Refusing a Toast Only to Drink a Forfeit

Dan Katō showed no sign of panic, insisting that none of it had anything to do with him. Someone else had spread the news, not Dan Katō. He was merely a bystander, and he believed Hikaru could do nothing to him.

But could Hikaru really do nothing to him?

Hikaru could pretend not to have seen what happened last time, but not this time!!!

None of it might have been started by you, Dan Katō, but do not forget that you were those people's superior. When you could have kept it confidential, you chose to turn a blind eye, allowing the information to spread.

"You're right. You didn't do anything wrong. In fact, you're so dedicated that I can't help but admire you for it. But..." Hikaru paused there and carefully sized Dan Katō up. Dan Katō stared back at him without yielding.

The two simply faced each other in silence.

"But you were their superior, the one responsible for them. Do you really think I'd believe what you say? Tell me, what were you thinking?"

Hikaru did not care what Dan Katō said. Your subordinates had spread the information right in front of you, under your very nose. That was dereliction of duty. As a Konoha jonin, did you not even understand such basic rules?!

Why the Anbu members had leaked the information was the Anbu's business. But as the manager of the Medical Department, knowing full well what was happening and still allowing your subordinates to spread it was your fault.

Even if it was not deliberate, you could not escape responsibility. If you had immediately forbidden the discussion and explained the consequences to the wounded, would they still have spoken carelessly?

"I don't understand what you're talking about." Dan Katō frowned and shook his head. Though he