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?

Plot
Around 500 years ago in the, at the palace of Sesshōmaru's mother's where she and Zero were waiting until Tōga and Kirinmaru 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 says to Tōga the Grim Comet is receding and is thanks to him and Kirinmaru. Tōga explains it's mostly thanks to Kirinmaru as he really didn't do much. Zero tells Tōga he's being too modest and Kirinmaru sleeps so carelessly. Tōga tells Zero because she's here to look after Kirinmaru. Zero laughs and tells Tōga flattery will get him nowhere. Tōga says he shall return to the Western domain and tells Zero 'farewell' as he prepares. Zero shares her thought with Tōga and says she asks herself how long they must continue this. Tōga wonders as they are fated to journey an endless path and who knows where it will take them. Zero asks Tōga if he thinks they will have to welcome the end one day. Tōga tells Zero 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 and 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 it's admirable of him to brave the 1000 day. Miroku asks Zero who she might be. Zero addresses herself as ‘Otsuyu’ and asks Miroku for directions “toward the right path”. Miroku is left confused. Zero chants the spell that Miroku used to seal Setsuna's demon blood. Miroku is suspicious of Zero and asks who she that he doesn't sense her to be demon nor human. Zero tells Miroku it was suitable to call her a devilish woman. Miroku refuses as he already knows what would happen if he called Zero that in front of Sango and asks her what was her true purpose for being here. Zero responds to Miroku that she'll be straightforward as she would like for him to release hanyō's seal. Miroku wonders if Zero was talking about Setsuna and if he were to say no.

Zero tells Miroku by force. Miroku tells Zero she says frightful things. Zero tells Miroku that she can understand his heart so easily and training is only in name. Miroku becomes surprised. Zero says to Miroku he still cannot seem to give up on 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 and thought she doesn't have demon power. Zero steals Miroku's power of the seal he had on Setsuna to contain her demon blood by placing her hand on top of his hand as she says he's going to lend him the fruits of his training the power of the seal. Miroku is disappointed in himself for being weak-minded. Zero tells Miroku to not worry himself about such things as whatever choices they make find ourselves making in life they will never know whether they end up in heaven or hell as the monks used to say.

Towa and Setsuna are walking together when Towa 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 if she's alright and Towa simply tells her that she is fine. Moroha then comes along carrying a bucket. Setsuna informs Moroha that Jyūbei would introduce her to a blade sharpener to soon find out that Moroha is the blade sharpener that she's looking for.

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 then if it was the cause of Sesshōmaru's daughters. Kirinmaru admitted it was the half-demon princesses but they're still pups who haven't even fully grown their fangs as can barely entertain him, let alone fulfilling the prophecy. Zero questions 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 carried away. Zero questions Kirinmaru if he has no regard for her safety. Kirinmaru says they should wait for them to grow a little more. Zero questions Kirinmaru if he doesn't know anything as the girls' powers have been sealed. Kirinmaru does know she has inherited his blood as she was still being around led around by the Dog Demon's blood and has yet to master it. Zero tells Kirinmaru that's the quarter demon 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 before she goes to find out on her walk and exits the ship.

Moroha is currently sharpening Setsuna's blade but tells her it's not doing so well. Setsuna tells Moroha to return her blade since it seems that she’s asked the wrong person, insulting Moroha's abilities to blade sharpen. Moroha tells Setsuna that no one around here can sharpen a blade better than her. Setsuna wonders if she'll have to speak to Monk Miroku due to Moroha's advice that the sealed poison of her stronger demon blood is affecting its sharpness. However, Moroha starts arguing with Setsuna again due to her insulting her sharpening blade skills again.

