281-285

Chapter 281: Can I Keep a Panda? 

In the original story, Old Tang only awakened as the “Dragon King Norton” after infiltrating Cassell College under Lu Mingze’s commission, meeting Constantine, and witnessing his death right before his eyes. 

But now, Constantine had been intercepted early by Uchiha Hikari. 

Still, with Lu Mingze’s methods, there were likely other ways to ensure Old Tang’s awakening went smoothly. 

Uchiha Hikari didn’t press Lu Mingze for details on his plan. Instead, she casually brought up the reason for her visit. “I heard Norton once forged an alchemical weapon called the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ to kill his seven siblings. And that it’s sealed somewhere in this ‘Bronze City’... is that right?” 

“...You mean this?” 

Lu Mingze paused for a moment before waving his hand. 

With a ripple in the air, a rectangular, ancient-looking box appeared on the bronze floor. 

With a gentle tap from Lu Mingze on the box’s groove, a click sounded, and the mechanisms inside fanned out, revealing seven distinct blades—ranging from a heavy, horse-slaying sword to a curved yatagan, an elegant straight blade, and even a short wakizashi. Each weapon was adorned with intricate, arcane patterns, their edges shimmering with a dark golden glow. 

“Whoa~” 

Uchiha Hikari’s eyes narrowed slightly. 

Gotta say, the “Seven Deadly Sins” looked seriously cool. 

Each of the seven blades corresponded to a famous sword from around the world, each tied to a specific sin. Forged by Norton himself, their designs were sharper and more refined than anything human hands could craft, like a set of art pieces. 

—It was hard to tell if these designs were Norton’s original creations or if he’d “borrowed” them from the human world. If it was the former, then the “King of Bronze and Fire” had some seriously good taste. 

On the other side, Lu Mingze tilted his chin up. “So, wanna give it a try?” 

“Can I?” 

Uchiha Hikari asked, just to be sure. 

With Lu Mingze’s nod, she stepped forward and tried pulling one of the blades. 

...It wouldn’t budge. 

Well, that made sense. 

According to the lore, the “Seven Deadly Sins” had a bloodline detection system. Only hybrids with A-rank or higher blood purity, or pureblood dragons, could wield them. Uchiha Hikari didn’t meet those requirements. 

Still, every restriction has its limits. 

If someone had enough raw strength, they could probably brute-force their way past the restriction and pull the blades out, even without dragon blood. But Uchiha Hikari, delicate as she was, clearly didn’t have that kind of muscle. 

“...What a shame.” 

“That’s a billion dollars down the drain...” 

Uchiha Hikari sighed, dismissing the fleeting thought of selling the “Seven Deadly Sins” to Cassell College for a fortune. In a lazy tone, she added, “If there’s nothing else to talk about, let’s part ways here. You handle Norton’s stuff, and don’t forget to save me some of his blood samples.” 

“Got it.” 

Lu Mingze’s form flickered, then slowly faded into the air. 

—Like Minato Namikaze, this guy was a spiritual entity, his true body sealed in the ruins of Black Swan Bay. He didn’t need to pass through the guardian spirits’ gate to enter or leave the “Bronze City.” 

Uchiha Hikari, though, had to walk back the old-fashioned way. 

On her way out, she rummaged through the remaining rooms and courtyards in the “Bronze City,” finding a few scrolls written in ancient Han script—likely left behind by Norton when he was still “Li Xiong.” 

She also found some antique cups and decorative items. 

Since they were unclaimed, she pocketed them all, planning to study them later to see if they held any clues about alchemy. If they did, she could tinker with them alongside Kikyo and Minato. If not, they’d make nice collectibles. 

... 

That evening, Uchiha Hikari took Eri and the others to a nearby city to try some authentic Sichuan hotpot. 

For Esdeath and Eri, it was a totally new experience. 

Eri, with her Japanese preference for milder flavors, got hit hard by the spicy broth, sticking out her tongue and fanning herself with her hands. 

Esdeath, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, keeping her cool the whole time. 

Well... seemingly unfazed. 

If you looked closely, you’d notice Esdeath chugging water at an alarming rate and subtly using her “Demon’s Essence” ability to conjure ice cubes for herself. 

“You okay?” Esdeath crunched a few ice cubes, swallowed, and glanced at Uchiha Hikari. 

“...Nah, it’s nothing.” Uchiha Hikari grinned and passed her juice over. “Hook me up with some of that.” 

“?” 

