I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.
Plan
Asuma stepped out from behind the building, currently behind Hidan, and hurled several shuriken. Hidan spun, using his scythe's cable to block the blades just before Shikamaru caught Hidan with his shadow and Kotetsu and Izumo to drive their blades through Hidan's chest. Then, Asuma reached Hidan, slashing with his trench knife, only for Hidan to deflect the blade with his cable and yank, bringing the scythe flying back toward him. Asuma flipped backward over it as the two chunin also got distance and Asuma glanced back at Shikamaru, finding Kakuzu standing on top of the building. Asuma cursed. He was early.
"Who are you people?" Hidan asked, then stared at the cloth hanging from Asuma's waist. "That symbol. It's from the Guardian Shinobi something-or-other. Ah terrific. Looks like I'm going to have to go back into that sticky collection office." He groaned.
"We are Shinobi of the Leaf Village," Asuma said. "Our orders are to capture or eliminate you, Akatsuki!" He winced slightly at the malice and hatred that had bled into the last word, but Hidan didn't seem to notice, and Kakuzu was as silent as ever. "My plan was to incapacitate you, since you're the one that can't be killed anyway, and then take your partner down."
Hidan chuckled. "Not your lucky day. You're far to slow to land a hit on me. There's only one person in your village that I would actually be worried if he were here, but he's not.
"Hidan, you've struck gold for once," Kakuzu said.
"Kakuzu, just stay out of this," Hidan said. "I want these three for my ritual. You can have them after."
"Very well," Kakuzu said. "But don't get careless. We don't need him showing up while you're in the middle of it."
"I'll make it a quick prayer," Hidan promised, beginning to use his blood to draw a seal.
"Try to capture Hidan with your Shadow Stitching," Asuma said. "Even if it's only for an instant, that's all the time I'll need to take his head off."
"This kind of move is crazy risky," Shikamaru said. "It's not like you."
"I'll go in with you," Kotetsu volunteered.
"Don't you guys get it!?" Asuma snapped. "It's the only move we've got!"
Shikamaru blinked, brow furrowing in confusion.
"Look, these two are stronger than I am," Asuma explained. "Izumo and Kotetsu, you two will provide Shikamaru with backup against the other Akatsuki."
"Now that we have an idea of the enemy's strength, wouldn't it be better for us to fall back and regroup?" Izumo asked. "Or call for back up? That team we met before isn't far away. They could be here in a minute at most if we signaled now."
"You think they're going to just let us turn around and walk away?" Asuma asked. "If we don't stand and fight them right now, we'll be slaughtered, and the leaf Village will be in even more danger. And as for summoning backup, the moment we do, these two might bolt. For now, it's better if we do what we can now, and then signal when we're sure we can keep them from running away."
"He's right," Shikamaru said, as much as I hate to admit it. "But Asuma, Climbing Silver. It's not a role that suits you."
Asuma turned and grinned back at him. "You've got my back, right?"
Shikamaru nodded just as Hidan ripped one of the two swords still impaling him out, then the other.
"Are you done strategizing yet?" Hidan asked. "What annoying flies you are, poking me right and left. The gods shall punish those who don't understand the pain of others."
After a moment, Asuma and Hidan both charged, Hidan using one of the swords to attack, only for Asuma to cut straight through with his trench knife, streaming chakra along it. As soon as he had passed Hidan, he spun, reversing directions on a dime as Shikamaru's shadow raced toward Hidan.
"That's a nifty little weapon you've got there," Hidan said, flipping over Shikamaru's shadow and hurling the base of the sword at Asuma, who smashed it with his chakra. "Reminds me of that little brat's blade. Did you teach it to him?" He sent his scythe at Asuma and Asuma deflected it.
It stabbed into the ground and Hidan retracted his cable, pulling himself away from Shikamaru's shadow tendrils again. As he neared Asuma again, he pulled the other sword out and Asuma narrowed his eyes. Hidan kicked off the ground, flying high before falling at Asuma. Asuma jumped, cutting through the sword again before dropping low as the scythe passed over him. Hidan smirked, rounding on Asuma again. However, as he did, he sent the scythe flying at Shikamaru.
