Meeting Jiraiya

Konoha, as the sun was setting.

After returning to Konoha from the Sand Village, Xingye did not go straight back to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

He had an important meeting to arrange.

Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin and Naruto's teacher.

Xingye needed to work with Jiraiya to fight the Akatsuki.

Xingye went to a teahouse in Konoha and waited for Jiraiya to arrive.

A moment later, a white-haired man walked into the teahouse.

He wore a green kimono, carried a huge scroll on his back, and had a teasing smile on his face.

It was Jiraiya.

"Uchiha Xingye," Jiraiya said as he sat down. "You were in such a hurry to find me. What is it?"

Xingye replied calmly, "Lord Jiraiya, I came to talk to you about the Akatsuki."

Jiraiya's expression changed. "The Akatsuki?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"The Akatsuki is secretly collecting the Tailed Beasts and planning to launch the Eye of the Moon Plan."

Jiraiya fell silent for a moment, then asked, "The Eye of the Moon Plan? What is that?"

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

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

Jiraiya's pupils contracted slightly. "Infinite Tsukuyomi? Trap the entire Shinobi World in an illusion?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"What's more, the mastermind behind the Akatsuki isn't the Madara Uchiha you think it is."

"The real culprit is a being called Black Zetsu."

"He used Obito and the Akatsuki for one purpose only: to revive Kaguya Otsutsuki."

Jiraiya was stunned. "Kaguya Otsutsuki? I've heard of her, but she's supposed to be a legendary figure."

Xingye said, "Black Zetsu is Kaguya's son. He's been plotting in secret all this time, trying to revive his mother."

"The Akatsuki is his tool, and the Eye of the Moon Plan is the key to reviving Kaguya."

Jiraiya pondered for a long time before finally saying, "Xingye, how am I supposed to believe what you're telling me?"

"Lord Jiraiya, you don't have to believe me completely," Xingye replied.

"You can investigate for yourself and verify what I've said."

"But time is short. The Akatsuki won't wait for us."

Jiraiya nodded. "I know."

"Xingye, what do you want me to do?"

"Lord Jiraiya, I need you to do three things," Xingye said.

Jiraiya replied, "Go on."

"First, investigate the Akatsuki's base and plans in secret."

"Your intelligence network is extensive. You should be able to find some clues."

Jiraiya nodded. "All right."

Xingye continued, "Second, protect Naruto."

"The Akatsuki's ultimate target is the Nine-Tails, so Naruto will be in danger."

"You need to protect him in secret and make sure the Akatsuki doesn't capture him."

Jiraiya was silent for a moment, then said, "Naruto... All right. I'll protect him."

Xingye concluded, "Third, when the time comes, I'll ask you to fight."

"If war becomes inevitable in the Shinobi World, I'll form the Shinobi Allied Forces."

"When that happens, we'll need a powerful shinobi like you to join us."

Jiraiya thought it over for a long time, then nodded. "All right, I agree."

"But, Xingye, I have a condition."

Xingye asked, "What is it?"

Jiraiya said, "If the Akatsuki really is as dangerous as you say, I can't stand by and do nothing."

"But I'm also investigating the Six Paths of Pain."

"If you can help me find Pain and help me defeat them, I'll give you my full support."

Xingye nodded. "No problem."

"The Six Paths of Pain are in Amegakure. I'll help you find them."

"And I'll help you defeat Pain."

Gratitude flashed in Jiraiya's eyes. "Thank you."

"Xingye, can you really defeat Pain?"

Xingye replied, "I can."

"The Six Paths of Pain are powerful, but they have weaknesses."

"If we exploit those weaknesses, we can defeat them."

Jiraiya nodded. "All right. I'll be watching."

Jiraiya stood up to leave.

"Xingye," Jiraiya said, "I'll start investigating the Akatsuki."

"As soon as I learn anything, I'll let you know."

Xingye nodded. "Thank you, Lord Jiraiya."

Jiraiya turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing beyond the teahouse.

Xingye sat in the teahouse, gazing at the sunset outside the window.

With Jiraiya's cooperation, Xingye had gained another powerful ally.

Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, was no weaker than a Kage Level shinobi, and his intelligence network extended across the entire Shinobi World.

With Jiraiya on their side, they would be even stronger in their fight against the Akatsuki.

System Notification

Just as Xingye was about to leave the teahouse, the system's notification sounded.

[System Notification: Successfully gained Jiraiya's support]

[Side Quest Unlocked: Recruit Jiraiya]

[Quest Objective: Help Jiraiya defeat the Six Paths of Pain]

[Quest Rewards: Senjutsu Mastery (Red), Summoning Technique: Toad (Purple)]

Xingye was delighted. Senjutsu Mastery was a red-grade trait, worth a fortune.

"Jiraiya," Xingye murmured, "I'll help you defeat Pain."

"After that, you'll become the strongest member of my faction."

Uchiha Clan Compound

When Xingye returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku and Itachi were already waiting for him.

"Xingye," Fugaku asked, "how are things in the Sand Village?"

Xingye nodded. "The crisis has been averted for now."

"I've recruited Zabuza Momochi, and Kisame is continuing to lie low in the Akatsuki."

"Our network of spies within the Akatsuki is taking shape."

A note of admiration flashed in Itachi's eyes. "Brother, your plans are so thorough."

Xingye said, "Itachi, I have an important task for you."

Itachi replied, "What is it?"

"Make contact with Obito in secret and try to gather more information."

"Obito is a key figure in the Akatsuki. If we can learn more about him, we'll be better equipped to fight the Akatsuki."

Itachi thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "Understood, Brother."

"I'll contact Obito in secret and try to gather information."

Xingye continued, "Father, the Uchiha Guard Corps needs to be strengthened further."

"The Akatsuki might attack Konoha again. We need to be fully prepared."

Fugaku nodded. "Understood."

"I'll start improving the Uchiha Guard Corps's strength right away."

Xingye added, "And there's Sasuke's training."

"Itachi, you're in charge of training Sasuke."

"Sasuke is one of the Uchiha Twin Stars. He needs to reach Kage Level."

Itachi nodded. "All right, Brother."

"I'll train Sasuke with everything I've got and make him strong enough to protect the Uchiha."

Xingye nodded. "Good."

"We'll have a lot to do over the next few months."

"But as long as we stand together, the Akatsuki won't stand a chance against us."

Fugaku patted Xingye on the shoulder. "Son, the future of the Uchiha Clan is in your hands."

Xingye smiled faintly. "Father, it's the future of all of us."

The Uchiha Big Three—Xingye, Fugaku, and Itachi—once again joined forces to prepare for the coming battle.

The Akatsuki's threat was formidable, but they could be defeated.

With enough preparation and strength, Xingye was confident he could bring down the Akatsuki once and for all.