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Midorima wasn't very familiar with the Land of Hot Water. His knowledge of it, aside from its connection to Hidan, came mostly from what he'd read in various encyclopedias. In Japanese, "yu" meant hot spring, which was why "male hot springs" and "female hot springs" frequently appeared in manga and anime. Whether the Land of Hot Water was actually famous for its springs, Midorima couldn't say. He only knew that the Hot Water Village wasn't fond of war. This aversion was precisely why Hidan, after murdering those around him, had become a missing-nin and eventually met his end buried in the earth near Kirigakure.
As the hidden village of the Land of Hot Water, this place differed from Midorima's expectations. It was a remarkably peaceful village—at least from a distance. Despite the war raging between Kumogakure and Iwagakure nearby, the village itself remained untouched. The only casualties were geographical: countless battles had scarred and destroyed much of the surrounding landscape.
"Ahead is the Hot Water Village," Midorima said. "If your teammates managed to hide anywhere, this place offers the best hope. If they'd hidden elsewhere in the Land of Hot Water, they'd have been flattened by now."
"I hope so too," Killer B replied. "Find them, return to the village. Then you can communicate with the Six-Tails sooner."
Midorima was about to respond when suddenly he spotted a massive boulder, roughly two meters in diameter, hurtling toward them from the forest beside the road. He shoved Killer B aside and rapidly moved in the opposite direction, barely dodging the projectile. A crimson blur immediately shot toward Killer B, landing a kick before he could react.
Simultaneously, several dark figures surrounded Midorima. Countless shuriken and explosive tags rained down upon him. A circular water wall rapidly rose around Midorima, intercepting the barrage. In that instant, four earthen walls erupted from the ground, sealing him inside. Another massive stone descended from above, crashing toward the trapped Midorima.
"Interesting."
A slight smile curved Midorima's lips as his hands flew through hand signs. A water dragon burst from his mouth, striking the boulder and splitting it in two. Seizing the opportunity, Midorima employed Earth Release: Ground Bedrock—the earth beneath him rose swiftly. When it reached level with the surrounding walls, he leaped atop them, surveying his attackers from above. Ten ninja in total, neither more nor less.
"Yo! Thought you were done for sure." Killer B, having just picked himself up off the ground, couldn't resist striking a pose toward Midorima.
The crimson blur immediately charged Killer B again. This time, Killer B met the attack head-on. Their fists collided with tremendous force. The momentum behind the crimson figure pushed Killer B back five or six meters, leaving two shallow trenches carved by his feet.
Midorima finally got a clear look at the attacker and paused in surprise. The figure wore a crimson bamboo hat and matching armor that covered him completely, leaving almost no openings. A white tail extended from behind his back.
'Han?!'
Midorima wasn't particularly familiar with the Five-Tails jinchūriki and couldn't help staring for an extra moment. The ten ninja surrounding him seized this distraction to launch another assault.
Initially, Midorima had thought to dispatch these ten quickly. But once engaged, he realized their caliber was unexpectedly high. Individually, each might not match Zabuza, but they came close—and their teamwork was exceptionally coordinated. Any ninja lacking extensive combat experience would quickly find themselves overwhelmed and killed by this group.
One jinchūriki plus ten jōnin. Iwagakure had invested heavily in this operation.
After weathering a continuous assault from the ten ninja, Midorima felt heat rising within him. He was sweating.
'How's it going? Need to borrow my power?'
A voice suddenly echoed in Midorima's mind.
'If you need it, I can lend it to you—'
It was the Six-Tails, Saiken.
'Aren't you underestimating me too much?' Midorima retorted silently. 'I wasn't afraid of you. You think I'm afraid of them?'
'No, I'm watching you struggle against them. If this drags on, you'll be at a serious disadvantage.'
Midorima didn't respond verbally. His hands began forming seals, but an opponent exploited the gap, appearing behind him in a flash and driving a kunai toward his back.
"Poof!"
"Midorima" vanished in a puff of smoke. The ninja instantly realized he'd been tricked—Midorima must be behind him now. He didn't dare turn. Instead, he threw himself forward, hitting the ground. A agonized scream sounded behind him. Rolling over, he saw the ninja who should have followed up his attack kneeling, both arms hanging limply at his sides, seemingly paralyzed.
Midorima stood behind that ninja, delivering a heavy kick to his back that sent him flying over ten meters. The man struggled to rise, but his arms still wouldn't lift.
'Struggling? Like this?'
Lightning Release chakra enveloped Midorima's feet. Employing Lightning Flash, he instantly appeared before his next opponent, a sphere of lightning already formed in his hand. He slammed it into the man's chest.
"Chidori!"
The ninja flew back over ten meters and lost consciousness upon impact. Lightning Flash had originally been developed by Akimoto Rei to enhance her speed, but in Midorima's hands, the technique proved far more devastating. In virtually no time, Midorima replicated the tactic, incapacitating three more ninja.
The remaining five stared at Midorima, swallowing hard. This... the gap was simply too vast.
"They're not dead yet," Midorima announced. "But whether they live or die is entirely my decision. So, shall we put down your weapons?"
The five exchanged glances, maintaining their guard against Midorima. He rolled his neck, preparing to finish off the remaining five in one go, when suddenly Killer B's body came flying toward him. Just before impact, a water wall erupted from the ground, cushioning his fall.
"Hey, if you keep playing around like this, we'll never find those injured ninja in time," Midorima called out.
"Whew, got a little careless. But beating him won't be a problem." Killer B abandoned his musical antics, speaking in normal tones—a sign he was now taking things seriously.
Jinchūriki versus jinchūriki. This battle should have been spectacular, but unfortunately, Midorima had no time to watch. Killer B manifested two tails, brandished twin blades, and once again engaged Han in fierce combat. Both combatants exercised restraint, refraining from fully unleashing their tailed beast powers, yet even so, any ordinary ninja caught in their clash would be killed in a single blow.
Midorima massaged his neck. The moment his gaze shifted to the five remaining ninja, they scattered like startled birds, rapidly putting distance between themselves and him, expressions wary.
At that moment, thick smoke began rising from the Hot Water Village in the distance.