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"If it wasn't you, and it wasn't Konoha, then it implies there might be a third party deliberately stirring the pot," Midorima mused, rubbing his chin.
"Who could it be?" Tayuya asked.
'Who else could it be? Obito is absolutely suspect number one.' Midorima thought to himself.
Kakashi's Sharingan originally belonged to Obito. With both Mangekyo Sharingan, Obito could utilize the complete power of "Kamui." Therefore, he had both the greatest motive and the highest possibility.
But Midorima wouldn't say that outright. After all, it wasn't easy to explain the reasoning behind such a guess.
"Continue with what happened next," Midorima instructed.
Tayuya sighed. "Because there were Jonin among the deceased, Konoha wanted a thorough investigation. However, Konoha leading a full investigation meant they would effectively take control of Otogakure. That was something the villagers of Otogakure did not want to see. The reason they gathered in Otogakure was for a place of peace, not to become a vassal of another ninja village. Under these circumstances, Kimimaro decided to go to Konoha personally to explain the matter to Lady Tsunade. Considering the risks involved, Kidomaru, Sakon, and I did not accompany him. Kimimaro's thinking at the time was that if all four of us went to Konoha and a conflict erupted, we could all perish there, and Otogakure would be finished. But not long after, the ninja who had gone with Kimimaro to Konoha returned with the bodies of their comrades. According to them, they had been ambushed by Konoha shinobi... Not only Kimimaro, but the other Otogakure ninja who went with him also died in Konoha. The reason they were able to return was that Tsunade, overriding opposition, released them."
Tayuya clenched her fists, tears flowing ceaselessly.
"But you just said Tsunade is no longer Hokage..."
"She was at the time... Kimimaro's death hit us hard. Although Otogakure is no match for Konoha, the fact that Kimimaro died in Konoha angered many villagers. And so, conflict broke out between the two villages. It was during this time that Tsunade lost her position as Hokage..."
"So, you're saying the fighting between Konoha and Otogakure is still ongoing?" Midorima asked, puzzled.
"While it's not sustained, sporadic clashes are still happening..." Tayuya confirmed.
"Then why come looking for me?" Midorima was baffled.
"Kimimaro once said that if we ever faced trouble, we should find you..."
"I never promised to look after you. What's more, I don't have that kind of capability," Midorima shook his head.
Instantly, the look in Tayuya's eyes toward Midorima turned sharp and icy. "I misjudged you!"
"Am I close to you?" Midorima spread his hands. "We've only met a couple of times. For the sake of two meetings, I'm supposed to make an enemy of Konoha? That's just insane..."
Besides, it wasn't even certain if Orochimaru was truly dead. He wasn't about to start a war with Konoha only for Orochimaru to swoop in and reap the benefits. He'd be a fool to do that.
Tayuya opened her mouth but found no words to retort.
"Midorima-sama, you..." Jugo began to speak.
Midorima immediately raised a hand to stop him. He knew all too well what Jugo was about to say.
"Whatever your relationship with Kimimaro was, I don't care. But my relationship with him wasn't so strong that I must become an enemy of Konoha. My agreement with him was solely about avenging Orochimaru."
Jugo nodded and fell silent.
"Is there really no possibility at all?" Tayuya didn't want to give up, still hoping to persuade him.
"None," Midorima shook his head.
Tayuya clenched her fists, ready to argue further, but then heard Midorima continue, "You people... you're really simple-minded. Or perhaps, just lazy."
Midorima pointed to his temple.
"You don't even want to use your own brains. All your choices rely on instinct. A clansman dies, revenge. A family member dies, revenge... You're like puppets, controlled not by your minds but by the strings attached to you. And behind you, someone holds the controller, manipulating your every move. What's even more tragic is that you're completely unaware of it. Not only do you not resist, but you believe your 'choices' are absolutely correct. It's utterly childish. I have no interest in playing house with you."
Midorima waved a dismissive hand and began walking down the mountain.
Jugo hesitated, looking torn. Midorima stopped and glanced back at him. "By the way, Jugo, if you want to go back with her, that's your decision. But you should also think about whether they ever helped you when you were imprisoned, and what, exactly, you can help them with now."
After a brief moment of thought, Jugo followed behind Midorima.
"Wait..." Tayuya hurried to catch up. "You... what do you really know?"
"I don't know anything. But I use my brain," Midorima turned around to face her. "Just as you people didn't kill the Konoha team, do you really think Konoha shinobi would be stupid enough to kill Kimimaro within their own village? When you get down to it, someone is definitely pulling strings behind the scenes."
"Who is pulling the strings?"
"How should I know? Isn't that what needs to be investigated?"
"Where are you going to investigate?"
"Tsunade is no longer Hokage. Finding her won't be easy... It seems these four months really made me miss a lot of developments," Midorima sighed.
Over these four months, significant events must have occurred among the major ninja villages.
*****
At a certain tavern in Tanzaku Quarter.
"Here, bring another bottle!" Tsunade raised her hand, shouting toward Shizune.
Shizune quickly stood up, gesturing to the tavern owner, who brought over another bottle of sake.
"Tsunade-sama, you really shouldn't drink anymore... You've already had three bottles," Shizune whispered, looking at Tsunade's flushed cheeks.
Tsunade snatched the sake bottle, harshly said, "Since when do you tell me what to do?"
"I know you're unhappy. Anyone would be upset in this situation. But please think about the village. We finally saw signs of reconciliation between the Uchiha clan and Konoha. If you leave now, won't all that effort be wasted?" Shizune pleaded.
"Leave? You call this leaving?" Tsunade said, exasperated. "I was forced out. As for the Uchiha matter, let that brat Midorima deal with it!"
Shizune frowned.
Why should Midorima, a Kirigakure ninja, be responsible for the Uchiha clan's affairs?
Besides, from Kirigakure's perspective, wouldn't a conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha be beneficial?
When Midorima had proposed that series of solutions to ease tensions before, it had surprised her. What was even more surprising was that those methods actually seemed to work.
Personally, of course, she trusted Midorima deeply—after all, he had saved her life.
He ranked second in her heart.
First was Tsunade.
Shizune took a deep breath, preparing to try reasoning with Tsunade again, when suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around quickly and saw a familiar face standing before her.
"Midorima!?" Shizune exclaimed in shock.
Was she dreaming?
"Midorima?" Tsunade opened her bleary eyes, saw Midorima's silhouette, mistook it for a visual distortion from the alcohol, and mumbled, "Where have you been all these years?"
"I've been to plenty of places," Midorima said, sitting down cross-legged.
"Really? Tell me about it," Tsunade laughed.
"I have stories. Do you have the sake to listen to them?" Midorima said softly, looking at the drunken, bleary-eyed Tsunade.