Chapter 127: Asuma's Assault

Hidan, with his slicked-back silver hair, sat casually on the steps of a public restroom, sniffing his Akatsuki cloak with a grimace.

"Seriously, I was in there for five minutes, and now I stink," he muttered, clearly annoyed.

As he complained, a sudden presence behind him made him turn his head. "Kakuzu, you're taking forever."

To his surprise, it wasn't Kakuzu but a bearded ninja standing there. Asuma Sarutobi wasted no time, swiftly hurling a shuriken toward Hidan.

"Tsk!" Hidan clicked his tongue, leaping to avoid the attack. As he moved, he yanked on the rope tied to his wrist, retrieving his sharp, red, three-bladed scythe with a practiced motion. In a single fluid move, he deflected the shuriken, sending it hurtling back at Asuma.

Asuma dodged expertly, silently acknowledging Hidan's skill. Without hesitation, Hidan swung his scythe at Asuma, who narrowly evaded the strike. The overextension left Hidan momentarily open, providing an opportunity for two figures to flank him with long blades aimed at his torso.

As Hidan attempted to retract his scythe to defend himself, he found his body frozen in place.

"What the—? I can't move!" he exclaimed, eyes widening.

Above, perched on the roof of the restroom, Shikamaru Nara stood with his hands forming a seal, a smirk on his face. "It's too late."

Seizing the opportunity, Izumo and Kotetsu plunged their blades into Hidan's immobilized form with precision.

Asuma grinned at the apparent success. "One down."

But before they could celebrate, Hidan spoke up, his tone more irritated than pained. "Ouch! That hurts! Who the hell are you?"

"What?!" Kotetsu and Izumo stared in disbelief. Tentatively, Kotetsu twisted his blade to confirm if Hidan was a clone or substitution.

"Hey, stop twisting it! That hurts even more," Hidan complained, sounding more annoyed than injured.

His gaze shifted to Asuma, focusing on the sash adorned with the Fire emblem. "Ah, I see. One of those 'Guardian Ninja.' Looks like I'll be collecting your bounty at the money exchange."

Asuma's expression hardened. "We're from Konoha, tasked with capturing and eliminating Akatsuki members. I know you work in pairs, so I planned to take one of you down before moving to the other. But your abilities are... peculiar. Where's your partner?"

Meanwhile, Shikamaru strained to maintain his shadow possession technique. Despite Hidan's outward calm, he was constantly resisting the jutsu.

"Is this the power of Akatsuki? Incredible..." Shikamaru muttered, sweat beading on his brow as he focused.

A sudden change in the atmosphere caught his attention, and without hesitation, he released the jutsu and leaped away.

Boom!

The restroom's roof exploded as Kakuzu appeared amidst the debris, his scarred form moving with alarming speed toward Shikamaru.

Before Kakuzu could strike, Asuma intercepted, shielding Shikamaru from harm.

With Hidan now free, he stretched his limbs while Izumo and Kotetsu retreated to Shikamaru's side, ready to defend their strategist.

Kakuzu smirked as his gaze fell on Asuma. "Well, well. Asuma Sarutobi. Your bounty is worth 35 million ryo. Quite the prize, Hidan."

"Don't interfere, Kakuzu!" Hidan snapped, retrieving his scythe. "I'm using him for the ritual. You can have the bounty after."

"Fine. But don't underestimate them. You might actually die," Kakuzu replied nonchalantly.

"Heh! Me? Die? I'd love to see them try," Hidan sneered.

Drawing a circle with a triangle inside it using his own blood, Hidan began his ritual.

"Kakuzu and Hidan," Shikamaru murmured, analyzing the scene. "Kakuzu's abilities are unknown, but Hidan is clearly immortal. If conventional attacks won't work, we'll need to immobilize or decapitate him to neutralize the threat. But..."

Kotetsu pulled out a signal flare. "Shikamaru, should I call for reinforcements?"

After a brief pause, Shikamaru nodded. "Do it."

The flare shot into the sky, its bright light signaling for help.

"Hidan, we need to wrap this up. Reinforcements will complicate things," Kakuzu warned, irritation evident in his voice.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't interfere?" Hidan snapped but shrugged. "Fine. Leave this one to me."

As Hidan prepared his scythe, Asuma tightened his grip on his chakra blades. "Shikamaru, cover me with the shadow possession jutsu. If I can immobilize him for a moment, I'll sever his head."

"Wait, Asuma," Shikamaru protested. "There's no need to take such a risk. Reinforcements are coming. Let's play it safe."

"They're still far off," Asuma argued. "We can't stay on the defensive forever. Taking the initiative is our best option."

Shikamaru hesitated, recognizing the desperation in Asuma's voice—a result of Chiriku's death.

"It's too dangerous for you to go alone," Kotetsu interjected. "Let me back you up."

"No. You and Izumo focus on Kakuzu and protect Shikamaru," Asuma replied firmly.

Despite their objections, Izumo and Kotetsu reluctantly complied with Asuma's plan.

"Well, are you done strategizing?" Hidan taunted, spinning his scythe with anticipation.

With his chakra blades glowing, Asuma charged at Hidan. Their weapons clashed in a flurry of strikes, neither combatant yielding an inch.

As Shikamaru prepared his jutsu, Kakuzu discarded his money box, revealing his scar-covered arms.

"Tsk. Looks like I can't sit this one out," Kakuzu remarked.

As Kakuzu moved to join the fray, Kotetsu unfurled a scroll, summoning a hammer-like weapon. He and Izumo stepped forward, determined to hold the line against Kakuzu.

(End of Chapter)

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