"Perhaps you should ask that white wolf!"
Orochimaru smiled faintly, raised his head to look at the sky, and answered.
Three
Days
Earlier
In the desert, a white-haired youth with a Konoha symbol on his forehead crouched in a sandy ravine, polishing his weapon. Beside him, a Konoha ninja handed him a flask of liquor. Seeing the youth take it in confusion, he smiled and said, "Have a drink! This isn't an assassination or a mission, kid—you're in a war now! The only thing you can do is bare your fangs. Remember, you must never show mercy to anyone!"
The white-haired youth nodded silently. He truly was somewhat nervous. For such an important surprise attack mission, he was the only newcomer in the entire regiment. The other hundred-plus ninjas were battle-hardened elite Shinobi. The youth opened the flask and took a sip. The fiery sensation rushed to his head, and he frowned slightly.
"Haha! That's the taste! The taste of courage is bitter!"
Seeing the white-haired youth's expression, the Konoha ninja burst into laughter. With yellow cloth wrapped around his head, he turned and left. The youth stared blankly at the flask for a long while before opening it again and downing all the remaining liquor in one gulp.
"I'm practicing!"
"Get ready!"
The white-haired youth tossed the flask aside. Hearing the Konoha ninja's command, he sheathed his blade and assumed a stance to launch an attack. Through the yellow sandstorm, a group of Sand Ninja slowly approached, completely unaware of the terrifying foe they were about to face.
"Nami, once we return from this mission, what kind of gift should we bring our child?"
"I don't know. But I think Sasori will be happy no matter what we bring him!"
"That's true!"
The two Sand Ninja carrying enormous packs