At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely impressed by Zhang Miao, if for no other reason than his seemingly endless ability to gather information.
When Zhang Miao had previously said that the Fourth Kazekage of the Land of Sand had a daughter named Temari, and that the Third Tsuchikage had a granddaughter named Kurotsuchi, Hiruzen Sarutobi had considered that fairly ordinary information.
After all, Konoha stood at the center of the ninja world, and merchants naturally traveled between the various countries. The Kage of each ninja village were public figures, so the names of their relatives and children were hardly secrets. Zhang Miao knowing such information merely meant that he was well informed.
But Kirigakure was different.
Ever since the Fourth Mizukage had taken office, Kirigakure in the Land of Water had remained isolated from the outside world for a long time. It had no diplomatic relations at all, and its internal rule was exceedingly harsh and bloody.
Because of that, Kirigakure had become known as the "Village of the Bloody Mist."
At this time, Kirigakure was unlike the other ninja villages. If spies sent by other villages to gather intelligence were caught, they could still be redeemed through hostage exchanges or other compensation. But Kirigakure had only one way of dealing with intruders—kill them!
It accepted no conditions. Once any outsider who was not from Kirigakure entered its territory, they would all be treated as enemies and executed!
Under such circumstances, Zhang Miao actually knew that Kirigakure was in the midst of internal strife, and even knew about candidates who might become the next Mizukage. That indicated two possibilities.
First, Zhang Miao was talking nonsense.
Second, Zhang Miao's means of obtaining information were extraordinarily powerful.
As an old powerhouse who had been active in the ninja world for decades,