Though a bit confused, Esdeath snapped her fingers, freezing a few ice shards into the juice. The sight made Xia Mi, sitting nearby, look on with envy. “Man, Esdeath’s yanrei is so cool. Instant ice without even chanting dragon script? That’s just too handy.” 

“Well, you could say she’s from the ‘Water King’ lineage,” Uchiha Hikari said vaguely. “As for her real deal... I’ll fill you in when the time comes.” 

“...Fine.” Xia Mi pursed her lips but didn’t push further. 

Over the next few days, Uchiha Hikari stayed in the Sichuan-Shu region, taking Eri and Esdeath to check out local sights. 

The Three Gorges, Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng, the Panda Base... 

Not just Esdeath and Eri, but even Uchiha Hikari was visiting these places for the first time. 

Xia Mi, however, seemed right at home, expertly planning their itinerary and guiding them through the spots. 

“Well, I worked at a travel agency for a summer a couple years back, so I know the drill,” Xia Mi said proudly. “Plus, I scouted the Three Gorges area a few months ago, so being your tour guide is no sweat.” 

Fair enough. 

As a “next-generation” Dragon King, Xia Mi was a pro at blending into human society. With her dragon-level mobility, it wasn’t surprising she’d done her homework. 

At the Panda Base, Eri tugged at Uchiha Hikari’s sleeve. Under her gaze, Eri held up her little notebook, earnestly asking if she could adopt a panda cub to bring back to Japan. 

“...A panda?” 

Uchiha Hikari glanced at the adorably clumsy black-and-white bears in the reserve, hesitating. “Well... it’s not impossible.” 

Technically, pandas weren’t allowed as pets. 

But money could solve a lot of problems. 

If the Sheqi Bajia could mass-raise something like “serpent-shaped Deadpool,” a few iron-eating beasts were no big deal. Sure, pandas were bears with decent biting power for their kind, but in a straight-up fight, they probably couldn’t even take on the seemingly delicate Eri. 

That said... they could probably handle Caesar Gattuso, given his glorious track record of losing to a polar bear. 

During this time, Uchiha Hikari didn’t actively keep tabs on Cassell College’s movements, so she wasn’t sure how Lu Mingze’s plans for Norton were going. Since he hadn’t reached out, she figured the Norton situation was still in progress. 

On the other hand, the Sheqi Bajia called Eri twice—once from Uesugi Koshi and once from Gen Chisei, checking in on her. 

Since Eri couldn’t speak, Uchiha Hikari stayed by her side, relaying the contents of her notebook over the phone. 

During one call, Gen Chisei mentioned something about Tokyo: “Recently, the principal... Hilbert Jean Angers from Cassell College, has called a few times. He wants to visit Japan in person to meet with the Sheqi Bajia. Should we agree or turn him down?” 

“Oh? Angers is coming?” Uchiha Hikari raised an eyebrow. 

That was probably the real reason Uesugi and Gen had called—to get her take on the Angers situation. 

In the original story, Angers did visit the Sheqi Bajia, but that was in Dragon Raja III, around 2011. His trip was mainly because the Japan branch had betrayed Cassell, and Lu Mingfei’s group had gone missing, forcing Angers, as a Secret Party leader and veteran troublemaker, to step in and handle things. 

But now... 

“Looks like Cassell’s sniffed out some leads,” Uchiha Hikari thought, keeping her expression neutral. “This is between you and Cassell. Handle it as you see fit. Meet him or don’t—just let me know what you decide.” 

Come to think of it, Uchiha Hikari had once been curious to meet Angers and see his yanrei, “Time Zero,” in action. 

But now, with Lu Mingze as a far better deal-making partner, “Time Zero” wasn’t such a big deal. If she remembered right, Lu Mingze had a similar ability—like the one he used to freeze the roller coaster at Liupanshan Amusement Park in Dragon Raja II. That’d probably be just as good. 

For now, Uchiha Hikari stretched and glanced at the mahjong table in front of her—she’d recently roped Eri and the others into playing. 

“Let’s chill for a couple more days, then head back to Tokyo.” 

Chapter 282: Bulma’s Research Breakthrough 

A few days after receiving the message from the Snake Clan. 

Using “Shangri-La,” Uchiha Hikari first took Eriyi and the others back to the Beijing subway station. 

This trip was to settle Constantine. 

In the original story, Xia Mi had once sneaked into Cassell Academy’s “Ice Cellar” to steal and consume Constantine’s Dragonbone Cross, but that was only after confirming he was dead. While he was still alive, the blood oath prevented Xia Mi from harming him in any way. 

Of course… 

Even without the “blood oath,” given Xia Mi’s tsundere personality, she probably wouldn’t do anything to Constantine anyway. 

