Chapter 1: Konoha's Captain
(Flashback)The skilled Jounin-Class ninja from Konoha, Asuma, led his team of four on a perilous mission in search of a pair of Akatsuki members rumored to have been seen near the Fire Temple. Reports said that they had killed the head-Priest Chiriku, a powerful ninja-monk and Asuma's best friend. The reports also said that Chiriku's body was nowhere to be found in the wreckage of the Temple. Akatsuki was probably going to sell it. A great ninja's body is worth quite a lot to the right people. There are all sorts of techniques and abilities one could get from it if they knew how. Asuma gritted his teeth thinking of Chiriku's corpse being dragged along almost in front of him as he led his team through the forest. His team was comprised of Konoha's greatest genius and Asuma's best student, Shikamaru, as well as two other excellent Chounin-ranked ninja, Genma and Kotetsu. A strong team for a strong opponent. Shikamaru noticed his Captain was acting odd though. It was not like him to be this serious and he hadn't even touched a cigarette since they heard the news of Chiriku.
Shikamaru: Is everything alright Asuma-sensei? We can't afford any mistakes against these guys. They're too powerful. These Akatsuki guys have rediculous abilities.
Asuma: Haha! Forget about me. Remember, these are the guys who killed Chiriku. Having lived so long myself, I've seen many friends leave this Earth. Keep all your thoughts on their weaknesses and our Team's safety.
The group of four continued to leap through the forest, until the dense trees began to spread and they could see a clearing up ahead. In the clearing was a rundown building that was supposedly used for Black Market trading. They surely must have brought Chiriku's body to this awful place. They all stopped just shy of the forest boundary and looked through the foliage. There he was! It was the Akatuski member Hidan! He was just sitting outside? His partner must have been inside making the trade. Chiriku was reportedly worth 30 Million. The thought brought a wry smile to Asuma's face because he was actually worth 5 Million more than Chiriku.
Asuma: Shikamaru. You stabilize him with your Shadow Bind technique, and while I distract him, Genma and Kotetsu take him out. Ideally it would nice to capture both of them, but considering how strong the Akatsuki we know are, like Itachi and Kisame, it's in our best interest to kill one and then capture the other.
Their plan was successful! Hidan stood motionless, with the swords of Kotetsu and Genma jammed right through his vital organs. Asuma whispered: "One down.." But then Hidan lifted up his head to look at them all!
Hidan: Ow! Who the Hell are you people?! Do you have any idea how much this hurts?
All the Konoha Shinobi except Shikamaru leaped back in wild amazement. The man who should be dead was merely cracking his neck and rubbing his wounds. Then the building erupted in a violent explosion and Shikamaru had no choice but to join his team. Kakuzu had appeared from within.
Hidan: Don't you dare interfere Kakuzu! Look what they did to me! Ah, tsk. Seriously, this fight is mine! You can have the bounty when I'm done with them. Isn't this Captain guy worth a lot too?
Kakuzu: Fine. I'll make sure these three don't interfere. Just don't take forever like usual.
Hidan shrugged his shoulders in defiance. "Whatever. You've said it now, this guy is mine!" Asuma readied his Wind blades and took Hidan on. Hidan kept the area wide with his three-pronged whip-sword. Asuma's team was stuck. On one hand hand it was lucky the second Akatsuki member hadn't joined the fight, but on the other, they couldn't help Asuma. The battle was fierce, but each continued to dodge the other's attacks until finally Hidan's blade grazed Asuma's cheek. "That's all I need." Hidan said as he quickly drew some sort of Religious symbol on the ground in his own blood.
Asuma readied a fierce Fire Technique and as Hidan walked into the symbol the blast hit him with full force. Something was wrong though. Asuma looked down at his own body and he was burned where Hidan should have been! He looked up at his opponent and saw that Hidan's body had completely changed in appearance. He had taken some damage the damage too, but it barely fazed him. "He must be used to pain if this is his technique!" Asuma thought. Hidan let out a maniacal laugh.
Asuma cringed in pain and dropped one of his blades. The words of Hidan echoed through his head.
Hidan rose from his shielded position. "There is no escape from it. This is over."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. He was a quick learner, but there was nothing he could do. This technique was too powerful. Hidan was able to link their bodies so whatever damage he takes is done right back to the person who attacks him? And he's immortal? So what then?... He couldn't think of a plan fast enough. His Captain, his Master, his friend was dying right before his eyes and he couldn't do anything about it. Kakuzu just stood in their way as Hidan readied his spear.
Hidan: Time after time I get to experience the feeling of someone dying. And to live through it is pure ecstasy. And a tough one like you? This is going to be great! AhahHAHAAhahahhahaa!
Hidan lowered his hand and lifted the spear. Asuma's team moved to help, but Kakuzu restrained them all with ease. They had no choice but to watch. Asuma stared Hidan right in the eyes knowing that this was his end. At the hands of this madman. If only he could think of a way to save his team from the same fate. But time was running short. And then Hidan plunged the spear right through himself!
The two opponents remained frozen in place like statues. One in exhilaration, one in agony. There was a silence so deadening that it was more like a vacuum that sucked in all the sound around it. The two just stared at each other. Then, slowly, Asuma fell to the ground. Hidan looked up at the sky as if on a high. These were the moments he lived for: the ones others died for.
Shikamaru broke loose and ran toward his comrade. "Asuuuuummmaaaaaa!" But is was too late. Now Hidan's attention was directed at him and he froze. Then oddly, both Akatsuki members retreated. "Are they communicating with someone?" Shikamaru quickly thought.
Hidan: Now?! This is seriously the best part!
Akatsuki's Leader:
Now...Kakuzu: Let's go Hidan. (He turned to Shikamaru)...Remember us. We'll be back.
Shikamaru: I'll remember you! You're going to die for this!
Hidan: As if you could pull it off... Ugh! I'm going to Curse that Leader of ours one day for ordering us around all the time!
Kakuzu: Careful with your words Hidan. Let's go.
With that, the two disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Shikamaru's heart was shattered. It all happened so fast. His friend and mentor was murdered. Anger filled him. Genma and Kotetsu gathered up Asuma to bring him back to village to be buried.
Shikamaru: Asuma... I'll avenge you.
Shikamaru remembered that this was all about money really. So they'd definitely be back for Asuma's body. And he'd be ready.
Shikamaru's Team gets 50 extra Stat PointsHidan and Kakuzu get 50 extra Stat PointsPrologueGame Rules
