Orochimaru quickly resumed the smile he had been working on over the past two days and gave White Fang a grateful look.
Even though White Fang was also a competitor for the position of Fourth Hokage, the two had always shared a mutual respect and admiration.
In another timeline, Orochimaru's "transformation into a scientist" and Sakumo's self-sacrifice were somewhat interconnected.
Now, with White Fang's appearance, it might just be what was needed to defuse the potentially explosive conflict.
"What do you want? Kokuo still hasn't forgiven you, so I don't really feel like talking to you." Wakika frowned in annoyance.
"Haha! Don't be so harsh, little one. I was blown away by Kokuo with just one encounter—that counts as a punishment, doesn't it?"
White Fang laughed heartily, showing a knack for handling children.
But before Wakika could say anything, White Fang glanced at Orochimaru, and his expression quickly became serious.
"In all seriousness, little one... Those guys do have a strong dark aura, but I didn't expect you to notice it too." White Fang spoke earnestly.
Orochimaru frowned slightly, feeling uneasy.
White Fang seemed to be trying to placate the child, but why did it sound like...
"What! You noticed it too?"
Wakika exclaimed in surprise, as if he had discovered something remarkable.
He scrutinized White Fang carefully before finally nodding and commenting, "Uncle, it seems your Will of Fire is also very strong!"
"Ahem!" White Fang cleared his throat dramatically after receiving Wakika's praise.
"Little one, it seems I need to properly introduce myself..."
White Fang turned to the right, where a group of figures was approaching, his gaze growing colder.
"Uncle here... is the one who cleans up all the darkness in Konoha!"