221-225

Chapter 221: Black Adjutant and Dr. Gero 

“Phew…” 

With a long exhale, Uchiha Hikari’s eyes glowed a brilliant red, a ring of dark crimson flames flickering around her. 

—Susanoo! 

In truth, Uchiha Hikari felt she could probably break free from General Blue’s superpower using just her chakra and “ki” alone, but she didn’t feel like bothering with the effort. Instead, she stood her ground and activated her Sharingan’s eye technique. 

The moment the skeletal giant appeared, faint sounds rippled through the air, like invisible ropes being pulled taut, groaning under the strain as if they might snap at any second. 

“Hm?” 

General Blue seemed to sense something was off. 

But in the next instant, Uchiha Hikari calmly raised her head, locking eyes with him. The pinwheel pattern in her eyes spun gently. 

“Tsukuyomi!” 

Their gazes met. 

General Blue’s expression went blank, his carefully maintained superpower faltering. 

In that split second, Esdeath exhaled sharply, tearing through the invisible ropes in the air. With a powerful step, she launched herself at General Blue like an arrow loosed from a bow. In one swift motion, she ripped his arm clean off! 

Blood sprayed everywhere! 

“Argh! My arm…!” 

General Blue screamed, instinctively trying to clutch his wound, but Esdeath gave him no time to recover. She skidded to a halt, twisted her body, and leaped into a spinning aerial kick, sending General Blue flying! 

Boom! 

His body shot out nearly a hundred meters, crashing through several thick trees before tumbling into a crater, barely clinging to life. 

Only then did the blood from his severed arm finally splatter onto the ground, staining the area beneath Esdeath’s feet a dark red. 

“…Huh? His physical skills are that weak?” 

Esdeath was a bit stunned. 

Unaware of the difference between superpowers and “ki,” she had assumed General Blue would have moves akin to Master Roshi’s Kamehameha, picturing him as a worthy opponent on Roshi’s level. To end the fight in just a few moves left her a little disappointed. 

Uchiha Hikari, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised at all. She blinked, subtly dismissing her Susanoo without a word. 

Then she glanced toward a nearby thicket. 

—Out of caution, she had left a shadow clone hiding in the shadows, ready to step in if things went south. But it seemed that precaution was unnecessary. 

Meanwhile, Esdeath confirmed General Blue’s defeat and raised her right hand, snapping her fingers. 

With that gesture, the surrounding blizzard intensified, the temperature plummeting further from an already freezing minus tens of degrees. In such brutal cold, even the few Red Ribbon Army officers who hadn’t frozen stiff felt the biting chill. Some tried to beg for mercy, while others mustered their last strength to charge at Esdeath in a desperate final stand. 

Thud! Thud! 

Esdeath met them head-on, throwing punches and kicks. 

None of the remaining officers could withstand more than two of her attacks. Those sent flying froze solid in midair, and upon hitting the ground, they shattered with a crack into countless icy fragments scattered into the air. 

This bloodless, corpse-free method of killing left the remaining Red Ribbon soldiers trembling in fear. 

Losing the will to fight, they were engulfed by the white blizzard, their body heat rapidly draining until they became ice sculptures, their faces frozen in terror. 

“…It’s over.” 

Esdeath surveyed the area, confirming no one was left standing, then waved her hand and turned back to Uchiha Hikari. 

From the moment Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath burst out of the forest, clashing with the Red Ribbon Army’s armored forces, to the complete annihilation of the enemy… 

The entire battle lasted a mere twenty minutes. 

At this point, the Red Ribbon Army base, both inside and out, along with the surrounding kilometers of forest, was blanketed in a layer of ice. Aside from Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath, not a single other person’s breath could be heard. Even the birds in the forest were either frozen solid on the branches or had long fled to safety. 

“By the way… I don’t see Tao Pai Pai among this bunch, do I?” 

Uchiha Hikari scanned the ice sculptures carefully but didn’t spot anyone in a pink tunic with a long braid tied behind their head. 

She pondered for a moment before realizing— 

Tao Pai Pai and the Red Ribbon Army weren’t in a superior-subordinate relationship but a simple mercenary arrangement. 

The Red Ribbon Army paid, and Tao Pai Pai killed. 

In the original story, the Red Ribbon Army only hired Tao Pai Pai after Goku defeated several of their officers and took down the Muscle Tower stronghold. While Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath had done something similar, their actions were so swift that Commander Red probably hadn’t yet thought to call him. 

Of course… 

It wasn’t out of the question that Tao Pai Pai had already gotten the call and was on his way, riding his pillar. 

But if that were the case, all the better. Esdeath was still itching for a real fight, and Tao Pai Pai would make the perfect sparring partner to satisfy her. 

“Let’s go check inside.” 

Uchiha Hikari leaped lightly, flying into the castle’s interior and searching through the corridors layer by layer. 

The castle complex was massive, spanning over a dozen floors with thousands of rooms, covering tens of thousands of square meters. 

Like the outside, the interior was invaded by the blizzard, with floors and walls coated in a thin layer of ice, making them slippery. Uchiha Hikari opted to use her Flying Thunder God technique, gliding through the air as she ascended the stairs to the top floor, stopping in front of an office with a “Commander” nameplate. 

“Tch, tch…” 

“These guys sure are loaded. Wonder how many people they extorted to get all this.” 

Speaking of which… 

The Earth in the Dragon Ball world wasn’t exactly peaceful. While it avoided large-scale world wars, it was still steeped in chaos. 

Notorious criminal groups like the Red Ribbon Army and the Rabbit Mob were bad enough. 

Even among the main cast, many had shady pasts. Yamcha was a desert bandit before meeting Goku and Bulma; Androids 17 and 18 were thieves in their youth; and the Ox-King was a highway robber, amassing wealth by plundering passing caravans. Meanwhile, most ordinary people in this world struggled just to get by. 

Worse still, take Nam, a top-four fighter in the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament—his hometown was so poor they couldn’t even afford water. 

This extreme wealth gap persisted for decades, as seen with Uub, the reincarnation of Kid Buu, whose hometown was equally destitute, forcing him to compete in the World Martial Arts Tournament to support his family. 

Part of why Uchiha Hikari let Esdeath physically wipe out the Red Ribbon soldiers was because of this. 

She didn’t see herself as some peacemaker or champion of justice—that was Goku’s thing. 

But for unrepentant scum like the Red Ribbon Army… 

If she was going to act, she might as well go all the way and root them out completely. 

“By the way…” 

A sudden thought crossed Uchiha Hikari’s mind: What would happen if I wished for “world peace” with the Dragon Balls? 

With the Earth Dragon’s style, it’d probably say, “Sorry, can’t do that.” True peace might only come if humanity itself were wiped out. 

