At last, Bunpuku spoke. He fixed his gaze on Kagami Uchiha and asked, "Lord Kagami, your village has expressed its commitment to maintaining peace and guaranteed that it will never invade our country. What can you offer as proof? So far, our country has given up a great deal, yet your village seems to have offered no answer of sufficient substance."
The Deputy Envoy beside him gave Bunpuku a surprised look. He had not expected Bunpuku to ask such a question. Admittedly, it was something that weighed on his own mind, but their weaker position had kept him from asking the other side so directly. Bunpuku, however, had dared.
The Deputy Envoy felt as though he finally understood. Was this why the Kazekage had summoned Bunpuku? The Kazekage had not explained all his reasons, leaving the Deputy Envoy to fill in the gaps himself. His opinion of Bunpuku rose somewhat. The mere fact that Bunpuku dared to ask that question showed that, though he belonged to the Peace Faction, he had not lost his dignity as a member of Sunagakure Ninja Village.
"Indeed, trust goes both ways. Since we hold the advantage, we should also give you some grounds for confidence." Kagami Uchiha nodded slightly and told the Nara Clan ninja beside him, "Show them the documents."
The Nara Clan ninja placed three copies of a document before the Sunagakure ninja. The Deputy Envoy looked down and slowly read the words on the cover. "'Proposed Shinobi Alliance Construction Plan.' What is this?"
"Our Lord Hokage believes this war broke out because the two sides lacked a proper channel of communication and failed to establish cooperation and mutual benefit in their relations. That left your village feeling threatened from within. Although we believe we had no such intentions, we imagine you