Tanjiro

Uchiha Hikari knew Bulma's family was rich.

But seeing it in an anime and witnessing it firsthand were two entirely different things.

While they waited for the test results, Bulma showed her around the house. The massive, castle-like complex left Uchiha Hikari in constant amazement.

During the tour, she also met Bulma's parents.

The two greeted her warmly, seemingly not the least bit surprised that their daughter had suddenly brought someone home.

Then again.

Even Vegeta's arrival in the original story had not surprised this couple. An utterly ordinary Earthling from another world like Uchiha Hikari naturally was not worth being curious about. Instead, she began considering something else.

"Um... Big Sis Bulma, how much do Capsule Corp capsules cost here? Are there any cheaper models?"

There were quite a few treasures in the Dragon Ball World.

Not even counting the Dragon Balls that could grant wishes.

Senzu Beans, the Flying Nimbus, Sacred Water, the Hyperbolic Time Chamber... none of them were ordinary.

Unfortunately, Uchiha Hikari could not get her hands on any of them for the time being.

Bulma did not even know Goku or Master Roshi yet, nor did she know where places like Mount Paozu and Kame House Island were. Trying to find them under those circumstances would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

So Uchiha could only set her sights on technological products, wondering whether she could buy some on credit and take them back with her.

But Bulma was generous. "Capsule Corp capsules? They're not worth much. I'll give you a set next time you come over."

"I'd feel bad accepting that..."

"It's fine. Once people know each other, they're friends. Maybe I'll even need your help when I go looking for the Dragon Balls." Bulma's eyes darted around as though she were calculating something. "From your chat with Forever with Sis, you seem to be pretty powerful ninjas?"

"More or less."

Uchiha Hikari hesitated briefly. "Just call me when you start gathering the Dragon Balls."

At this point in time, the Dragon Ball World was still relatively safe. There were no strange aliens running around, and the strongest enemies she might face were probably only on the level of Mercenary Tao or the Red Ribbon Army... Master Roshi was supposedly powerful too, but the old man was a shameless pervert. Under normal circumstances, he was unlikely to become an enemy.

If possible, Uchiha Hikari really wanted to learn the Dragon Ball World's "ki." It would be even better if she could hitch a ride on one or two wishes.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

During those days, Uchiha Hikari made one trip back.

First, following Minato Namikaze's instructions, she opened a tiny crack in the seal on her body. Then she released the miniature detector Bulma had given her, gathering data on the rock layers surrounding the coffin's burial site so Bulma could simulate the demolition.

Once everything was ready, Uchiha Hikari took the mini bomb Bulma had given her and returned to the Naruto world once more.

Nameless: I'm starting.

Bulma: Good luck, Hikari! If anything goes wrong, remember to travel over to my side immediately.

"..."

Although it was not the first time she had heard it, the nickname "Hikari" always made Uchiha Hikari think of a character from some children's anime. She felt like a Piplup might jump out and start bickering with her at any second.

Forever with Sis: Good luck, Miss Hikari. If you see Naruto after getting out, please take a look at how he is doing for me.

Nameless: Don't worry!

Come to think of it, there was one thing Uchiha Hikari had still not figured out—

Whether she and Forever with Sis in the group were on the same timeline.

Since the chat group could pull people in from across dimensions, crossing a few parallel worlds—or pulling people from different points in history within the same world—would not be much of a problem. If their timelines differed, then Konoha could currently be in any era. There might even be a living Minato in the village. But if their timelines were the same...

Then Konoha was most likely a few years after the Nine Tails Riot, before Naruto had started school.

Uchiha Hikari was a little curious.

When Minato Namikaze saw the circumstances Naruto had grown up in...

What would he think?

"By the way, who exactly is that Iron Head Kid in the group? He hasn't said a word for days. Could he be socially anxious?"

Uchiha Hikari planned to message him privately and ask when she had the time.

But now...

"Whew..."

Uchiha Hikari took a deep breath. With her barely functional hands, she cut a small opening into the coffin, then slipped the long, narrow bomb outside.

Click—

The suction cups around the bomb unfolded, clamping tightly onto both sides of the coffin.

Then came the ticking countdown.

10... 9... 3... 1...

The next moment!

BOOM!!!!

In an instant, an immense burst of light and heat erupted just inches in front of Uchiha Hikari. Even though she had shut her eyes beforehand and put on the special sunglasses Bulma had made for her, the intense glare still dazzled her. Through her earplugs came a deafening roar like mountains collapsing and seas crashing!

The shockwave from the explosion spread in every direction, while terrifying cracks raced outward like a spiderweb!

Although Bulma had repeatedly calculated and simulated everything on her computer beforehand, when the explosion actually occurred, stones of all sizes still came crashing down. They struck the coffin in which Uchiha Hikari had slept. The seal, already split open by a crack, began to tremble on the verge of collapse.

At that moment.

Uchiha Hikari opened her eyes, Scarlet Three Tomoe appearing in them. "Susanoo!!"

As the seal shattered, the Chakra and ocular power sealed within her body began to surge. They flowed forth in the form of dark red flame-like light, then transformed out of thin air into skeletal armor that firmly shielded several feet around Uchiha Hikari.

It was not a complete Susanoo.

But it was enough to block every falling stone.

Nearly half a minute passed before the tremors finally subsided. By then, a huge cavity dozens of meters deep had appeared above Uchiha Hikari. Clear moonlight spilled down from the top of the opening, illuminating the pale face of the girl below.

Uchiha Hikari leaped up from the cracked coffin lid, used the surrounding walls for leverage a few times, and arrived in the forest outside, landing lightly.

Her short-booted feet stepped onto the ground.

She took a deep breath, and long-missed fresh air flooded into her nostrils.

"Finally, I'm out!"

Nameless: Thanks, Fourth Hokage, and Sister Bulma. I'm ending the stream for now. I'll contact you again once things settle down.

Forever with Sis: Stay safe. Come to me if you need help.

Bulma: +1. If you run into any handsome guys, remember to take a few pictures for me.

Nameless: Okay, okay.

Iron Head Kid: Um...

"?"

Uchiha Hikari had already closed the chat window when the final message in the group caught her attention. "Iron Head Kid spoke up?"

Nameless @Iron Head Kid: Excuse me, may I ask your name?

Iron Head Kid: ...Hello, my name is Kamado Tanjiro! I didn't know how to speak before. So all I have to do is focus my thoughts to turn them into words? That's amazing!