That voice was deep and powerful, full of overwhelming force. The surrounding leaves rustled violently from its sheer intensity.
"Buzz… buzz…"
Lin Feng felt his head ringing, blood surging throughout his body. His breath caught in his chest, making him feel suffocated and dizzy—he nearly passed out.
His expression changed drastically. He never imagined that someone could possess such terrifying power just through their voice alone.
But what truly shocked him was the name he heard—Orochimaru.
Could it be…?
A thought flashed through Lin Feng's mind, and a wild guess began to form.
"Hmph! Jiraiya, do you really think a perpetual loser like you can stop me and take me back? Don't overestimate yourself!"
Sure enough, a cold, raspy voice followed, confirming Lin Feng's suspicion.
Thanks to his deep familiarity with Naruto, Lin Feng quickly pieced it together. This must be the moment when Orochimaru was exposed for experimenting with forbidden jutsu and fled the Hidden Leaf Village, with Jiraiya in hot pursuit, unwilling to let him go.
Clang!Clang!Clang!
From deep within the forest, two agile figures darted around like shadows, clashing repeatedly. Kunai collided mid-air, sparks flying in a deadly dance.
"It's real! I've really come to the Naruto world!" Lin Feng muttered to himself, eyes fixed on the intense battle.
If he still had doubts about the beautiful girl's words earlier, now he believed it completely. He had truly arrived in the world of Naruto.
Otherwise, how could he possibly witness such incredible, life-or-death combat?
"It's actually this point in time… I'm so lucky! The famous Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze—the 'Yellow Flash' feared across nations—is still alive and leading Konoha!"
Lin Feng was overwhelmed with excitement.
Among the many legendary characters in Naruto, the Fourth Hokage had always been one of the most inspiring to him. He admired him deeply.
"So these two are the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru and Jiraiya?"
Now fully aware of his situation, Lin Feng pushed aside all fantasies and focused intently on observing the two clashing ninja.
Orochimaru had a tall, slender figure with long black hair cascading down his back. His seductive, almost feminine form could make any woman envious. His striking features, paired with those eerie golden eyes, gave off an aura of dark charm.
In contrast, Jiraiya seemed quite ordinary. Average looks, average build. But he radiated a unique masculine energy—the aura of a true warrior.
Lin Feng silently watched, analyzing the two in his mind.
Clang!
Suddenly, Jiraiya and Orochimaru's kunai clashed again, sparking wildly. Using the force of the collision, both leaped back several paces.
"Orochimaru, don't be so stubborn! Come back to the village with me!" Jiraiya shouted, panting heavily. His white hair fluttered in the wind, exuding the presence of a true powerhouse.
"Return to the village? Heh." A flicker of hesitation appeared in Orochimaru's eyes, but it vanished quickly. "There's no going back for me, Jiraiya. Don't waste your time. Just go."
"Orochimaru, stop going down this path! If you refuse to return, I'll break your arms and legs myself if I have to!"
"Do you really think you can?" Orochimaru smirked mockingly. "You couldn't even beat Tsunade."
"Don't push me!" Jiraiya trembled with anger, hands forming seals for a jutsu.
"That hand sign… could it be…" Orochimaru's expression darkened briefly as if recalling something—but then he quickly recovered. "Even so, what difference does it make? You're still no match for me."
"We won't know until we try," Jiraiya's eyes glinted with excitement. A powerful aura burst from his body—he was ready for a showdown.
"I don't have time to waste with you." Orochimaru's voice turned cold. "Farewell." Two kunai appeared in his hands.
"Don't you dare look down on me!" Jiraiya roared in fury.
He might have always been second to Orochimaru, never the genius—but he wasn't someone who could be defeated with just a couple of kunai. Besides, he had a hidden trump card. If this became a true fight to the death, who would win was anyone's guess.
And now, being treated with such disdain—how could he possibly accept that?
Orochimaru smiled darkly, then suddenly hurled the two kunai—not at Jiraiya, but into a seemingly empty patch of grass in the distance!
"Damn it to hell!" Lin Feng cursed furiously from his hiding spot in the grass. At the same time, an icy chill surged through him, like plunging into a frozen lake. The stench of death closed in around him.
Orochimaru had discovered him long ago—but chose not to act until now. Wanting to distract Jiraiya and escape, he made his move without hesitation.
Knowing Jiraiya's kind nature, Orochimaru was certain he wouldn't let an innocent boy die. So he didn't go for a fatal strike—just the shoulders.
Thwack!Thwack!
The kunai pierced Lin Feng's shoulders with horrifying precision.
"Damn you, Orochimaru, you piece of—!" Lin Feng screamed, pain radiating from his shoulders through his entire body. His face turned pale as he trembled violently.
Then came the numb, itchy sensation from his wounds.
"They're poisoned…" Lin Feng's heart sank.
"Orochimaru really is just as ruthless and underhanded as in the manga. Let's just hope Jiraiya is as kindhearted as he was in the story… and that Tsunade hasn't left the village yet. Otherwise, I'm dead for sure."
He collapsed weakly to the ground, trying to endure the searing pain while praying for survival.
"Orochimaru! You're heartless! How could you attack a child?!" Jiraiya rushed to Lin Feng's side, crouched down, and checked his wounds—his face darkened in fury.
"Heartless? Heh." Orochimaru's voice was icy. His long, red tongue slithered out and licked his lips, sending chills down the spine. "We are ninja—tools for killing. That's all we are. Nothing more."
"You…" Jiraiya was momentarily speechless. His heart stirred at those words.
"He's been poisoned. He'll be dead within the hour." Orochimaru's tone was devoid of emotion. "You can either fight me… or save him. Choose."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the dense forest, his mocking laughter echoing behind him.
Jiraiya sighed helplessly and shook his head. Though confident in his secret technique, he knew Orochimaru was strong—defeating him would not be easy.
But there was no way he'd let a child die before his eyes, no matter who he was or where he came from.
"Kid, lucky for you it's me you ran into," Jiraiya said as he lifted Lin Feng's frail body from the grass.
"Red hair… could he be from the Uzumaki clan?" During the earlier chaos, Jiraiya hadn't gotten a good look. But now, with Orochimaru gone, he noticed the boy's bright red hair—short, yet bursting with vitality.
"Could Kushina have had other surviving relatives?" Jiraiya wondered silently.
Without further delay, he hoisted Lin Feng securely and sprinted back toward the Hidden Leaf Village.