Chapter 161: Parting Words
There was no suspense. Kakuzu, unable to evade, was struck head-on by the Rasenshuriken. The violent wind-nature chakra erupted instantly, forming countless microscopic blades that shredded his body from the inside out. A storm of unimaginable fury raged at the point of impact, its shockwave spreading outwards in a hurricane that flattened the surrounding foliage.
When the maelstrom subsided, Kakuzu lay paralyzed on the ground. The two masks on his body were shattered beyond recognition. He was moments from death.
"The number of individual attacks... it's uncountable. The naked eye can't even perceive them all," Shikamaru murmured from a safe distance, his analytical mind reeling from the sheer destructive precision of the technique. "What a terrifying ninjutsu... Uchiha Ren is a monster."
Ren walked calmly towards the fallen Akatsuki member, a cold, pitiless smile on his lips. "Kakuzu. You've lived long enough. I'll end your story here."
"I... am... so... unsatisfied..." Kakuzu rasped, his eyes struggling to focus on Ren. "To be... defeated by a... brat like you..."
"You're right," Ren said, stopping beside him. "A relic from the era of the First Hokage, you look down on the 'brats' of this new age. But in my eyes, you're just an old fool who failed to evolve. That's why you die here today. The new generation will always surpass the old. Your time is over."
A gurgling, wheezing sound that might have been a laugh escaped Kakuzu's throat. "Heh... heh... is it over? Perhaps... you are right. I have lived... too long. Uchiha Ren... you are... impressive. A final piece of advice... The Akatsuki organization... is not as simple as you think... Be... careful..."
"Thank you for the advice," Ren replied, his voice devoid of gratitude. "But I have no need for it. Now... goodbye."
Blue-white electricity crackled to life around Ren's right hand, coalescing into the shrieking form of Chidori. With a mere thought, the concentrated lightning extended, morphing into a sharp spear—the **Chidori Sharp Spear**. In one fluid motion, he thrust it forward, piercing Kakuzu's last remaining heart.
The light in Kakuzu's eyes faded instantly. The ancient shinobi, a veteran of the Warring States Period, was no more. The immortal duo of Akatsuki had been utterly eradicated by Ren's hand, cementing the Eagle's outright hostility with the organization.
"Ren...!"
A cry, filled with relief and longing, came from behind. Before he could turn, a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind, hugging him tightly. Ren didn't need to look; he knew it was Ino. No one else could have gotten this close without his permission.
"Heh," Ren chuckled softly, turning within her embrace to face the teary-eyed, ponytailed kunoichi. "Ino. It's been a while, but you haven't changed a bit. Still so impulsive."
"Ren..." Ino sobbed, burying her face in his chest, the stress and fear of the battle finally overwhelming her.
But the moment of reunion was shattered by a desperate cry.
"Asuma-sensei!"
Shikamaru's voice cut through the air, a stark reminder of the grim reality. Ino snapped back to the present, her expression shifting from joy to horror. She grabbed Ren's hand and pulled him towards where Asuma lay.
"Ino, you have to heal him! Now!" Shikamaru urged, his voice tight.
Ino nodded frantically, her hands glowing with green chakra as she pressed them to Asuma's chest, probing the devastating wound.
However, Asma weakly raised a hand, stopping her. "No need... It's over. I can feel it. You all know it, too..." His voice was a faint whisper.
"Shut up! Don't talk! Ino, hurry!" Shikamaru commanded, a desperate edge to his voice.
"I'm trying!" Ino's face grew paler as her chakra sensed the internal damage. "Here... and here... There are too many fatal wounds... It's... it's impossible..." Her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face. She looked up at Shikamaru, her expression one of utter despair.
The other Konoha shinobi—Izumo, Kotetsu, and Aoba—who had been dealing with Hidan's remains, arrived at the scene. They took in the somber picture: Ino's tear-streaked face, Shikamaru's clenched fists, Choji's unconscious form, and Asuma's still body. No words were needed. The truth was a heavy weight upon them all.
Shikamaru closed his eyes, the pain evident on his face.
"Heh..." Asuma let out a weak, rattling laugh. "Don't be... so sad. What the Third Hokage did... to protect the village... I think I understand it a little now. Better late than never..." He took a shallow, painful breath. "Ino... Shikamaru... Choji... I have... some last words for you."
"Sensei, please, save your strength..." Choji pleaded, having regained consciousness.
"Choji... Ino! Listen to your sensei's final lesson!" Asma's voice, though weak, held a firm tone.
He turned his gaze to Ino first. "Ino... You're bold and competitive... but you're also a kind girl who cares for others. Shikamaru and Choji... can be careless... so I'm counting on you... And... don't lose to Sakura... whether it's in ninjutsu... or in love..."
"Yes... Sensei..." Ino whispered through her tears.
His eyes then shifted to Choji. "Choji... You are gentle... and always think of your friends... That will make you a stronger ninja than anyone... Have more confidence in yourself... And... lose a little weight..."
"That might... be the hardest mission..." Choji managed a watery smile, wiping his eyes. "But I'll try..."
Finally, he looked at Shikamaru. "And Shikamaru... You have a brilliant mind... and the qualities of a great ninja... You even have the potential to be Hokage... though I know you'd find it... too troublesome..." A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "We never did finish our last game of shogi... I never beat you... not once... And that conversation about the 'Will of Fire' and the 'King'..."
He gave his final instruction, a private promise about the future, about the next generation. Then, Asuma Sarutobi, with what seemed like a final effort, brought a cigarette to his lips, took one last, deep drag, and exhaled slowly. As the smoke dissipated into the air, so too did his life.
The forest was silent, save for the quiet sobs of his students. The protector of the next generation was gone.
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