Knock, knock, knock— 

Uchiha Hikari rapped on the door. 

After waiting a few seconds, she pushed it open and stepped into Commander Red’s office. 

Inside were two people. 

One was seated, the other standing. 

The seated figure was a short middle-aged man with slicked-back red hair, puffing on a pipe—clearly Commander Red. 

—The Red Ribbon Army’s hunt for the Dragon Balls was under his orders, all so he could wish to grow five centimeters taller. 

The standing figure was a Black man in a dark suit, likely the Black Adjutant who, in the original story, killed Commander Red and tried to team up with Goku, only to be rejected. 

Both were frozen in place, covered in a thick layer of snow and frost, clearly caught in the aftermath of Esdeath’s “Ice Storm Commander” ability. Even now, snowflakes poured in through an open window, driving the room’s temperature lower. 

“Can you wake them up, Esdeath? I’ve got some questions for them.” 

Uchiha Hikari glanced over. 

Esdeath nodded, stepping over to the Black Adjutant and tapping his body with her fingertip. The ice cracked and fell away, and he jolted awake, stumbling before staring at them in shock. 

“Y-You… who are you?” 

“Hmph.” 

Esdeath didn’t bother responding, moving to Commander Red and repeating the process to free him from the ice. 

“Who the hell are you, barging into my office? Get out—!” 

“Shut it.” 

Commander Red woke up furious, ready to berate them, but Esdeath’s icy glare silenced him mid-sentence. The Black Adjutant, reaching for his gun, was hit with Uchiha Hikari’s “Shackle Stakes” technique, freezing him in place, unable to move a finger. 

“Are you guys always this dense?” 

Uchiha Hikari hopped onto the desk, her legs dangling casually. “Even if you didn’t see what happened outside, can’t you imagine the Red Ribbon Army getting crushed? We’re standing here, and no one’s coming to save you. Doesn’t that tell you where you stand?” 

“…” 

Commander Red opened his mouth, still clinging to his pride as a leader, and growled, “What do you want, storming Red Ribbon HQ? If someone hired you to take me out, I’ll double their price!” 

“Money?” 

Uchiha Hikari laughed, her crimson Sharingan locking onto Commander Red. “You’re misunderstanding something. I’m here on my own accord, not because of any grudges you’ve got out there. Your money doesn’t mean a thing to me. What matters is… 

Where’s Dr. Gero?” 

“?” 

Commander Red blinked, caught off guard by the question, before sneering. “So, you’re after Dr. Gero. I can tell you where he is, but you have to promise not to kill me, or else—” 

“Annoying.” 

With a casual glance, Uchiha Hikari unleashed her eye power. Black flames erupted on Commander Red, who let out a blood-curdling scream and curses before the “Amaterasu” consumed him, leaving only charred bones scattered on the chair. 

That single glance had let her use “Yasaka no Magatama” to forcibly probe his memories. He was no longer useful. Given his past deeds, being burned to ash by Amaterasu was a decent enough end. 

Sighing, Uchiha Hikari turned to the Black Adjutant. “Talking to idiots is such a chore… Your turn.” 

“I-I know where Dr. Gero is! He’s below this castle… I’ll take you there right now!” 

The Black Adjutant, sweating profusely, blurted it out, clearly terrified of meeting the same fate. 

“Below?” 

Uchiha Hikari raised an eyebrow, hopping off the desk. Her eyes shifted, releasing the paralysis jutsu. “Lead the way. And don’t try anything clever—my patience is thin.” 

“…Yes, ma’am.” 

The Black Adjutant wiped his brow, his mind racing despite his panic. 

He had long wanted to eliminate Commander Red and take his place, but Red’s years of authority made it impossible. Now, with Red dead, he saw an opportunity—maybe he could use Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath to rebuild the Red Ribbon Army. 

Uchiha Hikari didn’t know his schemes. 

And even if she did, she wouldn’t care. The Black Adjutant might be a tad smarter than Red, but he was cut from the same cloth. Once he outlived his usefulness, he’d be dealt with just the same. 

“This way, please.” 

The Black Adjutant led Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath to a hidden elevator, activating it with a voice scan. They descended, passing through layers of security—iris scans, voice checks, fingerprints—until they reached an underground laboratory. 

Chapter 222: Frieza, the One Who Destroyed the Red Ribbon Army 

Deep within the underground laboratory of the Red Ribbon Army. 

Uchiha Hikari finally met Dr. Gero. 

Since the timeline was still early, the doctor didn’t look as aged as he would in the Android Saga. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties, dressed in a white lab coat, with graying hair and a balding, Mediterranean-style haircut that screamed genius. 

Standing beside him was a woman in her thirties with wavy chestnut hair, wearing black-framed glasses and exuding a slightly disheveled, laid-back vibe. 

“And who’s this?”  

Uchiha Hikari had a hunch about the woman’s identity but glanced at the Black Adjutant for confirmation. 

The Black Adjutant quickly spoke up, “She’s another scientist in our army, named Vomi. She’s Dr. Gero’s assistant, specializing in weapons research…” 

“Oh…” 

Uchiha Hikari nodded, her eyes glinting with curiosity. 

The name “Vomi” sounded unfamiliar at first. 

But if you mentioned her other name, things would click—Android 21. 

That’s right. 

In the Dragon Ball world, Dr. Gero created a total of 20 androids, with “Android 20” being himself, who later died at the hands of Android 17 in the Android Saga. Cell was also one of Gero’s creations, but since he was developed by a computer after Gero’s death, he’s considered separate. 

As for “Android 21,” that was Vomi herself. Using her own body as a base, she was fused with Majin Buu’s cells to create her, making her one of only two female androids alongside Android 18. She was likely the strongest of all the androids Gero ever produced. 

—Oh, and by the way, Vomi was Dr. Gero’s partner. They had two sons together, the eldest of whom passed away young and served as the prototype for Android 16. 

But all of that was still a decade or two away. 

At this point in time, Dr. Gero and Vomi’s research hadn’t progressed that far. They’d only just created “Android 8,” the big, lovable oaf from Muscle Tower. 

Android 8 had some strength, probably around 50 or 60 points, roughly on par with kid Goku in this era. But compared to the later androids with battle powers in the billions, he was practically a speck—not even a fraction of their might. 

Truth be told, Uchiha Hikari was most curious about Android 18. 

But given the timeline, 18 was probably still under ten years old, chilling somewhere on Earth with her brother, 17. Hikari couldn’t exactly go kidnap her and hand her over to Dr. Gero for modification, so she let the idea go. 

“…Black Adjutant, who are these women?”  

Dr. Gero frowned. 

Since the lab was underground, the chaos that had unfolded above ground hadn’t reached them. Dr. Gero was still unaware that the Red Ribbon Army had been wiped out by Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath. 

