Akatsuki Suppression Mission (Hidan and Kakuzu), Vols. 35–38

Hidan, who can't die, and Kakuzu, who carries several hearts, kill a monk from the Fire Temple, and Team Asuma goes after them. Hidan curses Asuma and kills him. Shikamaru channels his grief into a plan with Ino, Chōji and Kakashi to avenge their teacher. He separates Hidan from his partner, beats him alone and buries him in pieces in the Nara forest, where no one will ever find him. Kakuzu, harder to kill, holds off Kakashi until Naruto arrives with his new Rasenshuriken. The blow wrecks Kakuzu's remaining hearts, and Kakashi finishes him. But the technique damages Naruto's arm from the inside, and Tsunade forbids him from using it that way again.

1. Behind the scenesAsuma's cigarettes

   Kishimoto worried the publisher would censor Shikamaru smoking Asuma's cigarettes. The manga kept the scenes; the anime only showed the lighter.

   source ↗
2. ReferenceA genius plan

   Shikamaru beats Hidan on his own and makes sure the immortal's body is never found. Then he vows to look after the daughter Kurenai is expecting with Asuma.

   source ↗
3. Behind the scenesHe'd marry him

   Kishimoto joked that if he were a woman he'd marry Shikamaru, since he'd surely do well in life.

   source ↗
4. Behind the scenesA U.S. sprint

   In early 2009 VIZ put out 11 volumes, 34 through 44, in three months to catch up with Japan. This whole arc came out in that rush.

   source ↗