Episode 23 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Three Princesses Strike Back is the twenty-third episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis
Towa and Setsuna are willing 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?

Summary
At, Osamu walks over to Sōta and Mei. Osamu questions Sōta if that's him. Sota and Mei notice Osamu. Osamu greets Sōta. Sōta tells Osamu 'sorry' as he doesn't recall his name. Osamu informs Sota that he is Towa’s homeroom teacher and introduces himself. Sōta and Mei greet Osamu. Osamu Kirin asks Sōta how was Towa been doing these days as ever since she transferred she's been absent. Sōta tells Osamu that Towa's neuralgia has subsided but her rheumatism is still. Osamu tells Sōta that he hopes Towa takes care. Moe appears after returning back from a flight and says she's back. Mei waves to Moe. Moe thanks Sōta and Mei for picking her up. Mei hugs Moe and tells her welcome back. Moe notices Osamu and thanks him for always looking out for Towa. Osamu tells Moe that it's no trouble at all. Mei asks Moe did she bring her a gift. Moe tells Mei 'yes' and of course she did. Mei says apples as it's Towa's favorite and it looks tasty and she wants to eat it now. Osamu questions Sōta that the Grim Comet has gotten closer as he believes it's been 500 years. Sōta asks Osamu where does he mean as he looks around in the sky. Osamu tells Sōta that he doesn't know the particulars but it's a that is said to approach Earth every 470 years. Sōta tells Osamu that he's been hearing people talk about it here and there but it shouldn’t be visible yet to the naked eye as he can’t see where it is at all. Osamu thinks to himself that he sees as a normal person can't see the Grim Comet at all as he can clearly see the comet just fine. In the Feudal Era, Kirinmaru looking up at the comet in the night sky on his ship and realizes that the Grim Comet does appear in the modern era and he suppose he cannot continue to ignore it. 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. Zero calls out to Riku, who appears near her. Riku tells Zero that he's here. Zero asks Riku if he would know and to tell her how the other daughter can manifest her true powers. Riku asks Zero was she talking about Towa. Zero questions Riku who else could she be talking about. Riku tells Zero 'yes' as Towa is the kindest person. A flashback of Towa and Setsuna battling Kirinmaru is seen. Riku tells Zero that he doesn’t believe Towa has any powers within her. Zero tells Riku if he says so then she’ll take his word for it. Riku tells Zero 'yes' as he's sorry he couldn't be of more use. Zero questions Riku that he's really not good at telling lies as it's fine and she'll make some tea as he should have some. Riku and Zero walk away. At Shikabaneya, Moroha is currently sleeping inside. Jyūbei, Towa, and Setsuna are outside talking to each other. Jyūbei inspects the streak of blood on Setsuna’s arm and tells her that he believes this is a Blood Blade. Setsuna questions Jyūbei about the Blood Blade. Towa asks Jyūbei what's a Blood Blade. Jyūbei tells Towa and Setsuna if they truly are the daughters of Sesshōmaru then they have inherited the blood of a great dog demon and this means that things such as poison claws and blades of blood and demon energy flow within them and at times their bodies will bring these things forth as that's what he hears anyway. Towa questions Jyūbei that's what he hears as he can be pretty vague sometimes. Jyūbei tells Towa that of course and that's because he's never seen with his own eyes. Setsuna says that one day she will be able. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna questions to use her Blood Blade. Jyūbei tells Setsuna to ask her own blood. Setsuna's Blood Blade pulsed. Moroha wakes up and tells Jyūbei, Towa, and Setsuna that was a good night's rest. Setsuna tells Moroha that she's up. Moroha asks Towa and Setsuna how are they doing. Moroha tells Jyūbei good morning and wonders if he got any juicy bounty hunting jobs. Jyūbei tells Moroha that he doesn't know about but there are some nice people who'd like to hire her. Moroha asks Jyūbei who was it. Towa and Setsuna tells Moroha that was them. Towa tells Moroha that she and Setsuna will pay her their share of Tōtetsu's bounty and all of it. Moroha asks Towa and Setsuna that they want to hire her and wonders what led them to this turn of events. Hisui and Takechiyo comes along bringing a branch with Zero’s Azusa no Yumihari on it. Takechiyo asks Towa and Setsuna this is what they wanted. Hisui says the Azusa no Yumihari is here before he places it on the ground. Hisui says it's a tsuchigumo web. Towa smells the branch of tsuchigumo and says 'yeah' as it really reeks of Zero's smell. Setsuna tells Towa that now they'll know where to find Zero. Moroha questions Setsuna that woman and does she mean. Setsuna tells Towa and Moroha that once dawn breaks they're going to slay Zero. Moroha becomes surprised. Setsuna says it's time to fully repay her debt to Zero. Hisui and Moroha look at each other for a moment. Moroha happily agrees to join Towa and Setsuna to hunt Zero down. Moroha says all right and let's get to it.