But faced with two unfamiliar faces, his instincts kicked in, and he grew wary. 

“They’re…” 

The Black Adjutant hesitated. 

He couldn’t exactly blurt out that Hikari and Esdeath were the ones who destroyed the Red Ribbon Army. That’d probably get him killed before he could leave the lab. 

On the other side, Uchiha Hikari smiled lightly and extended her right hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m the new leader of the Red Ribbon Army. You can call me Marshal Hikari.” 

“?” 

… 

After meeting Dr. Gero, the Black Adjutant was no longer useful. 

Using her “Yasaka no Magatama,” Hikari probed his mind to locate the Red Ribbon Army’s hidden treasure stashes. After cross-checking with Commander Red’s information to ensure nothing was missed, she casually dismissed him, planning to deal with him permanently in a few days. 

—For now, the Red Ribbon Army still had some branch bases and remnants scattered around. It wasn’t clear if they’d contact headquarters, so the Black Adjutant still had some minor value. He could live a little longer. 

Next, Hikari spent a full day carefully probing the memories of Dr. Gero and Vomi. 

She had to be cautious. 

These two were special. Unlike the others whose memories she’d checked, their most valuable asset was their brilliant minds. If she accidentally damaged their brain cells while altering their memories, ruining their genius, this whole trip would be for nothing. 

“…I see. So the reason he’s so loyal to the Red Ribbon Army is because Commander Red once saved his son’s life by chance?” 

“Then, if I replaced his son with myself in his memories…” 

Hikari considered it for a moment but quickly scrapped the idea. 

She wasn’t keen on playing daughter to anyone. Plus, while Dr. Gero wasn’t exactly a saint, his love for his son was genuine. Toying with that felt a bit wrong. 

So instead, Hikari crafted a detailed story and implanted it into Dr. Gero and Vomi’s minds. 

In this story, the Red Ribbon Army’s destruction had nothing to do with her or Esdeath. 

It was all the work of someone named “Frieza.” 

Frieza, a member of the Frost Demon race from the depths of space, dubbed the “Emperor of the Universe,” happened to pass by Earth. On a whim, he unleashed an energy blast that triggered a massive blizzard, freezing everything for dozens of miles. 

General Blue and the other officers all perished in that storm. 

Only she, “Marshal Hikari,” survived, thanks to the desperate protection of her “Adjutant Esdeath.” 

Yup… since Androids 16, 17, and 18 would eventually rival Super Saiyans in strength, using Frieza as an imaginary enemy wasn’t too far-fetched for Dr. Gero. And while Frieza wasn’t exactly “frosty” in ability, he was a Frost Demon, so pinning the blame on him for Esdeath’s ice-based destruction wasn’t too much of a stretch. Esdeath herself didn’t mind, so Frieza probably wouldn’t either. 

To ensure this takeover went flawlessly, Hikari went a step further. After altering Dr. Gero’s memories, she pulled out Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan and hit him with a “Kotoamatsukami.” 

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment move. 

She’d planned it before coming to the Dragon Ball world. To prepare, Hikari had taken a blind crow, transplanted Shisui’s eyes into it, and brought it along. As she activated “Kotoamatsukami,” one of the crow’s eyes dimmed, but Dr. Gero’s altered memories were reinforced, becoming unshakably ingrained. 

“That should do it…” 

With this double-layered precaution in place, Hikari let out a small sigh of relief and turned her attention back. 

Nearby, Esdeath, who had witnessed the whole thing, wore a subtle expression, as if she wanted to say something but held back. 

“What’s up, Esdeath?”  

Hikari noticed her microexpression. 

“You…”  

Esdeath hesitated before being blunt. “Did you just use an ability to alter his memories? How else could that old man’s attitude toward you change so drastically?” 

“Something like that,” Hikari admitted with a nod. “The Uchiha clan’s Mangekyō Sharingan holds special powers called ‘ocular techniques.’ Some of them can manipulate a person’s will.” 

“…” 

“Don’t worry, Esdeath. I’d never mess with your memories,” Hikari said, sensing her friend’s concern. She flashed a bright, sincere smile. “I don’t use that kind of power on friends—only on truly despicable people. Besides, it doesn’t work on someone with a strong enough will.” 

Until now, Hikari had never revealed to anyone that she could rewrite someone’s will. 

It was a terrifying ability, one that could make even close allies wary if they knew about it. 

This was the first time she’d openly mentioned it. 

Of course, she still held back a bit. She only mentioned “Kotoamatsukami” and skimmed over the details of “Yasaka no Magatama.” 

After a brief pause, Esdeath’s expression softened.  

“I get it. So it’s like the abilities of the ice beast from ‘Demon’s Extract,’ right?” 

“…Huh?”  

Hikari hadn’t thought of it that way but nodded after a moment. “Yeah, you could say that.” 

In the Akame ga Kill! world, some super-dangerous beasts, like “Demon’s Extract” or “Demon Entanglement,” could erode a person’s will. While erosion and rewriting weren’t exactly the same, they both involved altering memories, so the comparison wasn’t far off. 

With Esdeath satisfied, Hikari turned her focus back to Dr. Gero. Under his and Vomi’s guidance, she began inspecting the weapons and equipment displayed in the lab. 

“Marshal Hikari, this is the ‘Dragon Radar’ built to your specifications. Just press this button, and it’ll locate the Dragon Balls… like so.” 

As Dr. Gero spoke, he operated a massive radar detector resembling a supercomputer, explaining its functions to Hikari. 

Next to it was a Five-Star Dragon Ball, its energy not yet fully restored, stored in a translucent glass container. 

Hikari wasn’t surprised by these items. 

She’d already probed the memories of Commander Red, the Black Adjutant, and Dr. Gero. 

From those memories, she learned that Commander Red had been obsessed with the Dragon Balls for a while. Last summer, he’d witnessed Shenron’s summoning and the sky darkening, then researched ancient texts and learned the legend that “Dragon Balls can grant any wish.” That sparked his greed. 

By chance, the Five-Star Dragon Ball had flown near the Red Ribbon Army’s headquarters after a wish was made and was found by a sentry. This gave them a chance to study it further. 

For most of the past year, the Dragon Ball had been in its dormant stone state, indistinguishable from an ordinary rock. 

It was only in the last few weeks that its energy began to recover. Dr. Gero analyzed its energy wavelength through spectral analysis and built this radar detector based on that. 

While Gero’s radar wasn’t as compact or convenient as Bulma’s Dragon Radar, its technical sophistication was impressive. 

“Let’s talk about the Dragon Radar later. First, show me the rest. Are these the new weapons you developed for… for me, the Marshal?” Hikari’s gaze shifted to the other side of the lab. 

“Of course.” 

