052 Jounin Exam, Country Of Iron

After a six-day journey, Konoha's group finally arrived in the Iron Country. 

Located in the north, it was snowing heavily when they arrived. 

The surrounding woods were bare, with branches and trunks covered in thick white snow. 

Simu felt a bit disappointed. Not only would they need extra clothing to stay warm, but most importantly, the rivers were frozen.

"It's a pity there's no way to fish," Simu said, even as he wore his coat of justice in the cold weather. 

Kushina had changed into a winter outfit: a ninja suit for combat, with a white cloak on top to shield against the wind and cold. 

Hearing Simu's complaint, she rolled her eyes in response.

"You know how to fish and fish all day long," Kushina said. 

"Haaha," Simu replied with a smile. He scratched his head and placed a hand on her shoulder. 

His palm glowed faintly, and Kushina immediately felt warmth spread through her body, soothing and comforting her. 

This was a new use for his Light-Light fruit—turning into a warm, caring person in an instant. 

It wasn't just Simu who was complaining; even Shikaku was feeling regretful.

After all, Simu had made Shikaku a fishing rod, and he had started to enjoy the sport. 

Yamanaka Inoichi looked at Simu's back and asked, "Shikaku, what kind of person do you think Simu is?" 

Shikaku paused for a moment, then replied, "He's a lazy person like me, but there's a more fitting description for Simu: he's like a salted fish." 

"We're all pretty much salted fish," Shikaku added. "The only difference is, he's very powerful." 

As the future patriarch of the Nara clan, Shikaku had a sharp eye for observation.

Yamanaka Inoichi nodded slightly. 

Akamichi Choza wiped his frozen nose and said, "That Simu guy is pretty good. He often gives me grilled fish." 

Every time Simu caught fish, he would cook some for Kushina and Minato. The rest, he gave to Choza. 

Shikaku sighed. For Choza, anyone who fed him was a good person. 

Later that evening, Jiraiya made a gesture.

"Attention everyone, we're almost at the Land of Iron," Jiraiya announced. 

Across the snow-covered mountains, a village made almost entirely of rocks appeared before them. 

"Is this the land of samurai?" 

Minato asked, lowering the brim of his hat as the wind and snow whistled past his ears. 

"Yes, I've been here a few times in my youth," Jiraiya replied, leading the way toward the land of the samurai. 

At the village gate, two heavily armed warriors stood guard. 

They were fully covered in solid armor, with only their eyes visible to observe the surroundings.

"Is this a samurai? They look so scary," Simu whispered.

Jiraiya glanced at him. "Simu, don't say things like that."

"Got it," Simu replied, holding back.

However, just because Konoha and his group weren't causing trouble didn't mean others wouldn't.

"Hey, aren't these little devils from Konoha?" A young girl landed in front of the group. 

She wore the Kumo Shinobi headband on her forehead.

She tilted her head, scanning the crowd until her gaze landed on Simu. 

"You're Hanyu Simu, right?" she asked.

Simu frowned. Using Observation Haki, he sensed two different auras from her. 

One was the lively energy of a young girl, while the other was intense and violent, a raw aggression he had only felt from Kushina before.

Simu noticed that, aside from Kushina's own aura, there was another presence within her — the Nine Tails, filled with hatred and resentment.

A spark of interest flickered in his eyes. 

If he was right, this girl must be a Jinchūriki, just like Kushina. 

As for which Tailed Beast she was host to... 

Simu knew that the Jinchūriki of the Eight Tails were always male.

Simu guessed that Killer Bee, being younger than Minato, had probably just become the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. 

So, the woman in front of him must be the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, Yugito.

Before Simu could respond, Kushina stood up. 

"What are you doing?" she asked, glaring at Simu. 

It seemed like she was wondering when he had gotten involved with a Kumo Shinobi.

Simu spread his hands, signaling his innocence.

Seeing Simu stay quiet, the girl sneered, saying, "Tsk, are you just a little boy who hides behind women?"

Kushina, unable to tolerate anyone speaking like that about Simu, clenched her fists, the sound of them cracking. 

She was ready to charge forward and teach the girl a lesson.

"Yugito, stop messing around and come back," ordered the Kumo Shinobi Jōnin leader, stepping in to intervene.

Simu, however, could tell through his Observation Haki that they had arrived a while ago. 

It seemed like they were just waiting for an opportunity to humiliate someone from Konoha.

Yugito Nii, stroking her short yellow hair, scoffed. "Hmph, this ugly redhead and that pretty-faced boy—I'll make sure to send both of you off during the match."

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TO BE CONTINUED

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