Subduing Konan

Rain Village, a city where the rain never ceases.

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

According to intelligence provided by Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu, Konan was currently at the Rain Village headquarters, tasked with protecting Nagato.

"Konan," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "you are one of the founders of the Akatsuki, and your bond with Nagato and Yahiko runs deep."

"If I can win you over, subduing Nagato will become much easier."

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

[System Notification: Target Located]
[Konan, two kilometers ahead]
[Chakra Signature: Paper Style chakra, extremely high Perception]

A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Xingye's eyes.

"Here we go."

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

Two minutes later.

Uchiha Xingye arrived at the Rain Village headquarters and saw a woman standing in the rain.

She had long orange hair, wore the red-cloud cloak of the Akatsuki, and held a paper fan in her hand.

It was none other than Konan of the Akatsuki.

Konan seemed to sense something, turning to look in Uchiha Xingye's direction.

"Who are you?" Konan asked, her guard up.

Uchiha Xingye stepped out from the rain, looking at Konan calmly.

"I am Uchiha Xingye."

Konan's pupils constricted: "Uchiha Xingye? That Uchiha genius who displayed such power at the Five Kage Summit?"

Uchiha Xingye nodded: "That is correct."

"Konan, I know what your mission is."

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

Uchiha Xingye said: "I know the Akatsuki is strong, but I also know that you are not serving the Akatsuki out of genuine conviction."

Konan fell silent.

Uchiha Xingye continued: "Konan, what you pursue is the dream of Yahiko."

"You want to build a world without war, without pain."

"But, can the Eye of the Moon Plan of the Akatsuki really achieve your dream?"

Konan's expression shifted.

Uchiha Xingye continued: "Konan, I know your past."

"You, Yahiko, and Nagato founded the Akatsuki together, and your initial goal was to achieve peace."

"However, Obito deceived Nagato, making him believe that the Eye of the Moon Plan is the only path to peace."

"And you, although you knew this might be wrong, chose to remain silent in order to protect Nagato."

Konan was silent; Uchiha Xingye actually knew her past.

Uchiha Xingye said: "Konan, the goal of 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."

"Is this truly the world you want?"

A flicker of pain crossed Konan's eyes: "But this is Nagato's choice."

"For the sake of Yahiko, I must support Nagato."

Uchiha Xingye shook his head: "Konan, Nagato's choice is based on false information."

"Obito deceived Nagato, making him believe that the Eye of the Moon Plan is the only path to peace."

"But that is simply not the truth."

Konan asked: "Then tell me, what is true peace?"

Uchiha Xingye replied: "True peace is not a false peace achieved through genjutsu."

"It is understanding and trust built through the collective efforts of everyone."

"The Eye of the Moon Plan will only plunge the entire Shinobi World into permanent enslavement; this is not peace, this is a new hell."

Konan remained silent for a long time, finally asking: "Then what should I do?"

Uchiha Xingye said: "Konan, 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 Konan's eyes: "Interesting."

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

Konan formed hand seals, and her Paper Style began to activate.

"Paper Style: Paper Clone Technique!"

Hundreds of paper clones emerged from the rain, surrounding Uchiha Xingye.

Each paper clone contained chakra, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

"Uchiha Xingye," Konan said, "my Paper Style is not so easy to deal with."

Xingye looked at the hundreds of paper clones and said indifferently: "It is indeed very strong."

"However, Paper Style also has its weaknesses."

Konan sneered: "Weaknesses? You say my Paper Style has weaknesses?"

Xingye nodded: "That's right."

"Although Paper Style is powerful, the nature of paper dictates that it fears water and fire."

"Especially fire, which can easily turn paper into ash."

Konan's expression changed; she had indeed not considered this point.

Xingye's Mangekyo Sharingan slowly opened.

"Konan, let me show you what true Fire Style is."

Amaterasu!

Black flames surged from Xingye's eyes, rushing straight toward the hundreds of paper clones.

Konan was shocked: "What is this flame? Why is it so eerie?"

The flames of Amaterasu instantly ignited all the paper clones, and hundreds of them quickly turned to ash within the black flames.

Konan's pupils constricted: "Amaterasu? The world-ending black flames of the Uchiha?"

The flames of Amaterasu continued to spread toward Konan, and she could only retreat continuously, attempting to dodge the black flames.

But Amaterasu is an inextinguishable flame, and it kept pursuing Konan.

"Damn it," Konan cursed, "Uchiha techniques are truly annoying."

Xingye looked at Konan and said indifferently: "Konan, do you understand my strength now?"

"Continuing to resist will only bring you pain."

Konan stopped in her tracks and looked at Xingye.

"Uchiha Xingye," Konan said, "your strength is indeed very strong."

"I admit, I cannot defeat you."

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

Konan pondered for a moment and finally said: "I can join, but I have one condition."

