Chapter 47
Team 10—what remained of it—stood rigidly before the Hokage, the weight of their loss heavy in the room. Shikamaru stood slightly apart from the others, his shadow cast long by the afternoon sun streaming through the window. A cigarette hung loosely between his fingers, the ash threatening to fall at any moment. His expression was unreadable, but the faint furrow in his brow betrayed his inner turmoil. He hadn't smoked much before—Asuma had always warned him about the habit—but now, it felt like a tether to his fallen sensei.
Choji shifted on his feet, his usual exuberance muted. His hands flexed at his sides, ready to do something—anything—but there was nothing to do but wait. Ino stood perfectly still, her demeanor uncharacteristically stoic. Her sharp blue eyes stared ahead, distant and cold. The absence of Asuma was a tangible thing, a gaping hole in the team that none of them could ignore.
Tsunade watched them with a calculating gaze. Her elbows rested on her desk as she steepled her fingers in thought. The new three-man Team 10 had come to her with a clear purpose, a request: to finish Asuma's mission. They sought permission to track the Akatsuki and remove the threat that pervaded her concerns. But she couldn't ignore the inherent dangers.
"You're asking me to send you into a fight you're not ready for," Tsunade said finally, her voice even but firm. "Hidan and Kakuzu are S-rank criminals. You've seen what they're capable of. Asuma couldn't defeat them."
Shikamaru exhaled a plume of smoke, the smell of burning tobacco filling the office. "We know the risks," he said, his voice calm but laced with a quiet determination. "And we've fought them before, I can account for more variables in my strategy. This isn't just about revenge. It's about stopping them before anyone else gets hurt."
"Shikamaru." Tsunade's tone sharpened. "You're the only jōnin on this team. Ino and Choji aren't at the level needed to take on the Akatsuki. Asuma was one of our best, and even he—" Her words hung in the air, unfinished but painfully clear.
Ino stepped forward, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. "Why was Team Seven allowed to leave without their captain?" she demanded, her usual deference to authority slipping. Though even as she spoke the words she felt the brash immaturity they were steeped in. "They're no older than us."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, the weight of her authority pressing down on the room. "Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto are jōnin. They are special cases. All three of them are among the strongest ninja this village has produced. You can't pretend this is the same thing."
The silence was deafening. Ino stepped back, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Shikamaru dropped his cigarette to the floor, crushing it under his sandal. She scowled, but did not reprimand him for smoking in his office. Not this time. Before the tension could escalate further, a shadow flickered at the window. All eyes turned as Kakashi Hatake appeared on the sill, his single visible eye crinkling in a faint smile.
"Looks like you could use a captain," he said lightly, stepping into the room. "I'll fill in."
"You're volunteering?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Kakashi nodded. "I can't let these three face this alone. And I have some experience with the Akatsuki." He didn't add the unspoken fact that the three would likely leave with or without the Hokage's explicit permission.
Shikamaru turned to Kakashi, his gratitude unspoken but evident in the slight relaxation of his shoulders. With Kakashi's presence, their team suddenly felt whole again, if only for a moment.
"Fine," Tsunade said after a long pause. "But be careful. All of you. And if you encounter Hidan and Kakuzu, you don't engage unless you're absolutely sure you can handle them."
The four shinobi bowed and left the office, their resolve renewed.
Later, in the quiet of the woods, Shikamaru gathered the team. They crouched in a small clearing, the sounds of the forest surrounding them. Shikamaru's mind worked quickly, analyzing every possible scenario.
"We'll need a new strategy," he began, his voice low but steady. "One that takes all of our strengths into account."
He looked at Choji. "You'll lead the way. Your strength gives us the best chance of breaking through if we're ambushed."
Choji nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "I won't let you down."
"Ino." Shikamaru turned to her next. "You'll stay back and provide support. Your mind-transfer techniques will be crucial for scouting, information gathering, and if we need to take control of an enemy."