So. 

Hikari decided to leave him in Xia Mi’s Nibelungen, keeping Fenrir company—both being somewhat dim-witted, these two Dragon Kings should have plenty to talk about. 

“…Alright, stop messing around.” 

Inside the Nibelungen. 

Hikari raised both hands, struggling a bit to push back Fenrir’s massive head, which was nuzzling her like an oversized cat. She then gestured to Esdeath and Eriyi to hand over the bags of snacks and toys they’d bought from Wangfujing. 

“What’s this…?” 

“Presents, of course.” 

At Hikari’s reply, Fenrir’s eyes lit up like a pair of bright yellow headlights. 

Eriyi, watching with amusement, couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the iron-gray scales of the childish dragon, her face full of curiosity—she looked like she wanted to take Fenrir home as a pet panda. 

“Speaking of which, aren’t you two online buddies or something?” Hikari glanced at Eriyi. 

The girl nodded, scribbling a few words in her notebook: “Played a few games with him. Fenrir’s King of Fighters skills are pretty awesome.” 

“…?” 

Hikari looked at Fenrir’s claws, which were about the size of her entire body, then at the computer tucked in the corner, barely bigger than one of Fenrir’s toenails. A question mark slowly formed on her pale face. 

So… 

King of Fighters? 

How on earth did this dragon manage to play online games with those giant claws? Wasn’t he worried about smashing the keyboard in excitement? 

Meanwhile, on the other side. 

Constantine sat quietly in a corner, muttering about his “brother” again. 

“…Enough with the muttering, instant noodle boy,” Hikari said, rubbing her forehead with a sigh. “Just stay put here and don’t wander off. I’ll figure out a way to find your brother, okay?” 

As she spoke, Hikari subtly used a bit of her Sharingan’s power. 

Constantine was a Dragon King, too. Even if he seemed a bit slow now, his soul still held nearly ten thousand years of sealed memories. Using “Yasakani no Magatama” to probe or alter his will was risky, but a light touch of genjutsu to calm him down and keep him from sneaking off and causing trouble? That was easy enough. 

As for the rest, she’d leave it to Xia Mi. 

She was a Dragon King, after all, and with her experience handling kids, adding one more to the mix alongside Fenrir shouldn’t be a big deal. 

Once everything was settled, Hikari said goodbye to Xia Mi and activated the long-range teleportation again, bringing her group back to Tokyo. 

After a bit of time, they located the Snake Clan within Genji Heavy Industries. 

As expected, Uesugi Koshi and Minamoto Chisei had agreed to meet with Angers. 

The meeting was set for the following Monday. 

The Japanese side treated the principal of Cassell Academy, one of the Secret Party’s leaders, with considerable caution and respect. Even though the meeting was nearly a week away, the Snake Clan was already making preparations, planning the time and place for the meeting with Angers. 

This was pretty consistent with the events of Dragon Raja III. 

The only difference was that the former patriarch, Tachibana Masamune, had stepped down, and the current leader was Uesugi Koshi, an old friend and rival of Angers for decades. So, things probably wouldn’t get as tense as they did in the original story. 

But none of that was Hikari’s concern. 

For now, she was content to kick back, hang out with Eriyi and Esdeath, eat, drink, and have fun as the group’s mascot while casually checking new messages in the chat group— 

[Bulma: Hikari, everyone, check this out!] 

[Bulma: [Blue_Planet.jpg]] 

[Nameless: ?] 

[Ironhead: ??] 

[Yotsuya Miko: Um… is this something you made yourself, Miss Bulma? It looks super impressive…] 

In the chat group. 

Hikari paused, staring at the picture Bulma sent. 

It was a massive destroyer. 

The overall design was similar to what she’d seen last time she visited the Dragon Ball world—over 150 meters long, painted a striking sky blue, with luxurious cabins stacked on top. The obvious differences were the naval cannons mounted on both sides of the ship, which looked like something Dr. Gero might’ve cooked up. 

The other standout feature was the oddly shaped propellers, likely tied to the ship’s power system—maybe even something that could make the whole thing fly. 

[Bulma: Yup, those cannons are from the Red Ribbon Army… Hikari, didn’t you give Dad Dr. Gero’s contact info last time? We visited his lab a couple of times and had some pretty good chats.] 

[Bulma: As for the propellers…] 

[Bulma: Ta-da! My latest secret weapon, of course!] 

Bulma elaborated in the group chat. 

