"Don't worry, with Simu here, it will be a success."
Kushina held Rei's palm tightly, comforting her.
Hyuga Rei nodded firmly.
"Yes, I trust Mr. Simu."
Meanwhile, Simu was preparing the branch house ninja for the procedure.
As for the Great Elder and Hyuga Hiashi, they had already been locked up.
All they could do now was pray desperately that Simu's operation would fail.
Simu looked at the cyan curse mark in front of him and exhaled deeply.
"This thing is really terrifying," he muttered.
After examining the branch house ninja's condition, Tsunade reminded him once again:
"Simu, you must use your Light Release ability to remove the entire curse mark in an instant."
"Got it, leave it to me."
Simu rubbed his wrist.
Although he spoke lightly, he was still somewhat nervous inside.
Stay calm.
A wave of Observation Haki spread out from him, penetrating into the body of the branch house ninja.
Hard bones, flowing blood, a beating heart...
Everything was reflected clearly in Simu's mind.
However, his focus remained on the curse seal.
The Caged Bird curse mark was like a tree deeply rooted in the ninja's body.
Its edges extended into his head like tangled roots.
Even the slightest disturbance would cause the curse seal to convert its stored Chakra into sharp blades, piercing both the brain and eyes.
Simu's task was to use his Light Release ability to completely vaporize these curse marks—including the finest roots—in an instant.
This was like an extremely delicate surgery. There was no room for error.
That's why Simu had to do it himself.
Only he had both the detection ability and the speed necessary to remove the seal before it could activate.
If even one element was missing, the host would die the moment the seal was cut.
Without extreme speed, the host would be killed before the removal was completed.
Without precise detection, any remaining traces of the seal could still cause death.
That was why only Simu could save Rei.
Simu slowly extended his palm over the curse mark.
Katsuyu had already landed on the branch house ninja, ready to provide support.
With his mastery of Life Return, Simu was now able to fully control the Chakra within his body.
He injected Chakra into the ninja's system.
Following the various veins, he formed a protective barrier around the brain and eyes.
This way, even if his laser surgery failed, there was still a chance of blocking the worst effects.
Everything was ready.
Simu minimized the range of his Observation Haki, focusing entirely on the seal.
The energy of his Sparkling Fruit slowly emerged.
This was different from fighting.
In battle, he only needed to unleash his power recklessly.
But now, his control over his energy was being tested.
It didn't need to be strong—it needed to be precise!
His palm gently covered the curse mark.
A golden light flashed from Simu's hand.
In just an instant—
The golden light transformed into scorching energy, vaporizing the curse mark from the ninja's forehead.
In less than a second, every root of the seal had been burned away with pinpoint accuracy.
Even though Simu was incredibly fast—
The seal still released its stored Chakra at the moment of laser contact.
Two sharp blades of Chakra shot toward the brain and eyes.
But because Simu was fast enough, most of the Chakra was erased by his laser attack before it could activate.
Less than a tenth of the remaining energy managed to breach his Chakra barrier.
Katsuyu immediately emitted a soft green glow, pouring life energy into the ninja's body—
Focusing on healing his brain and eyes.
Fortunately, after breaking through the barrier, the remaining energy was weak.
It only caused minimal damage to the ninja's body.
A slight burning smell lingered on his forehead.
But within moments, Katsuyu's life energy had fully healed him.
For Katsuyu, burns like these were nothing.
The sharp sting jolted the branch house ninja awake.
He thought he was about to meet his ancestors—
But when he opened his eyes, the sensation on his forehead was... gone.
Really gone!
Although there was still some pain, he could clearly feel that the foreign object—the curse mark—had vanished.
Simu had actually done it.
He had successfully removed the Caged Bird curse!
Tears welled up in the ninja's eyes.
Before he knew it, he was kneeling on the ground, bowing repeatedly.
"Lord Simu, I beg you, please help my family escape the Caged Bird curse!"
Simu looked at the man sobbing before him.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
A few days ago, this guy was still his enemy.
Now he was calling him 'Lord.'
Simu didn't fully grasp the significance of removing the Caged Bird curse for the branch house members of the Hyuga clan.
It meant they were no longer servants to the main family.
More importantly, it meant their children would never have to be anyone's slaves!
