71-75

Chapter 71: First Encounter with the Masked Man 

The thick fog that had been blown apart slowly began to close in again. 

Uchiha Hikari didn’t recklessly charge in. Instead, she used Bukujutsu to float toward a large tree at the edge of the mist, planning to observe a bit longer. 

But the two Kaguya clansmen who had attacked her earlier quickly gave chase. 

Thanks to the protective power of their Shikotsumyaku, plus the fact that Hikari’s earlier Fūton was just a casual release, they weren’t injured. As they charged, their skin peeled back, revealing dense, jagged bone spikes that protruded one after another. Then, with a leap, they launched themselves toward the treetop! 

Whoosh! 

The sound of rushing wind followed! 

Hikari tilted her head, dodging the incoming bone blade with an elegant sidestep. 

The next second— 

Crack! With a loud snap, the massive tree trunk was broken clean in half by the two Kaguya clansmen’s stomping feet! 

The moment her footing gave way, Hikari activated Bukujutsu again, drifting toward another tree about seven or eight meters away. But a third figure had already silently crept to that spot. Gripping a long blade with both hands, he leaped forward the moment she came within a few meters, slashing with ferocious intensity! 

Swish! 

Amid the whistling wind, Hikari glanced back. Her Sangen Sharingan spun faintly, and the attacker froze mid-motion, his blade missing her by mere inches as it sailed past her face. 

In that fleeting moment as they passed each other, Hikari casually swung a hand chop, knocking the airborne assassin toward the ground. She then floated a few more meters forward, landing lightly on another tree branch before turning to look back. 

“…Hōzuki clan, huh?” 

Hikari glanced at her right hand. 

When her hand chop had connected, it felt oddly wet—almost sticky. Definitely not like striking normal flesh. 

As expected… 

Her gaze shifted, and she saw the third assassin dissolve into a puddle of water as he hit the forest floor, completely negating the impact of his fall. 

Then, together with the two Kaguya clansmen, he closed in from three directions, launching a relentless, storm-like assault on Hikari! 

“Kill!” 

Let’s just say, there’s a reason the Blood Mist Village exists. 

Setting aside Madara and Obito’s schemes, a good chunk of the ninja from Kirigakure’s clans are straight-up bloodthirsty lunatics. Compared to them, Konoha’s Uchiha clan might as well be cuddly little lambs. 

Long blades swung wildly, and bone projectiles flew everywhere. 

Trees were sliced clean through, kicking up clouds of dust. 

Facing this dense web of killing intent, Hikari didn’t even raise a hand. She dodged every attack with nimble footwork, her body weaving like a delicate spirit cat. Only when the onslaught became airtight did she casually toss out a capsule. Then, with a flat stretch of her right hand, a black longsword appeared in her grip. 

—Goshintō: Onikiri! 

Ever since she got her hands on this blade, Hikari hadn’t tested it in combat. 

Now… 

These guys would make the perfect test! 

The moment she gripped the hilt, Hikari’s aura shifted dramatically. No longer dodging, she matched the three assassins’ ferocity—surpassing it even—and swung her blade in a fierce counterattack! 

“Breath of Flame, First Form… Shiranui!” 

“Third Form… Blazing Universe!” 

“Breath of Thunder, First Form… Thunderclap and Flash!” 

Though her concept of the Jūtenhō was still in the experimental phase, Hikari’s swordsmanship had grown significantly through her sparring with the Demon Slayer Corps’ Pillars. 

Now, as she channeled a modified version of Chakra, her presence visibly surged. Her sword, wreathed in flames and wind, enveloped her entirely. Not only did she block every attack coming from all directions, but she quickly turned the tables, overwhelming the three Kirigakure ninja. 

In just a few dozen seconds… 

The bone blades wielded by the two Kaguya clansmen had been shattered multiple times. One of them even lost half an arm to a single slash. 

As for the Hōzuki clansman, lacking the same physical prowess as Shikotsumyaku, he’d already dodged fatal blows twice by turning into water, leaving him slightly winded. 

