This time, Uchiha Hikari didn't bring Esdeath and Kikyo back to the Hidden Leaf Village.
After all, they had just caused a stir in the Land of Demons, and word was bound to reach the Leaf. Going back now would mean dealing with all sorts of open and subtle scrutiny, not to mention probing questions. Sure, with Uchiha Hikari's status, she didn't owe anyone explanations, but it would still be a hassle.
So…
After some thought, Hikari decided on a destination to unwind: the Land of Hot Springs, located on the eastern side of the continent.
"I've never been there myself, but I hear the natural scenery is pretty nice, and the hot springs are famous. We just finished a fight, so soaking in a bath to loosen up sounds perfect, right?"
Hikari's suggestion got an immediate thumbs-up from Eri, who was all in, as expected.
Esdeath and Kikyo, both new to the Naruto world and easygoing by nature, didn't object either. They just nodded in agreement.
And so, Hikari checked the map, locked in the coordinates, and activated "Shangri-La," instantly teleporting the group of four from the Land of Demons to the Land of Hot Springs, thousands of miles away.
"Even though it's not my first time using this Teigu, it's honestly super convenient for travel," Esdeath remarked.
Eri nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
Hikari grinned and said casually, "Well, maybe I'll team up with Bulma someday and figure out how to recreate Shangri-La's crafting process. If we can pull it off, I'll make one for each of you. Then you can zip around wherever you want, no problem."
"Really?" Eri scribbled on her notebook, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yup," Hikari replied.
—Total lie.
Not to mention that Shangri-La was one of the most advanced Teigu ever crafted, even if they could crack its production method, the raw materials would be nearly impossible to source. Making a second one was already a stretch, let alone one for everyone. But seeing Eri take it seriously, Hikari figured a little white lie to make her happy wouldn't hurt.
"Where's this hot spring you mentioned, Hikari?" Esdeath asked, glancing around.
"…Hang on, it's my first time here too. Let me check."
With that, Hikari used her Flight Technique to soar into the sky, hovering a few hundred meters up. She shaded her eyes with her hand and scanned the surroundings.
The Land of Hot Springs was a fascinating place.
On one hand, it was known as "the country that forgot war." After the First Shinobi World War, they grew tired of conflict, slashed funding for their ninja village, and poured their efforts into tourism instead, opening tons of hot spring inns.
On the other hand, it was fertile ground for the shadowy Cult of Jashin, breeding fanatics like Hidan, the immortal freak. Honestly, Hikari was kind of curious about this "Jashin" figure. Hidan's immortality was the real deal, and whatever granted him that power was probably on par with the sages of the Three Great Holy Lands—or maybe even something like the Shinigami from the Reaper Death Seal. That kind of entity had serious research potential.
But curiosity aside, Hikari wasn't here to chase trouble. This trip was for relaxation, and unless the Jashin cultists showed up in her face, she wasn't going out of her way to deal with them.
"…Let's head that way. Looks like there's a town over there."
After scouting from the air, Hikari descended and led Esdeath and the others to a nearby mountain town.
From the five or six hot spring inns in town, she picked one that was a bit secluded but had decent scenery. With a flash of cash, she booked the entire place for their group.
Thinking back, just a year ago when she first woke up in this world, Hikari was flat broke, crashing under Naruto's roof like a total mooch. Now, she was throwing around money like Bulma, using her "cash-jutsu" to get things done. The thought made her chuckle—it felt like a lifetime ago.
Meanwhile, the inn's proprietress, dressed in a kimono, trailed behind Hikari, showering her with compliments. "Miss Hikari, this way, please. You've got excellent taste! Our hot springs are the best in town. They're great for your health, beauty, and even warding off evil spirits or curing ailments. Perfect for lovely young ladies like you!"
"Uh-huh," Hikari replied noncommittally.
It was her first time in the Land of Hot Springs, and she'd never stayed at a hot spring inn before, but she could tell this place was decent, though hardly "the best" as the proprietress claimed. Still, its mid-tier status made it easier to book out, so she wasn't sweating the details.
The proprietress paused her spiel. "By the way, do you or your friends have any special requests for meals over the next few days?"
"Nope, just prepare your best spread. Don't worry about the cost."
"Absolutely, leave it to us!"
…
Thanks to Hikari's financial flex, that evening's dinner was a feast.
There were several platters of three-foot-long lobster sashimi, plus an array of beef, lamb, fish, rotating sushi, mushroom soup, and fresh fruits and veggies, filling an entire long table.
For four girls, it was a bit much.
—Well, technically three, since Kikyo, with her clay body, didn't need to eat. At most, she'd sip some soup for show. For her, "food" was more like the stray souls floating around.
But, to Hikari's surprise, the massive spread was nearly polished off in no time.
"Hm…" Hikari sipped her fragrant tofu soup, eyeing Eri with suspicion. She was tempted to pat the girl's stomach. "Eri, are you sure you're okay eating that much? Don't force yourself if you're full, alright?"
