I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 212 Shared Bathing at the Hot Spring Inn

This time, Uchiha Hikaru did not bring Esdeath and Kikyo back to Konoha.

After all, they had just caused quite a stir in the Land of Demons, and Konoha would definitely have received the news. If they went back now, they would inevitably face overt and covert surveillance and probing. Although Uchiha Hikaru's status meant she didn't need to explain anything to them, it would likely be quite troublesome.

and so……

After careful consideration, Uchiha Hikaru decided on the Land of Hot Springs on the eastern side of the continent as his destination for relaxation.

"Although I've never been there, I've heard that the natural scenery there is quite nice, and the hot springs are also very famous. I just finished a fight, so I'll go take a bath there to relax my muscles."

Regarding Uchiha Hikaru's suggestion.

Erii naturally voted in favor unconditionally.

Esdeath and Kikyo, being new to the Naruto world and both easygoing by nature, didn't say anything and simply nodded in agreement.

then.

Uchiha Hikaru checked the map to confirm the location, then activated "Shangri-La," airdropping the four of them directly from the Land of Demons to the Land of Hot Springs, thousands of miles away.

"Although this isn't my first time using this Imperial Arm, it's quite convenient for traveling."

Esdeath made her assessment.

Erii nodded in agreement.

Uchiha Hikaru chuckled and casually said, "Well, Bulma and I will work together to see if we can recreate the 'Shangri-La' manufacturing process. We'll make a few more for each of you, so it'll be convenient for you to go wherever you want."

"Really?"

Erii held up her little notebook, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"certainly."

—It's fake.

Not to mention that "Shangri-La" is one of the most exquisitely crafted Imperial Arms, even if its manufacturing method could be reproduced, the raw materials would be very difficult to obtain. It would be unrealistic to even be able to replicate a second one, let alone have one for everyone.

However, since Erii took it seriously, it wouldn't hurt to tell her a lie to cheer her up.

"Hikari, where is the hot spring you mentioned?"

Esdeath glanced around and asked.

"...Wait a moment, this is my first time here too, let me look for it first."

With that, Uchiha Hikaru used the Flying Technique to leap into the air, standing hundreds of meters in the sky, shading his eyes with his hand, and looking around.

Speaking of which...

The Land of Hot Water is also a very magical country.

On one hand, it is known as a "country that has forgotten war." It is said that after the First Shinobi World War, it grew tired of war and gradually reduced its funding for ninja villages, instead focusing most of its energy on developing tourism and opening a large number of hot spring inns.

On the other hand, it is also fertile ground for the secret development of the Jashin Cult, giving rise to a large number of cult members, especially Hidan, a freak with an immortal body.

To be honest, Uchiha Hikaru was quite curious about that "evil god".

After all, Hidan's immortality is genuine, and the being that could grant him such power must be at least on par with the sages of the three great holy lands. It might even be something similar to a "Shinigami" using the Reaper Death Seal. Such a being would undoubtedly be of great research value.

But curiosity aside...

Uchiha Hikaru didn't intend to specifically look for it.

After all, she came here to take a vacation, so there's no need for her to cause trouble. Unless she actually encounters someone from an evil cult, that would be a different story.

"...Let's go take a look over there, there seems to be a town there."

Uchiha Hikaru used the Flying Technique to circle around in the sky before landing and bringing Esdeath and her group to a nearby mountain town.

From the five or six hot spring hotels in the town, they found one that was a little quieter but had a pretty good view, and used money to book the entire place.

Hmm... Thinking back to when she first woke up a year ago, she was a penniless "poor ghost" who could only stay under Naruto's eaves.

Now, he's actually someone who can unleash "money power" just like Bulma.

Upon thinking of this, Uchiha Hikaru couldn't help but chuckle, feeling as if he had been transported to another world.

the other side.

The proprietress of the hot spring inn, dressed in a kimono, followed closely beside Uchiha Hikaru, constantly showering him with compliments:

"Miss Hikari, please come this way."

