[LittleMonster@NoName: Hikari, you still there? You coming back tonight?]
[LittleMonster: Hikari, you and Big Bro aren't around, and I'm kinda scared.]
[ … ]
[LittleMonster: Hikari, an old guy showed up earlier, saying I'm his daughter. Is he the one you said you were looking for?]
Outside Tokyo, in the suburbs.
In a quiet, forested mountain area.
Uchiha Hikari curled up into a ball on her Flying Nimbus, fast asleep.
A single dewdrop slid from a tree branch, landing on her face. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she stirred from her slumber. Rubbing her eyes, she stretched lazily under the bright morning sunlight before finally checking the messages in the chat group.
Yup… a whopping hundred unread messages.
About half of them were from Eriyi tagging her, while the other half were from Bulma and the others, asking about the situation in the Dragon Clan world and debating whether they should come check things out. Minato Namikaze, ever the cautious ninja, had talked them out of it—after all, if there was trouble big enough to make Uchiha Hikari go silent without a word, the others rushing in would probably just get themselves knocked out like genin facing a tailed beast.
[NoName: Sorry, was napping. Awake now, all good.]
[NoName@LittleMonster: If that old guy called himself Uesugi Koshi, then yeah, he's your dad—biologically speaking. Just act normal around him. I'll be back soon.]
[LittleMonster: Oh, okay.]
[Bulma: So, we really don't need to come over? I mean, Tanjiro and I might not be much help, but Lady Kikyo is seriously strong. Even against those 'Deadpool' things you mentioned, she wouldn't go down easily.]
[NoName: …Let's wait till things settle down.]
In 2009 Japan, Dragon Ball and Inuyasha were massive hits. Hikari couldn't help but wonder what kind of faces the people in Akihabara would make if they saw Bulma and Kikyo strolling down the street together…
After chatting with Eriyi and the others for a bit, Hikari hopped off the Flying Nimbus. She brushed her teeth, washed up, and tossed out a Universal Capsule to summon a small house. Inside, she took a quick shower and changed into fresh clothes.
Feeling refreshed, she glanced at her phone.
"Wow, I slept for a day and a half?"
"No wonder Eriyi sent so many messages…"
Time to head back to Genji Heavy Industries.
That very night, after getting the blood sample, Uesugi Koshi had reached out to Inuyama Ga.
This head of the Inuyama family was a seasoned veteran from the era of the previous Shadow Emperor and the only high-ranking member of the Snake Qida Eight Families who'd kept in touch with Uesugi after his years of defection.
Inuyama was thrilled when he got the call.
By the third morning, the two of them showed up at Genji Heavy Industries, armed with a freshly printed paternity test report.
The moment Uesugi laid eyes on Genji Chisei, his eyes widened, and he kept muttering things like, "He looks just like me!"
Chisei had already learned from Tachibana Masamune that his paternal genes came from Uesugi. Still, suddenly having a dad pop up out of nowhere was… a lot to process.
As for Eriyi…
The girl didn't quite grasp the concept of a "father" yet. Uesugi's enthusiasm overwhelmed her a bit, making her nervous.
But Uesugi had learned about her tragic origin—how she'd been cultivated as an embryo and tainted by dragon blood. His heart ached for his daughter, and he patiently spoke with her for a while before stepping out of the room. He joined Chisei and Inuyama, who'd been waiting, to discuss their next steps.
"…Patriarch, come back! The family's a mess without a leader. We need you to take charge," Inuyama pleaded, not for the first time.
But this time, Uesugi nodded. "Alright. I'll step up as patriarch for now, until Chisei's ready to take over. As for Tachibana Masamune… I'll meet with him soon to confirm some intel."
"The intel from that girl, Uchiha Hikari?" Inuyama asked, his brow furrowing with concern. "I haven't met her myself, but from what you and the young master have said, something about her feels… off."
Everyone fell silent.
The Snake Qida Eight Families called their super hybrids "Emperors" for a reason.
Emperor. White above, King below.
The White King!
This ancient dragon, second only to the Black King, was the high priest of dragonkind, commanding the "spiritual element." It was also the bloodline ancestor of all Japanese hybrids. Ten thousand years ago, it had nearly resurfaced, triggering a catastrophic earthquake beyond human comprehension that almost sank Japan's four islands.
If they had to explain the existence of Hikari's "Tsukuyomi Space" with a ninja-like jutsu or Kekkei Genkai…
It could only be some ultimate technique from the White King's lineage.
"…I've observed her closely," Uesugi said. "She doesn't seem possessed by a holy relic. Her mind's sharp, rational. Maybe she's not the true White King—just an avatar or a next-generation hybrid blessed with its power…"
But definitely not human.
Chisei spoke up, his voice low. "I had Crow look into her background. Nothing. It's like she appeared out of thin air, like a shadow clone with no origin."
"Of course…" Inuyama muttered.
"That girl's a dragon."
Uesugi paused, then turned to Inuyama. "Ga, gather some people. Check the status of the God Burial Site and see if that sunken ship is still there. Also, look into the Fierce Ghost Clan. If her intel's solid, Chika should be in there… manipulated by the 'King General.' It's our duty to bring him back."
"Yes, sir," Inuyama nodded.
Chisei's eyes lowered, likely thinking of his brother.
"As for that girl…" Uesugi continued, "when she gets back, Chisei and I will have a talk with her."
[NoName: So… they think I might be an avatar of the White King?]
On her way to Genji Heavy Industries, Hikari had heard about Uesugi and the others' conversation through Eriyi.
As an Emperor-level hybrid, Eriyi's hearing was unreal—she could pick up footsteps from several floors away. Since Uesugi and the others didn't know about the chat group, they hadn't bothered to keep their voices down, and Eriyi relayed every word to Hikari.
Hikari couldn't help but laugh.
(If Bulma showed up, would they think her Dragon Ball tech was some kind of Fire King alchemy?)
"…Here we are."
Near Genji Heavy Industries, Hikari used her Sky Dance Technique to land softly, slipping into an empty alley to deactivate her Mini Bracelet before heading toward the building.
At the entrance, she spotted a white-haired old man hurrying out, flanked by a few guys in black suits. One look, and you could tell he was a big deal.
Hikari's mind sparked with an idea. She casually stepped into his path, her voice light but firm. "Inuyama Ga?"
Inuyama paused, frowning slightly. "And you are?"
Hikari grinned, her smile as bright as a carefree genin's, but her eyes gleamed with the three-tomoe Sharingan. "Come on, let's fight."