I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 224 Is it true or false, I'm going to fight Uchiha Hikaru?

That evening.

Bulma booked the largest restaurant in the city and treated all the group members, including Uchiha Hikaru, as well as Esdeath and Master Roshi, to a lavish meal.

During the meal.

Erii and Yotsuya Miko frequently glanced at Goku and Krillin, looking quite curious.

Both of them had read the Dragon Ball manga and knew roughly what Goku's identity was and what he would experience in the future. Seeing this legendary "Super Saiyan" appear in reality now, they were somewhat curious.

Brand was also watching Goku.

However, his focus was different from that of the two girls; he mainly concentrated on Little Wukong's ravenous eating and the gradually stacking pile of plates next to him.

"...Miss Bulma, does this kid named Son Goku usually eat this much?"

"what?"

Bulma paused for a moment, then chuckled, "You mean this... Goku is an alien, after all, so it's normal for him to have a big appetite. Don't worry, I'm from a wealthy family, I can afford this meal, unlike some lecherous old men."

"..."

Bulma was obviously referring to Master Roshi.

The latter once rewarded Goku, who won the runner-up title, after the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. However, Goku ate all of the 50 yen prize money he won in one meal, almost forcing Master Roshi to run away and skip out on the bill. In a sense, this can be considered a dark chapter in Master Roshi's history.

But now...

Brand hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Is this a "big" problem? It's monstrous! How can anyone eat like this?

He had initially thought that Akame's appetite was already quite large for a glutton, but judging from Goku's appearance, he could probably eat several cows in one meal. He wondered how someone so small could hold so much food...

During a brief moment when Brand and Bulma were exchanging whispers.

Uchiha Hikaru also came closer and asked Brand about Akame and Leone.

"By the way, didn't you say before that the two of them wanted to come and join in the fun? Are they still coming?"

During this time, Uchiha Hikaru carefully studied the chat group's teleportation function and discovered that there was still some room for expansion. That is, it is possible to activate temporary permission to teleport living beings outside the group members at the cost of 100 points per teleportation, but each teleportation can only stay for 24 hours—provided, of course, with the consent of the other world's group members.

100 points a day is a bit pricey.

However, most group members, including Uchiha Hikaru, don't usually use points, so they can afford to use this privilege feature if they really want to.

Of course, sealing it with a sealing spell and bringing it over is also a method. It is a bit troublesome to operate, and the person being carried will suffer a little, but the advantage is that it can save some points.

"What they said..."

Brand explained in a low voice.

Leone can't come.

Because a friend of hers who lives in the slums recently ran into some trouble and needed her help, she didn't have time to think about anything else.

However, Akame still really wanted to come.

There is also Tazmi.

"That boy named Tatsumi is progressing very quickly; he's a natural-born general. The boss intends to train him so he can become capable of handling things independently. If he could come here and see the masters from all over the world, I think it would be very beneficial to his future development."

Brand explained it this way.

Hearing his words, Uchiha Hikaru glanced at Esdeath beside him without revealing his expression.

In the original work, Esdeath fell in love with Tatsumi at first sight during the martial arts tournament in the Imperial Capital. Now that the Revolutionary Army has captured the Imperial Capital ahead of schedule, the martial arts tournament storyline has been omitted. If Tatsumi were to appear at the World Martial Arts Tournament in the Dragon Ball world and demonstrate remarkable talent and conviction, would... would that cause Esdeath to have any special thoughts?

"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?"

Esdeath keenly noticed her gaze, wiped her mouth, and asked calmly.

"It's nothing, I just thought of something..."

Uchiha Hikaru remained noncommittal.

……

The day after the dinner party ended.

At Brand's request, Uchiha Hikaru went with him to the world of Akame ga Kill! and brought Akame and Tatsumi with him.

Incidentally, Uchiha Hikaru also took some time to visit the East Blue and see his mount.

Donghai Yunlong still recognized her at this moment, and still looked submissive.