“…As expected, even a Mangekyō Sharingan can’t copy a secret technique tied to Yinyangton.” 

Hikari’s gaze lingered on the Hōzuki clansman for a moment, a touch disappointed. 

Oh well… 

“Genjutsu: Shackling Stakes!” 

With a single glance, all three Kirigakure ninja froze in place. 

Just as Hikari prepared to ignore them and head into the fog to investigate, a faint ripple of chakra suddenly emanated from the two Kaguya clansmen. 

“What’s this…?” 

“Explode!” 

The next second— 

BOOM! A massive explosion roared! 

Countless explosive tags, hidden within the clothes of the two assassins, detonated all at once. In an instant, searing flames erupted outward, engulfing everything within dozens of meters—including Hikari and the Hōzuki clansman—in a blazing inferno. Thick smoke billowed into the sky! 

Amid the lingering haze… 

The Hōzuki clansman, having mitigated most of the blast’s impact with his Suika no Jutsu but still gravely injured, staggered as he fled. 

Behind him, a dark red Susanoo burst forth, swinging an unstoppable sword! 

“Breath of Wind… Hundred-Eight Segments: Heavy Cannon Slash!!” 

In that moment, the dark red greatsword, wrapped in layers of chakra and aura, unleashed a massive, crescent-shaped sword wave straight ahead! Amplified by Breath of Wind, the sword wave tore forward for dozens of meters, its overwhelming force cleaving every tree in its path clean in two! 

Even the thick fog blanketing the forest was parted, leaving a vacuum several meters wide and nearly a hundred meters long! 

The Hōzuki clansman was sent flying, his body severed in half midair. 

Through the slowly parting fog and gaps between trees, Hikari’s eyes locked onto a figure in a black robe standing at the edge of her vision, deep within the mist! 

“As I thought…” 

It was Uchiha Obito! 

In an instant, Hikari pushed her speed to the limit, driving her Susanoo nearly a hundred meters forward. Before the fog could close, she swung a flame-wreathed Akaen Zan, aiming for the figure! A massive crescent of fire, even larger than her earlier Heavy Cannon Slash, unfurled through the air!! 

Due to the trees blocking their line of sight, their eyes didn’t meet immediately. 

Then, the figure—Uchiha Obito, wearing an orange spiral mask—used Kamui to phase through the Akaen Zan. He quickly closed his eyes, and the White Zetsu coating sealed the mask’s right-eye opening. Spinning, he vanished into Kamui’s dimension. 

In the final second… 

Hikari’s right eye spun, the pinwheel of her Mangekyō whirling. 

Amaterasu! 

Fueled by her ocular power, a torrent of black flames erupted from nowhere, engulfing Obito’s body as it was pulled into Kamui’s dimension. Only a few stray embers remained, scattering onto the surrounding grass and quickly igniting into a pitch-black sea of fire. 

“…He got away fast.” 

Chapter 72: The Hyūga Clan Also Wants Their Own “Great-Grandma”! 

Smack! 

Uchiha Hikari landed lightly, still enveloped in her Susanoo state, pausing to scan the spot where Obito had just been standing. 

A dozen meters behind her— 

The two severed halves of a Hōzuki clansman’s body crashed heavily to the ground. 

Despite his clan’s Hydrification Technique, Uchiha Hikari’s slash had clearly exceeded his limits. As his body hit the earth, a spray of blood and internal organs splattered across the ground. 

Ahead, in the direction of Hikari’s gaze, the “Red Flame Slash” that Obito had dodged continued its rampage. The arc of sword energy sliced through everything in its path, cleaving trees in half until it petered out dozens of meters away, leaving a deep gouge in the trunk of the final row of trees before fading into nothing. 

One by one, massive trees toppled before Uchiha Hikari, kicking up clouds of dust. 

Not far off, a Kirigakure ninja clutching a kunai, who’d been creeping in for a sneak attack, witnessed the scene. Without a sound, he turned and slunk back into the shadows. 

