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"Let's see how much longer you can hold out!" Kakuzu roared.
The strength of Midorima had indeed exceeded Kakuzu's expectations, but he refused to believe that Midorima still had ample chakra left after defeating Ugo.
Just as Kakuzu had predicted.
Under the relentless torrent of flames spewed by the two mask monsters, the volume of the water sphere was gradually diminishing.
Tsunade held her breath, sensing the rising temperature of the water.
As the flames continued to scorch the surroundings, the heat within the water was intensifying.
Though the "Exploding Water Collision Wave" still shielded them for now, the moment Midorima's chakra ran dry, the protective barrier would shatter instantly.
When that happened, both she and Midorima would be engulfed by the inferno.
What's… wrong with me?
Tsunade stared at her trembling hands, her mind flashing back to her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan Katō.
Would she really let another child die protecting her today?
She couldn't bear to witness that again.
Clenching her fists, she placed a hand on Midorima's shoulder, preparing to transfer some of her chakra to him.
But at that very moment, the water sphere shielding them burst apart. The liquid surged outward, evaporating instantly into a thick mist that filled the air.
Seeing Midorima on the verge of collapse, Tsunade quickly scooped him up and retreated.
First, they had to escape the flames.
Kakuzu, frustrated by the obstructing steam, halted the assault of the two mask monsters. Instead, he gathered all four masks onto his right shoulder, condensing a terrifying surge of chakra.
The moment their figures became visible, his "Final Shot" would obliterate Tsunade and Midorima.
The instant the two reappeared, Kakuzu aimed the four masks at them, ready to deliver the finishing blow—when suddenly, a hand blade pierced through his chest from behind.
"How…?" Kakuzu turned his head, only to see a silver-haired young man standing behind him. "Hatake Kakashi… What are you doing here!?"
Kakashi didn't answer. Instead, he kicked Kakuzu away with a powerful strike.
By then, the steam had mostly dissipated. Spotting Tsunade carrying someone, Kakashi immediately called out, "Lady Tsunade, are you alright?"
"You are…?" For a moment, Tsunade didn't recognize him.
Midorima, recognizing Kakashi's voice, quickly interjected, "Big sis, you can put me down now."
"You're in no condition to move." Tsunade refused.
How could he possibly recover from such severe injuries so quickly?
"I'm fine," Midorima insisted.
If he didn't get down soon, he might suffocate.
Dying from being smothered by Tsunade would be the most embarrassing way to go.
Unable to argue further, Tsunade reluctantly set him down. Midorima's legs felt weak, and he leaned on her for support as he steadied himself. Seeing Kakashi's attention fixed on them, he warned, "That bastard won't die so easily. Be careful!"
"Huh?" Kakashi, now recognizing Midorima, frowned. "Impossible. I pierced his heart."
Who could survive without a heart?
"He's still alive!" Tsunade echoed urgently.
Kakashi turned just in time to see a swarm of black tendrils lashing toward him.
A wall of water erupted from the ground, separating him from the grotesque appendages.
With the last of his chakra, Midorima had formed a Water Wall just in time to save Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he took in Kakuzu's monstrous form, now bristling with writhing black threads.
Just as Midorima had said—despite having his heart destroyed, Kakuzu was still standing.
Kakuzu glared furiously at the trio.
Midorima, completely drained of chakra, was out of the fight. Tsunade, however, had snapped out of her earlier paralysis—her speed surpassed his, and her strength was overwhelming. She could easily crush a mask monster with a single punch.
And then there was Hatake Kakashi, a prodigy who had already made a name for himself in the Third Shinobi World War, now standing in his way.
With Ugo dead and his own heart destroyed, Kakuzu knew he stood no chance against both Tsunade and Kakashi at once.
This 25-million-ryō bounty mission had turned into a complete disaster!
"Consider this a temporary retreat… but this isn't over," Kakuzu growled, scanning the area before vanishing into the shadows.
"Wait—" Kakashi moved to pursue, but Tsunade stopped him.
"He's injured…" She glanced at Midorima, who had collapsed. "We should focus on saving him first."
Her mind was still in turmoil. She wasn't ready to confront Kakuzu—or the organization behind him—just yet.
Kakashi nodded, lifting Midorima onto his back.
"By the way, how did you get here?" Tsunade asked.
"I just finished a mission nearby when I ran into Shizune. She was frantic and asked for my help," Kakashi explained.
"Is she alright?"
Shizune wouldn't have been much help in a battle of this scale—if anything, she'd have been a liability.
"She's treating the civilians caught in the crossfire. You two really went all out," Kakashi remarked dryly.
Tsunade surveyed the battlefield—scorched earth, flooded streets—it was a miracle no one had died.
All the money she'd just won would probably go toward compensation now.
Choosing not to involve Iwasaki, the merchant wisely pretended ignorance of the battle outside the village.
Businessmen were in it for profit, not charity—and helping Midorima's group would only paint a target on their backs.
Against an organization like the Akatsuki, they were as helpless as lambs.
Tsunade found an inn to stay in and personally tended to Midorima's injuries while Kakashi went to assist Shizune.
Midorima's condition was critical—severe wounds, depleted chakra, and the aftereffects of [Overload] had left him in dire straits.
Unaware of [Last Stand], Tsunade poured all her skill into saving him. Using chakra scalpels, she meticulously removed bone fragments embedded in his flesh before sealing the wounds with Mystical Palm Technique.
By the time she finished, night had fallen.
Leaning against the wall, she watched Midorima's unconscious form, her mind replaying the moment he had shielded her, unleashing Exploding Water Collision Wave against the sea of flames.
And yet, when she saw blood, she froze—nearly getting him killed.
Pathetic…
The guilt gnawed at her throughout the treatment. Fortunately, Midorima pulled through. But now, she had to face her own demons.
Could she ever confront bloodshed again?
And what about those two who had come after Midorima? What was their connection to him?
Stepping out of the room, Tsunade found no relief in Kakuzu's retreat.
If anything, the weight on her shoulders had only grown heavier.