Chapter 7
The Mission Starts
Hidan and Kakuzu went back into their room. Hidan wanted some action but Kakuzu denied him. They had to pack for their mission. The Akatsuki had been low on funds for a while and Kakuzu had a long list of people with bounties on their heads. The two zombie ninjas were instructed by Pein to capture, kill and exchange the body of Sarutobi Asuma for a handsome fee. Kakuzu was excited for this was a mission where he could do his bounty hunting not as a side hobby. Unfortunately he was sad that he couldn't keep the money for himself. Hidan and Kakuzu left the base and started the long trek to Konoha. But, before they left, Kakuzu had enough common sense to ask Itachi about Asuma. Itachi told him that he used a wind style jutsu; this would have no advantage over Kakuzu's earth style so this would be a fair fight. Hidan's jutsu might have an advantage though. As they were walking Kakuzu was thinking up strategies because he knew Hidan was too much of a bone head to be doing this himself.
About seven hours later, they arrived at the doors of Konohagakure. Both were wearing the standard hat, cloak and rings of the Akatsuki to conceal their identities as individuals, but to also alert others of who they were as an organization. They killed the guards standing outside the gate and left the corpses for men, women and children to view. For the last hour, Hidan had been whining something about being hungry… They stopped at Ichiraku Ramen and each got a bowl of the special-of-the-day. Kakuzu reluctantly paid the bill and they were on their way to finding the elusive Sarutobi Asuma.
While walking through the peaceful village, they came across some kids playing a game of soccer. One little boy with goggles, spiky brown hair and a long scarf kicked the ball a little too hard and it went rolling across the road. Hidan stopped the ball with his foot as Kakuzu bent down to pick it up. As he did, he sent one of his black tentacles into the ball, creating a pin-sized hole. Hidan looked confused as he threw the ball back over to the kids.
"Thank you Mister!" a little girl shouted from the field, she had pigtails sticking straight up on the top of her head at weird angles. She was also wearing large green goggles. Lastly, a second boy who was always seemed to have a runny nose and was always wiping his nose on his sleeve caught the ball. He was also wearing a pair of the awkward green goggles. He put the ball back in play and they resumed their game. Hidan and Kakuzu kept on walking and once he knew the kids were out of ear-shot Hidan asked Kakuzu;
"What did you to their ball?"
"Well, with each kick the ball will slightly deflate, therefore ruining a perfectly expensive soccer ball. Also, it's just fun to ruin some little kid's day." Kakuzu responded.
Hidan then threw a playful punch at his lover and said
"Teme…"
"I love you too Hidan…"
The two ninjas kept walking forward in search of the ever elusive Sarutobi Asuma.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the village…
"Kurenai, may I intrest you in dinner tonight?"
"Asuma! Only but of course." Kurenai blushed, taking Asuma's hand in her own.
