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After the vines dragged Hidan into the deep pit, Midorima filled it in.
Within the Akatsuki, Hidan wasn't the strongest member. Itachi, for example, definitely had ways to deal with him—even if he couldn't kill Hidan, he could ensure his own survival.
Hidan's strength lay in two areas. First, his immortality, which caused panic in opponents. After all, "immortal" in many people's eyes was almost synonymous with "unstoppable." Prolonged engagement seemed to offer almost no chance of killing Hidan.
Secondly, Hidan's "Curse Technique" was extremely powerful. Especially when one didn't understand it, even powerhouses like Jinchūriki or Asuma could easily be caught off guard and suffer a "first-encounter kill."
But this was like playing a game. Even the most formidable boss had its own mechanics. Once you understood the mechanics, winning was just a matter of time. If you failed once, you tried again.
Hidan wasn't a boss that won through sheer "statistical" superiority; he was an enemy who killed using "mechanics."
Midorima not only knew the mechanics of Hidan's "Curse Technique" but also had a "guide" to follow. Therefore, dealing with Hidan was actually easier for him than dealing with Kakuzu. But for others, even Jūgo, facing Hidan for the first time carried a high probability of death.
That was the terrifying aspect of Hidan.
Since Hidan was genuinely difficult to kill—even the official databooks only mentioned he could die from prolonged starvation due to lack of nutrition, commonly known as "starving to death"—Midorima could only compact the soil above the pit as solidly as possible, preventing any escape, until Hidan eventually starved.
Then he turned to find Kakuzu and Jūgo.
Their battle wasn't over, but the situation surprised Midorima somewhat.
Jūgo had destroyed one of Kakuzu's hearts, but Kakuzu had also summoned three black monsters.
Midorima remembered these monsters were "creations" formed from hearts combined with Earth Grudge Fear, capable of using different elemental ninjutsu.
Jūgo's situation wasn't great either; his body was covered in wounds.
Midorima believe Jūgo's current predicament indicated two things: first, Jūgo might have been overconfident; second, Kakuzu used his combat experience to suppress Jūgo.
They wouldn't determine a victor in a short time.
Considering Jūgo indeed needed to improve his combat experience, Midorima didn't intervene immediately. Instead, he quickly scanned the area and found Makoto behind a large tree. "Ma'am, where are you injured?"
"Both legs," Makoto smiled bitterly. "If it were other injuries, I might still be able to move. But now... I can't walk at all."
"Can I take a look?" Midorima knelt.
"Sure." Makoto nodded.
Midorima placed his hand over Makoto's wound, simultaneously injecting chakra to examine the injury.
Her injury wasn't complex. After Hidan used his curse technique, he inflicted the "spear reflection" damage by piercing his own leg, thereby injuring her.
Since it didn't hit any vital areas, treating it wasn't too troublesome for Midorima.
While examining the wound, Midorima went ahead and healed it.
"There, try moving it. See if it feels better?" Midorima released his hand and asked.
Makoto instinctively stretched her legs, astonished to find they were completely healed.
"I've studied some medical ninjutsu. I can treat simple injuries like this." Midorima helped Makoto stand.
"You're Asachi Midorima, right?" Makoto asked.
Midorima nodded.
"Finally meeting you in person."
"..." Midorima felt a headache coming. "I am alive."
"But aren't you wanted? We all thought you'd never return to Kirigakure."
Midorima gave a "heh heh" laugh. "I grew up here. Where else could I go?"
Midorima's primary reason for returning was still his concern about the "Akatsuki," but he couldn't say that openly.
"By the way, why were they attacking you?" Midorima asked.
"It was for... Oh no!" Makoto slapped her leg. "The rebels are launching a surprise attack on Kirigakure! I can't waste any more time here."
"Huh?"
Midorima could understand the existence of rebels, but "surprise attack on Kirigakure"? What was that about?
"Our forces have already moved out. We need to deal with this last person quickly so I can join the attack on Kirigakure." Makoto rolled up her sleeves; the air temperature around her noticeably dropped.
Midorima broke into a cold sweat.
Seriously? Why did something as serious as "surprise attacking Kirigakure" sound like child's play coming from Makoto?
"Are you serious?" Midorima had to double-check.
"Of course. People inside the village have already begun to act." Makoto explained.
"There are people inside the village supporting you?" Midorima's mind was reeling.
According to the original storyline, the one who overthrew the Fourth Mizukage was Mei Terumī.
It seemed the presence of the Third Mizukage had increased the difficulty of her rebellion.
"It's Hōzuki Mangetsu and Zabuza. They infiltrated Kirigakure as inside support." Makoto explained.
"Um... Maybe you should wait a moment. After we deal with Kakuzu, we'll all head to Kirigakure together." Midorima turned around, seeing Kakuzu currently overpowering Jūgo. He then formed hand seals, and a water dragon shot from his mouth, separating the two.
Jūgo was panting heavily, his clothes soaked through. Kakuzu was also drenched in sweat, his chakra consumption quite significant.
"Where's Hidan?" Kakuzu, seeing Midorima appear alone, was surprised.
Hidan dead?
That's impossible.
Kakuzu could hardly imagine Hidan dying.
So, the only explanation was that Hidan escaped and was hiding somewhere, recovering his strength.
"Buried," Midorima answered.
"What?" Kakuzu thought he misheard.
"I mean, I dug a pit and buried him." Midorima explained again.
"There's no way he'd let you bury him!?" Kakuzu shook his head.
This must be psychological warfare.
What a lunatic.
"He didn't have a choice. But don't worry. I won't bury you... Someone like you only deserves to die in some desolate wilderness." Midorima cracked his knuckles. "Jūgo!"
"Yes." Jūgo rubbed his shoulder, responding.
"We'll take him on together. Let's finish Kakuzu off." Midorima grinned.
"Is that necessary? I can handle him alone." Jūgo thought Midorima was doubting him.
"No. There's trouble in Kirigakure. We can't afford to waste time on him." Midorima said.
"You... Bastard!"
Kakuzu panicked too.
Dealing with Jūgo alone was already exhausting. Now adding Midorima? That was practically asking for his life.
"Did you feel shameless when you were killing people before?" Midorima formed hand seals, instantly creating four clones identical to himself. "Jūgo!"
"Alright!"
Jūgo clenched his fists and charged towards Kakuzu with all his might.
Kakuzu didn't dare be careless either. The remaining three black monsters gathered on his arms.
This was a life-or-death struggle. Kakuzu could no longer afford to hold back; he had to exert his full strength for one last-ditch effort.