Chapter 26: Flames on Jaya, Shadows in Konoha

"We can't allow the Third Hokage to move freely. We need to create more distractions—keep his eyes off the Uchiha. That's the only way we'll have time to stabilize and grow."

"Leave it to me!" Gin replied with calm confidence.

Hikari nodded.

"Good. I'll finish expanding the world map today. I'm just about to reach Jaya Island—once I'm done there, I'll aim for Loguetown next."

Her gaze darkened slightly.

"It's a shame we still haven't found a suitable flying ninja beast for Skypiea…"

If they could claim the golden city in the sky, the clan's financial problems would vanish overnight. The gold might be hard to use directly in the Shinobi World, but it could easily be exchanged at the gold markets in the Capital of Fire.

"It's just a matter of time," Gin reassured her. "Try checking this Pirate World for flying beasts. Keep an eye out while updating the map."

Hikari's eyes lit up.

"You're right! I'll be careful. I'm heading out—bye!"

And with a flash of light, she vanished through a portal.

Half a day later...

"So this is Jaya Island…"

Hikari floated silently above the coast, her presence cloaked in chakra. Even from the air, she could sense the malice radiating from the pirate dens below — it was thick, heavy, aggressive.

"As expected of a pirate-infested island," she muttered. "I'll finish surveying the area first. It's far too dangerous for Gin to come here without scouting."

Rather than land immediately, she glided along the shoreline, circling the island. Pirates who spotted the small boat grew excited — only to hesitate or retreat as they felt something ominous pressing on their senses. Some gave up their plans to attack entirely.

Her growing Observation Haki allowed her to read their intentions before they could act. Her eyes shimmered with cold fire.

"So many desperate fools," she whispered. "If death is what you seek…"

She glided to a northern beach and landed silently. With a practiced hand sign, she sealed her boat into her personal Gate Dimension — an ability gifted to her by Gin. The storage space she controlled was vast, a pocket realm of 10,000 cubic meters, which could grow larger as Gin's strength increased. Mikoto had her own section as well.

Whether that space would eventually evolve into a real, self-sustaining world remained to be seen.

Her foot hit the sand—just as voices called out from the trees.

"There she is!"

"Hehehe! That one's rare! We could get a good price for her!"

"Idiot. Don't sell her—give her to the boss! A woman like that... priceless!"

Hikari narrowed her eyes.

Barbarians…

She didn't waste time with words.

Fire Style: Grand Flame Fan!

With a rapid sequence of hand seals, a wide arc of searing flame erupted from her palms, roaring across hundreds of meters of jungle in seconds. Screams pierced the smoke, then fell silent.

When the smoke cleared, only scorched ground and charred bodies remained. Not a single pirate was left standing.

With barely a flicker, Hikari vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

In ten minutes, she had surveyed nearly the entire island. When she entered town, she used a Transformation Jutsu to blend in, avoiding trouble while observing key shops and pirate bases. Nothing of value caught her attention.

"Alright. Done here," she murmured in a quiet alley. "Time to head back."

She teleported away without a trace.

Meanwhile, back in the Shinobi World…

In the tranquil inner garden of the Senju Compound, Tsunade stood beside her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, a troubled expression on her face.

"Grandma… the Uchiha are making some bold moves lately. They're restructuring the Military Police, creating an elite internal guard. That's huge. They've always guarded that authority selfishly — never let anyone interfere before. Something's changed."

Mito nodded calmly.

"I know. Hiruzen already came to speak with me about it."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"He did? Why would he come to you? Is he asking you to stop them?"

"He sees this as a rare chance to interfere with the Police Force. He's been waiting for this," Mito said slowly. "But he doesn't understand the real reason behind the Uchiha's actions. He asked me to meet with Hikari—to evaluate her personally."

Tsunade's eyes widened.

"Evaluate her?"

"Yes. Apparently, there are rumors she's regained her peak strength," Mito said. "Hiruzen is nervous."

He had also implied that Hikari's return might mark the end of Tobirama's isolationist policies — the ones that had driven a wedge between the village and the Uchiha clan. Hiruzen feared that with a powerful Uchiha matriarch back at full strength, the clan could regain both public favor and political power.

But Mito… Mito had never supported Tobirama's hardline stance toward the Uchiha. She knew the danger of forcing proud clans into corners. Tobirama's methods might have kept temporary peace, but they were sowing seeds of long-term rebellion.

Still, Mito hadn't agreed to meet Hikari for Hiruzen's sake.

"If she truly has recovered," Mito thought, "then perhaps… she can help me too."

She wasn't afraid of death. What concerned her was Tsunade, Kushina, Naruto, and the fractured remnants of the Senju Clan. She had seen how, over the years, Hiruzen quietly undermined the great clans — always smiling, always polite, while weakening their roots.

When Mito was gone, what would become of her family? Her people?

"If there's even a chance to extend my life… I must try. Not for me. But for them."