Ino nodded, her expression fierce. "I'm ready."
Finally, Shikamaru turned to Kakashi. "You'll cover us from the rear. Your sharingan and experience will give us the edge we need. Call out battlefield adjustments as you see fit, Captain."
Kakashi smiled faintly. "Understood. But this is your mission, Shikamaru. I'm just here to back you up."
Shikamaru felt the weight of those words but pushed it aside. He couldn't afford doubt—not now. "Let's move."
The team moved as one, their footsteps silent as they slipped deeper into the forest. The hunt for the Akatsuki had begun.
The serene silence of the forest canopy encompassed all, even the sunlight itself dappled into tiny dots by the dense foliage, its shadows casting eerie patterns across the ground as Team 10 moved silently into position. The memory of Asuma's death weighed heavily on them, fueling their determination.
Shikamaru crouched behind a tree, his mind calculating every possible move. His cigarette dangled from his lips, unlit—a habit he picked up in honor of their fallen sensei. He exhales slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the clearing ahead.
Ino's breathing is steady as she sits cross-legged on the ground, her hands forming the seal for her Mind-Body Transfer Technique. With practiced ease she projected her consciousness towards the body of a crow perched high above the forest floor, its sharp eyes providing her with a bird's-eye view of their targets. She communicated through the mental link she had espoused, "They're moving again. Kakuzu's at the front, Hidan's behind. They've changed direction—probably realized we're here."
Shikamaru nodded and glanced at Kakashi, who stood to his side with his usual calm, composed demeanor. This wasn't exactly how he'd drawn it up, but it was close enough to work. "We stick to the plan," Shikamaru says quietly. "Ino, guide us. Choji, get ready to break the formation when I give the signal."
Choji, standing to the side, clenched his fists, his body bulging and swelling as he channeled his chakra into his Multi-Size Technique. "Got it," he said, his usual cheer replaced by a rare seriousness.
Kakashi pulled up his headband to reveal his sharingan, the crimson eye gleaming in the dim light. "They're strong," he said, his voice low but firm. "We'll need to be precise. Stick to your roles, and we'll get through this."
The team nodded in unison, their resolve unshaken.
Meanwhile, in the clearing ahead, Hidan twirled his three-bladed scythe lazily as they ambled with an affected apathy.
"I swear, this leader of ours is such a damn killjoy," Hidan grumbled. "Always nagging about 'diligence' and 'focus', 'the mission.' What does he think we are, his personal errand boys?"
Kakuzu walked several paces ahead, and didn't spare him a glance. "He's the leader for a reason," he spoke flatly. "And you should pay attention. We're likely walking into a trap."
Hidan groaned, dragging his weapon behind him. "A trap? Let them come. It's been too long since I've had a proper fight." His grin was wide and feral, his silver hair caught the faint light filtering through the trees. "Besides, you'll just stitch me back together if they try anything."
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he scanned the forest. "You're a fool," he muttered, though he subtly adjusted his pace, his senses sharpened. The bounty hunter mentality impressed in him recognized the signs—an unnatural stillness in the forest, the faint sound of scurrying fauna carried on the wind. "They're close."
"They've stopped moving. They know we're here," Ino whispered her confirmation through the mental link. She didn't know why she whispered through her telepathic powers, but it was a habit she formed long ago.
"Good," Shikamaru replied, a cold edge to his voice. He motioned to Choji, who nodded and began to quietly position himself for the first strike. Kakashi stood close behind, expecting the unexpected.
"Ino, come back to us," Shikamaru ordered, his voice firm through the psychic connection, and moments later, Ino blinked and shook her head as she integrated her consciousness back into her own body. She stood slowly, her hands still trembled slightly from maintaining the jutsu for such a length. "They're alert, but they don't know where we are yet."
Shikamaru smirked. "Perfect."