According to her, over the past two months, she’d thoroughly studied the Namekian spaceship, figuring out the principles behind 70% of its components and systems. 

Sure, it was only 70%, but considering Namekian tech was decades, if not centuries, ahead of Earth’s, even partial progress was a groundbreaking achievement for Dragon Ball’s Earth. 

Building on that research, Bulma had started integrating the Namekian ship’s propulsion, weaponry, energy, and environmental control systems into her “Blue Planet.” She’d run a series of tests and tweaks. 

The result? 

[Bulma: There are still a few kinks to work out, but the “Blue Planet” is basically ready for action. If Yamato’s free, we can head out to sea anytime!] 

Chapter 283: Oda Doesn’t Know Jack About Pirates 

[Onihime: Wait, for real?!] 

Seeing Bulma’s message, Yamato was beyond thrilled. 

Lately, back in the One Piece world, she’d been bored out of her mind. Besides eating and sleeping, she spent half her time chatting and goofing off in the group chat, and the other half swinging her kanabo around, picking fights with Runti and the others. 

With Kaido and the Three Calamities off the island, nobody on Onigashima could rein her in, so Yamato was living it up, doing whatever she pleased. 

If it weren’t for her lack of basic life skills and navigation know-how, she might’ve already tried stealing a ship and sailing off on her own. 

So, naturally, she was pumped and bombarded Bulma with questions. 

Bulma, for her part, patiently explained everything. 

[Nameless: …So, you’re saying this ship can actually fly like a spaceship?] 

[Bulma: Well, not that crazy. I did tweak it using some of the engine tech from Kami’s ship, but the materials limit it to stable flight within the atmosphere. Any higher, and we might risk a traffic accident.] 

[Yotsuya Miko: “Traffic accident”… like crashing into an asteroid?] 

[Yotsuya Miko: I just looked it up online, and the atmosphere’s thickness is at least 2,000 kilometers, with no clear upper limit… Bulma-san, your ship can really fly that high?] 

[Iron Head: Uh, how far is 2,000 kilometers?] 

[Nameless: Let’s put it this way… the distance from Tokyo to Kyoto is about 300 kilometers. You can do the math.] 

[Iron Head: ?!] 

Once again, Tanjiro, Minato, and others from less technologically advanced worlds were floored by Dragon Ball’s tech. 

Even Yuji Itadori and Miko, who were a bit more worldly, were left speechless. 

[Tiger of Nishi-Chuo: If Bulma-san were in our world, she’d probably monopolize the Nobel Prize for the next 30 years…] 

[Nameless: Honestly, they should just create a “Bulma Award.”] 

After some playful banter, the chat shifted to the formation of the “Dimensional Pirate Crew.” 

As the “vice-captain,” Uchiha Hikari could kick back with a cola, but the “captain,” Bulma, had a lot on her plate. 

From designing the crew’s emblem, to sorting out the crew lineup and room assignments, to planning their travel route in the One Piece world—everything needed prep. 

Hikari and the others couldn’t help much, since their knowledge of the One Piece world came mostly from the unfinished manga. And the only actual resident, Yamato, was a grown homebody who’d never left Onigashima since birth. 

[Bulma: Hmm… so where should our first stop be? Maybe that “Baratie” floating restaurant? I’m kinda curious about that blond chef.] 

[Nameless: I don’t think that’s a good idea.] 

[Nameless: Baratie’s in the East Blue, and Yamato’s in the New World—way too far apart. How about the Sabaody Archipelago instead? Though, we might run into the Navy or Celestial Dragons there.] 

[Bulma: Got it… guess we’ll need a map of the One Piece world first.] 

[Tiger of Nishi-Chuo: [One Piece World Map.jpg]] 

[Bulma: ?!] 

[Tiger of Nishi-Chuo: I found this online. Someone pieced it together based on the One Piece manga. It might not be 100% accurate compared to the real One Piece world, but it should work as a reference.] 

[Bulma: Thank you so much!] 

In the wooden room at Genji Heavy Industries, Uchiha Hikari pulled her attention away from the chat and stretched her arms with a long yawn. 

She’d been considering tracking down this world’s Eiichiro Oda to ask for a One Piece world map. 

But since Yuji Itadori had already sent one, that saved her the hassle—honestly, she wasn’t even sure it would’ve worked. Even the original creator’s mental image of the world might differ from the actual One Piece world, especially since the Dragon Raja world was still in 2009. Whether Oda had even thought up Wano or Yamato’s storyline yet was anyone’s guess. 

The Jujutsu Kaisen world, though, was already in 2018. 

