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Dotō was furious.
He had been ready to take matters into his own hands, his chakra already transformed, only to be ambushed from behind.
These youngsters nowadays were truly despicable.
What was even more infuriating was the thick smoke obscuring his vision, making it impossible to see his opponent's face. He could only guess their approximate age from their voice.
Being struck without even knowing what the enemy looked like—how humiliating.
"Who are you?!" Dotō glared at the shadowy figure barely visible through the dense fog, his voice laced with displeasure.
"Me? Hey, big guy, we've already wrapped things up on our end. Haven't you figured out how to surrender yet?" Midorima smirked at the towering silhouette before him. "Sorry to break it to you, but your ambush in the stone cave has been dismantled. Oh, and by the way, Princess Koyuki has been rescued. Dotō, you're finished!"
Dotō froze, momentarily at a loss.
Koyuki had been rescued? How was that possible?
And what about Nadare? What about all the Snow-nin? Not to mention, they had Koyuki as a hostage—how could they have been defeated so easily?
This had to be a lie!
Right, some brat who appeared out of nowhere, spouting nonsense—did he really think Dotō was that gullible?
"You bastard…" Dotō sneered. "Do you take me for some naive fool? Your lies won't shake me!"
Midorima blinked. This guy didn't seem particularly bright.
Then again, that wasn't surprising.
If he had been smart, he wouldn't have recklessly killed his own brother without even knowing what the so-called "treasure" was.
Who would gamble their entire fortune on a mystery box?
At the very least, Midorima wouldn't.
"Then let's test that theory, shall we?" Midorima grinned.
"I don't have time for games!" Dotō snarled, channeling chakra into his hands once more. "Hyōton: Sōryū Fubuki!" (Ice Release: Twin Dragon Blizzard)
The air temperature plummeted as two black dragons composed of snow and frost surged through the mist, lunging straight for Midorima.
Behind Midorima stood Koyuki and the others. If he dodged, they would be caught in the attack.
Without hesitation, Midorima swiftly formed hand seals. "Suiton: Suijinheki!" (Water Release: Water Wall)
A wall of water rose before them, intercepting the twin dragons. The moment the dragons passed through, the water froze solid into an icy barrier.
"Hah! You can't stop them! Die!" Dotō cackled madly.
"Suiton: Suijinheki!" (Water Release: Water Wall)
Mei Terumī conjured another water wall, finally halting the dragons' advance.
Enraged that his attack had been blocked, Dotō formed another set of seals. "Hyōton: Kokuryū Fubuki!" (Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard)
A massive black dragon wreathed in freezing air materialized, charging forward.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique) Asuma exhaled a blazing fireball.
The combined force of Mei's "Suiton: Suijinchū" (Water Release: Water Pillar) and Asuma's flames weakened the black dragon, but it still pressed onward.
Mei and Asuma dodged to either side, while Kurenai, carrying Koyuki, barely evaded the attack.
Just as Dotō prepared to unleash another technique, a voice whispered in his ear.
"Stop. Or you die."
Dotō's eyes widened. He hadn't sensed anyone approaching—when had this happened? A cold kunai now rested against his throat, its edge biting into his skin.
"You—"
"You have no chance. If I could kill you once, I can kill you twice." Midorima's grip tightened, the blade drawing blood.
"Then do it! If you lack the guts, then die!" Dotō tried to shake Midorima off, but the kunai didn't budge. Blood seeped into his collar.
"You really think I won't kill? If I couldn't, how would I survive as a shinobi in this cruel world?"
Midorima's arms locked around Dotō's neck, ready to snap it—until Mei suddenly appeared, driving a fist into Dotō's stomach. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.
"We can't kill him yet. We need him to stop the fighting outside," Mei murmured.
Midorima nodded, handing Dotō over to her.
With their leader captured, the tide of battle shifted entirely. Dotō's forces lost all will to fight.
Faced with their commander's defeat and Sōsetsu's promise of mercy, the remaining rebels surrendered.
Just like that, the battle was over.
The six of them had fought through the night, utterly exhausted. If not for Midorima's mastery of Zabuza's "Silent Killing" technique—allowing him to slip past Dotō's defenses—the battle might have dragged on, and casualties would have been inevitable.
By the time Midorima woke the next evening, Mei filled him in on the aftermath—all rebels had been imprisoned.
This was within Midorima's expectations.
Sōsetsu had only promised not to execute them, but letting them off without consequences would invite further rebellion.
Even the most benevolent ruler couldn't afford repeated uprisings.
"Lord Sōsetsu mentioned that Snow Country might build another railway soon. These prisoners will likely be sent to work on it," Mei said with a smirk.
Midorima scratched his head.
Building railroads in snow-covered terrain was no easy feat. Working in freezing conditions would be brutal.
Surviving that ordeal would truly be a testament to their resilience.
"What about Dotō?"
This was Sōsetsu's family matter, and Midorima shouldn't pry too deeply. But as a key participant in Dotō's capture, he couldn't help but wonder about his fate.
"Him? For now, Sōsetsu has only confiscated his assets. As for his personal fate… probably lifetime imprisonment." Mei clicked her tongue, clearly dissatisfied.
The mastermind behind it all had survived—Mei found it hard to believe.
But this was Sōsetsu's decision, and no outsider had the right to interfere.
She glanced at Midorima, who had walked to the window, stretching lazily. "You seem in high spirits."
"Huh?" Midorima turned, surprised. "You can tell?"
"Your grin's practically reaching your ears. I'm not blind," Mei retorted.
"Because we just completed an S-rank mission." Midorima's eyes curved into satisfied crescents.