After finishing his speech, Roshi fell silent, ready to face Sosuke's surprise and questioning.
After all, he was a Jinchuriki, the most terrifying weapon of mass destruction in the Ninja World, suddenly moving under an assumed name to the Ninja Sect Six Paths City. No matter how Sosuke questioned him, it wouldn't be too much.
"Hmm." Mokgetsu smiled lightly and nodded.
Roshi looked at Mokgetsu with a puzzled expression, not understanding why Mokgetsu's reaction was so calm. When the person you are conversing with suddenly changes their identity, especially to being a Jinchuriki, such a terrifying entity, shouldn't you be shocked?
Roshi's peripheral vision noticed Nagato was also unfazed and was bewildered. While Sosuke could be explained by having seen great adversity, how could Nagato, a mere youth as a ninja, be so composed?
Although Roshi didn't reveal his identity to show off to see Sosuke and Nagato's shock, their demeanor left him with a sense of confidence in displaying his power, only to receive such a lukewarm response.
It was awkward, very awkward; Roshi was so embarrassed he forgot to sit down.
He really wanted others to treat him as a regular person, but not like in this situation.
"I am the Four-tails..." Roshi thought Sosuke might not have realized his identity at that moment.
"I know, the Four-tailed Jinchuriki of the Hidden Rock Village."
Roshi looked at Sosuke with surprise and confusion; since Sosuke knew his identity, why was he still so calm?
Wasn't he afraid the Hidden Rock Village might have some conspiracy, like throwing a Kunai on the ground and having five hundred elite Hidden Rock Ninjas appear?
"Did you already know my identity?" Roshi thought of something and couldn't help but ask.
If Sosuke had known his identity long ago, Sosuke and Nagato's reactions made sense.
"When I learned that you wanted to meet me, I knew." Mokgetsu replied truthfully.
Mokgetsu knew pretending not to know Roshi's identity would make Roshi have a better impression of him, but it wasn't necessary.
Roshi was shocked looking at Mokgetsu, never expecting his identity to be exposed so quickly.
The Five Great Ninja Villages hadn't discovered him, so how did Sosuke confirm his identity? They had never met before.
Moreover, since Sosuke knew his identity, why hadn't he contacted the Hidden Rock Village to inquire about the situation?
After all, he was a Jinchuriki, and his country suddenly having an unexpected Jinchuriki appear shouldn't be met with indifference.
"The Four-tailed Jinchuriki of the Hidden Rock Village is history; now I am no longer a Hidden Rock Ninja." Roshi thought for a while and said.
Since he planned to reveal his identity, he might as well expose everything thoroughly.
Roshi's words made Nagato's face change slightly.
Earlier, he could remain calm because Mokgetsu had mentioned before dispatching him to call Roshi that Roshi's identity was known, but Mokgetsu never said Roshi had become a traitorous ninja.
Ninjas could retire, but a retired Hidden Rock Ninja would still count as a Hidden Rock Ninja, and Roshi was far from retirement age, so it could only mean he was a traitorous ninja.
An ordinary traitorous ninja Nagato could ignore, but a Jinchuriki traitor was different; having been taught by Mokgetsu, Nagato understood the significance.
Nagato quickly looked to Mokgetsu and seeing no change in Mokgetsu's expression, instantly felt much more reassured.
"I understand." Mokgetsu nodded and then quietly watched Roshi.
Roshi: ...
"Could you perhaps know why I left the Hidden Rock Village?" Sosuke's calm demeanor bewildered Roshi.
Mokgetsu shook his head; Roshi's departure was known to him as related to a defeat, but surely there were many things he didn't know about.
Roshi breathed a sigh of relief; there was finally something Sosuke didn't know.
But then Roshi didn't know what to say next.
This meeting unfolded in a way Roshi never expected; Sosuke not only knew his identity but had known for so long.
This led Roshi's mind to fill with many jumbled thoughts, unable to clear them.
"Let's leave it at that today. If you have any questions about the book regarding the Ninja Sect, you can come to me at the Ninja Sect. I will have a period where I am not very busy." Mokgetsu said after Roshi fell silent.
