First Battle Against Kisame

Yugakure, a small town where the rain never ceases.

The rain here carries a chill, as if it will never stop. Beneath the gray sky, the entire village is shrouded in a stifling atmosphere.

Xingye and Itachi stand in the forest on the outskirts of Yugakure, their Byakugan scanning everything in a 360-degree radius.

"Brother," Itachi says in a low voice, "will Kisame Hoshigaki really appear here?"

Xingye nods: "The system predicts that Kisame Hoshigaki will pass through here tonight."

"He intends to head to Konoha to investigate the situation regarding the Eight-Tails."

Itachi is silent for a moment: "The Eight-Tails is in Kumogakure; why would Kisame Hoshigaki think it is in Konoha?"

Xingye smiles slightly: "That is false intelligence I intentionally spread."

"I had the Uchiha intelligence network circulate the rumor that the Eight-Tails is in Konoha."

"Kisame Hoshigaki is very sensitive to chakra; once he nears Konoha, he will realize it is false information."

"But before that happens, we will intercept him."

A glimmer of admiration flashes in Itachi's eyes: "Brother, your planning is truly meticulous."

Xingye says: "One cannot fight the Akatsuki head-on."

"Each of them is an S-rank missing-nin; a direct confrontation would come at a heavy price."

"We must utilize intelligence, strategy, and traps to defeat them one by one."

Itachi nods: "I understand, Brother."

Just then, the system's notification sound rings out.

[System Notification: Target approaching]

[Kisame Hoshigaki, approximately three kilometers away]

[Chakra signature: Massive chakra reserves, Water Release mastery]

A cold light flashes in Xingye's eyes: "He's here."

Itachi also enters combat mode, his Mangekyo Sharingan slowly activating.

A moment later, a figure emerges from the depths of the forest.

He has pale blue skin, gill-like markings on his face, and a massive, serrated blade strapped to his back.

It is none other than Kisame Hoshigaki of the Akatsuki.

Kisame Hoshigaki has not yet detected the presence of Xingye and Itachi; he is focused on sensing the surrounding chakra.

"Strange," Kisame Hoshigaki mutters to himself, "I clearly heard the Eight-Tails was here, so why can't I sense it?"

Suddenly, Kisame Hoshigaki notices something.

He stops abruptly and looks toward the direction where Xingye and Itachi are hidden.

"Two interesting chakra signatures," Kisame Hoshigaki grins, revealing his sharp teeth, "this looks like it will be fun."

Xingye and Itachi step out from behind the trees, looking at Kisame Hoshigaki calmly.

"Kisame Hoshigaki," Xingye says, "hello."

Kisame Hoshigaki pauses: "You know my name?"

Xingye nods: "I know you are a member of the Akatsuki, and I know the purpose of your journey."

"But you aren't leaving here today."

Kisame Hoshigaki laughs loudly: "Hahaha! The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, is it?"

"I didn't expect to run into two Mangekyo Sharingan users here."

"However, I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am not so easily dealt with."

Xingye says: "I know. The Monster of the Mist, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"You excel at Water Release and possess massive chakra reserves."

"But you should also know that the Mangekyo Sharingan has a suppressive effect on Water Release."

Kisame Hoshigaki sneers: "Is that so? Then let me see just how powerful your Sharingan is."

Kisame Hoshigaki unstraps Samehada from his back; the blade seems to come alive, emitting a low, guttural hiss.

"Samehada," Kisame Hoshigaki says, "the chakra of these two looks delicious."

Samehada seems to understand his words, its blade trembling slightly.

Xingye watches Samehada, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

"This blade," Xingye says, "can it devour chakra?"

Kisame Hoshigaki nods: "That's right, Samehada is a demonic blade capable of devouring chakra."

"Furthermore, it can feed the devoured chakra back to its wielder."

"This is my most prized weapon."

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "It is indeed impressive."

"However, it cannot devour my chakra today."

Kisame sneered: "Arrogant brat, then let's put that to the test."

Kisame formed hand seals: Water Style: Water Shark Bullet Technique!

A massive water shark surged out from the water, charging straight at Uchiha Xingye and Itachi.

