Winning Konan Over

Amegakure, a city where it rained year-round.

Xingye walked alone through the rain, his Byakugan scanning everything around him in 360 degrees.

According to the intel provided by Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu, Konan was at Amegakure headquarters, protecting Nagato.

"Konan," Xingye murmured to himself. "You're one of the Akatsuki's founders, and you're deeply attached to Nagato and Yahiko."

"If I can win you over, it'll be much easier to win Nagato over."

Just then, the system notification sounded.

[System Notification: Target detected]

[Konan, two kilometers ahead]

[Chakra signature: Paper Style chakra, exceptionally strong perception]

A glint of cold light flashed in Xingye's eyes.

"She's here."

Xingye changed direction and headed toward the target's location.

Two minutes later

Xingye arrived at Amegakure headquarters and saw a woman standing in the rain.

She had orange hair and wore the Akatsuki's red-cloud robe. In her hand, she held a paper fan.

It was none other than Konan of the Akatsuki.

Konan seemed to sense something and turned to look in Xingye's direction.

"Who are you?" Konan asked warily.

Xingye stepped out of the rain and looked at Konan calmly.

"I'm Uchiha Xingye."

Konan's pupils contracted slightly. "Uchiha Xingye? The Uchiha prodigy who showed off his strength at the Five Kage Summit?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"Konan, I know what your mission is."

Konan sneered. "You know my mission? Then do you know how powerful the Akatsuki is?"

"I know the Akatsuki is strong," Xingye said, "but I also know you aren't truly devoted to the organization."

Konan fell silent.

Xingye continued, "Konan, what you're pursuing is Yahiko's dream."

"You want to create a world without war or suffering."

"But can the Akatsuki's Eye of the Moon Plan really make your dream come true?"

Konan's expression changed.

Xingye went on. "Konan, I know about your past."

"You founded the Akatsuki with Yahiko and Nagato. At first, your goal was to bring about peace."

"But Obito deceived Nagato, making him believe that the Eye of the Moon Plan was the only way to achieve peace."

"And though you knew it might be wrong, you chose to stay silent to protect Nagato."

Konan remained silent. Xingye actually knew about her past.

"Konan," Xingye said, "the goal of the Eye of the Moon Plan is to trap the entire Shinobi World in the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"Everyone will become a puppet, living forever in a false dream."

"Is that really the kind of world you want?"

A trace of pain flashed in Konan's eyes. "But it's Nagato's choice."

"For Yahiko's sake, I have to support Nagato."

Xingye shook his head. "Konan, Nagato made his choice based on false information."

"Obito deceived Nagato, making him believe that the Eye of the Moon Plan was the only way to achieve peace."

"But that simply isn't true."

"Then tell me," Konan said, "what is true peace?"

"True peace isn't a false peace achieved through genjutsu."

"It's understanding and trust, built through everyone's shared efforts."

"The Eye of the Moon Plan will only plunge the entire Shinobi World into permanent enslavement. That isn't peace—it's a new hell."

After a long silence, Konan finally said, "Then what should I do?"

"Konan, I'll give you a choice," Xingye said.

"Let's have a spar."

"If you can defeat me, I'll let you kill me."

"But if I defeat you, you'll join me."

A glimmer of fighting spirit flashed in Konan's eyes. "Interesting."

"Then show me how strong this Uchiha prodigy really is."

Konan formed hand seals, and Paper Style began to take effect.

"Paper Style: Paper Clone Technique!"

Hundreds of paper clones surged out of the rain, surrounding Xingye.

Each paper clone contained chakra and was ready to attack at any moment.

"Uchiha Xingye," Konan said, "my Paper Style isn't easy to deal with."

Xingye looked at the hundreds of paper clones and said calmly, "It's certainly powerful."

"But Paper Style has weaknesses, too."

Konan sneered. "Weaknesses? You're saying my Paper Style has weaknesses?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"Paper Style may be powerful, but paper itself is vulnerable to water and fire."

"Especially fire, which can easily reduce paper to ashes."

Konan's expression changed. She truly hadn't considered that.

Xingye's Mangekyō Sharingan slowly opened.

"Konan, I'll show you what real Fire Release looks like."

Amaterasu!

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

Konan stared in shock. "What is that flame? Why is it so strange?"

Amaterasu's flames instantly ignited every paper clone. Hundreds of them quickly turned to ash in the black flames.