After waiting a moment to confirm Obito wasn’t coming back— 

Hikari turned around, her eyes sweeping over the figures still clashing in the thick fog. Her hands formed seals. 

“Fūton: Vacuum Wave!” 

With a few sharp, sickle-like gusts of wind slicing through the air and bursting mid-flight, the surrounding fog thinned just enough to reveal the silhouettes of those nearby. 

“Thunder Breathing: First Form—Thunderclap and Flash… Sixfold!” 

A deafening crack of thunder tore through the air. 

Uchiha Hikari erupted into blinding speed, her form a streak of lightning as she traced a massive “Z” across the battlefield. Wherever she passed, her electrified sword gleamed, cutting down Kirigakure ninja one after another. 

When only a handful remained, Hikari sheathed her blade and struck their necks with precise hand-chops, sending them into a deep, baby-like sleep before they could even react. 

With that done— 

Hikari let out a long breath, a sharp ache flaring in her left leg. But thanks to her recovery abilities, the pain vanished almost instantly. 

“…That move Zenitsu Agatsuma developed is pretty handy.” 

—And more importantly, it’s cool. 

If she could refine it with some Raiton nature transformation, it might get even stronger. 

Hikari made a mental note to experiment later. 

Just then— 

A chorus of barking broke the silence. 

Uchiha Fugaku, Izumi, Inuzuka Hana, and the others finally arrived, a bit late to the party. 

“Great-Grandma-sama, inside—” 

“Too slow. The fight’s already over,” Hikari said with a lazy stretch, her tone casual. “There’s some cleanup left, though. Handle it yourselves. Oh, and… check the Kirigakure ninjas’ clothes. Some might have exploding tags hidden on them.” 

“…Understood.” 

Fugaku and the others quickly spread out across the battlefield, assessing casualties on both sides. 

As the fog cleared, the grim scene came into view. 

Roughly a dozen bodies littered the forest clearing—half Konoha ninja, half Kirigakure. And just as Hikari had warned, several of the dead or unconscious Kirigakure ninja had exploding tags tucked into their clothes or poison capsules hidden under their tongues for instant suicide if their mission failed. Fugaku’s team carefully neutralized them. 

Next— 

Fugaku took charge, directing the security team to transport the wounded and captives out of the area. 

Inuzuka Tsume, supported by her daughter, was about to sit and rest when she spotted Uchiha Hikari. After a moment’s hesitation, the Inuzuka clan head changed course and approached, bowing respectfully to offer her thanks. 

“No need for formalities. I was just passing by,” Hikari said offhandedly, her gaze drifting to the ninken nearby. 

Inuzuka Hana’s gray puppies had surrounded her, tails wagging like propellers. One of them nudged her pant leg with its nose, sniffing eagerly while making little gurgling sounds in its throat. 

“Haimaru, get back here! Don’t disrespect Hikari-senpai!” Hana scolded under her breath. 

Tsume quickly chimed in, “Hikari-senpai, these ninken are very gentle. They’re just showing their affection—no offense intended.” 

Hikari, of course, didn’t mind. 

But in that moment, an idea sparked. 

“By the way, Miss Inuzuka—both of you—can your clan’s ninken be gifted to someone outside the clan?” 

“Huh?” 

The Inuzuka mother and daughter blinked, then nodded eagerly. “Absolutely! If you’d like, Hikari-senpai, we’ll pick out a few of our finest ninken and send them to you today!” 

“No need to rush,” Hikari said with a small smile. “If you have any newborn pups with gentle temperaments, just pick a couple. In return, I can—” 

“No, no! You’re Captain Fugaku’s elder—how could we accept anything from you?” Tsume interrupted, waving her hands firmly. “Besides, our clan has plenty of ninken. A couple of pups is nothing!” 

A month ago, word of the Root organization’s collapse had spread through Konoha. 

Civilians didn’t know much—just vague rumors about some minor elder getting beaten up and sent to the hospital. But the major ninja clans had pieced together the full story, including the tale of a Warring States-era Uchiha girl breaking out of her coffin. 

