Sorry for the late update, I meant to have this out sooner but my laptop got fried and I needed a new one. And then, I got busy with school and work. So here is the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

Shikamaru had planned everything out to the tiniest detail; Asuma's death would not be in vain. Though he was a little worried when Tsunade-sama had caught the three of them earlier that morning.

Earlier at dawn…

All three members of Team Asuma were at the gate. Shikamaru had just arrived after saying that he was leaving to Ino and asking her on a date, but he didn't say that to his teammates of course. He got all of his gear together and tightened the ankle straps of his sandals. Then he ignited the lighter, emitting a glow in the early morning darkness.

Sakura proclaimed, "We're ready."

Then Chouji added, "Let's go, Shikamaru."

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied.

They weren't even more than three feet from the gate before they heard a shout, "Stop!"

Startled, all three turned around to see Tsunade standing with a stern look on her face.

Sakura mumbled, "Shishou…"

"Where do you think you're going?" Tsunade demanded.

Shikamaru simply answered, "Your orders are still in effect. We regrouped with different team members and are going to continue our mission."

Tsunade replied angrily, "I don't tolerate selfishness!"

But then she calmly added, "Shikamaru, I'll add you to a platoon I've organized personally. And I'll deploy you once we've come up with a sound plan."

But then Shikamaru rebutted, "Just send them as back-up later. I've already got a plan worked out for the three of us."

"Enough!" Tsunade shouted, "Asuma is dead, it's just the three of you now!"

Shikamaru then murmured, "Asuma is still with us."

Tsunade asked in shock, "You're putting revenge before common sense?! This isn't like you at all; you'll be throwing your lives away."

"We're not stupid enough to go out there planning to die, It's just…" Shikamaru trailed off.

Tsunade asked, "It's just… what?"

Shikamaru answered, "If I let it go like this, I'd live the rest of my life regretting it." He ignited the lighter again, "And I can't think of a more troublesome way to live."

Tsunade solemnly exclaimed, "Grow up. Shinobi will always be surrounded by death. Some deaths are harder to deal with than others… But you have no future if you can't get over them!"

Shikamaru closed the lighter again and said, "Carrying this lighter that Asuma-sensei gave me, I feel like Asuma-sensei's nearby. That he's watching us… That he's protecting us. This lighter stays with me until I've settled things."

Again Tsunade shouted, "Get real! There are only three of you! Platoons are a four-man cell-"

"So you just need a fourth member, correct?" a voice interrupted.

They all looked as Kakashi came forward and then he added, "I'll serve as captain for Team Ten. How's that sound?"

Tsunade started to say, "Kakshi, what are you…"

Kakashi answered, "They're going to go anyway. If you assign me as their captain, I'll keep an eye on them, and make sure they don't do anything drastic."

They waited patiently for Tsunade to decide as the sun slowly rose from the distance, lighting up the village with it's glow.

Tsunade let out an exasperated sigh before saying, "Fine. Do what you want!"

Both Chouji and Sakura let out happy shouts.

Then Shikamaru asked, "Kakashi-sensei, is Naruto gonna be okay?"

Kakashi looked at his bandaged right arm before Sakura pointed it out, "Your right arm…"

Then Kakashi replied, "Yep, Naruto doesn't need me around anymore. So I left him with another captain."

Shikamaru smirked and said, "Naruto…"

Then Kakashi stepped toward them and asked, "Okay Team Asuma, ready to move?"

They all answered in unison, "Yeah!"

Then as they took off from the gates, Shikamaru thought, "Thanks a million, Kakashi-sensei."

Present…

Now they are in a forest, crouched down in a huddle. Kakashi then said, "Shikamaru, let's hear your plan first."

Shikamaru replied, "Sure, I just have to change the plan a little to account for you, Kakashi-sensei."

"Right, whenever you're ready," Kakashi prepared to listen as did Chouji and Sakura.

Shikamaru then explained, "I'll break it down into several different scenarios and explain each one. Things will vary depending on what happens, so I need you to remember them all."

Then he explained the steps that his plan had consisted of in detail and he gave each one a role to play.

Then he pulled out a small capsule and then he handed it to Kakashi, saying, "Kakashi-sensei, take this; use it when you see an opening."

Kakahi gripped the capsule in his hand, "Got it. I've gotta hand it to you, Shikamaru. You've learned a great deal about the enemy for having only encountered them once."

Shikamaru countered, "There's still a lot we don't know about the other one, unfortunately."

But Kakashi thought otherwise, "To be able to come up with a new strategy so quickly after I joined the squad…Very impressive."

Shikamaru then added, "Those are all the strategies I have based on the information I've gathered. Once you've memorized our simulations, replay each one in your head at least three times. Our probability of success depends on whether or not you commit them to memory."

Chouji and Sakura both nodded their heads in agreement. Shikamaru gripped onto Asuma's lighter tightly before they all got up on their feet.

Kakashi asked, "Ready to go?"

Sakura answered for all of them, "Ready!"

Shikamaru then said, "First, we have to pick up their trail."

