Preparations Before Heading to the Dragon Ball World

Elsewhere.

Uchiha Hikari recalled the plot of Demon Slayer as she cooked, giving a rough account of the Hand Demon's intelligence.

Come to think of it, of the four people currently in the chat group, Tanjiro was actually in the most dangerous situation.

There was not much to say about herself. As long as she did not act recklessly, surviving until the later stages of the story would not be a problem.

However, there was one issue she needed to find a solution for: excessive use of the Mangekyō Sharingan would lead to blindness. Without those eyes, her strength would likely be severely diminished. This trip to the Dragon Ball World was an opportunity. These past two days, Uchiha Hikari had been pondering how to ask Bulma to "borrow" a wish...

Minato Namikaze was the safest, seeing as he was already dead.

Bulma was a non-combatant. Even in the later stages of Dragon Balls, where people on an entire planet could die at the drop of a hat, the number of times she had been killed could be counted on one hand. Her luck rivaled Ichiraku's in the Naruto world.

Only Tanjiro remained.

According to the original Demon Slayer plot, ever since he joined the Demon Slayer Corps, he had repeatedly danced on the edge of death.

The Demon Slayer World had no concepts such as Chakra or ki. Most methods of growing stronger came from draining one's life force. The Demon Slayer Mark in particular—once awakened, it meant one's life had entered a countdown.

Even if Uchiha Hikari revealed the later plot to Tanjiro, it would be useless, because he truly could not defeat them. And the butterfly effect brought about by altered events might make Tanjiro die even sooner—after all, Tanjiro had brushed past Muzan, the final boss, twice during the early stages of the story. If Muzan had not been such a coward, Tanjiro would have died long ago.

"Hmm... Once I'm done with this busy stretch, I should find time to visit the Demon Slayer World."

"Maybe combining a technique like the Breathing Technique with Chakra could develop some new traits..."

As Uchiha Hikari made these calculations, she calmly dished up the food and poked her head out of the kitchen to call out:

"Naruto, come eat!"

By now, Uchiha Hikari had changed out of that Warring States-era dress and into loose homewear, with a white apron tied around her waist and slippers on her feet. Aside from her slightly disheveled hair, as long as she did not activate her Sharingan, she looked no different from an ordinary Konoha resident.

She had also reorganized Naruto's wardrobe, tossing that dirt-colored yellow jacket to the very bottom and hanging up a row of stylish new clothes.

At first, Naruto had protested, but he ultimately chose to accept it.

"Wash your hands first."

Uchiha Hikari tapped Naruto's hand with her chopsticks. Only after personally watching him wash his hands clean at the sink and sit down at the table did she hand him the chopsticks. Then she took a photo and sent it to the chat group, casually tagging Minato Namikaze.

Naruto accepted the chopsticks, then looked at her eagerly.

"What are you looking at me for? Eat. Do you want me to feed you too?"

"...Hehe, thanks for the meal!"

Only after Uchiha Hikari spoke did Naruto flash a toothy grin and begin shoveling food into his mouth.

Elsewhere.

Uchiha Hikari propped up her chin with one hand, casually picked up a mouthful of rice, and said absentmindedly, "Naruto, do you remember the recipes I taught you yesterday? How about you cook tonight?"

"Huh?"

Naruto paused mid-bite. He scratched his head, sounding a little uncertain. "I... remember some of them, but I might not be able to make them well..."

"You have to try eventually. Who can cook well the first time they ever try?"

Uchiha Hikari smiled. "I may be going on a long trip in a few days. I'm not sure how long it'll take before I come back, so you'll need to take care of yourself during that time. I've already taught you how to pick vegetables and meat, how to use the gas stove and rice cooker. If a shop refuses to sell you anything again, go find Uzuki Yugao and have her handle it..."

Naruto froze. He slowly raised his head and asked in a small voice, "Sister Hikari, are you leaving Konoha?"

"More or less."

More precisely, she was leaving this world.

"Then..."

The smile gradually faded from Naruto's face, replaced by a helpless expression. "Sister Hikari, did I do something wrong? Why are you suddenly leaving... I'll work hard to learn everything you taught me. I'll make dinner properly too! Please don't leave me behind..."

"What are you thinking? I'm just going on a long trip, not dying."

Uchiha Hikari could not help laughing. "You have a classic people-pleasing personality. You always blame yourself and suspect everything is your fault. No wonder that old man was able to manipulate you so easily... Forget it. I'll help you correct that when I get back."

Hmm... She might have to talk to Minato Namikaze as well. After all, Uchiha Hikari did not know much about psychology. She could tell Naruto's behavior patterns were unhealthy, but she did not know how to correct them.

"Speaking of which..."

Uchiha Hikari glanced out the window and thought of another issue.

She probably would not be gone from the Dragon Ball World for very long, but it would not be a short time either. Should she tell the Third Hokage's side in advance, so they would not misunderstand anything?

"...Third Hokage, these are Uchiha Hikari's movements over the past few days."

"Accompanied by Rabbit, she visited a clothing store, the Ninja Tools Shop, a photography studio, Ichiraku Ramen, and other places. Most of her spending was on food and clothes. She only bought three or four sets of clothes for herself; the rest were all for Naruto. According to the Anbu's follow-up inquiries, all her exchanges with the shopkeepers were normal. She did not say or do anything unusual..."

At the Hokage Building, inside the office.

Shinnosuke placed a stack of documents on the desk.

A photograph was attached to every page, accompanied by detailed timestamps and records of the events.

Sarutobi Hiruzen skimmed through them at a glance, taking several deep drags from his pipe. His gaze was profound. "Has she made contact with anyone from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Not yet."

"Following our arrangements, Rabbit deliberately avoided the directions of the Military Police Building and the Uchiha Clan Compound."

Shinnosuke paused, seemingly hesitant to speak. "However, as long as she settles down in Konoha, she will eventually learn about the Uchiha Clan's current circumstances. And some time ago, when she stood up for Naruto in the Shopping Street, she used her Sharingan in full view of many people. The Military Police Force has most likely already heard about it."

"What do you think... Should we have Shisui contact her first and sound her out?"

As Sarutobi Hiruzen's son and confidant, Shinnosuke knew perfectly well about the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan.

Previously, with only Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, there had already been people in the Uchiha Clan who dared to clamour for rebellion.

If Uchiha Hikari stood with the Uchiha Clan...

He did not even dare imagine what would happen.