To be honest… 

Everyone was jealous. 

—Why did the Uchiha get to stumble upon such a powerful “Great-Grandma” while their own clans had nothing? 

Did their ancestors not deserve to be sealed away? 

Rumors swirled that the Hyūga clan had started sending Byakugan users to inspect their ancestral graves, checking coffins for any clansmen worth digging up and “repurposing.” 

The Nara and Yamanaka clans were frantically combing through historical records, hoping to unearth their own “Great-Grandma” from ancient texts… 

The Inuzuka clan, however, had a different mindset. 

Compared to Konoha’s other ninja clans, the Inuzuka were near the bottom in overall strength. They lacked kekkei genkai or secret techniques, with only their ninken breeding expertise to boast about. Even if they dug up an ancestor, it wouldn’t amount to much. Better to cozy up to the Uchiha clan, whose status had visibly risen lately. And if they could earn Uchiha Hikari’s personal friendship… 

That’d be a massive win. A few ninken were a small price to pay. 

“…Alright then,” Hikari said, oblivious to the clans’ scheming—or simply unbothered by it. 

“Thank you, Inuzuka Clan Head.” 

“No trouble at all! It’s our honor to serve you…” 

Chapter 73: Intelligence from Both Sides 

After the Inuzuka mother and daughter walked away… 

Fugaku approached Uchiha Hikari, pulling along a young Anbu ninja who wasn’t particularly tall. 

“Great-Grandmother, this is the son I mentioned before, Itachi—our clan’s most gifted young talent. He’s only twelve, but he’s already awakened the Sangen Sharingan and serves in the Anbu. Last time you visited the clan, he was out on a mission and couldn’t meet you. Such a shame.” 

“Hm?” 

Hikari raised an eyebrow. 

She could hear a hint of pride in Fugaku’s tone. 

It was a natural fatherly instinct. 

Though Itachi had already started showing signs of his aloof, reserved personality—rarely revealing his true thoughts even to clan members or family—he could still interact normally with people like Shisui and Sasuke. Fugaku and Mikoto likely never imagined that, in another timeline, their eldest son would wipe out the entire clan just two years from now. 

—If you really think about it, the root of that mess lies with Fugaku himself. 

Who brings a four- or five-year-old kid to a battlefield? Even a normal child could develop war-related PTSD from witnessing that kind of bloodshed, let alone someone from the Uchiha clan, whose thought processes are often… unconventional. It’d be weirder if Itachi’s mind was normal. 

At that moment… 

A thought struck Hikari. 

“Itachi’s here… Is this a coincidence?” 

In the original story, Uchiha Itachi and Obito had met long before—when Itachi was eight. While on a mission as a genin, he encountered Obito, who killed his teammates, triggering Itachi to awaken his Sharingan for the first time. 

Two years later, those two traitors worked together, inside and out, to orchestrate the clan’s annihilation. 

Now, Hikari had already destroyed the Root organization. Danzō, though still alive, no longer had the means to steal Shisui’s Sharingan. With Shisui alive, Itachi’s Mangekyō wouldn’t awaken… Even if Obito saw potential in Itachi’s future, it’s unlikely he’d invite him to join the Akatsuki at this point. 

But… 

“Based on our encounter earlier, it seems Obito already knew I have Tsukuyomi.” 

“He was hiding in the fog from the start, observing my movements. He detonated those two Kaguya clansmen at just the right moment, then immediately closed his eyes to avoid eye contact with me… Tsukuyomi’s main weakness is that it requires eye contact to activate. Without prior intel, he couldn’t have taken such a targeted precaution.” 

Thinking it over, Hikari realized she had used Tsukuyomi several times recently—on Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō, and Root operatives… 

And the day Root was dismantled, both Itachi and Shisui were present, witnessing the entire process of Danzō being taken away. 

Of course… 

That alone wasn’t evidence that Itachi was colluding with the enemy. 

