The Forest of Death had quieted again, but Jack knew that silence was always deceptive. As the shadows enveloped him, his War Gauntlet still thrumming with newly gained power, his system gave him his next directive: Kabuto Yakushi.
Jack had been watching from the periphery for days now, weaving his plans carefully. Orochimaru's interest in Sasuke had been secured with the cursed mark, but the snake Sannin had other hidden cards up his sleeve—chief among them was Kabuto, his mole within Konoha. Kabuto's intelligence and cunning made him both a valuable ally to Orochimaru and a dangerous adversary for anyone who stood in his way. But Kabuto's loyalties were fluid. He was known to shift allegiances to suit his needs, playing both sides of the game.
The system's new mission was clear: determine if Kabuto was a potential ally or a threat. If Kabuto could be swayed—or at least manipulated—Jack could destabilize Orochimaru's plans even further. But if Kabuto's goals aligned too closely with his master's, then Jack would have to make a decisive move. The reward for this mission was intriguing too: a Plasma Blade upgrade. The promise of a close-combat enhancement suited Lockdown's style perfectly.
Jack's optics flickered as he shifted through the trees, his cloaking active, making him virtually invisible to even the most skilled shinobi. It didn't take long for him to track Kabuto. The silver-haired spy was already making his way through the forest, calm and methodical, keeping his guise as a humble medical-nin intact. Jack knew better. This was no ordinary medic; this was Orochimaru's most trusted agent, a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Kabuto moved silently through the trees, his eyes scanning the area with surgical precision. His thoughts were a complex web of strategy and deception, as they often were when it came to the Chūnin Exams. He had already met with Orochimaru earlier that day, confirming that the cursed mark had taken root in Sasuke's body. Everything was proceeding according to their plan.
But Kabuto had noticed something off. Orochimaru had mentioned a disturbance during his encounter with Sasuke—a presence hidden in the shadows, watching. The way Orochimaru had described it made Kabuto uneasy. For someone as powerful as Orochimaru to feel a hint of caution meant there was a new player in the game. And Kabuto hated unpredictability.
He paused, adjusting his glasses as his mind worked through potential scenarios. Perhaps it was an ANBU operative, though unlikely given Orochimaru's current hold over Konoha's operations. Or maybe it was a rogue ninja, an outlier looking to disrupt the exams. Whatever the case, Kabuto needed more information.
And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it—a shimmer in the air, barely perceptible. Kabuto's senses were sharp, and he immediately dropped into a defensive stance, his hand reaching for a kunai.
"You can come out now," Kabuto said, his voice calm but firm. "I know you're there."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the forest still as death. But then, slowly, Jack uncloaked himself, stepping from the shadows with deliberate intent. His towering, armored figure emerged, casting an imposing presence that made even Kabuto's confidence falter for a split second. Jack's optics glowed dimly in the fading light, analyzing the man before him.
Kabuto's eyes widened briefly, taking in the mechanical being standing before him. He quickly composed himself, however, a sly smile creeping across his face. "Interesting… you're not from this world, are you?"
Jack didn't respond immediately, letting the weight of his silence linger. Instead, he studied Kabuto, his optics calculating the best approach. The system pinged quietly in his mind.
"Objective update: Engage Kabuto in dialogue. Determine potential for alliance."
Jack took a step forward, his voice modulated and deep. "You're smarter than most. That much is clear."
Kabuto chuckled, lowering his kunai slightly, though he didn't let his guard down completely. "I try. But you're something else entirely. A being made of metal… you're no ordinary ninja."
"No," Jack replied, his optics narrowing. "I'm not. I have my own objectives, and I suspect we may have overlapping interests."
Kabuto tilted his head, intrigued. "Is that so? And what, exactly, are these 'interests' of yours?"
Jack's optics flickered, and he decided to bait the conversation carefully. "You're working for Orochimaru, but you're also a free agent. Someone like you values control, influence. You're playing both sides to ensure your own survival, aren't you?"
Kabuto's smirk deepened. "You've done your homework. But what does that have to do with you?"
Jack stepped closer, his form towering over the much smaller Kabuto, casting a shadow across him. "Orochimaru's plans will eventually collapse. You're smart enough to know that. My proposition is simple: you help me weaken his forces, and when the time comes, I'll give you the means to survive when Orochimaru's ambitions come crashing down."
Kabuto was silent for a moment, his mind racing through the possibilities. He knew Orochimaru better than anyone—knew his strengths and his many weaknesses. Aligning with a mysterious outsider could be a dangerous gamble, but if what Jack was offering could tip the scales in his favor, it was worth considering.
"And what would I get in return for this 'alliance'?" Kabuto asked, his tone still cautious but laced with curiosity.
Jack's optics glowed brighter. "Information. Tools. And when the time comes, a way out."
Kabuto's smile faltered for the briefest moment. He wasn't used to being on the receiving end of such direct proposals. This stranger—this machine—had clearly calculated his weaknesses. But more than that, he had predicted Kabuto's own contingency plans. It was unsettling, but at the same time, intriguing.
Still, Kabuto wasn't one to trust easily. "You speak with confidence, but I've yet to see any proof that you can back up these claims."
Jack's system pinged softly.
"Kabuto remains unconvinced. Demonstration of power required. Mission update: Engage Kabuto in controlled combat to showcase abilities."
Jack's optics dimmed briefly as he processed the update. A small demonstration of force might convince Kabuto to see reason. His War Gauntlet hummed softly as he stepped back, preparing himself.
"You want proof?" Jack said, his voice cold. "I'll give you proof."
Without warning, Jack lunged forward, his War Gauntlet flashing with energy as it connected with Kabuto's kunai in a violent clash of metal. The force of the impact sent Kabuto skidding back, his glasses nearly flying off his face from the sheer power behind the strike. He barely had time to react before Jack followed up with a second attack, his Plasma Harpoon slicing through the air.
Kabuto was fast, though, and narrowly dodged the harpoon, his body twisting with agility that came from years of practice. He countered with a flurry of chakra-infused strikes, aiming for Jack's joints, but the machine was too well-armored. Jack's speed surprised him—he moved with the precision of a predator, anticipating Kabuto's every move.
In a matter of moments, Kabuto found himself disarmed, his kunai knocked from his hand as Jack's War Gauntlet stopped inches from his throat. Kabuto froze, his breath caught in his chest, realizing that if Jack had wanted to, he could have killed him already.
Jack stepped back, lowering his gauntlet. "Consider that your proof."
Kabuto's eyes flickered with something between awe and caution. He adjusted his glasses, breathing heavily. "Impressive… very impressive."
Jack's optics dimmed again as the system pinged one final time.
"Mission complete. Kabuto's alliance potential determined: High. Reward: Plasma Blade upgrade unlocked."
The Plasma Blade integrated into Jack's gauntlet system instantly, its energy humming softly within his armor. He watched as Kabuto straightened himself, his mind clearly racing with new possibilities.
"I'll consider your offer," Kabuto said, his smirk returning. "But don't expect me to be so easily controlled."
Jack's optics glowed faintly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As Kabuto disappeared into the forest, Jack's mind processed the encounter. He had laid the groundwork for a potential alliance, but Kabuto was as dangerous as ever—a double-edged sword that could turn on him at any moment. But for now, Jack had secured another piece in his web of manipulation.
The game was moving forward, and Jack was tightening his grip on Orochimaru's network. The serpent and the spy were both on his radar now, and soon enough, Jack would pull the strings that decided their fates.