Konoha, Just Like Kizaru

"With the sentries taken care of, let's move forward at full speed," Minato said decisively.

Their mission was to infiltrate deep into enemy territory and assassinate the daimyo—a high-stakes, dangerous operation with no guarantee of return.

The idea of slipping in unnoticed and eliminating the target without resistance was unrealistic. Regardless of how smoothly the assassination went, they would inevitably face a wave of enemies afterward.

This was a one-shot mission.

By eliminating all three teams of sentries in one swift move, they had gained a crucial window of time for their next steps.

Border forces typically communicate at regular intervals to ensure security. Based on Anbu intelligence, this interval was about three hours.

Given the distance from the Tea Country capital, Simu's team had approximately three hours to infiltrate.

Once that time elapsed, the entire nation would go into full martial law. 

After that, completing their mission would become nearly impossible.

As they approached the capital of the Land of Tea, the tension grew with every step.

The defense points became increasingly dense as they approached.

Despite having the dual advantages of Byakugan and Observation Haki, Simu's team couldn't completely evade detection by the Tea Country's guards.

Whenever spotted, they acted swiftly—eliminating enemies in the quickest and quietest way possible.

Harukami Aso, watching Simu and Minato in action, was left stunned. Both their speed and precision far surpassed his own, even after decades of experience on the battlefield.

The team moved with remarkable efficiency, covering the distance to the Tea Country's capital in just two hours.

This nation, where ink arts and ninja techniques combine, seemed to hold an air of mystery and strangeness.

The daimyo of the Tea Country was not only the nation's leader but also the head of their Ninja Village.

As Simu ran swiftly, he glanced up at the sky. A thick blanket of clouds had silently rolled in, darkening the surroundings.

"We're here," Minato announced, signaling everyone to take their designated positions.

They had reached the outskirts of the capital, where numerous ninjas patrolled the area. Sneaking in unnoticed was unrealistic—an attack was inevitable.

"I'll take the lead," Aso Harukami offered.

After all, he really didn't help much along the way, so he felt a little embarrassed. 

Minato shook his head and pointed east.

"Simu, create as much noise as you can over there," he instructed. "I'll take out the guards on the west side. While they're distracted, we'll sneak in, locate the daimyo, eliminate him, and retreat quickly. Don't engage unnecessarily."

Harukami Aso hesitated and spoke up. "Why don't I join Simu? It's too dangerous for him to draw attention alone."

He glanced at Simu with concern. "This is the capital of the Tea Country—most of their forces are concentrated here. No matter how strong Simu is, he can't handle dozens of ninjas attacking him all at once."

Minato gave Aso a calm but firm look.

Minato's tone was decisive. "If you go with him, you'll only increase the chances of Simu being delayed."

Simu glanced toward the eastern city. "Be careful," he said, his voice steady. "And remember to protect Lindy."

"Got it," Minato replied.

Simu turned to Lindy briefly, leaving a Katsuyu clone with her. No matter what happened, it would buy her enough time to survive until he returned.

"Alright, I'm off," Simu said confidently.

He used Shave to gain distance, then shot into the sky like a flash of light.

On the eastern wall of the capital, a group of ninjas stood watch, staring aimlessly into the dark forest beyond. 

A few ninjas were staring boredly at the forest outside. 

"You were saying how great it would be if we were ninjas from a big country, going to small countries to show off"

"Exactly! Look at those Sand Shinobi—they're worth 2,580,000 Ryo in our capital!" replied another, irritation creeping into his tone.

"Keep your voices down," a third ninja whispered. "We're on duty."

"On duty for what?" scoffed the first. 

"Do you think some ninja village is bold enough to attack us in the middle of the night? Who'd dare? Those weaklings from Tanigakure?"

The group burst into laughter, their voices echoing in the quiet night.

Then, abruptly, the laughter died.

A figure soared into view, rising like a streak of light.

In the blink of an eye, a blinding flash tore through the darkened sky, illuminating the stunned faces of the patrolling ninjas.

"What is that?"

"What's happening?"

The ninjas on the city wall weren't the only ones startled—residents throughout the capital looked up in confusion. In the dead of night, who would be setting off fireworks?

Simu smirked, confident that he now had everyone's attention. 

Crossing his hands, he focused the brilliant rays emanating from his fingertips into one concentrated beam.

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

In an instant, the night sky blazed with light.

It was as if thousands of meteors rained down at once, illuminating the village below like the middle of the day.

"Defend quickly!"

 "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

 "Where's the Earth Style team?"

The shouts of panic erupted as the ninjas scrambled in chaos. Amid the commotion, over a dozen ninjas finally stepped forward, forming seals at lightning speed.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

Massive earthen walls erupted from the ground, rising high to shield the city behind them.

But their efforts were far too slow.

Before the walls could even fully stabilize, the barrage of light rained down mercilessly.

The once-sturdy earth walls crumbled like fragile sandcastles against the overwhelming flashes of light, as soft as tofu.

The defenses crumbled at a mere touch, as if they were rotting away.

Simu's Yasakani no Magatama effortlessly destroyed the barriers created by a dozen Earth Style ninjas. 

Even the sturdy city wall behind them stood no chance, reduced to countless fragments under the relentless barrage of flashes.

This time, Simu didn't bother holding back his power.

Under the indiscriminate bombardment, at least thirty or forty ninjas died unexpectedly.

Of course, most of them are Chūnin and Genin.

Most of them are Genin.

Simu landed gracefully, his justice coat fluttering in the air.

The ninjas, now recovered, stared at him in shock.

"Damn, who is this guy?"