Asuma's eyes widened and he stood straight, one hand in front of his chest vertically, the other at his waist. The same silhouette he had shown Ryuu before appeared behind him, its arms spreading outward behind it. One blocked Hidan's scythe, another drilled its fingers into Hidan's abdomen, hurling him away. Hidan groaned, holding his abdomen as he glared at Asuma.
"You made a mistake, Hidan," Asuma said. "You underestimated your opponent. This fight is over."
"We'll see!" Hidan grinned, charging and sending out his scythe again.
Another hand blocked it as Hidan reached Asuma, his collapsible spear in his free hand, only for a red fist to explode down on him from above, vanishing instantly and bouncing Hidan off the ground. Rage, hatred, and bloodlust shone from Asuma's face and fists began to explode down on Hidan rapidly, powdering his bones rapidly.
"Hidan!" Kakuzu shouted. "What's going on!? His power spiked rapidly!"
Asuma continued the assault for several more seconds before the last fist was gone and the silhouette faded, Asuma beginning to pant, staggering back several steps before dropping to his knees. Kakuzu watched him carefully before seeming to relax, dropping off of the collection office.
"My turn," Kakuzu said.
"No you don't!" Hidan snapped.
Asuma spun just in time to block Hidan's spear, the middle blade managing to stab into his cheek bone about an inch. Asuma grunted as Hidan ripped it back out and retracting the cable, catching the scythe and licking the blood. As his body darkened, his broken bones snapped and cracked rapidly, beginning to mend themselves, though only slowly.
"Asuma!" Shikamaru shouted, his shadow struggling to catch Hidan as Hidan headed for his seal.
Asuma charged, forming hand seals. "Burning Ash!"
He exhaled a cloud of smoke, then clicked the metal plating in his teeth, causing a spark and igniting the gas in the smoke, the jutsu erupting into a massive fireball. However, as it did, he grit his teeth and groaned quietly as his right arm and the right side of his face burned.
"Hurts, doesn't it?" Hidan asked. "Judgement has been passed. So whataya think? Helps you understands the suffering of others a bit more, doesn't it?"
Asuma flexed his right hand, pain searing through his body, only for him to ignore it.
"I have already cursed you, and now the ritual will begin," Hidan said, grinning sadistically at Asuma. "Well then, let's experience the ultimate pain together, shall we?"
He picked up his collapsible spear as Asuma charged. Hidan drove the spear down into his leg and Asuma shouted in pain, continuing to run.
"You can keep going, huh?" Hidan grinned. "Alright! Try this one!" He stabbed himself in the other leg and Asuma collapsed.
Then, Hidan leapt to the side away from Shikamaru's shadow. The moment he landed, Izumo appeared behind him, slashing him with a kunai, distracting him just long enough for Kotetsu to arrive, supporting Asuma. Hidan's eyes widened just before he slashed, removing Hidan's head. It spun into the air, Hidan's skin returning to normal, and Asuma turned to Kakuzu.
"Your turn," Asuma said.
"And you intend to fight me in that condition?" Kakuzu asked.
"No," Asuma said. "Signal for backup."
Izumo fired a flare into the sky and Asuma grinned.
"You have exactly one minute starting now until Ryuu Uchiha arrives," Asuma said.
Kakuzu swore instantly and all hell broke loose. The ground below Hidan exploded, black cords instantly reattaching his head to his shoulders. Kakuzu appeared behind Shikamaru and drilled a darkened fist into his side, sending him exploding into the collection office. Asuma pushed off of Kotetsu, throwing Kotetsu to the side just in time for Hidan's spear to drive itself through Asuma's left lung. Then, Hidan hurled Asuma aside, glaring at the three chunin.
