Subduing Sasori

The border of the Land of Wind, a desolate desert.

Uchiha Xingye walked alone through the desert, his Byakugan scanning everything in a 360-degree radius.

According to the intelligence provided by Kisame, Sasori frequently operated in this area, primarily responsible for gathering information and crafting puppets.

"Sasori," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "your puppet technique is indeed formidable."

"But today, it will become the reason for your defeat."

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

[System Notification: Target Found]

[Sasori, four kilometers ahead]

[Chakra Signature: Puppet Chakra, Poison Technique Mastery]

A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Xingye's eyes.

"Here we go."

Uchiha Xingye adjusted his direction and headed toward the target location.

Four minutes later.

Uchiha Xingye arrived at an oasis and saw someone crafting a puppet.

He was entirely encased within a puppet, his face obscured, but red hair spilled out from within the shell.

It was none other than Sasori of the Akatsuki.

Sasori was meticulously carving the puppet, completely unaware of Uchiha Xingye's approach.

"Sasori," Uchiha Xingye spoke up, "your puppet technique is truly exquisite."

Sasori snapped his head up, looking toward Uchiha Xingye.

"Who are you?" Sasori asked coldly.

Uchiha Xingye replied, "I am Uchiha Xingye."

Sasori's pupils constricted slightly: "Uchiha Xingye? That Uchiha genius who displayed his strength at the Five Kage Summit?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Sasori, I know what your mission is."

Sasori sneered: "You know my mission? Then do you know the power of the Akatsuki?"

Uchiha Xingye said, "I know the Akatsuki is strong, but I also know that you do not serve them with a sincere heart."

Sasori fell silent.

Uchiha Xingye continued, "Sasori, you pursue eternal art."

"You believe that only a body that does not decay can be called art."

"But do you truly believe that a body that does not decay is eternal?"

Sasori's expression shifted.

Uchiha Xingye continued, "Sasori, I know your past."

"When you were in the Land of Wind, you closed off your heart because your parents were killed."

"Ever since then, you have been pursuing an incorruptible body, believing that only in this way can you attain eternity."

"But the Akatsuki is not the place for you to realize this ideal."

Sasori remained silent; Uchiha Xingye actually knew his past.

Uchiha Xingye said, "Sasori, I will give you a choice."

"Right now, let us spar."

"If you can defeat me, I will let you kill me."

"But if I defeat you, you will join me."

A flicker of fighting spirit flashed in Sasori's eyes: "Interesting."

"Then let me see just how strong the genius of the Uchiha is."

Sasori formed hand seals, and ten puppets surged out from the sand dunes, surrounding Uchiha Xingye.

Each puppet possessed different abilities: some excelled in Poison Technique, some in offense, and others in defense.

"Uchiha Xingye," Sasori said coldly, "my puppet technique is not so easily dealt with."

Uchiha Xingye looked at the ten puppets and said indifferently, "It is indeed strong."

"However, your puppet technique has a fatal weakness."

Sasori sneered: "A weakness? You say my puppet technique has a weakness?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Your puppet technique requires chakra threads to control."

"As long as I sever the chakra threads, your puppets are nothing but a pile of scrap metal."

Sasori flew into a rage: "Impossible! It is impossible for you to see my chakra threads!"

Uchiha Xingye smiled faintly: "Is that so? Then let me prove it to you."

His Mangekyo Sharingan slowly activated, while his Byakugan scanned all the puppets with 360-degree vision.

Within the field of view of the Byakugan, the chakra threads of every single puppet were clearly visible.

"Found you." A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Xingye's eyes.

Lightning Release: Chidori!

Uchiha Xingye's figure vanished in an instant, reappearing in the center of the puppet formation.

The Chidori precisely severed the chakra threads of ten puppets.

All the puppets instantly lost control, collapsing limply onto the sand dunes.

Sasori was shocked: "You saw my chakra threads?"

Uchiha Xingye said indifferently: "Byakugan."

"No matter how formidable your puppetry is, it still requires chakra threads to control them."

"As long as I sever the chakra threads, your puppets are nothing but a pile of scrap metal."

Sasori's expression shifted; this was the first time he had encountered an opponent capable of seeing through his chakra threads.

"Uchiha Xingye," Sasori said coldly, "your strength is indeed formidable."

"But I still possess even stronger puppetry."

Sasori formed hand seals, and his body began to glow.

"Hiruko!"

Sasori's puppet form began to shift, transforming into a much larger and more powerful puppet.

Hiruko was Sasori's primary puppet, possessing immense offensive and defensive capabilities.

"Uchiha Xingye," Sasori said, "witness my true art."

Hiruko's tail lunged violently toward Uchiha Xingye, moving with lightning speed.

Uchiha Xingye did not dodge, instead activating the second form of Susanoo.

Orange chakra armor enveloped Uchiha Xingye, blocking Hiruko's tail.

BOOM!