At the palace of Sesshōmaru's mother's, Kirinmaru visits Sesshōmaru’s mother. Kirinmaru tells Sesshomaru's mother that it's been a while and respectfully addressing her as 'Ladyship' as he bows to her. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that it has been a while and was he well. Kirinmaru confirms this with Sesshōmaru's mother and tells her that it's wonderful to see she's beautiful as always. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that no need for flattery and to stop calling her by that name as that era has long since passed. Kirinmaru tells Sesshōmaru's mother that it seems Zero has been causing her some trouble. Sesshōmaru's mother questions Kirinmaru that Zero has not changed as she seems to be meddling in the affairs of Sesshōmaru's daughters but she struggles to see the point. Kirinmaru agrees with Sesshōmaru's mother. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that Zero can do what she wants as she cares not what happens to Towa and Setsuna and besides a hanyō's true worth comes from survival. Kirinmaru tells Sesshōmaru's mother that he's glad to hear that and since he is being targeted by Towa and Setsuna and he's afraid he simply cannot let them go unharmed. Kirinmaru looks at the Windmill of Time nearby. Kirinmaru asks Sesshōmaru's mother has the Windmill of Time moved at all. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that the Windmill of Time has not and she hasn't even seen Akuru these past several years. Kirinmaru tells Sesshōmaru's mother that Sesshōmaru is having some difficulty finding Akuru’s pinwheel. Sesshomaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that she's sure that is just Sesshōmaru's way of passing time. Kirinmaru tells Sesshōmaru's mother that he thinks Sesshōmaru’s true intention is to take care of Towa and Setsuna. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Kirinmaru that cannot be possible as that would almost make Sesshōmaru seem human. Kirinmaru agrees with Sesshōmaru's mother before he looks at the Windmill of Time. At Izayoi's burned mansion, Takechiyo fly Towa and Setsuna there and drops them off. Takechiyo tells Towa and Setsuna to see them later and good luck before he flies away. Towa and Setsuna nod to each other before they split into different directions to find Zero. Towa succeeds in finding Zero and prepares to pull out her Kikujūmonji. Zero tells Towa that she's faced many different people throughout the years but she is beyond understanding and what an odd girl she is truly. Towa questions Zero that she can take that as a compliment before pulls out her Kikujūmonji. Zero tells Towa that of course and to show her the hidden powers as she'd like to see her prowess for herself as takes out her staff. Zero and Towa currently cross weapons with each other. Setsuna ends up encountering Riku. Setsuna tells Riku that she knew it and she wasn't wrong when she thought he smelled like Kirinmaru. Riku asks Setsuna would she honor him with a fight. Setsuna asks Riku was he fine with her as Towa's the one he really wants. Riku tells Setsuna that she got him where it hurts. Setsuna and Riku are also currently in an intense battle with each other. Setsuna uses her Cyclone Burst at Riku but he deflects it, making her surprised. Setsuna uses her Scourge of Swallows on Riku but he blocks it. Riku smirks. Zero and Towa battle each other. Towa tries to attack Zero with her Energy Blade but Zero uses the powers in her staff on her. Towa flies back on the ground. Zero notices an arrow shot from the sky and hit the burned, causing some of it to explode. Zero covers for a moment to see Moroha comes flying in on Kirara’s back. Moroha uses her Crimson Dragon Wave on Zero. Zero tells Moroha to eat this before she deflects Moroha’s attack. Moroha thought she defeated Zero for a moment until she noticed her. Zero questions Moroha about attempting revenge so soon and she likes her. Zero uses her Azusa no Yumihari on Moroha. Moroha dodged Zero's attack on Kirara. Moroha tells Zero that she already knows how her attacks works and she has her life now