They wouldn't have to surrender part of their mission rewards to the main family.
They wouldn't have to bow to them at every turn.
They wouldn't have to live in constant fear of dying at the hands of the Caged Bird curse for the smallest mistake.
The Caged Bird curse was the sword hanging over their heads.
It was the cage that imprisoned their freedom.
Otherwise, why was it called Caged Bird?
Simu shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Sorry, but I can't promise you that."
"At least, not right now."
He refused without hesitation.
Simu was just a hired mercenary.
Sure, he had taken Rei from the Hyuga clan—
But that didn't mean he could single-handedly overturn Konoha's entire system.
If he went back right now and declared that he wanted to liberate the Hyuga branch family...
The first person to try to stop him would probably be his own teacher, Jiraiya.
Simu wasn't the type to cause trouble for no reason.
If the Hyuga clan hadn't forced Rei into a marriage, he wouldn't have bothered with them at all.
Even though he had the strength to do so.
Hearing this, the branch house ninja's hopeful gaze dimmed.
Rei, who had been silent this entire time, suddenly spoke up:
"It's impossible now, but that doesn't mean it will be impossible in the future."
The branch house ninja's head snapped up.
The flame of hope rekindled in his eyes.
Both Kushina and Simu looked at Rei in surprise.
Rei met Simu's gaze and said firmly:
"Mr. Simu, I have experienced the pain of the Caged Bird curse firsthand."
"Right now, we can't change the Hyuga clan's system—but what about in the future?"
"I will do everything in my power to become stronger... And when the time comes, I hope you will help me."
For the first—and only—time, Rei was asking Simu for a favor.
She had always been a bit timid by nature.
She hated troubling others.
Even when she was forced into marriage, she hadn't dared tell Simu—afraid of dragging him into the conflict.
Because she knew—
The moment she asked for help, Simu would do whatever it took to rescue her.
At that time, Simu would have faced the entire Hyuga clan alone.
Absolutely no chance.
But Simu's hidden strength was clearly beyond Rei's expectations.
Instead of finding her request unreasonable, Simu felt happy.
This was real emotion.
Simu didn't want Rei to be a girl who simply accepted everything without resistance.
He scratched his head.
"This is really troublesome... but since it's Rei's wish, I'll do my best."
"Okay."
Rei looked up at Simu and nodded firmly.
The branch house ninja immediately fell to his knees.
"I, Hyuga Tokumitsu, pledge my loyalty to Master Simu!"
Simu glanced at Hyuga Tokumitsu.
"Swearing loyalty to the death is too extreme, and it doesn't suit me."
He thought for a moment and said, "Don't return to Konoha for now. I'll call for you when the time is right."
"Yes!"
Hyuga Tokumitsu looked up again.
"Master Simu, what should I do during this time?"
"...We'll talk about that later."
Simu wasn't in the mood to deal with the Hyuga clan's mess right now.
Rei's curse seal still needed to be removed.
After taking a short break, Simu resumed his work, this time with even more caution and precision.
Having done it once before, he was now more experienced.
With a flash of golden light, the air filled with the faint scent of burning flesh.
The Curse Mark: Caged Bird on Hyuga Rei's forehead was completely gone.
Feeling the breath of freedom for the first time in her life, Rei burst into tears.
Simu smiled and naturally opened his arms.
Unexpectedly, the teary-eyed Rei merely glanced at him before stepping past him and throwing herself into Kushina's embrace.
Simu and Minato exchanged glances.
Then Simu let out a wry smile and shook his head.
But this was good too—at least the two sisters were getting along well.
Meanwhile, at the Hyuga Clan's Estate
Once a prosperous and majestic land, the Hyuga clan's estate was now in ruins.
Ninjas were busy moving supplies and repairing buildings damaged in the battle.
It was a scene of post-war reconstruction.
The Hyuga clansmen moved about with heightened vigilance.
From time to time, they would glance outside, afraid that an enemy might launch another attack.
The clan's ancestral hall had been barely repaired.
At this moment, the elders were gathered inside, discussing their next course of action.
Hyuga Teruan sat in a wheelchair, his body frail and weak.
Though he seemed on the verge of death, his concern for the clan kept him holding on.