He stepped into the clearing, his hands pocketed, and whistled casually to draw the Akatsuki's attention. Hidan's head snapped toward the sound with the alacrity of a bloodhound. "Well, well. Look what we have here. Come to avenge your dead sensei?"
Kakuzu's gaze sharpened as he saw Shikamaru step into the open clearing. "A decoy," he mutters. His eyes scan the surrounding trees, searching for the rest of the team.
"Hey, Hidan," Shikamaru called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "You left something behind last time. A sensei's death tends to leave unfinished business."
Hidan's grin faltered for a moment before he laughed. "Oh, this is going to be fun!" He rushed toward Shikamaru, his scythe twisting in a deadly arc.
But before he closed the distance, a massive shadow stretched across the clearing, catching Hidan mid-step. Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Technique held him in place. Hidan struggled against the restraint, his teeth bared in frustration. "You again? Can't you come up with something new?"
Choji burst into the clearing, his enlarged fist crashing down toward Hidan. The ground rumbled along with the impact, but Kakuzu appeared in a blur, blocking Choji's attack with a massive arm enveloped in hardened, black threads.
"You think I'll just stand by?" Kakuzu growled.
Kakashi appeared behind Kakuzu, his Lightning Blade crackling in his hand. "No, but I didn't expect you to." He lunged at Kakuzu and quickly forced him to release Choji and leap backwards.
The battle was chaos incarnate. Ino remained vigilant at the edge of the clearing, ready to use her jutsu and telepathic abilities to support her teammates. Shikamaru maintained his hold on Hidan and compelled the immortal Akatsuki member to dance like a puppet. Choji engaged Kakuzu directly, his fists slamming into the earth as he deftly dodged the serpentine tendrils of thick, black thread.
Kakashi moved with the grace of his lightning, his sharingan tracking Kakuzu's movements as he wove between the lurching threads of Kakuzu's Hidden Technique. "Stay focused!" He called out to the team. "We only get one shot at this."
Shikamaru's eyes gleamed with determination as he manipulated Hidan's movements. "This ends today," he muttered, his voice low but resolute. "For Asuma."
The dense forest erupted with a range of elemental jutsu and deafening notes of destruction. Shikamaru crouched low, his fingers forming the intricate hand seal for his Shadow Imitation Technique. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he directed his shadow toward the remaining Akatsuki member, Kakuzu.
Timing was everything. Shikamaru's sharp eyes tracked every movement, waiting for the perfect opening. Kakashi and Choji engaged with Kakuzu. With a flick of his wrist, Shikamaru hurled two explosive kunai toward them, their fuses burning bright as they streaked through the air. The kunai detonated in a fiery blast, forcing Kakuzu and the clones he created to leap apart. Shikamaru seized the moment, throwing Asuma's chakra blades with precision. The blades sailed through the air, glowing faintly with Shikamaru's chakra.
The weapons embedded themselves in the ground, anchoring the two Akatsuki members with his Shadow Imitation. "Got you boh now," Shikamaru muttered, his voice a mix of triumph and rage. He poured his chakra into the blades, the shadows writhing like snakes up Hidan's body.
With a single command, Shikamaru forced Hidan to attack Kakuzu, swinging his scythe with brutal efficiency. However, Kakuzu proved just as cunning as his reputation suggested. A grin spread across his stitched face as his arm detached, burrowing underground like a serpent. A silent, transient reprieve overtook the battlefield.
The reprieve was short-lived. Out of the shadows, Kakashi appeared like a wraith, his Lightning Blade igniting in a brilliant flash of flickering blue. With surgical precision, Kakashi drove the blade through Kakuzu's chest, piercing his heart. For a moment, silence fell over the battlefield. Kakashi pulled back, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to finish off Hidan.
But Kakuzu moved. Somehow still alive, Kakuzu retaliated with a ferocious strike, knocking Kakashi back. The jōnin skidded across the forest floor, stunned by the impossibility of Kakuzu's survival. The Akatsuki member calmly removed his shirt, revealing a grotesque sight—four masks were embedded in his back, each one exuding a sinister aura. The skin of his back split apart, and monstrous beasts emerged from the masks, their forms brimming with elemental energy.