Dr. Gero nodded and began introducing the other research成果: 

“This is a new single-person airship, capable of unmanned flight, with a top speed of Mach 15…” 

“This is the latest wearable robot, made of tungsten-titanium alloy. It’s manned, a bit bulky, but lightweight. The slots under the body can hold four micro-missiles, each with the power of ten tons of TNT—enough to destroy a fortress the size of the Red Ribbon Army’s headquarters in seconds.” 

“And this is my latest prototype: a high-energy particle beam gun. It fires specialized particle beam bullets that can kill enemies instantly, with dozens of times the power of standard firearms. But it still needs work, mainly on the energy side. With the current energy source, it can only fire ten shots before needing a recharge.” 

Of all the items, the particle beam gun caught Hikari’s attention. 

Its sleek, sci-fi design looked straight out of a movie, complete with a row of subtle, luxurious colored lights that lit up along the stock and scope when the safety was disengaged. It was undeniably cool. 

Following Dr. Gero’s instructions, Hikari aimed at a humanoid target a hundred meters away and fired. The target vaporized instantly. Casually, she asked, “Why not solve the energy issue with a ‘perpetual energy reactor’?” 

“Huh?”  

Dr. Gero looked baffled. “What’s that?” 

“?” 

Hikari paused, surprised. “You haven’t developed that yet?” 

The “perpetual energy reactor” she referred to was the infinite energy source installed in Androids 17 and 18. 

But… 

That tech only debuted when 17 and 18 emerged from the lab. Even then, no other androids had it, suggesting its production cost and technical complexity were high, even for someone like Dr. Gero. Mass production was likely impossible. 

And twenty years earlier, in the present timeline, Dr. Gero probably hadn’t even laid the theoretical groundwork for it, let alone built one. 

Come to think of it… 

The “perpetual energy reactor” was almost absurdly advanced, on par with Bulma’s “time machine” and Dr. Brief’s “capsule technology”—the three black-box techs of the Dragon Ball world. It was hard to imagine how Dr. Gero even managed to create it. 

Chapter 223: Can You Make It Look Like a Gundam? 

Uchiha Hikari wasn’t exactly a tech expert. 

So, after getting a rough sense of Dr. Gero’s current research progress, she shifted the conversation to another topic. 

“Dr. Gero, have you ever heard of the Saiyans?” 

“?” 

The answer, of course, was no. 

Hikari didn’t beat around the bush. “They’re a race from space known as the ‘warrior race,’ born with incredible fighting talent. Some of their best can even transform into Super Saiyans under extreme anger… and those Super Saiyans are Frieza’s only weakness.” 

“!” 

At the mention of “Frieza,” Dr. Gero’s expression turned serious. “You mean the one who destroyed the Red Ribbon Army?” 

“Yep.” 

Hikari nodded slightly, then placed a few test tubes containing Goku’s blood samples on the lab table. “These contain Saiyan blood and tissue samples, along with an analysis report. Take a look and see if you can figure something out.” 

The analysis report, naturally, came from Dr. Brief. 

Back during her first Dragon Ball hunt, Hikari had collected Goku’s blood samples and handed some over to Dr. Brief for study. 

Dr. Brief had conducted a thorough analysis, identifying seventeen types of cells unique to Saiyans, distinct from humans. Nine of them had energy-activation properties, enhancing physical capabilities, while four others promoted rapid regeneration, speeding up wound healing. 

But which of these were the “S-cells”? That was still unclear. 

The so-called S-cells were the ones tied to transforming into a Super Saiyan. 

Right now, Goku was just a twelve- or thirteen-year-old kid, still over a decade away from becoming a Super Saiyan. 

In those years, Goku would drink Ultra Divine Water, get hit by a Special Beam Cannon, die once, suffer near-fatal injuries multiple times, and witness Krillin’s death twice. All those experiences would affect his body, altering the number and activity of his cells. Trying to analyze the S-cells’ composition and mechanics from his current, unchanged blood sample was no easy task. 

But… 

It wasn’t a big deal. 

Dr. Gero and Dr. Brief were both top-tier scientists in the Dragon Ball world, and both had independently discovered and theorized about S-cells. Point them in the right direction, and results were just a matter of time. At the very least, they could identify the S-cells years ahead of the original timeline. 

As for how to use these cells… 

Maybe they could engineer an artificial Super Saiyan through cellular modification? 

If the Naruto world could use Hashirama’s cells to grow artificial arms, there was no reason the Dragon Ball world couldn’t do something similar. Even if a full Super Saiyan transformation wasn’t possible, using S-cells to boost physical activity and recovery should be doable. 

Next, Hikari pulled out blood samples from Daki and her brother, Eri, Xia Mi, the East Sea Cloud Dragon, and others, placing them on the table. She gave a brief explanation, assigning Dr. Gero his next research tasks. 

Well, the capable ones always get more work, right? 

So far, Hikari had recruited three scientists across three worlds. 

Orochimaru had the heaviest workload, juggling over a dozen projects. Even with helpers like Yakushi Nono and Karin, he was swamped. 

Dr. Stylish had fewer tasks, limited by his academic expertise, focusing on alchemy, super-dangerous species, and Imperial Arms research. 

Dr. Gero, however, was the most accomplished of the three and had a solid team, with Vomi nearly matching his skill. It only made sense for him to take on a bit more. 

As for the Uchiha clan’s blood samples… 

After some thought, Hikari decided not to hand them over to Dr. Gero. 

After all… 

Dr. Gero’s loyalty came from her ocular techniques. 

Though unlikely, if he studied Uchiha blood and cracked the secrets of the Mangekyō Sharingan, he might notice something off, leading to unexpected complications. Better to play it safe. 

While Dr. Gero and Vomi quietly discussed their workload, Hikari glanced at the nearby robot and suddenly said, “Oh, by the way…” 

“I’ve been meaning to ask… can you tweak the appearance of that robot?” 

“Tweak? You mean…” Dr. Gero looked puzzled. 

To be fair, Dr. Gero was a genius in weapons development, but his aesthetic sense was… questionable. Most of his androids, except for 17 and 18, who were based on humans, were downright ugly. His mechs weren’t much better. 

This pilotable robot had decent specs but looked hideous. You’d probably feel like a total dork sitting inside it. 

So… 

“Gimme some paper.” 

Hikari grabbed a sheet of paper and quickly sketched a mech design, then handed it to Dr. Gero. “Can you build a mech that looks like this?” 

“…Sure.” 

Dr. Gero studied it for a moment and nodded. “The color scheme’s a bit odd, but replicating it isn’t too hard. Does this design have some special significance to you?” 

“Heh.” 

Hikari chuckled. “You wouldn’t get it.” 

The design she’d drawn was none other than the Strike Freedom Gundam. 

