"You know what to do."

Those words were enough for Suigetsu to grab his sword and lung at Hidan, who only shifted his footing and brought his weapon in front of him, waiting with a smile.

Kakuzu didn't even bother to look at his partner, his eyes were locked on Sasuke who maintained his sword pointed at him, eagerly waiting for the first move to be done.

When the distance between the swordsman and the sadist was within range of their weapon, Hidan was quick to jump away, except when he jumped; his body didn't move an inch, much to his surprise.

Forcing him to look down to find the answer.

Karin's chains coiled around his feet immobilizing him in time so Suigetsu could catch him by the neck and reinforce his arm enough, that reached the size of the monstrous arms that Juugo poses, so he could throw his body as far as he possibly could.

Hidan didn't have time to do anything as he kept crashing against trees further into the forest.

Suigetsu smiled as he followed with his attack, maintaining the distance since being able to separate the Akatsuki member from his partner successfully, leaving him alone against the two as intended.

Karin turned to look at Sasuke, but he remained in the same position. She said nothing and jumped off to catch up with Suigetsu since they designated her with a support role, however, she couldn't help to worry about the whole situation, especially leaving Sasuke behind with Juugo.

Yet she had to trust in their abilities, especially with Sasuke's. But that night talk poked some holes in that confidence.

When she arrived at the impact zone her eyes quickly searched for the Akatsuki member until she saw a small crater where Hidan was slowly getting up from before stretching his limbs. She already knew what she had to do, and her concentration focused on the same spot again.

She caught on time since Hidan wasn't one to slack off and was quick to regain his footing and jumped into action. Except just as his feet left the ground, chains sprouted from the ground and pulled him down, making him eat dirt again.

Action that he didn't take kindly and slammed both hands.

However, Suigetsu wasn't the patient type and had his sword going straight down to the zombie neck and finish his task as soon as possible.

But his weapon never reached its objective, Hidan's three bladed scythe was in the way blocking the strike inches away from touching his skin.

What surprised Suigetsu was the fact he was holding him with a single hand despite him having used both and reinforced his muscles just to be sure. 'Just, how strong is he?'

The clash didn't last as Hidan pushed Suigetsu with enough strength to break his stance and deliver a slash directed at his gut, which never reached him since he was already away from his attack range.

The Akatsuki member slowly got up from the ground, his freehand grabbed Karin's chains and yanked them with an incredible amount of strength that instantly broke them, releasing him from his temporary prison.

Karin believed that she could keep him chained down when the first two times worked perfectly, but after witnessing such a scene it shattered her confidence as fast as her chains.

Her brain was so focused on ways to counter or just leave Suigetsu's side that never once her eyes registered movement until she could feel a shadow above her. Her eyes shrank into the size of pinpricks the moment her brain recognized the shadow source as Hidan's three bladed scythe coming down.

Instinctively she shut her eyes in fear with both arms going up trying to protect herself.

However, she only heard the clash of metal above her and a hand gripping her shoulder tightly for a moment before that grip turned into a force that pushed her away.

"Stay focused!" Suigetsu shouted, forcing her out from her stupor and regaining her senses in time to watch her teammate land a direct kick on the Akatsuki stomach, effectively sending him away from them and providing a small margin to breathe.

"I can barely restrain him!" Karin was quick to inform him of the problem.

"Is he that strong?" He was puzzled at hearing her words. The plan relied a lot on her ability to prevent his movement as much as possible.

That would only leave him with even more work in defeating him.

Karin's attention shifted towards the enemy and quickly jumped away from the danger zone as her hands made a quick ram hand seal.

More chains sprouted from the ground, coiling around the Akatsuki's limbs, trying to chain him in place to ease Suigetsu's struggle, yet things never went according to plan the moment the plan met the enemy.

Hidan almost immediately broke away from her chains and rushed with his weapon high to rain his offensive while his opponent kept up with his defense, the clashing of both weapons causing sparks to fly.

The swordsman carefully analyzed each attack as he blocked them, and how Hidan blocked his counter attacks. The movement of his hands and how he twisted his wrist, slowly deducing and understanding his technique or lack of technique, in that brief blow exchange he only saw brutish force and nothing else.

However, that focus turned to be a mistake from his part as something pulled his feet making him to completely lose balance and fell to the ground, but his hands arrived first which immediately pushed to the side of his word and blocked Hidan's follow up attack.

His eyes quickly scanned his opponent and noticed the chain at the end of the scythe, he frowned in disappointment since he completely forgot about it but he had no time for lament his mistakes as his free hand shot forward as a strong stream of water clashing directly to the Akatsuki exposed chest, inconsequence stumbling back and losing his opportunity.

The surprise attack gave Suigetsu enough time to regain his footing and adopt his original fighting stance, both hands gripping the Kubikiribōchō's handle.

Hidan chuckled, moving his scythe to rest on his shoulder. "You slimy little bastard, don't think your tricks will work again on me."

"Never intended to use them." He was in an internal dilemma, he would have preferred to keep his water unique abilities to himself but the situation was calling for more sophisticated moves but it would reveal his aquatic body to the enemy too soon.

