Before Nagato could answer, Yahiko leaned forward and asked excitedly.
"Really?! Big brother, are you a ninja too?!"
Kakuzu, who had been put in his place by Izuna several times, spoke with feeling.
"Of course. Boss Izuna is absolutely one of the strongest people in the world."
"Really? I want to hear it from you, big brother. I'm not listening to that mean old man."
"Little brat. Believe it or don't."
Izuna nodded and gave a simple answer.
"I'm strong."
"Really?!"
Yahiko was curious about just how strong Izuna was.
"Then are you as strong as Lord Hanzō, big brother?"
Tetsuya grinned at Yahiko's question.
"How about this? Words alone prove nothing. Why don't we have Izuna show you?"
"Show us? How?"
The three children were curious about how he intended to prove it.
"Have Izuna spar with Hanzo of the Salamander and see who's stronger."
"Huh?!" ×3
All three children gasped. This big brother was going to face Lord Hanzō!
"Isn't that a bad idea? Lord Hanzō is fighting a war, and he's super strong. Someone could die if anything goes wrong! You're a good person, big brother. We don't want anything to happen to you."
Izuna waved a hand.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Besides, I came here for Hanzo of the Salamander in the first place."
"I knew it. I said Boss Izuna wouldn't come all this way just to sightsee in a damp place like the Land of Rain."
Kakuzu wore a look of understanding.
"All right, no time to lose. Let's go. We already gathered some information on the way here. The decisive battle between Konoha and Amegakure is about to begin, so we can watch the excitement too."
Tetsuya looked like someone who never minded trouble as long as he could enjoy