Setsuna, Towa, and Moroha are passing through a village assumingly to seek out Miroku for Setsuna's blade. Zero appears and introduces herself as 'Otsuyu' to Towa as she appears behind her and taps on her shoulder to buy an apple. Zero brews up a snowstorm that only her and Towa can see, even making Towa feel the chills of a snowstorm. Zero tells Towa that they're in the same world and asks Towa to make a pinky promise, and in that moment Towa complies with her. In the midst of their ‘pinky promise’ Zero places a spell/trap on Towa and commends Riku for taking the Silver Pearl which can no longer protect Towa and make her easily fall into her trap. Towa's pupils blur out indicating that she is now under Otsuyu's control. Setsuna and Moroha realize that something's not right with Towa as they were standing by waiting on her. Setsuna's notices Zero’s eyes and recalls seeing those eyes somewhere before. Zero pushes Towa and Towa walks past Moroha to soon hold Setsuna down from using her blade. Towa is conscious and is able to respond what she feels when being talked to. Towa, however, has no control over body since Zero controls her instead. Zero walks towards Towa and Setsuna. Moroha insisted on drawing her blade but Zero informs Moroha that if she kills her, she'll also be killing Towa because they're linked. As Zero walks closer to Towa and Setsuna, a visual of Rin asleep in the Tree of Ages. Zero thinks to herself that she wonders just how many people would die with her before thinking of Towa currently being linked to her. Zero chants the spells which releases the seal on Setsuna and Setsuna screams in agony and immediately starts transforming into a full-demon. A green demonic aura surrounds Setsuna.

Kin'u appears and finds her father Miroku on the ground stuck by the tsuchigumo silk and makes a joke that he's finding strange new ways to train. Miroku tells Kin'u to stop laughing and help him get out of the silk worried of Setsuna's safety and not having much time. With Setsuna transformed into a demon, she is able to call that Zero's eyes were the eyes that was staring at her while she dreamt 10 years ago, the night of the forest fire with Towa. Setsuna is angered at Zero. Moroha confronts Zero saying that she's no ordinary human. Zero confirms that she isn't while making hand gestures which Towa’s body mimics as she does them. Zero changes her outfit and tells the girls that she’s Kirinmaru's sister, Zero. Zero sees that Setsuna can still differentiate between enemy and ally despite having demon blood rushing through her. Zero tells Setsuna that it's only a matter of time that the “seething of blood will invite demonic frenzy” and shortly after releases Towa from her spell. Moroha attempts to attack Zero in the sky with her Crimson Dragon Wave attack but Zero tells Moroha that her attack lacks spirit and Crimson Dragons “will not obey the will of a novice” like Moroha. Moroha tries her Heavenly Arrow Barrage on Zero but Zero blocks it with the tsuchigumo silk telling Moroha that her spirit power is scattered. Zero makes her departure telling Moroha that she needs to redo her training referencing that Kirinmaru won't be able to use his ‘true’ strength (assumingly on Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha). Takechiyo comes flying down greeting Setsuna, but Setsuna yells at Takechiyo to get away from her since she is in her demon form. With Setsuna in her demon form, her attacks are unpredictable at a much stronger power. Takechiyo transforms and attempts to fly away with Setsuna hunting him down. After Moroha luckily saves Takechiyo by blocking Setsuna with her sword, she asks him if he was alright. Takechiyo responds back by saying, “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. Setsuna seems to have a poison ability that melts away anything stricken by it as shown by the village house she attacked. Moroha compares Setsuna's state to her Beniyasha form and 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 which we then see a transition showing her father, Sesshōmaru. Sesshōmaru senses that the flow of wind has changed and has already taken notice that Setsuna still can't suppress her blood. We are then shown a short scene of Tōtōsai working and sensing that the training of the “Blood Blade” has begun. Towa draws out her sword and attempts to absorb Setsuna's demon powers upon contact. Setsuna's demon powers begin to be absorbed by Towa's blade, however it appears that due to the intensity of it, a streak of blood spreads down on Setsuna's arm. Followed by the streak of blood, mystical purple butterfly wings break out behind Setsuna. Setsuna flies off but Moroha intends to stop her and decides to transform into Beniyasha to catch up to her.