"You have excellent taste! Our hot spring is the best in town. It not only nourishes the body and beautifies the skin, but also has the effect of warding off evil spirits and curing diseases. It's perfect for young and beautiful girls like you..."

"oh."

Uchiha Hikaru remained noncommittal.

It was indeed her first time in the land of hot springs, and even her first time staying at a hot spring inn. But she could tell that the inn was only slightly above average in size for the town, and certainly not the "best." However, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to book the entire inn so easily, so she didn't need to worry about those details.

After speaking for a while, the proprietress paused and then asked, "By the way, do our guests have any requests regarding the meals these next few days?"

"No, just prepare it to your highest standards, don't worry about the money."

"Okay, don't worry!"

……

Under the financial onslaught, the dinner that day was quite lavish.

There were several plates of three-foot-long lobster sashimi alone, in addition to plenty of beef, lamb, fish, conveyor belt sushi, mushroom soup, and fresh fruits and vegetables, filling the long table.

For four girls, this was a bit too much.

—To be precise, there are three, because Kikyo has a clay body and doesn't need to eat; at most, she can only symbolically drink some soup. For her, the only things that can be called "food" are the dead souls that drift everywhere.

but……

To Uchiha Hikaru's surprise, the entire table of food was almost completely devoured in no time.

"Um……"

Hikaru Uchiha sipped the fragrant tofu soup, looking at Erii with suspicion. He almost wanted to touch her stomach: "Speaking of which, Erii, aren't you going to feel stuffed eating so much? If your stomach is full, don't force yourself, okay?"

"It's okay, since it's rare to get to taste such delicious food, you can eat more."

Erii held up her little notebook.

Esdeath across from her glanced up, then silently put a piece of beef in her mouth. Amidst a mountain of bones and fish bones, she elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin: "I'm full."

"..."

So these two are actually big eaters who are keeping their abilities a secret.

Uchiha Hikaru was thinking that if Ichiraku Ramen ever held another noodle-eating contest, he might bring Esdeath and Erii along to sign up. He figured they wouldn't be too far behind Hinata's future record.

After a hearty meal and drinks.

The group strolled around the town to digest their food before returning to their room to change into yukatas, preparing to soak in the hot spring in the backyard.

The proprietress's earlier introduction might have been a bit of self-praise.

But the hot spring in this hotel is indeed meticulously designed.

The pool, which is about two or three hundred square meters in size, is divided into three or four sections by an exquisitely designed arched bridge and several artificial hills. Several inconspicuous water pipes are installed on the artificial hills. When the switch is turned on, hot water flows down from the "hills" and wisps of steam rise up, creating a charming ancient atmosphere with a sense of mist and smoke.

Erii's eyes lit up immediately when she saw the arrangement.

Without hesitation, she took off her yukata and jumped naked into the hot spring. She placed the little yellow duck she had brought on the surface of the water, gently poked it a few times with her finger, and then turned to look at Uchiha Hikaru behind her and waved.

"Light, aren't you coming?"

Because she was in the water, Erii didn't bring a notebook and could only communicate with people by mouthing.

"Coming right away."

Uchiha Hikaru coughed lightly, turning his gaze away from that bright, fair, and curvaceous body. He blushed slightly, took off his clothes, folded them neatly, placed them on the rock, and then sat down by the pool wrapped in a bath towel.

"Light, here you go."

Erii pushed a little yellow duck over, indicating that it was for Uchiha Hikaru to play with.

Then he started swaying another plastic submarine with a very fancy design.

"...He really is still a child at heart."

Uchiha Hikaru watched Erii's movements from the side for a while, then smiled.

By the traditional Chinese age reckoning, Erii is almost 18. As a privileged yakuza princess who has never lacked nutrition, her figure is perfectly developed, even captivating. However, given her childlike behavior, it's hard to see her as a fully grown woman.

—Incidentally, in 2019, the timeline of the Dragon Raja world, the legal age of adulthood in Japan is still 20, so Erii is still a minor under the law.

