A.N. Hey all, i'm back...sorta

I need to apologise for the extended absence, things in life went a bit crazy, but its mostly good news now for me. I'm gonna try and get back to updating on a regular basis, for now i will not give any definite timescales.

This is but a paltry apology to my fans and everyone who enjoys the story, but its all i have to give, I will finish the story, I gave my word on that so I will keep that.

Next chapter I will include the shoutouts and answer any questions up to this point.

Sorry for the wait again - hope you enjoy this chapter as i get to work on the others...Onwards To Glory!

Aburame Breeding and Research Farm

The light above a door of one of the self-contained units flashed repeatedly; tell of its current use. A constant buzzing from the various rooms and hive structures echoed around the geo-dome, visitors often couldn't remain for longer than a few minutes, the noise could not be easily blocked out and the subtle vibrations in the air also had varied effects.

For the Aburame's this was not an issue, given the symbiotic relationship with their bugs and insects.

Back in the contained unit, a swarm of Kikaichu fleeted around in their hundreds of thousands. On the moist floor below, ants and various other crawlers skittled about and added to the cacophony. And in the middle of it was a single Aburame Nin, his chakra weaving around him deceptively.

Aburame Hijutsu…..

Veins rose and muscles tensed. Beads of sweat shone over his exposed frame and the Kikai swarm grew even more frenzied. Hundreds of them landed on his skin and simply moulted, some burrowing just under the surface.

The Aburame suddenly gasped and lurched forwards on his hands and knees. His heart thudded against his chest and his lungs constricted, trying to draw in air. A loud growl escaped his lips as his frame seemed to bulge and grow sharply; the Kikaichu were in a frenzy all around him.

That's enough for now…stop the trials.

The buzzing of the Kikaichu slowed and the chakra activity trickled to a crawl. The Aburame slumped over, completely drained.

"The strain is significant as I suspected. Not all of the Clan can fully utilise this technique" Aburame Shibi commented as several others monitored the health readouts. The Clan Elders observed the proceedings similarly, keen on the results of the trials.

"Still, more than a third have shown affinity for it, they could become proficient in its use. Few of them could even master it fully; it would be an asset to us in future endeavours" One of the Elders piped up musingly. Several veiled eyes turned to the far corner of the observation booth, "Well done young Shino; you are proving to be an able technician of the Clan"

Shino nodded but kept his focus on his clansman, the medics were already seeing to him and working to regress the procedure.

His latest jutsu was much harder on the body than he originally anticipated, but for him it came almost naturally, and he suspected so for a few reasons. Until he had time to check however he wasn't going to fully voice them yet. Still, he was sure that a partial activation was feasible-

"Shino?"

He turned towards his father, his thoughts halting. Even behind the dark shades the incredulous and amused expression was evident. Although personally Shino thought the raised eyebrow was a bit much. His glance traced just behind his father and noted the 'varied' expressions from the Clan Elders; amused and exasperated being the primary emotions.

"Apologies." He said smoothly with a small bow, "I was lost in reflection."

"So we gathered young Shino" an Elder stated dryly. Another nodded and piped up, her voice croaky. "We are very impressed with your work; each year we see some advancement in the Clan Arts, much like the Rinkaichu bugs of your clansmen Torune and his late father Shikuro."

At the name Shino's expressions shifted ever so slightly; to the average ninja nothing changed, to skilled and exceptional shinobi something happened, but they couldn't tell what.

To another Aburame however, especially his father, Shino had gone from quietly respectful, to rebellious, sad and disdainful.

"True…." another Elder trailed in as they tried to understand where this sudden display came from, "You have singlehandedly advanced the Aburame combat skills by at least Five generations."

That had him blinking behind his shades; his father also couldn't avoid displaying his surprise. The Elders amusements seemed to fill the space, despite their passive stances.

"Do not seem so shocked. Each time we achieve any breakthrough or advancement only one or two ever manage to utilise it at best" the elders tone stressing the point while others nodded, "It takes another three generations before a portion of the Clan can utilise it, and still more before it's more prevalent than rare. There are a number of clan secrets; rarer than even the Nano-scale bugs Torune uses that no living Aburame can yet decipher, let alone use. Such secrets we fear will be lost to us altogether."

