Ronglin himself was taken aback. He had not expected Granny Chiyo to be so decisive, showing no intention of negotiating at all. She went straight to the point, made her stance clear, and then tossed the matter to Ronglin to handle.
On the surface, it looked like nothing more than taking in a subordinate, but would that really be the case?
Behind Ronglin, Uchiha Diqin's small mouth hung slightly open as she stared blankly at Granny Chiyo. An egg could practically fit in her mouth, showing just how stunned she was by Granny Chiyo's words.
"Are you joking?"
After a brief pause, Ronglin looked at Granny Chiyo.
"This old woman is not joking. I did not come all this way to make a joke out of something so humiliating. I cannot afford that embarrassment, and neither can Sunagakure."
A trace of anger appeared on Granny Chiyo's face. She had already put it so plainly, yet he still suspected she was joking?
Was this the sort of thing one could casually joke about?
"Could it be that the Hokage believes Sunagakure is not sincere enough?"
Before Ronglin could speak, Baki, who stood behind Granny Chiyo with an unhappy expression, cut in.
"And you are...?"
Ronglin looked at Baki. He seemed somewhat familiar, but Ronglin could not recall who he was.
"Baki!!"
"Oh~~ so it's you. What a surprise. I remember you had already returned to Sunagakure's combat forces, hadn't you? Why aren't you properly being an instructor? What are you doing here in Konoha?"
Ronglin suddenly remembered. Wasn't this Gaara and his siblings' teacher? Even this guy had come.
"Baki accompanied me here to protect my safety," Granny Chiyo explained.
"So, a guard?"
Ronglin suddenly smiled, making Granny Chiyo and the others frown.
In less than two seconds, the smile vanished