Chapter 98 - Ambush

Shikamaru saw that everyone was looking at him, so after thinking about it for a few seconds he says "First of all, to make the best plan I have to know everyone abilities, so gave me an honest report of your capabilities, Asuma-sensei I know what can you do...so Kotetsu-san, Izumo-san one of you start".

The first to talk was Izumo who said "I'm proficient in Water Nature Transformation and Bukujutsu, and since my Genin days I worked with Kotetsu, so we got good teamwork between us" then Kotetsu "While I'm somewhat good with Genjutsu but isn't my strongest point, and I'm proficient in Bukujutsu"

Then it was Hayate who simply said "I'm an expert in stealth and Kenjutsu" then Hana says "I'm like all the member of my clan good at tracking and in close combat, plus I'm a medic nin".

After Hana it is Taro turns to speak and he says "I'm good at close combat and at Fire Nature Transformation, I also have a good teamwork with my brother, as we did all the mission together." then Jiro continues "While I'm good at Shurikenjutsu and Wind Nature Transformation, and Taro forgot to add that we got some good Combination Jutsu"

Hearing all this,Shikamaru put his thinking pose and started simulating various strategies, thinking about his allies and his enemy abilities, after thinking for half an hour he finally came up with a plan.

Then he starts explaining his plan to all, and after making sure that everyone knew the plan and the enemy capabilities, then all they had to do was wait for them to come out, but after waiting in front of the sealed cave all the day, they still didn't come out.

Just as they were starting to lose patience, a Jigokucho appeared near Hayate and left a scroll, Hayate took it and read Ren's message then he reported to everyone else "I just got the news that the Akatsuki right now is sealing a Bijuu and the Jutsu used, the Fūinjutsu: Genryū Kyūfūjin (Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals) takes 3 days with all the Akatsuki member doing it, and with the loss they faced right now it should take 5 days for them to finish, he also said that it is useless to attack to disrupt the sealing jutsu as this isn't the sealing location as it is a hidden one"

And Asuma ask "Who told you this and how does he even know that you are here?" and Hayate "It is my former student Ren, he knows that I'm here because I told him using the same summoned beast, these butterflies are perfect for message delivery as they practically teleport, as how does he knows this is because one of the member of the group he created, was undercover in the Akatsuki, in fact he is the one that gave us the info on the enemies abilities, and if he says that they will come out in 5 days, I'll trust him"

Then he turns to everyone and says "So I think it is better that we go to the nearest village and rest and prepare there, maybe even call some more backup what do you think?" and Shikamaru says "I think it is a good idea to rest and prepare better, now that we have more time, I can further refine the plan" and Asuma "It's okay for me too"

After that they went to the nearest village to rest, while they decided to send the news of the Akatsuki duo back to Konoha, and so they rested and prepare for the fight for the next 3 days, but on the fourth day, Ino, Choji and Kakashi came and joined their team.

Seeing Kakashi, Hayato asked "Kakashi-san what are you here? Shouldn't you help Naruto with his training" and Kakashi replied "Right now he doesn't need any more help from me, and Ren said that to deal with Kakuzu in an easier way, an expert in Lightning Nature Transformation is needed as he is able to harden his skin with Earth Nature, so not only he is hard to kill but also to damage... By the way Kotetsu, Izumo, Hokage-same command you to return to Konoha, and resume your duty" and both of them gave a nod and went back to the village.

Looking at them Shikamaru says "Good with you guy here, my plan can work even better, now all we have to do is wait for tomorrow and prepare the ambush".

On the fifth day, the team once again waited for Hidan and Kakuzu to come out, and prepared the ambush point, in a forest near the mountain where Shikamaru is sure the two will pass as it is the fastest way to go back to Konoha, while Ino using the Shintenshin no Jutsu(Mind Body Switch Technique) on a nearby bird keeps and eye on the cave.

Finally their wait was rewarded as the two come out of the sealed cave and once again moved in the direction of Konoha, while Kakashi and the other followed after them, and once they reached the ambush point, they started their attack.

The first to act were Taro and Jiro who used the Katon/Futon Renkeijutsu: Dai Ryūka no Jutsu(Fire/Wind Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique) shooting a big stream of fire in the direction of the duo, who noticed the attack and were easily able to jump away in two different directions.

But they didn't notice the thin shadow moving fast toward Hidan, and soon this shadow connect with Hidan's one, and the next instant he notices the he is unable to move and that he fell under a Kagemane no Jutsu(Shadow Imitation Technique) and so he warns his partner "Kakuzu be careful of the Shadows!" just in time as another thin shadow was moving toward him, and so he once again evades retreat.

But at the same time a big ball of fire, a Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique) shoot by a still hidden Asuma, is moving fast toward Kakuzu from the side, and it is too late to evade the blow, so he chose to tank the blow using his Doton: Domu (Earth Release: Earth Spear) on his right arm, causing it to become noticeably darker, all while increasing their defensive power to become as hard as diamond, to block the jutsu.

After the smoke caused by the explosion cleared, the figure of Kakuzu standing uninjured can be seen, then he said "This is a worthless effort...", but in the next instant, Hidan move closer to Kakuzu and start to attack him with his scythe, but of course even if is body is controlled he is still able to warn his partner "Hey Kakuzu be careful someone is controlling my body... Find him and free me!!!".

And while easily evading Shikamaru's amateurish attack with the scythe, Kakuzu looks around to search for the controller of Hidan, but just as he found him, he is once again force to use the Doton: Domu on his whole body to tank Choji's Nikudan Hari Sensha (Spiked Human Bullet Tank).

Once the cloud of dust caused by the impact cleared, once again the figure of an undamaged Kakuzu can be seen, then Hidan says "Come one! It's time to start our counterattack release this Ju..." but Kakuzu who slightly lowered his guard as his jutsu was still active is hit by Kakashi's Raikiri, right in the heart, then he turns around and says "H-How the hell... I couldn't... sense you...", then Shikamaru come out of his hiding place and yelled "Kakashi-sensei!".

And so Kakashi removed his hand from his opponent chest and as he fell into the ground, Kakashi once again moved to attack the still unmoving Hidan, but just as he moved Kakuzu got up once again and kicked Kakashi away, then from his back came out four strange bodies made completely out of black thread with animal mask, then he says "Sit this one out Hidan, I'll kill all of them..."