|
|
||
 327
Main
MenuCHAPTER 328 - Team 10 
Hidan and Kakuzu received their orders from the Akatsuki
leader
and are forced to withdraw. Asuma is barely alive; Shikamaru
tells Ino and Chouji that they’re taking him back to Konoha
right
away. Before disappearing, Hidan impudently tells them not to move Asuma until
they get back because he is going to die anyways.Shikamaru and the others get ready to lift Asuma up, but their sensei is conscious and tells them to not bother. Asuma knows that his injuries are too severe and that this is the end for  him.
Shikamaru refuses to believe, but Ino confirms that Asuma is beyond
saving with her medical ninjutsu. Asuma comments that he
finally
feels like he understands why the Third Hokage, his father, sacrificed
himself to save Konoha. His only regret is not having
realized it
earlier.In his final moments, Asuma asks Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji to 
gather close to listen to his last words. First, Asuma
addresses
Ino and tells her she is strong willed and compassionate at taking care
of others. He asks Ino to continue to take care of Shikamaru
and
Chouji because of their awkwardness. He also tells  her
not to lose to Sakura, in ninjutsu or in love. Next, Asuma
turns
to Chouji and tells him he will become a strong shinobi because he is
always thinking about his teammates before himself. But he
adds
that he should be more confident and maybe diet a little.
Chouji
wipes his tears with his sleeve and replies that he will try.
Lastly, Asuma talks to Shikamaru. He tells him that he is
smart
and has good sense, and may even have the
potential to become Hokage some day, but his lazy side probably
won’t like it. Asuma brings up the conversation
they had
before about whom the true ‘king’ is. He
asks
Shikamaru to come closer and whispers it into his ear.
Shikamaru’s face shows surprise but now understands the
reason
behind Asuma’s  actions.
Asuma tells Shikamaru he is counting on him and then asks him to bring
out a cigarette from his pouch for one last drag.A flash back sequence begins and Chouji remembers the first time he and the others on Team 10 met their sensei. Asuma was also smoking on that day and the smoke was severe enough to 
make everyone cry. It was at their first
celebration at the
BBQ restaurant that Asuma learned how expensive it is to treat Chouji
to food. For Ino, her fondest memory was of Asuma coming into
the  flower
shop to pick out some roses. She knew they were for Kurenai
and
teased him because of it. Shikamaru reminisces about the
first
time Asuma introduced him to Shogi (Japanese chess), but Asuma ended up
losing to his student in their first game. He also remembers
how
proud Asuma was when everyone on Team 10 graduated into
Chuunin.
Asuma gave them all special earrings as congratulatory gifts and asked
them not to forget they were all a part of Team Asuma.The lit cigarette falls to the ground from Asuma’s lips and the 
flame on the lighter blow out. It is the end of
Asuma. A
sudden downpour of rain begins as everyone mourns. Raido
Namiashi
drapes his cloak over Asuma’s body and comments that it was a
worthy end for a shinobi. Shikamaru walks to a corner and
lights
up a cigarette for himself as a way to honor Asuma. The smoke
makes him cough and he comments that he really hates cigarettes.
Shikamaru makes the excuse that the smoke is stinging his eyes and
turns his back so that no one can see the tears he is shedding.
|
||
Naruto Hurricane - Naruto manga volume 36 chapter 328 |
