As Orochimaru's voice faded, the entire war room fell silent.
Yes, they had all sensed a chilling coldness in Orochimaru's words, as though a venomous snake had fixed its eyes on them.
A mole-this was something everyone had grown accustomed to in war. It could be said that every faction was filled with moles planted by other factions.
Sunagakure was not the only faction with moles here; Sunagakure had planted agents in other factions as well.
"No one is admitting it, then?" Orochimaru said with a soft chuckle, the coldness in his eyes now impossible to suppress.
"There will be no spies among our Hyuga Clan. Please recognize that, Lord Orochimaru," Hyuga Hiashi said, stepping forward.
He knew that Orochimaru needed someone to voice agreement now, rather than simply remain silent.
"I know the Hyuga Clan has always been loyal, and I also believe that neither of you brothers is the mole." A perfect smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips.
Orochimaru knew full well that the person who had betrayed him could not be Hyuga Hiashi or Hizashi Hyuga. After all, those two had always been utterly loyal to Konoha.
In particular, when they learned that Chiyo had gone to find Sōkyū Hatake, the two of them had been even more agitated than he was.
At that thought, Orochimaru understood that the Hyuga Clan certainly could not have been behind this, so he turned his gaze toward the others.
"Lord Orochimaru, I didn't do this either. Our Nara Clan's loyalty to Konoha is beyond question." With Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga setting an example, Nara Rokuten spoke up as well.
"Lord Orochimaru, it wasn't our Akimichi Clan either."
"Lord Orochimaru, it certainly wasn't our Inuzuka Clan."
"Lord Orochimaru..."
"Lord Orochimaru..."
For a time, all sorts of people began protesting their innocence,