He could sense Roshi's interest in the Ninja Sect. If Mokgetsu fully recruited him, Roshi would likely choose to join the Ninja Sect.
For someone like Roshi, who has experienced a tragic childhood, the Ninja Sect had significant appeal.
However, this time Mokgetsu didn't have a strong intention to insist.
Because although Roshi's strength was formidable, his identity indeed presented a major headache.
If the Hidden Rock Village knew Roshi joined the Ninja Sect, they would definitely try everything to take back the Four-tails, and other Great Ninja Villages might covet the Ninja Sect because of it.
Compared to the rumored Ninja Sect heritage, a Tailed Beast was a tangible super weapon.
Roshi joining the Ninja Sect would bring more trouble than benefits.
Mokgetsu chose to let things take their natural course; he would truthfully show Roshi everything about the Ninja Sect.
If Roshi wanted to join the Ninja Sect, Mokgetsu wouldn't refuse; he couldn't reject a like-minded companion because of a potential problem.
If Roshi left the Land of Rain tonight, Mokgetsu wouldn't stop him.
"I... alright then." Roshi had many unsaid words, so when Sosuke suggested stopping there, he stood up anxiously. Hearing Sosuke say he could ask later, he sat back down.
Roshi suddenly remembered Sosuke had been lecturing a few hours before, and it was a day-long lecture to thousands.
In his uncertainty of what to say, it indeed wasn't right for Sosuke to linger with him, but rather rest was more appropriate.
"Sorry for bothering you." Roshi apologized earnestly.
Facing Onoki, he could be a stubborn Jinchuriki, but facing Sosuke who gave such respect, stubbornness would be a bit too much, akin to those Hidden Rock Village residents who gave him odd looks.
Mokgetsu waved his hand to indicate he didn't mind.
Roshi felt he hadn't contributed, but for Mokgetsu, as long as Roshi listened attentively in class, it was helpful to him.
After leaving the Ninja Sect's reception hall, Roshi returned to the inn.
Lying in bed, his mind was full of thoughts about the meeting with Sosuke.
"Why hasn't he contacted the Hidden Rock Village?" Roshi still hadn't figured this out.
According to a normal logic of behavior, knowing that a Jinchuriki like him arrived unexpectedly in the Land of Rain, Sosuke would contact the Hidden Rock Village, regardless of whether it was a voluntary escape; after all, both sides were cooperators.
"Wait a minute, Sosuke just said he didn't know why I left the Hidden Rock Village, not that he was unaware I left." With a flash of insight, Roshi connected his journey to the Land of Rain and discovered a blind spot.
Sosuke had known his identity long ago, and according to Roshi's eavesdropping on conversations between the Hidden Rock and Nagato, the Ninja Sect discovered the Hidden Rock had unknown actions in the Land of Rain.
Combining these pieces of information, Sosuke might have inferred his current situation.
"The timing of the second unlimited public lecture being scheduled now... was it by chance?" Roshi thought of the lecture event that made the Hidden Rock temporarily abandon searching for him.
Roshi shook his head; although it seemed likely, most were his speculations with no factual basis.
"I'll ask Sosuke tomorrow." Roshi planned to change his itinerary.
Originally, he intended to leave the Land of Rain immediately after meeting Sosuke and head to the Bird Country.
Now Roshi had many unresolved doubts; leaving would be unsatisfying. Moreover, he had unfounded confidence in Sosuke, feeling he definitely wouldn't betray him.
...
On the other side, in the Rain Village.
Hanzo had just returned to the Rain Village a short while ago when he received news that made him frown.
"Shimura Danzo's ninja wants to see me?"
Honestly, hearing that name got Hanzo furious now.
"Tell them I'm weary from travel and have already rested." Hanzo commanded.
He had to meet the ninja sent by Shimura Danzo because they represented Konoha.
But he was also a village leader; he didn't have to give Shimura Danzo so much face and wouldn't meet them immediately.
After all, it wasn't Shimura Danzo or Sarutobi Hiruzen himself who came.