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"Something's happening in Yugakure?" Midorima watched the rising plume of smoke, his expression shifting to one of surprise.
"Heh, don't think you can distract us that easily. We won't fall for it." The five ninja remained completely focused on Midorima, their guard unbroken.
"I'm being serious." Midorima's tone carried genuine concern. "Listen closely. Can you hear those cries?"
"Can't hear anything."
None of the five dared to divert their attention even slightly. Are you kidding? Facing an enemy this powerful, how could they afford any carelessness?
But where had this ninja even come from? Did Kumogakure have someone this strong? His power level seemed at least close to the Raikage's. The five Iwa-nin suddenly seemed to realize something, their gazes simultaneously dropping to the emblem on Midorima's forehead protector—unmistakably Kirigakure's mark.
"Damn it, have Kirigakure and Kumogakure joined forces?"
"Hey, watch your wording. 'Joined forces'? That sounds terrible." Midorima picked at his ear with his pinky. "My connection to them isn't particularly strong. And I never intended to fight you in the first place—you attacked me."
The five exchanged glances. He did have a point. Initially, this man hadn't made any aggressive moves. But they weren't so easily convinced. A middle-aged man with green hair pointed at Midorima. "Not strongly connected? Then why are you traveling with him?"
"Me? The Raikage asked me to bring him back. And his condition for returning is retrieving his injured teammates. You're well aware of his abilities..." Midorima glanced toward Killer B.
Killer B was, in the truest sense, a perfect jinchūriki, capable of maximizing the tailed beast's power while maintaining control—a stark contrast to other, less complete jinchūriki. One reason Midorima was so interested in Killer B was that he genuinely possessed methods for achieving perfect jinchūriki status, methods that could be replicated. Years later, Naruto would become an excellent example.
Han was formidable, certainly. But facing a partially transformed Killer B, even Han struggled. His body was changing now, tailed beast chakra surging continuously as his skin took on a reddish hue. He was undergoing partial transformation too...
This battle would likely continue for some time. But if these two jinchūriki unleashed Tailed Beast Balls, this entire area would be obliterated. Midorima was about to warn Killer B to restrain himself, to avoid destroying Yugakure, when the other five ninja once again drew his attention.
"Still claiming you're not allied with them? Then why care about retrieving their wounded?"
Midorima suddenly perceived the anomaly.
"One jinchūriki plus ten jōnin or special jōnin. Your squad's combat strength is immense—enough to handle a Kage-level opponent. Why are you here? Let me guess... you're lying in ambush for anyone coming to rescue them, aren't you?"
The five ninja's expressions flickered with various emotions, each averting their gaze from Midorima.
"So I guessed correctly?" Midorima had only been speculating, but his suspicions proved accurate. "But why position yourselves here?"
His gaze shifted again to the smoke billowing continuously from Yugakure.
"The injured ninja are in the village, aren't they?"
"No, you're wrong!" One ninja's hands flew through signs, preparing an Earth Release technique. The others raised their hands too, ready to attack Midorima. But before they could act, a bolt of lightning flashed past them. When they regained their bearings, Midorima stood only a step away from Yugakure.
"Killer B, handle things here. I'm going to check the village."
With those words, Midorima vaulted over the village's high wall.
The ninja on watch duty spotted a dark figure flash past. Before he could call out, the figure leaped onto a nearby rooftop and vanished from sight after a few bounds.
"An... an intruder...?" The watch ninja mustered his courage and called out uncertainly.
Midorima paid no attention to potential reactions. He headed straight for the source of the smoke—a three-story wooden building engulfed in fierce flames. About five or six meters from the structure, villagers had formed a semicircle, watching helplessly. At the semicircle's center, three ninja were using techniques to spray water on the burning building. The water streams, however, were modest.
Wooden structures couldn't withstand powerful water currents—they'd collapse immediately. The ninja's caution stemmed from two concerns: first, avoiding sparks that might ignite nearby buildings; second, knowing people were trapped inside, fearful that heavy water pressure might bring the structure down on them.
The Hot Water Village wasn't a major ninja village, so buildings weren't densely packed. But this burning inn seemed situated in a relatively busy area, with numerous structures nearby. Midorima stood behind the crowd, listening to hushed conversations.
"Hey, have the people inside gotten out yet?"
"The innkeeper and his wife were just rescued, but those injured ninja... they might still be in there."
"You think Iwagakure did this?"
"Would they dare?! We told them before—if anyone brings fighting into the village, we'll side with their enemy. They'd have to be suicidal."
Midorima's brow rose slightly. He removed his forehead protector bearing Kirigakure's insignia and pushed through to the front. An elderly couple knelt on the ground, staring blankly at the inferno, tears beyond their capacity to shed. They must be the inn's owners.
"Sir, are there still people inside?" Midorima crouched beside them, speaking softly.
The old woman nodded repeatedly but couldn't form words.
Midorima pressed further. "Which floor are they on?"
"Third floor... What is this world coming to..." the old man sighed heavily.
Midorima's gaze lifted to the roof. Flames were already licking out through windows. If these were Kumogakure ninja, fire alone couldn't trap them—they'd have means of escape. Their situation must be dire. After confirming their precise location from the owners, Midorima leaped onto an adjacent building and vaulted into the third floor of the soon-to-be-consumed structure.
Thick smoke roiled upward continuously. Midorima knew that most fire fatalities resulted from smoke inhalation rather than burns. Holding his breath, he rushed to the room the owners had indicated and kicked the door open. Four people lay prone on the floor.
Midorima quickly rolled one over. The body was already stiff—dead for some time. As he moved the corpse, a small bird fashioned from clay tumbled from its clothing.
The moment Midorima saw that bird, instinct took over. He dropped the body, spun around, and sprinted desperately for the exit.
'Clay bomb!! How could this be here?!'
He barely cleared the room when a deafening explosion erupted behind him. A massive shockwave instantly shattered the walls.