He didn't have much time to think about it since Hidan resumed his offensive with his scythe trying to cut the stomach but missing entirely only cutting through air. Suigetsu didn't stay idle to receive such a predictable move and jumped towards the nearest tree which he used as a jumping point to propel himself towards the Akatsuki who only smiled and opened both arms waiting for him.

Suigetsu immediately shifted the aim from cutting the head to a single arm as a precaution. The sharp edge reached its aim and passed through the sleeves of the coat and then cutting flesh like butter but abruptly stopped after at where the bone was located but the afflicted arm dropped the weapon as a natural response.

Hidan quickly closed his wounded arm, trying to grab the massive weapon with his hand and the chains from his scythe, but Suigetsu would not allow it to happen and started a wrestling match to who would keep the weapon in his grasp.

The difference of strength was quickly noticed and channeled his chakra towards his arms to grow in size and strength, gaining a quick boost that he took advantage of to break one hand free and landed a direct fist, smashing it directly to his nose.

The direct critical hit staggered his balance, forcing him to release his grip on Suigetsu's sword.

Such an attack could have knocked out any other cold and even had a low chance to kill if the damage was severe enough, but it was clear from the beginning that Hidan was everything but normal.

He even found pleasure in reallocating his nose..

"Despite having such a pathetic technique, you can still hold off my attacks." The Sharkboy half mocked. The Akatsuki's brute strength was still a dangerous factor to take into consideration, and especially his bones that somehow resisted being cut.

Hidan on the other side, calmly recovered his weapon from the ground, completely ignoring the deep wound under his arm. "I will enjoy hearing your screams when I catch you two."

One of his feet slid forward and slowly painted a circle around him followed by a triangle inside it.

The symbol was instantly recognized by the sharkboy and it also meant that Hidan would no longer move from that place until he got his blood. However it was also a potential opportunity for him to end things once and for all.

"Easy."

"You think so?" Hidan's grin was enough for Suigetsu to realize the plan. His eyes looking at the scythe was inverted.

Hidan didn't wait and pushed Suigetsu away and from below delivered an upward cut, managing to reach the sharkboy's leg as he tried to get away.

"SHIT!" He felt the cut, despite he didn't bleed or any cut on his leg, he perfectly felt the sharp end cut him.

He brought the blades to his mouth and gave a long lick to the edge to savor Suigetsu 'blood'. The swordsman could only feel a tight knot taking hostage his throat as his heart rate sped up.

"BEHOLD THE GLORY OF JASHIN-SAMA!" Promptly after screaming his zeal, he didn't hesitate to use his scythe to slash his stomach.

Hidan released a long moan of sadistic glee as he inserted his fingers inside the cut and twisted his fingers around, but that joyous pleasure was halted when he didn't hear any scream to grace his ears with the melody of agony.

Yet nothing happened.

Hidan for once tried to be patient to find delight, but when no effects were occurring, he was boiling on the inside when he saw that his skin didn't turn black but was red with anger.. "WHAT?!"

"Heh, Sasuke was right." Suigetsu smirked, the only advantage he could have had against him was completely useless. That big weight dropped from his shoulders as relief washed all over him.

Hidan eyes wandered for a moment before finding his next target watching from a tree thick branches.

"Watch out!" Suigetsu screamed

"If I can't kill you, then this bitch will do!" He shot forward his weapon with such ferocity that buried itself into the tree so deep that it almost cut it through it. Hidan quickly pulled back his scythe with his chain and prepared to throw it again.

His gaze instantly locked to Karin, who was still recovering from escaping the first strike, the perfect time for a follow up.

The scythe went forward cutting through the air with such speed until a pair of swords intercepted its trajectory mid-air.

Suigetsu was quick enough to put himself in front of Karin and look back to check on her. "Are you okay?"

She let out a long sigh of relief before regaining her composure. "Yeah, he is stronger than anticipated..."

"No shit... he was holding back there. Keep your distance."

She nodded and jumped away, reaching for a tree to maintain her safety before she looked back and focused on Hidan.

Karin didn't hesitate to form a hand seal to channel her chakra.

Instantly more chains sprouted from the ground, coiling around the zombie limbs. "This will not stop me!"

But as soon as they appeared they were forcefully dissipated

"Find another opportunity!" Karin shouted before retreating further into the forest.

"No need to tell me twice!" His arm instantly gained size and volume that gave him a quick boost of strength that he immediately took advantage of to throw his sword at the sadist who barely dodged the flying projectile grazing his skin before burying itself deep into the tree behind. "Change of plans!"

His hand was quick to pull his collar and channel chakra for the twin blades to regain their original size just in time to intercept Hidan's strike and face him in a clash of strength. Hidan slowly overcame the shark boy's strength, a thing he couldn't allow as his arms gained monstrous size again to maintain the odds for a couple of seconds before forcefully using his blades to push him off and get out of his range with a jump.

Landing a couple of meters away without losing sight of Hidan, who only stretched his right arm with his sadistic smile still plastered on his face awaiting hell to continue on earth.

