When Bulma mentioned "abandoned warship," Hikari Uchiha's mind immediately conjured up images of a modern aircraft carrier—decked out with fighter jets, escort fleets, and missile systems. Something like that sailing into the One Piece world?
Now that would be a sight, like Naruto dropping a Rasenshuriken in the middle of a pirate brawl.
But…
"We're way too short on crew," Bulma pointed out. "What kind of pirate crew has just three or four people? Plus, the ocean currents and weather patterns in the One Piece world are totally different from other worlds. None of us know how to navigate. We can't just push the ship by hand, right?"
"Fair point," Hikari replied. "But you can start prepping, Bulma. I'll scout things out first."
Hikari didn't mind heading to the newcomers' worlds herself. Brand and Yuji's worlds seemed manageable, but Yamato's? That was trickier—there was a good chance she'd run straight into Kaido. For Bulma and the others, though, even Kaido's underlings like the Three Calamities or any Haki-wielding beast pirate could be a real threat. Until they knew more, Hikari didn't want them jumping worlds recklessly.
Then a thought hit her, like a spark from a Chidori.
Did the Red Ribbon Army have anyone skilled in navigation? In Dragon Ball, they had plenty of high-ranking officers with unique skills, plus tons of planes, submarines, and even combat robots. Sure, their tech wasn't on par with Androids 17 and 18, but with some time, they could probably whip up a decent warship.
Hikari was already planning to recruit Dr. Gero. When the time came, she could poke around and see if the Red Ribbon Army's resources could be put to good use…
Later that day, Kikyo returned from the volcano with a few half-demon kids in tow. She seemed… different, like her chakra had shifted slightly.
"I met with Lady Soki," Kikyo explained calmly. "Her soul was on the verge of fading. Before she passed, she entrusted me with her remaining spiritual power and asked me to find a safe home for these half-demon children. Their parents died on this island, so I'm planning to reinforce the island's barriers and settle them here."
"Whoa," Hikari blinked, then shared her idea of turning Penglai Island into a "half-demon paradise."
Kikyo considered it. "A sanctuary for half-demons… That could work. There are still many like Lan, Shiori, and Inuyasha out there. Gathering the good-hearted ones here wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Deal," Hikari said. The Penglai Island plan was set.
After that, Hikari said goodbye to Kikyo and Bulma and left the island. She went to see Totosai, the master swordsmith, and sent a Shadow Clone on the Nimbus Cloud to Maple Village to pick up Shiori and her mother.
The Shadow Clone's mission was straightforward—Shiori and her mom trusted Hikari completely and agreed without hesitation, like loyal ninja following their Hokage. Grandma Maple didn't interfere but asked about Kikyo with a complicated expression, clearly still processing her sister's unexpected return from the dead.
Meanwhile, Totosai stared thoughtfully at the pile of items Hikari laid out.
"These things… they look familiar," he said.
"Yep," Hikari nodded.
Penglai Island's priestess, Soki, had known Inu no Taisho, Inuyasha's father. When the Four War Gods attacked, she'd sent a message to him for help, but he was already dead. His retainers, Red Oni and Qitian, went instead and died in battle, their weapons—the Red Oni Fan and Qitian Cannon—taken by the War Gods.
Hikari wasn't interested in those relics. She had her eyes on two other items for the Dragon Bone Blade.
"These are the Wind and Thunder Fangs, weapons of the War Gods' leader. They can control wind and lightning," she explained. "And this shield, made from dragon scales, can absorb enemy attacks. Think you can forge them into the Dragon Bone Blade?"
"As for Red Oni and Qitian's relics, please pass them to Sesshomaru, Inu no Taisho's son."
Totosai scratched his head. "I'll give it a shot, but it'll take time."
"No problem," Hikari said.
While waiting for the Dragon Bone Blade, Hikari took a trip to the Demon Slayer world. She'd promised to take Tanjiro to meet the Cat Sage (Korin in Dragon Ball), but things kept getting in the way, like missions piling up for Team 7. With a few free days, she decided to make good on that promise.
Tanjiro, being a dedicated Demon Slayer, had his duties to the Corps. So Hikari brought him to see Lord Ubuyashiki to request a leave of absence.
"Miss Hikari, it's been a while," Ubuyashiki greeted her warmly, though his health had clearly worsened. His eyesight was nearly gone, a sign of the Ubuyashiki clan's curse at work. Still, he perked up at her arrival. "A leave of absence? No problem. Are you taking Tanjiro for some special training?"
"Something like that," Hikari replied.
She remembered how, when she and Bulma last left the Demon Slayer world, Rengoku and the others mistook them for the gods Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi returning to the heavens. Ubuyashiki didn't say it outright, but his expression suggested he thought along similar lines.
In a way, with her current power, she was practically a goddess in the Demon Slayer world, like a Sage of the Six Paths among ordinary shinobi.
"How's Kanao and the others doing?" Hikari asked.
"They're doing well," Ubuyashiki said. "Aside from their unusual appearance, they're as sharp and capable as anyone, thanks to your incredible techniques."
"Hm," Hikari nodded. The Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) was holding up nicely.
"And what about Muzan Kibutsuji? Any new moves from him?"
Ubuyashiki hesitated. "Not yet, but according to recent Demon Slayer reports, demon sightings and activity have been creeping up. It's likely Muzan's plotting something."