The battlefield grew tense as Kakuzu explained, "I have five hearts, each taken from a shinobi I've killed. Each heart gives me life... and the power of its elemental affinity." He smirked. "You took one. I have four left. I mean to replace it with your own, Copy-nin."
The monstrous masks unleashed their power. One launched an inexorable gust of wind that ripped through the clearing, scattering the Leaf ninja team. Another fired brilliant bolts of lightning, streaking toward Shikamaru and Choji. Kakashi intercepted the attack, Lightning Blades blazing in both hands, deflecting the deadly strikes.
"Stay focused!" Kakashi barked, his sharingan spinning as he tracked Kakuzu's movements.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru knew they couldn't fight both enemies at once. "We need to separate them," he said through gritted teeth. His mind raced, formulating a plan.
Shikamaru lured Hidan deep into the forest. The immortal Akatsuki member, bound by Shikamaru's shadow, cursed and struggled. "You're really starting to piss me off, brat!" Hidan spat, his scythe dragging behind him.
Shikamaru ignored the taunts, leading Hidan to a carefully prepared location rigged with his own assortment of traps and tricks. As they reached the center, Shikamaru's chakra faltered. The Shadow Imitation Technique broke, and Hidan grinned viciously.
"You're done for!" Hidan lunged forward, his scythe cutting through the air. A shallow cut opened on Shikamaru's arm, and Hidan wasted no time licking the blood from his blade. The ritual circle appeared beneath him, and his skin turned black with white accents as he prepared to finish the ritual.
Shikamaru staggered back, clutching his arm. "Damn it," he muttered, feigning panic.
In the original clearing, Kakuzu reveled in his monstrous power. "You're nothing compared to the First Hokage," he taunted. "He was the first Konoha ninja I ever fought. And yet, here you are, a pitiful shadow of his strength."
Ino's voice cut through the tension. "You don't know, do you? Naruto," she said fiercely, her hands glowing with chakra. "If the First Hokage is reborn, it's him."
Kakashi exchanged a glance with her and blurred his hands through a set of hand seals. "He's on his way. We just have to hold out."
In the forest Hidan raised his pike to finish the ritual, he froze. While paine exploded in his chest, Shikamaru stood nonchalantly. Nothing had happened. "What the—?"
In the nearby clearing, Kakuzu staggered, clutching his chest. Blood poured from a wound that hadn't been inflicted by his opponents. Realization dawned on his face. "Hidan… you idiot!"
Shikamaru stepped forward, holding a vial of blood. "Not so immortal now, are you?" he said coldly. "This isn't my blood. It's Kakuzu's." Hidan looked down at his weapon, horror dawning as he realized his mistake.
Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Choji advancing toward the staggered Kakuzu, their combined resolve shining brighter than ever.
Shikamaru struggled to keep Hidan pinned. For a moment, his strength wavered. His Shadow Possession Technique was stretched thin, his reserves of chakra dwindled rapidly. Sweat dripped down his face as he clenched his teeth, watching Hidan inch closer, his scythe poised to strike. Shikamaru's mind raced. His plan had been perfect, but his body was giving out. Hidan's maniacal laughter echoed through the dense forest. "What's wrong, brat? Tired already? You can't stop me!"
Shikamaru's shadow flickered, losing its hold for just a moment. Hidan surged forward, ready to land the final blow. Shikamaru braced himself, a bitter realization settling in: he couldn't do it. Not like this. He closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable.
On the other battlefield, Kakashi battled fiercely against Kakuzu. The masked Akatsuki's synergistic fire and wind attacks scorched the landscape, leaving destruction in their wake. Kakashi's sharingan tracked Kakuzu's movements with precision, but his chakra reserves were nearly depleted.