Yet it shattered their growing tension as an enormous explosion occurred not very far from their battlefield, lifting a gigantic cloud wave of smoke that mercilessly passed through them, both used an arm to cover their eyes as the cloud didn't stop for a short while.

Karin took cover from the shock wave behind a tree.

When it finally passed, her gaze quickly checked the sky and noticed the darkened clouds hovering around the forest except for the eye of the storm that had remnants of lighting.

Karin, who already witnessed Sasuke's trump card, recognized almost immediately the Kirin which had been used on Kakuzu and while she had confidence in the Uchiha, the book with so many details of Kakuzu left a hole of doubt in her heart if that was enough to obliterate him.

But she had no time to think more about the subject as Suigetsu brought one of his swords forward in the exact time to deflect the incoming scythe giving a small opening for the other sword to strike.

However, Hidan didn't even bother to shift his gaze as his bare hand directly went against the sharp sword and stopped it, getting a tight grip on it.

Suigetsu quickly pulled the sword from his grip, slicing the flesh as butter, yet the zealot didn't even budge to such a horrendous wound, instead he brought his sliced hand and licked the cut, painting his mouth red in the process. He didn't spend too much time enjoying the taste, giving a step back he threw his weapon aiming at his neck.

It was easy for him to dodge it but as he suspected, Hidan never intended to use that as the real threat instead with a long circular jump he pulled the chain along with his scythe, giving him no room to maneuver away.

However much to the zealot displeasure the chain along with the scythe harmlessly passed through Suigetsu aquatic body leaving no mark before the body collapsing into a puddle of water.

Hidan's eyes immediately scanned his surroundings from the incoming attack as he quickly recognized a water clone being dispelled.

Yet no attack came for a short while.

His focus quickly shifted to find the redhead and her bothersome chains, who was probably hiding between the trees. He would have kept looking for the girl but his ears piqued, a faint sound sending an alarm to his brain making him duck.

Just in time as something flew past his head, barely gazing at his silver hair.

He quickly got up and turned to the direction where the projectile came and saw Suigetsu's half body coming out from the puddle with only one sword in hand.

"You little cheeky bastard." He finally realized why the swordsman wasn't affected by his ritual. It was impossible to extract blood from water or injure it.

Suigetsu only smiled as his body slowly formed his legs and feet, becoming whole again. His eyes shifted their focus and shined in excitement.

"Heh, never ignore your back." His words resonated inside Hidan's mind right before the blade reached his neck, performing a clean cut before deeply burying itself in the zone of impact.

His head didn't fly away, but it did slowly slide forward before falling into the ground while his body collapsed like a puppet whose strings were abruptly cut. Yet to the swordsman's surprise, there was no blood flowing out from the head or body painting the ground red.

Soon after, chains sprouted from the ground again and coiled around the body to keep it immobilized since Karin didn't want to take any chances with a psychopath who was considered as immortal.

Suigetsu turned to see Karin emerge from the trees and a faint smile.

"We finally got him…" She took a breath of relief as she leaned on the nearest tree so she could slowly sit on the ground.

"Yeah, but it is not over." His gaze shifted towards the chained body.

Karin was quick to catch on his words and sighed in exasperation. "Just be clean."

Her hand reached for two scrolls from her belt that were given to Suigetsu, who happily accepted them and turned around to properly capture the fallen Akatsuki.

From the distance she only saw the movements of his arms doing all the chopping reminding her of a butcher doing his daily work, it didn't bother her in the slightest since she took part of Orochimaru experiment but it did always bother her the blood splashing everywhere and leaving stains impossible to wash.

Her gaze went upwards, watching the dark clouds slowly moving toward the center as a small reminder about Sasuke's ongoing battle.

She looked at the direction of Suigetsu again, who was already coming back with the scrolls on one hand while the other held the zealot's head by the disheveled hair.

"RELEASE ME YOU BASTARDS!" He didn't hesitate to rain his insults at them. "I WILL EAT YOUR ENTRAILS IF YOU DO NOT FREE ME RIGHT NOW!"

Suigetsu threw the head forward with no care, like one would throw a rock. "Wow, he is really noisy, don't you have anything to shut him up?"

They had been warned about Hidan's special circumstances so Karin brought with her dirty rags which didn't hesitate to use them and completely shut him up for good. If she wouldn't have brought, then Suigetsu would have cut the tongue and pulled out all of his teeth to shut him up.

As Sasuke said, a head might have useful information.

The swordsman grabbed the rags and immediately went to work on the head who frantically tried to bite off his fingers to avoid the rags reaching his mouth but to no avail as Suigetsu took advantage of the open mouth to show the rag inside and tie a knot tightly around the head.

With the Akatsuki head tightly strapped and gagged, Suigetsu hanged it from the hair around his waist, ignoring all the muffled screams as a trophy.

He turned to flash his grin at her.

"Only one more to go."

AN: Well...it was supposed to be published earlier this day, but I forgot, sorry.

Anyways, I do need to change perspective for the fight and next one is with our protagonist and also the end of the first part or arc whatever you want to to call it and then the interlude which will answer some of your questions that had been asking lately.