At the border of the Land of Fire lay a dense forest. Xingye made his way through the forest alone, his Byakugan scanning everything around him in all directions. According to the intelligence Kisame and Sasori had provided, Hidan and Kakuzu were operating in this area, mainly hunting rogue ninja and collecting bounties. "Hidan and Kakuzu," Xingye murmured. "That combination is truly hard to deal with." "An immortal body and five hearts—both are difficult defenses to overcome." Just then, the system chimed. [System Alert: Target detected] [Hidan, Kakuzu, six kilometers ahead] [Chakra signatures: Jashin's curse, multiple heart chakra] A cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes. "They're here." Xingye changed direction and headed toward the targets. Six minutes later Xingye arrived at a small valley, where he saw two men fighting several rogue ninja. The one on the left had long silver hair, a Jashin pendant around his neck, and a scythe in his hand. The one on the right was wrapped from head to toe in a black robe, with strange markings on his face. They were none other than Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki. Hidan was fighting the rogue ninja, his scythe sweeping through the air as blood sprayed everywhere. "Lord Jashin!" Hidan shouted with a wild laugh. "Thank you for granting me their blood!" Kakuzu stood to the side, watching the fight coldly. "Hidan, finish this quickly," Kakuzu said. "We have another mission." Hidan laughed. "Don't rush me, Kakuzu." "The blood of these rogue ninja will be more than enough for Lord Jashin." Hidan quickly dispatched the rogue ninja, blood spraying everywhere. He licked the blood from his scythe, a look of satisfaction on his face. "The power of Lord Jashin is truly wonderful." Watching the scene, Xingye said coolly, "Jashin's power is certainly bizarre." "But today, you won't be able to use it." Hidan spun around and looked at Xingye. "Who are you?" Hidan asked warily. "I'm Uchiha Xingye," he replied. Hidan's pupils contracted. "Uchiha Xingye? The Uchiha prodigy who showed off his strength at the Five Kage Summit?" Xingye nodded. "That's right." "Hidan, I know what your ability is." Hidan sneered. "You do? Then do you know the might of Jashin?" "I know you have an immortal body, and that, with your own blood, you can kill your opponent through a curse," Xingye said. "But even your immortal body has a weakness." Hidan roared, "My immortal body has no weaknesses!" "Lord Jashin's power is perfect!" Kakuzu stepped forward and regarded Xingye coldly. "Uchiha Xingye," Kakuzu said. "Do you know who we are?" Xingye nodded. "Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki." "An immortal body and five hearts. You make a powerful team." Kakuzu sneered. "If you know what we can do, why come here to die?" "I didn't come here to die," Xingye said calmly. "I came to bring you both under my control." Hidan erupted in anger. "Bring us under your control? You little brat, you're too arrogant!" "I'll show you just how terrifying Lord Jashin's power is!" Hidan began forming Hand Seals, preparing to perform his curse ritual. But Xingye gave him no chance. The pattern in his Mangekyō Sharingan shifted. "Hidan, do you really think you can perform your curse?" Amaterasu! Black flames surged from Xingye's eyes and shot straight toward Hidan. Hidan was shocked. "What are these flames? Why are they so strange?" The Amaterasu flames immediately engulfed Hidan's body, and he screamed. "Damn it! What is this?!" Kakuzu's expression changed at the sight. "Amaterasu? The Uchiha's world-ending black flames?" Kakuzu sprang into action, trying to help Hidan put out the fire with Earth Release. But Amaterasu's flames could not be extinguished. Hidan screamed in agony as the flames burned him. Kakuzu stared coldly at Xingye. "Uchiha Xingye, do you really want to make enemies of us?" "I'm not here to fight you," Xingye said. "I'm here to bring you under my control." "Kakuzu, Hidan's immortal body is certainly difficult to deal with." "But if his brain is destroyed, his immortality will fail." Kakuzu's pupils contracted. "You know that secret?" Xingye nodded. "That's right." "Hidan's immortality is based on Jashin's curse." "If his brain is destroyed, the curse will fail." Xingye activated his Mangekyō Sharingan again. Susanoo Healing, second form! Orange Chakra Armor enveloped Xingye, and he charged at Hidan with a Chakra Blade in hand. Still suffering in the Amaterasu flames, Hidan was unable to fight back. Xingye's Chakra Blade pierced Hidan's brain with precision. Hidan's screams stopped at once, and his body collapsed to the ground. The Amaterasu flames also went out when Hidan died. [System Alert: Hidan defeated] [Acquired traits: Jashin's Curse (Purple), Immortal Body (Blue), Scythe Mastery (Green)] [Plundered from Hidan: Chakra Control (Green), Irritability (White), Cruelty (White)] Xingye was delighted. Jashin's Curse was a Purple-tier trait, worth a fortune. Looking at Hidan's body, Kakuzu said coldly, "Uchiha Xingye, you killed my partner." "I'll make you pay." Xingye looked at Kakuzu and said calmly, "Kakuzu, Hidan is dead." "Do you still want to fight?" Kakuzu sneered. "Of course." "You killed Hidan. I have to avenge him." Kakuzu formed Hand Seals, and his hearts began to beat. "Earth Grudge Fear!" Countless black threads surged out of Kakuzu, forming five distinct shapes. These were Kakuzu's five hearts, each with a different chakra nature. Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release—all five natures appeared at once. "Uchiha Xingye," Kakuzu said, "each of my five hearts has a different nature." "Can you defeat them all?" Xingye looked at the five heart-like forms and said calmly, "They're certainly powerful." "But your five hearts have a weakness, too." Kakuzu sneered. "A weakness? You think my Earth Grudge Fear has a weakness?" Xingye nodded. "That's right." "Your five hearts may increase your combat strength, but they're also your greatest burden." "If all five hearts are destroyed, you'll die." Kakuzu roared, "Impossible! No one can destroy all my hearts!" "Then let me prove it," Xingye said coolly. His Mangekyō Sharingan slowly opened, while his Byakugan scanned the positions of all five hearts in every direction. Through his Byakugan, he could clearly see the chakra flowing through each of the five hearts. "Found them." A cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes. Lightning Release: Chidori! Xingye vanished in an instant and appeared in the middle of the five hearts. Chidori precisely severed all the Chakra Threads, then pierced the first heart. Bang! The first heart was destroyed. Kakuzu's expression changed, but he still had four hearts left. "Don't think you can defeat me just like that!" The remaining four hearts attacked at once, firing Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release, and Wind Release at Xingye. Xingye didn't dodge. He immediately activated Susanoo Healing's third form. His Chakra Armor grew thicker, completely blocking all the attacks. Boom! The five nature transformations slammed into Susanoo Healing with a deafening crash. Susanoo Healing trembled slightly but remained intact. Xingye sneered and used Chidori again, striking the second heart. Bang! The second heart was destroyed. Kakuzu's expression darkened. He had three hearts left. "Damn Uchiha!" Kakuzu cursed. Xingye continued using Chidori, destroying Kakuzu's hearts one by one. The third, fourth, and fifth. When the last heart was destroyed, Kakuzu's body collapsed to the ground. Kakuzu looked at Xingye, his eyes filled with resentment. "Uchiha Xingye," Kakuzu said. "You're truly powerful." "I admit I can't defeat you." Xingye nodded. "Then will you join me?" Kakuzu thought for a moment before finally saying, "Fine. I'll join you." Xingye smiled. "Welcome aboard." "Kakuzu, I need you to do three things." Kakuzu said, "Go ahead." "First, return to the Akatsuki and keep playing your part." "Don't let anyone find out that you've betrayed them." "Second, secretly gather information on the Akatsuki, including their plans, base locations, and members' movements." "Third, when the time comes, I'll have you work with us to bring down the Akatsuki from within." Kakuzu nodded. "Understood." Xingye continued, "And about Hidan's death..." "I'll report to the Akatsuki that 'Hidan died in battle against me.'" "That way, they'll be on their guard against me, and we can prepare for the battles ahead." Kakuzu nodded. "All right." "Kakuzu, things will be dangerous for a while." "The Akatsuki won't be easy to deal with, so be careful." Kakuzu said, "Don't worry. I've lived a long time. I'm not going to die easily." Xingye nodded. "Good. Then go back." "I'll contact you and pass along the information." Kakuzu turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the forest. [System Alert: Successfully recruited Kakuzu] [Acquired traits: Recruitment (Blue), Earth Grudge Fear (Red), Multiple Hearts (Purple), Bounty Hunter (Green)] [Plundered from Kakuzu: Five Nature Transformations (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)] Xingye was overjoyed. Earth Grudge Fear was a Red-tier trait, worth a fortune.
"Akatsuki," Xingye murmured to himself. "Three members have already joined my side."
"Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu—these powerful fighters will become the blades I wield against Akatsuki."
"Next is the fifth target."
Based on the information Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu provided, Xingye determined that his next target should be Konan.
Konan was one of Akatsuki's founders. She specialized in Paper Style and was one of the organization's few female members.
What's more, Konan was very close to Nagato and Yahiko. Winning her over would help him win over Nagato in the future.
Xingye decided to head to Amegakure and look for Konan.
Xingye's figure vanished into the forest as he set out to find Konan.
Akatsuki Base
Underground base, Amegakure.
Obito stood before an illusionary projection, watching the entire battle in which Xingye defeated Hidan and Kakuzu. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"Hidan is dead, and Kakuzu has been won over," Obito murmured. "Uchiha Xingye, you really are threatening my plans."
Black Zetsu emerged behind Obito. "Obito, Xingye is indeed very strong."
"He's already won over Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu. Most of Akatsuki's members are now on his side."
Obito nodded. "I know."
"But Akatsuki still has the Six Paths of Pain and Konan."
"Especially the Six Paths of Pain. They possess the Rinnegan and are Akatsuki's strongest fighters."
"Xingye probably won't be able to defeat Pain easily."
Black Zetsu sneered. "Then let Pain test him."
"If even Pain can't defeat Xingye, then Akatsuki truly has no hope."
A murderous glint flashed in Obito's eyes.
"No. I won't let Xingye get his way."
"I'll deal with this problem myself."
Black Zetsu sneered. "That's up to you, Obito."
"But I'd advise you to be cautious."
"Xingye is even stronger than you imagine."
Obito fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I know."
"I'll make every preparation."
Before you continue