After witnessing Simu's devastating display, the ninjas stationed on the city wall hesitated to attack. It wasn't until the arrival of the Jōnin that they regained their confidence.

"Yamashita Jōnin..."

 "Takeru Jōnin..."

 "Geto Jōnin..."

 "The Jōnins are here."

The arrival of the Jōnin from the Country of Tea greatly boosted the morale of the remaining ninjas.

In a country that values strength like Tea, Jōnins hold great power. 

They are seen as nobility, close to the daimyo, and control much of the Country wealth. As the top of the power pyramid, their presence is formidable.

Among them, one Jōnin with a rough appearance and a strong build stepped forward.

He pointed a massive blade at Simu and growled,

"No matter who he is, kill him!"

Simu exaggeratedly pushed his eyes and said,

"What a scary Jōnin."

To the west of the capital, after Simu destroyed a large section of the city wall with Yasakani no Magatama, many ninjas in the area were drawn to the commotion.

At that moment, only three ninjas remained in the east area.

They were still trying to figure out what was happening in the west area.

Suddenly, a sound cut through the air.

One ninja reacted instantly, dodging sideways.

He was just about to shout, "enemy attack!"

But Minato, using the Flying Thunder God Technique, was already ahead of him.

His golden hair fluttered in the night as he grabbed the three-pronged kunai and drove it into the throat who hadn't reacted yet.

Minato then swung his body and slammed into another ninja.

The ninja quickly reached out to stop the corpse from falling.

But Minato was already above the body, having placed his Flying Thunder God seal on it earlier.

He rolled through the air, passing the ninja, and in an instant, his hands moved like lightning, twisting the ninja's neck with ease.

Before the third ninja could even react, Minato's special three-pronged kunai was already at his throat, sealing his fate.

In a quick and efficient move, Minato gets the triple kill!

After a moment, Lindy, Aso, and his daughter jumped onto the city wall.

Harukami Aso, watching the chaos in the east like a natural disaster, muttered in disbelief,

"Is this what you meant by making some noise? This isn't just noise!"

, "Even if Simu wants to prove his strength, he's practically fighting on the whole country of Tea!"

Minato smiled, clearly amused.

"Simu's movements are always different from others..."

Harukami Aso thought for a moment before shaking his focus back to the mission.

Minato calmly said, "Lindy, find the daimyo's location."

Lindy rolled her eyes and focused. Slowly, all the buildings in front of her disappeared from view. Her vision expanded, landing on a mansion in the center of the capital.

"I've found it."

"Lead the way!"

Lindy jumped off the city wall and began running toward the mansion. As she ran, she reported on the guard forces in the area.

"Most of the Jōnin in Tea Ninja have been drawn to Mr. Simu. There are still three Jōnin with the daimyo, and the rest are a team of thirty," Lindy quickly reported.

Minato nodded slightly.

"Aso Harukami, you're in charge of holding off the three Jōnin. Lindy and Haruka, stop the team of thirty. I'll killed the daimyo and then evacuate."

"Understood."

Harukami Aso, assigned the most difficult task, agreed without hesitation. He was prepared to give his life if it meant the success of the mission. 

The future of the River Country was worth the sacrifice.

They quickly reached the mansion.

As expected, dozens of guards stood outside.

Without hesitation, Harukami Aso formed hand seals, quickly gathering Chakra at his throat.

"Water Style: Water Burst!"

With a roar like a tsunami, a massive surge of water erupted from Aso's mouth. 

The powerful water column struck, knocking away the guards in front and even shattering the walls of the mansion.

The rushing water quickly flowed into the daimyo's mansion.

Harukami Aso moved swiftly, stepping on the water as he drew his kunai, ready to deal with the guards.

But to his surprise, the kunai had no effect on the guards.

Minato suddenly shouted, "Careful! It's a trap!"

Lindy's eyes widened in realization. "These aren't real people; they're puppets!" she said, her gaze narrowing. Although they looked lifelike, they were merely decoys.

In reality, these were human puppets made from recently dead bodies.

The use of fresh corpses was meant to deceive them, and the presence of a Hyuga clan ninja in Simu's team made this trap even more effective.

Minato's heart sank as he understood the situation.

The human puppets in front of them suddenly began to move in unison, adding to the tension of the moment.

There were detonators embedded in their bodies!

In this critical moment, Aso Harukami immediately stepped forward without hesitation.

"Water Style: Water Prison Technique!"

Water surged up beneath their feet, quickly surrounding Minato and the others.

A massive explosion followed, engulfing them all!

Even Harukami's Water Prison, a Jōnin-level technique, couldn't withstand the blast and shattered.

As the shockwave hit, air rushed into the water sphere.

The water prison collapsed, violently throwing Lindy and the others aside.

Meanwhile, Minato had already used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport himself out of the danger.

Minato quickly scanned the battlefield, searching for any useful information.

If nothing else, this appeared to be a trap set by Sunagakure and the Tea Country to target Konoha.

"As expected of Konoha's ninjas. This move didn't take you down." A figure emerged from behind the mansion, clapping slowly.

The man had short, neat hair, and faint Chakra lines could be seen on his hands as he clapped.

Minato instantly recognized him.

"Sunagakure's [Human Puppeteer] Droby."

A super puppeteer who rose to fame after the Second Ninja World War.

Drobby was known for his obsession with turning corpses into puppets, making one man as powerful as an entire army.

"It's a shame, it's you little brats who showed up this time. I didn't expect actual Shinobi to do it themselves," Drobby sneered, clearly looking down on Minato and the others.

Lindy and Haruka struggled to get back on their feet.

If Aso Harukami had been just a moment slower, the mission might have already been over.

.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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