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Their pace wasn't very fast.
For Midorima, it was because he didn't know the location of the human experimentation site, so he had to wait for Kimimaro.
Based on his memories from the manga, he only recalled it being a desolate place, not just devoid of people, but even vegetation.
The entire site was built on a mountainside, surrounded by more mountains.
Without knowledge of the geography, ordinary people could easily get lost, and Midorima would also find it difficult to locate it alone.
As for Kimimaro, he was a complete invalid at the moment.
Although he was no different from a normal person when he mustered his energy, it couldn't last.
Sometimes, after walking for two or three hours, he even needed to rest for half a day.
At this pace, even if they found the Northern Stronghold, it would be ages away.
As a medical-nin, Midorima had some proficiency in medical ninjutsu. However, in this world, research on life had also split into two branches. One was the medical art represented by Tsunade; the other was the "scientific" research represented by Orochimaru.
The latter was at the forefront of the era, with some technologies not usable by ordinary people.
This was also what Midorima regretted most—he couldn't cure Kimimaro's illness, at best he could only delay it.
Kimimaro was also mentally prepared, often talking to Midorima as if arranging his affairs. The content was invariably one thing—he wanted Midorima to kill Obito to avenge Orochimaru.
"That's difficult."
"I know. But I don't want to die with my eyes open," Kimimaro said.
"Don't worry, your eyes will close," Midorima comforted him.
Orochimaru might still be resurrected.
"..."
Kimimaro felt a bit irritated. Was that supposed to be comforting?
Nevertheless, Kimimaro patiently communicated with Midorima, preparing to hand over Sakon/Ukon, Tayuya, and Kidōmaru to him.
"Those three aren't like me; they still have a long road ahead. I hope you can take care of them."
"Haha..."
Midorima brushed it off vaguely.
If it were Kabuto, he might have considered it. After all, Kabuto was strong both in his ability to handle matters and his talent for ninjutsu. But these three were truly deadweight.
"I don't know much about you, but I understand you must want Lord Orochimaru's collected items. Jūgo is important, but he's only one piece among Lord Orochimaru's many collections. If I don't agree, why should I hand over Lord Orochimaru's collections to you? Besides, even though they're deadweight, they're still living people. Even if they can't defeat others, they can still run. Don't you really need your own forces?" Kimimaro patiently persuaded.
Midorima inwardly smiled bitterly.
He did need his own forces, but these three were Orochimaru's people. And Orochimaru might crawl out of the "Cursed Seal of Heaven" at any moment. When that happened, these three would still rely on Orochimaru.
After all his effort, he'd end up with nothing.
But what Kimimaro said was also an issue; after all, he needed to show some sincerity too.
"I understand. In that case... I'll try to take down Uchiha Madara."
In every sense, Midorima and Obito were destined for a confrontation.
"Really!?" Kimimaro was overjoyed. "In that case, I'll have Sakon and the others help you."
"..."
After long negotiations on the road, they reached a "cooperation agreement": Yusuke would do his best to eliminate "Uchiha Madara." Tayuya and the others could choose for themselves. In exchange, Kimimaro would give Yusuke all of Orochimaru's collections and research results.
Both sides were satisfied with this "agreement"; they both gained a future.
The human experimentation site was Orochimaru's Northern Stronghold, and its geographical location was quite remote.
It was said that it housed "monsters," and indeed, they were all born in the human experimentation labs.
More frighteningly, these monsters, as test subjects, all had "Cursed Seals" placed on them.
In other words, once they entered an uncontrolled state, these people would cause uncontrollable chaos, and Jūgo, imprisoned there, might also escape because of it.
"If that guy gets out, he'll definitely cause chaos. As for where he'd escape to afterward, that's hard to say," Kimimaro said leisurely.
Alerted by Kimimaro, Midorima realized the seriousness of the situation. Without another word, he hoisted Kimimaro onto his shoulder and quickly headed towards the Northern Stronghold.
"Could you slow down a bit? I might not make it," Kimimaro felt his stomach wasn't doing well.
"Shut up. I've never even carried a woman before, so count yourself lucky," Midorima said discontentedly.
Such an important matter, and he only remembered now. How careless.
When they reached the Northern Stronghold, Kimimaro was barely hanging on, clutching Midorima's neck tightly. Midorima frowned.
The gates of the Northern Stronghold were wide open, and blood was flowing out from them.
After steadying himself, Kimimaro leaned against a nearby rock, panting heavily, while warning Midorima, who was walking towards the gate, to be careful.
Midorima nodded, heightened his vigilance, gripped a kunai in his hand, and glanced sideways with the corner of his eye.
But right up to the gate, he encountered no ambushing monsters.
Midorima's heart wasn't at ease; instead, he was somewhat worried.
He wasn't afraid of ambushes; he was afraid Jūgo had left. If that happened, all his previous efforts would be wasted.
As soon as he passed through the gate and entered the long corridor, a thick smell of blood assaulted him.
This smell was more potent than any Midorima had encountered before, as if dozens of corpses were piled together somewhere on this level.
Someone who had never been around corpses before would easily faint.
Midorima suppressed his nausea, took a deep breath, feeling his stomach churn slightly, but inwardly he felt a surge of joy—this was indeed the smell of blood, with no hint of decay. It meant these people had died not long ago. Even if Jūgo had left, he couldn't be too far away.
Suddenly, a sound came from behind Midorima's ear.
Jūgo!?
Midorima quickly turned around, only to see five ninja who had appeared from nowhere, surrounding Kimimaro.
"Who are they? Are they from this place?" Midorima asked.
The Northern Stronghold also needed normal ninja to function. Otherwise, if the entire stronghold were monsters, with Jūgo being a big monster, wouldn't that be chaotic?
Previously, with Orochimaru's suppression, these "monsters" remained calm. Now, with Orochimaru dead, these "monsters" lost their restraint, leading to an out-of-control situation.
Kimimaro shook his head. "I don't know either. They look like some no-name rogue ninja. Not sure how they ended up here."
"It seems Orochimaru's chosen location wasn't that hidden either," Midorima吐槽ed.
"Hey, who are you? Are you in cahoots with those monsters? Do you know what you've done? Can you take responsibility?" The leader was a slim ninja with long golden hair. He reached out to touch Kimimaro but had his wrist grabbed by him.
"Even though I'm sick, I'm not someone the likes of you can bully," Kimimaro said coldly.