The next day, peace talks between the two sides formally began. The Sunagakure Ninja were at a disadvantage. Only a handful of them had come, and just three, including Bunpuku, could participate in the negotiations. Konoha, meanwhile, was represented by Kagami Uchiha and six others. Their numbers alone created an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Lord Kagami, our position remains unchanged. The conditions you offered are far too harsh," the Sunagakure Deputy Envoy said impatiently once both sides had taken their seats.
Kagami Uchiha did not answer him. Instead, he first turned to the elderly Bunpuku, studied him for a moment, and asked, "You must be Mr. Bunpuku."
"Yes, and you must be the head of the Uchiha Clan." Bunpuku inclined his head slightly in greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." Kagami Uchiha nodded. "You are indeed just as others described you."
Kagami Uchiha was an excellent judge of character. Uchiha Setsuna had only managed to deceive him in the past because Setsuna was a cunning old fox, and because Kagami had been unwilling to deal too harshly with the radicals within his clan. When judging people from other villages, however, he was not subject to those influences. Bunpuku's bearing and demeanor truly reflected the grace of an enlightened sage. That was not something anyone could casually manufacture.
As the saying went, the face reflected the heart. A person's mental state influenced their bearing and demeanor to some extent. It was not an infallible rule, but it certainly played a significant part. Other variables meant it could only serve as a reference rather than grounds for a firm conclusion, yet Kagami Uchiha felt Bunpuku was someone he could work with.
Instead of opening negotiations, Kagami Uchiha had first spoken with the chief envoy, leaving the