Less than half a month remained before the New Year.
Thanks to the food supplied by Konoha, the shinobi of Sunagakure would finally enjoy a prosperous festival.
After two consecutive years of drought and famine, the people of the Sand would normally be content with even a meager meal. After all, if food is scarce, who still has the heart to celebrate?
But this year was different. As the holiday approached, every family prepared eagerly. Many even traveled to the Land of Fire to buy fine wines, determined to welcome the New Year with joy.
"Master Aizen!"
"Master Aizen, you've worked so hard."
"Master Aizen, will you come to my house for a drink this New Year? My daughter has always wanted to meet you."
"Hah! Is your daughter two hundred pounds? Aizen-sama, come to my house instead! I don't have a daughter, but my niece—"
"You rotten grocer, trying to compete with me!?"
"Meat seller, is that supposed to be impressive? Just look at your daughter eating like a beast!"
As Aizen walked through the streets, villagers preparing with lanterns and banners for the festival called out to him warmly. Two families even started quarreling over inviting him first.
Aizen only smiled calmly and raised a hand to stop them. His voice, as gentle as always, reassured them:
"Thank you for your kindness. But under the Kazekage's orders, I may be sent away on a mission. Please enjoy the New Year peacefully with your families."
"Aizen-sama is too polite."
"Even during the holidays, you work for the village. Truly, no one works harder."
"Master Aizen, please take this beef with you."
"Master Aizen, my husband just brought fine wine from the Land of Fire—wait, I'll fetch some for you—no, half the cask!"
At that moment, Temari—just shy of thirteen yet already carrying the grace of maturity—happened to pass by. Watching the scene, she couldn't help but murmur with awe:
"Unbelievable… he's really that popular."
When New Year's Day arrived, the people of Sunagakure shuttered their doors, but laughter and festivity still spilled out from within.
At the village gates, the sentries spotted Aizen and immediately straightened.
"Master Aizen!"
"You're still standing guard during the holiday," Aizen said with a small smile. "You've worked hard."
The shinobi bowed deeply. "Aizen-sama praises us too highly. Are you leaving the village?"
"Yes," Aizen replied. "It's an S-rank mission personally assigned by the Kazekage. I must handle it myself."
Without further words, he strode away, his figure gradually fading into the snow-dusted desert.
The gate guards exchanged whispers:
"To take on an S-rank mission during the New Year—no one works harder than Aizen-sama."
"True. With the Fourth Kazekage still not fully recovered from his injuries, more of the burden falls to Aizen-sama."
"Honestly, isn't he the obvious choice for the next Kazekage?"
"Hah, of course! Is there even a second candidate?"
Two days later—Liusha Village, on the southeastern border of the Wind Country.
Aizen arrived at the rendezvous point marked in Orochimaru's scroll.
As he stood against the cliffside outside the village, an ominous presence suddenly swelled from below.
The ground split open—countless white spikes shot upward.
Aizen's brows rose faintly. He stepped lightly into the air, crafting a makeshift path with his reiatsu, and in an instant was standing five meters above ground.
"Bones?"
His eyes narrowed behind the mask. Those ivory thorns were unmistakable.
Kaguya Clan – Shikotsumyaku.
"Could it be…?"
From among the bone spikes, a slender figure emerged. Silver-haired, no older than twelve.
Kimimaro.
"You truly are the second-in-command of Sunagakure," Kimimaro said flatly. "It seems there are many secrets you've yet to reveal."
A hoarse, serpentine voice followed.
"Orochimaru," Aizen muttered.
The sannin approached with his eerie smile, flanked by several subordinates—Yakushi Kabuto and the Sound Four: Kidōmaru, Tayuya, Jirōbō, and Sakon/Ukon. Kimimaro stood apart, Orochimaru's most trusted weapon.
"I hadn't expected Rasa to share this secret with anyone else," Orochimaru said with mock surprise. "I thought he would come alone."
Kabuto leaned close. "Orochimaru-sama, what should we do?"
A brief pause. Orochimaru's tongue flicked out before he grinned. "No matter. If the second-in-command can approach Rasa, all the better. It simply gives us another piece to move on the board."
His original plan had been to seize Rasa's body. But if Aizen could take his place… infiltrating Sunagakure would be far easier.
"You speak," Aizen's cold voice cut in, "as though killing me is already assured."
Orochimaru chuckled, eyes glinting. "Why not? With this lineup, even my old teacher, the Third Hokage, would struggle to survive."
The next instant—Aizen vanished.
Gasps broke out among the Sound Four.
When they turned, Aizen was already standing between Orochimaru and his followers, barely half a meter away.
His blade, Kyōka Suigetsu, gleamed in the desert light.
A single motion—
Shhk!
The sword pierced straight through Orochimaru's throat from behind.