Seeing this, Uchiha Hikaru felt a little relieved. He immediately rode the East Sea Cloud Dragon and circled in the sky above the East Sea for half a day, enjoying the sea breeze. He also took a few photos and posted them in the chat group, showing off a little.

[Anonymous: [Dragon Knight.jpg] ×10]

[Bulma: Huh, is this the mount you caught last time, Hikari? I already guessed how big it was when I saw the proportions of the person in the picture, but now it seems even more amazing than I expected...]

[Anonymous: Hehe, you guys can come and ride it next time you have the chance. Rayquaza's back is spacious enough that even a hundred people could sit on it at the same time.]

To be precise, the Donghai Yunlong can carry tens of thousands of people at a time without any problem.

After all, it is six or seven thousand meters long, and its head is even larger than that of a fully formed Susanoo, making it a veritable mountain behemoth.

Upon hearing Uchiha Hikaru's words, Erii and Yamato immediately expressed their interest and even wanted to come and experience it right now. However, due to the approaching martial arts tournament, Uchiha Hikaru postponed the time for a while, and the two immediately agreed.

After indulging in his dragon knight adventures for a short while, Uchiha Hikaru sent the East Blue Dragon back to its lair and then found Dr. Fashion.

Some time ago, Dr. Fashion moved his entire research institute to East Sea County and continued his research on Imperial Arms and Dangerous Species. His main research focus was on the "Supreme Imperial Arm: Guardian Machine God," which he had recently observed up close.

When Uchiha Hikaru arrived, he took out several analysis reports that he had written over the past few days and showed them to Uchiha Hikaru one by one. He also briefly explained his proposed research plan.

"...Yes, I understand the general situation. You did a good job."

"You can handle it yourself. If it involves alchemy and you're unsure about anything, you can discuss it with Dortya. She's quite an expert in that area."

Uchiha Hikari didn't really understand these reports. After all, she hadn't put in the effort to study the "alchemy" of the Akatsuki world. When Bulma and the others went to observe the Supreme Imperial Arms last time, she was busy subduing the East Blue Cloud Dragon and didn't ask any further questions afterward.

but……

Some people can understand it.

"Let's show it to Bulma when we get back. She seems quite interested in research topics like 'alchemy'..."

……

Just as Uchiha Hikaru had thought.

Bulma was indeed very interested in what she brought back. Since she didn't have to participate in the martial arts tournament anyway, she planned to take a look over the next few days and then decide whether to go to the Akatsuki world after the tournament to discuss the latest research progress with Dr. Fashion.

The last two days flew by.

The 21st Martial Arts Tournament has finally begun.

The first step is to determine the matchup list.

As early as when registration closed, the martial arts tournament organizers assigned each participant a number. The method for determining the opponent's match was for all participants with odd-numbered numbers to draw their opponents one by one from a box where even-numbered participants had drawn their opponents. To avoid any suspicion of manipulation, the organizers used a centralized lottery system.

Uchiha Kou is an even-numbered person, so he doesn't need to draw lots.

However, since Tanjiro, Bulang, Esdeath, and the others all had odd numbers, she couldn't just lie in the hotel alone to sleep. So she went to the martial arts tournament venue with Bulma, Erii, and the others to wait for Tanjiro and his group's draw results.

soon.

A string of messages started popping up in the chat group—

[Ghost Princess: I didn't expect there to be so many participants in the martial arts tournament. It looks so lively, much more fun than Onigashima... I wonder how many of them are as strong as Master Roshi. I really want to fight them.]

[Brand: ...It's a bit impolite to say this, but a really smelly guy just walked past me. Doesn't the martial arts tournament have any rules about participants' attire?]

[Bulma: You smell awful... You didn't see that barbarian, did you?]

[Brand: Barbarian?]

[Yoshitsu Miko: Miss Bulma is talking about that contestant who used his "body odor attack" to get into the top eight and almost defeated Krillin, right...?]

[Bulma: Yes, that's him. Thank goodness I didn't see him, or I'd be traumatized.]