and to prepare herself before she uses her Crimson Dragon Wave. Zero questions Moroha didn't she tell her that her Crimson Dragons does not work on her as they favor white clouds before she deflects her attack. Moroha tells Zero that she knows. Moroha Towa’s modern day umbrella like an arrow sending her Crimson Dragon Wave back to Zero. Moroha tells Zero that she borrowed the auto-open umbrella from Towa. Zero tells Moroha well then. Zero uses her staff to sends the Crimson Dragon Wave attack once more at Moroha. Moroha tells Zero that this is what she was really waiting for before she uses her Crimson Backlash Wave. Zero is caught off guard but Riku jumps in and throws the ashes of Tōga to disperse Moroha's Crimson Backlash Wave attack, causing it to subside completely. Moroha becomes surprised and wonders what is that. Myōga appears on Moroha’s shoulder and tells her that those are his Master’s ashes. Moroha questions Myōga that he was here. Myōga asks Moroha what was she talking about as he has always been by her side. Moroha tells Myōga whatever he says and asks when he says "master" means her grandfather Tōga. Myōga said that's right, and tells Moroha that this place is where Tōga perished so it wouldn't be strange if his demon powers had seeped into the dirt. Moroha becomes annoyed. Myōga tells Moroha that the Backlash Wave was originally Tessaiga's technique and it was something developed by Tōga as it's hardly surprising if his ashes end up diffusing the reversed flow of demon energy. Moroha asks Myōga what was she supposed to then never mind as she guesses she just has to go with the flow. Moroha lands on the ground as Kirara flies away. Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha gather up and surrounds Riku and Zero. Riku tells Zero that looks like they've been surrounded. Zero tells Riku that at least he should be able to get away. Riku tells Zero that he would never such a heartless thing and addresses her as 'Madam'. Towa becomes and tells Riku that the one who he said looked after him is Zero. Riku confirms this with Zero. Moroha tells Towa that's why she shouldn’t have given Riku the Silver Rainbow Pearl. Setsuna asks Riku and Zero that they can assume that both of them are in league with Kirinmaru. Riku tells Setsuna that he can neither confirm nor deny that. Myōga jumps on Moroha’s shoulder and tells her that it's out of the question to battle at the place where Tōga passed away and she should retreat for now. Moroha tells Myōga that she gets that it's not good to fight here but, Myōga asks Moroha what is it. Moroha tells Myōga that doesn't matter right now and wonders why back down from a fight they could win. Myōga tells Moroha that she's a disrespectful granddaughter to Tōga and why did he bother before he bounces off making his escape. Moroha says there Myōga goes. Setsuna questions Riku why doesn't he return the Silver Rainbow Pearl that he took from Towa. Zero tells Riku to go ahead and give Silver Rainbow Pearl back. Riku tells Zero that she has to be joking as he went through so much trouble to gather all the Rainbow Pearls here. Zero becomes confused. Riku turns to Zero. Zero becomes shocked and asks Riku that he's gathered all the Rainbow Pearls and it wasn't just the Silver Rainbow Pearl he stole. Riku tells Zero 'no' as he has 5 Rainbow Pearls on him plus the Gold Rainbow Pearl in Setsuna’s right eye and the Red Rainbow Pearl in Moroha’s Beni. Zero says how humiliating and to think all her tears returned to her at the place where Tōga died as this must be some kind of fate as well. Riku tells Zero that he was meaning to hand the Rainbow Pearls to her after he had them all but as he takes out the 5 Rainbow Pearls in a bag. Zero becomes angry and tells Riku how dare he. Riku becomes surprised. Zero tells Riku how dare he bring back the 7 Rainbow Pearls to her and she will show him who the true owner of the Rainbow Pearls are as she uses her powers to gather all 7 of the Pearls, including Setsuna’s Gold Rainbow Pearl and Moroha’s Red Rainbow Pearl that leaves their possession without hesitation.

