The Akatsuki Strike Back

After the Five Kage Summit ended, Xingye returned to Konoha and began working on forming the Shinobi Allied Forces.

Although the hidden villages of the various countries had reached an alliance agreement, putting it into action would still take time.

The Akatsuki certainly wouldn't sit back and do nothing.

They had realized that Xingye was their greatest threat.

They had to eliminate Uchiha Xingye as soon as possible.

Akatsuki Hideout

Amegakure, underground hideout.

Obito stood before a genjutsu projection, watching Xingye's performance at the Five Kage Summit. A trace of malice flickered in his eyes.

"Uchiha Xingye," Obito murmured to himself. "You're really testing my limits."

Black Zetsu emerged from behind Obito. "Obito, Xingye has already won over Kisame and Sasori."

"If we don't act soon, the Akatsuki will fall apart from within."

Obito nodded. "I know."

"I'll deal with Xingye myself."

Black Zetsu sneered. "Obito, do you really think you can defeat Xingye?"

"He's already obtained a Rinnegan Prototype. His strength even surpasses Madara's at his peak."

Obito fell silent for a moment. "Then what do you suggest?"

Black Zetsu said, "We don't need to fight him one-on-one. We'll use our numbers to our advantage."

"The Akatsuki still has eight members. We'll split up and attack Konoha, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure at the same time."

"We'll force Xingye to spread himself too thin, then strike a fatal blow where he's most vulnerable."

A glimmer flashed in Obito's eyes. "Good. We'll do as you say."

"We'll split up so Xingye can't concentrate his forces."

Konoha · Uchiha Clan Compound

Xingye stood atop a high platform in the Uchiha Clan Compound, scanning everything around him with his Byakugan's 360-degree vision.

"Brother," Itachi said as he walked up beside Xingye. "The system's prediction shows that the Akatsuki are about to attack."

Xingye nodded. "I know."

"They won't sit by while the Five Kage Alliance is formed. They'll definitely try to sabotage it."

Itachi pondered for a moment. "Brother, who will they target?"

Xingye replied, "They'll launch attacks on multiple fronts to force me to spread myself too thin."

"But the most dangerous target isn't Konoha. It's Sasuke."

Itachi's pupils shrank. "Sasuke?"

Xingye nodded. "The Akatsuki know how important Sasuke is to me."

"They'll attack the Ninja Academy, kidnap Sasuke, and force me to show myself."

Itachi's expression changed. "Then we have to protect Sasuke."

Xingye said, "Itachi, stay at the Ninja Academy and protect Sasuke."

"I'll go intercept the other Akatsuki members."

Itachi nodded solemnly. "Understood, Brother."

Xingye turned and saw Fugaku approaching as well.

"Xingye," Fugaku said. "I've already gathered the Uchiha Clan's elite forces."

"We're ready to fight at any time."

Xingye nodded. "Father Fugaku, you're responsible for protecting Konoha's residents."

"Put the Uchiha Guard Corps on high alert. Be ready to deal with an Akatsuki attack at any time."

Fugaku nodded. "Understood."

Just then, the alarm suddenly sounded.

Red warning lights illuminated Konoha's night sky, and the entire village went on high alert.

"The Akatsuki are here." A cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes.

Ninja Academy

Sasuke was in class when he suddenly heard the alarm outside.

The teacher said nervously, "Everyone, there's an emergency. Stay in the classroom and don't go outside."

But Sasuke didn't listen. He rushed to the window and looked out.

At the entrance to the Ninja Academy, two figures were fighting Konoha Chunin.

The one on the left wore a red cloud-patterned robe, and his body was made of chakra. The one on the right wore a white cloud-patterned robe and held a massive fan.

Hidan and Kakuzu, two members of the Akatsuki.

"Uchiha Sasuke!" Hidan shouted with a wild laugh. "Come out and die!"

"I'll offer your blood to Lord Jashin!"

Sasuke clenched his fists, ready to charge outside.

But just then, Itachi appeared behind Hidan.

"If you want to get to Sasuke, you'll have to get through me first," Itachi said coldly.

Hidan turned around and burst out laughing when he saw Itachi. "Another Uchiha?"

"Perfect. Lord Jashin needs more Uchiha blood!"

