"Jiraiya, are you involved in this matter?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya calmly.
Although Simu and his group were considered his people, at this moment, the closer someone was to him, the stricter he had to be.
At least on the surface, he couldn't allow others to find faults in his actions.
A short stay in the ninja prison followed by a few missions to atone for his mistakes—this kind of arrangement was something the old fox, the Third Hokage, was very familiar with.
Simu's talent was exceptional.
How could he just give up on him so easily?
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"Well, Simu is still young, so it's understandable for him to act a little recklessly, right?"
Act recklessly?
The Hyuga clan members were dumbfounded upon hearing Jiraiya's words.
He had demolished the Hyuga clan's ancestral hall, yet Jiraiya dismissed it as simple recklessness?
Would it only be considered excessive if he slaughtered the entire clan?
After Jiraiya spoke, he smiled awkwardly.
"Okay... maybe it was a bit too much."
The Third Hokage sighed and looked at his proud disciple.
He hoped Jiraiya would understand what he was implying.
"Simu, surrender peacefully, and you will be dealt with leniently."
Hiruzen's words were already a clear hint.
However, Simu had no intention of following the path arranged for him.
He picked up Rei and looked at his two companions standing in front of him. A wave of warmth surged in his heart.
"I will take responsibility for my actions. No need for you to worry, Jiraiya-sensei."
Simu made a subtle hand gesture.
It was a special signal that their squad had developed—
It meant: Take hostages!
Minato immediately understood.
In a flash, he appeared beside the newly appointed Hyuga clan head, Hiashi, who was still in shock from the unfolding situation.
Then, in another instant, he used the Flying Thunder God technique to return to Simu's side with Hiashi in tow.
Kushina also moved swiftly, grabbing the Hyuga Great Elder and bringing him over.
Simu, in turn, captured a branch family Hyuga ninja.
Then, he bit his finger and pressed it to the ground at a speed faster than the eye could follow.
Countless sealing incantations spread outward from his fingers, covering the ground beneath their feet like a spider's web.
Simu glanced at the dying Hyuga Teruan and said coldly:
"Listen carefully—if anyone dares to activate the Caged Bird, not only Hiashi, but the entire Hyuga clan will perish!"
"Reverse Summoning Technique!"
Boom!
Simu, Kushina, and the others vanished in a puff of smoke.
Hyuga Teruan slowly stood up, his eyes filled with confusion.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes burned with fury.
"This is outrageous! Find them! Find these lawless criminals!"
"I want them thrown in prison immediately!"
The Third Hokage roared.
For years, Hiruzen had maintained a composed, kind, and wise image.
This was the first time many people had seen him so furious.
It seemed like Lord Hokage was truly enraged this time.
However, Shimura Danzo only squinted his eyes.
Hiruzen, you old fox…
If he were truly furious, he wouldn't have acted so theatrically.
This display was more for the Hyuga clan's benefit, to prove that he was fair and impartial—not secretly supporting Simu.
As for what Hiruzen truly thought… only he knew.
Regardless, Anbu were not foolish. They always had barriers in place to restrict space-time ninjutsu.
Under normal circumstances, whenever they carried out an operation, Anbu would set up these barriers in advance to prevent their target from escaping.
Yet, this time… there had been negligence.
Coincidence?
Only the benevolent would see benevolence, and only the wise would see wisdom.
Uchiha Sifang took a deep look at the Third Hokage.
This is getting interesting…
After being reverse summoned, Simu and his group arrived at Shikkotsu Forest.
It was a plan he had discussed with Katsuyu in advance.
"Whoa… so big!"
That was Minato and Kushina's immediate reaction upon seeing Katsuyu for the first time.
"Where… is this?"
Feeling the immense natural energy around them, Kushina was puzzled.
"This is Shikkotsu Forest, and this is my summoning contract, Katsuyu-sama."
Simu introduced them.
Katsuyu nodded.