"It's fine," Eri wrote on her notebook. "This food is so good, and I don't get to eat like this often, so I can handle a little extra."
Across the table, Esdeath glanced up, silently popped a piece of beef into her mouth, and daintily wiped her lips with a napkin amidst a small mountain of bones and fish spines. "I'm full," she said coolly.
…
Apparently, both Eri and Esdeath were secret foodies with bottomless stomachs.
Hikari mused that if Ichiraku Ramen ever held another noodle-eating contest, she should sign these two up. They'd probably give Hinata's future record a run for its money.
After dinner, the group strolled around town to digest, then returned to change into yukata and head to the inn's hot spring for a soak.
The proprietress's earlier boasts might've been a bit exaggerated, but the hot spring itself was legit. The pool, spanning a couple hundred square meters, was divided into three or four sections by a stylish arched bridge and some artificial rock formations. Hidden pipes in the rocks released steaming water when turned on, creating misty cascades that gave the place a dreamy, ancient vibe.
Eri's eyes lit up at the setup. Without hesitation, she slipped off her yukata and hopped into the water, placing her little rubber duck on the surface and poking it playfully. Then she turned to Hikari, waving her over with a smile.
"Coming!" Hikari coughed lightly, tearing her eyes away from Eri's radiant, curvy figure. Blushing a bit, she undressed, folded her clothes neatly on a rock, and sat by the pool's edge, wrapped in a towel.
"Here, Hikari." Eri pushed a rubber duck toward her, offering it with a grin before going back to playing with her fancy plastic submarine.
"She's such a kid at heart," Hikari thought, watching Eri with a fond smile.
By virtual age, Eri was almost 18. As a well-fed yakuza princess, her figure was, well, striking, to say the least. But her childish antics made it hard to see her as a grown woman. Side note: in the Dragon Clan world's 2019 timeline, Japan's legal adult age was still 20, so technically, Eri was still a minor. Though, that didn't stop people from marrying at 16…
The sound of a sliding door interrupted her thoughts.
Hikari didn't turn, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw a pair of long legs approach the pool. They tested the water's temperature before the towel came off, and their owner stepped in.
Splash.
Ripples spread as Esdeath slipped into the water.
This was Hikari's first time sharing a bath with her.
At over 20 years old, the general's figure matched her personality: bold and commanding. Standing over 5'7", she was curvy where it counted and slender elsewhere, with a chest that was, conservatively, a D-to-F cup and impressively perky. It wasn't as noticeable under her usual clothes, but in the hot spring, it was impossible to miss. Hikari stole a few glances.
"Hm?" Esdeath opened her eyes, shifting from her relaxed state to look at Hikari. "What's up?"
"Nothing, just… curious," Hikari said, quickly covering. "Najenda and the others mentioned you've been in the Empire's military for seven or eight years, fought dozens of battles, big and small. But your skin looks so… clean. Barely any scars?"
Esdeath snorted, her tone matter-of-fact. "Those weaklings who fell in one hit? They didn't have a chance to leave a mark. The few who did manage to scar me were real powerhouses. You're one of them."
"Flattered, I guess," Hikari said with a grin.
Their fight had been intense—Esdeath nearly died to Hikari's "Fire-Thunder God" attack. But thanks to a Senzu Bean, all her wounds had healed almost instantly, leaving no trace. Instead, Hikari's eyes caught a scar on Esdeath's ribs.
"What's this one?" she asked.
"Oh, that? From back when I lived on the northern border. Got it fighting a squad of foreign soldiers. One of the few times I almost didn't make it," Esdeath said casually.
Hikari leaned in, intrigued. "Oh? Tell me more. I'm curious."
"In exchange, you can share some stories from when you were a kid."
"…"
Hikari knew the gist of Esdeath's past. She was born to a northern tribe in the Empire, showed insane combat talent early on, and could take down dangerous beasts solo. When foreign tribes invaded, her people were wiped out, leaving her alone. That shaped her "survival of the fittest" mindset, driving her to become the strongest. By her teens, she'd joined a tournament in the capital, entered the military, and climbed the ranks to become a general second only to Budo.
That was the rough outline from the anime Hikari had watched in her past life.
Now, Esdeath hesitated for a moment before giving in to Hikari's request, sharing bits of her childhood.
Eri, who'd been playing with her toys, stopped and scooted closer to Hikari, listening intently to Esdeath's story. She gestured and mouthed, "Big Sis Esdeath is so cool!"
"Heh," Esdeath gave a wry smile. "I used to think I was hot stuff too. No matter the genius, they were nothing special to me—just fodder I could crush without breaking a sweat. Even that undefeated Prince Numa Seika from the northern tribes was no match… But now? The only real genius is you, Hikari. If we'd been the same age, I doubt I'd even be worth a serious fight."
"Don't say that," Hikari said, scratching her head. "Look, my strength is top-tier even in this world, so it's not fair to compare. Plus, with your combat talent, if you'd met me earlier, you'd probably be way stronger by now."