New Strategy
Asuma was taken to the leaf village hospital and was immediately treated.
"So Asuma is out of commission for a while," Minato said.
"Yes with the combination of the burns he had along with the injury to his leg, he'll need weeks to recover," Kushina said.
"Considering we're talking about Hidan we're talking about, I say they were lucky you made it in time," Minato said, "However we still have the situation of Hidan and his partner still on the loose. Cause of it we can't take things easy."
Meanwhile I was training hard and failed once more.
"Kakashi-sensei how am I suppose to do this it's nearly impossible even with Shadow clones," I responded.
"Maybe not as impossible with shadow clones as you think," Kakashi said.
Kakashi summoned a shadow clone and he look to the right as the clone look to the left.
That gave me an idea of how to perform the jutsu.
Shikamaru told Kurenai about Asuma.
"Asuma is at the hospital?" Kurenai asked.
"Yes, other than severe burns and an injury to the leg, he didn't obtain any life threatening injuries," Shikamaru responded.
"Thank you Shikamaru," Kurenai responded.
At the training area I was forming the Rasengan as a shadow clone focused the wind chakra into in.
"I see so that's how you decided to do it," Kakashi said.
"That's right, if I can't focus wind chakra into the rasengan with one hand like I do with my power into the giant Rasengan, then what I need is two hands to focus the wind chakra," I responded.
My concentration was broken when Imuzo arrived.
"Asuma-sensei is in the hospital?" I asked.
"Yes, he substain some major injuries but none life threatening," Izumo said, "We got lucky that Lady Kushina arrived like she did."
"So it's Hidan and Kakuzu we're dealing with," Kakashi thought.
…Normal POV…
Later that night Shikamaru thought over what Kushina told him and his experience with Kakuzu to come up with a new strategy.
The next day Shikamaru visit Asuma.
"So you're planning to go after them again," Asuma said.
"How…" Shikamaru responded.
"We been together long enough that I know you as well as your parents Shikamaru," Asuma said and pointed at a drawer, "Go into that drawer."
Shikamaru did so and pulled out Asuma's chakra blades.
"Asuma-Sensei," Shikamaru responded.
"I won't be there to help you this time, the least I can do is give you my chakra blades to use," Asuma responded.
The day after that Shikamaru went to Kushina.
"Shikamaru, I'm surprise you're here," Kushina said.
"Lady Kushina, tell me any information you can on Hidan," Shikamaru said.
"You're going after him?" Kushina asked.
"Yes," Shikamaru responded.
"You'll need more than knowledge to fight Hidan,"
"I know, I also know if we don't do something, not only they might go after Asuma-sensei again, but they might also take Naruto down with him," Shikamaru said, "I'll do anything to make sure that doesn't happen."
Kushina smiled hearing it.
"There are few jutsus that someone like you can master," Kushina said.
Few days later after learning the required jutsus and coming up with the proper strategy team Asuma were ready to leave.
"Hold it you three!" someone shouted.
They turned to see Minato standing there.
"Kushina told me about your plan, only problem is that you need a captain," Minato said.
"Lord Hokage I can lead this," Shikamaru responded.
"True, but you're also a Specialize Jonin Shikamaru," Minato said, "And I can't promote you to full rank under this certain stances, just as it is for Naruto."
"I understand, but we're still planning to go," Shikamaru responded.
"That's fine, but I'm sending a fourth teammate either way," Minato said, "Right Kakashi."
Kakashi appeared with bandages over one of his arms.
"What about Naruto's training?" Shikamaru asked.
"Kushina can cover for me in his training," Kakashi said and look at his bandaged arm, "Besides, Naruto is doing fine on his own."
Once outside Shikamaru divided the plan four ways for Kakashi.
Somewhere else Hidan and Kakuzu were planning to go back to the leaf for Naruto.
A hawk posses by Ino saw them.
"Shikamaru is right, they're going after Naruto," Ino thought.
Ino released the jutsu and return to her body.
"Well?" Shikamaru asked.
"You're right they're going a different direction and are planning to go after Naruto this time," Ino responded.
"Lets go," Kakashi responded.
In an area of dead trees Shikamaru's shadow stretch toward Hidan and Kakuzu.
"Hidan," Kakuzu said.
"Yeah," Hidan responded.
They jumped and avoided the shadow.
Two kunais with paperbombs came at them.
Kakuzu blocked it with his hand as Hidan blocked the other with his scythe.
Both paperbombs went off causing an explosion.
Both made it out with only the rope on Hidan's scythe cut in half.
The shadow came at them some more.
"Hidan above!" Kakuzu shouted.
They look up to see that Shikamaru was above them.
