Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 502 The Lurker

Perception is a skill that greatly tests the brain's processing power.

The moment Sasuke successfully linked with Kurama, the tailed beast's special abilities also manifested within him. Tailed beasts typically possess a strong ability to distinguish between good and bad people, not only because they have lived long lives and accumulated extensive experience, but also because one of them can truly sense whether there is malice in people.

The overwhelming amount of information, many times greater than usual, did indeed make Sasuke dizzy for a moment. Adding fuel to the fire was the sudden release of his Tailed Beast form, making the massive chakra reaction impossible to ignore. However, he wasn't unfamiliar with this experience. When facing Nagato, another power of his Mangekyou Sharingan automatically activated, cramming a person's entire life into his mind—a truly unbearable experience. The amount of information he perceived was nothing compared to this.

When the entire environment is filled with warmth and goodwill, then even a trace of cold malice has nowhere to hide.

Sasuke almost unleashed his Sharingan as he stared intently at Killer Bee standing in the crowd... with the large sword slung across his back. Pretending to show off his new form, he suddenly knocked the sword away.

"Huh? My Samehada! You idiot, you bastard!"

"Are you sure that's your Samehada?" Sasuke forcefully pulled Killer Bee back from flying away, saying, "That thing's malice has been lurking all along."

The jinchūriki stopped their fighting, and all eyes turned to them. At the same time, the sword lying on the ground stopped pretending to be dead. It suddenly tore off the bandages that wrapped it, and even its normal sword shape disappeared. Insect-like limbs sprouted from its side, and its mouth opened wide, spitting out a human head!

This scene was truly frightening; a group of people were clearly watching, but no one reacted immediately.

"It seems you can sense hatred and negative emotions; no other sensory type possesses this ability. Is this the perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

"Heh, Naruto has this ability even without linking with me. There are such beings in history, you're just too ignorant." At such a critical moment, Kurama actually had the mood to make sarcastic remarks.

Killer Bee recognized the guy and said incredulously, "You're Akatsuki's shark bastard? How could that be? I was definitely blown to pieces back then, how did you manage to dodge my Tailed Beast Ball!"

Kisame was surprisingly responsive; he even revealed the matter of switching bodies in the water. Just then, the Jinchuriki gradually gathered around. They had just discussed several feasible theories on how to deal with the Impure World Reincarnation and were eager to try them out.

However, the audacious Kisame even had the audacity to grin at them and, in front of everyone, trigger the door's switch, attempting to escape. The result? He was punched into the wall, and Sasuke, fearing Kisame's escape, added a touch of lightning. However, this subordinate's specialty was absorbing chakra, and the rapid loss of chakra made Sasuke quickly release his grip. Fortunately, he had used his dominant left hand; if he had used his right, the chains holding his vest would likely have failed instantly.

"He can absorb chakra! Use Wood Release!" Sasuke immediately warned, seeing the combination of Kisame and Samehada dart away.

Although Yamato, who was squatting at the door, did not know what had happened, he was preparing for the possible Jinchuriki to go berserk. He immediately used Wood Release to seal the door, which successfully trapped Kisame.

The disparity in strength between the two sides was immense, and Kisame dared not linger for a moment. He immediately discarded Samehada and rushed outwards. However, he was with Killer Bee and was unaware that the island's decision-makers had already issued an order to seal off the island. Although the ancient mechanisms and barriers were indeed very powerful, more layers of protection were always better. This meant that if Kisame wanted to send a message out of the island, he would need to break through at least five layers of barriers, which he clearly didn't have the time for.

Seeing that Wood Release hadn't stopped Kisame, Sasuke immediately smashed through the wooden wall and dashed away like a beam of light. He was originally a speed- and technique-based ninja, and with Kurama's enhancement, his speed would only increase—so fast that even without activating his Sharingan, he might not be able to see his way clearly. Anyway, his speed was fast enough that ordinary ninjas would never be able to see the Sharingan's markings; he could just say it was a beast's eye—the color was the same.

Kisame, who was running ahead, quickly heard the commotion behind him. He had already experienced the terrifying speed firsthand, and now he didn't even have time to turn his head. He used a summoning jutsu to send several sharks flying backward. Regardless of whether it could buy him time, as long as he could get out of the True Waterfall, he would have a way to escape!

However, Sasuke's steps were not hindered by the sharks. His longsword, crackling with lightning, cleared away the obstacle in his path, then flew out and touched the waterfall before Kisame could reach it. Kisame, still charging forward, inevitably crashed into the lightning field. He could indeed absorb elemental ninjutsu transformed from chakra, but this sudden shock still momentarily paralyzed him, causing him to slam uncontrollably into a small patch of land at the waterfall's mouth.

As luck would have it, Kai, who had been idle for a long time, got bored waiting at the entrance and decided to test whether the waterfall was as magical as the legends said. He was still sitting on that open ground, just about to face his inner self, when a person who looked like a shark emerged from the waterfall! He was so frightened that his soul almost flew out of his body. He immediately swung his foot and kicked Kisame back, only realizing something was wrong afterward.

"What is this... a shark with human legs?"

Sasuke, who had just flown out of the waterfall: "..."

Kisame was embedded in a pile of rocks on the side of the waterfall, still spitting blood as he complained, "You're still the same as ever, your brain is even lower than that of a rare beast." They had clearly fought a battle in Konoha. Even if the impression wasn't deep, he, as one of the few surviving Akatsuki members, should have been remembered by the enemy, right?

"Guy-sensei, use taijutsu to take him down!" Sasuke stopped his urge to complain and pointed at Kisame, saying, "This guy is an Akatsuki spy. He's good at absorbing chakra. If he escapes, the location of this island will be exposed. Only your taijutsu is the best way to deal with him!"

"Is that so? Then leave it to me! I'll let him experience the ultimate burning of youth!"

"Eight Gates Formation, Sixth Gate, Gate of View, open!"

The green color emanating from the evaporation of special sweat appeared on Kai's body as he charged forward, his fists flaming with friction that seemed to set the air ablaze.