Hidan voiced his complaints loudly as he trudged through the forest with Kakuzu.

"Man I want to finish those leaf brats off as much as you do but why are we going to them again? This is such a pain in the ass. Can't we just let the others take care of then when they come for the kyuubi brat? I don't feel like walking all this way again." Hidan said.

"Because the leaf shinobi will track us endlessly regardless and besides, I'm sure it'll be the same brats from before with a few others. We can handle them easily. Just don't get too reckless this time. I won't be able to sew your head back on again if we get separated." Kakuzu said.

"Pssh, you're the one to talk, Kakuzu. You're the one with anger management issues. My partners actually lasted longer than a week." Hidan retorted.

"Don't get so cocky, this mission could very well be your last." Kakuzu said.

Hidan laughed. "I wish I could have that risk but I can't. No one's ever succeeded, not even you. What makes you think a few weaklings could?" Hidan asked.

"I'm just saying it because someone could outsmart your small brain someday." Kakuzu said.

"Right, like they ever could, dumbass. Don't forget although you have four hearts you can still die. You've still got that to worry about and you're nothing special either." Hidan said.

Hidan stared at his partner for any comebacks but he walked in silence.

"What's the matter with you? Did I hurt your feelings, Kakuzu? You shouldn't pick fights you can't win, dumbass." Hidan stared at him. He growled in frustration. "Well aren't you going to at least answer me?!"

"It's not that I'm speechless, Hidan. I'm choosing not to play your childish game. You can at least do us both a favour by shutting up. I'm in no mood to put up with you right now." Kakuzu said.

"Hey screw you; I'm not in a good mood to walk around aimlessly all day like this so suck it up. You can vent your anger on those brats." Hidan said.

They walked silently for twenty minutes before Kakuzu stuck out his arm.

"Hey, Kakuzu, why did you stop me?" Hidan asked.

"We need to be careful. We're walking out in the open now." He said.

"So what do I care if a few people see us? We can easily kill them before they scream for help." Hidan said.

"As I said earlier, you shouldn't be so cocky. We have no idea who's around this area." Kakuzu said.

"Honestly, Kakuzu, do you think some puny ninja are going to stop us again his time? I don't think so."

Hidan walked ahead but Kakuzu stopped him again.

"Hey what's your problem? First you warn me of being cocky and now you won't let me walk ahead?" Hidan yelled.

"Keep your voice down, Hidan. Are you so thick headed you don't sense them coming?" Kakuzu asked.

"What are you talking about?" Hidan surveyed the area carefully. He smiled. "Hey, you're right, there is someone coming. SO those leaf brats finally caught up with us, eh?"

"You're so think you wouldn't' have noticed them until they were in front of you." Kakuzu said.

"I'll remind you you didn't do any better last time either. But considering I'm in a good mood now I'll forgive you this time."

Hidan took out his three bladed scythe and positioned himself.

"So are you going to try to find Asuma after so we can finish him off?" Hidan asked.

"The risk wouldn't' be worth it considering we don't' know if he's dead or alive. We can try if you really want the bounty." Kakuzu said.

"Heh I was only asking to see if you would actually go after him. I have no interest in money whatsoever. If you want to go after Asuma again you're on your own." Hidan said.

"Fine then we'll leave the village after this, get ready." Kakuzu said.

Back in the other end Kakashi joined Shikamaru at the front.

"Shikamaru, the enemy is up ahead. We should get into formation now." He said.

"Yeah you're right, there's no time to waste. Listen up everyone. It's time we get into formation now. Hidan and Kakuzu are up ahead." Shikamaru said.

All three nodded and jumped down into a large bush upon a hill with their enemy below.

'This is it, Shikamaru, there's no turning back. This time I'm going to take them down. Remain calm and remember what I learned from the last encounter.' Shikamaru thought to himself as he waited for the right time to strike.

"Don't think you can hide from us when you're this close. We know you're there so come out before we make you!" Hidan yelled.

'What? How can they now we're here already? Did they sense our presence beforehand?' Shikamaru thought.

"What should we do now, Shikamaru, they know we're here. Should we jump out now?" Naruto whispered.

"Stay here until I give the signal. We don't' want to rush in just yet." Shikamaru said.

"There's no use hiding in the bushes all day. If you're going to sit there all day then I'll make the first move."

Kakuzu detached his right hand and sprung it towards his unsuspecting enemies above. It smashed through the tree, narrowly missing the group.

"That was a warning shot. The next one will pierce through all of you." Kakuzu said.

"I think you should have hit them with it the first time, I would have." Hidan said.

"I will face my opponents face to face. I have no patience for one's who hide." Kakuzu said.

Shikamaru jumped down from the bush.

"You're right, there's no point hiding from someone who knows you're already there." He said.

"You ran away from us last time you little chicken. I told you to stay there so we could come back and finish our fight." Hidan said.

"Yeah well I don't listen to scum bags like you. Besides, fro the looks of it you two had other sudden arrangements to attend to." Shikamaru said.