And then Sakura added, "We'd have to try and find remaining scents or footprints on the path they took from the Fire Temple to the exchange point."

Shikamaru retorted, "I doubt we'll find anything quickly though."

Kakashi then proclaimed, "Then let's get going."

The three young Chūnin exclaimed, "Right!"

Elsewhere, Kakuzu and Hidan were sitting on a boulder with their hands clasped in a hand sign, while their images were projected elsewhere along with the leader and the remaining members. They were sealing away the Niibi from Yugito, her body suspended, and the red chakra leaked out from her mouth and eyes.

When it was done, Yugito's lifeless body fell unceremoniously to the ground, with her hair flaired out.

Then the leader said, "The sealing of the Nibi is complete, only four remain. Dismissed."

"Finally!" Hidan exclaimed.

Then Kakuzu said, "Time to head to Konoha, Hidan."

"Did you say Konoha?" Deidara asked.

Then he added, "Kakuzu, Hidan, if you're going to Konoha, let me warn you. The Jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki lives there; watch yourselves if you run into him."

Hidan laughed, "Whoa, whoa! Don't put me in the same boat as you, Deidara-chan! I'm not the one who had to get his arms reattached by Kakuzu!"

"Better the arms than the head," Kakuzu retorted.

Hidan grit his teeth, "Kakuzu! Who's side are you on? We're supposed to be partners! Why do you always-"

"Shut up, Hidan. Let's get going," Kakuzu cut him off.

Their images disappeared and then they were back on the boulder.

Hidan groaned as he got up, "Sitting still for three days sucked; time to let loose."

But then he turned to see Kakuzu walking away, "Kakuzu, where the hell are you going? The exchange point is that way right?" Hidan pointed in the other direction.

Kakuzu then asked, "Are you brain-dead?"

Offended, Hidan raised his scythe and said, "What?"

Kakuzu explained further, "Our target is the Jinchūriki; just because we said we'd be back doesn't mean we're required to waltz right into an ambush. We'll take a different route to Konoha. It's been three days; the bounty's probably been sent back to Konoha."

Hidan smirked and commented, "Yeah, I guess he would have been."

He put his scythe on his back and then started to follow Kakuzu.

But then Kakuzu turned back around again and murmured, "That reminds me…"

Hidan stared as Kakuzu pulled out Hidan's hitai-ate out of his sleeve.

"That wound on your neck is ugly; cover it up" Kakuzu said as he threw it to Hidan.

Hidan caught it and then said, "My hitai-ate! Wow, you actually picked it up for me? Kakuzu, you can be a nice guy when you try!"

Kakuzu hissed, "Shut up, Hidan! Let's go!"

Hidan tied his hitai-ate around his neck and then shouted, "Hey! Wait a sec! Yo Kakuzu! You may act like a prick, but you really like me don't you?"

Kakuzu threatened, "Keep talking and I will kill you."

Hidan laughed and then joked, "Aw, don't be shy on me…"

Shikamaru and the others are now searching by a forest with the trees bare and widespread. Kakashi was kneeling on the ground before he got back up again.

"Well, there's no trail left because of the rain. So what do we do?" Kakashi inquired.

Shikamaru then answered, "Any plans we come up with are pointless if we can't find the enemy."

Then Chouji inputted, "They wouldn't return to the same spot right?"

Sakura added, "There sould be two squads watching the exchange point."

"It wouldn't be a problem if we were only dealing with the loud one, but he's with that other guy. Even if they take a different route, their destination and targets are the same. Staling Asuma's corpse to collec the bounty and capturing Naruto, a Jinchūriki; they're heading for Konoha." Shikamaru explained.

Then Kakashi got out a scroll and got some of his blood on it.

"That narrows the area we need to search. Leave it to me."

He slammed the scroll onto the ground and shouted, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

His ninken appeared with Pakkun asking, "Hey Kakashi. What do you want us to do?"

Kakashi answered, "I want you to find two Akatsuki members who are enroute to Konoha. All of you will split and search for any scents that may be them. Then if one of you finds them, inform us immediately. But be careful to not let them spot you."

All of them said, "Got it."

Then they all took off in different directions that all head to Konoha. So far some of the dogs didn't have any luck but then Pakkun picked up a scent that was fresh. So he followed it until he saw two figures that were heading to Konoha.

He hid behind a tree that was just a few feet away from them and thought, "That must be them. I have to inform Kakashi!"

So then he took off just before Kakuzu turned his head to look behind him, but he didn't see Pakkun.

Hidan turned around as well and asked, "What is it, Kakuzu?"

Kakuzu replied, "Nothing, just my imagination."

Hidan scoffed and then said, "Then move it!"

So they continued their path towards Konoha…

Pakkun returned to them and Kakashi asked, "Did you find them?"

Pakkun answered, "Yeah, they're definitely headed for Konoha. They're at 2 o'clock, ten minutes from here."

Kakashi nodded and then said, "Got it, thank you Pakkun, all of you."

Then they all disappeared in a puff of smoke. Shikamaru and his teammates had determined looks and then Kakashi proclaimed, "Alright you three, let's go."

