The Akatsuki Attack

The desert outside Sand Village was just beginning to brighten with the dawn.

Kisame and Zabuza were closing in on Sand Village, but their moods were completely different.

Kisame knew full well that today's battle wouldn't unfold as the Akatsuki had expected.

After all, he was already Xingye's inside man.

Zabuza had no idea what Kisame was really thinking. He was still seriously considering how to complete the mission to capture the One-Tail.

"Kisame," Zabuza said, "how should we attack?"

"Do we strike the Kazekage Building directly, or lure Gaara out first?"

Kisame pondered for a moment, then said, "According to plan, we'll cause a disturbance at the village entrance first."

"We'll draw Gaara out, then seize the opportunity to capture him."

Zabuza nodded. "Understood."

"Let's get started, then."

Kisame and Zabuza reached the entrance to Sand Village. Kisame formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"

A giant water shark burst from the water and charged toward the village gate.

Boom!

The shark slammed into the gate with a thunderous crash.

The alarm rang out across all of Sand Village.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The Sand Shinobi quickly assembled, preparing to repel the attackers.

Inside Sand Village

Hearing the alarm, Gaara hurried to the village entrance.

He saw Kisame and Zabuza standing outside the gate, already prepared to fight.

"Akatsuki," Gaara said coldly, "you've finally come."

Kisame grinned. "Lord Kazekage, we've come to claim the One-Tail."

Zabuza added, "Please come with us."

A murderous glint flashed in Gaara's eyes. "You want to capture me? Ask the sand in my hands first."

Gaara formed hand seals. "Sand Burial!"

Countless grains of sand surged up from underground, forming a massive sandstorm that rushed toward Kisame and Zabuza.

Kisame was furious. "Lord Kazekage is certainly powerful."

"Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks!"

Five water sharks charged at the sandstorm from different directions, trying to disrupt its structure.

But the sandstorm was far more powerful than Kisame had imagined. It swallowed all five sharks in an instant.

Zabuza attacked as well. "Hidden Mist Technique!"

Thick mist shrouded the entire desert, blurring everything from view.

"Hidden Mist Technique," Zabuza said. "In this thick mist, you won't be able to find me."

But just then, Kisame suddenly said, "Zabuza, watch out."

Zabuza froze. "What?"

Kisame continued, "Xingye is here."

Zabuza was stunned. "Xingye?"

Just then, a figure dropped from the sky and landed at the entrance to Sand Village.

Xingye stood there as his Mangekyō Sharingan slowly opened.

"Kisame, Zabuza," Xingye said calmly, "is Gaara your target?"

"Too bad. You won't succeed today."

Kisame and Zabuza's expressions changed when they saw Xingye.

Kisame secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now that Xingye was here, he could help carry out the plan.

Zabuza watched Xingye warily. "Uchiha Xingye. So you really did come."

Xingye nodded. "Gaara is my friend. I won't let you hurt him."

Zabuza sneered. "Friends? How could a Kazekage from Sand Village become friends with a Uchiha from the Leaf?"

"Friends don't need explanations," Xingye said.

"Now, you have two choices."

"Leave, or let me defeat you."

Zabuza was furious. "Defeat us? You arrogant Uchiha brat!"

"Let me show you the strength of an elite Anbu!"

Zabuza formed hand seals, and chakra began to gather around Kubikiribōchō.

"Secret Technique: Senbon!"

Countless tiny needles shot from Kubikiribōchō toward Xingye.

Xingye didn't dodge. He immediately activated the second form of Susanoo Healing.

Orange chakra armor enveloped Xingye, blocking every senbon.

Clang, clang, clang!

The senbon struck Susanoo Healing with crisp ringing sounds, but couldn't pierce its defenses.

Zabuza's pupils contracted. "Susanoo Healing? The Uchiha's Absolute Defense?"

"Zabuza, your secret technique may be powerful, but it's meaningless against Susanoo Healing," Xingye said calmly.

Zabuza was furious. "Then let me see just how strong your Susanoo Healing is!"

Zabuza formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A giant water dragon surged up from underground and charged at Xingye.

Xingye didn't use Susanoo Healing to block it. Instead, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Zabuza, do you really think Water Release can defeat me?"

"Amaterasu!"

Black flames surged from Xingye's eyes and shot toward the water dragon.

Amaterasu was an inextinguishable black flame. Even Water Release couldn't put it out.

The water dragon quickly vanished beneath Amaterasu's flames, and the black fire continued spreading toward Zabuza.

Zabuza was shocked. "What kind of flames are these? Why are they so strange?"

"This is Amaterasu, an eternal black flame," Xingye said.

"Once it ignites, it keeps burning until its target is completely consumed."

Zabuza's expression changed as the flames crept toward him.

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

Zabuza tried to block Amaterasu with Kubikiribōchō, but the black flames passed right through the blade and continued toward him.

Xingye looked at Zabuza and said coldly, "Zabuza, do you understand my strength now?"

"Keep resisting, and you'll only make yourself suffer."

Zabuza stopped and looked at Xingye.

"Uchiha Xingye," Zabuza said, "you're certainly powerful."

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

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

Zabuza thought for a moment, then finally asked, "Why should I join you?"

"Because the Akatsuki isn't the organization you truly want to serve," Xingye said.

"The Akatsuki's Eye of the Moon Plan will plunge the entire Shinobi World into an illusion."

"That isn't the world you want."

Zabuza fell silent.

Xingye continued, "Besides, Zabuza, I know your dream."

"You want to build a Kirigakure without hatred or discrimination."

"But the Akatsuki isn't the place to make that dream come true."

Zabuza's expression changed. Xingye actually knew his dream.

"Zabuza, join me, and I'll help you make your dream come true," Xingye said.

"Together, we can build a truly peaceful Shinobi World."

Zabuza thought for a long time, then finally said, "All right. I'll join you."

Xingye smiled faintly, and the Amaterasu flames went out.

"Zabuza," Xingye said, "welcome aboard."

"I need you to do three things next."

Zabuza said, "Go ahead."

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

"Don't let anyone discover that you've defected."

"Second, secretly gather intelligence 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."

Zabuza nodded. "Understood."

Xingye continued, "And about the mission to capture the One-Tail."

"I'll report to the Akatsuki, 'Sand Village is heavily defended. I need more people.'"

"That will spread the Akatsuki's attention and buy us time."

Zabuza nodded. "All right."

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

"The Akatsuki won't be easy to deal with. You'll need to be careful."

"Don't worry. I, Zabuza Momochi, won't be easy to kill."

Xingye nodded. "Good. Then go back."

"I'll contact you to pass along intelligence."

Zabuza turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the mist.

[System Notification: Successfully recruited Zabuza Momochi]

[Acquired traits: Recruitment (Blue), Mist Release Mastery (Purple), Assassination Mastery (Purple), Kubikiribōchō Affinity (Green)]

[Plundered from Zabuza: Water Release Chakra (Blue), Perception (Green), Stealth (Green)]

Xingye was delighted. Mist Release Mastery and Assassination Mastery were both purple-tier traits, worth a fortune.

Kisame looked at Xingye, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Xingye nodded to Kisame, signaling for him to remain undercover.

Kisame nodded as well, then turned and left.

Xingye turned to Gaara and said calmly, "Gaara, the danger has passed for now."

"But the Akatsuki won't give up easily. You need to stay alert."

Gaara nodded. "Xingye, thank you."

"If you hadn't arrived in time, Sand Village might have suffered heavy losses."

"No need to thank me," Xingye said.

"Friends should help each other."

Gaara looked at Xingye, gratitude shining in his eyes.

"Xingye," Gaara said, "I owe you one."

"If you ever need help, Sand Village will give you its full support."

Xingye smiled faintly. "All right. I'll remember that."

Xingye turned to Temari, Kankuro, and the others. "Everyone, Sand Village's defenses still need to be strengthened."

"The Akatsuki won't give up easily. We need to prepare for a prolonged fight."

Temari nodded. "Understood, Lord Xingye."

"We'll strengthen the village's defenses and make sure it's secure."

Kankuro added, "I'll set up defenses at the village entrance to make sure the Akatsuki can't invade again."

Xingye nodded. "Good."

"I'll return to the Leaf first and report the situation here to the Third Hokage."

"At the same time, I'll draw up a detailed battle plan to fight the Akatsuki."

Gaara said, "Xingye, be careful on the way."

Xingye nodded. "Don't worry."

Xingye's figure gradually disappeared into the windblown sand.

The crisis facing Sand Village had passed—for now.

But Xingye knew this was only the beginning.

The Akatsuki wouldn't give up easily, and the battles ahead would be even fiercer.