"You little brat, do you think you can still talk to us like we're trash? Did you forget what happened last time?" Hidan said.

"No, and that's why I've come to end all of this now. You're jutsu didn't kill Asuma, either. He's still alive." Shikamaru said.

Hidan gritted his teeth. "Damnit, now I'm really pissed. My jutsu always works. He should have died!" Hidan said.

"That doesn't matter now, Hidan. The point is Asuma's out of commission for the time being." Kakuzu said.

"Are you stupid? Of course it matter's that he's still alive! I can't please the god Jashin if my ritual didn't work! It means I have to make a double sacrifice this time, and I think I'll start with this kid!" Hidan said.

"But you're not alone, you've brought others. Bring them out now." Kakuzu said.

"I don't care I'm not waiting. I'm going to get this over with now!" Hidan said.

"Ino, Choji, Naruto, now!" Shikamaru yelled as he held up his right hand.

Choji and Ino threw kunais and shurkines as Naruto used his multi shadow clone jutsu. Hidan blocked the weapons with his scythe but was quickly engulfed by Naruto's clones.

"Ha-ha, you think this puny technique is going to stop me?"

Hidan flailed his scythe wildly as he quickly disposed of the clones that disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared Hidan stood up slowly and placed the weapon on his shoulders.

"It's going to take more than shadow clones to bring me down." Hidan said.

"I warned you not to be so reckless." Kakuzu said.

'Thankfully I planned for Hidan to rush in. Now we can go to faze two and attempt to separate them.' Shikamaru watched the two carefully.

"This can't be all of your team. You must have a jonin hiding somewhere. I don't think you would be foolish enough to make the same mistake twice." Kakuzu said.

Shikamaru smiled. "Maybe we do, and maybe we don't. I am young after all, you never know."

"Maybe this kid was stupid enough to. After all, he's foolish for thinking he'll live after running into us twice." Hidan raised his scythe. "What ever, I'm going ahead."

He inched forward but found himself unable to move.

"You gotta be kidding me; not this jutsu again! That's it kid; you're really dead this time. I'll enjoy slowly killing you!" Hidan yelled.

Kakuzu sprung both arms at the group who tried to defend Shikamaru but were easily pushed out of the way.

'He's so strong.' Naruto thought as he struggled to get up. He watched as Kakuzu's hand's darted towards Shikamaru.

Kakashi leaped from a nearby and used his lightning blade to sever the strings. Kakuzu's hands fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Eh, who the hell is this guy?" Hidan asked.

Kakuzu stared at him for a moment. "His name is Kakashi Hatake." He said.

"Kakashi Hatake, should I know him?" Hidan asked.

"He's also known widely as the copy ninja." Kakuzu said.

"The copy ninja…Oh yeah, I have heard of this guy! He's supposed to be some highly skilled ninja, right?" Hidan said.

"His father was Sakumo Hatake who committed suicide shortly after a mission during the war." Kakuzu said.

"Ha-ha, are you serious? How pathetic! He must have been the laughing stock of the country!" Hidan said.

"How is it your organization has records of my father?" Kakashi asked pulling out a kunai.

"Akatsuki keeps records of highly skilled shinobi such as your self. kyuubi's aren't the only ones we keep a track of. There is a side bounty on your head as well." Kakuzu said.

"Kakuzu do you think you can shut up about bounty's for awhile? I'm sick of hearing you talk about it all the time." Hidan said.

"Money is an important aspect in order for akatsuki to reach its goal. In other words, without missions or any bounty, akatsuki isn't possible." Kakuzu said.

"Yeah, yeah, I know about all that stuff I just don't care!" Hidan said.

"And that's why you're so small minded." Kakuzu said.

"What did you say, Kakuzu? Do you want me to kick your ass?" Hidan yelled.

Kakuzu reattached his arm. "Look I'll keep quiet about money for a little while if you promise to stop bickering." Kakuzu said.

"How about I'll shut up about your money issues if you let me take this kid by myself?" Hidan gestured to Shikamaru.

"Should I remind you again what happened last time we fought him?" Kakuzu warned.

"Of course I haven't forgotten again but I'll be more careful this time now that I know what this kid is capable of." Hidan said.

"I still think you'll get your head cut off again." Kakuzu said.

"Come on, we're partner's, aren't we? Give me a break. I promise the same thing won't happen twice. You'll have your bounty and I'll have another completed ritual that you won't have to stick around to watch." Hidan said.

"Should we attack now, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked.

"No we'll let them attack first. Just let them keep talking. We want them to want to fight on their own." Kakashi said.

Naruto nodded as he pulled out a kunai.

Kakuzu stared at Hidan for a moment.

"Please, Kakuzu-san?" Hidan pleaded.

"Fine but if you get yourself buried alive don't expect me come looking for you." Kakuzu said.

"I wouldn't want you to anyway. I'll dig myself out if I have to." Hidan said.