After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 200

Chapter 200: Perfect Jinchūriki Mode

"So besides the missing Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails, the Three-Tails jinchūriki has already been controlled?"

Naruto asked Konan with some surprise.

"Yes. To be precise, controlled by 'Uchiha Madara's' Sharingan using genjutsu."

After hearing Konan's answer, Naruto nodded. This way, Three-Tails didn't need consideration. By the time they reached the Land of Water, that person would've already left.

"So do we head to the Land of Earth next? After all, it's not too far from here."

After Jiraiya-sensei quickly jotted notes on paper, he looked up at Naruto. The Land of Earth bordered the Land of Rain—Hidden Rain Village was closer than Hidden Cloud.

"No, we'll wait in the Land of Rain for two days first."

Naruto denied this decision, then added, "First, to see if other Akatsuki members return here—like those two who went to capture One-Tail—"

"Sasori and Deidara."

Konan supplemented timely. After Nagato's death, she felt no belonging to the Akatsuki organization. Therefore, betraying former comrades held no pressure.

"Right, right. By the way, isn't that Deidara the current Tsuchikage's disciple? If we send him back, we might not even need to fight to negotiate things."

Naruto's face showed a "just as planned" proud expression. Jiraiya and Konan beside him remained silently speechless.

How could it possibly be that simple?

"Of course, there's also Uchiha Itachi. If he returns, we can let Sasuke handle him. What do you say, Sasuke—confident?"

The clash of weapons rang out across this clearing. Since earlier, beast-form Sasuke, Karin, and Killer Bee wielding seven swords using "Acrobat" jutsu had continuously surrounded and attacked Naruto.

But all their attacks were parried by Naruto with a transparent katana. He even seemed to be suppressing all three.

Indeed, without using beast transformation, the three of them together were no match for Naruto. This was also "Musō Kō's" first appearance in the ninja world.

Previously, after swallowing it, Naruto had only used it as raw material for creating arm blades, forgetting he'd once been a great swordsman. Though true swordsmen could execute corresponding slashes even using just hands and feet, it still wasn't the same as personally gripping a sword hilt.

"Hey hey! Naruto bro! Getting distracted during battle! That's disrespectful! Yo!"

Seven swords danced like flowers but couldn't break through that seemingly thin defense line. No matter what angle Killer Bee attacked from, Musō Kō's blade always blocked precisely in its path.

The frustration of having power but being unable to land a hit was maddening.

Tilting the blade slightly, Naruto struck. Musō Kō directly broke Killer Bee's defense, then slapped him away with the blade's flat side. Then the hilt smashed backward, colliding with Sasuke who had seized the gap to sneak attack.

Two forces collided. Ultimately Sasuke was smashed away.

Karin's wind blades and vajra feathers fell like raindrops but were precisely deflected by Musō Kō. After a clear bird cry, Karin's form suddenly accelerated, rapidly diving low along the ground. Sharp claw tips found the gap when Naruto raised his sword and stabbed forward.

Unfortunately, Naruto's other hand blocked this strike. The three's coordinated attacks were still quite unfamiliar—they couldn't launch linked attacks without affecting each other's rhythm. It looked like three separate battles.

"Alright, let's stop here."

Naruto casually exerted force. Karin was easily flung away. Then Naruto stored Musō Kō, this old companion, into his palm's sealed space, not choosing to swallow it again.

"Karin, not bad performance. You thought about it—using feints to attract attention."

Hearing Naruto's praise, Karin's face, just transformed back from bird-person form, had barely begun to smile when Naruto's criticism came.

"Too bad the attacks are too weak. You still haven't mastered Armament Haki. Even if I didn't block and just took the hit directly, nothing would happen."

"Not only that, you haven't practiced the Physical Activation and Eight Gates I gave you either, right?"

Being stared at by those sharp eyes, Karin immediately lowered her head guiltily, unable to say anything.

"As for Sasuke, you did very well. Your Observation Haki usage is already skilled. Your Armament Haki has grown stronger. This jutsu you developed yourself also looks quite impressive."

