"I know what you are here to do," Orochimaru interrupted Sakumo's somewhat faltering speech, "there is nothing you can - or will - say to soften it, so spit your insults and have done with it." he said, head held high.

"You think I shouldn't?" Sakumo demanded, a flash of fangs and a voice owing ferocity to both pain and anger. "You think there is some reason that could hold me?"

"Because what I have done, at our Hokage's command, is the worst thing imaginable?" Orochimaru countered sharply; as though he had been given any choice - as though he had ever been given a choice when Sarutobi-sensei wanted something done, something he would never ask of his golden favourite and would be loath to admit to at all.

"And because it might not be the most reprehensible action imaginable I should forgive it? Be comfortable with it?" Sakumo snarled, showing a flash of the White Fang so rarely seen within Konoha's walls.

"Then break me and go!" Orochimaru spat, then flinched at the words he had let slip.