Kushina finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Thick smoke billowed out as the barrier was lifted.
The castle looked like it had been hit by a sandstorm, with dust and debris covering everything.
As for the arena?
There was no arena left—it had long been obliterated by the battle between Simu and Minato.
As the smoke cleared, their figures appeared in the massive crater where the arena once stood.
Minato gasped for breath, his expression filled with bitterness as he looked at Simu.
At first, he thought Simu was just incredibly fast.
He never expected him to be this fast—and this powerful!
Not only was he fast, but he had taken a Rasengan head-on with his bare hands!
Was this even something a human could do?
Right now, Minato was looking at Simu as if he were a tailed beast.
Too terrifying.
Minato raised his hand. "I surrender."
Simu's cloak of justice fluttered behind him as he extended a hand toward Minato.
Minato hesitated for a moment before grabbing it, allowing Simu to pull him up.
"Sorry about that. I accidentally used too much force just now," Simu said with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah, no kidding," Minato muttered, elbowing Simu in the ribs.
Even if he won, did he have to go this hard?
Simu chuckled and walked off with Minato.
After this battle, no one dared to underestimate him anymore.
At least, not anyone who had participated in this joint exam.
Even the Jōnin from the various villages now viewed Simu in a completely different light.
They no longer saw him as a mere junior but as a warrior on equal footing with them.
"I have to say, you two really outdid yourselves in this exam!" Jiraiya grinned, patting both of them on the shoulders.
It had been a long time since he felt this proud.
The Jōnin from other villages looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade with envy.
First, there was Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
Then, there were the legendary Sannin—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
And now, two more monsters had emerged—Namikaze Minato and Hanyū Simu.
Especially Simu.
Becoming strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a tailed beast at just fourteen years old?
Who would believe that?!
In the end, as expected, both Simu and Minato were promoted to Jōnin.
From Sunagakure, both Baki and Pakura were also recognized for their strength and promoted.
In Iwagakure, Han, despite losing in the first round, was also made a Jōnin by special exception.
As for Kumogakure's two participants, Dodai and Toroi, they had the strength to become Jōnin as well.
Unfortunately for them, they were eliminated early by Simu.
The only regret was that Kushina was not promoted.
"Hmph, it's just a Jōnin rank. I'll reach it sooner or later," she huffed in frustration.
And honestly, she was right.
With her abilities, a couple more years of experience on missions would make her more than qualified for Jōnin.
She was only sixteen or seventeen, after all.
Becoming a Jōnin at that age was considered incredibly young in the ninja world.
But since she was on the same team as two absolute monsters—Simu and Minato—her talent seemed average by comparison.
After using Konoha's funds to celebrate with a lavish meal, Simu and the others set off to return home.
"Finally back in the Land of Fire."
Simu stretched lazily.
They had already entered the Fire Country's borders, leaving behind the freezing temperatures of the Land of Iron.
His mood instantly lifted.
As the team stopped to rest, he grabbed a fishing rod, ready to relax by the river.
Suddenly, the phone bug hidden in his clothes—actually a Katsuyu clone—began to move.
Katsuyu crawled out.
"Sir Kizaru, the clone you left with Lady Hyūga Rei has suddenly lost contact," she reported.
Simu's expression darkened.
"What happened?" he asked coldly.
Katsuyu shook her head.
"I'm not sure, but I can confirm that Miss Rei is not in danger. If she were, my clone would have woken up automatically."
Simu forced himself to stay calm.
"In other words, your clone was either sealed or removed by Rei herself?"
"That seems to be the case."
Simu took a deep breath, suppressing the unease rising in his chest.
He put away the phone bug and walked up to Jiraiya.
"Teacher Jiraiya, has anything happened in the village recently?"
"Hmm?" Jiraiya frowned.
"Konoha deals with all sorts of things daily. What exactly are you asking about?"
"I'm talking about the Hyūga clan. Rei lost contact with me."
Upon hearing this, both Kushina and Minato stood up immediately.
"What happened to Rei?"
Although they were love rivals, Kushina and Rei were also like sisters.
At this moment, Kushina was just as worried as Simu.
"I'm not sure yet."
Jiraiya's brows furrowed slightly.
"Now that you mention the Hyūga clan… I do remember something. This morning, Lord Third sent a message through Anbu, asking me to return to Konoha as soon as possible."
"The reason? The Hyūga clan's patriarch is stepping down, and there will be a ceremony to inaugurate the new leader."
"But I refused."
"The new Hyūga patriarch…"
Simu's eyes narrowed as he turned to the only Hyūga present—Hyūga Hizashi.
Simu's voice turned cold.
"The new clan head should be your twin brother, Hyūga Hiashi, right?"
Having witnessed Simu's terrifying power firsthand, Hizashi felt a chill down his spine.
He dared not hide anything.
"Y-Yes," he stammered.
"What about Hyūga Rei? Do you know anything about her?"
Hizashi hesitated.
Simu suddenly grabbed him by the collar, releasing an overwhelming killing intent.
"Speak."
Hizashi's face turned pale.
He coughed and struggled. "I-I'll talk! Just let me go first!"
Simu loosened his grip but continued to glare at him coldly.
Hizashi gulped, stealing a quick glance at Simu before answering.
"I overheard some elders talking… It seems that my brother's wedding will be held during the inauguration ceremony."
"And the bride… is Hyūga Rei."
The moment those words left his mouth, a suffocating killing intent filled the air.
"Why Rei?"
Simu's voice was eerily calm, but his fury was boiling beneath the surface.
Despite his rage, he did not lash out immediately.
Hizashi was just a branch family member—he had no authority over clan decisions.
Hizashi hesitated before speaking again.
"It was the elders' decision. They said Lady Rei's Byakugan is… unique."
Simu remained silent.
Judging from the situation, Rei was likely the woman who, in the original timeline, married Hiashi and became the mother of Hyūga Hinata.
And if Ōtsutsuki Toneri had tried to take Hinata away because of her Byakugan… there might be some truth to this.
But none of that mattered.
No one had the right to decide Rei's fate but herself.
If she genuinely loved Hiashi, Simu had nothing to say.
But if she was being forced into this…
Then they would have to face his wrath.
"Teacher Jiraiya, I'm going ahead."
"I'm coming too!" Kushina declared.
Minato nodded. "Me too."
"You guys—!" Jiraiya raised a hand but sighed.
Turning to Anbu, he commanded, "Protect them. I'll go first!"
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