Itachi prepared to strike, but Uchiha Xingye stopped him.

"Itachi, this battle is mine," Uchiha Xingye said.

Itachi nodded and stepped aside.

Uchiha Xingye watched the incoming water shark, his Mangekyo Sharingan slowly rotating.

Susanoo!

Orange chakra instantly enveloped Uchiha Xingye, and a massive suit of samurai armor emerged from the chakra.

The water shark slammed into the Susanoo, emitting a loud boom.

But the Susanoo remained unmoved, and the water shark dissipated instantly.

Kisame's pupils constricted: "Susanoo?"

"Since when did the Uchiha clan produce such a young genius?"

Uchiha Xingye did not answer, instead launching an attack directly.

The Susanoo wielded a chakra blade and slashed toward Kisame.

Kisame blocked with Samehada, but the power of the Susanoo far exceeded his expectations.

CLANG!

Kisame was knocked back several steps, and Samehada let out a pained roar.

"Not bad power," Kisame said, "but it's not enough."

Kisame formed hand seals: Water Style: Five Feeding Sharks!

Five water sharks charged at Uchiha Xingye from different directions, sealing off all room for evasion.

Uchiha Xingye sneered, the pattern of his Mangekyo Sharingan shifting.

Amaterasu!

Black flames instantly surged from Uchiha Xingye's eyes, igniting all five water sharks.

Amaterasu is an inextinguishable black flame; even Water Style cannot extinguish it.

The water sharks rapidly dissipated under the burning of Amaterasu, and the black flames continued to spread toward Kisame.

Kisame's expression changed, and he quickly retreated to avoid the Amaterasu.

"What kind of flame is this?" Kisame said in shock.

Uchiha Xingye said: "This is Amaterasu, the black flame that never goes out."

"Once ignited, it will continue to burn until the target is completely incinerated."

Cold sweat streamed down Kisame's face; for the first time, he felt the threat of death.

"Uchiha Xingye," Kisame said, "you are truly strong."

"However, I am not so easy to deal with either."

Kisame suddenly looked at Itachi on the side.

"The other Uchiha," Kisame said, "are you not going to strike?"

Itachi opened his eyes, a strange light flickering within his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"In this battle," Itachi said calmly, "my brother alone is enough."

Kisame laughed loudly: "Hahaha! Deep brotherly love, is it?"

"Then let me see just how strong the synergy between you brothers really is."

Kisame formed hand seals: Water Style: Water Formation Wall!

A massive wall of water rose up, attempting to block the spread of Amaterasu.

But Amaterasu pierced straight through the water wall and continued to burn.

Kisame's expression grew even uglier; his Samehada had already been ignited by Amaterasu, letting out pained roars.

"Damn it," Kisame cursed, "this blade is my most important weapon."

Uchiha Xingye looked at Kisame and said indifferently: "You can surrender."

"I can extinguish the Amaterasu and save your Samehada."

"The condition is that you must join me."

Kisame was stunned for a moment: "Join you?"

Xingye nodded: "I am currently assembling a force to oppose the Akatsuki."

"Your strength is formidable; I need an ally like you."

Kisame was silent for a moment, then sneered: "I, Kisame, may not be a good person, but I have my own principles."

"Since I have joined the Akatsuki, I will not betray them."

Xingye said: "The ultimate goal of the Akatsuki is the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"Do you know what that is?"

Kisame shook his head: "I am not clear on that. I only follow the orders of Lord Obito."

Xingye said: "The Eye of the Moon Plan is to plunge the entire Shinobi World into the genjutsu of the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"Everyone will become puppets, living forever in a false dream."

"This is a betrayal of the entire Shinobi World."

Kisame's expression changed: "Infinite Tsukuyomi? Plunging the entire Shinobi World into a genjutsu?"

Xingye nodded: "That is correct."

"And the mastermind behind the Akatsuki is not the Madara Uchiha you think it is."

"The true culprit is an existence called Black Zetsu."

"He is using Obito and the Akatsuki for the sole purpose of resurrecting Kaguya Otsutsuki."

Kisame was shocked: "Black Zetsu? Kaguya Otsutsuki? I have never heard these names before."

