Konoha, Just Like Kizaru

The second round started almost immediately, designed to fully test the contestant's stamina and endurance, as well as their luck.

If they faced weaker opponents along the way, they could conserve more chakra, increasing their chances of winning.

No one complained about the competition system being unfair. 

After all, all the participants were ninjas. In the ninja world, fairness doesn't exist. 

Luck is also a key factor in survival.

An interesting scene unfolded.

Only eight contestants remained, and four of them were from Konoha: Hanyu Simu, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Fugaku, and Nara Shikaku.

The two remaining contestants from other villages had been eliminated.

The other Jōnin from the other villages gritted their teeth, glaring at Jiraiya and Tsunade. 

There was a noticeable tension in the air, as if they were starting to unite against Konoha. After all, Simu's performance had been truly impressive.

The Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Han, who had the strength to compete for the championship, was eliminated in the first round. 

It was a surprising turn of events.

The grouping results were announced soon after, and since Konoha made up half the participants, a dramatic civil war situation emerged.

Hanyu Simu was set to face Uchiha Fugaku. Fugaku turned pale when he heard the news.

Uchiha Mikoto, who had been eliminated in the first round, watched the match from the audience. She was in a difficult position. 

She wanted to support both Fugaku, her clan member and teammate, and Simu, the one who had saved her.

But thinking about how Uchiha Fugaku had almost given up on herself in the first round, Mikoto felt a surge of emotion.

"Mr. Simu, come on!" 

Simu froze, Uchiha Fugaku was stunned, and even Kushina was shocked.

What the hell? 

Someone's trying to steal a man from her?

Fists clenched, Mikoto felt the weight of everyone's gaze and blushed, embarrassed by her outburst.

"Fugaku, you should do your best too."

Of course, Uchiha Mikoto's support wouldn't change the outcome of the match. 

Uchiha Fugaku, already mentally shaken by Simu, felt his momentum weaken as the match began.

To defend against Simu's overwhelming speed, Fugaku activated his Sharingan immediately, focusing intently on Simu.

Simu, however, simply closed his eyes and said, "Sharingan, it's scary." 

"I'd better close my eyes, so I don't fall into your illusion."

Uchiha Fugaku: "..."

Uchiha Fugaku was left confused. 

Normally, enemies would be on guard against the Sharingan's illusion, but this response was unexpected.

At most, one could avoid looking directly at the Sharingan to avoid its influence.

It was still possible to judge the enemy's movements by watching their limbs.

But what on earth was Simu doing? 

He just closed his eyes and seemed to rely on his hearing to judge the enemy's position?

Uchiha Fugaku, feeling increasingly insulted by Simu's carefree attitude, suddenly snapped.

He threw a large number of shurikens and yelled, "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"

The orange flames erupted from the mouths of the Fugaku, surrounding Simu in a dense ring of fire followed by dense shuriken.

Although Simu kept his eyes closed, his Observation Haki easily allowed him to sense the incoming attacks.

Not only could he pinpoint their positions, but he also knew exactly what Uchiha Fugaku would do next.

With his hands in his pockets, Simu walked calmly toward Fugaku, unaffected by the barrage of flaming shurikens.

He simply adjusted his walk and subtly used Life Return to enhance his movements.

Uchiha Fugaku threw dozens of shurikens with all his might, yet none of them came close to hitting Simu.

It was as if everyone watching had fallen into an illusion.

All the onlookers saw was Simu's body twisting as he walked, effortlessly dodging every shuriken and fire style.

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes widened, and his pupils trembled slightly.

"Is this an illusion...?" he muttered.

He quickly formed hand seals and shouted, "Release!" But it had no effect.

By this time, Simu had already closed the distance and was standing right in front of him. He spoke softly:

"This isn't an illusion. It's a special ninjutsu."

Simu then extended a finger to Fugaku's forehead and said, "You lose."

Uchiha Fugaku's face turned pale.

He muttered to himself, "It's not an illusion…" 

"I lost..."

A Jōnin from the Uchiha clan, watching from above the auditorium, looked furious.

Uchiha Fugaku was seen as the future of the Uchiha clan. If Simu broke his defense here, what would happen if he couldn't recover from this defeat?

In a daze, Uchiha Fugaku slowly walked off the stage.

Simu scratched the back of his head, wondering if he had gone too far.

After all, he had no personal grudge with the Uchiha clan.

He just wanted to break the spirit of the future Uchiha patriarch, but it seemed like he had pushed too hard.

Forget it, time to head back to the village and get some rest.

Simu yawned. 

The cold, snowy Iron Country made it hard for him to sleep well.

.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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