There were over a dozen Anbu ninja present that day, plus Hiruzen himself, the two advisors, and the doctors at Konoha Hospital… Any of them could have leaked the intel. 

And then there was one more— 

Black Zetsu! 

This millennia-old schemer, the ultimate filial son of the ninja world, had a particular obsession with the Uchiha clan. It’s unlikely he’d know nothing about Hikari, this “human weapon.” He might even know about her Amaterasu, though he probably doesn’t understand the mechanics of Yasaka no Magatama. 

(Just to be safe, once I’ve honed Yasaka no Magatama a bit more, I should check Itachi’s memories…) 

(If he hasn’t had contact with Obito, that’s ideal. Otherwise… I might have to deal with him.) 

On the other side… 

Fugaku ventured cautiously, “Great-Grandmother, if you have time later, could you… perhaps offer some guidance to my son’s training? With his talent, he might one day awaken the Mangekyō like Shisui and become a pillar of the Uchiha clan.” 

“…Sure.” 

Hikari glanced at Itachi, then at Fugaku, nodding with a subtle look. “In a few days, then. Call that Shisui kid too. I’ll personally assess their skills.” 

“Understood.” 

After a bit more small talk, Hikari bid Fugaku farewell and left the Naka River alone. 

… 

Meanwhile… 

In a forest outside Konoha Village… 

A swirling vortex suddenly appeared. 

Obito, wearing his orange spiral mask, stumbled out of midair, collapsing onto the ground. His upper body was nearly bare, his black-and-red-clouded robe burned to tatters, revealing skin that was half normal and half unnervingly white. 

Gurgle, gurgle— 

Not far away, the earth parted silently. 

A figure resembling a pitcher plant emerged from the ground. 

“How’d it go?” 

“…Monster.” 

Obito’s hoarse voice came from behind the mask. “Those Kiri jōnin were just toys to her. She only got a little serious when she spotted me… To activate Susanoo to that level in an instant and unleash such a powerful Amaterasu—she’s a monster. If I’d hesitated even a few seconds, I might not have made it back.” 

As he spoke, Obito removed his mask, revealing a weathered face that didn’t quite match his age. 

At that moment, the light in his left eye had faded. 

—Izanagi. 

The sheer volume of black flames that had been pulled into Kamui’s dimension with him was too much. To protect his left eye from damage, Obito had no choice but to use Izanagi to negate all the harm. 

Though he still had a few spare Sharingan inherited from Madara, losing one so easily stung a bit. 

“But it’s fine.” 

“Using such a powerful Amaterasu must’ve taken a toll on her body. Her eyesight might even have weakened… If she goes blind from this, all the better.” 

“…” 

Zetsu remained silent. 

It was only recently that he’d learned of Uchiha Hikari’s existence, connecting her to a certain Uchiha from the Warring States era he’d thought long dead. If it really was that person… things could get tricky. 

“It seems the plan to wipe out the Uchiha clan might need some adjustments. We can’t act recklessly until we’ve dealt with her and Uchiha Shisui.” 

After a long pause… 

Obito slowly stood. “Let’s go.” 

“The Kiri ninja I brought are all dead. No telling how much intel Konoha will get from their bodies. We need to head back and prepare the next steps… I’d planned to slaughter all those kekkei genkai clans, but now it seems there might be a better way for them to die.” 

As he spoke, Obito’s figure swirled into a vortex and vanished. 

Zetsu sank back into the earth, quickly following. 

A faint breeze passed, and all was quiet again. 

Chapter 74: Why Is It Her Again? 

That same afternoon— 

Two preliminary reports on the “Kirigakure Invasion” landed on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s desk. 

One from the Police Force, the other from the Anbu. 

The contents were largely the same, just written from slightly different perspectives. 

After cross-referencing the reports, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately summoned Jiraiya and his two advisors for an urgent discussion. 

“For something like this to happen… What is Kirigakure Village trying to pull? Are they gearing up to declare war on Konoha?” 