Shibi cocked his head and nodded slowly, he was all too familiar as the Clan Head.

"The Jutsus you have created however are extremely versatile and powerful, but more importantly Shino, they are accessible. Already we have received multiple reports from clansmen who utilised the new breed of silk worms and your armament jutsu; all have given positive reports and noted improved efficiency of their Kikaichu all around. Some have even managed to create unique armour and weapon designs. Aburame Sayaka is proving to follow close in your footsteps, her praying mantis blades are a product of adapting your original jutsu."

Shino nodded again at the praise, but his eyes kept trailing back to the observation room. An Elder noted this and stepped closer.

"Worry not; you have already set the template, let the clansmen work out the issues from here. Be proud of what you have accomplished."

"It isn't that," Shino stated as he shook his head. He stepped closer to the glass and several of his Kikaichu fleeted around him; on closer inspection several of them had subtly different markings, but all were the same size.

"I am beginning to suspect the issue with some is the particular type of insect they are using; based on how quickly the jutsu took hold in all trial cases that suggests each one is compatible, and I suspect that would be so for all Aburame if tested. That being said-"Shino glanced again at the Elders and his father, "There is a stark difference between the Arctia caja and the Lucanidae, and even more than people realise between orders such as Bostrichiformia and Cucujiformia."

Everyone paused at the statement; Shino could sense the scrutiny of his words based on the pheromone trails, even as he continued to muse on the point. More than one glances lingered on him and the observation booth.

"And here I thought things would be simple," the croaky Elder snorted, however her tone was coloured by excitement. "You are certainly not lacking for ambition Aburame Shino." Others murmured in agreement.

"With time, I am confident that anyone could utilise this jutsu at its base. It would give the Clan time to adapt. For the best results however," Shino suddenly grinned and his Kikaichu buzzed in a frenzy.

"That is where things get interesting…."

Minutes earlier….

"Scatter!" came the call from Ino and Asuma. All members of Team Ten blitzed away from the blow; the force splintered the tree and sent the top half crashing to the ground below. Seconds later they reappeared on the main roadway; followed swiftly by both Akatsuki Nins.

"These are our little tag-alongs?" the query from the white hair Akatsuki Nin was full of disgust. He reached to his back and pulled free a wicked looking scythe, with three blades as opposed to one. His companions features were more conceal, with only the skin around his eyes visible; the eyes themselves covered by some kind of lens.

"Konohagakure Team Ten; Chunins Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, Chunin Commander Nara Shikamaru…Team Leader Sarutobi Asuma; former twelve guardian and bounty much higher than Chiriku, his former companion"

Hidan raised and appraising eyebrow and then scoffed again as he rested the giant blade on his shoulder.

"There you go again Kakuzu, with your sacrilegious words and blasphemy. Lord Jashin doesn't care for your vice and love of money."

"Akatsuki does however; and it is those funds that make our efforts possible. Something you are often quick to forget Hidan" Kakuzu countered and he rested his briefcase over his shoulder. Hidan made as if he didn't hear him.

"All Lord Jashin commands is that his faithful smite down the infidels and unworthy. Their blood and their lives a tribute to his might." Hidan's eyes lit up with a frenzy and his stance shifted. As one Team Ten moved, ready for the onslaught.

"Choji, you're with me," Asuma rumbled in low tones. The Akimichi nodded once and steeled himself. Neither side seemed to move.

A wild screech sounded from Hidan as he rushed forwards. His arm cocked and the scythe glinted in the midday sun. Asuma tensed and prepared to counter. Suddenly Choji jinked forwards, moving as low as his bulk allowed. The scythe met his arm with a sharp sound, and the blades scraped over armoured plates.

Hidan cursed as he tried to pull back for another blow. Movement traced on the edge of his vision and he flinched left instinctively. An elbow jabbed deep into his stomach and he doubled over, another blow struck his chin throwing his head backwards. Hidan bit back as snarl as he tasted blood on his lips; quickly he reasserted himself and gave a wide sweep with his scythe forcing his assailant back. Choji slid across the ground, just beneath the scythe and cocked his arms back, chakra brimming around them.

