A cool reference to (Japanese) chess

One of the most interesting (and easy-to-understand) references to chess in "literature" that I've recently come across occurred in, of all places, the Naruto manga. Shikamaru (one of the coolest characters in the series) is a ninja whose actual ninja power (ninjitsu) is somewhat weak; he can manipulate shadows, and through them, control a limited number of opponents. However, he is the strategist par excellence, and despite his young age, is often looked upon as the tactical leader in critical situations.

During one of the most powerful arcs of the Naruto series, Shikamaru avenges his teacher's death against two of the most formidable Akatsuki members, both essentially immortal. One of them is named "Hidan," and he's as close to immortal as someone can get. Hidan wields a strange scythe-like weapon, and worships some god of destruction. When he intends to kill someone, he performs a strange ritual in which he draws a circle in the sand. If he manages to wound an opponent and drink his blood, then he becomes "linked" to that opponent via a special curse. Any damage done to himself after the curse is applied (and while he is still in his circle) will be inflicted directly upon the opponent (sort of like a grotesque voodoo doll). So, if he stabs himself in the heart, his opponent will suffer a similar mortal wound. Keep in mind that he IS immortal, and anything done to him, even when he is not in his circle, will NOT kill him. At one point, he is even beheaded, and remains alive...

The other Akatsuki member is named Kakuzu. His entire body is threaded together via a special "fiber." He contains within himself at any one time five "hearts", many of them stolen from opponents he has vanquished. So long as any one heart beats, he remains alive. As he inherits the "elemental power" associated with any given heart, he potentially can control (simultaneously) five different elements (something not possible with a normal human being)...

"Hidan" and "Kakuzu" are names that indirectly reference chess pieces in the game Shogi (Japanese chess). Hidan is essentially like a Rook, and Kakuzu is essentially a Bishop. As Shikamaru contemplates a way to defeat both Hidan and Kakuzu, he meditates over a chessplay that pits a Knight (representative of Shikamaru himself, because his "intelligence" makes him move "unpredictably") against a Rook and a Bishop, in a play which apparently will only allow him to vanquish one opponent (allowing the other to vanquish HIM).

There's also a question as to who the King is? (i.e., who are you trying to protect?)

If you are interested, you should read the story arc in its entirety. Visit "naruto manga returns," a newsgroup posting ALL manga chapters. I will try to look up the actual chapters later...