Spoiler!

[7dragon-zodiac.livejournal.com]

I need other peoples opinions. NOW. ♥

Why do I get the feeling that Asuma, my boyfriend Shikamaru, Izumo, and Kotetsu are going to die?

Obviously, Hidan won't die even after being pierced by two swords because:

1) Then there would have been no point to Kakuzu's bathroom scene. Err, bathroom conversation scene. Err, morgue scene. And

2) Hidan stabs himself with a pike after battles because of Jashin, and he's still alive and kicking. I doubt this time would be any different.

*Sigh...*

Oh well.

Comments

[jay-apex.livejournal.com]

I don't think Shikamaru will die. Then again, he is my favorite and I am being hopeful. I imagine, that since he is holding Hidan at bay with the kage mane, he is going to get the crap beaten out of him by Kakuzu.

As for Asuma, I think it seems like a pretty sure thing that he will die. But who knows with Kishimoto?

The other two are not very important characters, but I don't think they'll die.

[kumiriko.livejournal.com]

I dont think they will die. there is more then one way to stop something that cant be killed. no one sead his arms legs and Torso could not be Removed. A severd head isnt that much of a threat. even thought i feel his might

[skei.livejournal.com]

Severed heads still have teeth, man.

Biting hurts.

Tee hee. ♥

[demonoflight.livejournal.com]

Kishimoto doesn't like killing.

[itsokihadsubway.livejournal.com]

No kidding. I still groan when I remember Gaara got saved like he did.

[green-and-warty.livejournal.com]

I suspect Gaara got saved because he'll inevitably be the host of Shukaku again. >.> It was a total plot-no-jutsu! but it made sense as far as character growth completion went.

[superflavor.livejournal.com]

They're all at least going to a hospital.. But I don't think anyone's going to die. Maybe one but I don't really think so.

[tika-veilan.livejournal.com]

I don`t think the pretty guys will die. Kakuzu mentioned Hidan`s immortality... the blondie mentioned his own immortality... then it`s decided - a great twist is about to be revealed. That`s what I expect from Kishimoto anyway. 8)

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

*nods wisely* As Captain Mal would say my dear, precisely ^^. Too pretty to die *-*.

[kaworu-chan.livejournal.com]

Asuma's going to die (probably to save Shikamaru) T^T.
Maybe Izumo and Kotetsu will die too, though WHO'S GONNA CARRY TSUNADE'S PAPERWORK?!!!.

Hidan's not dead, of course, because he's just so damn cool!
I think there's gonna be a good kicking ass part ^^. Though I'm afraid because of what Kakuzu said to the morge guy about Hidan. Besides we haven't seen much of Kakuzu's fighting skills... Jeez! I'm sure I'll cry a lot if Asuma has to die (cause Shikamaru won't die).

[doomsdayblaze.livejournal.com]

I believe Asuma's a dead man.

[bahka-dee-koon.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking for some time now it seems like Asuma is going to die, and I've always seen Shikamaru dying, because it would be really unexpected. But they are my two favorite characters, so I don't want anything to happen to them.
I do doubt Shikamaru is going anywhere, though.

Izumo and Kotetsu, on the other hand -- I don't feel they're going to die, but it could make sense, judging from how idle they've been up until this point...I don't know. I guess we'll get to see what's going on tomorrow.

...Yeah, I really don't want anyone to die, but I agree with jay_apex. You never know with Kishimoto.

[darlingfox.livejournal.com]

It definitely looks like Asuma is going to die. Usually it does happen when a minor character suddenly gets more screen-time and depth. Then again, Kishimoto seems to be quite reluctant to get rid of anyone so you never know.

Hidan... will obviosly die eventually, unless the bad guys will win. I doubt he'll die in this fight, though, because he's a relatively new and important character. What would be the point of introducing him and then killing him right away?

[nayamashiimigot.livejournal.com]

He killed Sasori pretty quick, though, don't forget. And the Sound Five.

I, sadly, have to agree, though with the popular thought. I love Asuma, and don't want to see him go, but I feel he is probably going to die. I only pray the others don't follow suit, though I really don't see Shikamaru going anywhere.

I guess only time will tell.

[darlingfox.livejournal.com]

But we didn't really follow Sasori or the Sound Five around like we've done with Hidan and Kakuzu. I mean, they've actually had independent screen-time while they've done some bijuu/ninja hunting. Most of Sasori's time was spent fighting against Sakura and Chiyo, and Sasuke was the reason the plot followed the Sound Five (unless my memory is failing me; it has been some time since I've read those parts).