Baika No Jutsu.

Hidan's eyes popped out as two massive palms slammed into his midsection with unrelenting force. The shock took all the breath out of him and he went crashing into the trees.

Choji straightened and his arms regained their normal size, beside him Asuma stood tense with his trench knives humming with wind chakra. The Jonin kept a cold gaze on the tree line, ever so often glancing at Kakuzu's position for any sign of action. The Jonin took a deep drag of his cigarette, draining more than half of it.

Trees seemed to burst apart as Hidan charged out again, murder gleaming in his eyes.

Katon: Haisekisho No Jutsu (Burning Ash Jutsu)

Asuma's chakra spiked and he exhaled, blowing out a dense dark cloud of particulates right at Hidan. The Akatsuki Nin stopped and brought one hand up to conceal his face as the cloud overtook his position. The wind shifted slightly, picking up the dust particles and moving them away.

Asuma hissed in irritation and clashed his teeth. With a little spark, and a lot of chakra, the cloud went off in flames. Choji leaned back from the heat and used his arm to cover his face.

Meanwhile further back Shikamaru kept a critical gaze on the battlefield, his mind churning through strategies with every synapse. Ino stood tense just behind him, her hands tracing through several Genjutsus. Asuma gave a slight look backwards with a nod.

That was his mistake; Shikamaru's eyes widened and he called out a sharp warning.

Through the flames Hidan practically flew out. His left side was badly burned and half his robes in tatters, once there had been raw rage but now his face was stone cold and deadly serious. The bottom of his scythe clicked audibly and a spike with retractable cable shot out. He grabbed the end and flicked it in Choji's direction. The Akimichi instinctively brought his gauntlet arm up and deflected the spike, only for Hidan to come in low. With a quick spin his leg shot out, catching Choji on the side and sending the large Nin flying and gasping for breath.

"Choji" Asuma only had enough time to call out as Hidan set upon him like a man possessed. The last Sarutobi was hard pressed as Hidan began a flurry of attacks, sweeping gashes with his scythe, interspaces with blows from the handle and jabs from the spike. Asuma kept an admirable defence, deflecting the blows as they began, but never able to score a critical hit.

Asuma deflected a particularly harrowing attack but cursed his mistake. Hidan smirked as his follow up brought him closer to the Konoha Nin; with his spike firm in hand he thrust forwards to the Jonin's exposed side.

Kagemane No Jutsu, Success!

Both Asuma and Hidan stopped short. Shikamaru took a deep breath as his jutsu took hold and kept both combatants. Hidden from view he felt Ino jab him in the side, moments later his chakra spiked. He gave a discreet tap as thanks and planned for their next move.

"Oi Kakuzu!" Hidan finally snarled out as he continued to struggle against the invisible grip. "Are you just gonna stand there or what?! These heathens are mocking Lord Jashin!"

Kakuzu however sat on a boulder with his elbows on his knees and the briefcase between his legs. He cocked his head to the side as he considered his teammate.

"I pray to no god Hidan, least of all yours." He ignored the vitriol filled response from his partner, and then slowly rose to his feet. "That said, a bounty on a former temple guardian is something I cannot not let wander away."

Split second later he was on Asuma. He gave a sharp blow to the kidneys and another to the leg. Shikamaru flinched at the suddenness of the attack, but gave way quickly to alarm as Kakuzu's presence appeared behind him. He broke off his jutsu but was a split second too late; Kakuzu gave a vicious backhand to Ino, the Kunoichi mounted a hasty defence but the blow sent her sprawling away with a cry of pain. A fist then loomed towards Shikamaru; his shadow rushed out and caught Kakuzu, blunting much of the force, but the blow still managed to connect. His jutsu broke immediately and a follow up blow had him spinning to the ground. As he fell he caught sight of the battle between Asuma and Hidan. His sensei wasn't a Jonin for nothing and kept up a staunch defence. That said however, the blows from Kakuzu and the ferocity of Hidan's attacks were taking its toll.

Ino was currently out, he was on the ground and Asuma wasn't going to last much longer from the way he was grimacing.

