Fine rain fell steadily from the sky.
Chidong's head turned back stiffly, inch by inch. Sosuke stood behind him, smiling, a strange amusement in his eyes.
"Y-you... what are you trying to do!? We're enemies. I don't see any reason you'd have to save me!"
Chidong stared intently at Sosuke and spoke in a low, gruff voice.
At his words, Sosuke glanced at him and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I didn't save you so I could force you to do something against your will."
A glint flashed in Sosuke's eyes. He chuckled softly. "After all... you're a shinobi who loudly declared that he wanted to become a hero."
Chidong's tense expression relaxed a little.
He didn't think Sosuke was mocking him. Instead, he sounded almost proud. "You're one of Konoha's Sannin, aren't you? People like you must be heroes to Konoha..."
His rugged expression dimmed, and he lowered his voice. "Heroes... they're remarkable people to a village. I've always hoped I could be one."
"Unfortunately... that's never going to happen in this life..."
A bitter smile touched his lips. He looked at Sosuke and said gruffly, "Even though we're enemies, I have to admit you're truly impressive."
Sosuke smiled and replied softly, "This may interrupt you, but I'm not one of the Konoha Sannin."
Chidong's eyes widened. "You're not!? Aren't the three of you the Konoha Sannin? Have Konoha's shinobi all become this terrifying!?"
Sosuke smiled faintly and explained, "My two companions were. I wasn't."
"You can call me Sosuke, but I'd prefer it if you called me Aizen."
Chidong looked puzzled.
Sosuke? Aizen?
Suddenly, a spark of recognition flashed through his mind!
He remembered a conversation with Captain Chiyo in the tent.
"Chiyo!? That 'Child of Konoha' is called Sosuke!?"
"I'll remember that name. If I ever run into