Uchiha Hikari's performance in the sparring match had, to some extent, sparked Angers' suspicions.
He didn't immediately connect her to the White King.
After all, Hikari's human traits were very pronounced. Unless she actively used mental-based techniques like "Tsukuyomi" or "Yasakani no Magatama," it was hard for most people to associate her with a "Dragon King."
So, Angers' suspicions leaned more toward the idea that the Snake Clan had produced another "Emperor"—perhaps another of Uesugi Koshi's illegitimate daughters or a descendant of one of the Inner Three Families they'd tracked down.
Whatever the truth, it meant the Japanese branch's strength was about to skyrocket. Given the rebellious streak running through Japanese blood, the Secret Party would need to carefully reassess their partnership.
On the other side.
Uesugi Koshi was having a blast.
His amusement came purely from watching Angers get humbled.
—Though he'd returned to lead the Snake Clan as its patriarch, Uesugi Koshi saw himself more as a "father." As long as the Minamoto siblings were safe and sound, nothing else mattered much. Ambition? He'd burned that away decades ago, along with the family shrine.
"…So, both of that girl's parents were folklorists who died in an accident years ago, and her swordsmanship mastery has nothing to do with her lineage but is purely the result of her own efforts?"
"Yes."
"…"
The profile for "Kurosawa Fensei" seemed fine to most people. But to an old fox like Angers, the cracks were obvious.
Especially…
A child of two folklorists, with no special lineage, self-teaching swordsmanship for a few years and becoming a Sword Saint? Wasn't that just an insult to intelligence?
Angers fell silent for a moment, then sighed, dropping the topic. "Fine, let's talk about something else.
You've probably heard about the 'Gundam Incident' in China's Three Gorges region, right? That incident ties into a critical exploration mission for the Academy, but it was disrupted by the sudden appearance of 'Miss Gundam.'
I suspect her origins are linked to the Gundam anime, so I need you to help me contact Yoshiyuki Tomino and all the SUNRISE employees involved in the series' production. I have some questions I'd like to ask them in person."
"Gundam? What's that?"
Uesugi Koshi glanced at Minamoto Chisei.
Minamoto Chisei turned to Crow.
And so.
As one of the few otaku in Minamoto Chisei's circle, Crow began explaining anime to the big shots.
…
That evening.
Minamoto Chisei visited the room where Uchiha Hikari, Eriyi, and the others were staying, recounting the day's meeting with Angers in full detail.
At the end, he cautiously asked if the "Gundam Incident" had anything to do with her.
"…Yeah, I did swing by there to have some fun with Eriyi not too long ago," Hikari said casually.
Given the distance, the Snake Clan hadn't caught much wind of the Three Gorges incident yet. But the hybrid community was small, and word would spread through the right channels soon enough. It was only a matter of time before they figured out it was her.
"So it really was you…"
Minamoto Chisei didn't seem surprised by the answer. After a moment's thought, he asked nervously, "Then the 'Bronze and Fire King' the principal mentioned… was that also…?"
"…Too much curiosity isn't always a good thing, you know."
Hikari smiled, giving Minamoto Chisei a calm glance.
He immediately took the hint, shut his mouth, offered a couple of polite remarks, and left the room.
No matter what, Uchiha Hikari held an almost mythical status within the Snake Clan. Her easygoing nature was one thing, but respect was still due. Angering her could spell disaster for the family.
Once the room was quiet again.
Hikari sat cross-legged on the sofa, sipping a cold drink and lost in thought.
Alright.
She hadn't expected her spur-of-the-moment antics to drag the Gundam series' director and production company into the mix, making them targets of Cassell Academy's investigation. But…
No big deal.
Since arriving in this world, she hadn't had any contact with Yoshiyuki Tomino or anyone at SUNRISE. Even if Cassell investigated, they'd find nothing. Torturing answers out of them wasn't an option either—that was more the Gattuso family's style. At most, they might suspect Tomino had been to her "Nibelungen" or that Gundam's designs were based on Dragon King alchemy.
If Cassell and the Secret Party took this as a cue to embrace the mantra of "flesh is weak, machines ascend" and went all-in on developing Gundams, ushering in a mecha era…
Hikari was kind of looking forward to it.
Maybe one day, she'd see an Evangelion Unit-01 vs. Dragon King showdown in this world?
"Speaking of which… the Namekian spaceship probably has some cutting-edge tech similar to the Gundam series, right?"
The thought struck Hikari.
If that was the case…
She could copy Dr. Gero's research data and share it with Bulma. Combined with what Bulma had already learned from the Namekian ship, they might be able to whip up the next-generation Gundam even faster.
…
Over the next few days, Angers and the Snake Clan were both busy.
Angers was occupied with meeting SUNRISE executives, chasing leads on "Miss Gundam."
The Snake Clan, meanwhile, was subtly probing the Secret Party's stance, hoping to leverage their new "White King" to negotiate more autonomy for the Japanese branch.
While everyone was scheming.
Hikari enjoyed a few lazy days, sleeping in until the sun was high. On this particular morning, she got up, went for a short jog, had breakfast at the Snake Clan's estate, and then messaged Bulma in the chat group before heading to the Dragon Ball world.
There.
She finally saw the upgraded destroyer Bulma had photographed and shared in the group.
And another new invention from the girl—
"Hikari, look!"
"This is the mini wristband I remade based on your request!"