At first, the atmosphere in the group was quite lively, with everyone discussing their experiences before and after the draw, including Bulma. Although she had seen the 21st Martial Arts Tournament in the manga, what she saw in the manga was quite different from reality. Especially now that the plot has been significantly altered due to the intervention of Uchiha Hikaru and others, the schedule of this Martial Arts Tournament has become much more unpredictable.

until……

[Iron-Headed Kid: Huh? My first opponent is Ms. Hikari?]

Bulma: Pfft...

[Bulma: Tanjiro, you're so unlucky... But it's okay, it's just a sparring match. Didn't we agree that 'friendship first, competition second'? Anyway, Hikari wouldn't really go all out on you... right, Hikari @Nameless]

[Nameless: Hmm. Speaking of which, Tanjiro and I were both disciples mentored by the Cat Sage. As fellow disciples, I'll go easy on you. [smiley face.jpg]]

[Iron-Headed Kid: Cough cough, actually it's not necessary...]

In reality, Tanjiro scratched his head, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

He wasn't a timid person at all.

Back when he was just a Rank 3 member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he dared to raise his sword against Muzan Kibutsuji, a thousand-year-old demon king whose strength far surpassed his own. Now, after such a long period of training, including two months of learning "ki" from the Neko Sage, his strength has increased several times over, so naturally he is even less likely to be intimidated before the battle even begins.

but……

Me and Ms. Hikari...

real or fake?

It's one thing to be unafraid of strong opponents, but... if the difference in strength is this vast, can I really last ten seconds on the stage?

Tanjiro lowered his head and began to seriously consider what tactics he could use to withstand a few more moves from Uchiha Hikaru.

Compared to Tanjiro, who was under immense pressure, Yamato and Brand were much more relaxed.

[Yamato: My opponent is Master Roshi?! It looks like it's going to be a pretty intense battle. I can't wait for it to start!]

[Brand: My opponent's name is Kiron... Seriously, is this guy even human? He looks like a monster!]

[Bulma: Kiron? Is this the one?]

Bulma: [Kirong.jpg]

The picture Bulma sent was taken from the Dragon Ball manga.

This guy named Kiron is a named character in the original work, one of the top eight in the 21st Martial Arts Tournament, who once gave Goku a tough fight. However, his appearance is somewhat abstract; he's a monster resembling a large Western lizard. It's a mystery how Earth in the Dragon Ball world could possibly raise such a "human"...

Originally, Kieron, while not exceptionally strong, still possessed some skill and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals in the original story. Unfortunately, he's now facing Brand in the first round... barring any unforeseen circumstances, he'll likely be eliminated in the first round.

But it's hard to say.

If Brand doesn't use "Haunted" (or "Demon's Embrace"), he might not necessarily win this game; he might only have a slight advantage.

[Bulma: By the way, Hikari, who did Esdeath draw as her opponent? It wasn't Goku, was it?]

[Anonymous: Wait a minute, let me take a look...]

in reality.

Uchiha Hikaru tiptoed over to Esdeath and took a peek.

The latter had originally intended to put the note away, but upon seeing that it was her, he lowered his guard and casually handed the note to her, allowing Uchiha Hikaru to clearly see the name written on it.

It's not Little Wukong.

But...

"...Tatsumi?"

That's quite a coincidence.

It seems that even in a different world, the inertia of the plot is still unavoidable.

Uchiha Hikaru thought for a moment before tentatively asking, "Aiolia, you've met that boy named Tatsumi, right? What did you think of him?"

"What, how is it?"

Esdeath said calmly, "He's just an ordinary, inexperienced boy with mediocre strength. He's not a Teigu user either. There shouldn't be anything noteworthy about him, right?"

"Huh?"

Don't you have any feelings of attraction or anything like that?

Uchiha Hikaru let out a sigh of relief for no apparent reason, then smiled slightly, stretched his arms, and said, "Alright, the match list is finalized. The competition starts tomorrow. Go back and get a good night's rest, and get ready to fight."

(End of this chapter)