"I think I can feel killing intent coming from you."
Rei held a kunai in his hand, looking at Simu with a smile.
"Is it because of that kid named Simu?"
Kushina formed a hand seal, her expression turning cold.
"It has nothing to do with you!"
Several golden lights flashed as four Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out from her body, lunging at Rei like pythons.
Rei quickly dodged.
"Using sealing techniques as a means of combat? That's quite creative."
The chains wreaked havoc in the arena, yet Rei moved effortlessly between the gaps.
She was incredibly fast—four chains alone weren't enough to restrain her.
However, if Kushina tried to mobilize more sealing power, it would affect the Nine Tails' seal inside her.
Compared to other Jinchūriki, her biggest weakness was that she couldn't use the power of the tailed beast within her freely.
Rather than utilizing Nine Tails' power, she had to be constantly on guard against its interference.
Naruto in the original story was a prime example—at first, he couldn't even master the most basic Clone Technique because of the fox's disruption.
So aside from Nine Tails' passive rapid regeneration, Kushina gained no other benefits from being its Jinchūriki.
Meanwhile, Rei effortlessly weaved through Kushina's attacks.
"If this is all you've got, then it's my turn now."
With a light tap on one of the chains, she leaped high into the air, forming a hand seal at her chest.
"Scorch Style: Oversteam Kill!"
Countless bright red fireballs materialized in the air behind her, floating like will-o'-the-wisps in the dark.
"Go!"
With a wave of her arm, the fireballs shot toward Kushina.
Kushina quickly retreated.
She had received intel about Rei from Shikaku Nara—she knew that getting touched by those fireballs would turn her into a dried-up husk.
Even though the exam rules prohibited killing, losing her combat capability was inevitable if she got hit.
Thinking quickly, she controlled her Adamantine Chains, making them thrash wildly to scatter the fireballs.
Though she successfully blocked the attack, Rei had now gained even more space to maneuver.
Her hands ignited with red flames as she rolled forward, rapidly closing the distance between them.
The chains, like massive serpents, lashed out at her—
But she dodged them with ease.
It had to be said—Rei's fighting style was truly breathtaking to watch.
As she closed in on Kushina, the kunai in her hand, now wrapped in red flames, stabbed straight toward Kushina's face.
Just as Rei thought her attack had succeeded—
The ground beneath her feet suddenly cracked open.
A golden chain shot up from below, wrapping tightly around her.
"You didn't think I could only control four chains, did you?"
Kushina smirked as she pulled back her arm, gathering power into her fist.
In an instant, the tide of battle had turned.
Rei suddenly felt the chakra in her body being drained away.
She quickly threw her flaming kunai at Kushina in what seemed like a desperate move.
Kushina easily dodged it—
And then swung her charged fist down!
Yet, the expected impact never came.
The moment her fist connected—
Rei vanished, leaving behind only a piece of clothing.
Body Replacement Technique!
"Not good..."
Kushina quickly turned around, controlling all her chains to form a protective barrier around her—
But she was too late.
The kunai she had dodged earlier suddenly burst into smoke—revealing Rei!
However, her cheongsam-like outfit had been completely burned away, leaving only bandages covering the essential areas.
The spectators on the sidelines erupted in excitement.
With a light tap on Kushina's shoulder, a red flame flickered—
The protective barrier trembled violently.
In the blink of an eye, Simu appeared on the other side of the arena, holding Kushina in his arms.
"I'm sorry, examiners—Kushina surrenders."
Simu held Kushina close.
Even though Rei wouldn't have killed her, he wasn't willing to take any chances.
If Kushina had been hit by Scorch Style…
Simu shot a glance at Rei before carrying Kushina off the battlefield.
"In that case, Rei is the winner of this match."
Admiral Aokiji announced the results.
At the same time, he discreetly glanced at Simu.
That guy had broken through the protective barrier in an instant and saved Kushina from Rei's attack…
Just how terrifyingly fast was he?
"You know, you didn't have to save me."
Kushina muttered while resting in Simu's arms.
"That won't do. That Rei doesn't know when to stop—what if she fried your brain or something?"
"Hmph, you're the one with a fried brain!"
Kushina retorted, poking Simu's nose with a playful smile.
Simu chuckled, but deep down, he was already thinking about entering the seal to beat up Kurama.
He needed to make Kushina into a perfect Jinchūriki—
Otherwise, she was just too vulnerable.
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