Unlike Karin, Sasuke didn't care about such praise, just silently using Calamity Fire to heal training injuries. The more he learned, the more he felt the gap between himself and Naruto.

That bottomless Armament Haki, Observation Haki almost capable of predicting the future, and that so-called "Conqueror's Haki"—his attacks could barely break through the opponent's defense.

As for the derivative jutsu he developed based on "Eight Impact Fist," Naruto understood at a glance, even using the sword hilt to counter with fist techniques during battle.

If the opponent were that man, would I also be so easily defeated?

Sasuke's expression darkened, his thoughts unreadable. In previous battles, his contribution wasn't significant. Though he defeated one of the Six Paths of Pain using Calamity Fire, they recovered immediately. His Mangekyō Sharingan ability still hadn't appeared. Once leaving "Misfortune Wolf form," his eyes reverted to three-tomoe Sharingan.

Still too far behind!

Naruto understood Sasuke's feelings but knew saying anything now was useless. So he just walked over, lightly patted his shoulder, then walked away. Young people needed to reflect on their own growth. Forcing growth through external pressure would likely produce unsatisfactory results.

"Killer Bee, how was it?"

"I take back what I said earlier! Two youngsters, strength not bad! Naruto, you're even more ridiculous, yo!"

Having been beaten by Naruto, Killer Bee actually respected him greatly. But after the two youngsters woke from unconsciousness, inexplicable conflicts appeared. Sasuke seemed naturally incompatible with Killer Bee.

One was taciturn, the other noisy and boisterous—they couldn't chat more than a few sentences before breaking down. Though Karin normally didn't get along with Sasuke either, she couldn't watch this "outsider" Killer Bee lecture Sasuke, so she joined the battle.

Afterward, both sides nearly fought seriously. Naruto and Jiraiya, who both loved drama, sat there drinking while betting which side would win.

Of course, to avoid hard feelings, Naruto eventually intervened. If both sides truly fought, accidentally injuring someone would be bad. Better have both sides attack him together, using the opportunity to check Sasuke and Karin's recent growth.

As it turned out, nothing builds bonds faster than fighting side by side. If that doesn't work, going to bars together might. Considering Sasuke was still young and Karin was female, this option was canceled.

Sitting back by the campfire, Naruto seemed to remember something, turning to look at Killer Bee.

"By the way, Killer Bee, I almost forgot to ask you."

"Why do you call Eight-Tails 'Big Bro Gyūki'? And what's this so-called 'Perfect Jinchūriki' mode?"

When the two discussed rap artistry earlier, they'd mentioned the harmonious relationship between Eight-Tails Gyūki and Killer Bee. But they hadn't explained clearly then.

"Because Big Bro Gyūki is Big Bro Gyūki!"

Killer Bee's answer was as confusing as ever. Instead, Gyūki inside him suddenly reacted, using tailed beast connections to communicate "face-to-face" with Kurama.

"What, Kurama? You still haven't told Naruto Uzumaki your name?"

Gyūki seemed somewhat puzzled. In his view, Naruto didn't seem very hostile toward Kurama, this legendary Nine-Tails. Their interaction seemed quite natural. Why didn't Naruto know all nine tailed beasts had names?

"Tch, mind your own business."

Kurama stubbornly used his forepaw to block in front, burying his head within, pretending to sleep.

Actually, I also want to reconcile with Naruto.

During these days with Naruto, I've sensed the emotions and will in his heart. He has a will of equality, different from everyone else in the ninja world.

Though initially hostile, after the Fourth Hokage explained the misunderstanding—that the mastermind was someone else—Naruto's heart no longer held much hatred toward me. During the Celestial Dragon Holy Land battle, we cooperated sincerely for the first time.

As I said before, nothing builds bonds faster than fighting side by side.

After that, I've been thinking. Naruto, who can travel between two worlds and also "liberated slaves" in the other world—is he the person the Sage of Six Paths mentioned who could change the ninja world's fate?

Even setting these aside, just regarding personal feelings, I think Naruto and I would get along well. Just... having missed my chance to give my name initially, suddenly telling him my true name now feels somewhat awkward. I should wait until Naruto asks me directly.

Simply put, this old fox was being tsundere.