Hidan drew his scythe and charged at Itachi.

Kakuzu attacked too, releasing countless chakra threads from the bundle in his hand in an attempt to restrain Itachi.

Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. Amaterasu!

Black flames surged from Itachi's eyes, surrounding Hidan and Kakuzu.

Hidan screamed, "What are these flames? Why won't they go out?"

Kakuzu's expression changed. "Amaterasu? The Uchiha's black flames of destruction?"

Itachi said nothing. He continued releasing Amaterasu, completely surrounding Hidan and Kakuzu.

At the same time, Itachi's clone rushed into the classroom and said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, come with me."

"I'll get you out of here."

Sasuke looked at Itachi, a trace of confusion in his eyes. "Brother Itachi?"

Itachi nodded. "That's right, Sasuke."

"The Akatsuki are after you. I have to protect you."

Sasuke nodded. "I understand, Brother Itachi."

Itachi led Sasuke out of the Ninja Academy and headed for the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Trapped by Amaterasu, Hidan and Kakuzu couldn't pursue them.

Konoha Village Gate

Xingye stood at the village gate, watching the three figures ahead.

The one on the left wore a mask and carried a huge scroll on his back. In the middle stood a red-haired woman holding a paper fan. The one on the right was wrapped from head to toe in a black robe, his face impossible to make out.

Deidara was dead. These three weren't Akatsuki members.

Xingye scanned them with his Byakugan's 360-degree vision and immediately saw their true identities.

The one on the left was a reincarnated ninja. The one in the middle was Konan. The one on the right... was a clone of Madara Uchiha?

No, that wasn't right.

Xingye's pupils shrank.

The figure on the right carried Black Zetsu's chakra.

"Who are you?" Xingye asked coldly.

The voice behind the mask was altered by a voice changer. "I am Madara Uchiha."

Xingye sneered. "Madara? Drop the act."

"I know your true identity is Obito."

The body beneath the mask stiffened slightly.

Xingye continued, "And the person beside you isn't a clone of Madara either."

"He's a clone of Black Zetsu, isn't he?"

Konan and Black Zetsu's clone both changed expression.

Xingye said, "Black Zetsu, you've finally shown yourself."

"The true mastermind behind the Eye of the Moon Plan—the son of Kaguya Otsutsuki."

Black Zetsu's clone said nothing, but a trace of malice flashed in his eyes.

"Uchiha Xingye," Black Zetsu said. "You know too much."

"You must die today."

Xingye sneered. "Then let's see if you have what it takes."

Konan suddenly attacked, transforming Paper Style into countless paper butterflies that rushed toward Xingye.

"Paper Style: Paper Clone Technique!"

Hundreds of paper clones surrounded Xingye from every direction, each paper butterfly infused with chakra.

Xingye activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. Susanoo Healing, second form!

Orange chakra armor enveloped Xingye, keeping every paper butterfly at bay.

Konan's pupils shrank. "Susanoo Healing?"

Xingye sneered. "Konan, your Paper Style is powerful, but it's useless against me."

"Today, I'll show you what true power looks like."

The pattern of Xingye's Mangekyō Sharingan changed.

Kotoamatsukami!

A mental shock struck Konan's mind, instantly rewriting her will.

Her eyes turned vacant, as if she had fallen under some kind of genjutsu.

"Attack Black Zetsu," Xingye ordered coldly.

Without hesitation, Konan transformed her Paper Style into a sword and thrust it at Black Zetsu's clone.

Black Zetsu's clone sneered. His body instantly liquefied into black fluid and vanished into the air.

"Too bad it was only a clone," Xingye murmured to himself.

Just then, Obito suddenly appeared behind Xingye. Kamui!

Space twisted, and Xingye's body began to be sucked into another dimension.

But Xingye had been prepared. The power of his Rinnegan Prototype burst forth at once.

Shinra Tensei!

An invisible repulsive force erupted from Xingye, forcibly dispelling Kamui's spatial distortion.

Obito was shocked. "What? You can resist Kamui?"

Xingye sneered. "Kamui is Space-Time Ninjutsu, but my Rinnegan Prototype lets me control repulsive and attractive forces."

"Your Kamui is useless against me."

