186-190

Chapter 186: The Ten Heavens Breathing Technique 

Esdeath seemed to have anticipated that the battle wouldn’t end so easily. 

But she clearly hadn’t expected Uchiha Hikari to shatter her ice meteor with such ferocity. 

At this moment… 

Facing the dark red Susanoo soaring into the sky, Esdeath raised a hand, summoning a sheet of ice beneath her feet to lift her up. Then, crouching low, she pressed both hands onto the ice. 

“Haa!” 

A massive surge of frigid air gathered in an instant. 

From beneath the ice, enormous icicles formed, each over ten meters long, raining down from hundreds of meters in the air like a storm of deadly projectiles. The howling wind accompanied their descent as they surged toward Uchiha Hikari from all directions! 

Swish, swish, swish!!! 

Under this relentless barrage of icicles, Hikari’s upward charge didn’t slow in the slightest. 

She deployed her Blood Jade Barrier, enveloping Susanoo entirely. As the icicles collided with the barrier, a faint dark red glow flickered in the air, with fine white scratches appearing on its surface. Shards of ice scattered in all directions. 

—These icicles were powerful, but breaking a barrier several times stronger than the Four Violet Flames Formation was clearly beyond them. 

Even if the Blood Jade Barrier fell, Susanoo’s own durability was nothing to scoff at. 

In just a second, Hikari and her Susanoo reached hundreds of meters in the air, facing Esdeath across the ice sheet. With a single swing, she slashed at the ice beneath Esdeath’s feet! 

Crash—!!! 

Even the several-meter-thick ice only briefly slowed her blade before it shattered under the strike. 

But Esdeath had already reacted, bending her knees and leaping upward. Her military boots tapped against newly formed ice platforms, vaulting her a thousand meters into the sky! 

After completing her ascent, Esdeath turned, clapping her hands together. The “Demon’s Extract” mark on her chest glowed faintly. 

Another ice meteor broke through the clouds, plummeting with terrifying force! 

“…That’s a short cooldown, huh?” 

Unlike the Rinnegan’s “Planetary Devastation,” Esdeath’s ice meteors were crafted purely from her own power, so they weren’t as massive. 

Even so… 

The first meteor had been over fifty meters in diameter. 

This second one was about four times larger, nearly a hundred meters across, like a true meteor, roaring through the sky with bone-chilling winds! 

It was like a harbinger of the apocalypse! 

Facing this overwhelming pressure, Hikari exhaled, hovering briefly in midair. She channeled every ounce of her chakra and ki, then unleashed her Flight Technique once more, rocketing straight upward! 

Whoosh—!! 

Though the distance was shorter this time, her speed was even faster than before! 

The dark red giant raised its greatsword, parting the air on both sides and creating rippling, milky-white sonic barriers. Like a reverse meteor, it shot toward the darkened sky! 

As she ascended, a conical flame aura formed at the tip of the dark red greatsword, spreading to envelop the entire blade. Black-red flames ignited along the edge, soon erupting into a blazing inferno. Wrapped in fire, Susanoo resembled a majestic dragon, piercing the descending ice meteor! 

In that instant, it was as if a beam of light shot from the tip of Susanoo’s sword, piercing the meteor at one point and exiting the other side! 

Then… 

The light intensified! 

“Ten Heavens Breathing Technique…” 

“Activate!” 

Hikari took a deep breath. 

For the first time in combat, she simultaneously invoked all ten Breathing Techniques learned from the Demon Slayer world, flooding her body with oxygen. Flames, lightning, water, mist… all these elements flashed across the black-red greatsword in less than a second, erupting into a dazzling, multicolored blaze!! 

Indescribable heat, paired with sword light as radiant as the sun, pierced through the nearly hundred-meter-thick ice meteor in one go! 

This move… 

Was the counterpart to “Radiant Starfall”— 

“Reverse Radiant Starfall!” 

In the next moment, the beam expanded from the width of a wrist to nearly ten meters, starkly visible even within the hundred-meter meteor. It pierced through the clouds thousands of meters above, connecting heaven and earth! 

Crack— 

Countless fissures spread across the meteor’s surface, refracting brilliant rays of light. In a blinding flash, it shattered into countless fragments, scattering in all directions! As the meteor broke apart, chaotic sword winds mixed with biting cold swept outward! 

Whoosh—!! 

It was late summer in this world, but in that second, it felt like the depths of winter! 

To Najenda and the others watching the battle, a massive ring of energy erupted in the sky, followed by a torrential storm that materialized out of nowhere. Like countless wild dragons, it spread in every direction! 

Icy winds raged! 

Snow and ice dust swirled! 

It was as if a rare blizzard had descended. 

In this chaotic environment, the figures of the two combatants grew hazy, with only the vague outline of Susanoo still standing, sword in hand, against the night sky. 

On the battlefield, Hikari had released the “Ten Heavens Breathing Technique.” 

The strain on her body was too great, even for just a few seconds, leaving her lungs aching. She quickly reverted to her normal state to recover. 

The hundred-meter ice meteor, while not as grand as “Mahapadma,” clearly wasn’t something Esdeath could spam repeatedly. 

As the second meteor split in half, the dark red Susanoo passed through the gap, trailing a storm of ice fragments—each over half a meter wide, falling like a meteor shower. In this environment, Hikari’s and Esdeath’s eyes locked. 

Through the swirling ice, snow, and fiery aura, their gazes met. 

“…” 

Hikari activated her ocular powers. 

In her eyes, the black pinwheel spun gently: 

“Tsukuyomi!” 

Chapter 187: Mahapadma and… Fire Thunder God! 

Their gazes locked. 

Esdeath’s expression flickered with a momentary daze. 

The next second— 

The world spun! 

In an instant, the snowy battlefield vanished, replaced by a vast, boundless desert. The ground was littered with sun-scorched red gravel, the scene so vivid it felt real to both sight and smell. 

