Zou Hyuga looked at Shinnō and smiled without saying a word. He showed no resentment at being exposed and calmly raised his wineglass.
Compared to Zou Hyuga's composure, Shinnō felt far more confusion and fear.
With the Fourth Mizukage dead in battle and several Kirigakure spies withdrawn, the man had all but taken control of nearly half of Kirigakure through Kisame, remaining hidden behind the scenes of Akatsuki.
With such immense power, why was he lurking in the Shinobi World? What exactly did he want?
Shinnō had always wondered about that, but after the undeserved disaster he had suffered last night, he suddenly had an answer.
Zou Hyuga was guarding against that equally mysterious, absurdly powerful boy, who had been strong enough to crush Shinnō even with the Seventh Gate open and the power of the Zero-Tails Jinchūriki.
That mysterious boy's strength had at least surpassed Kage Level, placing him on the same level as the Akatsuki Leader.
That would also explain why Zou Hyuga had joined Akatsuki. Most likely, he had sought its protection so he could stand against that mysterious boy.
Otherwise, what could there possibly be in the vast organization of Akatsuki that Zou Hyuga coveted?
Last night, Shinnō had taken the blow meant for Zou Hyuga. And Zou Hyuga had not ultimately won that battle, either. He must now be putting on a brave front, just like Shinnō, afraid to show even the slightest weakness.
At that thought, Shinnō gave Zou Hyuga a meaningful look and said slowly, "You're so eager to get your hands on that technology because you want to deal with the boy from last night, aren't you, President?"
At those words, Zou Hyuga immediately frowned, losing his composure.
Seeing this, Shinnō continued his speculation. "And that boy is both your clansman and