Episode 170

Meido Zangetsuha is the third episode of InuYasha: The Final Act.

Summary
The blade of healing, Tenseiga, which cannot cut anything belonging to the world of the living, has summoned the swordsmith Totosai; thanks to the growing compassion in Sesshomaru's heart, Tenseiga has judged him worthy to wield its hidden offensive technique.

Elsewhere, Inuyasha's group stay at the demon inn, not knowing it's the site of the Fox Demon Exam; Shippo might just get a good grade for getting revenge on Inuyasha. They also come across a girl named Mujina, who has a demon blade that can absorb demonic energy, even from Tessaiga.

Plot
Rin and Jaken are amusing themselves while Sesshōmaru sits on a cliff nearby, thinking about Kagura's death; for someone who is supposed to be cold-hearted, this is truly affecting him. Tōtōsai appears, and tells Sesshōmaru he was summoned by Tenseiga, explaining the blade has been agitated for the last few days. Totosai takes notice that Tokijin is gone, which Sesshomaru replies to by saying his claws are more than enough to kill him. He requests the blade from Sesshōmaru, stating it is time to reforge Tenseiga into a weapon; Totosai explains now that Sesshomaru has experienced anger at the death of another, Tenseiga has successfully taught him kindness and compassion. Sesshomaru is intrigued by Totosai's claim.

Back in Kaede's village. Shippō talks to her, while Sango talks to Miroku. Sango is upset about Kohaku leaving, but Miroku comforts her. She makes sure it's not Shippo after giving him permission to leave; he tried something like this two episodes ago. Shippo arrives with Kaede, and feels insulted that she doesn't trust him. Kaede explains that it's Miroku who Sango doesn't trust. Back in her own time, Kagome and her friends are turning in applications and preparing for exams.

Kagome and Inuyasha return to the Feudal Era where they join up with Shippō, Miroku, and Sango to continue their hunt for Naraku. As they are traveling, Shippō sees Fox Fire; he wonders if some of his kind are around. He is hit and knocked down. Everyone rushes to see what attacked Shippō. Inuyasha, Sango, Kagome and Miroku find a demon inn. The doors open to reveal beautiful women who invite them in. Miroku firmly says they must stay, much to Sango's anger; Kagome inquires if it's to exorcise demons, but Inuyasha assures her that that's not the case. Inside, Miroku enjoys the company of the women, who are amazed by actually getting to meet a monk; Miroku humbly accepts their praise. Pieces of paper float down to each maiden, who turn into foxes and fly away; they thank him for helping them advantage in rank. Miroku is left confused, until Sango flatly tells him he was bewitched by demons.

Shippō wakes in the forest to find other young fox demons like himself. They explain that the inn is the exam site for the Fox Demon Promotion Exam. The leaf on Shippō's head is his ticket; apparently they hit any fox demon on the head if they venture close to the exam. When the other demons explain that the have to trick Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku to advance in rank, and race off to scare Kagome, Shippō decides he must save Kagome. Inuyasha steps on Shippō and asks where he is off to. Shippō uses his fox magic to knock Inuyasha down and a note appears and floats into Shippō's hands.

Kagome is not scared by the young fox demons, and Inuyasha bashes them all on the head. They each receive a "Fail" grade for the battle and leave. They come across Shippō and are all very excited about his rise of 5 ranks to level 25. Shippō decides that beating up Inuyasha to gain rank sounds like a great idea.

Shippō leads his new friends on an attack on Inuyasha that nets them all points. The demons continue to fool and trick Inuyasha and the others, gaining points and rank (Shippō gets to 24th rank), until dawn arrives. Inuyasha and Kagome are walking through the forest when Inuyasha stops and calls out a challenge. When no one responds he attacks the woods. Shippō is hiding behind a tree stump when a young girl named Mujina arrives and speaks to him.

Inuyasha uses his Wind Scar on the woods again, but the demonic energy is diverted and absorbed. Mujina holds out her sword, which is absorbing the energy of the Wind Scar. Shippō and she escape, and she thanks him. She says she is powering up her sword so she can avenge her father's death. Shippō taunts Inuyasha into using his Wind Scar again so that Mujina can absorb the demonic energy with her sword. When Inuyasha tries to use his Wind Scar again, there is no energy released.

Mujina and Shippō come out of the woods, and Mujina uses a Wind Scar on Inuyasha. Mujina laughs and says she is going to take over the world, but Inuyasha shows up and criticizes her use of the Wind Scar. He blocks her next attempt to attack. She surrenders, asking for death, and Shippō defends her. She grabs Shippō and demands Tessaiga from Inuyasha in exchange for Shippō's life. Inuyasha punches her and she releases Shippō and is revealed to be an old Tanuki. Inuyasha shatters the demon's sword, kicks the demon to the hills and Tessaiga absorbs back its energy from the broken blade. Inuyasha considers the broken Dakki and its strong ability to absorb demonic energy. Sesshōmaru stands before Tōtōsai and draws Tenseiga. An ogre appears and Sesshōmaru attacks it. His blade rips open a path to the Underworld and literally sends the ogre's body into the Underworld. This attack is called Meidō Zangetsuha.

Trivia

 * This is the only episode that features Kitsune demons that are almost the same age as Shippō; they also display similar personality traits.
 * This episode shows that Sesshōmaru has developed a caring heart, thus Tenseiga became a true weapon, and now able to use the Meidō Zangetsuha.