“…‘Shangri-La’s’ spatial teleportation?” 

“No, something’s different…” 

Esdeath scanned her surroundings discreetly, sensing something off. 

But before she could analyze further, Hikari, floating mid-air, raised her right hand in a grasping motion. 

Under the power of her eyes, invisible threads materialized in the air, weaving into a deadly net of killing intent. 

Then… 

They snapped tight! 

Esdeath, standing at the desert’s center, was instantly bound by layers of threads, from her neck to her arms to her legs, until even a finger couldn’t move. A massive cross appeared behind her, pinning her body firmly in place. 

The threads outlined her striking figure, leaving red marks on her skin. But her physical resilience was too great for them to break through. 

Then, Hikari waved her hand again. Sharp blades formed in the air, and after a brief charge, they shot toward Esdeath like a volley of arrows piercing the heart. 

Swish, swish, swish— 

The sound of slicing air rang out. 

Dozens of blades impaled Esdeath’s body, turning her into a pincushion, then retracted and struck again seconds later! 

Blood sprayed! 

In the Tsukuyomi space, a person’s essence is a mental construct. 

Pain and sensations are real, and wounds bleed, but their severity and healing speed differ vastly from reality, depending on the victim’s mental fortitude. 

Those with weak wills carry these wounds indefinitely, potentially becoming catatonic or even dying from the mental torment. 

But those with strong enough wills can shrug off the wounds, even making them vanish as soon as they appear. 

So far, Hikari had only met one person like that. 

Shaymin, or rather, Jörmungandr. 

—Perhaps the White Snake Sage or Cat Sage could do it too, but Hikari hadn’t tested them. 

And Esdeath… 

Was the second. 

This sadistic general was well-versed in torture, and though she was now the one being tortured, she wore an indifferent expression, even flashing Hikari a reckless grin. 

“You’re definitely stronger than the others. No wonder even General Budo fell to you… But is this really the extent of your torture?” 

“Too tame.” 

“Sword stabs are the simplest form of torment. Only the weak would break under this. If you want me to feel something, try something harsher!” 

“…” 

Hikari didn’t respond, only waving her hand to unleash more blades. 

She’d anticipated this. 

Esdeath’s mental resilience was extraordinary. The Teigu “Demon’s Extract: Manifestation of the Devil” could erode the mind, driving most people mad with just a sip. Yet Esdeath drank an entire canister and subdued it in moments, merging with its power. 

That kind of iron will and mental strength far surpassed trash like Honest or Sheila. 

Even Brand and Akame likely couldn’t compare. 

So… 

Hikari never expected a single Tsukuyomi to end the fight. 

Her plan was to use it to wear down Esdeath’s fighting spirit, ideally forcing her to use “Mahapadma” so Hikari could see its effects firsthand. 

But… 

Plans were one thing. 

Reality was another. 

Having endured the “Demon’s Extract,” Esdeath’s resistance to Tsukuyomi was formidable. At first, her wounds lingered like real blade cuts, slowly scabbing and healing. 

But as time passed, they vanished faster, appearing and disappearing almost instantly. 

And the smirk on Esdeath’s face grew wider— 

“I get it…” 

“This isn’t a real place. It’s a cage you built with your mental power, isn’t it? A nice trick, but your execution’s a bit crude… Need me to teach you how to truly break an enemy’s mind and body?” 

With those words, Esdeath’s body surged with strength. 

The threads binding her stretched taut, and the cross in the desert began to wobble. 

As she exerted herself, a blood-red shadow of a corpse-strewn battlefield loomed behind her, radiating chilling killing intent that spread outward! 

—Demon’s Manifestation! 

At this moment, Esdeath was no longer just human—she was closer to a humanoid Danger Beast. Empowered by the Demon’s Extract, she unleashed an indescribable, overwhelming force! 

Whoosh—!! 

A piercing wind roared, carrying swirling snowflakes! 

“So this is what merging with a Teigu looks like…” 

“It’s similar to Incursio, but the aura’s way stronger than Tyde’s…” 

Hikari narrowed her eyes, locking onto the blood-red shadow behind Esdeath. 

From that shadow alone, she could imagine the terrifying Super Danger Beast that birthed the “Demon’s Extract.” 

But… 

“Word Spirit: Black Sun!” 

Hikari took a deep breath, clapped her hands, and her dark hair whipped upward. A massive black sun erupted behind her—not just a few meters wide this time, but a colossal orb that blotted out the sky, wreathed in golden flame-like clouds. Bathed in their glow, Hikari radiated a divine aura! 

—This was a clash of god and demon! 

“You’re strong, I’ll give you that. But this… is my turf!!” 

A storm roared! 

A blazing hurricane of flames formed around Hikari, surging toward Esdeath! 

This clash had no room for finesse. 

It was pure mental domination and crushing force. 

Esdeath’s will was like bedrock—cracking it even slightly to glimpse her past was near impossible, let alone altering it with “Yasakani no Magatama.” 

But… 

In this Tsukuyomi space, Hikari was invincible! 

The howling winds swept through. 

As Hikari unleashed her full mental power, the storm slammed into Esdeath. 

Even the war goddess struggled, pinned to the cross. The blood-red shadow behind her shrank, barely holding on within a tiny radius, like a lone boat adrift in a raging sea, on the verge of sinking. 

The storm ravaged the space, turning it into chaos! 

Finally… 

Just before Esdeath and her blood-red shadow were fully submerged, Hikari exhaled softly, her tomoe spinning as she released Tsukuyomi. 

… 

Back in the real world, Hikari opened her eyes, instantly forming a shadow clone hand sign. Across from her, Esdeath snapped out of her momentary daze, reflexively raising her hands into a pyramid-like gesture. 

“…She’s using that move?” 

As if to confirm Hikari’s thought, Esdeath’s voice echoed faintly: “…Before me, all shall freeze. Ma… ha…” 

—Mahapadma!! 

