Shikamaru raced through the woods. "Man, this sucks," he thought, "I just hope someone like Kakashi or Asuma finds them, since I have nothing to hurt them with besides that shadow neck bind." But some noise came to his ears: a ringing bell with the sounds of walking. "Those hats Kakashi said they wore did have bells on them," Shikamaru reasoned and went to investigate.


Kakuzu and Hidan were walking along a path towards the rendezvous point. "I hate your stupid #*&$%#@ side quests,' Hidan ranted.

"Shut up," Kakuzu said, 'He's worth a lot of cash." Shikamaru came upon the duo and saw their outfits.

"Crap, why me?" Shikamaru thought, "Better trail them and find out what's up." Shikamaru stayed hidden and the two S-rank shinobi didn't notice him due to their fight.

"Hey this is an order from the leader," Hidan said.

"You just want to make more destruction for that fruitless religon," Kakuzu replied, adjusting the man on his shoulder.

"Jashin isn't fruitless! And I see this scroll from Orochimaru's corpse a miracle for me!" Hidan yelled loudly. Shikamaru's heart skipped beat. He had been told that Orochimaru's body was going to be destroyed, but it seems these guys got it and possibly the giant making scroll.

"Not good," Shikamaru thought, "What should I do now? Back track and call for help or stay on their trail?"

Unknown to Shikamaru, Kakashi was also lucky. He saw and approached the other Akatsuki team and carefully listened.

"So what does that scroll Zetsu delivered say Sasori-sama?" one asked the other.

"Don't rush me Deidara," Sasori said, "This is a complicated jutsu. Even with that idiot Hidan being the one whose a giant, there can be problems if this is rushed."

"Probably why the Leader chose you," Deidara said. Sasori grunted in response, opening the scroll before him. With his sharigan eye, Kakashi saw what the scroll was.

"Great, Kakashi thought, "They have a giant making scroll from Orochimaru's corpse. Jiraiya wondered where that toad went to. I guess we know the answer."

Kakashi silently backed off and summoned Pankun. "Pankun, go give Lady Tsunade this new information," Kakashi said, explaining what he found and how to make he decided it would be best for them to neutralize this treat now. Pankun nodded and ran off quickly. Kakashi tapped his radio.

"What is it Kakashi?" Iruka asked. Asuma also acknowledged. Shikamaru stopped his pursuit and also checked in.

"Iruka, Shikamaru, Asuma, I found them," Kakashi said, "There are two. They seem to be waiting for two more and they have Orochimaru's growth Jutsu."

"I know," Shikamaru said, "I've been trailing the other pair. But they're faces are completely covered. One has on his back a dead body and is called Kakuzu. The other is Hidan."

"Good work. Initially we were just going to report back to the Hokage, but finding out they have that scroll, we'll need to stop them now. I'm located about 1.3 miled SSW of the river."

"I'm near there," Iruka said.

"Shikamaru?" Kakashi asked.

"I'm about 2.3 miles NNE of your location," Shikamaru said.

"I'm close to that," Asuma said.

"All right, Iruka, come to me. Asuma, go with Shikamaru.. You two are to delay them until Iruka and I get the scroll. And the growing orders apply still," Kakashi said.

"Right," the three responded back.