Shikamaru rolled away from a blow that cratered the ground, somehow managing to keep his eyes on his sensei. His heart filled with dread as Hidan broke through Asuma's defences and the scythe sang eerily close for the man's neck.

A heavy grinding noise came from his right, interspaced with loud thuds and shaking earth. Kakuzu darted left, avoiding being blindsided by a large serrated ball that would have sheared his limbs off.

Baika No Jutsu!

The large ball opened out revealing Choji, the plump ninja full of rage. Chakra surged rapidly and his arms grew out in massive proportions. One launched a heavy blow at Kakuzu, while the other stretched to cover Asuma and swat Hidan.

Please be on time!

A meaty thud resounded on one end; a sharp slice and spray of blood on the other.

Choji gritted his teeth as he remained firm. He glanced first at Kakuzu; the large silent Nin casually held out against his giant fist with only one hand. Choji kept his gaze until he was sure Shikamaru had moved away. His arm bulged and pushed against Kakuzu; the Akatsuki Nin looked on mildly impressed at the overwhelming strength brought to bear against him.

Choji to his eyes of the silent Nin and focused on Hidan. The crazy scythe wielder looked on in irritation and glee as his scythe found purchase; perhaps not on the target as he hoped, but on something nonetheless.

Asuma pushed up to his feet as Hidan pulled on his scythe with a flourish, Choji grimaced as the wound deepened and blood poured freely. Despite the pain the Akimichi gave a strong backhand, connecting hard into Hidan and knocking him several paces back.

"Choji!" Ino's voice came out weakly. She slowly rose to her feet as she shook the cobwebs from her eyes. He broke of immediately from Kakuzu and landed beside her.

"Are you okay Ino?" Choji's voice was unusually stern as he kept a wary eye on Kakuzu. Asuma too pulled back and Shikamaru shushined beside them.

"I'm fine," She nodded as her palm pulsed with healing chakra. Choji tensed a moment then relaxed as the healing jutsu went to work, closing up the wound.

Hidan chuckled darkly, drawing attention to his position.

"Scurrying away so quickly. So pitiful don't you think Kakuzu?" Team ten looked on repulsed as the deranged Nin licked the blood of his scythe. Chakra pulsed menacingly and his skin turned pitch black, with bone white markings and lines tracing all over the exposed surface. While team ten looked on repulsed Shikamaru's eyes traced the patterns and surroundings in seconds.

He noted the markings in a bloody trail, right below Hidan's feet, leaving him in the centre.

"Soon," Hidan crowed out with dark relish as he brandished his scythe, "-soon you will know the truth that is Jashin!"

"You talk too much!" Asuma growled out as he brandished his trench knives. Chakra hummed ominously and the edges sharpened and extended with wind chakra. He took one threatening step towards Hidan and his chakra spiked.

As all this happened Shikamaru's stomach sank deeper into the pit; something was off, he knew that in his very bones that something was very wrong.

It wasn't logic, or reason or rationality.

It was just belief…blind instinct.

Hidan was too self-assured; something had changed from the cock-sure attitude and erratic fighting style. Plus, the markings on his body and the symbol on the floor….

No, something was very different, and if he was honest it was very dangerous.

Shikamaru's fears spiked as Asuma charged into Hidan. The world faded around him, every ounce of his formidable intellect analysed every step, every sway; every microscopic signal of intent.

Asuma was moving low and quick, his guard relatively up. He was moving to disable Hidan, at this point possibly killing him if he proved too difficult.

Hidan though….while his guard looked in place, everything about it was off. His stance, his behaviour, even the little tells; the more Shikamaru looked, the more wrongly they all stood out.

Asuma shifted; the distance was halved, his arm came up for the first blow.

Shikamaru's chest thundered, a part of him briefly marvelled at the strange pain like sensation. The rest of him however focused on Hidan; just what was he really missing…..?!

There!

The gleam in the Akatsuki Nins eyes, the malice and relish. The slight shifting and widening of his arms; to a lesser person it looked like he was preparing a series of counters to Asuma's charge.

To Shikamaru it screamed foul play. No, everything about that stance said the Nin wanted Asuma to close in; he wanted Asuma to attack, he was waiting not so patiently for the Jonin to strike.

