Naruto Vol. 35

After returning from Orochimaru’s hideout, Team Kakashi reports the failure of its mission. Kakashi explains the principles of chakra nature transformation and determines that Naruto possesses a Wind affinity. Naruto begins a demanding new training method using shadow clones to accelerate his progress, allowing hundreds of experiences to be accumulated simultaneously.

Elsewhere, Asuma leads Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino against two Akatsuki members: Hidan and Kakuzu. During the battle, Hidan demonstrates an unsettling ritual that links his own body to his opponent’s, causing any injury inflicted upon himself to be mirrored by his target.

Asuma is mortally wounded by Hidan’s curse technique despite his team's efforts to protect him. Before dying, he entrusts his students with the future and shares final words with Shikamaru. The loss devastates Team 10 and deeply affects the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

Determined to avenge their teacher, Shikamaru begins developing a strategy against the immortal Akatsuki pair while Naruto continues mastering Wind Release, hoping his new technique will finally give him the strength to protect those closest to him.