At the very least, he wanted to stabilize the Hyuga clan before he passed away.
"Three days have passed, and there's still no sign of them?" one elder asked.
They hadn't dared to even breathe freely these past few days, fearing that Simu would return to finish the job.
The terrifying power Simu displayed had completely shattered their confidence.
At this point, they no longer even considered reconciliation.
Now, all their hopes were placed on Konoha's Anbu.
The disgrace of losing both their new clan leader and his bride during the enthronement ceremony had spread across the entire village.
They had lost all face.
Even Hokage had taken immediate action, preparing to list Simu and the others as traitors.
But even that could not make up for the losses the Hyuga clan had suffered.
Their reputation, built over generations, had crumbled in an instant.
And worse—there was still no sign of their new clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi.
"If this continues, the division between the main family and the branch house will become irreparable," an elder said worriedly.
His concerns weren't unfounded.
Ever since the battle three days ago, the branch house members still outwardly respected the main family.
But in secret, many of them had begun to voice their dissatisfaction.
However, due to the Curse Mark: Caged Bird, outright rebellion was impossible.
The Hyuga clan was now like a powder keg, suppressed only by force.
All it would take was a single spark, and it would explode.
"No matter what, we must bring Hiashi back to stabilize morale," Hyuga Teruan declared firmly.
However, another elder presented a different opinion.
"The Hyuga clan is in chaos. If we don't elect a new patriarch soon, we may not be able to hold on."
Hyuga Teruan turned his head sharply.
"Third Uncle, are you suggesting that someone from the Third Household should become the new patriarch?"
The Third Elder stroked his beard.
"The clan has rules. If the patriarch's line loses an heir, the other main family branches have the right to elect a new leader."
"You—!"
Hyuga Teruan was so enraged that he nearly coughed up blood.
His health was deteriorating, and with Hiashi missing and Hizashi having been branded with the Caged Bird seal again, there were no eligible successors left from his line.
What the Third Elder said was not wrong, but to be fighting for power at such a critical time...
Hyuga Teruan was completely disillusioned with the clan elders.
Just as he was drowning in disappointment, a clansman suddenly rushed in.
"What do you think you're doing? Announce yourself first!"
Hyuga Teruan scolded him harshly.
But the man didn't apologize. Instead, he anxiously shouted:
"Hanyu Simu is here!"
Outside the Hyuga Clan's Estate
Thud.
All the elders shot to their feet, their faces turning pale.
"W-What do we do?!"
They all turned to Hyuga Teruan in a panic, their previous arrogance and scheming completely gone.
Hyuga Teruan sighed inwardly.
Then, suppressing the discomfort in his chest, he slowly made his way outside.
Simu walked toward the ancestral hall, his Marine justice coat billowing in the wind.
In his hand, he held Hyuga Rei.
But Rei was different now.
She no longer wore a Konoha forehead protector.
The bandages around her forehead were completely gone, revealing her smooth, unmarked skin.
Surprisingly, Simu encountered no resistance from the Hyuga clan along the way.
The branch house members stood on either side of the road, watching him with a mix of fear and hesitation.
Though Simu had caused chaos three days ago, he hadn't killed anyone.
At worst, he had inflicted serious injuries.
As a result, the branch house members didn't hate him—instead, they feared him.
But some in the crowd noticed Rei's forehead.
Realizing what it meant, they covered their mouths in shock.
A squad of Anbu appeared in front of Simu.
Their posture was tense, ready for combat at a moment's notice.
"Hanyu Simu, Lord Hokage has ordered that if you appear in Konoha, you must report to his office immediately."
Simu scratched his nose.
"That old man, the Third Hokage, is such a pain..."
He waved a dismissive hand.
"I'll leave after having a few words with the Hyuga patriarch."
Simu's gaze shifted past the Anbu and landed on Hyuga Teruan, who had just stepped out of the ancestral hall.
"Patriarch Hyuga, hello!"
Simu grinned and waved.
It was as if he had completely forgotten that just three days ago, he had nearly destroyed half of the Hyuga estate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to [Kenechukwu Nkem-ossa] for joining my Patreon page!🎉 Your support means the world to me. 🙏
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 100+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[One piece: Starting as a Mythical Beast]