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In its single-eyed state, "Kamui" can last a maximum of five minutes. This means that to break "Kamui," one must inflict continuous damage on Obito throughout those five minutes. Otherwise, Obito can completely use "Kamui" to evade Midorima's attacks.
Is it difficult to inflict fatal damage on Obito continuously for five minutes?
Yes.
At least, Midorima currently cannot do it.
It could even be said that very few people in the entire Naruto world can achieve this.
The only person who successfully exploited this weakness and posed a real threat to Obito was Konan with her six hundred billion explosive tags—the six hundred billion explosive tags could explode for ten minutes, completely enough to break "Kamui," but it was nullified by "Izangi."
Without sustained, high-intensity ninjutsu attacks, it's best to possess high-level taijutsu, like Might Guy, using physical attacks to inflict sustained, high-intensity damage on Obito.
But engaging Obito in close combat presents another problem: the Kamui of his right eye can transfer nearby objects into his spacetime dimension. In other words, you can get "grabbed" directly by Kamui.
Therefore, with Midorima's current strength, killing Obito in a short time is almost impossible, unless one side runs out of chakra.
Similarly, because he possesses "Shunkan," Midorima also has self-preservation capability.
In a situation where neither can kill the other, Midorima has a clear disadvantage—he has no one to support him.
Obito is different.
Once Zetsu reunites with Obito, he can quickly relay the news of Midorima and Obito's confrontation to the other members of Akatsuki.
Pain, even with his eyes closed, would choose to support Obito, not him.
The longer this drags on, the more variables arise.
Obito also realized the "difficulty of killing each other." He stared at Midorima, his mind racing, still trying to find a way to kill Midorima, but nothing came to mind in the short term.
This damn guy was just pretending to be useless and slacking off before. Intelligence on him is almost zero. Who knew he was actually playing the long game?
Now, I don't even know what ninjutsu he's skilled in. How am I supposed to fight this?
"Madara, the matter with Sasuke was agreed upon between Itachi and me beforehand. If you fancy Sasuke, go ahead and capture him. No need to keep wasting time here with me," Midorima said.
Just moments ago, he thought he had a chance to kill Obito.
But after the exchange, he realized it was a meaningless fight.
"How would I know where he is?" Obito said angrily.
The base spewing out forty pairs at once had completely defeated his efforts.
"He's in Konoha, of course. Don't tell me you're scared?" Midorima retorted.
Obito didn't respond, contemplating carefully. He came to a conclusion—he truly couldn't kill Midorima, at least not now.
What troubled him more was that after Sasuke returned to Konoha, Itachi leaving Akatsuki was almost a certainty.
In the short term, Akatsuki would lose two members. Finding new members became Akatsuki's most urgent task.
Furthermore, with only one Mangekyō Sharingan eye, his strength was halved. Therefore, he absolutely needed to retrieve his other eye.
Obito glared angrily at Midorima. "Don't let me see you again."
With that, he turned and left.
Midorima curled his lip. Obito's words were weak, lacking any force.
Kimimaro emerged from the woods. "Those trees hit by the shuriken... how did they suddenly vanish?"
"That's his ninjutsu, related to the Mangekyō Sharingan, just like your 'Shikotsumyaku'," Midorima explained.
"How can I kill him?" Kimimaro asked again.
"You? You can't." Midorima waved his hand. Seeing Kimimaro look unconvinced, he added, "To seek revenge, you must live a long time. Can you do that?"
Kimimaro instantly deflated.
"Besides, he's your enemy, not mine. Why didn't you do something?" Midorima asked.
"Against someone weaker, I'd act directly. But he's clearly stronger than me. Charging in foolishly would just be suicide," Kimimaro said.
"You're more rational than I imagined."
"Only by staying alive can you take revenge," Kimimaro said.
"So you know that. You were pretty hot-headed when we first met," Midorima mocked.
"Wasn't I doubting your strength then?" Kimimaro forced a smile.
"Don't smile if you don't feel like it." Midorima rolled his eyes. "Also, I just fought Madara. You should have a general assessment of his strength. In short, he's not someone you can handle, and I can't kill him either. That's why I refused you."
"But you drove him away."
"Are you serious?" Midorima shook his head and turned around, walking north along the river. "If he hadn't left, we would have been the ones running. The fight between us wouldn't have ended quickly."
"It's hard for you to kill him?" Kimimaro quickened his pace to keep up.
"Yes. With my current strength, it's difficult to threaten his life. That's why I had no interest in continuing the fight. If there was a chance, even just 10%, I'd be willing to try. But the result..." Midorima spread his hands.
If he had mastered high-level Wood Release ninjutsu and had sufficient chakra, he might have risked it. But now, it was truly meaningless.
Moreover, no one knows if Obito has a second Sharingan eye.
If Midorima really went all out, using immense effort to kill Obito, and then Obito used "Izangi," Midorima, having depleted his chakra, would be completely at Obito's mercy.
"Why are you looking for Jūgo's cells?"
"Is it any of your business?"
"I know the location... If you can help me kill Uchiha Madara, I'll give you everything Lord Orochimaru left behind. All of Lord Orochimaru's connections, the ninjutsu he accumulated... Don't look at me like that. If I could live longer, I'd definitely kill Uchiha Madara myself. But I simply don't have that much time. Even if... even if I could live two more years, given my physical condition, making significant progress in combat strength is almost impossible.
"What about Sakon/Ukon and the others? Among their peers, they might have some talent. But compared to Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke, their talent isn't much to look at, let alone when their opponent is Uchiha Madara... Perhaps Jūgo's talent is better, but he's still no match for Madara." Kimimaro closely followed Midorima.
"You sound like you're arranging your affairs," Midorima remarked.
"Take it that way. After all, I still have the capital to negotiate with you now," Kimimaro said.
"Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"
"When you go back on your word, I'll probably already be dead, right?" Kimimaro said. "So what does it matter to me?"
Midorima took a deep breath. He really needed Jūgo's cells now, but he also needed Orochimaru's ninjutsu.
"You could at least pretend to agree with me."
"I..." Midorima placed a hand on Kimimaro's head. "...think you might have a chance to see Madara die."
"How is that possible?" Kimimaro curled his lip and fell silent.