It sounded absurd, but the One Piece fans there could probably tell this world’s Oda, “You don’t know jack about pirates…” 

… 

Bulma got to work preparing for the trip to the One Piece world. 

It was estimated to take a few days. 

So, Hikari wasn’t in a rush to meet up with her. Instead, she organized the blood samples from the Dragon Kings, sent one to Dr. Gero and another to Orochimaru, then stayed at Genji Heavy Industries, chilling with Eri and playing some newly released games for a few laid-back days. 

In this relaxed vibe, time flew by to the second week. 

With the Sheqi Bajia eagerly waiting, Angers finally arrived in Japan. 

He came alone. 

To show respect, Uesugi Koshi personally led a group to pick him up at the airport. 

“…I’d heard the Sheqi Bajia got a new head, but I didn’t expect you, you old geezer, to make a comeback after all these years.” 

“Speak for yourself. You’re still out here fighting the good fight against dragons—how could I fall behind?” 

Angers and Uesugi traded jabs before heading toward the car together. 

Along the way, Angers noticed Uchiha Hikari and the others trailing behind. 

“And these folks are?” 

“These two are my son, Gen Chisei, and my daughter, Eri,” Uesugi said, beaming with pride. “As for this one… she’s the daughter of a late friend, Kurosawa Aoi.” 

Uchiha Hikari, under the name “Kurosawa Aoi,” gave a nod as a greeting. 

That’s right. 

She wasn’t using her “White King” identity here but rather “Kurosawa Aoi,” a hybrid distantly related to the Sheqi Bajia, with a touch of “frail and sickly” flair. 

But… 

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Principal Angers. They say you’re quite the swordmaster, even earning the ‘Niten Ichi-ryu’ menkyo kaiden. I’ve got a bit of skill with a blade myself—mind if we spar a little?” Uchiha Hikari said lightly. 

“Hm?” 

Angers blinked, caught off guard. 

He knew a bit about Gen Chisei and Eri. 

Chisei, as the young head of the Sheqi Bajia, had been in the public eye plenty, while Eri, though kept hidden at Genji Heavy Industries, was known to the Secret Party’s intelligence network as a mysterious figure used as a weapon. 

But Uchiha Hikari’s presence? That was a surprise. 

Norma’s intel hadn’t mentioned anyone like her. 

Angers flashed a charming smile. “Miss Kurosawa, was it? Such a lovely face, and a sword enthusiast to boot?” 

“Absolutely,” Uchiha Hikari replied with a slight smile. “Don’t let my looks fool you—I’ve got a Niten Ichi-ryu menkyo kaiden myself.” 

That was no lie. 

Back when she first arrived in the Dragon Raja world, she’d studied its swordsmanship. With her Sharingan, any sword style was as simple as 1+1=2. One look, and she’d master it. Two, if she was feeling slow. 

Niten Ichi-ryu, founded by Miyamoto Musashi, had waned but still had living practitioners. Her menkyo kaiden certificate was legit—earned through a grueling half-hour of effort. 

Angers didn’t know the details. 

Still, he was a pretty easygoing guy, especially fond of interacting with younger folks. After confirming she wasn’t joking, he agreed readily. 

“Ha, didn’t expect the Sheqi Bajia’s younger generation to be this interesting. Since Miss Aoi’s so keen, I’ll take you up on it.” 

“Great.” 

Originally, the Sheqi Bajia planned to spend a day or two wining and dining Angers before getting to business. 

But Hikari’s challenge threw a wrench in that. After a lavish lunch at a sprawling Japanese estate, Uesugi brought up the idea of a swordsmanship spar. 

So, the group followed the estate’s old butler to a training ground near a bamboo grove. 

“Here we are,” Uesugi said. “This is the Sheqi Bajia’s usual training field. Chisei and I often spar here. The blades on the rack are crafted by master smiths—top-notch quality, should suit your needs.” 

As he spoke, Hikari caught a glint of mischief in Uesugi’s eyes when he looked at Angers. 

Like… he was ready to watch the show? 

Made sense. 

Uesugi had faced Hikari’s swordsmanship firsthand. Even without her “White King” powers, her skills were top-tier. Angers might have decent swordplay, but beating her? No chance. Even factoring in “Time Zero” wouldn’t change that. 

Uesugi was already stifling a laugh, eager to see his old friend eat humble pie. 

Angers, noticing his expression, frowned slightly. “What’s with that look? You guys hiding something from me?” 

Chapter 284: Time Zero 

“Nope.” 

