Granny Chiyo paid no attention at all to what the Master of Open Stratagems was saying.
She pushed the Master of Open Stratagems aside with some urgency and said:
"Get out of the way. Two Kage Level experts have arrived at the front."
"I have to get there right away. If they're allowed to run rampant at the front, our battle lines will collapse outright."
The Master of Open Stratagems did not get angry at being shoved aside.
Instead, after hearing Granny Chiyo's words, he froze.
With an ugly look on his face, he said:
"No wonder the reinforcements from outside the castle still haven't arrived."
"Granny, those two Kage Level experts were actually able to join forces... and kill you."
"I imagine even if you went to the front, it wouldn't do any good, would it?"
Granny Chiyo's aged face reddened, a rare sight, and she said:
"Uh... well! That was all because I let my guard down."
"To be precise, I was killed in a surprise attack."
"This time, I'm prepared. I absolutely won't let that fellow succeed."
The Master of Open Stratagems stubbornly shook his head and said:
"Granny, hear me out!"
"With the battle as it stands, even if you went to the front, you'd have a hard time changing the situation right away."
"But if you could help us resolve the predicament we're facing here..."
"I could lead our people in breaking out and supporting the front. With us attacking from both inside and outside, wouldn't that turn the battle around in an instant?"
Granny Chiyo, who had been eager to leave, did indeed stop after hearing the Master of Open Stratagems' suggestion.
"Hmm... you have a point."
"Then what difficulty are you facing here that's kept you from breaking out all this time?"
Delight