Konoha, Just Like Kizaru

With the loss of the Nagawa Bridge, the Kumo Shinobi's supply line was cut off. 

Relying on ninjas to carry supplies across the river was not feasible, and even if it were, it would greatly reduce delivery efficiency. The supplies delivered wouldn't be enough to keep up with the demands of the war.

The Land of Thunder is located on a peninsula, so to reach the center of the mainland, they must cross this large river. 

Otherwise, they would have to take a longer route around the seas to enter the Land of Fire. This is why the Land of Thunder is so determined to take Kikyo Mountain. 

If they can capture it, they would secure the border and store supplies in the nearby territory of the Land of Soup, without needing to waste energy guarding the bridge.

Unfortunately, the Land of Thunder lacks skilled Earth Style ninjas, making this plan difficult to execute.

With the loss of the Nagawa Bridge, the Kumo Shinobi's supply line was cut off. Relying on ninjas to carry supplies across the river was not feasible, and even if it were, it would greatly reduce delivery efficiency. 

The supplies delivered wouldn't be enough to keep up with the demands of the war.

The Land of Thunder is located on a peninsula, so to reach the center of the mainland, they must cross this large river. 

Otherwise, they would have to take a longer route around the seas to enter the Land of Fire. This is why the Land of Thunder is so determined to take Kikyo Mountain. 

If they can capture it, they would secure the border and store supplies in the nearby territory of the Land of Soup, without needing to waste energy guarding the bridge.

Unfortunately, the Land of Thunder doesn't have skilled Earth Style ninjas, making this plan difficult to execute.

The outcome on the battlefield spoke for itself. Without Two-Tails holding back Eight Tails, Konoha would have lost hundreds more ninjas. As a result, many ninjas' perceptions of tailed beasts changed.

Two-Tails, feeling a bit proud but not overly so, raised his head.

Jiraiya, looking at the ruined Tang Dynasty, felt uncomfortable. Finally, he said, "Alright, let's head back to Konoha. As for Anbu and Root, we'll handle it."

Although sending a large number of troops to stay here wasn't possible, the leadership of the Land of Hot Water would need to be replaced by Konoha's faction.

The Land of Frost might also face Konoha's retaliation. It's the harsh reality of small countries. Next time, if Kumo Shinobi tries to attack Konoha through this river, it won't be so easy.

For Konoha, the Kikyo Mountain stronghold has been rebuilt. Simu returns to the capital with the ninja troops. Jiraiya stays on Kikyo Mountain for a while longer, in case any trouble arises in the Land of Thunder.

When the main force arrives in Konoha, nearly all the citizens are in the streets, cheering for their big victory. The moment a distinct white coat appears, the crowd erupts.

"It's the coat of justice! Master Simu is back!"

 "Golden Flash is mighty!"

 "Simu-sama, I'll give you a baby!"

 "I want to become a great ninja like Simu-sama!"

 The cheers and excitement fill the air.

The loudest cheers came from Konoha's girls and young ninjas, especially the children from the ninja school. They had come to see Simu as their idol.

Simu rarely took his hands out of his pockets, but today, he waved to both sides.

"Oh, it's unbelievable. I never thought I'd have a day like this."

Shikaku, standing beside Simu with a toothpick in his mouth, replied, "With your performance, it's strange not to have a day like this, right?"

"Exactly," Simu said, putting his hands back in his pockets.

In the distance, a child with silver-white hair and solemn eyes watched the scene, his face hidden behind a black mask. He was silent, lost in thought. He remembered the years ago when his own father was hailed as Konoha's hero.

This child was none other than Kakashi.

On the Hokage building, the Third Hokage looked down at Simu's young face from afar.

He didn't know what he was thinking.

The cheers continued until the troops carrying the bodies of the fallen comrades arrived, causing the crowd to fall into silence. People silently prayed for the brave souls who had given their lives.

Soon, the heroes who had died on the battlefield were taken to the cemetery for burial. The Third Hokage also appeared to speak.

"These ninjas gave their lives, turning into the flames of Konoha, protecting the future of our village. We must not let their sacrifice be in vain. We must protect Konoha and carry on their will of fire!"

His words stirred the crowd, making their blood boil with determination.

Meanwhile, Simu yawned several times.

After the ceremony, the sky had fully darkened. Simu quickly ran to Kushina's yard, only to find that Lindy wasn't there.

