There was a method to how the Akatsuki paired its members.
Hidan's abilities might have been bizarre, but he had no brains. He was simple-minded and quick to anger.
That was why he had been paired with Kakuzu, the most experienced member. Besides, Hidan was immortal, so there was no fear of the money-obsessed Kakuzu killing him and cashing him in on the black market.
It was practically a perfect match.
As a result, Hidan generally trusted whatever Kakuzu said.
When he heard Kakuzu say these brats were stalling for time, the naturally talkative Hidan immediately flew into a rage. His attitude changed in an instant, and he swung his scythe at Shikamaru as he shouted:
"You dare make a fool of me? I'll send you all to Lord Jashin!"
Just then, Hidan, who had only just raised his arm to swing, froze on the spot. Apart from his eyes, he could not move a single part of his body.
Now, besides the furious Hidan, even Kakuzu beside him looked startled. "When did you-?"
"Shadow Imitation Technique-success!"
Then another Shikamaru emerged from behind Choji, his hands held in a hand seal. A black shadow became visible beneath the bridge's wooden planks at his feet, connecting him to Hidan and Kakuzu ahead. As Shikamaru moved, they moved with him.
The Shikamaru in front of them vanished into a cloud of white smoke with a pop.
Only then did Kakuzu take a close look at the clan crests on their clothes. Realization dawned on him as he said:
"So you're this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho from Konoha. No wonder your abilities are so strange."
Kakuzu had lived in the same era as the First. As an accomplished missing-nin, he had done far more than simply throw a shuriken at the First.
Although Kakuzu had