Uesugi Koshi burst into laughter. “I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Don’t let Fensei’s young age fool you—her swordsmanship talent is extraordinary, surpassing even mine. You’d better be careful, or you might lose spectacularly.” 

“?” 

Angers raised an eyebrow, skeptical. 

Back when he first visited Japan, he’d sparred with Uesugi Koshi and knew the man’s swordsmanship was at the level of a modern master—just one step shy of the ancient “Sword Saint.” In Japan’s millennia-long history, only Tsukahara Bokuden and Kamiizumi Nobutsuna had earned that title. Even Miyamoto Musashi didn’t quite make the cut. 

A girl who looked barely fourteen… 

Could she really reach that level? 

Under normal circumstances, it seemed unrealistic. 

But if she was a super hybrid with White King blood like Uesugi Koshi… then common sense didn’t apply. Japan’s “Emperor” class was indeed something else. 

Right then. 

Angers shrugged off his coat and unbuttoned the cuffs and top two buttons of his shirt. As he did, a glimpse of his fierce tiger-yaksha tattoo peeked out—a mark of the highest rank in Japan’s underworld. 

Then, the refined old principal picked up two long swords from the rack, drew one from its sheath, and flicked it with his finger. 

Hummm~~ 

A crisp sword hum rang out. 

“Nice blade.” 

On the other side. 

Uchiha Hikari casually selected two swords, exhaled lightly, and assumed the “Niten Ichi-ryu” stance. 

Her presence was already unique, but when she restrained herself, it wasn’t as noticeable. Now, with dual blades in hand, she radiated an overwhelming sharpness. This aura morphed into a tangible field, enveloping the entire training ground and making every onlooker’s heart skip a beat. 

“?!” 

Angers’ eyelids twitched, his expression turning serious as he finally regarded Uchiha Hikari as a true opponent. “Your move, Miss Kurosawa.” 

“…” 

A brief silence. 

A leaf, caught by a gentle breeze, spiraled to the ground. 

The next moment. 

Hikari stepped forward and swung her blades! 

Swish! 

In that split second, Angers saw two blazing arcs of sword light, one following the other, slicing through the air with fiery sonic cones racing toward him! They were so fast that even sound lagged behind, leaving the strikes eerily silent! 

—Ninth-Order Moment, 512x Godspeed Slash!! 

This was the pinnacle of Inuyama Ga’s “Moment” ability, achieved only in his final year before death. Yet Hikari unleashed it as if it were second nature! 

At the critical moment. 

Angers raised his sword vertically, meeting the attack head-on. The blade in his hand nearly snapped on impact, and he staggered back several steps, shock written across his face. 

“…This strong?” 

“Again!” 

Hikari stepped lightly, launching herself forward once more. 

What followed was a relentless storm of ferocious attacks! 

Of course, she was holding back. Without restraint, even using pure physical skill and no external aids like the Dragonbone Blade, she could’ve ended Angers in two moves. 

The reason she didn’t was to force Angers to use “Time Zero” so she could see the ability’s mechanics for herself. 

Right now. 

Hikari’s swordplay flowed like the wind, showcasing every technique she’d learned from the Dragon Raja world with flawless precision. The power she used was roughly that of an average B-rank hybrid, but her angles and methods were so refined that every ounce of strength was utilized to its fullest. 

At first, Angers held back a bit, wanting to give the younger generation some confidence. But gradually, he realized that even at full strength, he might not be able to beat the girl before him. Uesugi Koshi’s earlier words weren’t exaggeration—they were fact. 

This petite, adorable-looking loli… 

Was truly a modern Sword Saint, mastering countless styles, refining them, and blending them into her own! 

“…No choice, then.” 

After parrying dozens of strikes, retreating again and again until he was nearly at the edge of the training ground, Angers took a deep breath and unleashed his ability with full force: 

“Ability…” 

Time Zero! 

An invisible domain expanded. 

In that moment, time slowed—not just in the training ground, but across the entire estate. 

Uesugi Koshi and the others watching from the sidelines, Esdeath, Eriyi, even the birds in the sky and the leaves swaying in the breeze—all slowed to a near standstill, as if frozen. 

For Uchiha Hikari. 

This was a completely different experience from “Mahakala.” 

—“Mahakala” worked by using the ice and snow power of the “Demon Essence” to create an ultra-low-temperature environment, achieving a pseudo-time-stop effect. That’s why it could be countered by the extreme heat of “Fire-Thunder God’s Veil,” as Hikari had done at the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament. 

But “Time Zero” was entirely different. 