"You may call me Katsuyu. Since you are friends of Mr. Kizaru, then you are my friends as well."
Kushina and Rei both nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Katsuyu! My name is Kushina!"
"I'm Rei!"
"I'm Minato."
As for the three Hyuga clan members, they remained silent.
Especially the Great Elder, whose face was pale from excessive blood loss due to his severed arm.
"Please treat him first, Katsuyu."
Simu requested.
"Of course, no problem."
A small part of Katsuyu separated from the main body, crawling over to cover the Great Elder's wound.
A soft green light surged as natural energy flowed into him. The wound quickly scabbed over and healed.
As for his severed arm?
That was impossible to restore.
Unless he underwent Hashirama cell transplantation.
But that came with severe side effects—side effects that not everyone could withstand.
Simu suddenly turned his head, his gaze landing on a figure hidden within the forest.
"Senior Tsunade… you're here too?"
Katsuyu's voice was slow and sticky.
"Yes. After you told me about your plan, Lord Tsunade asked me to reverse summon her as well."
"Oh, I see…"
Tsunade stepped out of the woods and looked at Simu and the others.
"If I remember correctly, there's never been this many people in Shikkotsu Forest at the same time."
She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade. It's quite lively today."
Although Katsuyu said this casually, the presence of the two Hyuga clan members was clearly unwelcome.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you here, Senior Tsunade?"
Kushina asked curiously.
Tsunade glanced at Kushina, then at Rei.
Finally, her gaze settled on Simu.
As someone with experience in relationships, Tsunade immediately saw the unspoken connection between them.
She scoffed coldly.
"As expected… men are all the same."
Simu scratched his head awkwardly.
He had no defense against that statement.
Tsunade ignored him and turned to Kushina.
"Your teacher asked me to help."
Simu's heart warmed.
Jiraiya may have been perverted, irresponsible, and unreliable at times…
But when it truly mattered, he came through.
Simu became serious.
"Senior Tsunade, please help us."
Jiraiya had asked Tsunade to come here for one reason—
To help Rei remove the Caged Bird Seal.
This intricate seal, passed down within the Hyuga clan, was not an easy thing to break.
Even for Tsunade, there were no guarantees.
"I'll do my best."
Tsunade turned to the aged Great Elder.
"You…?"
"I am the Great Elder of the Hyuga Clan, Tsunade! We've met before!"
"When Lord Hashirama was still alive, you used to sit on his lap!"
The Great Elder's eyes lit up as if he had found a savior.
"Come on, Tsunade! Kill these guys and take us back!"
"I'll pay you! Name your price!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
Although they were all from Konoha, she had no fondness for the Hyuga clan elders.
She frowned.
"Why did you even bring him here?"
Simu rubbed his chin. "Ask him if he can remove the curse mark on Rei's body."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
The Great Elder was about to yell when he saw another lightsaber condensing in Simu's hand.
The blade gleamed coldly.
"Hmm... it seems losing just one arm wasn't enough."
The elder fell silent for a moment before gritting his teeth.
"There is no way to undo a Caged Bird seal. Once it's placed, it's permanent."
"I see..."
Simu knelt down and stared at him.
"Then, can you activate the curse mark on his body?"
He pointed at a nearby branch house ninja.
Tsunade immediately understood Simu's intention.
Undoing the Caged Bird seal was extremely difficult.
But if she could observe its activation process firsthand, it would greatly increase their understanding of its mechanics.
With a real test subject, her chances of successfully breaking the seal would be much higher.
The Great Elder clenched his teeth, clearly realizing Simu's plan and unwilling to comply.
Simu sighed. "How troublesome."
He raised his lightsaber and placed it against Hyuga Hiashi's neck.
"If you refuse, I'll just kill this guy right now."
The elder remained silent.
"As long as you cooperate, I guarantee that the new head of the Hyuga clan will survive."
Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi finally relented.