Asuma was going to score a blow on Hidan….and the mad Nin wanted it, was waiting, for it to happen….why?

Again his instincts screamed at him to take action; he didn't hesitate.

Asuma wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and truth be told taking on both Akatsuki Nins wasn't going as smoothly as he had originally hoped. The best call now was to disable one of them and focus on the other.

His target had been selected for him and Asuma was sure that his arrogance was going to cost him dearly. He rapidly took in the multiple openings available and planned accordingly; Hidan's stance was rigid, he wasn't going to be moving far, however that could play to his advantage.

Asuma's trench knives glinted in the sun, and chakra hummed loudly as the distance finally closed.

Hidan moved an arm lazily, a smirk on his face; Asuma scoffed as he already began his counter.

Hidan's smirk turned to shock; Asuma's scoff turned to a smirk.

Hidan's shock gave way to panic; Asuma's smirk gave way to confusion.

Hidan's body bent painfully back and to the right. His hand shifted course and deflected one of Asuma's strikes; the Jonin instinctively lashed out with his other hand, scoring a deep wound over the arm, taking off half of two fingers, and scoring another wound in his thigh.

Both Hidan and Asuma continued to move in a state of shock; Asuma glanced over to his team, and his eyes fell straight on Shikamaru.

The moment lasted barely a second, but it was enough.

Asuma spun round smoothly; instead of pressing his attack he pulled back and brought his arms up, crossed in defence, and then waited.

Shikamaru sighed with relief and a little disappointment. His back stung lightly as it brushed against the floor but he kept his eyes focused on Asuma and Hidan.

It was just fortunate the Akatsuki Nin had been so fixated; his shadow jutsu hadn't been very subtle, and even then he suspected the Nin would have been reluctant to move from his spot.

Shikamaru gave a quick glance to the bloody symbol below Hidan and then trailed his eyes back up; his attention kept darting between Hidan and Asuma, a tense anticipation flooding his veins. The scowl and vicious glare that grew on the Akatsuki Nin only served to heighten this feeling; clearly something should have happened, he had wanted to get hit and Shikamaru had denied the opportunity. Based on what they had observed on his personality, Shikamaru had no doubt he would give away his intentions and the significance of his jutsu

"Choji!"

The scream from behind stopped him cold.

Choji blinked numbly; beside him Ino screamed out but he was only aware peripherally. His knee touched the ground from when his leg gave out on him, and his hand felt funny.

He blinked again. The pain in his leg was growing and the steady pool of blood was distracting. He moved his hand to cover the wound, only to stop short as he noted again the missing digits of his hand. Glancing just past he spotted them on the floor, lying innocently.

"Choji," Ino gasped out as she knelt quickly beside him, fear and panic growing, even as she diligently tried to stem the blood loss.

Air displaced rapidly around them; the sound of bodies colliding drew lazily on Choji's attention, and he looked up to see Asuma locked against the second Akatsuki Nin, Kakuzu.

"Hidan, finish your games. The bounty on the Fire Guardian takes precedence." Kakuzu's monotone rolled out, even as he and Asuma pushed against each other.

Choji blinked and turned back to Hidan. As he did his gaze passed over Shikamaru, his best friend.

The horror and worry on his face didn't sit well with Choji. The Akimichi tried to stand but the wound had been deep, Ino protested as she kept him still and continued with the Medical Jutsu.

Still, on the minds of Team Ten, one question rang out.

What in Kami's Grace happened?

Shikamaru's felt his heart unclench slightly, allowing his mind to take control once again. Choji had been hanging back, he wasn't engaging and Kakuzu hadn't made any moves to attack until Asuma.

His eyes trailed down to the wound Ino desperately tried to close, slowing the blood loss as well.

The wound matched exactly to the one Asuma scored against Hidan…..

His eyes chased his friend's hand, and spotted the missing fingers …..

Never had his mind felt so slow, how did Choji get the same wounds Asuma had done to Hidan?

The mad cackle from the Akatsuki Nin drew Shikamaru's attention back.

"This feeling," Hidan called out with relish, "sweeter than the embrace of a lover; to hold the power of life over another…"

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, his dread spiking at the insane expression on Hidan's face.

