Shadows of Snakes and the Might of the Flying Thunder God

Orochimaru's surveillance was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over Ling's head, leaving him unable to afford the slightest relaxation. He knew well that a confrontation with one of the legendary Sannin was no child's play; the danger involved far exceeded his dealings with Danzo.

He immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the Tanzaku Town base and summoned the core members of "Dawn Wind."

"The situation has changed," Ling said, getting straight to the point with a grave expression. "Orochimaru, that S-rank missing-nin from Konoha, may have set his sights on us, especially Kimimaro's kekkei genkai."

"Orochimaru?!" Zabuza's pupils constricted, and for the first time, a look of wariness appeared on his face. He had heard of this man's terror back in the Mist Village; he was truly one of the powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world. While Haku and Kimimaro did not fully grasp the weight of the name, they could sense the pressure from the attitudes of Ling and Zabuza.

"We need to lie low for a while," Ling ordered decisively. "All external missions are suspended. Zabuza, you are responsible for upgrading the perimeter security of the base. Set up multiple traps, focusing on preventing Earth Release infiltration and poison gas attacks. Haku, your Ice Release has advantages in defense and air purification; coordinate with Zabuza. Kimimaro, you remain in the core area as the final line of defense. Do not act without my orders."

"Understood!" the three replied in unison, the atmosphere instantly turning grim.

After arranging the base's defenses, Ling returned to Konoha. He understood that Orochimaru's primary target was likely still Konoha and Sasuke, and that he and "Dawn Wind" were merely "dessert" that had piqued the Sannin's interest. Even so, he had to be fully prepared.

He strengthened his "accidental" contact with the Anbu around the small courtyard, using subtle chakra fluctuations and lingering auras to deliberately create the illusion that "a powerhouse is guarding this place," attempting to confuse the judgment of any Orochimaru scouts who might infiltrate.

However, what was meant to come would come eventually.

A few days later, in the dead of night, the moon was dark and the wind high.

Ling was meditating in his room, holding the sleeping Naruto. Suddenly, a faint agitation came from the Nine-Tails' chakra within him, and his Sage Body provided an instinctive warning—an extremely concealed, cold, and evil chakra was quietly infiltrating the courtyard's barrier!

It wasn't Anbu, nor was it Root! This sensation, like a cold snake sliding across his skin, could only be Orochimaru!

Ling was instantly alert, but he did not move immediately. Instead, he adjusted his breathing and heartbeat to a state of deep sleep, silently activating his Sharingan in the darkness and pushing his perception to the limit.

He was here!

A sound so faint it was almost imperceptible broke the air. Several tiny, invisible-to-the-naked-eye venomous snakes slithered through the window gap like shadows, moving silently toward the bed. Their target was not Ling, but the Naruto in his arms! Clearly, Orochimaru intended to probe him this way, or perhaps simply abduct the Nine-Tails jinchuriki!

Just as the snakes were about to touch Naruto—

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

Ling's figure, along with Naruto in his arms, vanished instantly! The next moment, he appeared on the roof of the courtyard!

Almost at the same time he appeared, the ground where he had been standing shattered violently, and a massive arm made of countless venomous snakes surged into the sky, grasping at nothing!

"Tsk tsk, truly vigilant... The Flying Thunder God Technique, it really lives up to its reputation." A hoarse, magnetic voice drifted from the shadows in the corner of the yard. Orochimaru stepped out slowly, his golden snake-like pupils flickering with excitement and curiosity in the night. He looked at Ling on the roof with great interest. "Not just you, I might as well take the Nine-Tails brat in your arms to study as well."

Ling carefully secured the sleeping Naruto to his back with chakra, his eyes cold as he stared down at Orochimaru. He knew that any words at this moment were superfluous; only strength could force his opponent to retreat.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Orochimaru flicked his sleeve, and dozens of venomous snakes shot toward the roof like sharp arrows!

Ling did not dodge, instead forming hand seals:

"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"

A highly compressed, rotating ball of wind-attribute chakra erupted from his mouth, colliding violently with the incoming swarm of snakes!

"Boom!"

The wind sphere exploded, and the sharp wind blades instantly shredded the dozens of snakes into a mist of blood! However, more snakes surged forth from Orochimaru's sleeves and even his mouth, as if they were endless!

"It's useless, brat..." Orochimaru licked his lips, his smile eerie.

Ling knew he couldn't afford a protracted battle; he had to finish this quickly, or the commotion would inevitably draw Konoha's official forces, making the situation far more complex. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he decided to use his trump card!

He formed a special seal with one hand, triggering the Eight Trigrams Seal on his abdomen!

"Hum—"

A tyrannical, evil, and destructive crimson chakra instantly overflowed from his body, forming a flickering, incomplete Tailed Beast Cloak! Although he had only drawn upon a tiny fraction, the terrifying pressure belonging to the Nine-Tails still caused the air in the entire courtyard to freeze!

Orochimaru's golden pupils contracted sharply, and for the first time, a look of shock appeared on his face: "This is... the Nine-Tails' chakra?! You can actually control it?!"

In the split second that Orochimaru was shaken by the Nine-Tails' chakra—

"Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!"

Ling's figure vanished again! But this time, it was not a simple displacement! He left a Flying Thunder God mark in place, while his main body appeared like a ghost at Orochimaru's side! His fist, wreathed in Nine-Tails chakra, smashed toward Orochimaru's chest with a screech that tore through the air!

Orochimaru was, after all, a battle-hardened Kage-level powerhouse. Though shocked, he remained calm, twisting his body at an angle that defied human anatomy in an attempt to avoid the fatal blow.

"Puchi!"

Although he avoided the vitals, Ling's fist still grazed his shoulder. The Nine-Tails chakra contained within it acted like a maggot on a bone, instantly eroding inward with intense corrosive and destructive power!

"Ugh!" Orochimaru let out a muffled groan, his left shoulder instantly turning charred and even emitting wisps of smoke! A flash of horror crossed his eyes; this wasn't just a physical attack, it carried the unique spiritual corruption of a Tailed Beast!

Without hesitation, he used the Body Replacement Technique, leaving behind a corroded wooden doll while his true body appeared on the distant courtyard wall.

"Hehe... Hahahahaha!" Orochimaru looked at his injured shoulder, laughing instead of getting angry. His laughter was filled with the ecstasy of discovering a priceless treasure. "Wonderful! A perfect vessel! Not only do you possess the potential of the Sharingan, but you can also control the power of the Nine-Tails! Uchiha Ling, you are even more valuable than Sasuke!"

But he also knew that tonight's probe had to end here. The fluctuations of the Nine-Tails' chakra must have already alerted Konoha; continuing to entangle himself would be disadvantageous.

"We will meet again, my dear... candidate for a vessel." Orochimaru took one last deep look at Ling, his body sinking into the shadows beneath his feet like melting wax, disappearing from sight.

Ling dispersed the Nine-Tails chakra from his body, his face turning slightly pale. Forcibly drawing upon and controlling this power was a significant burden. He quickly sensed his surroundings, confirming that Orochimaru had moved far away and that Konoha's Anbu were rapidly approaching.

He held Naruto and used the Flying Thunder God to return to his room, as if he had never left.

Soon, several Anbu appeared in the courtyard, inspecting the traces of the battle. Especially when they sensed the lingering, heart-stopping Nine-Tails chakra and the evil snake-like aura, their expressions became incredibly grave.

That night, many of Konoha's high-ranking officials were destined to lose sleep.

And Ling knew that his feud with Orochimaru had been thoroughly cemented. This venomous snake would never give up easily.