All of the 7 Rainbow Pearls currently floats and spins on top of Zero’s head. Setsuna’s Blood Blade on her arm immediately reacts after the Gold Rainbow Pearl had been forced out of her eye. Towa calls out to Setsuna. Setsuna’s Blood Blade currently stretches out of her arm, intimidating her for a moment. Setsuna thinks to herself the Blood Blade started acting up as seen as the Gold Rainbow Pearl flew out. Zero wickedly starts attacking Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha with her staff and tells them to not get so full of themselves. Setsuna tells Zero to stop it. Setsuna jumps in the air while her Blood Blade has grown out exceptionally from her arm. Setsuna uses her Blood Blade to directly strike Zero and blood gushes out from her shoulder causing Zero to immediately faint. Setsuna’s attack leaves Riku, Towa, and Moroha completely shocked and the 7 Rainbow Pearls that was floating around Zero’s head falls to the ground as well. Near the Sacred Tree, Akuru running by with a spinning pinwheel in front of Sesshōmaru and Jaken. Jaken tells Sesshōmaru about the pinwheel they saw. Sesshōmaru tells Jaken that it was Akuru and there's no mistake before he walks away. Jaken asks Sesshōmaru will he not give chase. Sesshōmaru doesn’t pay mind to Jaken’s words and walks into the Sacred Tree, vanishing upon entering. Jaken calls out to Sesshōmaru as he follows him and also vanishes as he enters the Sacred Tree. The Windmill of Time slightly rotates counter-clockwise. On his ship, Kirinmaru has taken notice that the Windmill of Time has moved. Sesshōmaru and Jaken currently watches Rin asleep in the Sacred Tree. At Izayoi's burned mansion, Zero is taking her last breaths after being stricken by Setsuna’s Blood Blade. Riku repeatedly calls out to Zero and tells her to hang in there as he shakes her. Rin's eyes opens up slightly. Jaken becomes surprised and calls out to Rin. Sesshōmaru becomes surprised. Rin’s eyes and mouth opens inaudibly within the Sacred Tree. Sesshōmaru knows that Zero is dying and wonders who struck her. In the, Zero appears and realizes this is the Underworld and she sees. At her palace, Sesshōmaru’s mother is able to see Zero pass through the Underworld with her Meidō Stone. Sesshōmaru's mother asks Zero was she planning to pass without even a greeting but they were not that close she supposes and wonders that age has finally got to her as it's auspicious. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother 'no' as she was killed by Setsuna. Sesshōmaru’s mother laughs at Zero and tells her that is hilarious. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she didn't say a joke. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Zero that she got so wound up over Towa and Setsuna and that's what meddling gets her. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she may be right and regardless as she's feeling much better now and that's because Sesshōmaru must be feeling downright miserable. Sesshōmaru's mother asks Zero is that so. Zero tells Sesshomaru's mother that the human who is Sesshōmaru's wife is still connected to her and if she dies then Rin dies as well. Sesshōmaru's mother becomes annoyed. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that this is so delightful and she's sure Rin will soon pass this way. Sesshōmaru's mother is still annoyed. Zero asks Sesshōmaru’s mother when Izayoi passed through the Underworld in the past how did she feel and didn't she feel just as relieved as she was now and didn't her heart just dance. Sesshōmaru's mother's head turned slightly. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that after all Izayoi is the woman who led Tōga to his death and she couldn't help but feel disdain. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Zero how boorish. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that these are her last moments and wonders can't she spare her the falsehoods at the very least and an offering to the woman who wasn't chosen by Tōga. Sesshōmaru’s mother tells Zero that she has no interest in humans and she has no words to offer her. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she sees and walks away. Sesshōmaru’s mother asks Zero that she has no offering and wonders what was it that she wanted to do. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she just wanted to protect Kirinmaru from humans and hanyōs before she walks away. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Zero that she's telling her to spare her falsehoods. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she still talks like she can see through everything and she doesn't like her after all. