Uchiha Minamoto's [Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan] took in every subtle change in Kitsuchi's expression.
Just as Kitsuchi hesitated over whether to lie, Uchiha Minamoto spoke again.
"Let me guess..."
Uchiha Minamoto stared expressionlessly at Kitsuchi.
"Ōnoki certainly didn't send you to Kumogakure to fight the AB Combo alone. He sent you to-negotiate peace?"
Kitsuchi's heart clenched.
This guy... how did he know?
"Looks like I guessed right."
Uchiha Minamoto looked thoughtful. Watching Kitsuchi's changing expression, he spoke again.
"But peace talks alone wouldn't offer Iwagakure any additional benefits.
"Ōnoki specifically sent a group of ninja to the Land of Frost at this critical moment.
"Is Iwagakure trying to join forces with Kumogakure against Konoha?"
Kitsuchi's psychological defenses swiftly crumbled before the Light of Konoha's scarlet eyes, which seemed capable of seeing straight into people's hearts.
Seeing that the Light of Konoha had already seen through his purpose, Kitsuchi finally chose to come clean.
As quickly as possible, he explained every objective of his mission to Kumogakure.
A ceasefire.
An alliance.
Joint resistance against Konoha.
"...I'm Kitsuchi, leader of Iwagakure's diplomatic mission."
After explaining everything, Kitsuchi gave his name, then invoked his father's name as well.
"Son of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki!"
The war between Iwagakure and Konoha had ended many years ago.
Although the two sides still had minor border clashes.
They had never escalated into a real war.
Kitsuchi brought up his father's name now simply to see whether his father's prestige could help him survive at the Light of Konoha's hands.
"You're Ōnoki's son?"
Uchiha Minamoto raised his eyebrows slightly and looked Kitsuchi up and down.
He had never seen Ōnoki of Both Scales in person.
But he had a general idea of what the Third Tsuchikage looked like.
That red-nosed old man Ōnoki barely stood 1.3 meters tall