A deep blue frost exploded from Esdeath’s body, standing on the icy ground, spreading like a circular light curtain at incomprehensible speed in all directions! 

Wherever the curtain passed, everything was coated in a thin layer of frost, like a delicate veil. 

Then… 

Everything froze. 

Hikari, inside her Susanoo, hovered motionless. 

The ice meteor, shattered into countless fragments and falling to the ground, hung suspended in mid-air. 

Blood, smoke, sand, metal shards… 

Even sound itself vanished, plunging the space into dead silence. 

Thump… 

Thump! 

Thump!! 

In this eerie quiet, a heartbeat grew louder, until it thundered like a drum in the chest! 

At that moment, the “Demon’s Extract” mark on Esdeath’s chest glowed brighter than ever. 

Bathed in a crimson light, the blue-haired general flashed forward, appearing before the Susanoo, and delivered a high, cleaving kick! 

Bang—!! 

A dark red barrier appeared meters from the Susanoo, and together they crashed to the ground like a cannonball! As they fell, massive ice spread from where Esdeath struck, encasing the blood-red barrier in a giant ice sphere, fifty to sixty meters wide. 

“…What’s this now?” 

Esdeath frowned but didn’t dwell on it, raising her hands again. “Ice Purgatory!!” 

Countless ice pillars materialized in the air. 

Then they plunged toward the ice sphere on the ground! 

Crack— 

The sphere shattered! 

Frost shards sprayed outward like scattering bullets! 

The surrounding rock layers broke apart too! 

The battlefield’s ground, already battered by Hikari and Esdeath’s fight, couldn’t withstand the ice pillars’ impact. The loose soil collapsed, sinking deeper into the earth! The Susanoo was dragged underground, pierced, surrounded, and buried by countless spear-like ice pillars! 

From above, it looked like a deadly forest forged from ice! 

After all this, Esdeath exhaled heavily. “…That move takes more out of me than I expected. I can only use it once a day.” 

“To push me this far, I’ll admit you’re a worthy opponent. But…” 

The frosty “veil” dissipated. 

The frozen time resumed its flow. 

Only then did Najenda and the others, kilometers away, notice something wrong. “…What happened? Where’s Miss Hikari?” 

“Why is Esdeath the only one up there…?” 

“…Boss, it’s likely Esdeath used that time-freezing ability Hikari warned us about. We need to move, now.” 

Brand was the first to react, leaping onto a flying Danger Beast and urging it to take off. 

Akame and Mine jumped onto another. 

Najenda, along with her newly acquired biological Teigu, Susanoo, followed. 

Esdeath caught sight of the approaching figures, a faint smile curling her lips. “Night Raid’s little rats, huh? I’m not at my peak, but dealing with you should still be manageable. If you’ve come, be ready to die… Hm?” 

Suddenly, Esdeath sensed something and turned, her expression shifting to surprise as she looked at the ground. 

In the bottomless pit below, a light flickered. 

Then… 

A deep purple lightning bolt erupted from the pit, rising like a blazing flame into the sky! 

It was a massive lightning pillar, dozens of meters wide, piercing the clouds a kilometer above, connecting earth and heavens! 

“?!” 

“What’s that…?” 

Brand and the others, flying toward the battlefield, paused instinctively. Their eyes locked onto a petite figure rising within the lightning pillar. 

It was Uchiha Hikari! 

Her body was enveloped in lightning, her outline blurred. 

But her aura was stronger than ever. 

In the silent stillness, Hikari slowly opened her eyes. 

Purple electric arcs danced around her, illuminating her pale face and exposed hands as if they were translucent. Her dark hair was wreathed in deep purple plasma, each strand writhing like a serpent. 

Countless faint purple threads, like a spider’s web, flickered in and out of existence, as if static were sparking through the air. 

But most striking of all was the six-pointed pinwheel in her eyes. 

The six tomoe, now a dark purple, shimmered with electric glints. 

“That feeling I couldn’t quite place before… it came from this?” 

Under Esdeath’s and Brand’s gazes, Hikari raised her head slightly, lifting her right hand. 

A blue-purple spear, forged purely from lightning, materialized in her palm, gripped tightly. 

Spiritual Weapon: Fire Thunder God! 

Chapter 188: Submit or Die? 

Before entering the Akame ga Kill! world, Uchiha Hikari, with the help of Mako and Kikyo, had refined her ocular powers to the brink of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. She could even sense something stirring within her eyes, as if it were about to awaken, but she lacked the final spark to break through that last barrier. 

Now, under the pressure of “Mahapadma,” that barrier was shattered— 

The final gap in the hexagonal pinwheel was filled by the ultimate surge of her ocular powers. 

From this moment on, she truly possessed the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. 

Just as Itachi’s Mangekyo gave birth to the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror, Hikari’s Mangekyo birthed its own spiritual weapon. 

—The spear named “Fire-Thunder God”! 

If the Totsuka Blade sealed souls and the Yata Mirror offered absolute defense, the “Fire-Thunder God” embodied ultimate combustion and raw violence. 

Forged from pure lightning and flame, the spear’s radiant thunderbolt that pierced the heavens was merely the byproduct of Hikari summoning it from the depths of her consciousness! 

Moreover… 

As a spiritual weapon made of lightning, its form was malleable. 

With a gentle flick of her wrist— 

Clang!! 

The spear elongated and expanded in her hand. A sharp spearhead and crescent-shaped blades extended from its tip, transforming into a nearly ten-meter-long halberd, gripped firmly in her palm. Purple-blue lightning, burning like flames, crackled around it! 

The same lightning danced across Hikari’s body. 

In that moment, she was like a thunder god descended from the heavens, radiating an overwhelming presence. 

“Game reset.” 

Hikari stepped forward, brandishing the halberd. 

Almost simultaneously, her figure crossed a hundred meters, appearing right in front of Esdeath! 