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Zero that she shall take that as a compliment. Zero tells Sesshōmaru's mother that she hates human and hanyōs especially those who did nothing more than inherited Tōga's blood as she walks the path of the Underworld. Sesshōmaru's mother tells Zero that it was jealousy and how incredibly human of her. Zero questions Sesshōmaru's mother about a human and becomes furious. Back at Izayoi's burned mansion, Riku calls out to Zero before he gently holds and places down her body on the ground. Shortly after, Sesshōmaru appears in front of all of them. Towa and Moroha call out to Sesshōmaru. Sesshōmaru asks Setsuna why didn’t she use her own blade. Setsuna responds to Sesshōmaru by showing her the Blood Blade in her arm and tells him that she cut Zero with it and wonders is this not her own blade. Sesshōmaru walks forward and draws his Tenseiga in front of Zero’s dead body as he sees beings from the Underworld. In the midst of the moment, Zero in the Underworld is infuriated by Sesshōmaru’s mother and asks her what part of her makes her human-like. Sesshōmaru’s mother tells Zero that women who burn from love and how pitiful. Sesshōmaru uses his Tenseiga to slice the minions of the Underworld that surrounds Zero’s corpse. Towa and Moroha become surprised. Towa wonders did Sesshōmaru just cut something. Zero disappears from the Underworld and comes back to life. Moroha questions that Zero came back to life. Rin, who’s eyes and mouth were still open in the Sacred Tree, immediately closes once again the moment Zero was brought back to life. Jaken tells Rin that was a close one. Setsuna becomes surprised and wonders how did Zero come back to life. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna that it's the Tenseiga as she's heard rumors about it. Towa questions Moroha about the Tenseiga. Moroha tells Towa and Setsuna that she doesn't know the details but Sesshōmaru's Tenseiga is a sword that saves the lives of the weak. Towa realizes that's why Zero came back to life. Zero becomes angry at Sesshōmaru and tells him that it was him. Towa and Moroha become shocked. Zero stands up from the ground and tells Sesshōmaru to not tell her that he used the Tenseiga. Sesshōmaru looks at his Tenseiga. Zero repeatedly tells Sesshōmaru that she won’t forgive him and wonders of all things how could he have used Tōga's fang to bring her back to life. Sesshōmaru looks at Zero and tells her that he knew of no other method. Riku tells Zero to calm down. Zero summons the seven Rainbow Pearls back to her. Seeing Zero in an emotional, raging state; Towa relates herself with Zero. Towa thinks to herself that living in this world is hard and if you don’t follow the set rules then you’re treated as an outcast and she was so tired of it when she was in the modern era. Zero tells Sesshōmaru that she won't forgive him. Seeing Zero in an emotional, raging state, Towa thinks to herself that Zero is feeling now is probably like how she felt back then. Zero tells Sesshōmaru that she won't forgive him before she uses her staff and out of anger to break Sesshōmaru’s Tenseiga. Sesshōmaru becomes shocked as he calls out to his Tenseiga. Zero tells Sesshōmaru that she lost her sense of self and she had always thought to leave disposing of his daughters to Kirinmaru but she can’t take it anymore as she will deal with Towa and Setsuna herself and she will no longer falter as this is who she is after all as an aura surrounds her. Zero commands Riku to bring her the Rainbow Pearls the source of her demon powers. Riku tells Zero to wait. In the midst of Riku hesitating Zero’s commands, Kirinmaru makes his grand entrance to Sesshōmaru, Riku, Zero, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha. Zero becomes surprised as she calls out to Kirinmaru. Towa says she was wondering when Kirinmaru would show up. Moroha says no wonder Myōga bolted when he could. The episode concludes with Kirinmaru’s grand entrance.

Trivia

 * Sōta using a faux illness as an excuse for Towa's absences is similar to what Grandpa used to do for Kagome in the original series.
 * Tenseiga broken by Zero is similar to Goshinki breaking Tessaiga in Tessaiga Breaks.
 * 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. This likely foreshadowed the emotional scene that was to take place.
 * Moroha has heard of Tenseiga but not Tessaiga (she did not learn about Tessaiga until The Cat Juan at the Old Temple) despite the fact that Tenseiga was originally a part of Tessaiga.
 * This marks the first appearance of Sesshōmaru's mother in the present timeline since her debut.

Error

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

Episodi 23 (Hanyo no Yashahime)