Xingye said: "You will."

"The Akatsuki has been used by Black Zetsu."

"If you continue to serve the Akatsuki, you will only end up as a pawn for Black Zetsu."

Kisame fell silent. Although he was cold-blooded, he had his own dignity. Being used was something he could not accept.

Xingye continued: "Kisame, you have always wanted to find a master truly worthy of your loyalty."

"The Akatsuki is not the choice you want."

"But I can give you a better one."

"Join me, and we will destroy the Akatsuki and stop the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"Then, we shall establish a new order—a Shinobi World without betrayal or deception."

Kisame looked at Xingye, his eyes flickering with a complex light.

"What you say," Kisame said, "should I believe it?"

Xingye said: "You don't need to believe me; you only need to trust your own judgment."

"You know the Akatsuki's plan is wrong, don't you?"

Kisame was silent for a long time, then finally nodded.

"True," Kisame said, "I also felt that the Eye of the Moon Plan sounded very strange."

"But I had no other choice; I could only follow Lord Obito."

Xingye said: "Now you have a choice."

"Join me, or die here."

Kisame looked at Xingye, then glanced at Itachi nearby.

"Itachi," Kisame said, "you have joined this camp?"

Itachi nodded: "That is correct."

"The Akatsuki's plan is wrong. I chose to join my brother to stop them together."

Kisame was silent for a moment before finally making his decision.

"Fine," Kisame said, "I surrender."

"I will join you."

Xingye smiled slightly, his Mangekyo Sharingan retracted, and the Amaterasu extinguished along with it.

Kisame breathed a sigh of relief and checked the condition of Samehada.

Fortunately, Samehada had not suffered too much damage, only some scorch marks on the blade.

"Kisame," Xingye said, "welcome aboard."

"Next, I need you to do three things."

Kisame: "Please speak."

Xingye said: "First, return to the Akatsuki and continue to play your role."

"Do not let anyone discover that you have betrayed them."

"Second, secretly collect intelligence on the Akatsuki, including their plans, base locations, and member movements."

"Third, at the critical moment, I will have you cooperate with us to dismantle the Akatsuki from within."

Kisame Hoshigaki nodded: "Understood."

Xingye continued: "Also, regarding the Eight-Tails."

"I need you to report to the Akatsuki that 'the Eight-Tails is in Kumogakure, but the village's defenses are too tight, requiring more manpower'."

"This will distract the Akatsuki and buy us time."

Kisame nodded: "Very well."

Xingye said: "Itachi, you go back with Kisame."

"Continue playing your role in the Akatsuki, and at the same time, secretly coordinate with Kisame to gather intelligence."

Itachi nodded: "Understood, brother."

Kisame looked at Itachi: "Itachi, you really are a double agent."

Itachi said indifferently: "For a more important goal."

Kisame laughed loudly: "Hahaha! As expected of the Uchiha brothers; you both truly have grand ambitions."

Xingye said: "Kisame, Itachi, the coming period will be dangerous."

"The Akatsuki is not so easy to deal with; you both need to be careful."

Kisame: "Rest assured, although I, Kisame, am not the strongest, I am not easily killed."

Itachi: "Brother, I will be careful."

Xingye nodded: "Good, then you may return."

"I will contact you to pass on information."

Kisame and Itachi turned and left, disappearing into the forest.

Xingye stood alone in place, watching the direction in which the two had departed.

"The first step is complete," Xingye muttered to himself, "Next, it is time to recruit more members of the Akatsuki."

The system's notification sound rang out once again.

[System Notification: Successfully recruited Kisame Hoshigaki]

[Obtained Traits: Recruitment (Blue), Water Release Mastery (Blue), Samehada Affinity (Purple)]

[Plundered from Kisame: Water Release Chakra (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)]

Xingye felt a surge of joy; his strength had increased once again.

Water Release Mastery and Water Release Chakra significantly boosted Xingye's Water Release capabilities, while Samehada Affinity granted him a stronger adaptability to chakra-devouring weapons.

"Akatsuki," a cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes, "your doom is fast approaching."

Xingye turned around, preparing to return to Konoha.

The next battle was not far off.