Based on the sparse descriptions in the original story, this ability didn’t slow the external world—it extended the user’s own time, up to 50 times, turning one second into a minute. So, even “Fire-Thunder God” couldn’t counter it, as Hikari had no way to interfere with Angers’ personal timeline. 

This was… 

A bit tricky. 

In the final moment, Hikari chose to retract “Fire-Thunder God’s Veil” into her body and pulled out the cursed energy of “Mahoraga” from her sealed scroll, intending to use its environmental adaptability to counter “Time Zero.” 

—“Fire-Thunder God’s Veil” was deadly to Dragon Raja hybrids. If she accidentally incinerated Angers with a passive skill, that wouldn’t be ideal. 

However, since “Mahoraga”’s ability was reactive, Hikari had to take the full brunt of Angers’ first use of Time Zero. But since he didn’t know she was a “Dragon King,” he wouldn’t go for a killing blow right away, and she could easily heal from regular attacks with her physique. 

Just as Hikari planned her next move. 

The light and shadows shifted. 

Under her gaze, a grayish-white filter seemed to overlay the air, enveloping everything in sight. Then, Lu Mingze, dressed in casual clothes, appeared, holding an ice cream cone and licking it. 

“?” 

Hikari froze for a moment. 

“It’s you?” 

Chapter 285: Lu Mingze’s Little Gift 

“It’s me.” 

Lu Mingze nodded. “You seem a bit surprised?” 

“…A little. I figured you’d be hanging out with your deadbeat brother right about now.” 

Uchiha Hikari replied, glancing to either side. 

If Angers had just unleashed a “relative stasis” time-stop field, what Lu Mingze had created was an absolute, full-on “time freeze.” 

In this domain, all sound and motion were locked in place. Angers, mid-swing with his dual blades in his “Two Suns Blazing” technique, the faint shadow of “Mahoraga” materializing behind Hikari, and even Esdeath and the others watching from the sidelines—all were frozen in place. The air was eerily silent. 

On the other side, Lu Mingze grinned and continued, “Well, I was just passing through Tokyo on some personal business when I noticed the commotion here, so I swung by to check it out… 

How’d you end up fighting this old geezer? He’s the most hardcore dragon-slayer of this era and has one of the rarest yanrei, ‘Time Zero.’ If he sniffed out your ‘White King’ identity, it could stir up some unpredictable trouble.” 

His words carried a teasing edge. 

Lu Mingze knew Hikari wasn’t really the “White King”—that was just a cover she used with the Sheqi Bajia. 

He also knew her strength was no joke. Whether she matched up to the “White King” was hard to say, but she was definitely on par with the Four Monarchs. 

So… just how strong was Uchiha Hikari, really? Did the Naruto world’s eye techniques include anything time-related? 

Curiosity about these questions was the main reason Lu Mingze had shown up to spectate. The secondary reason? The outcome of this fight could affect how the Secret Party and Sheqi Bajia viewed Hikari, which might impact the partnership they’d just struck. As her ally, he figured he’d better get a read on the situation. 

But… 

His attention quickly shifted to the blurry shadow behind Hikari, his brow furrowing slightly. “By the way, what’s that thing behind you? Doesn’t look much like the ‘Susanoo’ from the manga.” 

“This guy?” Hikari glanced at the shadow of Mahoraga. “Let’s call it my summoned beast. Just… a bit special in how it exists.” 

It wasn’t surprising that Lu Mingze could see Mahoraga—they were both spiritual entities, and with his “spirit vision,” spotting it was no big deal. 

What Hikari was more curious about was whether the wheel behind Mahoraga was turning. 

That wheel wasn’t just some decorative gear—it was a manifestation of Mahoraga’s ability to “adapt to all things.” Each turn meant it had analyzed something, and after a few spins, it could adapt to and nullify an opponent’s moves. 

Right now… no movement. 

Looked like Lu Mingze’s time-stop was far beyond the Jujutsu Kaisen world’s limits, even surpassing the level of a fully realized Sukuna, making it impossible for Mahoraga to analyze. 

“Summoned beast, huh?” Lu Mingze sounded skeptical but didn’t press further. “I’m not sure what game you’re playing with the Sheqi Bajia, but as your ally, here’s a little gift… some insights into the authority of time. Hope it helps.” 

With that, he flicked his hand, sending a tiny, firefly-like speck of light floating toward Hikari, stopping just inches from her. 

Hikari narrowed her eyes, studied it for a moment, then reached out and closed her hand around it. 

The light seeped into her pale palm. 

In that instant, a spark flashed through her mind. Countless fragmented images raced by, accompanied by the tolling of ancient bells and the soft murmur of a flowing stream echoing in her ears. 

