Fighting Hidan and Kakuzu

On the border of the Land of Fire, within a dense forest.

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

According to intelligence provided by Kisame and Sasori, Hidan and Kakuzu were operating in this area, primarily responsible for hunting down rogue ninjas and earning bounties.

"Hidan and Kakuzu," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "this duo is indeed difficult to deal with."

"An immortal body and five hearts—both are defenses that are hard to overcome."

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

[System Prompt: Target Detected]
[Hidan, Kakuzu, six kilometers ahead]
[Chakra Characteristics: Jashin curse, multiple heart chakra]

A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Xingye's eyes.

"They're here."

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

Six minutes later.

Uchiha Xingye arrived at a small valley and saw two people fighting against several rogue ninjas.

On the left, a man with silver hair wore a Jashin necklace and held a scythe in his hand. On the right, a man wrapped entirely in a black cloak with unique markings on his face stood by.

It was none other than Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki.

Hidan was fighting the rogue ninjas, his scythe swinging as blood splattered everywhere.

"Lord Jashin," Hidan shouted with a wild laugh, "thank you for bestowing this blood upon me!"

Kakuzu stood to the side, watching the battle coldly.

"Hidan, finish it quickly," Kakuzu said, "we still have a mission."

Hidan laughed loudly: "Don't be so impatient, Kakuzu."

"The blood of these rogue ninjas is enough to offer to Lord Jashin."

The few rogue ninjas were quickly dispatched by Hidan, blood spraying across the ground.

Hidan licked the blood off his scythe, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face.

"The power of Lord Jashin is truly wonderful."

Watching this scene, Uchiha Xingye said indifferently: "The power of Jashin is indeed bizarre."

"But today, you won't be able to use it."

Hidan turned abruptly, looking toward Uchiha Xingye.

"Who are you?" Hidan asked vigilantly.

Uchiha Xingye replied: "I am Uchiha Xingye."

Hidan's pupils constricted: "Uchiha Xingye? That Uchiha genius who showed his strength at the Five Kage Summit?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Hidan, I know what your abilities are."

Hidan sneered: "You know? Then do you know the might of Jashin?"

Uchiha Xingye said: "I know you possess an immortal body, and as long as you have your own blood, you can kill your opponent through a curse."

"However, your immortality has weaknesses."

Hidan flew into a rage: "My immortality has no weaknesses!"

"The power of Lord Jashin is perfect!"

Kakuzu stepped forward, looking at Uchiha Xingye coldly.

"Uchiha Xingye," Kakuzu said, "do you know who we are?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki."

"An immortal body and five hearts; your combination is indeed very strong."

Kakuzu sneered: "Since you know our strength, you still dare to come here and throw your life away?"

Uchiha Xingye said calmly: "I didn't come here to die."

"I came here to subdue you."

Hidan roared in anger: "Subdue us? You brat, you're too arrogant!"

"I'll let you know just how terrifying the power of Lord Jashin is!"

Hidan formed hand seals, preparing to initiate his curse ritual.

But Uchiha Xingye did not give Hidan the chance, as the pattern of his Mangekyo Sharingan shifted.

"Hidan, do you really think you can initiate your curse?"

Amaterasu!

Black flames surged from the eyes of Uchiha Xingye, rushing straight toward Hidan.

Hidan was shocked: "What kind of flame is this? Why is it so eerie?"

The flames of Amaterasu instantly ignited Hidan's body, and Hidan began to scream.

"Damn it! What is this thing!"

Kakuzu saw this scene, and his expression changed.

"Amaterasu? The world-destroying black flame of the Uchiha?"

Kakuzu acted quickly, attempting to use Earth Release to help Hidan extinguish the fire.

But Amaterasu is an inextinguishable black flame; it could not be put out at all.

Hidan continued to scream amidst the burning of Amaterasu, in unbearable pain.

Kakuzu looked at Uchiha Xingye coldly: "Uchiha Xingye, do you really want to make an enemy of us?"

Uchiha Xingye said: "Not an enemy, but a conquest."

"Kakuzu, Hidan's immortality is indeed difficult to deal with."

"But as long as his brain is destroyed, the immortality will fail."

Kakuzu's pupils constricted: "You know this secret?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Hidan's immortality is based on the curse of Jashin."

"As long as the brain is destroyed, the curse will fail."

Uchiha Xingye activated his Mangekyo Sharingan once again, Susanoo Healing second form!

Orange chakra armor enveloped Uchiha Xingye, and holding a chakra blade, he rushed toward Hidan.

Hidan was still struggling in pain within the burning of Amaterasu, unable to resist.

Uchiha Xingye's chakra blade pierced precisely into Hidan's brain.

Hidan's screams stopped instantly, and his body went limp on the ground.

The flames of Amaterasu also extinguished following Hidan's death.

[System Prompt: Defeated Hidan]

[Obtained Traits: Jashin Curse (Purple), Immortality (Blue), Scythe Mastery (Green)]

[Plundered from Hidan: Chakra Control (Green), Manic (White), Cruel (White)]

Uchiha Xingye felt a surge of joy; the Jashin Curse was a purple-tier trait, worth a fortune.

