Before Tahm and Jiraiya even drew close to the Hidden Hot Water Village, they could already hear endless screams and wails. Fires raged everywhere, and the thunderous sound of collapsing buildings rang out from time to time.
The two of them broke into the village, only to find that the once-prosperous streets had become a wasteland. Firelight and blood reflected across Tahm's face, leaving him unable to utter a word.
The Hidden Hot Water Village was a permanently neutral country. Years of peace had given it the title of a "shinobi village," but it possessed no corresponding military strength. Not only were its ninja few in number, but their combat prowess was sorely lacking.
Yet as a paradise untouched by war, even without military power, its people lived no less comfortably than those of Konoha, the Shinobi World's hegemon.
Happiness and tranquility were Tahm's first impressions of the place.
Everyone on the streets wore satisfied smiles. With its resources, scenery, and hot springs gifted by heaven, this was a place that truly embodied the meaning of "little joys in life." Tahm had fallen in love with it after being there for only half a day.
However, the streets of the Hidden Hot Water Village were now filled with wandering, infected corpses that were half-human and half-White Zetsu.
Several explosions of ninjutsu sounded in the distance. The surviving ninja of the Hidden Hot Water Village were presumably fighting to the death, but the sounds were immediately drowned out by desperate screams.
Uncontrolled by Zetsu himself and devoid of reason, the White Zetsu clones were like starving wolves coveting flesh. The moment they spotted Tahm and Jiraiya, they lunged at them desperately.
"Zetsu!" Tahm's voice was filled with suppressed fury. "I know these are all your clones. Can you hear what I'm