Konan's pupils contracted. "Amaterasu? The Uchiha's black flames of destruction?"

The flames continued spreading toward Konan. She could only keep retreating, trying to evade them.

But Amaterasu's flames couldn't be extinguished, and they kept pursuing Konan.

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

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

"If you keep resisting, you'll only make yourself suffer."

Konan stopped and looked at Xingye.

"Uchiha Xingye," Konan said, "your strength really is formidable."

"I admit that I can't defeat you."

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

Konan thought for a moment before replying, "I can join you, but I have one condition."

"What is it?" Xingye asked.

"You can't hurt Nagato," Konan said.

"Nagato is the most important person to Yahiko and me. I don't want to see him get hurt."

Xingye nodded. "I promise."

"I won't hurt Nagato. On the contrary, I'll help him see the truth."

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

"Of course," Xingye said.

"Obito deceived Nagato, making him believe the Eye of the Moon Plan was the only way to achieve peace."

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

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

"Welcome aboard, Konan," Xingye said.

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

Konan said, "Go ahead."

"First, return to the Akatsuki and keep playing your part."

"Don't let anyone discover that you've betrayed them."

"Second, gather information on the Akatsuki in secret, including their plans, base locations, and members' movements."

"Third, when the time comes, I'll have you work with us to dismantle the Akatsuki from within."

Konan nodded. "Understood."

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

"I'll tell the Akatsuki that 'they all died fighting me.'"

"That'll put the Akatsuki on guard against me and help us prepare for the battles to come."

Konan nodded. "All right."

"Konan, things will be dangerous for a while," Xingye said.

"The Akatsuki won't be easy to deal with, so you'll need to be careful."

Konan said, "Don't worry. I'm not so easy to kill."

Xingye nodded. "Good. Then go back."

"I'll contact you and pass along information."

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

[System Notification: Konan successfully won over]

[Acquired traits: Winning Over (Blue), Paper Style Mastery (Purple), Exceptionally Strong Perception (Blue), Artistic Perception (Blue)]

[Traits plundered from Konan: Paper Style chakra (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)]

Xingye was delighted. Paper Style Mastery was a purple-grade trait, worth a fortune.

"The Akatsuki," Xingye murmured, "now has four members in my camp."

"Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Konan. These powerful fighters will become my blades against the Akatsuki."

"Next is the sixth target."

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

The Six Paths of Pain wielded the Rinnegan. They were the Akatsuki's strongest fighters and the hardest opponents to win over.

But if Xingye could win Pain over, the threat posed by the Akatsuki would be greatly reduced.

Xingye decided to head to Amegakure headquarters and search for the Six Paths of Pain.

Xingye disappeared into the rain, setting off to find the Six Paths of Pain.

Amegakure Headquarters

Underground base, Amegakure.

Obito stood before an illusionary projection, watching the entire scene of Xingye winning Konan over. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes.

"Konan's been won over, too," Obito murmured. "Uchiha Xingye, you really are threatening my plans."

Black Zetsu emerged from behind Obito. "Obito, Xingye really is powerful."

"He's already won Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Konan over. Most of the Akatsuki's members are on his side now."

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

Obito nodded. "I know."

"But the Six Paths of Pain wield the Rinnegan. They're the Akatsuki's strongest fighting force."

Xingye probably couldn't defeat Pain easily.

Black Zetsu sneered. "Then let Pain test him."

"If even Pain can't defeat Xingye, then the Akatsuki truly has no hope."

A trace of killing intent flashed in Obito's eyes.

"No. I won't let Xingye have his way."

"If Pain fails, I'll deal with this problem myself."

Black Zetsu sneered. "Then it's up to you, Obito."

"Still, I suggest you be careful."

"Xingye is even stronger than you imagine."

Obito fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I know."

"I'll make all the necessary preparations."

The system notification chimed.

[System Notification: Successfully recruited Konan. Akatsuki Disintegration Plan progress: 40%]

[Reward: Red Rinnegan, Red Six Paths Sage Technique]

Xingye was overjoyed. The Rinnegan and Six Paths Sage Technique were both red-tier entries, worth a fortune.

"With the Rinnegan and the Six Paths Sage Technique," Xingye murmured, "my strength will increase significantly once again."

"Six Paths of Pain, here I come."

Xingye's figure disappeared into the rain, setting out on his journey to take on the Six Paths of Pain.