In truth, he had already lost all hope when facing an opponent like Simu.
Although he was arrogant, domineering, and treated the branch house like disposable tools, there was one thing he was truly loyal to—the Hyuga clan.
He was willing to dedicate everything, even his own life, to ensure the clan's survival and the preservation of its bloodline.
Human nature is complicated.
A hero in one person's eyes might be a villain in another's.
Just as Hiashi was about to speak, Simu knocked him out cold.
To him, Hiashi was just a bargaining chip to keep the Hyuga clan from activating the Caged Bird seal.
Nothing more.
Simu unwrapped the bandage around the branch house ninja's head, revealing the glowing green curse seal.
It resembled an 'X,' but with two curved lines on either side, like wings.
Katsuyu placed a small clone on the branch house ninja, while the Great Elder formed a hand seal.
The moment the seal was activated, the curse mark on the ninja's forehead flared to life.
The branch house ninja instantly collapsed, clutching his head and screaming in agony.
The excruciating pain felt like a thousand needles piercing his brain.
"Aaahhh!"
"Please... stop!"
Simu remained unmoved.
This was about Rei's future freedom.
There was no room for hesitation.
The ninja continued struggling for two full minutes before Katsuyu finally spoke.
"It's enough. Stop."
The Great Elder released the technique.
Simu showed no guilt or pity.
To him, the suffering branch house ninja wasn't a person—just a lifeless tool.
Seeing this, Tsunade's hatred for the Great Elder deepened.
Simu, however, felt nothing.
If it weren't for Rei, he wouldn't have bothered meddling in the Hyuga clan's affairs at all.
He had no interest in playing hero.
Katsuyu slowly climbed onto the branch house ninja's forehead.
Her body emitted a faint glow as she used Sage Jutsu to carefully analyze the changes in the curse seal.
Tsunade also used diagnostic ninjutsu to examine the ninja's body.
"How is it?" Simu asked anxiously.
If even Tsunade and Katsuyu couldn't break the Caged Bird seal...
Katsuyu completed her investigation and turned to Simu.
"I have a general understanding of how the Caged Bird seal works now."
"It's activated remotely, triggering a reaction in the brain that causes unbearable pain."
"Additionally, the seal is directly linked to the Byakugan. If the host dies or their eyes are removed, the seal will automatically destroy the brain and the Byakugan."
"This is why, over the years, Hyuga eyes have rarely fallen into the hands of other villages."
Tsunade stood up, deep in thought.
Finally, she spoke.
"With Katsuyu's help, I do have a way to sever the seal."
She was confident in her medical skills.
"But the problem is, the moment we cut the seal, the stored chakra will be released, attacking both the brain and the eyes."
"Unless we sever the seal at an extremely fast speed—before the chakra can react—it will be too late."
Tsunade looked at Simu.
The meaning was clear.
This part was up to him.
Simu scratched his head. "Why does this sound like laser surgery?"
To ensure success, Simu, Tsunade, and Katsuyu trained together for three full days.
Simu's precision control improved significantly.
They also set up multiple safety measures.
First, Simu would infuse his chakra into Rei's body, forming a protective barrier around the seal to prevent chakra leakage from harming her.
Second, Katsuyu would remain attached to Rei, continuously providing life energy.
Third, they would test the procedure on the branch house ninja before attempting it on Rei.
This was the real reason Simu had taken him captive.
It might seem cruel, but when forced to choose between morality and saving someone he loved...
Simu would pick the latter without hesitation.
To ease the branch house ninja's nerves, Simu asked with a grin, "Do you want anesthesia?"
The ninja nodded desperately.
He would rather die in his sleep than endure that agony again.
Simu nodded. "Alright, that's reasonable."
Then, he instantly appeared behind the ninja and knocked him out with a swift chop to the neck.
As everyone stared at him in disbelief, Simu shrugged and said,
"Physical anesthesia counts too, doesn't it?"
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