[[Asuma]] admits that he hasn't smoked recently, but insists it is not because of worry over a fight with [[Akatsuki]], although he is concerned about how they will fare. In [[Konoha]], [[Naruto]] and his [[shadow clone]]s struggle to combine [[wind release]] with the [[Rasengan]], a process that is frustrating enough that some clones lose control of the [[demon fox]]'s [[chakra]]. [[Yamato]] suppresses them. Elsewhere, [[Hidan]] waits outside a bounty station for [[Kakuzu]] to finish his business. Asuma appears and attacks him, though Hidan blocks the attack. Before he can retaliate he is captured by [[Shikamaru]]'s shadow, giving [[Izumo]] and [[Kotetsu]] a chance to strike. They believe they have killed him, but Hidan merely asks who they are.