A lot of sincere words got spoken under the guise of acting.
He could hear the sincerity in Rasa's voice, and he could tell the kid must have practiced in private. Otherwise, his tone and expression wouldn't have seemed so smooth and natural.
Hoshino Maki had no doubt that if he really were as Rasa described him—Wait, those sounded like real accusations.
He really hadn't discussed the details with the Elder Council. And conspiring with Danzo was pretty much the same as conspiring with Konoha.
If he weren't personally involved, he'd probably believe Rasa's description of a Sunagakure Rogue Ninja.
He gave Rasa a subtle look, warning him to stick to the script. Then he put on a frightened expression, spread his arms, and waved his hands as he hurriedly explained, "It's a misunderstanding! All of it! Those were just jokes. The village's demands won't be reduced by even a hair!"
"Hoshino Maki!"
Danzo slammed a hand on the table and glared furiously at him.
Hoshino Maki thought for a moment, then said, "Let me speak with Lord Rasa first."
As he spoke, he stood and took Rasa by the hand, leading him outside.
Inside the room, Danzo watched them leave, his expression shifting between light and dark.
"You've got quite the creative streak, kid."
Once they were outside and had found a quiet spot, Hoshino Maki dropped the act. Folding his arms across his chest, he regarded Rasa with an amused look.
Rasa remained expressionless. "I was just trying to make the performance more convincing. Didn't you say the best acting meant putting yourself in the character's shoes?"
"So you really think you're someone who hunts down traitors now?"
Hoshino Maki's tone turned a little hostile.
Rasa nodded. "By the village's rules, what you did would definitely count as