Said Akatsuki Nin brandished his spike again and gave a wicked leer.

"Know the truth of your frailty," Hidan screamed as he rammed the spike deep into his side, shocking all onlookers. "Know the futility of your existence and find agony in Lord Jashin's embrace."

Behind him Choji cried out, in rage and in pain. Shikamaru quickly looked back, all fighting ceased as everyone took stock.

Choji was breathing hard as he held his side; his red outfit stained darker with every passing moment and the pain was excruciating. He coughed suddenly and blood flowed freely from his mouth.

"That boy doesn't have long anymore," Asuma turned to Kakuzu, lips gritted tight. The Akatsuki Nin ignored the angry wave of chakra coming off his opponent as he took stock of matters.

"That wound just now; the damage to the liver must be quite significant, without proper treatment he has hours at best. Hidan has always displayed the sadistic streak." Kakuzu turned back to Asuma and continued in his calm bland monotone. "It is unfortunate for him and for you; your bounty is all I am interested in, and his life was forfeit the moment he stepped in to cover yours."

Asuma blitzed forwards, the wind blades on his trench knives humming loudly in his fury. Kakuzu shifted and stayed alert, unimpressed at the display

Accept the inevitable; none of you will leave this place.

To the average civilian, the jutsus of the ninja are mystical, not for the understanding of the ordinary man. To most ninja, jutsus are additional tools in their arsenal, with its unique structures and rules that govern their effect – many do not fully understand the hows or whys, suffice it to say, they are only concerned that it does.

Choji focused on his shinobi training, slowing his pounding heart and keeping his body and emotions calm. Ino was visibly struggling with the chakra drain and she could do little more than stem the damage to his liver.

Still, what she had done was plenty enough; she gave him time.

"Ino, conserve your chakra," Choji ignored her sharp look, his voice kept low so as not to carry over. He slipped a small pouch of speciality soldier pills to her and pulled another free. He heard her gasp and knew she had seen them.

"Choji!" she hissed out, trying to stop him. "You can't use that! Not with this much damage, you could-"

"Ino," came the sharp retort. Her concern stilled in her lips, her shoulders shook lightly.

"Shika won't be able to fight him, not the way he is now, and Asuma-Sensei can't make it past the other one," Choji whispered grimly as he opened the pill container. He pulled one free and promptly bit down.

The Akimichi body expansion techniques were infamous, creating giants from men; it was also understood that it required a ridiculous amount of energy to sustain, which is why the Akimichi's were often of the 'Big Boned' variety; an Akimichi of lesser constitution would not have been able to sustain the jutsu and promptly been incapacitated or permanently damaged

Over generations, their bodies had grown accustom to the demands of their techniques and lifestyle, much like those of bloodline limits, and thanks to this rigorous and demanding skillset, the Akimichi's often had skilled anatomists and dietitians every few generations. A basic understanding of the ninja's physiology and capabilities, as well as a foundation of their special jutsus served as the building blocks to the clan's young; from there each one was encouraged to grow as they saw fit, however that knowledge often put them ahead of their peers in some aspects.

Choji knew, from the moment the pain hit how bad the damage was, and what would happen if he didn't receive proper care. While the leg wound was irritating, the liver damage was incapacitating, and could prevent him from fighting.

Slowly he breathed out and focused his rapidly growing chakra around his side and palm. What he was about to do didn't really have a name; it was a temporary measure at best and more patchwork than anything else, much like a tourniquet.

It was also very dangerous, like a tourniquet.

Choji hissed as he felt his side tighten, almost bloated. The blood flow stopped immediately and all sensation around that are went numb. He moved his hand and clawed over the wounded leg. The muscles tightened and veins came out in stark relief as the wound forcefully closed.

He looked at Ino and gave a slight nod. She bit her lip and grimaced, but nodded in return. Choji then turned his focus back to Shikamaru; his best friend and thankfully Hidan were too focused on each other to pay much attention to what was happening behind them.

From the looks of things Shikamaru was well on his way to losing his temper and composure. Choji's eyes widened as Shikamaru fished out a set of fuinjutsu tags.