“How did they even sneak in? Over a dozen Kirigakure ninja, appearing deep in the Naka River region without any warning. Has the Barrier Team gotten this sloppy?” 

“And another thing…” 

Koharu Utatane’s eyes landed on a certain name mentioned in both reports, her brow furrowing. “Why is it her again?” 

Cough. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat, a touch exasperated as he explained, “While it’s true Uchiha Hikari was involved, she wasn’t the cause this time… According to the Anbu’s report, if she hadn’t acted quickly, Konoha’s casualties could’ve been far worse.” 

To be honest… 

Sarutobi Hiruzen was getting a headache. 

Just this morning, he’d been relieved that this “Uchiha Great-Grandma” had returned and kept a low profile, not stirring up any trouble. Yet less than a day later, this mess happened. 

And this time, it involved another ninja village. If mishandled, it could spiral into a repeat of the Hyūga Hinata abduction incident with the Cloud Village delegation a year ago. 

Of course, the two situations weren’t exactly the same. 

Back then, the Cloud Village had used the guise of a peace treaty, making it tricky to confront them openly. Kirigakure, on the other hand, had just barged in and started a fight without a word. Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen took ten thousand steps back, he wouldn’t dare demand the Uchiha clan hand over the “culprit” to appease Kirigakure. If he even suggested it, the one being handed over might be his own corpse as the Third Hokage… 

Across the table— 

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, opting to stay silent. 

The Konoha higher-ups then dove into discussing countermeasures. 

Though there was no proof yet that Kirigakure was planning a full-scale invasion, they needed to ramp up patrols around the village immediately. The Barrier Team had to reinforce the village’s defenses, while the Interrogation Team needed to extract answers from the captured Kirigakure ninja. On top of that, they had to dispatch envoys to the Land of Water to issue a strong condemnation and demand explanations for Kirigakure’s violation of Konoha’s territory… 

One more thing— 

The Anbu and Uchiha clan members who were injured or killed in this operation needed prompt compensation. Pensions and the title of “Konoha Hero” had to be arranged properly. They couldn’t afford to let the Uchiha feel slighted or unfairly treated. 

This matter would’ve normally been lower priority, but because of Uchiha Hikari’s involvement, it was bumped up two levels. 

The decisions were quickly compiled and delegated for action. 

Starting the next day, Konoha buzzed with ninja darting to and fro, especially from the Hyūga and Inuzuka clans—their skills in reconnaissance and patrolling were unmatched. 

… 

Uchiha Hikari didn’t care much about any of this. 

After all, she was just an “old relic” from a bygone era. She’d only intervened against Obito because his actions involved the Uchiha. Now that the issue was resolved, the remaining diplomatic fallout was for youngsters like Sarutobi Hiruzen to handle. The next generation needed some room to shine, after all. 

In truth, this was also an opportunity for the Uchiha clan. 

Before, tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha’s other clans stemmed from unfair resource distribution. 

But with an external enemy applying pressure, internal conflicts could be temporarily set aside. 

As patrols around Konoha intensified, the Anbu’s workload skyrocketed, forcing Hikari to shelve her plans to “mentor” Itachi and Shisui for the time being. With the New Year approaching, she was now out in the commercial district with Naruto, shopping for holiday supplies. 

As Naruto had mentioned before— 

Konoha was already decked out for the season, with festive lights and decorations everywhere. Shops displayed discount signs, drawing crowds of villagers braving the chilly winds to shop. In just half a day, Hikari had spotted several familiar faces: 

Sakura Haruno, being led by her parents to buy new clothes. 

Chōji Akimichi, gorging on barbecue with his father, Chōza Akimichi. 

Ino Yamanaka, helping her family sell flowers to passersby. 

Kakashi Hatake, slacking off from a surveillance mission to buy a deluxe illustrated edition of Icha Icha Paradise… 

A few of them recognized Hikari, offering nods or slight bows from a distance. 

Hikari didn’t pay it much mind. 