With one last effort, Kakashi activated Kamui, targeting Kakuzu's central heart. Kakuzu dodged with preternatural instincts, the technique grazing his shoulder instead of landing a fatal blow.
"Time-Space Jutsu, huh?" Kakuzu grinned maliciously. "Running out of tricks, Copy Ninja? How disappointing."
Kakashi's knees buckled slightly, his vision blurring. He tried to stand firm, but his body betrayed him. His heart sank as he realized he wouldn't last much longer. He cast a glance at his team, still locked in their respective battles. This was it. He was going to lose more comrades.
Suddenly, a torrent of water surged through the battlefield, extinguishing Kakuzu's flames and throwing him off balance. Kakashi's eyes widened as two familiar figures emerged from the mist. Naruto and Yamato stood in unison, their hands pressed together in identical snake seals.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!" they shouted in unison.
The ground erupted with an earth-shattering roar as an emergent form of massive tree limbs surged forth, forming an impenetrable barrier between Kakashi and Kakuzu. The wooden shield twisted and coiled, absorbing the remnants of Kakuzu's attack and cutting off his line of slumped against a tree, breathing heavily. His relief was palpable as he looked up at Naruto and Yamato.
"You two… perfect timing," he muttered.
Naruto turned to Yamato, his expression steady but urgent. "Yamato-sensei, can you check on Kakashi-sensei and the others?" While his words seemed a question, his voice was firm, commanding.
Yamato nodded and darted off with Kakashi slung about his shoulder. He assessed the rest of the battlefield with cautious eyes.
Naruto stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Kakuzu. The Akatsuki member studied him warily, his usual arrogance replaced by a flicker of unease. The aura around Naruto was different—calm, yet intense, like a storm brewing beneath the surface.
"I'll never let you hurt my friends again," Naruto declared, his voice steady and resolute. The air around him seemed to shift, heavy with an undeniable presence. His chakra settled over the battlefield with heaviness.
For a brief moment, Kakuzu saw something impossible. The silhouette of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, seemed to overlap with Naruto's form. His eyes widened in panic. "This chakra… No, it can't be."
Naruto didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, a glowing Earth Release: Rasengan formed in his hand. The grinding sound of stone echoed through the clearing, its destructive power evident.
Kakuzu snarled and unleashed his remaining hearts, sending them surging forward with elemental fury. Naruto met the onslaught head-on, his Rasengan glowing brighter as he charged toward the enemy.
As the two forces collided, the battlefield erupted in a blinding explosion of light and energy. His Rasengan, augmented with earth chakra, pulverized one of Kakuzu's amorphous Masks. The tide of the battle had shifted, and Naruto's unwavering determination burned brighter than ever.
A shadowed figure landed lightly beside Ino, Kakashi, and Chōji, his personalized black jōnin flak jacket catching the faint light of the moon filtered through the dense canopy. The Naruto clone grinned broadly. "Hey guys! Sorry I'm late."
Ino's temper flared instantly. "Sorry?! You're just a clone! The real you is out there fighting for his life, and you're acting like this is a picnic!"
Kakashi didn't chastise her. He let himself slump against a tree, his body protesting the strain of battle. His one visible eye softened as he watched Naruto's clone casually lean against the side of another tree. He saw more than just a young boy standing there; he saw the unmistakable glimmers of Minato's brilliance and Kushina's fiery spirit. Naruto… you've grown into someone they'd be proud of.
Not far away, the battlefield crackled with tension. Kakuzu sneered as he faced the real Naruto, his crimson eyes glowing ominously in the moonlight. "Another child… pathetic," he spat, though his mind raced. His thoughts drifted back to his most humiliating defeat—the day he faced Hashirama Senju. That same terrifying chakra coursed through this boy. "Let's see how your Wood Release fares against me,and my forbidden Earth Grudge Technique brat."
Naruto didn't flinch. His sky-blue eyes burned with unyielding determination. He stood in silent focus. With a puff of smoke, a dozen clones materialized around him.
