Kushina's hair flared up like flames as she was about to explode in anger.
Suddenly, a flash of light pierced through the wind and snow, shooting straight toward Duoxi.
"Simu...!"
Even Jiraiya couldn't anticipate Simu's movements.
He was simply too fast.
Duoxi's pupils shrank in shock—she had never expected Konoha's brat to attack her so suddenly.
Her reflexes were quick, but Simu was quicker.
Just as she was about to retreat, a golden light appeared before her in an instant.
"Be careful with your words next time, miss."
Simu raised his foot, and a dazzling glow radiated from it, instantly melting the surrounding snow.
The Cloud Shinobi nearby erupted in anger.
"You brat! How dare you?!" one of them roared.
"Oh no, how terrifying," Simu responded dramatically.
In the next moment, a brilliant burst of light illuminated the snowy landscape.
With lightning speed, Simu struck Duoxi with a heavy kick.
The impact spread like ripples through the air.
Duoxi barely had time to raise her arms before she was sent flying like a flash of light—straight toward the Cloud Shinobi Jōnin.
Murderous intent filled the air.
If Duoxi had only insulted him, Simu might have let it slide.
But she had also provoked Kushina.
And that was unforgivable.
Duoxi crashed into the snow, sending flurries into the air.
The Cloud Shinobi warriors turned pale.
"Konoha brat, you're asking for death!"
The leader of the Cloud Shinobi, a Jōnin under Third Raikage's command, stepped forward.
His name was Doy.
He was a formidable ninja.
He unsheathed a massive sword, his gaze filled with murderous intent as he glared at Simu.
The other Cloud Shinobi followed suit, drawing their weapons, ready for an all-out fight with Konoha.
Yet, Simu stood there with his hands in his pockets, completely unfazed.
"Doy, this was just a harmless exchange between the younger generation," Jiraiya said with a smile as he stepped forward. "But if you're looking for a real fight, why not take me on instead?"
Minato and Kushina quickly moved to stand beside Simu.
Lu Jiu and the others were already prepared for battle.
Even the Uchiha clan members had drawn their kunai.
Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes as he studied Simu's back.
If he had been the one facing that kick earlier...
Could his Sharingan have kept up with Simu's speed?
Jiraiya's casual smile masked an overwhelming pressure that was anything but ordinary.
Not to mention, Tsunade stood beside him as well.
Doy's face darkened.
Did he really want to provoke another Orochimaru and end up like Hanzo—outnumbered and defeated?
Doy hesitated.
From the snowpit, Duoxi pushed herself up.
"I'm fine..."
The blonde beauty wiped the corner of her mouth, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
A faint red chakra flickered around her.
Tailed Beast Chakra.
It usually surfaced when a Jinchūriki was highly unstable or seriously injured.
But Simu's kick hadn't been full force.
His goal was to crush Cloud Shinobi's arrogance, not inflict serious damage.
That meant there was only one explanation—
Duoxi felt utterly humiliated.
Her emotions were out of control.
She was breaking down.
Simu's lips curled into a smirk as he leaned in slightly.
"Oh? Are you getting desperate? Tailed Beast Chakra is scary."
"You bastard...!"
Boom!
A surge of dark red chakra erupted.
The Konoha ninjas tensed.
Even Jiraiya considered sealing it on the spot.
Meanwhile, Simu remained motionless, hands still tucked into his pockets.
The violent chakra stormed around him, whipping at his Marine coat of justice.
But Cloud Shinobi had no intention of letting the Two-Tails go berserk here.
They quickly stepped in to calm Duoxi down.
Even Simu hadn't expected her to lose her composure this quickly.
Not that it mattered.
Even if she fully transformed into the Two-Tails, he wouldn't be worried.
With Jiraiya and Tsunade here, and the Iron Country's samurai watching, there was no way Cloud Shinobi would risk an all-out battle.
As for himself?
He was just a small-time Konoha Genin, barely qualified to take the Jōnin exam under Third Hokage's orders.
How could anyone blame him?
Duoxi's chakra gradually stabilized.
Though she wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki, she had some control over the Tailed Beast's power.
It was this natural compatibility with the Two-Tails that had made her a prodigy in Cloud Shinobi Village.
She was used to being arrogant and untouchable.
And now, Simu had shattered that arrogance.
She glared at him with pure hatred.
"I'll remember you."
Simu scratched his nose.
"Okay."
Then, after a brief pause, he patted his chest and sighed dramatically.
"That was so scary."
Fists clenched all around.
Not just Cloud Shinobi's—
Even Konoha's ninjas were itching to punch him.
This guy was really asking for it!
"Hmph. See you in the tournament."
Doy spat out his final threat before turning away with Cloud Shinobi's forces, leaving in humiliation.
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