“?!” 

A massive ice sheet formed instantly, only to shatter and melt just as quickly. 

As Hikari swung her halberd, brilliant light burst from its tip, melting Esdeath’s ice with unstoppable force before striking her chest. 

Boom—!! 

A surge of immense power erupted, hurling Esdeath from the sky like a cannonball, crashing into the ground! 

Hikari followed like a shadow, flickering to Esdeath’s landing spot before she hit the ground, sweeping her halberd’s shaft. 

Another muffled thud. 

Esdeath’s body tore through the air, trailing a milky-white sonic barrier, and slammed into an ice wall. 

Then came the third and fourth flickers. 

From the moment Hikari declared “game reset,” less than ten seconds had passed. 

Enveloped in deep purple lightning, her body seemed to merge with the “Fire-Thunder God.” Each movement was instantaneous, leaving only afterimages in the eyes of everyone, including Esdeath, who couldn’t react in time to dodge or block. 

After being knocked back a second time, Esdeath summoned massive ice shields around herself to withstand the onslaught. 

But Hikari, wielding the “Fire-Thunder God” in her “Thunder God Form,” possessed not only incomprehensible speed but also unmatched explosive power. With each swing and thrust, she shattered the surrounding ice. 

In mere moments, Esdeath’s military uniform was torn in dozens of places. Bloodless wounds—cauterized instantly by thousands of degrees of heat—dotted her body, leaving only scorched marks. 

At this point, Esdeath realized tracking Hikari’s movements with her eyes was nearly impossible. 

So, she unleashed the full power of her “Demon’s Extract,” forming a massive ice boulder to encase herself. 

More precisely… 

A towering iceberg! 

Even the “Fire-Thunder God” couldn’t shatter this hundred-meter-tall, equally thick iceberg in one blow. Esdeath seized the moment to catch her breath, reinforcing the iceberg from within, preparing to counterattack. 

However… 

“I’ve gotten the hang of this state.” 

“Now… let me show you the true power of a god.” 

Hikari paused in midair, her ocular powers surging. The hexagonal pinwheel in her eyes spun rapidly. 

A dark red aura flickered. 

Susanoo reappeared. 

First the skeletal form, then the fleshed-out form, then the armored form… 

But this time, Susanoo didn’t stop at the fourth, fully armored stage. It expanded further, growing from roughly forty meters to a staggering two hundred meters, standing like a majestic mountain bathed in dazzling lightning! 

Behind it, massive red wings sprouted, unfurling like a bird’s. 

—Complete Susanoo! 

Hikari raised her hand. 

The “Fire-Thunder God” morphed, stretching in mere breaths into a red-tasseled halberd over three hundred meters long, gripped by the Complete Susanoo! 

“Hundred-Eightfold…” 

“Star Halberd Slash!!” 

The halberd descended. 

The earth shattered! 

With a single strike, the hundred-meter iceberg exploded into fragments. Unimaginable energy coursed through the ice into the ground, blasting open a massive fissure that radiated outward for kilometers! 

The earth-shaking roar, like an earthquake, lasted several minutes. 

When the dust settled, a bottomless abyss had formed, transforming the once-slightly uneven plain into a grand, natural-looking canyon. 

“Phew…” 

Hikari exhaled deeply, dispelling Susanoo. She popped half a Senzu Bean into her mouth, swallowing as she descended in her “Thunder God Form” to the depths of the canyon. 

Frost and chill permeated the area. 

Esdeath’s body was riddled with holes, lying among the rocks like a doll trampled by an elephant. A massive rock spike pierced her abdomen, surrounded by a pool of blood. Her strength seemed nearly depleted, yet she struggled to rise, gasping for breath. 

“How’s the taste of defeat?” 

Hikari stopped beside the rock, looking down at the warrior princess inches away. 

“…This time, I lost.” 

Esdeath’s expression flickered before she sighed. “I’d love to fight you again, but as the loser, I don’t have the right to make demands… Kill me, or deal with me however you see fit. That’s the privilege of the strong.” 

“Then…” 

Hikari paused, revealing her true intention. “Have you considered becoming my subordinate?” 

“Subordinate?” 

“More like a contract of employment.” 

Hikari spoke calmly. “You’d serve under me, and in return, I offer you a promise—you can challenge me, but I decide when. If you ever defeat me, I’ll grant you your freedom. 

It’s just a change of boss. Not much different from being a general in the Empire. That’s not too hard to accept, right? 

Or… would you rather choose death over submission?” 

“…A challenge?” 

Esdeath seemed intrigued but coughed, blood trickling from her mouth. “A tempting offer, but I’m already a dead woman…” 

“Quiet. Open your mouth.” 

Hikari crouched, holding another Senzu Bean between her fingers and placing it at Esdeath’s lips. “Now?” 

“…” 

As the Senzu Bean took effect, Esdeath’s strength rapidly returned. She pulled herself free from the rock spike, her abdominal wound healing visibly as new flesh and bone formed. 

“…What did you just give me?” 

“A secret.” 

Hikari held a finger to her lips. “But I might tell you, depending on your choice and performance. Of course… if you want to fight me now, I’m game.” 

With the Senzu Bean, Esdeath could theoretically unleash “Mahapadma” again. 

Hikari had experienced it once—it was indeed formidable. Even knowing time and space would freeze, she could only retain faint awareness, watching her body get sealed in ice. 

But… 

In her “Thunder God Form” with the “Fire-Thunder God,” things would be different. 

Hikari estimated this form could at least partially resist “Mahapadma.” With a few more tries, she might fully adapt, like Dragonized Tatsumi… 

Yet Esdeath, after a moment’s thought, gave up. 

“Another fight would just replay what happened… I’ll wait until I’m sure I can win before challenging you.” 

“Fair enough.” 

Hikari grabbed Esdeath’s shoulder, using her Flight Technique to bring her back to the surface. 