Choji tensed and remained alert for his opening.

Hidan shifted and his eyes closed, Shikamaru prepared to move low; Choji's chakra spiked.

And then he pounced.

A motivated Nara is a dangerous Nara; so the saying goes.

Shikamaru's team was in a dangerous bind. Choji had taken a mortal wound if left for too long, Asuma was fighting for his very life, and they were up against an insane but functional immortal cultist.

Shikamaru was very motivated, and very pissed off.

His hand snapped out with several fuinjutsu tags, multiple strategies building and reorganising in seconds; the fear and anxiousness bled out of his face, leaving cold and ruthless logic.

"Save your empty fury Konoha trash," Hidan sneered, decidedly unimpressed, "In the end Lord Jashin will claim all of you into his embrace. And besides, what could you possibly do to me now?" His tone grew mocking as he spread his arms out.

"For a start, remove you from your symbol, then slowly bleed you dry. If that isn't enough more aggressive methods will be considered."

Hidan blinked at the flat statement and took a deeper look at Shikamaru.

"Well, it seems you are not all spineless tree huggers, but there is not enough fear in you; that will simply not do."

Hidan made to strike again and Shikamaru ready for his assault.

Only for Choji to charge passed him.

Don't waste this chance Shika…..

Shikamaru blinked as Choji's fist lit up with chakra. Hidan snarled at the sudden move and tried to stab himself; Choji remained relentless and dove into the Akatsuki Nin.

Shikamaru watched as his best friend crashed into Hidan, with his bulk alone Choji was a force to be reckoned with, coupled with the speed he had been moving at and the blow Hidan had no way of maintain his positon. Choji seemed to also recoil as if dealt a hard blow, and he awkwardly fell alongside Hidan.

Shikamaru quickly brandished his Fuinjutsu tags and pulsed his chakra. Immediately four of the tags began glowing. He flicked his wrist and set them loose; two of the tags seemed to straddle the tree line while the others hovered mid-air. The tags seemed to fade, leaving only the seal script in stark relief. Slowly the light in the visible spectrum seemed to sharpen, casting deep shadows everywhere.

Kagemane No Jutsu….

Shikamaru's shadow seemed to come alive and rose up behind him. It shivered and split into multiple branches, each one shot out to the larger shadows cast around, creating a vast mass of inky blackness.

As the visible light continued to shine eerily the shadows seemed to gain genuine substance; Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, and the tendrils shot forwards. Several struck against the ritual symbol Hidan made on the ground but had no real effect. The others grabbed at Hidan and jerked him upright.

Shikamaru breathed and went absolutely still.

There visible for all to see was Hidan's spike, sticking out the left side of his chest; right where his heart should be.

Shikamaru glanced at his best friend's body, lying motionless on the floor and he went numb.

At the barest sound of Hidan's cackling, Shikamaru jerked his hands; immediately the shadows pulled and ripped his opponent's arms off. Several more stabbed through the incapacitated Nin and a final shadowed figure rose up, it formed a sharp long blade and thrust through Hidan's neck.

Shikamaru felt nothing as he watched the head roll aimlessly on the floor. He turned back to Choji and made to move, only for Asuma to appear beside him, bruised and harried but still able to fight.

"One down. I need you to focus Shika; we can still capture one of them at least, none of this would have been in vain."

The only indication he heard were the shadows, shifting and moving against Kakuzu; said Nin stood nonchalant, eyeing what he could of the seals and the shadows around.

"Impressive, it is a shame you have very little value. My interests are with Sarutobi Asuma," Kakuzu took a step forwards, and team ten readied themselves again.

Only for a voice to call out, shocking them once again.

"Kakuzu! Don't you dare kill that insect! Lord Jashin demands his life, his tale will be one of such agony and fear even hell itself would tremble"

Hidan's head seemed to quiver as he frothed his glare so poison as if willing them to rot on the spot.

"Fix me! Fix me now Kakuzu! Lord Jashin demands their life and I swear I will deliver it!"

Shadows coalesced around Hidan; seconds later they dispersed, revealing a head with no eyes or tongue.

"Now that is over with," Shikamaru's voice was arctic. "Shall we continue?"