For a fleeting moment, she glimpsed a white river flowing through a vast, shadowy void. Its surface shimmered with countless fleeting silhouettes, all rushing toward the river’s source, as if echoing the ancient saying: “Time flows on, never pausing, day or night.” 

“This is…” 

A clocktower and a river—could this be the river of time itself?! 

The vision shattered in an instant. 

Hikari snapped back to reality, as if jolted awake from a dream, her body reeling with a dizzying sensation. 

“See ya.” 

Lu Mingze waved. “The old man’s about to snap out of it, so you’re on your own from here. If you like the gift, maybe bring me something tied to the Sage of the Six Paths next time. I’m kinda curious about that guy.” 

“…Deal.” 

Hikari nodded slightly. 

Lu Mingze’s gift was no small thing—downright precious, even. 

In theory, it was a fragmented piece of the “time” authority. If she could fully absorb and integrate it, time travel might be out of reach (even Lu Mingze couldn’t pull that off), but stretching time like Angers or messing with worldlines like the Dragon Kings in the later story? That was doable. 

If she followed the principle of equivalent exchange, she’d need to dig up something related to the Sage of the Six Paths or the Divine Tree to avoid shortchanging him. 

Her thoughts flickered for just a moment. 

The next instant, Lu Mingze’s filter vanished, and Angers surged forward, his dual blades slicing a sharp arc through the air toward Hikari’s sword. 

From his stance, it looked like he aimed to knock her blade aside, then use the flat or hilt to take her down. Outside of dragon-slaying, the old principal was a softie for talent and was even entertaining the idea of poaching Hikari from the Sheqi Bajia for Cassell College. 

But… 

Just as the blades met, Hikari’s body twitched. 

With a subtle flick of her wrist, she broke free from the time-stop, her blade snapping up to block Angers’ incoming strike. 

“?!” 

Angers’ eyes widened. 

He was over a hundred years old, with countless battles under his belt, his nerves tempered like steel, rarely rattled by anything. But now… 

What the hell? Had her yanrei “Moment” evolved into “Time Zero” mid-fight? 

If it wasn’t the same yanrei, how could she have broken through his “Time Zero” like that? 

In a few fleeting thoughts, the fifty-fold stretched time ran out. As the world snapped back to normal, Angers locked eyes with Hikari, his gaze tinged with shock and suspicion. “What yanrei was that? A higher-tier ‘Moment’? Or…” 

“Just a fluke.” 

Hikari gave a slight bow, her tone graceful yet polite. “Your swordsmanship is as impressive as they say, Principal Angers. I’m no match. If you’ve got any pointers, I’d love to hear them.” 

“…” 

Angers had no pointers to give. He’d been thoroughly outclassed in swordsmanship, only salvaging his dignity with “Time Zero” at the last second. But winning? Hardly. 

Among the onlookers, only two people had a clear sense of what just happened. 

The first was Uesugi Koshi. 

He’d faced Angers before and knew how freaky “Time Zero” was. He hadn’t seen it in action—no one could, really—but from their performance, he guessed Angers had used it. Yet Hikari came out unscathed… 

That alone spoke volumes. 

The other person who noticed something off was Esdeath. 

“Did someone just freeze time?” she asked the moment Hikari rejoined her and the others outside the arena. 

“Hm? Why do you ask?” 

“Gut feeling.” Esdeath’s reply was sharp and to the point, then she pointed to her eyes. “Plus, I was watching the whole time. If time hadn’t been frozen, there’s no way I’d miss how you two fought.” 

Fair point. 

Her “Mokapotema” was tied to time and space, and after using it enough, she’d gotten sensitive to disturbances like that. 

Hikari nodded candidly. “Yup. That old guy, Angers, has a time-freezing ability like you. But his is a step above—it actually messes with the flow of time. I nearly got caught off guard.” 

“Nearly?” 

“Yeah, just by chance, I awakened a bit of time-related talent at the last second, so I broke free from his time-stop.” Hikari grinned. “Guess freezing time isn’t your exclusive trick anymore, huh?” 

Esdeath gave her a skeptical look. 

Hikari wasn’t about to show off here—she’d only had this “time fragment” for, like, ten minutes. Escaping “Time Zero” at the last moment was already a stroke of luck. Replicating it on demand? That was asking a bit much. 

So, she just flashed a mysterious smile and tugged Esdeath to the side. 

“It’s about dinnertime. Let’s go—after we eat, I’ll fill you in.” 

(Chapter End)