Naruto, however, was curious, tilting his small face up to whisper, “Whoa, Hikari-nee, you know that many people?” 

“Something like that… More like they know me.” 

Setting aside her pre-transmigration memories, Hikari, as a “Warring States fossil,” had never met people like Chōza Akimichi. They’d just recognized her one-sidedly. 

“Here, try this on.” 

Hikari handed Naruto a new outfit, gesturing for him to head to the changing room. 

When the little blond came out, she snapped a quick photo and sent it to the group chat, pinging Minato Namikaze. 

[Bulma: Oh, is this Yongdaime-san’s kid? I barely recognized him! He’s changed so much—looks way more spirited. Has he grown taller too?] 

[Yongdaime: Probably not that fast—he’s only four or five, after all. But he’s definitely more cheerful than before. Thanks so much for looking after him, Hikari-san.] 

[Bulma: Hmm…] 

[Bulma: By the way, it looks like you’re gearing up for the New Year over there, Hikari. Seems super lively! Can I come check it out? @Nameless] 

[Nameless: …Sure, that’s fine, but I don’t exactly have a place for you to stay. I’m crashing at Naruto’s place myself.] 

[Bulma: No worries, I can sleep on the floor!] 

[Nameless: Let’s not go that far…] 

Hikari hadn’t agreed to let Bulma visit before, mainly because things on her end were still unstable, with potential unforeseen dangers. But now, Danzō was out of the picture, and while Obito and Black Zetsu might still make moves, a short sightseeing trip in Konoha Village was something Hikari could confidently keep safe. 

[Bulma: Awesome! I’ll pack my stuff and head over this weekend!] 

Chapter 75: Bulma’s Arrival and Tsunade’s Return 

Next, Uchiha Hikari asked a few more questions about Tanjiro’s situation. 

It had been a while since she used Edo Tensei on Kamado Kie and the others, and she wasn’t entirely sure how long the jutsu would hold up with her, the caster, being away. 

[IronHeadKid: Mom and the others are staying at the place the lord arranged. No abnormalities so far. As for the Demon Slayer Corps… we took down another Twelve Kizuki recently—Lower Rank Four. Haven’t run into any Upper Ranks yet.] 

[Nameless: Lower Rank Four?] 

Strolling through the commercial district, Hikari raised an eyebrow. 

That was an unexpected twist. 

In the original Demon Slayer storyline, after the Natagumo Mountain incident, Muzan held a “downsizing meeting” because he thought the Lower Ranks were too weak. He wiped out all of them except Lower One, Enmu. Now, it seems her presence caused Muzan to change his mind? 

That’s fine by her. 

The Lower Ranks, while not weak, were manageable for the Demon Slayer Corps. 

As for Muzan… 

Once Nezuko overcomes sunlight and becomes the first demon to walk in daylight, Hikari doubted he’d be able to resist showing himself. 

Chatting casually for a bit, Hikari shifted her focus back to reality. She treated Naruto to a long-overdue meal at Ichiraku Ramen, then headed home. 

Evening. 

A knock came at the door of her single apartment. 

Naruto was busy cooking in the kitchen. 

Hikari set down Gutsy Ninja Chronicles, which she’d only flipped through a couple of pages, and opened the door. Standing in the hallway were a brown-haired sister and brother, with two square cardboard boxes beside them. 

“Senior Hikari!” 

Inuzuka Hana bowed, greeting her respectfully. “These ninja dogs were personally selected by my mother. They’re gentle, well-bred, and of excellent quality. Please take a look and see if any catch your eye.” 

“Hm…” 

Hikari glanced down. 

Inside the two boxes were two or three fluffy, chubby puppies each—pure white, pure black, black-and-white… all sorts of colors and looks. The pure white one was particularly lively, pawing at the box’s edge, tongue lolling as it barked excitedly, its shiny black eyes fixed on Hikari without a hint of shyness. 

Another one caught her attention: the black-and-white pup, lazily sprawled in the corner, looking like it couldn’t be bothered with anyone. 

