After finally seeing off the Evil God, Moriyue collapsed to the ground, gasping violently. Before he could recover, a familiar writhing sound came from all around him.
"Hisss~ Hisss~"
It sounded like some kind of snake flicking its tongue. Rough scales scraped against the ground with a rustling sound. Moriyue bit his lip, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth as he forced himself to stay alert. This was not a good sign.
"I didn't expect us to meet again so soon..."
A soft, hoarse, magnetic voice sounded behind Moriyue, followed by a cold, slimy sensation at his neck.
Moriyue turned around. That voice could only belong to Orochimaru. He had assumed the man would leave the Cloud Shinobi, but he had not expected Orochimaru to be so bold. Even after being exposed before him, he still had no intention of fleeing.
"You've got some nerve..." Moriyue struggled to get up, but Orochimaru's slick scales pressed down on him so hard he could barely breathe. Looking closely, he realized Orochimaru's current form was rather peculiar.
His neck had become thin and elongated, while his body remained more than ten meters away. Yet his head had already reached Moriyue's back. His entire neck seemed to have transformed into a snake's body, and from so close, Moriyue could see the skin writhing beneath it. It was deeply unsettling.
"After all, you didn't tell anyone about this, did you..." Orochimaru's golden pupils traveled up and down Moriyue's neck, as though considering where to take his first bite. His long, bright-red tongue slapped against Moriyue's skin, seeming ready to sink its fangs into him at any moment.
"Then, I'll begin my meal..."
Orochimaru's snake eyes flashed faintly. His jaws opened a full 180 degrees, revealing a terrifying slit-mouthed face. Four venomous fangs gleaming