"Hada Ichiba, affiliated with Kusagakure, is Kusagakure's current envoy to Konoha. He was the one who made Konoha agree to let Kusagakure participate in this Chunin Exams."
Watching the Fourth Kazekage, who had nearly finished reading the information before him, Orochimaru spoke at the right moment.
"What is the deal with this Hada Ichiba?"
Hearing this, the Fourth Kazekage raised his head and asked in confusion.
Clearly, he did not understand why they had been discussing Taki Chiba just fine, only to suddenly shift to this Hada Ichiba.
This Hada Ichiba did seem somewhat unusual, but he appeared to have no connection whatsoever to the subject they had been discussing.
What did Kusagakure's affairs have to do with them? Although Kusagakure's sudden isolationism had indeed been suspicious, participating in the Chunin Exams seemed perfectly reasonable. Konoha wanted to display its might, while a small shinobi village wanted to raise its standing. Besides, after remaining isolated for so long, its economy would surely have suffered a devastating blow for such a small country and village.
Kusagakure participating in the Chunin Exams was not only unsurprising, but entirely reasonable. On the contrary, it would have been suspicious if they had not participated.
This was completely beside the point! "This Hada Ichiba looks exactly like Taki Chiba."
At this, Orochimaru looked at the Fourth Kazekage. His gaze gradually turned sharp and solemn as he spoke in an exceedingly grave tone.
Looks...
Exactly alike? Having lowered his gaze to the scroll again after asking his question, trying to glean something from it, the Fourth Kazekage slowly raised his head and looked at Orochimaru across from him. Though his face was gloomy, Orochimaru exuded an air of utmost seriousness.
"This... You're not saying that Hada Ichiba is Taki Chiba, are you?"
After a long pause,