Sure, she already had Susanoo, which was just as powerful—if not more so—than most mechs, but… 

Who could resist the dream of piloting a Gundam? 

In the Akame ga Kill! world, Hikari had already fulfilled her dream of being a dragon rider. Though the East Sea Cloud Dragon couldn’t travel between worlds with her yet, she’d at least earned the “Dragon Rider” title. 

So, in the Dragon Ball world, chasing the dream of “launching in a Gundam” wasn’t too much to ask, right? 

With that, Hikari had pretty much wrapped up the tasks she wanted to assign Dr. Gero. 

Over the next few days, she thoroughly looted the Red Ribbon Army’s fortress. 

The haul was impressive. 

She set aside a small portion for Dr. Gero’s research funding and stuffed the rest into her Capsule Corp capsules. 

During those days, a few groups of Red Ribbon soldiers returned to headquarters from outposts. 

And then… 

Esdeath casually took care of them. 

As for the ice sculptures she’d made earlier, they still stood untouched around the fortress. Given the high latitude, even in summer, they showed no signs of melting, scaring off several Red Ribbon squads that came to investigate. 

“…It’s been this long, and Tao Pai Pai still hasn’t shown up?” 

“And those scattered outpost members—haven’t they noticed something’s wrong with headquarters by now? It’s been ages with no contact. They’ve probably realized the situation and bolted.” 

Since Dr. Gero’s lab equipment was too bulky to move, and the fortress had enough food reserves to sustain his team for a year or two, Hikari asked Esdeath to create a massive hemispherical ice wall, sealing off the surrounding dozen miles. Then, she personally set up a large-scale concealment barrier—a trick she’d learned from Kikyo. After spending time together in the Inuyasha world, and with her Sharingan, picking up practical barrier techniques wasn’t hard. 

Now, even if Red Ribbon remnants approached, they’d be stuck outside, unable to do anything. 

Early that morning, at the Red Ribbon Army fortress gates, Hikari gave Dr. Gero her final instructions. “…That’s the gist of it. Adjutant Esdeath and I are heading out to track down ‘Frieza.’ We might be back soon, or it could take a while. In the meantime, I’m counting on you and Dr. Vomi to work on the tasks I’ve given you.” 

“You can count on us,” Dr. Gero said firmly. “The one who destroyed the Red Ribbon Army is my enemy. I’ll develop even stronger weapons to take him down and avenge our fallen comrades!” 

Hikari smiled and patted his shoulder encouragingly. 

Though, well… the ones who actually destroyed the Red Ribbon Army were standing right there—her and Esdeath. 

She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of expression Dr. Gero would have if he ever learned the truth… 

“Let’s go, Esdeath.” 

“How about a walk in the forest before we head back to Bulma and the others?” Hikari suggested. 

… 

[Bulma @Nameless: Hikari, how’s everything going on your end? Need any help?] 

[Bulma: Tanjiro, Yamato, and I have left Kame House and are heading to the World Martial Arts Tournament venue. It’s at… If you’re done, you can come straight there and meet up with us.] 

[Nameless: Almost done. Just a few more things to wrap up, then I’ll head back. Are Eri and the others there too?] 

[Little Monster: Yep, we’re here! Can’t wait to see you, Hikari!] 

[Brand: It’s my first time in Miss Bulma’s world. I never imagined there’d be so many things I’ve never seen before… It feels so magical.] 

At that moment, hundreds of miles above Kame House, a sizable airship was cruising at high speed. 

Bulma was at the helm. 

In the rows of seats behind her sat Yamato, Eri, Kikyo, Brand, and Yorushiko Yotsuya. Aside from Hikari, who was at the Red Ribbon headquarters, and Minato Namikaze and Yuji Itadori, who couldn’t make it for various reasons, the other seven group members were all present, excitedly chatting and gazing at the sky outside. 

Yorushiko Yotsuya was the most thrilled. 

Among them, she had the least interaction with the group, having only met Hikari and Kikyo in person before. Her impressions of the others were limited to text chats, so this was her first time meeting them in the flesh. 

Plus… 

In her own world, the cycle of reincarnation was broken, leaving restless spirits and ghosts everywhere. Arriving in the Dragon Ball world, where not a single ghost was in sight, brought tears of relief to her eyes. 

Not far from the airship, in another part of the sky, Master Roshi was piloting a small plane carrying Goku, Krillin, and blue-haired Launch, also heading toward the tournament venue. He glanced over at Bulma’s airship, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. 

“Where did that girl Bulma find so many friends?” 

“And they all seem pretty strong…” 

As a veteran champion of the World Martial Arts Tournament, Master Roshi had a good sense of the competition’s level and where his two new disciples stood. 

To put it simply… 

Based on the past dozen or so tournaments, there might be a few fighters capable of beating Krillin, but almost no one could reliably defeat Goku. 

If the Crane School didn’t show up and Roshi himself didn’t compete, Goku was likely to take the championship, with Krillin at least making the top four. 

That was why Roshi had considered entering under a pseudonym—to give Goku a dose of humbling defeat to temper his edge and help him grow. 

It was also why he’d pushed for Hikari and Esdeath to join, hoping they’d serve as additional challenges for his students. 

But now… 

Roshi was starting to second-guess himself. 

A little setback was one thing, but… 

With this tournament’s lineup, could Goku even make it to the top four? 

Among Bulma’s friends alone, three or four were stronger than Goku. Add Roshi himself into the mix, and… what if the setbacks were too much and ended up breaking the kid? 

“This is giving me a headache…” 

Roshi scratched his head with one hand, looking a bit worried. 

That afternoon, Bulma and Roshi’s groups landed in the city hosting the tournament and booked a few hotel rooms. 

As an event that had been running for nearly a century, the World Martial Arts Tournament was wildly popular. 

With days still to go before the event, the city was already packed. Hotels were fully booked, and the streets were filled with martial artists in all kinds of outfits, eagerly preparing for the big day. 

Amid this lively atmosphere, Hikari and Esdeath used “Shangri-La” to teleport in, reuniting with Bulma and the others. 

Chapter 224: For Real? I’m Fighting Uchiha Hikari? 

That evening. 

Bulma booked out the largest restaurant in the city, treating everyone—including Uchiha Hikari, the other chat group members, Esdeath, Master Roshi, and the rest—to a massive feast. 

During the meal, Eri and Miko Yotsuya kept sneaking glances at Goku and Krillin, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. 

Both had read the Dragon Ball manga and knew about Goku’s identity and the epic adventures awaiting him. Seeing the legendary “Super Saiyan” in the flesh naturally piqued their interest. 

Brand was also watching Goku. 

But his focus was different from the girls’. He was fixated on Goku’s ravenous eating habits and the growing stack of plates piling up beside him. 

“…Miss Bulma, does this kid, Son Goku, always eat like this?” 

