Asuma’s Fire Jutsu strikes Hidan, but, to his team's surprise, Asuma gets burnt as well. Hidan then reveals that he is conducting a ritual that allows him to create an empathic link between himself and the one whose blood he swallowed. Asuma rushes at Hidan but collapses after Hidan stabs himself in the leg, thereby injuring Asuma. Shikamaru realizes Hidan needs to be in the circle for his curse ritual to take effect, and so, uses his Shadow Possession Jutsu to force Hidan to step out of it. As he does so, Asuma is able to use his chakra knife to decapitate Hidan.