NARUTO SHIPPUDEN SEASON 4 (2008) (9.1/10)

Work continues in Hidden Leaf Village to erase the scars of battle. As he watches Konohamaru and the others helping with the reconstruction, Iruka sees how his students have matured.

With Kakashi's return, Naruto resumes training for his new jutsu. Kakashi explains that the transformation training will enter the next stage. This time, only Wind Chakra will be used to cut through a waterfall. Hidan and Kakuzu, who have captured Two Tails, leave it with Zetsu and head for the Land of Fire in search of Nine Tails. The first place they reach is the Fire Temple, where the priests go into a near panic, and Chiriku confronts the Akatsuki.

The lone surviving priest is carried into Hidden Leaf Village where he reports the destruction of the Fire Temple.

In order to capture the Akatsuki, the Hidden Leaf cast a net that even an ant could not crawl through. Still, the Akatsuki elude them and frustrate Tsunade to no end. Around that time, Asuma and the others arrive at the Fire Temple, only to find it completely destroyed. Chiriku's corpse is missing, and Asuma surmises that the Akatsuki were after the bounty on Chiriku's head. They immediately dispatch a messenger to Hidden Leaf to submit a report and head for the nearest center where the Akatsuki can turn in Chiriku's body for payment. Back at Hidden Leaf, Naruto takes a break and stops by Ichiraku, only to find something waiting for him.

Naruto is learning the elements of Wind Style Jutsu, and Kakashi lectures him on the difficulties of developing a new jutsu. According to Kakashi even the Fourth Hokage was not able to embed elemental chakra into his jutsu. Naruto feels a heavy sense of responsibility and puts his entire being into developing the new jutsu. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki duo turns in Chiriku's body to collect the bounty. What is the fate of the Hidden Leaf team who are pursuing them...?

Asuma and his team finally confront Hidan, and a battle ensues. They fight with all their strength but are shocked at Hidan's power.

Hidan releases a baffling jutsu, and Asuma bears the brunt of the attack. The jutsu is a special trick which links Hidan with Asuma's body.

Hidan's immortality enables him to stay alive even with his head cut off, although he cannot move his body. Kakuzu sews Hidan's head back on with threads that sprout from his body. Izumo and Kotetsu try to attack Kakuzu, but he manages to grab them both by using his body threads, restraining them and suffocating them as well. Hidan, now able to move again, returns to the circle and stabs himself with the blades of his scythe; he finishes it off by stabbing himself in the chest with another spike, fatally wounding Asuma.

Asuma is mortally wounded by Hidan's jutsu, and the Akatsuki have the rest of the Hidden Leaf in a bind.

In a faraway land, the Akatsuki reveal their true aim of world conquest. And back at Hidden Leaf Village, Shikamaru gives his report of the mission to Tsunade.

Asuma's funeral is held in Hidden Leaf Village amid deep sadness. Shikamaru is the lone absentee, unable to get over the loss.

Kakashi and Team 10 set out to stop the Akatsuki. Tsunade considers Naruto's Team 7 to be the ideal back-up for Team 10 and orders Naruto to perfect his new jutsu within 24 hours.

Shikamaru and Choji deliver the first blows in the battle, but they are thwarted by Kakuzu's power. Kakashi counters Kakuzu's trick and brings him down.

Shikamaru and his comrades desperately counter the Fire Jutsu offensive. But continuously using his Rasengan and Lightning Blade takes its toll on Kakashi.

Shikamaru battles Hidan alone, deep in the forest, and after depleting his chakra, sustains a deep wound. Hidan draws his blood as he lies near death.

Naruto and Team Kakashi arrive just in time to assist Team Asuma. Sakura and Sai are ordered by Kakashi to aid Shikamaru, who is battling alone.

Ino and Choji are amazed at Naruto's new jutsu, and Kakuzu senses the danger that it poses. But when released, the new jutsu dissipates before it reaches Kakuzu.