“Huh?” 

Bulma blinked, then burst out laughing. “Oh, that? Well, Goku’s an alien, you know. A big appetite comes with the territory. Don’t worry, I’m the daughter of a rich family. I can cover the bill, unlike a certain perverted old man.” 

“…” 

Bulma was, of course, referring to Master Roshi. 

Back at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament—right after this very event—Roshi had treated Goku, the runner-up, to a celebratory meal. That single meal devoured the entire 500,000 zeni prize money, nearly forcing Roshi to dine and dash. It was, in a way, one of Roshi’s darker moments. 

But now… 

Brand hesitated, unsure how to respond. 

Was this just a “big appetite”? This was monstrous! Who eats like that? 

He’d thought Akame’s appetite was impressive for a foodie, but Goku? The kid could probably polish off several cows in one sitting. How did someone so small pack away that much food? 

While Brand and Bulma whispered, Uchiha Hikari leaned in, asking Brand about Akame and Leone. 

“By the way, didn’t you say those two wanted to come join the fun? Are they still coming?” 

Lately, Uchiha Hikari had been studying the chat group’s dimension-hopping function and discovered it had some flexibility. You could temporarily bring non-group members to another world for 100 points per trip, but they could only stay for 24 hours—and only with the other world’s group members’ approval. 

100 points a day was a bit pricey. 

But most group members, including Hikari, rarely used their points, so they could afford it if needed. 

Of course, sealing someone in a scroll and bringing them over was another option. It was more hassle and a bit uncomfortable for the passenger, but it saved points. 

“Well…” Brand explained in a low voice. 

Leone couldn’t make it. 

A friend of hers in the slums was in trouble, and she needed to help out, leaving no time for other plans. 

But Akame was still eager to come. 

And then there was Tazmi. 

“That kid Tazmi’s improving fast. He’s got the makings of a general. The boss wants to train him to stand on his own. If he could come here and see top fighters from this world, it’d do wonders for his growth,” Brand said. 

Hikari listened, stealing a glance at Esdeath nearby. 

In the original story, Esdeath fell for Tazmi at first sight during the imperial martial arts tournament. But with the Revolutionary Army taking the capital early, that tournament never happened. If Tazmi showed up at the World Martial Arts Tournament here and displayed his talent and resolve, would that spark something in Esdeath? 

“What’s up? Why the sudden stare?” Esdeath asked calmly, wiping her mouth as she noticed Hikari’s gaze. 

“Nothing, just thinking about something…” Hikari replied vaguely. 

The next day, after the feast. 

At Brand’s request, Hikari went with him to the Akame ga Kill world to pick up Akame and Tazmi. 

While there, Hikari took a detour to the East Sea to check on her mount. 

The East Sea Cloud Dragon still recognized her, bowing its head obediently. 

Relieved, Hikari hopped on, soaring over the East Sea for a few hours, enjoying the sea breeze and snapping some photos to share in the chat group, showing off a bit. 

[Nameless: [DragonKnight.jpg]×10] 

[Bulma: Whoa, is that the mount you tamed last time, Hikari? I could tell from the size comparison in the photos it was huge, but seeing it now… it’s even more massive than I imagined!] 

[Nameless: Hehe, next time you guys can come ride it too. Rayquaza’s back is plenty wide—could easily fit a hundred people at once, no problem.] 

To be precise, the East Sea Cloud Dragon could carry tens of thousands without issue. 

With a body stretching six or seven kilometers, its head alone dwarfed a fully formed Susanoo. It was a true mountain-sized beast. 

Hearing Hikari’s offer, Eri and Yamato immediately expressed interest, itching to try it out. But with the tournament approaching, Hikari postponed the plan, and they agreed to wait. 

After indulging her dragon-riding itch, Hikari returned the Cloud Dragon to its nest and sought out Dr. Fashion. 

Recently, Dr. Fashion had relocated his lab to the East Sea Prefecture, continuing his research on Teigu and dangerous species. His main focus was the Supreme Teigu, the “Guardian Machine God,” which he’d closely observed before. 

When Hikari arrived, he handed her several analysis reports he’d written, explaining his ongoing and future research plans. 

“…Alright, I get the gist. Not bad,” Hikari said. 

“You handle it as you see fit. If you’re stuck on anything alchemy-related, talk to Doty. She’s an expert in that field.” 

Truth be told, Hikari didn’t fully understand the reports. She hadn’t delved deeply into the Akame ga Kill world’s alchemy. When Bulma and the others went to study the Supreme Teigu, Hikari was busy taming the Cloud Dragon and hadn’t followed up. 

But… 

Someone would understand. 

“I’ll show these to Bulma when I get back. She seems pretty into alchemy research…” 

As Hikari predicted, Bulma was indeed intrigued by the reports. Since she wasn’t competing in the tournament, she planned to review them quickly and decide whether to visit the Akame ga Kill world after the tournament to discuss the latest findings with Dr. Fashion. 

The final two days flew by. 

The 21st World Martial Arts Tournament officially began. 

First up: determining the matchups. 

When registration closed, each contestant was assigned a number. The matchups were decided by odd-numbered contestants drawing from a box containing even-numbered ones. To avoid any rigging, the organizers used a public drawing system. 

Hikari had an even number, so she didn’t need to draw. 

But since Tanjiro, Brand, Esdeath, and others had odd numbers, she couldn’t just lounge at the hotel. She joined Bulma, Eri, and the others at the tournament venue to await the draw results. 

Soon, the chat group buzzed with messages— 

[DemonPrincess: Wow, there are tons of contestants! It’s so lively—way more fun than Onigashima. Wonder how many of these guys are as strong as Master Roshi. I really wanna spar with them!] 

[Brand: …Not to be rude, but some smelly guy just walked past me. Does the tournament not have any rules about personal hygiene?] 

[Bulma: Smelly guy? Don’t tell me you ran into that barbarian?] 

[Brand: Barbarian?] 

[YotsuyaMiko: Bulma’s talking about that guy who used his “body odor attack” to reach the top eight and almost beat Krillin…] 

[Bulma: Yup, that’s the one. Good thing I didn’t see him, or I’d be traumatized.] 

At first, the group chat was lively, with everyone sharing their thoughts on the draw. Even Bulma joined in—though she’d read about the 21st tournament in the manga, the real thing felt different. Especially since Hikari and the others’ interference had drastically altered the timeline, adding new variables to the tournament’s outcome. 

Until… 

[IronHead: Wait, what? My first opponent is Miss Hikari?] 

[Bulma: Pfft…] 

[Bulma: Tough luck, Tanjiro! But it’s just a friendly match, right? We said “friendship first, competition second.” Hikari wouldn’t go all out on you… right, Hikari? @Nameless] 

[Nameless: Yup. Tanjiro and I were both trained by Korin, so as fellow disciples, I’ll go easy on you [smiley.jpg].] 