"Kakuzu, kill the shadow-user," Hidan said. "I've got a ritual to finish. And Jashin will have to forgive me, but I'll skip the prayer today."
"Shit!" Izumo said. "What do we do?"
"Run!" Asuma said, forcing himself to his feet, struggling to ignore the pain as he charged at Kakuzu. "Take Shikamaru and run!"
Kakuzu turned and punched at Asuma, just as he stumbled, barely avoiding the punch thanks to it, but his blade sparked off of Kakuzu's torso. Asuma spun, hurling the blade at Hidan, chakra streaming over it, and the blade punched through Hidan's chest, sending him flying past the seal, shouting in pain. Izumo and Kotetsu appeared behind Kakuzu with a new pair of swords and slashed him in an "X", a chain connecting their sword wrapping around Kakuzu and restraining him. However, as they did the ground below them shattered, black cords streaking up and catching them, preparing to rip out their hearts. Asuma began to stand, but Kakuzu lifted his arms, shattering the chains before grabbing Asuma by the hair and lifting him, punching him in the back and shattering his spine before dropping him again.
"All yours, Hidan," Kakuzu said.
"Good," Hidan grinned, stepping into his seal again. "Let's make this quick!" He raised his spear and grinned. "Say goodnight!"
And then, he drove the spear through his own heart and spinal cord, a matching wound opening on Asuma. Asuma tried to inhale, but he couldn't. He didn't feel the pain, either. He stared blankly ahead, deaf to Shikamaru calling out to him, to Hidan laughing, to Izumo and Kotetsu struggling to free themselves from Kakuzu's cords. And then, they were free, and Ryuu was streaking toward Hidan. Hidan swore loudly, using his spear to deflect Ryuu's tanto, then jumped, kicking Ryuu's fist and using it to leap into the air, flipping backward onto the building's roof.
"You're too late, kid," Hidan said. "Again. I'm already done. Kakuzu, let's bug out."
"We'll lose the bounty," Kakuzu said, looking to Asuma, finding Fu and Tayuya both kneeling beside him, Fu having brought Shikamaru to him as well, since Shikamaru was too exhausted to stand after using his jutsu so much to try and catch Hidan, as well as taking a direct hit from Kakuzu. "Fine. Let's go."
"You two aren't going anywhere!" Ryuu said, drawing his trench knife as well.
He moved to charge, but before he could, a mass of cords grew out of Kakuzu's cloak and fired a massive wall of flames at Fu and the others. Ryuu swore, appearing in front of them and blocking the jutsu with a Water Style one of his own. Then, as the steam cleared, he sighed, seeing they were gone.
"We should go after them," Fu said. "They'll be trouble later."
"Don't worry," Ryuu said, walking over to them. "I put a tracking seal on Hidan's foot."
"How are you so calm!?" Shikamaru demanded. "Asuma's dead! Your plan failed! You were late!"
Just then, Ino and Choji both landed beside Asuma as well.
"What happened!?" Ino demanded, beginning to try and heal Asuma.
"Hidan cursed him," Ryuu said calmly. "Then killed him."
"How can you say that so calmly!?" Ino demanded. "He's dead! Asuma Sensei is dead!"
"Yeah, about that," Ryuu said, kneeling and setting a hand on Asuma's chest, closing his eyes for a second. "You ready Fu?"
"Ready," Fu nodded, her own hands on Ryuu's back.
"Christ I hope I'm right about this," Ryuu said. "Please, God, let me be right about this."
Suddenly, Asuma began to change. His body shrunk slightly, losing a full foot, and then some, before his skin began to pale. Not by much, but it lost its natural tan. His hair shortened and grew messier, and his facial hair disappeared entirely. Then, by the time the facial features were done reconstructing themselves, they were staring at a second Ryuu, not Asuma.
"What the…" Shikamaru trailed off. "It's...another you?"
"Yup," Ryuu nodded. "Please let me be right."
