Akatsuki's Assault

Dawn broke over the desert outside Sunagakure.

Kisame and Zabuza were approaching Sunagakure, though their moods were entirely different.

Kisame knew clearly in his heart that today's battle would not unfold as the Akatsuki expected.

Because he was already an inside man for Uchiha Xingye.

Zabuza did not know Kisame's true thoughts; he was still seriously considering how to complete the mission of capturing the One-Tail.

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

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

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

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

Zabuza nodded, "Understood."

"Then let's begin."

Kisame and Zabuza arrived at the entrance of Sunagakure. Kisame formed hand seals, Water Style: Water Shark Bullet Technique!

A massive water shark surged forth, rushing toward the gates of Sunagakure.

BOOM!

The gate was struck by the water shark, emitting a thunderous roar.

Alarms instantly rang out across the entire village of Sunagakure.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The Sand Shinobi of Sunagakure gathered rapidly, preparing to engage the enemy.

Inside Sunagakure, Gaara heard the alarm and rushed to the village entrance.

He saw Kisame and Zabuza standing outside the gate, already prepared for battle.

"Akatsuki," Gaara said coldly, "you have finally come."

Kisame grinned, "Lord Kazekage, we have come to collect the One-Tail."

Zabuza also spoke, "Please come with us."

A flash of killing intent crossed 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 from the ground, forming a massive sandstorm that rushed toward Kisame and Zabuza.

Kisame roared, "Lord Kazekage's strength is indeed formidable."

"Water Style: Five Feeding Sharks!"

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

But the power of the sandstorm far exceeded Kisame's imagination, and the five water sharks were instantly swallowed by the sand.

Zabuza also launched an attack, Hidden Mist Technique!

The entire desert was shrouded in thick fog, and visibility became blurred.

"Hidden Mist Technique," Zabuza said, "in this thick fog, you cannot track my movements."

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

Zabuza was stunned, "What?"

Kisame continued, "Uchiha Xingye is here."

Zabuza was shocked, "Uchiha Xingye?"

At that moment, a figure descended from the sky and landed at the entrance of Sunagakure.

Uchiha Xingye stood there, his Mangekyo Sharingan slowly activating.

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

"Unfortunately, you will not succeed today."

Kisame and Zabuza's expressions changed upon seeing Uchiha Xingye.

Kisame secretly breathed a sigh of relief; with Uchiha Xingye here, he could coordinate with his actions.

Zabuza watched Uchiha Xingye vigilantly, "Uchiha Xingye, you actually came."

Uchiha Xingye nodded, "Gaara is my friend; I will not let you harm him."

Zabuza sneered, "A friend? How could a Kazekage of Sunagakure become friends with someone like you, a Konoha Uchiha?"

Uchiha Xingye replied, "Between friends, no explanation is needed."

"Now, you have two choices."

"Either leave this place, or be defeated by me."

Zabuza flew into a rage: "Defeat us? You arrogant little brat of the Uchiha!"

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

Zabuza formed hand seals, and the Kubikiribocho began to condense chakra.

"Secret Technique: Senbon!"

Countless tiny needles flew from the Kubikiribocho, rushing toward Uchiha Xingye.

Uchiha Xingye did not dodge, instead activating the second form of his Susanoo directly.

Orange chakra armor enveloped Uchiha Xingye, blocking every single senbon.

Clang, clang, clang!

The senbon struck the Susanoo, emitting crisp sounds, but they could not penetrate its Absolute Defense.

Zabuza's pupils constricted: "Susanoo? The Absolute Defense of the Uchiha?"

Uchiha Xingye said indifferently: "Zabuza, your secret technique is strong, but it is meaningless before my Susanoo."

Zabuza roared in anger: "Then let me see just how strong your Susanoo really is!"

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

A massive water dragon surged from the ground, charging toward Uchiha Xingye.

Uchiha Xingye did not use his Susanoo to block it; instead, he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.

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

"Amaterasu!"

Black flames surged from Uchiha Xingye's eyes, rushing straight toward the water dragon.

Amaterasu is an inextinguishable black flame; even Water Release cannot extinguish it.

The water dragon dissipated rapidly under the burning of Amaterasu, and the black flames continued to spread toward Zabuza.

Zabuza was shocked: "What kind of flame is this? Why is it so bizarre?"

Uchiha Xingye said: "This is Amaterasu, the black flame that never goes out."

"Once ignited, it will continue to burn until the target is completely incinerated."

Zabuza's expression shifted as the flames of Amaterasu crept toward him.

"Damn it," Zabuza cursed, "Uchiha techniques are truly detestable."

Zabuza attempted to block the Amaterasu with his Kubikiribocho, but the black flames passed right through the blade and continued to spread toward him.

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

"Continuing to resist will only bring you pain."

Zabuza stopped in his tracks and looked at Uchiha Xingye.

"Uchiha Xingye," Zabuza said, "your strength is indeed formidable."

"I admit it, I cannot defeat you."

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

Zabuza pondered for a moment before finally asking: "Why must I join you?"

Uchiha Xingye replied: "Because the Akatsuki is not the organization you truly wish to serve."

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

"This is not the world you desire."

Zabuza fell silent.

Uchiha Xingye continued: "Furthermore, Zabuza, I know your dream."

"You want to build a Kirigakure free of hatred and discrimination."

"But the Akatsuki is not the place to realize that dream."

Zabuza's expression changed; he was stunned that Uchiha Xingye knew his dream.

Uchiha Xingye said: "Zabuza, join me, and I will help you realize your dream."

"We can build a truly peaceful Shinobi World."

Zabuza pondered for a long time before finally saying: "Fine, I will join."

Uchiha Xingye smiled slightly, and the flames of Amaterasu extinguished.

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

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

Zabuza replied: "Please, speak."

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

"Do not let anyone discover that you have betrayed them."

"Second, gather intelligence on the Akatsuki in secret, including their plans, base locations, and member movements."

"Third, at the critical moment, I will have you cooperate with us to dismantle the Akatsuki from within."

Zabuza Momochi nodded: "Understood."

Xingye continued: "Also, regarding the mission to capture the One-Tail."

"I will report to the Akatsuki that 'Sunagakure's defenses are too tight, and I require more manpower'."

"This way, we can divert the Akatsuki's attention and buy ourselves time."

Zabuza Momochi nodded: "Very well."

Xingye said: "Zabuza Momochi, the coming period will be dangerous."

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

Zabuza Momochi: "Rest assured, I, Zabuza Momochi, am not so easily killed."

Xingye nodded: "Good, then you may return."

"I will contact you to relay information."

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

[System Prompt: Successfully subdued Zabuza Momochi]

[Obtained Traits: Subjugation (Blue), Mist Style Mastery (Purple), Assassination Art Mastery (Purple), Kubikiribocho Affinity (Green)]

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

Xingye felt a surge of joy; Mist Style Mastery and Assassination Art Mastery were both purple-tier traits, worth a fortune.

Kisame watched Xingye, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.

Xingye nodded at Kisame, signaling him to continue his infiltration.

Kisame also nodded, turned, and left.

Xingye turned to Gaara and said calmly: "Gaara, the crisis is temporarily averted."

"But the Akatsuki will not give up easily; you need to remain vigilant."

Gaara nodded: "Xingye, thank you."

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

Xingye said: "No need for thanks."

"Between friends, helping one another is only right."

Gaara looked at Xingye, his eyes shining with gratitude.

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

"In the future, if you need help, Sunagakure will certainly support you with all its might."

Xingye smiled slightly: "Understood, I will keep that in mind."

Xingye turned to Temari, Kankuro, and the others: "Everyone, Sunagakure's defenses need to be strengthened."

"The Akatsuki will not give up easily; we need to prepare for a long-term confrontation."

Temari nodded: "Understood, Lord Xingye."

"We will reinforce the village's defenses to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Kankuro also said: "I will set up defenses at the village entrance to ensure the Akatsuki cannot invade again."

Xingye nodded: "Very good."

"I will return to Konoha now to report the situation here to the Third Hokage."

"At the same time, I will formulate a detailed battle plan to counter the Akatsuki."

Gaara said: "Xingye, take care on your way."

Xingye nodded: "Rest assured."

Xingye's figure gradually disappeared into the sandstorm.

The crisis in Sunagakure was temporarily resolved.

But Xingye knew this was only the beginning.

The Akatsuki would not give up easily, and the battles to come would be even more intense.