Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 460 Akatsuki's Journey to Kumogakure

Although only a handful of Akatsuki members remain, they never stifle their ambition. While attacking Konoha, another member also ventures into the hidden lands of Kumogakure.

As is well known, the training of Jinchūriki is extremely difficult. They not only need to reconcile with the Tailed Beasts within them, but also need to control their excessively large amounts of chakra through constant training. Excessive destructive power is a common characteristic of Jinchūriki; they need a secluded, isolated place to fully unleash their true nature.

Kumogakure has two Jinchūriki, one of whom, Yugito, was witnessed fighting members of Akatsuki and subsequently disappeared. Therefore, the Raikage immediately raised the safety of the other Jinchūriki to the highest priority. Since Kumogakure acquired the Eight-Tails, all the Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki have used the names "A" and "Hime." Although they are not blood brothers, they possess a bond stronger than that of ordinary brothers. They are the best partners on the battlefield and the strongest protectors of Kumogakure. Naturally, the Raikage prioritizes ensuring Hime's safety over finding Yugito.

However, today, this secluded lake welcomed an uninvited guest skilled in water escape techniques.

Kisame was sent directly to the vicinity of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki by a space-time ninjutsu. White Zetsu had already found this lake, after all, the Eight-Tails had caused quite a commotion, it seemed to be a Jinchuriki who couldn't stay idle.

Killer Bee was indeed someone who couldn't stay still; here, besides training, he only had time to amuse himself. He sat down to cultivate again, and when he opened his eyes and looked outside, he realized that the sunlight was probably almost noon.

"The light is blinding, is it already noon? Idiot, bastard." When will his brother finally stop acting crazy and call him back?

His muscles and bones were so stiff that Killer Bee resorted to his specialty, performing a mesmerizing dance while launching into his bizarre rap: "Early morning training, empty stomach, I, a rap-loving busybody, can't decide whether to eat sukiyaki, YEAH~"

After all that chaotic flailing, before he could even land, he saw someone he didn't recognize standing at the bottom of the steps. Although Killer Bee seemed unreliable, he was actually a ninja who had survived the Third Shinobi World War, and his combat strength and awareness far surpassed those of ordinary people. Of course, his brothers had warned him about Akatsuki, and he recognized the man's black robe with red clouds. The fact that this person could sneak up here unnoticed did indeed require him to be a little wary.

But it was only slightly so.

"So you're the Eight-Tails? My weapon Samehada loves powerful chakra, it seems it's finally found a delicious taste of chakra."

This person's sudden appearance was extremely rude, and upon closer inspection... he didn't even look like a human being; below his two small fish eyes were slits resembling shark gills.

"I'm sorry, but please be the bait for this sharkskin. Of course, I wouldn't kill you."

That statement is at least somewhat polite, but is it really appropriate to say such a thing on someone else's turf?

"I might kill you, and show you what a difference there is. Prepare yourself! You idiot, you bastard. My rhyme..."

Before Killer Bee could finish speaking, the nearest squad of guards responded. He remembered that the squad's captain was a young man... young men are like that, impetuous and incredibly reckless, daring to charge forward in any situation, and of course, almost getting themselves killed.

"As a Jinchūriki, you talk too much nonsense." His words didn't hinder Kisame's counterattack. Samehada, bound by bandages, easily seized the chakra infused into the weapons of these ninjas, sweeping them all away in an instant. In the brief moment he released his force, a sharp blade imbued with lightning release flew towards his face. He quickly dodged it, simultaneously swinging Samehada forward.

Samehada was a living sword; even when the Eight-Tails was some distance away, Samehada would automatically extend its hilt to strike its target. This attack was, of course, dodged. Kisame hadn't expected to hit it anyway; it was merely meant to stop the Eight-Tails' continuous attacks. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced back and saw that the sword aimed at his forehead had sunk into the ground, leaving only the hilt sticking out.

This is a high-frequency vibration caused by lightning release; if it hits him, it should create a hole in him.

Killer Bee carried eight sharp swords, throwing them with swift and decisive abandon, showing no remorse whatsoever. After the second sword flew out, he activated his cells using Lightning Release, attempting a pincer attack based on his speed. The other person wielded a large sword, making it impossible for him to move quickly enough. He would have to raise his sword to parry the attack, ensuring that both attacks would hit one of them.

However, while the blade struck, the effect was far less than Killer Bee had predicted. The chakra attached to the blade vanished before even hitting the enemy! What happened?

"So......"

Having missed his first attack, Killer Bee decisively launched another. He could control the Tailed Beast Cloak with ease; at such close range, one move was all it took to take his opponent's head!

"Eight cuts to the head!"

A metallic clang rang out as Killer Bee's and Kisame's headbands collided. The expected decapitation didn't occur; Killer Bee's Tailed Beast Cloak vanished just before striking Kisame. This time, he was certain of his opponent's ability—more precisely, the strange power of the sword in his opponent's hand. Chakra reserves were one of the most significant advantages of a Jinchūriki, but against an enemy capable of absorbing chakra, things could get complicated.

Killer Bee quickly retreated, moving away from the strange sword. "You took my chakra..."

"It seems it really likes the octopus scent of your chakra. It's rare to see Samehada so excited. Looks like it's worth cutting you down."

Kisame's greatsword rapidly expanded, its spikes, arranged like fish scales, stretching outwards with exhilarating force. At its tip was a gaping maw, emitting strange squeaking sounds. Clearly, it was genuinely excited.

"Your eyes are surprisingly beautiful too. Turn them into dead fish eyes right now." Anyone can talk tough, and Killer Bee wasn't going to back down either. However, when it came to getting the other person's name, he was distracted by Samehada's transformation. Fortunately, Samehada was a very cooperative person and offered his name voluntarily. This was probably the strange mutual respect between strong people. Only opponents who could go back and forth were worthy of exchanging names.

"I am Kisame Hoshigaki, nice to meet you."