Below stood the three remaining members of Lu Jiu's team.
Lu Jiu faced off against a ninja from another village.
After a long exchange, he successfully pinned his opponent's shadow using a kunai, rendering them immobile. Then, with a well-placed explosive tag, he swiftly ended the fight.
This tactic felt oddly familiar to Simu.
Had he seen it somewhere before?
However, things didn't go as smoothly for Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza.
Inoichi was matched against Baki, a skilled assassin from Sunagakure. He was easily overwhelmed by Baki's powerful Wind Style jutsu.
Meanwhile, Choza was outmaneuvered and taken down by an Iwagakure shinobi wielding Explosion Style techniques.
Still, this outcome wasn't surprising to Simu.
After all, the Ino–Shika–Chō formation was meant to work as a unit. Lu Jiu and Inoichi primarily played support roles, while Choza provided the offensive power.
Now that they had been separated, their greatest strengths couldn't be fully utilized.
It was only natural that they lost.
Next up was Minato.
This match had no suspense whatsoever.
His opponent, an Iwagakure ninja, was easily defeated with Minato's Body Flicker Technique.
He didn't even need to use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Then, it was finally Simu's turn.
As soon as he stepped into the arena, the Five Tails' Jinchūriki locked eyes with him.
"I know you, Hanyu Simu."
Simu grinned.
"I know you too. I've been looking forward to this fight."
He wasn't just making small talk—he was genuinely excited.
The last time he fought a Tailed Beast, he managed to acquire [Life Return]. Would he be able to gain another ability this time?
Probably not, but it didn't hurt to try.
"Begin!"
Both fighters formed the standard ninja seal as a sign of sportsmanship.
But in the very next second, Han lunged forward.
White-hot steam erupted from the gaps in his crimson armor.
Powered by steam, his speed and strength skyrocketed!
The entire arena was instantly engulfed in thick white mist.
"How terrifying… steam power."
Simu raised his leg, preparing to counter.
A jet of steam shot toward him, and Han appeared right in front of him in an instant.
His elbow vented another burst of pressurized vapor, creating a deafening sound—like a train starting up.
BOOM!
The force behind Han's strike was immense.
At the same time, Simu's kick met his attack head-on.
The ground beneath them cracked under the pressure of their collision.
"The power of a Tailed Beast really is something else," Simu remarked, his gaze locked onto Han's shadowed eyes beneath his hat and mask.
He wasn't just provoking his opponent—he truly meant it.
With the Five Tails' support, Han's speed was terrifying.
If Simu didn't have Observation Haki, this fight would have been far more troublesome.
But now…
With Observation Haki, he could keep up with the movements of even the Fourth Raikage.
Han, who hadn't yet reached his full potential, was no exception.
Still, the strength of the Five Tails did seem superior to that of the Two Tails.
Han, however, remained calm and composed—he wasn't the type to be easily provoked.
He took a step back, formed a hand seal, and aimed at Simu.
"Boil Release: Steam Shock!"
A massive blast of scalding steam surged forward, creating a powerful shockwave.
If an ordinary person got caught in it, they'd be boiled alive!
But Simu wasn't foolish enough to take the hit head-on.
With a light tap of his toes, he vanished into the air.
The steam blast narrowly missed, crashing into the arena's protective barrier.
Simu, now airborne, aimed at Han below.
Dozens of laser beams rained down.
Explosions erupted across the battlefield, engulfing the arena in flames and flashes of light.
As the smoke cleared, a massive white shadow loomed over Han.
It was the tail of the Five Tails, Kokuō.
Simu hovered in the air, maintaining his altitude with Moonwalk, his hands casually resting in his pockets.
"So, you're finally using the power of the Tailed Beast?"
"You Jinchūriki really are monsters."
The surrounding ninjas, watching the battle, grew tense.
They hadn't expected Iwagakure to have found a way to control their Tailed Beast, just like Kumogakure had.
This made the shinobi from Sunagakure particularly envious.
Among all the major ninja villages, Sunagakure was the one most reluctant to rely on Tailed Beasts.
Even though Bunpuku had long since gained control over Shukaku, the village still chose to imprison him out of fear.
This was one of the main reasons why Shukaku frequently went berserk after Bunpuku's death.
Meanwhile, Han's massive white tail slowly uncurled, revealing him beneath it.
Although he looked calm, Simu could sense his unease through Observation Haki.
Han wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki.
Now crouched low to the ground like a beast, Han suddenly swung his long white tail at Simu.
Fortunately, the arena's ceiling was high enough.
Simu stepped on the air with Moonwalk, effortlessly dodging the attack.
In the next instant, he condensed a lightsaber and closed the distance in a flash.
A single slash landed on Han's shoulder.
Sparks flew as the lightsaber met the crimson armor—before a large pool of blood splattered onto the battlefield.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 80+ 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]