Xingye asked: "What condition?"

Konan said: "You cannot harm Nagato."

"Nagato is the most important person to Yahiko and me; I do not wish to see him get hurt."

Xingye nodded: "I promise you."

"I will not harm Nagato; on the contrary, I will help Nagato see the truth."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Konan's eyes: "Really? You can help Nagato?"

Xingye said: "Of course."

"Nagato has been deceived by Obito and believes that the Eye of the Moon Plan is the only way to achieve peace."

"I will make Nagato understand Obito's lies and the truth behind the Eye of the Moon Plan."

Tears shimmered in Konan's eyes: "If you can truly help Nagato, I am willing to pay any price."

Xingye said: "Konan, welcome aboard."

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

Konan: "Please speak."

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

Konan nodded. "Understood."

Uchiha Xingye continued, "Also, regarding the deaths of Hidan, Kakuzu, and Deidara."

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

"This way, I can make the Akatsuki wary of me and prepare for the subsequent battles."

Konan nodded. "Very well."

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

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

Konan replied, "Rest assured, I, Konan, am not so easily killed."

Uchiha Xingye nodded. "Good, then you should head back."

"I will contact you to pass on intelligence."

Konan turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing into the rain.

[System Prompt: Successfully recruited Konan]

[Obtained Traits: Recruitment (Blue), Paper Style Mastery (Purple), Heightened Perception (Blue), Artistic Perception (Blue)]

[Plundered from Konan: Paper Style Chakra (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)]

Uchiha Xingye felt a surge of joy; Paper Style Mastery was a purple-tier trait, worth a fortune.

"Akatsuki," Uchiha Xingye muttered to himself, "four members have already joined my camp."

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

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

Based on the intelligence provided by Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Konan, the next target should be the Six Paths of Pain.

The Six Paths of Pain possess the Rinnegan and represent the strongest combat power of the Akatsuki, as well as the most difficult opponents to recruit.

However, if Pain can be recruited, the threat posed by the Akatsuki will be greatly reduced.

Uchiha Xingye decided to head to the Rain Village headquarters to search for the trail of the Six Paths of Pain.

Uchiha Xingye's figure vanished into the rain, embarking on the journey to find the Six Paths of Pain.

Rain Village Headquarters

Nagato sat in his wheelchair, watching the curtain of rain outside the window.

The Six Paths of Pain were scattered throughout the corners of the Rain Village, monitoring the entire city.

Konan returned to the headquarters and stood behind Nagato.

"Nagato," Konan said, "Uchiha Xingye is coming."

Nagato was silent for a moment, then said, "Uchiha Xingye... that genius of the Uchiha?"

Konan nodded. "Yes."

"And I have decided to join him."

Nagato's Rinnegan shifted slightly. "Why?"

Konan said, "Because Uchiha Xingye told me that the Eye of the Moon Plan is not true peace."

"Obito deceived you, making you believe that the Eye of the Moon Plan is the only way to achieve peace."

"But Uchiha Xingye says the goal of 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."

Nagato fell silent, a flicker of pain flashing through his Rinnegan.

"If this is true," Nagato said slowly, "then have I been used all along?"

Konan said, "Uchiha Xingye also promised me that he would help you see the truth."

"Nagato, I trust Uchiha Xingye, and you should trust him too."

Nagato pondered for a long time before finally saying, "Konan, what do you want me to do?"

Konan said, "Wait for Uchiha Xingye's arrival."

"He will tell us the truth and show us what true peace is."

Nagato nodded. "Fine, I will wait for him."

Akatsuki Base

Rain Village, underground base.

Obito stood before the genjutsu projection, watching the entire process of Uchiha Xingye recruiting Konan, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes.

"Konan has been recruited as well," Obito muttered to himself, "Uchiha Xingye, you are truly threatening my plan."

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

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

"Next, his target should be the Six Paths of Pain."

Obito nodded: "I know."

"However, the Six Paths of Pain possess the Red Rinnegan and are the Akatsuki's strongest combat force."

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

Black Zetsu sneered: "Then let Pain go and test him."

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

A flash of killing intent crossed Obito's eyes.

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

"If Pain fails, I will take action myself to resolve this trouble."

Black Zetsu sneered: "Then it's 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."

The system's notification sound rang out.

[System Notification: Successfully subdued Konan, Akatsuki disintegration plan progress 40%]

[Obtained rewards: Red Rinnegan, Red Six Paths Sage Technique]

Xingye was overjoyed; the Red Rinnegan and Red Six Paths Sage Technique were both red-tier entries of immense value.

"With the Red Rinnegan and Red Six Paths Sage Technique," Xingye muttered to himself, "my strength will once again increase significantly."

"Six Paths of Pain, here I come."

Xingye's figure vanished into the rain, embarking on his journey to confront the Six Paths of Pain.