Asuma knows that one of the Twelve Warriors, Chiriku, was killed. Their mission is to stop the Akatsuki members to walk in the Land of Fire, killing them if necessary. Tsunade summons Shikamaru, Asuma and 78 other ninjas, divided into groups of 4. Naruto grew enraged and tried to attack him, but Anko stopped just slug Amachi itself. After capture, he mentioned that he knew a way to cure Isaribi, and had planned to dissect it when she was no longer useful. He was defeated by Naruto when he used kyuubi chakra and was captured by Anko's team. In the final confrontation with Anko, Naruto, Ino Yamanaka, and Shino Aburame, he termed the Umibozu indestructible and, later transformed into a form Kaima complete.
It was also revealed that he planned to use their experiences to get revenge on Orochimaru, who canceled the project ninja underwater due to loss of interest. He planned to steal gold from a ship coming in, and manipulated in Isaribi attack him. Later in the country of the Ocean, Akado Yoroi and Misumi Tsurugi joined him as bodyguards and assistants. He also seemed to know Anko Mitarashi well because Orochimaru was at the time. He ordered Isaribi to attack ships, promising to return it to its normal shape, but really intended to dissect since it was no longer of use. Orochimaru terrorized the people of this country of the Ocean, and kidnapped citizens for their mortal experiences (including Isaribi), which included making the ultimate ninja underwater for Orochimaru.