[IronHead: Ahem, you don’t have to…] 

In reality, Tanjiro scratched his head, looking conflicted. 

He wasn’t a coward. 

Back when he was just a low-ranking Demon Slayer, he’d dared to swing his blade at Muzan Kibutsuji, a millennium-old demon king far stronger than him. Now, after months of training—including two months under Korin learning “ki”—his strength had grown exponentially. He wasn’t about to back down before a fight. 

But… 

Fighting Miss Hikari? 

For real? 

Not fearing a strong opponent was one thing, but when the gap in strength was this massive, could he even last ten seconds in the ring? 

Tanjiro lowered his head, seriously pondering what tactics might let him survive a few extra moves against Hikari. 

Compared to Tanjiro’s mounting pressure, Yamato and Brand were much more relaxed. 

[Yamato: My opponent’s Master Roshi? Sounds like it’ll be a wild fight! Can’t wait to get started!] 

[Brand: My opponent’s called Giran… Is this guy even human? He looks like a straight-up monster.] 

[Bulma: Giran? This guy? [Giran.jpg]] 

Bulma sent a screenshot from the Dragon Ball manga. 

Giran was a notable character in the original story, one of the top eight in the 21st tournament, who gave Goku a tough fight. But his appearance was bizarre—a giant lizard-like beast. How did Earth in the Dragon Ball world produce “humans” like this? 

In the original story, Giran wasn’t exactly strong but had some skill, making it to the top eight. Unfortunately, facing Brand in the first round likely meant a quick exit. 

Then again, it wasn’t certain. 

If Brand didn’t use his “Demon Cloak,” he might not have a guaranteed win—just a slight edge. 

[Bulma: Oh, Hikari, who’d Esdeath draw? Not Goku, right?] 

[Nameless: Hold on, let me check…] 

In reality, Hikari stood on her tiptoes, peering at Esdeath’s draw slip. 

Esdeath started to tuck it away but, seeing it was Hikari, relaxed and casually handed it over, letting her see the name. 

Not Goku. 

It was… 

“…Tazmi?” 

Well, that’s… quite the coincidence. 

Even in a different world, the pull of the original plot still lingered. 

Hikari thought for a moment before testing the waters. “Hey, Esdeath, you’ve met that Tazmi kid, right? What do you think of him?” 

“What do I think?” 

Esdeath’s tone was flat. “Just an ordinary rookie. Average strength, not a Teigu user. Nothing worth noting, really.” 

“Huh?” 

No spark of interest at all? 

Hikari felt an odd sense of relief, then smiled and stretched her arms with a yawn. “Alright, the matchups are set. Matches start tomorrow, so let’s head back, get some rest, and gear up for the fights!” 

Chapter 225: Battles at the World Martial Arts Tournament 

The next morning, bright and early, Uchiha Hikari and her group got up, freshened up, had breakfast at the hotel, and made their way to the World Martial Arts Tournament venue in a lively procession. 

The venue was quite a sight. 

At its center was a massive arena spanning thousands of square meters, surrounded by bleachers that could seat nearly ten thousand people. Cameras were already set up in various spots, ready to broadcast the action on the stage and the crowd’s reactions to TV audiences worldwide. 

Truth be told… 

In the original Dragon Ball story, the tournament at this point wasn’t nearly this grand. Its fame was mostly confined to martial arts circles, so even someone like Master Roshi, a multi-time champion dubbed the “God of Martial Arts,” wasn’t well-known to the general public. 

He was nowhere near the level of Mr. Satan, who, twenty years later, would rise to global fame through the tournament and become an international icon by a twist of fate. 

But… 

Since Bulma had read the Dragon Ball manga and knew this, she’d flexed her financial muscle, funneling funds from Capsule Corp to sponsor the tournament. This made the event far grander in both venue size and audience turnout. 

“…Hikari, everyone, over here!” 

Bulma waved enthusiastically, guiding Hikari’s group to the front rows of the bleachers. 

Once everyone was settled, Bulma grinned and pulled out snacks and drinks from her capsules, passing them around. 

“Thanks, Bulma-nee!” Tanjiro said politely, his face all earnest gratitude. 

Eri raised her little notebook in appreciation. 

Goku, Krillin, and Launch each got a few bags of chips, nibbling away contentedly. 

With some time to kill before the matches started, Hikari and the others chatted casually—carefully avoiding any mention of the “chat group.” After all, Master Roshi and the others nearby weren’t in on their little secret, so it was best to keep it under wraps. 

About half an hour later, a blonde host took the stage, gave a brief speech, and announced the official start of the tournament. 

Then… 

“Hmm… so these are the martial artists from around the world? They don’t seem that impressive,” Yamato remarked. 

Being tall, she’d opted to sit on a cushion on the ground to avoid blocking the view of those behind her. Sipping her cola, she casually critiqued the fighters. 

Brand nodded in agreement. “Yeah, they’re about on par with the boxing masters from the Imperial Fist Temple, but nowhere near the ‘Four Rakshasa Demons’ level…” 

“…Not as strong as my brothers or Dad,” Eri added, holding up her notebook. 

Hikari smiled at Eri’s comment. “Well, your two brothers and the Uesugi family head are all ‘Emperors.’ If they couldn’t outshine this level, that’d be a bit embarrassing.” 

“Emperors?” Esdeath glanced over curiously. 

“Yep, it’s a title for those with exceptional bloodlines. People called ‘Emperors’ are usually pretty strong,” Hikari explained with a grin. “Next time we get the chance, I’ll take you to spar with them.” 

The Emperors of the Hassaikai in the Dragon world were top-tier fighters. While they couldn’t match Esdeath, they’d at least make decent sparring partners. If they used “Blood Burst” or “evolution drugs” in a do-or-die state, they might even give her a bit of a challenge. 

But then… 

Hikari’s thoughts wandered to another issue. 

If she really brought Esdeath to the Dragon world, how would the Hassaikai or Xia Mi react to her? 

Esdeath’s ice-based abilities might lead them to mistake her for a descendant of the “King of Ocean and Water”—or even the King himself. 

The “White King” and the “King of Ocean and Water” were indeed connected. The White King’s revival from the God’s Tomb owed much to the Water King’s embryo, which sank with the Lenin icebreaker. So, theoretically, a revived White King could summon the Water King as a subordinate, which made sense logically. 

If she could use this to bait out the real Water King, that’d be… interesting. 

… 

The morning passed quickly. 

At first, Yamato and the others were hyped, watching the matches eagerly and critiquing every fighter, not wanting to miss a single detail. 

But as time dragged on, their expressions grew blank, and they started losing interest. 

No surprise there. 