"He didn't even use hand seals…" Ino gasped, her frustration momentarily replaced with awe.
Kakuzu's threads bulged outward and whipped through the air like serpents, lashing out at Naruto's clones. The clones darted and weaved between the chaos, drawing Kakuzu's elemental hearts into the furious assault. Fire roared, wind howled, and lightning crackled as Kakuzu's techniques dispelled clone after clone. Yet, for every clone destroyed, another took its place, a relentless tide of Naruto's will. Kakuzu snarled and thrust his arms outward, mustering his fleeting strength to empower his serpentine threads. They wriggled through the atmosphere with alarming speed. Naruto's skilled use of his Wood Release countered the threads' every movement. His trees were more robust, their limbs more dexterous. Kakuzu was simply outmatched.
"Wood Release: Forest Bind Technique!" Naruto's voice rang out like a war drum.
The earth groaned as an explosion of roots and branches burst from the ground, snaking through the air with uncanny precision. The massive limbs of the trees twisted and coiled around Kakuzu, ensnaring his arms and legs. His threads lashed out in a desperate attempt to free himself, but the dexterity and sheer resilience of the Wood Release overwhelmed even his finest technique.
"Impossible… this power…" Kakuzu struggled, his voice laced with disbelief. For the first time in decades, he felt fear.
Naruto stepped forward, his form illuminated by the glowing sphere of chakra forming in his palm. The Rasengan swelled and churned with violent energy, its hues swirling between vibrant blue and earthy brown. Water and wind chakra fused into a chaotic, raging maelstrom. A noise like a blender emanated from the new technique.
"Wind and Water Release: Rasengan Whirlpool!" Naruto charged forward, his battle cry shaking the very ground beneath him.
The newly perfected attack struck Kakuzu squarely in the chest. Naruto plunged his attack, Kakuzu's hapless frame at the other end, resoundingly into the ground before him. The explosive collision unleashed a deafening roar as the ground split open, forming a massive ravine. The violent energy of the Whirlpool Rasengan transformed into a spinning torrent of water and earth. A waterfall poured into the abyss as the Rasengan Whirpool split open, filling it with a slurry of whirling, abrasive rocks and frothing water. The brown torrent turned crimson as Kakuzu's form disappeared, shredded and dissolved by the sheer force of Naruto's jutsu. Naruto grimaced, holding the stump that had been his arm with white knuckles. Even as he doubled over in pain, the blood that seeped from his amputated arm began to boil. An unnaturally white substance precipitated from the boiling blood, encompassing the stump that was once his arm. It hardened and formed itself into the growing shape of his regenerating limb. He screamed in agony. Regeneration, despite its usefulness, was not a pleasant experience.
The battlefield fell silent save for the sound of the rushing water within the ravine. Kakashi, Ino, and Chōji stood frozen, watching the scene in stunned disbelief. The Naruto clone by their side grinned and gave them a thumbs-up before dissipating in a puff of smoke.
The real Naruto turned to face them, his chest heaving and his expression resolute. He flexed his newly formed fingers awkwardly. The arm was paler than the rest of his skin, but it no longer appeared unnatural. The entire process had taken ten minutes. In that time, nobody had uttered a word. His eyes met Ino's, and despite the chaos of the battle, his smile was warm, reassuring. "Kakashi-sensei, Ino, Chōji… are you guys okay?"
"You… you're incredible, Naruto." Ino's voice trembled, but she managed a smile.
Kakashi nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You've surpassed even my expectations, Naruto. Minato and Kushina… they'd be proud."
Naruto's smile widened, but his gaze hardened as he looked toward the forest. "We're not done yet. Shikamaru still needs us." With those words, he leaped into the shadows, ready to face whatever threat awaited him.
