With [[Hidan]] in his transformed state, [[Asuma]] finds that all the damage he does to Hidan is also done to him. This also applies to damage that Hidan does to himself, a fact he takes advantage of by stabbing himself to immobilize Asuma. He tries to stab himself in the heart to finish of Asuma, but is caught and stopped by [[Shikamaru]]'s shadow. While straining to keep Hidan from finishing his attack, Shikamaru analyses his actions and discovers how Hidan has linked himself with Asuma.