Kakuzu looked at the dead Hidan and said coldly: "Uchiha Xingye, you killed my partner."

"I will make you pay the price."

Uchiha Xingye looked at Kakuzu and said indifferently: "Kakuzu, Hidan is already dead."

"Do you still want to continue fighting?"

Kakuzu sneered: "Of course."

"You killed Hidan, I must avenge him."

Kakuzu formed hand seals, and his hearts began to beat.

"Earth Grudge Fear!"

Countless black threads surged from Kakuzu's body, forming five different forms.

These were Kakuzu's five hearts, each possessing a different chakra attribute.

Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release—all five attributes unfolded simultaneously.

"Uchiha Xingye," Kakuzu said, "my five hearts each possess a different attribute."

"Can you defeat them all?"

Uchiha Xingye looked at the five heart forms and said indifferently: "Indeed, it is very strong."

"However, your five hearts also have weaknesses."

Kakuzu sneered: "Weaknesses? You say my Earth Grudge Fear has weaknesses?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Although your five hearts can enhance your combat power, they are also your greatest burden."

"As long as all five hearts are destroyed, you will die."

Kakuzu was furious: "Impossible! No one can destroy all my hearts!"

Uchiha Xingye said indifferently: "Then let me prove it to you."

The Mangekyo Sharingan slowly opened, and the Byakugan scanned the positions of the five hearts in 360 degrees.

Within the vision of the Byakugan, the chakra flow of the five hearts was clearly visible.

"Found you." A cold glint flashed in the eyes of Uchiha Xingye.

Lightning Release: Chidori!

The figure of Uchiha Xingye vanished instantly, reappearing in the center of the five hearts.

The Chidori precisely severed all the chakra threads before thrusting toward the first heart.

Bang!

The first heart was destroyed.

The expression of Kakuzu changed, but four hearts still remained.

"Don't think you can defeat me just like that!"

The remaining four hearts launched attacks simultaneously; Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, and Wind Release bombarded Uchiha Xingye all at once.

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

The chakra armor grew thicker, blocking all the attacks completely.

Boom!

The five-element attack slammed into the Susanoo Healing, producing a thunderous roar.

The Susanoo Healing vibrated slightly but remained undamaged.

Uchiha Xingye sneered and unleashed Chidori once more, piercing toward the second heart.

Bang!

The second heart was destroyed.

The expression of Kakuzu turned even uglier; three hearts remained.

"Damn Uchiha!" Kakuzu cursed.

Uchiha Xingye continued to unleash Chidori, destroying the hearts of Kakuzu one by one.

The third, the fourth, the fifth.

When the final heart was destroyed, the body of Kakuzu collapsed onto the ground.

Kakuzu looked at Uchiha Xingye, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

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

"I admit it, I cannot defeat you."

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

Kakuzu pondered for a moment before finally saying: "Fine, I will join."

Uchiha Xingye smiled slightly: "Welcome aboard."

"Kakuzu, I need you to do three things next."

Kakuzu: "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."

Kakuzu nodded: "Understood."

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

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

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

Kakuzu nodded: "Very well."

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

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

Kakuzu: "Rest assured, I, Kakuzu, have lived for so many years; I am not so easy to kill."

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

"I will contact you to relay information."

Kakuzu turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the forest.

[System Prompt: Successfully subdued Kakuzu]

[Obtained Traits: Subjugation (Blue), Earth Grudge Fear (Red), Multi-Heart (Purple), Bounty Hunter (Green)]

[Plundered from Kakuzu: Five-Element Chakra (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)]

Uchiha Xingye was overjoyed; Earth Grudge Fear was a red-tier trait, worth a fortune.

"Akatsuki," Uchiha Xingye murmured to himself, "three members have already joined my camp."

"Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu—these powerful combatants will become the sharp blades I use to oppose the Akatsuki."

"Next, it is time for the fifth target."

Based on the intelligence provided by Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu, Uchiha Xingye's next target should be Konan.

Konan is one of the founders of the Akatsuki, excels in Paper Style, and is one of the few female members within the organization.

Furthermore, Konan shares a deep bond with Nagato and Yahiko; subduing her will be instrumental in bringing Nagato into the fold later on.

Uchiha Xingye decided to head toward the Rain Village to track down Konan.

Uchiha Xingye's figure vanished into the forest, embarking on his journey to find Konan.

Akatsuki Base

Rain Village, underground base.

Obito stood before a genjutsu projection, watching the entire process of Uchiha Xingye defeating Hidan and Kakuzu, a flicker of malice crossing his eyes.

"Hidan is dead, and Kakuzu has been subdued," Obito muttered to himself, "Uchiha Xingye, you are truly threatening my plans."

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

"He has already recruited Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu; the majority of the Akatsuki members are now on his side."

Obito nodded: "I know."

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

"Especially the Six Paths of Pain, who possess the Rinnegan and represent the strongest combat power of the Akatsuki."

"Xingye should not be able to defeat Pain easily."

Black Zetsu sneered: "Then let Pain put him to the test."

"If even Pain cannot defeat Xingye, then the Akatsuki truly has no hope left."

A flash of killing intent crossed Obito's eyes.

"No, I will not let Xingye have his way."

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

Black Zetsu sneered: "Then it 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."