Obito's expression changed. This was the first time he had encountered an opponent who could resist Kamui.

"Uchiha Xingye," Obito said. "You're even stronger than I imagined."

"But you're still going to die today."

Obito formed hand seals. Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!

A massive wood dragon burst out of the ground and coiled around Xingye.

Xingye didn't struggle. Instead, he sneered. "A wood dragon? Let's see how powerful your Wood Style really is."

His Mangekyō Sharingan activated again. Susanoo Healing, complete form!

A massive chakra war god rose from the ground and snapped the wood dragon apart.

Wielding a Chakra Blade, Xingye slashed at Obito.

Obito dodged quickly, but Susanoo Healing's attack range was too wide for him to evade completely.

Clang!

Susanoo Healing's Chakra Blade struck Obito's left arm.

Obito screamed as his left arm was severed.

But the next second, the light of Izanagi erupted from the stump, and Obito's wound began to heal.

"Izanagi?" Xingye sneered. "You learned that technique too?"

Obito didn't answer. He quickly retreated, preparing to flee.

"Trying to run?" Xingye sneered. "You're dying here today."

Xingye activated his Mangekyō Sharingan again. Amaterasu!

Black flames surged toward Obito, completely engulfing him.

Obito hid in Kamui's alternate dimension, but the Amaterasu flames could still pierce through space and pursue him.

"Damn it!" Obito cursed. "What the hell is Amaterasu?"

Obito had no choice but to give up on escaping for the moment and use Kamui to isolate the Amaterasu flames in the alternate dimension.

Xingye stared at Obito, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Obito, your Kamui really is powerful."

"But you won't escape today."

Xingye unleashed the full power of his Rinnegan Prototype.

Chibaku Tensei!

Dozens of black spheres appeared in the sky, forming a massive sealing array.

Obito's expression changed drastically. "Chibaku Tensei? You can use that technique?"

Xingye said, "This is the Sage of Six Paths' Sealing Technique, designed specifically to deal with a threat like you."

The black sphere shot toward Obito, quickly enclosing him completely.

Obito tried to escape with Kamui, but the spatial lockdown of Chibaku Tensei prevented him from using it properly.

"Damn Uchiha!" Obito roared furiously.

Xingye ignored Obito's curses, formed Hand Seals, and increased the chakra output of Chibaku Tensei.

Massive rocks surged up from underground, completely sealing Obito inside.

Obito struggled within the seal, but Chibaku Tensei's restraints grew stronger and stronger until he could no longer move.

"Done." Xingye released Chibaku Tensei and looked at the sealed Obito.

[System Notification: Successfully sealed Obito]

[Traits acquired: Kamui (Red), Izanagi (Red), Wood Style (Purple), Political Acumen (Blue)]

[Obito has been sealed. It will take three years to break the seal]

Xingye's heart leaped with joy. Kamui and Izanagi were both red-tier traits, worth a fortune.

Wood Style was even rarer, greatly enhancing Xingye's ninjutsu abilities.

"The threat of the Akatsuki," Xingye murmured to himself, "has been half eliminated."

Xingye turned and saw Itachi hurrying over with Sasuke.

"Brother," Itachi said, "Sasuke is safe now."

Xingye nodded. "Good."

"We've already repelled the Akatsuki's counterattack."

"From here on, we'll be the ones going on the offensive."

Sasuke looked at Xingye, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Big Brother Xingye, you're so strong."

Xingye patted Sasuke on the head. "Sasuke, from now on, I'll teach you ninjutsu."

"I'll make you strong enough to protect yourself."

Sasuke nodded solemnly. "I won't let you down, Big Brother Xingye."

The system notification sounded.

[System Notification: The Third Volume has officially ended]

[Congratulations, Host, on successfully preventing the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, reviving the Uchiha Clan, and defeating the Akatsuki's vanguard]

[Rewards: Rinnegan (Complete), Otsutsuki Divinity (Gold), Supreme of the Ninja World (Mythic)]

[The Fourth Volume has begun: A New Era for the Ninja World]

Xingye was ecstatic. The Rinnegan (Complete) and Otsutsuki Divinity (Gold) were both exceptionally rare traits, while Supreme of the Ninja World was a mythic-tier trait, marking Xingye as the strongest in the Shinobi World.