[Hiding this or that of inconvenience was only natural; Matoba couldn't hold it against the man to hold anything back from him, just as Matoba would withhold anything that might paint too poor a picture of the Alliance, if he didn't have some useful reason for doing so. Selling out those in control of you was generally not a good idea, when you didn't even have a gameplan.]

[Matoba nods, agreeing that it was pretty pointless for them to fight the warrant, all things considered.] I understand their sense of pride, and I'm certain that they fear they will face blame for something that was way above their heads, but sometimes, playing along is the best option. Even I don't believe the Enma would simply dispose of them all for no good reason. [He's not saying he'd shed tears, but it did seem like a bit much for a bunch of harmless low-rankers.]

Yes, they told us the same. If they're feeding us all a line, they're being very consistent about it.

What do you think, Soma-san? Don't you have a good eye for these things? [He's making a self-deprecating joke. You don't have to humor him.]