Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Hunt Begins
Jack's cloaked form blurred through the dense forest as he sped away from the Land of Rain, the relentless downpour soaking his metallic frame. He had narrowly escaped the Akatsuki's base, but Pain's words echoed ominously in his mind: "You can't hide forever."
The Akatsuki were dangerous, more so than Jack had anticipated. Pain's Rinnegan had nearly seen through his cloaking system, and Kisame's raw power was not to be underestimated. Jack knew they wouldn't forget this encounter, but he had what he needed—the information regarding their interest in the Jinchūriki and their strained relationship with Orochimaru.
The system chimed as he crossed the border into the Land of Fire.
"Mission complete: Intelligence on Akatsuki gathered. New mission: Report to Jiraiya and provide information on the Akatsuki. Reward: Skill Module upgrade."
Jack's optics narrowed. Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, had a vested interest in the Akatsuki's movements, particularly regarding Naruto, the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Jack would need to deliver the intelligence carefully, without revealing too much about himself. But Jiraiya would undoubtedly prove a useful ally in navigating the shifting tides of this world.
With that in mind, Jack set his course for Konoha.
Konoha was bustling as always when Jack arrived at the village gates, his cloaking system deactivated as he walked among the crowd. The sight of towering Hokage faces etched into the mountain above was a stark reminder of Konoha's enduring legacy and its central role in the grand schemes of both Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. But today, Jack had a different objective.
Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, had been traveling through the Land of Fire for months, keeping tabs on enemy movements and gathering intelligence on the Akatsuki. Jack's system pinpointed Jiraiya's last known location—a secluded inn near the edge of Konoha. Jack moved quickly, slipping into the shadows as he approached the inn.
When Jack entered the establishment, he immediately picked up Jiraiya's chakra signature. It was unmistakable—strong and familiar, yet oddly relaxed. Jiraiya was seated at the far end of the room, surrounded by empty sake bottles and a few giggling women, his usual air of playful mischief radiating outward.
Jack suppressed a sigh. Jiraiya's antics were legendary, but the man was no fool. Behind his carefree demeanor lay a brilliant mind, and Jack needed that brilliance for what came next.
Jiraiya's gaze flicked up when Jack approached. His carefree expression faltered for a moment as he assessed the stranger before him. Jack didn't sit, but instead activated a subtle privacy seal around them, blocking out the noise of the inn and ensuring their conversation remained unheard.
"Jiraiya," Jack greeted in a low voice. "I have information regarding the Akatsuki."
The Toad Sage raised an eyebrow, glancing around to make sure no one else was paying attention. The shift in his posture was almost imperceptible, but Jack noticed it—the sudden sharpening of his eyes, the quiet readiness in his movements.
"Akatsuki, huh?" Jiraiya said, his voice dropping to match Jack's. "You've got my attention, stranger. But first… who are you?"
Jack considered his response carefully. "I'm… a traveler. My goals align with stopping the Akatsuki. That's all you need to know for now."
Jiraiya leaned back, crossing his arms. "Mysterious, huh? Fine. What do you have on them?"
Jack wasted no time, relaying the information he had gathered from the Akatsuki's base. He detailed their interest in the Jinchūriki, their plans to capture them, and Orochimaru's fragile alliance with the organization. Jiraiya listened intently, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by the seriousness of a warrior who had fought in many battles.
When Jack finished, Jiraiya let out a low whistle. "So they're after the Jinchūriki, and Orochimaru's still playing his games, huh? This confirms some of my suspicions, but the fact that they're moving this quickly… it's troubling."
"They're going to strike soon," Jack added. "Pain himself was discussing the Jinchūriki. He's making them a priority."
Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "If Pain is involved, that means the situation is more dangerous than I thought. He's not the type to act unless it's critical."
The Toad Sage's gaze shifted, locking onto Jack with surprising intensity. "And you, stranger, how do I know I can trust you? You've got some impressive intel, but there's no such thing as free information in our world."
Jack's optics dimmed slightly, his mechanical nature hidden beneath a more human exterior for now. "We have a common enemy. That should be enough. But if you're worried about trust, just know that I'm more invested in stopping them than you realize."
Jiraiya seemed to mull that over for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, I'll take your word for now. But don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you."
Jack didn't flinch. He had expected as much. "That's fine. I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to stop the Akatsuki."
Jiraiya grinned, his playful side returning. "Good to hear. We could use more people like you. With this kind of information, I can start making preparations to protect Naruto and the other Jinchūriki. The Akatsuki won't make their move easily."
But before the conversation could continue, Jack's system chimed in his mind.
"New Mission: Akatsuki scouts detected in Konoha territory. Objective: Intercept and eliminate before they gather intelligence. Reward: Magnetic Grenades unlocked."
Jack's optics flickered. Akatsuki scouts? The timing was too convenient. They must have sent agents to investigate after he had infiltrated their base. If these scouts gathered information on Konoha, the village would be vulnerable to an Akatsuki attack.
"I need to leave," Jack said abruptly, his sensors already locking onto the location of the scouts. "Akatsuki scouts are nearby. I'll take care of it."
Jiraiya frowned. "Scouts? You sure?"
Jack nodded. "They're here. If they report back, Konoha will be in danger."
Without waiting for Jiraiya's response, Jack turned and left the inn, moving swiftly toward the edge of the village. His system tracked the scouts' movements—two figures moving through the forest near Konoha's perimeter, their chakra signatures distinct and familiar. They were Akatsuki members, but lower-ranked, likely sent to gather intel after his escape from Pain and Kisame.
As Jack approached the forest, his cloaking system activated, blending him into the shadows. His enhanced targeting system whirred softly, locking onto the two scouts as they moved through the trees, unaware of his presence.
With surgical precision, Jack leaped from the shadows, his Plasma Blade igniting as he slashed through the first scout. The figure barely had time to react before crumpling to the ground, his chakra dispersing into the air.
The second scout, shocked by the sudden attack, attempted to flee, but Jack was faster. He sprinted through the trees, his targeting system tracking the scout's every move. Within seconds, he was upon the scout, driving his Plasma Blade through the man's back, ending the threat in one swift motion.
As the second scout fell, Jack deactivated his blade and scanned the area. There were no more chakra signatures in the vicinity. The mission was complete.
"Mission complete. Reward: Magnetic Grenades unlocked."
Jack's system processed the new reward, integrating the Magnetic Grenades into his arsenal. They would prove useful for larger-scale combat, especially against groups of enemies like the Akatsuki.
But as Jack looked out over the forest, he knew this was only the beginning. The Akatsuki would continue to make moves, and the threat they posed would only grow. His encounter with Pain had marked him as a target, and now, Konoha was in their sights as well.
The hunt had begun.
And Jack intended to win.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone