The Forest of Death was unnervingly silent after Jack's encounter with Orochimaru's summons. His new Sonic Disruptor Cannon had proven its worth, and the addition of the Advanced Energon Harpoon gave him even more firepower. Jack's cloak shimmered as he moved deeper into the shadows, the mission echoing in his mind: Prevent interference with Sasuke's development.
The system had given him a crucial directive, and he knew why. Orochimaru's influence on Sasuke was a pivotal turning point in the Naruto story. It would eventually lead to Sasuke's defection, his pursuit of power, and ultimately, his alliance with Orochimaru. Jack needed to tread carefully. The system was guiding him to preserve the timeline, but the hunter in him was intrigued by how much he could manipulate events without disrupting the story too much.
As Jack moved closer to the heart of the forest, the system pinged again.
"Warning: Orochimaru's presence detected nearby. Multiple targets in range. Observation required."
Jack's optics zoomed in, picking up faint chakra signatures. They were close—Orochimaru and Team 7. The predator in him stirred at the thought of coming face-to-face with the snake Sannin, but he had to be cautious. Orochimaru wasn't just another target. He was a calculating, dangerous opponent, and any misstep could unravel everything Jack had worked for so far.
He perched silently on a branch high above the forest floor, his cloaking system active, making him nearly invisible. Below, the scene was tense—Team 7 was regrouping after their fight with the assassin, unaware of the looming danger. Naruto was still fuming, Sasuke brooding as usual, and Sakura was tending to their minor injuries.
But then the forest stirred. A wave of ominous chakra flooded the area, dark and suffocating. Orochimaru had arrived.
Orochimaru stepped into the clearing, his serpentine smile twisting across his face as he observed the young genin before him. His eyes focused on Sasuke, the object of his obsession. Jack watched closely, his sensors analyzing the rogue ninja's movements. Orochimaru moved with unnatural grace, his presence commanding, like a predator toying with its prey.
Team 7 immediately went on guard, sensing the overwhelming threat. Naruto, always the first to act, leaped forward with a wild shout, preparing to strike Orochimaru head-on. But Jack, from his vantage point, knew better. Naruto wasn't ready for this level of power. His system had already shown him how this fight would play out if left alone.
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. With a flick of his hand, he sent Naruto crashing into a tree with a single powerful blow. The force knocked the wind out of him, and he slumped to the ground, groaning in pain.
Sasuke, though hesitant, prepared his own counterattack, activating his Sharingan and moving with precise, calculated strikes. Orochimaru, however, was hardly impressed. He effortlessly dodged Sasuke's attempts, his movements fluid and teasing, as if mocking the boy's efforts.
Jack felt the tension rising. Orochimaru was testing Sasuke, and Jack knew exactly where this would lead—the cursed mark. Orochimaru would use this moment to plant his influence in Sasuke's mind, setting him on a darker path. The system's warning echoed in Jack's mind. He had to prevent interference, but how?
His optics zoomed in on Orochimaru's hand, already moving toward Sasuke's neck. Jack could see it, the moment that would change everything.
"Side mission unlocked: Intervene without disrupting key plot events. Reward: Shadow Cloak upgrade."
Jack's mind raced. Intervening directly would expose him, but doing nothing would allow Orochimaru to mark Sasuke with the cursed seal. The challenge was finding a way to strike without changing too much.
As Orochimaru's hand inched closer to Sasuke's neck, Jack's system analyzed the exact moment he needed to act. His Advanced Energon Harpoon hummed to life, its deadly accuracy locked onto Orochimaru's hand. Jack fired.
The harpoon shot through the trees, silent and swift. Orochimaru barely registered the attack as it pierced the ground right in front of him, forcing him to pull back slightly in surprise. The harpoon's tip glowed with energy, and in that split second, it created just enough of a distraction for Sasuke to regain his footing, backing away from Orochimaru's reach.
The snake Sannin's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping the trees. "Who's there?" His voice was sharp, calculating. He had sensed Jack's presence, but he couldn't pinpoint him. The cloak had done its job.
Jack didn't move. His system remained quiet, waiting. Orochimaru's probing eyes searched the treetops, but after a moment, he smirked. "Interesting. Someone else is hunting."
With that, Orochimaru turned his attention back to Sasuke, his smile returning. Though interrupted, he wasn't deterred. His hand shot forward again, faster than before. But this time, Jack stayed still. He had done what the system required—he had intervened just enough to prevent a complete disaster. Now, the story would play out as it was meant to.
Orochimaru's hand struck Sasuke, and the cursed mark flared to life on his neck. Sasuke screamed, clutching at the mark as Orochimaru's dark chakra flooded into him. Naruto and Sakura could only watch in horror as Sasuke collapsed, his body wracked with pain.
Jack remained hidden, watching as Orochimaru vanished into the shadows, satisfied with his handiwork. Team 7 was left shaken, with Sasuke unconscious and Naruto seething with frustration. Sakura, her usual fear overtaking her, knelt beside Sasuke, her eyes wide with worry.
The system pinged softly in Jack's mind.
"Side mission complete. Reward: Shadow Cloak upgrade unlocked."
Jack's cloak shimmered as the new upgrade activated, allowing him to blend even more seamlessly into the environment. He had managed to intervene without being detected, ensuring that the timeline remained intact. Sasuke had received the cursed mark, just as he was supposed to, but Jack had planted a seed of uncertainty in Orochimaru's mind. The snake Sannin now knew that someone else was watching, someone capable of interfering.
Jack watched as Naruto, filled with rage, vowed to protect Sasuke no matter what. But Jack knew that wasn't enough. The story had already begun to shift, and the predator in him was eager to see how far he could push things without breaking them.
As the night deepened, Jack retreated into the forest once more, his mind already planning the next move. Orochimaru was a dangerous foe, but Jack had disrupted his plans, if only slightly. The thrill of the hunt was still alive, and now, with the Shadow Cloak upgrade, Jack could strike from the darkness more effectively than ever.
The hunt was far from over. Orochimaru might have marked Sasuke, but Jack was not done with him yet. And soon, the snake would realize that he wasn't the only predator in the game.