After all five had voiced their opinions, Yahiko spoke.
"You've all finished, right? Then it's my turn to say a few things."
Everyone fell silent and turned to Yahiko.
Yahiko began.
"First of all, there's something wrong with that Kanzō fellow who claimed to be Hanzo of the Salamander's deputy. We've all lived in Amegakure for a long time, and we've heard at least something about the people around Hanzo of the Salamander. But has any of you ever heard of a man named Kanzō?"
They exchanged glances before finally shaking their heads.
It was true. They had never heard of anyone named Kanzō in Amegakure.
The Akatsuki had put down roots in Amegakure, after all. They had dealt with its prominent figures to some extent and knew a little about them, but they had genuinely never heard of this Kanzō.
"And that's not all. There's also a problem with how he addressed Hanzo of the Salamander.
Although we call that man by his name, for Hanzo of the Salamander's deputy to do the same is very strange.
Ever since Hanzo of the Salamander became the Rain Shadow, everyone around him has been required to address him as the Rain Shadow. Anyone who's worked under him should know that."
The two who had once worked under Hanzo of the Salamander confirmed this. He was particularly insistent on being addressed as the Rain Shadow.
"So I believe there's something seriously wrong with this Kanzō."
Yahiko tapped the table as he spoke, then continued.
"All right, next, let's look at Hanzo of the Salamander's offer to make peace."
The atmosphere in the conference room grew oppressive. If there was something wrong with the messenger who had delivered the letter, then the peace offer was most likely insincere.
"Actually, this so-called envoy, Kanzō,