Seeking Xuming's Help

At the Same Time

In a public training ground in Konoha...

Crackle! Crackle!

A dazzling electric current flickered across Orochimaru's right hand, emitting a sharp, piercing sound. From a distance, his arm appeared as though it was wrapped in chains of lightning, stretching from his wrist to his elbow.

"Phew..."

The next moment, he abruptly cut off the chakra flow and let out a slow breath. A flicker of pain crossed his face.

"My Lightning Style Nature Transformation is sufficient, and I can concentrate it in my palm, but my control over it is lacking."

"The shape manipulation of this technique is incredibly difficult."

"Rasengan requires persistence, but this technique demands an instantaneous, forceful suppression."

Orochimaru frowned in frustration. If the power of the Lightning Style wasn't properly controlled, the technique could end up harming the user instead.

"Looks like I'll have to seek Xu Ming's advice again," he sighed, leaving the training ground and heading toward the Sarutobi clan's residence.

He knew that Xu Ming would likely be at their teacher's house.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's Residence

Xu Ming was enjoying a lavish lunch when a familiar figure suddenly approached.

"Orochimaru?"

He looked up in surprise.

"Xu Ming, I've hit a roadblock," Orochimaru admitted with a wry smile as he sat down, casually picking up a bowl and helping himself to food without hesitation.

After a few bites, he seemed to remember something and pulled out a notebook, handing it to Xu Ming.

"This contains Uncle Kagami's insights on Lightning Style. He said you can read it if you're interested," Orochimaru explained. "Once I finish eating, we can discuss the problem I encountered."

"Alright."

Xu Ming accepted the notebook and began flipping through it while continuing his meal. He was curious.

But as he read on, his expression gradually shifted.

He sped up, scanning the entire notebook in just a few minutes. By the time he finished, his eyes twitched slightly.

The content was just as he had expected—highly idealistic.

"Imagine the essence of lightning—fast, wild, and sharp. When refining chakra, try to align it with that image."

That was the core principle of the notes.

To Xu Ming, the explanation felt frustratingly vague.

"So chakra training really does rely entirely on imagination?"

He had underestimated just how abstract the process was.

Sighing, Xu Ming closed the notebook and handed it back to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, watching him closely, nodded to himself in satisfaction.

'My suspicion was right. Rasengan already proved Xu Ming's expertise in shape transformation. There's no way he doesn't understand Nature Transformation!'

'And he also mentioned that Rasengan's next step would involve integrating Nature Transformation…'

'That means Xu Ming's true knowledge is far beyond what he lets on. Uncle Kagami's notes are no longer useful to him.'

A flicker of excitement passed through Orochimaru's eyes. He was pleased that he had seen through Xu Ming's façade.

One day, he would unravel all of Xu Ming's secrets.

He was dying to know what the real Xu Ming looked like.

"What are you staring at me for?"

Xu Ming was puzzled to find Orochimaru watching him so intently.

"Nothing, I was just lost in thought," Orochimaru said, shaking his head before putting away the notes.

The two continued eating in silence.

During the meal, Xu Ming noticed something—Orochimaru's right hand trembled slightly whenever he tried to pick up food.

Clearly, this was a side effect of his Lightning Style training.

Chidori was an A-rank jutsu, and one of the biggest difficulties in mastering it lay in managing its side effects.

If one wasn't careful, the Lightning Style chakra could damage their nerves, potentially rendering an arm useless.

After some thought, Xu Ming decided to give a word of caution.

"Lightning Style training can be dangerous. Orochimaru, you should be careful. If you experience any problems, seek treatment from the Senju clan immediately."

In this era, there weren't many dedicated medical ninjas.

Most of the top healers were either from the Senju clan or the Uzumaki clan.

So it made sense to direct Orochimaru toward the Senju.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Orochimaru nodded, finishing the last bite of his meal before looking at Xu Ming again.

"Xu Ming, my Lightning Style proficiency is sufficient, but I'm struggling to restrain the chakra and release it in a controlled manner."

Xu Ming rested his chin on his hand. "Show me."

Without hesitation, Orochimaru extended his right hand.

Crackle!

A brilliant surge of electricity erupted, snaking up his arm like a chain.

But these chains were chaotic, like violent serpents writhing uncontrollably, lashing out in all directions.

"This is what happens."

Orochimaru dispelled the chakra with a grimace, his arm going numb.

For several minutes, he couldn't even move his hand.

"Why aren't you using hand seals?" Xu Ming asked, immediately recognizing the issue. "Hand seals are an essential aid. You can simplify them later once you're proficient, but in the beginning, you need something to stabilize the technique."

Boom!

Xu Ming's words hit Orochimaru like a lightning strike.

He froze.

"Of course... hand seals!"

His eyes flickered with realization, a complex mix of emotions flashing across his face.

He had been blinded by his own arrogance.

The success of the Rasengan technique had made him overconfident.

Subconsciously, he had been trying to develop this Lightning Style jutsu without using hand seals, as if that was a requirement.

But in reality, that limitation had never existed.

'Orochimaru, you fool.'

'Rasengan is an extraordinary seal-less jutsu, but does that have anything to do with you?'

'From concept to execution, everything was provided by Xu Ming. You were merely the craftsman assembling the pieces according to his blueprint!'

Orochimaru clenched his fists, silently berating himself.

His previous satisfaction with "developing" Rasengan vanished entirely.

"I understand now, Xu Ming."

Taking a deep breath, Orochimaru looked at him with newfound respect.

"Oh… that's good, I guess?" Xu Ming replied, confused.

Why was he acting so dramatic? It was just a simple reminder about using hand seals.

"No time to waste! I need to put this into practice immediately!" Orochimaru declared, standing up abruptly and rushing out like a whirlwind.

He had arrived in a hurry, and now he left just as quickly.

Xu Ming blinked, completely bewildered.

"This… is probably the way geniuses think?"

Scratching his head, he stood up as well.

But instead of heading to the training ground, he made his way to the kitchen.

It was time for dessert.