"You really are a silver-tongued brat! Still, you're much smarter than that Nine-Tails brat behind Tsunade!"
As Orochimaru spoke, he shifted slightly, moving away from Tsunade.
He was puzzled. Lin Mu had appeared here, so what had happened to the Two-Headed Monster Snake sent after him...
How was that possible?
He knew exactly how powerful that snake was. Not only did it have astonishing defenses, but its brute strength was unrivaled.
How could Lin Mu, a mere Genin, possibly have defeated it?
Orochimaru scrutinized Lin Mu again.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and his tongue flicked out to lick his pale lips.
"This... such abundant life energy. Your Wood Style Body has awakened even further."
Lin Mu frowned. He could feel the undisguised greed in Orochimaru's gaze.
But he was shrewd enough to conceal his discomfort. He even managed to look relaxed.
Lin Mu smiled.
"I have you to thank for that, Lord Orochimaru. Killing your summoned snake did help draw out a little of my potential!"
His summoned snake had been killed?
Hearing Lin Mu say it himself, Orochimaru was genuinely astonished.
He had once unleashed that snake during the invasion of Konoha, and it had survived an encounter with Jiraiya. How could it have died at Lin Mu's hands?
Unbelievable as it was, he began to believe it. He knew Lin Mu had no reason to lie to him.
Shing-
Seeing that Orochimaru had moved out of range to attack Tsunade and Naruto Uzumaki, Lin Mu put away his blade.
He hurried over to Tsunade and helped her up.
"Lady Tsunade!"
He called to her several times, his voice urgent.
Lin Mu possessed a bloodline tied to her own and felt very close to her. Seeing Tsunade so badly wounded pained him.
"Lin Mu..."
Tsunade's voice was faint.