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 322
Main
MenuCHAPTER 323 - Divine Judgment  Everyone on
Asuma’s team is in shock. The Akatsuki member, Hidan, after
receiving two sword thrusts into his vital organs, remains standing and
talks to them as if nothing had happened. Hidan asks again
for their identity but then sees the Fire emblem on
Asuma’s sash. Thinking that Asuma is another one of
Kakuzu’s bounties, Hidan complains about not wanting to head
back into the foul smelling exchange room again. Asuma tells Hidan that they
are shinobi from Konoha. They had planned to take out Hidan
first and then capture his partner, but Hidan’s abilities are
going to be a problem. Hidan replies with a smirk that they
chose the wrong man to take out first. Asuma asks Hidan where
his partner is. But a reply is not needed because right at
that instant Kakuzu suddenly appears behind Shikamaru on the roof and throws a powerful
punch. The impact causes a large explosion, Shikamaru sensed
Kakuzu in time to avoid being hit, but had no choice but to release his
Shadow Bind on Hidan. Asuma jumps in front of Shikamaru to
protect him from Kakuzu’s charge. He orders Kotetsu
and Izumo to immediately fall back from Hidan and regroup around him. Kakuzu looks over at Hidan
and comments that he has “hit the jackpot” this
time. Hidan retrieves his scythe weapon and tells
Kakuzu not to get involved with the Konoha ninja because they are now
all part of his ritual. Hidan tells Kakuzu that he can have
the bounty money after he is finished, Kakuzu agrees and tells Kakuzu
not to let his guard down or he will die. Hidan replies
that he couldn’t be happier if the Konoha ninja can kill him,
but he doubts that they can. He then begins to draw an
inscription on the ground with his own blood that had splattered to the
ground. When he is finished, Hidan stands inside the
inscription of a circle with an embedded triangle. Asuma turns to Shikamaru
and asks him to look for an opening to use his Shadow Bind while he
goes in and tries to lop off Hidan’s head when he is
immobilized. Shikamaru dislikes the idea because it
isn’t like Asuma to choose such a risky attack.
Asuma gives Shikamaru a stern look and tells him that these guys are
way beyond their level, so this is the only move they can
make. To Shikamaru, this is the first time he has seen his
usually coolheaded sensei in such a state. Asuma then orders
Izumo and Kotetsu to watch Kakuzu and protect Shikamaru.
Izumo suggests to Asuma that they retreat for now, but Asuma tells him
there’s no way the two Akatsuki members are going to let them off that
easily. For now, they need to be the vanguard group that
breaks the enemies’ line, or else they’ll only
cause more trouble for Konoha.Hidan pulls the two swords out of his chest and tells the Konoha ninja that divine judgment awaits heathens who are ignorant to the pains of others. Shikamaru reluctantly agrees  to Asuma’s plan, he makes a reference
to a sacrificial move in Shogi (Japanese chess) and comments
that Asuma isn’t suited to be a sacrificial piece.
Asuma chuckles and says he doesn’t plan to be a sacrifice and
that he trusts Shikamaru to back him up. With
Shikamaru ready, Asuma charges at Hidan. They clash
their weapons, but Asuma’s trench knives cuts straight
through Hidan’s kunai. Hidan moves back as
Shikamaru’s shadow creeps forward, Asuma gives
chase. Hidan does a back flip to avoid Shikamaru’s
shadow strands and tosses his kunai at Asuma. Asuma breaks the kunai in midair but becomes
vulnerable to Hidan’s next attack.
Hidan’s scythe suddenly swings in from Asuma’s
blind spot, Asuma manages to block the blow but one of the scythe
blades leaves a scratch on his cheek.  Hidan recollects his scythe and, in a
strange move, licks Asuma’s blood off the blade.
Realizing that precision attacks aren’t working, Asuma does
the necessary hand seals and performs the Fire element jutsu: Searing
Ash Cloud (Haisekishou). A large cloud of hot ash consumes
Hidan, but he quickly moves back into his circular inscription on the
ground.  Once inside, Hidan’s skin turns black
and a pattern of white streaks appear on his body.Asuma finishes the jutsu by causing an explosion around Hidan. When the smoke dissipates, Hidan appears with burns to his right arm and the right side of his face. But strangely enough, Asuma has suffered the exact same injuries to his right arm and face as well. Hidan calls this divine judgment and asks Asuma if he now understand the pain of others. He stands up and tells Asuma that he has fallen victim to his curse. He declares that the ritual will now begin and that it is time savor the sublime suffering.
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Naruto Hurricane - Naruto manga volume 36 chapter 323 |
