It was Hiruzen Sarutobi's words that set things in motion.
They marked the official opening of this high-level language arts competition.
"Konoha may indeed have been at fault, but the blame cannot be placed on any one person."
"The Uchiha Clan has suffered considerable losses this time and should receive preferential treatment from you."
At first glance, Hiruzen Sarutobi's words seemed perfectly reasonable, but upon closer consideration, they concealed a massive trap.
In this incident, the only way Konoha could be said to have been at fault was if Mei Terumi and the others had not lied and someone had switched the hot spring signs.
But with those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi directly made Konoha take on a problem first. It sounded like he was taking a step back, but in reality, he was shifting the blame.
Because aside from that Root guide, the only people present had been members of the Uchiha Clan.
Leaving aside the possibility that Root would not shoot itself in the foot by leading enemies directly inside, the only ones who could have done such a thing were members of the Uchiha Clan.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deliberately steering things toward the Uchiha Clan in this way.
And in his following sentence, he specifically emphasized that although the Uchiha Clan had suffered some losses this time and deserved preferential treatment from them, he was also giving the other side a pointed reminder.
Mei Terumi, standing in the back, narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Ao, the captain of the Mizukage's ANBU, also understood what the other side was implying.
"We have no reason to do something that would damage our own reputation."
"When we came to Konoha, we came with the intention of exchange, not to cause trouble."
"It seems someone really has been meddling behind the