The Tenseigan started from the Hyuga main family.

Kakuzu's gaze first fell on the symbol on Asuma's waist, and a rare smile appeared on his usually stern face.

Asuma's bounty was a full five million ryo higher than that of Jiroku. Now that they had met, Kaku had no reason to let him go.

"Kakuzu, don't interfere. Let me use them for the ritual."

Hidan, who had pulled the three-sectioned scythe that had fallen to the ground and was still holding it in his hand, with two long swords still stuck in his body, looked at Kakuzu's displeasure and immediately added a sentence.

"I'll give you all the money."

Are their names Hidan and Kakuzu?

Kakuzu?

Shikamaru's eyes shifted slightly and landed on the enemy who had just attacked him.

The headband of a rogue ninja from Takigakure, and the face mask covering his face—so he really is the Akatsuki member mentioned in the village's records, the one with a heart possessing five different chakra natures?

Based on their encounter in the Land of Waves, Hyuga Sawatatsu had vaguely described some of Kakuzu's abilities, which immediately reminded Shikamaru of Kakuzu's information.

"No, we must act together and eliminate them immediately before leaving the Land of Fire. Our information and location have probably already reached Konoha. If we don't leave now, we'll be in big trouble."

Kakuzu's green eyes darted around, and his trench coat billowed on his back as various colored grimace mask monsters fell off his body, surrounding the entire Konoha team.

"Kakuzu, have you become so timid?"

Hidan turned his head and spat out a mouthful of saliva, then raised his chin and aimed it at Kakuzu.

"Shut up, you idiot, stop wasting my time."

As a cunning old fox who had lived for eighty or ninety years, Kakuzu understood that Akatsuki had become the target of everyone's attacks. If they wasted any more time, Jiraiya, Hyuga Sawatatsu, or even the Fifth Hokage Tsunade could arrive at any moment.

"Okay, okay... this is really troublesome."

After drawing a circle enclosing a triangle using his own blood that had flowed all over the ground, Hidan stuck out his tongue and licked the blade of his scythe, revealing an excited expression.

"You all retreat towards the eight o'clock direction with all your might, I'll cover the rear and hold off the two of them."

Asuma, wielding two chakra daggers, was prepared to sacrifice himself.

"No, this is too dangerous."

Shikamaru naturally understood what it meant to be at the rear, and immediately retorted.

"Don't you understand? Their strength far surpasses mine. This is the only way to save you. Follow orders!"

Seeing Asuma's wide-eyed, excited expression, Shikamaru opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't utter a single word.

The failed raid meant they were in a difficult situation. As Asma said, if the drawn-out battle continued, it could very well lead to the annihilation of the entire army.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth and reached into his ninja tool pouch.

We absolutely have to make it!

"Is the operational meeting over?"

Hidan pulled the two long swords stuck in his body with a backhand, the pain causing his facial muscles to contort.

"You hit me so hard, it hurts, you bastards! Are you ready to face the wrath of the evil god?"

Hidan raised his three-section scythe in his hand and charged towards Asuma, who was leading the group.

Asuma gritted his teeth, his two chakra short swords already coated in chakra, and he unleashed a burst of chakra from his feet as he charged forward.

I don't believe he can live any longer if his head is severed with one blow!

At the same time, the three Earth Grudge Masked Monsters opened their mouths, and lightning, flames, and vortexes began to gather, unleashing three high-level ninjutsu simultaneously.

"Lightning Release: False Darkness".

"Fire Release: Head Carving".

"Wind Release: Pressure Damage".

A hurricane swept through the sea of ​​fire, and two large-scale ninjutsu worked together to form a blazing inferno that attempted to engulf the three Shikamaru who were surrounded. Meanwhile, the spear formed by lightning release was aimed straight at vital points and was almost within reach in the blink of an eye, about to pierce through the bodies of the Konoha ninjas.

Ruined.

Is this the difference in absolute strength?

There was absolutely no chance of fighting back!

Shikamaru's pupils contracted, his eyes reflecting the flashing lightning. He felt a chill run through his body, as if he had been locked onto by the Grim Reaper.

At the critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked at the surging sea of ​​fire and lightning spears.

A massive spatial vortex instantly enveloped the surroundings, swallowing up all these seemingly unstoppable attacks.

what?

Compared to Hidan, who was engaged in a taijutsu battle with Asuma, Kakuzu's pupils shrank first as he recognized the figure as Hyuga Sawatatsu.

The Flying Thunder God Technique is so overpowered!

Without any hesitation, the three Earth Grudge Masks leaped out, forming a huge triangular formation that blocked Hyuga Zechen's path.

