōsōha, since the dragon-scaled Tessaiga has failed. Byakuya says "That won't do!" and spreads a mist around the area, creating several illusions of Mizuchi to try and confuse Inuyasha. Shippō points out to the Hanyō the Mizuchis are merely illusions, so Inuyasha swings his sword and fires diamond spears, dispelling the illusion. Miroku tries to use his Kazaana to suck up Byakuya's mist, but finds himself poisoned by Mizuchi's venom after doing so. Mizuchi escapes to the bottom of the lake, thinking to himself "Do not believe this is the end..."
 * The group rests in a hut. While tending to Miroku, Sango wonders why Inuyasha would only try to use Dragon-scaled Tessaiga once. Kagome thinks Inuyasha must be hiding something about his new ability. Inuyasha pouts outside the hut, thinking if only he'd been able to use dragon-scaled Tessaiga, Miroku wouldn't have been poisoned. Suddenly Byakuya appears and asks Inuyasha "Why didn't you use it?" Inuyasha demands to know who he is, and Byakuya introduces himself. Mist appears behind Byakuya, and Inuyasha realizes hes the one who created the illusions of Mizuchi earlier. Inuyasha attacks him with Tessaiga, but the blade goes through him and leaves only a single flower behind. Byakuya remarks that Inuyasha is rude, trying to kill him when he doesn't even know him. Inuyasha charges at Byakuya again and says he can smell the scent of Naraku, and that Byakuya is clearly an incarnation.
 * A roar comes from the forest, and Byakuya says it's Mizuchi. He told the beast where to find them. Byakuya says if Inuyasha wants to finish off the demon, he should use Dragon-scaled Tessaiga. He explains that since the demon absorbed a part of Mōryōmaru, it will regenerate no matter what he does, so the only way to defeat it is to absorb all of its demonic energy. Inuyasha draws his sword as Mizuchi comes near.