… 

“…A follower?” 

Above the abyss, Najenda, Brand, and the others were stunned to learn of the verbal agreement between Hikari and Esdeath. 

Some even wondered if the two were conspiring to pull off some grand scheme. 

But on second thought… 

With Hikari and Esdeath’s strength, far surpassing other Teigu users, they had no need for trickery. Together, no one could stop them. 

So such suspicions were pointless. 

Meanwhile, with their commander Esdeath defeated, the Northern armies she’d led surrendered on the spot. 

Najenda promised leniency, offering them a chance to redeem themselves through service. 

—The fight to topple the Empire was mostly over, but the Revolutionary Army still needed to clear out remaining loyalists and wage campaigns against the Southern and Western Tribes, which would take time and manpower. 

Hikari stayed out of it, leaving the Revolutionary Army to handle things. 

Instead, she took Esdeath to the capital to meet Dr. Stylish and others, preparing to head to the East Sea County. 

Per her agreement with the Revolutionary Army’s leader, three coastal cities there were her fief. 

The envisioned “Danger Beast Material Research Base” was ready to begin construction. 

… 

Days later, the Revolutionary Army completed the integration of Esdeath’s remaining forces and stormed the capital. 

That evening, the young Emperor was captured. Najenda and others found the “Supreme Throne” sealed beneath the palace. 

Like Hikari, they didn’t know how to extract it without collapsing the palace, so they sealed it for now, planning to study it further before deciding. 

Hikari chose to stay on the sidelines. 

She was chatting with Brand and the others about post-war plans. 

“So, Mr. Brand, Akame, what are your plans moving forward?” 

Brand rubbed his chin. “I’ll probably stick with the boss to build the new Empire. I’m not much for politics, but if it’s about taking down bandits or tyrants oppressing the people, I’m your guy.” 

“Same here,” Leone and Lubbock chimed in. 

As for Akame, she was focused on finding her sister, Black Pupil, likely still with the Empire’s assassination squad and harboring resentment toward her. Resolving that was a matter for the sisters, though Hikari didn’t mind using “Yasakani no Magatama” to fix Black Pupil’s rebellious mindset if needed. 

“Oh, by the way,” Brand added, “Miss Bulma and the others have been talking about visiting this world. Miss Hikari, do you think it’s safe for them to come now?” 

“Hmm…” Hikari shrugged. “That’s up to you. It’s your world, so I can’t make that call.” 

“Right…” Brand scratched his head. “Let’s wait a few days then. Once the capital’s more stable, I’ll invite them to check out the sights. You should join us, Miss Hikari, since you haven’t met Bulma and the others yet.” 

“Sure.” 

Chapter 189: A Real-World Meetup in the Akame ga Kill! World 

[Brand: …That’s the gist of it.] 

[Brand: Thanks to Miss Hikari taking down the empire’s commander, we won the war with minimal losses. We’ve now moved into the capital, clearing out the remaining stubborn factions and dealing with nearby bandits and rogues…] 

[Bulma: Wow… sounds like you guys have been super busy.] 

[Yamato: For real. Based on what Mr. Brand described earlier, I thought this war would drag on for years, like the Ninja World War. I didn’t expect it to wrap up in just a month or two. Miss Hikari’s strength is on another level—probably close to Uchiha Madara in his prime.] 

[Bulma: That imperial general named Esdeath sounds pretty incredible too, holding her own against Hikari like that… By the way, is this general a guy or a girl? The name kinda sounds feminine.] 

[Brand: She’s a woman, and actually a year younger than me… 

Honestly, I’m a bit embarrassed. I used to think the gap between us wasn’t that big—that even if I couldn’t beat her, I could at least escape. But now, if I faced her head-on, I’d probably be dead meat.] 

“Hmm…” 

In the Inuyasha world, Bulma pondered for a moment before pinging Hikari in the chat. 

[Bulma @Nameless: Hikari, you’re out there collecting other women behind our backs!]  

[Nameless: …Huh?] 

Over the past few days, Brand had shared the non-sensitive details of the events in the Akame ga Kill! world with the group chat. 

Minato Namikaze’s focus was on the big picture, likely analyzing whether the war between the empire and the Revolutionary Army offered any lessons for the ninja world. 

Meanwhile, Bulma, Yamato, and the others were more fixated on Hikari’s battle with Esdeath. 

Since neither Hikari nor Brand had livestreamed the fight, the group could only piece together the action from text descriptions, imagining the epic clash in their heads. 

[Ghost Princess: So, that woman’s power is ice-related, right? I remember there’s a Navy guy who fights with ice and snow—some kind of Frozen Fruit user. I think his name’s Aokiji or something…] 

[Miko Yotsuya: …You mean Aokiji, right? I think his name came up in the One Piece manga Hikari uploaded.] 

[Ghost Princess: Yeah, that’s the guy!] 

[Ghost Princess: My dad, Kaido, mentioned him once. Said they fought, and he’s a tough one… Wonder how he stacks up against this Esdeath?] 

Hmm… 

Hikari was curious about that too. 

Maybe someday she could take Esdeath to the One Piece world and see how she measures up against the Admirals or the Four Emperors… 

But for now— 

[Nameless @Bulma: Bulma, got time to pop over? I want to show you something.] 

[Bulma: Hm?] 

… 

[Bulma has requested to enter Brand’s world.] 

[Eri has requested to enter Brand’s world.] 

That morning, with Brand’s approval, Bulma crossed over from the Inuyasha world. 

Then came Eri. 

After her last trip with Hikari to the Sound Village, Eri had been holed up at home, chatting in the group, watching anime, and playing games, growing restless. The moment she saw Hikari’s message, she pinged her and rushed over. 

This time, her outfit was fairly neat—a red-and-white miko dress stuffed with yellow rubber ducks, plastic figurines, and a handheld gaming console, with a long sword at her waist, blending old and new in a quirky way. 