Both began to flicker suddenly, before the wounded one faded quickly from existence. All of the blood he had left faded, and all that was left behind were the completely shell-shocked and confused stares of everyone besides Ryuu and his team.
"What the...hell just happened?" Shikamaru asked.
"It's...a..." Ryuu tipped to the side, and Fu caught him, gently setting him down and scanning him with Medical Ninjutsu before sighing and transferring him a little of her own. "Thanks. It's a...little...hard...to explain."
"Stop talking," Fu said. "I'll explain. You're about to die for real from using up all your chakra. And you are never doing that again."
"Agreed," Ryuu smiled.
"Will someone, please, tell us what the hell just happened?" Izumo asked.
"Ryuu swapped places with me," Asuma said, walking over to them from the trees. "He saved my life."
"Asuma!" Shikamaru shouted, running over to him and hugging him. "But...how did he..."
"It's his Body Flicker Technique," Fu said.
"That wasn't a Body Flicker Technique," Shikamaru said. "There were two of him. And neither was a clone."
"You're right," Fu said. "Because of what he's been through, he's become so fast that he can literally exist in two places at once. However, it's exhausting to use for more than a second, and he hasn't had the chance to practice it. When I said he's about to die from using up his chakra, that might actually be true."
"He can exist in two places at once?" Choji asked.
"Yes," Fu said. "Then if one of the two receives an injury, he can more or less choose to be the other, and the one who was wounded will no longer be exist, because he wasn't there. It's...complicated."
"And obviously the drawback for such an overpowered jutsu is that it uses up monstrous amounts of chakra," Ino said.
"That's right," Fu said. "He's also never had one of the two possible paths die completely before, so we had no idea if he would be able to survive."
"I wasn't actually dead," Ryuu said. "My heart had stopped, and I wasn't breathing, but my medical Ninjutsu was keeping my brain functioning, the same way it naturally heals me."
"I see," Fu nodded. "Would you have died?"
Yes," Ryuu said. "Without a doubt."
Fu nodded.
"But, you're both so powerful," Choji said. "Why do this? Why not just fight them with us and kill them both?"
"Because they have a nasty habit of escaping fights with us," Ryuu said. "If we were in an all-out battle that they weren't caught by surprise for, they'd escape again without any repercussions. I correctly assumed they'd want Asuma for his bounty, so I switched places with him and allowed myself to be killed. Then I chose to be the one showing up to rescue you all, and placed a tracking seal on Hidan. Hopefully, he'll lead us to the Akatsuki's leader. And if not, we'll just use the seal to track him down and kill him next time."
"So all of this was just to pick a fight with a stronger Akatsuki member?" Shikamaru asked.
"All of this was to minimize damage while also gaining an advantage over the Akatsuki," Ryuu said. "They think Asuma's dead now, so Asuma can be used to spring a trap against them the next time we fight, if necessary. And if he leads us to the leader of the Akatsuki, our strongest Shinobi, like myself, Master Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Might Guy, can go after the leader and put him down before he's ready for us."
Shikamaru was silent for a long few seconds before, finally, he sighed. "It's a good plan. And not filling us in on it was smart, because our reactions needed to be real in order to fool Kakuzu. Hidan, no. But Kakuzu's too bright for us to fool otherwise."
"But, how did you use that jutsu?" Kotetsu asked. "The one with the silhouette."
"I used my Sharingan to watch Asuma use it, so I would know how, and then I had him give me some of the specialized monk chakra needed for the jutsu, which I stored in a seal," Ryuu said, holding up his right hand and displaying an empty seal just before it faded. "I like the jutsu. It's powerful. I might try to make a version that uses normal chakra."
"Good luck," Asuma said. "Anyway, we should all get back to the village and give Lady Tsunade our report."
"Right," Ryuu nodded. "I'll monitor Hidan while we go. The seal allows me to sense who's around him, so I'll know if he meets with other Akatsuki."
The others nodded and Fu lifted Ryuu onto her back. Then, they were off.
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