The Land of Wind.
The vast desert stretched endlessly, an unbroken expanse of monotonous yellow.
Fierce winds howled past from time to time, stirring up waves of yellow sand.
A figure emerged from the smoke and ruins.
"What a pathetic village. Not a single person worth using as material."
The figure murmured to himself, "Hopefully, the next one will be better."
His red hair fluttered in the wind, his handsome face utterly devoid of emotion.
Just then.
Space rippled invisibly, instantly kicking up a skyful of yellow sand.
The red-haired man raised a hand to shield his face and narrowed his eyes, looking a short distance away.
"Hmm?"
Two figures emerged from the yellow sand.
One, a somewhat slender figure, spoke flippantly.
"The ninja villages scattered throughout the Land of Wind were all destroyed in a single day. At least, that's what the rumors say."
Obito looked at the red-haired man before him and smiled faintly.
"I assume that was your handiwork, Sasori of the Red Sands?"
The man was indeed Sasori of the Red Sands.
He looked at Obito and asked.
"Who the hell are you?"
Obito smiled and said.
"We came here to invite you to join the 'Night' organization."
Sasori gave a soft snort and said.
"Night? Never heard of it."
Obito spoke with thoroughly melodramatic flair.
"We need your strength to help us achieve our goals. Come, lend us your power."
The corners of Sasori's mouth rose slightly in a disdainful smile.
"Heh. You're rather arrogant, aren't you?"
Obito stroked his mask and said.
"Night can give you a safe place to stay. As long as you complete your assigned missions... nobody will interfere with anything else you do."
A trace of a smile lingered on Sasori's lips.
"Oh, I see. That sounds pretty good. However..."