Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a deep breath, as though he were expelling all the frustration in his heart along with it.
He looked at Tsunade, a trace of helplessness and earnestness in his eyes, before slowly explaining, "Things are far more complicated than you imagine, Tsunade."
His voice was low and grave, carrying a weight that made people feel stifled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Uchiha Yato deliberately guided us in this mistaken direction. His goal is to make the two of us quarrel and turn against each other."
"Tsunade, you mustn't let his scheme deceive you and fall into his trap!"
As an experienced old politician, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through Uchiha Yato's actions as clearly as fire.
He knew this kind of tactic all too well. It was a classic scheme to sow discord.
Uchiha Yato had deliberately left holes in his words, not because he did not want to patch them up, but because he had done so intentionally—so that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade would jump into this trap.
Only then would Tsunade begin to doubt the truth of the matter and keep pressing for answers.
And if Hiruzen Sarutobi slipped up even slightly and said something that did not match the facts, Uchiha Yato would immediately seize the chance and mercilessly expose his lie.
Though this scheme was insidious and vicious, it was highly effective.
However, since Uchiha Yato had already made his move, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no room to retreat. He had to face it head-on and take the blow.
Otherwise, the situation before them would become even harder to control.
Perhaps Tsunade found what was happening before her too difficult to face, or perhaps she still held a certain degree of trust and expectation toward her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In the end, she chose to