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...
After all kinds of movements ceased in Asuma's body, and any sign of life vanished, leaving behind a somber stillness, everyone gathered there had tears streaming down their faces. As Asuma's life ebbed away, the heavens responded with the onset of rain, as if the very world was shedding tears for the irreplaceable loss of Asuma.
Upon the heartfelt persuasion and earnest requests from the other ninjas who were present, a significant decision was made, leading Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji to tenderly depart from the scene, cradling Asuma's lifeless form in their arms.
The reverberations of Asuma's demise sent shockwaves throughout Konoha, casting a heavy pall of sorrow over the entire village. Kurenai, upon receiving the heart-wrenching news from Shikamaru, found herself not just shocked but utterly shattered by the cruel reality. The collective grief that engulfed Konoha was palpable, a communal mourning for the fallen hero.
In the wake of this tragic loss, an elaborate and dignified funeral ceremony was meticulously arranged for Asuma. The ceremony drew the solemn attendance of numerous Jonin ninjas, paying their respects to the departed soul. In recognition of his valor and sacrifice, Asuma was posthumously bestowed with the title befitting a hero, a testament to the indelible mark he left on the hearts and minds of those who knew him.
----
The day that followed the solemn funeral rites of Asuma saw the gathering of significant individuals within the confines of the Hokage Office. Contrary to expectations, it wasn't Tsunade, the incumbent Hokage, who initiated the discourse; rather, it was Jiraiya who spoke up first, expressing his frustration, "Damn it! I had presumed that Akatsuki's attempt to capture Jiryoku would be their undoing. After all, Jiryoku is someone with an unwavering resolve for revenge, and his retribution tends to be nothing short of exponential. Yet, I never fathomed that Jiryoku would adopt a passive stance, almost as if Akatsuki's transgressions meant nothing to him."
Kakashi, contributing to the discussion, remarked, "Indeed, this has left me puzzled as well. It's inconsistent with Jiryoku's typical behavior. Akatsuki has assailed him twice already, and it's peculiar that he hasn't retaliated. Considering his extraordinary sensory abilities, locating the very base of Akatsuki should be well within his capabilities. Furthermore, his formidable strength could enable him to single-handedly destroy them within a matter of minutes."
Tsunade, visibly troubled by this enigma, chimed in, "This has been a persistent source of concern for me too." She paused, turning her attention to Ino, and asked, "Ino, has Jiryoku confided in you about his rationale behind abstaining from destroying the Akatsuki? Have there been any insights or explanations shared?"
"I don't know the actual reason," Ino began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "but I did ask him once about why he didn't take swift action to destroy the Akatsuki. At that time, he explained to me that he still has some use for Akatsuki. That's why he isn't in a hurry to annihilate them. To him, Akatsuki is just a slightly larger ant, a threat that can be extinguished at any time, and nothing more than that."
"Use? What conceivable purpose could Jiryoku have for Akatsuki? Akatsuki is nothing more than a ticking time bomb, a peril that poses a significant threat to the entire ninja world," remarked Tsunade, her concern etched across her face.
"I do not know," Ino admitted, a note of helplessness in her tone. "It's been more than a month since I last talked to him because currently, he is busy with his training."
"If Jiryoku had dealt with Akatsuki by now, we wouldn't have to live in constant fear that Naruto might get kidnapped today, and Asuma would still be with us," Tsunade declared, her frustration palpable. As she spoke, her clenched fist revealed the depth of her anger and grief following Asuma's tragic demise at the hands of Akatsuki.
Ino, upon hearing all this, also fell into a thoughtful silence. Deep within her heart, she couldn't help but ponder that if Jiryoku had taken decisive action against the Akatsuki organization, her cherished Asuma-Sensei might still be alive today, spared from the malevolent clutches of Kakuzu and Hidan.
"Granny Tsunade," Naruto spoke passionately, "we can't always rely on others. Instead of dwelling on what might have been if Jiryoku had destroyed the Akatsuki, we must take decisive action to avenge Asuma-Sensei's death. Asuma-Sensei was also my teacher; he imparted the knowledge of mastering the change in wind chakra nature to me. I am committed to avenging his death."
Tsunade, grappling with a sense of helplessness, shook her head. The irreversible nature of Asuma's demise weighed heavily on them, but the prospect of seeking vengeance was still within their grasp. With the solemnity befitting a Hokage, she issued a firm command, "Immediately dispatch teams to search for the tracks of the Immortal Duo of Akatsuki, specifically Hidan and Kakuzu. Once their trail is discovered, inform me promptly. I will personally send forth an elite ninja team to hunt down this Immortal duo."
As Tsunade spoke, everyone in the office nodded in agreement, acknowledging the necessity of swift and resolute action.
In that critical moment, Shikamaru stepped forward with unwavering conviction and determination etched on his face. "Hokage-Sama, please permit me to lead that elite team tasked with hunting down the Immortal duo. I am driven to avenge the death of my teacher with my own hands. Grant me the honor of being the captain of this hunting team," he implored, bowing at a 90-degree angle towards Tsunade, a gesture underscoring his profound respect and unwavering commitment to avenging his teacher.
"Yes, Granny, and please allow me to join that team as well," added Naruto, his voice resonating with conviction and a burning desire for retribution.
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