Shikamaru threw Asuma's Chakra blades with paper attach.
Hidan and Kakuzu avoided it but the blades hit their shadows and they were immobilized.
"What's going on?" Hidan asked.
"Those are chakra blades, they absorbed the nature of the user's chakra and can be use for that nature's jutsus, Asuma-sensei gave me these thinking that with the shadow nature of my clan, these could help us out," Shikamaru responded, "And that paper has a special seal to insure no movement."
"He must of got training from that woman," Kakuzu thought remembering Kushina.
Shikamaru made the handsigns and his shadow stretch and attach to Hidan first.
His shadow also stitch up and remove the chakra blade.
Shikamaru made Hidan grab his scythe and lift it.
Then Shikamaru made Hidan go to attack Kakuzu.
Just then Kakuzu's hand with strings attach came from underground and removed the chakra blade.
Kakuzu moved and dodge the attack.
"What's going on?" Ino thought watching the battle.
Kakuzu retreated his hand back to his arm revealing a buldge in the strings that was beating.
Shikamaru tried more attacks but Kakuzu kept dodging them until Kakuzu hit the tree.
"Human Boulder!" Choji shouted spinning down at Kakuzu.
Kakuzu made a handsign before Choji hit the ground.
Kakashi read and recognize the handsign.
Choji skid backwards to Shikamaru as Kakuzu appeared with his skin darker.
"Now you'll die," Kakuzu said.
Just then Kakashi jab him strait through with the Chidori.
"No way," Kakuzu said.
"The jutsu you just use required using an earth handsign, meaning you're an earth nature, inferior to a lightning type like me," Kakashi responded.
Kakashi use the moment to drew some of Kakuzu's blood.
Kakashi remove his hand and went after Hidan next.
Kakuzu appeared and kick Kakashi into the tree.
Kakuzu removed his clak showing his body full of stitches and 4 mask on his back.
The stitches pulled out and the for mask formed 4 separate beings.
One of the mask however revealed to be broken from Kakashi's attack.
Shikamaru's shadow retreated letting Hidan free.
"Let's kill them Kakuzu," Hidan said as Kakuzu was surrounded by four monsters.
However the monster with the broken mask collapsed and become a puddle.
"What's going on, one of them is dead?" Hidan asked.
Hidan grab his scythe as he and Kakuzu were ready.
Hidan jumped to attack Kakashi.
Kakashi block each attack without a scratch.
Suddenly one of the mask monsters jumped behind Hidan and took a breath.
"Wind style: Air preasure!" Kakuzu shouted.
The mask fired a blast of wind from it's mouth that hit both Hidan and Kakashi.
"Being immortal his comrade isn't affected by it, but Kakashi is another story," Ino thought.
Kakuzu turned to Choji and Shikamaru.
"Choji, here they come," Shikamaru responded.
"Right," Choji responded.
The tall mask monster form electricity in it's mouth and fired lightning.
"Choji Shikamaru watch out!" Ino shouted.
Kakashi jump in front of the attack and used his lightning nature to block the attack.
The gloves and bandages were burned off from the attack but Kakashi still stood.
"Sensei are you okay?" Ino asked.
"Yeah," Kakashi said.
The last mask monster powered up for an attack as Kakuzu made the handsigns.
The mask fired flames across the area.
Shikamaru Ino Choji and Kakashi manage to dodge it and took cover.
Hidan came from behind Kakashi to attack.
Kakashi took out his kunai and block it again.
Shikamaru Choji and Ino gathered around Kakashi.
"How can that guy still be alive?" Choji asked.
"It seems that guy must have 4 more hearts, that's also why he can use all 5 natures," Kakashi said, "The heart I destroyed must have been the one that does Earth Style Jutsus."
"Not to mention, from what I can see, 3 of the four remaining hearts must be in those monsters," Shikamaru said, "Which means we have to kill him 4 more times."
"That's right, and I took each heart from shinobies I faced, and every time one is about to die, I replaced it with a new one," Kakuzu explained, "And I decided to replace the heart you destroyed with your own, Kakashi Hatake."
"So Shikamaru what should we do?" Kakashi asked.
"We need to separate the two, and fight them individually, and right now I'm the best to fight Hidan," Shikamaru said, "So I'll be the one that separates them."
"Are you crazy?" Ino asked, "I have more chakra left, so I'm best."
"No Ino, your jutsus are best in combination with mine," Shikamaru explained, "Besides, don't forget that I turned to Lady Kushina on tips of how to fight Hidan."
"Alright," Kakashi said and handed Shikamaru Kakuzu's blood.
Shikamaru stepped forward and stretch his shadow to Hidan and Kakuzu.