It was Bulma and Brand’s first time meeting Eri, and they were a bit surprised. 

“Whoa, Eri’s a miko too? Like Kikyo!” Bulma exclaimed. “Hikari mentioned you before, but I didn’t expect you to be this cute in person…” 

“…Not exactly a miko. It’s just a style I’m used to,” Hikari clarified. “The Dragon world doesn’t have demons or spirits. All the weird stuff comes from dragons or hybrids. And the gods in their Shinto religion are mostly just exceptional human hybrids from history… So Eri’s ‘miko’ vibe is a bit different from Kikyo’s.” 

To be fair, Hikari had worn a miko outfit herself once. 

It was during her “magical girl dress-up” stint in the Dragon world, where she even took some private cosplay photos… 

But that was a bit embarrassing, so no need to mention it to Bulma and the others. 

On the other side, Eri politely raised her notebook and bowed. “Hello, Sister Bulma, Mr. Brand. I’m Eri.” 

“Hm…” 

Truth be told, Eri might actually be older than Bulma. 

But her youthful demeanor made calling Bulma “sister” feel natural, not awkward at all. 

Meanwhile… 

Another group member was getting antsy to join the party— 

[Ghost Princess: Um… can I come meet you guys? We’ve been chatting in the group for so long, but I’ve never seen Mr. Minato, Miss Hikari, Kikyo, or Bulma in person.] 

[Brand: I’m fine with it, but didn’t Miss Hikari say you’re wearing explosive handcuffs?] 

[Ghost Princess: …I think it’ll be fine? Worst case, I can block it with Armament Haki…] 

[Brand: Uh…] 

“What do you think, Miss Hikari?” 

Facing Brand’s request for her opinion, Hikari scratched her head. “Sure, why not? I was planning to visit her world first anyway…” 

After a quick discussion, Hikari summoned her Flying Nimbus, taking Bulma and the others out of the capital to a deserted hill in the suburbs. 

She then activated her Blood Jade Barrier to shield Bulma and Eri. 

Only then did she nod, letting Brand approve Yamato’s entry request. 

A flash of white light later, a tall figure appeared in the Akame ga Kill! world—wearing a Prajna mask, Sea Prism Stone handcuffs, wielding a spiked club, and dressed in a sleeveless, form-fitting kimono. 

“…So tall!” 

Bulma tilted her head back, eyes wide with amazement. 

Brand and Eri shared the same stunned look. 

As for Hikari… 

She knew people in the One Piece world were built differently. 

But seeing Yamato—2.63 meters tall with red devil horns—in person made her gasp, instinctively picturing Whitebeard and Kaido’s massive frames. In One Piece lore, those two were six to seven meters tall, meaning even Yamato only reached their waists. Hikari, barely over 1.6 meters, would be downright tiny next to them… 

“Wow, this is another world?” 

Yamato froze, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she looked around. “Wait, you must be the Uchiha Hikari-senpai from the group…” 

“Shh—” 

Hikari raised a finger to hush her. “Save the greetings for later. Use your Armament Haki, quick!” 

“Oh… right!” 

Yamato nodded without hesitation, activating her Haki. 

To the onlookers, her body began to shimmer with a black, iron-like sheen. 

Then… 

Boom—!!! 

Before she could fully coat herself in Haki, a deafening explosion erupted, engulfing Yamato in blazing fire. 

“?!” 

“The bomb was real…?” 

Under Bulma and the others’ shocked gazes, the fire and smoke cleared, revealing Yamato’s battered state. Her handcuffed arms were a bloody mess, her hair and clothes singed. Armament Haki only protected her body, not her clothes, so the charred, tattered kimono revealed glimpses of her figure underneath. 

“…” 

As the only man present, Brand immediately turned away, averting his gaze. 

Hikari let out a soft sigh, dispelled the Blood Jade Barrier, and stepped forward, handing Yamato half a Senzu Bean. “Eat this. It’ll heal you.” 

“…Wah!!” 

After a stunned moment, Yamato threw herself at Hikari, sobbing loudly with tears and snot streaming. “I thought he was just bluffing! I didn’t think there’d actually be a bomb… How could a father try to kill his own daughter?!” 

“…I get it, but can you let me go first…?” 

Hikari, dwarfed by Yamato’s size, struggled to break free from her embrace, her voice muffled as she was pressed against Yamato’s chest. 

Yamato didn’t wear underwear—a habit of hers. 

And with her well-developed, Tsunade-level assets, Hikari was practically buried in her chest, feeling the warm, soft pressure as Yamato wailed. It wasn’t exactly unpleasant, but it was… awkward. 

Eventually, Bulma cautiously stepped in with a few soothing words, calming Yamato down from the sting of her father’s “betrayal.” 

Hikari seized the chance to slip free, pulling a blanket from her universal capsule and handing it to Yamato to cover up. 

No choice—normal human clothes wouldn’t fit a three-meter-tall Oni Princess. She’d need custom-made gear. 

Meanwhile, Eri, deep in thought, tugged at Hikari’s sleeve and held up her notebook. “So, Hikari likes girls with bigger… you know, like Yamato?” 

Hikari paused, then sighed helplessly. “…Have you been sneaking peeks at those comics you’re not supposed to read again?” 

She’d previously tried teaching Eri some basic physiology, but it didn’t seem to stick… 

And Yamato, due to her childhood, was equally clueless, having thought of herself as male and even joining Luffy’s crew for a hot spring dip in the original story… 

Since they were here, Hikari figured she’d talk to Bulma later about giving both Eri and Yamato a proper crash course. 

For now, with five group members present—half the chat group—this was a pretty big real-world meetup. 

Aside from Hikari, who’d visited everyone’s worlds, the others, including Bulma (the earliest member), were meeting Eri and the rest in person for the first time, making it a novel experience. 

