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The departure of Obito and Zetsu instantly dispelled the tension among the group, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Sasuke, however, was completely bewildered, unable to make sense of what had happened.
Midorima looked at him, feeling somewhat helpless.
If Sasuke hadn't tried to escape, it would have meant Midorima could have met him earlier.
Of course, whether Obito would still have appeared was another matter.
In a sense, this was also a "negative side effect" of Midorima's private conversation with Itachi at the restaurant that time.
Perhaps ever since that conversation, Obito had started paying attention to him.
As for whether Obito had noticed when he attacked Tayuya, Midorima leaned towards "yes."
Damn that Zetsu. Without him, his own movements would be much more convenient.
Now it felt like there was a surveillance camera tracking him 24 hours a day. It was utterly annoying.
Midorima had mentally marked Zetsu, but unlike Obito, since Zetsu could have many clones, it was difficult for Midorima to eliminate all of them in one go.
Midorima's assessment of Zetsu was: not very damaging, but extremely hazardous.
Sasuke's gaze never left Midorima's eyes from start to finish. When he saw Midorima looking at him, he felt a bit afraid at first, but then he steeled himself and met Midorima's gaze. "Are you my brother's friend?"
"Not really," Midorima shook his head.
Sasuke's expression changed slightly. He then asked, "Is it true that you said you'd have my brother come get me?"
"Not necessarily. You might also go directly back to Konoha. But it won't be that easy to accomplish. You need to be mentally prepared," Midorima shook his head.
Once targeted by Obito, how could it be so straightforward?
Sasuke's expression was complex, but he accepted Midorima's words.
Tayuya knelt on the ground, staring at Jirōbō's corpse, her gaze unable to tear itself away.
Even though Midorima had no particular fondness for the Sound Five, he knew now wasn't the time for sarcastic remarks. He could only stand silently behind her.
Among these people, the most impatient was Kabuto. He circled Midorima twice, almost blurting out "Where is Nonō exactly?" But after making eye contact with Midorima, he suppressed his impatience.
"Alright, we still have a lot to do. Should we head back to the base for now?" Midorima suggested.
Tayuya nodded and lifted Jirōbō's body in her arms.
On the way, the group encountered Kidōmaru and Sakon/Ukon, who had come searching for Sasuke. The two were stunned upon seeing Jirōbō's body and immediately turned their hostility towards Sasuke, but Midorima stopped them.
"Who are you?" Kidōmaru asked.
"The person negotiating with you. Simply put, I'm taking Sasuke away..."
Before Midorima could finish, the two suddenly attacked him.
Tayuya quickly intervened: "You're no match for him!"
"How would we know without trying!" Sakon launched the first attack.
Hearing their confidence, Tayuya felt a sliver of expectation for the two.
She had been thoroughly handled by Midorima. If Sakon and Kidōmaru could vent some of her frustration for her, she would, of course, be very happy.
The result: in just three or four rounds, Sakon and Kidōmaru were knocked to the ground, without even a chance to use their second states.
Tayuya covered her face. These two are so foolish...
"Can we go back now?" Midorima asked.
"Of course," Tayuya said. Seeing Sakon and Kidōmaru preparing for a second attack, she quickly signaled them with her eyes, urging them to calm down.
The gap between Kidōmaru, Sakon, and Midorima wasn't something the second state of the "Cursed Seal of Earth" could bridge. In other words, the only reason they were still alive was that Midorima didn't want to kill them.
After Jirōbō's death, she didn't want to lose any more teammates, especially in such a meaningless fight.
Sakon and Kidōmaru took the hint, saying, "It's not that we're afraid, we just listen to Tayuya," to cover their fear.
After returning to the base, the group went to Kimimaro's room. Some matters couldn't be avoided, and Kimimaro was one of them.
Although Kidōmaru and Sakon didn't agree, feeling that the seriously ill Kimimaro shouldn't be told about Jirōbō's death, Tayuya overruled them this time.
Some things, every member of the Sound Five had the right, and the need, to know.
"What's wrong?" Kimimaro asked, sitting up and looking curiously at Tayuya.
"Jirōbō is dead," Tayuya said.
"Who killed him?" Kimimaro's emotions showed no fluctuation, as if a stranger had died, but Midorima noticed his fists slowly clenching.
"Someone from 'Akatsuki'," Tayuya said.
Kimimaro remained silent for a long time before saying, "I'm tired."
"No, there's one more thing I must tell you. This might determine our fate from now on," Tayuya insisted.
Kimimaro looked puzzled at Tayuya. "What else?"
"Lord Orochimaru..." Tayuya hesitated for a long time before uttering the rest in a volume barely audible even to herself, "...is dead."
Silence fell over the room. Tayuya's words were exceptionally clear in the quiet space.
"You're lying..." Kimimaro suddenly became agitated. "Do you know what you're saying!?"
"I..." Tayuya was too frightened to speak.
"It's true," Midorima interjected. "Orochimaru is dead."
"Who are you?" Kimimaro asked.
"My name is Yoshida Shin. I'm a member of Akatsuki..."
Before Midorima could finish speaking, numerous bone spikes erupted from the ground, launching an almost indiscriminate attack on everyone in the room. Midorima used "Earth Spear" to harden his body, blocking the attacking bone spikes. The others, however, were in a sorry state, dodging and weaving, barely avoiding the attack.
Aside from Tayuya and Kabuto, the others were shocked by Midorima's identity.
"Akatsuki? Tayuya, you actually brought the murderer who killed Lord Orochimaru here! You should die!" Kimimaro roared.
"I..." Tayuya lowered her head, unsure how to explain.
"Enough. Orochimaru was also a member of Akatsuki. Do you despise Akatsuki? Does that mean you despise Orochimaru as well?" Midorima asked.
"He was different from you."
"Indeed, he was different. At least I didn't use so many people for experiments. From that perspective, I'm 'inferior' to him. Moreover, I didn't 'kill' Orochimaru. Even if you want revenge, direct your anger at the one who killed Orochimaru, not me," Midorima said angrily.
"Who killed him?"
"He fought many people within Akatsuki. As for who killed him, it was that masked man. He calls himself Uchiha Madara, but who really knows who he is?"
Both Orochimaru and Jirōbō were killed by Obito. Was that a "coincidence"?
"Uchiha Madara!" Kimimaro glared at Midorima. "But you can't be completely absolved of responsibility."
"Hey, not everyone in Akatsuki is of one mind. I joined Akatsuki just for the money. I had no reason to kill him," Midorima spread his hands. "By the way, since I brought you such important information, could you agree to one thing for me?"
"What thing?" Kimimaro said angrily.
"I'm taking Sasuke away. Also, give me Jūgo's cells," Midorima explained.
"That's two things," Kimimaro pointed out.
He could count.
"You misunderstand. Taking Sasuke is something I must do, regardless of whether you agree or not. All you need to do is agree to give me Jūgo's cells."
"I refuse," Kimimaro rejected Midorima's proposal almost without thinking.
Midorima scratched his head. "You really are a disagreeable fellow. I've decided. You have one more chance. If you don't agree, I'll kill everyone in this base."