Aside from the Turtle School, Crane School, and future Z Fighters, most martial artists on Dragon Ball’s Earth weren’t all that strong. 

Many hadn’t even mastered “ki,” relying purely on physical punches and kicks—like Mr. Satan, the so-called “Savior” twenty years later. For group members who’d seen or fought in high-level battles, these matches felt like child’s play. 

In terms of spectacle, they were probably less exciting than the Naruto world’s Chunin Exams. At least those genin used all sorts of secret techniques, which, strong or not, were visually dazzling. 

Finally, it was Hikari and Tanjiro’s turn to fight. 

“Go get ‘em, Hikari! You too, Tanjiro!” Bulma cheered, making an encouraging gesture. “We’re the ‘Dimensional Pirates’—time to steal the show and let everyone know how awesome we are!” 

Eri raised her notebook with a “Stay safe” message. 

“Heh.” 

Hikari gave Bulma a wry smile, then ruffled Eri’s flowing red hair. Glancing at Esdeath, who sat quietly without a word, she and Tanjiro headed backstage to prep their outfits before stepping onto the arena from opposite sides. 

Once they were in position, Hikari tilted her chin at Tanjiro, signaling him to make the first move. 

The tournament rules banned weapons, so Tanjiro couldn’t use his Nichirin Blade. 

But thanks to his recent training with Korin, he’d honed his physical techniques. Taking a deep breath, he lunged forward, his fingers slicing through the air like a blade toward Hikari. 

As his hand cut through the air, faint ripples spread out, tinged with dark red flames and a sharp whistling sound— 

Breath of the Sun! 

Hikari stood still until Tanjiro was just a few meters away. Then, with a swift wave of her hand, she blocked his strike and lightly flicked her arm, sending him stumbling back. 

From that single exchange, Hikari had a good read on him. 

To put it simply… 

Tanjiro’s strength had improved significantly over the past six months. 

Especially in the last two months, with Korin’s help, he’d stabilized his “Mark.” His power, speed, and stamina were leagues beyond his days as a Demon Slayer Corps member. With his current strength, he could probably solo any Upper Moon below Akaza in the Demon Slayer world. 

He might even hold his own against Akaza or Doma, though his odds of winning weren’t great. 

As for Muzan Kibutsuji or Kokushibo… 

That was trickier. 

Those two were in a league of their own in the Demon Slayer world. Kokushibo nearly wiped out three Marked Hashira in a group attack, and Muzan, even aged 9,000 years, single-handedly overpowered the entire Corps. Tanjiro’s current level, while impressive, was roughly equivalent to one or two Hashira—not enough to take on those two. 

With these initial conclusions, Hikari settled in. Without activating her Sharingan, she relied purely on taijutsu, trading about a hundred blows with Tanjiro to gauge his true level before clinching a “narrow” victory. 

The regular audience didn’t react much, just enjoying a decently exciting fistfight. Some were surprised by Hikari’s age and appearance—a young female martial artist wasn’t common on this stage. 

But Bulma and the others, who knew Hikari’s real strength, exchanged odd looks. 

“Uh, Hikari’s holding back way too much, right?”  

“It’s not even holding back—it’s like she’s flooding the arena.” 

“Eh, whatever. We’re all friends, so no need to go all-out. Oh, Yamato, isn’t your match next?” 

Following Bulma’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to Yamato. 

They also glanced at Master Roshi’s seat—which, unsurprisingly, was now empty. 

“Huh? Where’d the old man go?” Goku stood up, shading his eyes as he scanned the crowd. 

“Probably the bathroom,” Krillin said casually. 

“Hmph, more like he’s off peeking at some girl,” Bulma muttered deliberately. 

As someone who’d read the Dragon Ball manga, Bulma knew Roshi was off disguising himself as “Jackie Chun.” But since this wasn’t something they were supposed to know—and Roshi’s intentions were for his disciples’ growth—she didn’t spill the beans, even signaling Eri and Yotsuya to keep quiet. 

When Hikari and Tanjiro returned from their match, Yamato sprang up from the ground, greeted Hikari, Kikyo, and the others, then strode toward the arena. 

At the same time, Master Roshi, now sporting a white wig and disguised as “Jackie Chun,” walked up from the other side, hands behind his back, exuding a calm, imposing aura. 

“Please.” 

After a brief standoff, Yamato flexed her arms, unleashing an invisible wave of pressure that surged across the arena like a tidal wave, sweeping through the entire venue! 

Conqueror’s Haki! 

In that moment, everyone except Hikari, Esdeath, and a few others felt an overwhelming weight on their shoulders, struggling to breathe. Weaker spectators collapsed in their seats, staring around in shock. 

“W-What’s happening?” 

“Is that coming from the fighter on the stage?” 

“That aura… it’s like standing in front of a ferocious tiger. It’s terrifying…” 

Compared to the rattled audience, Master Roshi, standing on the arena, felt the Conqueror’s Haki even more intensely. Though his strength and mindset kept him unshaken, he不容置疑 he still felt a twinge of unease, like facing a formidable foe. 

“Hoo…” 

In a single breath, Roshi’s lean frame bulked up, his jacket tightening as he sank into a horse stance, readying himself. 

The next moment, Yamato charged forward, her arms coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, swinging like a human mace with devastating force toward Roshi! 

Thunder Bagua!! 

As she moved, Roshi thrust out a palm, crackling with energy. “Drunken Thunderbolt!” 

The black-clad “mace” clashed with the electrified palm in midair! 

In an instant, a shockwave erupted, rippling outward like water, turning into a fierce gale. From the stands, the audience could see the arena’s tiles shattering, debris flying like bullets, and nearby walls turning into Swiss cheese from the impact! 

“Again!” 

Yamato stepped back, then swung her fist without hesitation! 

Boom… boom… boom!! 

As Kaido’s daughter, Yamato’s fighting style was much like his—straightforward, no-nonsense, all about raw power. 

After blocking a few hits, Roshi got a read on her tactics and used his Afterimage Technique, splitting into five or six illusory copies that attacked Yamato from different angles. 

… 

“…Shadow Clones?” Esdeath glanced at Hikari. 

She wasn’t part of the chat group and hadn’t read Dragon Ball, but the sight reminded her of a technique she’d seen Hikari use. 

“Nope, just a use of ‘ki,’ totally different from Shadow Clones,” Hikari clarified. 

Roshi’s Afterimage Technique was somewhat similar to another technique— 

Shisui’s Body Flicker. 

Back when Hikari lived with the Uchiha clan, she’d asked Shisui about his Body Flicker Technique. It was a blend of physical speed, clone techniques, and Sharingan genjutsu, producing an effect similar to Roshi’s move. 

Worth copying. 

Hikari’s Sharingan carefully observed the technique. 

(Chapter End)