Episode 23 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

"The Three Princesses' Strike Back" is the twenty-third episode of Hanyō no Yashahime. It is the penultimate episode of the anime.

Summary
Towa and Setsuna tend to go after Zero, wanting to end her personally in retribution for what she did to Setsuna. However, Riku shows up and fights against Moroha to defend the lady who looked after him all those centuries ago. Just what revelations will be revealed in this battle between the creator of the seven mystical Rainbow Pearls and the prophetic half-demon twins?

Plot
Towa and Setsuna enlist Mohoha's help to fight Zero. They track her all the way to the palace where Toga died and Riku makes a stand to protect his master. In the occasion, Riku reveals that he had achieved his objective of gathering all Rainbow Pearls before Zero, who gets angry at him and retrieves all the pearls to restore her powers. Setsuna takes advantage of her loss of composure and deals Zero a fatal blow with her awakening blood blade. As Zero makes the passage to the afterlife, she reveals that her life is connected to Rin's, and finds some joy at knowing that Sesshōmaru's wife will die with her until Sesshōmaru uses a restored Tenseiga to revive her. Zero is furious at Sesshōmaru for his interference, when Lord Kirinmaru appears before them.

Trivia

 * Sōta Higurashi uses a faux illness as an excuse for Towa's absences is similar to what Grandpa Higurashi used to do for Kagome in the original series.
 * Zero is resurrected by Tenseiga, therefore saving Rin as well by sending her back into deep sleep.
 * The following episode's preview contains rain instead of the usual music and is mostly silent with the exception of the title card being read.

Error

 * Before Zero is killed by Setsuna, the gold Pearl is missing among the gathered Rainbow pearls.