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Despite the concerted and strategic efforts of Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino, the outcome of the battle with Hidan stubbornly clung to an unaltered state. The predominant reason for this prolonged struggle lay in Hidan's inherent immortality, presenting an insurmountable challenge. The sole recognized method to definitively vanquish Hidan necessitated the dismemberment of his body into distinct pieces, which were then to be buried underground, effectively sealing away his immortal essence.
This tactical approach stemmed from Shikamaru's insightful comprehension of Hidan's characteristics, drawing from the available information at hand. However, had Shikamaru possessed knowledge of Hidan's unusual vulnerability to hunger—acknowledging that the immortal body could succumb to starvation—he might have orchestrated a shift in his plans, capitalizing on this unforeseen weakness in Hidan's seemingly impervious form.
Hidan found himself securely bound by multiple strings, each meticulously attached to an array of explosive tags. These intricate bindings suspended him just above a sizable pit, setting the stage for a decisive moment.
"Let me go, you bastard!" Hidan's curses echoed incessantly, directed vehemently at Shikamaru and the others.
Unfazed by the barrage of curses, Shikamaru maintained his composure and coolly issued a response, "Die!" With a deliberate motion, he hurled Asuma's lighter towards Hidan. Upon contact with the explosive tags, a cascade of explosions erupted. The force of the detonations propelled Hidan into the pit, leaving him fragmented into several pieces.
Even with his head separated from his body, Hidan's defiance endured. He continued to unleash a torrent of curses and threats, the intensity undiminished as he directed them unwaveringly at Shikamaru. The aftermath of the explosive display had left Hidan in a state of disarray, yet his tenacity in verbal assault remained a testament to the indomitable spirit within him.
In the midst of Shikamaru's action, just as he was about to unleash multiple explosive tags to trigger an explosion in the upper area of the pit, effectively sealing Hidan beneath the cascading debris, an abrupt halt occurred. Jiryoku materialized right in front of Shikamaru, putting a pause to his planned maneuver.
"No need to seal him; I will erase him completely," pronounced Jiryoku confidently. With this declaration, he extended his left hand, and at the tip of his finger, a miniature black hole materialized. This tiny cosmic anomaly was swiftly thrown into the pit by Jiryoku.
Upon its appearance above Hidan's body, the miniature black hole initiated a process of systematic disintegration. Hidan's form began breaking down, gradually succumbing to the formidable forces unleashed by the miniature black hole. In a mere matter of moments, the entirety of Hidan's body was completely swallowed by the miniature black hole, resulting in the thorough erasure of his existence from the battlefield. The efficiency of Jiryoku's method left a profound impact on the once defiant and immortal Hidan, reducing him to nothingness in the face of cosmic forces.
For a few moments, a profound silence enveloped the space between Jiryoku, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, as the weight of recent events settled in.
"I came here to eradicate the immortal duo of Akatsuki, but it seems that you all have already taken care of these two enemies. That's good," Jiryoku acknowledged with a tone reflecting approval.
(New Novel: Naruto: Sternritter Grandmaster of Konoha.)
"Jiryoku, I want to ask you something," Ino ventured.
Jiryoku simply nodded, intuitively grasping the question Ino was about to pose.
"Why didn't you eradicate Akatsuki, even after they tried to kill you?" Ino inquired.
"Because I want them to complete their aim," Jiryoku responded with a measured calmness.
"Aren't you an enemy of Akatsuki?" probed Ino further.
"Certainly, but that doesn't mean our interests have to conflict. What they aim to achieve, in a sense, aligns with my own objectives," Jiryoku elaborated, shedding light on the nuanced relationship between his opposition to Akatsuki and the convergence of their goals.
"Even if it means harming ordinary ninjas," Ino remarked with a hint of concern.
"What kind of statement is this, Ino? I mean, you are an experienced ninja, and I didn't expect to hear such a naive thought from you," Jiryoku responded, shaking his head in clear disappointment at Ino's statement.
Undeterred, Jiryoku continued, "The ordinary ninjas that you are talking about will inevitably find themselves entangled in the harsh realities of war and political strife. I don't concern myself with their deaths; I'm no saint. My focus lies in protecting those close to me from the imminent dangers within and beyond our world."
Ino persisted, stating, "But if you had destroyed the Akatsuki, then Asuma-Sensei would still be alive."
"His death doesn't hold any significance for me. It seems you're still grappling with the grief of Asuma's loss, so it's not the right time for a meaningful conversation. After you've had time to calm down, we can talk again. Until then, take care," Jiryoku declared. With incredible force and a sonic boom, he swiftly departed from the scene.
"Ino, I also don't fully understand Jiryoku's actions. For now, let's give ourselves some time to calm down, and we can discuss this matter after a few days," Shikamaru suggested, attempting to bring a sense of clarity to the situation.
Ino simply nodded, and together with Shikamaru and Choji, she left the area. Eventually, they reunited with Naruto and his team. Subsequently, the group commenced their journey back to Konoha, carrying with them the weight of recent events and the unresolved questions lingering in their minds.
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