“These two.” 

Hikari pointed casually. 

As she did, the white puppy licked at her hand, the wet sensation making her instinctively pull back. She gave the pup’s head a slightly exasperated poke. “…Starting as a lapdog this young, huh?” 

“Woof woof!” 

The white puppy yipped softly. 

The barking drew Naruto’s attention. He poked his head out from the kitchen, and Hikari waved him over. He crouched by the boxes, eyeing the pups with curiosity. 

Meanwhile… 

Hana lifted the two chosen puppies into a separate box, then pulled out a summoning scroll from her jacket. After forming hand signs, she released a wooden dog kennel, dog food, and other supplies, quietly explaining the basics of raising ninja dogs. 

Hikari listened patiently, then glanced at Naruto. “Got all that?” 

“Huh?” 

“I’m pretty busy and often out of the village, so I might not have time to look after them. When I’m gone, how about you take care of them, Naruto?” 

It was, of course, an excuse. 

Hikari’s real reason for getting ninja dogs was to give Naruto some companions—maybe even help him make friends. If she recalled correctly, in the original timeline, Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba got along well, while his bond with Sasuke only deepened after graduating from the Ninja Academy. 

At her words, Naruto’s eyes lit up, his face breaking into a delighted grin. 

“…Got it! I’ll take good care of them for you, Hikari-nee!” 

Hana blinked, then seemed to catch on to Hikari’s intentions. She pulled Naruto aside and added casually, “Oh, if you run into any issues while raising them—like if they get sick—you can come to the Inuzuka clan anytime. If my mom and I aren’t around, my little brother Kiba can help. He’s the same age as you, so you two might even hit it off!” 

“Right, Kiba?” 

At his sister’s prompt, Inuzuka Kiba let out a grumpy huff through his nose. 

But after Hana gave his butt a sharp twist, Kiba’s attitude softened. With a reluctant pout, he shook Naruto’s hand and mumbled that he’d help out. 

After lingering a bit longer, the Inuzuka siblings said their goodbyes and left. 

Hikari sent them off with a warm smile, then stretched lazily and headed to the kitchen. “Naruto, get those two little guys settled. I’ll handle dinner… Oh, and don’t forget to name them.” 

“Got it!” 

As it turned out, Naruto didn’t inherit his father’s knack for naming. 

After racking his brain all evening, he finally, with some hesitation, named the white puppy “Mochi” and the black-and-white one “Onigiri.” Mochi was full of energy, darting around the apartment the moment morning came, while Onigiri remained lazy, barely moving all day. 

Around noon… 

Hikari slipped into her bedroom and brought Bulma over. 

“Wow! So this is the Konoha Village you guys were talking about!” 

“And wow, this is Yor—er, Mister’s son, Naruto! Finally meeting you in person! Come here, let big sis give you a hug!” 

Faced with this blue-haired girl who appeared out of nowhere, Naruto was utterly baffled. 

But after Hikari explained that Bulma was a mutual friend of hers and Naruto’s father, the kid relaxed, letting Bulma ruffle his cheeks. 

Before long, Bulma dug a handful of candy balls from her pocket and handed them to Naruto. “I wanted to bring more gifts, but Hikari and the others said it might not be appropriate. So, these snacks will have to do as a first-meeting gift. Don’t eat too many at once, or you’ll ruin your teeth, okay?” 

“Thanks, Bulma-nee!” 

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. 

After playing with Naruto and the two puppies for a while, Bulma begged Hikari to take her out for a tour. 

So, the two threw on their coats, brought Naruto along, and left the apartment, wandering through Konoha’s streets. 

The local culture, so different from the Dragon Ball world, fascinated Bulma. Ninja zipping across rooftops and towers, and unique treats like tricolor dango, left her wide-eyed with excitement. 

During their stroll, Hikari suddenly noticed someone— 

At the direction of Konoha’s main gate… 

At the far end of the long street, a blonde woman in a dark green robe appeared. 

(Chapter End)