"I'm back!" Simu carelessly pushed the door open and walked in.

Kushina quickly shoved the book she was holding under the pillow. She glared at Simu, pretending to be angry, and said, "Who told you to come in without knocking?"

Simu scratched his head. "Didn't I always come in without knocking?"

Kushina, trying to change the subject, asked, "Are you secretly reading Teacher Jiraiya's Icha-Icha Paradise again?"

Simu, using his Observation Haki, immediately saw everything, including the book hidden under her pillow. "Where's the book?" 

Kushina's face turned bright red. She had tried to hide the book, but Simu was already standing beside her pillow. With a swift motion, he pulled out the book.

"Icha-Icha Paradise Revised?" Simu teased, looking at her with a grin.

Kushina immediately shouted in frustration.

"Give it back to me!" Kushina yelled, rushing at Simu.

Simu didn't move and, instead, used the momentum to let Kushina throw herself onto the bed, landing with the book in hand.

Kushina froze, realizing she was now surrounded by Simu's strong arms.

"What are you doing...?" she asked, her face turning red with a mix of heat and guilt.

Simu whispered in her ear, "I just want to discuss Teacher Jiraiya's writings with you."

The Anbu outside the yard quietly retreated, keeping their distance. Despite this, the two continued to quarrel through the night.

After the Land of Fire successfully repelled the attacks from the Land of Thunder and the Land of Wind, a strange atmosphere settled over the ninja world.

Every major country desired a piece of the Land of Fire, but none dared to strike first. This stalemate continued for two years.

During these years, Simu completed 48 S-level missions, and his name, the Golden Flash, became famous across the entire ninja world.

Certainly, Minato also performed well in the past two years, earning the title of the Yellow Flash. 

Together with Simu it is known as Konoha's Golden Combination.

Compared to the AB combination of Kumo Shinobi Village, Simu made great mark in his tasks.

He had also achieved a personal milestone—after much persistence, Lindy and Kushina finally agreed to sleep with him. 

As for Mikoto, she seemed to have joined in, playing along with Kushina and Lindy. Everything was peaceful and harmonious.

However, this perfect moment was interrupted by the arrival of an Anbu ninja.

"What's the matter?" Simu asked.

"Hokage-sama has asked for you," 

Simu nodded. "I see, I'll go later."

The Anbu ninja disappeared, but Simu was no longer someone easily managed by Anbu. He had killed the Kazekage, faced the AB combination, destroyed Nagawa Bridge, and completed dozens of S-level missions in the past two years.

Simu casually pulled out an accomplishment that seemed small but was actually significant.

A moment later, a flash of light appeared at the Hokage's office window.

Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke, then called out, "Come in."

He looked at Simu, who had jumped in from the window, and said with a sigh, "I told you, you're a well-known figure in Konoha now. Can you be a bit more serious?"

Simu leaned back in the chair with a carefree attitude. "Isn't Jiraiya famous too? He goes to the women's bathhouse every day. And Uncle Third Hokage, don't you often watch that crystal ball...?"

"Cough cough cough!"

Third Hokage quickly interrupted Simu with a series of rapid coughs.

"Let's put that aside for now."

"I'm here to give you a new mission."

Simu put his hands in his pockets, his expression unchanged. 

After all this time, he had become nothing more than a worker. 

As long as the pay was good, he didn't mind. Of course, it was always better if he didn't have to travel.

Third Hokage seemed to sense what Simu was thinking and said, "Don't worry, you won't have to travel this time."

"Really?" Simu raised an eyebrow.

The old man had figured it out? 

Was he going to give up the Hokage position to him? 

But, then again, Hokage did seem a little tired...

Simu immediately began thinking about it, but when he saw Third Hokage cough, his thoughts snapped back to reality.

"Alright, what's the mission?" Simu scratched his head.

Third Hokage handed over a document and threw it in front of him. "It's not a big deal. You're just going to lead some students."

Simu immediately protested. "Lead students? Isn't that too much trouble?" How could a lazy person like him handle such a responsibility?

Third Hokage looked at him and made an offer he couldn't refuse. "If you lead them, you get 50% of their task rewards. In other words, you can make money without doing much."

Simu's eyes lit up. "I'll take the students!"

He grabbed the folder and asked, "Uncle Third Hokage, can I get more?" 

Simu was promptly kicked out of the office.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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