Hiruko's tail slammed into the Susanoo, producing a deafening roar.

The Susanoo vibrated slightly, but remained undamaged.

Sasori's pupils constricted: "Susanoo? The Uchiha's Absolute Defense?"

Uchiha Xingye said calmly: "Sasori, your puppetry is indeed impressive."

"However, in the face of Susanoo, your attacks are meaningless."

Sasori roared in anger: "Impossible! My art is invincible!"

Hiruko launched an all-out assault, with countless poison needles, toxic smoke, and venom surging toward Uchiha Xingye simultaneously.

Uchiha Xingye did not panic, the pattern of his Mangekyo Sharingan shifting.

"Sasori, do you think you can defeat me with poison?"

Amaterasu!

Black flames surged from Uchiha Xingye's eyes, completely engulfing Hiruko.

Hiruko's toxic smoke, venom, and poison needles dissipated rapidly under the burning of the Amaterasu.

Sasori was shocked: "What is this flame? Why is it so bizarre?"

Uchiha Xingye said: "This is Amaterasu, the black flames that never extinguish."

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

Sasori's expression changed as the flames of Amaterasu began to slowly burn through Hiruko's outer shell.

"Damn it," Sasori cursed, "Uchiha techniques are truly detestable."

Sasori attempted to use his puppetry to block the Amaterasu, but the black flames pierced directly through the puppets, continuing to spread toward his true body.

Uchiha Xingye looked at Sasori and said coldly: "Sasori, do you understand the extent of my power now?"

"Continuing to resist will only bring you pain."

Sasori remained silent for a moment, then deactivated the Hiruko form.

A red-haired young man stepped out from within the puppet.

This was the true form of Sasori.

"Uchiha Xingye," Sasori said calmly, "your strength is indeed formidable."

"I admit it, I cannot defeat you."

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "Then are you willing to join me?"

Sasori pondered for a moment, finally saying: "Fine, I join."

Uchiha Xingye smiled slightly, and the flames of Amaterasu extinguished accordingly.

"Sasori," Uchiha Xingye said, "welcome aboard."

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

Sasori: "Please speak."

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

"Do not let the others 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 coordinate with us to dismantle the Akatsuki from within."

Sasori nodded: "Understood."

Uchiha Xingye continued: "Also, regarding the death of Deidara."

"I will report to the Akatsuki that 'Deidara died in battle against me'."

"This will make the Akatsuki wary of me, preparing them for the battles to come."

Sasori nodded: "Very well."

Uchiha Xingye said: "Sasori, the coming period will be dangerous."

"The Akatsuki is not so easily dealt with; you need to be careful."

Sasori: "Rest assured, I, Sasori, am not so easily killed."

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

"I will contact you to transmit intelligence."

Sasori turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the desert.

[System Notification: Successfully subdued Sasori]
[Obtained Traits: Subjugation (Blue), Puppet Technique Mastery (Red), Poison Technique Mastery (Purple), Artistic Perception (Blue)]
[Plundered from Sasori: Puppet Chakra (Blue), Chakra Control (Green), Perception (Green)]

Uchiha Xingye felt a surge of joy; Puppet Technique Mastery was a red-tier trait, worth a fortune.

"Akatsuki," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "two fewer members."

"Next is the fourth target."

Based on the intelligence provided by Kisame and Sasori, the next targets should be Hidan and Kakuzu.

The combined strength of these two is formidable; one is an immortal follower of Jashin, and the other is a bounty hunter possessing five hearts.

Uchiha Xingye decided to head toward the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers to track their movements.

Uchiha Xingye's figure vanished from the desert, embarking on the journey to find Hidan and Kakuzu.

Akatsuki Base

Rain Village, underground base.

Obito stood before the genjutsu projection, watching the entire process of Uchiha Xingye subduing Sasori, a flicker of malice in his eyes.

"Sasori has been subdued as well," Obito muttered, "Uchiha Xingye, you are truly threatening my plans."

Black Zetsu emerged from behind Obito: "Obito, Xingye's strength is indeed immense."

"He not only possesses Otsutsuki lineage but also the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Rinnegan Prototype."

"Furthermore, he has now subdued Kisame and Sasori; half of the Akatsuki members are already on his side."

Obito nodded: "I know."

"However, the Akatsuki still has Hidan, Kakuzu, the Six Paths of Pain, Konan, and others."

"The strength of these individuals is enough to deal with Xingye."

Black Zetsu sneered: "Then let them go."

"If Xingye can truly defeat all the Akatsuki members, then he is indeed qualified to be the new leader."

A flash of killing intent crossed Obito's eyes.

"No, I will not let Xingye succeed."

"I will take action personally to resolve this trouble."

Black Zetsu sneered: "That is up to you, Obito."

"However, I suggest you be cautious."

"Xingye's strength is even greater than you imagine."

Obito was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I know."

"I will make full preparations."