I don't want to see Asuma go either. Or Shikamaru, though his death probably isn't very likely. I'm not so sure about Izumo and Kotetsu; they could go either way. On one hand, they are minor characters who've suddenly gotten more time and pages. On the other hand, I don't see how their deaths would affect on anyone important enough, except maybe making Asuma to kick some serious ass.

Well, we'll know eventually.

[jiah.livejournal.com]

You guys have pretty much convinced me that Asuma has a good chance of dying. Either that or pulling some crazy shit and kicking ass.

Izumo or Kotetsu dying (NOT BOTH) would make for wonderful married angst.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I hope they die; it would be about time Akatsuki get to actually do somnething with significance and weight that's carried through to it's natural conclusion (instead of Kishimoto botching it *cough*Gaara*cough*). It would be very good for the story and powerful because it would really rile people up (fans and characters alike) and give the 'heroes' something to actually be properly scared about, as it should be. But I won't hold my breath.

[nayamashiimigot.livejournal.com]

That is an intriguing way to look at it.

Now that it is mentioned, Akatsuki really hasn't done anything truly worthy of fright yet, save 'appropriating' a few Bijuu. They've not made a lasting impact upon a village proper--since Gaara came back to life. Yes, it will be remembered, but, it wasn't something irrepairable.

Still, I love Asuma and Shikamaru. But, I know that Asuma's gonna go. Kishimoto has painted the signs rather obviously.

I just hope that no-one, Akatsuki or Konoha alike, in this battle, gets a less-than-spectacular death. I do not want to see a repeat of the kind of death we saw in Tayuya/Temari "fight" (if you could really even THINK to call it that). If that happens, I will be rather upset.

[arandomstudent.livejournal.com]

"I just hope that no-one, Akatsuki or Konoha alike, in this battle, gets a less-than-spectacular death."

If anyone dies at all, I vote for spectacular death. No quick slash and dead body like Hayate or Tayuya. Spirits do not take well to ignoble deaths.

[kaleidoruby.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure Asuma's about to die. Shikamaru I highly doubt is going anywhere - at least he'd better not! Izumo and Kotetsu, maybe one of them. Someone has to live to carry Tsunade's paperwork though. XD

[arandomstudent.livejournal.com]

I don't know. We have yet to see Shikamaru prove his abilities as a leader, after his break-down from the "failure" of Sasuke rescue mission.
That is to say, if this mission goes very, very bad (which is highly likely, considering the opponents), Shikamaru might sacrifice himself for the safety of his comrades and success of the mission.

There's been enough "this could result in heart-breaking tragedy" hints about Asuma and Kurenai already. Izumo and Kotetsu are fairly minor (but not less loved) characters, and considering how Hayate was killed off so easily in the chuunin exams, hmmm...

Not quite the positive thinker, am I? ._.

[ormery.livejournal.com]

Asuma's a dead man walking. I doubt the others are too doomed, though.

[clannoire.livejournal.com]

I'll go with the idea that Asuma will die to save Shikamaru and/or Izumo and Kotetsu. The foreshadowing is everywhere. You know how Kishimoto is and his "omens" and "foreshadowing". =P

PLEASE DON'T KILL HIDAN AND KAKUZO. I loves my Akatsuki way too much to see another one of them go down like Sasori did (am still mourning). D=

[denkichan.livejournal.com]

Asuma is definitely going to die, but for some reason I think it's too soon for him to go. He had that whole openended shougi-to-shinobi talk only six chapters ago, so to have him introduce something thematic and then whack him off less than 10 chapters later seems to be rushing it.
When I read that conversation, I thought he was likening the king piece to either the entire village or your Special Someone, in which case he can't just sacrifice himself now! _{His special someone is sitting in her kitchen back in Konoha....}

The plus side to his dying is it'll probably get Shikamaru directly involved in the plot (or uh, I hope it will ^^). I think he likened his normal style to defensive playing, so having to avenge Asuma would force him into a more proactive role...and maybe let him redeem himself from the super team outcome? Or something!

Also, hi! I found this comm a little while ago and have been lurking around reading the chapter discussions and crack posts. 'tis great reading and even greater material for procrastinatoring from work, ohoho.

[kuollutkana.livejournal.com]

I think Shika will die ;___; (oohhh.. cry emo) poor Temarii~
And Izumo ;____; poor Kotetsu~