Th-this voice is...
The words that suddenly rang out were like a bucket of cold water over his head. The Sound Village ninja's body stiffened slightly, and he instinctively turned around to look toward the source of the voice.
His face, however, wore an indescribable expression.
There was disbelief, fear, and something inconceivable in it, as if this voice should never have sounded here.
Or rather, as if those words could not possibly have been spoken.
Let alone from so close behind him.
"Dosu, you should understand Orochimaru's intentions very well."
Just as he turned around and his gaze fell upon the patch of shadow behind him, that voice spoke again.
"M-my lord... You, why are you...?"
Upon hearing that, the Sound Village ninja did not directly answer the voice's question. Instead, as if he had confirmed something, a look of astonishment appeared on his face. His voice was filled with uncontrollable horror, but perhaps because he was too shocked, he trailed off halfway through his words.
My lord... actually appeared before me without summoning me...
And... and it was to warn me...
Really...
At that moment, the Sound Village ninja—no, Dosu of the Sound Three—could not suppress an indescribable thought besides his shock.
However, his question, the question he had failed to finish, received no response. The shadows ahead were completely silent, as though no one remained within them.
As if the person who had warned him had already left.
"I'm sorry! I spoke out of turn!"
Noticing the silence, Dosu's expression suddenly changed. He immediately bent at the waist in a ninety-degree bow and apologized.
Clearly, Dosu held the person in the shadows in extraordinary respect.
At the same time, he realized that although this lord had come to warn him, he still hated being questioned, just as