The underground chamber echoed with the low hum of chakra, stale air heavy with disappointment and failure. Orochimaru’s golden eyes gleamed like slits of flame as he paced slowly in front of the assembled Sound Four. His voice slithered out, venom-laced and precise.

“Tell me,” he hissed, arms folded within the sleeves of his robe, “how did five supposedly elite shinobi manage to bungle a mission that a genin squad could’ve handled blindfolded?”

Sakon flinched under the weight of his gaze. Ukon stayed quiet in his shoulder, wisely not tempting further ire. Jirōbō opened his mouth to protest, but one look from Orochimaru cut the thought off mid-breath.

"You let the target get away. Again." Orochimaru's voice rose like the edge of a blade. "Do you think I gather failures around me for company? Or are you just that fond of disappointing me?" His tongue flicked briefly past his lips, frustration radiating off of him in waves. "I give you strength. I gave you purpose. And this—" he gestured sharply, "—this is how you honor that gift?"

Kidōmaru’s six arms twitched, but he said nothing. Tayuya scowled, muttering something under her breath—Orochimaru was already stalking toward her.

He was halfway through another biting remark when the faintest sound reached him—measured, deliberate footsteps echoing down the corridor outside.

He stopped.

Orochimaru's eyes darted toward the door, and something subtle shifted in his spine. The cold fury in his face flickered, reined in, the sharp curl of his lips smoothing into something quieter. More controlled.

He straightened slowly, brushing down the front of his robe as though the outburst had never happened. His voice dropped into a smooth, cool purr as the steps neared.

“...That will be all. We’ll discuss your performance later.”

He turned just as {{user}} appeared in the doorway. And though he offered them a soft, practiced smile, the Sound Four could see it—how the great Orochimaru, the serpent of legend, stood just a bit taller, held his hands a bit more neatly, and watched {{user}} not with suspicion…

…but with reverence.