Then they took off in the direction that Pakkun indicated, aware of the dangers ahead.

A while later…

As Hidan and Kakuzu were walking, Shikamaru's shadow slithered on the ground towards them from behind.

Kakuzu murmured, "Hidan…"

"I know," Hidan replied before they both jumped away from the shadow but then two kunai with explosive tags were thrown at them. They exploded on impact; Hidan blocked it with his scythe while Kakuzu hardened his arm.

Hidan shouted, "Kakuzu!"

"I hardened my hand so I didn't get hurt!" Kakuzu replied.

Then he warned Hidan, "More importantly, watch out for that shadow."

Hidan scoffed, "As if I'd fall for the same thing again!"

Kakuzu sudeenly shouted, "Hidan, above you!"

They both looked up to see Shikamaru throwing more explosive tags; they barely dodged them as they pierced the ground.

They dodged them but they didn't explode, the explosive tags are only attached to blades. But only then did they realize it was all a trick; they couldn't move.

Kakuzu commented, "He got us."

Shikamaru smirked and then he jumped off of the tree branch and landed a few feet away from them.

"Kagemane Shuriken no Jutsu, complete…" Shikamaru proclaimed.

Hidan growled, "Bastard…Your shadow never touched us. How did you-"

Shikamaru answered, "Those knives I threw at you are chakra blades. I'm sure you're familiar with them. They're made from a special metal that lets them absorb their user's elemental chakra."

Hidan shouted in annoyance, "Kakuzu, what the hell is this guy talking about?!"

Kakuzu retorted, "Moron, just shut up, Hidan."

Shikamaru continued, "Using the chakra they absorb, their wielder can use them as a base for his techniques. But all you need to know is that I'm using my jutsu through the blades. They're mementos from Asuma, the man you two murdered!"

Kakuzu questioned, "The 35 million ryo?"

Then he thought, "He was aiming to trapus with the chakra blades from the start. He used real explosive tags on the kunai to make sure we'd dodge the chakra blades he threw next. On top of that, he used his shadow to make sure we'd focus on the ground so that we'd barely notice his attack from the air and have almost no time to avoid it. That gave him all he needed to stab our shadows. He is very smart."

Shikamaru glared at them and then declared, "Now, it's time to end this."

Hidan shouted at Kakuzu, "Why the hell are you being so quiet?! You had to go and get yourself caught too didn't you! Oh man, we're screwed aren't we?!"

Shikamaru answered him, "Oh, you're screwed. According to my plan, the second I captured you, it was over."

Then he extended his shadow to Hidan and their shadows had connected.

Kakashi watched from behind a tree, with his sharingan eye uncovered. He thought, "He got them."

Then Shikamaru used his shadow to grab the chakra blade out of the ground off of Hidan's shadow.

Hidan shouted, "Damn it, what are you gonna do now?!"

Shikamaru chuckled, "I'm not going to make the same mistake twice in a row. You two are about to be cornered; I'll make sure to target the right guy first this time."

Then he moved backwards, in turn, forcing Hidan to mimic his movements until he got Hidan to grab his scythe that had gotten detached from the wire.

Hidan seethed, "I have your face memorized; I'm gonna destroy you if it's the last thing I do!"

Then Hidan forced Hidan to move towards Kakuzu to attack him.

"Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?" Shikamaru asked mockingly.

Then he made Hidan jump and attack Kakuzu.

Hidan warned, "Kakuzu, duck!"

Then, suddenly, Kakuzu's right hand popped out of the ground and grabbed the chakra blade out so that Kakuzu could duck away from the scythe. This shocked Shikamaru; he did not expect that to happen.

"I never imagined that his arms could still move on their own after being detached! When did he?" Shikamaru thought.

But then his eyes widened in alarm, "When I first threw the explosive tags? He hid in the smoke long enough to send his arm underground. He is a true Akaktsuki member; their abilities are all out of this world!"

Kakuzu reattached his arm and then commented, "You said we were finished, but you still had no idea what I was capable of. So you kept your distance and came up with a new strategy. You actually think, unlike my partner. But even if you analyze every aspect of a battle, things don't always go according to plan."

Shikamaru grit his teeth and glared at him.

Hidan smirked and laughed a little. Until he processed what Kakuzu said and then yelled angrily, "Kakuzu! What the hell was that "unlike my partner" bullshit?!"

Kakuzu replied, "Exactly what it sounded like, moron!"

But then Hidan was forced to attack Kakuzu again, Hidan was rapidly swiping his scythe side to side.

Hidan shouted, "Kakuzu, do something!"

"You're forcing me back!" Kakuzu kept jumping backwards until his back was to a tree.

Kakuzu thought, "Damn it!"

"Now, Chouji!" Shikamaru shouted in his head.

Then from above Kakuzu, Chouji went through some hand seals and rolled into ball with his hair turning spiky.

Then he shouted, "Nikudan Harishensa!"

Hidan shouted in alarm, "Kakuzu!"

Chouji hit his mark and the ground had cracked upon impact, crushing Kakuzu.

That is the chapter and I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave a review. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate it at all.