37.Nadare Rōga

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Guided by the ninja hounds, Midorima and his two companions arrived at the deepest part of the estate—a stone cave built into the mountainside. Dim light seeped out from within. 

Five or six soldiers stood guard at the cave entrance, more than they had anticipated. 

Without a word, Zabuza silently moved behind them and swiftly dispatched them with fatal precision. 

The three then infiltrated the cave. 

It was only a matter of time before Zabuza's killings were discovered, so they had to rescue Koyuki within that window. As for how they would escape afterward—that was a problem for later. 

The cave sloped downward, with occasional branching paths, but the ninja hounds ran straight ahead without hesitation, leading them all the way to the deepest part—a massive wooden door. 

Midorima gently pushed it open, revealing a brightly lit chamber. 

The room was a large, elaborately decorated stone hall, though cluttered with machinery. At the far end stood a tall wooden chair, upon which a young girl was tightly bound. 

Just as Kakashi was about to step inside, Midorima suddenly grabbed his arm and performed the Water Clone Technique. 

This was Dotō's territory—who knew what traps might be lying in wait? 

Understanding immediately, Kakashi also formed a Shadow Clone, which slipped into the room and darted toward the girl. But the moment the clone reached her, over a dozen ice pillars dropped from above, shattering the clone and sealing the girl behind an icy barrier. 

Just as expected… 

Kakashi gave Midorima a thumbs-up. 

Midorima nodded slightly, though he felt no relief. 

This confirmed that their enemy was prepared. But if that was the case… why were the defenses in Dotō's estate so weak? 

As Midorima pondered this, a voice echoed from within the room. 

"Hah! Looks like you didn't fall for it." 

Midorima immediately turned toward the sound and saw a purple-haired ninja perched atop one of the ice pillars. 

Nadare Rōga… 

Midorima recognized him instantly. Unlike their last encounter, Nadare now wore a white ninja suit. 

If Midorima remembered correctly, the equipment on that suit was formidable. He wasn't sure if Kakashi could handle it. 

"What now? Kill him?" Zabuza, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. 

"No, not yet," Midorima stopped him. "We still don't know if that girl is really Koyuki." 

He suspected a trap, but he had no proof. 

"No need to worry… that really is Koyuki inside. After all, to catch a big fish, you need good bait," Nadare smirked. 

"You seem awfully confident about defeating us," Kakashi said as he pushed open the door and stepped inside. 

Since their movements had already been predicted, there was no point in hiding anymore. 

"That's exactly why Koyuki is still here," Nadare said, watching the three enter. "Kakashi, Zabuza, and…" 

Midorima stared intently at Nadare, just as Nadare stared back. 

"...Random Extra." 

"..." 

So he hadn't even bothered to investigate. 

Midorima felt a pang of disappointment. It was like everyone else had bounties in the millions, while his was a measly 50—proof of how little he mattered. 

Even though their strength wasn't that different. 

"You three are strong, sure. But in a place like this, with Koyuki right here… can you really fight without holding back?" Nadare laughed. 

The trio immediately understood why Koyuki had been left here. 

"Hey hey, Purple Rooster, you've got it all wrong. Saving Koyuki is Konoha's mission—it has nothing to do with us. Here we've got two Kirigakure shinobi and one guy from Konoha… why the hell should we listen to you?" 

In an instant, Zabuza moved. 

His speed was blinding—within two or three seconds, he was already in front of Yukigakure. 

Zabuza's actions caught Nadare off guard. He had forgotten the blood feud between Kirigakure and Konoha. Koyuki's death would be bad for Konoha, but for Kirigakure? 

Not so much. 

"Miscalculation!" 

Cold sweat broke out on Nadare's forehead. 

Just then, two explosive-tagged kunai shot toward Zabuza from behind. 

"Zabuza, stand down! This isn't the place for your recklessness!" Kakashi shouted, chasing after him. 

Nadare leaped from the ice pillar, smirking. 

This was more like it. 

If Konoha and Kirigakure fought, he could reap the benefits. 

"Damn it!" 

Seeing the kunai closing in, Zabuza had no choice but to dodge. 

The two kunai struck the ice pillar— 

BOOM! 

The explosion echoed through the stone chamber, sending shattered ice flying in all directions. 

Caught in the blast wave mid-air, Nadare had no time to evade. His body was flung backward like a kite in a storm. 

"Shit! Koyuki—!" 

He frantically looked down—only to see a black shadow darting through the falling ice like an arrow, reaching Koyuki in the blink of an eye. 

"Damn it! It's Random Extra! I've been tricked—!" 

Nadare quickly formed hand signs. 

"Hyōton: Yukigakure no Jutsu!" (Ice Release: Snow Avalanche Technique!) 

A massive snow wolf surged forward, crashing into the shadow. 

CRASH! 

Ice and stone fragments exploded outward. 

But the shadow broke through the debris, landing safely in the distance. 

Kakashi turned—and saw Midorima standing up, Koyuki safely in his arms. Only then did he let out a breath of relief, his estimation of Midorima rising yet again. 

Zabuza's sudden attack had been unexpected. Kakashi's counterattack was a last resort—but Midorima had seized the fleeting opportunity it created. 

If he had failed, both he and Koyuki would have died. 

But now, their biggest restraint was gone. 

"Anything else to say?" Kakashi glared at Nadare. 

Nadare, disheveled and furious, stared at Midorima. 

How had a nobody turned the tables like this?! 

But soon, he regained his composure. 

"You really think you've won?" Nadare forced a smile. "It's not that simple. Didn't you find it strange when you arrived? Why were there so few soldiers and ninja?" 

Midorima's expression darkened. That was exactly what had been bothering him. 

In his arms, Koyuki stirred awake, her eyes wide with confusion and fear as she trembled. 

"Tunnels… get it? We have tunnels that bypass the palace walls and guards, leading straight inside. All your preparations were for nothing. Before the guards even realize what's happening, Sōsetsu Kazahana will be dead!" Nadare's face twisted into a vicious grin. 

Damn it—Mei! 

Cold sweat instantly beaded on Midorima's forehead. 

And at that moment— 

SLAM! 

The heavy door behind them slammed shut. 

From hidden passages within the room, twenty to thirty ninja emerged, surrounding the four of them.