Of course, turning 20 doesn't preclude the possibility of getting married at 16...

The sound of the door being pushed open rang out.

Uchiha Hikaru didn't turn around, but glanced to the side out of the corner of his eye and noticed a pair of long legs walk to the edge of the pool. First, he tested the water temperature with his feet, then he untied his towel and stepped in.

slam-la-

A ripple spread.

Esdeath's body disappeared into the water.

All things considered, this was the first time Uchiha Hikaru had bathed with her.

As a woman in her twenties, this military girl's figure, like her personality, is of the "S" type.

Standing at just over 1.7 meters tall, she was well-proportioned in all the right places, with a pair of breasts that were estimated to be at least a D to an F cup, and quite firm. It wasn't very noticeable when she was dressed, but now, sitting in the hot spring, they were on full display, attracting Uchiha Hikaru's furtive glances a few more times.

"Um?"

Esdeath opened her eyes, turned her head from her resting state, and looked at Uchiha Hikaru.

"What's wrong?"

"...It's nothing, I'm just a little curious."

Uchiha Hikaru quickly found an excuse for himself: "I heard from Najenda and the others that you served in the Imperial military for seven or eight years and fought in dozens of battles, big and small, but you look quite clean, with hardly any scars?"

"snort."

Esdeath snorted coldly and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "How could those weaklings who crumble at the first blow be worthy of leaving me a scar? Those who can leave marks on me are basically a handful of strong individuals, and you are one of them."

"Really? That's an honor."

Hikaru Uchiha smiled.

Her battle with Esdeath was indeed fierce; Esdeath almost died from her "Fire and Thunder God" attack. However, thanks to the Senzu Bean she had consumed, the piercing and burning wounds had completely healed within a short time after the battle ended, so there was no trace of her injuries on Esdeath at this moment.

Instead, it was another scar, located on the side of his ribs, that caught Uchiha Hikaru's attention.

"This is..."

"Oh, that was when I was still living on the northern border. It was during a battle with a foreign army. It was one of the few battles that almost killed me."

Esdeath downplayed it.

But Uchiha Hikaru pressed on, "Oh, could you tell me more details? I'm very curious."

"In exchange, I can tell you about my childhood experiences."

"..."

Hikaru Uchiha knew a little about Esdeath's past.

Originally a member of a tribe in the northern border of the empire, she displayed extraordinary combat talent from a very young age, capable of hunting down dangerous species within her territory single-handedly. Later, with the invasion of northern barbarians, Esdeath's tribe was slaughtered, leaving her alone. From then on, she firmly believed in the "survival of the fittest" principle and strived to become the strongest.

In her teens, Esdeath participated in the Imperial Capital's martial arts tournament, thereby entering the military. She gradually rose through the ranks by accumulating military merits, eventually becoming an Imperial General second only to Grand General Budo.

This information all comes from the anime that Uchiha Hikaru watched in his previous life; it's just a brief outline.

And this moment.

Esdeath hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing to Hikaru Uchiha's request and briefly recounting her childhood experiences.

Erii, who was next to her, gradually stopped playing with her toys and snuggled up to Uchiha Hikaru to listen to Esdeath's story. She then expressed her approval with gestures and mouthing, "Esdeath-neechan is amazing."

"Oh."

Esdeath chuckled self-deprecatingly: "I used to think I was very powerful. No matter how talented someone was, they were no different from mediocre in my eyes. I could easily subdue them without much effort. Even the renowned Prince Numa Seka, who was said to be undefeated among the northern tribes, was no exception..."

However, it seems that the only one who can truly be called a genius is you, Uchiha Hikaru. If I were your age, I probably wouldn't even be worthy of challenging you to a duel where you unleash your full power.

"...Don't say that."

Uchiha Hikaru scratched his head: "As you can see, even in this world, my strength is among the best. Using me to measure the geniuses of your world is unfair. Besides... with your fighting talent, Xiao Ai, if you had met me earlier, your strength would probably be much greater now."

(End of this chapter)