Moroha chases down Setsuna and takes her to a place where they battle each other as well. Towa hops on Takechiyo's back to catch up with Setsuna and Moroha. Hisui and Kin'u meets up with Towa on Kirara's back and Towa informs the two about Setsuna and Moroha. Kin'u plans on sealing Setsuna's demon powers saying she's pretty confident in her skill of doing so. Towa, Hisui and Kin'u makes plans in working together to calm down Setsuna. Kin'u could try to seal her but she needs someone to hold her and watch. Towa decides to do it and Hisui admires what an older sister is not like a certain older sister that she knows by making Kin'u angry.

Meanwhile, Setsuna and Moroha are in battle with each other. Setsuna grabs Moroha's head and violently throws her against a large rocky wall. Moroha's Beniyasha form wears off and has final thoughts of seeing how strong Setsuna is. Moroha then passes out from using up her demon energy. Setsuna is still uncontrollable and seeks to fight even more, but as she begins to run Towa holds her back from going any further. Towa consistently tells Setsuna to calm down and in the process Setsuna injures Towa using a “Light Whip” attack, inherited from Sesshōmaru. 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. Setsuna witnesses a gold and sliver light coming together upon Towa’s consistent calling out to her and with Towa loudly saying, “Your older sister is right here!“, Setsuna finally begins to calm down with her eyes turning back to normal and the purple mystical butterfly wings disappearing.

With Setsuna settled down as Towa still holds her, Hisui and Kin'u rushes over to their side. Setsuna lays down holding her naginata and Kin'u chants the exact spell used by Miroku to seal her demon blood. Setsuna's face and arms return back to normal, however the cluster of blood on her arm that appeared when Towa tried to absorb her demonic powers hasn’t disappeared. Setsuna wakes up and Towa is glad she is back to normal. Setsuna however looks at the cluster of blood on her arm and believes that she isn’t back to normal because she can feel the blood in her arm “seething”. Setsuna says she owes “that woman” a large debt and she’ll have to pay her back a hundredfold.

Zero and Riku are at the mansion where the Great Dog-Demon passed away and where Izayoi birthed Inuyasha. Zero picks up the soil/ashes on the ground and essentially speaking to the Great Dog-Demon saying, “This is who I am after all. That’s fine isn’t it My Lord?” Zero pours the ashes back to the ground and is scheming another plan and says “All that remains are the finishing touches for the other half-demon girl.” Meanwhile in the Modern era at the airport, Towa’s homeroom teacher, Osamu Kirin observes the Grim Comet saying it’s come ‘awfully close’ in this era. Osamu Kirin sees Sōta Higurashi with his young daughter Mei, who are waiting for Moe, and walks up to them saying “Well, well. Mr. Higurashi, is that you?”

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.
 * Kirinmaru still has a scar from his first confrontation and fight with Towa in Episode 18.
 * 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.
 * Rin is revealed to be linked to Zero, which could explain Sesshōmaru's inaction when Zero had the forest his daughters were in burned.
 * Setsuna sprouting butterfly wings seems to be a side-effect of the Dream Butterfly's curse.
 * Setsuna vaguely recalls seeing Zero's green eyes before, while she had slept and dreamed a decade before.
 * This is the first time that Sesshōmaru's mother, in her humanoid form, makes an appearance other than of Episode 9 (FA) via flashback. Plus, she is seen wears the Meidō Stone, while she and Zero waited as Tōga and Kirinmaru are going to destroy the Grim Comet.
 * 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 as a teenager, whom Towa naturally mistakes her Gyokuto, as they are identical twins.
 * Moroha uses Heavenly Arrow Barrage for the first time since Double-Edged Moroha.
 * This is the first when Setsuna turns into a full demon, a crescent moon appears on her forehead.
 * As Moroha watches Setsuna go berserk in her full demon form, this reminds her of a time during a flashback in Double-Edged Moroha when she also lost control of her Beniyasha form and also went on a rampage.
 * 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.

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.

Episodi 22 (Hanyo no Yashahime)