Asuma died, leaving Chōji, Shikamaru, and Ino to set out in an attempt to avenge him with [[KakashiHatake|Kakashi]]astheirtemporaryleader.

Chōji arrived with Ino as back-up for Shikamaru and Asuma in their fight with [[Akatsuki]] members [[Hidan]] and [[Kakuzu]]. As the Akatsuki pair fled due to their arrival, Chōji prepared to take the fatally injured Asuma back to Konoha for treatment. Asuma, however, knew that he wouldn't make it back to Konoha, and gave some parting words to his team. He told Chōji that he was a kind-hearted boy, who thinks about his friends, and, therefore, may be a stronger ninja than anyone else, and to simply believe in himself. Asuma also told Chōji to diet a bit more, and Chōji said that, while it was difficult, he would try. Chōjithen reminisces his memories with Asuma like the day when they were assigned to him as students and he treated them for a meal and Chōji had ordered a banquet, which hurt Asuma's economy. Chōji then cried. After smoking one last cigarette, Asuma died, leaving Chōji, Shikamaru, and Ino to set out in an attempt to avenge him.

WhentheremainingmembersofTeam10distracted Hidan and Kakuzu, Chōji attacked the two with his [[Spiked Human Bullet Tank]], its effectiveness increased with his new ability to grow and sharpen his hair. Later,when Kakuzu's maskschargedat Chōji and his team, Chōji used[[SuperOpenHandSlap]]tocrushthemasksandkeepthematbay. Hisattempt was unsuccessful, and Kakuzu wasable to pin him down.

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AfterdiscussingaplancreatedbyShikamaru,they located Hidan and Kakuzu. Chōji attacked the two from above with his [[Spiked Human Bullet Tank]] when Shikamaru distracted them, with its effectiveness increased with