Hidan and Kakuzu dodge the attack coming at them.
Kakashi fought Kakuzu as Shikamaru threw a chakra blade at Hidan.
Hidan dodge it as Shikamaru jumped at Hidan.
Shikamaru hit the handle of Hidan's scythe and connected his shadow.
"I'll kill you!" Hidan shouted.
"Go Shikamaru!" Kakashi shouted.
Using the Shadow Possession jutsu Shikamaru made Hidan drop the scythe and run far from Kakuzu.
Kakuzu faced Kakashi Ino and Choji alone.
"You guys are really underestimating us thinking separating us will give you the advantage," Kakuzu said, "I promise you one thing, that boy will be dead before the day is over.
Choji and Ino gulp as they were starting to worry.
"You're good as dead as well, you don't have the amount of experience I have," Kakuzu said, "The last greatest battle I had was against the 1st Hokage after all."
Strings appeared from Kakuzu's arm.
Kakashi Choji and Ino were shock hearing the news.
Kakashi remembered what Kakuzu said about replacing his heart.
The wind mask monster and the fire mask monster fused together into one monster with two mask.
Meanwhile Shikamaru threw a series of Kunais with wires connecting them and paperbombs attach to the wires to trees.
When Shikamaru was done they were surrounded by wires and paperbombs surrounded them.
"You're not letting me escape," Hidan said, "However you're insuring your own death."
Shikamaru's shadow retreated.
"It seems the limit of time your jutsu can last is 5 minutes," Hidan said going to attack taking out a pointed weapon like poll, "You're so stupid!"
Hidan swipe his weapon sending blood everywhere.
Shikamaru wipe his cheek revealing what look like a line of blood.
Hidan lick the blood and transform into his ritual form.
Hidan used his weapon and cut through his hand.
Using his blood Hidan created the circle seal.
"Now DIE!" Hidan shouted stabbing himself through the chest at the heart.
Shikamaru clutch his chest and collapsed.
Mean while the fire/wind mask monsters fired both fire and wind jutsus that fused into one attack at Kakashi.
"Water style: Water wall jutsu!" Kakashi shouted making handsign and pull his mask down enough to blow a blast of water.
The water hardly did anything to the jutus.
"Looks like water style jutsus aren't enough," Kakashi thought.
Kakuzu use his body strings to grab Kakashi and threw him into the ground.
However Kakuzu stopped and clutch his chest before collapsing from a heart failure.
"How is this possible?" Kakuzu asked.
"Shikamaru gave me a blood capsule to use to get your blood, and I got it during my attack," Kakashi said, "And it seems Shikamaru fooled your partner."
On Shikamaru side, Shikamaru got up as soon as Hidan's back was turned reverting back to normal.
Shikamaru grabbed his knife and cut Hidan's neck cutting off the headband.
Hidan got up with a deep cut on his neck.
Shikamaru use the moment to connect his shadow to Hidan's in a shadow strangle jutsu.
Shikamaru cleaned off the blood on his cheek revealing no cut as he used the capsule with Kakuzu's blood to protect him by fooling Hidan..
"How?" Hidan asked.
"I used your own partner's blood, and now I can use Lady Kushina's teachings," Shikamaru explained, "I could of erased your seal with the seal erasing jutsu, but then we would still have to kill your partner 4 more times."
"You think that you can still beat me, I know the tricks of your jutsus!" Hidan said getting up, "You're low on chakra so your jutsu is at it's limits."
Hidan prepared to attack.
On Kakashi's side, the mask monsters came toward Kakashi Ino and Choji.
"Super expansion Jutsu!" Choji shouted making the handsign.
Choji grew taller than the trees and took down the mask monsters.
However the fire/wind mask fused with Kakuzu's body giving him two more hearts but with the mask appearing on the shoulders.
Using strings Kakuzu immobilized Kakashi Ino and Choji as the mask fired their fire and wind fusion attack.
…Naruto's POV…
"Wind Style: Rasengan!" I shouted forming the wind infuse Rasengan in my hand seeing the battle..
"Water Style: Torrent flood!" Yamato shouted.
Both of us threw our attacks that fused together into a single attack shouting, "Huricane Whirlpool Jutsu!"
The jutsu canceled out the fire/wind fusion jutsu in a steam.
The steam cleared as Sai, Sakura, Captain Yamato, and myself stood in front of Kakashi Ino and Choji.
Next Time: I fight against Kakuzu with Captain Yamato backing me up, while Sakura and Sai leaves to back up Shikamaru. However Shikamaru is holding up on his own, and I get to use my new wind style jutsu. Can the two of us finish off Kakuzu and Hidan? Read to Find Out...