Chapter 17: The Sound Four's Echoes and Adam's Strategic Annoyance
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: ENGAGING LEGACY ENEMIES. PREPARING FOR TACTICAL MISCHIEF AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE.]
Our pursuit of Sasuke led us deeper into Orochimaru's network of hidden labs and testing sites. The air grew heavier, colder, filled with the faint, unsettling scent of chakra experimentation. It was like Orochimaru had a whole chain of creepy science-themed Starbucks. And today, we were hitting a particularly unsavory branch. It was time for a fight. And for me, that meant it was time to level up my passive-aggressive attacks on Sasuke.
"You know, I used to think the scariest thing was a spider. Now, it's a reanimated ninja made of multiple human bodies. Really puts things in perspective. But even with all the creepy body horror, my main focus remains: annoy Sasuke. It's a calling, really. A very loud, very persistent calling. And maybe, just maybe, I'll pick up some cool new jutsu in the process. A boy can dream."
The hideout was an underground complex, dark and claustrophobic. We moved carefully, Yamato's Wood Style creating temporary pathways and light sources. That's when we found them: not the original Sound Four, but grotesque, powerful clones created by Orochimaru. They were incomplete, unstable, but still dangerous. Each was a twisted echo of the original, infused with raw, unbridled chakra. It was like fighting the B-side of a forgotten villain album.
[ADAM IZUKU: ENGAGING CLONE THREATS. INITIATING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE PROTOCOL FOR SASUKE.]
"Ambush!" Yamato yelled, creating a wooden shield just as a massive, clawed arm burst through the wall.
The fight was brutal. These clones were mindless, relentless. Naruto was fighting with a ferocity born of frustration. Sakura was displaying impressive strength. Sai was his usual calm, efficient self, his ink beasts tearing through the clones. And me? I was in my element: chaos.
I used my Body Modification to stretch and contort, dodging attacks with unsettling fluidity. I looked less like a human and more like a very angry, very stretchy rubber band. One of the clones, a giant, hulking brute, tried to smash me with its fist. I stretched my torso to an impossible thinness, letting its fist pass by my side, then snapped back, causing it to stumble.
"Missed me!" I chirped, grinning. "You really need to improve your aim, big guy! And maybe invest in some better posture! All that slouching is terrible for your chakra flow!"
[SASUKE UCHIHA HATE METER: 15% (FAINTLY ANNOYED BY PROXIMITY TO ADAM'S PRESENCE)]
As the fight raged, I sensed Sasuke's chakra. He was nearby, observing, probably waiting for the opportune moment to swoop in and be dramatically aloof. This was my chance. I focused, channeling chakra into a focused stream of mental energy. It wasn't telepathy, not exactly, but it was enough to transmit a single, cutting thought, laced with my own unique brand of sarcasm, directly to his chakra signature.
"Oh, Sasuke. Still lurking in the shadows, I see. What, did you forget your grand entrance music? Or are you just waiting for us to do all the heavy lifting? Very chivalrous. Very Uchiha. It's almost pathetic, really. And those clothes? Seriously, still all black? Do you own a single color other than 'angst'?"
Sasuke, wherever he was, flinched. I felt a spike in his chakra, a sudden surge of irritation. It was faint, but it was there. My direct psychological attack was working.
Meanwhile, I needed to be useful. My Puppet Master Jutsu, while not strong enough to control the clones directly, was perfect for disrupting their movements. As one of the clones lunged at Naruto, I sent an invisible chakra string into its foot, causing it to trip, giving Naruto an opening.
"Watch out, Naruto!" I yelled. "They're surprisingly clumsy when you pull their metaphorical shoelaces!"
Naruto, taking the opening, slammed a Rasengan into the clone, obliterating it. "Thanks, Adam! What was that?!"
"Just my special brand of 'tripping-hazard-jutsu!'" I replied. "Very effective against big, dumb brutes!"
As another clone charged, I tried to activate my newly developing Wood Style. The effort was immense, and all I managed was to cause a few roots to sprout from the ground around the clone's feet, tangling it momentarily. Not a tree, not a house, but a trip hazard. Again.
[YAMATO LIKE METER: 60% (IMPRESSED BY ADAM'S RESOURCEFULNESS)]
Yamato, who had been fighting valiantly, briefly glanced at my struggling attempt. A flicker of something, amusement or grudging respect, crossed his face. "Unconventional, Adam. But effective."
The battle was winding down. The clones, unstable by nature, began to crumble under our combined assault. I felt another spike from Sasuke. He was reacting. My little mental jabs were getting under his skin. Good.
"The seeds of spite are being planted, Sasuke. And they're growing into a beautiful, thorny bush of irritation. You think you're above all this, don't you? Too cool for school? Well, I'm here to tell you, your emotional constipation is showing, and it's not a good look. Now, where's that dramatic entrance of yours? I'm getting bored."
Just as the last clone dissolved into a puddle of viscous goo, the air shifted dramatically. A powerful, familiar chakra surged through the complex. Sasuke was here. And judging by the intensity of his presence, he was not amused. My psychic nudges had worked. The stage was set for the main event. And I, Adam Izuku, was ready to deliver the final, infuriating blow to his carefully constructed apathy.