After a lively round of chatter, Bulma looked around curiously. “By the way, Hikari, where’s this Esdeath person?” 

“She’s not here…” 

Obviously. 

Bulma, Eri, and the others’ arrival involved the group chat and other worlds—stuff best kept from outsiders. Though Esdeath was technically Hikari’s “subordinate” now, she’d only just been subdued. It was wiser to keep these secrets under wraps for now. 

Plus… 

Hikari had already assigned Esdeath a task, and she was likely off carrying it out. 

“Anyway, let’s take a tour of the capital. And Bulma, I’ll fill you in on the ‘Supreme Throne’ thing.” 

Yup. 

What Hikari wanted to show Bulma was the “Supreme Throne” stored beneath the palace. 

While the Teigu themselves weren’t exactly “scientific,” their creation process was traceable. The empire had lost the techniques and craftsmen needed to make more, but for a genius scientist like Bulma, that wasn’t an absolute barrier. 

After all, this was the woman who reverse-engineered and upgraded a Namekian faster-than-light spaceship in just a few months. 

Teigu should be no different. And she could even collaborate with Dr. Stylish, who was also studying Teigu, to see if they could spark some scientific breakthroughs… 

“Sounds good.” 

Bulma nodded, joining Eri and Yamato on the Flying Nimbus as Hikari led them toward the capital. 

… 

Meanwhile, in the East Sea Province, a massive teleportation array flashed. 

Hikari and Esdeath appeared on the outskirts of a coastal city. 

To be precise, this was the real Hikari. 

She was flipping through the “World Book: Rongo Rongo,” freshly acquired from the Revolutionary Army. 

“So this is how this Teigu works…” 

Chapter 190: The Cloud Dragon of the East Sea 

The “Complete Book of the World” looked like a square beast-hide tome. 

Its surface was smooth to the touch, with fine, pore-like textures clearly visible. At the center of the cover was a massive beastly eye, its pupil occasionally shifting as if alive. 

In fact… 

The “Complete Book of the World” did possess a degree of sentience, much like the Teigu “Specter Shroud.” 

According to Najenda, its crafting material came from an extinct deer-like magical beast renowned for its unparalleled perception and memory. This creature could scan vast areas with its eyes, recording details like terrain, species distribution, river paths, and even underground mineral deposits. When turned into a Teigu, these abilities were preserved and enhanced. 

Under normal circumstances, the book’s pages were blank. 

Only when the user channeled mental energy would it respond, displaying the desired information on its pages. 

It could also be manually updated— 

By pouring in more mental energy, the beastly eye on the cover would “awaken,” scanning the surrounding hundred miles in real-time and updating its database with new information. 

Additionally… 

The final pages, made of special material, could “predict” natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions, though it couldn’t foresee man-made calamities like wars. 

In short, it was a map navigation system with an built-in encyclopedia and early warning function. 

“…The super Danger Beasts of the Akame ga Kill! world are something else,” Hikari mused to herself. 

In theory, the “Complete Book of the World” should work in other worlds too. 

She just didn’t know its storage capacity or whether it could ever hit a “memory full” limit… 

“According to the book, it should be in this direction.” 

Hikari looked up at the sky. 

The clouds above this sea were thicker and denser than elsewhere, resembling a white ocean mirroring the sea below. When she focused, she could faintly make out a massive silhouette flickering through the clouds, accompanied by occasional rolling thunder echoing toward the ground. 

“Hmm… Let’s check it out.” 

Hikari pointed to a mountain thousands of meters high, its peak piercing the clouds. “That’s the highest point around. We should get a clearer view from there.” 

“Alright,” Esdeath replied with a casual nod. 

She wasn’t particularly invested in this trip, mainly here to fulfill her agreement with Hikari, so she adopted a nonchalant attitude. 

With that, Hikari activated Shangri-La, teleporting them to the upper slopes of the mountain. After a short trek, they entered the sea of clouds. 

Above the cloud sea… 

Were even denser, more substantial clouds. 

About a thousand meters above the peak, a massive cloud cluster loomed like an enormous bed spread across the heavens. And on that “bed” lay a figure so colossal it defied comprehension. 

“This is…” Hikari’s mouth fell open, her face etched with shock. 

Esdeath’s expression tightened beside her. 

Before them, amidst mist-shrouded mountains, sprawled a body as vast as a mountain range… no, an entire range of mountains. 

—The East Sea Cloud Dragon, known as “Cross Tail.” 

This super Danger Beast was even larger than Hikari had imagined, its size beyond mere measurement—stretching endlessly. Its massive form rested within the dense clouds above the peak, the earlier thunderous roars merely its breathing. 

“…This thing is your target?” Esdeath turned to Hikari, narrowing her eyes. “You really are like me, always chasing strong opponents… Are you killing it or capturing it alive?” 

“Just keep it breathing,” Hikari said softly. “It’s the source material for the Teigu ‘Cross Tail.’ Every hair on its body is as sharp as a blade, and one in particular, the ‘World-Severing Thread’ on its spine, is said to be so tough even space itself can’t tear it. Even with our strength, we might not be its match, so no need to hold back.” 

The super Danger Beasts of the Akame ga Kill! world varied wildly in strength. 

Weaker ones, like Destaghoul, could be slain single-handedly by Black Pupil and turned into a puppet, only to be defeated again by the biological Teigu Susanoo. 

Stronger ones, like the dragon-like Tyrant, could have its juvenile hide crafted into “Specter Shroud,” preserving a soul for a millennium. Or the ice-based Danger Beast behind “Demon’s Extract,” whose refined blood granted Esdeath near-invincible power. 

As for the East Sea Cloud Dragon… 

It might be the strongest super Danger Beast, aside from the one used for the “Supreme Throne.” 

Without having tamed Esdeath, Hikari might’ve considered bringing Xia Mi from Dragon Raja to handle this beast. 

—After all, a Dragon King taking on an Eastern dragon should be right up her alley, right? 

But now… 

“Let’s say hello first.” 

Hikari drew her dragon bone sword, gathering momentum before unleashing a slash. “Crescent Moon Heavenly Rush!” 

Swish—!! 

A massive blade of light shot from the mountaintop, piercing the clouds and striking the dragon’s spine, scattering into countless shards of light. 

“…Roar!!!” 

The dragon hesitated for a moment before awakening from its slumber. Its thousands-of-meters-long body merely rolled over in the sky, yet it altered the weather for hundreds of miles around. Its horned, mountain-like head emerged into view, its breath exuding suffocating pressure. 

In just a dozen seconds, its dull yellow eyes locked onto Hikari and Esdeath from amidst the rugged peaks, letting out another roar. 

This time, thunder exploded through the clouds, faint purple lightning flickering. 

“…Not bad,” Hikari and Esdeath both narrowed their eyes, their robes and hair billowing in the fierce wind. 

“Let’s do this.” 

After exchanging a glance, Hikari activated her Mangekyo Sharingan and went all out! 

“…Susanoo!” 

A dark red aura flared. 

In a few breaths, Susanoo lifted Hikari and Esdeath hundreds of meters into the air, enveloped in thick chakra. The “Fire-Thunder God” transformed into a halberd, twirled effortlessly in the dark red giant’s hand. 

—Complete Susanoo! 

Since she’d split off a shadow clone, Hikari only had half her chakra, but as the main body, she had no issue using advanced ocular techniques or her Mangekyo’s spiritual weapon. 

Even at two hundred meters tall, like a towering mountain, the Complete Susanoo looked small compared to the Cloud Dragon—not even as big as its head. 

But at least the size gap wasn’t too absurd… 

Esdeath, still in a playful mood, quipped, “Heh, you dare put me inside this red giant? Aren’t you afraid I’ll use ‘Mahapadma’ to kill you?” 

“Would you?” Hikari smiled faintly. 

She trusted Esdeath’s character enough to take her in. After losing to Hikari, Esdeath would only focus on growing stronger to defeat her honorably, not resorting to cheap sneak attacks. If Hikari died here, Esdeath might even grieve, having lost a worthy rival… 

“…Tch.” Esdeath clicked her tongue. 

As they spoke, Hikari maneuvered Susanoo into the air, soaring thousands of meters from the peak. The Cloud Dragon lazily swiped a claw, as if to swat her away. 

“Hundred-Eightfold Star Halberd Slash!” 

“Amaterasu!” 

Hikari first parried the dragon’s claw with a horizontal slash, then, as the recoil sent her flying, spun the tomoe in her right eye. Black flames erupted on the dragon’s body, burning fiercely even as it plunged its claw into moist clouds, unable to extinguish them! 

“Hm?” Esdeath’s expression sharpened. 

This was a new ability— 

“Was she holding back during our fight?” 

—Indeed, Hikari had held back. Amaterasu was a first-strike killer like Murasame. With preparation, ice or armor could block it briefly, but if it touched the body, only immediate amputation could save the victim. Since Hikari aimed to defeat, not kill, Esdeath, she hadn’t used it. 

But the Cloud Dragon… 

With its near ten-kilometer-long body, Amaterasu could burn for a day and not finish. Best to apply the debuff early. 

“…Ice Inferno!” 

Esdeath, taking a deep breath, went all out. 

As the “Demon’s Extract” mark on her chest glowed, the surrounding temperature plummeted. 

In the dense clouds, countless icicles, spikes, and shards formed—small ones meters long, large ones tens to hundreds of meters—raining down on the Cloud Dragon like a storm! 

Most shattered on impact. 

A few left white scratches on its scales but failed to break through. 

The Cloud Dragon, enraged, coiled its neck and opened its maw. A massive roar, laced with chaotic storm currents, swept across dozens of miles, blowing Susanoo far away. A nearby peak crumbled in moments, its fragments scattering everywhere! 

“Wow…” 

This power rivaled the Eight or Nine-Tails’ Tailed Beast Bomb. 

And the Cloud Dragon’s strength clearly went beyond that. 

As it stretched its body, the surrounding clouds churned violently, sparking lightning that struck downward like it was free. 

Then, it charged. 

Amid a rain of lightning, Hikari maneuvered Susanoo, weaving and spinning, swinging the “Fire-Thunder God” and dragon bone sword. 

Honestly, the Cloud Dragon’s strength was extraordinary. 

Its mountain-like body moved with surprising agility, creating milky-white shockwaves near sonic speed. With its millions of tons, a sonic charge could obliterate anything in its path. 

Hikari didn’t dare let Susanoo take a direct hit, dodging instead. 

As for its durability… 

The “Crescent Moon Heavenly Rush,” capable of killing General Budou, couldn’t pierce the dragon’s metallic, steel-forged black scales. 

The “Hundred-Eightfold Star Halberd Slash,” which shattered ice meteors, only left shallow wounds, with blood barely staining its fur. 

In terms of defense, even a peak Dragonbone Spirit would pale in comparison. 

—The Empire’s founding Emperor, a thousand years ago, likely failed against it, settling for collecting its hairs for Teigu material. 

Only the “Fire-Thunder God”… 

Each swing carved a deep gash, instantly cauterizing the torn flesh. 

On the other side, Esdeath, after a few exchanges, got serious, unleashing her full power. She conjured massive ice formations, freezing the dragon’s body and claws. 

Though its sheer size let it break free with a few rolls, over time, the surrounding ice grew thicker, stretching for kilometers. Even the Cloud Dragon struggled to break free, its movements slowing as frost coated its body, especially the wounds from Amaterasu and the “Fire-Thunder God.” 

“Keep it up!” 

Hikari gauged her remaining chakra, popped a Senzu Bean into her mouth to hold, and drove Susanoo toward the dragon, swinging her halberd.