Kakuzu himself turned and fled without hesitation, leaving behind three hearts and Hidan to hold off Hyuga Sawatatsu, all in an effort to secure a chance for his own survival.

So decisive?

Hinata Zechen raised an eyebrow, revealing a look of surprise.

In terms of physical combat alone, Asuma was clearly no match for Hidan. After only seven or eight rounds, Asuma had a bloody gash on his face.

Hidan stuck out his tongue and licked the blood from the blade into his lips. Unaware that Kakuzu had already escaped, a cruel smile appeared on his face.

opportunity!

Asuma paid no attention to the minor injury on his face, and a cloud of ash billowed from his mouth, enveloping Hidan.

Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning.

Chapter 176 Verifying the Shared Killing of Ash Bones

Facing the billowing hot ash, Hidan grinned maliciously and strolled back into the pattern drawn in blood, letting himself be completely engulfed by the ash.

Amidst billowing smoke and ash, Hidan's body turned pitch black, with long white stripes appearing on his surface, making the once handsome Hidan resemble a vengeful ghost from hell.

Success!

Seeing that Hidan hadn't taken the opportunity to escape the ash cloud and was still blowing out ash, Asuma gritted his teeth and sent out several sparks that mixed into the ash, instantly causing a huge explosion.

A few breaths later, a strong wind blew by, revealing the scene that had been covered by soot once again.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Hidan crouched in the blood-stained pattern, one hand covering his face.

As soon as he finished speaking, Asuma's precious chakra dagger fell to the ground with a crisp metallic clang.

Asma's face and half of his body were severely burned, emitting a burnt smell.

"what happened?"

Shikamaru, without even thanking Hyuga Sawatatsu, rushed over to support the swaying Asuma.

"How about it? Now you can understand the pain of others to some extent. Being cursed is not a pleasant feeling, is it?"

Hidan pulled a six-inch-long, jet-black short spear from the left side of his trench coat with a backhand motion, then swung it so that it extended to four feet in length.

"The ceremony begins now! Come on, let's experience the ultimate pain together!"

Hidan raised the short spear in his hand, his face full of madness, eager to begin the curse ritual.

"Still swaggering around? Your comrade Kakuzu has already abandoned you and run away!"

Just then, Hyuga Zechen's voice rang out, causing Hidan to pause in his action of plunging the short spear into his body.

Hidan turned around and realized that Kakuzu had disappeared without him noticing, leaving only three Grudge Masked Monsters slowly retreating.

"What?! That bastard Kakuzu actually ran away?"

Hidan blinked a few times before belatedly looking at Hyuga Sawatatsu.

"It turned out to be you!"

That bastard Kakuzu is so disloyal! He didn't even call me when he was escaping for his life.

However, since the ritual has already been prepared, once I get his blood, the evil god will punish all non-believers equally!

Relying on his immortality and the fact that he had never faced Hyuga Sawatatsu head-on, Hidan was not as timid as Kakuzu. Instead, he was thinking about how to kill everyone in front of him.

"Why is Captain Asuma injured? He was the one who was hit by the Fire Release technique."

Upon seeing Hyuga Sawatatsu's appearance, one Akatsuki member immediately fled, drawing Izumo Kamizuki's attention to Asuma.

"It must be a curse. As long as he stands in that pattern painted with blood, all the damage he suffers will be reflected back onto Asma."

Shikamaru's gaze moved up and down, and his incredibly meticulous observation skills allowed him to quickly make the correct judgment from the burn marks remaining on Hidan's body.

Tsk tsk, although he lacks in strength, one has to admit that Shikamaru is really smart.

Now, I don't need to spoil the plot for you.

Hinata Sawatatsu raised an eyebrow, greatly admiring Shikamaru's meticulous observation and intelligence analysis abilities.

"In other words, both sides suffer the same damage and pain, but he is immortal."

Gangzi gritted his teeth, and large drops of sweat slid down his forehead.

In other words, now any damage inflicted on Hidan will cause Asuma to suffer the same injury.

How should we play this?

"Whether it is or not, we'll find out by checking. You guys hold Asuma steady."

Hinata Sawatatsu turned to Shikamaru and gave him an order, then vanished in an instant.

What a great speed.

Although Hidan's face was contorted with madness, it didn't mean he was unaware of Hyuga Sawa's power. Seeing his opponent vanish in an instant, Hidan didn't hesitate any longer, and with a backhand motion, plunged the short spear in his hand into his own heart.

"Asuma!"

Shikamaru was terrified and turned pale. He formed hand seals, trying to use the Shadow Imitation Technique, but it was clearly too late to stop him.

The next moment, Hyuga Zechen appeared behind Hidan, and with lightning speed, he grabbed Hidan's wrist.