Within the sun-dappled forest, Sakura and Sai arrived just in time to see Shikamaru locked in a fierce battle with Hidan. The battlefield was littered with destruction, scorch marks, and broken branches, evidence of the relentless struggle. Hidan, bloodied but as maniacal as ever, brandished his scythe with a twisted grin. Shikamaru, visibly exhausted, crouched low, sweat dripping from his brow.
Sakura's eyes widened. "Shikamaru! Are you—"
"I'm fine!" he barked, cutting her off. His gaze never left Hidan. "Stay out of this, Sakura. I've got a score to settle."
Sai observed the scene with his usual stoicism, but even he could sense the tension. "He's on the ropes," he noted. "We should assist."
"No," Sakura said, gripping Sai's arm. Her voice was steady, despite her worry. "This is his fight."
Hidan lunged at Shikamaru with his scythe, the blade whistling through the air. Shikamaru sidestepped just in time, his movements sluggish but deliberate. Hidan's laughter echoed through the forest. "What's wrong, little shadow boy? Not so tough now without your dead sensei to protect you?"
Shikamaru didn't respond. Instead, his hands formed a seal, and his shadow writhed out toward Hidan. The immortal Akatsuki member danced around the creeping tendrils, his movements erratic yet effective.
"You're too slow!" Hidan taunted, his scythe slicing through the air once more. This time, the blade grazed Shikamaru's arm, drawing blood.
"Yeah, well you talk too much." Shikamaru winced but didn't falter. With a sudden burst of speed, Shikamaru's shadow shot forward, ensnaring Hidan's legs. Hidan's grin faltered for a brief moment as the shadows crept up his body, binding him in place.
Shikamaru's voice was calm, but his eyes burned with cold fury. "You thought you could come here, to my country, kill my sensei, and get away with it?"
Hidan struggled against the shadows that encircled his throat, his scythe twitching uselessly in his grip. "You think this'll stop me? I'm immortal, you brat! I'll kill you, then I'll kill your friends, and I'll keep killing until Jashin-sama is satisfied!"
Ignoring the rant, Shikamaru reached into his pouch and retrieved a handful of explosive tags. With precision honed by hours of preparation, he used his shadows to affix the tags to Hidan's body. At the same time, the ground beneath Hidan began to shift and crumble.
Hidan glanced down, noticing the pit opening beneath him. His laughter returned, sharp and cruel. "You think burying me will do anything? I'll survive this, even if it's just my head! And when I get out, I'll kill you and everyone you care about!"
"You won't get out." Shikamaru's voice remained steady.
Hidan's grin faltered. The infuriating boy spoke with such certainty, a sense of conclusion lingered in the air. "What?"
"This is my clan's land," Shikamaru explained, his eyes as cold as steel. "We've been tending this forest for generations. No one knows it better than us. Even if you're immortal, you'll stay buried here forever. My clan will make sure of it."
Hidan's threats turned into incoherent screams as Shikamaru reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it with a small flicker of fire chakra, he took a slow, deliberate drag. For a moment, he saw a vision of Asuma standing beside him, smiling proudly.
"Thanks for everything, sensei," Shikamaru murmured. "This one's for you."
With a flick of his fingers, he tossed the lit cigarette at Hidan. The flames caught the explosive tags, and in an instant, a massive explosion shook the ground. Smoke and debris filled the air, obscuring the scene.
When the dust settled, the pit was a chaotic mess of rubble and ash. Hidan's muffled voice echoed faintly from beneath the debris, still cursing and vowing revenge. "Jashin-sama will punish you! I'll—"
Shikamaru cut him off by tossing a kunai wrapped in more explosive tags into the hole. The subsequent explosion caused the entire pit to collapse, burying Hidan in a tomb of earth and rock. The forest fell silent once more.
"It's over."Sakura and Sai approached cautiously. Sakura placed a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder.
Shikamaru nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. It's over."
As the three began their journey back to regroup with the others, Shikamaru glanced back at the site one last time. The forest was still, the trees swaying gently in the wind. His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Rest easy, Asuma-sensei."